My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

The Novan City skyline shimmered under the morning sun, but the atmosphere was anything but serene. The once unshakable hierarchy of the Great Families was in turmoil, and the chaos was most palpable within the Lower Six families, particularly the LaRues.

The LaRue mansion, now a shadow of its former grandeur, had become a hub of frenzied activity. Messengers rushed in and out, Elders barked orders, and family members gathered in tense whispers.

The absence of Reynard LaRue loomed like a storm cloud, casting doubt over the family's ability to maintain their status among the Lower Six.

The Great Families of Novan City were divided into two distinct tiers: the Lower and Upper Six. The Lower Six comprised the LaRues, Khans, Roscoes, Van Zants, Ansons, and the Greaves.

They held considerable influence within the city but were overshadowed by the Upper Six: the Aldridges, Bellamonts, Castilles, Drakovs, Sterlings, and the Hargraves.

The Upper Six largely maintained their dominance thanks to alliances with the Grand Families. These influential families were ranked just below the Supreme Families and held significant power within the country.

The Supreme Families, including the Volkovs and Petrovas, were at the pinnacle of the global hierarchy, revered for their vast influence and unparalleled strength, making them the undisputed rulers of the world.

#####

While the Upper Six typically disregarded the turmoil of the Lower Six, recent events had shattered this indifference. The news of Lucan's ascension to the Knight Ascendant realm had sent ripples even through the Upper Six.

Yet, it wasn't just Lucan that drew their attention—it was the sudden surge of power from Ethan, whose abilities had been captured on video by the observers stationed near the battlefield.

Within the Aldridge estate, a sprawling mansion in the heart of Novan City, the Heads of the Upper Six gathered in a dimly lit meeting room. The air was tense, the weight of recent developments pressing heavily on everyone present.

Seated at the head of the table was Arthur Aldridge, a man of commanding presence. His sharp eyes betrayed his calculating mind. Streaks of silver lined his dark hair, lending him an air of wisdom. He tapped his fingers on the polished oak table as he addressed the group.

Arthur Aldridge leaned forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the dimly lit room. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished oak table as he began, his tone calm yet weighted with authority.

"Lucan," Arthur started, his voice cutting through the tension. "Once a wandering mercenary, then the leader of the Iron Vanguards. And now, a Knight Ascendant. But that's not all." He let his gaze linger on each of the other Heads. "Ethan Cole—barely more than a boy—showed a surge of power that none of us can ignore. Let's hear it. Thoughts?"

Vivian Bellamont was the first to speak. She adjusted her position in her chair, her piercing green eyes flashing disdainfully. "The LaRues brought this disaster upon themselves," she said dismissively, waving a manicured hand. "Lucan's ascension is noteworthy, sure. But Ethan? A fluke. His power was wild and unstable. It's probably burned out already."

Arthur's eyebrow arched, his tone taking on a hint of challenge. "Burned out, Vivian? You've seen the recordings. That 'fluke' rivaled a Low Star Knight Ascendant, and he's barely begun as an Ascendant. Can we afford to dismiss him so easily?"

Dimitri Drakov, broad-shouldered and imposing, leaned forward. His voice was a rumble of skepticism. "Lucan's the real problem. Ethan's an anomaly—something we can handle later. Lucan leads the Iron Vanguards, a mercenary force known for years. If the Cole family starts aiming higher under his sudden breakthrough, we have a real issue."

Before anyone could respond, Isolde Castille's cold, measured voice cut through. "Dimitri, you're missing the bigger picture. Ethan's power wasn't just 'wild.' It was primal, raw, and entirely unlike anything we've seen. That kind of power doesn't just appear—it always has a source."

The mention of "primal" rained unease through the room. It was a power spoken of in ancient legends, a force whispered about but rarely, if ever, seen.

Cedric Sterling broke the uneasy silence, his wiry frame tense. "Lucan's rise is concerning, but Ethan disappearing after that power surge?" He shook his head. "That's even worse. He could rival any of us if he stabilizes or learns to control it. And that's not a risk I'm willing to take."

Vivian scoffed, her emerald eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. "We're wasting time. The boy vanished! That problem solved itself. Let's focus on Lucan and the remaining of the Cole family. They're the ones left standing."

Cedric's voice sharpened as he countered. "And what if the boy's disappearance isn't just chance? What if it's deliberate? A move to make us wonder where he is or what he's planning? Waiting for him to reappear could put us at a severe disadvantage."

Dimitri grunted, his frustration evident. "We're chasing shadows here. We don't even know if Ethan's alive."

"Which is exactly why we need to remain vigilant," Isolde interjected, her gaze locking onto Dimitri. "Whether by accident or design, that boy's power was real. If he resurfaces and that power is stable, he won't be a fluke—he'll be a threat."

Arthur leaned back, steepling his fingers as he addressed the room. "Vivian, you mentioned the LaRues bringing this on themselves. But tell me, what would you have us do if the Cole family grows unchecked? If Lucan and Ethan consolidate power, we'll face a challenge none of us are prepared for."

Vivian rolled her eyes but didn't respond immediately. Arthur pressed on, his tone more commanding. "The Grand Families don't tolerate instability, and we've aligned ourselves under their favor for good reason. If the Cole family disrupts that balance, we risk more than local power struggles."

"Let's not forget," Isolde added icily, "the Grand Families' allegiances can shift. They won't hesitate to abandon us if they see more potential in the Coles."

Dimitri let out a heavy sigh. "So what's the plan? We can't act directly—not yet. Lucan's watching for retaliation, and that boy, Ethan... if he returns with that kind of power, he'll be no easy opponent."

Vivian leaned back in her chair, her tone laced with derision. "Then we let the Lower Six deal with their fallout. If the Coles push too far, we'll crush them ourselves. Until then, why waste resources on distractions?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Arthur's sharp gaze swept the room, his voice cutting through the lingering tension. "Underestimating them would be a grave mistake. We monitor closely. If either Lucan or Ethan shows signs of becoming more than a fleeting threat, we act—swiftly and decisively."

A heavy silence followed each Head lost in their calculations. The stakes were clear: the Cole family had shaken the established order, and the Upper Six could not afford to sit idle. The seeds of action had been sown, but the timing of their next move would define the balance of power in Novan City for years to come.

***

The room was tense as Jessica, David, and Lena sat across from Rhea and the remaining Warlords. The air was thick with unease, the weight of recent events hanging over everyone like an oppressive cloud.

Lucan was absent, busy stabilizing his newfound Knight Ascendant power, and Axel had been tasked with blending Darius and his group into the Cole family's growing ranks. That left Rhea to deliver the news—a task she didn't relish.

Jessica, however, couldn't hold back her emotions. Her voice trembled as she leaned forward. "Ethan's missing? What do you mean missing?" Her tone was sharp, almost accusatory, but the fear behind her words was unmistakable.

Sitting with her hands folded tightly, Rhea met Jessica's wide-eyed gaze with a mixture of guilt and frustration. "It happened during the mission to rescue Steven's family," Rhea began, her voice steady but edged with regret. "We succeeded in getting them out, but the LaRues were waiting for us. Their ally, Illusionist Liam, used a teleportation talisman to send Ethan far away. We don't know where."

Jessica's hands clenched into fists, her knuckles whitening. "How could this happen? Why didn't someone stop him? Why didn't you stop him?" Her voice cracked at the end, anger and worry warring for dominance.

"Jessica, that's enough," David said gently, his brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation. "This… teleportation thing—how does it even work? How is that even possible? I don't understand any of this Ascendant stuff."

Rhea's expression softened, though her weariness was evident. "It's exactly how it sounds," she replied. "Teleportation talismans are rare and expensive, but Liam, coming from the Petrovas, had access to such resources. As for how the world of Ascendants works..." Rhea sighed and gestured vaguely around her. "It's bigger and more dangerous than you probably realize. What you've seen so far? It's just the surface."

David shook his head, his confusion deepening. "This is insane. Are you telling me that things like this are just… normal? Superpowers... and people getting teleported to who-knows-where?"

Rhea's gaze hardened slightly as she leaned forward, her voice firm. "I know it sounds insane, David, but the world isn't what you think it is. It never was. The power struggles, battles, and resources are all part of something much larger. And Ethan is now caught right in the middle of it."

Jessica's anger flickered, replaced by fear and uncertainty. "But… Ethan is alive, right?"

Rhea looked away, unable to meet Jessica's eyes. "We don't know," she admitted softly. "But we'll do our best to find him."

As the tension in the room simmered, Lena finally spoke, her calm voice cutting through the storm. She had been silent until now, her composed demeanor contrasting sharply with Jessica's emotional outburst and David's confusion.

"I'll do it," Lena said, resolute but measured. The others turned to look at her, her calm yet commanding presence demanding attention. "I'll trace him. Using any means available."

Jessica blinked, her surprise evident. "Lena, can you really do that?"

Lena inclined her head slightly, her expression neutral. "I'll do my best. Ethan's disappearance affects more than just us. He's an important piece in the power struggle of Novan City. Too many eyes are on him already. If the wrong people find him before we do..." Her voice trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging heavily in the air.

David glanced between the two women, still struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation. "Wait, how do you even know where to start? What makes you think you can find him?"

Lena's calm mask didn't waver. "Because I'm from the Volkov family," she said simply. "We have ways." Her eyes flicked briefly to Rhea as if sharing an unspoken understanding before returning to David. "I know how this world works, even if you don't."

Her words silenced the room, the weight of her family name carrying an authority that none dared to question. The Volkovs were part of the Supreme Families—names that even those outside the world of Ascendants feared and respected.

Jessica's shoulders sagged slightly, her initial anger now tempered by a fragile hope. "Then do it. Whatever it takes, just… just find him."

Lena's gaze softened, but her voice remained steady. "I will."