Finally! It's time to flex about how i made a core and killed many monsters and... ate burnt rabbits to survive? Should I even tell them? Whatever.

  "Um..." I scratched the back of my head, looking at their expectant faces. "It's a long story."

  And so, I told them.

  I didn't leave anything out. I told them about waking up in the forest, the desperation, the hunger. I told them about the crazy idea to fuse the Phoenix Wing and Dragon Scale—though I dumbed down on the part of physics and the principles of my world i used for them. I told them about the two years of meditation, the pain that felt like my soul was being ripped apart, and the moment the core finally stabilized.

  By the time I finished, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. My father and Leonica were staring at me with their mouths slightly open, processing the sheer insanity of what I had just described.

  "So," Akira breathed out, leaning back in his chair as if the weight of my story had physically hit him. "You made your own core. With those things. That is... insane."

  He shook his head, looking at me with a new level of respect.

  "What is your level and core then?" he asked, his voice intense. "Have you met your familiars yet? If you have met them, who are they?"

  "Uh..." I hesitated for a split second, then decided to just rip the bandage off. "I have the Elemento Draco-Phoenix Core. And my level... it's the same as Leonica. Qi Refinement Stage 3."

  Akira and Leonica froze. The shock on their faces was priceless. Stage 3. I had matched the genius of the Blade family and the Imperial Princess, all while eating burnt rabbit in a cave.

  "And yes," I continued, seeing their disbelief. "I have met my familiars."

  A memory flashed in my mind—the haughty Phoenix and the grumpy Dragon bickering in the forest.

  "From that, I actually remembered something," I said, looking directly at my father. "They told me to tell you something. They said, 'You have done a great job.' I don't really know what that means, though."

  I paused for effect.

  "They were Mizuki and Phiona, by the way."

  "You're kidding me!" Akira shouted, actually jumping out of his seat. The composure of the Commander was gone.

  "You mean those legendary creatures?!" Leonica gasped, her eyes wide as saucers. "The Progenitors?!"

  "No, I'm not kidding," I said, leaning back with a grin. "And yes, those legends."

  The weight of the names hung in the air. Phiona the Phoenix Empress. Mizuki the Invincible Dragon. And they were currently renting space in my stomach.

  Leonica was the first to break the tension. She covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with giggles.

  "Dad," she laughed, looking at the stunned expression on Akira's face. "I think Grandfather made a mistake."

  "Not a mistake," Akira murmured, sinking back into his chair, a dazed smile forming on his face. "A big mistake."

  "Cool, Bro," Leonica said, punching me lightly on the arm. "I knew you were destined to become something. I just didn't think it would be... this."

  "Thanks," I chuckled.

  We all laughed then—a release of tension that had been building for years. We were together. We were strong. And the old man who banished me was probably going to have a heart attack when he found out.

  As the laughter died down, I realized I had no idea what was coming next. I had survived the forest, passed the stone test, but I was still technically clueless about the exam schedule.

  "Any idea what exam is tomorrow?" I asked, looking at my dad.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Akira’s face turned serious again. The "Dotting Father" mode reactivated.

  "Yes," he nodded gravely. "Tomorrow is your GK Test. General Knowledge."

  He looked at me with deep concern.

  "I know it would be shocking for you," he explained gently, "because you were in the forest for six years. You missed your education. You don't know the history, the geography, or the politics of the realm. But don't worry, Ragna. I can help you. We can cram tonight—"

  "Oh," I interrupted, stretching my arms over my head.

  "If that's the case..."

  Yawn.

  I stood up, dusting off my pants.

  "I'm going to bed."

  "Huh?" Akira blinked, looking completely confused. "Hey! Wait! It's not that easy as you think! You need to study!"

  I waved him off, walking toward the bedroom door.

  He didn't know. He didn't know about the "Wisdom" blessing from that annoying Goddess. He didn't know I had a library of Earth's knowledge and perfect recall in my head. A General Knowledge test? For me?

  Please. That’s not an exam. That’s a nap.

  I walked away toward the bedroom, leaving the two adults alone in the parlor. Leonica followed me shortly after, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.

  Akira stared at the closed door, his brow furrowed with the kind of worry only a parent knows.

  "Don't worry," Celestia said softly, breaking the silence. "He will be fine."

  "What do you mean?" Akira asked, turning to face her. "He has been in a forest for six years. He missed his education. The General Knowledge test covers history, politics, magic theory... things you learn in a classroom, not in the mud."

  Celestia smiled, a knowing glint in her golden eyes.

  "He has knowledge far exceeding that of an average kid," she stated confidently. "Did you forget? He read all the books in your house when he was a small kid. Every single one."

  Akira blinked, a memory surfacing. He remembered the reports from the maids—especially poor Martha, who swore she saw the baby reading The History of Qi. He remembered finding the toddler Ragna surrounded by piles of heavy tomes in the library, looking bored.

  "But... how?" Akira whispered. "How does he remember all that? How did he even understand it at that age?"

  "I don't know," Celestia admitted, shaking her head slowly. "Maybe he is something... something really amazing."

  Akira sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah. He is."

  He looked at Celestia sharply. The casual atmosphere evaporated.

  "But what are you doing here?" Akira asked, his voice low. "You have the aura of an elite. Weren't you supposed to be in the Inner Layer? Why are you playing receptionist at an inn?"

  Celestia shrugged, her demeanor shifting from bubbly to serious.

  "Uh... I was finding someone worthy," she confessed. "But I never thought I would get this... this super genius."

  "Whatever it is," Akira grunted, standing up from the sofa. "Thank you for taking care of him. It's late. Let's just go to bed."

  He turned to leave, but Celestia’s voice stopped him cold.

  "I want to ask you something."

  "Hmm?" Akira paused.

  "What was the Death Incarnate doing there?" Celestia asked, her voice trembling slightly. "In the Royal Box? Is something wrong?"

  Akira stiffened. He didn't turn around.

  "I don't know," he said grimly. "But if it was him... then something big has happened."

  "Do you think he was here because of Ragna?"

  "Maybe," Akira mused. "But why would he be here for a mere half-demon?"

  "No," Celestia corrected him instantly. "Don't you realize his aura? Ragna hasn't just unlocked a core. He has evolved into a True Demon."

  Akira whipped around, his eyes wide with shock. The term struck him like a physical blow. True Demon. The Progenitor bloodline.

  "But how is that possible?" he gasped.

  "I don't know," Celestia whispered, looking toward the room where Ragna slept. "For now... we can just watch what will happen."

  "Yeah," Akira murmured, his mind reeling. "Good night."

  "Good night."

  The Next Morning: Exam Time

  The sun was high in the sky when the doors of the examination hall swung open.

  Ragna came out first. He wasn't sweating. He wasn't panicked. He walked out stretching his arms over his head, looking like he’d just finished a light warm-up.

  "Ah!" I groaned, popping my neck. "Finally, it's done."

  A few moments later, Leonica came bounding out, looking equally pleased.

  "Leo," I asked, "how was your exam going?"

  "Perfect," she grinned, flipping her hair. "I guess I'll get a good rank. What about you?"

  "I don't know about the rank," I shrugged, "but I can say that I will qualify. Easy."

  "Alright kids," Akira called out from the waiting area, waving us over. "It's time for lunch!"

  "Yes!" I cheered. Food was still the highlight of my day.

  After Lunch

  We sat in the guest house garden, digesting the meal. The anxiety of the morning had completely vanished.

  "What about the next exam?" I asked, looking at my father. "When will it be held?"

  "After a week," Akira answered.

  "Good," I nodded, cracking my knuckles. "I can prepare myself until then. I need to get back in fighting shape."

  "Alright, then."

  I leaned back, looking up at the sky. But then, I felt a familiar urge. The urge to gloat.

  Hey! Everyone!

  I turned my gaze away from my family and looked directly at... well, at you. The reader.

  You know what? I have a small part of the questions Ragna—that's me—had given the exam of. Let me ask those to you. Ready? Here they are:

  Question 1: What is the energy or force used in sorcery/magic called?

  Question 2: What was the name of the First King?

  Question 3: Name the True Dragon? (Hints: Five heads, Immortal).

  Question 4: Who is the Goddess of Reincarnation?

  Think you got it? Let's check the answer key.

  Ragna: Alright, let me tell you.

  Answer 1: Mana. (Duh).

  Answer 2: Arya Bhardwaj. (Wait... Bhardwaj? That sounds suspiciously Indian. Interesting...)

  Answer 3: Hydra. (The five-headed nightmare).

  Answer 4: Talestia. (The one and only annoying lightbulb).