Return

Lester D. Raizel sat at his usual table in the Royal Black Inn, finishing his third full meal of the morning.

The innkeeper and waiters had long since stopped being surprised by his enormous appetite, assuming he was just a martial artist with high energy consumption.

As he lifted his cup of tea, he noticed a shadow pass over his table.

Without needing to look up, he already knew who it was.

Alia Stoneheart gracefully took a seat in front of him.

She carried the aura of nobility, and even in this casual setting, she commanded attention.

Behind her, Alistair, the young warrior who had rapidly advanced under her guidance, stood quietly.

Like her two attendants, he had chosen to remain standing, showing his respect.

Alia wasted no time and got straight to the point.

"In two months, I must return to the capital of the Stoneheart Empire,"

she said, setting down a small, ornate envelope on the table.

"My presence is required for the Duke's Heir Selection Ceremony. As part of the empire's noble tradition, every noble family must send a representative."

Lester listened carefully, already thinking ahead.

The Maxwell Duke Family was one of the most influential houses in the Stoneheart Empire.

Their territory, located to the south, bordered the ocean, making them famous for their seafood, trade, and naval power.

Hearing about this upcoming event, Lester's thoughts naturally drifted to his real identity—Strider Cromwell.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to return and check on the Cromwell Barony," he mused inwardly.

"And my junior sister, Silvia… She's the most talented person in the Cromwell family, so there's no doubt she'll be attending the heir selection ceremony as well."

Instead of rushing off immediately, Lester decided to spend the next month training in the Dark Forest.

Alia used this time to refine her combat techniques, pushing herself until she finally broke through to the peak of the Mortal Transformation Realm from the 8th layer.

However, the real prodigy was Alistair.

In the span of just one month, he advanced from the 7th layer to the peak of the Mortal Transformation Realm.

More astonishingly, his physical cultivation also broke through to the 1st layer of the Energy Accumulation Realm using the Nameless Book that Lester had given him.

Watching this, Lester was once again convinced—Alistair was a true chosen one.

Alia, however, was oblivious to such concepts. To her, she had simply discovered a hidden gem—a future powerhouse who could be cultivated into a valuable ally.

"For now, he's still weak," she thought, glancing at Alistair. "A mere Energy Accumulation Realm cultivator wouldn't even be noticed in the higher ranks of the Stoneheart Empire."

Meanwhile, Lester spent the month hunting monsters in the Dark Forest, venturing deep into the inner section where the fiercest beasts resided.

Once the month ended, he converted all the monster cores at the Dark Moon Branch, intending to use the wealth to recharge his system for another simulation copy world.

But the system's response made him freeze.

[100,000 spirit stones are required to generate the next simulation copy world.]

A twitch crossed Lester's face.

"That's… outrageous," he muttered.

With only two months left until the heir selection ceremony, Alia and Alistair departed for the Stoneheart Empire's capital.

Alia had extended an invitation to Lester, but he refused.

"You'll see me again soon," he told her with a small smile.

She was disappointed but not surprised.

Unlike Alistair, who owed her everything, Lester was different.

Alia had once thought the Nameless Book was a rare treasure, something that could win Lester's favor.

But when he casually gave it to Alistair, she realized something.

Lester's background was unfathomable.

No worldly treasure, power, or status could move him.

With nothing to entice him, she could only part ways, trusting fate to bring them together again.

Lester, on the other hand, spent the next month hunting in the Dark Forest.

When only ten days remained before the heir selection ceremony, he activated a skill from his Specter abilities—Teleportation.

In an instant, he vanished from the forest.

A moment later, Lester—now Strider Cromwell—reappeared behind the mountains of the Cromwell Barony.

With a thought, he returned to his original form, shedding the appearance of Lester D. Raizel.

His sharp features, silver hair, and cold yet noble aura returned, making him look every bit like the heir of a prestigious noble family.

As he descended towards the front gates of the Cromwell Mansion, a nostalgic warmth filled his heart.

There, in the courtyard, he spotted Silvia Cromwell.

She was practicing martial arts, moving with a grace and sharpness that few could match.

Each strike carried unwavering determination, proving that she had continued to pursue strength in his absence.

For the first time in a long while, a genuine smile appeared on Strider's face.

"I'm home."

Silvia wiped the sweat off her forehead, her sword steady in her grip. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the Cromwell training grounds as she practiced her forms, each movement sharp and precise.

Then—she felt it.

A presence.

Her instincts sharpened as she turned swiftly, her gaze locking onto a figure standing at the entrance of the courtyard.

For a moment, she froze.

Silver hair. Piercing eyes. A calm yet powerful aura that felt both familiar and unreachable.

"…Brother?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Strider smiled. "You've grown, Silvia."

Silvia's sword clattered to the ground as she rushed forward, stopping just inches away from him. Her eyes burned with emotion—shock, relief, anger, and happiness all at once.

"You disappeared," she accused, her fists clenched. "No letters. No word. Nothing! And now you just show up?"

Strider sighed. "I had my reasons."

Silvia glared at him, then after a long pause, she sighed.

"…You're back now," she muttered. "That's what matters."

Strider chuckled. "Yes. And this time, I won't disappear so easily."

Silvia smirked. "You'd better not."

Silvia took a step back, studying him carefully. Though he looked the same, there was something different—stronger, more mysterious.

She crossed her arms. "So, are you finally home for good?"

Strider chuckled. "For now."

Silvia grinned. "Then you'd better prepare. I want answers."

Strider smirked. "I expected nothing less."