Eamon sighed slightly and retreated into the library. After Danial exited the Academy he reached home. Danial entered his home to the warm and familiar sight of his mother, Sophie, and Natasha engaged in a lively conversation. They both looked up and greeted him with smiles as he walked in. Natasha, who had been assigned to protect Sophie, had become much more than just a bodyguard. She had become a trusted friend and confidante to Sophie, and her presence had brought a sense of comfort to their household. Seeing his mother's radiant smile instantly filled Danial with happiness and relief. But now, as he looked at Sophie's face lit up with joy, he knew that she was in good hands with Natasha by her side. Natasha, with her unwavering dedication to her duty, had also managed to form a genuine bond with Sophie. She had become someone Sophie could talk to, share her worries with, and lean on for support. It was a friendship that had blossomed unexpectedly but had brought immeasurable c
Pearl comes and bows to him and says " Yes Master Danial you called?"Danial waved his hand and said " Drop the pleasantries I have something that needs your help.Pearl looked up at and saw Danial staring at her intensely. Pearl thought that Danial needed her 'Help' which surprised Pearl. Pearl has always maintained her body and she looked fabulous. She had always hated the idea of using her body to climb through the ranks and achieve success. When Pearl was about to say something Danial abruptly stopped her and said " Pearl listen I want you to keep an eye on a group that is about to enter the hotel. " Pearl straightened her back and asked " What do you mean?Pearl, still somewhat bewildered by Danial's abrupt request, tried to process the information she had just received. She adjusted her posture and leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Danial," she began cautiously, "why do you want me to keep an eye on this group of tourists? Is there something specific you're concerned about?"Da
As Danial, disguised as John, led the group of tourists and the scarred man toward the 6th floor, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his double life. He maintained his friendly and professional demeanor, hiding the urgency he felt inside. The scarred man's group, intrigued by the lavishness of the 6th floor and their exclusive treatment, began to settle into their designated rooms. Danial, knowing that time was of the essence, continued to assist them with their needs. With Pearl's efficient coordination, the 6th floor had been emptied of all guests and staff, creating a mysteriously empty environment. The other hotel guests, thanks to the efforts of the hotel's secretary, had left the premises, believing the temporary maintenance story provided by the staff. Once the tourists were settled into their rooms, the scarred man summoned Danial. "John," he said with a hint of command in his voice, "you've been a great help to us. Stay nearby; we might need further assistance later."
One of the groups of under the scarred men went to the reception area hoping to gain control of the area and effectively use the people and tourists to blackmail the police The leader of the group, gripping his assault rifle, pushed open the doors to the grand reception hall. The sight that greeted them was perplexing. The lavish space meant to be bustling with guests and staff was eerily empty. Not a single soul occupied the plush sofas, and the polished marble floor reflected only the dim emergency lighting. Confused, the group leader approached the scarred man, who was now standing in the centre of the deserted reception hall. "Boss," the leader hesitated, "there's no one here. The whole place is empty." The scarred man's forehead creased with a deep frown. "Empty? How is that possible? Did they evacuate everyone?" The group leader shook his head, "I don't know, sir. It's like everyone vanished. Even the receptionist is gone." The scarred man, a man accustomed to control and pr
Danial, observing the lackeys scattered on the floor, knew that they wouldn't be getting up anytime soon. Their bodies lay limp, a testament to the efficiency of his martial prowess. The once chaotic corridor, filled with the echoes of gunfire and struggle, now resonated with the haunting silence.His attention shifted towards the groaning team leader, who, in a desperate attempt to escape the approaching masked man, was dragging his battered body across the cold floor. Fear etched the leader's face as he tried to put distance between himself and the relentless figure in the white mask.With each calculated step, Danial closed the gap, his movements deliberate and menacing. The team leader, panting heavily, mustered the little strength he had left to plead for mercy."Please spare me! I don't know anything. Please, spare me!" the team leader begged, his voice filled with desperation and fear."Danial was stunned.He was expecting some resistance from the leader but a few moves and he
As the doors of the helicopter swung open, Danial and Lily watched in awe as several figures leapt out with precision, landing on the rooftop with remarkable steadiness. Lily's eyes widened in shock at the seemingly gravity-defying feat. "How could they jump from that height and still be okay? Are their legs made out of iron?" she wondered, her mind reeling with disbelief. The newcomers, clad in tactical uniforms and armed to the teeth, wasted no time in assuming a defensive stance. Their guns trained on Danial, they barked orders with a commanding authority that left no room for negotiation. "Put your hands up in the air and kneel, or else we will shoot," one of them commanded, his voice sharp and threatening. Danial froze on the spot, his mind racing with confusion and disbelief. "Why are they pointing guns at me? Aren't they from the law enforcement headquarters and the Special Ops team?" he thought, his heart pounding in his chest. Glancing up at the hovering helicopter, he caug
"Only time will tell," the masked man replied cryptically, his voice tinged with an air of enigmatic confidence. His hands remained clasped behind his back, a subtle display of readiness and anticipation as he awaited the commencement of their duel. Victor, seething with anger, lunged at Danial with a powerful punch, his fist aimed at the masked man's head. However, Danial, displaying uncanny agility, skillfully ducked and dodged the formidable strike. Seizing the opportunity, Danial retaliated swiftly with a lightning-quick kick directed at Victor's abdomen. Yet, Victor, leaped skillfully, avoiding the oncoming kick and landing back on his feet with a smirk on his face. "Not bad. You have some skills. I thought I would end the fight quickly and move on, but now I'm excited to fight you, brat," Victor remarked, his tone a mixture of begrudging respect and lingering arrogance. Danial, wearing a sarcastic smile, responded, "Yeah, the punch was too slow, and your movement was not coor
Danial, still catching his breath from the intense rooftop battle, made his way to the exit of the hotel. Now in his hands, his mask carried the weight of the night's events. Glancing at it for a moment, he placed it carefully on a nearby table. As he reached for the door handle, preparing to step into the quiet night, the door swung open abruptly. Startled, Danial found himself face to face with several police officers, their weapons trained on him. Danial, his heart pounding with a mixture of confusion and apprehension, found himself once again facing the daunting sight of police officers with guns trained on him. The sense of déjà vu was palpable as he recalled a similar encounter with the Special Ops team not long ago. He wondered why does this keep happening to him. "Put your hands above your head and lay on the ground!" the officer barked. Danial was stunned. He raised his hands and stood calmly in front of the officers. The officer saw Danial's face and was taken back. " He l
Pavan stood tall, the steam curling from his body growing denser with each breath. The arena crackled with tension as silence swept through the crowd. His clothes, torn and burnt at the edges, clung to his frame. His skin shimmered faintly, redder than before, and glowing orange fissures branched along his arms and shoulders like dormant lightning, pulsing with restrained might.But the change wasn’t just physical.His movements had sharpened.His aura was heavier.And his eyes—burning a molten gold—locked onto Zain like a predator.In the stands, Danial leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “What happened to him?”Crystal, just as confused, shook her head. “I... I don’t know. But it’s like his strength and speed just multiplied all of a sudden.”Danial’s brows furrowed. “Do you think he’s awakened some kind of hidden power?”“I can’t tell. But this isn’t elemental... it feels different.”Back in the arena, Pavan moved.He vanished in a blur of heat shimmer, reappearing before Zain with a r
Zain did not waste time and immediately rushed towards Pavan with a slashing whip.She leapt forward like a predator, her movements swift and ferocious, the whip in her hand arcing through the air with a venomous hiss. The sound alone was enough to make several spectators flinch.Pavan stepped back and avoided the whip attack and saw the mark on the ground—a testament to the power and durability of the whip.The stone tiles of the arena cracked under the force, the lash leaving behind a long, blackened scar. Dust floated into the air as Pavan widened his eyes."If that whip hits me," he thought grimly, "it will cut me open like butter."Zain followed the attack, twisting her body and lashing out again.She spun like a dancer, her every step precise. The whip cracked once more, slicing through the air like lightning. It came toward Pavan again—fast and merciless.Pavan raised his sword and blocked the whip attack; however, a black mark appeared on the sword, showing the power that the
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