2025-03-17 13:56:08Chapter 4: Broken Bonds
"Hold on… maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here." Max sat on the edge of the tub, fingers pressed against his chin in deep thought. His brows furrowed as a wave of uncertainty washed over him. "What if this is all in my head?" he murmured, eyes scanning the empty space before him as if expecting it to answer. The strange phenomenon he had experienced since waking up felt too surreal. The glowing words, the bizarre notifications, the absurd notion that he had somehow acquired abilities beyond his comprehension—it all felt like a twisted dream his mind had conjured. "How can I confirm that any of this is real?" He bit his lip, his gaze flickering toward the semi-transparent interface hovering before him. "Can I actually use these skills? Wouldn't that be the ultimate proof?" Just as he was about to voice his doubts again, another notification blinked into existence. [To use an unlocked ability, simply call out its name in your mind while adding 'Activate' before or after.] Max's eyes narrowed. He reread the message twice, his mind racing with possibilities. If this system was real… He took a deep breath and glanced at the list before him. [Skills and Abilities] » Velocity Surge - Level 1 » Rapid Recovery - Level 1 » Adaptive Shift - Level 1 » Toxin Resistance - Level 1 » Reconstruct - Level 1 » Xeon Absorption - Level 1 He examined each skill methodically to decide which one he should try first. Velocity Surge appeared to be a skill that would be simple to experiment with. The skills Reconstruct and Xeon Absorption remained difficult to understand. I need to verify if this is actually genuine. Max rose from his seat to walk toward the exit while performing a brief stretch. The dimly lit space contained only a tub where he had been resting and a small storage unit located in the corner. The entire space maintained a chilly atmosphere which matched the usual feeling of the place. He released a short breath before saying, "Close interface." The glowing words disappeared right after they appeared. He nodded to himself. "Outside. I’ll test it outside." The familiar voices of two individuals became audible to him when he walked through the tight hallway toward the living area. The woman's gentle voice reminded Cedric, "Remember what I told you, sweetheart." The XAO inspectors will visit your school today. This is your chance." The younger voice responded with confidence, "Of course, Mother." Anyone with half a brain would recognize my strength. I stand as the top student in my class because I am the strongest. A quiet chuckle followed. "That’s my boy." Max's steps slowed. He clenched his jaw. Cedric was the family's golden child who bore all their hopes because his parents had repeated this conversation many times before. The voices of the two people emerged from the living room entrance. Max surveyed the room upon entering which featured blue-tinted walls and deep green furniture while a holo-display showed three people standing together. The middle-aged man had sharp features and blond hair which he kept neatly styled. The woman displayed composure through her expression while her chestnut hair reached down to her waist. The young boy with dark perfectly curled hair stood tall between his parents. A family portrait. Max’s fingers curled into fists. Standing near the door, dressed in a neatly pressed academy uniform, was Cedric. Beside him, their mother was adjusting his collar with a smile. They turned slightly, catching sight of Max as he stepped forward. No acknowledgment. No greeting. Just an empty glance before they turned away, as if he didn't exist. Max swallowed down the lump in his throat. "...Are you not going to drop me off too?" For the first time, his mother paused. Slowly, she turned back to face him. Her expression twisted into something sharp—disdain, disappointment, and something colder beneath the surface. "How many times must I tell you?" she hissed. "Stop calling me that. I am not your mother." Max's breath hitched, but he stayed silent. "I have only one son," she continued, placing a hand on Cedric’s shoulder. "And he is right here." Cedric smirked, his posture oozing with self-importance. "Honestly, you should be grateful," he said, voice laced with mockery. "Mother and Father still allow you to live here—even though you’re a complete waste of space." Max’s nails dug into his palms. His mother’s gaze darkened further. "Sometimes I wonder how Liam and I could have created something as useless as you." A sharp pain pressed against his chest, but Max merely lowered his head. It wasn't the first time. It wouldn’t be the last. And yet, no matter how many times he heard these words, they still hurt. Family. It was supposed to mean something. But for him… it was a title with no meaning. "Come on, Mom," Cedric scoffed, grabbing her hand. "Trash like him should be walking to school, anyway." Without another glance, they turned and stepped outside. SLAM. The door shut, leaving Max standing alone. His fingers loosened as he let out a bitter chuckle. "What was I expecting? Some kind of miracle?" A cold laugh escaped his lips as he pushed away the sharp ache in his chest. No. He had learned a long time ago that no matter how much he wished for it, things would never change. But that was before. Before the Xeon System. Before this new power. He inhaled deeply and shook off the suffocating weight of the past. "Right. The inspectors from XAO are coming today." His expression shifted. "I need to get to school." With that thought driving him forward, he stepped out of the house, his previous worries about testing his abilities pushed aside for now. As he sprinted down the streets, sweat gathered on his brow. This was District 34 of BB City, one of the largest and most technologically advanced zones in the world. Buildings shaped like metallic hexagons lined the roads, their surfaces glowing with digital advertisements. Some even shifted shape or retracted underground at their owners’ command. Flying vehicles zipped above, gliding smoothly through designated air lanes, while pedestrians navigated the busy walkways below. Max's pace quickened as he spotted a glowing blue ring ahead—a teleportation circle designed for fast travel across the city. People stepped into the shimmering light one after another, vanishing in a blink. "Two more of these, and I’ll reach school," he muttered. Steeling himself, he strode forward, joining the small crowd entering the circle. As soon as he stepped inside, a businessman in a sleek black suit wrinkled his nose and took a step away from him, choosing instead to stand beside a well-dressed woman. Max blinked, confused—until the realization hit him. A very unpleasant realization. "...Oh crap." His face twisted in horror. "I didn’t take a shower today!" His panicked whisper was unfortunately a little too loud. Several people within the teleportation circle turned, staring at him with barely concealed disgust. Max sighed. This day was not going as smoothly as he had hoped.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 5: XAO Academy
Chapter 5: XAO AcademyMax experienced intense embarrassment while standing in the teleportation circle because people silently judged him as he shifted his body position.The executive who stood nearest to him showed his disgust through a slight nose scrunch while keeping his distaste hidden. The man paused for a brief instant before he retreated multiple steps from the circle.The man left the circle to wait for the next set of teleportation.Several other passengers joined the exodus by moving away from the circle while exchanging quiet comments. The wide teleportation array lost most of its passengers within seconds so that only Max and a few others remained standing.Zwing!The blue light surrounded them before they disappeared in an instant.Thirty Minutes LaterThe journey ended when Max reached his final destination.The vast XAO Academy campus extended before him as an awe-inspiring sight that always left him speechless. This educational establishment stood apart from traditi
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 6: Powerflow Channeling
Chapter 6: Powerflow ChannelingAs Max steadied his breath, he recalled the notification that had appeared moments ago."Daily task?"A moment later, the system responded.[Daily tasks can be found in the missions panel.]"Missions?" Max furrowed his brows as he reflected on the system interface. "Oh, I didn't check everything before. Missions were listed after abilities, I think."Without hesitation, he focused his thoughts."System Interface!"A soft chime echoed in his mind.[Host Stats] [Skills & Techniques] [Powerflows] [Missions] [Shop]The translucent panel materialized before his eyes, its smooth, metallic sheen hovering in mid-air. He didn't waste a second before directing his attention."Missions!"---[Missions]DailyWeeklyMonthlyYearly---Max scrutinized the categories closely."Missions… aren’t these just like quests in those old games? You complete them and get rewards. But why are they divided into daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly?"His eyes narrowed as he analyz
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 7 - Xeon Awakening
Chapter 7 - Xeon Awakening---Principal Wren introduced Cedric Vale as the top middle school student who possesses an A-grade Xeon ability to manipulate space. His A-grade Xeon ability enables him to control space with complete freedom. Principal Wren made the announcement with a touch of school pride in his voice. "It's a fusion of telekinesis, gravity control, and partial spatial manipulation. His Powerflow Channeling reached four points at age eight which made him the youngest Zeta-ranked Xeon user in history.The two XAO inspectors watched the young boy fight humanoid AI droids with complete surprise on their faces.Cedric launched himself two meters upward while his black hair followed the motion of his jump. He dropped while pushing his hand downward.A powerful energy emanated from his palm.Boom!The approaching droid met its demise when the invisible force crushed its knees to the ground. Two more bots with identical designs approached Cedric from both sides while he was una
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 8 - A Revelation
Chapter 8 - A Revelation[Does the host wish to extract this Xeon Ability - Yes/No?]Max’s eyes widened as he read the notification hovering before him."Extract… Miss Raelyn’s ability?" His thoughts spiraled into chaos."Yes… No—wait…!" He hesitated, his heart pounding.[Host has chosen to extract this Xeon Ability.][Initiating Powerflow Extraction…]"What?! I said no!"His mind reeled. The raw power he had sensed from Miss Raelyn’s ability flashed through his thoughts, and for a split second, he had instinctively agreed. But the realization hit him like a thunderclap—she had never wronged him like the others had."Oh no… what have I done?" Panic gripped him as another notification appeared.[Extraction in Progress: 0% / 100%]Max’s breath hitched. Desperately, he tried to think of a way to stop it. His gaze shot to Miss Raelyn, who still held onto his arm with a firm grip. He pulled back with all his might, hoping that breaking contact would halt the process—but it was like trying
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 9: Attribute Points
Chapter 9: Attribute PointsMax took his time walking home from the academy, lost in deep thought. Unlike the morning rush, he wasn’t in a hurry. His mind was occupied, running through everything that had happened during the day and how he could maximize his newfound power.By the time he arrived at his residence, the entire place was empty. Normally, Raiden would have already been picked up by their mother and dropped off at home. Max was used to coming back from school to find him there.Not that it mattered. Without sparing another thought, Max entered his small, dimly lit room and sat on the edge of his old metal tub.Unlike most people who had proper beds, Max had never been given one. His parents decided long ago that he wasn’t worthy of such a luxury, so they had dumped a discarded bathtub in his room—something they had salvaged from a junkyard.For almost a decade, this had been his resting place. His small frame, stunted by years of malnutrition, was the only reason he still
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 10 - Steady Advancement
Chapter 10 - Steady AdvancementMax studied the illuminated display in front of him with a thoughtful expression."Being able to allocate five points to any attribute of my choosing is definitely useful… but looking at these numbers, five points barely make a difference."He studied the display screen intently while he examined his available choices.{Attribute Stats}»Strength: 1»Perception: 1»Agility: null»Speed: 1»Bravery: null»Intelligence: 4»Charm: null{Available Attribute Points: 5}Max used his hand to tap his palm as he thought about his options."If I spread them out evenly, the growth will be balanced, but at the same time, it might not be as impactful as concentrating them in one area…" His brows furrowed slightly.He took several moments to think before letting out a deep breath.The weakness of multiple attributes when one attribute stands out strongly could create problems. Great strength becomes useless when speed remains lacking. My strength would become useless
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 11: Cafeteria Confrontation
Chapter 11: Cafeteria ConfrontationMax stepped through the doorway.Students from different classes filled the cafeteria space while it buzzed with activity. Multiple conversations merged into a loud and disorganized mix of voices.—"Did you hear? The private photos of Kiera Lane appeared online for everyone to see.—"No way! Show me the location because I require evidence.—"She's gorgeous… Damn!"—"Titan Industries is drowning in another corruption scandal!"Students gathered in small groups to view trending content and gossip while they bent their heads over their electronic devices. Students displayed a spectrum of emotions between surprise and mirth.Max remained completely uninterested in the digital world. Throughout his life he had never purchased his own device nor did he become absorbed by viral content or social media discussions. He had always remained outside this social sphere.His eyes briefly moved toward the second floor. The upper floor served as the gathering place
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 12 – Triumph in Defiance
Chapter 12 – Triumph in Defiance"You bastard!" Jace's voice roared with fury as he launched a punch toward Max's head from the right.Roy struck his punch with the same force while standing on the left side.Max found himself in the middle as both opponents launched their attacks from opposite directions. His body briefly stiffened before his natural reaction kicked in. He propelled himself from the floor while moving backward through a quick motion.Swoosh!The two flying fists barely missed Max as they passed by his head. The force of their movements threatened to push Jace and Roy into each other.The two attackers paused only briefly after their initial attack missed. Max's disruption of their assault appeared like pure chance according to his attackers.Jace regained his footing before he launched another attack. The right fist of Jace extended toward Max's facial area."How dare you lay a hand on young master Theo!" Jace struck through the air with his punch as he shouted full
Latest Chapter
Chapter 63: Familiar Voice
The Xeon SystemChapter 63: Familiar Voice[Slash has been activated]Max’s claws cleaved through the air, sending a flurry of strikes that tore deep gashes across the serpentine mixed-breed's jaw. The creature recoiled, its head jerking back as a screech filled the air. Blood, thick and dark with a purplish hue, sprayed from its wounds, staining the surrounding ground.But Max wasn’t finished.His left arm swung around with practiced ferocity, aiming for another brutal follow-up.Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!Max’s claws raked across the serpentine beast’s neck, leaving deep, jagged marks that bled heavily. Each cut he delivered exposed the creature’s innards, the cruelly exposed muscle and bone now visible through the gashes. The air around them was heavy with the stench of blood and the metallic scent of battle.Max’s claws continued their relentless assault, the force of each strike causing the serpentine mi
Chapter 62: The Power of the Bloodwolf
Chapter 62: The Power of the Bloodwolf Max sprinted across the body of the massive serpentine beast, his hands engulfed in a radiant white glow. The ground trembled beneath its writhing form as it attempted to shake him off. With a sudden lurch, the serpent whipped its enormous tail upward, seeking to throw Max off balance. But instead of being sent sprawling, he used the momentum to propel himself forward, launching through the air with the grace of a seasoned fighter. His body arced high above, and as he descended, his glowing fist was poised for impact. Bang! His strike landed squarely atop the creature’s head, sending a tremor rippling through its massive form. The impact shook the beast slightly, but unlike before, Max wasn’t thrown back as violently. The radiant white light surrounding his hand had absorbed most of the recoil. Landing with a grunt, Max steadied himself, his breath measure
Chapter 61: The Savarinia Serpent Xeon Beast
Chapter 61: The Savarinia Serpent Xeon BeastBoom!A catastrophic explosion erupted, unleashing an unstoppable shockwave of raw energy that ripped through the surroundings. The sheer force of the blast shattered everything in its wake, obliterating reinforced structures and vaporizing any remnants of order.The supposedly self-repairing glass walls crumbled into countless fragments before the energy could even physically reach them, their integrity overwhelmed by the sheer power tearing through the space. For several more moments, the energy raged, crackling with chaotic intensity before the devastation finally settled into eerie stillness.As the thick mist gradually dispersed, the extent of the destruction became gruesomely clear. What once stood as an advanced facility had been reduced to nothing more than a ruin of broken technology and lifeless wreckage.Equipment lay in twisted heaps, their once-precise machinery now melted beyond r
Chapter 60: Laboratory Facility
Chapter 60: Laboratory FacilityMax sprinted through the sparse forest, his movements swift and silent. The cool night air brushed against his face as he activated his enhanced speed, dashing between the towering trees with barely a sound. After a few powerful strides, he came to a halt before an ancient tree that stood at least twelve meters tall, its rough bark illuminated faintly by the moonlight.Crouching slightly, he gathered power in his legs before launching himself into the air.Thoom!His body ascended five meters instantly, and he reached out, his fingers sinking deeply into the tree’s rough bark. With practiced ease, he pulled himself up, maneuvering past branches and thick foliage until he reached the top. Perched on a sturdy limb, Max let his gaze sweep across the vast landscape, his sharp eyes catching even the smallest movement below.His perception had improved significantly over the past few days, stretch
Chapter 59: Channelling Beast Transformation xeon
Chapter 59: Channelling Beast Transformation xeonAs Max made his way toward his apartment, he could feel the weight of countless eyes on him. Whispers rippled through the crowd, their voices laced with curiosity and admiration.“Welcome back, Max!”“Good afternoon! How was school today?”“Hey, Max!”A few teenage girls standing nearby giggled as they greeted him, one of them even winking playfully. Max offered nothing more than a brief nod, his expression unreadable as he climbed the stairs leading to his apartment.It wasn’t unusual for him to receive a warm welcome whenever he returned, but today’s greetings carried a different energy. The sheer enthusiasm in their voices made it clear—they knew. The entire neighborhood must have already heard the news.He had been appointed as the new Observer.As he stepped into the corridor, his sharp gaze landed on a familiar figure standing in front of his apar
Chapter 58: Raelyn’s Suspicion
Chapter 58: Raelyn’s Suspicion“There will be a three-day interschool exchange event, hosted in Atrihea City’s Grandridge High, scheduled to begin precisely one month from today!”“The Xenith Academy has been formally invited to participate!”“Class Three students will represent us for this occasion!”Principal Wren’s voice thundered through the echoing halls of the auditorium, carried clearly by the built-in speaker systems that lined the walls. His tone was one of ceremonial pride, but the murmurs that followed came from something deeper—excitement, ambition, and barely contained adrenaline.Among the sea of students seated in neat rows, Max Vale leaned back into his chair near the rear of the hall. His lips curled into a subtle smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes.So it’s finally here… The opportunity I’ve been waiting for—an excuse to cross the border without drawing attention.The auditorium buzzed with ener
Chapter 57: School Announcement
Chapter 57: School AnnouncementSince the downfall of Old Man Daki, the neighborhood had been left vulnerable. None of the Xeon Users in the area had achieved Zeta Rank—except for one individual. But even then, they weren’t a combat-oriented Xeon User, leaving the district largely defenseless against the sporadic incursions of lower-tier Mixedbreeds.Attacks had always been a part of life here, occurring about once a month in the past. However, before Old Man Daki's passing, the frequency had begun to increase, shifting from a monthly nuisance to a near-weekly crisis. It was thanks to his efforts that complete chaos had been kept at bay, but with his death, the situation spiraled out of control.There were fifty-seven buildings in the area that he had once protected. Without him, it was only a matter of time before disaster struck. One fateful night, a Mixedbreed infiltrated one of the apartment complexes, slaughtering an entire family before hel
Chapter 56: A New Responsibility
Chapter 56: A New ResponsibilityMax stood at the doorway of the Vance residence, his sharp eyes scanning the familiar entryway before turning his attention to the young woman before him. Yura Vance, dressed in casual home attire, tilted her head slightly in curiosity at his unexpected arrival."I'm here to see your father. Is he in?" Max asked, his tone neutral yet firm.Yura blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before nodding. "Um, my father? Yes, he's inside."She stepped aside, allowing him entrance. Just as he took a step forward, a deep, commanding voice echoed from within the apartment."Come in, Max."Recognizing Theo Vance’s voice, Max proceeded inside, his boots making barely a sound against the polished wooden floor. The apartment had a warm yet modest aesthetic, its interior illuminated by soft evening light filtering through the window blinds.Theo Vance sat on a navy-blue sofa to Max’s right, his broad fr
Chapter 55: Surprised Appearance
Chapter 55: Surprised Appearance The sharp, feminine voice cut through the air like a blade, carrying such authority that the man gripping Max’s shoulder stiffened involuntarily. A tremor ran down his spine, his fingers momentarily loosening their hold before he forcefully steadied himself.That voice… it couldn’t be—With a slow, almost reluctant motion, Master Jk turned, his breath catching in his throat as he laid eyes on the person who had spoken. His pulse pounded wildly. The composed expression he had worn mere moments ago shattered in an instant.A woman stood before him, her presence undeniable. Long strands of sleek, silver-grey hair cascaded down her back, catching the light as she moved with an effortless grace. She was clad in a short, form-fitting green dress, accentuated by a brown coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. Despite her slender frame, an aura of sheer dominance radiated from her every step.“Young M
