“What's a slave?” Sphinx asked with innocent curiosity.

Myuri grimaced at the question. Seated on a wooden terrace at the summit of Log-a-rhythm, her feet dangling in the void, the young woman pondered for a moment.

“It's when you have to do what others want and not what you want to do yourself,” she finally replied.

It was that and so much worse. It was the threat of blows when a task was not well executed. It was the pain of the whip when she found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was the deprivation of sleep, food, and freedom. It was cleaning the bloodstains from the sheets of a prince who had set his sights on one of her stepsisters, trembling at the thought of being the next chosen…

A meow brought Myuri back to reality. Blinking, she looked down at the mythical creature nestled in her arms.

“Sorry,” Myuri murmured, resuming her head scratches on Sphinx.

A purr of contentment later, Sphinx resumed her series of questions.

“But why stay a slave? It sounds lame.”

Myuri let out a small laugh. Sphinx was an incredible creature—she had learned Empyrean in just a few hours—but the animal was a feline. Myuri had already seen such beasts in the Palace's menagerie, and these wonderful beings detested obligations. Myuri admired them for that.

“Because we don't really have a choice. It's either that or great pain. In the end, everyone obeys.”

Or they die.

“Didn't.”

“Excuse me?”

“Didn't, not don't,” Sphinx corrected. “You're no longer a slave.”

Myuri opened her mouth and then hesitated. She looked in all directions but couldn't find the princess’ rival.

“Around men, I will always be a slave. I've just changed masters, that's all.”

Sphinx shook her head vigorously. “Priam doesn't see you as a slave! He doesn't see anyone that way.”

Yet, Myuri had seen how he treated the other woman. Not with brutality, but he clearly gave her orders, and she feared him. The former slave opened her mouth to respond before closing it. Sphinx looked like an adorable creature, but she had a master too. Even is she’s cute, trusting anyone is folly…

“Well, that's good then,” she lied, smiling.

Sphinx sniffed as she stood up. She locked her eyes with Myuri.

“You don't seem convinced, but it will come! In the meantime, I'll teach you French. If you're a good student, you'll have the privilege of petting me.”

The internal world trembled twice, once for each Tribulation. Priam closed his eyes and focused on Concepts Archipelago to sense what was happening. In the Tribulations Chamber, Louis was already bleeding. The muscles and bones of his right forearm had torn, and the old man displayed a concentrated expression. He moved the rest of his body slowly, as if careful not to break it. According to [Priam’s system] that had observed the beginning, Louis had moved at an incredible speed, and his body couldn't handle it.

Priam squinted, understanding that the first Tribulation was likely changing his physical attributes, increasing his strength and agility while decreasing his constitution. Louis was currently too powerful for his own body. It was even more dangerous because his heart was also a muscle. If it tore too...

The Tribulation was clearly designed to test his mastery of Micro. The martial artist had to understand and master his body to survive. The problem was that Louis faced a double Tribulation.

A giant white crab finished materializing in front of him. The creature clicked its ivory claws twice before turning toward the human. In such a confined space, it would be challenging to defeat it, and more so if Louis couldn't move.

The old man began to move slowly as the crab approached at the speed of a galloping horse. Its pace was even more impressive given the heaviness of each step. The boss's physical attributes were terrifying. A Tier 0 Viscount. Priam would have won in one attack, but Louis wasn't him.

One of the claws struck the martial artist's shoulder with force before bouncing off. Priam widened his eyes, seeing the old man's Mastery in action. The Supremacy reinforced his body, replacing his constitution with his will. A second attack had no more luck than the first, while Louis began to stretch slowly, ignoring his opponent.

Priam reopened his eyes, asking his add-on to monitor and record the fight. The outcome was already certain. Either Louis would advance his Micro control before losing the mental energy fueling his Mastery, or he would die.

Good luck, old man, thought Priam, focusing on his own trial. His gaze turned to the sun shining in his sky. A star that held secrets.

Without wasting any more time, Priam leaped. He stopped twenty meters higher, absorbing his kinetic energy to avoid falling. Five meters in front of him was the sun. A small but terrifying star. The phoenix prince had managed to introduce concepts beyond Priam into it.

Despite its barely one-meter radius, the star produced a gravitational field sufficient to remain static without exploding or imploding. Its light was as pure as the Sun that had bathed the Earth in light, and a force field prevented Priam from being incinerated. Without it, his Concepts Archipelago would look like Mercury, a dry and dead rock.

Five meters from the astral body, Priam felt only a pleasant warmth and strong brightness. As he advanced further, the force field intensity would decrease. The temperature would skyrocket, and the light would burn his body. That was Priam's goal. The Necromoon was coming, and one way for Priam to gain power qualitatively was to improve his bloodlines.

After his battle against Skull, he knew how to boost his draconic bloodline: defeat the descendant of a dragon and devour their heart. Hardly appetizing, but Priam had done worse to gain power.

Such an opponent wasn't necessarily easy to find, but he was fortunate to know a Guardian of Secrets. For a few films, Priam was sure to get the location of a worthy adversary. He could finally achieve 100% affinity with his draconic heart, thus improving his Title and gaining qualitative advantages.

Scales? Wings? Why not a tail? Priam shook his head with a smile. He would accept wings, but a tail would be aesthetically and physically inconvenient. He would have to change his fighting style and relearn balance.

But the dragon's blood was not the only thing flowing in him. A phoenix was waiting to hatch, and Priam was almost certain the solution lay in this sun. His bloodline had merged two resistances [Thermal Resistance] and [Heat Resistance] into [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism]. By improving this skill and discovering the phoenix prince's legacy, Priam hoped to take control of his bloodline.

At worst, it will bring me closer to the goal of the Heavenly Dragon. His method of temperance required six epic resistances and one legendary.

Without wasting any more time, Priam levitated towards the sun. Instantly, the temperature soared, forcing Priam to close his eyes. The light blinded him while the radiation already reddened his skin. The film of perspiration on the surface of his body protected him from convection for a moment before evaporating. Then, the ambient air transmitted its heat to Priam, and his cells started to boil.

[Ambient temperature > 500°C.]

The temperature at the Sun's surface was estimated to be around 5000°C. Priam knew he wasn't ready to accept that kind of punishment, but he had hoped to resist this tiny sun's radiation. He was wrong. The lethal heat made Priam groan. Although Micro largely blocked out the pain, there was something terrifying about watching his skin blistering.

He felt as if facing a Tribulation.

After a few seconds, burns began to cover his body as his mist dissipated. If a spectator had been present, they would have seen Priam's naked body hanging twenty meters high begin to char. My resistances aren't high enough.

Despite his constitution, vitality, and resistances, the sun was roasting him. For a few moments, the smell of his burning flesh nearly made him vomit before his olfactory sense disappeared. Priam winced as he heard his skin frying.

The torture went on.

Priam’s overheated brain began to lose consciousness, and his eyes boiled inside their sockets. Priam hesitated for a moment to retreat. He could always ask his father to build a forge or an oven to gradually increase his fire resistance.

Just before leaving the furnace, Priam observed his add-on's information flow. Louis continued to try. Despite the giant crab trying to cut him, the old man persevered, refusing fate and defying luck. His face was a mask of concentration as the second Tribulation unleashed on him.

Tribulations were terrible, but they were the crucible that allowed mortals to approach the divine.

Lvl Up: [Light Resistance] lvl 11CONST +1

Priam inhaled, burning a part of his lungs in the process, and decided to persevere. If anyone could do it, it was him. Who said awakening a bloodline was simple?

He felt he was on the right track. It was by immolating himself that he had started on the path of the Phoenix. This pain was the origin of this bloodline, and Priam hoped it would be the origin of his enlightenment.

Mentally, he used [Aether Manipulation] to push more energy into his resistance. [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] shone like a star in his body, being his most active skill at the moment. Thanks to his perception of aether and Micro, he could distinguish the meridians guiding aether in each part of his body, helping it resist and adapt.

The influx of aether overclocked his resistance, and the heat became a little more bearable.

The next seconds wiped the smile off Priam's face. He felt like he was dying, and his body protested against the suffering he endured.

Unfortunately, Priam refused to cut off the pain. It was as immense as necessary: he needed to understand the action of thermal energy on his body. Using [Focus], Priam focused on Micro, forcing his cells to concentrate his vitality on his skin. His cells began to regenerate faster. His goal was to survive as long as possible, letting his body adapt.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Radiation and heat destroyed his body while [High Human Adaptation] ran at full speed.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 20

VIT +2

CONST +1

[Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] has reached level 20. As a rare skill, you're entitled to a bonus. Choose from these three options:

[Ember] - Increases your resistance to high and low temperatures. POT -30 [Ash] - Increases your chances of triggering Nirvana upon your death. POT -30 [Cinder] - Increases your mastery of Fire. POT -30

You have selected [Cinder].

POT -30

Something shifted within him. His blood began to embrace the warmth.

The initial results were in, and a dry, cracked smile stretched across Priam's burnt lips. [Ember] could have amped up the efficiency of his training, but Priam never lost sight of his goal. The torment he subjected himself to, this prolonged self-immolation, wasn't just about toughening him up but to stimulate his bloodline.

Lvl Up: [Light Resistance] lvl 12CONST +1

In his shaking palm, Priam conjured a white flame using his bloodline. It flickered for a moment, seemingly frightened by the frightening sun. Priam shielded it with his hand. He sensed the flame much like he sensed his mist. Not as vivid, of course, but he felt it. He was on the right path, which rekindled the courage to face the fire and suffering.

Bring it on!

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 21

VIT +2

CONST +1

After thirty seconds, the half of his body facing the sun was covered in third-degree burns. Priam then utilized the merit of [Three-Headed Hydra] to regenerate his skin. In an instant, he regained a normal appearance.

This only served to postpone the inevitable. His nerves reconnected, and his suffering flared. Clenching his jaw to the point of bursting his teeth, Priam endured. To keep going, his mind focused on his goal. This pain was proof that he was making progress.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 22

VIT +2

CONST +1

Seconds ticked away as his resistance increased. His Merits, Titles, and Talents synergized to transform his body. Through Micro and [Diagnostic], Priam sensed his cells changing. Dead cells vanished, consumed by the sun's wrath, while new ones emerged. Some perished too quickly to divide, but others evolved in a favorable direction, having time to multiply before meeting their fiery demise.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 23VIT +2CONST +1

The law of evolution applied to his body, subjecting his cells to the trial by fire. The process was as brutal as it was painful, but Priam felt his hearts shake in his chest. [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] was altering his aetheric structure and his genetic code. Priam was a High Human, the ultimate form of humanity achieved by selecting the best possible genetic transformations. Yet, he had to go further to unlock a Tier 2 race.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 24

VIT +2

CONST +1

Studying Myuri and Jasmine's genetic code would undoubtedly give him ideas, but a new path opened up for Priam. Tempering his body, boosting his resistances, and then cultivating the Heavenly Dragon was another method to further enhance his genetics.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 25

VIT +2

CONST +1

Lvl Up: [Light Resistance] lvl 13CONST +1

The seconds had turned into minutes, and the pain became unbearable. Despite the increase in his resistance and constitution, the sun remained as impassive as it was violent. Priam was at the edge of his domain, but the power of the conflagration terrified him. Burns had pierced his skin, reaching subcutaneous structures. His muscles, bones, sinews and tendons were damaged, while a part of his skin was charred.

The blood tears that trickled from his empty eye sockets left scabs on his cheeks. The agony threatened to drive him mad.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 26

VIT +2

CONST +1

The white flame still burned in the core of his hands, and Priam focused on it, attempting and failing to forget the pain.

He wanted to stop. Despite his progress, despite the System notifications, and despite Micro, the pain was immense. His eyes were gone, and his lungs were destroyed. Priam had perished from self-immolation before, but he had partly forgotten the pain. His resurrection and [Humanity adapts] had forced his brain to forget to avoid going insane.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 27

VIT +2

CONST +1

Today, he remembered. His vocal cords had long stopped functioning, and only the crackling of his body could be heard in his world. He didn't even think about retreating anymore. He didn't even think about screaming or fleeing. The fire ravaged everything, creating an intensity of suffering that shattered [Focus] and Micro.

An intensity that made the flame he protected with his hands flicker.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 28

VIT +2

CONST +1

Lvl Up: [Light Resistance] lvl 14CONST +1

Priam lost track of time and the idea of summoning his add-on. His brain was nothing more than a liquid pool of fat and water. At some point, [Tenacious Spirit] took over to allow Priam to still feel the pain. His body was half-destroyed, but the agony persisted.

I've got to keep going. If I stop now, I'll never have the courage to start again. If I stop now, I won't have the strength to be free and protect my loved ones.

These phrases looped through Priam's mind, helping him to cope with the torture. Every second he gained brought him closer to his goal. The fire could burn everything, but not his will.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 29

VIT +2

CONST +1

Lvl Up: [Light Resistance] lvl 15CONST +1

Suddenly, something changed. His body was like a dying candle.

Priam was on fire and would not survive. His soul, his Title, and his bloodline finally recognized his sacrifice. He burned like a Phoenix, simultaneously the fuel and the flame.

Lvl Up: [Infantile Phoenix Metabolism] lvl 30

VIT +2

CONST +1

Despite the solar light, darkness claimed his consciousness. In that moment between life and death, Priam was the flame. He was the Fire.

The pain made him forget even his name, but it opened a door. He finally understood, not just scientifically, but profoundly. He comprehended the destructive Fire that was ravaging his body and the creative Fire that was reforging it.

Light, heat, and movement. Flames were the symbol of a living universe. A life that had created humanity. Then again, it was the fire that had elevated man, that had given him the power to subdue nature.

Fire was an opportunity, and Priam's burning spirit seized it. It was time to rise once again.

His soul awakened to a second Concept, and the Phoenix awoke in his blood. Pride and joy replaced the pain.

Then the flame consumed everything.

Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)

PHYSICAL:Strength 420 Constitution 743 (+19)Agility 432 Vitality 578 (+31)Perception 652

MENTAL:Vivacity 359Dexterity 453 Memory 185Willpower 706Charisma 456

META:Meta-affinity 408 Meta-focus 284Meta-endurance 208 Meta-perception 170 Meta-chance 219Meta-authority 15Potential: 1092 (-2)Tier 0

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 10 hours 35 minutes 38 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.Future Tribulations delayed until:Time: 174 days 11 hours 38 minutes 51 seconds.Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 400 / 6 attribute > 600 / 1 attribute > 800