As the three men stood before Logan, a sudden, overwhelming force filled the room, crashing over them like a towering mountain. Instantly, their faces turned pale, their bodies tense, their minds reeling. This was power; a power unlike anything they'd felt before. It radiated from Logan like an invisible storm, wrapping around them, pressing down.
Barnett, a seventh-level warrior, felt the weight of it in every fiber of his being. His breath caught in his throat; he could barely keep his knees from buckling under the immense pressure. He knew, deep down, that Logan wasn't even using his full strength. If he had been, Barnett would have been flattened. He wasn't just two levels below his grandson, he was on an entirely different plane. The gap between them was like a chasm, and with each level, that chasm only widened.
After a few tense moments, Logan let his aura recede, easing the oppressive atmosphere in the room. He looked at them apologetically. "Grandpa, Uncle Begon, Uncle Reynolds, I'm sorry," he said, his voice quiet but sincere.
Barnett, Begon, and Reynolds gasped as the pressure lifted, their breaths coming back in relieved gulps. The three of them exchanged glances, then burst into laughter, the tension breaking like a wave.
"You little devil!" Barnett chuckled, slapping his knee. "I knew you were strong, but ninth level already? Unbelievable!" His eyes sparkled with pride and a hint of awe. "It seems the Silver Mane Tribe is destined for greatness."
His laughter softened, replaced by a look of profound satisfaction. "No, more than that. With strength like yours, it's only a matter of time before we become a legendary tribe," he added, his voice brimming with excitement. He glanced at Logan with a sense of marvel, as though truly seeing his grandson for the first time. "You're only ten, and already at the ninth level. With time, you'll surely reach legendary status."
Begon and Reynolds nodded, their expressions reflecting a similar awe. Ninth level. In so short a time. To say they were shocked would be an understatement.
Begon's thoughts drifted back to an incident he'd long mulled over. "I remember," he said thoughtfully, "when that legendary elven sage offered to take you as his disciple. Back then, I thought you were a fool for turning him down."
Barnett's face softened as he considered this. "Yes, many would have jumped at such an opportunity. But now..." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Now, it's clear you never needed him as a mentor."
Logan shifted, his face growing serious. "Grandfather," he said thoughtfully, "I mentioned something to you once, a bloodline reversal. Did you ever wonder if such a thing could really be possible?"
Barnett's gaze narrowed, curiosity sparking in his eyes. Bloodline reversal was an ancient and almost mythical concept. But looking at the boy before him, standing so calmly with a power that defied his years, he felt a strange certainty. How else could one explain the simultaneous breakthroughs they had all experienced? "Yes," he said, nodding slowly. "Your strength, and our breakthroughs... it's hard to dismiss it now."
Logan stepped closer, his voice lowering, as if he were about to share a sacred secret. "Grandfather, you've always known that every living being has a soul, haven't you?"
Barnett nodded, intrigued.
"Then, have you ever wondered," Logan continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "where the soul goes after death?"
At the mention of 'memories', a flicker of unease crossed Logan' face. He knew where this was going, but he had to keep the story straight. "Grandpa, why do you ask that?" he replied casually, hoping to divert attention away from the question.
Barnett leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I've heard rumors; old legends, really, of fallen gods who, when they died, were able to possess the bodies of their descendants through their bloodline. These gods would revive, their divine power reigniting within the bodies of their heirs."
The idea struck Logan like a bolt of lightning. He could see the implication in his grandfather's eyes. 'Could Barnett be thinking...?'
He quickly brushed the thought away, forcing a smile. "Ah, no, Grandpa. It's not like that at all. When a soul dies, it's reborn, but it doesn't retain any memories from its previous life. The earth evolves the soul, wiping the slate clean."
Barnett looked at him closely, the tension in his gaze easing. He nodded slowly. "Right, right. I suppose I was just... overthinking things. You're right. If you were a god returned to life, you wouldn't be so... humble, would you?" He chuckled, though there was a glint of lingering concern in his eyes. "And besides, if you were a god, the most important thing would be faith, wouldn't it? But you've rejected the power of the gods, suppressing their sacrifices." He shook his head. "No, I think I've been reading too many old tales. Forget I said anything."
Logan breathed a sigh of relief, the weight of the unspoken question lifting. "Exactly," he said with a grin. "No need to worry about that. I'm just a regular guy... with some very 'unusual' strength, that's all."
Barnett's expression softened. "Good. That's good. We wouldn't want to bring the wrath of the gods down on the Silver Mane Tribe, would we?"
Logan let out a light laugh. "Of course not, Grandpa. We're fine."
There was a brief silence before Barnett leaned in, his curiosity piqued again. "You know, your theory is fascinating. But tell me, how powerful do you think you really were in your past life? Do you feel any echoes of that strength?"
Logan hesitated, his mind swirling with possibilities. "I don't know for sure," he admitted, his voice thoughtful. "But my strength is growing at an incredible rate. Right now, I feel like I'm at least beyond the Legendary level."
The words hung in the air, a bold claim that sent a shiver through the men. 'Beyond Legendary?'
Begon and Reynolds exchanged uneasy looks. It was one thing to have a prodigy in the family, but 'this' this was something different entirely.
Logan looked at them seriously. "Listen, Grandpa, Uncle Begon, Uncle Reynolds; whatever you hear or whatever you think, you need to keep this between us. Don't tell anyone. No one can know about this, not yet."
Barnett, Begon, and Reynolds were silent for a moment, before Barnett gave a firm nod. "Of course. You have our word. This secret is safe with us."
"Good," Logan said, a rare glint of seriousness in his eyes. "Very good."