Thou Shall Not Read

The dawn broke over Korthal, painting the battle-worn city in hues of gold and amber. The air was thick with the scent of ash and the distant echo of victory cheers. Kaiser Ashbourne sat cross-legged in the keep's meditation chamber, a quiet space lit only by a single flickering lantern.

Before him floated a translucent interface, the System's Status Screen, displaying his current stats.

[System Status]

Name: Kaiser Ashbourne

Age: 16

Rank: Mana User (Rank 8: Legendary Mana Master)

Zanpakutō: Abyssus Ignis

Abilities:

Shikai (Unlocked)

Kido Spells (Advanced Level Unlocked)

Mana Manipulation (Legendary Level)

Points Available: 3,500

"System Notice: Progress Evaluation. Host demonstrates accelerated growth. Recommendation: Refine mastery at Rank 8 and prepare for transition to Mythical Mana User."

Kaiser leaned back against the wall, his stormy gray eyes narrowing as he considered his options. The battle the night before had pushed his abilities to their limits, but it had also revealed the gap between his current power and the enemies that awaited him in the North.

"Rank 8 already," Kaiser mused, a smirk playing on his lips. "Not bad for someone who started at the bottom of the ladder."

The System chimed in with its usual monotone.

"Correction: Host's rapid advancement is due to synergistic integration of Soul Reaper abilities and mana-based techniques. At Rank 8, the host is among the strongest Legendary Mana Users."

"Yeah, yeah," Kaiser said, waving it off. "Let's focus on refining what I've got. What's the fastest way to prepare for Mythical Rank?"

Training for Mastery

The System's response was immediate.

"Suggestion: Intensive combat training to stabilize Legendary Mana. Allocate points to enhance Reiatsu and unlock higher-tier abilities. Fuse existing skills for optimal combat efficiency."

Kaiser nodded, already standing and stretching his tall frame. "Sounds like a plan. Let's start with unlocking something devastating."

He accessed the System's store, scrolling through the list of abilities. One item caught his eye:

[Advanced Kido: Hadō #90 - Kurohitsugi (Black Coffin)]

Cost: 2,000 Points

"High-level spell, devastating power... yeah, that's got my name written all over it," Kaiser said, selecting the ability.

The System confirmed the purchase, and a flood of knowledge poured into Kaiser's mind. He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of energy within him.

Training Ground: The Wilds

By mid-morning, Kaiser had ventured beyond the city walls, deep into the untamed wilds surrounding Korthal. Here, the mana in the air was thick and volatile, making it the perfect place to train.

He closed his eyes and drew upon his mana core, the invisible reservoir of energy within him. The power responded eagerly, flowing through his veins like molten fire. At the same time, his Reiatsu—his Soul Reaper spiritual energy—flared, intertwining with the mana in a way that felt both natural and alien.

Kaiser opened his eyes, and a smirk tugged at his lips. "Let's see how far I can push this."

Refining Legendary Power

He began with mana manipulation, channeling the energy into bursts of speed and strength. Each swing of his Zanpakutō left deep scars in the rocky terrain, the black flames consuming everything in their path.

Next, he moved on to Kido.

"Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!" he shouted, sending a blast of blue energy crashing into a cluster of boulders. The explosion sent debris flying in all directions, but Kaiser barely broke a sweat.

"Too easy," he muttered. "Let's step it up."

He raised his hand, focusing his energy as the incantation for his new ability formed in his mind.

"Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi!"

Dark energy gathered around him, forming an enormous black coffin in the air. Within moments, the spell collapsed inward, obliterating everything inside. The shockwave rippled through the forest, leaving a gaping crater in its wake.

Kaiser staggered slightly, his breathing heavy. "Damn, that's... powerful. But it drains a lot of energy."

The System chimed in.

"Warning: Overuse of high-level abilities may lead to energy depletion. Recommend strengthening mana core to mitigate this issue."

"Yeah, yeah," Kaiser said, straightening. "Let's keep going."

The Tipping Point

As the day wore on, Kaiser pushed himself to the brink. The wild mana around him seemed to react to his efforts, converging on him in a swirling vortex. He could feel his core stabilizing, the Legendary power within him becoming more refined and efficient.

The System's voice returned.

"Stabilization complete. Host's Legendary Rank has been optimized. Increased efficiency in mana manipulation and Kido casting."

Kaiser flexed his fingers, marveling at the newfound control he had over his power. "Now we're talking," he said, his grin widening.

Returning to Korthal

By the time Kaiser returned to the city, night had fallen. The guards at the gates greeted him with wary respect, their eyes lingering on the faint glow that still surrounded him.

In the keep, Captain Roran awaited him with news. "Another wave of beasts is approaching, my lord. Stronger than the last."

Kaiser nodded, unphased. "Good. I was starting to get bored."

Roran hesitated, then spoke again. "Also, a messenger arrived earlier. He brought this."

He handed Kaiser a sealed letter bearing the crest of the Ashbourne family. Kaiser's expression darkened as he broke the seal and read the contents.

"Father wants me back at the estate," he said, his voice cold. "Apparently, I've been making too much noise."

Roran frowned. "Will you go?"

Kaiser's smirk returned. "Not a chance. I've got a city to protect—and plenty of beasts to kill."