CHAPTER 35: WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LIFE

[Draconia: You’re being hailed as their dragon savior. Someone who could help them in their ongoing dragon conflicts. Someone has privately inquired about "borrowing" your services.]

[Cordelia: Mixed reactions. The Academy sees you as a fascinating case study, while some worry about you being untrained could be harmful to everyone else..]

[Sanctorium: Deeply divided. Some priests declare you divinely blessed, others claim you’re a dangerous heretic.]

[Elysium: Official stance is pride in their "greatest chosen one," but privately, many nobles are terrified of what you represent.]

’And the religious cults?’

[The largest group calls themselves "Children of the White Lightning." They believe you’re the prophesied "Storm-Bringer" who will reshape the world. Current membership: approximately 40,000 across all kingdoms.]

[Concerning development: Some cults are advocating for your immediate release through any means necessary, including violence against royal authority.]

Jack’s stomach dropped. ’So people might start wars over me?’

[Probability assessment indicates a 23.7% chance of armed conflict within six months if current tensions escalate.]

Seemingly the system noticed Jack’s frustration, more notifications popped up.

[Available Skill Purchases:]

[Utility Tree.]

[Elemental Immunity: Become immune to one element type | 50,000 Skill Points.]

[???]

[???]

Jack’s jaw dropped, looking at what would have been a cheat code if this was a video game.

The options were tempting, but Jack’s attention was drawn to something else entirely—a notification that had been blinking patiently in the corner of his vision.

[Class Advancement Unavailable]

’Show me the details.’

[Arc Mage]

[Requirements:]

[Lightning Mage Job Class Rank 8 or higher ✖️]

[Must visit the Pantheon to undergo divine trials ✖️]

[Warning: Class advancement will fundamentally alter your relationship with divine powers.]

[However, you must still visit the Pantheon to complete the advancement process.]

’The Pantheon? The same place where I met Draven?’

[Affirmative. However, accessing the Pantheon from your current location presents complications.]

’What kind of complications?’

[The Pantheon exists in a divine realm accessible only through specific rituals or extreme spiritual distress. Previous access was facilitated by the Sacred Communion ceremony. The current location contains powerful wards that interfere with divine travel.]

[Additional complication: Leaving the Royal Palace to perform the necessary rituals would likely be interpreted as an escape attempt.]

Jack leaned back in his chair, the weight of his situation pressing down. He was trapped in a golden cage, surrounded by people who saw him as either a weapon to be wielded or a threat to be contained.

His family was probably planning something desperate to rescue him, which would only make the political situation worse.

And now, to unlock his full potential, he needed to somehow access a divine realm that his captors would never willingly allow him to visit.

The remainder of his food sat cooling on the marble table, the exquisite flavors now forgotten in the face of larger concerns.

Jack stood and walked to the crystal windows, looking out over a city that stretched to the horizon. The capital of Elysium, a seat of power for one of the four great human kingdoms.

From his room, he could see the sprawling palace below, with its gardens, courtyards and training grounds. Servants moved like ants along perfectly maintained pathways, while guards in gleaming armor stood watch at every entrance.

In the distance, the city proper spread out in concentric circles of increasing grandeur, from the merchant districts near the walls to the noble quarters closer to the palace.

It was beautiful and prosperous. This was a place where power was measured in gold and influence rather than strength and honor. Where a sixteen-year-old boy who could kill dragons was seen not as a person but as a strategic resource.

System, theoretical question. If I were to somehow access the Pantheon and complete the class advancement, would that give me enough power to break free from this place?’

[Calculating probable outcomes...]

[Analysis: Arc Mage class advancement would significantly increase your combat capabilities. However, the Royal Palace is defended by three other chosen ones, each with decades of experience.]

[Probability of successful escape through force: 12.7%]

[Probability of survival if escape attempt fails: 3.2%]

[Recommendation: Seek alternative solutions.]

The numbers were sobering, but Jack found himself oddly comforted by their honesty. At least his system wasn’t sugar-coating the reality of his situation.

System, my body feels different. Can you tell me why?

[Scanning... Cellular analysis complete.]

[Your nervous system now contains trace amounts of divine electricity. While your stats returned to baseline, your body has been permanently altered at a molecular level.]

[Effects include: Enhanced electrical conductivity and occasional involuntary static discharge during emotional stress.]

Jack flexed his fingers, watching tiny sparks dance between them. ’So I’m permanently marked by what I did?’

[Correct. Additionally, your pain tolerance has increased significantly. The agony you experienced was equivalent to being struck by lightning 969 times simultaneously. Surviving that has fundamentally rewired your pain receptors.]

A soft chime from the door interrupted his brooding. Jack turned to see Lyra’s silhouette through the frosted crystal, her distinctive beautiful body.

"Lord Kaiser," her voice carried easily through the door, "Aurelius is ready to see you now."

Jack took one last look at his status screen, mentally noting the massive number of skill points and stat points awaiting allocation. Whatever came next, he wanted to be prepared for it.

[Good luck, Jack.]

The simple wish for luck from his usually sardonic companion spoke volumes about the danger ahead. Jack straightened his shoulders, pulled the simple white robe tighter around himself, and walked toward the door.

Time to meet the king’s favorite monster.

But as his hand touched the crystal handle, Jack paused for one more glance at his reflection in the window. The young man looking back at him was someone he barely recognized.

Jack opened the door and stepped into the corridor beyond. The hallway was a masterpiece of architectural intimidation.

Soaring ceilings that disappeared into shadow, walls lined with portraits of stern-faced kings and legendary chosen ones, and a carpet so luxurious his bare feet sank into it with each step.

Lyra waited for him, no longer the composed visitor from his room but something far more dangerous. She moved with predatory grace, her hand resting casually near what Jack now realized was a concealed weapon.

"This way," she said simply, leading him down a corridor that seemed to stretch forever.

They passed dozens of doors, each one identical to his own.

The corridor ended at a massive set of double doors carved from what appeared to be a single piece of black oak. Ancient runes were etched into the wood, blazing to life as they approached.

Lyra knocked once. A sharp, precise sound that echoed through the hallway.

"Enter," came a voice from within. It was smooth and cultured.

Lyra pushed open the doors, revealing a chamber that took Jack’s breath away.

The room was circular, with walls lined floor to ceiling with weapons from every culture and era.

At the center of this arsenal sat a man who could only be Aurelius.

He was younger than Jack had expected, perhaps in his early thirties, with golden hair and eyes the color of molten amber.

He wore simple training clothes that did nothing to hide the lean muscle beneath, and when he smiled, it was with the easy confidence of someone who knew exactly how dangerous he was.

"Jack Kaiser," Aurelius said, rising from his chair with fluid grace. "Welcome to your new life."