On the Ground
After being struck down by Anvironos, Ryo staggered back to his feet, eyes wide with shock.
Ryo (confused):
"Wait a second… something's wrong! Hey, System… this isn't the power system you taught me!"
System:
"The system I explained to you is not the true system of this world. It's nothing more than a fabricated structure… created by kings and nobles to deceive the masses."
Ryo:
"What do you mean?"
System:
"Listen carefully. In this world, strength is measured in two very different ways:
1. The Fourteen Levels — the Official Ranking System
This is the standard used by guilds, armies, and kingdoms to measure a person's strength.
Every individual is classified based on the level of power they can display.
The common people believe it to be the ultimate truth: a Knight is stronger than a Warrior, an Eternal Shadow is stronger than a Knight, and so on.
But reality is different… someone at the Apprentice Level could annihilate someone at the Celestial Level.
2. The Five Stages — the Inner Paths
This is the hidden system, the true measurement of strength.
It reflects the depth of energy within one's body.
Only a select few know of it: noble clans, emperors, ancient sects, royal academies, and great kings such as Anvironos himself.
The further you advance along the Inner Paths, the greater your real strength becomes—far beyond what the first system can ever show.
To the ignorant, its results appear like miracles or godly powers.
How do they coexist?
The First System = the surface → ranks, badges, titles.
The Second System = the essence → hidden paths that determine one's true worth.
The nobles and rulers combine the two:
Your rank decides your status in society.
Your inner path defines your true power among the elite.
For example: a Celestial fighting an Apprentice. To the public, the Celestial should easily crush a thousand Apprentices.
But the nobles know better… if that Apprentice has advanced far enough in the Inner Path, he could destroy entire armies of Celestials."
Ryo (stunned):
"But… you told me that those who reach the Legendary Levels could destroy the universe itself!"
System:
"That's just propaganda spread by nobles. Your true power has nothing to do with the First System. It's the Inner Paths that matter. The first one is only a label—a badge to define your standing in front of the masses."
Ryo turned toward Anvironos, eyes trembling in disbelief.
Ryo:
"Anvironos…! Why don't the people know about this hidden system? Why keep the Inner Paths a secret?"
Anvironos raised a brow, clearly caught off guard by the question.
Anvironos:
"Truth is… we didn't create it. According to what has been passed down among rulers and nobles, the system was brought down from the Floating Isle by Thanis himself.
The scriptures left behind state one thing clearly: the common people must never know the truth."
Ryo (shaken, whispering):
"But… why? Why hide it from them?"
Anvironos hesitated, his expression stiff as if searching for an excuse:
"Do you mistake me for Thanis? I don't know either."
Silence fell between them. Ryo lowered his gaze, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Ryo (muttering):
"This world is twisted… so many rules exist only to keep the people blind."
Anvironos:
"And yet, you are one of those very people… and you know the truth. There are some among the commoners who glimpse a fragment of the hidden world."
Ryo smirked faintly, his eyes hardening as he whispered to himself:
"I'm no commoner… I'm just a prince cast away into exile."
Anvironos (sharp):
"What was that?"
Ryo clenched his fists and forced a smile.
"Nothing. Let's just continue the training."
But deep inside, his resolve burned like fire.
Ryo (whispering, serious):
"I swear… I'll break this world free from its false chains!
The heavens… I'll shatter them!
Thanis… I'll succeed you, but unlike you—I'll never hide the truth!"
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To be continued…