In the heart of their newly claimed mansion, the master bedroom sprawled like a sanctuary of silk and shadow. Towering four-poster bed draped in a midnight-blue canopy, the room bathed in the soft glow of mana-infused lanterns that mimicked dawn’s first light. The air carried a faint trace of jasmine from the private garden beyond the arched windows, cool and serene.

Rudrean, Aelira, and Isalyn lay tangled in the vast bed, their bodies nestled under a lightweight coverlet that whispered against their skin.

Rudrean stirred first, his eyes fluttering open to the unfamiliar luxury around him. The mattress cradled him like a cloud, but it was the warmth pressed against his side that truly roused him. Isalyn lay curled toward him, her black hair fanned across the pillow, her full lips parted in slumber. Aelira slumbered on his other side, one arm slung possessively over his waist.

But his gaze went over Isalyn. More precisely, her plump breasts rising and falling with her breath as a subtle sheen caught his eye, something golden and inviting, like liquid sunlight beading at the tip of a nipple.

He shifted closer, his hand gently cupping her left breast. It was soft, the skin warm and smooth as polished marble. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against the curve, tasting the faint sweetness in the air. His tongue darted out, circling the nipple slowly, and there it was, a warm trickle of golden honey milk, rich and floral, like nectar from forbidden blooms.

He latched on gently, sucking with a soft pull that drew more into his mouth. The flavor exploded on his tongue, sweet with an undercurrent of magic that warmed him from the inside out, sending a rush straight to his core.

’Now that I have reached the peak of SSS-rank, will my stats even increase before the breakthrough to Core Genesis?’

Rudrean thought as he drank the milk.

But he soon noticed that the milk did not dissolve into its usual energy to strengthen his body this time. Instead, it went into his Life Nexus and gathered there.

’The excess will be gathered? That’s perfect. So when I break through, it will be used and I’ll get stronger.’

As Rudrean continued sucking, Isalyn’s hand moved over his head, caressing it while half-asleep as his actions sent currents of pleasure through her.

And then, the morning became passionate as the trio had their morning exercise for an hour.

...

"New day, new start. So, what are we doing first?" Aelira asked. "Check out how to earn merits?"

[Isalyn: And the workings of this institute.]

"What about our breakthrough? What do we need to break through to Core Genesis?"

"Oh, check our cards. There’s a notification." Aelira blinked, her eyes curious as she looked over the mail.

[To all students of the Foundation Stage. Secret Realm: Wilmore of Shattered Sword will open after twenty-four hours. Make a team of five and register if you wish to participate and earn a huge amount of merits and resources.]

[Isalyn: That’s what I am talking about. Secret Realms. You need runes to set up your Arcane Path. One of the requirements to break through to the Core Genesis stage is that you need to slot all four runes in your Arcane Path and upgrade them to level 2.]

...

Soon, Rudrean and Aelira arrived at a large plaza where hundreds of students were gathered.

"It sucks that we need a team of five for this event." Aelira clicked her tongue. "We need three more people."

Rudrean looked around.

All the Foundation Stage students who did not have a team of five were here to form teams to participate in the Secret Realm.

"How will we choose people?" Rudrean wondered.

"There are some people of other races here." Aelira whispered, her eyes shining as she looked at two people, a young man and a woman with beastly eyes, both having wolf ears and fluffy tails. One had crimson ears and tail, and the other had gray. "Let’s invite them."

As if sensing her gaze, both of them looked at her and Rudrean.

"Let’s go. At least we can start with them." Aelira started walking, her arm locked around Rudrean’s.

There were about 70% humans and 30% beastfolk in this huge plaza. The beastfolk included wolf-like individuals, lion-like ones, bunny-like ones, and some even had feathery wings.

"Hi," Aelira said with a smile as she and Rudrean stopped a meter away from the wolf couple.

"I am Rudrean." Rudrean smiled as he introduced himself.

"And I am his wife, Aelira." Aelira grinned.

The wolf man cupped his fist. "I am Ryzen."

"And I am his wife, Rivera." The wolf girl smiled.

"So, are you two looking to team up?" Aelira asked.

"That... we are." Rivera nodded, her eyes blinking once, revealing some doubt. "I think I’ve seen you two."

"Eh? How?" Aelira raised her eyebrows.

"Maybe when we took the test, you were there?" Rudrean guessed.

"Ah! Y-you two!" Ryzen exclaimed as recognition lit his eyes. "No wonder I felt like I had seen you before. You both are first and second ranked in the Monster-Combat leaderboard."

"Yes, it’s them!"

Both of them looked at each other, shocked.

"Eh? We are already famous here?" Aelira blinked with a smile.

"Yes. The recordings of your fight went viral in the Rainstar Network." Rivera nodded. "Are you sure you want to team up with us? We would be glad to."

"True," Ryzen nodded quickly as he grinned. "I thought the top-ranking people would team up among themselves to set a new record for this Secret Realm’s exploration and finally reach its final boss and defeat it for the reward that no one has been able to obtain yet."

"It’s one of the hardest Foundation Stage Secret Realms. Since it appeared four years ago, it has been unconquered," Rivera added.

"That sounds like a good challenge." Rudrean smiled, already feeling excitement as he wanted to fight more with his newfound combat style, explore it further, and become stronger.

"Well, we don’t care about forming a team full of top ranks," Aelira said with a chuckle. "If you want to team up, let’s do it and find one more person to complete it."

"Hold on a minute there, fair lady."

A laid-back voice reached the group, prompting them to turn.

A man in a full crimson suit and pants with a blue rose attached to his pocket, his golden hair styled with sharp bangs, walked toward them.

He looked to be in his early twenties.

Following him were two people slightly older, one blond-haired man and one red-haired woman.

"That’s Romen Velkar and his cousins."

"Why is he here?"

"He was knocked down from first place to third place. He must be here for them."

Romen stopped in front of the group, his eyes on Rudrean and Aelira as he nodded with a laid-back smile.

Rudrean’s fist clenched, his body reacting instinctively, but he restrained himself. This guy gave off the same vibe as the people who had bullied him constantly. It was like his instincts could identify people who had complete disregard for others and their dignity.

"You two are good. Join my team. You will have the Velkar clan’s full support. We will dominate this Rainstar Institute until we graduate."

"Refuse, and I’ll remember you," Romen added, his eyes chilling even as his smile remained laid-back.

"Ew..." Aelira made a face. "If you think that’s how you invite people, you need to start from elementary school again."

"So, that’s a no?" Romen raised his eyebrows.

"Yes. It’s a no," Rudrean nodded, his eyes steady. ’I am no longer afraid.’

Romen laughed and turned around, waving his hand. "You will regret it."

The trio left.

"Let’s go have breakfast. Do you know any good spot?" Aelira asked Rivera and Ryzen.

Both of them were still a bit shaken, but hearing Aelira, they snapped out of it.

"We do know a pretty good spot," Rivera smiled.

Rudrean’s stomach growled. "Let’s go."

As the group moved out of the plaza, Isalyn spoke.

[Isalyn: He will try to kill you two.]

’What? Just for this?’ Rudrean frowned.

[Isalyn: It’s not just about this. He came with a precise goal. He wanted you two to join him and pave the path for greater opportunities. But if you refuse, you will inevitably take those opportunities from him. So his only other option is to kill you, ensuring those opportunities remain his.]

’Tsk, that bastard.’ Aelira clicked her tongue.