"Let's buy one bottle first and test the effect."
Aeron selected a single vial of the High-Level Nutrient Solution and confirmed the purchase.
Each vial cost two hundred thousand credits—a staggering amount equal to nearly ten years of income for a standard citizen who neither ate nor spent on anything else. These were classified items, available only to high-ranking individuals.
If Aeron hadn't become a Level 2 Citizen, he wouldn't have even been able to view this item in the online catalog.
"Right now, I'm probably at the threshold of evolution—pre-awakening," he mused, thinking about his own status.
The Universal Human Alliance classified power levels differently from the Martial World he once lived in. There, his "Innate Realm" equated to a pre-evolved individual, someone right on the edge.
But Aeron was no ordinary fighter.
With mastery over the "Unfettered Realm," Aeron could unleash 100% of his strength with surgical control. He could easily crush even an experienced Rank 1 Evolver, despite technically being "below classification."
He compared the power levels:
Grandmaster Realm matched Rank 1 Levels 1–3
Great Grandmaster Realm matched Levels 4–6
Mythical Realm reached Levels 7–9
Unfettered Realm, which Aeron had achieved, was equivalent to Rank 1 Level 12, nearly brushing Rank 2
A single Rank 2 Evolver was strong enough to destroy skyscrapers and devastate city blocks—if not for countermeasures like modern technology or another Evolver of the same rank.
But even with Aeron's potential, he needed energy—real, high-density energy—to bring his body back to that level.
The High-Level Nutrient Solution was on its way. Delivery from the central reserves would take half a day to a full day, as it had to be approved, transported, and verified.
While waiting, Aeron decided it was time to upgrade his living space.
His current room was far too cramped. He couldn't even stretch out fully without worrying about cracking a wall or breaking the floor.
More importantly, he needed space to train and test his Martial Dao techniques.
He began browsing real estate listings and quickly settled on one name:
"Moonwater Estate."
It was a high-end residential complex located in the quiet suburbs of Eastreach City. While urban centers were once considered elite zones, the interstellar age had shifted that preference.
Now, the wealthiest preferred suburban sanctuaries, shielded from noise, pollution, and surveillance.
Moonwater's listings ranged between 10 to 15 million credits—but Aeron was entitled to a 50% discount as a Level 2 Citizen.
Still, it was a significant chunk of money. Even with his recent earnings, Aeron didn't have the full amount.
But as a high-level citizen, he'd also received an interest-free Central Bank credit line for 20 million credits—payable over 50 years. It was essentially a silent privilege few ever got.
He made the decision.
Aeron traveled out to the estate's sales center.
Inside, most visitors had an air of status—polished suits, discreet jewelry, the look of money. But Aeron entered in his usual casual clothes.
Even so, a bright-eyed sales assistant approached him immediately.
"Good afternoon, sir! Are you looking for a particular home type?"
She was young, stylish, and clearly trained to serve elite clients. She gave a warm smile and subtly adjusted her posture to seem both professional and attentive.
"The biggest available," Aeron replied. "And somewhere quiet."
The assistant's name tag read: Anna.
At first, she treated Aeron as just another window-shopper. Most of the people who walked in here had no intention—or capacity—to buy.
But after a few words, she started to get nervous.
His tone wasn't asking. It was deciding.
Anna's mind spun. Was he really buying? At his age?
Just in case, she drew a little closer, making sure her posture remained friendly—but now respectful.
"This one," Aeron said, pointing at a listing.
It was a three-story private manor, complete with a courtyard, underground training hall, and secure defense systems. A dream residence, and one of the priciest units in Moonwater.
"Would you like to apply for a loan?" Anna asked carefully.
"No need."
He handed over his Level 2 Citizen badge, confirming the 50% discount.
Anna's eyes widened in disbelief. A Level 2 Citizen? At his age? That kind of status was rare—barely double-digits across the entire city.
"I'll inform the manager," she said quickly, then ushered him into the VIP Lounge.
---
Elsewhere in the sales center, a familiar face arrived: Quinn, a classmate of Aeron's.
She'd taken a part-time job here while studying, hoping to earn some income and maybe meet a few connections.
She walked out of the breakroom sipping water when she froze.
"Is that… Aeron?"
She blinked hard.
It couldn't be. Her former classmate, average grades, humble clothes, now talking to Anna at Moonwater Estate?
Her mind couldn't process it.
"Maybe he's just browsing…"
She watched for a moment—then her jaw dropped.
Anna ushered Aeron into the VIP room, a place reserved only for verified buyers with 20 million+ in funds.
Moments later, Manager West, the head of the entire sales division, appeared in person.
He bowed politely and even knocked before entering the VIP room.
Quinn's legs felt like jelly.
"Wait—what?! Manager West?" she murmured. "Did I… did I just hallucinate?"
But then, she saw Aeron exit the VIP room with the manager himself, being escorted to view a private unit.
Anna passed by and frowned. "Why are you gawking at our guest?"
"I—uh, sorry. Who is he?" Quinn asked softly.
Anna stared her down. "That is Mr. Aeron, one of Moonwater's elite guests. Don't ever refer to him informally again—or ask about his status. Group policy."
Quinn could only nod, heart pounding.
---
Back at the manor, Aeron tested the training grounds.
Spacious, soundproof, and perfect. He smiled, satisfied.
He quickly updated the delivery address for the High-Level Nutrient Solution in the universal shopping app.
Half a day later, a man in black delivered a sealed alloy box to Aeron's door.
"This is your order, Mr. Aeron. Please confirm via biometric scan."
Aeron placed his hand on the panel.
"Verified."
The lid opened with a hiss, revealing a sleek vial of sky-blue liquid.
"Let's see what you can do."
He uncorked the tube and drank it in one gulp.
Immediately, his body ignited with internal heat, like his cells were catching fire from within. The nutrient energy flooded every inch of him, nearly causing his muscles to tear from overload.
"Refine."
Aeron sat cross-legged, controlling his breathing, guiding the energy into his bones, blood, and inner core.
An hour passed.
He opened his eyes. His vision sharpened.
"I've stepped into the Grandmaster Realm."
But he wasn't done.
He ordered twenty more.
Over the next two days, Aeron drank and absorbed each one, one by one.
By the time the last vial was emptied, his strength had completely returned.
Aeron, once again, had asc
ended to the peak of the Unfettered Realm.
(End of Chapter 19)
-----------
Visit our Patreon for more:
patreon.com/Samurai492
[