Reading the system's notification left me stunned.
I knew helping my two sisters would be difficult… but SSS difficulty?
Was I about to fight a war or something?
Still, awakening my bloodline is exactly what I need. Over the past two years, I've tried countless methods to awaken it — yet none succeeded.
Even purchasing awakening elixirs from the system did nothing.
Thinking about it now, awakening my bloodline would indeed be a massive power boost… but it was clearly not going to be easy.
"Looks like I'll have to start spending a lot of points to increase my success rate…"
Just then, the four girls I had left in my room earlier entered. They quickly understood the situation upon seeing the state of the room.
Knowing what was happening, they immediately moved to comfort me. They held deep respect for my sisters, as both had never shown arrogance toward them.
"Mother, why don't we use the teleportation chamber to go to the palace? Maybe the people there know more about awakening bloodlines." (Zeref)
"I've already contacted your uncle. They're preparing the transport. We'll leave in five minutes." (Shopia)
After that, we placed my two sisters on special stretcher-like beds and carried them to the teleportation chamber. I told the girls to stay behind at the mansion.
Standing within the teleportation circle, I closed my eyes as the runes lit up.
When I opened them again, we were in a much larger hall.
Several mages stood around us, and as soon as we arrived, they rushed over and began examining my sisters.
We were now inside Helios Palace, where the King, Queen, and several high-ranking figures had gathered in one chamber.
"Can you tell us the situation, Grandmother Lidya?" the King asked respectfully toward a beautiful woman beside him.
Although he called her "grandmother," the title sounded strange given her youthful beauty.
Lidya Helios — the grandmother of my mother and the King, which made her my great-grandmother, and a former queen herself.
"This is truly extraordinary," Lidya said, her eyes wide. "I never expected these two girls to awaken their bloodlines simultaneously — one tied to immense military power, and the other to elemental power."
"This generation's children are truly remarkable."
Lidya sighed — a mix of joy and regret. Joy for their talent… regret because there was a chance they might not survive.
Looking at Shopia, her granddaughter who had gone through so much, Lidya hesitated before deciding to speak honestly.
"Shopia… They can fully awaken. But they must enter the Chaos World. And in their current condition… their chances of success are 0%."
Her words brought silence over the entire room.
Even the usually cold-faced Queen frowned deeply. Shopia's face turned pale, and she nearly collapsed to the floor.
But I was there — I caught her and supported her. Then I spoke.
"Can't they just choose not to awaken their bloodlines?"
"That's impossible," Lidya replied. "If they choose not to awaken them, they'll cripple themselves permanently."
She sighed again, now looking at me — the boy supporting his mother.
The timid child she once knew had changed completely.
She had always sensed something unusual about me… but never once had she felt threatened, so she had ignored it.
"Is there another way?" the King asked this time.
"There is," Lidya said slowly, "but the price is steep."
She explained a method — using Shopia's life force to support the awakening of Invidia and Rena's bloodlines.
Her words instantly enraged me.
"No. I won't allow it. If anyone's life force must be used… then use mine, not my mother's!"
My words — firm and full of resolve — sent waves of shock through everyone in the chamber.
The system even awarded me a few points of affection.
But before I could argue further, Shopia placed her hand on mine.
"I'll do it," she said softly. "You don't need to worry. I don't want to lose anyone else."
Furious, I pulled my hand away and stormed out of the room.
"Looks like I'll have to use that method…"
The Chaos World maintained by the Helios Kingdom contains the power of all past bloodline holders — treasures, weapons, and legacies.
But the problem is, a person is allowed to enter it only once.
And someone has already entered it before.
Worse, the Chaos World is real in a certain sense.
If you die there, you die here too.
Even if you're a Saint, the trial automatically adjusts to your level of power.
So if I bring both of my sisters with me, it would mean attempting a trial meant for three people at once — essentially a death sentence.
Who in their right mind would willingly step into something where death is almost certain?
I walked toward the room where my sisters lay unconscious. Inside, several maids were doing their best to care for them.
Theresia was there too, sitting close by with a worried look on her face.
She had changed too — not only had she become even more beautiful, but the aura around her had transformed. She now radiated strength and confidence.
Upon entering, I spoke firmly:
"Everyone, leave the room. I need to speak privately with Her Highness Theresia."
After I spoke, everyone quietly left the chamber.
"What is it, Zeref?" she asked.
"Before we talk, can we move somewhere more private?"
I pointed to a smaller room connected to this one. She stared at me for a moment before nodding and following me inside.
"Theresia," I began, "do you remember what you said two years ago — that you owed me a favor?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I remember."
"Then I want you to repay that debt today."
"What do you want?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I want you to secretly take me and my two sisters into the Chaos World."
"WHAT!? Are you insane!?"
Being intelligent, Theresia immediately understood my intention — and she was completely against it.
"There's no way I'm agreeing to that. You'll die."
"I'm not as weak as you think, Theresia."
As I said that, I released the sealed power within me so she could feel it.
"Y-you… How is this possible?"
Though she couldn't determine my exact strength, she knew for certain that I was stronger than her — at the level of a Bronze Mid-Stage cultivator.