Tyrant Emperor

The morning sun bathed the world in its gentle warmth, casting a golden sheen across the land. His figure stood out, illuminated by the soft yellow light that danced on his skin. At five feet tall, his towering presence was startling for a mere ten-year-old. 

His long white hair flowed effortlessly down to his shoulders, contrasting sharply with his pale skin, which seemed to glow faintly under the crimson brilliance of his pupil. 

Though still years away from reaching his full height, his current stature already rivaled that of grown men. 

"It's really been a long time, huh," Leon murmured, his gaze fixed on his clenched fist. 

As his fingers tightened, the air around them seemed to tremble, a faint compression rippling outward. 

"I've truly grown too strong," His thoughts turned inward, and a wry smile tugged at his lips. 

"As for that system... What a scam. After all these years, it still hasn't revealed itself." 

Disappointment and shaking his head with a curse, that was all Leon could do, for no matter what he did—whether killing beings or anything else—there was almost no response from that black flicker of light. It seemed to have completely vanished from his body.

"Still, I feel like my mother and father are too strong for me." Leon changed his clothes and walked out of his room in one swift motion.

He looked at his mother as she stood by the table, her smile accompanied by a soft humming tone.

Gradually, Leon felt a mist surrounding her. This mist felt heavy, almost as if a small hill were pressing on him from all sides.

Beads of sweat stopped forming on Leon's head as he stood there.

"Oh, Leon, you're finally here. Come, sit."

"Yes, Mother," Leon replied with a smile while muttering in his mind: 

'A fish cannot see outside its pond.'

At that moment, Alex entered the house with his usual strict demeanor.

"Dear, let me set it up for you as well," Zara said.

Alex mechanically nodded before speaking: 

"It's been five years, son. Tell me, which weapon do you prefer?" 

He asked as he settled down in his chair. 

"Well, I'll choose the spear. It feels more convenient for me, and I can get a grip on it," Leon grumbled.

Actually, he didn't care which weapon he chose; these tools were merely meant to an end, designed to help one kill. But, he will respect the weapon with all his heart because it was a companion that could save his life.

"Good," Alex said, his eyes lighting up.

Then Alex and Leon stepped out of the house, the spear firmly in Leon's hand. 

Leon took a deep, long breath, his mind sharpening as the morning sun's golden hues bathed him in light.

"This is: Rapid Thrust."

The spear's tip caught the sunlight before slicing through the air with a ripple, sending faint rustles through the nearby trees. Quick, sharp jabs followed. Then he swiped the spear horizontally then vertically, each motion flowing into the next effortlessly.

"This is: Leap Thrust and-"

Retracting his stance, Leon leapt into the air, performing a mid-thrust, his eyes straight right ahead as if piercing the soul of his enemies from his very eyes. 

"Spinning Strike."

In a seamless transition, he spun mid-air, the spear a blur as it spiraled around him.

With a graceful movement, he slowly landed on the ground in one motion.

"I will do what you taught me father."

Alex stood silent, watching intently with an unreadable expression.

"Impaler."

Leon took a steady breath and adjusted his stance, the spear glinting in his grasp. His muscles coiled, then unleashed a lunge. The motion was fluid, the spearhead a blur before it struck. A sharp crack echoed as a faint fracture appeared on the bark of a tree right in front of him.

"Oh, not bad." Alex finally spoke.

Leon nonchalantly began moving his spear, flowing through the basics with practiced ease—thrusting, twisting, sweeping, blocking, and parrying.

He knew that all advanced forms were merely derivations of these fundamentals.

Cyclone Spin, Whirlslash…

At last, he smashed the spear downward with force, creating a faint shockwave that lifted a thin veil of dust from the ground.

"Wonderful," Alex said, clapping his hands in genuine appreciation. "You lack a little strength, but once you gain it, you will have perfectly mastered the basics of the spear."

"Thank you, Father." Leon bowed respectfully before asking, "So, what is the next step?"

Before Alex could respond, a black flicker of light appeared in front of Leon, shimmering ominously.

[Congratulations! Sage Candidate, you have mastered the [Path of the Spear], unlocking your first skill in this world.]

[This skill holds the potential to evolve into a mighty rune or be assimilated into the sub-runes and main-runes.]

Leon froze on the spot. It had been a long time since he had seen the black flicker of light hovering right in front of him.

"This really feels like a system, except that I can't call it," he thought to himself. Just as quickly as the black flicker of light appeared, it vanished, disappearing into the depths of his being without leaving a single clue.

While Leon was in a slightly dazed state, Alex began to speak in a wise tone:

"Let me ask you a question first: what is the greatest fighting technique?" 

"Hmm?" Leon was promptly awakened, his eyes darting with a hint of confusion before he straightened up.

He looked at his father and bellowed, "I don't know."

"You don't know." Alex raised his brows, a scowl forming on his face.

"I really don't know," Leon nodded. 

"Then, what do you know?"

"I believe that no method can be the strongest. Only an individual can be the strongest."

"Hahaha, good, good." 

Alex laughed boisterously. "It is finally time to teach you our family method. It's very hard to describe, so let me show you myself. This is what has allowed us to serve as the personal guards of kings for aeons."

"Hmm." Leon nodded firmly. 

The guards of the king weren't just in a simple position. Only the best of the best among warriors could earn it. It required not only trust but also immense strength and unshakable courage in the face of life and death.