RWBY: Monarchs of Remnant

As Lumi and Amber finished distributing the system functions, the atmosphere in the living room grew electric with excitement. Everyone's eyes lit up as the translucent blue screens hovered in front of them, numbers and menus dancing like something out of a game.

'So this is how they've gotten so strong…' Summer thought, scrolling through her own stat sheet. Her silver eyes scanned each attribute carefully. 'These numbers aren't bad for someone like me, but… I can't even imagine what Lumi and Amber's stats look like.'

On the opposite side, Raven was just as absorbed, her fingers moving through the floating interface. 'Does this thing have more to it than stats? Hidden features? Functions I can't see yet?' Her brows furrowed as she tapped different icons, looking for secrets.

Taiyang broke the silence first, chuckling as he glanced over Yang's shoulder.

"This is just like those video games you play, huh kids?"

Yang grinned, her amber eyes glowing faintly from her excitement.

"You mean Genshin Impact? Yeah, it's almost the same."

At the mention of the game, Ruby perked up instantly, turning to Yang with wide, pleading eyes.

"Now that you brought that up… can you help me farm those blueprints for spear crafting? I need it for Zhongli's build!" Ruby clasped her hands together in dramatic puppy-eye mode.

Yang snapped her head toward her sister, almost choking on air.

"You—wait. You already got Zhongli?! Ruby, that's your fifth Archon! How in the world is that even possible?!"

Ruby just smiled innocently. "He came home after only 10 pulls! Lucky, right?"

Before Yang could combust, Amber casually joined the conversation without looking up from her system menu."Fifth? That's cute. I already have six Archons since the update." Her voice was calm—almost too calm.

The room froze for half a second.

Then Lumi slammed her hands on the table, cheeks puffed in frustration."Wow. Way to brag, sis! Spare us some sympathy, will you? Me and Yang have been grinding for months just to get Gaming, and you're over there acting like you've ascended to the heavens!"

Amber smirked, clearly enjoying the chaos she started, while Ruby laughed nervously.

The grown-ups just sat there in stunned silence, watching this bizarre yet wholesome argument unfold like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Summer let out a quiet sigh, hiding a smile behind her hand. 'Even with all this power… they're still just kids.'

After a while, the **system notification rang again**, a familiar chime echoing in their minds, and a new prompt appeared before everyone's eyes.

**< System >**

\[ **List of your routine to become strong** ]

\[ 1. Aether Core Training ]

\[ 2. Physical Training (adjustable depending on person's physical capabilities) ]

\[ 3. Dungeon Raids (5 Low-Tier)(3 Mid-Tier)(2 High-Tier) ]

Everyone glanced at their translucent blue screens. A collective nod passed among the group, the weight of the mission settling in. Yang cracked her knuckles with a grin, while Ruby practically bounced in place with excitement, her silver eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Outside the house, the family gathered in an open space under the soft morning light. Everyone was seated on the grass, forming a loose semicircle, while **Lumi and Amber stood at the front like instructors**. The twins fidgeted at first under the expectant stares, cheeks flushing slightly, but quickly shook it off—they had a job to do.

Amber cleared her throat, taking the lead.

"**Although we don't have much knowledge about the Aether Core itself, during our first mission—when we cleared that extra-difficulty dungeon—we got a reward.**"

With a flick of her wrist, a **pixelated glow shimmered into existence**, materializing **two ancient scrolls** covered in intricate runes. The air around them pulsed faintly with power.

"These," Amber said, holding them up, "**are the scrolls for Mana Cultivation and Aura Refinement. They're the foundation of what the system wants.**"

Lumi stepped forward, adding, "**The system said Aether Core training, but from what we've read, it looks like a fusion of these two—Aura and Mana.**"

She glanced at the adults and her sisters, eyes serious. "**Me and Amber already have ours awakened when we became Monarchs, so we don't need this training. But for you guys… this is your first step.**"

Amber handed the scrolls over. Taiyang reached out and took them, unrolling one with practiced hands. His eyes scanned the text, absorbing every word. Minutes passed in silence as he read, his brows furrowing slightly, then relaxing as understanding dawned.

Finally, he exhaled softly and spoke:

"**Now I get it… Aura represents Yang, while Mana represents Yin. We already know how Aura works—it's tied to the soul and Semblance—but we've never refined it like this.**"

His finger traced the diagram on the scroll.

"**Mana, on the other hand, is about cultivating elemental energy from the environment. Absorb it, purify it, and fuse it to form a foundation—the Aether Core—within the heart. It's… challenging, yes. But the concept isn't hard to understand.**"

Everyone stared at Taiyang in stunned silence, mouths slightly agape. Even Summer blinked at him, wide-eyed. Raven tilted her head, clearly impressed.

**"…You've been holding out on us, haven't you?"** Summer muttered, half-teasing.

Taiyang rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"**I was an A-rank Hunter for a reason. I read more than just combat manuals, you know.**"

Yang leaned toward Ruby and whispered with a grin, "**Dad just went full anime sensei mode.**"

Ruby stifled a giggle, nodding furiously.

After a couple of moments of teasing Taiyang, the family began their training in earnest. They started with **Mana Cultivation**, guided by Lumi and Amber. To help them recognize the sensation of elemental energy, the twins placed their hands gently on each family member's back and injected small streams of their own mana into them.

The experience was strange—like a cool current flowing through their veins, awakening something long dormant. The adults and sisters closed their eyes, focusing on the subtle energy around them, trying to sense and draw it in.

Hours passed. Attempts failed, frustrations mounted, and sweat dripped down their faces. But little by little, progress came.

It was Ruby who succeeded first, her silver eyes flickering faintly as a faint thread of elemental energy coiled into her core.

"I… I did it!" she exclaimed, voice brimming with joy. "I actually absorbed it!"

Yang grinned proudly at her sister before following suit, then Summer, Raven, and finally Taiyang.

The training continued like this for **two long months**. Day after day of meditation, trial, and failure until finally—finally—they were able to not only absorb elemental energy but circulate it throughout their bodies.

Ruby punched the air with excitement.

"We did it! After all that meditating, we can finally use mana!"

Yang let out a loud laugh, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"Yeah, and wow… this was way harder than I expected. My brain feels like it ran a marathon."

Summer approached, holding a tray of drinks and snacks. Her voice was warm and soothing.

"Would you like some refreshments? I prepared them in advance—just to be sure."

"Yes please!" Ruby and Yang said in unison, practically jumping at the offer.

Summer glanced at Lumi and Amber, arching a brow. The twins exchanged a quick look and nodded together, stepping over to join the small feast.

They all sat under the shade of a large tree, sipping juice and nibbling on light snacks, laughter flowing freely. For a moment, the battlefield of life was far away—this was a family at peace, sharing smiles under the sunlight.

But the break didn't last long. Taiyang stood, brushing dirt from his hands, his expression shifting to determined seriousness.

"Alright, everyone," he said firmly, "let's continue. The sun's still young, and aura refinement isn't as hard as mana cultivation. If we push through, we can finish this today."

He clenched his fist, signaling the return to training. Everyone followed suit, standing in a line, ready to begin.

Aura refinement proved easier than expected. Where mana demanded patience, aura flowed naturally—they had been using it all their lives. The challenge was control: compressing it, refining it, blending it with the mana they had cultivated.

Three days later, their efforts bore fruit. One by one, a brilliant glow pulsed faintly from each of their chests as they successfully **established their Aether Cores**—a fusion of Yin and Yang, Mana and Aura.

Ruby grinned, practically bouncing on her feet.

"This… this feels amazing!"

Yang slammed her fists together, crackling with energy.

"Yeah! I feel like I could punch through a mountain right now!"

Summer and Raven exchanged proud smiles, while Taiyang's chest swelled with pride. Lumi and Amber stood a little apart, watching quietly—satisfied, but knowing this was only the beginning.