### Chapter 16: Alive!

### Chapter 16: Alive!

The innate spirit of the Demon Ox suddenly stirred, rubbing its eyes before opening them wide to curiously examine the world.

It let out a soft cheer, its transparent wings fluttering as it darted toward Suye, leaving a trail of fragmented starlight behind.

Suye reached out to catch it, but the innate spirit directly dove into his body and vanished.

Suye searched everywhere but found no trace of it, only sensing that it had become a part of his own power.

"Hmm... If I can become a strong enough mage, I should be able to see it."

"Innate spirits can be refined by powerful mages, but the cost is at least ten thousand golden eagles, and there's no guarantee of success. In Greece, only the top nobles or wealthy individuals would be willing to purchase them. If we were to compare it to the houses in the capital of Blue Star, it might be worth several hundred million each, though you can't really calculate it that way."

"The most powerful innate spirits cannot be refined; they are mostly born with or granted by the gods. The third major source is continuous cultivation. I wonder if this altar can grant even stronger innate abilities, perhaps even legendary divine spirits..."

At that moment, the altar gently shook, generating a tremendous suction force. The light converged, drawing in the other three innate spirits and their glow into the altar.

"Looks like I can only choose one..."

Suye looked at the money pouch and bronze shortsword on the altar.

"Huh?"

He noticed that the money pouch hadn’t changed, so he opened it and found the gold coins still inside, although their glow seemed slightly dimmer.

As for the bronze shortsword, it showed no change whatsoever.

"That’s odd..."

After pondering for a while, Suye couldn’t figure out the specific mechanism of the offering. He ultimately shook his head, deciding to experiment slowly later since he didn’t have time now.

"Looks like I need to keep saving money. Let’s set a small goal—earn a hundred golden eagles first. Maybe try trading a hundred golden eagles with someone else to see if it works. But after the offering, the money is still here. What exactly does the altar absorb?"

With these thoughts in mind, Suye held the shortsword and money pouch, silently reciting the command to return.

His vision darkened and then brightened again. Suye opened his eyes, finding himself back in his bedroom.

He quickly checked the money pouch, which was open, with all the hundred golden eagles inside, their surface slightly duller. The bronze shortsword remained unchanged.

Suye examined his body carefully but found no significant changes, except for a warm sensation.

"Since it’s an innate ability, it should take effect gradually. No need to rush."

With this thought, Suye walked back to the living room.

Everything remained unchanged; the three great deities and Plato’s image still stood guard at the door.

Suye sat down again, his mind wandering.

"Meditate for a while? Forget it, let’s survive tomorrow first."

Suye shook his head helplessly.

On Blue Star, Suye had stumbled upon meditation. Initially, it brought no particular sensation. However, in pursuit of self-improvement, Suye practiced diligently and eventually found that not only was the spirit and mindset enhanced, but even the energy and physical body gained a boost.

Thus, Suye began with mindfulness from psychology and systematically studied both Eastern and Western meditation techniques. She even attended specialized Zen retreats and Vipassana centers. Once, at a Vipassana center, she was completely isolated from the outside world, not using her phone, not accessing the internet, and not communicating with others. Apart from eating, sleeping, and personal hygiene, she remained silent and meditated for ten whole days, reaching a very high level of attainment.

Suye sat quietly, continually pondering her future in Greece, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

As Suye fell asleep, the powerful innate strength finally awakened, and the warm power surged into every part of his body.

Suye's skin became tougher, his muscles more robust, and his bones larger, causing him to grow taller overall.

In the late hours of the night, the innate power gradually subsided.

The soft starlight sprinkled into the courtyard. Suddenly, the shadow at the base of the wall began to stir.

The writhing shadow grew larger, rising slowly like black mud.

Ultimately, the shadow split apart, revealing a black silhouette, entirely enveloped in a long black robe.

The figure in the black robe walked to the center of the courtyard, and their long shadow fell upon the ground.

Amidst the shadows, countless distorted human faces were wailing, weeping, cursing, and struggling...

The figure in the black robe seemed to be supported by a wave of shadow, gliding forward slowly and then suddenly stopping outside the pillar.

Three indistinct-faced statues stand at the living room entrance; behind them, the smiling Plato magic image remains motionless.

At that moment, four pairs of eyes seemed to be fixed on the robed figure.

The figure in the black robe stared at Plato's magical image.

After a long while, the figure in black robes slowly retreated, finally merging into the shadows and vanishing from sight.

As the stars shifted and the heavens changed, Suye was asleep.

As the rooster crows repeatedly, Suye is asleep.

The sun rose, yet Suye was still asleep.

Clank...

The bronze short sword fell to the ground.

Suye's body trembled as she jolted awake, hastily grabbing the bronze short sword and pointing it toward the door.

The morning sunlight hung like a golden curtain outside the door.

"Alive!"

Suye was immensely relieved, laughing out loud as he released the fear and helplessness that had built up throughout the day. Then, he subtly wiped the corner of his mouth.

Gurgle...

Suye patted his stomach, stood up, and stretched, about to have breakfast when he suddenly felt something was amiss.

Soon, Suye sensed trouble and looked towards the door.

The sun seemed a bit too high...

Suddenly, an open spellbook emitted a three-dimensional marble archway, and an irate voice boomed from within.

"Suye! Do you take this mage’s words for granted? The opening ceremony – you’re the only one late! Get your ass to the Academy now, immediately!"

Boom...

The marble archway slammed shut once more.

Suye nearly broke into a cold sweat, not expecting Plato’s assistant to be genuinely furious.

Glancing around, Suye paid no heed to his appearance or breakfast, grabbed his money pouch, snatched the spellbook, and sidestepped out the door. As he walked, he addressed the three statues: "Please enjoy the sun, I’ll move you back inside tonight. If there’s any disrespect, please forgive me."

Suye entered the bedroom, changed into a clean robe, lifted its hem, and clutched the spellbook as he rushed out the door.

The money pouch had already been sent to the ruins space.

"Suye! You’re alright?" Figo, the burly man holding a barley loaf, exclaimed with joy.

Suye laughed and shouted, "I’m fine, the debt is settled, I’m safe! Thank you, Uncle Figo!" He then snatched half the loaf from Figo’s hand and continued running.

"I took a bite out of it!" Figo yelled.

"Don’t worry, I’ll break off the part you bit."

"Sneaky kid!" Figo watched Suye’s sprinting figure with a relieved smile.

Neighbors began stepping out of their homes.

"I told you Suye would be fine."

"They’re all good people."

"Hope he becomes a mage and avenges his parents."

"Shh..."

Suye ran barefoot, grimacing, getting closer to Plato’s Academy.

As he passed the amphitheater avenue, an old man with a hunched back slowly walked ahead, holding a long iron hook, its rust deeply embedded in thick black-red stains.

People nearby instinctively avoided him, their eyes revealing a hint of strangeness.

Only the coffin shop owner greeted him with a smile, "Old Buck, heading to the amphitheater so early?"

Old Buck, still hunched over, didn’t look at the man but waved the iron hook and continued toward the amphitheater.

Crossing the amphitheater street, Suye ran for a while longer before reaching the main gate of Plato’s Academy.