[Analyzing Host Anomaly... Recalibrating System Framework...]

[New Module Initialization Complete.]

[Host must now choose a Core Intelligence Type for the updated System.]

Choice Required:

-[Sentient Core] — An adaptive, self-aware system with personality and evolving intelligence.

-[Non-Sentient Core] — A purely mechanical system with no thoughts or emotions; functions with cold precision. Will only be updated during the Evolution of System.

[Decision must be made within 5 seconds.]

Orion's vision blurred, consciousness on the verge of going out. The pain, the pressure—that he had endured made him reach his limit. The glowing system screen in front of him blurred and flickered.

'Sentient…?' he barely thought, the word forming more in instinct than clarity.

[Ding!]

[Choice Registered.]

[Sentient Core Selected.]

[Reconstructing System Architecture… Initializing Personality Matrix… Please wait…]

[Ding!]

[Estimated Time Until Completion: 5 hours 59 minutes.]

Orion didn't hear that his choice had been registered, nor did he see the timer. Before he could do anything else, his body began falling backward—unconscious.

Selene's body quickly moved, reaching his position within a second as she gently held him, watching him fall unconscious.

Eldric quickly crouched down and felt his pulse. He heaved a sigh after checking on him, "Phew, he is alright. Just unconscious due to extreme strain, both mentally and physically."

Selene heaved a sigh of relief, but her eyes remained filled with worry, looking at the unconscious Orion. "But his awakening… if someone were to learn of it, I fear he won't have a day of peace in his life again."

Eldric solemnly nodded his head, "What kind of monster even is he? I don't think there is such a genius even in the Empires or the Hidden Holy Lands. Where did he even come from?"

"Looks like that Old Daoist wasn't blabbering nonsense. He might know even more about him." Selene thought back to her encounter with that old Daoist.

Eldric shook his head, "We can't be sure of what he is planning. He is one of the strongest humans we know of. If he has some plans, then we can't interfere in it no matter how great our ability is."

Selene heaved a sigh, "It doesn't matter. What will come will come eventually. For now, we should take care of Orion. We can't be sure of his future, but we should protect him in his present."

Eldric's gaze turned tender, looking at Orion. He softly nodded his head, "Yes, he has really suffered this time. I wonder how many barriers he broke, though."

"Anyway, let's get him to his room and let him rest." Selene said before picking him up. Eldric helped her up as they left the hall.

Outside, Rina and Fiora stood waiting. Due to the spells of the hall, they couldn't hear or feel what was happening inside. They only knew Orion was undergoing a forced awakening.

So all they could do, standing outside, was to wait in worry. They had heard about how dangerous it was to undergo forced awakening.

The gate finally opened as they quickly looked towards the unconscious Orion. Their faces lost all color as they hurriedly went forward.

Edgar and Helena also stood at one side, looking solemnly at Orion. Rina and Fiora might not have felt those monstrous waves of Mana and the pressure, but Edgar and Helena did, due to their high strength.

They couldn't believe someone undergoing awakening could produce such huge waves. Both of them walked forward as well, wanting to check his situation.

"Master Eldric, what happened to Young Master?" Rina bowed and asked, worry evident in her voice.

Fiora clutched her skirt with worry while bowing. Selene smiled at the two little girls, feeling happy someone was so worried about Orion after spending such a little time together.

"Don't worry, he is fine. Just unconscious after undergoing his awakening." Eldric reassured them, waving towards Rina and Fiora.

"Take him to his room to rest, and keep watch over his situation. If something happens, then don't forget to call us." He ordered before handing Orion over to both of them.

They bowed towards both Selene and Eldric before bringing Orion with them.

Once the three of them left, Edgar looked towards Eldric and solemnly asked, "Master Eldric, what exactly happened inside? I could feel the monstrous mana fluctuations despite the spells placed inside."

Eldric looked at both Helena and Edgar, "Henceforth, you both are not allowed to talk or ask questions about his awakening. Let it remain a secret. Do not tell anyone that he awakened forcefully."

Edgar and Helena looked at each other speechlessly before nodding their heads.

Eldric left towards the exit, wanting to check how massive the awakening's influence was, while Selene instructed Edgar and Helena on what to do next.

…

Rina and Fiora soon brought Orion back into his room, laying him down on the bed.

Fiora looked towards him worriedly, not being able to do anything else.

Rina placed her hand on his shoulder and reassuringly said, "Don't worry, Fiora. Master Orion is going to be alright. He is only resting." Yet the slight tremble on her other hand betrayed her true feelings of worry.

Despite trying to calm down Fiora, her own worry couldn't settle.

'Sigh...We don't even know what happened during the awakening ceremony. I just hope Master wakes up soon.' She thought to herself, praying for him to wake up as soon as possible.

Fiora still couldn't help but worry for Orion, but alas, there was nothing the two of them could do, she exhaled a sigh and turned to look at Rina.

"L-Let's get out of the room and let Master rest." She said softly before walking towards the exit.

Rina nodded and followed along.

…

[Ding!]

[System Reconstruction 99% Complete.]

[Warning: Host consciousness remains unresponsive. Initiating mild neural stimulation to force synchronization.]

[Zzzt— Administering controlled mana pulse…]

Orion's body twitched slightly as a small jolt of energy surged through his Sea of Consciousness, shocking his nerves awake.

[Ding!]

[Welcome back, Host. System evolution is complete.]

Orion's eyes fluttered open, vaguely hearing someone's voice before it started to get clearer.