Chapter 13: Establishing Dominance

The moment Reyon stepped into the training yard, he could feel the weight of their gazes. His new squad—twenty elite warriors of the Phoenix Household—stood in rigid formation. Some wore expressions of curiosity, others of skepticism.

They had witnessed his battle with Visker, a 6th Circle magician, and Evelyn, an 8th Circle powerhouse, yet there was still an unspoken resistance in their eyes. It was only natural.

To them, he was just a fresh graduate from the academy. No one had ever been promoted to a 4th Rank Captain on their first day.

If he wanted their respect, he had to take it.

A Familiar Face – Sylph of the Duke Noble Family

Among the squad members, one figure stood out—the golden-haired Sylph, the pride of the Duke Aravant family.

Her hair shimmered under the afternoon sun, and her violet eyes carried an undeniable arrogance.

Reyon's memories of her from his past life resurfaced.

In the last timeline, Sylph had reached the 8th Circle, becoming one of the most formidable magicians of her generation. However, she had died fighting Cerberus' second-in-command, an S-rank Hellhound, during the Dark Nation's onslaught.

Unlike most nobles, she had a warrior's heart.

She wasn't the type to blindly follow orders—she only acknowledged the strong.

Reyon made up his mind.

"This time, I won't let her die."

But first, he needed to establish the hierarchy.

Setting the Hierarchy Straight

Reyon took a step forward and raised his voice.

"Listen up!" His voice echoed across the training yard. "I am your new captain! If anyone is dissatisfied, step forward and fight me!"

The squad fell silent. No one dared to move.

Even though most of them were 3rd Circle magicians, with some 4th Circle elites, they had seen what he did to Visker—a 6th Circle magician. They knew they stood no chance.

But Reyon wasn't looking at them. His eyes locked onto Sylph.

Sylph's Challenge

Sylph's lips curled into a smirk. "Hmph. You're arrogant, Reyon."

She stepped forward, her golden aura flaring.

"I don't follow weaklings."

Reyon chuckled. "Then come at me with everything you've got."

Without hesitation, Sylph attacked.

The Battle Begins – Speed vs. Precision

She vanished.

Fast.

A split second later, a golden arc of light cut through the air—her sword, infused with wind magic, slashed toward Reyon's throat.

He sidestepped effortlessly.

A second attack came from his left, then a third from behind—a flurry of slashes, each one precise, controlled, and deadly.

Yet, Reyon dodged them all with minimal movement.

Sylph's brows furrowed. "Stop dodging and fight me!"

She cast Wind Surge, accelerating her movements to inhuman speeds. A storm of golden blades rained down on Reyon.

Still, he didn't retaliate.

He simply shifted his weight, using his Vectors to enhance his body's balance and movement.

Left. Right. Pivot. Step.

Every single one of her strikes missed by mere inches.

Effortless Victory

Reyon yawned. "Are you done?"

Sylph gritted her teeth. "Damn you!"

She pulled back, channeling all her mana into a single attack.

Storm Barrage!"

A hurricane of blades and wind spears erupted from her position, forming a 360-degree attack.

Reyon sighed. "You're wasting energy."

He activated Sigma (σ).

The mana distribution in her spell collapsed, weakening it before it could reach him.

With a flick of his wrist, he used Vector Magic to redirect the wind spears, sending them flying harmlessly into the ground.

Sylph's eyes widened in shock.

"Impossible…"

Before she could react, Reyon was in front of her.

BAM!

A single palm strike to her stomach sent her flying backward. She skidded across the ground, coughing out blood.

Silence fell upon the training yard.

Reyon had won. Effortlessly.

Recognition

Sylph struggled to stand, her pride wounded more than her body. She looked up at Reyon, who extended a hand toward her.

"You're strong, Sylph." His voice was calm, without mockery. "But I am stronger."

Sylph hesitated before grasping his hand.

"Tch. Fine. You win. I acknowledge you, Captain."

The rest of the squad, having witnessed the one-sided battle, immediately dropped to one knee in respect.

Reyon had established dominance.

The Middle Zone Assignment

Just as the tension settled, Evelyn approached, arms crossed.

"That was entertaining," she said with a smirk.

Reyon rolled his eyes. "Did you come here just to watch?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I came to give you your first assignment."

She pulled out a map of the Dark Nation border and pointed at the middle zone.

"Your squad will be stationed here."

A wave of shock rippled through the soldiers.

"The middle zone?!" one of them blurted out. "But that's where A-rank monsters roam!"

"Only the best squads get assigned there!"

Sylph frowned. "Are you serious?"

Reyon narrowed his eyes. "Why the middle zone?"

Evelyn's expression turned serious. "Because I trust you can handle it."

She handed him a sealed letter from the Patriarch, Edward Phoenix.

Reyon's fingers tightened around the parchment. "Father…"

Evelyn placed a hand on his shoulder. "The Dark Nation isn't a playground, Reyon. If you're serious about proving yourself, this is your chance."

Reyon took a deep breath. "Fine."

He turned to his squad, his voice unwavering.

"We leave at dawn."

The soldiers saluted. "Yes, Captain!"

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Reyon knew—

This was only the beginning.