Leonard finally received his discharge papers from the academy’s medical area. After what felt like an eternity spent bedridden, he was more than eager to get back into training. He needed to vent his frustrations, and the training area seemed like the perfect place to do that.As Leonard made his way toward the training grounds, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices coming from a secluded corner near the entrance. He recognized one of the voices almost immediately—it was filled with anger, frustration, and an unmistakable bitterness. Leonard slowed his pace, his curiosity piqued, and carefully approached the source of the voices. The speakers were hidden behind a row of thick bushes, but their words were clear."That bitch, I’m not going to let him go," the voice snarled, dripping with venom.Leonard’s eyes narrowed as he peeked through the foliage. It was Leo, the Emsgate representative who had crossed paths with Danial earlier. Next to him stood Diego, the guy with t
As the Rolls-Royce Phantom glided smoothly along the private road leading to the Kirk Mansion, Danial gazed out the window, his breath catching at the sight before him. The Kirk Mansion, a sprawling estate stretching endlessly over the horizon, loomed in the distance. It wasn't just the sheer size of the mansion that captivated him but the intricate details of its architecture—majestic towers, elegant balconies, and superb columns that spoke of old-world charm mixed with modern luxury.But what truly caught his attention was not just the sheer scale of the mansion, but the multiple layers of security they passed through as they approached. Guard posts were stationed at intervals along the road, each manned by stern-looking guards who scrutinized the vehicles with intense vigilance.Turning his head, Danial glanced at Crystal sitting comfortably beside him, completely unfazed by the extensive security measures. Her calm demeanor, as if this was just another ordinary day, contrasted sha
In his inheritance, it had been ingrained into him that the best time to address excess frost energy was during a natural reaction when the energy was already agitated and attempting to break free from the body. The risk was high, but so was the potential for success.As Rowan Kirk placed his hands on Crystal’s back, attempting to suppress the frost energy, Danial’s instincts screamed at him to act. Without a second thought, he rushed forward, extending his hand. "Do not do that, Patriarch Kirk!" he called out, his voice urgent. "The condition will worsen if you suppress the energy now. This is the best time to begin the first phase of the treatment."Rowan’s eyes snapped to Danial, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief. How could this young man, barely more than a boy, dare to instruct him on how to handle such a critical situation? Rowan was about to dismiss Danial outright, his mistrust evident in his hardened gaze. But before he could act, Crystal, despite her weakened, look
As Crystal's scream echoed through the room, Danial's attention snapped back to the present. His eyes darted to her, now fully conscious and trying to cover herself, clearly mortified by the situation. His immediate reaction, however, wasn't one of alarm but rather an awkward attempt to make himself less conspicuous.Danial’s gaze wandered around the room as if he were suddenly interested in the architecture, the patterns on the walls, or even the way the light flickered from a nearby lamp. He cleared his throat, admiring the ceiling. "Nice ceiling... uh, great craftsmanship here," he mumbled, his voice trailing off. It was an entirely unconvincing attempt to divert attention from the uncomfortable scene that had just unfolded.Rowan, having quickly regained his composure, moved to Crystal’s side and gently took her hand. "Come, Crystal," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "Let’s get you dressed and comfortable."As Rowan led Crystal out of the room, Danial was left standing alon
Rowan stood up from his seat in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. Crystal's mouth fell open, her eyes equally wide as she stared at Danial. The room was filled with tension so thick it could be cut with a knife, yet the sheer surprise on their faces made the scene oddly comical. It was as if they had just witnessed a cat tap-dancing on the ceiling.Crystal, still processing what Danial had just said, finally found her voice. "Then… will you teach me that technique?" she asked, her tone a mix of hope and wonder.Danial nodded confidently, though he felt a little overwhelmed by the sudden attention. "Of course," he replied.Rowan, still slightly dazed, managed to compose himself enough to express his gratitude. "Danial, we will be eternally grateful to you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity as he sat back down, eyes fixed on Danial, waiting for him to say more.But before Danial could respond, the door to the lobby burst open with a loud bang. All heads turned to see a young
As Danial made his way back to the academy, the events of the evening replayed in his mind. The encounter with Taoist Hao, the unwavering support from Rowan, and the responsibility now resting on his shoulders weighed heavily. But instead of heading straight to his quarters for some much-needed rest, Danial felt a pull towards the training hall. He knew that training would help clear his mind and allow him to focus on what lay ahead.The academy was unusually quiet at this hour, with most students either resting or studying in their rooms. When he arrived at the training hall, the silence was almost eerie. Danial glanced down at his casual attire, realizing he was not dressed for training. With a sigh, Danial retreated to the locker room, where he quickly changed into his training outfit—a simple yet functional set of clothes that allowed for ease of movement. Danial still wondered who left his training clothes. He shook his head and said, "Whatever happened, happened"Upon re-enterin
As he approached the library, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, he stepped inside, immediately greeted by the familiar scent of old books and parchment.Marvin was seated at a large oak desk near the back, his attention fully absorbed by a stack of documents spread out before him. Danial hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and bowing respectfully. "Master, I have some questions."Marvin didn’t look up from the documents, his voice clipped and distant as he responded, "Speak."Danial could sense the tension in Marvin’s tone. Something was clearly bothering him, and Danial wasn’t sure if it was his place to probe. Nonetheless, he pressed on, hoping to gain some insight. "Master, what does the fifth level of Titan's Endurance represent?"Marvin remained silent for a moment, his eyes still fixed on the papers in front of him. When he finally spoke, his words were curt and final. "You will find out when you reach that lev
Leo’s voice dripped with condescension as he casually surveyed the scene. "Surprised to see me, Danial? I must say, you picked a rather humble spot for our little chat." His eyes wandered over to Sophie and Natasha, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Wow, Danial, I didn’t know you were a playboy. Maybe you should hand over the girls to us and kneel for now."Danial’s frown deepened as his anger began to simmer just beneath the surface. “And why do you think I would do that?”Leo, oblivious to the true identity of the women, chuckled as he stepped closer, his confidence growing with every word. “Because you’re surrounded. Did you think I came to Somerland without any protection or didn’t bring anyone with me? Did you think I’m that dumb?” His voice was dripping with mockery, and he glanced around at the group of ten suited men who were now closing in around Danial, Sophie, and Natasha.Danial’s frown turned into a scowl as he quickly assessed the situation. Leo had caught him off g
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
Danial and Crystal lingered in the infirmary for a while longer, chatting with Pavan, who continued to grumble about his forced diet while sneaking glances at the nurses, hoping one of them would take pity on him. When it became clear that none of them were willing to defy Abby’s orders, he slumped back onto the bed with a defeated sigh.“You guys better eat well while you still can,” Pavan muttered dramatically. “I might never taste good food again.”Danial rolled his eyes while Crystal smirked. “You’re acting like you’re being sent to prison,” she said. “It’s just a diet.”Pavan sat up and pointed at her with a solemn expression. “For a man like me, a diet is worse than prison.”Crystal laughed while Danial shook his head. “Just rest, Pavan. You’ll need your strength for the next rounds.”With that, Danial and Crystal left the infirmary, walking side by side through the long corridors. The scent of antiseptics and medicine slowly faded, replaced by the crisp air of the academy halls
Abby rushed into the arena, her heart pounding as she sprinted toward the fallen Pavan. She knelt beside him, her sharp eyes scanning his battered body. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him. But even in his injured state, Pavan had not lost his spirit."Pavan, you have done well," Abby said softly, her voice filled with both pride and concern.Pavan, barely conscious, managed a small hum in response before his body went completely limp. Abby’s expression darkened as she turned her gaze toward Egbert, who stood proudly in the arena, basking in the cheers of the crowd. His arrogance was evident as he waved at the audience as if he had just achieved a great victory. Abby scoffed, her grip on Pavan tightening as she walked away without sparing Egbert another glance.Egbert simply snorted, unimpressed by her reaction, before continuing to soak in the adoration of the spectators. Meanwhile, among the crowd, Danial frowned heavily. He had seen the entire match unfol
Egbert vanished from his position, appearing instantly before Pavan like a crimson blur. His sword whistled through the air as he delivered a deceptively simple horizontal slash, its force enough to ripple the atmosphere around them.Pavan barely had time to process what was happening. Instinctively, he raised his sword to defend himself, the blade trembling in his grip.CLANG!The clash reverberated through the arena like a thunderclap. The sheer force of the impact sent Pavan skidding back, his boots carving deep grooves into the arena floor as he was pushed a full ten meters before managing to stop. His arms trembled uncontrollably as he looked down, his face pale.His fingers tightened around his blade, but the sight before him made his stomach drop—his sword, forged from the academy's renowned ore, now bore a jagged chip near the centre. How is this possible? He thought. These swords weren’t ordinary; they were designed to withstand the harshest of battles. And yet, a single stri
The announcer’s voice echoed through the massive arena, amplifying the excitement of the crowd. “The next match is between Pavan from Somerland and Egbert Ray from Xeria!”The crowd erupted into a deafening roar, their enthusiasm palpable. Flags bearing the symbols of both academies waved in the air, and cheers filled every corner of the stadium. Pavan took a deep breath, trying to steel his nerves as the noise washed over him.Danial stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. His voice was calm but firm. “It’s alright, Pavan. You’ve got this.”Pavan turned to Danial, his lips forming a faint smile. “Thanks, Danial.” With a quick nod, he turned and made his way toward the arena, his footsteps steady but deliberate.As Pavan’s figure disappeared into the crowd, Crystal, who had been uncharacteristically silent, suddenly broke the quiet. “This is bad,” she said, her tone grave.Danial frowned, sensing the seriousness in her voice. “What do you mean?”Crystal’s eyes na