Alaric strode over and rejoined the group. It was still necessary to make some plans for what was to unfold tomorrow. I hope they can get along tomorrow. He shook his head. No, I'll have to ensure they realize what’s at stake here.

Therin and George were debating something animatedly while Rowan, Ruben, and Gareth interjected in between.

“Guys, I hope you all understand that this is not a personal issue anymore,” Alaric declared, meeting all their eyes, ”The fates of many children are intertwined with us now.” He gestured. “So, let’s try to set aside our personal squabbles for now, okay?”

All of the kids glanced at each other, considering his words. Rowan approached Alaric with a smile and clapped his back. “I agree with Alaric. If we can help apprehend the criminals, perhaps the authorities can trace back the abducted kids. Not to mention, we can prevent many kids from being kidnapped in the future as well.”

“I don’t really have a choice in this matter anymore,” said Therin. “And, if we fail to comply” He glared at Ruben, “perhaps we’ll face consequences for real.” Ruben concurred with a nod.

“Do you think the count will reward us if the plan succeeds?” commented Gareth. The kid is thinking about rewards. Alaric chuckled. Well, I cannot blame him. It is a nice motivator, after all.

“I think that is a possibility,” said Alaric. He turned to Therin and continued, “Who knows, perhaps you would even receive the peak-grade bone-forging pills that you wanted so much.”

Therin’s face broke into a smile but he quickly composed himself.

“A reward would be good,” said George. “We’d be risking our lives, after all.”

The discussion of potential rewards and the involvement of the fates of the abducted kids finally spurred them to collaborate, at least for now. Alaric scrutinized Rowan, George, and Gareth. The animosity they had towards Therin and Ruben seems to have diminished by a lot.

He nudged Rowan and whispered, “Let’s wrap this up here. I have some important things to discuss with you all.” He glanced at George and Gareth. Rowan nodded and replied, “Let’s head to your room then.” Alaric agreed.

With that, he pivoted and exited the training yard. Rowan signaled Gareth and George to follow him. Therin and Ruben departed from the group with a farewell.

***

“So, what’s with that grim look?” asked Gareth while munching on crispy potato fries. Alaric’s friends had realized that he wanted to share something important and confidential that couldn’t be discussed in a public setting. That’s why they were now in his room, snacking on food, drinks, and chips.

Alaric, however, was deliberating whether he should disclose what he discovered about the secret area of the Tutorial Rift and the invitations. I’ll have to let them know sooner or later. He released a sigh. Might as well do it now.

“How many zones of the Tutorial Rift did you manage to complete?” inquired Alaric.

George met Gareth’s gaze and shrugged, “I’ve progressed into the third zone - The Ember Plains but couldn’t finish it.”

“Me too.” Gareth furrowed his brows. “Those pesky flame hounds are a nightmare to handle.”

All of them turned toward Rowan. He scratched his cheeks and admitted, “I advanced into the fourth zone - The Howling Expanse.” He crossed his arms over his chest, contemplating. “I stopped exploring though. Cannot finish it without ascending to Tier 2.”

Alaric nodded, noting all of their responses.

“But why are you asking?” questioned Gareth.

“Well, have you ever encountered any special regions while exploring or heard of them?”

“What do you mean? I don’t get it?” said Gareth.

“I mean Ex*****ve zones that are Hid**n F**m the Re**?” Alaric heard a series of dings in his mind.

All of his friends looked at him weirdly.

“What gibberish are you saying?” commented George. He raised his eyebrows.

“Yeah, I didn’t catch any of it.” said Rowan.

Weird? Alaric paused to think. Hmm, wait is the system actively censoring the information that I’m trying to share?

He reviewed the system notifications.

Warning - You have attempted to share restricted information with unauthorized users. Repeated attempts to share such information will revoke access to - The Azure Ruin Arch.

Alaric was a bit surprised. Wow, I didn’t even mention the name of the hidden zone and it already censored the information. Alaric smirked.

Well so be it. He observed his friends who were all staring at him suspiciously. If the system considers them unauthorized users, I will make it recognize them as authorized users in a moment.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Hey, what’s up with you?” Rowan waved a hand in front of Alaric.

“Guys, I’m about to do something….quite strange.” He scratched his cheek. “Just letting you know so that you don’t get confused. Wait a minute.”

“What is it? Come on, tell me. I can’t wait,” remarked Gareth. George placed a hand over his mouth and said, “Give him a moment. He said to wait.” Rowan chuckled.

Alaric shook his head and smirked. That kid is too impatient. He thought of the tutorial rift invite tokens to the Azure Caverns and a window popped up in his view.

Would you like to use the Tutorial Rift Invite Tokens (Limited Access) for - Azure Caverns? Invite Tokens remaining - 3

Alaric mentally confirmed.

Invite Tokens used - Select your party members.

Alaric thought of his friends - Rowan, George, and Gareth and mentally selected them to join the party.

3 Invitations to the stage two of Tutorial Rift - Azure Caverns were sent. Invite Tokens remaining - 0

Suddenly, all of his friends gasped. Alaric chuckled. They must’ve received the invites. All of them stared blankly ahead for a while, reviewing the system notification they received.

Rowan was the first to break the silence. “Alaric...” He looked at him, scanned the notification once more, and locked eyes with him again, clearly astonished. “What is this?”

“Yes, how did you get an invite token for the Tutorial Rift?” commended Gareth.

Alaric shrugged. “Hey, I was just as surprised as you when I got it. Accept it so that I can disclose more information.”

“It’s saying this information is restricted and cannot be shared,” replied George.

“Perhaps that’s why we never hear about Tutorial Rift invites,” Rowan muttered. “Is it exclusive?”

Alaric heard a series of dings in his mind and checked the notifications.

Your friend Rowan has accepted your invitation to - The Azure Caverns. They are now a member of your party.

Your friend George has accepted your invitation to - The Azure Caverns. They are now a member of your party.

Your friend Gareth has accepted your invitation to - The Azure Caverns. They are now a member of your party.

“Okay, now spill it,” Gareth insisted. “How the hell did you get a Tutorial Rift invite?”

“Well…I acquired it when I discovered the Forbidden super-exclusive secret hidden zone,” Alaric said smugly.

Gareth scrunched his brows and smacked him in the thigh. “Come on, don’t joke around.”

Alaric raised his hands in mock surrender to halt him. “Okay, okay.” He grabbed a crispy potato wedge and popped it into his mouth. “It’s just a hidden zone called the Azure Ruin Arch that I discovered in the Azure Caverns.”

Gareth still wore an expression of doubt.

“Are you actually telling the truth? I’ve never come across any mention of hidden zones inside the Tutorial Rift either,” remarked George.

“Yes, I’m telling the truth. It’s also restricted information and it appears the system actively censors the spread of such information” He sipped some apple juice and continued. “That’s why my words sounded garbled when I attempted to share information about it easier”.

Alaric recounted his journey in the Azure Caverns, through Lake Gloom and how he ended up discovering the hidden zone.

“That is fascinating.” Rowan's face lit up. “I know adventurers occasionally discover hidden zones in high-level rifts and dungeons, but...” He shook his head. “I think my father tried to tell me about it once, but he couldn’t...”

He folded his arms across his chest. “But I think I can ask him about it now. The system probably wouldn’t censor his words anymore.”

“Does that mean we can delve into the Azure Caverns together, including that hidden zone - the Azure Arch Ruins?” asked George.

Rowan nodded. “I believe so, if this invite functions like every other invite.”

“So, should we delve in now or what?” said Gareth.

Everyone turned to Alaric. Apparently, they were all eagerly awaiting the chance to explore the hidden zone as a team.

“Give me a moment,” Alaric said with a grin. “I’ve yet to consolidate my gains from the last delve.”

Alaric checked his remaining experience points from defeating the Azure Golem and those leeches.

Remaining experience points - 2719

He distributed his experience points equally among all his attributes and checked his status sheet

Name - Alaric De Vermond.

Age - 12

Stats:

Strength - 20 -> 22

Agility - 20 -> 22

Vitality - 16 -> 19

Mind - 23 -> 24

Soul - 29 -> 30

Skills:

* Mana Solidification lvl 4

* Vital Mana Flow lvl 3

Abilities:

* Mana Manipulation lvl 3

Mana Core Stage:

* Gaseous Core (Peak) - Thick Fog

Titles:

* Ally of the System (Signature)

* Progenitor of Chakra Cultivation (Unique)

Chakra Cultivation Progression:

* Muladhara (Root Chakra): Purified (Partially Awakened)

* Swadhisthana (Sacral Chakra): Purified (Dormant)

* Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra): Purified (Partially Awakened)

* Anahata (Heart Chakra): Purified (Dormant)

* Visuddha (Throat Chakra): Purified (Dormant)

* Ajna (Third Eye Chakra): Purified (Dormant)

* Sahasrara (Crown Chakra): Purified (Dormant)

Unused Experience Points: 0

System Rewards Granted:

* Cultivation Sanctuary

Hmm...looks good for now. Alaric focused on the two partially awakened chakras and summoned their details to scrutinize them.

Muladhara (Root Chakra): Purified (Partially Awakened)

Passive Effect: The purified subtle energy of the Root Chakra continuously fortifies your physical body — enhancing the strength and resilience of your bones, blood, muscles, and tissues. It unlocks the full potential of your physical growth, ensuring your foundation remains unshakable.

Active Effect: By channeling the purified energy of the Root Chakra, you can temporarily gain a significant boost in physical prowess, best utilized during moments of critical need. Use this power wisely, as it demands energy reserves and can leave you fatigued if overused.

He reviewed the details of the Solar Plexus Chakra next.

Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra): Purified (Partially Awakened)

Passive Effect: The purified subtle energy of the Solar Plexus Chakra constantly refines and amplifies your capacity to perceive, harness, and manipulate all forms of energy. This includes mana, aura, prana, dao, and even the elusive cosmic energies, unlocking the full potential of your energy manipulation abilities.

Active Effect: By channeling the purified energy of the Solar Plexus Chakra, you can temporarily gain improved mastery over energy manipulation, bending even the most volatile forces to your will with precision and authority.

Alaric released a sigh. This would have to do for now. Perhaps I’ll acquire some resources within the hidden zone to accelerate my progress.

“Okay, let’s dive in,” Alaric smiled. All of his friends buzzed with excitement to explore the Tutorial Rift together for the first time.