[Codex:

Codex of the Dragon Emperor (65%) +15

Codex of the Moonshadow (65%) +15

Codex of the Endless Flame (45%) +16

Codex of the Celestial Being (35%) +17]

[Arcane Art:

100 Shadow Monster (50%) +31

Lighting of Darkness (60%) +29

Mind Attack (20%) +7

Flame Lotus (25%) +13

Dragon Fist (40%) +11

Blood Devourer (20%) +5]

Years passed, and Richard made great progress in mastering both the Codex and Arcane Arts.

His improvement in these areas might not have increased his raw physical power, but in combat, he had undoubtedly become much more fearsome.

However, the most significant change was his physical appearance.

Eight years went by, and he grew into a tall, well-built young man with solid muscles. His face had evolved into one so handsome it was difficult to describe with words.

Without any particular self-care routine, his growth had still been exceptional. Even though he never trimmed any facial hair, none ever grew.

He didn't know whether it was genetics or something else.

Appearance, however, wasn't what he cared about most.

He cared more about his Realm.

Although the Fire Spirit Queen had told him it would take at least ten years, he was determined to advance in less than that.

Unfortunately, things weren't as simple as he imagined.

Perhaps it's time I stop focusing on the Codex and Arcane Arts and instead focus on becoming one with the world, he thought as he looked at his stats.

Even without much personal training, he felt that his progress in both areas was still significant.

Some had advanced greatly, while others had only grown a little.

Still, he knew that his mastery of the Codex and Arcane Arts far surpassed that of most Life Aether Magi—

even far beyond that of most Magi in the World Realm.

With such a foundation, his base was more than solid.

Once he advanced to the World Realm, the world itself would surely grant him many rewards.

Now, he no longer wanted two focuses, but only one—becoming one with the world.

In truth, it wasn't that he hadn't found a path over these eight years.

He simply hadn't straightened it completely; there were still confusing bends he couldn't quite explain, even in his own thoughts.

It was about the mind.

He knew that much, but he hadn't found it yet.

Time passed again, and another year went by as he continued trying to become one with the world.

Nine plus eight—he was officially seventeen years old now.

He pushed himself harder, feeling uneasy at the thought of passing this age without reaching the World Realm.

'My body is already in harmony with the world, but my mind isn't. I don't understand the world enough yet,' Richard thought.

He recalled everything he had ever seen—

the many landscapes, the many people, especially those who had truly become one with the world.

They made no distinction between sky and land. Even the air itself could be stepped upon and walked across.

How did they do it?

'No, I think that from the moment one is born, they are already part of the world and should be one with it. But something must have separated them. It's not something visible—or even invisible—it's only the mind.'

Richard began to gain new insights.

He felt closer, though he still couldn't fully grasp it.

'Like an apple that has fallen from its tree—it's separated from the tree and the world, yet it can still grow into a new tree and return to the world.'

From gaining various realizations, he began to experience moments of enlightenment, nodding repeatedly as if to say he understood.

As these enlightenments emerged, an extraordinary phenomenon occurred.

Suddenly, Aether began to appear all around him, as if drawn to enter his body.

Not just Aether—

but also hatred, anger, grudges, and despair that could serve as fuel for his Black Heart.

Without battle or death, yet such emotions emerged—

it could only be the world's gift to him.

All of it seemed ready to pour into his body once he advanced to the World Realm.

Their numbers only grew with time, until the Dragon Hall appeared completely violet, filled with perhaps tens of thousands of Tier 3 Aether.

Richard no longer meditated with his eyes closed.

He looked around him, smiling, almost laughing.

He could feel it—

the world was pulling him to become one with it.

In truth, it might be impossible for anyone to make themselves one with the world.

Only the world itself could do that—

but one needed to understand and align with it so that the world would pull them into oneness.

Buzz!

Richard's body began to absorb the surrounding Aether, along with the anger and resentment that transformed into power for his Black Heart.

It was incredibly fast—

so fast that even he was astonished.

At that speed, his strength rose to an unimaginable level.

His body, now one with the world, underwent a drastic transformation, making him several times stronger even without the added Aether.

Yet his Aether surged dramatically, nearly reaching its limit.

DING!

(You have successfully become one with the world and advanced to the World Realm!)

(To advance to the next realm, you must create a Grimoire!)

[Status:]

[Name: Richard]

[Magic Realm: World]

[Aether: 48,000 / 50,000 <Tier 3>] +48,000

[Aether Accumulation: 83,000 <Tier 3>]

[Soul: Black Heart Soul]

[Black Heart Hidden Power: 55,000 / 55,000]

Richard didn't even blink as he looked at his latest data.

His Aether Accumulation was massive.

He couldn't help but remember the days when he could only gather a little Aether in a day.

Compared to that time, he had no idea how many times stronger he was now.

One thing he was certain of—

he was now capable of destroying a small city like Apple Town in a single strike.

And that was because his power far exceeded his current level.

In terms of combat power, he was even stronger than before. The number of Tiers he surpassed was far greater.

Compared to Magi of the Grimoire Realm, he was confident he stood on par with those at the peak—

as long as they weren't the type with exceptionally high combat strength like Rebecca.

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