Inside the Arcanum, everyone had gathered in the central hall.

  Kai smiled as he connected his mind to the ancient structure, opening new hallways that led to guest rooms.

  With just a thought, doors appeared, walls shifted, and space expanded.

  Harrietta’s eyes sparkled with awe.

  She wandered around, trying to understand how it all worked.

  The others didn’t even try. Right now, Kai felt like an ancient god, shaping reality with ease.

  Lisa nestled in his arms, clinging to his neck with wide-eyed admiration.

  “Everyone,” Kai announced, “if you go down these two halls, you’ll find empty bedrooms. Each has a communal bath, so feel free to wash up. Harrietta, you have a room separate from the men. Eira, you’ll stay with us.”

  Lisa tugged on his sleeve. “What about me?”

  “You’re with me,” Kai said, smiling. “There’s plenty of room in our chambers.”

  Harrietta chimed in, “Do you have a kitchen and supplies? I’d like to make a proper meal for everyone. A warm meal would do us all good.”

  “Yes, I’ll show you the way,” Kai replied.

  He, Lisa, Harrietta, and Scry headed toward the kitchen, while Umbra took Eira to the main bedroom to settle her in.

  The rest split into two groups: Bjorn and his men in one hallway, Hansen and his party in the other.

  Each room could hold ten men, so space wasn’t an issue.

  The first thing everyone did was rush to wash off the grime and blood.

  The baths were large, though not as luxurious as Kai’s personal quarters. Still, they offered comfort, warmth, and a rare moment of peace.

  ***

  In the kitchen, Kai showed Harrietta around.

  “Holy shit!” she exclaimed. “Not even kingdoms have setups like this. Look at these elemental crystals, their power is practically unlimited! And this fountain… it produces mana water!”

  Kai blinked. He hadn’t thought the kitchen was anything special. Even Scry had called it basic.

  “What’s mana water?” he asked.

  Harrietta turned to him, stunned.

  “Mana water is pure elemental water, drawn straight from the source. Just drinking it makes your body healthier and stronger. No wonder you’re so powerful, you’ve been living like royalty!”

  Kai chuckled. “Honestly, I haven’t used this kitchen much. We mostly grill meat outside.”

  Harrietta shook her head. “They don’t even know the riches they possess…” she muttered.

  “Alright, what ingredients do you have? I raised that starving wolf-boy, I can cook with anything.”

  Kai grinned. “I’ve got plenty. Let’s see.”

  He pulled out two massive slabs of glistening meat.

  ? “Tier 4 serpent meat,” he said.

  Then came baskets of spirit fruit, enough to feed a small village.

  And finally, a small keg of healing water.

  “Use this to cook with,” Kai said. “It’s better than mana water. Everyone could use some restoration.”

  He pointed to the cabinets. “Spices, herbs, we’ve got everything.”

  Harrietta stared, speechless.

  Tier 4 meat. Spirit fruits. Healing water. Enough to feed fifty men.

  “What the fuck! Are you insane? This could buy you a house in the capital!”

  Kai smiled. “I have more than enough. I want us to have a feast, to leave behind the sorrows of this life, even if just for one night.”

  Harrietta sighed, then nodded. “Alright. I understand. With this, I can make a feast fit for kings.”

  Scry watched them with a smile.

  He liked this side of Kai, and Harrietta, despite her madness, seemed to be a good influence.

  Lisa reached for some fruit, and Scry handed her one, grabbing another for himself.

  They sat together, enjoying the sweetness as the two adults argued over cooking.

  “Okay,” Harrietta said, rolling up her sleeves. “You’ve shown me everything. I know my way around a magical kitchen. Go rest and heal. Lunch will be ready in a few hours.”

  “Fine, fine,” Kai chuckled. “If you need me, just call, I’ll hear it.”

  He led Lisa and Scry back toward their chambers, leaving Harrietta to work her culinary magic.

  ***

  The Kingdom of Fallhaven, morning after the storm in the south.

  South side of the city. In a back alley, close to the stables.

  Nerva and his crew had gathered after a long night of catching up and reminiscing about the good old days.

  The mood was light, the air still carrying the scent of rain and fresh beginnings.

  Lucius stood quietly among them, feeling out of place.

  These were legends, warriors, and mages who could destroy cities if they wished.

  He wasn’t sure he belonged here. But he would try. He would pull his weight.

  “Alright, everyone,” Nerva said, clapping his hands. “Hope you’re all sober and ready.”

  His eyes drifted toward Liliya.

  “Heeey! Why are you staring at me?” she protested. “I only drank a little bit!”

  Xarion chuckled. “You drank a full keg of five-hundred-year-old brandy.”

  Liliya waved him off. “It’s hard for me to get drunk. Eldari blood purifies alcohol fast.”

  Nerva looked visibly disturbed. “You transformed into a pigeon, flew around the ceiling, and then cried that the room was spinning.”

  Liliya blushed. “Okay… maybe I drank a bit too much.”

  Zara elbowed her playfully. “I don’t mind. That was hilarious. I haven’t laughed that hard in years.”

  Lucius paled slightly.

  These people, who could level cities, were so carefree.

  If I were that strong…, would he be this relaxed, too?

  But what about etiquette? What would Father think?

  He couldn’t understand them. Not yet. But maybe, one day, he would.

  “So… how are we getting there?” Liliya asked, stretching and yawning.

  “Since it’s a secret mission,” Nerva replied, “we can’t use official mounts or Arcana-vessels. Too obvious.”

  ? He smirked. “That’s why I had Suzy assist.”

  Lucius paled at the mention of the name.

  Nerva glanced at him and winked. “For a price.”

  Zara immediately caught on.

  “Oh, I heard about that. Suzy got a new boy toy recently. Broke her last one, poor kid was only eighteen.”

  Lucius turned even paler. His legs trembled slightly.

  Nerva laughed. “Anyway, everyone, come here.”

  He pressed a specific sequence of bricks on the alley wall.

  With a soft rumble, the wall shifted, revealing a hidden passage.

  He summoned a torch from his storage and led the group into the damp, narrow tunnel.

  “Smells like wet Xarion in here,” Liliya mused, wrinkling her nose.

  “You must be mistaken,” Xarion replied dryly. “That’s the lingering scent of your puke from last night.”

  Zara chuckled. Her man had a sharp tongue to match his sword.

  Liliya pouted and fell into silence, her cheeks slightly flushed.

  After twenty minutes of walking, they emerged on the far southern edge of the capital, deep within a forest.

  The tunnel sealed behind them like a wound closing, leaving only a grassy mound.

  Nerva led them to a small cabin with a simple barn beside it.

  “Everyone, inside the barn,” he ordered.

  Within stood five golden-white gryphons, their feathers shimmering like jewels.

  “Royal Gryphons?” Lucius gasped. Even his noble family only had a few.

  “Yes,” Nerva said. “They’re mine. A reward from a mission long ago. I usually keep them at my estate, but I had them moved here overnight.”

  “We’ll ride until we’re far from the capital, then fly straight to the Southern Desolation. If we see anyone in trouble, we assist. That’s the plan.”

  “Any complaints?” he asked, more out of courtesy than expectation.

  “Yeah, I’ve got a better idea,” Liliya said, grinning. “You’ve got one of the best mages from the Seven Towers here.”

  Xarion raised an eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’ll use illusion magic to hide us. We’ll be practically invisible, and it’ll make stealth attacks easier if needed.”

  Nerva nodded. “Good plan. Let’s do it.”

  They mounted their gryphons and rode to a clearing just beyond the woods.

  Liliya raised her hands and chanted:

  “Gazing eyes see naught. Sunlight hides the children of men, Invisibility!”

  A shimmering veil fell over each of them, briefly glowing before fading.

  Shrouded by the spell, they faded from the world; no eyes could see them, no ears could hear their steps.

  They were now invisible to both sight and sound.

  “There. Eight-circle magic. Nobody will see or hear us,” Liliya said proudly.

  “It would be nice to have that on missions,” Zara admired.

  “You already have a similar skill,” Xarion teased.

  “Not the same, honey,” she corrected with a smirk.

  Nerva twitched. “Honey?” Sigh.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Lucius watched quietly, absorbing everything.

  She used light to bend visibility… maybe I could do something similar with my light mana.

  He was always searching for ways to grow stronger.

  Beating Nerva, just once, was his current goal.

  With a silent signal, the gryphons took flight, soaring into the morning sky.

  Invisible, swift, and free.

  ***

  As they flew across Fallhaven toward the south, the fresh morning air coursed through their hair and brushed against their faces. It was invigorating, and the sense of freedom was undeniable.

  Lucius gazed down at the smaller cities and fields beneath them, lost in thought.

  Then, a memory crept out from the depths of his repressed heart.

  A small blond boy, no older than seven, sat in the lap of a handsome dark-haired man as they soared over their territory. The man smiled warmly and spoke passionately about their lands. The boy looked up at him with admiration, seeing someone he wanted to become.

  That boy was Lucius. And that was the last time he had truly enjoyed being with his father.

  Just a few months later, Lucius turned eight. It was time for the affinity test.

  His father sat silently in the conference room while the family mage guided Lucius through the process. Lucius listened carefully and followed the instructions. He concentrated and produced a small, radiant orb. The room was bathed in brilliant white light.

  The mage’s expression darkened. So did his father's.

  Lucius watched as his father said nothing and was quietly escorted to his chambers by the servants.

  Confused and worried, Lucius ran back, desperate to understand what had gone wrong.

  Then he heard it.

  “Lord, he has a very strong light affinity. If he trains, he could become a powerful mage, or even join the Templars as a Holy Guardian,” the mage pleaded.

  “Vero bloodline is built on fire mana. All our skills, our legacy, they’re designed for fire affinity. I cannot work with light,” his father replied with a heavy sigh. He loved the boy, but having him compete with his brothers using such a different element would only bring pain.

  Where did he inherit light mana from? His mother and I both have the highest fire affinity. She even commands the salamander. Fate is a cruel mistress.

  Lentis Vero was a pragmatic and strict father. He loved all his children, but before being a father, he was the head of the family. And the family came first.

  “I can find him a knight tutor who trains in light magic. He can at least learn to defend himself,” the mage insisted.

  “Octavius, I know you care for him. He is a smart child,” Lentis said thoughtfully. “Fine. Do it. But he is forbidden from competing with his brothers for the title of future head of the house. Luke is already destined to lead. He’s the strongest we’ve seen in generations.”

  Lucius heard every word. He ran back to his room, tears streaming down his face.

  From that day on, he spoke to his father only when necessary. He trained under a retired Templar knight until he was sent to Fallhaven.

  “Hey, Lucius! I’m talking to you!” Nerva bellowed.

  Lucius snapped out of his thoughts. “Sorry, Master Nerva. I was just thinking.”

  “I said we’re going to attack those beasts down there,” Nerva pointed downward.

  A pack of fifteen Veridian Wolves, Tier 6, was attacking a merchant convoy.

  Lucius paled. “Those are Tier 6!”

  Zara laughed. “We eat those for dinner. You just protect the merchants.”

  “Like she said. We attack, you defend. That’s your job,” Nerva confirmed.

  He whistled. “Gryphons, time to eat!”

  The beasts chirped with joy as they dove at full speed.

  ***

  Inside the Arcanum, Kai and Scry stood over Eira while Umbra went to watch over Lisa as she bathed.

  “Lisa, is everything alright in there?” Kai called out, feeling it would be inappropriate to help her wash.

  “Brother, you should’ve bathed with me!” Lisa shouted back, insistent.

  “No way! Umbra, keep an eye on her so she doesn’t drown. And Lisa, scrub properly, no playing around!” Kai yelled.

  “Yes, Brother Kai,” she replied, then turned to Umbra. “How did he know?” she asked, confused.

  Umbra chuckled. “Wasn’t hard to guess, child.”

  Back in the room, Scry examined the bound Eira, who now rested on one of the spare beds.

  “Hmmm… I’m not sure I can break this. These soul chains bind her completely to his will. If he wanted, he could kill her instantly, but only if she’s close enough.”

  “I think we can untie her for now. The Arcanum should weaken his connection somewhat, but fully breaking the bond will take time. I need to study the spell formula properly,” Scry concluded.

  “Alright, at least she can be untied,” Kai said, turning to Eira. “I’ll release you, but if you try anything… it won’t end well.” He let his draconic aura slip out, shaking Eira to her core.

  Dragons, after all, were like gods to snakes.

  “Don’t worry, Sir Kai. If I notice anything wrong, I’ll let you know. I wouldn’t dare try anything,” Eira replied.

  Scry stopped him. “Let’s not take chances. Here, take this.” He pulled a bracelet from his inner world. “This will suppress her mana if she tries anything against us. Kai, drop some blood on it, and Eira too.”

  Using his half-broken sword, he cut both their fingers to activate the bracelet and placed it on Eira’s wrist.

  “Now you can untie her,” Scry said.

  “Umbra, release Eira. It’s safe now,” Kai called out.

  The shadow whips disintegrated, and Eira finally stood up, free.

  “Go wash with Lisa. Scry, go with them. And for the love of the gods, someone please wash Umbra too!” Kai begged.

  “I’ll head to one of the communal baths,” he continued.

  Eira and Scry left for the bath, where Umbra was trying to get Lisa to clean herself properly.

  “Lisa, child, stop jumping around, you’re making a mess!” Umbra scolded, though the small girl seemed to have no fear of the large beast.

  Scry floated in behind Eira, laughing uncontrollably.

  “Lisa, if you behave, I’ll give you some sweet spirit fruits,” he offered.

  Lisa immediately calmed down, letting Umbra wash her with a cloth wrapped around her tail.

  Scry turned to Eira. “Go on in. Don’t be afraid.”

  Eira removed her robes and stepped into the bath. Her silver body was covered in scars.

  “Ooooh, this feels nice. So warm,” she sighed. Her mana and viper heritage made her cold-blooded, and warmth was her greatest comfort.

  Scry smiled.

  “Umbra, dear, Kai instructed us to wash you as well,” he said, watching her like a mischievous wizard.

  “I’m fine. See?” Umbra shook off dried mud all over the floor.

  “Hell you are! Look at this mess, you ruffian. You can’t go to bed like this,

  Lisa, what do you say to helping big sister Umbra wash?”

  “Yaaay! I’ll help!” Lisa jumped out of the bath and hugged Umbra.

  “Now you’re dirty again!” Scry groaned.

  “Both of you, into the bath! Now!” He was losing patience.

  “No! I’m not going in!” Umbra protested.

  Scry sighed and waved his small paw. A gentle wind lifted both of them and tossed them into the bath.

  Umbra screeched. Lisa laughed with joy.

  Eira watched the chaotic crew and laughed, for the first time in who knows how long.

  Umbra sat in the bath, dark mana seeping from her head. She was upset, but Lisa’s power was too great. She sat still as Lisa scrubbed her and jumped all over her.

  Scry floated above, laughing like a maniac. “Serves you right, dirty bird!”

  Eira tried to distract Umbra. “How did you all meet? You seem very close.”

  Umbra perked up. “I met Kai in the jungle. He saved my life.” She recalled their time together, mostly fighting and killing. She enjoyed that.

  Eira listened intently. No wonder they were so strong; they’d been through a lot.

  Lisa chimed in, saying Kai had saved her from the dark place. Eira felt a surge of sorrow, knowing what fate might have awaited the girl otherwise.

  Scry floated closer. “Each of us carries some darkness in our past. But choosing to chase happiness is something we must do, or we’ll be devoured by the pain.”

  He sighed and fell silent.

  Seeing him down, Umbra smirked and yanked him into the bath, laughing menacingly.

  And like that, the four of them bonded through old memories and new beginnings.

  ***

  Kai lay alone in a massive bath.

  It wasn’t magical or ornate, just a regular bath, plain and quiet. But that was exactly what he needed right now: silence, solitude.

  He realized he hadn’t had a moment truly to himself since arriving in this world.

  ? Not that he minded. He loved talking with his friends back home.

  ? Still, he needed time to recharge.

  The stillness made his thoughts drift back to his old life.

  I wonder if anyone feels like something’s missing.

  ? Is Destroyer still grinding, with no one to tell him to log off?

  ? He chuckled softly.

  He missed that old otaku.

  ? He always loved that I was half Asian, Kai thought with a smile.

  The track and field team must be prepping for the state championship.

  ? I wanted to try competing at least once. See how I’d do under pressure.

  Then it hit him.

  Everything I’ve been through here has been high-pressure.

  ? He burst out laughing.

  Then sighed.

  Hope Mother and Father are living well. I really was a good-for-nothing son.

  He washed his face, as if trying to scrub away the lingering shame.

  But if they saw me now... I’ve gained so much. I’ve become a leader…

  ? Of a family of misfits. Haha. What a family indeed.

  He floated on his back, letting the water carry him.

  I won’t be able to rest for long, though. He’s out there, building an army while we recover.

  ? But we have to rest. If we don’t, it’ll break us. Break me.

  He’ll be stronger. And I have no time to train.

  ? Only Soul Slaughter remains... but what if I consume his soul and inherit his memories?

  That fear had stopped him from using the spell in battle earlier.

  ? But next time, he might not have a choice.

  If only we had more strong fighters than just me and Umbra.

  ? He sighed again.

  Then he heard it.

  “Dinner’s done, you lazy bastards! Come on!”

  He smirked.

  I kind of like that wild lady. That spell she used was insane. I’ll ask her to teach me.

  He rose from the bath, ready to rejoin the chaos.

  ***

  Meanwhile, in another bath...

  “So, Kran, you’re in love, huh?” Thorpe teased, a mischievous grin on his face.

  Kran blushed. “What are you talking about, old man? What love?”

  The twins snickered. “Oooh, we saw how you looked at the snake lady. Hehe.”

  Hansen, more serious than the rest, looked at Kran thoughtfully. “She’s stronger than you, much stronger. But there’s nothing wrong with having a powerful woman by your side.”

  “Like you and my mother?” Kran shot back with a smirk.

  This time, Hansen didn’t joke. “Actually, I was planning to ask you something. Do you approve if I ask her to marry me?”

  “WHAAAAT?!”

  Everyone shouted in unison, water splashing as they jolted upright.

  “You’re serious?” Kran asked, stunned.

  “Yeah,” Hansen said, chuckling. “I’ve finally realized she’s a fine woman. A bit wild, sure, but I kind of like that.”

  “Ewww, old man’s in love!” the twins mocked, laughing.

  Hansen splashed them in retaliation.

  Kran swam closer, his expression more thoughtful now. “Okay... as long as you treat her right.”

  Then he leaned in and whispered, “Could you teach me how to do that?”

  “Do what?” Hansen asked.

  “Make a woman fall in love with me,” Kran said shyly.

  Hansen laughed. “You can’t make anyone fall in love with you, you silly boy. Just be yourself. Show her how you feel. In the end, it’s up to them to decide if you’re good enough.”

  Kran nodded, a new resolve settling on his face.

  He would show Eira how he felt.

  The two barbarians burst into laughter. “Our youngling is becoming a man! We need to hold a coming-of-age hunt!”

  But their celebration was cut short by a thunderous voice echoing through the halls:

  “Dinner’s done, you lazy bastards! Come on!”?