NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: Peak
The magic core sales division of the Radiant Blade Warrior Guild was located in a separate branch building, just across a narrow cobbled street between two stone fortresses.
Roughly ten minutes later, Kael arrived with the red-haired attendant guiding him.
"This floor offers beast-grade magic cores," she explained in a respectful whisper. "The upper level is reserved for high-grade magical creature cores."
Kael gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping the room before he strode directly toward the fire-element section.
On the guild's sturdy display shelves, all the magic cores were arranged neatly, each one labeled with its quality and price. They shimmered behind protective crystal covers, radiating the distinct auras of their respective elements.
Kael's eyes immediately locked onto one item — a high-grade fire-element beast core.
The price tag was clear and bold: 5,000 gold coins.
"Does this core interest you, my lord?" the core saleswoman asked with a pleasant smile, stepping forward.
Before Kael could answer, the red-haired attendant quickly added, "This esteemed guest was just certified as a Mid-Tier Body Temperer. He's underage, so he qualifies for a twenty percent discount."
"Mid-Tier Body Temperer? And underage?!"
The saleswoman's expression shifted in surprise before she hurriedly corrected herself. "In that case, my lord, this core will only cost you 4,000 gold coins."
Kael raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised — but the price pleased him. After all, market rates were often inflated, and the guild's guaranteed authentic supply made their offers far more reliable than what could be found elsewhere.
"Wrap it up."
"At once, my lord!"
With the core carefully packaged into a small wooden box, Kael took it in hand and stepped out of the branch building. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he asked, "Is there… a more secluded restroom nearby?"
"Just ahead, to the right side of the garden," the attendant said, pointing politely.
"Wait here for me."
Leaving those words behind, Kael strode off — not toward the lavatory, but around the back of the garden instead, choosing a quiet, hidden corner out of sight.
He retrieved the high-grade fire-element core—and without the slightest hesitation, swallowed it whole!
At once, a familiar searing heat exploded within him.
Ding!
Successfully devoured Fire-Attribute Beast Core. Fire Element Tempering Progress: 100%.
Current Stage: Peak Body Tempering.
"It worked!" Kael clenched his fists, his entire body surging with heat, as though flames were raging through his veins.
At that moment, the system voice chimed again:
Hell Mode mission completed. Distributing rewards…
You have received: Wind-Attribute Beast Core (Low-Grade) ×1, Ice Element Sensory Elixir ×1.
With a flick of his wrist, Kael summoned the wind core and swallowed it without hesitation.
A breeze-like force coursed into his limbs—gentle yet resilient.
Wind Core devoured successfully. Wind Element Tempering Progress: 45%.
Current Wind Attribute Stage: Mid-Tier Body Tempering.
"Only 45%... As expected, the efficiency of tempering depends heavily on elemental affinity."
Kael's thoughts turned inward. Compared to his SSS-ranked fire affinity, his mere S-rank wind talent was two grades lower—no surprise the fusion rate was slower.
Next, he downed the Ice Element Sensory Elixir.
A wave of frost surged into his soul. In his mind, a crisp, piercing clarity burst forth like a frozen stream cracking through his thoughts.
Ice Element Sensory increased. Current Perception Value: 8.
Ice Attribute Talent: SS-Rank.
"All three elements awakened," Kael murmured with a faint smile.
Though he hadn't begun formal cultivation of the ice attribute, with a talent like that, it was only a matter of time.
He opened his status panel to review the latest changes:
Name: Kael Yadrian
Fire Attribute: Peak Body Tempering
Wind Attribute: Mid-Tier Body Tempering (Fusion: 45%)
Ice Attribute: Not yet cultivated
Combat Talent: Devour
Combat Power Assessment: 150
"One-fifty!"
Kael's eyes gleamed.
A typical cultivator with peak body tempering in a single element would average around 100 combat power. Mid-tier stood at roughly 25. His combined score should have been around 125.
But the system rated him at 150.
This meant multi-element fusion wasn't merely additive—it had synergistic effects. Perhaps it was the interaction between elemental forces, or perhaps the Devour talent was secretly amplifying his power behind the scenes.
If he could push his wind affinity to peak as well, his combat power might even approach the threshold of a One-Star Warrior—300 and above!
He switched to the system interface and opened the Talent Panel:
[Fire Affinity]: SSS
[Wind Affinity]: S
[Ice Affinity]: SS
"Ice is stronger than wind… Excellent."
Kael's goal was crystal clear—within seven days, he would break through and become a One-Star Warrior.
To achieve that, he needed to condense an Elemental Sigil—a process that couldn't be rushed. But even so, he had already taken a solid first step.
As he pondered his next move, the red-haired attendant approached once more.
"My lord, the exit is this way. I can escort you back to your estate."
"No need. What's your name?"
"You may call me Fanny, my lord!" she replied with a delighted smile.
Kael nodded. "Fanny, how much gold is awarded for underage certification at Late and Peak Body Tempering?"
"Late-stage grants 10,000 gold coins, Peak grants 20,000."
She hesitated, then added helpfully, "As long as you're still under eighteen at the time of your next certification, you're eligible for the reward again!"
Kael smiled faintly, thoughts already forming a plan.
Just then, a thunderous boom echoed across the skies above the capital.
[Radiant Blade Guild Announcement]
Outstanding Youth of the City: Arthur Herlan has successfully advanced to One-Star Warrior.
Reward: 100,000 gold coins and a Tier-Two Battle Technique – Blazing Burst Art.
Countless citizens looked skyward, eyes filled with admiration and envy.
"The Herlan family is truly unfathomable," Fanny whispered in awe. "First came Lee Herlan, famed Two-Star Warrior, and now Arthur… barely twenty and already a One-Star!"
Kael's expression remained unmoved. "You know the Herlans well?"
"Not deeply, my lord," she said, "but I've seen both Lee and Arthur before. Three years ago, Lee was certified as a Two-Star Warrior at twenty-three. Arthur reached Peak Body Tempering at just nineteen—it shook the entire hall."
She paused, then added seriously, "His talent was rated A-Class. In the entire capital, that qualifies him as a future battle general."
Kael let out a cold laugh.
Arthur Herlan—the mastermind behind his family's downfall in his previous life.
And now? He merely steps into One-Star and dares to broadcast it to the entire city?
"Come," Kael said coolly. "You're accompanying me to the certification hall again."
"Eh?" Fanny blinked in confusion. "But my lord, you were just certified earlier?"
"This time… I'm certifying Peak."
"My lord, please be cautious," she warned gently. "If the certification fails, a penalty fee is charged."
Kael didn't bother explaining. "Bring the device."
Left with no choice, Fanny retrieved the crystal testing apparatus from the counter.
By now, quite a few people in the hall had noticed what was happening.
"He's back?"
"No way. Didn't he just test as Mid-Tier? He steps out for a few minutes and now thinks he's at Peak?"
"This guy's seriously overconfident."
Murmurs filled the air, many watching with mocking or amused expressions.
But in the next moment—
Kael placed his palm on the device.
In an instant, the fire element within him, refined to its very limit, erupted like a volcano!