Odyssey of the Renegade Sovereign-Chapter 46: Predator’s Clarity

[Unedited]

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The familiar iron gates of the Ravenastra manor appeared ahead.

CREAK.

The heavy gates swung open, revealing the long gravel path to the family estate. The manor looked impressive—black stone and silver wood stretching up toward the sky, all bathed in orange sunset light.

The carriage rolled into the courtyard. Servants stood in perfect lines, backs straight. The new ones couldn’t hide their curiosity. The older ones kept their eyes respectfully lowered.

Astrael stepped out.

"Welcome home, Young Lord," the butler said with a bow. His voice was old and rough, but respectful. "The Baron is in his study. The Lady is also present there."

Astrael nodded without speaking. His eyes swept the courtyard once. The air smelled of cedar and faint lavender; his mother always insisted on that scent for the west gardens.

He walked into the estate quietly, ignoring the stares. The halls were silent except for his footsteps echoing on the marble floors.

"Astrael, you’re here!" His big sister jumped on him, hugging him before bombarding him with a dozen questions.

"How was the awakening ceremony, Astrael? Did you form your soul space? What grade is your talent root? What innate talent did you awaken?" she said nonstop, asking one question after another.

"Ugh..."

"Luna, what are these manners? Is this how you behave?" Suddenly, a scolding voice came from the stairs. Luna, like a scared cat, jumped and stood up straight.

Astrael got up, adjusting himself as he saw his mother walking in his direction.

"Mom—"

Before he could say anything, his mother embraced him.

"How’s my son? Did your awakening ceremony go well? How many steps did you climb? What is your talent root?" she asked, hugging him tightly.

"Mom, let me breathe first—only then can I answer," Astrael said, trying to adjust himself.

Meanwhile, Luna just pouted seeing their mom embrace him.

"Mom, let me breathe first—only then can I answer," Astrael said, half-laughing as he gently pulled back from the tight embrace.

His mother finally let go, though her hands stayed on his shoulders, eyes full of warmth. "You look well... stronger."

"Mm," Astrael nodded simply.

Luna crossed her arms beside them, pouting. "I hugged him first, you know."

"I raised him first," their mother replied with a smirk.

"I wasn’t competing!" Luna protested, then quickly added, "But if I were, I’d still win."

Astrael just smiled faintly.

Behind them, a calm, authoritative voice echoed from the end of the hall.

"So, the young heir has returned."

Their father stood at the archway, his expression stern but not cold.

Astrael straightened slightly. "Father."

Baron Kaelen gave a nod. "We’ll speak after dinner. Rest first. We’ll talk later."

"Yes, Father."

Without another word, the Baron turned and walked away, his steps steady and firm.

Luna stuck out her tongue once his back was turned. "So stiff."

"Luna," their mother scolded gently, then turned to Astrael. "Go wash up. We’ll eat together soon. I’ll prepare something warm."

"Thanks, Mom."

He didn’t say much more. He made his way up the stairs to his room.

He closed the door and immediately leaned against it.

Finally. Silence.

He sat cross-legged on the floor and summoned the system.

[Synthesis (???): A divine-grade talent that allows the user to combine two different physical abilities or magic skills to create a new, unique version based on how the originals work. The new ability will not cause any harm to the user’s body or mind. Results vary based on compatibility, level, and the host’s understanding.

Condition: The user must meet certain requirements—such as having the needed physical abilities or skills—before the synthesis can happen.

Note: A higher soul stat increases the success rate and overall quality of the new ability.]

He stared at the glowing screen.

Yeah, it sounded overpowered, but only in theory. Most people only had a single innate talent and a handful of hard-earned skills. Learning new ones took years. But he had Plunder now. A divine-grade talent that literally gifted him more skills the more he fought.

Without wasting time, Astrael opened the Skills section of the system interface. The faint-blue window blinked into view with that same quiet hum he had come to recognise.

His eyes moved carefully over the list, though there was nothing much. His gaze hovered over two particular skills. They were the only skills that had some compatibility.

[Keen Sight (E) – lvl 2]

[Berserk Instinct (C)]

[Would you like to attempt synthesis between Keen Sight and Berserk Instinct?]

[Warning: Skill compatibility will determine success rate. Soul stat will affect the outcome.]

[Proceed?]

"Yes."

[Analysing skill compatibility...]

[Initiating Synthesis...]

[Loading. Please Wait....]

[Synthesis Successful!]

[New Ability Acquired – Predator’s Clarity (C+)]

[Predator’s Clarity (C+) - Active/Passive: You have merged your primal fury with razor-sharp focus, giving rise to a state of Predator’s Clarity. Passively, it sharpens vision and reflexes, allowing the user to detect subtle movements and weak points with ease. When activated, it triggers a controlled berserk state, boosting strength, speed, and critical accuracy while maintaining full mental clarity.]

Astrael didn’t move at first. He blinked once. His gaze followed the candlelight near his desk flickered. But this time, he could see every movement of the flame, every split-second waver of heat.

Then, something buzzed past his ear.

A tiny black fly.

Before he could even think, his hand shot up.

Snap.

The fly was trapped between his fingers.

He hadn’t even meant to move.

His body just... reacted.

He could see things now, tiny details, like the shimmer of light reflecting off the fly’s wing, or the subtle flex of muscle in his own arm a moment before he moved.

He could feel it. His focus, perception all leapt several levels.

"Bloody hell!" Astrael shouted, eyes wide with disbelief, then broke into a wide grin. The new skill he acquired was too OP for him. He knows that one second can change the situation during the battle.

Imagine if he could upgrade this ability in the future. Not just once but over time, refine it, strengthen it. Push it past its limits and use it during the battle at the same time. If the base version of Predator’s Focus was like this, then what about the advanced one? He’d be untouchable.

Just like the stories he read of warriors who moved without thought. Like a blade reacting before the mind caught up. Like—

Ultra Instinct.

Astrael smirked. "I’d be like Goku," he whispered, amused by the thought.

But then his gaze sharpened again. This wasn’t just about cool titles or flashy moves. This was survival.

If he faced a horde, Predator’s Focus would give him the edge. If an archer tried to shoot him from the shadows, he’d dodge without needing to see. If an assassin crept up with a poisoned dagger, he’d feel the intent before the blade reached his back.

And his enemies? They wouldn’t even know what happened.

Just a blur, a shadow, a ghost between moments. This skill would definitely be one of his trump cards.

"What was that just now?" Elyndra’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind, sharp and curious. "Your body tensed like a wild beast. And what’s with that grin? You looked like a lunatic."

Astrael didn’t turn his head, but a small smile curved on his lips.

"Just testing one of my new skills," he replied casually.

"...Tch." Elyndra clicked her tongue softly. "You really won’t tell me, huh?"

He didn’t answer, but the smirk on his face deepened.

"Fine. Keep your little secrets. But if you blow up your brain trying something reckless, don’t come crying to me."

Her voice sounded pouty, clearly annoyed, but not genuinely angry. She didn’t pry further, and that alone made Astrael more relaxed.

He knew Elyndra could push if she wanted to. She had access to a deep well of knowledge, after all. But she chose not to.

She trusts me, he thought.

And strangely enough, that trust... it meant something.

Astrael’s smile lingered for a moment, then he focused back on the system. He opened his system window again, fingers twitching slightly with anticipation. His eyes moved down the skill list, checking each one carefully.

He tried another.

[Sword Mastery]

[Quick Draw]

A sharp beep echoed in his mind.

[Requirements not met. Incompatible mastery level]

He sighed. "Figures. That would’ve been too easy."

He tried a few other combinations, but each time the same message returned, missing requirements, incompatibility, or insufficient understanding.

So for now, Predator’s Focus was all he had.

But that was fine. One trump card was more than enough.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Young Lord, it’s time for dinner." Elara’s voice came from behind the door.

He stood up from the cushioned stool near the window and stretched his body a little bit. "Coming," he called back.

He gave one last glance at the system panel before it faded into nothingness.

His talents were still a mystery to him. But step by step, he would figure them out.

For now, dinner.

And tomorrow?

Training.