Chapter 4: Awakening the Machine !
The hospital room was still. Outside, Niremo's skyline shimmered under the rising sun. But inside, a storm brewed—silent, invisible, and awakening within Aven Drax.
He sat up against the headrest, muscles still sore, mind still reeling. A few hours ago, he had heard a voice—a voice that didn't belong in this world.
That voice returned.
[I can do more, Master. But what I offer is not easy to wield.]
It wasn't warm. It wasn't human. It was precise, clinical, and cold—like steel meeting glass.
Aven exhaled slowly. "You're Orion, right?"
["Correct. Super Artificial Intelligence: Orion. Designation: Sovereign Evolution Protocol 7-A. I was embedded within your consciousness at the moment of your soul fusion."]
"Fusion..." Aven repeated. He rubbed his temples. The memories of both lives still churned in his head—his past as Rivan Bosc, King of the underworld and the strange echo of Aven Drax's emotions, relationships, and love.
"So, what now? You said you could help me. How?"
"Through guidance, optimization, and reconstruction. Would you like to access your personal status interface?"
"Like a video game?"
"This world operates by laws. So did your last. I simplify those laws into visual forms that you can comprehend quickly and efficiently."
"…Alright. Show me."
Suddenly, the air in the room thickened—not physically, but in his mind. A flicker of light behind his eyelids. A silent, glowing screen appeared in front of his vision, hovering like a digital reflection no one else could see.
---
[STATUS PANEL – AVEN DRAX]
Name: Aven Drax
Soul Fusion: 100% (Rivan Bosc + Aven Drax)
Bloodline Level: Dormant [Human | Tier 0]
Physical State: Weakened (Post-trauma recovery)
Body Potential: Tier 3 Candidate (Locked)
🎯 Quests Available: 0
Inventory: Locked
🧪 Bloodline Serum: 1 (Requires Initiation)
Modules Installed: Tech Interfacing | Neural Hacking | Combat Optimization
Locked Systems: Skill Tree | Equipment Core | Memory Vault]
---
Aven stared at the panel. It was overwhelming—streamlined yet packed with information.
"So... I'm still Tier 0?" he asked with a scoff.
"You have the potential of a Tier 3 warrior," Orion answered, voice like crystal and frost. "But potential means nothing without forging."
"And what's this about a bloodline serum?"
"As part of your fusion compatibility, you have earned a base-level genetic serum formula. Once make it basic things which can be find on volmera, it will unlock and enhance your physical stats, preparing your body for Tier Ascension."
"So what's stopping me?"
"You are still recovering. At present, you are operating at 41% physical capacity. Attempting any form of ascension now may cause internal rejection."
"And how long before I'm ready?"
"With optimized recovery and light training: Estimated time—20 days. With passive rest: 43 days. With reckless activity: indefinite failure and possible death."
Aven smirked. "So, no shortcuts, huh?"
"You built an empire with grit before, Master. I only assist. You must rise yourself."
Silence settled for a moment. Then Aven leaned back against the pillows, eyes scanning the flickering data.
"And these locked systems—skill tree, equipment, memory vault?"
"They will unlock sequentially as your body, soul, and actions reach predetermined thresholds. The first to unlock is the Bloodline Core."
He closed the panel with a thought. It faded like mist from his mind.
"This feels like a game… but the stakes are real."
"Everything is real, Master. You died once. Now you live again. What you become—this time—is yours to decide."
Aven turned to the window, watching the sun claw over the horizon. His fingers twitched. Somewhere out there, the Veron family thought he was finished. They didn't know he had Orion. They didn't know who he used to be.
They had made a grave mistake.
20 Days Later – Velmora, niremo's City Hospital
The sun filtered through the same sterile glass, but the man lying in the bed was no longer on the bed .
A soft knock echoed on the door.
"Nurse Layla," a voice announced politely before the door slid open.
She walked in, a datapad in hand, expecting to check condition, check vitals, and input daily logs. Routine. Somthing unusual happened when she looked up.
Her steps froze.
Aven Drax was no longer lying down. Instead, he was on the floor, shirtless, his body glistening with sweat. He moved like a soldier, not a patient—steady, powerful push-ups, chest nearly brushing the cold tiles.
"Fifty-eight… fifty-nine… sixty…"
His voice was calm. His breathing was precise. His muscles flexed rhythmically—defined, sharpened, efficient.
Nurse Layla blinked. "M-Mr. Drax?!"
Aven turned his head slightly, eyes calm and controlled.
"Oh. Morning," he said.
The nurse stared, stunned.
His body was no longer thin or pale. In twenty days, it had transformed. His chest and shoulders were sculpted with hard muscle, lean but powerful. His skin had a faint bronze tone, veins subtly webbed beneath it. His once-sleepy eyes now held a piercing depth—like twin blades forged from shadow.
"I—I was told to check your condition,but…" She paused. "You're doing push-ups?"
"Needed to check if my body was catching up to my mind," Aven replied, standing upright.
He stretched casually, his bones popping slightly as if breaking off their last bits of weakness. His entire frame stood tall, controlled, and exuded a quiet threat. More than human. More than noble. Predatory.
Layla composed herself and approached with her scanner. "Your vitals are… stable. Above stable. Your muscle mass increased by 14%. Cell regeneration rate is good,And your heart rate is—perfect."
She stared at him again, this time not just as a nurse—but as someone witnessing something that shouldn't be possible.
She wanted to take pictures of perfect body but did not take because she knows who he was a young master of drax family.
Aven just smirked.
---
A few minutes later…
The door chimed again.
This time, a softer voice. "Sweetheart?"
Eira Drax stepped in, her red hair flowing behind her like flame. She was elegant in her dark crimson coat, her eyes soft—until they widened.
Behind her were Kaen and Elyra, Aven's younger siblings.
Eira's hand flew to her lips. "Aven…"
Kaen blinked hard. Elyra gasped.
He looked nothing like before.
Aven was tying his hospital robe around his waist, his toned chest still slightly visible. His black hair was now swept back, sharp jawline clearer than ever. His posture wasn't relaxed—it was commanding.
"You look… like your father," Eira whispered, her eyes full of emotion and disbelief.
"Better, I hope," Aven said, walking toward her.eira hugs his son he was still not too comfortable with this type of hugs but adjusted himself during day and he started to like this family.
Kaen muttered, "…Did you get taller?"
"Half an inch," Aven replied. "Must be the healing."
Elyra ran to him and hugged his waist tightly. "You're really okay now…"
He froze for a second—but then gently placed a hand on her back. "Yeah. I'm okay."
Kaen crossed his arms. "You were stabbed and thrown into a coma. Most people don't come back like this."
Aven kaen is way mature than 16 years boy usually.Aven turned to him, eyes calm. "I'm not most people."
Kaen grinned. "I can see that."
---
Moments later, the cousins arrived.
Serin, Revik, Lyra, and Rama entered first—Serin with her ever-present tablet, Revik munching on a protein bar, Lyra adjusting her coat collar, and Rama with her usual perfume-glow entrance.
"Whoa," Revik said. "You got jacked."
Serin scanned him with her AR lens. "His physique is at 91% of elite cadet benchmarks."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "He was supposed to rest. Not train for a gladiator tournament."
"I rested through pain," Aven said coolly. "Now I'm ready to move."
Rama raised a brow. "You were always handsome, cousin. But now you look like someone off a celebrity cover."
He smirked. "You mean like me before—just better?"
That earned a few chuckles. Even Kaen grinned again.
---
Soon after – Hospital Discharge
Eira helped gather his things. The discharge form was already signed. Aven walked down the corridor like a shadow slipping off its leash.
A luxury black hover-car awaited at the hospital's private exit.
As they approached—
"Where's my car?" Aven asked, glancing at the curb.
Revik, leaning on the door, grinned. "You almost died, and the first thing you ask about is your car?"
Kaen added, "Figures."
"You can't drive yet," Eira cut in firmly, giving him the mother look. "You're still recovering, even if you think you're invincible."
"I feel fine."
"You're not," she snapped. "And I'm driving."
Aven raised his hands. "Fine, fine. You're the boss today."
---
On the Road – Toward Drax Estate
The roads of Niremo were clean and wide, lined with trees and neon-banners. Though the infrastructure looked like Earth's, the vehicles were sleeker, hover-based, and half-autonomous.
Aven watched the city blur past—yet something felt familiar. The smell of asphalt, the blinking skyline—it reminded him of old cities in his past life. The illusion of peace. The undercurrent of war.
He said nothing.
---
Arrival – The Drax Estate
The vehicle slowed at massive security gates shaped like dragon wings. Bodyguard did Stop the car, then opened with a smooth mechanical hum.
Beyond them was Drax Estate—a blend of futuristic steel and nature. A private hill covered in sculpted trees, marble staircases, solar towers, and flowing waterfalls. A fortress disguised as paradise.
Standing at the grand steps was a man in a butler's uniform—Eldon, age 61, spine straight as a blade, hands folded perfectly at his waist.
He wore black and silver with the Drax crest on his left breast.
As the car stopped and the door opened, he stepped forward.
"Welcome home, Young Master Aven," he said with a slight bow. "Welcome home, madam Eira. Master Kaen. Young Lady Elyra."
Aven stepped out slowly from car, taking in the sight.
The air smelled different here. Controlled. Pure.
He looked up at the estate with a calm expression. But inside…
He felt it.
A storm was coming. But this time—he was ready to meet it head-on.
> [Note: Master, movement has been detected. The Veron family is not idle.]