Founder Of The Greatest Noble Family

The Adventure Guild loomed ahead, a bustling hub of energy and ambition. Argon's eyes widened in confusion as he looked up at the grand building.

"My Lord! Why are we here?" he asked, bewildered.

Roland glanced at him with a calm expression. "I want to test your potential."

Argon's eyes trembled slightly at the unexpected statement, but Roland placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You've already reached the 1st rank at sixteen, and that too without any formal training. Your potential isn't something to be afraid of."

He spoke from experience. Roland had reached the 1st rank at eighteen, but it had taken relentless effort. By twenty, he achieved the 2nd rank, and at twenty-two, he broke into the 3rd. Every inch of progress was carved through sweat and daily battles. There were always prodigies ahead of him, but his growth never stopped because he never stopped.

The two of them stepped inside. The scent of iron, old wood, and parchment filled the air. The front desk was manned by a bald receptionist, who greeted them with a grin of familiarity.

"Welcome, sir! How can I help you?"

Roland handed over a silver coin. "Can you test his potential?"

The man's smile widened. "Of course.That would be 5 silver."

Roland agreed and asked to proceed.

He clapped his hands twice, and a lean man emerged from a side room, eyes alert.

"This is Hiro," the receptionist said. "He'll take care of you."

"Please follow me to the upper floor," Hiro said without wasting a moment.

They ascended the stairs and reached a quiet chamber. Inside, resting on a pedestal, was a small glowing orb. Roland eyed it with mild surprise.

"When they tested me during the army's selection, the orb was massive compared to this," he murmured.

Hiro heard him. "You may place your hand on it," he instructed Argon. "The orb will glow in a certain color to reveal your potential."

Argon looked to Roland, who gave a small nod. "Go on."

The young man stepped forward and pressed his palm on the orb. A tense silence fell in the room as they waited. Then, slowly, the orb began to glow—first faintly, then steadily—before blooming into a vibrant bluish hue.

"Dark blue?" Roland muttered, puzzled.

From what he remembered, the old system categorized potential in simple terms—yellow for low, blue for medium, red for advanced. Those categories were crude, yet effective. Low potential capped at 3rd rank, medium at 6th, and advanced reached the 10th.

"It's upper medium," Hiro explained.

Argon let out a long breath of relief. He didn't expect to be a genius, but he feared being ordinary. This at least meant he could go further.

"Upper medium?" Roland furrowed his brows. "I only remember there being medium, low, and advanced. And aren't these orbs supposed to be larger?"

Hiro paused for a second, eyes narrowing in subtle disdain until he properly looked at Roland's tall stature.

His expression shifted quickly. The man before him was tall and strikingly composed, his skin flawless, and there was a quiet air of authority that made Hiro think twice.

"That system hasn't been in use for over ten years," Hiro explained, tone polite now. "Thanks to advancements in magical research, we've refined our measurement standards. These smaller orbs are more precise."

Roland gave a soft chuckle, nostalgia blooming in his chest. "Right… It's been a while. I was twelve when they tested me. That was almost twenty-one years ago... Time passes too fast."

Hiro's eyes widened in surprise. "You're… you're in your thirties?"

He studied Roland's smooth skin and confident bearing. The man looked no older than twenty-five perhaps even younger, yet there was a quiet maturity in his gaze that betrayed his age.

"New categories have been introduced," Hiro continued.

"Upper medium sits just beneath advanced—it means your potential may stretch to the 7th rank. And then there's brownish red—'Upper Advanced'—for those who can go all the way to the 10th. In the past, it was hard to pinpoint the ceiling. Some with medium potential couldn't even touch the 5th rank, while others pushed to 7th. These new tiers help clarify those boundaries."

"I see…" Roland rubbed his chin thoughtfully, feeling oddly out of place—like an uncle trying to understand the latest gadgets. "Anything else new?"

Hiro nodded, his tone sharpening. "Yes, two more tiers have recently been documented.That's the Transcendental and Legendary."

Roland raised an eyebrow. "I can guess what kind of power comes with those names."

He didn't say more, but the implications were heavy. With his current lifespan and cultivation, he could still ascend further.

As long as he had children, the cultivation years would continue to flow—but the quality of those years was starting to diminish as the required to boost his rank is quite substantial

If he could raise a child with such high potential…

'I need a child who can stand at the peak… who can break the limit I never could,' he thought with a sigh.

While Argon smiled in quiet satisfaction beside him, Roland's mind was already racing ahead. The world was changing faster than he had realized. The old ways were gone. And if he was to secure a legacy that could truly endure, he needed to adapt—and make sure his bloodline was ready for the challenges to come.

Paying the money they came out and moved towards the next destination.

...

Roland arrived in front of a tall stone building, his coat brushing gently in the breeze. On the weathered sign above the arch, the words "Professional Artisan Association" were engraved in bold. His sharp eyes scanned the structure for a moment before stepping forward.

A young man in a rough hemp robe was already waiting outside. He looked both eager and a little nervous. Spotting Roland, he stepped closer and spoke quickly.

"Noble sir, this is the Professional Association. Whether you need a gardener, a butler, or a teacher, anyone with a trained skill comes through here..."

His voice trailed off, eyes flicking to Roland's hand with quiet hope. Roland reached into his pouch, pulled out a silver coin, and tossed it with a flick of his wrist.

"This is your reward."

The young man bowed deeply, his face lighting up. "Thank you, noble sir. Thank you!"