Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The sun rose over the secluded estate, casting long shadows across the training grounds as Rui prepared for another day of relentless effort. This morning, however, felt different. A faint sense of significance lingered in the air, and it wasn't just the hum of the mana stabilizers that surrounded him.

He stood in the courtyard, his silver eyes reflecting the dawn light, and allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. Today marked his thirteenth birthday. Rui couldn't remember the last time he had celebrated such an occasion, and even now, the thought seemed distant. His life wasn't about milestones—it was about progress.

"Thirteen," he muttered under his breath, flexing his fingers as his silver mana flickered faintly around him. "Not much older, but strong enough to feel it."

A smirk tugged at his lips as he tightened the straps on his worn weights. They had served him well over the past month, but he knew their time was up. His body had grown leaner and stronger, and his endurance had increased significantly. But despite his progress, the limitations of his thirteen-year-old physique had given way to a new challenge: his growing strength was outpacing his tools.

The past month had been a blur of sweat, strain, and determination. Under Master Telsor's relentless guidance, Rui's mana control had reached new heights. His silver aura, once turbulent with fractures and disruptions, now flowed like a steady river. The alchemical tonics he had used religiously helped him recover faster and grow stronger, aiding his body's natural development.

Despite his newfound physical strength, Rui was acutely aware of his limitations. Each day of training pushed him closer to his breaking point, the weights on his wrists and ankles feeling more like an afterthought than a challenge. He knew he had to push further.

A Visit to Kara's Forge

By midday, Rui found himself back in the east quarter, navigating the bustling streets of the marketplace. He moved through the crowd with ease, his silver eyes scanning the familiar signs until he reached Kara's Forge. The heat and hum of the smithy greeted him like an old friend.

Kara looked up from her work as Rui entered, her sharp eyes narrowing in recognition. "You're back," she said, crossing her arms. "Didn't think you'd need a new set this soon."

"I've outgrown them," Rui replied, placing his worn weights on the counter. "I need something stronger."

Kara picked up one of the weights, inspecting it critically. "You've been working hard," she said with a nod. "Alright, I've got just the thing. These are adaptive weights—each strike, each movement, will make them heavier as your mana syncs with the enchantments."

She placed a new set of weights on the counter. They were slightly larger than the old ones, their runes glowing faintly with a deeper hue. Rui could feel the hum of their magic before he even touched them.

"These will push you," Kara warned, her tone serious. "But don't overdo it. If you strain your body too much, not even the tonics will save you."

"I understand," Rui said, strapping one of the wrist weights on to test it. The increased resistance was immediate, a satisfying strain that made his muscles burn. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Perfect."

Kara smirked. "Come back in another month and show me what these have done for you. If you're still standing, I'll make you a custom set."

"Deal," Rui said, securing the rest of the weights. He handed over a pouch of coins, nodding his thanks. "See you in a month."

By the time Rui returned to the estate, the sun was low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the training grounds. He wasted no time, strapping the new weights to his wrists and ankles and stepping onto the smooth stone platform.

The strain was immediate. Every movement felt like pushing against an invisible wall, his muscles protesting with each punch and kick. But Rui welcomed the challenge. With every strike, his silver aura flared brighter, syncing with the enchantments in the weights.

"This is more like it," Rui muttered, a determined smirk on his face. "Let's see how far I can take this."

As the stars began to dot the night sky, Rui continued his drills, the hum of the estate's mana field resonating in harmony with his efforts. His thirteenth year had begun, and with it, a new chapter in his journey.

He wouldn't stop. Not now. Not ever.