The media channels, influencers, creators, and celebrities at both national and international levels went crazy after Aryan's press conference.

In just a few hours, more than a hundred videos were uploaded on YouTube titled:

"Who are Blood Demon and Sword King?"

"Chances of Blood Demon winning against the Sword King."

"The first-ever fight between two high-ranked Awakeners. Click to view more details."

"Where to get tickets for Wankhede Stadium next Friday?"

"The possibility of Sword King accepting Blood Demon's challenge."

---

Sigh…

"These bastards are milking this topic to no end," I muttered, closing my phone as I returned to my room.

I had decided to give up on the idea of stopping Aryan, as Maa had assured me that he would win.

But still, I couldn't help but blame myself for this uproar. It wasn't the first time something like this had happened because of me. The abrupt separation from Nymeria, the sacrifice of Edrick, the seal on my memories, and now my brother's deathmatch against Sword King—all of this happened because I was weak.

"I will become so strong that no one would dare to look down on me. I will become so strong that no power in this world could threaten my friends, family, or lover. I will become so strong that even a divine immortal will bow before me. I will become the most powerful being in existence!"

This was the declaration I made—one that also became the very foundation of my cultivation.

"Vivi, show me the home screen."

"Loading the Status Window..."

Host Name: Raj

Age: 22

Realm: Late-Stage Spirit Adept Realm

Stats:

Strength: 240 Agility: 255

Stamina: 229 Defense: 235

Attribute: Yin-Yang

Yin Energy: 3200/5000

Yang Energy: 3200/5000

Skills:

Non-offensive Techniques:

– Voice of Tranquility: Level 2

– Pain Tolerance (Passive): Max Level

– Unshakable Mind (Passive): Level 5

– Divine Sense: Level 2

– Phantom Simulator: Level 1

– Inventory: Level 2

Weapon Techniques:

– Infinite Thrust: Max Level

– Advanced Mace Skill: Max Level

– Advanced Sword Skill (Sword Aura: Level 1) [Locked]

Attribute-Based Skills:

– Yang Blazing Fist: Level 2

– Pure Yang Orb: Level 2

– Breath of the Grave: Level 1

– Void Step: Level 1

– Pseudo Sword Aura: Level 1

"Hmm, all of my stats have increased by 200 after sixteen days of the quest. My Divine Sense has also leveled up."

While I was reading the screen, my focus turned to Yin-Yang energy.

"Vivi, I used Blazing Fist and Void Step during the fight with Rudra, so why is my Yin-Yang energy at 3200 again?"

"After some time of rest, the body automatically recovers the Yin-Yang energy the Host has consumed."

"My stats have surely grown at an unprecedented rate, but it's still not enough," I muttered. "I need to become an Awakened Sage as fast as possible. I should just go out and clean all the D-Rank gates in the area and absorb the Yin energy from the monsters' dead bodies."

As I was about to ask Vivi to show the map with the gates, a window popped up.

"The Host cannot absorb Yin energy from the corpses of monsters as he does not possess the Yin-Yang Breathing Technique."

"Huh? But didn't I receive Yin energy from the previous two gates without any problem?"

"That Yin energy was absorbed by Vivi particles and provided to the Host as the reward for the quest. Without a quest, the Host cannot absorb Yin energy."

"B-but can't you just absorb the Yin energy since you possess the ability?" I pleaded.

"Error! Vivi cannot break the protocols."

"Tsk! Just go to hell!"

I threw myself onto the bed and muttered, "So I can't make a breakthrough for the next fourteen days. That's frustrating!"

Strangely, on the same night, both Aryan and Sister Aisha didn't return home. They did inform us via call that Aryan would be doing some training in the Guild and would be staying there for the next six days, while Sister Aisha would come occasionally to meet Inayat.

---

"Bwaaaa!! Mummaa… Papa…!" Inayat began throwing tantrums, as it was the first time both Aryan and Sister Aisha weren't at home.

Maa tried to calm her, but she didn't stop crying and even refused to eat dinner.

"Princess Inayat! Why are you sobbing?" My voice echoed in the hall, grabbing her attention.

She turned and found me wearing a knight helmet made of paper, shorts on my legs, and a cape made from a curtain tied around my neck and flowing freely over my shoulders.

In one hand, I carried a plastic Captain America shield, and in the other was a lightsaber.

Yeah, I knew I looked utterly ridiculous and would die of embarrassment if Ume or Nymeria saw me like this—but if it was for my dear niece, I would even wear this in front of the whole world.

"Un-Uncle Raj… I want—sob… sob—mumma," she cried, her cute watery eyes looking at me with hope that I would bring her to her mumma.

"Who is Uncle Raj? I'm the White Knight of Princess Inayat, here to protect her from the Princess-Eating Demon," I said, the lightsaber touching the floor as I knelt before her.

"Wh-white Knight?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Indeed, Princess Inayat! Give this Knight of yours the order to slay the Princess-Eating Demon!"

"Where is the demon?" she asked, her focus shifting.

"There it is!" I said, pointing my sword at Maa.

"M-me?" Mother asked, surprised by the sudden title, but she quickly joined in the act.

"Bwahaha! I'm the Princess-Eating Demon! I will eat Princess Inayat!" Maa said, raising her hands like claws and moving toward Inayat.

"Kyaaaa!! Save me, White Knight!" Inayat shouted, running toward me with open arms.

I immediately picked her up and placed her over my shoulders, her legs resting on either side of my neck.

"Princess Inayat! Order me to slay the demon!"

"Do it!" she shouted back, completely forgetting she had been crying just moments ago.

I ran toward Maa in slow motion and began acting like I was fighting her with the saber.

"The Princess-Eating Demon is too powerful, Princess Inayat!" I muttered, pretending to be seriously injured.

"No! White Knight!" Inayat shouted, fear creeping into her voice.

"I need the Power of Love to defeat the demon. Quickly, bless my cheek with your kiss."

With a serious expression, Inayat leaned forward and kissed my cheek as if her life depended on it.

"Hahaha! Thanks, Princess Inayat. I'm full of power again!" I laughed, thrusting the saber forward.

The moment the saber touched Mother, she fell onto the sofa, murmuring, "Aghh! Th-the Power of Love is t-too strong."

Only then did Inayat's sad face turn into giggles. Her cute laughter calmed my heart, and for the next half hour, I continued to be her White Knight.

Before I knew it, both of us had fallen asleep on the sofa, with Inayat tightly clutching my cape.

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