Chapter 4: The Ruins of Zephyros Arcanis
While they were still on their way to the ruins, Shin decided to start cultivating instead of wasting time doing nothing in the carriage.
He sat comfortably and crossed his legs before him, adopting a cross-legged position. With his back straight and his hands resting on his knees, palms facing upwards, and thumb and index finger lightly touching, he began to breathe slowly in and out to calm himself.
He concentrated on sensing the mana in the air. Once successful, he drew the mana into himself, focusing it just below his heart to create what is known as a mana heart. This mana heart plays a crucial role. It can seamlessly take over the functions of the physical heart if it is lost or fails, ensuring the continuation of life. It also serves as the main pathway for magic, through which all magical energy flows.
It's crucial not to lose your physical heart, as the mana heart's efficiency diminishes once it becomes the sole heart.
***
-55 minutes later-
Shin meticulously honed his mana heart, drawing upon techniques from his past life in the abyss. The process entailed compressing mana into the core, refining its purity. A purer mana heart served as a better central channel for magic, enabling swifter mana circulation throughout his body.
[Ding]
[Host diligently refined their mana heart through countless iterations, until it transformed into a lucid mana heart.]
[Host gained 100.000 SP]
As Shin read the system notifications, he was pleasantly surprised. The concept of a lucid mana heart was new to him, but receiving 100.000 SP indicated its potential value and importance for his future growth.
"Young master, we have arrived at the ruins," Laura said quietly.
"Alright, let's go and see if I can gain access," Shin said confidently as he stepped out of the carriage. He believed he would fit the criteria of the gatekeeper to grant him entry and uncover the mystery of who left the ruins there.
Shin strode through the forest, flanked by his loyal guards. Their journey led them to the entrance of the ancient ruins a place shrouded in mystery. There, standing sentinel, was the gatekeeper: a tall man with long jet-black hair, and shining black eyes His long ears resembled those of an elf.
Beside the colossal, weathered doors adorned with cryptic symbols, the gatekeeper's gaze snapped to attention. His eyes widened, locking onto Shin, who stood just five meters from the imposing threshold. And said, "Welcome challenger you are the first one to have the right to access the ruin of my master Zephyros Arcanis."
Everyone was left astounded, as they had never heard the gatekeeper speak before. "Do I need to do anything special once inside?" Shin asked.
"No, you will only need to pass several tests," the gatekeeper replied. "If you succeed, you will receive my master's inheritance, and this ruin will vanish. However, you have only one chance to decide if you wish to enter or not. The choice is yours now."
"I will enter," Shin declared with determination. He then turned to his entourage and began issuing orders. "Laura, Ashkii, prepare everything so that we can head to the capital as soon as I return. Make sure a message is sent to my father about what transpired here."
"Understood, young master," Ashkii saluted, springing into action to coordinate the necessary preparations.
As Shin finished giving his instructions, the ancient doors began to creak open. He and the gatekeeper stepped inside the ruins, and once they had entered, the doors closed behind them with a resounding bang.
"Alright, let me explain the five tests you will need to undergo. The first test was passed when I allowed you to enter; it requires having space or time affinities. The second test assesses whether you possess five or more affinities. Moving on to the third test, it's a combat challenge. You'll have half a year to train and prepare. After that period, you'll face ten waves of monsters without knowing which ones so specific preparation won't be possible. The fourth test is also combat-related. This time, you'll have a year to prepare, and then you will battle five formidable monsters. Finally, the last test involves facing me directly and earning my recognition. Only after completing all these challenges will you receive the inheritance." explained the gatekeeper as they walked toward a large room.
After the gatekeeper finished his explanation, they entered a spacious, round room with walls that curved seamlessly around them. In the center floated a transparent glass ball. The gatekeeper gestured for Shin to approach it and said "Touch it the number of affinities you have will be shown as a floating number above it."
As Shin approached the ball, he extended his hand to touch it. Upon contact, the ball shimmered with an array of colors, and the number seven materialized, hovering above its surface. The gatekeeper was intrigued; encountering someone with seven affinities was unprecedented not even his master has seven.
"You passed the second test with flying colors. This also brings you closer to another reward, in addition to the inheritance, so keep giving it your all," the gatekeeper said. With a snap of his fingers, the scenery around them began to warp until they arrived at a small house nestled in a forest. Just as Shin was about to ask where they were, the gatekeeper spoke again.
"Here is where you'll live, train, and prepare for the upcoming combat tests. There's enough food stocked inside the house. I'll fetch you when the tests are ready to begin," the gatekeeper explained.
Shin nodded silently. He had witnessed people tear through space before, but never without feeling any nausea. This suggested that the gatekeeper possessed either immense strength exceptional control over space or both. But before Shin could inquire further, the gatekeeper tore through space once more and vanished, leaving Shin alone in the living room of the small house.
"Half a year to train," Shin pondered, considering which affinities to prioritize for the third test.
"He mentioned facing 10 waves of enemies, so I should focus on affinities that handle multiple opponents efficiently," Shin reasoned. "I shouldn't overlook my skills and experience from the abyss, which are tailored for one-on-one combat. Once I clear this test, I'll dedicate myself to developing the affinities I've neglected."
With his plan set, Shin focused on choosing the affinities best suited for confronting multiple enemies simultaneously. Before diving into training, he decided to review the SP he acquired from obtaining a lucid mana heart to see if there were any useful purchases he could make.
"System open shop"
[shop]
[Bloodlines] [Unique skills] [skills] [Items] [Equipment] [Knowledge] [Affinities] [Classes(Locked)]
"open bloodlines"
[Affirmative]
After accessing the bloodline section, he arranged the options from the most expensive to the cheapest available.
Shin carefully reviewed all his choices, weighing what he needed, which offered the greatest potential, and what he could afford at that moment. Ultimately, he decided to purchase the Raiju bloodline.
"Buy raiju(Overlord) bloodline."
[Affirmative]
[Does the host want to integrate the Raiju bloodline immediately?]
[Yes/No]
"Yes"
[Integrating Raiju bloodline]
[Integrated successfully]
[Host awakened lightning affinity]
[Host learned the following bloodline abilities:
Electrokinesis: is the psychic ability to manipulate and control electricity and electrical fields with one's mind. Those with this ability can generate, absorb, conduct, and discharge electrical energy in various forms.
Electrokinetic Fusion: This rare ability allows the user to merge their physical form with electricity, transforming into a living lightning entity. In this form, they gain heightened speed, agility, and the ability to travel as electrical currents through conductive materials.
Volt Surge Augmentation: This ability amplifies the user's physical attributes such as speed, strength, and reflexes through electrical stimulation. It allows for bursts of lightning-fast movement, heightened combat prowess, and heightened reaction speed.
Thunderbolt Mastery: This advanced ability enables the user to summon and control thunderbolts or lightning strikes. They can direct bolts of lightning at targets from a distance, using them both offensively and defensively.]
As Shin reviewed all the benefits he had gained, he felt a deep satisfaction with his decision, especially since he wanted the lightning affinity for the upcoming third test.
"Open status."
[Host Name: Shin Luppiter]
[True Name: Chrome]
[Age: 16]
[Race: Abyssal Devourer]
[Bloodlines: Apophis (pandemonium) / Jormungandr (pandemonium) / Abyssal Devourer (pandemonium) / Raiju (Overlord)]
[Bloodline Skills: Possession, Life-Force Absorption, Supernatural Charisma, Physical Augmentation, Poisonous Body, Fearlessness, Illusive Appearance, Supernatural Body, Natural Weaponry, Devour, Abyssal Pressure, Abyssal Corruption, Electrokinesis, Electrokinetic Fusion, Volt Surge Augmentation, Thunderbolt Mastery, (Locked)]
[Titles: Abyssal King, World Serpent, Reincarnator, Heir of the Luppiter Duchy]
[Realm: None]
[Affinities: Abyss, Poison, Space, time, Water, Shadow, Light, Lightning]
[Unique Skills: Appraisal]
[Skills: Scythe Mastery(Absolute), CQC(Absolute), Spear Mastery(Absolute), Abyssal Magic(Absolute), Poison Magic(Initial), Space Magic(Initial), Time Magic(Initial), Water Magic(Initial), Shadow Magic(Initial), Light Magic(Initial)]
[Resistances: Pain Resistance, Exhaustion Resistance, Mental Attack Resistance, Thermal Resistance, Fear Nullification, Poison Nullification, petrifying Nullification, Electricity Nullification]
***
[shop]
[system points(SP): 20.000]
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Yatenwhaleji
Yatenwhaleji if you have any idea as to what abilities u want Shin to have/use u can comment them I might use them.
This is my first novel and I am going to do my best to improve along the way. So make sure to point out anything u think i did wrong / could do better or any spelling errors would be greatly appreciated :)
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
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Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone