**Time Law:**
Significantly harder. Time was slippery, paradoxical, resistant to comprehension even with his enhanced mind.
But he persisted.
**Month 25:**
**[TIME LAW: 10% COMPREHENSION]**
He could perceive time at different speeds. Sense temporal fluctuations. Slightly accelerate or decelerate his personal time in brief bursts.
**Month 28:**
**[TIME LAW: 15% COMPREHENSION]**
He could slow time in a small area for a few seconds. Speed up his own perception dramatically. Sense things a few seconds into the future through temporal probability.
*Time Law is going to take years to push to 30%. I'll come back to it.*
**Sword Law, Lightning Law, Fire Law, Death Law, Life Law, Rune Law, Gravity Law, Void Law:**
With his Intent foundations and transcendent comprehension, Runar worked on multiple Laws simultaneously. His hundred parallel thought streams meant he could study ten different Laws at once, each thought stream making progress independently.
**Month 36 (Subjective - Three Years):**
**[LAWS COMPREHENDED:]**
- **Space Law: 30%** - Complete spatial manipulation in local area
- **Time Law: 15%** - Limited temporal control
- **Sword Law: 28%** - Every strike carries Law power, can cut through Intent-level defenses
- **Lightning Law: 25%** - Summon true tribulation lightning, body contains lightning essence
- **Fire Law: 22%** - Control all flames, create mystical fires, fire immunity
- **Death Law: 18%** - Death aura weakens enemies, can sense life force weaknesses
- **Life Law: 20%** - Accelerated healing, can strengthen vitality
- **Rune Law: 25%** - Can read reality's source code, modify existing runes in real-time
- **Gravity Law: 16%** - Manipulate gravitational fields, create gravity wells
- **Void Law: 14%** - Touch the void between spaces, void energy annihilates matter
Ten Laws. All comprehended to significant degrees.
The amount of combat power this represented was staggering. Each Law comprehension made his techniques exponentially more powerful.
A sword strike with 28% Sword Law wasn't just 28% stronger—it was operating on a fundamentally different level than Intent-based strikes. It could cut through things that Intent couldn't touch.
**[COMBAT POWER ASSESSMENT]**
With 40 Level 10 Intents and 10 Laws at 10-30% comprehension, combined with his Meteor Forging Stage 9 cultivation, Supreme-grade physique, and perfected techniques...
**[ESTIMATED COMBAT CAPABILITY:]**
- Can fight evenly and easily defeat: **Stellar Ignition Realm** (full confidence)
- Can defeat with by putting more effort: **Solar Flare Realm** (high confidence)
- Can defeat with difficulty: **Star Fusion Realm** (high confidence)
- Might survive: **Red Giant Realm** (if using everything)
*And I'm still only at Meteor Forging Stage 9. When I break through to Stage 10, then Satellite Orbit, then beyond...*
The potential was limitless.
But there was still one more thing to do.
---
**TECHNIQUE MASTERY - Perfecting the Arsenal**
Runar pulled up all the techniques the system had rewarded him:
**Combat Techniques:**
- Stellar Sword Art (Peak Divine Grade)
- Void Step Movement Technique (High Supreme Grade)
- Thousand Runic Strikes (Peak Divine Grade)
- Dimensional Blade Technique (Low Supreme Grade)
- Cosmic Fist Scripture (Peak Divine Grade)
**Elemental Spells:**
- Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation (Peak Divine Grade)
- Eternal Frost Domain (High Divine Grade)
- Blazing Star Collapse (Peak Divine Grade)
- Gale Force Annihilation (High Divine Grade)
- Earth's Absolute Defense (Peak Divine Grade)
- Complete Elemental Fusion Series (Low Supreme Grade)
*Time to master them all. Not just learn them—truly master them to perfection and beyond.*
With his Intent and Law comprehension, his transcendent consciousness, and unlimited time in the Comprehension Space, Runar began practicing.
**Stellar Sword Art:**
The original technique had nine forms, each one progressively more complex. Runar learned all nine in three days.
Then he began to truly understand them. See the runic structures underlying each movement. Identify the inefficiencies—places where the creator's comprehension had been insufficient.
He started modifying. Optimizing. Improving.
**Month 40:**
**[STELLAR SWORD ART: LIMIT BREAK REALM]**
**[ORIGINAL: 9 Forms]**
**[IMPROVED: 27 Forms - 18 additional variations created]**
**[POWER INCREASE: +800% from original]**
**[SPECIAL: Now incorporates Space, Time, and Sword Laws automatically]**
What had been a Peak Divine Grade technique was now something that touched Supreme Grade levels through pure mastery and modification.
**Void Step:**
Originally a movement technique based on spatial manipulation, Runar pushed it beyond its original design.
**Month 43:**
**[VOID STEP: LIMIT BREAK REALM]**
**[ORIGINAL: Rapid movement using spatial shortcuts]**
**[IMPROVED: True short-range teleportation, can leave afterimages, minimal energy cost]**
**[POWER INCREASE: +1,000% from original]**
**[SPECIAL: Can now teleport through solid objects using Void Law]**
**Thousand Runic Strikes:**
This technique launched multiple runic-enhanced attacks simultaneously. Runar took it literally to its limit.
**Month 46:**
**[THOUSAND RUNIC STRIKES: LIMIT BREAK REALM]**
**[ORIGINAL: 1,000 simultaneous strikes]**
**[IMPROVED: 10,000 simultaneous strikes, each carrying Intent and Law power]**
**[POWER INCREASE: +5,000% from original]**
**[SPECIAL: Can customize each strike's Intent/Law combination independently]**
He continued through all the Divine-grade techniques. Each one was mastered, analyzed, improved, and pushed to Limit Break Realm.
The Supreme-grade techniques—Void Step, Dimensional Blade, and Elemental Fusion Series—he could only master to Perfection Realm. They were too high-grade for him to improve yet. But 100% mastery of a Supreme-grade technique was still incredible.
**Month 50:**
**[ALL TECHNIQUES: MASTERED]**
**Divine-Grade Techniques (All at Limit Break):**
- Stellar Sword Art: 27 Forms, +800% power
- Thousand Runic Strikes: 10,000 strikes, +5,000% power
- Cosmic Fist Scripture: 18 Forms (from 12), +600% power
- Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation: True tribulation power, +900% power
- Eternal Frost Domain: Covers 1000 meters (from 100), +700% power
- Blazing Star Collapse: Mini-star explosion, +850% power
- Gale Force Annihilation: Hurricane-level devastation, +800% power
- Earth's Absolute Defense: Nearly impenetrable, +1,000% power
**Supreme-Grade Techniques (All at Perfection):**
- Void Step: 100% mastery, can execute unconsciously
- Dimensional Blade: 100% mastery, cuts through dimensions
- Elemental Fusion Series: 100% mastery, perfect element control
*Every technique I own is either perfected or improved beyond its original design. My arsenal is complete.*
Runar stood in the Comprehension Space, reviewing everything he'd accomplished.
**Fifty months of subjective time. Over four years of continuous study and cultivation.**
**Achievements:**
- HDCM cultivated to 95%
- 40 Intents mastered to Level 10
- 10 Laws comprehended to 10-30%
- All techniques mastered to Perfection or Limit Break
- Combat power increased by approximately 100,000x from before
*And in the outside world, barely any time has passed.*
He checked the external time through the system interface.
**[EXTERNAL TIME ELAPSED: 18 HOURS]**
*Less than a day. I've spent four years studying, and my parents probably think I'm still resting from yesterday's "exercise."*
Runar laughed—actually laughed out loud in the Comprehension Space. The absurdity of it all. The sheer broken nature of his advantages.
*I'm seven years old. One month old, technically. And I have comprehension abilities that would make Supremes jealous.*
But there was one last thing to check.
He focused on his cultivation base, examining the barrier at Meteor Forging Stage 10.
It was still there. Immutable. Unmoving.
*No amount of study will break through this. I need real combat. Real danger. Real challenges.*
*The academy will provide that. Other geniuses. Competition. Conflicts. Missions. Life-and-death situations, eventually.*
*That's where I'll find the stimulus I need.*
Runar took a deep breath, centering himself.
*Four years of subjective time. But I'm not tired. Not even close. The HDCM keeps my mind fresh, my consciousness clear. I could stay here for decades more if needed.*
*But I won't. Because I'm ready now. Ready for whatever the outside world can throw at me.*
He stood, preparing to exit the Comprehension Space.
*Time to return to reality. Only... what, twenty eight days left until the academy entrance exam? I'll spend that time with Celestia. Train her properly. Help her grow stronger.*
*She's been nothing but kind to me. Time to repay that.*
**[EXIT COMPREHENSION SPACE REALM?]**
*Yes.*
---
**Reality - Runar's Room - Early Morning**
Runar opened his eyes, and the first thing he noticed was how *slow* everything felt.
In the Comprehension Space, with his enhanced consciousness operating at full capacity, time had seemed fluid. But here, in the physical world, everything moved at a glacial pace.
He could see dust motes drifting through the sunlight streaming through his window. Each particle's trajectory was predictable, mathematical. He could count them if he wanted to—thousands of tiny specks, each one's path calculated in microseconds.
*This is what 20,000x thinking speed and 50,000x comprehension ability feels like in the real world. Everything is... slow.*
He stood, moving carefully. His enhanced Meteor Forging body, combined with his Intent and Law mastery, made every action potentially destructive. He had to consciously limit himself, like a normal person trying to walk while carrying nitroglycerin.
*I need to get used to normal speed again. Can't accidentally break everything I touch.*
He spent a few hours just moving around his room, recalibrating. Picking up objects gently. Opening doors without tearing them off hinges. Walking without cracking the floorboards.
*Okay. I think I've got it under control.*
A knock on his door.
"Runar? Are you awake?" His mother's voice. "Celestia is here! She's been waiting in the living room for an hour. She said she wants to practice with you today?"
*Celestia. Perfect timing.*
"I'll be right down, mama!"
Runar checked himself in the mirror. Same appearance—seven years old, handsome features, long black hair. But his eyes... they were different. Deeper. Containing knowledge and power that shouldn't exist in a child's face.
*I need to be careful. Can't let anyone see how much I've changed.*
He headed downstairs, each step measured and controlled.
In the living room, Celestia was sitting on the couch, swinging her legs impatiently. The moment she saw him, her face lit up.
"Runar! Finally! I've been waiting *forever*!" She jumped up, rushing over to him. "I brought new training weapons! And mama said we could practice in the yard today! And I learned a new spear technique I want to show you! And—"
She stopped, studying his face with those bright violet eyes.
"You look different," she said slowly. "Your eyes are... deeper? Did you breakthrough or something?"
*Perceptive. She really is a genius.*
"Just learned some new techniques," Runar said carefully, which was technically true. "I've been practicing in my room."
"Ooh! Can you teach me?" Celestia grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the back door. "Come on! Let's practice together! I want to learn everything you know!"
Runar let her pull him along, a genuine smile forming on his face.
*Four years of subjective time studying. One month of external time remaining until the academy. And one enthusiastic genius who wants to learn.*
*Alright then. Let's see how far I can push her in twenty eight days.*
As they headed outside into the morning sun, Celestia chattering excitedly about all the things she wanted to practice, Runar made a mental checklist:
**Next 28 Days Plan:**
- Train Celestia daily (technique, combat, cultivation guidance)
- Slip her Divine-grade pills (foundation strengthening)
- Test his own combat capabilities against her (while holding back 99.99999999%)
- Practice controlling his overwhelming power
- Enjoy normal childhood activities (surprisingly important)
- Prepare mentally for academy entrance
And then, 28 days later, they'd face the Continental Academy entrance examination.
*Other "geniuses" await. Competitions. Challenges. Politics.*
*They have no idea what's coming.*
Runar Cross—seven years old in appearance, one month old by birth, twenty-eight years old in soul, with comprehension that surpassed Supremes and combat power that defied realms—stepped into the sunlight.
And the world had absolutely no idea what it was in for.
---