Spirit Essences, the so-called 'Foundation' of all abilities acquired by the user. They are the weapons within all Human souls of Gaia and are the very reason people are innately born with a 'Class'.

Let's take a look at Arthur's 'stats' as an example:

{Spirit Essence- Rainwing Backsword:

• Innate Ability- Gaia Affinity

Spell Slots- (Foundational Attribute- Light), Dark, Blood,

Body Slots- Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning

Common Class- Sword Warrior:

• Class Skill- Sword Talent

• Class Skill- Slash Sharpening}

These kind of non-observable 'stats' were abnormal among people of Gaia... excluding Arthur, who somehow attained two more Spell Slots even the strongest Noble Ranker in human history!!!

In fact, Alex wasn't sure of the true limits of Arthur's power despite his knowledge of magic.

He was only sure the drawback would be that this immense power will be difficulty in application.

This was especially true in terms of Magic Skills or Sword Skills of this world... and this made sense.

Magic Pathways could be consciously used to exude Mana, but muscles were a different matter.

It was exactly like how humans couldn't consciously tap into adrenaline or their highest physical exertion. This limitation was solely dependent on the danger of each situation.

Even the Crown Prince, a man of the Royal Family of the Ruling Kingdom of Lancia... the one who inherited the strongest kind of 'Force Formula' in the entire Human Empire, didn't know what would have happened if he had seriously fought Arthur.

This was especially true without using his great family's signature 'force manipulation' magic...

His confidence waned at the prospect of it.

Even in the entire five kingdoms that made up the Human Empire, there were few who could make him feel this way. This was just how keen his eyes were when it came to the strength of others.

Despite the heavy restriction he put on the brawny youth, Drake remembered the strong exertion of magical strength he needed to maintain his seal on him. This amount of effort was a first for him...

'Freakish people gather together...' Was the only answer he could come up with regarding the Warrior's unreal physical strength. He wondered just how Alex had enhanced a mere 'Commoner'.

Was it some kind of secret experiment?

He was sure such knowledge would be useful in war, but decided against pissing the Arcanist off.

Nothing was worth offending such a rich man...

The Crown Prince convinced himself that he wasn't fearful of Arthur: A Common Class Sword Warrior.

Would he lose in close-combat? It was just a speculation, but still something he wondered quite a bit despite having more natural innate talent the swordsman he encountered not too long ago.

You could even say that he wouldn't be able to believe that someone can overcome the naturally formed 'barrier' between those who were prodigies and those who just happened to be a bit talented...

In his personal office in the Royal Palace, Drake seemed somewhat listless and lacking in energy.

Playing with glowing sapphire marble in his hand, it radiated a mixture of golden and blueish hue.

This magical gem was a one of the few 'gifts' given to him by the gentlemanly Cultist. The price in return for was gaining his, the future ruler's, favour and support to resist against the Luminous Church.

A Cult should very well be 'Evil' no matter how one saw it. They SHOULD'VE been a fanatical group...

After all, people who worshiped a so-called 'Demon Lord'... weren't what comes to mind when one thought of 'good citizens' he was destined to one day come to rule. It was a strange occurrence.

However, it looked like having negative bias against this specific Cult would lead a person to feel total confusion. Especially since they seemed to actually carry out their unrealistic ideals with conviction.

Were all of them idealists...?

It was pretty concerning. This was the first time he saw a blur between the lines of good and evil.

"Master, may I ask what that is?" A smiling girl with platinum blonde hair and wolf ears, who suddenly appeared behind the Crown Prince, asked in curiosity. Her eyes were filled with 'innocence'.

The girl's tail wagged side to side joyfully. She leaned on his shoulder while ignoring his status.

Her silvery platinum hair stood out...

If this was anyone else, he would have grabbed them and done an over-arm thrown already...

"That Priest said it was something called a 'Shining Bliss Healing Gem', a treasure that could cure nearly all illnesses and completely heal someone no matter how grave their injuries may be.

From what I heard, it also contains the power to 'erase' all that would otherwise be harmful for the body." Drake replied without minding her informal actions. He'd quickly woken up from his daze.

The 'Royal' threw the Healing Gem in his hand into the young girl's palm. This let her have a better look at the item he obtained. The sparkling stone seemed more like jewellery than such a treasure.

The silver wolf girl's eyes looked like this: (✪‿✪)

There seemed to be sparkling stars in her eyes. It made her already 'bright' appearance shinier.

She looked over the gemstone gifted in interest.

"Is this a bribe?" She couldn't help but ask.

"No, it seems the Priest really wanted to give me this out of goodwill... oddly enough.

He isn't monopolising them for self-interests.

I've heard of people of art-related Classes gaining jobs after becoming part of their Cult. It looks like they AREN'T hypocrites that put their beliefs above human lives." The Crown Prince spoke blandly.

He compared the accounts of the Radiant Sword Mirror Cult's past deeds with their current ones.

To think they would sink their teeth into the biggest population of Lancia: Those with art-related Classes. The Ruling Kingdom of the Human Empire was built upon the foundation of entertainment and relaxation compared to the other kingdoms.

It was here where people got their favourite movies recorded before being broadcasted all around the Human Empire. Which I'm amazed exists... Goes to show Authors can make any kind of fictional world.

By controlling all entertainment, Drake was able to put his hand into giving motivational speeches and propaganda towards the kingdoms. Especially the ones who put more emphasis on battle power.

This was truly how his kingdom 'ruled' the other four kingdoms that made the Human Empire.

Having the 'Divine Right to Rule Humanity' from the Human God himself was only a smaller benefit.

He still had animosity for the Mirror Cult though...

The knowledge he was given about the Cult's origins and how it was 'reformed' by the actions of one human with great ambitions... made him feel a little skeptical if what he was doing was righteous.

When simplifying the 'Demonic' Priest's words, all he knew was that their Cult Leader had undergone a transformation of his mental state and became a good person after retrospectively looking at his life.

This sounded absurd to the Crown Prince. The great Leader of the Radiant Sword Mirror Cult was actually being worshipped as a 'Demon Lord' despite their claim to be on the side of justice...

........Was this a joke?

He found it to be almost comical how contradicting they were acting... After all, the Cult's core beliefs relied on powers that were most certainly a manifestation of the 'evil' in the world.

He didn't have sympathy for the Seven Sins they spoke of, but what he could relate to was their desire to bring coexistence between the races of Gaia. He had his own reasons for wanting that...

"Jenna, what did you think of that magician named Alex?" He pushed the girl's hands off his shoulder and asked. The silver wolf Beast named Jenna was surprised by his question and answered honestly.

"He's quite a weakling." Of course, she didn't think much a 'normal' magic user was much to think of.

"Because of that illness of his?"

"Of course! There's no way someone without a Spirit Essence or Spell Slots can compare to people who do. So what is he has Magic Skills? I don't understand why both Master and that old geezer have animosity towards that weak Mage..."

"Heh, you haven't understood his terror... What if I was to say he was able to comprehend the magic I casted on them today?" The prince continued in amusement. The platinum blonde girl behind him widened her eyes. Her mouth started to twitch...

"I know it sounds unbelievable, but what I said is the truth. His most useful Skill, 'Runic Insight', is something I've had Doctor Frank and Professor Stein investigate many years ago... and the result they obtained was that it was a unique Class Skill.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

One that allowed a person to truly understand the intricacies of magic without the use of Mana. He might even become stronger than me if after realising his potential and overcoming his 'illnesses'." These words showed his amazement.

There wasn't anyone in the world similar to Alex whatsoever. He truly was a 'unique' individual.

"If that's the case, why did Master want me to personally check this great individual?" She circled around his desk in order to stand before him, then she inquired with a really cute tone in her voice.

"Don't act all cutesy in front of me. Your mask of being air-headed isn't fooling anyone." He wasn't fond of this 'innocent' side of this Head Knight of his Royal Guards. It was too fake and insincere.

Though it DID make sense considering her side occupation as a spy. A 'shadow' working for him...

One who was taught strictly in order to be highly adept in espionage without leaving behind traces.

"Hah... Fine, I can smell his 'weirdness' a mile away!" The girl called Jenna felt shaken by his words but still spoke as informally as before. Her toes drew circles under one of her feet as she lowered her head to accept her wrongdoing.

"He smells like a Beast, and yet I am absolutely certain he's a Human! Something is wrong here...

How can somebody like that exist 'naturally'?

I wouldn't believe Master if you said those 'mad scientists' of the Prison Laboratory and the Undying Playground aren't trying to capture him as we speak." She continued in a low tone, betraying her hidden sense of insecurity. She was sweating...

"I've already gave our two capable Royal Tutors a clear order to not antagonise the man.

There wouldn't be a point of my meeting with him today if he ended up turning him against us because of those... 'competent researchers'. They should at least have the tact not to ruin my efforts.

Now enough of this chitchat. How are the results in finding that runaway 'sister' of yours? Have you found any traces of her?" He decided to change the subject as thinking of those two hurt his brain.

"I'm sorry... We're doing all we can to find her. There doesn't seem to be any clues left behind after she escaped. The accomplice she had with her also doesn't seem to have an identity.

I've even went as far as hiring Desiring Tongue's best intelligence agents and still haven't found a single hint. I still wonder even now of what's the identity of that teenager in the 'Aqua Recording'." A trace of disappointment appeared in her eyes.

Jenna really wished she could complete her master's task faster. It made her frustrated...

She didn't care if her so-called 'sister' was injured in the process. Everyone fought for themselves.

"Show it to me." Drake held out his hand.

The wolf girl put the Healing Gem in her pocket before rummaging through her clothes to take out an orb similar to a sapphire, then respectfully put it into his hand without displaying any sloppiness.

The Crown Prince looked at the less sparkly blue orb in his hand and focused his innate Mana to activate it, only to see the images of a youth and teenage girl breaking out of a prison cell.

They immediately started by ambushing the guards around him with speed and precision unimaginable to most. There was a sense of familiarity in the youth's movements he saw on the recording...

But what surprised him more wasn't that unique abilities and powers of the escapee who seemed to have hid her true strength. Instead, the unfamiliar young man's strength, despite not having heard of him before, made him narrow his eyes.

He was vaguely starting to recognise the particular 'technique' after thinking for a few moments.

Drake felt there was something off...

'A Sword Warrior again?' The Crown Prince's eyes widened. Freakish individual were appearing a lot...

He felt a peculiar sensation from seeing another 'Common Class' individual with freakish power.

In fact, a close inspection on the domineering young man in the recording seemed to uncover that this so-called 'Sword Warrior' actually had better hand-to-hand fighting skills than swordsmanship... which was extremely abnormal!

Why would a Sword Warrior fight hand-to-hand?!

'Wait, there something strange about him.' Drake's eyes sharpened as watched the recording again.

He slowed down the speed of the recording at a certain point, then set it to repeat a particular scene when the youth stepped forward before lunging at his enemy at blinding speed.

It was only after rewatching the scene a few times did he gasp in recognition of the movement technique the the youth used to move towards the prison warden. It was one he wouldn't ever forget.

'Flash Step?! Impossible!' Jenna was shocked as her Master suddenly slammed his hand onto the table in front of him with a fearful look she had never seen before. He staggered back fearfully...

It was her first time witnessing the always-confident Crown Prince actually losing his cool... but little did she know that seeing a 'Step Method' was enough to make any of Royal heritage panic!

This wasn't your run-of-the-mill 'Skill'!!!

"Master, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly, but was pushed to the side as he barged out of the room. His mind kept repeating the scene he saw in his head while thinking of an ominous future.

Thinking: 'How can this be possible...? How can another one appear on Gaia after so long?

Wasn't that incident fifteen years ago the only time Ascenders could cross the void to enter our world?

Is the balance of power in the world going to shift once again? It looks like I was too naive.

Bloodshed will be necessary to erase the wild cards that are going to get in the way of my plan.

I need to get advice from the others.' The Crown Prince's mind raced with his heavy steps.

He entered a specific room built for the reserve powers of Lancia, 'his' Ruling Kingdom.

"Golden Snake!" Drake called out in panic.

After walking into the room, Drake's eyes found an old man meditating in silence. The man flinched upon hearing his troubled voice and slowly opened his eyes. A wizened light of seniority appeared in the old man's eyes as he slowly got up off the floor.

If the Crown Prince knew more about culture of Earth, then he'd surely find this purple-clothed old man to be quite familiar to those who have watched into old Chinese Action Dramas.

Not because the man was famous, but due to the way the Easterner looked like he came straight out of a typical Japanese Wuxia Novel. He seemed like a generic 'old monster' others would be wary of.

The man was definitely a genuine 'Asian'...

The white goatee on the man's chin and embroidery of a golden serpent on his chest made him especially stand out on Gaia, where there really wasn't any kind of places similar to Japan or China.

It went without saying that this man was also one of the 'Ascenders' that Drake had been seriously thinking about while coming here. He was a man with martial arts so strong that he was able to 'ascend' to a higher realm to continue his training.

And that 'higher realm' was the world of Gaia.

"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Despite being a former resident of Earth, Golden Snake had no problems keeping his mannerisms in front of the Crown Prince of Gaia Humanity before him.

He might've felt annoyed by the fact he was interrupted during his training but he knew better than to complain. No one was as keenly aware of the massive differences between the might of few against the power of many better than he did.

When he first arrived on Gaia, he was arrogant enough to believe the entire world was just waiting to fall at his fingertips. This was mostly due to the strength he acquired through many years of hard work and training. It was the core to his being.

However, those beliefs was all thrown out the window after being defeated by the combined might of the army Lancia nurtured by placing strong people with good chemistry together into it.

His juniors and fellow internal martial artists of Earth, who had came with him, also weren't strong enough to tip the fickle circumstances in their favour. It was without much other options that he chose to settle down in Lancia Kingdom...

...as a 'reserve power'.

An Earthling couldn't roam this world like a nomad because common sense was so different...

Moving on, the old monster wasn't sure what the youthful 'Future Ruler' was thinking right now.

Drake didn't answer Golden Snake's question and instead showed a holographic projection of the recording he saw.

At first, the purple-robed old man didn't see anything wrong with the youth in the recording, but his wrinkly expression soon changed after viewing the the scenes within it twice. There was no way someone like him wouldn't be able to recognise 'it'.

This was truly a 'Step Method'!

Although it wasn't a high-level one used by a Grandmaster martial artist, it was still the kind of movement technique only Internal Martial Artists relied on to battle numerous foes.

"I feel that you're overestimating this person, Your Highness. Although the youngster within this recording is a Genuine Fighter from Earth, he has yet to reach a level where he could pose a threat.

I feel it is best to not jump to conclusions. Not all Ascenders are worthy of your concern." It was only then did the Crown Prince breath a sigh of relief after reevaluating the situation at hand.

He had to admit that he truly didn't think too far ahead after realising the possibility the young man could be an Ascender. The amount of casualties they could bring to his citizens couldn't be ignored.

This was why he was reluctant to fight them...

This didn't have to do with a lack of calmness in his personality to deal with various problems, but the true terror Ascenders posed to human society on Gaia as a whole.

The average strength of a Ascender was usually on par with a Duke Rank individual who had attained the limits of what his Class could offer. This one singular fact was only the tip the iceberg...

A bunch of Grandmaster martial artists wouldn't make a difference on the national scale of power.

After all, most 'Imperial Rankers' made sure to keep their strength at a level far above those around them in order to instil their sense of great authority into the ignorant masses. However, what really made him fearful of Ascenders was how it wouldn't take them long afterwards to become what was referred by martial artists as the 'King Class'.

In the Power System of Gaia existed a Rank one step higher than 'Dukes', known as the Lord Rank.

Usually, only those of Duke lineages had a chance to gain that Rank due to the higher chance they have in their talent being passed down to their descendants. Lord Ranks attain fame and wealth along with an increase on one's overall lifespan.

Drake himself was a 'monster' who reached the Lord Rank at the age of 12, thus cementing his position as the Crown Prince of the Lancia Kingdom who would take over once the old Ruler stepped down from his position.

Although he himself had confidence in fighting two or three people of the same Rank as himself and couldn't even view Alex as much as a threat, things changed if Ascenders were to be put into the picture...

The knowledge of how the most Ascenders on Gaia were guaranteed to reach the 'King Class', a level of power stronger than ordinary Lord Ranks, had always made him feel uneasy.

This, adding to the fact that this specific Ascender in the recording he watched also showed signs of having a Spirit Essence and Class, was why he completely lost his composure upon realising that another variable would tip the national balance of power in favour even more. Ascenders seemed like the root of all misfortune on Gaia in his opinion.

"I understand... Please excuse my discourtesy, Grand Elder. I was unable to keep my composure at this piece of news." Despite being future Ruler of Lancia Kingdom, he still apologised for his earlier behaviour. His actions were open and elegant.

This was one of the reasons he was so favoured by his subjects and how he even earned the respect of his Royal Father. He was neither arrogant nor conceited and could admit to his mistakes, a feature not many before him were capable of.

In the five kingdoms of the Human Empire, the Ruling Kingdom of Lancia, a national power that was located between all four of the other kingdoms, was actually known to be the strongest of the Human Empire. This was the reason those who attained kingship in Lancia were unanimously considered 'Imperial Rulers' by the public.

The Imperial Kings of the other four kingdoms didn't even dare to say otherwise and accepted the authority of the only person who was at the top of the social hierarchy. Not unless there was a good reason to 'request' to be the Imperial Ruler.

Even Golden Snake felt his behaviour to be admirable. While the young lad before him wasn't perfect, he had the makings of a Ruler who would bring more years of prosperity to his kingdom.

"It's fine. Ah, YOUTH~! May you succeed in your ambitions! I will gladly tell my juniors to search for this young man in question. Though I must say, he seems quite familiar..." The former Grand Elder of a large clan of martial artists on Earth spoke with uncertainty as he looked at the youth within the Aqua Recording. He was a little unnerved...

The style of swordsmanship the young man displayed was similar to his old enemy's in form and style, but he immediately threw out the possibility of them being connected after remembering that his old foe had died before he could pass on his style of swordsmanship to anyone else. His hand touched a scar near his eye from when they had their final confrontation.

Even now, the image of that freak of nature who obtained a level no one else had ever been able to achieve in martial arts was seared into his mind. He his almost hysterical smile as he remembered the pure fighting spirit of that old freak he so hated...

'It must be a coincidence. There's no way the Dragon Family's lineage could continue after what happened back then. I killed him with my own hands. Only a miracle could have let 'his' faction to continue to exist.' And with that, he stopped proceeding on this line of thought any further and calmed down to return to his normal demeanour.

Little did the scary old monster know that this big old freak was closer to him than he thought...!

But this was a story for later on...