The Dark Ascendant

Raj sat on the edge of his bed in the inn, a towel draped around his neck as sweat cooled on his skin. The morning practice of the Sunforged Sutra had left him invigorated yet contemplative. His body felt more responsive, his mind clearer than it had been in years.

"That exercise was far more effective than I expected," Raj muttered, leaning back against the wall. His thoughts swirled with curiosity. The Sun Aura had done something to him—he could feel the subtle changes in his body and mind.

Without warning, the artifact in his soul glowed faintly. Raj froze, watching the soft amber light flicker and pulse. The familiar status window reappeared before him, but something was different. A new section had been added at the bottom, its text shimmering as if freshly inscribed.

[Status Window]

Name: Raj Darkthrone

Age: 15 (56)

Path: Duskbound Scholar (Mutated)

Abilities:

— Eidetic Memory (Mutated)

— Insightful Decipher (Mutated)

— Shadow Rune Crafting(Mutated)

New Section:

Sunforged Path – Level 1

Progress: Tempering Stage (Body Enhancement Initiated)

Raj's eyes widened as he scanned the new section.

"Sunforged Path? So, the Sutra isn't just an exercise—it's a cultivation method," he murmured. He instinctively traced the glowing window around his status.

The Sunforged Path description was brief but clear. It seemed to categorize his progress into stages, with the Tempering Stage being the first. His body had started to change on a fundamental level, strengthened and refined by the Sun Aura he had absorbed during his practice.

He leaned forward, his mind racing with possibilities. "This explains the increased strength and awareness. If this is just the beginning… how far can it go?"

Raj tapped the window, and new details about the Tempering Stage emerged.

[Tempering Stage Details]

— Physical Reinforcement: Increases physical durability and strength.

— Internal Vitality Boost: Enhances stamina and recovery speed.

— Sun Aura Absorption: Gradually builds resistance to negative energy and strengthens the body when practiced at dawn.

A slow smile crept across his face. "This will be extremely useful," Raj thought. His archaeologist instincts kicked in, analyzing the implications.

"Physical reinforcement… stamina boost… resistance to negative energy? This could give me a significant edge, especially since it doesn't rely on the Gem Path system. I can train in this without revealing my true strength."

He remembered the ancient tablet's cryptic descriptions of the Sunforged Sutra. Back on Earth, those ancient symbols had been nothing but fragments of forgotten history. But here, in this new world, they were alive—practical, powerful, and dangerously real.

Raj stood and stretched, feeling the strength flowing through his body. "I'll need to test the limits of this method. If the Tempering Stage is just the beginning, there's bound to be more beyond it."

The status window pulsed again, as if reacting to his determination. Another line of text appeared under the Sunforged Path description.

Next Stage Unlocked: Solar Convergence

Prerequisite: Completion of Tempering Stage.

Raj's eyes narrowed. "Solar Convergence? That sounds… intense."

He closed the status window, his mind already forming a plan. He would focus on mastering the Tempering Stage first. There was no need to rush. The key to surviving and thriving in this world was patience and preparation.

His monologue drifted toward the practicality of this discovery.

"In archaeology, every small fragment can reveal an entire civilization's story," Raj thought. "The same principle applies here. This Sunforged Path is a fragment of something larger—a hidden history waiting to be uncovered. And I intend to uncover all of it."

He clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through him. The Sun Aura had left its mark on his body, and it was only a matter of time before the changes became more noticeable.

But for now, he had to stay low-key. He couldn't afford to draw attention—at least not yet.

Raj leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "First, I'll consolidate my strength. Then, I'll explore the depths of this world's ancient knowledge. If there's one thing I've learned in my years as an archaeologist, it's that the past always holds the key to the future."

His thoughts lingered on the Sunforged Path's potential, and a new sense of purpose filled him. "This world is a puzzle," he mused. "And with the right pieces, I'll be the one to solve it."