It was another bright day as particular six year old finally left the mansion in a white sleek floating shuttle after living there for the first six years of his life.
Today, Neo was dressed in something a little more fancy than usual, a sleek red suit with golden stripes along the sides with the clan crest—a phoenix hovering over a sword within a star, emblazoned boldly on the chest pocket. An outfit his mom had spent the whole of the he day before trying to select, picking out several outfits before settling on the suit he wore now, although it was a bit over the top in his opinion.
He felt like he had gone on a shopping spree in his own closet, one of the few reminders that despite the circumstances and her harsh exterior, Annovelle was still just a mom taking care of her six year old.
Celeste, strangely had decided to leave the Soulscape today. This was strange considering that she almost never left the domain ever since discovering Neo could create video games in the space from his memory.
He had accidentally discovered that he could manifest and manipulate the space with ease, creating food, furniture and luckily even video games from his past life. Ever since then, she had drowned herself in video games and old shows for years straight, only stopping when Neo stopped by or needed advice, at one point he had to start creating brand new video games and movies for her to keep her entertained.
But she had decided to manifest physically today, albeit still invisible to everyone aside from Neo as she sat beside him on the 'Levicar' as it was called. She still carried a controller and VR helmet, both created in the Soulscape. At least, she was having fun, but for him... this long boring trip was torture.
"Oi, Adrian, why are we going to the Clan headquarters? Didn't I just leave one mansion?" Neo asked, leaning against the window as his eyes drifted lazily to his older brother, Adrian, who sat opposite him. He was dressed in a casual dark red tracksuit with a black hoody jacket with his silver rapier lying at his side.
Adrian hadn't spoken throughout the entire trip. Neo smirked faintly, he, a mere twelve year old boy was trying to aura farm on Neo,playing the silent type. Unfortunately, Neo could see through him even without Hacker's Eye.
"Jeez Neo, weren't you listening to Mom when she was talking." Adrian eyed Neo from under his hood as he ran a hand through his already messy long blonde hair.
"We're going to the headquarters to awaken your mana core. Honestly, it's standard every year for a child to awaken at the age of six especially in the big clans like the Castreed, stupid."
Neo raised his hands in surrender while smiling faintly. "Now calm down...Big brother. You don't understand, unlike you, mom didn't let me leave the mansion and won't let anyone tell me anything outside lessons. Seriously, you look like an assassin about to off me right now."
Neo calling Adrian 'Big brother' seemed to calm him down."Well your case was different since mom wanted you to be around all the time during her recovery. Whatever, let me enlighten your empty brain, you're going to have your potential evaluated."
"Potential? That's new. What is it?" Neo asked, genuinely intrigued, even Celeste paused her game to listen.
(Ooh, cutscene info from the NPC)
Adrian's gaze turned dead serious, a rare occurrence.
"Listen Neo, your potential is what your worth, your value. It determines how fast and how much your body can handle mana. How far and how fast you will go in your mana cultivation is determined solely by it.
Just are there are seven core ranks, there are seven potential classifications with the weakest being the Low potential allowing one to go no further than the Novice rank, the Common potential limiting one to the Intermediate rank, Unlocked potential meaning one can manage to achieve the Advanced rank, Adept potential means that one can break into the Master rank, Unbound rank potential allows one to ascend to the Savant rank, Eather potential allows one to ascend to the Empyrean rank."
Then he paused and smiled under his hood.
"The Legendary potential is another thing entirely. Those who possess it are true monsters who can ascend to the very peak of the world, attaining the coveted Ascendant rank."
"I, your magnificent older brother have an Eather rank potential with the rare lightning element, but don't worry, even if you get a low potential, I, your older brother will protect you."
Celeste chuckled from the side.
'What's so funny?' Neo asked her through their mental link.
(Nothing, it's just ... being a reincarnator and all basically gives you a fair degree of plot armor. I won't be surprised if the Paladins sent to this world with you even surpass the so-called 'peak of humanity's power'.)
'I suppose that would make sense, but that just means more competition and work for me. Seriously, what a drag.'
(Meh, not like I really care, you can suck or succeed, doesn't concern me.)
'Lazy, as long as you have video games, you don't care if the world tears apart, you crappy angel.' he sighed internally.
Suddenly a faint killing intent spread across the vehicle, making Neo tense up.
(What was that?)
Neo froze.
'Oh no, she couldn't have heard me, right?.' Celeste turned towards him slowly with a look that could freeze flames. Her azure eyes now held a tint of gold as she summoned a blade of purest soul energy and held it to his neck.
(Looks like someone wants to die early.)
Just as Neo thought she would kill him out of rage, Adrian's voice rang out in the transport.
"We're here."
The Levicar glided smoothly to a halt as Adrian and Neo stepped out.
"Ah, the scent of freedom. Must be great to be out in the open after being cooped up with no one to talk too." Adrian said as they walked away from the Levicar.
"Speaking of which, why was mom living apart from the other parts of the clan? You're the only visitor we ever see."
"Well something about a war with another clan. Mom got poisoned and needed to heal in solitude, during that time she gave birth to you. After that it took another six years to fully expel the poison. That's why she allowed you out."
"Oh, I see."
"Well, let's head in. Your core isn't going to awaken itself."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming."