After the punishment finally ended the teacher took Arius to her office and started warning him not to do that again then he left for the roof and when he went out he found Leon sitting and eating lunch with his friends and after that he called out to Arius but Arius did not want to go then he sat alone in a far place then his sister Lina came to inquire from him what happened today because everyone is talking about that Arius answered with all sarcasm I wished to know the feeling of punishment and I have tried it for Lina to scold him and get angry at him so much that he was afraid of her and her anger and she asked him to go with her and apologize to the teacher for what he did Arius did not like the idea but he had to listen to his sister or she would tell their father about what happened
Arius took a deep breath as he walked behind his sister his facial features combining wounded pride and childish annoyance while Lina was walking in front of him with angry steps grabbing his arm firmly every time he tried to slow down
Lina while pursing her lips and whispering to him excitedly Really Arius You wanted to know the feeling of punishment And are we in a game The teacher almost exploded with anger and the students now are all talking about you like a famous criminal
Arius in a low voice while turning his gaze away I was confident that I would solve it but it was not that simple I was not paying attention
Lina stopping suddenly and looking at him sharply Rather you were arrogant that is the real reason You used to be the best always but that does not mean you insult whoever explains to you The teacher was only trying to do her job
Arius sighed and bowed his head a little he did not speak he just looked away in silence
Lina
The two reached the teachers room and before she knocked on the door she looked at him
Lina with sudden kindness I do not want you to be just a distinguished student but I want you to be a respectful human being You are my brother and I am proud of you but do not ruin your image with your own hand
Arius looked at her then smiled with a little shyness and said
Arius Fine I will do it but if she says something hurtful to me I will consider that I have done my duty
Lina laughed softly then knocked on the door and entered with him
Inside the office the teacher was reading some papers and as soon as she raised her head and saw Arius she sat up straight and said coldly
Teacher Oh here comes the sleeping hero
Arius approached and bowed a little and said in a calm tone
Arius I apologize Miss I made a mistake and I will not repeat what I did
The teacher stopped for seconds then raised her eyebrow and said in a lighter tone
Teacher This is good behavior I did not expect it You are smart Arius do not be arrogant intelligence does not mean disobedience I expect the best from you always
Arius nodded his head and said calmly
Arius Thank you for your understanding I will be careful from now on
He left the office after that with Lina and while they were walking in the corridor
Lina smiling with cunning Did you see Your head was not cut off
Arius laughing lightly but it was close
They laughed together and went towards the roof and something of comfort returned between them as if this situation increased the relationship between the brother and his sister in depth and frankness
The students came out of the school gate with sounds of laughter and chatter filling the place and the group of girls gathered around Arius were walking ahead of him with light steps while he was walking between them with cautious looks trying not to look annoyed but the matter was not easy
One of the girls leaning towards him with curiosity So Arius were you really sleeping We saw you dreaming while you were sitting
Arius raising his eyebrow in a sarcastic tone That is just a silly rumor do not believe everything you hear
Another girl smiling coquettishly Even if you were sleeping I bet you were very cute maybe you were dreaming of something beautiful like us
Arius stops for seconds his face turns a little red then he screams with childish annoyance
Arius Stupid Noooooo
Everyone bursts out laughing even the girls who used to avoid Arius before started to feel more comfortable towards him as he started to show a different spontaneous human side from his usual coldness
Lina approaching him and patting his head Okay okay you cute sleeping boy let us go back home before you fall asleep here in the street
Arius looks at one of the side alleys that road leading to Mount Shao where his teacher and his training which has become part of his being wait for him A moment of silence passes as if his mind is struggling between responsibilities and duties but his eyes catch the look of Lina the look of the kind and watching sister accurately at the same time
In the end Arius sighs lightly
Arius Okay let us go back home
Lina sets off with her cheerful steps forward while Arius walks behind her and his eyes still glimpse the distant mountain as if his heart left a promise there he will fulfill it soon
Arius and Lina entered the house with quiet steps and a slight smile coloring Arius face after the awkward situation he lived in school Inside Yuna was waiting for them on the couch holding a cup of tea and as soon as she saw them she sat up straight with a warm smile
Yuna with kindness and interest How was your day at school
Lina with enthusiasm and cunning It was a funny day Arius slept in the middle of the class and the teacher scolded him and the whole school laughed at him
Arius freezes in his place turns towards Lina very slowly and signs of betrayal appeared on his face
Arius in an embarrassed whisper Traitor
Yuna smiling warmly and ignoring the matter My little one does what he wants it is his right to sleep maybe he was exhausted
Then she suddenly stands up and hugs Arius strongly squeezing him as if he were a small pillow
Arius while suffocating Mom Enough I will suffocate
But Yuna increases her clinging to him with maternal tenderness not caring for his suffocating breaths Suddenly Lina pounces on him too and hugs him from the opposite side
Lina laughing You will not escape you handsome sleeper
Arius jammed in the middle with despair This is not fair
At this moment the house door opens and Jin enters takes off his shoes quietly puts the things aside then catches the surreal scene in front of him Arius jammed between his wife and daughter his face turning blue
Jin raising his eyebrow What is happening here
Yuna and Lina finally move away for Arius to take a deep breath as if life just returned to his lungs
Jin smiling then approaching At least I am relieved because you were in school today boy But this does not mean you are not falling short Sleeping in class
Arius looking down a little I am sorry it will not happen again
Jin with firm kindness I hope so because we trust you Arius so do not make us worry
Arius looks at them all and inside him is a conflicting feeling between family warmth and the big secret he hides from them but he finally smiles a small smile and nods his head
It was a simple family moment but it carried in its folds a lot of love worry and warmth that Arius did not know before but now he started to learn it
After they finished their dinner with the sound of dancing dishes and low lighting everyone sat for a while around the table while Jin raised his eyes towards his children and smiled a slight smile followed by a serious tone
Jin calmly I want to tell you something I will have to travel tomorrow to the United States there are some urgent works and I may have to stay there for a period that is not short
The place fell silent for a moment then the silence was broken by Lina voice shaking as she looked at her father with sadness
Lina For how long How long will you be gone
Jin trying to lighten things I do not know exactly maybe a few months or more But I will always be in touch and I promise you that I will return no matter how long it takes
Lina looks truly sad she holds the edge of her sleeve and lowers her head in silence
Lina
And while they were leaving the table Arius approached a little as they were going up the stairs
Arius in a low voice Are you okay
Lina answering with difficulty without looking at him I just do not like my father being away like this for a long time I know he will return but I cannot stop my heart from worrying
Arius hears her words and they sneak into his heart and push him unintentionally towards the abyss of his memories
Everything fades suddenly around him and the image of his father Alberto ignites in his memory as he leaves their palace courtyard in planet Celestine wearing his royal armor and going to fight the Malaria army and save the planet
He remembers how he waited for his return day after day month after month year after year
Three years of waiting in vain
His feelings shake and something sneaks from his heart to his eyes
Only one tear came down without permission
But Lina notices his tears and thinks he is sad like her over the departure of their father
As soon as she sees him wiping them in silence she approaches him and wraps her arms around him
Lina with kindness and hope Do not worry Arius our father will return even if he is gone for long he will return
Arius falls silent for a while
He raises his head towards the ceiling then closes his eyes and whispers
Arius in a faint voice Yes he will return
Then he frees himself from the hug gently and returns to his room in silence that resembles the night
And in his heart is a mixed feeling
For he knows that not everyone who is gone returns
Inside the dark room and the side lamp scatters a faint warm light on Arius scattered books and his small table a light knock is heard on the door
Jin in a quiet voice behind the door Can I come in Arius
Arius answers without turning You are welcome the door is open
Jin opened the door with quiet steps and sat beside Arius on the edge of the bed with a heavy silence as if he carried in his heart a lot that is not easily said
He looked at him smiling despite the obvious sadness in his eyes then he raised his hand and patted Arius shoulder
Jin I know I said this to everyone but I wanted to say goodbye to you in private
He went silent for a moment then continued
Jin Arius you are now a man I do not mean your age but your soul and heart I want you to take care of your mother and sister in my absence and to take care of yourself before everything
Arius looks at him with focus and his features start to stiffen he listens with all his being
Jin with deep calmness There is something you must know about the meaning of being a man not in strength nor in the number of words but in the action The real man does not let down those who depend on him does not hesitate to sacrifice and does not turn to fear if it will prevent good from others
He looks into Arius eyes directly
Jin If someone asks for your help do not hesitate do not fail help him as much as you can Be for him what you wish people to be for you
At that moment Arius felt something inside him moving Jin words were not just commandments but they were an echo of what he heard one day from another man
A long time ago from his real father Alberto when he said something similar to him before he left for his battles
Arius in himself He looks like my father a lot the same kindness the same courage the same pure heart
He raises his head quietly and says in a faint but decisive voice
Arius I will do father
Jin smiled when he called him that It was the first time he heard him say it without hesitation without affectation
Jin with tenderness and calmness You are my son Arius and you will be greater than I dreamed of
Then Jin stood up and placed his hand on Arius head and patted it gently before he headed towards the door leaving the room
As for Arius he remained sitting staring towards the door after his exit then he looked at his clenched fist and felt the weight of responsibility descending on him but he was not afraid rather he was ready
On a bright morning full of calmness Jin stood in front of the house door carrying his small bag while Yuna Lina and Arius stood in front of him
Silence was the master of the moment until Jin stepped forward and hugged his wife first then Lina who threw herself on him trying to hold back her tears
Jin smiling as he wipes her head I will return faster than you imagine my princess
Then he approached Arius and exchanged with him a real manly look then said calmly
Jin Take care of them as we covenanted
Arius in a faint but confident voice I promise
And after moments Jin left while the family stood waving to him in silence
...
Some hours passed and after breakfast Arius prepared himself for school as usual but as soon as he went out with Lina he noticed something important
There are no guards watching him this time
He released a quiet smile as if he got an undeclared permission then continued his way in silence beside his sister
But suddenly he stopped
His eyes shining with sharpness
He felt a very familiar light energy vibration
He turned around and found that cat that walks on two feet waiting for him quietly on the nearby wall
Arius towards Lina Lina hold my bag I will meet you later
Lina annoyed a little To where now
But he did not answer he just smiled and ran away
He ran after the cat that was running lightly in front of him and before they set off far the cat turned towards him and said in a faint voice
Cat You did not come yesterday
Arius I was busy but now I am ready rather I was born ready for this
He continued running after it through alleys roofs and stairs until they reached the habitual place
The old shrine
And when he entered it he already found them there
The teacher sitting on a flat rock drinking tea quietly and Condi and Rubina in front of him but this time they were hovering slowly in the air
Yes a clear light floating their bodies moving gracefully in the air as if the earth no longer bound them
Arius stood amazed and his eyes widening with surprise
Arius in himself They missed all this progress
He said in an audible voice as he approached It seems I am very late
The teacher turned to him and smiled then signaled him to join them without a word
Teacher calmly Heaven is waiting for you Arius you have arrived late but your soul never delayed
Come let us see where the earth has brought you before we carry you to the sky
Arius smiled lightly and tightened his fist
Now the new challenge begins
After standing in front of the teacher Arius took a deep breath and looked at the sky with confidence while the teacher stood behind him and started explaining to him
Teacher in a deep and calm voice Raizo is not only internal energy but it is the echo of your intention your direction your feelings
Flying is not lifting the body but freeing it from restrictions
Close your eyes feel the earth beneath you then let your body rise as hope rises in the heart of a warrior
Arius closed his eyes and focused
The aura surrounding him started to glow
Rising and waving then
Suddenly
The energy exploded from under him and his body rose with extreme speed towards the sky
Condi astonished Hah Did he jump or fly
Rubina with surprise He is hovering But he is not controlling himself
In the high Arius was spinning in the air like a loose arrow turning swaying rising falling as if he were a leaf that fell in a hurricane
Arius screaming Aaaaah Teacher how do I stop thiiiiiis
In a moment the teacher appeared in the air with a light jump and extended his hand and grabbed Arius shoulder steadily for his random movement to stop
Teacher sarcastically while smiling Well done you flew faster than the wind and now it is time to learn balance my friend
He lowered him gently to the ground and started guiding him on how to balance his energy
Teacher Divide the Raizo in your feet first then distribute it in the middle of your body do not rush rather be the one who directs the winds
...
While Arius was repeating the attempt and training on balance in the air both Condi and Rubina were flying in the nearby sky and had entered a new stage
Condi was focusing on speed and rush cutting the air like a sharp falcon training on attacking and pouncing from the air
Rubina for her part was mastering fast turning and training on fast dodging movements between flying rocks
While everyone was in the sky
The old shrine was witnessing the birth of a new generation of fighters
A generation that will fly higher than the clouds
After a period days pass and they all master that and after that the teacher asks them to rest for the period of exams so during that period each one of them returned to his home as for Arius after he returned he did not care about his studies but the system imposed on him different challenges and tasks in many caves inside gates full of strange monsters and after a period i e several months and while Arius was in one of the caves
In one of the deepest corridors of the cave Arius was roaring in the middle of a wave of monsters that were pouring on him like a flood
Strikes come from every direction but his body moves as if the air itself obeys him
A jump here a slap there a kick that flies a monster out of the gate then
Tan
All sounds stopped
The system window appeared suddenly in front of him with its usual bright blue color
But this time it was differentSystem Alert
The maximum limit for all statuses has been reached
Strength Checked
Speed Checked
Endurance Checked
Intelligence Checked
All statuses now in state MAX
The point system is now being permanently cancelled
From now on your abilities will be developed through raw power and actual training onlyArius looked at the window then lowered his hand slowly
He smiled
A rare calm smile carrying in its folds a new feeling
Freedom
His numbers no longer limited him
The system no longer restricted him with imaginary boundaries
He is now
Arius in his absolute form and his real body
Then a new window appeared blinking in a golden colorLevel 23 System Reward
Unlock feature Isolated Training Field
Unlock feature Accumulated Daily Tasks
Open 3 new gates with danger level A plus
Improve physical adaptation characteristics
Increase physical damage resistance by 15 percent
Access to Accelerated Self Evolution systemArius thinking Isolated Training Field This is excellent I will be able to try everything I have without hiding my strength anymore
Then suddenly he drew his breath
He felt a new pure energy flowing in his body strongly
He no longer felt limits inside his muscles nor weights in his limbs
Rather every step he walked caused a vibration in the ground
Even his touch on the cave wall caused its complete cracking
He checked the status windowArius current strength 540 units
Description This strength is enough to uproot mountain peaks and destroy areas of terrain up to several kilometers in one strike without the user losing a bit of his energyArius smiled again but this time his smile was different
The smile of a warrior who has now become the master of his destiny
Then he walked towards the next gate
And his body overflowing with energy that cannot be contained
And he whispered
Baryon your time is approaching
After leaving the cave and returning to his room Arius sat on the bed exhausted in body but calm in soul he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep as if nothing in the world occupied him
Hours passed quickly for the dawn of the next day to shine
In the morning he woke up quietly wore his school clothes as usual
And headed to school as if nothing had happened
No caves no fights no destruction only an ordinary student in an ordinary schoolInside the exam hall Arius sat among the students holding his pen
But he was looking at the questions with extreme boredom
Four months of continuous training no time was for books or classes even the names of chapters I forgot
He finished the paper in silence and submitted it
He did not show worry he did not care about the teachers looks only he went out and returned to his routineAnd after a week
The results were hung on the board in the school yard
Students gathered as usual in front of it waiting for the ranking of the first ones
And suddenly
Lina friend voice rises Haaah Arius in the last rank
This is impossible He is always the first in the school
The students crowded around him and some of them thought it was a trick or a typo
Even Lina stood stunned looking at her brother and saying
Arius what did you do How did this happen
Arius answers with all coldness and his hand in his pocket
Simply I did not study
Then he completed his walking as if the matter did not concern himSome of the teachers exploded with anger and others said
Maybe he went through psychological circumstances it is not possible to collapse with this speed
As for the students the looks were a mixture between surprise curiosity and fear
For from the first young man in intelligence and achievement
To the last with all merit
But Arius was not interested
Because he knows very well that school tests are not the type of tests he prepares himself for
His real test has not started yet .