Inside a natural cave on Embercrest Hill, Dustin hovered in midair, legs crossed, eyes closed in deep meditation.

Five glowing orbs circled him in a steady, rhythmic orbit. With every pass, they released thin streams of white energy that flowed directly into his body.

Gradually, a soft glow began to radiate from Dustin's skin. Bathed in the light, he looked almost translucent. His body revealed a web of energy pathways crisscrossing beneath the surface.

The currents surged like streams of silver marrow, flowing again and again through his energy pathways. With each pass, the current grew stronger—its flow widening, its pressure mounting.

His muscles, flesh, and bones were changing too. Each part reshaped itself in subtle but undeniable ways. At that moment, he was undergoing a profound transformation.

As time passed, sweat began to bead on Dustin's skin, and his face twisted in pain. A fine crack appeared on his crystal-clear skin, no thicker than a strand of hair.

At first, it w