Chapter 17: Eroding Dark Bat Strike & The Shadow Ability Cultivation Method!
Cyrus Xander shot up from his seat, his eyes wide. "What?! You're already at Tier 1, Rank 4?"
Alex rubbed his nose, a faint, modest smile playing on his lips. "Is there... a problem with that?"
Cyrus and Elena exchanged a glance, both seeing a flash of astonishment in the other's eyes.
Both were thinking the same thing: This kid looks low-key on the surface, but he's secretly a tiger pretending to be a pig!
Is there a problem?
If they had awakened their abilities at eighteen and reached Tier 1, Rank 4 by the second day, they would have been flaunting their aura every few seconds in class just to show off!
"A Tier 1, Rank 4 realm is something usually only achieved by A-Rank Awakeners by the time of the College Entrance Exam. Even the more impressive ones only reach Rank 5. Tell me, kid, just how ridiculous are you?"
Cyrus cleared his throat, his tone still laced with shock.
One had to remember, from yesterday morning's awakening until now, it had barely been a day and a half!
This cultivation speed... even the geniuses meticulously groomed by those old monsters in the Capital and Arcane City probably couldn't compare!
Thinking of this, a thought suddenly surged in Cyrus's mind: By the time of the College Entrance Exam in nine days, Alex might actually have a chance to advance to Tier 2!
But he quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought as unlikely.
Realm advancement was relatively easy at the start, but it became exponentially harder the further one progressed.
"Luck. It's all just luck," Alex brushed it off casually.
"Oh my, Alex really is hardworking. Unlike our Sia, who doesn't like cultivating at all. You'll have to take care of her in the future."
Elena said with a smile, her eyes full of admiration for Alex.
Alex was hardworking, handsome, possessed an S-Rank Ability, and cultivated combat skills rapidly. Such a young man was destined to become a powerhouse.
Although she suspected her daughter's relationship with Alex might be fake, what did it matter?
Fake relationships could become real.
She was extremely satisfied with this potential son-in-law.
Alex felt a bit uncomfortable under Elena's "mother-in-law" gaze.
If they knew he also possessed a Companion Spirit Weapon, wouldn't they...
"Ahem, I will, Aunt Elena."
"What Aunt? Call me Mother-in-law! Or at least Madam!" Elena pretended to be angry and rolled her eyes at him playfully.
"Right, hello Madam," Alex corrected himself immediately, flashing a polite, well-behaved smile.
"Aye! This child is so obedient. You two chat here for a bit. Don't leave for lunch; I'll cook for you personally!"
Elena nodded with satisfaction and spoke warmly.
Beside them, Sia watched her mother's enthusiastic behavior, feeling a bit dazed.
She screamed internally: Oh no, it's over...
Mom really sees Alex as her son-in-law...
Cyrus watched this scene, shook his head slightly, and then looked at Alex. "Alex, can Sia and I have a private word?"
"Of course, City Lord. Please go ahead." Alex tactfully stood up.
"Alex, wait. Take this first."
Sia suddenly spoke up, tossing a Storage Ring toward him.
Alex caught the ring and checked inside. It contained a Level 3 Darkness Combat Skill book, a Shadow Ability Cultivation Method, and several Top-Grade Bone Tempering Pills!
His eyes lit up. "Thanks."
"No need to be polite; I promised you this," Sia said with a smile, then looked at her father. "Dad, spit it out. What do you want to talk about?"
"You tell me. Be honest—how did you and Alex meet?" Cyrus kept a straight face, asking seriously.
"Yesterday, I ran out to play and ended up surrounded by a wolf pack outside the city. He accidentally saved me," Sia answered truthfully.
"What? You actually ran outside the city yesterday?" Cyrus's face changed instantly, his tone filled with worry.
"Well, yeah. The city isn't fun, so I wanted to see the world outside."
"You can't go alone! Beasts are ferocious. My silly daughter, thank goodness you're okay."
Cyrus sighed with relief, his favorability toward Alex rising another notch.
I didn't expect this kid to be my daughter's savior too!
"I'm fine, see! Don't worry!"
Cyrus glared at her, then said, "Alex seems like a good kid. If you have feelings for him, turn this fake relationship into a real one!"
Sia's face turned red instantly. "Dad, what are you saying... I don't want to date, and I definitely don't want to get married."
Cyrus shook his head helplessly. "Fine, fine. Up to you."
You can't force a melon to be sweet. It all depended on his daughter and Alex.
Sia stuck out her tongue and didn't say anything more.
Outside the main hall, Alex looked at the Level 3 Combat Skill book in his hand—Eroding Dark Bat Strike—with a glint of excitement in his eyes.
He used the System's scan function.
[Eroding Dark Bat Strike: Condenses dark elements to form countless dark bats to attack the opponent.]
Next, he took out the Shadow Ability Cultivation Method and scanned it.
[Shadow Ability Cultivation Method: Can only be cultivated by Darkness/Shadow Affinity Awakeners. Cultivating this method significantly accelerates the absorption of Origin Energy and cultivation speed. Additionally, one can merge with their own shadow for cultivation to achieve double the results with half the effort, or separate the shadow to let it cultivate independently and feed back into the host.]
Alex's breathing quickened. He praised it internally.
This Shadow Cultivation Method is absolutely amazing!
Let my shadow cultivate and feed back into me, while I go hunt beasts to earn Slaughter Points!
With this setup, who can compare to Alex Whitefield?!
"System, learn Eroding Dark Bat Strike and the Shadow Ability Cultivation Method!" Alex chanted in his mind.
[Ding! Learning successful.]
In an instant, the methods for circulating, separating, and condensing shadows from the Cultivation Method were clearly etched into his mind.
He had also learned the Eroding Dark Bat Strike, though he hadn't reached the proficiency to use it fluidly yet.
Now, all he lacked were Slaughter Points to upgrade his abilities.
He had a grand plan in his heart: to develop his Darkness Affinity into a destructive mage class as powerful as a Summoner!
Just as he was excitedly planning his future, Sia's voice came from behind. "Dinner's ready, Alex!"
Alex turned back and responded, "Coming." Then he got up and walked toward the dining hall.
Arriving at the table, seven or eight dishes, perfect in color, aroma, and taste, were neatly arranged, emitting a mouth-watering fragrance.
"Alex, I didn't know what you liked, so I just made a few random dishes. See if they suit your taste?"
Elena asked with a beaming smile, her eyes full of anticipation.
Alex picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of braised pork belly, and sniffed it. It smelled amazing.
He took a bite. The meat was soft, melting in his mouth, and delicious.
A satisfied smile appeared on Alex's face. He praised, "Madam, your cooking is delicious!"
The best way to compliment a cook was to eat a lot.
Elena felt incredibly gratified by the praise. "I'm glad you like it. My Sia complains every day that my cooking is bad."
As she spoke, she glared at Sia.
"No way. Maybe she eats your delicious food every day and has gotten picky," Alex quickly smoothed things over for Sia.
Elena nodded with satisfaction. "This child has such a sweet mouth. Eat more."
"Okay." Just as Alex prepared to grab more food, Elena spoke again. "Sia, don't just eat by yourself. Put some food in Alex's bowl!"
Sia pouted, crying internally: It's over...
My mom really treats Alex like her biological son-in-law...
Boohoo... what do I do now...
Although reluctant, Sia placed a piece of meat into Alex's bowl, a pouty expression on her face.
Alex felt a bit helpless too. He hadn't expected things to develop this way, so he could only accept it with a wry smile.
"Alex, which Awakener Academy are you planning to attend?" Cyrus asked at this moment.
"I haven't decided yet. I'm waiting for the recruiters to arrive in two days," Alex replied honestly.
"Well, with your talent, you can pick any of the Five Great Academies. However, I suggest you aim for Arcane Martial Academy or Capital Warrior Academy. They have the best resources for elemental types," Cyrus advised seriously.
"I'll keep that in mind, City Lord."
The lunch continued in a harmonious—if slightly awkward for Sia—atmosphere. Elena kept piling food into Alex's bowl until he was stuffed.
After lunch, Alex prepared to leave. He needed to get back to hunting beasts.
"Sia, walk Alex out," Elena instructed.
Sia walked Alex to the gate.
"Hey, thanks for playing along," Alex said in a low voice.
"Hmph. Don't get the wrong idea. It was just to stop my parents from nagging me," Sia replied, crossing her arms.
"Sure, sure. Anyway, thanks for the skill book and cultivation method. They're a huge help."
"Just win your duel in two days. Don't embarrass me!"
"Don't worry. I'll crush them."
Alex waved and walked away.
Looking at his retreating back, Sia bit her lip slightly. Why does he look so confident? The Vance family isn't a pushover...
But recalling his handsome figure when he snatched the ball, a slight blush crept up her cheeks.
Whatever. I believe in him.