In the king’s mansion in Fallhaven’s capital, the group was assigned their own rooms. Even Umbra received one. The servants had insisted it was improper for a woman of her stature to share a man’s quarters, leaving Kai alone with Scry in a lavish chamber.

  Scry sat silently on the bed while Kai washed up and changed into clothes prepared for him: a pair of black silk trousers, polished shoes, and a light-yellow button-down shirt.

  “ Well, you look like a proper noble now ,” Scry said with a faint smile.

  Kai tugged at the collar. “It’s soft and smells nice, but I miss my old clothes. That was the last set you gave me back then.” He sighed.

  “ Better this way. At your level, you need proper mana armor,” Scry replied.

  Kai shook his head. “I don’t like wearing armor. But maybe we can find something similar to my old style, just make sure it’s mana-infused so it won’t tear when I summon my wings.” His eyes lit up at the thought. “We should go shopping.”

  Scry smiled but tilted his head, thinking of the last few months. “Kai… I’ve been thinking. Why do you care so much about others? Wouldn’t it be faster to reach Seraph if you ignored them?” The memories he had unlocked gnawed at him. If his late students had been greedier, more ruthless, maybe they wouldn’t have died.

  Kai exhaled sharply. “Scry, buddy. What’s the point of power if we can’t help those in need? I could’ve left Lisa and the others to rot in prison. I could’ve joined Florian for easy power-ups. I could’ve killed Eira because she was a monster. I could’ve let Rond’s armies slaughter innocents. I could’ve left that mother and child to die.” His voice hardened. “But do you know why I didn’t?”

  Scry shook his head.

  Kai’s tone softened. “When I was weak, you and Umbra saved me. If not for your kindness, I wouldn’t be here. So why wouldn’t I help others? If I let innocents die, do you think I’d feel nothing? That’s not how I was raised.” He paused, memories flooding back. “My family was well-off, but every weekend we volunteered at soup kitchens, feeding the homeless. My father took cases for free to help those who couldn’t afford justice. They came from nothing and built their fortune, so they always gave back to the less fortunate. They were demanding, sure, but now I see they just didn’t want me to experience what they did growing up.”

  He exhaled as if letting it all out and sat beside Scry, gently petting him. “I’ll do my best to survive, you hear? But if we can help someone, someone alone, scared, and weak, I will. Like it or not, I’ll protect who I can. And if I ever become as strong as Viridya or that piece of shit Luminarius. I will do my best to change these cruel rules of this world before I try to go back. I truly believe so.”

  Kai lowered his gaze, voice trembling but firm. “I know I sound ridiculous,” he said, each word heavy with resolve. “I know it. But for the first time in my life, I have something I want to do, something I might actually be able to achieve one day.” His fists clenched as if holding onto that fragile dream. “I’m not perfect, and I’m not trying to be. It’s just me being selfish.” He looked up, eyes burning. “But let me be, just a little.”

  Scry stared at him, wide-eyed, and listened quietly. He had seen Kai’s memories, but Earth’s culture was alien to him. So, he never understood Kai’s need to help others. To him, only one thing mattered: Kai, the only family he had left. Helping strangers makes no sense… but if it matters to Kai, I’ll do it!

  Finally, Scry grinned, a fang peeking out. “You truly are selfish, you know. You’ll do what you want, no matter what I say, or that crazy bird. But… I don’t hate that about you.” His eyes burned with resolve. “I get it now. I’ll protect you while you chase your dream. That’s my dream, to keep you alive until you turn the tables on this whole fucking world.”

  Kai smiled and raised his fist. “We’ll try our best.”

  Scry’s eyes widened. “Ooooh! I know this!” He bumped Kai’s fist with his paw, grinning.

  The two chuckled, a rare moment of peace.

  ***

  Liliya sat on the edge of her bed, the golden-red folds of her new robe shimmering in the soft light. Her old robe had long outlived its glory. Before her, a mana screen flickered faintly, a Circle Six spell, Astral Window. It was a spell reserved for seasoned mages, far superior to any artifact or relic for maintaining long-distance contact.

  A figure materialized on the screen: a middle-aged woman with sharp blue hair, clad in a white robe, the same style Liliya herself had worn before.

  ? “Hello, Master. It’s been a while.” Liliya smiled warmly.

  “Oh, look who it is, my only student. What trouble have you stirred up this time?” The woman scoffed, though her eyes betrayed genuine delight.

  “I’ve been on another mission with Nerva and the group,” Liliya replied with a grin.

  “Again, with those rascals? Last time you vanished for two years in the Labyrinth of Sorrow. So, what happened now?” Her master chuckled.

  “We uncovered remnants of the Soultek Empire… and fought a Soul Forger. The monster had been committing atrocities in the south.”

  The woman’s expression hardened. “A Soul Forger? Do you know who it was? I thought those vermin were wiped out.”

  “His name was Florian. Apparently, he once belonged to the Academy,” Liliya said, recalling Kai’s stories, who had lived it all.

  The woman paled. “Florian Seth? Impossible! The Wardens swore he was dead. Damn their negligence, I’ll see them pay for this. How many lives were lost?”

  Liliya shook her head. “Too many. Humans, beastmen… even Divine Beasts. The brother of Fallhaven’s king, among them.”

  Her master’s jaw tightened. “The Tower will send reparations and dispatch Wardens to rebuild the south. And this stays quiet; our failure cannot become public.”

  She exhaled sharply. “Do you have any good news?”

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  Liliya’s lips curved into a smile. “Perhaps, but it depends on whether we can make it happen or not. I found a perfect candidate for Elder Sister, an eight-year-old girl who has contracted three spirits, two of them high spirits.”

  The woman’s eyes widened. “That’s unbelievable. The child’s talent is even more monstrous than my sister’s. Amazing. Good job!

  Why can’t we bring her under the Tower’s protection immediately?”

  “She’s the last living kin of Theodor Sorgaz,” Liliya sighed.

  “Oh… unfortunate. I’ll speak with my sister and head to Fallhaven soon. We cannot miss this chance.”

  “Before you go, Master… I have a favor.” Liliya’s cheeks flushed slightly.

  “Oho! You never ask for favors. What is it?”

  “There is a boy, he is eighteen. He is not from here and has been living in the Beastworld for a while now. I would like to get him in the Towers to prepare for the tournament in two months.” Liliya said honestly.

  Her master laughed. “I’ll be damned. My Liliya is talking about a boy. Haha. But I cannot do that. You know very well that only the best can join the Towers. A wild boy cannot be accepted; you should find someone better. A boy from the wilds doesn’t suit the greatest student the Towers had seen in a long while.”

  Liliya pouted. “But Master… he’s already at three circles, each of a different element, one is even Thunderfire. He’s broken through to Master Knight and bonded with a high spirit and a Divine Beast.”

  The woman’s eyes widened again. “What in the nine hells. Where do you keep finding these people? You said he was eighteen? And had accomplished all that? Well, that is a different story. I can recommend him to take the entrance test then. It will be up to him to pass.”

  Liliya beamed. “Thank you, Master! You can meet him when you arrive in Fallhaven.”

  “I certainly will, any man who makes you blush deserves a closer look!” Her master laughed as Liliya hid her face.

  “You’re insufferable! Goodbye!” Liliya scoffed and ended the spell.

  ***

  Umbra stood in front of the mirror, seeing her humanoid form in full detail for the first time. She touched her nose, her cheekbones, her lips.

  ? I don’t see why they call this form beautiful. My true body is far prettier.

  ? Her gaze lingered on her nude reflection.

  ? But compared to the other humanoid races I’ve seen… I suppose I do look better.

  ? A victorious laugh escaped her lips.

  Well, it doesn’t matter. Strength is all that counts. I still need a weapon for this form. Fighting as a beast is still easier.

  She understood that for beasts, reaching the Divine level meant complete rebirth, a transformation into a new race with the ability to shift into humanoid form. It allowed them to live among other races and wield weapons, making them stronger and more versatile.

  But Umbra had yet to find a fighting style that suited her. She had sparred with Nerva countless times in Frontier, tried several swords he offered, but each felt awkward. She loved fighting with her hands, like in her beast form, yet she needed a weapon to enhance that style.

  She sighed. This is all so bothersome. If only I could fight my way through this nonsense.

  Her eyes drifted to the bed, where servants had laid out a dress. How can anyone fight in such armor? Hmm… well, let’s try it.

  She slipped into an elegant red flowy evening dress, its open back making her look like a dangerous rose. Hmm… I do look nice in this, I must admit.

  ? Confidence began to bloom as she admired herself in the mirror.

  The door burst open. Zara strode in wearing a similar dress, hers in black.

  ? “Holy shit, you look amazing!” Zara exclaimed.

  “Hey, girl. I do, don’t I?” Umbra chuckled.

  “Aren’t you getting a little conceited? Women should be confident but pretend they don’t know they’re hot,” Zara teased.

  “Who cares? I don’t need a mate yet. When the time comes, I’ll defeat the man I want and take him as my own,” Umbra said calmly. Zara burst out laughing.

  “Tigerhawks sure are prideful and matriarchal. You do you, honey. Come on, Kai’s waiting outside. Once the king returns, we’ll have dinner with everyone.”

  Umbra gave one last glance at the mirror before following Zara out.

  ***

  Outside in the hallway, Xarion, Lucius, and Kai waited, all dressed in formal attire. Lucius looked the most at ease, while Scry floated about, scanning and touching everything with curiosity.

  After a moment, the door opened and Zara stepped out with Umbra at her side. Lucius caught sight of them and felt his cheeks flush. He had never seen women like this, beautiful, yet strong and fierce. The women in his family were raised to be mothers, not warriors. Only his mother had been different, coming from another continent.

  “Well, don’t you two look lovely!” Xarion smiled, taking Zara’s hand.

  “Umbra, you look amazing. No one would guess you’re a wild beast, well, except for your tail,” Kai teased with a chuckle. “But truly, you look lovely, sister.”

  Umbra hugged him. “Thank you, brother. But I’m still trying to figure out how to fight in this.” Her serious tone made the group laugh.

  “Silly bird, that’s not for fighting,” Scry said with a chuckle. “It’s meant to look nice and attract mates.”

  “Oh, I see. Well, I don’t need any mates yet. Since I evolved, my time to bear children is still far away,” Umbra replied earnestly.

  Scry facepalmed. “It’s just a saying, bird brain! Relax and be polite, okay?”

  Kai chuckled. “Yes, all of you, be nice. We’re in another land with different customs.”

  “Just be yourselves. Theodor doesn’t like fake, stuck-up people,” Xarion cut in.

  “That’s not proper. I will be at my best,” Lucius huffed.

  Zara ruffled his hair. “Sure, pretty boy. Let’s go get Lisa, she’s in her room.”

  The group headed off to meet Lisa before making their way toward the main hall.?

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