Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

In the temporary encampment of the great allied army, the first ones to notice the mana turbulence were the Astanian Emperor and the various leaders in the Unfettered realm.

”Hm?!”

They all looked toward the same place, their eyebrows furrowing.

”Someone is advancing to the Beyonder realm.” One of the leaders mumbled in shock.

”Is it from one of us?” Another asked, looking around.

The Astanian Emperor narrowed his eyes. ”That is where Alaric and Yskaela headed. Is it the Veronican Empress?”

Just like him, Yskaela Veronica was also a peak Unfettered, one who had high hopes of advancing to the next realm.

As for it being Alaric, he was uncertain. His nephew was still young and he had been in a coma for a long time, so the possibility was slim. However, he couldn’t ignore the feeling that this was somehow related to Alaric.

Suddenly, a figure landed next to him.

Taken aback, he looked at Bellator and saw the latter observing the sky with a hint of surprise.

”This familiar aura... It’s Lord Alaric...” He mumbled.

Hearing this, the Astanian Emperor’s eyes widened. ”What?! Are you saying that it is my nephew who is advancing?”

The various leaders also stared at Bellator with an incredulous expression.

Bellator nodded, his eyes lighting up with excitement. ”I could not be more certain. This is definitely his aura!”

With his confirmation, everyone revealed a mixture of emotions. Some celebrated, some found it unbelievable, while others were jealous.

If it was true, Alaric would become the central figure of the great allied army. He would be the undisputed leader.

Although the Astanian Emperor currently held the role of alliance leader, this could change depending on the situation. Not to mention that Alaric also had a subordinate like Bellator who was in the Beyonder realm.

With these two factors, even the Astanian Emperor knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold on to his authority.

I knew he was the greatest genius of the desolate region, but who would have thought that he would surpass me in such a short amount of time?

He let out a helpless chuckle. He felt a bit depressed, but he was also relieved. It seemed as if an enormous burden was lifted off his shoulders.

”I must go and protect him.” Bellator didn’t wait for their response and left in haste.

...

Meanwhile, in the savanna further north of the Red Mountain Territory, a large settlement that resembled a thriving town, could be seen. It spanned over ten square miles, occupying only a small section of the vast savanna.

This place is called the Northern Golden Savanna.

At this moment, in the town’s largest dwelling, a bare-chested lion beastkin was in the middle of mana absorption when he suddenly discovered an unusual fluctuation in the surrounding mana particles.

Sensing this strange phenomenon, he opened his eyes.

”Someone is advancing to the Beyonder realm...” He slowly stood up, walking to the window and glancing in a certain direction in the west.

While he was observing the fluctuations of the mana particles, he heard hurried footsteps approaching.

A large lion beastkin with a flowing crimson mane arrived, his face looking urgent. ”Brother, did you sense it too?”

This lion beastkin was a head taller than the other. He had a long, gnarly scar that stretched from his forehead, down to his nose, and to his left chin. He looked intimidating, the kind that would make one faint by his appearance alone.

”How could I not sense it when they are arrogantly absorbing this many mana particles? It is like they are afraid that someone would not notice their advancement.” Scoffed the bare-chested lion beastkin.

The scar-faced lion beastkin frowned and stood beside him. ”This seems to be from the western side of Red Mountain Territory. Is it someone from the Fire Vulture Tribe ?”

The strongest faction on the west side of Red Mountain Territory is the Fire Vulture Tribe. Although they didn’t have a Beyonder expert, they had three warriors at the peak of Unfettered.

”That is possible.”

The bare-chested lion beastkin nodded.

”Then I will send someone to their tribe to confirm the situation.”

”You have my permission.”

...

The various beastkin tribes in the western part of Red Mountain Territory were alarmed. The one who was the most anxious was the Grey Wolf Tribe.

”Chief, the mana fluctuations are coming from a place near the village of those stupid goats. Is one of them advancing to the Heroic realm?”

Everyone looked at the chieftain, a wolf beastkin wearing the pelt of a slain enemy. This was the chieftain of the Grey Wolf Tribe, a warrior at the peak of Heroic.

”No. The fluctuations of the mana particles are too strong.” The chieftain shook his head, his face grim.

”It must be someone advancing to the Beyonder realm.” He added with uncertainty.

”How is that possible?!”

”No way! A Beyonder?!”

”There’s no way those goats have someone at that level. It must be an expert from another tribe!”

The chieftain called the names of his most skilled warriors and instructed them. ”You guys go investigate the situation, but don’t get too close. We must not offend whoever that is.”

”Yes, chief!”

...

Alaric was unaware that he had already attracted the attention of everyone in Red Mountain Territory.

At this moment, his entire focus was on the wondrous feeling of absorbing the mana particles that flooded his body. The mana particles transformed his energy core, forming a mana heart.

This was the first hurdle in advancing to the Beyonder realm.

Normally, this would take a long time and require a vast accumulation of mana, but Alaric seemed to have skipped this process. His mana heart was taking form so quickly!

Yskaela who was observing his advancement was stunned.

How is he doing this?!

She could sense Alaric’s mana heart pulsating with power. It was slowly refining the mana particles in his body into a thicker and denser form of energy.

With the dense energy surrounding Alaric, the mana particles became visible in the form of a violet-gold, transparent gas.

This was the densest form of mana particles when they are clustered together in one place.

Yskaela was also affected by this baptism of dense mana and she could feel her bottleneck slightly loosening.

This...