Seeing the Colossal structure for the first time, changed Caden's perspective. Only then he knew why it was called the Hollow Stage Gate Terminal Space Station. This was only the Marquise's Territory; he was eager to learn how the Empire looked.
It was a two-way Transit hub, shipping thousands of meters or tens of thousands of meters of ships transit from this flickering screen non-stop. It took us 5 minutes to align with traffic, or maybe not, because we moved from a public lane to a private lane used by noble families.
Then, in a matter of minutes, we passed through the screen. It was called Resonance Sky Veil. It was a unique experience.
Then we were on our way to the Galileo planetary system, which would take another 10 days at most. The Jump Port, like teleportation, was not seen here. This was a public hub Gate terminal.
Curious, he asked Emil, "If I'm not mistaken, there is a teleportation gate, right?"
"Yes, Young Master," Emil replied calmly. "But it is not accessible to the public. It's classified as a military asset."
"Military asset? Why?" Caden pressed.
"You are confusing two things," Emil said, glancing at him with a look that seemed to say, You really should know this. "Jump-ports and teleportation are not the same."
Caden blinked, startled, but quickly rifled through his memory. Then, with a confident nod, he answered, "Of course, I know. Teleportation is for individuals, while jump-ports are for ships. But teleportation is dangerous, so only the high-ranking elites can use it. Jump-ports, on the other hand, are widely available across the Empire."
Emil chuckled. "Then, Young Master, you should also know it's called Wormgate now. Why are you using such an old term?"
Caden said nothing. He was embarrassed. honestly, that name is famous in his world. So unknowingly, in his fascination, he said that. Anyone would have done that.
Caden did not linger there another minute.
He has increased his level to level 3 now. He was eager to learn what kind of bloodline ability he unlocked.
Caden moved from the central observation deck to his Simulation Training Chamber. It's official name, but he was too lazy to say those words: Practice room is enough, it is.
Sitting in the middle, he said Status:
[Affirmative. Initializing now.]
Before his eyes, a translucent display formed:
[Status Panel – Caden de Aurelius Titanheart (Caden Lawson)
Race: TITAN (Artificial Awakened Bloodline) (Ancient Giant Bloodline Devoured)
Bloodline: TITAN (Dormant Potential – ???) (Awakened Bloodline - 1%)
Realm: Early 1st Stage Inheritor (Body Tempering)
Level: 3 (F-rank)
Strength: 20
Agility: 20
Endurance: 20
Wisdom: 5
Soul : (Swallowing Physique - Swallows anything threatening)
Abilities Learned:
Phantom Stride (movement technique – Ghost category, beginner tier)
Bloodline Abilities Unlocked:
Titan Body: ( Enhanced Regeneration, Strength, and Agility. Enhance Affinity to Elements and Senses. Soul Strengthened. Main Ability: Equalize all Attributes)
Caden was, of course, shocked by the huge changes brought to the status panel. It was like going from Ruler Village to the City. It was a complete overhaul.
First, the dormant potential, which was 1% changed to Question marks. The meaning here was clear. His potential was something like limitless. If he had to guess.
Which he further confirmed on the System's side,
[The Potential of the Blood is unquantified because there is no precedent for obtaining a Sacred Physique on the initial Awakening of the Bloodline]
"Sacred Physique!" Caden was, of course, astonished by this Discovery. He knew that after awakening, the abilities he obtained would be something related to strength or something related to physique. He was nevertheless surprised.
It's a damn good start. He can match the 2nd realm early inheritors effortlessly. Well, relatively weaker ones.
Then there was the swallowingsoul, which had inauspicious words like swallowing anything threatening. I do not begin to fathom the meaning behind these words. Those who tried to make a move on his spirit will get one hell of a surprise.
One point in this status made me frown hard.
"System, why is Bloodline Awakening stuck at 1%?"
[My calculations suggest: Special Resources]
"Like what?" Caden asked matter-of-factly.
[The flame fruit of a perennial Tree, the moonlight water of Augustus' tree, Mithril, the ignition agent. I recommend these currently.]
Caden was, of course, aware of these resources found in the Empire. Controlled by various families. The Royal family, of course, has them. But the problem is, he will be far away from the family. The resources are rare but not difficult to obtain if he were there.
"Shit! It will be hard to obtain them on the frontier border."
I think I know my goal now: To get resources. By any means. It's the TOP priority.
[I will add these priorities as top class]
Good. Now we have about 10 days to go. Let's see how much I can improve. I also need to practice various techniques Prince Caden used to learn. First, let's try that "Tyrant Body Technique".
Just like that, the journey continued, and Caden was immersed in his cultivation. Sometimes he conversed with others, but the majority of the time was spent on improving.
----
As we loomed closer to the destination, the Royal dreadnought "Silent Night" was not the only ship making this journey. There were hundreds of such ships cruising through the darkness of space.
The destination world filled the view—a planet ringed by shimmering defense arrays, golden lattices of energy stretching like a net across the heavens. Vast orbital stations circled in precise formation, bristling with ships. Fleets moved like schools of silver fish, disciplined and deadly. Beyond them, the planet itself glowed with pale blue oceans, spires of steel and crystal jutting from the continents like blades raised in salute. Even from this distance, he could see the banners: the Empire's crest, a Giant fist breaking the sky, burning bright against the black. For a moment, awe softened his guarded thoughts.
Caden's thoughts stirred. Planet: Thalos, one of the two frontier planets in this planetary System. It will be his new home for the next two years. Although this planet is not his destination. All the people will gather here.
The Final Destination, no one knows.