As Danial’s friends continued to chatter around him, his world began to blur. Their voices faded into a distant hum, mere background noise to the storm raging inside his head. His eyes locked onto the doorway, where Sophie stood—the moment stretched, his thoughts spiraling into a deep, uncontrollable vortex of worry and uncertainty.What do I say to her? Danial thought, his mind racing. About Dad? About this academy? About everything that happened?His breath quickened. He hadn’t even come to terms with his father’s sudden reappearance, the battle with the Curse King, the injuries, or the secrets. And now, here stood his mother, her face pale, eyes wide with worry. She seemed as out of place in this strange world as he felt when he first arrived.How can I explain all of this? The weight of the truth, buried under layers of half-lies and omissions, crushed him. He feared what would happen if he exposed everything, yet the web he had spun around himself was growing too tangled to mainta
As soon as Sophie’s stern voice filled the room, Gloria’s eyes narrowed. Her voice was cold but restrained as she said, "Miss Sophie, I request you speak with respect. Master Marvin is a highly respected and powerful figure in the academy."Sophie didn’t even flinch. Instead, her voice only grew louder, filled with raw emotion. "I don’t care about your so-called Master or his power. The only thing I care about is my son!" Her voice trembled slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on Danial, her face twisted with fear and anger. Pointing at him, she nearly shouted, "Look at him! If your Master is so powerful, why couldn’t he have protected my son from all of this? Why is he lying here like this, covered in bandages and barely able to move?"Gloria was taken aback, momentarily stunned by Sophie’s outburst. She clenched her fists and muttered, "It’s... hmph." Her frustration was evident, but before she could say more, Marvin raised a hand, signaling for her to hold back."Miss Sophie," Mar
Danial sat in silence, mulling over everything Marvin had just told him. The Curse King, the blacklist, the Ancient Ruins expedition—all of it weighed heavily on his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still more to the story, more than anyone was telling him. As he replayed Marvin’s cryptic words, trying to make sense of it all, a soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.He looked over, and there, peeking through the slightly ajar door was Sara. Her head hovered just above the door frame, her wide grin making the moment almost comical. Danial sighed, letting out a tired breath."Sara, you don't have to spy like that," he said, shaking his head with amusement. "Whatever you want to say, just come in and talk."Sara chuckled as she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her usual energy radiating from her despite the somber setting. She wore her usual outfit, with her saber hanging conspicuously at her waist. Danial raised an eyebrow, glancing at the weapon."D
Danial watched Sara leave the room, the door clicking shut behind her. A sigh escaped his lips as he slowly lay back down, staring at the ceiling. His mind raced with everything Sara had told him—about the Curse King, the Grandmasters, the Ancient Ruins. The thoughts swirled in his head, refusing to settle. He closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm of ideas, but sleep eluded him. The weight of everything was too much.And then, as if to make matters worse, his stomach growled."When will the food arrive? What is going on?" he muttered under his breath, frustration creeping into his voice.Right on cue, the door creaked open, and a nurse entered the room, pushing a trolley filled with food that immediately filled the room with a mouth-watering aroma. Danial’s eyes lit up as the scent of freshly cooked vegetables, chicken, and meat wafted toward him. He sat up straighter, almost salivating at the sight.The nurse caught his enthusiasm and chuckled softly. “Excited, are we?”Danial gr
Danial gestured for Sophie to sit on the bed while he took a nearby stool, placing it directly in front of her. Sophie hesitated for a moment, glancing at him before sighing and sitting at the edge of the bed, her hands resting tensely in her lap. Natasha, standing beside Sophie, looked equally concerned. Sophie reached for her hand and pulled her down to sit beside Danial, though Natasha gave him a sympathetic glance, clearly understanding the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold.Danial took a deep breath, rubbing his face with his hands as if trying to gather his thoughts. He locked eyes with Sophie. "Mom, fire away. I won’t hide anything."Sophie narrowed her eyes, her voice thick with concern. "Danial… what is going on?" She looked around as if the entire academy perplexed her. "This place has kids fighting with swords and spears, some even throwing fire and water like magic. What is this academy, and how did you get caught up in all of this?"Danial sighed again, r
Sophie’s eyes pierced through Danial as she sat on the edge of the bed. Her voice was steady but carried the weight of every mother’s fear. “Now to the main question,” she said, her tone brooking no evasion. “Why were you so injured? What happened, and most importantly, who attacked you?”Danial’s chest tightened. He’d been preparing for this question, but now that it was out in the open, he found himself at a loss for words. How could he explain the battle with the Curse King without revealing everything? Without unraveling the complicated web of secrets that involved the Academy, the Cultivation world, and the System that guided him?“Mom,” Danial started slowly, choosing his words carefully, “it’s better if you don’t know. It’ll only make things harder for you to understand. Trust me, it’s not something you need to worry about.”But Sophie wasn’t having any of it. Her face hardened, her determination radiating through her every word. “I don’t care how complicated it is. Do you have
Danial stepped out of the room, taking a deep breath as he adjusted to the commotion just outside. His eyes landed on a familiar scene that made him both smile—and cringe. Pavan was in the middle of an animated conversation with Sophie, his mother, gesturing wildly with his hands. Maria stood nearby, seemingly engaged in a polite yet strained conversation with Natasha. There was a certain tension between the two—a quiet rivalry that seemed to flicker just beneath the surface.Danial’s stomach dropped as he approached his mother. He could feel disaster brewing, especially with Pavan in the middle of it.“Danial!” Sophie called out the moment she spotted him. “Why didn’t you tell me you had such good friends?” Her tone was light, but her eyes were filled with curiosity. There was warmth in her smile, but also the unmistakable glint of a mother digging for more information.Danial forced an awkward smile and threw a quick glare at Pavan, hoping his friend would behave. But Pavan, always
Danial’s eyes narrowed as he sized up the group in front of him, his tone icy as he addressed Leo, “Leo, what do you want?”Leo raised his hands defensively, a mocking grin plastered on his face. “Whoa, easy there, Danial. Nothing serious. I just wanted to see how someone like you is still breathing after facing the Curse King. You’re too damn lucky, you know that?”Danial’s face grew colder. His patience with Leo and his cronies was already running thin. He turned to Natasha and Sophie, his expression softening just a little. “Natasha, take my mom. Go ahead without me. I’ll catch up later.”Sophie’s eyes filled with concern. “Danial… are you sure?”Danial gave her a reassuring smile and a slight nod, though inside, tension simmered just beneath the surface. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Go on.”Sophie hesitated for a moment but then, understanding the unspoken request nodded and walked away with Natasha. The moment they were out of earshot, Danial’s expression hardened once more as he faced L
Danial and Crystal returned to the arena, their footsteps brisk as they hurried toward the edge of the spectator stands. The air was buzzing with anticipation, and as they settled in, a clear voice rang out across the arena."Next round—Pavan from Somerland versus Zain from Somerland!"Danial and Crystal exchanged glances. Without a word, they moved closer, their attention sharpening as they peered down at the battlefield.Emerging from the preparation area, Zain strode onto the stage with an air of absolute confidence. In her hand, she carried a black whip, its length coiling and uncoiling like a living serpent. With a casual flick of her wrist, she lashed it through the air, the sharp crack echoing through the silent arena.Danial furrowed his brows at the sight. "A whip? Is that even considered a proper weapon?"Crystal, arms crossed, responded without looking at him. "It is—if she belongs to the Devil’s Associates faction."Danial turned to her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"Crysta
Egbert stood up while clenching his blade, his entire body trembling. His eyes, wide with disbelief, locked onto Danial as his voice cracked with confusion."How can this be? How could this ever be possible?" he muttered, his face twisted in shock. He staggered back, gripping his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "How could your basic technique be so powerful? How could your technique overpower my divine Crimson Reaper Arts? That is not possible. You must have cheated!"Egbert could not accept reality. His technique was not just some ordinary martial skill; it was crafted by Norman Ray, a war deity of immense power and wisdom. The Crimson Reaper Arts were revered as one of the strongest sword techniques, refined through generations, yet Danial’s seemingly simple Sword Drawing Technique had shattered it, breaking through his proudest ability as if it were nothing. It defied all logic. It was unacceptable.Egbert's voice echoed through the now-silent hall, but no one came
The battle hall was filled with murmurs and hushed voices as Danial and Egbert stepped onto the duel arena. The place still carried traces of previous battles, the floor marked with faint scars from past clashes, including Danial’s fight with Sara. But today, the tension in the air was different—more electric, more charged.Egbert’s arrogance was on full display as he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. “Kid, I’m taking pity on you for what’s about to happen. Maybe if you kneel and crawl, I’ll let you live.”Danial met his gaze calmly and replied, “No.”The single word was enough to darken Egbert’s face. His jaw clenched as his pride took a hit. “Danial, I’m giving you a way out. Once in the duel arena, I won’t let you off even if you kneel and beg for mercy.”Danial tilted his head slightly, unfazed. “Are we going to fight or not?”Egbert’s eyes twitched in annoyance before he shrugged as if he had already won. “Alright, I hope you remember what I said.”Both climbed onto the duel
Danial sat in the audience, watching the ongoing matches with mild interest. At first, he paid attention, analyzing the techniques used by different fighters, but after a while, he grew bored. The matches were too predictable, lacking the intensity of the battles he had been in. He tapped his fingers on the armrest, wondering when his final match would come.Crystal, who had been sitting beside him, noticed his bored expression. She smirked and leaned closer. “Danial, let’s go walk around the academy.”Danial glanced at her and considered it for a moment. Sitting here and watching these mundane fights wasn’t going to help him. He nodded. “Alright, might as well.”As they stood up and left the arena, they remained unaware of the shadow lurking in the distance, silently watching their every move.The academy grounds had transformed into a lively hub. Stalls lined the pathways, selling everything from cultivation manuals to exotic snacks. There were booths set up for visitors and student
Crystal descended into the rocky arena, her icy-blue eyes scanning the terrain. The environment was filled with jagged hills, uneven terrain, and rocky outcroppings—an arena that would test movement and adaptability. Danial leaned against the railing, watching her with a small smile, fully confident in her victory.Just as the match was about to begin, Leonard approached from behind, patting Danial’s shoulder with a smug grin."Danial, did you see my match just now? The tricks I used had him completely baffled—haha!"Danial turned to look at him, blinking. "That was your match?"Leonard’s face fell. The excitement in his eyes flickered. "Yeah… you didn’t see it?"Danial quickly realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation. "Leonard, I didn’t know your match was happening. I’m sorry."Leonard forced a smile, waving it off. "Alright, no worries." He turned and walked away, but as he did, the forced smile gradually faded.Danial sighed, feeling a little guilty, but his attenti
As the tournament progressed, the excitement in the air reached its peak. The crowd roared in anticipation as each match brought forth new surprises, showcasing the sheer talent and determination of the academy's young warriors. Danial sat with Crystal, both observing the ongoing battles with quiet interest.Crystal turned to him and asked, "You already won two matches. This guarantees your spot in the Final Stage tomorrow. Who do you think your final opponent will be?"Danial shrugged, his expression calm. "I don't know," he replied simply.Just as he finished speaking, movement from the side caught his attention. Pavan had returned from the infirmary, his head and shoulders wrapped in fresh bandages. His steps were steady, but the slight wince as he moved revealed that his injuries hadn’t fully healed.Danial immediately got up and walked over to him, his brows furrowed in concern. "Why are you out of the infirmary? Your body needs rest."Pavan groaned, waving his hand dismissively.
Tyler staggered slightly as he stepped down from the arena, his legs trembling, his face pale. The match had been brief—too brief—but the experience had left a lasting impression on him. No, it wasn’t just the match itself; it was the gaze. That chilling, soul-crushing gaze that had locked onto him as if stripping away every ounce of his being. It was unlike anything he had ever faced before.His master approached, his eyes filled with concern as he placed a firm hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”Tyler did not answer immediately. He walked in silence, each step feeling heavier than the last. His master was about to repeat the question when Tyler finally spoke, his voice hollow.“I want to withdraw from the tournament.”The words were so unexpected that his master was momentarily stunned. Tyler was not one to give up easily. He had trained relentlessly, fought fiercely, and had dreams of proving himself. Yet now, standing before him, was not the same student who had entered thi
As Kyle Drakon stepped into the light, an almost ethereal presence seemed to radiate from him. For someone so young, he was nothing short of stunning—majestic in a way that defied mere good looks. His face, strikingly symmetrical with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline, carried an air of effortless majesty. His nose was straight and refined, giving him a noble appearance, while his lips, neither too thin nor too full, were naturally set in a calm, unreadable expression. His skin was smooth, almost flawless, as if sculpted by the finest artisan, carrying a faint glow under the arena’s illumination.His jet-black hair, slightly messy yet undeniably stylish, fell in layered waves around his forehead and temples, enhancing the intensity of his features. Each step he took exuded confidence, his strides measured, unhurried—he moved like a sovereign who did not need to prove himself, yet commanded attention wherever he went.But it was his eyes that truly held everyone captive.A deep crims
The air inside the arena buzzed with excitement as the next match was announced. The announcer’s voice boomed across the coliseum.“Next match! Crystal Kirk of Somerland versus Zaria Dvornik of Krolea! The battle conditions—desert environment, no elemental abilities allowed!”Danial's expression hardened. He understood the gravity of this situation. Crystal’s greatest strength lay in her ice element, and now, she was being forced to fight in the most unfavourable terrain possible. A desert battlefield? There was no moisture in the air, no chance of manipulating frost, and worst of all—sweltering heat sapping her stamina.As Crystal stepped forward, she caught Danial’s expression and smirked. “Worried about me?”Danial folded his arms. “Just assessing the conditions. This isn’t exactly in your favour.”Crystal chuckled. “It never is.” With that, she strode toward the arena entrance, her icy confidence unwavering.Danial exhaled sharply, watching as she disappeared into the tunnel leadi