With the declaration and determination to pursue his goal, Calus began working harder. This caught the academy's attention, and he was given more cultivation resources, which accelerated his growth.

Time passed slowly but surely, and the small boy grew, developing more teenage-like features on his face.

Host: Calus

Rank: Three-Star Gold Realm

Status: Chosen One

Over the two years, his system had changed. However, he had reached a realm where each star required resources greater than the difference between the Iron Level and the Gold Realm itself. It took time to advance but even so, his speed was terrifying.

And as they said, with strength comes power.

Calus was exposed to new information. If considering his last life, it wasn't new but for this life, it was.

This world was composed of five continents: the Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, and the Central Continent.

Power was centralized in the Central Continent. There were stronger beasts, more powerful fighters, more resources,

and, most importantly, terrifying organizations.

The Eastern Continent was considered mid-tier in strength, but now the geniuses of the five continents would finally meet.

And Calus would be the leader of this batch.

It was more than just an exchange of experience,it was a competition between the five continents. Regardless, the Central Continent always came first.

"Brother…" a rosy male voice was heard as Fre hiccupped.

His face was flushed, and his lips were covered with white liquid.

Across from him, an almost two-meter-tall male stared at him in shock.

His lips twitched a few times before he spoke.

"This is the first time I've seen someone get drunk from milk…" Calus muttered.

Even in his last life, Fre hadn't been like this. But

in this,

he… he was drunk… on milk? What the hell?

They were in a bar that served various drinks.

Around them were familiar faces, the geniuses of the Eastern Academy.

Less than three days remained before they began their journey to the Central Continent, and the academy had given them a chance to unwind and relax before it began.

Calus was quite satisfied with this arrangement. The pressure over the past few months had been intense. The training grounds were always full, and terrifying energy was released every moment.

At least a few moments of rest would help them mentally.

"Doesn't matter…" Fre said foolishly.

Calus sighed and nodded.

"Yes, it doesn't. Just… wait, how did you even get drunk?" Calus couldn't help asking. It was too weird.

"Cough… my… my physique…" Fre said shyly, his face burning red.

Calus pondered but couldn't figure out the answer.

He decided to treat it as one of the world's many mysteries.

"Well, apart from me… let's talk about you."

"Won't you go visit your parents before… hiccup… we leave?" Fre asked, struggling to stay upright.

Calus helped him steady himself and sighed.

"Well… it's not necessary," Calus forced a smile.

Ever since Lisa had spoken to him, he had been filled with fear. He was afraid that the day he returned home would be the day his parents died.

Maybe he was always being monitored by the organization.

Whatever the case may be, he couldn't risk leading them back to his parents. He could only endure. At least he sent messages home through the academy.

They should know he was safe.

He had promised to visit them.

"Filial… son…" Fre muttered, pointing at him.

"Control yourself. Also… where's your sister?" Calus asked, looking around.

"I don't… know. She said she would be back before we leave though. Maybe she went to visit Ma and Pa," Fre replied before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed onto the table.

"You…"

Calus was speechless.

A child drunk on milk. What a mystery.

Soon it was dark. Calus helped Fre home, but his mind lingered on what Fre had said.

Over the years, he had stayed close to Fre. Yet Lisa hadn't made a move against Fre or Calus.

So what was she planning?

And this wasn't the first time she had disappeared.

Neither the academy nor Fre seemed worried, which made him even more suspicious. But he lacked the power to investigate without risking alerting the organization.

Click.

The door opened as Calus helped Fre to his bed.

"Sleep well, buddy," Calus said.

Fre mumbled and turned to the other side.

Seeing this brought a smile to Calus' face.

"I promise you… I will save you in this life," Calus whispered before leaving the room.

---

Soon, he arrived at the back of the school.

"Senior… sister?" Calus called out as he looked around.

Yes, that's right.

Calus had a senior sister who often visited the back of the school. Over the years, she had stayed in touch with him and had been there for him.

She was part of the reason Calus had reached Three-Star Gold Realm quickly. Otherwise, he might still be stuck at One-Star.

"Oh, little brat, you're almost grown up," a familiar rose-like scent wafted through the air.

Calus inhaled and coughed lightly.

Then she appeared, that familiar figure.

It was none other than Mabi.

Although she was still at the peak of the Platinum Realm, Calus felt she was much stronger than the last time they met.

"I… I am still twelve years old though," Calus reminded her.

Even if he was close to two meters tall, his face still carried traces of childishness. Most people would think he was a teenager, not an adult. But his senior sister seemed to see him differently.

"Isn't it all the same?" she said as she stepped forward and embraced him.

Calus looked down at her and sighed.

Finally, she pulled away and smiled.

"Are you nervous about the competition?" Mabi asked, looking up at his childlike face.

"Ah… that? Not really. It's just a friendly competition, right?" Calus asked.

Mabi laughed.

"Oh, how naive… it is not," she said, tapping his nose with her finger.

Calus' expression changed.

"Do you mean we'll fight to the death?" he asked, shocked.

Mabi laughed even more.

"Well, kid, you shouldn't worry about that. You should worry that I might participate too," she said, crossing her arms and looking at him smugly.

"What?!" Calus exclaimed.

"No, no, that's bullying! You can easily beat me!" Calus argued.

Of course she could she was already at the peak of the Platinum Realm.

"Is it though, silly kid? That's just how the world works," Mabi said, shaking her head.

"But it isn't fair…" Calus argued as he pouted.

Seeing his expression made Mabi smile.

"Hehe, don't worry. Even if it's not fair, I will protect you," Mabi said as she raised her arms confidently.

Seeing this, Calus smiled.

"Then… I'll have to rely on Senior Sister's protection," Calus muttered.

Mabi laughed.

"Yes, silly kid. And you're so tall, maybe too tall for your age?" she said as she stepped back to properly look at him.

"Well… maybe I've been eating well," Calus replied quietly.

Mabi nodded.

"Maybe. Just don't become a giant when you grow up, or I'll disown you," she joked.

Calus immediately crouched down.

"Never! I'll stay small and short!" he said seriously.

Mabi burst out laughing.

"Silly kid," she said with a smile.

After a moment, Calus looked at her thoughtfully.

"But Senior Sister, which continent are you from? I've seen all those representing our Eastern Continent, but I didn't see you. So that means you're not from here," Calus said, pondering aloud.

Mabi's expression changed slightly.

"Oh… well, it took you long enough to realize. But yes, I'm not. I just come here occasionally to play," she said, winking.

Calus made an "oh" expression, pretending to understand.

"But it's the Central Continent," she continued. "So your Senior Sister is strong, maybe even the strongest. You'll see soon enough anyway."

Calus smiled.

Of course. In his last life, she had practically been the leader of their generation during the war.

"Yay! I'll become strong like Senior Sister!" Calus raised his arms excitedly.

Mabi smiled warmly.

"Definitely."

She then sighed lightly.

"Silly brat. Well, I have to go back now, or those old men will start shivering in fear. We won't see each other until then, so don't miss your Senior Sister too much," Mabi said as she hugged him.

"Yes, ma'am!" Calus replied, giving a playful military salute.

Finally, Mabi waved goodbye and left.

The moment she disappeared, Calus' smile faded.

"Acting like a kid is stressful…" Calus muttered as he turned and walked back toward the academy.

"But at least I secured a very strong backup early. I just need to follow the current flow, keep this a secret from Lisa, and then… then I'll destroy them," Calus clenched his fist as he muttered.

A few seconds after Calus was gone, the grass rustled.

A small head peeked out.

"Interesting…" Lisa muttered with a faint smile.