A glowing screen floated in the air before Julian's eyes. It was simple, yet it felt like the key to his entire future.
Status Interface
Name: Julian Thorne
Race: Human
Level: Mortal Rank 6
Cultivation Path: Way of the Pure Mind
Sanctum Building: Lotus Hallowed Realm (+)
Realm Trait: Heart of the Myriad Lotus (Can grow and evolve countless types of magical and rare lotuses from different worlds.)
Destiny Points: 100
Julian stared at the screen in shock. Is this a gift from the world, or is it a "cheat" unique to me?
As the screen appeared, Julian felt his Hallowed Realm shift. The gray fog at the edges of his territory was pushed back by an invisible force, as if a giant's hands were pulling back curtains. His 400 square kilometers of land began to expand even further.
"So this is what a Realm Trait does," Julian whispered.
Most students at the Academy opened Realms that were just empty spaces. Only one in ten thousand was lucky enough to unlock a Trait. Some could grow faster-healing herbs; others could raise magical beasts.
"Even if it's just growing flowers," Julian smiled, "a Trait is still a one-in-a-million opportunity."
In the Royal Academy of Aethelgard, your future depended on your Realm. If you had a strong foundation, the Academy gave you better resources. To Julian, being able to grow magical lotuses meant he would never run out of rare ingredients for his own cultivation.
His eyes landed on the "Destiny Points" at the bottom. This was something he had never heard of in any textbook.
"Let's see what happens," he thought.
With a single tap of his mind, he spent 10 Destiny Points on his Lotus Hallowed Realm. At first, nothing happened. He didn't hesitate and poured the remaining 90 points into it as well.
[Update: Lotus Hallowed Realm (Rank 9) — 0/1000]
The world inside his soul transformed instantly. The flat black ground buckled, rising into the shape of a small mountain range. Crystal-clear pools of water bubbled up from the earth, filling the valleys.
With the black soil, the fresh water, and the green sprouts, his Realm finally looked like a paradise rather than a graveyard.
"It seems Destiny Points increase the rank and quality of my Realm," Julian noted. He tried to "add points" to his actual bedroom in the real world, but a message flashed: [Failed. This building does not belong to you.]
He also noticed that his Destiny Points were slowly trickling back up. At this rate, he would have another 100 points by tomorrow morning.
Julian opened his eyes and returned to his room. The sun was up.
"Today is the day," he said, tidying his clothes. "I have to go to the Academy to register my Realm before the class divisions."
In the Kingdom of Valerius, there were three legendary schools: The Moon Goddess Pavilion, The Royal Valerius Academy, and The Hall of a Hundred Sages. Only the greatest geniuses and the children of high lords could enter those. Julian's school, Blue Star Academy, was a local institution—good, but not legendary.
As he walked toward the school gates, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Thorne! How did the ignition go?"
Julian turned to see a girl with bright eyes and a mischievous smile. It was Elena Vane.
"Not bad," Julian replied with a modest grin. "I think I've got a shot at the High Dragon Class."
Elena gasped. "You got a Realm Trait? No way! You used a basic school stone and actually unlocked a Trait?"
The High Dragon Class was for the elite. Only those with special Realm characteristics were allowed in.
"Just lucky, I guess," Julian said.
"Well, listen," Elena whispered, leaning in close. "I heard the High Dragon Class is being sent straight to the Stargates for their first mission. My family has explored those rifts before. If you need a partner with experience, you know who to call."
Elena came from the House of Vane, one of the three powerful families in the city. The other two were the House of Garrow, known for being bullies, and the House of Night, who were very mysterious.
"I'll think about it, Elena," Julian said, watching her slip away into the crowd.
He knew that even with his new "cheat" and his rare Trait, he was still just a beginner. In the eyes of the Great Houses, he was just a talented commoner. And in a world filled with monsters and magic, a "talented commoner" was only useful if they stayed alive.