"The entire Eastern Mansion's Palace Barracks falls under a single branch—Division-E," Logan began with a steady and analytical voice. "We're the Empire's spearhead for exploration. Our job is to venture into the unknown—often beyond the Third Ring. Dangerous places… Forgotten places."
He leaned forward slightly, letting the weight of his words settle.
"Our subdivision specifically handles escort missions. We protect researchers, dignitaries, and Empire-sanctioned contractors who want to explore the old-world tombs—what most now call ruins. We guard them, gather intel, and document everything. Unless told otherwise. Sometimes, the orders change."
Marcus remained quiet, absorbing every word. A strange mix of unease and thrill began brewing in his chest. Beyond the Third Ring… he wasn't naïve to its dangers. But despite his preference for a quiet living, uncovering secrets of a world lost to time stirred something deeper in him—curiosity.
"And rescue missions," Logan continued. "There are always fools from other Palaces who sneak beyond safe borders to chase glory alone. They go missing more often than not. Our job includes bringing them back… or bringing what's left."
He paused, studying Marcus's expression.
"You've heard of the Second Ring's structure. It's governed by three major Factions and five Palaces—at least, when you exclude the Imperial Family's hand behind the curtain."
"Three Factions?" Marcus asked and his brows furrowed. "I am aware of factions, but never knew that they held this much sway."
"They do," Logan replied. "Each one founded in honor of the Ancestors—Vector, Venus, and Varian. They usually avoid interfering with the Palaces directly, but the rivalry is real. Deep, and subtle. Sometimes, bloody."
Marcus gave a slow nod, processing the layered power structure.
"And the Palaces?"
"Besides ours, the Eastern Palace, there's the Western Palace: Division-B. They handle weapon development—tech and bio alike. Then there's the Southern Palace, Division-C. They focus on martial and cultivation arts. Most of the known techniques originate from there.
Marcus tilted his head thoughtfully. "Then I'm guessing the Imperial Family has strong ties to the Southern Palace."
It was a neutral comment, almost casual. But Logan's fingers stilled. He looked at Marcus closely, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Strange," Logan said. "You say that without malice, and yet, it carries an edge. Do you have something against the Imperial Family?"
"How could I?" Marcus replied calmly. "I am a subject of theirs, after all."
Logan paused and looked at him for a few seconds. "Interesting," he muttered, "I think I understand another reason the Captain took an interest in you… that is before learning you were a budding Savant."
Marcus raised a brow, intrigued.
"You resemble him in some regards," Logan said. "But even he—strong as he is—avoids speaking the Imperial Family's name too freely. And you? You're painfully weak. No offense."
Marcus didn't flinch. He could tell the words weren't meant to insult, but rather, they were words of caution.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Logan gave a curt nod. "You've probably guessed the Northern Palace exists too. Their focus is research, on everything. They are the ones who created MGPs and the pharmaceutical breakthroughs that support Awakened and Cultivators. That's Division-D.
"And then there's the Central Palace." Logan's sharpened. "The Palace of War. Elusive and ruthless, they don't train scholars or scientists, but killers. Warriors forged for conquest. Just as the Three Ancestors once expanded the Empire's reach, the Imperial Family now seeks to do the same."
Marcus leaned forward slightly, a bit shocked by the information he had just heard. "Wait… are there civilizations beyond the Third Ring?"
Logan smiled thinly "Supposedly. No one knows for sure. Beyond the Third Ring is an endless expanse of monsters, far more savage than anything within the core territories. Exploration is slow, but progress is being made. And during those expeditions, we've discovered ruins of lost civilizations. And also signs of a hidden one."
He then glanced at Marcus. "But you won't be joining us for such missions, not yet at least. You are not strong enough."
I know I'm weak. You don't need to keep reminding me.
"How do Savants get stronger?" Marcus asked. Since he wasn't certain of how to increase his level, nor did he have any knowledge on how to create a Cultivation Art, he could only ask this in hopes of finding some type of way to scale this strengthening barrier.
Logan folded his arms before answering. "Knowledge… accumulation of mental strength. Savants, unlike the rest, have access to Spiritual energy through their mental strength. The stronger your mental attributes, the stronger you become as a Savant. But even more importantly is their Comprehension. With a concept at hand, their powers become even more broken… or so I've heard.
"With comprehension comes clarity. With clarity… power. The kind of power that bends reality in ways others can't."
"If I haven't comprehended any concepts, how is it that I can still be a Savant? If all one needs to be a Savant is mental strength, then shouldn't it be easy for others to become one?"
Logan gave a short laugh. "If only it were that simple. Take me, for instance, I have long surpassed the Mortal Realm. My mental stats are high enough to put some scholars to shame. But I still can't access Spiritual Energy. My mental strength only helps me with runes."
"Is that what you were working on earlier?" Marcus gestured toward the paper where he had seen Logan drawing.
"Yeah, Rune Engraving. That's where my talents lie."
Marcus didn't fully understand what Runes were, but he wasn't interested enough to ask, not yet. His mind was focused elsewhere.
"How difficult is it to create a Cultivation Art?" He asked.
Logan looked up and tilted his head. "Why do you ask? Thinking of walking that path?"
"Maybe," he admitted.
"Not surprising. Most Savants do, at first. Before they eventually drift towards more specialized disciplines. Many of the Martial and Cultivation Arts in circulation today were created by Savants. Normally, someone with your potential would have been sent to Division-D, the research Palace, or perhaps Division-C, the martial heritage division. That's where you would find others like you."
Logan leaned back in his chair and his fingers began tapping the desk rhythmically.
"As for how difficult it is… that depends. If you're aiming for something minor—basic and disposable—it's not too hard. But if you want to create something formidable. Something that will change your life, or someone else's…"
He trailed off and the air around him tightened with an unspoken weight.
"…Then you are stepping into dangerous territory. Concepts, structure, energy flow, cost, compatibility… It's not just about talent. It's about insight, obsession, and sacrifice."
Logan's eyes found Marcus's. "And most importantly, it's about purpose. Without a reason to push past your limits, you'll never make it."