Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The days following Rui's awakening were marked by a whirlwind of emotions. Pride swelled in the hearts of his parents and the Kirean household, but for Rui, the brilliance of his silver core came with an unexpected weight. The murmurs of nobles, the lingering gazes, and the hushed whispers of his potential were ever-present, and though they didn't unnerve him, they made him acutely aware of the expectations placed upon him.

The gardens of the Kirean estate stretched wide and peaceful under the soft golden glow of the setting sun. Yet, for Rui, it was a battlefield.

Rui spent most of his time in the estate gardens, away from the prying eyes of the household. His practice sessions had grown more intense since the ceremony. Each one pushing his limits as he sought to understand the power within him. Mana surged through his core like a river, dense and refined, but it demanded far more from his body than he anticipated. As he focused, his small hands trembling slightly. The silver hue of his energy shimmered in the air, twisting and forming into jagged, imperfect shapes before dissipating into the ether. He had been at this for hours, each failure gnawing at him more than the last.

"Again," Rui muttered under his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. He crouched lower, his silver eyes narrowing in focus as he tried to form the mana again, this time into a simple sphere. The energy flickered and wavered, resisting his control. Then, with a sharp jolt, it imploded, sending a shockwave of force outward.

The grass around him bent in the sudden burst, and Rui stumbled back, clutching his chest as the strain hit him. His breathing was labored, his arms trembling. The power of his core was immense, but every attempt to harness it left him drained.

"You're too hard on yourself, Rui."

The familiar voice made him look up. His mother, Arielle, stood a few feet away, her serene expression framed by the warm light of the fading sun. She approached with a quiet grace, her long dress brushing the grass as she walked.

"I have to keep trying," Rui said, his voice quiet but firm. "If I don't… what's the point of having this power?"

Arielle knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Rui, you've done more in the past year than most would do in a lifetime. But you're not just a core—you're my son. And sons need rest, too."

Rui shook his head. "But I can't wait, Mother. I feel like… like I'm falling behind. Everyone expects so much from me, and I don't know if I can meet those expectations."

Arielle's expression softened. She pulled Rui closer, letting his head rest against her shoulder. "Do you know what I saw the day you awakened?" she asked gently.

Rui didn't answer, so she continued. "I saw a boy who was brave enough to face the unknown. I saw someone with a strength that wasn't just in his core, but in his heart. That's what matters, Rui. Not how quickly you master your power, but the kind of person you become as you do."

For a moment, Rui was silent. Her words eased some of the tension in his chest, but the pressure he placed on himself remained.