ã€ŠRequiem of Reverenceã€‹


 Chapter 1: Ephialtes

    Audel Emporio awoke with a start, breathless and sweating with the frantic beat of his heart beneath his ribs. The candle on his desk shone weakly, the melting wax oozing down its sides like some form of molten lava, exposing a mountain of books piled around it. The place had a smell of antique paper mingled with the light haze of candle smoke.

    Audel tossed his gaze around the dimly lit room. The only other presence was his elder brother, James, who collapsed on his bed; his slow, steady breathing was not disturbed by Audel''s sudden movement. He was relieved; at least James was undisturbed in his rest.

    But then, the nightmare struck again.

    A cold shudder crept up his spine as the fragments swept back¡ªthose bitter words mocked out in a voice neither human nor divine.

    "The Judgment Day will be upon us mortals... and billions shall perish - I pictured the scarlet petals drinking it in and in the next life, I will bloom with them, bright and full."

    Audel swallowed hard. His hands clenched into fists upon the lap. What could that dream have meant? Just a trick of the mind, or something far more sinister? And those cruel, ominous words-what could they mean?

    It was only 4 a.m., and the city lay shrouded in an eerie stillness. A thin mist slithered through the narrow streets, clinging to the cobblestones like restless spirits. Despite the lurking danger of deadly beasts prowling in the shadows, Audel Emporio ventured outside, undeterred.

    His movements were swift and precise, his breath controlled. Ducking into an alleyway, he slipped past the patrolling police force, his steps barely making a sound. Stealth was his second nature¡ªa skill honed through necessity, a trick that had saved his life more times than he could count.

    "Mr. Vestiron¡­ it all happened after he undid the third layer of my memory seal." Audel muttered to himself, his pulse quickening at the thought.

    Before him loomed a grand mansion, its towering walls silhouetted against the faint glow of the distant city lights. He knew better than to knock¡ªno one would answer, and disturbing the neighbors would only draw unwanted attention. Instead, he did what he did best. He sneaked in.

    "Forgive me, Master, but this is the only rational path." His whisper was barely audible, as if spoken to the very walls themselves, an attempt to ease the guilt gnawing at his conscience.

    He took careful steps through the vast, dark interior. The faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air, mingling with old wood and candle wax. He had been here before¡ªtoo many times.

    And that¡¯s when the realization struck.

    "Shit¡ª"

    Before he could finish his curse, a soft click echoed through the silence. A warm glow flooded the room.

    Audel squinted against the sudden brightness, his gaze locking onto a figure standing across from him.

    A young woman.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    She wore light blue pajamas, her blonde curls disheveled from sleep, yet her glowing green eyes burned fiercely with annoyance¡ªand something else, something unreadable.

    "Audel." Her voice was sharp, laced with irritation. "What the hell are you doing here? If this is some sort of half-baked confession¡ª"

    "The seal¡­ it''s breaking apart."

    The words tumbled from his lips in a desperate rasp, his vision blurring. A sharp pain stabbed through his skull, drowning out everything else.

    Maria''s expression shifted instantly, her anger replaced by alarm.

    But before she could move, Audel¡¯s strength gave out. The world tilted, and he collapsed onto the rough wooden floor.

    MARIA VESTIRON

    After dragging the unconscious man onto my bed, I placed two fingers against his neck, feeling for a pulse. His breathing was shallow, uneven¡ªlabored as if he were drowning in some unseen force. My brows furrowed.

    Without hesitation, I extended my hand toward his forehead. A soft, golden light shimmered from my palm, casting a gentle glow over his sweat-slicked skin. Healing physical wounds had always been second nature to me, a blessing bestowed upon me since childhood. Although healing mental scars was not my expertise, I tried my best to relieve this man of his agony.

    Minutes turned into hours, and I found myself exhausted. The man started breathing normally once again as I let out a sigh of relief. Laying on the couch, which was in the corner of the room, I blanketed myself with a furry lap. Before shutting my eyes, I looked at the man once again with pity.

    Your fate is cruel," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "And it will only get crueler."

    With that, I shut my eyes, hoping to steal a few precious hours of rest before the academy beckoned at dawn.

    The moon hung high, casting a pale glow over the deserted cobblestone road. A cold wind slithered through the night, rustling the coats of the uniformed officers standing in rigid formation. Their aristocratic uniforms gleamed under the dim streetlights, yet none dared move as their leader, a tall man with a scarred face, strode past them with a heavy, deliberate gait.

    "S-Sir Wolfgang, it appears that the landlord is on a business trip," One of the soldiers muttered with a trembling tone as he stood in front of a man with a scarred face.

    The man he addressed¡ªCommander Wolfgang¡ªdid not respond immediately. The soldier swallowed nervously, lowering his eyes to the ground. Another man stepped forward, who wore a different attire from the soldiers and looked more comfortable around the enigmatic man. He started with a mocking tone,

    "Vestiron might be a traitor. But that doesn''t change the fact that you are bypassing a private property, mister law." and added,

    "And we don''t really know if he had truly betrayed the country."

    The commander finally spoke, his tone clipped and authoritative.

    ¡°For now, keep a close eye on the family members. The mansion isn¡¯t empty¡ªI can sense mana inside.¡± His piercing gaze swept over the estate one last time before he turned on his heel. ¡°Dismissed.¡±

    As the soldiers started moving, the commander walked away. As he walked, the other man followed him and remarked from his back, "I know it''s tough trying to shoulder all the burden on yourself. You have a daughter too."

    "Where are you getting at?" Wolfgang asked with a threatening tone, without turning a face.

    "The risks...I am talking about the risks. What will you do if the Nobles find out about your secret operation? Vestiron is quite the talk apparently."

    "He''s a traitor and I know it. And the Nobles can kiss my ass" The ruthless commander walked away.

 Chapter 2: An Encounter

    AUDEL EMPORIO, MAIN STREET, CITY OF TRITINE

    I had gone to my apartment before starting my journey. I changed my clothes, wore my uniform, and got my handbag and hair done ¡ª Although I wasn''t a really charming person myself, I did try my best to hide my drowsiness. It was awkward coming to the academy together. So, I left earlier than Maria. I always try my best to avoid rumors, heck I even hate bringing attention to myself.

    As I approached the grand gates of the academy, my gaze landed on the massive plaque that gleamed under the morning sun.

    "Institution of Melee Enhancement and Mana Refinement"¡ªIMEMR.

    I muttered the words under my breath, feeling their weight. One of the most prestigious universities in the country, its tuition alone could crush most families. Ours wasn¡¯t an exception.

    No parents. We are 3 siblings. My older brother, James Emporio serves the National Army. He is a man with infinite potential. And I admire his hard work. After all, his wage pays for my tuition fees. My little sister, 16, however, wants to get into medicine so she is also working her best at the very same academy as well. This academy truly has all the required branches of the modern world.

    As I stood lost in thought, a sudden, forceful slap landed on my shoulder.

    "Audel! Need me some guidance, my dear friend!"

    The familiar voice was enough to make me sigh. I turned to see Markov, my classmate¡ªa boy my age with circular glasses, brownish hair, and eyes of deep crimson.

    "Sorry, Markov. You can vent your frustration to someone else. I am sick myself," I shrugged my shoulders, trying to dismiss the boy.

    But he persisted, "How''d you know, Audel? Did you use an artifact to read my mind or something?"

    I rolled my eyes. "I don¡¯t need an artifact to know you got dumped by your sixth girlfriend." I crossed my arms. "You know what, pal? Just give it up."Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    ¡°5th actually,¡± He interrupted, "And says who? You are nerdier than anyone of us! The Nerd Community disapproves of your attitude-"

    And just as he was chattering with himself, I made my way inside.

    As I stepped inside, the stark contrast between the academy grounds and the bustling city outside hit me. The garden stretched endlessly on both sides, filled with trees of extinct species¡ªdonations from the Noble Houses.

    And then, standing at the heart of it all, the academy itself¡ªtowering and magnificent, an architectural marvel reminiscent of ancient Greek palaces. White stone, grand pillars, intricate carvings. It was a place that exuded power, privilege, and a history far older than any of us.

    LIBRARY

    Inside the vast library, I found my solace. I felt like I owned the library as there was no one except me. Well, it was only 7 in the morning and I was still one hour before my class which explains the emptiness. Lately, my studies had been focused on Mana Theory and alternative energy sources. A small research project of mine, though nothing formal. Even so, I often found myself drifting to books about different cultures¡ªours included. Strangely enough, there were gaps in my understanding, pieces of common knowledge that felt... missing.

    Hoping to fill that void, I reached for a book from the vast shelves. The moment my fingers touched the spine, I felt it¡ªthe presence of another person. Warm. Familiar.

    "Audel?" A voice called from behind me tinged with surprise. "What are you doing here?" The girl asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

    "Miss Boltaire, I could ask you the same question," I replied.

    She huffed but didn¡¯t push further. Instead, she picked a book and, to my mild irritation, settled down at the same desk as me. I kept my eyes fixed on the pages, pretending to read, though I could feel the weight of her presence beside me. She was a year junior. Regardless, It wasn¡¯t random¡ªshe sat here deliberately. Is she testing me? Considering her background as one of the Nobles'' offspring, I would rather avoid any unnecessary entanglements.

    "So," She began, her gaze fixated on the book, "How''s your private tuition going with Mr. Vestiron?"

    Bingo.

    I had figured she would know something. Now, I just needed to play this carefully.

    "He is not home apparently. Why?" I asked, my gaze piercing through hers.

    "I''ve heard that he has gotten into some conflicts with other nobles lately. Although, the Boltaire Family has no grudge against the man. But we always keep our ears open."

    "I see. I think it shouldn''t be a long-lasting issue. My Master will find a way to resolve the issue."

    She leaned closer, "There''s a guy on the back of the window. He might be a spy."

    I had noticed that presence even before coming to the library. And I knew very well that I had been tracked since the moment I left the mansion.

    "Wait what? What do you mean?" I acted confused anyway. A revelation came to me...I formulated a plan.

 Chapter 3: Enigma

    JAMES EMPORIO ¨C BARRACKS, CITY OF TRITINE

    A mountain... No, an ocean of paperwork. At this rate, I¡¯d be sucked dry before I even stepped onto the battlefield. But even amidst such a task, I can''t help but ponder what has gotten to Audel, my little brother who is in his early 20s. Wait no, he is not even 20 yet, 19 perhaps. Too young to be running off into the night. And yet, I knew he had left the apartment at midnight, only to reappear at the doorstep of Mr. Vestiron¡¯s estate hours later. There was only one conclusion.

    "He¡¯s in his rebellious stage," I muttered under my breath.

    A soft chuckle came from across the desk.

    "Worried about your brother, Mr. Emporio?" My assistant, Miss Klara, teased, her voice laced with amusement.

    I flushed slightly. "Who in their right mind sneaks out at 4 a.m.? And to think¡ªWait, wait, wait." My eyes widened. I get it now.

    "What?" Ms. Klara didn''t seem surprised at my crashout.

    I almost slammed my desk. "Maria. It¡¯s her. Oh god, my brother has given in to his temptations¡ª!"

    Before I could finish my dramatic outburst, a firm knock at the door silenced us.

    That was unusual. No one ever bothered me here.

    "Come in," I said, quickly composing myself.

    The door swung open, revealing a War Sergeant clad in full uniform. His mere presence put me on alert. A sergeant wouldn¡¯t be here unless something significant was happening.

    I straightened my posture instinctively.

    "Lieutenant James," the sergeant began, voice crisp and formal. "You are invited to the General¡¯s Meeting. The meeting will commence in six hours at the National Barracks."

    I frowned. The General¡¯s Meeting? Why would I¡ª?

    "Who called it?" I asked, my tone steady but laced with suspicion.

    The sergeant met my gaze, his expression unreadable.

    "The King himself."

    Silence weighed heavy in the room.

    I felt Miss Klara¡¯s worried glance, but I gave her a slight nod.

    "Understood," I replied, my voice calm despite the tension creeping into my bones.

    "I¡¯ll be there."

    MARY EMPORIO ¨C INSTITUTION OF MELEE ENHANCEMENT AND MANA REFINEMENT, TRITINE

    Carrying my books against my hip, I walked past the academy training yard. It buzzed with intensity - sparring partners moved with calculated precision, their mana-infused strikes echoing into the open field.

    It was a far cry from the chaos that used to be here. Mr. Williams has worked hard to transform this group, once considered hopeless delinquents, into a class preparing for the Tritine Tournament, one of the most prestigious competitions of all Wikesland. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Yet, amidst these blood and black eyes, my eyes fell on a sight much less glorious.

    A young man stood cornered, panting, his stance faltering. His opponent seized the moment, driving a hard kick into his ribs before slamming him onto the ground.

    The sight was¡ªsatisfying.

    Because that poor excuse of a fighter was my brother.

    "Saint Mary! What brings you here?" A voice nearly startled me.

    I turned to find Myre, one of my classmates and a competitor in the upcoming tournament. Her wide grin betrayed her excitement.

    "Are you here to spar? Please spar with me next!" she insisted, practically bouncing on her feet.

    I shook my head. "Sorry, next time, Myre. I was just passing through."

    Myre¡¯s eyes flickered toward my brother, her lips curling into something close to amusement.

    "It¡¯s your brother, huh? Are you worried about him?" she asked, her tone dripping with faux concern.

    I scoffed. "Worried? That man is going to get obliterated by the other academies. I can¡¯t wait to see his face when it happens."

    Myre let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking her head. "How considerate!" Then, with a shift in her expression, she added, "Speaking of brothers¡ªhow¡¯s Mr. James? I heard he got promoted last week."

    "Uhh, he¡¯s fine," I replied, shrugging. "His post is still here in Tritine. Apart from a higher paycheck, I don¡¯t think much has changed."

    Myre smiled. "Lucky. At least he won¡¯t be sent to the battlefield anytime soon."

    "For now," I murmured, watching my desperate brother struggle against the dirt.

    Seated on the grass, I watched my sister chuckling with Miss Myre. Judging by their expressions, they were either gossiping about something amusing¡ªor more likely, making a mockery of my pathetic state.

    Not that I could blame them. It wasn¡¯t that I was particularly weak¡ªit was just that everyone else was too damn competent.

    I pushed myself off the ground, dusted off my pants, and returned to my sparring session.

    Across from me stood my opponent: Jerome Kruger, 19, a noble, and one of the strongest fighters in our class. He was like a ticking bomb, constantly radiating a tension that made even the simplest match feel like a duel to the death. His green eyes gleamed at me, urging me to take my fighting stance again.

    Jerome wasn¡¯t much of a talker. I had long since learned to translate his silent expressions into words. Right now, they screamed: Try harder. Or don¡¯t bother at all.

    Just as I was about to adjust my footing¡ª

    "Stop."

    The sharp voice nearly made me jump. I turned to find Mr. Williams approaching, his commanding presence casting a long shadow over the field.

    "Jerome, step aside," he instructed, his tone firm yet unreadable.

    Jerome obeyed without question. That¡¯s when I realized what was happening.

    I wasn¡¯t about to spar with my classmate anymore.

    I was about to spar with Mr. Williams himself.

    Swallowing hard, I tightened my grip on my sword and took my stance, both hands firm on the hilt.

    This was going to hurt.

    Without warning, Mr. Williams charged at me. His blade sliced through the air with terrifying speed. It was as if he did so with a murderous intent. My body reacted before my mind could catch up. Instinct kicked in.

    *Clang*

    The clash of swords reverberated through the air, the impact forcing my arms to shudder. I barely dodged the blow, which caused sparks to erupt between us. He held me in place, ever so firmly, locking my position while forcing my sword to cross with his using a phenomenal amount of strength, and whispered,

    "So, Lord Vestiron did train you. Amazing instincts!"

    Before I could respond, he shoved me back. I staggered but quickly regained my footing, adjusting my stance. My grip tightened around my sword as I studied his every movement, searching for an opening.

    I knew the truth¡ªthis fight wasn¡¯t just a test of skill.

    It was a test of secrecy.

    I took an oath to hide my relationship with Lord Westiron, the man who secretly trained me. It was an agreement that meant to keep me hidden from the noble eyes, to delete any mark of my true abilities. For years, I deliberately dulled my own swordsmanship.

    But not everyone had been fooled.

    Some had their suspicions. Some had noticed.

    And Mr. Williams was one of them.

 Chapter 4: Secrecy

    WILLIAMS WEINBORN ¨C TRAINING GROUNDS

    Facing the boy now, I finally took notice of his blue eyes which burned with an intensity I hadn''t seen before. For someone who carried the features of an average man, those piercing eyes told a different story.

    I let out a battle cry and lunged forward, my sword slicing through the air toward him. He met my attack without hesitation, and in an instant, the clash began.

    Steel against steel. The sparks, visible.

    With his sharp reflexes but rather dull reactions, it seemed his body was only failing to keep up with his instincts. It was as if he had sharpened his instincts a whole lifetime. Overall, it was no wonder to me since he had been personally trained by Mr. Vestiron. However-

    Lord Vestiron had given him strict orders to keep his true potential hidden. I knew this better than anyone. I had received the same orders.

    But even if he masked his abilities, I could see the truth.

    With a swift motion, I activated a small surge of mana, channeling it into my footwork. The burst of speed caught him off guard. He barely had time to react before I locked him to the ground, pinning him beneath my weight. I murmured only to him, "Visit me after the class. Something important awaits."

    He gave me a firm nod, regardless of the situation unfolding. He didn''t look defeated to me. But still, he gave up.

    "Professor! We want to see more!" The students screamed in unison. But I waved them off, saying, "Next time. Now prepare for the tournament."

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    The battle only lasted 8 seconds, at least what it felt to others. But for both of us, it served as an indictment that spoke highly of the boy''s potent skills.

    AUDEL EMPORIO - AT THE OFFICE

    "May I come in?"

    "You may."

    Professor Williams sat behind his desk, absentmindedly fiddling with a small cube. It wasn¡¯t an ordinary object¡ªit had an eerie glow, pulsating faintly like a heartbeat. Just by looking at it, I knew it was an artifact.

    "Audel," he began as I stepped forward, "Do you know what this artifact does?"

    His tone told me he wasn¡¯t simply making conversation.

    "No," I admitted, my gaze locked onto the cube. "Is this the legacy of the Weinborns¡ªyour bloodline?"

    It was common knowledge that nobles hoarded artifacts. Williams was no exception.

    But to my surprise, he shook his head. "Unfortunately, no." Then, holding the cube up to the dim light, he added, "Mr. Vestiron gave it to me."

    I kept my face neutral. So, this was from my mentor.

    "From the looks of it, it''s a recon-type artifact, isn''t it?" I guessed.

    A smirk flickered across his lips. "You never fail to amaze me, boy. Again, I¡¯m not surprised, considering who trained you."

    Then, his expression hardened.

    "But I didn¡¯t call you here for flattery."

    I furrowed my brows. "So why are you showing it to me? Did Mr. Vestiron leave a message?"

    "Indeed." He nodded, placing the cube on the desk. "He told me to give this to you. It will allow you to transcend the boundaries of the physical world and contact him. You are to do so immediately."

    A pause.

    "And before you ask," he continued, "he¡¯s in trouble. His location is confidential, so don¡¯t bother asking me where he is."

    I took the cube without hesitation. "Understood."

    Turning on my heel, I made for the door. But just as my fingers brushed the handle, Williams called out again.

    "You don¡¯t seem surprised. The girl, however, had a different reaction."

    I didn¡¯t need to ask who he meant. Maria.

    Vestiron¡¯s only daughter. She had always been closer to her father than I was, yet I received this message instead of her. It wasn¡¯t my problem.

    I didn¡¯t waste time on meaningless chatter. Instead, I left the room, slipping the artifact into my pocket.

    The moment I stepped outside, I stopped in my tracks.

    Someone stood waiting.

    "Audel."

    Lady Boltaire.

    Her crimson eyes locked onto mine with a cold determination, her auburn hair flowing with the wind.

    "I¡¯ve convinced my parents. We¡¯ll give you shelter as promised. And you know what we expect from you in return."

 Chapter 5: Rebel

    JAMES EMPORIO - GENERAL''S MEETING, NATIONAL BARRACKS

    The vast hallway never ceases to amaze me, even though I come here every now and then. The white marble tiles almost reminded me of a hospital, except it was pretty clean and wonderful. The place was very lively, and I could tell that I was the idlest one as I waited outside the vast wooden door.

    The sign spelled, "General Klieve," I almost murmured.

    A hand rested on my shoulder, almost jolting me back to my senses. I looked back and immediately saluted the man standing in front,

    "G-General Vincent. C-Congratulations on your promotion." He let out a sigh, "How impassive! Acting as if we didn''t totally get wasted at Ubern''s last week."

    I let out a smile, "Sir, that was done outside of our post and I am not obliged to talk about it," I stated, almost in a mocking tone.

    "Good to see you, James." He patted my shoulders and I lowered my hands.

    "Let''s get a drink soon. For my promotion."

    "Looking forwar-" The door behind me opened, cutting me off. The enigmatic figure walked beside and I immediately saluted.

    "Vincent. Don''t go spoiling our talents like that," The general smirked at me, "Let''s head to the meeting, shall we?"

    "Yes, General Klieve. Let''s not waste any moment."

    Following the two generals, I walked alongside another man, who wore the badge of a lieutenant--Same as me. But I have never seen that man before. Must be new. His short black hair reminded me of Audel, but he lacked the ocean-blue eyes.

    "Lieutenant Emporio," He whispered and then leaned forward, "I know it''s rude to talk behind a general but let me ask you a question. Do you have any idea what this meeting is about?" I shook my head, gesturing in a negative response. He nodded back and we walked silently the whole time.

    AUDEL EMPORIO - BOLTAIRE MANSION

    As soon as the sun was immersed under the horizon, I stood in front of a fantastic mansion, its greatness was a will for the enormous wealth of the Boltaire family. The descendants of the diviners, each member of the dynasty were blessed, making them invaluable to the empire.

    Lost in admiration, I barely noticed Miss Boltaire leading the way through the pearly gates. The garden was breathtaking, but I kept my composure as best as I could. Sensing my lingering gaze, she cleared her throat¡ªa subtle cue as a man in a black suit approached.

    The man bowed slightly. "Lady Uriel, your father requests your presence," he announced, then shifted his gaze toward me. "And you, of course, Mr. Vestiron''s masterpiece."

    I paid little heed to his flattery, still engrossed in the estate¡¯s splendor. However, I did take note of Uriel''s reaction¡ªher expression darkened at the mention of her father. Whatever was happening behind the scenes was clearly troubling her.

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    "Take us to Lord Boltaire," I said and offered Butler a smaller bow. It was formal for a common man to show respect for the steward of a great family. "Let''s hear what he has to say."

    As we walked across the wooden floors of the grand hallway, I caught sight of a maid standing by the corner. The moment she noticed Uriel, she straightened her posture, her gaze sharp and scrutinizing as she looked at me. There was something about her demeanor that made me look away. She couldn¡¯t have been more than a couple of years older than us¡ªmaybe two or three at most¡ªbut I didn¡¯t have time to think about it as another figure approached from the other end of the corridor.

    "B-Brother, you''re back?" Uriel''s previously somber expression lit up as she dashed toward him, wrapping him in a warm embrace. He had the same crimson eyes as his sister, but his demeanor was calm, almost analytical.

    His intense gaze fixed on me almost immediately. "Lord Vestiron¡¯s¡ªah, student, I see." He let go of his sister and walked toward me, his footsteps unnaturally quiet as if guided by mana. He examined me carefully before inquiring, "Are you part of any platoon?"

    I shook my head. "No. I have no intention of throwing my life away on a meaningless scout mission."

    He nodded approvingly, "Smart. I like him." Then, with an intrigued smile, he added, "How about joining one without¡ª"

    Before he could finish, Uriel grabbed my wrist and pulled me away. "C''mon, the offer can wait. Next time, brother."

    Knock, knock.

    "Come in."

    Both of us stepped inside, though I remained a step behind. The office was dimly lit, the glow from the fireplace casting flickering shadows on the red carpet. The curtains were drawn shut, giving the room an enclosed, secretive air. A man sat at his desk, fingers interlocked as he studied me.

    "Audel Emporio," he began. "I have only one message for you from my friend Vestiron. He insists you stay here until you''re in the green zone."

    "Green zone?" Uriel voiced the question I had yet to ask.

    "Vestiron is officially a rebel now," he sighed. "At least until he decides to show himself. The king has placed a hefty bounty on his head, and as a result, nobles are keeping a close watch on anyone associated with him¡ªincluding you, Audel. While most seek revenge against him, others are after something far bigger."

    I narrowed my eyes. "So why would you help Vestiron?"

    "The circumstances have forced me to pick a side," he said flatly. "And I¡¯d rather stand with my best friend than those mindless nobles. Does that answer your question?"

    "Not quite." I shook my head and met his gaze with a taunting smirk. "What''s the real reason? I want to hear it."

    He let out a low chuckle. "Good. You saw through me. Uriel, you too¡ªyou really managed to convince him to join us."

    "Actually, it was hi¡ª"

    I cut in. "Why would Master rebel against the king? Why now, in peaceful times? It''s not like we''re at war."

    "And that''s where you''re wrong." His smirk turned almost devilish. "The king has already sold the nation to the other continent."

    "...Huh?" The words caught me off guard. I had never even considered the possibility. I opened my mouth to demand more details, but he stopped me with a question of his own.

    "The seal. Did Lady Maria undo it? Or did she reinforce it?" His crimson eyes gleamed in the dim light, reflecting the flickering flames.

    My hand instinctively moved to my sternum. "I¡ªI¡¯m not sure. But it¡¯s on the verge of collapsing. Lately, I''ve been having strange dreams¡ªnightmares, every night."

    He leaned back in his chair, resting his arms on the armrests. "Think of it as a revelation. After all, what you see is the truth waiting to unfold¡ªso long as fate remains undisrupted."

    His words sent a wave of uncertainty through me, even making me question my own existence. But before I could ask anything else, he dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

    As I stepped outside to wait for Uriel, I once again found myself face-to-face with a familiar figure.

    "Hey," her brother called out. "I heard your brother is a lieutenant too. What¡¯s his name?"

    "James. James Emporio," I answered nonchalantly.

    He mulled over the name before shaking his head. "Sorry, doesn¡¯t ring a bell. Anyway, your sister will be here soon. You already knew that, right?"

    I hadn''t, actually. But knowing spies were after me, it would be smart for Mary to take shelter as well. James, on the other hand, could handle himself¡ªafter all, he was a lieutenant.

    So I simply nodded. "Yeah, she¡¯ll be here."

 Chapter 6: Visitors

    JAMES EMPORIO - MEETING WITH THE GENERALS

    The vast meeting table reminded me of the legendary roundtable from King Veyron''s era. I stood behind General Vincent, while General Klieve sat beside him. We had arrived nearly four hours ago, yet the meeting had yet to begin¡ªHis Highness had been occupied elsewhere. But now¡ª

    The generals rose from their chairs as the King entered, his mere footsteps sending shivers down my spine. Though his appearance might suggest otherwise, his overwhelming mana reserves were enough to make my skin prickle.

    Thanks to my ability as a Recon-Type wielder, I could sense the flow of mana within one''s body.

    With a wave of the King¡¯s hand, everyone silently took their seats. At the table, each general had at least a Major or Colonel accompanying them. The only exceptions were us¡ªLieutenant Yaz and myself.

    The King settled on his throne, flipping through a stack of documents before scoffing. "What is this, General Wolfgang? Care to explain?"

    The commander of Tritine¡¯s largest platoon stepped forward, clearing his throat before speaking. "Our intel unit has uncovered undeniable evidence regarding the disappearance of Noble Landlord Vestiron. The documents also indicate that his sudden vanishing is linked to the recent price hikes¡ªmore specifically, illegal smuggling operations in the northern part of the city."

    A general from across the table scoffed, "Or perhaps he was simply taken hostage by a group of bandits. Nobles traveling on the outskirts being kidnapped is hardly news. Nonsense."

    General Wolfgang smirked before continuing. "The next document disproves that theory. Please, turn the page."

    As everyone flipped through their documents, a heavy silence filled the room. Some of the generals widened their eyes in shock, while others remained composed. The King, however, remained eerily expressionless.

    "Eukaphrotians? People from the Eastern Continent have been spotted in the city? But why?" I barely caught General Vincent¡¯s hushed murmur, his voice laced with horror.

    And as if to intensify the tension, General Wolfgang added, "To think they managed to enter the city despite the Mana Concentration Barrier..."

    General Klieve immediately objected. "Why would Eukaphrote send men here? Aren¡¯t we on good terms with them?"

    Wolfgang merely gave a knowing smile before shifting his gaze to the King. Following his lead, every pair of eyes in the room turned toward the monarch¡ªwho, to my astonishment, was sweating nervously but ever composed.

    "Impossible," the King stammered. "They¡¯ve broken the treaty. W-We have no time for discussions! Notify all barracks immediately! Secure the city perimeters! Search every street, every dungeon¡ªleave nothing unchecked!".This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    And then, with a final, damning statement, Wolfgang concluded, "Their arrival could only mean that someone from within our own ranks opened the gates for them. And I can think of only one man capable of doing that¡ªVestiron himself. As a noble, he had authority over certain parts of the Mana Shield. He sold his share¡ªhis dignity¡ªto the Eukaphrotians!"

    The meeting had taken a dangerous turn. Vestiron was Audel¡¯s mentor. If things escalated, they would undoubtedly interrogate Audel.

    I clenched my fists in fury, my mana surging involuntarily¡ªuntil a firm hand steadied me. General Vincent.

    Looking at me with a mix of pity and restraint, he gave a quiet command. "Lieutenant. Get working." Then, in a hushed whisper, he added, "Your time will come¡­ when you¡¯ll be able to voice your opinions. Until then, focus on the task at hand."

    Mary Emporio - Boltaire Mansion

    Two hours had passed since I arrived here. Seated at my desk, I tried to focus on my homework. The mansion was massive, nothing like our old, rundown apartment. They even had mana-powered lanterns¡ªfar more efficient than candles.

    Letting out a sigh, I kept writing. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t concentrate. Something was off. I didn¡¯t know what¡ªoh, wait. Now I get it. I¡¯m too worried about my brother.

    I¡¯m worried he might sneak into Lady Boltaire¡¯s bedroom in the middle of the night, get caught, and end up in serious trouble. And if that happened, we¡¯d both be outcasted. Just like that, everything would be over.

    ¡­Okay, maybe not that.

    But in all seriousness, what really worried me was the current situation. Mr. Vestiron may have been a stranger to me, but he was my brother¡¯s mentor. I couldn¡¯t help but pity him. And the worst part? There was nothing I could say to comfort him. Not like he¡¯d listen to me anyway. He still sees me as a kid.

    Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor.

    I got up, walked to the door, and peeked outside. I spotted the maids¡¯ shadows at the far end of the hall. What was going on? Either way, my curiosity got the better of me.

    Suppressing my mana as much as possible, I followed them. They led me to an unexpected sight¡ªthe pool.

    My brother.

    "Mr. Audel, it¡¯s freezing outside. Miss Uriel has ordered you to¡ª"

    "It¡¯s just a nighttime bath. Part of my training. Tell her to oil her own machine."

    Through the window, I saw him alone in the water. Without even looking my way, he spoke.

    "Thinking of joining, Mary? It¡¯s four degrees, by the way. Not pleasant."

    "Shut up, you perv," I shot back.

    And suddenly, it all made sense. I always wondered where he went at night and why he returned so refreshed. To think he¡¯d been bathing¡ª

    A figure appeared beside me. Lady Boltaire herself.

    Before I could bow, she pushed open the window, letting the icy wind rush in. Then, stepping outside, she asked,

    "Are you trying to run from your revelations?"

    Revelations? Wait, what? Did I hear that right? The wind was too strong. Did she mean relations? Hold on¡ªthis was all happening way too fast.

    "I¡¯m not running away," Audel answered. Then he stood, wrapping a towel around his waist.

    I was used to seeing his chiseled form, but I never expected him to be so shameless about it. With all those scars, you¡¯d think he¡¯d have a little modesty¡ªespecially in front of a lady!

    He stretched a little, then walked past Lady Boltaire. "I¡¯ll meditate now. Don¡¯t disturb for a while."

    She nodded, completely unfazed. Not even the sight of a half-naked man could shake her composure.

 Chapter 7: Seer

    Audel Emporio - Boltaire Mansion

    After training for a while, I returned to my room. Locking both the door and the window, I sank onto my bed, letting exhaustion settle in.

    In my hands, I held the artifact. I ran my fingers over its intricate carvings, trying to figure out how to activate it. But deep down, my body already knew what to do.

    I was certain I had never touched this thing before. And yet, as if guided by instinct, I managed to turn it on. The carvings lit up, pulsing with energy, and a design emerged. A mask¡ªno, a clown mask.

    I had no idea what it meant.

    Before I could dwell on it, my surroundings dissolved. In an instant, I was somewhere else.

    A different dimension.

    A forest, its canopy thick and heavy with silence. A campfire crackled in the middle, casting flickering shadows. I tried to move, to feel my body¡ªbut my hands passed right through myself like I was nothing more than a ghost.

    Across the fire, a familiar figure sat on a fallen log.

    ¡°M-Master Vestiron?¡± I whispered before calling out louder, ¡°Master! Can you hear me?¡±

    The middle-aged man lifted his gaze, his glowing yellow eyes reflecting the firelight. He looked¡­ older. More worn down. His once sharp features were lined with exhaustion.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to have a moment of peace, Audel.¡± His voice carried the weight of a man who had seen too much. ¡°You never change.¡±

    ¡°But you have,¡± I countered. ¡°What¡¯s with the wrinkles? And those dark circles?¡±

    Vestiron touched his face absentmindedly, letting out a half-hearted chuckle before his tone shifted.

    ¡°Audel. It is time you learn the truth.¡±

    I braced myself. Whatever he was about to say, I had a feeling I wouldn¡¯t be ready for it.

    ¡°First of all,¡± he began, ¡°I never betrayed Wikesland. I never will. I¡¯m being framed by other nobles. The king is backing them.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    A pause. His piercing yellow eyes met mine, their depths filled with untold stories.

    ¡°As you know, I am a seer.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Someone who can see glimpses of an uncertain future. Yeah, I remember. What about it?¡±

    He exhaled slowly, as if weighing his words. Then, with a small, knowing smile, he said,

    ¡°The truth is¡­ I am not a seer.¡±

    The fire crackled between us.

    ¡°I know the future,¡± he continued, ¡°because I have lived it.¡±

    I should have laughed. I should have called him crazy. But I didn¡¯t.

    Instead, I asked with all seriousness, ¡°So how does that change anything? For us?¡±

    His voice dropped lower, heavy with something I couldn¡¯t quite name.

    ¡°The world¡­ The world is heading toward ruin. The Judgment Day the Diviners spoke of¡ªit¡¯s real. It will unfold soon. And when it does¡­ billions will perish.¡±

    The weight of his words pressed down on me.

    My breath hitched.

    I had seen it before¡ªflashes in my nightmares, a world engulfed in destruction. But I never thought¡­ No, I refused to believe¡ª

    I swallowed hard. ¡°What am I supposed to do then? What will you do?¡±

    Vestiron¡¯s gaze remained locked on the fire. ¡°I will try to delay the event. And as for you¡­¡± He looked at me now. ¡°I will loosen the seal.¡±

    My stomach twisted. ¡°The seal?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll regain a fragment of your past knowledge. So, don¡¯t worry about me.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± My pulse spiked with dread. ¡°My past knowledge? What do you mean? Did you seal away my childhood memories?¡±

    Vestiron¡¯s expression darkened. His next words cut through me like a blade.

    ¡°Not just your childhood. Your entire past life.¡±

    The fire roared in the silence.

    ¡°You and I¡ªwe are the same. You traveled to the past to bend fate itself.¡± His voice turned grave. ¡°You lost against the Diviners in your past life. And because of that¡­ Judgment Day was set into motion.¡±

    My vision swam. The world around us began to distort, unraveling at the edges.

    Vestiron felt it too. He clenched his fists and shouted, ¡°And remember! There are others like yo¡ª¡±

    Then everything shattered.

    I gasped, my body jolting awake.

    I was back in my bed. My heart pounded, my core shaken to its very foundation.

    I pressed a trembling hand against my forehead.

    ¡°Billions¡­ must perish,¡± I murmured under my breath.

 Chapter 8: The Game is On!

    "Emporio! This is the end for you. Hand over the artifact now, while you still have the chance!"

    "Why isn''t he making a move? What is he planning?

    "You¡¯re cornered, Audel," they sneered. "Hand over the treasure, and we might grant you a swift death."

    I stood on the cliff''s brink, grasping my sword as if it were the final connection to life. Blood flowed from the incision on my back, trailing down the rocky cliffside and disappearing into the dark chasm underneath. I peered back, catching a last glimpse of the edge¡ªone step away from the fall that would reclaim me and return me to Tritine. Once, it was famed for its fertile lands, and fields of radiant flowers. Below, I could almost see it¡ªan ancient field of roses, crimson as fresh blood.

    If I die here, I will return to my homeland¡ªto a bed of roses, nourished by my own blood. I pictured the scarlet petals drinking it in and in the next life, I will bloom with them, bright and full.

    "Not¡­ not today." I threw my arms wide, a hollow laugh spilling from my lips. The enemy halted, taken aback. Good. Let them watch.

    "The path of time favors me," I murmured, and I leapt, plunging into the abyss, my sword clenched tight. As I fell, I uttered the words with fierce intent:

    "Void Table! My final requiem."

    As I plummeted through the sky, certain of my impending death, the strange artifact in my hand suddenly sprang to life. It glowed intensely, unfurling like a daisy blooming in midair, with a central eye bleeding radiant light that turned the entire sky a fiery crimson.

    With a smirk, I threw my challenge up to the heavens. "The path of time, take me back... ten years!"

    The world spun, colors and shapes blurring into oblivion. And then, as if waking from a vivid dream, I was back.

    MARY EMPORIO - BOLTAIRE MANSION

    What was taking him so long?

    I had been knocking on his door for two minutes now, yet there was no response. And why was it locked? Pushing my irritation aside, I knocked again, louder this time.

    "It''s 7:30. Get up, brother! We''re going to be late¡ª"

    The door creaked open.

    I hadn''t expected to see him like this.

    His posture was slouched, his usually neat short hair disheveled. The dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn¡¯t slept more than two hours. Did he train all night again? I wondered.

    Letting out a sigh, I crossed my arms. "Get ready. We''re heading to the academy."

    "I¡¯m coming," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, without another word, he shut the door in my face. I stared at the wooden frame, my irritation fading into unease. That wasn¡¯t like him. He wasn¡¯t the type to get emotional over anything.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    But his cheeks...They told a different story. He had been crying. Just a moment ago.

    What could''ve caused my mentally strong brother to cry at such an age? And he didn''t even bother hiding those marks as if he himself had no idea about it.

    I drifted down the corridor, lost in thought, and before I knew it, I bumped into a tall figure.

    "Sorry, Miss Emporio."

    I looked up to find myself face-to-face with Mr. Utah, Lady Uriel¡¯s older brother.

    I bowed slightly, intending to continue on my way without another word. His presence was commanding¡ªlong black hair, sharp features, and those crimson eyes that mirrored his sister¡¯s. A man far beyond my league.

    "Is something wrong?" he asked, his gaze scrutinizing me.

    I blinked, realizing I had been staring. Flushed, and without answering, I turned to leave.

    Then his next words stopped me in my tracks.

    "I heard he got disqualified from the tournament. Is that right?"

    I spun around, my breath catching. "Wh-What?" I stammered before managing, "What do you mean?"

    "Mr. Williams told me Audel was forced to back out."

    The weight of those words sank in.

    Audel had been training day and night for that tournament. If he had been disqualified just a week before the event, it must have hit him hard. If it were me, I probably would¡¯ve cried too.

    But this was Audel Emporio.

    My brother wouldn''t break over something like that.

    No, there was something else.

    And as his sister, I needed to find out what it was.

    I gave Mr. Utah a small nod of acknowledgment before turning away. He had already started walking in the opposite direction.

    But my mind was elsewhere.

    Something was wrong. And I was going to get to the bottom of it.

    MARKOV - IMEMR

    "Psssst. Oi. Oi. Markov. Wake up. The teacher is calling you."

    BAAM!

    I woke up, shot my seat so fast that my glasses slipped from my face and climbed the desk. I scrambled to catch them, my surroundings came to focus in the blink of an eye.

    Laughter.

    I looked over at Tom, who had his face buried in his palm. My classmates, meanwhile, were snickering at my expense.

    Shit.

    I should¡¯ve just stayed home today. Running on zero sleep was proving to be a terrible idea.

    "Markov!" The teacher¡¯s voice boomed. "Stand outside the class!"

    And just like that, I was banished to the hallway for the next hour.

    Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, I sighed as students passed by, whispering and chuckling. Some threw glances my way, others openly mocked me.

    But what stung the most?

    The girls gossiping right in front of me¡ªlaughing at my misery.

    Sigh.

    Then, something caught my eye.

    Or rather, someone.

    Widening my eyes, I barely managed to stutter, "L-L-Lord Harold?"

    The Lord Harold. The king¡¯s son. The prince of Tritine himself.

    He rarely visited the academy, yet here he was, walking past me like I didn¡¯t even exist.

    And right behind him¡ª

    A figure even more striking.

    "P-Prince Hera," I muttered under my breath.

    The princess.

    Her presence was almost surreal. Her curly white hair floated as if infused with mana itself. And her eyes¡ªsharper than Audel¡¯s, clearer than the sky¡ªheld an ethereal brilliance.

    She offered me a soft smile before continuing on, her scent lingering in the air.

    I almost lost myself in it.

    But then it clicked.

    Lord Harold¡¯s sudden appearance wasn¡¯t just a casual visit. It meant something.

    I turned my gaze back to the open classroom door. The prince was speaking in hushed tones with the professor.

    Curiosity got the better of me.

    Channeling mana, I sharpened my hearing and focused on their conversation.

    "-Tournament- Rush- 1 week- Because of- the rebellion- Announce it¡ªnow."

    The fragmented words pieced themselves together in my mind.

    A rebellion?

    My fingers twitched.

    As Harold and Hera walked past me again, I barely registered the prince¡¯s cold indifference. But the princess¡ªshe glanced my way once more, offering another smile before disappearing down the corridor.

    My heart pounded.

    Rebellion? What could this possibly mean?

    The grin creeping onto my face was instinctual.

    Finally.

    Something worth investigating.

    Adrenaline surged through me. I turned on my heel and bolted, sprinting away from my punishment, chasing after the two political figures.

    I couldn''t hold back a laugh.

    "I haven¡¯t felt this alive... since coming here!" I shouted into the empty hallway, my voice echoing as I ran.

 Chapter 9: Startled

    Markov - IMEMR

    "The princess is so beautiful."

    "Lord Harold has such broad shoulders! Wish I could hug him!"

    "Check out that baddi¡ª"

    "Shush! Watch your tone!"

    It had been thirty minutes since the tournament announcement. The event was set to take place in a week.

    Yet, as I moved through the dense crowd, trailing behind the royal members, I realized something odd.

    No one was talking about the tournament.

    Instead, they were busy swooning over Lord Harold¡¯s physique and whispering about Princess Hera¡¯s beauty.

    I resisted the urge to groan.

    "I am surrounded by idiots," I nearly muttered aloud.

    Exhaling sharply, I suppressed my mana presence and continued weaving through the crowd. A pointless effort, really¡ªagainst her.

    Princess Hera.

    She possessed the rare Bat No Eyes technique, a blessing passed down from their ancestor, the Diviner of All-Seer, Lady Lyra. Though the existence of diviners remained a mystery to the public, the mere presence of royalty like Harold and Hera served as undeniable proof of their lineage.

    With Bat No Eyes, Lady Hera could hear every conversation within a 20-meter radius¡ªeven whispers.

    So I kept my mana signature low, careful not to attract any attention.

    The last thing I needed was an unnecessary conversation.

    As expected, the prince parted ways with the princess. She had classes to attend, while he had far more pressing matters.

    That left me with a choice.

    Follow the prince or the princess?

    Of course, I¡¯d pick the latter¡ªif I were a degenerate.

    Instead, I took an alternate, narrow passage parallel to the one Harold walked down, activating my mana to enhance my hearing. The hall was nearly empty, save for the echo of his footsteps. Mine were silent.

    Then, he met someone.

    Mr. Hydron. The principal.

    That man had always intrigued me. I¡¯d suspected for a while that he had political connections, and now, seeing him interact with Harold, my theory was all but confirmed.

    I leaned closer. Their hushed voices barely carried through the air.

    "-The army¡ªThey¡¯ll recruit¡ªfrom the tournament."

    "-Is war¡ªinevitable?"

    "Better¡ªto be¡ªready and armed."

    War?

    I held my breath, pressing in further.

    "Should we notify the nobles?" Mr. Hydron¡¯s voice wavered, thick with unease.

    "Not all," Harold responded, his tone as sharp as a blade. "Only those who will sponsor our invasion of the north."

    North?

    "May I ask you something, my lord?" Hydron hesitated. "Why the north? I thought the capital in the north¡ª"

    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Harold cut him off. "Vestiron. It¡¯s him. He¡¯s taken control of a northern city. I¡¯ll explain later. For now, convene the meeting as soon as possible."

    "Yes, my lord." The principal bowed.

    I was already grinning.

    Then Harold added something that sent a thrill through me.

    "Don¡¯t inform Professor Williams. The Council suspects him of treason. He may be aiding Vestiron behind our backs. Keep a close eye on him¡ªbut don¡¯t make it obvious."

    Treason.

    Now, this was getting interesting.

    The principal bowed again, lower this time. "Yes, my lord."

    I curled my lips into a smirk.

    "Looks like something is about to go down."

    "What could possibly go down?"

    A voice.

    A lady¡¯s voice.

    I nearly jumped out of my skin but spun around instead.

    Lady Hera.

    Her piercing gaze locked onto me like a predator sizing up its prey.

    "Explain yourself, Markov Hyrphonus."

    I was cooked. Beyond cooked.

    Mary Emporio - IMEMR

    Since coming to the academy, I couldn¡¯t shake the worry gnawing at my mind. Was my brother okay? The paranoia had nearly swallowed me whole, leaving me hunched over my desk, head resting against the cold surface.

    Then, a warm hand touched my back.

    "Anything wrong, Saint Mary?"

    I lifted my head slightly, already knowing who it was. Myre¡ªmy best friend, my closest confidante.

    "I¡ªI¡¯m fine," I stammered, forcing the conversation elsewhere. "And for the Diviner¡¯s sake, stop calling me a saint."

    She leaned closer, the legs of her chair scraping against the floor with an audible screech. It didn¡¯t matter. Myre never cared about things like that.

    She reached out, pressing the back of her hand against my forehead. Checking for a fever.

    I jolted up, pulling away.

    "I don¡¯t have a fever, Myre. You can stop worrying."

    Even to my own ears, my voice was dry. Hollow.

    She frowned, her sharp gaze slicing through my weak attempt at a lie.

    "It¡¯s about your brother, isn¡¯t it?"

    I blinked, startled.

    "How¡¯d you know?"

    She smirked. "Would you be surprised if I told you I was a seer?" Then she waved her hand dismissively. "Never mind. Jokes aside¡ªwhich brother?"

    "Audel," I admitted with a sigh. "He cried. I don¡¯t know why."

    Myre tilted her head in thought before responding. "Well, he¡¯s in his early twenties now, right? Probably got dumped and had a breakdown. Happens to weak men all the time."

    "That¡¯s what worries me," I muttered. "He¡¯s neither weak nor interested in the girls on campus."

    She shot me a teasing look. "What? So does he have a thing for bo¡ª"

    "No." I shut that down immediately. "That¡¯s not the issue. I just... don¡¯t understand why he cried."

    Myre hummed, tapping her chin. Then, as if struck by a thought, she said, "Wait¡ªweren¡¯t your parents martyred in the last war? Maybe he was mourning them."

    I exhaled. "Could be... but we got out of that. I don¡¯t think that¡¯s it¡ª"

    Before I could finish, I felt it.

    A presence behind me.

    I saw it first in Myre¡¯s face¡ªthe way her expression froze, her eyes widening in horror.

    I knew I was done for.

    "Sorry, Profess¡ª" I started, whipping around.

    But instead of a stern face or harsh reprimand, I was met with a weary smile.

    "Uriel has called for you," the professor said gently. "She¡¯s waiting outside the classroom."

    Relief washed over me. No detention. No punishment. Just Uriel.

    I grabbed my things and waved goodbye to Myre before stepping into the hallway.

    And there she was.

    Uriel, auburn hair slightly disheveled, standing just outside the hall.

    She looked like she had been running.

    My stomach twisted.

    "Wh¡ªwhat happened?" I asked, paranoia already tightening its grip on my heart.

    Uriel met my gaze, breathless. Then, she spoke:

    "Audel is missing."

    Her words struck me like an arrow.

    Straight through the heart.

 Chapter 10: A Game of Intentions

    JEROME KRUGER - IMEMR TRAINING GROUNDS

    The announcement was made almost an hour ago. The sudden reschedule meant even more intense training. I knew I had no time to waste. I''ll need to prove myself in this tournament. Only then... Only then, my father will acknowledge me.

    It is my only shot... I have to win¡ªNo, I must win. My arrogant father will have no choice but to acknowledge me after I win this tournament. Only then... Only then, I could see her smile¡ªMy amnesic mother. I will do anything to win her heart back.

    That man¡ªmy father¡ªhas never cared for anything but power. The noble family was once the pillar of pride and dignity, yet he let it rot in his obsession with politics and war. He never spared a moment for my mother, not even when she broke. The trauma of his absence¡ªof losing everything she held dear¡ªshattered her mind. She no longer remembers me, nor does she remember the love we once shared as a family. And yet, I still foolishly wish to hear her call my name, to see the warmth return to her empty eyes.

    I sat around the training ground, on the wooden platform. I watched others spar from afar, feeling a fire of motivation burning in my heart. Clenching my fist in determination, I jolted back up, my sweat separating from my body due to inertia.

    "Je-Jerome!"¡ªA voice cut out from behind me.

    I turned around. It was Miss Monica, one of the nobles. She was also the vice president of the Student Council.

    Flustered, she immediately turned her face away, her face red. Oh¡ªI realized. I wasn''t wearing anything on my top. I let that realization sink in, feeling awkward myself.

    Turning to my side, I instead pretended to be observing other fights. I hoped that made the situation less awkward than it already was.

    She cleared her throat and started speaking, "Je-Jerome. Can you get some clothes on? The Council President wants to exchange a few words with you. I can assure you that it''s good news."

    What could Miss Raylis, the president of the student council, want from me? And to think she sent Miss Monica herself. Surely, it''s of some significance.

    "Alright, I am coming," I turned my back on her and readied myself.

    MARKOV HYRPHONUS - A CLOSED CLASSROOM

    Spending an entire class period alone with the princess herself¡ªit was surreal. As I studied her, her blue crystal eyes caught me off guard once again. She curled a smirk, her voice soft yet laced with amusement.

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    "You''re quite bold, considering you were just caught spying on the Prince. And yet, here you are, perfectly composed, even with the literal princess sitting in front of you. People would die for me¡ªfor my mere presence."

    I scoffed. "And here I thought the rumors of your narcissism were exaggerated. Don¡¯t get me wrong, Lady Hera. I may look like a bookish nobody, but I can be just as cunning as anyone. Composure comes naturally to me."

    "Or maybe," she mused, resting her chin on her palm, "it¡¯s because you¡¯ve resented us for years. You, the son of the late Zekriel Hyrphonus, still live in a world of denial. You blamed us for his death. But it was you, wasn¡¯t it?"

    I exhaled, unfazed. "You won''t break my composure with lies, Princess."

    "But his death was what drove you away from the family. Your own mother blamed you, and she was dead a day later. Harsh, don¡¯t you think?"

    Her words felt calculated as if testing the waters. Why was she provoking me? Why hadn¡¯t she arrested me on the spot? What was she really after?

    I sighed. "If you were hoping to stir some reaction, I hate to disappoint. That part of my life? I don¡¯t care about it anymore."

    Hera studied me for a moment, then leaned back, her piercing gaze never wavering. "I apologize for being so blunt, Markov Hyrphonus."

    "I abandoned that name years ago. Don''t call me that," I said flatly.

    She only smirked, clearly unfazed by my warning.

    Standing from my desk, I dusted myself off. "If you¡¯re done playing mind games, I¡¯ll be going. I actually have classes to attend."

    She chuckled. "And here I thought you weren¡¯t a nerd. Why not take off those glasses and embrace your cursed eyes?"

    Sighing, I pulled them off.

    "They''re not cursed," I corrected, meeting her gaze. "They allow me to see through a person¡¯s intent. But oddly enough, I can¡¯t read yours. What did you do?"

    She only shrugged. "A blessing is useless against another blessing." Then, with a devilish smile, she added, "I thought you abandoned your family. What happened to that resolve?"

    I met her stare, unfazed. "Call me a shameless opportunist. I''ll do whatever it takes to prove my innocence. Not that I expect you to believe me¡ªyou still think I killed my parents, don''t you?"

    "Interesting," she murmured, checking the time. "Right on schedule."

    As if on cue, the door creaked open.

    I turned, and my eyes narrowed at the two figures entering. "Lady Boltaire? Mary?"

    Uriel looked just as stunned as I felt. But while I remained composed, she nearly shouted, "M-Markov?! Why are you here? And with Lady Hera? I know the kind of man you are¡ª!"

    Before the tension could escalate, Hera clapped her hands.

    "Let¡¯s all discuss a particular future. One that depends on us¡ªmeaningful individuals."

 Chapter 11: A Ghost

    MARIA VOLKSLOVA - AT HER MANSION

    It was getting tenser every day as soldiers patrolled the mansion in increasing numbers. This left me with no choice but to remain isolated within these vast, empty halls. It was for my own safety or so I kept telling myself. For now, Father''s Mana barrier kept them from breaking in, but it wouldn¡¯t last forever. More importantly, the soldiers were still awaiting their orders. The moment they received them, the barrier wouldn¡¯t hold them back for long. I wasn¡¯t safe here.

    The maids had already fled days ago. But it was my decision as I had ordered them to leave for their own safety. Still, as I sat there, knees drawn to my chest, blanket wrapped tightly around me, I couldn''t help but wonder: What am I supposed to do next? Why hasn¡¯t Father sent word? It had been three days.

    A familiar paranoia tightened its grip on my chest. Was I going to die here? Not from an attack, but from sheer loneliness?

    Knock. Knock.

    A sudden tap at the window nearly startled the ghost out of me. My body stiffened as I slowly crept toward the glass. With my footsteps light and almost silent.

    Who would knock on my window at a time like this?

    Yet, I already knew the answer.

    I slid it open cautiously.

    "Au-Audel?" My voice wavered as I whispered his name. "What are you doing here? The guards¡ªdid they see you?"

    "Calm down," he said, his tone steady as he shrugged. "They haven¡¯t even caught a whiff of me. Now, are you going to let me in or not?"

    "S-sure," I stammered, stepping aside.

    Without hesitation, Audel climbed inside, moving with the ease of someone well-acquainted with sneaking past threats.

    Clearing my throat, I quickly composed myself. "So? What brings you here? Did you speak with my father?"

    His expression darkened. "I did. And it wasn¡¯t pleasant. He¡¯s rebelling against the king." He hesitated. "I don''t know if I should even be telling you this."

    I felt the air leave my lungs.

    "What?" My voice shot up in pitch. "Wait, wait. So it¡¯s real? He¡¯s really doing it?"

    Panic welled inside me, but before I could spiral further, Audel reached out, gripping my arm firmly.

    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    "Calm down," he said, his voice softer now. "First of all, you¡¯re not safe here. I came to get you out. I¡¯m taking you to your father."

    I stared at him, my heart hammering. "That means you¡¯re coming too, right? You know what that means, don¡¯t you? With your connections to my father, it¡¯s only a matter of time before they come after you and your family."

    He sighed. "That doesn¡¯t matter right now. Mary is safe as long as she¡¯s in Boltaire¡¯s mansion. I¡¯ll explain everything later. But we have to go. Now."

    I hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Wait¡ªlet me get ready."

    Without wasting another second, I rushed out of the room.

    Audel Emporio

    I sat on the couch, waiting as Maria readied herself in the next room. My left arm rested on the couch¡¯s armrest, my leg crossed in an attempt to steady myself. But no matter how composed I tried to appear, my thoughts were anything but calm.

    The memories¡­ What did they mean?

    Staring absently at the clear blue sky beyond the window, I watched a flock of birds perched on a nearby tree, trying to piece together the fragments in my mind. Yet, I couldn¡¯t shake the haunting images of my supposed past life.

    The Void Table. The Path of Time. The artifact.

    What were they? Did I really come from the future? And Master Vestiron¡ªdid he follow me into this timeline with a purpose of his own? The more I thought about it, the more it seemed as though I had used that daisy-like artifact to turn back time. But if that were true¡­ how did Vestiron end up here as well?

    Just who is he? Who am I¡­?

    A heavy sigh left my lips, my chest tightening under the weight of uncertainty. Just as I exhaled, the door to Maria¡¯s room swung open abruptly, jolting me from my thoughts.

    "Ma-Maria?" I murmured, taken aback.

    She stood there, half-dressed, her expression distant. Something was wrong. Definitely wrong.

    Lowering my gaze, I tried to suppress my growing concern. "What¡¯s wrong? We don¡¯t have much tim¡ª"

    Before I could finish, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me. It almost caught me off guard. Almost.

    But there was no warmth in her embrace.

    A chill ran down my spine. My initial concern twisted into a frown.

    She was hypnotized. I was sure of it. But by what? Or¡­ by whom?

    I straightened, placing my hands on her shoulders to push her back slightly, meeting her gaze head-on. My eyes hardened, calculating. But hers¡­ hers were sharper¡ªdeadly, even¡ªas she curled her lips into a pitiful smirk.

    "This virgin body is craving some affection," she murmured, voice dripping with mockery. "Why don¡¯t you gift it to me?"

    I didn¡¯t flinch. "Who are you?" My stance remained firm, my gaze unwavering.

    She took another step forward, leaning in close, her breath ghosting over my skin. A whisper followed, laced with something almost¡­ sinister.

    "Wanna find out?"

    I rolled my eyes, exhaling sharply as I released a surge of mana¡ªenough to startle her, to force a reaction.

    But it backfired.

    With a sudden yank, she grasped my sleeve and pulled me forward, dragging me toward the bed. I barely had time to suppress my surprise before our eyes locked again.

    "You¡¯ve caught my interest, boy," she whispered, her voice almost devilish. "Why don¡¯t you sign a contract with me? I¡¯ll give you your past memories in return."

    That¡ªthat¡ªmade my breath hitch. My carefully maintained composure cracked, just for a second.

    Seizing the moment, she shoved me off the bed. I hit the floor with a dull thud.

    Standing over me, she loomed tall, her presence far more menacing than before.

    "Audel Emporio," she declared, her voice laced with an eerie certainty. "Your fate will only worsen if you don¡¯t hunt down the Diviners. They¡¯ll come for you before you even realize it."

    At the mention of the Diviners, something in my mind clicked. A pulse of knowledge surged through me, as if a forgotten page of a book had just been flipped open. The words slipped from my mouth instinctively, like reading from a text I had long studied.

    "Diviners are heavenly creations of the Architect¡ªalso known as The One, or God. They are the messengers of the Architect and can take human form."

    I paused, my throat tightening. But the words kept coming, like a truth buried deep within me, clawing its way to the surface.

    "But that human must come from their lineage. The Volkslova family are the descendants of the Diviner known as¡­"

    I hesitated, bile rising in my throat at the mere thought of uttering the name. But I forced myself to speak.

    "Lady Lyra¡ªthe Diviner of the All-Seer."

    Maria¡ªor whatever had taken hold of her¡ªsmirked. Her eyes gleamed with something almost¡­ delighted.

    "And you," she whispered, her tone laced with cruel amusement, "must be one of the remnants of the one who was once called Audel."

 Chapter 12: Remnants

    AUDEL EMPORIO

    Lady Lyra, now inhabiting the body of my childhood friend, stood before me, her gaze piercing through my very being. Stretching her arms, she let out a sigh before murmuring,

    "I am expending a great deal of karma to maintain this form. I don¡¯t have much time, mortal, so heed my words."

    I swallowed hard, my eyes locked onto her. Yet, despite the gravity of her presence, I couldn¡¯t help but notice how her lustrous attire shifted in the dim light, momentarily pulling my attention away.

    "The Diviners have taken notice of your¡­ unexpected arrival," she continued, her voice carrying an eerie weight.

    Then she corrected herself.

    "Not reincarnation, exactly. Just your emergence from the future. But here¡¯s the good news¡ª" she paused deliberately, letting her words settle, "¡ªthey don¡¯t know your vessel. Right now, the Diviners are ordering their monarchs to issue a worldwide search for the variables."

    She fixed her gaze on me, her next words deliberate.

    "The variables you''ve created."

    A dull ache formed in my temples. My thoughts scrambled between confusion and realization.

    "This¡­ isn¡¯t helping," I muttered, frustration slipping into my tone. "I don¡¯t have enough information¡ªor maybe I¡¯m drowning in too much all at once. Why don¡¯t you start from the beginning?"

    She frowned, clearly impatient. "I don¡¯t have the luxury of time," she admitted. Then, as if reconsidering, a small smirk formed on her lips.

    "But I am here to stop my kind from claiming you and your power¡ª" she leaned in, her breath ghosting over my skin, "¡ªyour potential power."

    I tensed as she stepped closer.

    "I am betraying my race for you." Her voice dipped into something almost seductive. "You should be grateful and accept my bargain without hesitation."

    I met her gaze, unflinching.

    "What do you want? And how do I benefit?"

    She took a step back, her attention shifting to the mirror on the dresser. Watching her own reflection, she spoke,

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    "I will accompany you on your journey, keeping the Diviners distracted while you train to reclaim your past¡ªwell, technically, your future powers."

    "And?" I pushed, greed slipping into my tone.

    She smirked, rolling on her heels as she admired her temporary human form.

    "Naturally, you¡¯ll regain your memories and experiences¡ª" she paused, "¡ªboth the joyful and the traumatic. But¡­"

    Her expression darkened.

    The air grew heavy.

    An overwhelming mana pressure crashed over me, forcing my knees to buckle slightly. I clenched my jaw, willing myself to stand firm.

    "The memories won¡¯t be pleasant," she warned, her voice laced with something almost cruel. "They will be a dire testament to what you once endured. They are not for nostalgia, but for your survival. Do you understand, mortal?"

    I forced myself upright, my expression as composed as I could manage. "And what do you gain from this, Diviner Lyra?"

    The weight lifted. I exhaled sharply, rolling my shoulders as the air grew lighter.

    "Insight," she said simply. "Nothing more."

    Her fingers grazed her forearm as her skin pulsed with radiant light.

    "My time is up," she murmured, glancing at me. "I¡¯ll take your silence as agreement."

    I gave a small nod, knowing I had far more to gain than to lose.

    "Good," she said, satisfied. But before the light consumed her, she added, "Don¡¯t tell your mentor, Vestiron. It will only make things worse."

    Then, she was gone.

    Maria remained standing, her eyes vacant, her body still. Then, in a sudden jolt, her consciousness snapped back.

    "Wh¡ªwhere am I?" Her gaze flickered to the mirror.

    Then¡ª

    "AUDEL! YOU PERVERT!"

    Before I could react, objects from the dresser came flying at me.

    I barely managed a hasty, half-hearted apology before launching myself out the window.

    As I sat on the grass, I let out a deep sigh, trying to ease the tension coiling within me.

    The Diviners. What could those heavenly beings possibly want from me? And for Lady Lyra herself to pay me a visit¡­ Just what had I done in my past¡ªno, my future life?

    I turned my palm upward, studying it as if the answers lay hidden within its lines. A worldwide search¡­ That alone was alarming. If the Diviners were mobilizing like this, it could only mean one thing¡ªwar was on the horizon.

    Not all Diviners stand on the same side. They serve their monarchs, not out of duty, but out of self-interest. Each with their own agendas, their own schemes. If they were to engage directly in this world, the consequences would be catastrophic. And if they turned their swords on each other¡­

    This world would become a battlefield of gods.

    Humanity¡ªmere collateral in their conflict¡ªwould be reduced to nothing. Our cities turned to rubble, our bones left to fertilize the fields of their war-torn domain.

    I clenched my fist, a quiet resolve settling within me.

    "I''ll become stronger¡­ but before that," I whispered, then corrected myself in thought¡ª

    I will piece together the fragments of my future self to gain true sight.

 Chapter 13: Spy

    Jerome Kruger - IMEMR

    As I followed Miss Monica down the stairs, I noticed the halls widening. These underground corridors were exclusive to academy staff, and though I had been here before, the sight still felt unfamiliar. The further we descended, the fewer students I saw. The distant clashing of iron echoed from the training grounds above.

    "First time?" Monica asked, glancing at me with a knowing smile.

    "Not really," I shrugged, my gaze still wandering. "But it looks the same as the last time I was here."

    "And when was that?" she asked, curious.

    I hesitated for a moment before replying, "Back when my mother was still a professor here."

    "Oh," her tone softened with sympathy. "I¡¯m sorry for your loss."

    "It¡¯s fine, really. What matters is that she¡¯s alive¡ªeven if she doesn¡¯t remember me, hehe," I tried to lighten the mood, but my words only deepened the silence. Before the awkwardness could settle, a familiar voice called out.

    "Jerome? What are you doing here?"

    It was Professor Williams.

    Before I could answer, Monica spoke for me. "The Student Council has called for his presence. It¡¯s regarding the upcoming tournament."

    "I see," he nodded, then walked away.

    I quickened my pace to match Monica¡¯s and lowered my voice. "Did you just lie to him? What are you hiding?"

    "You¡¯ll understand soon enough," she replied, not looking back. "Until then, let¡¯s walk without unnecessary conversation."

    Something felt off. I stayed wary of the black-haired girl walking just ahead of me, observing her every movement.

    When we finally stopped in front of an old wooden door, I realized this wasn¡¯t the council room. Monica gestured for me to enter, and I followed, only to be met with an unexpected sight.

    "L-Lord Harold?" I muttered, bowing slightly. Around a round meeting table sat academy professors and uniformed soldiers from the National Army. All seats were empty except for one, which I presumed was meant for me. Still, I hesitated to sit among such high-ranking figures.

    Stolen story; please report.

    But then my eyes landed on someone else¡ªmy father, Jarrod Kruger. He sat beside the prince himself, his arms crossed, eyes closed, deliberately avoiding my gaze.

    "Have a seat, Mr. Jerome," the prince urged. After a glance at Monica, who stood silently in the corner, I complied.

    Beside me sat the Student Council President, Miss Raylis, her posture stiff, her gaze averted.

    The prince cleared his throat. "Let us commence the meeting, with Veyron¡¯s name in our hearts."

    The room, already silent, grew even heavier.

    "The reason I¡¯ve called this meeting is to address an issue of utmost importance," the prince began, his gaze sharp. "This includes you as well, Jerome, as you will be the one acting on our behalf."

    I felt eyes shift toward me, some whispering, others exchanging wary glances.

    The prince continued, silencing the murmurs. "You are all aware of Mr. Vestiron¡¯s recent activities, yes? It is with great regret that I confirm the rumors¡ªhe has indeed betrayed the monarch."

    The weight of his words hung in the air.

    "And," he added, "we have identified a potential spy within our ranks." His fiery gaze locked onto me.

    "I am assigning the Student Council to monitor Jerome¡¯s actions while he gathers evidence against this spy. And, of course, I am referring to none other than Professor Williams."

    Despite my suspicions, hearing it confirmed still felt surreal.

    "And sadly," the prince continued, "he has recruited students to aid him¡ªtwo, to be exact. One from the Boltaire house and one from the Hyrphonus house. I am speaking of Uriel and Markov."

    Uriel¡¯s name was a surprise to me. She had always been a nonchalant girl¡ªimpossible to read, unpredictable in her actions, and seemingly untouchable in her demeanor. No weaknesses, no slip-ups. But Markov?

    The name was vaguely familiar. I was certain I had heard it before, but it didn¡¯t immediately register¡ªuntil it did. Markov was one of the academy¡¯s scholars, someone I had occasionally seen with Audel. But the idea of that bookish, unassuming figure being tangled in the web of politics was difficult to grasp.

    With a frustrated sigh, I turned to the prince. "What must I do, Your Highness?"

    He leaned back, resting one hand on the armrest of his throne-like chair while the other absentmindedly toyed with a chess piece. "For now, just observe. You¡¯ll be notified when the time comes¡ªwhen you are to strike against them. Understood?"

    "Yes, my Lord." My response was instant, but the weight of the moment was made heavier by the sharp gaze of my father, Jarrod Kruger, piercing through me for the first time.

    "Dismissed. You shalt walk free for now," the prince declared with a wave of his hand. Monica gestured for me to leave, and I turned toward the exit.

    As I walked, my thoughts lingered on Miss Raylis. The Student Council president had worn a frown since my arrival, her unease almost palpable. But now, I noticed something else¡ªshe was trembling.

    "I will not be controlled," I murmured under my breath, my voice barely above a whisper.

    The hallway stretched vast and empty as I walked alone¡ªuntil something caught my eye.

    A shadow. A silhouette disappearing around the corner.

    Someone had been watching us.

    My pace quickened, and so did theirs.

    I wasn¡¯t imagining things. Someone was there. Someone was running.

 Chapter 14: Ambushed

    AUDEL EMPORIO - FOREST OF TRITINE - NORTHERN BORDERS

    A trail of carts and wagons stretched endlessly along the dirt road, their wheels carving deeper grooves into the already worn path. Each hoofbeat churned the mud further, a clear sign that these roads were traveled by common folk rather than the nobility. It made for the perfect place to disappear.

    Seated beside me, Maria kept her face hidden beneath a tattered cloak, yet even that did little to stop the wandering eyes of those around us. She deliberately avoided my gaze, turning away whenever our eyes threatened to meet.

    I couldn¡¯t blame her. After what had happened, I had embarrassed her¡ªenough to make this entire journey unbearably awkward. But while she struggled with the tension between us, I had far greater concerns to worry about.

    "The lover¡¯s quarrel¡ªhow nostalgic!" scoffed an old man seated across from us, a mischievous glint in his eye.

    Maria was quick to protest. "We are not love¡ª"

    Thwack!

    Before she could finish, an elderly woman¡ªpresumably his wife¡ªsmacked him over the head with her cane. "Don¡¯t go embarrassing the young ones, Leon."

    The old man rubbed his head sheepishly before flashing us a wide, apologetic grin. "Sorry, kids. Just a little Tuesday morning tomfoolery."

    "It¡¯s Sunday today, gramps," another voice chimed in.

    A young man, likely around Maria¡¯s age, smirked as he leaned forward. "Did you forget your pills again?" His tone was laced with amusement.

    Leon scoffed, puffing his chest. "I need no such trivial spells to keep me alive, boy. The mighty Leon still wields a sword!"

    His wife sighed. "Apologies. My husband gets a bit too jolly at times. Once he starts, I can¡¯t stop him."

    "Don¡¯t worry about me, dear," Leon said, waving her off. "Worry about the bandits who are about to ambush us¡ªfor I am the seer of truth!"

    Maria let out an exasperated sigh. "How pessimistic." Her gaze remained fixed outside.

    But I froze.

    The old man wasn¡¯t joking. He was amused¡ªtoo amused¡ªas if he knew something.

    I closed my eyes and focused.

    There.

    At first, I sensed six¡­ no, twenty distinct mana signatures lurking in the forest. A coordinated ambush. The others, unaware of the looming threat, continued their chatter. Unlike them, I was trained in mana detection.

    I bolted from my seat and leapt to the ground, landing with a splash of mud that splattered onto the guard beside me.

    "What the hell are y¡ª" The guard¡¯s reprimand was cut short as an arrow struck his leg, sending him collapsing to the ground.

    Before I could reach him, a barrage of arrows rained down upon us. Horses shrieked as they were struck, collapsing and blocking any chance of escape.

    I, however, remained unscathed.

    With a swift motion, I caught an arrow midair, my grip tightening around the shaft as I finally laid eyes on them.

    Twenty bandits.

    Ten archers, five mages, and five melee fighters wielding long spears¡ªall cloaked in black, marking them as part of the same group.

    And then, their leader stepped forward. He was taller than the rest, his voice carrying easily across the terrified crowd.

    "We are looking for a powerful spy among you." His words sent a ripple of fear through the travelers. "We know you are here. Show yourself, and we shall spare the rest."

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    They¡¯re looking for me?

    I clenched my fists. There was no time to question why. If I did nothing, innocent people would suffer.

    Steeling my resolve, I drew my sword from beneath my cloak and, without hesitation, vanished into the shadows of the forest¡ªmy target locked.

    Their leader wouldn¡¯t even see me coming.

    UTAH BOLTAIRE - FORST OF TRITINE

    Damn it. I cursed under my breath, realizing I had lost sight of Audel.

    Wait¡ª that made me sound like a stalker.

    But the truth was far from it. My father had ordered me to keep an eye on the boy, acting on a special request from Mr. Vestiron. For his safety, they said. The so-called boy wonder needed protection, though I doubted he¡¯d appreciate knowing he was being watched.

    Dressed in a simple leather jacket, I kept my identity hidden, blending seamlessly with the travelers. As I walked alongside the narrow trail of carts and wagons, I noticed something unusual¡ªthe convoy had come to a halt.

    That was never a good sign.

    Sensing a disruption ahead, I quickened my pace, slipping away from the main road and into the dense underbrush. The forest closed in around me, the damp scent of moss and earth filling my lungs as I moved through the shadows.

    Then, I felt it.

    Twenty distinct mana signatures lurked ahead.

    "Bandits," I murmured, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my sword as I leapt forward.

    Instinct urged me to intervene, but I knew better. I couldn¡¯t afford to reveal myself¡ªnot yet. Unless the situation spiraled beyond control, this was Audel¡¯s fight.

    Instead, I settled into position, watching from the shadows.

    I wanted to see him in action.

    MARIA VOLKSLOVA

    Inside the wagon, I focused on my task, hands glowing with a soft green aura as I healed the injured guard. The man had taken an arrow to the leg during the first wave of the ambush, and his pained groans had stirred panic among the passengers.

    Terror hung thick in the air. Some cried. Others prayed. A few just sat frozen in place, their wide eyes darting between me and the chaos outside.

    It wasn¡¯t often that common folk witnessed a blessed healer in action.

    As the magic faded from my hands, the wound sealing, I turned my attention to the old man across from me¡ªthe one who had predicted this attack as if it were nothing more than a passing joke.

    But when I opened my mouth, the words died on my lips.

    Even now, with death looming outside, he was grinning.

    Unease prickled at my skin, but I forced myself to speak. ¡°How did you know?¡± My voice was steady, but my eyes bore into him. ¡°Who are you? Did you order this ambush?¡±

    His expression remained unreadable. Calm. Amused, even. He simply crossed his legs and leaned back, watching me as if I were some puzzle to be solved.

    Then he said, ¡°What do you know of pain, child? The pain of knowing the future¡ªof watching an inevitable fate unfold, powerless to change it?¡±

    A chill ran down my spine.

    I glanced at the others for reassurance, but¡ªsomething was wrong.

    They were still. Too still.

    No movement. No breaths. It was as if time itself had stopped, freezing them in place.

    My blood turned to ice.

    I snapped my gaze back to the old man. ¡°What did you do to them?¡±

    His laughter sent a shiver through me. ¡°They mustn¡¯t overhear,¡± he said, his voice almost teasing. ¡°Knowing too much is a burden, and I am doing them a favor. After all, they mustn¡¯t know who I am.¡±

    I clenched my fists. ¡°Then who are you? And why tell me?¡±

    For the first time, his grin faltered. A shadow flickered across his face, his eyes darkening with something unreadable.

    ¡°Because,¡± he murmured, his voice lowering, ¡°you are the descendant of my arch-enemy, mortal.¡±

    My breath caught.

    His smile returned, wider this time. Hungrier.

    ¡°And you deserve to know the future that awaits you.¡±

    Silence stretched between us. Then, he leaned forward, his grin twisting into something even more sinister.

    ¡°Perhaps, you deserve to know my name.¡±

    The air around us hummed.

    ¡°I am the Diviner of Light¡ªAgriveous.¡±

    A sharp pulse of energy radiated from him, making my skin prickle.

    ¡°And I am here,¡± he whispered, ¡°to offer you a path of salvation.¡±

 Chapter 15: Darkness

    MARIA VOLKSLOVA

    ¡°A-Agriveous?¡± The name escaped my lips before I could stop myself. I covered my mouth, my own shock catching me off guard.

    The old man¡ªno, the Diviner of Light¡ªsnickered as if my reaction amused him. Then, with slow, deliberate movements, he rose from his seat.

    ¡°I¡¯ll show you the truth.¡±

    Even the way he stood sent a chill down my spine.

    As he clenched his fists, specks of light formed around them, swirling and expanding until they shaped a long sword¡ªradiant and blinding, as if carved from the essence of the sun itself.

    I kept my eyes locked onto the blade, my voice unsteady. ¡°Wh-What are you planning to do?¡±

    Agriveous didn¡¯t even look at me. ¡°An unknown presence lurks within my sight of mana. I must eliminate it.¡±

    Then, just before setting off, he added, ¡°For now, I am an ally of Vestiron. So, I shall aid you, mortals, in this one-sided war.¡±

    He leapt from the wagon¡ªbut he did not fall. He soared, his body cutting through the air as though gravity meant nothing to him.

    ¡°One-sided war?¡± I echoed under my breath. What does he mean?

    I knew the bandits weren¡¯t much of a threat. Audel alone is enough to take them down. But Agriveous wasn¡¯t talking about them. Something else was happening in the background.

    Something far worse.

    I turned toward the wagon¡¯s entrance. The world outside looked¡­ wrong.

    Still. Frozen.

    No¡ªnot frozen. A transparent barrier hung over the area, trapping everything within it in a suspended state. And yet, as I flexed my fingers, I found I could move freely.

    Why am I unaffected?

    I didn¡¯t have time to question it further. Agriveous had already disappeared into the sky, leaving behind only a flicker of golden light in his wake.

    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    AGRIVEOUS

    The dense forest blurred beneath me as I flew, my destination already in sight.

    Just as Vestiron predicted.

    I descended smoothly, landing on the damp earth. My grip tightened around my sword as my eyes scanned the scene.

    A massacre.

    The bandit camp had been wiped out¡ªripped apart with brutal efficiency. Blood soaked the ground, bodies lay in grotesque positions, limbs severed. Whatever had done this wasn¡¯t human.

    ¡°The ones still raiding the route must be unaware,¡± I murmured to myself.

    Then, a laugh. Low, mocking.

    I spun around, sword at the ready¡ªbut saw nothing.

    ¡°Show yourself,¡± I commanded, my voice echoing through the clearing.

    Silence.

    Then, from the shadows, a figure emerged.

    He walked with an unsettling ease, his every step deliberate, controlled. When he spoke, his voice dripped with amusement.

    ¡°Agriveous. You might¡¯ve outplayed the General¡­¡± His lips curled into a smirk. ¡°But you¡¯ve played yourself right into my hands.¡±

    I remained motionless, assessing him. ¡°I am a Diviner. You are a mere mortal. If I wished, I could fly away, leaving you in the dirt. You cannot chase me. You cannot defeat me.¡±

    He laughed again, this time deeper, darker.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have much karma left for that, Agriveous.¡± His tone was almost¡­ pitying. ¡°Why don¡¯t you surrender? Accept the Lord¡¯s judgment while you still have the chance? This vessel you¡¯re clinging to¡ª¡± his eyes flickered over my aging body ¡°¡ªwon¡¯t get you anywhere. What can an old man possibly do against Eukaphrote¡¯s finest soldier?¡±

    I did not respond. Words were a waste of time. And he wasn¡¯t half wrong. He indeed was one of the Aeons, or simply put, General Zenrith¡¯s strongest spy.

    I lunged.

    The sword of light flared in my grip, its energy surging through me as I slashed forward. My aged body was slow¡ªbut the magic more than compensated.

    But my opponent was faster.

    With inhuman agility, he leaped¡ªtwenty feet into the air, tucking his legs in midair as he twisted above me.

    I wasted no time. Seizing the opening, I pointed my sword at him, preparing to release a concentrated burst of light¡ª

    Something flicked through the air.

    A rusty nail.

    It struck my shoulder.

    Pain flared as I staggered. In the same instant, my opponent landed gracefully behind me, using nothing but a push of air to soften his descent.

    I turned swiftly, lightning crackling from my fingers, but¡ªhe was gone.

    A whisper slithered through my own shadow.

    ¡°Don¡¯t play games with me.¡±

    Then¡ªpain.

    Rusty nails, twenty of them, shot up from the ground, piercing my feet and pinning me in place.

    I barely registered the pain before his voice came again¡ªthis time from behind me.

    Low. Amused.

    From my own shadow.

    ¡°Go back to sleep, old man.¡±

    A flash of movement¡ª

    Then, darkness.

 Chapter 16: Cooked

    AUDEL EMPORIO

    I perched silently on a thick tree branch, my eyes scanning the battlefield below. My target wasn¡¯t hard to find¡ªbandits always hunted with their leader, and tonight was no exception.

    A relief.

    An assassination was always easier with a clear mark. But before I struck, I needed answers. That announcement from the bandit earlier still echoed in my mind:

    "We are looking for a powerful spy among you."

    The words gnawed at me.

    Why would mere bandits be searching for a spy among common travelers? And why risk an open attack on the main road?

    There was only one possibility: they weren¡¯t acting alone.

    Someone had hired them. But who? And more importantly¡ªwho was the spy they were after?

    I crouched, narrowing my eyes at the bandit leader below. His posture, his gestures¡ªeverything about him was screaming something. I just had to listen.

    Sweat clung to his skin despite the cool night air. His hands clenched and unclenched. He was nervous. Scared, even. But his eyes¡­

    His gaze darted around¡ªerratic, searching¡ªexcept it wasn¡¯t random.

    I followed the pattern.

    Then, my breath hitched.

    The bandits weren¡¯t alone.

    From my vantage point, I could see the dark silhouettes of soldiers lying in wait. An army. They had surrounded the bandits¡ªbut they weren¡¯t attacking.

    That didn¡¯t make sense.

    Unless¡ª

    A slow smirk curled at my lips as the pieces fell into place.

    These weren¡¯t our soldiers.

    Though they wore the uniform of the National Army, their mana signatures betrayed them. They didn¡¯t belong to this land.

    ¡°Eukaphrotians,¡± I murmured, leaning against the tree trunk.

    But why?

    Why would foreign soldiers ally with bandits just to smoke out a spy?

    The answer was clear: The spy they were after wasn¡¯t just any informant. They were one of their own. A traitor.

    That eliminated one possibility¡ªthey weren¡¯t looking for me.

    But my mind drifted to the old man in the wagon.

    He had predicted this ambush. Almost too accurately. Could he be connected to all this?

    I needed to find out.

    But first¡ªI had a battle to handle.

    With a swift motion, I pulled my mana-concealing hood over my head. My presence faded into the dark.

    Before I made my move on the bandit leader, I had to sever their connection to the Eukaphrotians.

    They were a threat.

    Maybe not to me.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    But to everyone else.

    UTAH BOLTAIRE

    Who are these men?

    I crouched behind a thick tree trunk, stealing cautious glances at the figures moving in the clearing ahead. They wore the uniforms of the National Army, yet I had received no orders about an operation of this scale. If this was a classified mission, I should have at least heard whispers of it.

    But no.

    Their faces were foreign. Their movements, too precise. Their numbers¡ªfar too many for a routine patrol.

    Could they be operating under the King¡¯s secret orders?

    No. That didn¡¯t make sense either.

    Their uniforms were a mere disguise. The mana signatures radiating from them were different, unfamiliar, like they came from another continent altogether.

    A cold realization settled in my gut.

    I needed to report this to my father.

    Foreign interference of this magnitude would be a disaster. If these soldiers were after Audel, could it mean they were trying to smoke out Vestiron? Rumors had spread of Vestiron seeking foreign allies in opposition to the King¡¯s rule. But these invaders wouldn¡¯t aid him like this¡ªforcing a bandit attack near the capital¡¯s main road was reckless, borderline suicidal.

    Then another possibility struck me.

    Was this the first step in an invasion?

    The thought was quickly buried as a sharp voice cut through the night.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    I tensed.

    ¡°Kreg, check the bushes. Now.¡± A female voice rang out, calm but commanding.

    ¡°Yes, My Aeon.¡± A soldier responded.

    Aeon?

    I had never heard that title before. Definitely foreign.

    Panic was useless. I needed to act¡ªnow. If they captured me, torture would follow. And while I had no intention of dying here, I could use this moment to learn more.

    Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, hands raised. Not in surrender, but as a gambit.

    The first soldier I saw had short wheat-colored hair and piercing purple eyes. Behind him, at least thirty soldiers stood in formation, their leader at the center¡ªa woman with navy blue hair, standing like a spider at the heart of her web.

    Young. All of them.

    Her eyes locked onto me, cold and calculating.

    ¡°Arrest him, Kreg! Surround him¡ªhe might be a Wikes spy.¡±

    Fifteen soldiers moved in instantly. They were fast. Precise.

    From the outside, it must have looked hopeless.

    But I wasn¡¯t some common captive.

    They had walked straight into my trap.

    As the soldiers closed in, I activated Fire Step: Second Form.

    A surge of heat burst from my core, engulfing the men around me in a sudden, violent blaze. Like a living bomb, I was.

    Screams echoed through the clearing as the flames devoured them, forcing them to retreat.

    The wheat-haired soldier¡ªKreg¡ªremained still, unfazed, his gaze locked onto mine. Behind him, his commander barked orders.

    ¡°Keep your distance! Unit-5, establish contact with the battalion! Unit-2, relay to Aeon Platus!¡±

    I hadn¡¯t intended to fight these people. But now, I had no choice.

    Drawing my longsword, its blade radiating heat, I took a combat stance.

    Kreg smirked.

    Ignoring his commander¡¯s orders, he pulled out two daggers, their edges gleaming under the firelight. His purple eyes burned brighter.

    ¡°After I kill you,¡± he sneered, ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to ask for a promotion.¡±

    Then, with unnatural speed, he lunged.

    Our swords clashed, sparks flying as steel met steel. I had the advantage in strength, forcing him back with each strike. He stumbled but quickly recovered, falling into his stance once more, eyes sharp with determination.

    "Unit-6! Fall back to the commander!" he barked.

    "But Leyten Kreg¡ª"

    "I said go!" he roared before launching himself at me with terrifying speed. I barely dodged, his blade whistling past my ear. A crackle of yellow lightning erupted from his body as he struck again, his movements blurring through the air.

    I met his flurry of attacks head-on, parrying with precise counters, but he gave me no opening to retaliate. His speed outmatched mine in close combat, and before I could react, a sharp sting ran across my cheek¡ªa scratch, but a warning.

    I leaped back ten feet in an instant, clenching my fist as flames surged around it. "Fire Step: First Form!" A ray of fire erupted forward, blazing straight toward him and the commander standing parallel behind him.

    But something was wrong. My flames flickered... then vanished.

    No, not vanished¡ªabsorbed.

    The boy exhaled, his violet eyes gleaming with an eerie light. He had taken in my flames as effortlessly as breathing, his body unfazed. A slow smirk stretched across his face.

    "So primitive." He cracked his neck and began circling me, his voice thick with mockery. "If this is all the Wikes can manage, then they''re already cooked."

 Chapter 17: A Variable left behind

    KREG

    I circled the man, watching for an opening, but he stood firm, his red eyes locked onto me with an unwavering glare. The dim light of the forest reflected off the blood on his blade, deepening his fierce aura. He wasn¡¯t just some soldier¡ªhis skill spoke for itself. A lieutenant by rank, but almost as strong as a major.

    Then again, comparing our ranks to theirs was pointless.

    As a Leyten, my power was equivalent to a lower-class major in their military. If I so much as blinked at the wrong moment, he¡¯d have my head. But the same could be said for him.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Aeon Elke. She remained still, analyzing him just as I was. If she wanted, she could end this in an instant. She was an Aeon, far beyond my rank.

    The man suddenly spoke, his voice carrying through the shallow forest.

    "I have only one question."

    "You may speak, Wikesman." Lady Elke responded, arms crossed.

    He didn¡¯t even spare me a glance. "Why would the Eukaphrotians attack us? Weren¡¯t we on good terms?"

    "Times have changed. Boards and pieces turned." Her tone was sharp, decisive. "Now, how about you answer me, Wikesman? How did you know our location?"

    His answer was surprisingly casual. "I was just walking around." Then his voice hardened. "And why would you force bandits to attack innocent people? Were you trying to find leads on Vestiron?"

    Vestiron.

    I barely murmured the name before I noticed Lady Elke stiffen.

    "He¡¯s just a side threat," she said carefully. "The real concern is the organization backing him. They are the true danger¡ªto both our nations. Wouldn¡¯t you rather join us in rooting them out?"

    The man¡¯s expression became unreadable. He stepped forward, hands clenched.

    "I am a Lieutenant of the National Army," he declared. "I¡¯d like to hear more. Why would the Eukaphrotian Army sneak into our borders and orchestrate a bandit attack against innocent people? Explain, or I¡¯ll take your head to my king."

    Lady Elke stepped forward, hands clasped behind her back.

    "First, we didn¡¯t sneak in, Lieutenant. Your own generals led us here. We are cooperating to eliminate an organization that threatens both continents." Her voice was firm, unwavering. "But you... a platoon-less officer... attacking us without orders? That raises a question: Did your generals betray you? Or did they betray your nation? Which one is it?"

    I listened closely, absorbing every word. Even I hadn¡¯t known this much. But something was off. She wasn¡¯t telling the full truth.

    And the lieutenant knew it too.

    His smirk was my only warning.

    "That¡¯s enough information," he muttered¡ªthen he attacked.

    Steel flashed, and before I could react, I was airborne. One of my daggers spun into the sky as his strike sent me reeling. But the fool ignored me, turning his back and charging straight for the commander.

    Vestiron¡¯s spy.

    I scowled as I twisted midair. What a half-assed bastard.

    Before their swords could meet, something crashed down between them.

    A blur shot from the sky, slamming into the ground with explosive force.

    Aeon Platus.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Dust and leaves scattered as he straightened, his piercing gaze sweeping over the lieutenant, whose body froze in place. Was it shock? Fear?

    Then¡ªanother figure descended.

    No, he didn¡¯t descend¡ªhe floated.

    A sudden pressure filled the air, suffocating and absolute.

    A voice, deep and ageless, rang through the clearing.

    "Brainless mortals."

    The old man hovered fifteen feet above the ground, his gaze piercing through each of us. Even the lieutenant seemed to falter¡ªhis expression unreadable, but his body unmistakably tensed.

    Aeon Platus moved first.

    He lunged, but before he could strike¡ªsomething struck him.

    A blur collided with him, hurling him back with monstrous force. He crashed into the dirt, unmoving.

    Lady Elke reacted instantly.

    She shadow-dashed, closing the distance in a heartbeat. In the blink of an eye, she was beside Platus, her arms catching him before he hit the ground.

    She turned her head¡ªher eyes met mine.

    Then, in a gust of wind¡ªshe was gone.

    I remained.

    Alone.

    The two figures turned their eyes to me, their expressions unreadable. But I knew exactly what they were about to do.

    Before I could even twitch a finger, the world around me lurched.

    A sickening whirl¡ªgravity vanished beneath me. I felt weightless yet heavy at the same time. I was still conscious inside, yet my body refused to respond. A dull coldness spread through my back as I hit the ground. Mud. Wet and freezing.

    My vision blurred. The last thing I saw before darkness swallowed me was two figures.

    But they weren¡¯t them.

    They didn¡¯t belong to this battlefield.

    This felt... like a dream.

    One figure stood to my right¡ªan old woman, her face shrouded in shadow, her presence eerily familiar. Beside her, a young man with long white hair, his battle robes stained with blood.

    I didn¡¯t recognize him.

    But the woman...

    Mother.

    No. That¡¯s impossible.

    You died ten years ago. I was only seven. And I got over your death long ago. So why?

    Why now?

    Why are you coming back to me again?

    ¡°Kreg Jeviliar.¡±

    The young man¡¯s voice was soft, yet carried a peculiar weight¡ªlike an echo from another lifetime. His violet gaze locked onto mine as he reached out a bloodstained hand.

    ¡°We may have been cruel to the Void Table...¡± he murmured, ¡°but fate brought us together for a reason. It was its way of showing cruelty to us.¡±

    Void Table?

    His words slithered into my mind like an intoxicating spell.

    ¡°The fragments of your being are scattered, just like the Choros Artifact that gave you life ten years ago.¡± His voice deepened, as though sinking into my very bones.

    ¡°You must... find yourself.¡±

    His hand inched closer.

    ¡°O¡¯ Variable.¡±

    I jolted awake.

    Gasping. Drenched in sweat.

    My heart pounded against my ribs, hammering so violently I thought it might burst.

    A flickering candle cast trembling shadows across the prison walls. The wax dripped slowly¡ªoozing like molten lava.

    That dream...

    It felt like I had lived through an eternity, yet it had only been a fleeting snap in time.

    I swallowed hard, steadying my breath.

    Then¡ªa presence.

    I wasn¡¯t alone.

    A figure stood outside the prison cell, watching me.

    My blood ran cold.

    The old man.

    He was here.

    I scrambled upright, my chains rattling. ¡°Wh-what do you want?!¡± My voice was hoarse, my throat raw. ¡°I¡¯ll never betray my comrades to the likes of you!¡±

    He waved a hand dismissively. ¡°At ease, child.¡± His tone was apathetic, like he had already decided my words were meaningless.

    Then¡ªhis posture changed.

    His rounded back straightened. His eyes sharpened, boring into me with a sudden, oppressive weight.

    When he spoke again, his voice was like a decree.

    ¡°Fate is a funny thing.¡±

    He took a step forward, shadows twisting around him.

    ¡°To think you¡¯d fall right into my hands...

    Variable.¡±

 Chapter 18: A Glimpse into the future

    Audel Emporio

    As I fell from the sky, I clutched my locket¡ªa memoir of my late wife. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t remember her face. The details slipped through my mind like grains of sand. Her smile, her gleaming eyes, the rose she once held¡ªgone, lost to time. Was it guilt?

    The Artifact¡­ Choros¡­ It pulsed with an unnatural light, as if it had been awakened. As if it were alive. As if it were me.

    It fell alongside me, its petals unfurling like something eldritch, its singular eye glaring into my soul with something that almost felt like mockery.

    The wind howled, drowning my voice, yet I forced my throat to utter a word.

    "Void Table!"

    The sky bled red. My breath caught. My body seized.

    I knew this sight. I had dedicated my life to reaching this moment.

    Time twisted, gravity shattered, and I was no longer falling. I was floating¡ªno, trapped¡ªabove a vast mirror that stretched endlessly into the void. My own reflection stared back, wide-eyed, horrified, frozen.

    And beyond it, an infinity of me. Countless versions, lifeless, locked in the same silent terror. Forever.

    There was no time here. No motion. No escape. Minutes, hours, centuries¡ªwhat did it matter? I no longer felt urgency. I no longer felt anything.

    Yet one memory refused to fade. Her. My wife. Though her face was shrouded, the rose she held remained, a single ember in my crumbling mind. Had I truly remembered it? Or was this a desperate illusion, a fabricated fragment to keep me sane?

    Then, a voice.

    It did not echo. It did not resonate. It simply was.

    "You persist. Even in ruin, you remain defiant."

    I tried to speak, but I had no mouth. Yet my thoughts bled out. "Who¡­? The Architect? The Void Table itself?"

    A deep, grinding chuckle. "You seek names? You wish to define me? How small. How insignificant."

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    The weight of the voice pressed against me, suffocating, as if existence itself bent beneath it.

    "You amuse me, mortal. You should not exist, and yet you stand before me, unbroken. I will grant you this: A second chance. A fragmented one. You will return. But you will not be whole. Your mind, your essence, your power¡ªscattered like dust upon the winds of time."

    A cold certainty settled into my bones. "Then this is punishment."

    "No. This is a lesson."

    The presence seemed to draw closer without moving, as though the concept of space itself twisted at its whim.

    "Struggle. Crawl. Piece yourself back together. And when the time comes, when your soul is whole again¡­ you will stand before me once more. Then, and only then, will you understand what it means to gaze into eternity."

    ¡°And so that you may provide a good fight...Not against me or anyone. But yourself.¡±

    "Wait¡ª!"

    Before I could ask anything else, the glass beneath me shattered, and the world itself collapsed.

    ¡°Audel? Are you awake?¡±

    I woke to those piercing glow of green eyes staring right into my soul. Maria was beside me, her hand pressed against my chest, radiating a golden light. A familiar sensation seeped into me¡ªshe was sealing my memories again, just as she had that night, trying to ease the pain.

    "S-Stop," I muttered, my voice hoarse. "It won''t help. These memories... they''ll keep coming."

    She exhaled softly, her fingers retreating as the golden glow faded. Without a word, she settled beside me, gaze fixed on the wooden table before us. A silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Something gnawed at my mind. My surroundings felt unfamiliar. I turned to her. "Where are we?"

    She blinked, then groaned. "Wait, did you forget¡ª? Oh, right. My bad. Must''ve sealed those memories too."

    A hesitant smile ghosted her lips before she continued, her tone shifting to something softer. "You came back to us with a severe headache. Then you collapsed. On¡ªwell¡­ on my lap."

    I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut in, waving a hand.

    "I''ve been healing your mental scars since then."

    A faint warmth settled in my chest, but it was quickly replaced by a cold realization as she went on.

    "We''ve reached the northern outskirts. My father''s men came to escort us. Right now, we¡¯re inside the main base of operations."

    I forced myself upright, but my body failed me. A sharp pain surged through my skull, and I barely stifled a grunt. Maria¡¯s hands steadied me, her grip firm yet gentle.

    "Where''s Master? Where is Lord Vesti¡ª"

    A familiar presence entered the dimly lit tent. A hunched figure, cloaked in the scent of the forest, as if he had walked straight from the trails of old.

    I recognized him instantly.

    "O-Old man. So you really did something back there."

    His lips curled into something unreadable. "I am Agrievious. Diviner of Light. An ally of Vestiron¡­ for now."

    His words carried an unsettling weight. I felt the air shift.

    "Could you accompany this old man for a walk?"

    Maria stiffened beside me. "He¡¯s in no conditi¡ª"

    I waved her off before she could finish. "It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll manage."

    Forcing myself up, I leaned against her shoulder. She struggled under my weight, but her expression remained steady. Strong.

    Then, she pulled away, stepping toward the exit, "I''ll fetch my father."

    With that, she disappeared into the night.

    I barely had a moment to breathe before Agrievious leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

    "The Diviners have taken notice of you."

    The words sent a shiver down my spine. My hands clenched into fists as I met his gaze. But he wasn¡¯t finished.

    "And they will use Eukaphrote to hunt you down. A single stone to kill two birds, as you mortals say."

    He stepped back, watching as the realization settled in.

    "A war against the peaceful nation¡­ and to hunt you, all in one stroke."

 Chapter 19: Reunion

    MARIA VOLKSLOVA

    As I wandered through the camp, one thing became painfully clear¡ªthese soldiers were preparing for war. The air buzzed with urgency, the clanking of armor and weapons mixing with murmured conversations. Yet amid the organized chaos, one figure stood idle, a stark contrast to the movement around him.

    I recognized him immediately.

    "M-Mr. Utah?" My voice betrayed my surprise.

    The man before me shared the same piercing crimson eyes as my classmate, Uriel. Though I had always been aware of Boltaire¡¯s secret connection to my father, I never expected to meet Mr. Utah directly¡ªa man who served not only in the national army but also as a double agent.

    He inclined his head in a respectful bow. "Miss Volkslova. An honor to finally make your acquaintance."

    I waved him off with an awkward smile, unsure how to respond to such formality.

    Utah continued, his tone businesslike. "Lord Vestiron is tending to the soldiers. The bandits have put up a harsher resistance than anticipated."

    I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. "Bandits. Why attack us at all? It was an unnecessary gambit."

    His expression shifted, a wry smile curling his lips. "The Eukaphrotes. They¡¯re the ones behind this."

    A chill ran down my spine.

    "It wasn''t about capturing you. Or Agrievious." His voice darkened. "It was about sending a message."

    I crossed my arms, locking eyes with him. "A message about what?"

    Utah¡¯s tone grew almost theatrical, as if narrating a grim fable. "War. They''re making their intentions clear." He paused, watching me carefully. "But the real question is: why? Why would the Eukaphrotians wage war against us?"

    I sighed, frustration creeping into my voice. "What do they hope to gain? Is this just greed, or is there something deeper?"

    His expression hardened. "I¡¯d say the latter. They¡¯re seizing an opportunity. With our forces already stretched thin dealing with the rebels, they intend to take control of the situation before we can react."

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    I clenched my fists. "Their Monarch¡­" I hesitated before continuing, my voice quieter now. "He''s a half-diviner, isn¡¯t he?"

    Utah raised a brow, clearly impressed. "You¡¯ve done your homework."

    "Not me," I admitted. "It was my father."

    Mr. Utah scoffed before bowing slightly. "And he''s here."

    I turned without hesitation.

    For the first time in a week, I saw my father.

    The past seven days had felt like an eternity, locked away in quarantine, isolated from everything familiar. The moment my eyes landed on him, my composure wavered. My mouth twitched, my nose stung with the threat of tears. Without thinking, without caring who was watching, I jumped to him with my arms wide.

    He caught me in a firm embrace, his arms strong yet weary. "Maria," he murmured, his voice gentle, as if I were still a child. "It''s going to be alright. I''m here."

    I wanted to speak¡ªto demand answers, to ask the questions that had tormented me in solitude. But the words lodged in my throat. Instead, I held onto him tighter, afraid to let go. Afraid that if I did, he might disappear.

    When I finally pulled back, I took a good look at him. His sharp features, once unwavering and proud, were dulled by exhaustion. Fatigue weighed on his shoulders, and yet¡ªhis presence remained unshaken. He was different now. Not just a father, but a leader among the fallen.

    His gaze shifted forward, landing on Mr. Utah, who had been waiting in silent patience.

    "Where is Agrievious?" my father asked.

    Mr. Utah inclined his head. "In the dungeons. With your student, of course."

    At last, I found my voice. "Just who is Agrievious, Father? Is he only a situational ally, or does he have ulterior motives?" I hesitated, then added, "You would know. You''re one of the Seers."

    He exhaled, his expression unreadable. "He''s the leader of an allied organization. Their roots trace back to Eukaphrote. They rebelled against their own nation, just as we have. Our interests align¡­ for now."

    Utah wasted no time, stepping forward. "Lord Vestiron, it''s high time we meet the Eukaphrotian soldier. He may be the one you¡¯ve been searching for."

    "Alright."

    And just like that, my father turned and walked away.

    I clenched my fists, watching his retreating figure, a familiar ache spreading in my chest. I understood his role. I understood his duty. But understanding didn¡¯t ease the loneliness.

    I hadn¡¯t even realized I was pouting until he glanced back at me with a soft chuckle.

    "Join us, Maria," he said, waving me over. "This is important for you too."

    My heart lifted. My face brightened. Without hesitation, I ran to catch up.

    Together, the three of us marched forward.

 Chapter 20: A Game of Pawns I

    Markov Hyrphonus

    Two days have passed since Audel vanished. Despite Princess Hera, the rebellious princess, assuring us of his safety, I can¡¯t help but wonder what he¡¯s doing right now. His sudden disappearance was quickly overshadowed by the fact that other nobles also went missing without a trace.

    The school administration is in chaos, receiving reports of missing files daily.

    Rumors have spread that foreigners from other continents are lingering in the city. This has not only stirred an uneasy fear among the students but has also driven the nobles to band together for protection. Meanwhile, those without names or status, like me, are left vulnerable and unsafe.

    Not that I care much, though. I¡¯m too deep into this mess now. Backing out would mean defying the princess, and she¡¯d likely have me killed for it. It¡¯s her fault, really¡ªshe dragged me into this. But then again, I chose to get involved willingly. Audel... I did it all for you.

    Besides, I was bored out of my mind, and I thought this would be a welcome change of pace in my life. Leaning back on the wooden chair, I crossed my arms behind my head. My eyes wandered across the vast cafeteria, scanning the students during recess. Some seemed indifferent to the situation, while others couldn¡¯t hide their fear, their tired eyes marked by dark bags.

    Clearly, they were nobles who were aware of the danger and had spent sleepless nights worrying.

    ¡°May I sit here?¡± A sharp voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see a familiar face.

    I nodded in approval, and she settled into the chair across from me, followed by the girl beside her. It was Miss Boltaire and Mary, both members of the newly formed so-called rebellious force.

    With their plates settled, I straightened up, giving them my full attention. Miss Mary, Audel¡¯s sister, looked like she hadn¡¯t slept in days, and I could tell she had been enduring rigorous training. As for Miss Boltaire...

    I glanced at the empty glass in front of me, its surface reflecting my own image, and asked, ¡°Any updates on him?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Miss Boltaire shook her head, then countered, ¡°What about the plan? Did she update you?¡±

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°No,¡± I replied, shaking my head this time. ¡°But I¡¯m certain she¡¯s up to something.¡±

    Miss Mary joined in, her tone sharp and analytical. ¡°Many of the nobles are now aware that this city is swarming with spies from the other continent. Was this her doing? Spreading the rumor to sow distrust between the nobles and the king?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but admire her insight. For someone her age, she was remarkably cunning. I wondered if it was a natural trait or something she¡¯d picked up from her brothers.

    Leaning forward, I lowered my voice. ¡°Most likely. She¡¯s trying to drive a wedge between the nobles and the king. If she succeeds, the rebels will gain the upper hand in the coming conflict.¡±

    ¡°So, it¡¯s inevitable,¡± Miss Boltaire said with a frown, her eyes fixed on her plate. ¡°War. It¡¯s coming. We shouldn¡¯t be fighting among ourselves when there are outsiders threatening our land.¡±

    I shrugged. ¡°True. It¡¯s their tactical advantage, and they¡¯re using it well. As the saying goes, ¡®United we stand, divided we fall.¡¯¡±

    ¡°I think you might¡¯ve fallen for the young lady there, haha!¡± An irritating voice interrupted us. I turned to see Nuer, a classmate of mine, sliding into the seat beside me. I could sense the annoyance radiating from the girls, though they masked it well.

    Nuer slung an arm around my shoulder and barked, ¡°To think our little virgin nerd is talking to a girl¡ªno, two of them! Ohoho! You¡¯re quite the player, Marky.¡±

    A vein throbbed in my forehead as I muttered, ¡°Could you leave us alone? We¡¯re in the middle of a conversation.¡±

    ¡°What if I don¡¯t?¡± he taunted. I felt my mana surge in anger, all of my veins chanelling mana in pure rage, and he noticed it too, being a sensory-type mana wielder himself.

    ¡°Oh?¡± he sneered. ¡°You wanna take this somewhere else?¡±

    ¡°Stop.¡± A firm voice cut through the tension. It belonged to a man¡ªa stranger. I looked around and realized a crowd had gathered, though I hadn¡¯t noticed them before. Standing at the front was an exceptionally handsome figure, almost otherworldly.

    ¡°Leave the boy alone, Nuer,¡± the man said, his words simple but carrying an edge of threat. With my special eyes, I tried to read his intentions, but to my surprise, I couldn¡¯t.

    Nuer jumped to his feet and lunged at the man, only to be slapped to the ground. The handsome figure stood tall, looking down at Nuer as he spoke calmly, ¡°Please don¡¯t interfere in others¡¯ love lives.¡±

    Love life? What¡ª

    Before I could process his words, Nuer scrambled to his feet and fled. The crowd dispersed quickly, avoiding the man¡¯s piercing gaze. He took a seat beside me and sighed, ¡°Too many bullies nowadays. What is the student council even doing?¡±

    ¡°Th-Thank you,¡± Miss Boltaire stammered, then quickly corrected him, ¡°And we were definitely not talking about something as trivial as love, mister.¡±

    ¡°Raphael,¡± he introduced himself with a smile. ¡°You can call me Raphael. I¡¯m a classmate of¡ª¡± He turned to Mary, pointing a long finger at her and nearly startling her out of her seat. ¡°Her brother. You¡¯re Miss Emporio, correct?¡±

    Even Mary stuttered under his gaze. ¡°Y-Yeah. I¡¯m Mary. Audel is my brother.¡±

 Chapter 21: A Game of Pawns II

    Curiosity got the better of me, and I channeled mana into my ocular veins, activating my cursed eye technique to read the intentions of the man sitting beside me. His thoughts were oddly pure, almost too superficial, which only made me more wary of him. However, I couldn¡¯t say the same for the girls.

    Miss Boltaire, or Uriel, struggled to maintain eye contact with the handsome man, but her thoughts were composed, and her face betrayed nothing. A subtle twitch of her cheek¡ªa warning only I noticed¡ªtold me to stop prying into her mind.

    As for Miss Mary... she was genuinely attracted to him. Typical for a 16-year-old, I suppose. Beyond that, both girls seemed to trust him for now¡ªor at least, they didn¡¯t see him as a threat. By "trust," I mean they believed he wasn¡¯t aligned with the nobles or any opposing faction. Just a regular guy, or so it seemed.

    ¡°I think I should get going,¡± I said, standing up with my empty plate. The handsome man turned his crystalline yellow eyes toward me, scrutinizing me intently. ¡°Thanks again for earlier, Raphael,¡± I added before walking away.

    Jerome Kruger - At the Cafeteria

    It all happened too quickly. My original plan was to spy on Markov, as ordered by Lord Harold. But while searching for gold, I stumbled upon diamonds. It felt like winning the lottery. The man who had sat beside Markov and seemingly defended him was someone I¡¯d been searching for. I had sensed his mana before.

    There was no doubt. That man was the one eavesdropping on us during the meeting. Seeing him with Markov confirmed it: they were partners in crime. But suspicion alone wasn¡¯t enough. I needed evidence.

    Then something even more interesting caught my eye. The young lady now stuttering in front of the man was none other than Audel¡¯s sister, Mary. I hadn¡¯t known about Lord Vestiron¡¯s connection to Audel until Lady Hera informed me just a day ago. Mary... Audel¡¯s sister... Vestiron...

    I absorbed the information like the coffee I sipped from my mug. Things were getting intriguing. Mary, Markov, and the mysterious man together¡ªit was a curious combination. And then there was Lady Boltaire. Uriel had always fascinated me with her composed facade and emotionless demeanor. If I had to guess: while Audel was missing, Lady Boltaire, as a high noble, was supporting the rebellion group forming within the academy.

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    My next move was clear: I needed to investigate the Boltaire mansion.

    But a lingering thought nagged at me. Why had Lady Hera privately informed me about Audel¡¯s connection to Vestiron? She hadn¡¯t even been present at the meeting. Was she plotting something else?

    Not that it mattered much to me. Harold or Hera¡ªI was just doing this to pass the time. And if I could gain the trust of the high bloods, maybe my father would finally acknowledge me. Perhaps I could even earn an artifact from them to cure my mother¡¯s amnesia. That was all that really mattered.

    Messenger Klara - At The National Barracks

    Most of the officers from the local barracks had been relocated to the national one, which was in desperate need of manpower. I was one of them, and so was my lieutenant.

    I stood outside the door in the empty halls of the national barracks, knocking gently. The sound echoed through the stark white corridor, reminding me just how vast this place was. Each officer of a certain rank was given an entire floor to operate from, and I was currently four stories underground, in a section reserved exclusively for lieutenants.

    He was taking too long to answer. And I had a pretty good idea what he was doing.

    I barged in and found the man half-unconscious, slumped on the floor beside his desk. The room was a disaster¡ªmountains of paperwork covered not just the table but the entire space. He sat there, dark circles under his eyes, a bottle of alcohol clutched in his left hand and a memoir in his right.

    I sighed and shook my head. ¡°Lieutenant, you shouldn¡¯t be drinking while on duty.¡± I walked over and dragged him back into his chair. He was already asleep.

    My eyes fell on the locket he was clutching. It was an old photo, about ten years old, depicting a happy family. His family. James was only 15 at the time, and his younger sister was just 6. They looked so carefree, so innocent.

    But something about the photo unsettled me. The face of his brother was completely blacked out with a pen. Did he resent him? No, that couldn¡¯t be it. Just a few days ago, he¡¯d been talking about his brother¡ªsomething about him hanging out with a girl, if I remembered correctly. So why black out his face?

    ¡°Agent Klara,¡± a voice startled me, and I immediately straightened up. I turned to see Lieutenant Yaz stepping into the chaotic room.

    ¡°Here,¡± he said, handing me a file with a frown. ¡°General Vincent has ordered James to start an interrogation at IMEMR. According to our intelligence, there are spies from the other continent operating within the academy. Please wake him up when you can.¡±

    ¡°I-I¡¯ll wake him up right away¡ª¡± I began, but my words trailed off as I glanced at the man murmuring in his sleep. ¡°Or maybe later.¡±

    The lieutenant smiled faintly. ¡°Just look out for him. He¡¯s been through a lot since his brother disappeared.¡± With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the echoing hallway.

    I looked back at the lieutenant, now asleep and vulnerable, and felt a pang of pity. ¡°If only I could comfort you, James...¡±

    ¡°And don¡¯t forget to inform him about his promotion!¡± The lieutenant¡¯s voice called out again, startling me once more.

    ¡°Lieutenant!¡± I shouted, but all I heard in response was his faint laughter. Despite the grim circumstances, I couldn¡¯t help but smile, clinging to the hope that one day we¡¯d be free from the fear of the other continent.

 Chapter 22: A Fate To Be Laughed At

    AUDEL EMPORIO

    The familiar voice calling my name calmed my racing heart as I turned to see the man¡¯s face. At first, it was hard to make out his features in the dim light, but the room soon brightened as another man lit a torch with his finger. The scene revealed itself to be an ancient stone-walled dungeon, lined with rows of empty cells.

    I stood next to Agrieveous, whose calm demeanor masked a deadly intensity. Three other figures joined us: Maria, Lieutenant Utah, and my mentor, Lord Vestiron. A flame burned steadily on Utah¡¯s index finger, casting flickering light across the gloomy room.

    Lord Vestiron, my mentor, raised a hand to silence me before I could speak. ¡°Save the greetings for later. We mustn¡¯t waste a single second.¡± He turned to Agrieveous, his tone sharp. ¡°Lord Agrieveous, have you brought the artifact?¡±

    ¡°I have,¡± Agrieveous replied, his voice steady. He began walking deeper into the dungeon, gesturing for us to follow. ¡°Come. We must see what fate has in store for us.¡±

    The five of us moved in silence, our footsteps echoing through the empty dungeon. I glanced around, noting the ancient structure. The dungeon had to be at least a century old. The sight of rotting skeletons in the cells left a bitter taste in my mouth, but Maria seemed to be holding herself together, her expression composed.

    But I knew better. Deep down, she was scared. Seizing the opportunity for a bit of mischief, I manipulated the remaining mana in one of the skeletal corpses, making its arm reach out toward Maria¡¯s foot.

    She didn¡¯t scream, but she jumped in fright, her hands instinctively gripping my shoulders. When she realized it was just me playing a prank, her eyes narrowed, and she drove an elbow into my stomach. I hadn¡¯t braced myself, and the impact sent me sprawling to the floor.

    ¡°Anything wrong?¡± Utah¡¯s voice echoed through the dungeon. He paused briefly, but upon understanding the situation, he simply shook his head and continued walking.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Lord Vestiron announced, bringing the group to a halt. We stood before an occupied cell, its interior teeming with rats and cockroaches. Maria¡¯s disgust was evident, but her focus quickly shifted to the lone figure sitting on the floor.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    The man stared blankly at a nearly extinguished candle, his distant gaze locking with mine. His brilliant purple eyes reflected my own image, and I felt an inexplicable connection.

    Agrieveous stepped forward, motioning for us to gather closer. ¡°This is Kreg Jeviliar, a high-ranking official from the other continent. He holds the rank of ¡®Leyten,¡¯ equivalent to a lieutenant or low-ranking major in our system.¡±

    Utah stepped into the cell, kicking aside a cluster of rats. ¡°Lord Agrieveous, why is he being detained? And why have you called us here? This must be significant.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Agrieveous replied, his gaze shifting to me. ¡°What do you think, boy? Notice anything?¡±

    I shook my head, unable to decipher the old man¡¯s riddle. ¡°No. Who is he?¡± Then, I made an educated guess. ¡°Is he connected to my reincarnation?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Lord Vestiron interjected. ¡°When you were brought to this world, your essence was fragmented. This man is one of those fragments¡ªa part of you. His mana reserves are responding to your every impulse.¡±

    Maria stepped forward, ignoring the filth around her. ¡°Wait. So, does that mean Audel controls all the mana within this man? And that he was created from an image of Audel? How did he end up here?¡±

    Agrieveous let out a low, devious chuckle that sent a chill down my spine. ¡°Fate. Fate brought him to Audel. He is a variable created by Audel¡¯s past actions, a thread woven into the fabric of destiny. A mere variable.¡±

    Lord Vestiron sighed, clearly impatient. ¡°Enough with the riddles, Agrieveous. Share your wisdom plainly.¡±

    ¡°Very well,¡± Agrieveous said, leaning closer to me. ¡°You bargained with the Architect to be sent ten years into the past. But your integration into this world was incomplete, and fragments of your being were scattered across time and space. Fate is like a tapestry of threads, all converging at a single point. If one thread strays, the main path¡ªtime itself¡ªwill force it back into alignment. That¡¯s why you are destined to reclaim your original powers, Audel. At least, that¡¯s my current understanding.¡±

    The explanation was overwhelming, and many things still didn¡¯t make sense. Before I could process it further, Lord Vestiron placed a hand on my shoulder and whispered, ¡°Absorb his mana and end this. We mustn¡¯t let him suffer any longer.¡±

    I understood the task. I looked at the man, who stared back at me with desperate, bloodshot eyes. A mix of guilt and determination churned within me. We were at war, and I needed to grow stronger.

    I extended my hand toward the man, my will overpowering my hesitation. Mana began to surge from his body, flowing into me. He screamed, his eyes turning red with agony. Lightning crackled around my hands as I drew his mana into myself.

    ¡°Amazing!¡± Utah exclaimed, captivated by the display but oblivious to the emotional turmoil within me.

    But then, the man¡¯s voice broke through, distorted and desperate.

    I was alone. All alone. It was dark.

    ¡°Judgement Day will come... billions must perish... my family... myself... A thread will be pulled, and others will follow... Save us, KRE-?!@#-G... Save us, AU-(@*#!&-DEL!¡±

    I woke up with a jolt, my heart pounding. The candles on my desk had melted, their wax oozing like molten lava. A pile of books lay scattered across the table. The horror of what I had just experienced lingered, shattering my sense of reality.

 Chapter 23: The Beginning

    What was this about? I pondered loudly, and it slipped out of my mouth as audible words, piercing through the eerie silence in the dim room. I was already shaken to my core, but what shook me even more was the fact that I was back to a certain timeline, around a few days ago. Did I really travel back in time?

    Gasping for air, I leaned back in my chair, my arms resting on the table as my fingers subconsciously fidgeted with a coin. I need to get out of this. I thought. After composing my thoughts, I looked around to investigate. Everything was the same, just like a reflection of my past. Except I knew what was next.

    I looked at the round clock that hung high on the wall on my left. It was 4 a.m. precisely when I had run to Lord Vestiron''s mansion, only to be met with Maria there. Still, I wondered. What if I didn''t run away this time? What if I just stayed here? Would something happen? Is something great waiting for me?

    I got up from the chair, walked up to the dressing table, and looked at my own reflection. Everything was normal. No- Something was off. My body''s condition is not the same as it had been that time.

    I was brought to this world with wounds that were inflicted later on the timeline, much as only I remained constant in this world of the past.

    "Constant. Variable. Which one are you?" An eerie voice brought a shiver down my spine as I looked back to the bed where my brother had been sleeping. A shadowy figure stood in front of me, right beside my snorting brother, who slept without a worry. The figure''s voice made the air tremble as it spoke,

    "Kreg. Audel. They are all the same. All of them walk the same stained stairs of fate and ultimately meet at a singularity. But the riddle remains: Which one of you is the real regressor? Which one of you is the constant while the other, simply a variable?"

    I let out a worried frown and instinctively reached out for my sword, but it wasn''t there. I asked the figure, who only stared at me. "Wh-Who are you? Were you the one to bring me here?"

    The figure mused in pleasure as it laughed at my futile attempt. "I know something you don''t, human. Think of it as a contest. To determine which one of you is real. "

    Before I could reach out my hands, the figure added, "Let the judgment begin," and the whole scene faded.

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    "Audel? Audel! Wake up"

    I woke up, this time not with a jolt but with a warm sensation in my head. I was lying on the cold prison floor, and Maria was healing my mental wounds, a golden brilliant light radiating from her fragile hands.

    "H-He''s back! Call Mr. Agrievious and father." She shouted. I looked around and saw Lietenant Utah Boltaire sprinting away from the cell.

    "Wh-What happened?" I asked.

    "A lot. 5 hours have passed..." She stopped with a frown and then added, "The boy- Kreg. He-"

    I looked into her eyes in horror as I was unable to sense his mana in this vast dungeon. This can''t be-

    "What happened?" I asked again, this time with a forceful urge.

    Her expression darkened even more, and she spoke with a softer tone, "I-I can''t explain what happened. Please forgive me, Audel."

    I got up from the cold floor with a sharp pain in my neck. Maria held out her hands to stop me but I ignored her. I needed answers, and I was getting none here. Ignoring the sharp pain, I sprinted for the exit before glancing back at Maria for the last time. She was shivering, not from the cold atmosphere but from fear. She was afraid. Afraid of me...

    Still, I had to leave her alone. I can''t involve myself further with this woman, I said inwardly. Whoever gets close to me is bound to a cruel fate, so I was doing her a favor. I ran away. From her. From myself.

    "-And rejoice that we are not evading the Band of the Rebellions." A sharp voice cut out from the light of the tunnel. I sprinted faster and finally made my way to the exit of the dungeon. Except I was met with a peculiar and dangerous sight.

    A figure wearing a foreign uniform floated high in the sky and looked down on the crowd of people beneath it. Among them were my master and the Diviner of light Agrievious himself. They were apparently talking with the figure who now stared at me. Their sight followed his.

    "We are simply offering you lessers salvation." The middle-aged man''s voice made the pebbles dance, his demeanor ever-threatening. And then the man added with a smirk, "Do not follow us or we must take your heads to the great Monarch. This is a final warning."

    It was Agrievious who replied with a solid look on his face, "Why not attack us now? Or are you afraid of losing to us? You Eukaphrotians who have thrown away your lives to the sea of fate are nothing but a pawn to the Monarch."

    "O'' Great Diviner. I must sincerely remind you that you cannot win against me in this current vessel, for I am a General of the Great Empire."

    "Then why don''t you fight us now?" Agrievious shouted this time, his voice causing a rumble in the ground as many stumbled from the mere mana outrage of the words.

    The man''s smile disappeared, and he turned his back on us. "I''ve got what I wanted. And you have got yours. I am taking back my soldier and must warn you lessers for the last time. Do not fight back."

    Before I could even exhale a breath, the man disappeared from my sight. The pressure was gone, and I could breathe freely again. I realized that my master had agreed to a sort of deal with that Eukaphrotian General. But only questions lingered in my disorganized mind.

    I met Lord Vestiron''s wary eyes, his silence speaking more than a thousand words.

    Looking back, Agrievious said to me, "It''s high time we train you. For the upcoming trial."

 Chapter 24: Trusting an Anomaly

    Markov Hyrphonus - At the library, IMEMR

    The empty library was filled with the sound of my own breathing, and I could practically meditate in such an isolated place. Thirty minutes had passed since departure. That¡¯s why it was so quiet. Too quiet¡­

    I sat idly, waiting for a certain someone. Even the librarian had gone home. The golden twilight reflected on my side as I sat by the crystal window, enjoying the sunset scenery without any intrusion from the outside world. A lot had happened lately.

    Almost five days had passed since Audel¡¯s disappearance. I had no way of knowing whether he was alive or dead, but I could only hope he was doing fine. He was my close friend, after all. Only one person was aware of Audel¡¯s situation, and I was waiting for her

    .

    The white-haired girl took a seat in front of me, her curly hair floating mystically in the air. She kept her gaze on the table, a frowny smile accompanying her composed facade. Lady Hera, the princess of Tritine, sat across from me. I straightened my posture, cleared my throat, and fixed my gaze on hers. Her frown transformed into a wary look.

    ¡°What are you planning exactly? Were you the one who spread the news about the outsiders?¡± I asked.

    ¡°It seems you are indeed a keen observer, boy. Yes, it was me,¡± she replied.

    Clenching my fists under the table, I pressed further. ¡°While I agree it was the best course of action to sow doubt among the nobles, do you have a plan to actually divide them from the king¡¯s regime and bring them to Vestiron¡¯s rebellion? I¡¯m just a bit confused about your actions. Are you being intentional with all this?¡±

    ¡°Are you worried about the nobles? That I¡¯ve caused them to have sleepless nights? If so, then I¡¯m sorry for that,¡± she said softly.

    ¡°Liar,¡± I accused. ¡°Spill the truth now, for God¡¯s sake. Or I might find it difficult to aid you in this... propagation.¡±

    ¡°Propagation?¡± She looked amused. ¡°It¡¯s the truth. They deserve to know they¡¯re at great risk. I¡¯m only spreading awareness.¡±

    Pausing for a moment, she continued, ¡°You, who abandoned your own family, have no right to question my morality. It¡¯s hypocritical, Hyrphonus.¡±

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    I leaned closer, my eyes reflecting in her crystal-like pearly blue gaze. ¡°And you informed Jerome about Vestiron¡¯s connection with Audel, didn¡¯t you? What was the reason?¡±

    Her smile disappeared. ¡°You¡ªhow did you figure it out? About Jerome¡ªoh, I see.¡± She looked at my eyes, which now radiated a brilliant golden hue. ¡°You read his intentions with those eyes of yours, I see.¡±

    I could see her composure falter slightly, though she hid it well. ¡°It¡¯s a gambit.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re baiting Audel¡¯s sister and Miss Boltaire. But why?¡± I asked.

    I sighed. ¡°Princess, it¡¯s high time you explained what¡¯s going on. I¡¯m just trying to help you. Help Audel and his family. But why did you risk revealing his connections?¡±

    Her eyes grew distant. ¡°I... I can¡¯t tell you that. Or else... it won¡¯t work. The gambit, I mean.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, getting up from the chair. Her gaze remained fixed on the table, refusing to meet mine. ¡°So, you¡¯re not the main mastermind. I understand.¡±

    Her face jolted up to meet my eyes, searching for answers, almost desperate. I added with a soft smile, ¡°I¡¯ve read your intentions, Princess Hera. You don¡¯t need to burden yourself with such a heavy duty.¡±

    I wasn¡¯t exactly lying. I knew exactly what was going on, as I had been spying on her almost every day. She wasn¡¯t the one pulling the strings. It was someone more powerful. Someone stronger than any mortal.

    ¡°Send Lady Lyra my regards,¡± I said, waving her off as I walked away. The Diviner of All-Seer, Lady Lyra, had the power to communicate with her direct descendants. So, it was no surprise that Princess Hera had been working under Lady Lyra¡¯s shadow all along. After all, Lady Lyra could see infinite possibilities in the future.

    PRINCESS HERA - LIBRARY, IMEMR

    I eased myself as I watched the door close. Now alone in the vast library, I glanced at my right hand, which radiated a faint blue aura. I called upon Lady Lyra, chanting her name softly. A shard of broken glass materialized in my palm, its surface reflecting an eye that bloomed like a yellow marigold. Yet, despite its beauty, the eye was ever-threatening and ever-wary.

    A voice echoed in my mind¡ªLady Lyra¡¯s. ¡°The boy is cunning. Do not lose yourself to him.¡±

    I replied inwardly, ¡°I won¡¯t. What¡¯s with him?¡±

    The eye closed for a moment before reopening, its gaze piercing into my soul. ¡°Even though I bear the title of ¡®All-Seer,¡¯ I cannot see that boy¡¯s future. He is... an anomaly, Hera. Don¡¯t lose him.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I assured her, then asked, ¡°What¡¯s the next course of action?¡±

    ¡°Sending a spy to monitor him won¡¯t work; he¡¯s too sharp. However, it¡¯s time you made your move against the Eukaphrotian spy.¡±

    ¡°The Eukaphrotian spy? Who?¡± I asked, feigning ignorance.

    ¡°Don¡¯t play foolish with me, girl,¡± the eye replied, its tone laced with amusement. ¡°I¡¯ve seen through your lies.¡±

    I sighed. ¡°Alright, I get it. I was just uncertain about that boy.¡±

    ¡°Do you understand who I¡¯m referring to?¡±

    ¡°Yes, maybe. It¡¯s Raphael, right?¡±

    ¡°Hmm,¡± the eye seemed to drift for a moment before responding. ¡°How did you know though?¡±

    Crossing my legs, I leaned back into the chair, basking in the golden light streaming through the window. With a soft smile, I replied, ¡°Markov. He hinted at it. But, of course, you wouldn¡¯t have known. His actions... everything he does is a blind spot for you, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re leaning too much on him. Do you trust him that much?¡±

    I hesitated, my smile fading slightly. ¡°I... I want to. But he¡¯s too... different.¡±

 Chapter 25: Ready

    Audel Emporio

    Old man Agrieveous led me into a confined cave, and I followed cautiously, growing increasingly skeptical of his intentions. Unable to hold back, I asked, ¡°Are you planning to kill me or something?¡±

    ¡°Wish I could,¡± the old man chuckled, finally coming to a halt. He turned to face me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°This should do the trick.¡±

    I stood silently, watching as he summoned a cube-like artifact in his right hand. It floated in the air, glowing brightly and illuminating the surroundings. The light revealed the true scale of the cave system¡ªit was massive. Small lakes dotted the area, but instead of water, they were filled with a pearly blue liquid.

    Before I could voice my curiosity, he explained, ¡°Water from the remnants of ancient times. It¡¯s from the Time River itself. Each of these pools plays a vital role in manipulating time. To be precise, we¡¯re in a space where time runs faster. In contrast, the outside world is slowed down.¡±

    ¡°Making it ideal for training since I¡¯m short on time? How clever!¡± I finished his thought.

    ¡°However,¡± the old man straightened his posture, ¡°your body is a factor that can¡¯t be ignored. While you could surpass your previous limits, it might also destroy your mortal form in the process.¡±

    Gulping, I drew my sword and said, ¡°Enough scare tactics. Let¡¯s fight now.¡±

    ¡°Easy, boy. I¡¯m an old man. I can¡¯t possibly hope to win against you,¡± he replied with a smile.

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m a Diviner, you¡¯d say, right?¡± He read my thoughts, and I fell silent. His laughter filled the cave. ¡°Rejoice. You¡¯re already stronger than me. You just don¡¯t realize it yet. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here¡ªto help you unlock that power.¡±

    In an instant, he lunged at me, his wooden cane striking with surprising speed. I blocked the attack and met his weary eyes. ¡°I still have questions. Aren¡¯t you the leader of an organization? Why are you alone?¡±

    He pushed back, creating distance between us. His voice echoed through the cave. ¡°I¡¯m not alone, boy. And I never will be.¡±

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    He attacked again, this time landing a blow on my shoulder. I stumbled back, using mana to stabilize myself. His relentless assault continued, each strike precise and calculated.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± he muttered, his face amused. ¡°Wise use of mana.¡±

    I pivoted, delivering a roundhouse kick with mana surging through my leg. He blocked it effortlessly with his knee, but the move gave me enough momentum to push back and create some distance.

    I stood ready, waiting for his next move. Instead, he gave me a wry smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re unparalleled in close combat. I¡¯ll give you that. However,¡± he disappeared, reappearing right in front of me, ¡°your body is weak right now.¡± His fist struck my sternum, sending me flying backward.

    Ignoring the pain, I used the momentum to prepare a long-range attack.

    ¡°Will of the Wind!¡± I shouted, swinging my sword to create sharp wind slashes aimed at the old man. The attack sliced his wooden cane in half.

    He smiled wryly. ¡°The wind is faster than any other element. You used it well, forcing me to parry instead of dodge.¡±

    I stood firm, catching my breath. ¡°Wait, about your cane. Didn¡¯t it belong to that old lady? Was she really your wife? What about the boy from the wagon?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± he said, turning toward the cave entrance.

    To my surprise, the boy from earlier appeared, accompanied by a young woman I didn¡¯t recognize. The boy had sharp features and blonde hair, resembling his grandmother, who stood beside him with an air of elegance.

    ¡°Meet Benon and my beautiful wife, Dareia,¡± the old man introduced.

    While the boy remained silent, Dareia spoke up, ¡°As you can see, regressor, I¡¯m a Diviner as well. The Diviner of Metamorphosis. I can change my form, unlike my old husband.¡±

    The old man chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not even my real body, darling. I¡¯m much younger than this.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± she teased, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the broken cane. ¡°My cane. Did you break it again?¡±

    ¡°No¡ªit was him¡ª¡± he stammered, but she pulled his ear, scolding him like a child.

    ¡°It¡¯s the 62nd time already!¡± she shouted, her voice echoing through the cave. She turned to her grandson. ¡°Benon!.¡±

    Without a word, the boy reached for the broken cane. Blue light radiated from his hand, and the cane was restored, looking as good as new.

    I stared in awe. ¡°Who are you? The Diviner of Time?¡±

    Dareia released her husband and replied, ¡°No, dear. He hasn¡¯t earned that title yet. But you¡¯re partially right. He¡¯s a divine being like us, able to manipulate time¡ªbut only to rewind it. And you¡¯ve just seen a glimpse of his power.¡±

    The old man dusted himself off and added, ¡°My grandson, Benon, is a very promising fighter. He¡¯s second to none in close combat within the organization.¡±

    ¡°So, he¡¯s a member too? That explains it,¡± I acknowledged, then turned to the deceptively young lady. ¡°What about you, Mrs. Dareia?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s the vice-commander,¡± the old man answered for her. He then added, ¡°It¡¯s time we get back to training. The three of us will help you in your further training.¡±

    Seeing my visible confusion, Dareia clarified, ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t be fighting. But I¡¯ll certainly observe and offer my remarks.¡±

    The old man tossed his cane to his wife and summoned a glowing sword out of thin air. As my eyes adjusted, the sword¡¯s light dimmed, revealing intricate runic patterns etched into its blade. He gave me a wry smile. ¡°I won¡¯t hold back against you. And neither will he.¡± He gestured toward the young boy, who had already assumed a defensive stance.

    For the first time, the boy¡¯s expression shifted. A faint smirk played on his lips, and he spoke in a low, almost whisper-like tone. ¡°Give us a good fight, Mr. Emporio.¡±

    Without hesitation, I leaped backward, covering nearly 40 feet in an instant. Drawing my sword, I faced the half-god beings before me. My heart pounded with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready!¡± I shouted, my voice echoing through the cavern.

 Chapter 26: The Bonds that bind

    Maria Volkslova

    Being the daughter of the leader of a rebellion group was no joke. The constant attention and scrutiny were exhausting. While part of me felt pride in being the daughter of a renowned seer and leader, the other part felt a deep sense of insecurity from all the unwanted stares. But I knew I couldn¡¯t afford to dwell on such trivial matters. Not now.

    I had been accompanying my father ever since the incident with the enemy General. The encounter had been overwhelming, especially for someone like me, who felt so small in the face of such power. I still didn¡¯t fully understand the details¡ªwhy my father had agreed to release Kreg, the prisoner. But who was I to question him? My father was a seer, someone who could glimpse the threads of time itself. I trusted him, even if I didn¡¯t fully understand his decisions.

    ¡°¡ªVestiron, now I shall head back to my mansion and inform my father about it.¡± The voice of Lieutenant Utah snapped me out of my thoughts. He and my father were standing nearby, deep in conversation, while I sat under the shade of a tree, trying to stay out of the way.

    My father nodded. ¡°You may go now. I¡¯ll send further instructions with my messengers.¡±

    As Utah walked away, my father turned to me, a weary smile on his face. ¡°Maria, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re dying of boredom here. How about you go check on Audel?¡±

    I didn¡¯t realize I was pouting until I spoke. ¡°How about you explain what¡¯s going on? I¡¯m not a kid anymore, you know.¡±

    ¡°What do you want to know?¡± he asked, his tone patient.

    ¡°Why did you agree to let our prisoner go? And why didn¡¯t the General attack us back then? What am I missing here?¡±

    My father sat down beside me, leaning his broad back against the tree trunk. His eyes wandered to the blue sky as he spoke. ¡°They might be our enemies, but they didn¡¯t risk attacking us. Old man Agrievious is a formidable opponent, even at his age.¡±

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t attack us, fine. But why didn¡¯t we? It looks like they got what they wanted, and we got nothing but dust.¡±

    ¡°Maria,¡± he said softly, his tone calming. ¡°It was inconvenient for us to attack as well¡ª¡±

    I pouted again, unable to hide my frustration. Sensing this, my father sighed and revealed the truth. ¡°It¡¯s a trap. Kreg, our prisoner, will act as a double-edged sword now. After his contact with Audel¡¯s mana, he¡¯s likely to seek him out again in the future.¡±

    ¡°But why?¡± I asked, my curiosity piqued. ¡°And how does that work as a trap?¡±

    ¡°Karma, or what I like to call the rounds of plausibility. Kreg is fated to cross paths with Audel again, so we let him go under the guise of being threatened. It wasn¡¯t necessary to keep him here. As for the trap...¡± My father reached out and ruffled my hair, his laughter filling the air as I tried to swat his hand away.

    ¡°Stop it!¡± I protested, but he only laughed harder.

    Once he¡¯d calmed down, he stood and said with a teasing grin, ¡°How about you go check on Audel now? He might already be missing you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, shut up,¡± I muttered, standing up and brushing myself off.

    ¡°If you have any more questions, just ask old man Agrievious or that boy. He¡¯s quite the looker, so watch out.¡±

    Ignoring his teasing, I walked away, heading toward the cave where Audel had been training. The path was familiar, but my mind was anything but calm. My father¡¯s words echoed in my head, and I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more to this than he was letting on.

    As I approached the cave, I could hear the faint sounds of clashing metal and bursts of energy. The air grew heavier with mana, and I quickened my pace, curiosity driving me forward.

    When I reached the entrance, I saw Audel locked in combat with both Agrievious and a young boy I didn¡¯t recognize. The old man¡¯s movements were precise and calculated, while the boy was a blur of speed, his attacks relentless. Audel, however, was holding his own, his movements sharp and fluid.

    I stood at the edge of the cave, watching in awe. Despite the intensity of the fight, there was a strange beauty to it¡ªa dance of skill and power.

    Dareia, Agrievious¡¯s wife, noticed me first. She gave me a warm smile and gestured for me to join her. ¡°Come, dear. You¡¯ll have a better view from here.¡±

    I hesitated for a moment before walking over to her. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked, my eyes never leaving the fight.

    ¡°Training,¡± she replied simply. ¡°Audel¡¯s pushing himself to his limits. It¡¯s quite impressive, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away. Audel¡¯s determination was palpable, and for the first time in a while, I felt a spark of hope. Whatever was coming, we¡¯d face it together.

    As the fight continued, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. My father was right¡ªAudel was stronger than he realized. And maybe, just maybe, we all were.

 Chapter 27: A Half-Baked Confession

    Audel Emporio

    At least three days had passed inside the cave, though I couldn¡¯t be sure how much time had elapsed in the outside world. I¡¯d been fighting nonstop, with no breaks, while Lady Dareia observed from a distance. Every time I broke a bone, old man Agrievious would simply tell his grandson, Benon, to repair it. While the constant injuries took a mental toll, I tried to empty my mind completely, as the old man had instructed.

    But forgetting everything else wasn¡¯t easy. My family was in danger, my city surrounded by enemies, and several Diviners were watching my every move. Despite the relentless training, my thoughts kept drifting to the chaos outside.

    ¡°This calls for a break,¡± the old man said, his runic sword disappearing as he hunched over like the elderly man he appeared to be. I noticed Maria standing with Lady Dareia, her presence a welcome distraction.

    ¡°Who is she?¡± Benon whispered as he finished repairing my latest injury.

    ¡°Lord Vestiron¡¯s daughter¡ª¡± I started, but he cut me off.

    ¡°Damn, she¡¯s a cutie. Is she your girlfriend?¡±

    ¡°Ah hell na,¡± I replied quickly. ¡°She¡¯s just an old friend.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± he said, nodding. ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I ask her out.¡±

    ¡°Good luck with that,¡± I shrugged, uninterested in his teenage dreams. ¡°Don¡¯t go crying if you get rejected. She¡¯s an expert at making boys cry, you know.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± he said confidently, walking over to Maria.

    Old man Agrievious chuckled beside me. ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. Even though he¡¯s lived for half a century, he still has the mental age of a teenage boy.¡±

    I glanced at Benon, his youthful appearance deceiving. How could someone who looked so young be in his fifties?

    ¡°Then how old does that make you, old man?¡± I asked.

    He slapped my shoulder and laughed. ¡°Boy, you shouldn¡¯t ask an old man his age.¡±

    ¡°What are you, a lady?¡± I shot back, chuckling.

    I watched as Benon walked away from Maria, his shoulders slumped in disappointment. I couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the sight. My amusement was short-lived, though, as Maria waved me over.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go relieve some of my stress,¡± the old man said, giving me a teasing wink before walking away. Creepy, I thought.

    I approached Maria, noticing how tired she looked. It wasn¡¯t surprising¡ªshe¡¯d been working tirelessly since arriving here. Being the daughter of the unit leader was no easy task, and I was sure she¡¯d been following her father everywhere.

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Let¡¯s... go for a walk, shall we?¡± I suggested. She nodded, and I took that as affirmation. Lady Dareia gave me the same teasing wink as her husband, which honestly annoyed me.

    Maria and I walked through the cave system in silence. She seemed unusually quiet, and I wasn¡¯t sure how to break the ice. But as someone who¡¯d lived a whole life before, I felt it was my responsibility to initiate the conversation.

    ¡°So,¡± I began, causing her to jolt slightly. ¡°Maria, how are you feeling now?¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m fine, I guess?¡± she replied awkwardly.

    The silence returned, and we eventually reached the cave¡¯s exit.

    ¡°Audel,¡± she said suddenly, breaking the quiet. ¡°Do you have any idea why my father let Kreg be taken away?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got some idea from old man Agrievious,¡± I admitted. ¡°Do you know what our next move is?¡±

    ¡°From what I can guess,¡± she said, her chin resting on her right hand, ¡°we won¡¯t be going back to the city before the tournament. It¡¯s in two days, remember?¡±

    I nodded. ¡°I see.¡±

    My eyes caught sight of her calloused hands. ¡°Jeez, have you been overworking yourself?¡±

    She quickly hid her hands. ¡°Says who, bucklehead? You don¡¯t get to say that to me!¡±

    With that, she started running toward the forest, waving for me to follow. ¡°Come with me, Audel!¡±

    ¡°Who the hell says ¡®bucklehead¡¯ in this age?¡± I chuckled, running after her.

    We ran through the dense forest, far beyond the camp¡¯s sight. I was starting to worry about her recklessness.

    ¡°Lord Vestiron will kill me if he finds out I ran off with his daughter,¡± I teased as we ran.

    She shot back immediately, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about that. Benon¡¯s already a better candidate than you.¡±

    The first arrow hit its mark.

    She added, ¡°At least he knows how to properly address a young lady.¡±

    The second arrow.

    ¡°And he¡¯s quite the looker, too. I think anyone would fall for him.¡±

    The third arrow.

    ¡°Well, have you?¡± I asked.

    She came to an abrupt halt, and I realized we were standing at the edge of a cliff. Below us stretched the ocean, its golden beach shimmering under the sunlight. The view was breathtaking, and I stood in awe.

    ¡°No,¡± she said softly, pulling me back to reality. ¡°I know this isn¡¯t the time to say this, but...¡±

    I turned to her, giving her my full attention. She fidgeted nervously under my gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯m too weak for this world, Audel. I¡¯m too tired of all of this¡ªthe conspiracies, the unnecessary fights.¡±

    I tried to comfort her. ¡°It¡¯s fine¡ª¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she interrupted. ¡°It¡¯s not fine. It¡¯s not fine to be weak, to be powerless. Every moment, I feel like I¡¯m slipping away from you all. Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m too incompetent to be her daughter.¡±

    Her voice wavered. ¡°I¡¯m not an ideal daughter, Audel. I never will be. And¡ª¡± She clenched her fists. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m telling you all of this. Maybe because you¡¯ve been there with me from the beginning. We grew up like siblings. Audel, I¡¯m honestly too tired for all of this.¡±

    I took a deep breath. ¡°Good. It¡¯s natural to be tired when you¡¯re in such a position. Otherwise, I¡¯d be worried.¡±

    I continued, ¡°But you won¡¯t get anywhere if you try to mold yourself into some perfect image. It¡¯s like a blind man sculpting himself.¡±

    ¡°You¡ªyou¡¯re bad at making examples,¡± she chuckled, tears streaming down her face.

    ¡°You know what? Forget it! Just shout the hell out of your lungs here. No one will judge you.¡±

    ¡°Not even you?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Not even me. Or maybe, I don¡¯t know.¡±

    She wiped her tears and stepped to the edge of the cliff. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she shouted, ¡°This world is a cesspool!¡±

    She turned back to me, and I teased, ¡°Who says ¡®cesspool¡¯ in this age, haha!¡±

    Pouting, she challenged me, ¡°How about you go scream something meaningful, you old perv?¡±

    Old perv¡ªwhat? I walked to the cliffside and inhaled deeply.

    ¡°I WILL KILL YOU, KREG! YOU SON OF A BITCH. COME FACE ME!¡±

    I walked back to her, and she laughed, placing her hands on my shoulders. ¡°Woah! Was that a threat? Haha!¡±

    It was nice to see her as her usual self¡ªjoyous and silly. I couldn¡¯t help but smile, a genuine smile that even surprised me.

    Maria leaned in, her hands still on my shoulders, and kissed my cheek. The gesture caught me off guard, and I stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened.

    She quickly pulled away, her face flushed. ¡°D-Don¡¯t get the wrong idea, Audel. I was just trying to relieve your stress.¡±

    I laughed, breaking the tension. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± she pouted.

    ¡°A half-baked confession like that won¡¯t work on me,¡± I smirked, turning my back on her.

 Chapter 28: Paving Through Fate

    Utter darkness. Absolute nothingness. I lay flat in the void, extending my arms and feeling nothing. My fingers grasped at emptiness, finding no purchase.

    Then, warmth. A gentle warmth enveloped me from behind. At first, I resisted, tightening my muscles as the sensation caressed my rough back. The ticklish feeling was almost overwhelming, and I tried to pull away, but the warmth persisted. Reluctantly, I gave in, letting it engulf me completely. Curiosity burned within me, and I turned to see the source of the warmth.

    Maria. She was there, lying beside me, her arms wrapped around me. Her blonde hair was disheveled, falling in chaotic strands, and her lips¡ªsoft and inviting¡ªwere turned toward me. In that moment, we shared the same warmth, the same space.

    AUDEL EMPORIO

    I jolted awake in the sleeping pod, my heart racing. Looking around, I realized I was alone in the tent. I exhaled deeply, trying to calm myself, and quickly checked the bed. Thankfully, it was dry.

    I must not give in to lust, I told myself, almost aloud. It was just a kiss on the cheek, yet I had been consumed by greed ever since. I felt ashamed of my thoughts. Being mentally older than Maria only deepened my guilt.

    Stepping outside, I was met with an eerie silence, the atmosphere reminiscent of the darkness from my dream. It was still night. By the campfire stood old man Agrievious and his grandson, Benon. Benon noticed me first and waved me over.

    I joined them, taking a seat on a wooden log. The scene felt like d¨¦j¨¤ vu. I remembered meeting Lord Vestiron through an artifact back at the Boltaire Mansion. This was the same setting, except now it was the old man and the young boy instead.

    ¡°Trouble sleeping, young man?¡± Agrievious asked, his tone serious. ¡°Have you been having those dreams again?¡±

    I jolted, realizing he wasn¡¯t referring to my recent dream but the visions from my past life.

    ¡°I¡ªno, it wasn¡¯t like that,¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°What are you both doing here at midnight?¡±

    Benon answered, ¡°We Diviners don¡¯t have biological needs like sleep. We were just discussing just about you.¡±

    Agrievious kept his gaze fixed on the dancing flames, his eyes distant. ¡°Audel, everything revolves around you. Every action we¡¯ve taken, every plan we¡¯ve made¡ªit¡¯s all for you.¡±

    He paused, then continued, ¡°Audel... I¡¯m no seer like your master. But I can only cling to one hope: you must prevent the day of judgment, no matter the cost. Even if it means abandoning your humanity.¡±

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    I hesitated. ¡°Well... where did that come from?¡± I asked awkwardly, unsure of the context.

    Benon filled me in. ¡°The day of judgment is a myth, even to us Diviners. To put it simply, it¡¯s an event that will bring catastrophe to the living world. Every timeline leads to it. Every ending is fated to face that doom.¡±

    ¡°But what happens? And how is it triggered?¡± I asked, resting my chin on my hand.

    Benon¡¯s tone turned grim. ¡°God pays us a visit. He judges all mortal beings¡ªand all Diviners alike.¡±

    Agrievious added softly, ¡°The Eukaphrotians... they¡¯re planning to trigger that event.¡±

    ¡°But why?¡± I pressed.

    ¡°They believe they¡¯re the chosen ones,¡± Benon explained. ¡°They think God will forgive them, and that the event will bring salvation to the world.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯ve seen the end, haven¡¯t you?¡± Agrievious¡¯s eyes met mine. ¡°In your past life, I mean. It won¡¯t end well... Even a delusional man like me can say that with confidence.¡±

    ¡°How will they achieve it?¡± I asked.

    ¡°They¡¯ll use you,¡± Benon said. ¡°And your variables to influence the force known as Fate.¡±

    ¡°Are there other regressors like me? Or just my variables?¡± I asked.

    Agrievious shrugged. ¡°We can¡¯t say for sure. The chances are low, but never zero. Most are likely your variables, and you must absorb their mana to refine yourself¡ªto become fate itself.¡±

    I remembered what Vestiron had told me that night in the artifact¡¯s realm. He wasn¡¯t a seer, but he, too, had come from my previous world. This raised another question: Had he hidden his identity even from the Diviners? And if he was from my world, was he a variable of mine¡ªor something separate?

    Goosebumps prickled my skin as I asked, ¡°Wait, become fate? What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°Your physical body may be new, but your core remains the same as it was in your previous life,¡± Benon explained. ¡°Back then, you learned to manipulate mana freely¡ªmana, which is life itself. To manipulate life freely is one of the key aspects of fate.¡±

    I absorbed the information, slouching forward with my fingers interlocked.

    Agrievious broke the silence. ¡°We¡¯re doing everything we can to unlock the factor limiting your previous power. It¡¯s not an easy task¡ªnot at all.¡±

    Just then, a silhouette caught the corner of my eye. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± I asked cautiously.

    A tall figure emerged from the bushes and took a seat beside Agrievious.

    ¡°This is the commander of the battle group,¡± Agrievious introduced. ¡°Meet Mr. Oreceles.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you, Mr. Audel,¡± the muscular commander said.

    Benon added, ¡°Mr. Oreceles was an Aeon in the Eukaphrotian ranks before joining us. An Aeon is somewhat stronger than a Major in your culture.¡±

    ¡°I wonder what rank I¡¯d be if I were in the military,¡± I mused aloud.

    Oreceles smirked. ¡°Your core is weak at the moment, but from what I¡¯ve heard, you excel in close combat. Based on reports, your combat skills surpass those of a Leyten¡ªif not an Aeon.¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t let that go to your head, Audel,¡± Agrievious interjected. ¡°Just because you have nearly half a decade of combat experience doesn¡¯t mean you can defeat strong opponents who rely on mana. You need to refine your core. Only then will you be ready to face a true challenge.¡±

    ¡°Refine it, you say?¡± I murmured, then voiced an idea. ¡°What if Benon manipulated time to restore my core to its previous state?¡±

    ¡°Too risky,¡± Agrievious replied instantly. ¡°It could break your body.¡±

    ¡°But it would work, right?¡± I pressed.

    Before Agrievious could respond, Oreceles placed a large hand on the old man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s not a bad idea. Let¡¯s try a little experiment.¡±

    Agrievious sighed, shrugging nonchalantly. ¡°Don¡¯t blame me if it brings back your past scars. It might break you mentally. Consider my words.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s do it, then,¡± I said, standing up. ¡°Whatever happens, happens.¡±

 Chapter 29: An Unpleasant Sight

    UTAH BOLTAIRE

    The journey home had taken longer than expected, but I finally arrived at my destination. The familiar scent of my garden filled the air as I approached the mansion, though my steps were slow and deliberate. While I knew my father would be eagerly awaiting Vestiron''s message, I wasn''t in any particular hurry to deliver it.

    Then¡ªsomething felt off.

    I froze, my hand instinctively reaching for my sword. The mansion was eerily silent, devoid of the usual presence of maids or butlers. No one had come to greet me. My grip tightened on the hilt as I cautiously turned the doorknob, stepping inside to find only hollow silence.

    An attack? Or are they hiding? The thought barely formed before¡ª

    Whoosh

    An arrow whizzed past my head, embedding itself in the doorframe with enough force to make the wood splinter. I barely had time to react before a barrage followed, forcing me to leap back outside with mana-enhanced speed.

    "Who are you?!" I shouted, scanning the garden for threats. My gaze snapped upward¡ªa figure stood atop the mansion''s roof, silhouetted against the sky.

    "Lieutenant Utah," the woman called down, her voice cold and mechanical. "Comply with our demands. Your family is our hostage."

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    The light made it hard to see her clearly, but her build was undeniably strong¡ªa Eukaphrotian, and a powerful one at that. I channeled mana through my body, bracing myself.

    "What do you want, Eukaphrotian?"

    She leapt from the roof, landing gracefully behind me. Up close, her pale skin and crystalline white hair were striking, her eyes almost hypnotic¡ªuntil I forced myself to focus.

    "I am Leyten Pristine Carolinus," she stated. "My general has ordered your presence. We are simply here to keep peace."

    I scoffed. "Peaceful? You shot at me."

    "A defensive measure."

    "Sure. A defensive measure," I muttered before igniting my mana.

    "Fire Step: Second Form."

    The world erupted in flames. Heat roared around me, incinerating everything within thirty feet in an instant. As the fire cleared, I scanned the charred remains of my garden¡ªonly to find another figure hovering above me.

    "Lieutenant Utah," the man said casually, his face eerily familiar. "We offered salvation, and you spat on it. A disgrace, especially when your own king has already surrendered this nation to us."

    I didn''t wait for him to finish. A searing beam of fire shot from my palm¡ªbut he dodged effortlessly, retaliating with a fireball ten times the size of mine. I barely rolled clear in time.

    Circling him, I demanded, "I¡¯ve seen you before. Who are you? Another Leyten?"

    He smirked. "Indeed you have. At the academy, of course. My name is Raphael. And I have no regrets."

    I didn¡¯t give him time to gloat. With a swing of my sword, I unleashed a storm of fire arrows, each one streaking toward him from all directions.

    Yet when the smoke cleared, he stood unharmed, grinning.

    "You can come out now, Carol," he called. "Seems our intel overestimated this one."

    Then, two more figures materialized from the shadows¡ªPristine Carolinus and...

    Him.

    Kreg.

    The man I''d fought before smirked. "We meet again, Lieutenant."

    My grip on my sword tightened. Three against one.

    This wouldn¡¯t end well.

 Chapter 30: The Arrival of Death itself

    KREG JEVELIAR

    The lieutenant stood before us with his sword drawn, his crimson eyes burning with defiance. Even outnumbered three to one, he refused to back down. Foolish bravery¡ªor sheer desperation.

    "Fire Step: Third Form!" He shouted.

    His blade arced downward, unleashing a vertical slash of pure flame that carved through the air and cleanly bisected his own mansion in a single, devastating strike. Raphael sidestepped effortlessly, but the attack served as a warning: this man was dangerous.

    His wrath turned toward me next. Fire erupted around me, a swirling cage of heat and destruction.

    "-econd form!"

    The lieutenant''s voice echoed as the inferno sealed me inside. But I only smirked.

    Mana Manipulation.

    With a flick of my finger, the flames dissolved, absorbed into my core. The foreign energy fractured, assimilated, becoming mine. Lightning crackled to life in my palm, forming a blade as I lunged.

    He was distracted, parrying Carolina''s onslaught¡ªtoo slow to react. My strike pierced his mana clad armor and sank deep into his side.

    A choked gasp. A stumble. Yet, even wounded, he retaliated. Another cage of fire erupted¡ªthis time around himself.

    A last stand.

    Inside, the sounds of labored coughing, his desperation evident.

    "Come out!" Raphael barked, landing beside me. "Face us, coward!"

    Silence.

    I glanced at Raphael, and he nodded. Once more, I activated Mana Manipulation, draining the flames until nothing remained but a broken man on his knees. As if he had been stripped naked.

    He coughed violently, crimson dripping from his lips.

    "The likes of you... can never take over Wikesland!"

    A final defiance¡ªbefore his strength gave out.

    "Kreg," Raphael''s lips curled in that infuriating smirk of his. "Finish him."

    The order hung in the air as I advanced. The lieutenant dragged himself backward through his own pool of blood, his breath ragged. My palm extended toward him, ready to drain his life force¡ªbut instead of begging, he smiled.

    That damned smile.

    A gust of wind whipped past my face¡ªthen exploded into a hurricane. I barely had time to throw up my hexagonal mana shield before the gale-force winds would have ripped us apart.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    "An intruder," I growled, shielding my comrades. "The lieutenant was stalling."

    As the dust cleared, two new figures stood beside the wounded man.

    "Lieu¡ªcough¡ªLieutenant Yaz," Utah rasped. "Careful... they''re strong."

    My eyes narrowed. That earlier fire attack¡ªit hadn''t been meant to hit Raphael at all. A signal.

    Cunning bastard.

    "Messenger Klara!" Yaz barked. "Buy us time!"

    He scooped up Utah, but before he could flee¡ª

    "Aeon Platus!" Raphael''s voice carried an edge I''d never heard before. "You shouldn''t be here!"

    The towering figure of our superior materialized from the shadows, his presence crushing. Even injured from his battle with that damned Diviner, his power made the very air tremble. The lieutenants froze¡ªliterally. The weight of his mana pinned them like insects.

    Yaz managed half a step before an earthen spike impaled him through the chest. Utah collapsed atop him, their blood mingling in the dirt. Klara didn''t fare better¡ªa cage of spikes erupted around her, sealing her in an earthen coffin.

    Just like that. Three opponents neutralized in less time than it took to blink.

    I clenched my fist. The gulf between an Aeon and us Leytens was... humiliating.

    We dropped to one knee in unison.

    "Aeon Platus," Carolinus asked, head bowed, "shall we return to camp?"

    "Not yet." He kicked at a charred rose bush. "We''re in for a show."

    My head snapped up. A show?

    "The National Tournament begins tomorrow," he continued, answering my unspoken question. "We''ll leave them a message there."

    Raphael hesitated. "The barracks¡ª"

    "Are already dealt with." Platus examined his nails. "I cleared the central grounds myself. The generals were absent, but the lieutenants and majors... well." He gestured to the corpses at our feet. "Keep the woman alive. She might be useful."

    With a dismissive wave, he turned away. "Raphael¡ªtake her to camp. Carolinus, Kreg¡ªyou''re with me."

    "Yes, my Aeon." The words tasted like ash.

    As Raphael hauled Klara''s unconscious form over his shoulder, I stared at the two dying lieutenants. Their chests still rose and fell¡ªbarely.

    Platus followed my gaze. "Problem, Leyten?"

    "No, sir." I straightened. "Just admiring your work."

    His laugh sent ice down my spine. "Good. Because the real work starts tomorrow."

    The tournament would be more than a message.

    It would be a massacre.

    Jerome Kruger

    I stood on the top of the clock tower. It was a sweet spot for having a clear view of the city. But I wasn''t just commanded to come here and enjoy my time here...

    I had been watching from afar. I had been sent to spy on the Boltaire mansion but I couldn''t have ever thought of seeing such a horrendous sight. The mansion...Scathed...Presumably 3 Lieutenants...Left to die... It was a massacre...

    I had never felt this powerless in my entire life. I failed my task and more importantly, I was unable to save them. Before remorse got the best of me, I composed myself once again. I needed to get out of here.

    "This is where it all ends."

    The voice slithered through the dark, freezing my blood. I whirled around¡ªnothing but shadows.

    Then, two golden eyes ignited in the blackness.

    A silhouette lounged in a chair, casual as death itself.

    "Wh-who are you?" My voice barely escaped my throat.

    The figure gestured to the seat opposite him. "The tea''s getting cold."

    Every instinct screamed run. But his presence pinned me in place. Slowly, I sat.

    "Jerome Kruger." His voice was deceptively soft. "Son of Jarrod Kruger. Do you pledge allegiance to your king?"

    A trap? A test? My pulse hammered.

    "O-of course. Why?"

    "If that''s true..." He sipped his tea. "...you''re relieved of this mission. You''re here on the prince''s orders, aren''t you?"

    How does he¡ª

    "W-what? Why?"

    "Your family''s been granted... salvation." Golden eyes gleamed. "But interfere with us..." The cup clinked against its saucer. "...and we''ll erase your bloodline like we did the Boltaire family. Like you just witnessed."

    Ice flooded my veins. I couldn''t speak. Couldn''t breathe.

    He stood. I flinched.

    A smirk curled in the dark. "Do Wikesmen prefer cold tea?"

    Silence.

    Then he stepped into the moonlight¡ªa middle-aged man with refined features and a smile that didn''t reach his eyes.

    "Don''t worry. It''s not poisoned."

    With that, he stepped off the tower''s edge.

    I didn''t watch him fall.

    I was too busy realizing I''d just sat across from death itself¡ªand lived.

    For now.

 Chapter 31: The Garden and the Misfortunes

    Prince Harold of Tritine

    The royal gardens had always been my refuge, though today''s tranquility felt hollow. My fingers brushed against a withered rose, its crumbling petals a reminder of how far Tritine had fallen. Once, our lands had been carpeted in vibrant blooms so rich that travelers would mistake them for spilled blood from afar.

    But times have changed, tables have turned, and coins, flipped. Even having your eyes laid on a garden like this is a luxury for many. And for that, I am grateful. Grateful that I have been given the opportunity to admire such beauty. As the withered petal slipped through my fingers, I was left with a sorrowful aftertaste.

    Following that, a soldier came to me with a scroll. A red-golden ribbon bound the scroll, and I understood the significance of that scroll. Without a word, I waved off the soldier and opened the scroll to see what was in for me.

    "From General Klieve." I let my words slip from my tongue as no one was there to potentially spy on me.

    I read it inwardly, "A veil has been placed on the National Barracks. Just as the king had predicted, we were unable to reach out to the lieutenants and the majors present there. I request an immediate meeting."

    Sighing, I closed the scroll. Before I could let out another breath, another messenger came to me. He, too, came with a scroll, one with the same ribbon. I dismissed him and opened it.

    "From General Vincent." I read the name inwardly and looked at the content, "There have been several attacks on at least 6 of the noble houses. Each of their estates has been scathed badly. The names are given as follows: Rein, Mordana, Platzhirsch, Boltaire, Leumann, and lastly, Morty."

    6 of the noble houses, all of them were attacked. 5 of the families are reported missing while the youngest son of the House Morty is still recovering in the national hospital. 6 of them were very influential powers in this city and in the country overall. Most importantly...

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    All of them were suspected of having a connection with the House Volkslova. Vestiron, the fugitive, along with these noble houses, were planning on overthrowing the current king from the city of Tritine. Strangely enough, all of them were wiped clean, not by the king''s own force but by some other power.

    Again, there were attacks on the barrack, presumably by the same party. All of it seems too coordinated to me. Just what is the perpetrator planning? Killing forces from both sides, playing a neutral stance?

    Eukaphrotians, without a doubt, it was them. It has to be them. The king, my father, is suspected of working with the Eukaphrotians currently. Did he make a deal with them? To sell your own barracks in exchange for wiping out the rebels, I wondered. But what would they gain? And more importantly, isn''t it the same as just throwing away the nation to them?

    Before my paranoia grew dire, I felt a firm sensation of warm hands on my shoulders. I turned around to see her, someone I could truly trust in this world of lies.

    "Princess Martha? What brings you here?" I jolted back to senses, almost losing my composure. The young, charming lady looked around to admire the view, ignoring my question.

    She was the princess of the neighboring city-state of Briggsvale, just west of Tritine, and a childhood friend of mine. She wore a casual robe, but the expensive golden horn-like crown made her appear like a true sovereign entity. Her long brown hair wavered in the cold breeze, and her crystalline blue eyes were locked with mine. She addressed me finally,

    "Prince Harold. You seem to have formed dark circles under your eyes. Is something troubling you?"

    I shrugged with a heavy sigh. "You have heard about the rumors, right?"

    "What about it?"

    "I am just worried for my old man. He might be walking on a path of loose string right now. Dealing with so many problems is not an easy task, even for an iron-fist king like him."

    She got down on her knees to breathe in the smell of the rose, and then she continued, "How is Hera? Is she still in her rebellious stage?"

    "Can''t say," I admitted. I got down as well, matching shoulders with her, "What about your sisters? Are they still troubling you?"

    "Well..." She stopped for a moment. "Not really. I''ve suppressed all their efforts for now. They can''t raise a voice for now."

    "This is what happens in a kingless kingdom, huh," I replied, my eyes fully focused on the rose.

    "I am not eligible to be a queen, Harold." She said with a somber tone, "I can''t lead the nation of Briggsvale myself...The ministers are urging me to get married."

    "Well, that''s-"

    Before my words died, the sight of the running soldier caught my glimpse. I stood up immediately to receive the news. And what he had told me shook me to my core as even Lady Martha widened her eyes.

    "Th-The king is missing?" I spoke, but my words died along my inner self as I struggled to piece the situation.