Why did I dream about that place after so long?’ Seren thought in confusion. ‘Is it related to the Realms Rite?’

Seren had arrived in this world fifteen years ago. He had emerged from the realm of nothingness where he watched countless realities within the bubbles, as an orb of consciousness.

He had lived countless lifetimes and suffered innumerable atrocities to complete just one mission assigned by ‘Him’. The mission for which he had to prepare for in all those lifetimes, and in this final lifetime, he was to carry out his destiny.

After thinking for a while, Seren decided not to dwell too much on things he could not understand or explain. ‘Even after fifteen years, I am still the same’ Seren thought to himself, a wry amusement tugging at his lips.

Seren rose from the cold concrete floor as he resolved himself for the Realms Rite. The Realms Rite was a pivotal event for every child at the age of fifteen which determined if they were qualified to become a Lexarch.

In this world, there exist beings of unparalleled power and wisdom known as Lexarchs. These existences hold power over the fundamental elements, the laws that govern existence, and the ethereal concepts that shape reality itself.

Each Lexarch is a master of their chosen domain who wields unfathomable power with precision and purpose. Through their profound understanding of the elemental forces, they are able to shape worlds and destinies, weaving intricate patterns of creation and destruction with every thought and action.

If one is able to become a Lexarch then their future is guaranteed. Even the weakest Lexarch has enough wealth to sustain multiple families for years.

A Realms Rite is held every year and those who pass it will be qualified to join the ranks of Lexarchs that control the world.

‘The existences in this world will be far more terrifying and unfathomable than anything I experienced in my previous lifetimes’ Seren thought silently.

After putting on rugged clothes, He set off towards the summit of the mountain where the mansion of the Chief of the Chimera Vale stood. The anticipation of the Realms Rite weighing heavily upon his mind.

As Seren walked along the side of the street near the bustling market stalls of upper district, he couldn't help but notice the peculiar shapes and structures of the vendors' shops.

Some stalls were round with big leaves hanging over them like protective roofs. Others were made of mud, looking primitive and earthy. And a few looked like little forts made of bones, sending shivers down anyone unaccustomed to this type of style.

As Seren walked along the side of the street, his attention was caught by the piercing glare of the shopkeeper who seemed to regard him with deep animosity.

Seren just sighed inwardly as he brushed off the hostile gaze and continued on his path, undeterred by the palpable disdain radiating from the onlookers.

Yet the shopkeeper's animosity was not an isolated occurrence. As Seren made his way through the bustling marketplace, he felt the weight of numerous hostile gazes upon him. Some locals even went as far as to arm themselves with makeshift weapons—a stick here, a knife there, and even a sword to all wielded to attempt to assert dominance.

Undeterred by the open hostility, Seren’s long silver hair swayed in the wind as he pressed on with cold determination etched into his features, his gaze unwavering as he traversed the crowded streets.

Upon reaching the grand mansion at the heart of Chimera Vale, Seren was met with a crowd of people gathered outside the imposing gates which were crafted from a mesmerizing red material that looped intricately upon itself, forming a complex yet beautiful pattern.

Among the crowd, Seren observed the different individuals, most of whom appeared to be around fifteen years of age like himself. Among them were also older figures who exuded an aura of intimidation that silenced any murmurs of dissent.

These were the family members of the young participants, their presence a silent warning to onlookers not to cross them.

Despite the tension hanging in the air, Seren remained steadfast with his resolve unshaken as he prepared to embark on the momentous journey that awaited him within the mansion's walls.

…

On the side near the stone wall of the mansion, there was a cluster of spectators aged 15 years old, who had gathered around two individuals locked in an intense arm-wrestling match.

One participant stood at an average height, his black hair tinged with a reddish hue at the center. His face contorted with effort as he strained against his opponent, pouring all his strength into the contest.

Facing him was a colossal man who was built like a mountain with muscles bulging beneath the fabric of his hanfu. Despite his imposing physique, his expression remained serene with a calm glint in his eye as his ponytail swayed gently in the breeze.

With a subtle shift of his weight to the left, the towering man unleashed a sudden burst of strength as he leaned all his weight to the right on his arm in an instant, sending his opponent's arm crashing down.

Thud!

The spectators erupted into cheers and applause as they witnessed the decisive victory.

“DAMN IT!” the defeated man growled with frustration.

“What did you expect, Lorien? Even with your skill, you can't beat Kai from the Valorheart family,” remarked a tall, skinny man standing beside him with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

Lorien scowled as he rose from the wooden box used for the match. "Shut up. At least I tried, unlike someone," he retorted, shooting a glare at his companion.

“You want to see your precious friend go home with a half-broken arm?” Finn said, trying to justify himself.

Lorien was poised to continue the argument when his attention was suddenly drawn by the sight of a figure standing out amidst the crowd.

“Well, if it isn’t the almighty king of thieves, Seren in the flesh,” Lorien sneered, his words filled with mockery as he singled out the newcomer.

The crowd’s attention was drawn to Seren who stood at the periphery of the circle that surrounded the match ring.

“Hey, isn’t that Seren who is suspected of robbing multiple people” someone in the crowd whispered.

“Yeah, that him. Doesn’t he feel any shame to show his face at the Realms Rite” another said with contempt.

“Leave him be, sooner or later he will be punished by the village Enforcers” another said, his tone filled with pity but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes.

Seren's gaze lingered on Lorien for a moment, his crimson eyes devoid of panic or anger but instead filled with an icy indifference. With a silent shrug, Seren turned away from the crowd and started walking away, ignoring Lorien's remark.

“How about this, if you beat Kai in an arm wrestle, I will give you 10 gold coins,” Lorien called out behind him while spreading his arms.

Seren halted and glanced back at Lorien with his interest piqued.

“BUT, if you lose, you have to give back everything you stole from the stall owners, and don’t even try to deny your guilt,” Lorien added with a sly grin playing on his lips.

Seren's gaze lingered on Lorien for a moment before he responded in a deep voice, “40 gold.”

"DEAL!" Lorien exclaimed, his voice laced with eagerness and a hint of triumph with his eyes alight from the thrill of the challenge as he turned to Kai who was still sitting opposite Lorien. "That's fine with you, right?" He asked politely.

Kai nodded silently.

Seren then approached the wooden box but paused and looked at Kai. “Isn’t it basic courtesy to shake hands before a match?” he suggested, surprising the onlookers with his unexpected politeness.

The crowd exchanged incredulous glances with disbelief evident in their expressions. They had never expected someone as enigmatic and indifferent as Seren to show such civility, leaving them questioning their preconceived notions about him.

Kai's lips curled up into a smile as he rose from his seat, his mood delighted by the apparent courtesy displayed by his opponent.

Seren with a nonchalant attitude approached Kai with seemingly casual steps. However, just as he neared Kai, his foot tripped on a small rock that was under his foot, causing him to stumble forward.

With a flustered expression, Seren reached out instinctively to steady himself but he inadvertently caught onto Kai's sleeve.

Riip!

The fabric tore with a sharp rip as Seren elicited a gasp of surprise.

“…”

The crowd erupted into laughter and taunts and started mocking Seren's clumsiness with jeers of, "Watch your step, Seren!".

"Looks like he's tripping over his own ambition!" one of them taunted.

Flushed with embarrassment from the fall, Seren quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, I will pay for it…”

Kai unbothered by the accident, reassured him with a smile “It’s fine. I have many sets of clothes at home, and one tearing isn’t going to cost me anything.”

With a relieved expression, Seren and Kai shook hands and returned to their positions for the match.

Both of them clasped their hands to start the arm wrestle with tension in the air. You could see Kai’s thick veins in his arm and the girth of the muscles that were hidden under the sleeve.

“ON SET, START!” Lorien's voice boomed, setting the stage for the impending showdown.

Seren instantly poured all his strength into his arm, opting for speed over brute force but Kai’s arm didn't even move an inch. Seren’s confidence started to waver as he realized his strategy was failing him, a sinking feeling of despair settling in his chest.

In Seren's desperation, he clenched his jaw and bit down on his lip with a flicker of determination in his eyes as he abandoned his earlier strategy and opted to brute force his way through. Seren’s heart pounded with a sense of urgency and desperation that was now evident on his face.

As Seren struggled to win ground, the crowd erupted into cheers for Kai with their voices ringing out with unwavering support.

A few voices could be heard amidst the praises that dripped with sarcasm, encouraging Seren to push on and not give up. Their taunts cut through the air like knives, amplifying the pressure on Seren.

The contrast between the genuine admiration for Kai and the thinly veiled mockery aimed at Seren intensified the tension in the arena as it painted a vivid picture of the uphill battle the underdog faced.

Meanwhile, Kai observed his opponent's struggle with a mixture of disappointment and anticipation. Internally, he sighed recognizing the inevitable outcome as he readied himself to conclude the match with a decisive blow.

As Kai leaned to his right and into his technique, ready to unleash his explosive power. But just then his gaze caught something that froze him in his tracks—a devilish smirk spreading across Seren's face with his teeth visible and an expression of cruelness, like a predator toying with its prey.

Noticing the subtle shift in Seren's demeanor, Kai's heart pounded with a mixture of fear and apprehension with a gnawing sense of dread creeping over him. A shiver ran down Kai’s spine as his brain sent an instinctual warning of impending danger. He realized he might have underestimated the true strength of his opponent.

Heeding the warning signs coming from his instincts Kai chose to unleash his full strength in this round, unlike in the match with Lorien.

But just as he released his power, Seren sucked in a breath of air and with a sinister grin spit at Kai’s elbow resting on the match table. The substance of spit wasn't ordinary saliva; it was green, slimy, and repulsive.

When the green spit made contact with Kai’s elbow and the table, he instantly lost his grip on the table, and then Seren pushed forward with all his strength, rendering Kai powerless against Seren's final push.

THUD!

The match was over. Seren had won, leaving Kai stunned and defeated with his defeat sealed by an unexpected and unorthodox tactic.