If one were to classify each division of levels within the Kyrios Empire's capital, Kyria, the first level would neither be the slums nor the commoners' place. As long as one gains enough merit, one can enter the higher levels, except for the fourth level, whenever one likes.
No, the first level isn't some low-quality place, even if parts of it are also meant for residence, the first level is the very center of common commerce within the capital, one might even consider this being the busiest part of the capital along with the part being the most populated with people, residents, business owners, travelers and people hoping for opportunity all converging into this one gigantic commercial domain.
While commerce is the focus of the first level, the second and third excels the most in residence and luxury, experiences that only those who have both enough political and financial power can afford, great manors of residence, training facilities, as well as environment with mana density far richer, far greater when compared to the already impressive ambient mana of the first level.
As for the fourth and final level, the place standing at the very peak of the plateau Kyrios is built upon, said level is a place that only a select few can enter, a level with only four great establishments standing tall, the very foundation of the empire, which only those talented or privileged enough can enter.
"Hmm? It's smaller than I remember it to be…"
Finally reaching the third level of the capital, Argus couldn't help but feel like his memories of this place is quite different from what he is seeing right now, the manor, as despite the manor in front of him still being considerably large for what can only be considered as a temporary abode whenever his family is in the capital, he can remember this place not paling in comparison with their manor in his father's territory.
'Is it the difference in insight? Or is it a lapse in memory? I was hardly here after all.'
He mentioned to himself, as he recalls, that he was only here for a few days before his academic life started, making him conclude that the memories of this place to him are vague at most, especially when there's nothing in particular that happened during the time of his stay here.
"Ah, young master, you have arrived."
Walking onto the gates of this manor, he was greeted by a familiar, dignified, calm, and collected voice, the tinge of excitement undeniable as the owner of the voice approached him with rushed steps.
"It's good that you come back safe and sound, Young Master Argus."
That slim, yet powerful build couldn't hide the shock that made his body frozen as he observed that familiar face, his hand, previously intent on moving to pat the young man's shoulders, couldn't help but hesitate a bit as it is only how that he realized that those shoulders, once frail and thin just like his mother's, now appears broad and reliable, as if those past few weeks that he had been away is more than enough for him to grow into a young man truly qualified to inherit his father's title.
"Yeah, I'm back, Alaric."
Seeing the shocked look on this servant, or rather, butler's face, Argus couldn't help but reveal an assured smile as he goes on to pat the man on the shoulders before he proceeds to walk towards the manor, looking forward to starting his cultivation again, intent on pushing himself to the Body Refining Realm before the entrance exams to the academy start.
"Ah, come to think of it, the master arrived earlier than expected, young master; he's waiting for you in his office."
Hearing the words from the butler, Argus stopped in his tracks as he felt quite surprised, knowing that according to the memories of his past life, his father should've arrived a few days later, going to the capital with him; that date was just a couple of days later than today, hence the reason he was a bit surprised as well.
'So, this is that, huh… what was it that that woman called it again? Butterfly effect?'
As an image of a lady the same age as himself on that world of cultivation, a peer of Xing Yuandao, Argus couldn't help but recall one of the concepts said lady told him during the time they are exploring the world with some other friends, a concept that connects one thing with everything else, no matter how small or large they might be, like how a simple flap of a butterfly's wings could be the reason as to why a great cyclone appears on the other side of the world.
'Fufu~~ funny enough, the butterfly effect appears the most prominent when there's something that traveled back in time, as if everything is happening at an accelerated rate to sweep the anomaly under the rug, as if the world, or rather, time itself is trying its very best to correct itself… that's just the belief of the people in my homeland though, things written on fictional literatures, I wouldn't know if it's true myself, hehehe~~~'
Recalling another time the two of them talked about this interesting topic, the young man couldn't help but smile wryly as he felt like he is now having a first-hand experience of this concept of time correcting itself, but he has no idea whether it is truly the case or it is just a coincidence brought about by the changes of his own activities in this timeline compared to the previous one.
'Doesn't matter, I just need to get strong enough to not get swept by these changes.'
Argus then thought to himself as he entered the residence, a few maids here and there bowed as they encountered him, showing respect that stemmed not from his being, but from the fact that he is the son of a great hero of the empire.
"Still so much better than looking at me in fear, hahaha."
He mutters to himself in laughter as he enters his room and cleans himself before proceeding to meet his father immediately. The anticipation of showing such great progress to the person he owes his life to is something he thinks is quite the feeling to look forward to, causing him to feel great as he treads the long, well-lit hall of Draconia's Manor.
"Master, the young master is here."
Greeting the men standing guard at the door of the Old Draconia's office, the young man was eventually allowed entry a few moments later as he, along with the guards, heard the master of the house's words, the deep, powerful, and authoritative voice making the guards tremble despite hearing it for nearly every single day of their lives.
"Enter"
As the door creaked open, Argus walked in a collected, confident manner, eventually standing near the middle-aged war veteran, the only thing separating the two of them being the table, still filled with paperwork that just doesn't seem to go down no matter what.
"You should go and see the outside world every now and then, old man, just sitting in an office managing things is not good for your health after all."
Those words don't seem to reach through as the old man is now petrified as well, as despite priding himself as one of the most collected minds in the empire, he's also the one who is the most shocked seeing the great changes his son has gone through.