Chapter 2: Crisis and Opportunity
The morning sky was shrouded in a hazy palette as the rising sun cast its light upon the earth, awakening the world from a tranquil dream.
Unexpected guests disrupted the peace, and the noisy sound of hooves awakened Ryan and Alice. They hurriedly left their beds, rushing outside to investigate.
Outside, chaos ensued as a group of well-dressed knights surrounded an arrogant noble youth. Their horses abruptly stopped near their house, raising a cloud of dust. The noble youth, with a sinister intent, had arrived.
Alice, trembling with fear, hid behind Ryan. The recent upheavals had left deep scars on the young girl's soul.
Upon seeing Ryan and Alice, the noble youth's expression turned mocking."Oh! Isn't this the most talented young magician of the Caesar family, the future heir? How did you end up in such a sorry state? Disgusting!"
The knights behind him joined in laughter.
"Adolf Genis, what do you want?" Ryan's face darkened, his tone icy.
Adolf Genis, the most promising heir of the Genis family, had a long-standing rivalry with Ryan. Moreover, the Genis family was a major culprit in the aristocratic power struggle against the Caesar family.
This guy showing up here definitely meant trouble!
"Of course, to apprehend thieves!" Adolf Genis's expression became more mocking. As he spoke, the knights dismounted and approached with chains, surrounding Ryan and Alice.
"Don't push your luck!" Ryan glared at the self-assured Adolf. Resentment burned in him as Adolf, with a smirk, ordered his knights to capture them, creating a magical cage around Ryan and Alice.
"I advise you not to resist! If I'm displeased, I wouldn't mind sending you straight to meet your Caesar family elders!" Adolf sneered, wielding his magic staff, sealing the cage with powerful magical energy.
"You son of a beach! Do you really think I'm afraid of you?" Ryan was furious to the extreme, his fists clenched tightly. He resisted the urge to use a level 60 experience card from the system backpack to teach this jerk a lesson, suppressing the impulse for revenge.
If he indulged in the moment and killed this scum right here, it would likely attract significant trouble. After all, this was the imperial capital, and using a level 60 experience card would immediately alert all the strong individuals in the city, including the powerful members of the Jenis family!
Ryan was certain that if he killed Adolf here, within ten minutes, the formidable members of the Jenis family would arrive and execute him and Alice on the spot.
The level 60 experience card only had a duration of 10 minutes, and he couldn't afford to take such a risk!
Adolf on horseback looked disdainfully at the enraged Ryan, a faint smile on his lips. He gathered magic power in his wand, ready to strike down Ryan at any moment.
After a while, Ryan accepted the harsh reality and suppressed his anger reluctantly.
Seeing this, Adolf laughed heartily, turned his horse, and prepared to leave.
"You're lucky! Since I'm in a good mood, I'll generously allow you to mine in the largest mine on my estate! Trust me, you'll 'love' it there!"
After saying this, Adolf gave a signal to his knights, and they approached to put magical handcuffs on the subdued Ryan and the trembling Alice.
Watching Adolf's departing figure, Ryan's expression turned grave.
The Jenis family's largest mine, situated 500 kilometers away on the southern border of the empire, is widely known as hell within the empire! Once entered, there's almost no chance of coming out alive!
Rumors circulate that during the extraction of magical ore within this mine, over ten thousand slaves die from excessive labor annually! Ryan believes the actual number is likely far higher!
It seems the Jenis family intends to work him and his sister to death in the mines!
Just as Ryan's brain rapidly devises an escape plan, he suddenly recalls the materials required for the skill "Primary Devour"!
Energy crystals! Magical ore!
Is this a heaven-sent opportunity? He can't possibly escape now! He was just figuring out how to find a large number of energy crystals to upgrade the system through accumulating points!
Since the Jenis family is so "considerate," how can he not do something to repay their "hard work"?
With these thoughts, Ryan brushes away his previous gloom and reveals a subtle, profound smile.
After the knights securely shackle Ryan and his sister, a knight from the squad mockingly lifts them up, tossing them onto the horse like garbage.
"Let's go, esteemed noble sir! Countless magical ores are waiting for you to personally mine!" The knight sarcastically remarks.
"Hahaha! Joseph, your mouth is quite poisonous! How did we not notice it before?" Another knight joins in teasing.
"Oh, I see, did you learn it from that sharp-tongued wife of yours?"
The other knights laugh and, without coordination, join in the banter.
...
Three days later, at the southern border of the Aispa magic Empire, outside the Jenis family's mine, a dusty and weary group of knights under the command of Adolf arrived with the siblings, Ryan and Alice.
"Finally, damn it, we made it!" the knights exclaimed, looking at the camp ahead, relieved.
After notifying the guards, they rode into the camp and stopped outside a large tent adorned with extravagant decorations.
One of the knights dismounted and, like handling chicks, lifted Ryan and Alice before walking into the tent.
Upon entering, opulent decor met their eyes– golden and brilliant, dazzling the onlookers.
Accustomed to such surroundings, the knight roughly dropped Ryan and Alice on the ground.
"The master has sent us to deliver two extraordinary slaves to you, my lord," the knight bowed towards the air, respectfully speaking.
As he finished speaking, a middle-aged man in luxurious robes, holding a provocatively dressed and enchanting girl, strolled out from the inner chamber. Appearing leisurely yet emanating an invincible aura, he was Yeru Jenis, the elder of the Jenis family and the second uncle of Adolf. A level 56 Tier 2 Archmage powerhouse!
"Hmm? Isn't this the future heir of the Caesar family?" He sneered, provocatively glancing at Ryan.
Ryan remained silent, facing Yeru's contempt with unparalleled calmness.
"A Tier 2 Archmage? Shouldn't be a problem with a Level 60 Experience Card! Let him be arrogant for a few more days!" Ryan had already set a deadline for Yeru in his mind.
Seeing Ryan's composed demeanor, Yeru felt disappointed as the anticipated scene of pleading did not unfold.
"Bring them directly into the mine! Take good care of them for me!" Yeru coldly ordered, and soon servants with whips entered the tent, respectfully bowed, and dragged Ryan and Alice out.
The knights seemed to anticipate the grim fate awaiting the impoverished noble siblings, sympathetically glancing before calmly bidding farewell to Yeru and leaving.
After leaving the tent, Ryan and Alice were quickly led to a dim mine.
Throughout the journey, Ryan witnessed numerous battered bodies piled on carts, making a chilling sight.
Deeper inside, countless slaves with shackles toiled, mining while risking collapse. Periodically, overseers nearby would whip them harshly.
Many slaves collapsed from exhaustion, only to be cruelly whipped back to consciousness by the overseers!
The scene was like a hellish nightmare.
Alice, frightened, had lost all color from her face, displaying a look of despair.
Ryan, watching his sister, felt intense pain but knew their chance of escape relied on absorbing the mine's energy using the system.
"Alice, I'm sorry. We can only endure for now!" Ryan whispered to his sister.
After what seemed like an eternity, Ryan and Alice were brought to the deepest part of the mine.
Looking around, hundreds of emaciated men, women, and children were vigorously digging. A few overseers, resembling hungry wolves, eyed them from not far away.
"Hurry up and work!" the servant who brought Ryan into the mine impatiently waved a whip, scolding.
After the command, the whip mercilessly lashed out at Ryan. There was a sharp sound, but he felt no pain– his epic-level armor was no mere ornament. However, he pondered if pretending to be affected might divert suspicion.
With this in mind, Ryan immediately feigned an expression of unbearable pain.
Thus, Ryan, holding Alice, walked towards the mine, pretending to work with tools in a seemingly authentic manner.
However, being impoverished nobles, mining was unfamiliar to them. Their awkward attempts frustrated all overseers, who, irritated, approached with whips raised.
Fearful of hurting Alice, Ryan quickly shielded her.
"Ah!" Ryan convincingly screamed in pain.
Initially anxious, seeing his brother seemingly indifferent to the whipping, Alice became bewildered.
Was her brother truly impervious to pain?
Countless lashes struck Ryan, seemingly like tickling, quickly tearing apart his clothes to reveal his fair back.
"Why is this guy's skin so thick?" All overseers were puzzled and annoyed, realizing they had worn themselves out, and this young man had only torn some clothes...
Even the screams seemed fake!
"There's something odd about this guy! Quickly, inform Lord Yeru!" One overseer suddenly grasped the situation and hurriedly informed his companion.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone