Six months had passed since the reunion, and the family's life had settled into a comfortable rhythm laced with new responsibilities. The estate garden was thriving, producing enough vegetables to share with neighbors. Father's workshop had become a small hub for local craftsmen, and Mother had organized a monthly community feast where everyone contributed a dish.
Joshua found genuine happiness in these ordinary upgrades. He no longer worried about rent or medical bills. Mia excelled at the academy, coming home with glowing reports and new friends. His parents looked healthier and more relaxed than he had ever seen them.
Yet the undercurrents of power grew stronger.
One crisp morning, Joshua received a formal letter from a mid-tier noble house inviting him to a "networking banquet." The wording was polite, but the subtext was clear: come and show deference, or risk being labeled uncooperative. He attended with his father, both dressed neatly but without excessive finery.
The banquet hall glittered with crystal chandeliers and essence-infused decorations. Nobles and merchants mingled, exchanging pleasantries that often hid sharp calculations. Several people approached Joshua with overly warm greetings.
"Earl-in-waiting Joshua," one portly merchant said, using a title he hadn't officially earned yet. "Your story inspires us all. If you ever need star shards or rare herbs for your cultivation, my warehouses are at your disposal."
The offer sounded generous, but Joshua had learned to read between the lines. Favors like this usually came with strings — future obligations or expectations of loyalty. He thanked the man graciously and moved on.
Later, a younger noble named Lord Varyn pulled him aside near the balcony. "You're moving fast, my friend. Faster than some are comfortable with. A word of advice: the higher you climb, the more eyes watch you. Some will try to clip your wings before you fly too high."
Joshua met the man's gaze steadily. "I appreciate the warning. But I have no intention of stepping on anyone who doesn't step on others first."
Varyn chuckled. "Spoken like a true anomaly. Just be careful. Not everyone plays fair."
The conversation lingered in Joshua's mind as he and his father rode home in a hired carriage. Father was quiet for a long time before speaking. "I never thought I'd see my son navigating these kinds of circles. It's impressive… but it worries me too. Power attracts both good and bad."
"I know," Joshua replied. "I'm trying to stay grounded. For all of us."
The following weeks brought more tangible obstacles. When Joshua attempted to purchase a batch of star shards from an external supplier recommended by a trusted contact, the deal suddenly fell through. The supplier cited "unforeseen regulatory issues." Another source quoted exorbitant prices and mentioned vague "priority clients" who had claimed the stock.
It was clear now: certain influential figures were making acquisition deliberately difficult. What should have taken weeks was stretching into months. Joshua spent long hours researching alternative sources, traveling discreetly, and negotiating through intermediaries. Each delay added to his frustration, but it also hardened his resolve.
At home, he kept most of these troubles hidden. He joined family activities with genuine enthusiasm — helping Mother preserve garden herbs, playing simple essence-enhanced games with Mia in the yard, and listening to Father's stories about the old days.
One quiet evening, the family sat together on the patio watching the sunset. Mia leaned against Joshua's shoulder. "Big brother, are you going to climb the tower again soon? Everyone at school says you're really strong now."
Joshua ruffled her hair. "Eventually. But right now, I'm enjoying this. Making sure you all are safe and happy comes first."
His mother smiled softly. "We're proud of you, Joshua. Just don't forget to live while you're growing stronger."
He nodded, but inside, the push was building. The political games — the sycophants smiling too widely, the quiet suppression of other talents, the deliberate slowing of his resource gathering — all pointed toward one truth: staying at his current level would never be enough to shield his family or challenge the system.
In his private cultivation sessions, he continued tempering his foundation. Essence flowed through his skin, reinforcing it like tempered steel. His bones grew denser, his blood purer, and his internal organs hummed with vitality. Progress was slow without enough star shards, but each small advancement reminded him of what waited ahead.
By the end of the eighth month, Joshua had secured only a fraction of the materials he needed. The year-long delay was becoming reality, yet he refused to rush or compromise. He would build his foundation properly — tempering skin, bones, blood, and organs until they could withstand the demands of S-rank.
As he lay in bed that night, listening to the peaceful sounds of the sleeping household, Joshua made a silent vow. The struggles were real, but so were the joys. He would protect both — his family's simple happiness and the future they deserved.
The tower stairs waited patiently. He would answer their call when the time was right.