The core of the Aurealis Myrrh wasn't an engine room.
It was a crucible.
Chains of molten darklight wrapped around Fedrick's body, digging into his skin, forcing his bones to scream. He stood in the center of a ritual wheel, body stripped to the waist, muscles locked in endless strain.
[Initiating Body Tempering: Stage 1 — Celestial Forging]
10,000 Energy Chains Engaged
Law Infusion: Gravity, Flame, Force, Will
Pain Resistance Check: FAILED
Result: System Override Engaged
Boosting Host Consciousness…
Fedrick gritted his teeth until they cracked. Then healed. Then cracked again.
Behind the glass wall, Serenya stood watching.
"You're dying."
"I'm becoming."
"You could already crush mountains. Why push further?"
"Because mountains aren't enough."
His scream tore through the chamber as the tenth Law activated.
[Law of Endurance Assimilated]
[Attribute Boost: STR +920, END +1400, INT +60]
[Skill Unlocked: Celestial Body: Ironheart Variant]
Power Level: Skybreak Tier 1 → Skybreak Tier 6
The chains melted.
His skin turned obsidian-gold, runes etched beneath every pore.
The crucible calmed. He stepped out, steaming, naked but unashamed.
Serenya slapped a towel against his chest. "Modesty is a virtue."
"Modesty is a limit."
"Fedrick."
He paused.
"…You don't need to become a god in a day."
He met her eyes. And for a moment, the boy under the system, the pressure, the family name… flickered through.
"I don't want to be a god," he said. "I want to protect everything."
"And who protects you?"
Silence.
[Emotional Reaction Detected: Vulnerability]
Target: Serenya
System Response: Evolving
New Trait Gained: Empathic Anchor
Effect: Host cannot lose control when Serenya is within range.
He looked down at her hand resting on his. Slowly, he closed his fingers over it.
"Stay close," he whispered. "I'll break the universe for you."
And she whispered, "I think you already did."