Ascension of the Forsaken Genius

Sylas was now three years old. His understanding of pure energy had deepened, yet its greatest limitation remained—he still could not convert it into other forms of energy. For now, he set that problem aside. He needed more knowledge, not just about cultivation but about the world itself.

Knowledge was power. He had learned that in his past life, and it remained true in this one.

Through hours spent in House Aldreth’s library, Sylas pieced together fragments of history, politics, and geography. The world was vast, but one thing stood out—the central continent, an enormous landmass where the greatest powers vied for control. Nearly every major empire and kingdom maintained a presence there, making it the true battlefield of supremacy.

Beyond this continent, smaller landmasses and scattered islands existed, each with unique climates, cultures, and dangers. However, history revolved around the central continent—it was the heart of civilization, and those who ruled it ruled the world.

One of the most dangerous places in existence was the Evernight Expanse, an ancient, untamed forest filled with powerful spirit beasts, hidden ruins, and strange rifts that led to unknown locations. Some rumors claimed these rifts connected to distant parts of the world, offering instant travel—but few who entered ever returned. The Abyssals were said to have a hidden domain deep within this chaotic land, making it a place of nightmares.

Yet the greatest immediate threat to civilization came from beast tides—massive hordes of spirit beasts that periodically emerged from the wild lands, devastating weaker kingdoms. The most powerful empires used lesser kingdoms as shields, letting them absorb the destruction. In turn, the stronger kingdoms did the same to the weaker ones, creating a brutal cycle where only the fittest survived.

In this world, the law was simple:

Might makes right.

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Sylas carefully studied the tiers of power that shaped the continent:

Empires – Supreme forces ruling over multiple kingdoms. Their influence was unmatched, with vast resources, ancient legacies, and the strongest cultivators. Information about them was scarce, even in House Aldreth’s archives. A few notable ones included:

Aurexian Empire – The dominant human empire, shrouded in mystery.

Vael’Zyren Dominion – The elven empire, masters of nature and magic.

Drekharn Imperium – A war-driven beastkin empire that thrived on conquest.

High-tier Kingdoms – Powerful nations that rivaled weaker empires but lacked the heritage and overwhelming strength to ascend further. Their noble houses controlled rare cultivation techniques. Notable ones included Zephiron, Astravar, and Caelum.

Mid-tier Kingdoms – Well-structured but ultimately subordinate to stronger forces. They had formidable noble houses but remained vulnerable to external threats. Some included Varyndor, Xethis, and Raeknor.

Low-tier Kingdoms – The weakest, often exploited as frontline defenses against beast tides and territorial expansion. They lacked access to advanced techniques and lived under constant threat. Notable ones included Ardentia, Velmoria, Drakos, and Lyndor.

Sylas’s homeland, Ardentia, was one such kingdom—small, fragile, and forever at risk. While it had a structured government and noble hierarchy, it was caught in the dangerous game of survival between stronger nations.

Through careful study of historical records and subtle questioning of the servants, Sylas mapped out its ruling structure.

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The Royal Family – The ruling dynasty, led by the king. Rumors claimed their bloodline descended from powerful cultivators, but details were scarce.

Ducal Houses – The kingdom’s four great noble families, each controlling vast lands and powerful forces. Though the throne was supreme in name, the ducal houses held real power. The four were:

House Aldreth – Once a dominant force, now showing signs of decline.

House Valecourt – Their primary rival, with strong military influence.

House Ravencroft – Known for intelligence gathering and dark arts.

House Emberlane – Wealthy, with a strong fire affinity bloodline.

Marquis and Count Houses – Lesser nobles who governed smaller regions, maintaining order between the elite and commoners.

The Academies – The two greatest centers of training, where young cultivators honed their abilities:

The Royal Academy – Controlled by the king’s faction.

The Grand Martial Institute – Managed collectively by noble houses.

The Guilds – Independent organizations wielding immense influence. The most notable included:

The Mercenary Guild – A brotherhood of warriors who fought for wealth and power.

The Alchemist Guild – Specializing in potions, pills, and refining rare herbs.

The Rune Engravers – Experts in forging enchanted weapons and artifacts.

Of all these, the Academies and Guilds intrigued Sylas the most. If he wished to expand his knowledge, they were essential.

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Despite its outward stability, Ardentia was anything but secure. The balance of power between the royal family and the ducal houses was fragile at best. The nobles had enough strength to rebel, but their personal ambitions and rivalries kept them divided.

And House Aldreth, once among the greatest, was slipping.

Sylas had no personal loyalty to his family—he barely knew them—but this was his environment. If House Aldreth fell, his own position would be threatened. Understanding its decline was critical.

For now, however, he remained patient.

He spent hours in the library, absorbing every detail, refining his understanding. He could not leave the estate yet, but his preparation had already begun.

He would not remain in the shadows forever.

One day, he would step into the light—armed with both knowledge and power.

This was only the beginning.