Chapter 35 - 35

shadows of the family a Stage 8 Beginner existence who rarely appeared yet controlled the deeper systems that even Arkan did not fully interfere with Darius turned slightly as if recalling something "The place I will send you to…" he said "…is not part of the main estate" his voice remained calm "it is one of the sealed training grounds created for extreme development" Neuro listened silently "Only a few in this family even know of its existence" Darius continued "…and even fewer have survived training there" that statement was not a warning it was a fact Neuro's expression did not change "That is acceptable" he said without hesitation the grandfather's gaze sharpened slightly once more then he nodded slowly "It will be prepared" he said before turning away slightly but he stopped again as if deciding to reveal more "Since you will be separated…" he added "…you should understand the structure of the family you carry" Neuro remained silent but attentive Darius continued "The Voldi Godo family is not simply a noble house it is one of the dominant bloodline families within this world" his tone remained controlled "Outwardly we maintain influence through politics resources and alliances…" he paused briefly "…but internally we are defined by power" his gaze shifted slightly "Within the current generation there are fewer than one hundred core members capable of using mana properly" Neuro processed the number instantly "Among them…" Darius continued "…less than twenty have reached Stage 4 or higher" his voice lowered slightly "…and only five have reached Stage 5" Neuro's eyes moved slightly but he remained silent "Above them…" the grandfather continued "…there are three individuals at Stage 6" he paused briefly "and one at Stage 7" a faint silence followed before he added "…and I stand at Stage 8" the structure was now clear not just hierarchy but scale of power within the family itself Darius looked at Neuro directly "And now…" he said "…there is you" no exaggeration no praise just acknowledgment of a variable that did not fit the system "You understand what that means" he added Neuro answered calmly "It means I am not part of the balance" the grandfather nodded slightly "Correct" silence filled the hall once more before Darius spoke one final time "Six years…" he said "…when you return you will not be the same" Neuro replied without hesitation "That is the purpose" without another word the decision was sealed the training had already begun not in the field but in the path he had chosen