Harem: Rebirth of the strongest shadow mage

Chapter Four

The air around Ryan seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy as he continued his cultivation.

A low hum, like the gentle buzzing of a thousand bees, filled the air, punctuated by occasional bursts of explosive force. "Whooosh" echoed through the room as the air whirled in, followed by a deafening "Booommm" that shook the very foundations of the space.

As Ryan's cultivation reached its peak, strings of dark energy began to manifest around him. This was a characteristic typically associated with mages who had reached the channel stage, a level of magical prowess that allowed them to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Yet, Ryan was not yet at the channel stage; he was still at the eighth level of the energy state.

However, Ryan's unique circumstances set him apart from his peers. This was not his first foray into cultivation, and his extensive battle experience had granted him a level of mastery that few others could match.

As a result, he was able to perform feats that would be considered impossible for someone at his current level.

If other mages were to witness Ryan's abilities, they would undoubtedly hail him as a genius. His strength was already on par with those at the first level of the channel stage, and his battle-hardened instincts made him a formidable opponent.

In fact, it was likely that even a second-level channel stage mage would find themselves outmatched by Ryan's prowess.

This was a truly remarkable achievement, one that spoke to Ryan's exceptional talent as a mage. It was a rare occurrence for a ninth-level energy state mage to defeat a first-level channel stage mage, but Ryan's abilities went far beyond that.

He had the potential to overpower even a second-level channel stage mage, a feat that would be considered nothing short of astonishing in the world of magic.

Ryan rose from his cultivation stance, his eyes narrowing slightly as he realized that he had reached a temporary plateau in his development. Seeking to test the limits of his current strength, he focused his energy and unleashed a powerful punch into the air.

The brief breeze generated by his blow rustled the nearby flowers, causing them to sway gently in its wake.

As he assessed the force of his punch, Ryan's expression remained impassive, his face a mask of calm contemplation. "My punch should be weighing around ten tons, equivalent to ten thousand kilograms," he murmured to himself, his voice devoid of emotion.

The sheer scale of his strength was a testament to his remarkable progress, for a normal first-level mage could only muster a punch of about one ton, with each subsequent level granting a corresponding increase in force.

Yet, despite the impressive display of power, Ryan seemed unimpressed. His eyes held a hint of detachment, a sense of "been there, done that" that belied his remarkable achievement.

It was a demeanor that spoke to his storied past, to the countless battles he had fought and won as the Emperor of the Fire Elements, and to the unparalleled magical prowess that had earned him the title of Mage Emperor, the highest realm in the magic world.

For Ryan, ten tons of force was merely a stepping stone, a minor milestone on his journey to reclaim his former glory. His gaze seemed to bore into the distance, his eyes burning with an inner fire that hinted at the true depths of his ambition.

The universe itself seemed to tremble at the prospect of Ryan's resurgence, for when a being of his caliber set their sights on a goal, the very fabric of reality seemed to bend to accommodate their will.

With his strength assessed, Ryan's thoughts turned to the next critical aspect of his abilities: combat prowess. He knew that true mastery of magic required more than just raw power; it demanded finesse, strategy, and the ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of battle. Eager to gauge his skills against real opponents, Ryan set his sights on the guards stationed outside his door.

Those men, with their callous disregard for life and their role in the murder of his host's original owner, had long been due for a reckoning. Ryan's eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity as he contemplated the impending confrontation. It was time to teach the guards a lesson, to demonstrate the true meaning of power and the folly of underestimating a mage of his caliber.

Moreover, Ryan was driven by a desire to uncover more information about the realm he now found himself in, as well as the body he was occupying. The guards, as his captors and would-be assassins, were likely to possess knowledge that would prove invaluable to Ryan's quest for understanding and revenge.

With a deep breath, Ryan steeled himself for the battle ahead, his mind racing with strategies and tactics. He could feel the familiar thrill of anticipation coursing through his veins, a sensation that had long been absent during his time as the Emperor of the Fire Elements.

The prospect of testing his mettle against the guards, of unleashing his fury upon them, was a tantalizing one, and Ryan could hardly wait to indulge in the carnage that was to come.

As he prepared to face his enemies, Ryan's thoughts turned to the mysterious body he now inhabited. Who was its original owner, and what had been their fate? What secrets lay hidden within the recesses of this new body, waiting to be uncovered?

The answers, Ryan knew, lay just beyond the door, guarded by the very men he was about to confront.

With a fierce cry, Ryan flung open the door, ready to unleash his wrath upon the world and uncover the secrets that lay hidden within.

As Ryan approached the door, he could feel a sense of anticipation building within him. With a swift motion, he grasped the door handle and flung the door open, revealing the two guards stationed outside.

The sudden movement caught the guards off guard, and they instinctively looked up to see who had opened the door.

Their faces were a picture of shock and surprise as they took in the sight of Ryan standing before them. Their eyes widened in unison, and their jaws dropped in a comical display of bewilderment.

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the guards struggled to comprehend the impossible: Ryan, the man they had killed, was standing before them, very much alive.

One of the guards, his voice trembling slightly, turned to his companion and asked, "What's going on? How is this possible?" His eyes darted back to Ryan, as if expecting him to disappear into thin air at any moment.

The second guard, his face pale and sweaty, shook his head in confusion. "I don't know," he stammered. "I thought we had killed him. Why is he still alive?" The guard's voice trailed off, and he took a step back, his eyes fixed on Ryan with a mixture of fear and suspicion.

Ryan's gaze swept over the two guards, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. He could sense their confusion and fear, and he knew that he held the upper hand.

With a subtle smile, he took a step forward, his movements deliberate and calculated. The guards, sensing their vulnerability, instinctively reached for their swords, their eyes locked on Ryan with a mixture of trepidation and hostility.

Ryan's voice rang out, clear and commanding, as he gazed upon the two guards with a mixture of disdain and contempt. "It is your master that you killed, you bastards," he declared, his words dripping with disgust. "How dare you lay your hands upon the one who was supposed to be your superior?"

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, their faces pale and their eyes wide with shock. They couldn't believe what they were seeing - the young master, once timid and submissive, now standing before them with an air of confidence and authority that was both unnerving and fascinating.

"What is this?" one of the guards thought to himself, his mind reeling with confusion. "When did the young master become so brazen?

He had always been a pushover, a timid fellow who wouldn't dare speak out against us. Where is he getting this confidence from?"

The guards' eyes roamed over Ryan's figure, as if searching for some hidden secret or clue that would explain the transformation they were witnessing.

They were still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that Ryan was still alive, despite being confirmed dead. And now, to make matters even more bewildering, he was standing before them, radiating an aura of power and self-assurance that was both captivating and intimidating.

For a moment, the guards forgot about their duty, forgot about the orders they had received, and forgot about the danger that Ryan posed.

All they could do was stare, their minds frozen in a mixture of shock, confusion, and awe, as they struggled to comprehend the enigma that stood before them.