Chapter 41 – The ceiling of the Lower Domain
Now that her questions were finally out of the way, Leon leaned back slightly, one hand resting over his thigh, gaze sharpening with the shift of gears in his mind.
'My turn now.'
He didn't bother with the preamble. "Master," he began, voice calm, "back in the dungeon, there was something... strange. A message appeared about connecting to the Lesser System. What exactly is that?"
Seraphine blinked once. Then she gave a short nod as if that question had been expected eventually.
"Oh, that." Her voice softened with familiarity. "It's the foundation. Everyone who gets a class connects to the Lesser System. It governs our class, abilities, affinity growth, all of it."
Leon tilted his head slightly, keeping his expression composed. 'So she doesn't know... That I didn't connect to the Lesser System at all.'
He stayed quiet, letting her explain without interrupting.
Seraphine gestured lightly with her hand. "You don't need to chant or say anything aloud. Just think about accessing your status screen in your mind, and it'll appear. It only shows for you—it's not something others can see."
Leon absorbed the words, filing them away neatly. She wasn't going to explain further. Not because she didn't want to—but because, for most people, that was enough.
"Go ahead," she said, folding her arms with a faint smile. "Try it. You've probably seen the system already in the dungeon, right? This'll be the same—just more detailed now that you're fully awakened."
He gave a single nod in return.
'Call system, huh.'
Time to see how this works—_his_ way.
---
Leon closed his eyes for a breath.
'Status.'
The response was immediate.
A soft shimmer passed over his vision, and in the next moment, a golden translucent screen unfolded before his eyes—thin, elegant, and only visible to him. The script was clean, glowing faintly with celestial precision.
His gaze swept over the lines.
---
[Character Information]
[Name: Leon]
[Level: 1]
[Class: Elemental Paragon(SSS)]
[Age: 10 ( Soul Age: 19)]
[Race: Human]
[Cultivation: Apprentice Rank]
[Affinity: All (Rank 5)]
[Strength: 8]
[Agility: 9]
[Stamina: 9]
[Mana: 1000]
[Intelligence: 100]
[Skills: None]
[Technique: Mana Body Enhancement(Adept Rank)]
---
'...So that's how it looks.'
He felt a strange stillness seeing it laid out like this—who he was, carved into golden lines. The title _Elemental Paragon_ glowed brighter than the rest, almost pulsing with quiet authority.
The stats were modest outside of his mind and mana. 'Strength, Agility, and Stamina still look human... but Intelligence and Mana are already absurd for someone my age. And affinity rank five across the board?'
He lowered his hand to his lap, thoughtful.
'So this is what she thinks I got from the _Lesser_ System. Wonder what her reaction would be if she saw the real screen from the _Cosmic_ one.'
Leon said nothing, the screen still floating before him like a mirror that told more than just the surface.
But inwardly—he smiled.
'Alright, let's start putting this to use.'
---
Leon leaned back slightly, eyes still half-focused on the screen only he could see. "I can see it," he said quietly, gaze flicking to Seraphine. "There's a screen with my stats. Everything's laid out."
He left out the part about the golden color.
Seraphine gave a pleased nod, her tone calm but faintly proud. "Good. That's the System's standard interface—the blue screen. It helps you keep track of your growth, especially after Class Awakening."
Leon tilted his head. "So it's only for stats?"
She crossed one leg over the other, resting her elbow on the desk as she looked at him. "That's all the Lesser System does. It doesn't grant skills or guidance—it just tracks what you earn through effort. But don't underestimate it. With that screen, you can measure your progress in real-time. No more guessing if your training worked."
Leon hummed thoughtfully.
'So she really doesn't know anything else. That means... the Cosmic System isn't just stronger—it's completely unknown to this world.'
He folded his arms across his chest, relaxing a little. "Got it. Just a status screen. Useful enough."
Seraphine offered a soft smile. "It may seem simple, but it'll become your best ally. Especially now that you've started walking your own path."
Leon nodded once, gaze briefly lowering back to the faint shimmer only he could see.
'Started walking, huh... yeah. That's exactly what it feels like.'
_____
Leon tapped his fingers lightly on the chair arm, eyes thoughtful.
'Apprentice Rank. Level 1. That lines up with the status screen, but... what does that really mean in terms of growth?'
He glanced at Seraphine.
"What's the connection between cultivation rank and level? Mine shows Apprentice Rank, Level 1."
Seraphine nodded. "That's how it's structured. Cultivation ranks are divided by level thresholds. Apprentice Rank spans Levels 1 through 10. After that, you're supposed to break through to the next rank—which I don't know off"
Leon's brows lifted. " You don't know? You haven't seen people go beyond Apprentice?"
Seraphine shook her head slowly. "No. That's the thing. No one in the Lower Domain ever gets past Level 10 Apprentice. It's not the system that blocks it. It's the world itself."
Leon blinked. "Explain."
She leaned back, crossing her arms. "The mana density here is too low. Not enough to sustain advancement beyond Level 10. You can train endlessly, but without a breakthrough source of power—like high-tier dungeons or concentrated mana zones—it's like trying to grow crops in barren soil."
'That explains it...' Leon thought, silent. 'So they're not stuck because of the system. They're stuck because the environment won't let them go further.'
"And dungeons?" he asked aloud.
Seraphine nodded again. "Same story. The Lower Domain barely has any dungeons above beginner level. They're low-tier, low-risk, and they don't push people far enough, for me those dungeons are practically worthless."
Leon leaned back slightly.
'So that's why no one here has seen the other ranks. Not because they're not real—but because this place is a cage. And they don't even realize it.'
"I see," he murmured. "So even if someone's talented, their growth caps out just because the world doesn't give them enough to rise."
"Exactly." Seraphine looked at him carefully. "Which is why your class and potential matter even more now. You'll be hitting the ceiling faster than anyone else."
Leon didn't say anything. But in his heart, one thought echoed clearly:
'I'm not stopping at Level 10.'
"So you are also apprentice rank," he asked.
Seraphine nodded and answered.
"Yes I am apprentice rank Level 10 but I have no realistic way of going any further"
Disappointment was clearly visible in her eyes, but there was hope in her mind, she had tried that method but failed and barely survived that day.
'what if Leon reaches Level 10 would he be able to take on those monsters in the forbidden region'
She didn't have an answer to that question right now but she believed if it was Leon it could be possible with his A rank Class, that way he would be able to reach the next rank which was close to impossible here.
She really hoped that day would come.
[Author here, complete the challenges to get bonus Chapters as a reward]
Chapter 42 – System, Layers, and the Things That Stay Unspoken
Seraphine stood near the window, her arms folded behind her back, her tone softer than usual.
"But there is a way to reach the next rank and travel to the Middle Domain," she said quietly, watching the morning light stretch across the courtyard stones. "But it's dangerous. You have to be strong enough. I tried it once."
A pause.
"I wasn't able to—."
Leon didn't say anything at first.
He watched her from the chair, studying her posture, the tension in her shoulders. Even without words, he could feel the way that memory weighed on her.
Then she turned to him, her gaze no longer distant.
"If you ever reach that point—if you become strong enough—I'll tell you the method. I promise."
He didn't nod, didn't smile. Just sat there, listening—really listening.
She wanted to go farther... but couldn't.
And now she was hoping he could.
Something in his chest shifted. Quietly. Steadily.
He wanted to succeed for himself. But maybe now... part of him wanted to succeed for her too.
Not because she asked.
But because she hadn't.
And because she believed he could.
Level 10. That's the start.
A flicker of curiosity sparked in his mind again. He glanced up at her—not as a commander, but as Seraphine. The one person who had stood by him since Duskmoor. A mentor. A guardian.
A complicated kind of family.
What's her class? Her stats?
The thought hadn't even fully formed before the golden screen shimmered to life before him.
He blinked.
Then exhaled slowly.
[Character Information]
[Name: Seraphine Vael]
[Level: 10]
[Class: Lightning Knight (B)]
[Age: 25]
[Race: Human]
[Cultivation: Apprentice Rank]
[Affinity: Lightning (Rank 5)]
[Strength: 28]
[Agility: 31]
[Stamina: 29]
[Mana: 120]
[Intelligence: 17]
[Skills:]
– Lightning Step (Uncommon – Level 52)
– Piercing Thrust (Common – Level 82)
– Stormguard Stance (Uncommon – Level 46)
– Combat Insight (Common – Level 79)
– Electric Slash (Common – Level 67)
[Techniques:]
– Mana Body Enhancement (Common – Master Rank)
– Thunder Vein Pulse (Uncommon – Adept Rank)
– Skybreaker Draw (Uncommon – Adept Rank)
– Raijin's Descent (Uncommon – Adept Rank)
[Concept:]
– Lightning Aura (Level 1)
Leon sat quietly for a few seconds, eyes on the screen.
She really is strong...
Her stats were sharp, her technique levels even sharper. Everything about her screamed discipline and refinement. A soldier through and through.
But still—
Her mana and intelligence... even at Level 10, they're far lower than mine.
He didn't gloat. He didn't feel superior.
He just understood.
The Orb of All-Elemental Affinity had given him more than just raw power. It had elevated his starting line beyond what was normal.
Thank you, he thought quietly, fingers folding in his lap. Really... thank you.
Then his gaze landed on the last line.
[Concept: Lightning Aura – Level 1]
His heart skipped.
He didn't know what it truly meant yet, but it was something... profound. A new layer to strength. Something only awakened with time, mastery, and perhaps experience.
But he didn't ask.
Didn't comment.
Because to do so would raise questions he wasn't ready to answer.
Seraphine had given him trust, warmth, a place to grow. She had opened a space in her life that most wouldn't even consider offering a stranger, let alone a child.
He wouldn't repay that by making her suspicious.
Not today.
So he closed the screen and looked at her again—this time, not with awe or analysis, but with quiet respect.
"We'll get there," he said, softly.
Seraphine stilled.
It wasn't just the words—but the we. He'd said it without hesitation. As if it was obvious they were in this together. No titles. No command structure. Just them.
Something warm curled in her chest, tightening behind her ribs. She hadn't expected it to matter so much. But it did.
Because Leon wasn't just a gifted boy anymore.
He was hers. Her responsibility. Her student. Her family.
She took a quiet step forward.
Leon looked up, slightly confused by the sudden movement. "Wait, what—"
Before he could finish, she reached him—her arms pulling him in, steady and firm.
Not crushing.
Not dramatic.
Just... holding.
His face pressed gently against the front of her stomach. Her arms wrapped around his small shoulders, one hand resting at the back of his head like she was shielding something precious.
Leon stiffened for half a breath.
She's hugging me again...
But this time, it didn't feel like indulgence.
It felt like something she needed.
And maybe—he admitted to himself—it wasn't so bad.
She didn't speak. Neither did he.
The silence said enough.
That after everything—goblins, dungeons, secrets—they were still here.
Still standing.
And not alone.
Her voice finally came, low and steady above him. "I will always take care of you, Leon."
Leon didn't nod.
But he didn't pull away either.
Not yet.
Because for once, this didn't feel like weakness.
It felt like home.
Leon felt her warmth and he could even hear her heartbeat. He didn't want to push her away. After coming so close to dying inside the dungeon, he had understood one thing—if he acted bratty all the time, he'd regret it for the rest of his life.
Leon hesitated—just for a breath—then slowly raised his arms and wrapped them around her waist.
It was awkward at first. He wasn't used to returning hugs, much less ones like this.
For a second, his mind flickered to the fact that her waist felt unusually slim under the layers of her shirt—but he pushed the thought away immediately.
No. She's my master. Family.
And that was the truth of it.
She wasn't just his mentor.
She was like his family now. A constant. A bond.
Seraphine felt him reciprocate and nearly melted on the spot.
Her chest swelled with a rush of emotion so strong it made her arms move before she could stop them. She pulled him in tighter—too tight.
Because something had changed.
The boy who walked into that dungeon was sharp, self-contained, always five steps ahead.
The one who came out?
Still him. But softened around the edges. Sharper.
She didn't like it.
Because it meant something hurt him in there. And she hadn't been able to protect him from it.
But she did welcome the version of him who wasn't rejecting her intimacy.
Her inner voice practically squealed, My Leon is so cute now.
She hugged him a little tighter.
Too tight.
"Urgh."
Leon's muffled groan cracked the moment.
Seraphine blinked, then loosened her arms. "Oopsie."
Leon tilted his head back, gasping slightly, giving her the most deadpan look he could manage. What do you mean, oopsie?
Is she trying to kill me with her hugs?
But she didn't let go.
Not completely.
She just relaxed her hold enough for him to breathe—and still kept him wrapped in her arms like a plush she'd waited too long to squeeze.
He was taller now. A little broader too.
But to her?
Still hers.
Still the boy she wanted to protect.
Leon sighed quietly into the space between them.
And despite himself...
He found it oddly comforting.
She's kind of cute when she's like this.
He didn't say it out loud.
But he didn't pull away either.
Not from her.
Not from this.
Because sometimes, warmth wasn't weakness. It was just... needed.