《Kingdom of magic :boundless power》


 chapter 1

    In the world of supernatural powers and magic, every nation teaches magic to its students, striving to harness this power for its own interests. Raven is a second-year student in high school, where magic and its fundamentals are taught to enable students to master their mystical abilities.


    The First Day at the Academy of Magic


    Raven arrived at the school gates, his eyes scanning the massive building that radiated an aura of mysterious energy, while the voices of excited students filled the air. The first day was not just an ordinary school day¡­ it was the day of the grand celebrations, where the most powerful sorcerers would showcase their skills before the new students.


    In the vast school courtyard, everyone gathered around a massive stage as one of the teachers announced in a commanding voice:


    "And now! Let the exhibition battle between two of the strongest Student Council members begin!"


    Two combatants took their positions on the stage. The first was a tall young man with silver hair and a black cloak billowing in the wind¡ªhis name was Kieran. His opponent was a girl with glowing golden eyes, Eliana, said to control fire as if it were an extension of herself.


    Kieran raised his hand, and the shadows around him began to converge, forming a black sword pulsating with dark energy. In response, Eliana stepped forward, and with every step, flames surged around her, shaping themselves into a fiery dragon that coiled around her body.


    "Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got, Kieran!" Eliana said with a confident smirk.


    In an instant, Kieran dashed forward with unnatural speed, using the shadows to propel himself, aiming a swift strike at her. But before he could land the blow, flames erupted around her, forming a blazing shield that deflected the attack. She retaliated with a massive fireball, hurling it toward him.


    Kieran leaped backward, surrounding himself with a barrier of shadows, but part of the flames pierced through his defense, burning his shoulder. Yet, it wasn¡¯t enough to stop him. He raised his hand and unleashed dark energy spikes toward her, but Eliana summoned her fire dragon, which let out a deafening roar before unleashing a massive explosion of flames, turning the battlefield into a blazing inferno for a few moments.


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    Raven watched the battle, his eyes gleaming with excitement, his heart pounding¡­ He knew that this school would be the beginning of his journey¡ªthe path to true power!


    After the school day ended, Raven was wandering the streets at night.


    The cold air flowed through the alleys, and the dim streetlights cast long shadows on the pavement. Only a few people were walking around, but the silence didn¡¯t last for long¡­


    Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared, moving at an incredible speed¡ªalmost like a shadow darting between the buildings. In an instant, he attacked a group of people in the street. They had no chance to escape¡ªhis strikes were precise, lethal... and within moments, they all collapsed motionless.


    Raven froze in place, his heart pounding wildly. He could feel a terrifying aura emanating from that person. He didn¡¯t dare to approach; instead, he hid in a dark alley, trying to hold his breath so he wouldn¡¯t be noticed.


    "Who is that...?" he muttered in a shaky voice, his eyes locked onto the mysterious figure standing amidst the lifeless bodies, as if nothing had happened.


    Raven didn¡¯t wait any longer. He turned swiftly and ran as fast as he could, his body trembling, an unfamiliar fear creeping into his soul¡­ He had realized that this world was not as he had imagined, and that dark forces were moving in the shadows


    The next day, a new student arrived at the school.


    This student was in a different class and not in the same one as Raven, but ever since his arrival, everyone was talking about him. As he walked through the school courtyard, some students from royal families approached him.


    Student 1 (with a clear threat):


    "Stop! We have some questions and you need to answer them."


    Ryo (the new student), looking at them with a cold gaze:


    "Get out of my way. I''m not in the mood."


    One of the students couldn''t handle the cold response, so he stepped forward with a sneer and said:


    "You¡¯re new here, but that doesn''t mean you can ignore us like that."


    Three students, seeming to come from wealthy families, gathered around him, threatening and trying to provoke him. They thought they could easily bully him because he was new to the school.


    Student 2 (mocking):


    "You don''t belong here. Do you think you can act like this without paying the price?"


    Then, suddenly, with a sharp look, Ryo raised his hand quickly. In an instant, he unleashed a wave of energy that shook the air around him. It was a dark wave, filled with power and ferocity, and the horror aura it emitted terrified everyone nearby.


    The three students fell to the ground, unable to breathe, as a wave of fear overcame them in an instant.


    Raven, who had been watching the scene from a distance, felt the aura as it enveloped the area. He felt something strange, something terrifying¡­ His heart raced faster. When he felt that energy, he recalled what happened the previous night, and in that moment, he realized that this was the same person he had seen the night before.


    Ryo had the same mysterious aura and power that Raven had sensed on the street.


    Two days later, in the middle of the continent, a meeting was held between all the countries of the continent.

 chapter 2

    A meeting was held for the countries of the continent to discuss the economic situation.


    The participants entered the large hall decorated with the flags of various countries. The hall was vast, and the atmosphere was filled with tension and anticipation, as representatives from multiple countries gathered, some with their presidents in attendance, while others sent their foreign ministers. The chairs were arranged in a large circle around a huge table where everyone met to exchange opinions.


    The Chair of the Meeting (calmly but firmly):


    "We are here today to discuss solutions to the economic crises that threaten the stability of our continent. We must devise strategic plans for cooperation between our countries, but there is one important matter we must address. The five major organizations have started dealing with certain countries individually, and this is very dangerous for us."


    Aksir (Country 1) (in a concerned tone):


    "But how can we allow this? These organizations are strengthening their ties with certain countries, which will increase the disparity between us. If this continues, we will be in a weak position on the global stage."


    Niros (Country 2) (cautiously):


    "We can''t let competition ruin our relations. We must unite and build a unified economic front to face these organizations. If they continue exploiting individual countries, we will have a serious problem."


    Tiron (Country 3) (assertively):


    "We need mutual understanding. Some countries are striving for economic domination, and we must be in a position to negotiate with these organizations on equal terms."


    The Chair of the Meeting (interrupting):


    "Yes, that''s true. Our competition must be limited to developing our internal projects and strengthening integration among us. Cooperation is the only solution to avoid the division of economic powers on the continent."


    Valeria (Country 4) (seriously):


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    "But we must ensure that our smaller countries are not negatively affected. We need a plan to protect our national economies and not allow the major organizations to exploit us."


    Drinar (Country 5) (angrily):


    "What¡¯s the problem with working with the organizations? There are some smaller organizations we work with, but when it comes to big projects with huge amounts of money, we must work with them. This is the only way to ensure success in the global market."


    Aksir (Country 1) (firmly):


    "The problem with the major organizations is that they take a huge share of the profits and do not respect the laws. They are powerful organizations with the ability to impose their terms, and this makes them above everyone. Moreover, if you decide to work with them, you are forced to accept their terms simply because they are strong."


    Tiron (Country 3) (decisively):


    "Organizations like these impose their control over the markets and leave no room for equal opportunities between countries. If we allow them to dominate, we will lose our ability to make decisions on our own. We must look for other solutions apart from these major organizations."


    Valeria (Country 4) (worriedly):


    "But if we continue rejecting working with them, we might close the doors to many opportunities that could benefit our countries. Maybe we need a more flexible way of thinking instead of complete rejection."


    Niros (Country 2) (hesitantly):


    "But we must keep in mind that not all these organizations are bad. Some smaller organizations work more flexibly, and the opportunities to work with them might be less harmful than dealing with the major powers that impose their conditions."


    Aksir (Country 1) (interrupting):


    "But if we decide to form alliances with some of them, we will allow them to strengthen their position at our expense. We need to build strong alliances between us before we turn to the outside, or we will become mere followers in the global market."


    Chair of the Meeting (concerned):


    "We are discussing this issue unproductively. If we continue debating without reaching an agreement, we will remain stuck and solve nothing. We need to come up with an effective plan instead of these discussions."


    Tiron (Country 3) (firmly):


    "The solution is not in forming alliances with these major organizations, but in developing our internal economy and enhancing cooperation among ourselves. We need to cooperate and work together to develop alternatives. We must not let the major powers dominate us."


    Drinar (Country 5) (clearly frustrated):


    "Are we really ready to give up huge profit opportunities just because we don¡¯t want to work with the major organizations? This will set us back economically."


    Nordalia (Country 6) (seriously):


    "I want to say something important, and I would like to remind you of something very significant. There is an organization that has started moving quickly at this time, and that is Arcadia. This organization has halted a major project worth 226 million Phoenix, a project meant for a company operating in Firan. We must come to an agreement with them, or else investors will flee. What''s even stranger is that they didn¡¯t just take the money; they destroyed and burned everything. Their actions are very odd; it seems like a response or revenge."


    Shocked voices filled the room. Some of the leaders exchanged bewildered glances, while others appeared completely stunned. Their faces froze, and they couldn¡¯t even breathe for a few moments. The situation was incredibly strange, as if they were facing a greater threat than ever before. It was clear that this was more than just an economic move; it was a message filled with power and intimidation.

 chapter 3

    Raven began training every day after school, using the fundamentals he learned at the academy, but he knew that relying solely on lessons wouldn''t be enough. He spent hours after class honing his magical skills and combat techniques, striving to understand his energy on a deeper level.


    His training wasn¡¯t limited to magic alone¡ªhe also focused on strengthening his body. He recalled the words of his teacher during one of the lessons:


    "You may possess powerful magical techniques, but if your body is weak and your energy runs out, you will lose. On the other hand, if you have a strong body but lack mastery over magic, you won¡¯t last long. That is why you must be strong in all aspects."


    These words echoed in his mind every day, driving him to push his limits and refine his abilities even further.


    After a month of intense training, Raven had become stronger than most students in the school. However, despite his growing power, he kept it hidden from everyone. He knew that the academy selected the strongest students to serve under the royal families, and he had no desire to become a mere tool in their hands.


    As the Martial Arts Tournament approached, excitement filled the academy. This competition was a chance for students to prove their skills, gain recognition, and possibly attract the attention of high-ranking officials. Everyone was talking about it, and expectations were high for who would emerge as the champion this time.


    Raven wanted to participate. He knew he could defeat most of the competitors¡ªperhaps even win the entire tournament. But the thought of being chosen by the royal families terrified him. He didn¡¯t want to be forced into loyalty or used in power struggles.


    As the battles raged on and the roaring crowd filled the arena, the announcer¡¯s voice boomed with excitement, fueling the energy in the air. Most of the fights had ended, and now only the final showdown remained.


    "It¡¯s time for the ultimate battle!" the announcer shouted, his voice echoing through the stadium.


    On one side of the arena stood Shin, Raven¡¯s classmate, radiating confidence. He knew he wasn¡¯t an ordinary fighter¡ªhe had trained relentlessly for this moment. But his opponent was no weakling either.


    On the opposite side stood a mysterious warrior known as Kyle, a fighter renowned for his blinding speed and his ability to end battles within seconds. His long black hair swayed with the wind, and his piercing eyes gleamed like those of a predator eyeing its prey.


    The match began. In the blink of an eye, Kyle vanished, moving so fast that only the wind left in his wake could be seen. One moment, he was in front of Shin; the next, he was behind him, landing a flurry of rapid, precise strikes, each one hitting like an invisible bullet.


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    Shin gritted his teeth, struggling to block the attacks, but Kyle¡¯s speed was overwhelming. Sweat trickled down his forehead, but he refused to surrender.


    From the stands, Raven observed the battle intently. Among the spectators, Ryo also sat, arms crossed, silently analyzing the fight.


    Determined to turn the tide, Shin activated his magic. His entire arm transformed into solid rock, glowing with the raw power of the earth. This was his chance¡ªif he could land this attack, he might be able to shift the momentum! With a thunderous step, he lunged toward Kyle, the ground trembling beneath his feet.


    But just as his stone fist was about to connect, Kyle vanished.


    Shin¡¯s eyes widened in shock. He barely had time to react before he felt a gust of wind behind him.


    "It¡¯s over."


    A cold voice whispered in his ear before Kyle reappeared behind him, delivering a swift, cutting strike. A sharp pain seared through Shin¡¯s shoulder, leaving a deep wound. He gasped, dropping to one knee, struggling to catch his breath.


    For a moment, the entire arena fell silent. Then, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.


    But Shin did not surrender. Despite the pain surging through his body, he stood tall, his breath heavy but his resolve unwavering.


    Kyle, who respected Shin¡¯s spirit, realized that his opponent had no intention of giving up. With a deep sigh, he raised his weapon high, flames igniting around the blade, forming a deadly glow.


    "Step back and surrender. I don¡¯t want to hurt you any further, but I must win!" Kyle declared, his eyes burning with determination.


    Yet Shin remained silent. His gaze held no fear, only pure defiance. Kyle understood in that instant¡ªShin would never back down.


    "If that¡¯s your decision¡­ then I¡¯ll end this now!"


    "Flaming Blade!"


    The deadly technique was unleashed! A storm of fire erupted from Kyle¡¯s sword, spiraling around the blade in a blinding blaze. In a heartbeat, he surged forward at an unbelievable speed, aiming to pierce through Shin and end the match with a single strike!


    And then¡­


    "Now!"


    From the stands, Raven moved, his face hidden behind a black mask.


    Raven threw several smoke orbs onto the battlefield.


    Before Kyle could react, Raven appeared in front of Shin, his body wrapped in an intense aura of power.  he reached out barehanded toward the Flaming Blade!


    "Impossible!" Kyle gasped.


    In a moment of sheer shock, the fiery blade shattered under Raven¡¯s grip, and the flames that once roared vanished as if they had never existed.


    Before Kyle could fully comprehend what had just happened, Shin was gone.


    Kyle stood frozen in the arena, his eyes wide with disbelief. What just happened? Who was that masked figure?


    The audience, who had been watching in complete silence, suddenly erupted into murmurs of astonishment.


    "Who is that?!"


    Rio darted out from the crowd, his eyes locked onto the masked figure who had saved Shin.


    Meanwhile, Raven moved swiftly. he had to get Shin to the nearest hospital before he lost consciousness completely.


    With quick, silent movements, he entered the hospital, placed Shin in the emergency ward, and vanished before anyone could notice him.


    But¡­ Rio was still following him.


    "There¡¯s no point in running... I¡¯ll find out who you are." Rio muttered to himself, determination gleaming in his eyes.


    Raven darted , leaping over obstacles, avoiding crowded streets. But Rio was relentless¡ªfollowing like a shadow, waiting for his chance.


    After several minutes of silent pursuit, Raven finally stopped¡­ in front of a house.


    Rio hid , watching carefully, waiting to see who would come out of this place.


    With a quiet sigh, Raven stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Moments later, he removed his mask and took a deep breath.


    Little did he know¡­ Rio was still waiting outside, patient as ever.


    "Alright... soon, I¡¯ll know who you really are." Rio whispered with a smirk, leaning casually against the wall.


    Hours passed.


    Raven stepped out of his house,


    Rio knew the identity of the masked man.

 chapter 4

    The next day, Ryo went to work. He worked directly with the most powerful royal families. Not out of loyalty, but simply because his power made him a valuable asset.


    Most often, his duties involved protection¡ªguarding shipments, securing convoys, and overseeing transportation. But sometimes, he was tasked with special assignments.


    That morning, Ryo received a new order from House Valderen, one of the most influential royal families, to oversee the delivery of a critical shipment and ensure its safe arrival.


    "I can reveal the identity of the Masked One."


    "But... for a price."


    One of the nobles raised an eyebrow. "How much?" he asked.


    "50,000 phoenix."


    The family members exchanged glances before one finally replied, "250,000 phoenix? That''s a lot of money."


    Ryo received no response regarding payment. It wasn''t a refusal, but it was a clear answer nonetheless.


    Ryo: "I''ll continue working with you... Let''s postpone this matter for a later time." ...


    That day, a grand celebration was held in the academy''s central courtyard. Students, professors, and high-ranking officials from across the country gathered.


    Among them was the country''s ruler himself, a man rumored to be one of the most powerful magic practitioners of the era.


    Standing beside the academy''s director, he began to speak in a calm, resolute tone:


    Ruler: "The academy appears as strong as ever... How is training going? Is the new generation promising?"


    Headmaster (smiling confidently): "Certainly, Your Excellency. This year''s students possess exceptional potential. We have talents unparalleled in decades!"


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    Ruler (nodding his head): "Good. The strength of our nation depends on these mages, and I expect the academy to continue producing only the best."


    But then...


    Suddenly, the ground shook...!


    A terrifying pressure swept through the courtyard¡ªthe air felt stifling, as if death itself had descended upon them.


    A dark, monstrous aura pervaded everything.


    Time seemed to freeze, even the air itself felt as if it were being sucked out.


    Ryo fell to his knees¡ªhis body unable to withstand the overwhelming force!


    On the other side of the courtyard...


    Raven also collapsed, his eyes widening in shock.


    "Impossible... What is this force?!"


    As everyone else was consumed by panic, one person moved calmly through the chaos.


    He walked with steady steps, heading straight for Lord Yvren, the head of one of the most powerful royal houses.


    Standing before him, his glowing eyes were like a demon emerging from the depths of hell.


    "It''s time to pay for what you''ve done." His voice was calm, but it carried the undeniable promise of death.


    He reached behind his back and unsheathed a massive black sword¡ªa sword that seemed to devour even the light around it.


    Then, with one smooth motion, he struck.


    A violent metallic shriek tore through the air.


    And at that moment...


    The Academy''s sacred crest, a symbol of its power, split in two.


    The crest fell to the ground, shattering before the stunned audience.


    Zairos stood in the middle of the courtyard, his aura filling the space with overwhelming presence.


    "I am the Vice-Commander of Arcadia."


    His eyes glowed with a mysterious power, and his deep voice carried a subtle threat. As he spoke, his aura continued to radiate, pressing down on everyone like an invisible force.


    He continued in a cool, measured tone:


    "You interfered with our operations... and stopped our workers'' shipments. We lost money on this business. Such actions cannot be ignored."


    Lord Evren stood frozen, sweat dripping from his brow. His voice trembled as he replied:


    "We didn''t know it was yours! We''ll compensate you for whatever you want. Just let''s resolve this peacefully!"


    Zairos looked at him with deep contempt.


    "The compensation must be appropriate... It must cover the lost profits from your intervention, plus an additional sum as an apology. Let''s say... 800 million phoenix."


    Lord Evren''s eyes widened in shock. He clutched his head, unable to comprehend the sheer amount. His voice broke as he muttered, "800 million?! How... and why this amount?!"


    Zairos replied firmly, "You must pay... unless you want trouble with us."


    Without giving them a chance to argue, he disappeared in an instant, leaving behind a suffocating silence and the lingering fear of what Arcadia was truly capable of.

 chapter 5

    At midnight, Raven went to his usual training spot. The cold wind brushed against his skin, and the silence of the night was broken only by his own footsteps. Yet, something felt¡­ off. He could sense someone watching him.


    He stopped for a moment, scanning the area. Suddenly, a figure emerged ¡ªRyo. He stepped forward with a confident smile.


    Ryo: "You¡¯re the masked fighter. I saw you that day."


    Raven (expressionless): "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about."


    Ryo (stepping closer): "Why did you interfere in that fight? And why didn¡¯t you join the tournament from the start?"


    Raven (sighing): "You¡¯re annoying. I¡¯m just here to train."


    Ryo (grinning): "Then let¡¯s train together!"


    Without warning, Ryo lunged at Raven, forcing him to step back cautiously.


    Raven: "What do you want from me now?"


    Ryo (his eyes gleaming with curiosity): "I just want to know why you interfered."


    Raven smirked.


    "So you only understand the language of battle?"


    In a flash, Raven attacked with a rapid flurry of punches. Ryo, however, was no ordinary opponent¡ªhe dodged and blocked with remarkable skill, countering with his own strikes. The air crackled with the force of their blows.


    Then, Ryo suddenly stepped back, his body glowing with intense flames.


    Ryo: "Fire Magic ¨C Level Two!"


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    Flames enveloped his entire body, forming a blazing armor around him.


    Ryo (smirking): "With this level, I can coat myself in fire. Any touch from you¡­ and you¡¯ll burn."


    Raven (muttering): "Tch¡­ so you¡¯ve started using magic, huh? Fine, I won¡¯t hold back either."


    Ryo launched fire bullets toward Raven, who dodged swiftly but couldn¡¯t avoid all of them. Burn marks began to appear on his arms and clothes.


    Raven (gritting his teeth): "Your ability¡­ it¡¯s like both a shield and a weapon."


    Realizing that a prolonged fight would wear him down, Raven thought quickly: "I need to land a single decisive hit¡­ otherwise he''ll incinerate me with his fire shield."


    Feigning retreat, Raven dashed away, luring Ryo in.


    Ryo (mocking): "Are you running away now? Pathetic."


    But Raven had a plan. Using the surrounding buildings, he leaped high into the air. From above, he extended his hand toward Ryo, energy crackling around his palm.


    Then, with a fierce shout, he unleashed his attack.


    "THUNDER SHOT!"


    Ryo¡¯s eyes widened in shock at the sheer speed of the strike. He raised his arms to block, but the lightning bolt shattered his flaming armor and struck him square in the chest.


    The force sent Ryo stumbling backward, his body twitching from the electric shock. He dropped to one knee, panting heavily.


    Meanwhile,The six heads of the royal families gathered with the ruler of Asteria in the grand meeting hall. The atmosphere was tense, and the faces around the table ranged from furious to pale with shock.


    Head of the Evren family, his face contorted with anger: "I can''t believe we''re paying such an outrageous amount! This is extortion!"


    Head of the Falconir family, slamming his fist on the table: "And what did you expect? Why did you even interfere with their shipments? You were playing with fire!"


    Head of the Draconis family, speaking in a calm yet intense voice: "This is not the time for blame. We need to gather the money and find a way out of this mess with the least possible losses."


    Head of the Strathmore family, looking directly at the ruler: "But are we certain that paying is the best solution? Is there no other way?"


    The Ruler of Asteria, his voice firm as he scanned the room: "We have no choice. We will cooperate and collect the required amount, and the Evren family will repay its debts to us later. We will not let this crisis shake the stability of our nation."


    Head of the Nethrid family, stroking his chin thoughtfully: "But what guarantees that they won¡¯t return to demand even more? If we pay now, we might become easy prey for them in the future."


    Head of the Zircon family, leaning forward with frustration: "Why don''t we fight them? Why should we show weakness in front of Arcadia? We can unite our forces and eliminate this threat!"


    The Ruler of Asteria, narrowing his eyes and staring sharply at him: "And who exactly will you fight? Do you even understand what Arcadia is? That organization could erase us from the map in a single night. No, fighting is not an option, and we don¡¯t have the luxury of indulging in fantasies. We must pay and end this matter now."


    After the fight between Rio and Raven, with Rio¡¯s defeat, he decided to expose the masked fighter¡¯s identity to the Evren family. That night, Rio went to the Evren estate and confidently told the guards and officials present:


    "The masked fighter is a second-year student at the academy... Raven."

 chapter 6

    The next morning, Raven received an official summons to the Evren estate. He knew something was wrong, walking through the luxurious halls while muttering to himself: "Looks like Rio exposed me... What do they want from me now?"


    Inside the grand hall, the Head of the Evren Family sat on his ornate seat, his sharp gaze fixed on Raven before speaking:


    "You¡¯re quite strong, Raven. That¡¯s why I have a special task for you. I want you to oversee this operation¡­ You must ensure that the money reaches its recipients safely. You only need to secure the funds until delivery, where our family¡¯s representative will handle the rest."


    Raven stared at the head of the family for a moment, thinking: "Right now, I¡¯m stronger than everyone here¡­ except for him. Should I refuse? Or accept?"


    Then he asked in a calm but firm tone: "And what¡¯s my reward for this job?"


    The Head of Evren smirked slightly and replied with confidence: "Complete this task successfully, and you¡¯ll receive a massive financial reward."


    Raven considered for a moment before nodding and saying: "Alright¡­ I¡¯ll do it."


    Raven returned home, lying on his bed as he thought about the upcoming mission. Only three days remained before the event, so he decided to use this time for training to be fully prepared.


    Meanwhile, on the borders of the state of Asteria, in a desolate place far from prying eyes, there was a secret tunnel leading to the underground headquarters of the Arcadia Organization. The headquarters was vast, dimly lit by faint lights that gave it a mysterious appearance.


    Not all the members of the organization were present, only four of them gathered in the private meeting room. At the head of the table sat Roderick, the leader of Arcadia, . Beside him sat his deputy Zairos, . In front of them were Ivan and Kain, arguing over the incoming money.


    Ivan (in shock): "800 million Phoenixes?! How did they agree to this number?!"


    Zairos (with a sarcastic smile): "Heh, how could they refuse? Fear makes humans do anything.


    Kain (laughing): "800 million?! We should have raised the number to a billion! Since they can afford it, why not exploit them more?


    Kain (slouching in the chair): "Honestly, with this amount, we won¡¯t need to work for a long time!


    Ivan (raising an eyebrow): "By the way, why did you go without your mask, Zairos?! Have you lost your mind?"


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    Zairos (nonchalantly): "Let them figure out my identity... what do you think will happen?"


    Ivan (angrily): "We wear masks to protect our normal lives! Without them, everyone will know we¡¯re part of Arcadia, and that will bring us trouble!


    Zairos (coldly, with his eyes gleaming with a hidden threat): "No one can do anything. And anyone who dares to challenge us... will die.


    Kain (stretching out in boredom): "Anyway, when will the money arrive? I need 200 million now, you know I love to travel and explore the world! Why waste my time in these meetings when I could be flying somewhere else?"


    Ivan (seriously): "We¡¯ll take 400 million and keep it to fund the organization''s operations. As for the other 400 million, we¡¯ll distribute it among the nine members."


    Kain (angrily): "Nooo! Boss, don¡¯t agree to this! If we divide the money fully among us, we won¡¯t need to work again!


    Roderick (in a calm voice, but with a deadly authority): "We will follow what Ivan said."


    Roderick: "Who will go to receive the money?"


    Zairos: "I¡¯ll go. I want to see them."


    Kain: "I¡¯ll go too. It''s an easy and profitable job. I should thank them for messing up our work, haha."


    Ivan: "I¡¯ll go as well. they need someone sensible with them, and I think that¡¯s me."


    Roderick: "Heh, fine, but don¡¯t scare them."


    Kain: "Don¡¯t forget your masks."


    Raven prepared for the mission. He was accompanied by a delegation from the Evren family, consisting of 20 people. He looked at the delegation and asked in surprise, "Why all these people just to deliver money?"


    The family representative replied, "Because we are delivering the money to the Arcadia Organization."


    Raven, shocked, responded, "Arcadia? The powerful organization?!"


    Raven and the delegation arrived at the meeting location. The family representative told Raven, "Stand here, you¡¯re the first line of defense for us if they attack."


    Before he could finish his sentence, an illusion appeared behind them, saying, "If they attack you, you won¡¯t be able to defend yourselves."


    Zairos and Ivan suddenly appeared.


    Ivan called out to Kain: "Kain! Come here!"


    The illusion was Kain¡ªhe had managed to get this close without them noticing. Raven was stunned and thought, "What kind of disaster am I in? One of these guys could wipe us all out."


    Raven: "It seems their powers are similar, but the one with the sword on his back is more terrifying than the rest."


    Zairos stepped forward with a sinister smile and said, "We hope the money is ready."


    The family representative responded, "Of course."


    After receiving the money, Kain, who had planned to scare them in any way possible, suddenly screamed loudly. Everyone covered their ears; it was a display of his power. Then, he raised his hand and launched a magical attack into the sky, saying, "Kain¡¯s Meteors!"


    The attack soared into the sky, then curved and returned to the ground as smaller and faster meteors. The scene turned chaotic as meteors began falling around them.


    Raven, in panic, shouted, "What madness is this? He¡¯ll kill us all!"


    At that moment, Raven raised his hand and cast a powerful spell, shouting, "Thunder Shot!" to block the meteor that was closest to him.


    Ivan: "Kain, what are you doing?!"


    Kain: "I was going to stop it before it touched them."


    Raven, trying to maintain his composure, thought, "I didn¡¯t think they were this strong.


    At that moment, Kain felt excited because Raven managed to block his attack. He had expected to see fear in his eyes, but instead, he saw challenge.


    Ivan grabbed Kain and said firmly, "This is not the time to play. We took the money, and the deal is done. Let''s go back."


    Ivan glanced at Raven for a moment and thought to himself:


    "This person... his energy is calm, perfectly controlled. He raised his power to an incredible level and then lowered it as if nothing had happened. Interesting."


    As for Raven, he felt something different inside him, as if this brief encounter had awakened an even greater desire to improve. He thought to himself:


    "This is the result of continuous training... I must never stop training."


    Zairos, walking away said, "Let''s go. Next time, if this mistake happens again, I''ll demand an even bigger amount!"


    They returned to Arcadia''s headquarters and headed straight to the leader to report what had happened.


    Zairos: "We have received the money. This amount will keep us comfortable for years."


    Roderick: "Yes¡­ It seems you¡¯re all thinking about taking it easy and leaving Arcadia without any operations."


    Kain: "Exactly! Let¡¯s take a year-long vacation!"


    Ivan: "As if you work every day. We''re just managing our projects there."


    Roderick: "What happened was excellent. This will serve as a warning to the neighboring nations."

 chapter 7

    In Asteria, Raven was preparing for a new stage in his life.


    After finishing high school, Raven applied for university, where the power level was much higher than before. Competition wasn¡¯t just about intelligence and academic skills but also about physical strength and combat abilities. However, due to his rigorous training, he remained far stronger than all the students, surpassing them by an overwhelming margin.


    Rumors about him spread quickly because he was the one who personally delivered Evren¡¯s money to Arcadia! His name became well-known throughout the capital, making him the topic of conversation among elites and politicians. Everyone wanted to know who this young man.


    Job offers started pouring in. The largest companies and institutions in Asteria tried to recruit him, for in this world, the stronger you were, the more valuable you became. he chose to continue working with Evren to get closer to power, because strength alone wasn¡¯t enough;


    However, the real shock came when Evren¡¯s family head summoned him personally


    Raven, surprised: "You want me to attack the businesses of the six royal families?! But you are one of them too!"


    The family head :


    "The other families don¡¯t see the money we paid Arcadia as assistance; they see it as a debt we must repay. We will attack, steal their funds and shipments, and use them to settle our debts."


    "But remember¡­ if you get caught, we don¡¯t know you. We will never acknowledge you. Don¡¯t let them catch you¡ªno matter what it takes."


    The family head looked at Raven seriously and said:


    "The operation will begin in a week. I¡¯ll try to convince them to increase the money and goods¡­ You must be ready and take everything."


    His words were clear¡ªthere was no room for hesitation. . Raven wasn¡¯t sure if he truly wanted to be part of this game.


    Two days later, Raven received a call from the Evren palace:


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "Listen carefully¡­ The shipment will be at Falconir Port. Prepare yourself well. We will provide you with two trucks, and you must fill them with all the money we take."


    Raven''s eyes widened in shock as he shouted in frustration:


    "I have to attack alone?! Take out everyone, load all that money into the trucks, and leave without anyone noticing?! How do you expect me to do this by myself? I need a team!"


    "We will provide you with drivers for the trucks, but we cannot supply you with a team. Everyone who works with us is known, and sending someone would risk exposing the operation."


    Raven clenched his phone tightly, his breathing growing heavier as he realized the scale of this disaster.


    "I refuse to do this! This is insane!"


    "If you refuse, then prepare to be expelled from university¡­ and imprisoned as well. You know we are one of the royal families¡ªwe can accuse you of anything, and everyone will believe us. Even the president is a close friend of our family. You have no way out."


    A wave of cold dread washed over Raven. He knew they were serious. He had no choice but to agree¡­ at least for now.


    "I''ll try, but if it turns out to be impossible, I won''t attack."


    The call ended. Raven tossed his phone onto the table,


    "What a nightmare¡­ This is impossible!"


    raven: "Now that I''ve become this strong¡­ they''re just using me like a mere tool."


    On the day of the operation, Raven was wearing his mask and mission attire, his eyes filled with caution and alertness. "No one must see me, or I¡¯m the only one who loses." He whispered to himself as he approached the port but didn¡¯t get too close. The trucks had arrived, loaded with goods and money, and the unloading process began quickly.


    Raven started to devise his plan: "I¡¯ll take out the guards in the back first, then I¡¯ll move in and eliminate the guards at the main gate." He then addressed the drivers in a firm tone, "When I enter, I¡¯ll open the main gate for you. Don¡¯t move before that."


    At that moment, his phone rang suddenly, and the number was unfamiliar. "Listen, this operation is a joint effort between Esteria and another country in south europe called Koravia. They will arrive 4 hours after the goods. You have limited time."


    Raven froze for a moment, questions flooding his mind. "Who are you?"


    "We are the ones who gave you the mission. We won¡¯t contact you from our primary number."


    Without hesitation, Raven began executing his plan. He eliminated the guards at the back with precision, then climbed and entered the port. But as soon as he entered, the alarm sirens blared. Suddenly, over 20 people appeared, forming a tight circle around him.


    The fight began immediately, and while his opponents were strong, Raven could match five of them at once. As time passed, exhaustion began to take its toll on him. He couldn¡¯t keep this up much longer, and the fight was draining his energy quickly.


    Even though the fighters around him refrained from using their techniques to protect the goods and money, Raven decided to end the battle once and for all. He focused his energy on his legs, preparing for a high jump, but as soon as he leaped, they all flew after him.


    When he realized they wouldn¡¯t stop, he decided to destroy them all in one move. He whispered to himself, "I¡¯ll use my new techniques, I have two." He pointed both hands toward the port and aimed at them.


    "Lightning Blade!" The light moved at high speed, with a sharp sound, annihilating everyone and igniting fierce fires throughout the port.


    After the battle, Raven remembered that the goods and money could be burning because of him. "No! Everything is burning!" he shouted, watching the destruction unfold.


    "I have to escape¡­ what¡¯s done is done."


    Quickly, he retreated, realizing he could no longer recover anything. Escape was his only option.


    "You can do it. Just wait for the right moment. We¡¯ll disable the cameras so you can move freely. And don¡¯t forget to wear your mask."

 chapter 8

    Raven dashed out of the port, using every ounce of his strength to move at incredible speed. His breath was heavy, sweat dripping down his forehead, but he had no time to stop. The sounds of shouting and sirens were growing louder behind him, signaling that the chaos he had ignited was spreading.


    Once he had put enough distance between himself and the port, he leaped into a dark alley and hid behind a stack of worn-out wooden crates. Taking a deep breath to steady his racing heartbeat, he pulled out his phone and dialed Everin¡¯s number.


    The line rang for what felt like an eternity. Finally, a cold, sharp voice answered.


    Everin Leader: "Good, you called¡­ Tell me you took everything and escaped. Word is already spreading that someone broke into the port."


    Raven hesitated for a moment, feeling cold sweat run down his neck. But he chose to tell the truth.


    Raven: "Yes, I escaped¡­ but I didn¡¯t take anything. Everything¡­ burned."


    A heavy silence filled the line before an anger-laced voice erupted.


    Everin Leader: "We told you to take them, not burn them, you idiot!"


    Raven gripped the phone tightly, glancing around to make sure he was still alone before responding in a low but firm voice.


    Raven: "I don¡¯t have time to argue. If you plan to turn me in, do it now. I¡¯ll confess to everything."


    He pressed the end call button, cutting off the Everin leader before he could respond.


    The police, firefighters, and even ambulances gathered at the scene. Emergency lights flashed across the night sky, smoke still rising from the burning cargo as officers rushed between the bodies and the injured.


    Officer 1: "Who would dare attack one of the Six Families'' operations?!"


    Officer 2: "I don¡¯t know, but we¡¯ll find them¡ªno matter what it takes."


    As investigators collected evidence, they found some injured men who were still conscious. One of them, his face pale and covered in soot, muttered weakly when asked about the attacker:


    Injured Man: "A man¡­ wearing a mask¡­ I have no other description¡­"


    Officer 1 exchanged a serious look with his partner.


    Officer 1: "We need to send this out to all police stations immediately. He won¡¯t stay hidden for long!"


    Meanwhile, a Koravia ship docked at the port, expecting a thriving trade hub but instead finding devastation and chaos. The captain stepped onto the deck, silently observing the destruction before speaking in a cold, firm voice:


    Captain: "This is the level of security in Asteria? We will not do business with them again."


    Moments later, an official decision was made: Coravia would cut all trade ties with Asteria until the criminal was captured and handed over to them.


    In the Everin Palace:


    Inside the palace, the Everin Leader sat at his desk, surrounded by shelves filled with rare books and ancient manuscripts. The soft light from the lamps reflected off the heavy wooden table, where reports were scattered before him, carrying news far worse than he had anticipated. His fist was clenched, and his fingers were tapping the surface of the table with clear agitation.


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    Everin Leader: "I can''t believe this... huge debts, loss of cargo, severed trade relations... what could be worse than this?!"


    Everin Advisor, standing beside him, clasped his hands behind his back and spoke in a calm yet warning tone:


    Everin Advisor: "It will get much worse if anyone finds out that we sent Raven, or¡ªworse¡ªif the identity of the masked man is revealed. I told you before, attacking the families isn''t the solution."


    The Everin Leader raised his gaze sharply, his thoughts racing, and suddenly, he slammed his fist on the table and stood up from his l leather chair.


    Everin Leader: "Raven must not be caught... huh? Rio! Rio knows who the masked man is... we need to reach him before he speaks!"


    He turned quickly and commanded in a firm voice:


    Everin Leader: "Send our men immediately to Rio''s house. I want him here, now. We need to make sure he doesn''t say a word!"


    The advisor looked at his leader with evident concern, then muttered quietly, as if he understood the gravity of the situation:


    Everin Advisor: "The fate of the Everin family is now in their hands..."


    In the Everin Palace:


    Everin¡¯s men arrived at Rio¡¯s house, but he was nowhere to be found. They searched the place thoroughly, combed through the alleys and surrounding streets, yet Rio had vanished completely. After hours of searching, one of the men returned to report to the advisor.


    One of the men: "We couldn¡¯t find Rio, but he can¡¯t have disappeared forever. We will keep looking for him."


    The Everin Leader sat back in his chair, taking a deep breath as he tried to regain his composure. Then, in a cold but firm voice, he spoke:


    Everin Leader: "Alright, let¡¯s think logically¡­ I don¡¯t believe Rio will talk. If necessary, we can silence him with money. The most important thing right now is Raven¡ªno one must find out about him."


    Meanwhile, Raven had returned home, exhausted from everything that had happened. But he had no idea how much things had escalated¡­


    Across Asteria, "The Masked Man" had become the talk of the city. His name was now the most wanted in the country, and every police station was on high alert, searching for him.


    Before the Everin Leader could even catch his breath, one of his men rushed back into the room, his face filled with shock. He quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and spoke in a shaken voice:


    The Man: "We found **Rio¡­ he¡¯s dead!!!"


    A heavy silence fell over the room¡­ Everin¡¯s Leader stared at his men, while pure shock spread across the advisor¡¯s face.


    At that moment, the police of Asteria found themselves investigating two cases instead of one¡­ and the situation had just grown far more dangerous than anyone had expected.


    The Next Day¡­


    Raven went to university, but his mind was heavy with thoughts. The events of the past hours kept replaying in his head nonstop¡­ How would he get out of this mess? How could he protect himself from the consequences?


    His friend Shin noticed that Raven was acting differently. His expression was grim, and his steps were heavy as if he were carrying mountains on his shoulders. As they walked through the university courtyard, Shin said with a smile:


    Shin: "Thanks for saving me that day. I would¡¯ve died if you hadn¡¯t stepped in¡­ Who would¡¯ve thought that you were the Masked Man?"


    But Raven didn¡¯t respond. He didn¡¯t even hear what Shin had said. His mind was completely consumed by the port incident¡­ The fire, the screams, his failure, and the danger closing in on him fast.


    In the Asterian Government Palace¡­


    Inside a grand meeting hall, a government official entered to meet the Prime Minister. His expression was serious, and his words carried alarming news:


    Government Official: "At the university, I overheard two students talking about the Masked Man¡­ and one of them is him!"


    The Prime Minister narrowed his eyes and then slammed his fist on the table in frustration. His voice was firm as he commanded:


    Prime Minister: "We must act immediately! Inform all the royal families to mobilize and capture these two."


    Then, with anger burning in his voice, he added:


    Prime Minister: "This Masked Man has caused massive economic crises¡­ We will capture him, punish him, and then try to contain the damage he¡¯s done."


    The official hesitated for a moment before asking:


    Government Official: "Sir, what should we do about his friend?"


    The Prime Minister gave him a cold, merciless look before responding without hesitation:


    Prime Minister: "It doesn¡¯t matter¡­ Kill him if he gets in the way. Take all the support you need from the royal families and the government!"

 chapter 9

    Everyone started preparing to capture the Masked Man, but since the government wanted to violate the laws, they made sure to remove the police from the situation to prevent them from intervening. Each royal family began preparing their forces for the attack.


    Meanwhile, Raven received a call from Everin¡¯s Leader, his voice calm but carrying an underlying tone of manipulation:


    Everin¡¯s Leader: "Raven, we¡¯ve found a solution. We can get out of these problems and return to your normal life¡­ but we need to talk first, and you must follow my instructions!"


    Raven hesitated for a moment before replying:


    Raven: "Alright, I¡¯m with my friend now¡­ when will we talk?"


    Everin¡¯s Leader: "In two hours from now. Head to the forest, so no one can see us."


    Raven: "Alright."


    However, Shin, who had been listening, interrupted with determination:


    Shin: "I¡¯m coming with you¡­ he said he just wants to talk, right?"


    In the Government Headquarters¡­


    In the grand meeting room, all the royal families and their men gathered. The atmosphere was tense, and everyone was ready to move. Everin¡¯s Leader stepped forward, looking at the attendees before announcing in a loud voice:


    Everin¡¯s Leader: "We¡¯ve received confirmed information that the Masked Man is heading toward the forest¡­ get ready, everyone!"


    Whispers and quick movements spread among the men as the moment of confrontation was nearing.


    In the Forest¡­


    Raven and Shin arrived at the meeting spot, but before they could do anything, the area was completely surrounded!


    raising his hand to signal to stop any attack. With a cautious tone, he said:


    Commander: "No one attacks until I give the signal¡­ the information we have says that the Masked Man is dangerous, but we don¡¯t know who the Masked Man is among them."


    Raven and Shin sensed a strange movement around them, and the area became filled with a mysterious presence. The atmosphere was charged with magical energy, as if the world around them was waiting for an explosion.


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    Raven: "The Everin family wants to hand us over... we need to escape!"


    But before they could move, a large group of soldiers emerged from the trees, surrounding them from every direction. There were too many to count, each soldier wielding a sword or dagger, but their most effective weapon was magic.


    Raven: "Shin, use wind magic to create a path for us to escape. I''ll use lightning magic to disrupt them."


    Shin: "Agreed, but we need to be careful. We can''t face this many."


    Before they could take a breath, one of the soldiers shouted:


    Soldier: "There¡¯s nowhere to run! Surrender, or we¡¯ll use our powers!"


    The soldiers were afraid, having heard a lot about the masked man, and they knew facing him could mean their end. But they were determined to follow orders.


    Raven, his eyes gleaming with magical energy, released a spark of lightning. The lightning burst from his hands, striking one of the soldiers who attempted to approach him, knocking him to the ground. But the


    other soldiers started using their counter-magic, and one soldier shot fire magic at Raven, wounding his arm.


    Shin waved his hands through the air, and with the help of wind magic, he created a powerful air current to push the soldiers back, buying them some time to escape. But he too was injured, suffering minor wounds after overusing his wind magic, weakening his body.


    Shin: "We won¡¯t be able to escape if they keep chasing us like this."


    Raven: "Let me clear the way for our escape. Lightning magic will help, but we must be quick."


    While Raven unleashed more lightning to blast through the trees ahead of them, opening a path for escape, Shin used wind magic to move the large trees out of their way, trying to create a natural shield from the falling branches. But the soldiers weren¡¯t weak; they were using their magic to avoid the attacks.


    At that moment, they felt the soldiers were closing in. The magical energy in the air was almost suffocating. But in a split second, Raven struck one of the soldiers with a lightning bolt, while Shin unleashed a powerful windstorm to confuse the soldiers.


    Raven: "We need to move faster!"


    However, as they tried to flee, Shin was severely injured due to the clash between his wind magic and the counterattacks from the soldiers. Shin staggered back a few steps from the injury, but Raven grabbed him and rushed through the narrow passage between the trees.


    Despite the back-and-forth magical battles, Raven and Shin finally managed to escape¡ªbut not without a cost. Raven felt pain in his body from the magic, and Shin struggled to breathe after exhausting most of his magical energy.


    Raven: "We need to rest. We can¡¯t stay here much longer."


    Shin: "I think we¡¯ve survived... but it won¡¯t last long."


    Before they could take a deep breath, suddenly, one of the soldiers released a snow spell. Five ice bolts shot toward them at high speed. Three of them hit Shin, one piercing his heart and two striking his abdomen.


    Raven: "Shin, hang on!"


    But Shin became immobile, his pulse stopped. Raven was struck with shock and deep sorrow, while the soldiers began to close in on them.


    One of the soldiers: "Surrender, your friend is dead. Don¡¯t make us kill you too."


    Overcome by grief and shock at losing Shin, Raven couldn¡¯t resist. He was completely drained from everything he had gone through.


    Raven was captured and taken to an unknown location, where he was locked up in a dark cell.

 chapter 10

    In the Dungeon:


    Raven was chained to the wall, his body weak, and his eyes barely open. He was completely drugged, as if his mind had left his body. One of the guards approached him and asked in a low voice:


    Guard 1: "Are you the Masked One, or your friend who died?"


    Another Guard: "Don¡¯t waste your time. He won¡¯t answer. To prevent him from using magic, we injected him with a substance that makes him unable to activate his powers. It weakens him and keeps him from speaking. In about two hours, he will start to speak. His magic will begin to return, but don¡¯t worry, it will take at least six hours for it to fully recover."


    Hours passed, and Raven could barely see. Everything around him was blurry and distorted. His eyes felt heavy, and his body ached from all the blows he had taken.


    Two hours later, the guards entered the dungeon again. They began asking questions, but Raven remained silent, as if he didn''t understand anything. One of the guards said angrily:


    Guard 1: "Listen, we¡¯re not wasting any more time. He has to speak."


    They began torturing him mercilessly, but Raven remained silent, not uttering a word. Without food or water, Raven began to collapse. Every time he fell, they would revive him and continue the torture. His body was covered in blood, and he begged for water, but no one responded.


    Three days passed. One of the guards said:


    Guard 2: "We¡¯ve broken every bone in his body, but he still won¡¯t say anything. This is strange."


    His body was drenched in blood. He groaned, asking for water, but still, no one responded. The days dragged on, and Raven was on the brink of collapse.


    On the eleventh day of torture, the dungeon remained eerily silent, except for the occasional muffled sounds coming from Raven¡¯s broken body. He was on the verge of breaking.


    In the Everin Family''s Mansion:


    Head of the Family: "Why haven¡¯t they killed him yet? Why haven¡¯t we heard anything? I¡¯m deeply worried. If he mentions our family name, we¡¯ll be in big trouble."


    Advisor: "This is very strange. He¡¯s been tortured, beaten, and whipped, and still hasn¡¯t said our name. Does he think he¡¯ll be released? There¡¯s no other explanation."


    Head of the Family: "I hope he doesn¡¯t confess. I wish he dies from the torture without revealing anything. I won¡¯t do anything for now. Every decision I made hastily has only led us into bigger problems. Since he hasn¡¯t confessed, that¡¯s good for now. Let¡¯s wait."


    Day 15 ¨C An Unknown Fate


    In Everin Mansion:


    The head of the Everin family paced back and forth, anxiety consuming him from within. His eyes narrowed sharply as if he were seeing a ghost haunting him. Suddenly, he slammed his fist on the table and spoke in a tense voice:


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    Head of the Family: "I¡¯m going to see him! I can¡¯t live with this fear any longer¡ªwe must do something!"


    The advisor raised an eyebrow calmly, leaning back in his chair before speaking in a measured tone:


    Advisor: "Calm down and think¡­ If you go, what will you say? You can''t act recklessly now."


    The head of the family responded without hesitation:


    Head of the Family: "I''ll tell the Prime Minister he must be executed immediately!"


    The advisor exhaled, concern flickering in his eyes.


    Advisor: "I just hope this doesn¡¯t create another problem... But if you insist, I¡¯ll accompany you."


    At the Government Headquarters:


    The Prime Minister sat behind his luxurious desk, his gaze cold and unreadable as he looked at the Everin family head. Then, he spoke with firm authority:


    Prime Minister: "Why do you want him executed? I¡¯ve already decided to release him."


    The Everin family head¡¯s eyes widened slightly in shock, though he quickly masked his reaction and forced a polite smile.


    Head of the Family: "What if you handed him over to me instead? I can make him talk, and you''ll get the information you need."


    The Prime Minister tilted his head slightly, considering the offer before responding:


    Prime Minister: "I''m too busy these days. I¡¯ll give him to you, but on one condition¡ªdo not kill him. He¡¯s still too young to die."


    A shadow of a sly smile appeared on the Everin family head¡¯s face as he confidently replied:


    Head of the Family: "Agreed!"


    Back at Everin Mansion:


    Raven was thrown into a private cell within the mansion. His body was still suffering from the wounds of relentless torture, and his energy had yet to fully return. However, his mind was clear enough to understand what was happening around him.


    Standing outside the cell, the Everin family head watched him with a gaze full of contempt before turning to his men.


    Head of the Family: "Prepare yourselves¡ªwe move tonight."


    Deep in the Forest ¨C Midnight:


    A carriage rumbled through the dark, winding forest path, stopping at the very place where Shin had lost his life. The wind howled through the trees, whispering eerie secrets of the night.


    Raven, still bound, stood weakly as the Everin family head stepped closer, his voice low and cold.


    Head of the Family: "I have many questions, but I don¡¯t have the energy to listen¡­ and you don¡¯t have the strength to answer."


    Suddenly, the advisor grabbed his arm, leaning in to whisper cautiously:


    Advisor: "Stop! Defying the Prime Minister¡¯s orders will cost us dearly. I have a better idea¡ªone that lets us get rid of him without dirtying our hands."


    The Everin family head glanced at him curiously before asking:


    Head of the Family: "And what would that be?"


    A sly grin spread across the advisor¡¯s face as he explained:


    Advisor: "We take him to the sea, throw him from the highest cliff, and claim that he escaped¡ªjumping in fear of us."


    A low chuckle escaped the Everin family head as he murmured:


    Head of the Family: "Brilliant idea! Though¡­ we won¡¯t get to watch him die."


    Advisor: "It doesn¡¯t matter¡ªno one survives that sea."


    On the Cliffside ¨C Above the Raging Sea:


    Twelve hours had passed since Raven was taken from his cell. Now, he stood at the edge of a towering cliff, overlooking the furious waves crashing below, the sea appearing as though it were opening its mouth, ready to swallow him whole.


    What they didn¡¯t realize was that his magic had started to return¡ªslowly, but surely. Though exhausted and weak, he was regaining his strength.


    The Everin family head stepped forward, staring at him with disdain before speaking in a voice laced with satisfaction:


    Head of the Family: "You¡¯ve caused us too much trouble, Raven. This is the best ending for someone like you¡­ Throw him in."


    Without hesitation, the men grabbed Raven and hurled him off the cliff, sending him plummeting into the darkness below.


    For a moment, the Everin family head watched the sea, then turned and said nonchalantly:


    Head of the Family: "Let¡¯s go. We have bigger problems to deal with¡­ like our mounting debts."

 Chapter 11

    Raven slowly regained consciousness, but his body was still utterly exhausted. The waves toyed with his fragile form, as if refusing to swallow him completely, pushing him toward the unknown only to drag him back again. The currents were strong, pulling him under with every attempt he made to stay afloat, but his survival instincts did not fail him.


    At one moment, a massive wave surged forward, carrying him away from the relentless currents before hurling him forcefully toward the shore. His body crashed against the wet sand, his hands instinctively clutching the ground as if he had finally found refuge. He had no energy left to understand where he was or what had happened. All he could do was surrender to sleep¡ªhis body had already reached its limits.


    Seven hours passed...


    Raven¡¯s eyes slowly fluttered open, struggling to adjust to the dim light. At first, he couldn''t comprehend where he was. The simple wooden ceiling above him, the scent of medicinal herbs filling the air, and the faint glow of oil lamps¡ªeverything was entirely different from the dark, suffocating cell he had been trapped in just hours ago.


    He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his body, as if every muscle in him was screaming in protest. He wasn¡¯t bound this time, but he was far from being able to move freely.


    Suddenly, a man entered the room. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with a short beard and eyes that held a mix of caution and kindness. He carried bandages and some herbal medicines in his hands.


    The man smiled: ¡°Finally awake¡­ I was starting to wonder when you¡¯d regain consciousness.¡±


    Raven, trying to grasp the situation: ¡°Where am I? Who are you people?¡±


    The man, as he began dressing Raven¡¯s wounds: ¡°Calm down¡­ You¡¯re safe here. We found you unconscious by the shore¡ªyou were barely alive.¡± He then turned toward the door and called out, ¡°Bring some food. Our guest is in desperate need of it.¡±


    Raven hadn¡¯t realized how hungry he was until the rich aroma of food filled the air. As soon as the plate was placed in front of him, he grabbed the spoon and began eating ravenously, as if he hadn¡¯t tasted food in years.


    Raven, after finishing his meal: ¡°That was the best food I¡¯ve had in¡­ I don¡¯t even know how long. But tell me, what is this place? And what do you people do here?¡±


    The man, arranging the herbs on the table: ¡°This is our village. Some call it a city, others call it a refuge. Call it whatever you like¡ªno one here cares about labels.¡±


    Raven, puzzled: ¡°Call it whatever I like? I don¡¯t understand¡­ I¡¯m ready to go outside¡ªI need to see where I am.¡±


    He carefully stood up, still feeling the ache in his body, but he needed to know the truth. As he stepped out of the room, what he saw was beyond anything he had expected.


    Before him stretched a vast settlement filled with wooden houses, as if belonging to a time long past. But at the same time, the streets were paved, and he could see motorcycles and even a few modern cars parked along the sides. People dressed in traditional clothing walked among others wearing contemporary attire, creating a striking contrast between two seemingly different worlds.


    Raven, in astonishment: ¡°What is this? Is this a village or a city? Why do your homes look like something from the past, yet you have the latest cars and motorcycles?¡±


    The man smirked: ¡°See? That¡¯s why I told you to call it whatever you like. We live differently here. Some prefer simplicity, while others embrace modernity, and no one forces their way of life on another.¡±


    Man: "Listen, I''ll explain everything later. But for now, these men will take you to the person in charge of this village."


    Raven, thinking to himself: "The person in charge? So they have some kind of governing system here too... This isn''t just a random settlement."


    He had no choice but to comply. He followed the men as they led him through the village streets. People around them cast curious yet wary glances at him, as if they hadn''t seen someone like him in a long time. The village wasn¡¯t noisy, but there was an underlying sense of quiet anticipation in the air.


    After a few minutes, they arrived at a building that stood out from the rest. Unlike the surrounding wooden houses, this one looked more modern and sturdier. However, the strangest thing about it was the complete absence of guards.


    Raven, glancing around cautiously: "No guards? Strange... If this were the home of Asteria¡¯s ruler, there would be no fewer than sixty heavily armed guards."


    One of the men gently nudged him forward, leading him inside. He found himself in a modest yet well-organized room. Behind a wooden desk sat a middle-aged man with graying hair and calm eyes that radiated experience.


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    The man, with a faint smile: "Welcome... No one has come from the sea in a long time."


    Raven, confused: "Why would anyone come from the sea in the first place?"


    The man in charge, studying him intently: "You came from the sea."


    Raven fell silent for a moment. He wasn¡¯t eager to discuss what had happened, but his curiosity was beginning to burn.


    Raven: "It¡¯s a long story..."


    The man, placing his hands on the desk calmly: "It seems you¡¯ve angered the government of some country."


    Raven¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his eyebrows raising in surprise.


    Raven: "Huh? How do you know that?!"


    The man, smiling as if it were obvious: "Because you''re not the first. Others came before you, years ago, in the same way."


    Raven''s body stiffened for a moment before a deep anger started rising inside him like wildfire.


    Raven, clenching his fists tightly as he thought to himself: "Those damn countries... How many lives have they ruined?!"


    The Man: "Nations deal with those they consider criminals either by execution or exile. What did you do to be exiled?"


    Raven, staring at the man with tired yet furious eyes: "I wasn''t exiled¡­ they threw me into the sea to die!"


    The man raised an eyebrow, as if deep in thought, then said in a contemplative tone:


    The Man: "Strange¡­ why would they try to kill you this way? Why not execute you publicly? How old are you?"


    Raven: "Twenty-three."


    The man''s expression suddenly changed, as if he had just uncovered the truth.


    The Man: "Now I understand. Executing someone your age would tarnish their country''s reputation since all executions are recorded and publicized. The only logical explanation is that they threw you into the sea and claimed you took your own life to escape punishment."


    Raven clenched his fists tightly, his muscles tensing as flames of hatred ignited within him.


    Raven, his voice low but filled with fury: "I don¡¯t know what they told the world¡­ but I do know one thing¡­ I will return, and I will destroy them all!"


    The Man, looking at him seriously: "Do you intend to stand against an entire nation?"


    Raven, his eyes burning with determination: "No¡­ but I will kill every single one of those responsible for this¡­ and for my friend''s death!"


    The man sighed, shaking his head slowly. He stood up and walked towards the window overlooking the village, as if lost in thought.


    The Man: "Listen carefully. Everyone here was either exiled or nearly killed by their own nation, but they survived. That sea you came from¡­ in the last ten years, more than two hundred people have died in it. And yet, you arrived here alive? That¡¯s no small feat¡­ You must be skilled in diving and swimming."


    Raven, looking down slightly, recalling his battle against the raging waves: "All I did was try not to drown¡­ I had no choice but to resist. The strong sea currents gave me a push towards this place, but I was close to death more times than I can count."


    The Man: "Regardless, the fact that you survived is a miracle¡­ but what do you plan to do now?"


    Raven, firmly: "I will return immediately!"


    The man chuckled lowly, shaking his head in amusement, before turning back to Raven with a piercing gaze.


    The Man: "And where will you go? Do you even know how to get back? Are you certain you¡¯re strong enough to face them?"


    Raven, with a smirk: "I am strong¡­ and after everything I endured in their torture, and after healing here, I have become even stronger!"


    The Man, placing a firm hand on Raven¡¯s shoulder: "Don¡¯t be hasty¡­ Everyone here was once as strong as you, and at first, they all wanted revenge. But over time, that desire faded from their minds. If you¡¯re truly determined to take revenge, you should start from here. Rushing into battle unprepared will only get you killed."


    Raven remained silent, his mind processing the words.


    The Man: "Why don¡¯t you stay with us for a while? You can prepare yourself, grow stronger, and then return to face those who threw you into the sea. But first, I want to see your strength¡­ not in combat, but in something else."


    Raven, intrigued yet eager: "And what is that?"


    The Man: "We¡¯ll go to the training grounds. I want you to unleash all of your energy there, all of your magical aura¡­ and I will determine just how powerful you truly are."


    A grin spread across Raven¡¯s face, his blood surging with excitement.


    Raven: "Alright¡­ Let¡¯s begin!"


    The village leader, along with five warriors, headed to the arena where Raven¡¯s magical strength was about to be tested. Raven walked to the center of the arena, closed his eyes, and his aura began to glow unnaturally, as though it was reacting with every particle in the air.


    Suddenly, Raven let out a powerful shout to unleash his full magical energy, and the ground beneath him shook violently, as if in pain from the overwhelming force. The air was filled with whispers and confusion, and the leader watched in shock.


    Leader, stunned: "How... how can someone of this age possess such terrifying power?!"


    One of the warriors, watching in fear: "His power is rising rapidly... it won¡¯t stop! Is this even possible?"


    After a few moments, Raven¡¯s energy finally stabilized, and the arena settled into an eerie calm. One of the warriors, his voice filled with awe, remarked:


    Warrior: "This terrifying energy has finally stabilized... It''s overwhelming."


    Raven then turned to the leader, his gaze intense and focused:


    Raven: "Should I go now and destroy them?"


    Leader, still in disbelief: "I can''t believe this... You¡¯re incredibly powerful. If this is your true level, you don¡¯t need any training here. You¡¯re truly exceptional."


    Raven: "Alright, I¡¯ll go."


    The leader raised his hand, signaling Raven to wait:


    Leader: "Hold on. First, you¡¯ll have a home here in the village. Secondly, I¡¯ll provide you with our three strongest warriors to assist you in your mission. They are currently outside the village, but they¡¯ll be ready when you need them. Third, when you return to your country, the first thing you should do is live your life as it was before. Let¡¯s see if anyone will notice you after all of this. Then, you can start your attack with the three warriors. My advice: don¡¯t rush into it."


    Raven took a deep breath, absorbing the leader''s words.

 chapter 12

    Official: "We¡¯ll use the GPS map to locate your country, and you¡¯ll be able to head there."


    Riven: "Uhh... I don¡¯t know where my phone is."


    Official, laughing: "Don¡¯t worry about it. After everything you¡¯ve been through, your phone is probably shattered. We¡¯ll give you a new one."


    The official looked at the map and said seriously:


    Official: "It¡¯s about 70 kilometers away."


    Riven, astonished: "Did you cross the sea to get here? 70 kilometers?"


    Official, smiling wisely: "Not necessarily. They might have taken you from the city to a distant place, and then threw you into the sea."


    Riven: "Doesn¡¯t matter, what¡¯s important is we know the way now. But... how am I supposed to get there?"


    Official: "Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll give you a car. You can use it to go, and keep it so you can return when you need."


    one of the fighters behind the official spoke, sounding doubtful:


    Fighter: "Aren¡¯t you exaggerating with the help?"


    Official, firmly: "No. Someone with that kind of power should be on our side. "


    Riven: "I¡¯ll go to Isteria and see it with my own eyes. We¡¯ll stay in touch."


    Riven got into the car that was provided to him, his mind consumed with thoughts of revenge. He was thinking of only one thing: taking down the royal families who caused him all this suffering.


    Raven arrived in Esteria after an hour and a half of driving. He murmured to himself, "Now, to the house first."


    During the drive, Raven called the village leader:


    "Hello, I might return tomorrow with someone important."


    He ended the call and thought to himself, "If I want to bring them down, I have to move step by step. I can''t be reckless."


    In the evening, Raven approached the Everin estate. He felt the weight of his need for revenge and the careful steps he needed to take. He decided to start with Everin''s advisor.


    "If I release any magical energy, everyone will sense it, so I need to take the advisor without using magic."


    He waited for hours, feeling his anxiety build. "Why hasn''t he left the estate yet?!"


    Half an hour later, the advisor finally stepped out. Raven whispered, "Finally!"


    Raven quickly drove after him, tailing the advisor until they reached his home. He waited for the advisor to enter the house.


    From his position outside the house, Raven thought, "If I use magic now, it''s fine, no one will sense it."


    He gathered his magical energy in his legs, preparing to leap. With a swift jump, he reached the second-floor window and broke into the house.


    Inside, the place was eerily quiet. Raven noticed it seemed as though the advisor lived alone. He moved to the bedroom where the advisor was sleeping and sat on the chair beside the bed.


    Then, he gently touched the advisor to wake him up. His eyes gleamed with intensity.


    The advisor woke up suddenly, screaming in fear:


    "What¡¯s going on here?!"


    Raven, calmly:


    "Quiet. Come with me."


    The advisor, panicking:


    "I¡¯m the advisor to the Everin family! If they find out you¡¯ve kidnapped me, they¡¯ll kill you!"


    Raven, smirking:


    "Alright, alright. Now, be quiet and get into the car¡¯s trunk. We have a journey that will take an hour or two."


    Raven headed directly to the village. He arrived at the village, parked the car, and took the advisor out of the trunk. He then said to the men, "Is there a place where we can imprison him?"


    "Yes, we have a place. We''ll take care of him," one of the men replied.


    Raven went to the official and said, "I¡¯ve taken the advisor. If he doesn¡¯t give me useful information about eliminating the royal families, I won¡¯t stay calm. I¡¯ll think about my next steps and attack them directly."


    The official hesitated and said, "What do you want me to say? Fine."


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    Raven then went to the place where the advisor was locked up and said, "I want to destroy the royal families. Can you help me?"


    The advisor replied angrily, "Help you? I should have killed you that day instead of throwing you into the sea."


    Raven calmly responded, "So, you won¡¯t help me? Then you can die."


    At that moment, Raven felt a great power approaching the village. He rushed out to see what was happening, only to find someone entering the village.


    Raven thought to himself, "This person is very powerful. He¡¯s trying to hide his aura, but it still emanates from him. I can tell he has the same strength as me."


    Raven prepared himself for a fight. At that moment, the person spoke:


    "I saw you when delivering the money to us." Then, his tone changed as he said:


    "But what are you doing here?"


    Before Raven could respond, the person attacked him swiftly. Raven blocked the attack, and a rapid exchange of blows began between them.


    Suddenly, the official appeared:


    "Stop! What are you two doing? Calm down!" He then looked at the person and said,


    "This is Kain, one of the members of Arcadia, and this is Raven, our new friend."


    Raven, surprised, asked:


    "Huh? Why is a member of Arcadia your friend?"


    Kain smiled and said:


    "As long as you¡¯re not an enemy, it¡¯s fine."


    The official said, "Kain is an old friend, but he doesn¡¯t live here. He comes to visit us and also provides us with money."


    Kain turned to Raven and said, "You could say they¡¯re like my family."


    Raven turned to the official and asked, "Were you talking about Kain when you said you¡¯d provide me with the three strongest fighters to help me?"


    The official replied, "No, not Kain."


    Kain then added, "What¡¯s the matter? Maybe I can help."


    After hearing Raven''s full story, Kain looked visibly moved.


    Raven, sensing the shift, said, "I didn¡¯t tell you to make you feel sorry for me."


    Kain nodded and said, "Alright, since you want to return and seek revenge, let¡¯s do it. Let¡¯s kill those pests, but without Arcadia, because the leader might refuse. We¡¯ll do it in secret."


    The official spoke, looking impressed, "Kain, I¡¯ve never seen anyone as powerful as you until I saw Raven."


    Kain replied, "It seems Raven has really grown since our last encounter."


    He then added, "Alright, let¡¯s wear something to cover our faces and strike. Raven, you took the advisor. I want to know about their next move."


    Raven nodded and said, "But before we do that, we need to remove the comfort the royal families have in their surroundings."


    Raven looked at Kain seriously and said, "Choose a family you want to attack, and I''ll choose one too."


    Kain responded firmly, "Give me the names of the available families."


    Raven: "The royal families we want to bring down are: Everin, Falconir, Draconis, Strathmore, Nethrid, and Zircon."


    Kain, after a moment of thought: "I''ll take Falconir."


    Raven: "And I''ll choose Everin."


    Kain headed towards the Falconir family¡¯s palace, concealed beneath his black mask. He moved stealthily through the shadows until he reached a close distance from the main entrance. The guards were on high alert, but that wasn¡¯t an obstacle for him.


    "It¡¯s time for chaos..." he muttered in a low voice before raising his hand to the sky, a massive fiery glow gathering around it.


    "Kain¡¯s Meteors!"


    Suddenly, enormous fireballs shot into the sky, glowing like molten lava before raining down upon the palace like a hellish storm. A series of explosions shook the entire area, and flames erupted in every corner, spreading destruction and terror throughout the palace grounds.


    The guards barely had time to react before Kain appeared amidst the ruins. His steps were calm, as if the chaos around him was nothing more than a mild inconvenience. With a simple gesture, he unleashed "Fire Steam", a scorching heatwave that incinerated everyone in his vicinity, reducing them to nothing but ashes.


    Meanwhile, the palace guards were desperately trying to evacuate the Falconir family¡¯s leader. But Kain wasn¡¯t about to let that happen. He advanced steadily through the blazing inferno, and with every step he took, the ground beneath him melted from the sheer heat radiating from his body.


    Then, in a flash, he propelled himself forward at an unnatural speed, tearing through walls and rubble until he reached the palace¡¯s grand hall, where the family¡¯s leader awaited.


    Now, only the two of them remained.


    The leader of the Falconir family stood tall¡ªa massive man, his muscles carved like solid rock, his eyes glowing with an intimidating power. He raised his hand, and the ground around him trembled. The walls cracked, and towering boulders rose, forming a massive armor that wrapped around his body.


    "Who are you?" he asked in a calm yet furious tone.


    Kain didn¡¯t respond. He simply tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk visible beneath his mask.


    "It doesn¡¯t matter¡­" the leader muttered before suddenly unleashing his energy. The ground quaked violently, and jagged stone spikes shot out from every direction, speeding toward Kain with deadly precision!


    Jagged stone spikes erupted from the ground like feral fangs, racing toward Kain with deadly speed. Yet, he didn¡¯t move. He simply observed them for a moment before slipping through the narrow gaps between them with astonishing agility, evading every strike as if he had foreseen their paths.


    The Falconir leader gave him no respite. He stomped the ground with immense force, causing the walls to crack and massive pillars of earth to rise rapidly, attempting to crush Kain between layers of solid rock.


    But before they could close in on him, he had already appeared above them, his body surging forward like an arrow, closing the distance between him and his opponent at breakneck speed.


    The moment he was within striking range, Kain launched a direct punch toward the Falconir leader¡¯s chest. But the man was ready. He raised his stone-clad arms, blocking the attack before shoving Kain backward with such force that he was sent flying several meters.


    Kain twisted in midair, regaining his balance before landing lightly on the ground, his body slightly crouched, hands raised in a battle stance. There wasn¡¯t a hint of pain on his face¡ªonly sharpened focus in his eyes.


    "If you think mere rocks will protect you..."


    He vanished.


    There was no time for the Falconir leader to react before he felt Kain¡¯s fist smash into the side of his face, sending him staggering back. Kain seized the moment, driving his knee into his opponent¡¯s stomach, momentarily forcing the air from his lungs.


    But despite the pain, the Falconir leader didn¡¯t fall. Instead, he took advantage of Kain¡¯s proximity, grabbing him with both hands and crushing him in his powerful arms before hurling him forcefully into the ground. The floor shattered beneath Kain¡¯s body.


    Yet, he didn¡¯t remain down for long.


    Kain sprang up, spinning in midair before delivering a brutal elbow strike to his opponent¡¯s shoulder.


    "Not bad."


    The Falconir leader took a step back before slamming his fist into the ground. This time, the stones didn¡¯t rise to attack¡ªthey coated his body, forming an impenetrable armor before he charged forward, his fist descending toward Kain like a massive hammer.


    But Kain was no longer there when the blow landed.


    He appeared behind his opponent at the last second, his hands moving at lightning speed¡ªrapid, precise strikes targeting the ribs, shoulder, and back, each blow landing without hesitation.


    The Falconir leader gritted his teeth, feeling his body grow heavier. But he refused to fall. He spun around, attempting to grab Kain, but the latter ducked beneath his arm, lifting his leg and delivering a powerful kick to the back of his knee, causing him to stumble for just a moment.


    And in that brief moment, the fight was over.


    Kain appeared in front of him, his fist clenched, aimed directly at his opponent¡¯s stomach¡ªthen he drove it forward with full force.


    The battle stopped.


    The Falconir leader stood still for a few seconds, his body frozen. Then, he dropped to his knees before collapsing face-first onto the ground, motionless.


    Kain stood beside him, gazing down for a moment before turning away, walking out of the ruined palace, leaving behind the destruction and the raging fires that had yet to die.

 chapter 13

    meanwhile


    Raven moved silently through the halls of the manor, slipping past the guards with precise, fluid motions. There was no need for a fight yet¡ªhis objective was clear: reach the head of the Everin family and take him without killing him.


    When he reached the grand chamber where the leader was supposed to be, he stood before the door, took a breath, then slowly pushed it open.


    Raven: ¡°Alright, let¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, a powerful punch slammed into his face, sending him staggering backward!


    Everin Leader: ¡°Who are you? How did you get in here?¡±


    Raven rose from the floor, rubbing his jaw where the blow had landed, then smirked slightly.


    Raven: ¡°Did you forget me?¡±


    The leader¡¯s eyes narrowed as he observed Raven for a few seconds, then realization dawned on his face.


    Everin Leader: ¡°Oh¡­ So you¡¯re not dead after all. Don¡¯t tell me you came here to kill me.¡±


    Raven: ¡°That¡¯s up to you¡­ Either you come with me quietly, or you die here.¡±


    The leader chuckled confidently, straightening his posture, his expression unfazed.


    Everin Leader: ¡°You sound awfully sure of yourself. Let me show you the strength of the Everin family.¡±


    Raven: ¡°I¡¯ll warn you¡­ I¡¯m not the same as last time.¡±


    At that moment, the leader stomped the ground and lunged forward at incredible speed, but Raven was ready!


    The Battle Begins!


    The Everin leader charged toward Raven with surprising speed, his fist shooting forward like a cannonball aimed at Raven¡¯s chest. But Raven tilted his body with expert precision, dodging the attack by mere inches. He didn¡¯t stop at evasion¡ªhe countered with a quick punch to the leader¡¯s ribs, forcing him to stumble slightly.


    Not wasting a second, Raven closed the gap, his knee driving into the leader¡¯s stomach, followed by a clean punch aimed at his face. But the leader blocked it, then retaliated, gripping Raven¡¯s arm and flinging him across the hall with sheer brute force.


    Raven crashed into a side column, cracking the stone, but he didn¡¯t let that slow him down. He quickly regained his footing and launched himself forward again, dipping under an incoming strike before delivering a flurry of rapid punches to his opponent¡¯s torso. Each blow sent shockwaves through the leader¡¯s body, pushing him further back.


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    Everin Leader (gritting his teeth): ¡°Damn¡­ Your strength¡ª¡±


    But Raven didn¡¯t let him finish. He ducked under the leader¡¯s arm, spun around, then delivered a sharp roundhouse kick to the side of his head, sending him crashing into a table, shattering it into splinters.


    The leader groaned, pushing himself up, his breath coming in heavier now. His expression turned serious.


    Everin Leader: ¡°Not bad¡­¡±


    Once again, he lunged, faster this time, his fist barreling toward Raven. But just before the blow landed, Raven sidestepped at the last second, catching the leader¡¯s wrist and striking his elbow joint in one swift motion, causing his arm to momentarily go numb.


    Raven wasted no time. He spun behind his opponent and delivered a brutal punch to his back, forcing him to lurch forward from the impact.


    Despite the pain, the leader refused to fall. He twisted around, swinging a powerful strike, but Raven ducked low, swept his leg under the leader¡¯s knee, and knocked him off balance.


    And in that brief moment   The Everin leader shouted, his voice filled with rage, "I''ll kill you and bury you here!"


    In an instant, a brilliant blue glow surrounded his arm, the energy condensing unnaturally around it. The air around him distorted from the sheer intensity of the power radiating from his body.


    Raven (to himself): "Blue energy...! So they really do have powerful techniques."


    There was no time for further thought. He raised his hand, lightning crackling between his fingers, rapidly gathering into a concentrated force, ready to pierce through his opponent¡¯s defense.


    Raven: "All I need to do is dodge his attack, then exploit the opening to strike him with my lightning directly!"


    In the next instant, the Everin leader lunged forward!


    His movement was like a storm, the ground beneath his feet shattering from the sheer force he unleashed, and the surrounding walls trembled under the immense pressure of his charge. To an ordinary eye, his body seemed to vanish, leaving only a trail of blue energy flashing behind him like a streak of lightning.


    Raven took in the scene, his mind processing everything at an incredible speed. There was no time to retreat, no room for error.


    He had to dodge at the perfect moment!


    Then¡ªjust before the Everin leader¡¯s strike could land¡ªRaven tilted his body by a fraction of a second, shifting his head just enough to evade the lethal path of the attack. He felt the immense force pass beside his face, the sheer pressure cutting through the air like blades. His eyes gleamed as he spotted the perfect opening.


    At that very moment, before the leader could retract his arm for another strike, Raven dashed into his range, closing the distance in an instant. His lightning-clad hand shot forward, aimed straight at his opponent¡¯s chest!


    Raven¡¯s electrified hand pierced through the Everin leader¡¯s chest effortlessly, as if his body were nothing more than a fragile leaf caught in a raging storm.


    For a brief moment, time seemed to freeze.


    The leader''s eyes widened in utter shock, staring at Raven, unable to comprehend what had just happened.


    He tried to speak, but no sound came out¡ªonly his lips quivered as his body rapidly lost its strength. The lightning surging from Raven¡¯s hand burned through his cells from the inside, shutting down his heart before his mind could even register the fatal blow.


    There was no scream, no prolonged agony¡ªjust a single, devastating moment of realization.


    The leader¡¯s body suddenly went limp, collapsing lifelessly to the ground, his eyes still wide open, as if unable to believe¡ªuntil the very last second¡ªthat his life had ended in such a way.


    Kain and Raven returned to the village after their mission, the atmosphere calm around them, though the gloom of the battle they had fought still lingered in the air.


    Kain: "Didn''t you say you didn''t want to kill him?"


    Raven: "Yes, but he was stubborn. There was no choice but to kill him."


    Kain: "So what now? What will we do?"


    Raven: "I will go back to the advisor we imprisoned and tell him that his leader is dead. Maybe he''ll cooperate with us."


    Kain: "What''s the use? We''ve killed his leader."


    Raven: "This person is the brain of the Everin family, he was always the one guiding their leader and stopping him from doing certain things. I''m trying to learn about their operations so I can destroy them."


    Kain: "I¡¯ll head back to Arcadia. Seems like there are meetings. Ugh, how I hate those meetings."


    On the news channel, watched by everyone across the country, the anchor sat confidently in front of the camera, her eyes focused on the script in front of her.


    Anchor: "The top news of the day, 1,000 students have been selected from university graduates to work in the government palace for the great power they have demonstrated, outperforming all other students. A ceremony will be held to honor them, and this is the most exciting news for the nations. The six royal families are sponsoring this event. That was the best news for these countries. Now, moving on to security and police news: last night, the Everin Palace and Falconier Palace were destroyed in a mysterious incident, and the heads of the families were killed!!!"


    The anchor paused for a moment before continuing: "Investigations are underway into this mysterious incident, as there are no clear details yet about who is behind these attacks.