Chapter 2 – Daren
Daren crouched beneath the dense canopy of the forest, his sharp eyes scanning the clearing ahead. Ancient ruins lay scattered among the moss-covered stones, their purpose long forgotten by most mortals. But to Daren, every inscription, every arcane sigil, was a key to understanding the world before the system.
He had traveled far, following whispers of lost knowledge—clues that many considered mere myths. The system was ever-watchful, siphoning magic even from the faintest source, making research dangerous. Yet, Daren's determination never wavered. He had seen what raw, unshackled power could do. He had glimpsed the truths hidden from ordinary mortals, and he would ensure that his son, Aric, would know them one day.
A flicker of movement caught his eye—a low-level system enforcer patrolling the ruins. Daren didn't panic; he had prepared for this. With a subtle motion of his hands, he conjured a minor illusion, shifting shadows across the ground to cloak his presence. The enforcer paused, scanning the area, then moved on. A sigh of relief escaped Daren's lips. The system's gaze was constant, but knowledge was worth every risk.
He knelt by one of the ruins, brushing away centuries of dust and grime. Symbols of divine-level magic glimmered faintly, long since drained by the system. Daren's fingers traced the lines, committing each detail to memory. Every discovery, every secret he uncovered, he would pass on to Aric. Not because the boy was special—though he was—but because the world demanded someone who understood what had been lost.
As he worked, Daren's thoughts drifted to the boy. Aric had a curious mind, a hunger for understanding, and most importantly, a spirit unbroken by the system's restrictions. The child did not yet know the half of what awaited him, nor the dangers that lurked behind the veil of normalcy. But one day, he would. And when that day came, he needed to be ready.
For now, Daren packed away the texts and relics he had uncovered. Tomorrow, he would venture further into the forest, risking the system's attention again, all for the knowledge that would shape the boy's future.