Super Multiversal System

The air in the room grew heavy as Mother and Father outlined the dangers to Michel—her new Apex bloodline was both a blessing and a target. She listened intently, fingers tracing the emerald streaks now woven through her once-violet hair. The weight of their words settled over her, but there was steel in her gaze. She understood.

Then, she turned to me.

"Ash," she said, brow furrowing. "What about you? Where are you going?"

I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed. "Carrol City."

Silence.

A beat.

Then—

"WHAT?!"

Father's fist slammed onto the table, rattling the dishes. Mother's teacup slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor. Even Michel, usually so composed, gaped at me as if I'd just declared I was marching into the abyss.

The reaction was simple—expected, even. Everyone knew Carrol City was a Grade 5 zone, a far cry from our Grade 1 city. The city constantly faced beast tides and was located dangerously close to the Dark Forest—the monster habitat where powerful beasts roamed freely.

"It's my master's order," I said before they could speak further. Silence fell immediately.

"Okay... but you're taking Albert with you."

Albert—more than just our butler—was specifically my personal aide. He was also a peak Duke-rank warrior, a powerful force in his own right.

"That's fine, but he's not allowed to intervene unless my life is truly in danger," I replied.

Father stood, nodded once, and waved ring a bell. The door opened the very next second the bell rang and walked in, wearing his imaculate clothes. He bowed low, one hand across his chest.

"Master, you called?" he said, voice calm as always.

Father looked Albert in the eye. "You're going with him to a Grade 5 city. He's going there for training. Only intervene if his life is truly in danger—otherwise, stay in the shadows and take care of him from there."

"I will take care of the young master," Albert said solemnly.

He moved like a shadow, silent and efficient.

"Go pack, Albert," I said. "We leave soon."

He nodded. "Right away, young master."

Mother hesitated, stepping forward, concern clouding her eyes. "Why so soon?" she asked softly.

"Master's orders," I replied.

She sighed, the tension in her shoulders visible even as she nodded.

There was nothing more to say.

Though I claimed it was the master's order, the real reason for my hurry was something else entirely.

The Protagonist had already gone to Carrol City—a whole year ahead of me. I remembered watching the news: a mishap during a secret realm event in the Green Hills outside Carrol. Coincidentally—or maybe not—the same kind of incident had happened when the Protagonist arrived there. That meant he was not only a year older, but soon he'd be participating in the upcoming city-wide competition.

I didn't care much about competitions or showing off—but I did care about the rewards they offered. This time, the prize was an entry token to a newly discovered Secret Realm, and not just any realm—one endorsed by the Supreme Organization of the Central Continent.

Our Northern-Eastern region was small compared to the Central Continent, which was where the major leagues, peak clans, and legendary sects were based.

The opening of this Secret Realm was a rare opportunity. It was a confirmed "Rule Domain", meaning it contained insights into the very Laws of the World—the so-called Rules. Understanding just one of them could elevate a Awakener's strength beyond normal limits, enabling them to fight across realms and dominate enemies far above their level.

There were three known grades of Rules: Second-grade, First-grade, and the extremely rare Supreme-grade.

Most awakeners, even elites, only managed to grasp Second-grade Rules. The Protagonist, naturally, was among the few rare talents who had comprehended a First-grade Rule.

As for me? I couldn't even enter the competition. I was just awakened and naturally I am only at the Basic stage of Private stage.

But none of that mattered.

There was another way to enter the Secret Realm—by achieving a high rank within the Adventurers Guild. That would be my goal after arriving in Carrol City.

The Secret Realm wouldn't open until sixteen months after the city-wide competition, which meant I had time—plenty of it. Enough to climb the guild ranks, make a name for myself, and perhaps… even befriend the Protagonist.

If this were any other world, I wouldn't have considered it. But in this one, the Protagonist is a pushover—kind, to a fault. He helps even those who once looked down on him. If I play my cards right and stand by him early on, he might end up owing me favors later.

And those favors could be worth more than any treasure.

Protagonists tend to get access to countless opportunities, rare items, and hidden legacies. By staying close to him, I could benefit from those chances too. Combine that with my own efforts and resources… and I could grow stronger, faster, and far beyond what anyone in this world would expect.

"But Ash, what about your Mana Refinement Engine?" Father asked suddenly. "It normally takes two to three days to set it up, and you're leaving today—as if you could build it overnight!"

I nodded calmly. His concern made sense—if he didn't know my real capabilities.

The main purpose of a Refinement Engine is to increase the passive absorption rate of mana and purify it within the body's vessel. Normally, this is essential for stable cultivation.

But I wasn't normal.

I possessed a Mana Saint Talent, a talent that even the most advanced refinement engines couldn't compare. My mana core was already fully purified—100% pure. In fact, it was so refined that it can rival Supreme Grade prodigies and I can even surpass them if we are at same or even if tey are five stages above me.

So no, I didn't need a traditional refinement engine. I had surpassed that stage.

In fact, my only real limitation now was my body. My current physique could only handle the output of my pure mana at this level. If I pushed beyond it—like liquifying or even solidifying the mana—I'd risk tearing myself apart.

That's why, instead of wasting time on basic setups, I'd be focusing on activating the Supreme Combat Exercise—an powerful technique designed to temper the body from the inside out. It was painful—excruciating, even. Just one use could leave an ordinary person crippled.

But for me? It was exactly what I needed to break through my current limits.