Chapter 81 – “The Storm Before the Empire”

[Phoenix Grand Hall – After the Meeting on Wyvern]

The air had just settled from the heavy decision to challenge the Wyvern. Yet Edward, Patriarch of Phoenix, didn't rise from his seat.

His brows furrowed, expression serious, as he looked at Reyon one more time.

"One thing more…"

His voice was low, almost uncertain, as if it was something he hadn't wanted to voice aloud until now.

"There's… another problem."

Reyon's head tilted slightly. His fingers stopped tapping the edge of the marble table.

Edward leaned forward. "Even though there are many clans under Phoenix's rule, and they're loyal to us… many of our people come from other families."

He paused.

"Some of them have roots in the Brook Kingdom… and others in scattered noble factions."

His eyes narrowed.

"And let's not forget Alice."

Ray shifted slightly.

Edward's voice deepened, laced with concern.

"She's now a candidate for the 7th-Circle Elite… but she's still Princess of the Brook Kingdom."

He stared into Reyon's eyes.

"Are you sure they won't betray us when the empire is declared?"

Reyon exhaled through his nose.

"They're not idiots," he said, cold and calm. "They know where their benefit lies."

He took a step toward Edward, gaze firm.

"They've seen where the world's moving. Who holds power. What changes are coming."

Then he added, "And don't worry about Alice."

His tone lowered.

"She won't betray us."

Edward leaned back, skeptical.

"Though she might choose to live in Brook after our declaration," Reyon continued, "but she isn't the type to stab us in the back."

Edward didn't speak further. He nodded after a moment, letting the matter settle with Reyon's conviction.

With nothing else to challenge, the tension slowly dissipated.

The meeting officially concluded.

Reyon stood and looked at the gathered leaders.

"Begin the declaration after we've cleared the monsters in the Dark Nation and Horizon Forest."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

[Later – Training Selection Begins]

Reyon walked alone through the Phoenix citadel courtyard, cloak brushing the stone beneath his feet.

"First… I'll gather them."

His eyes scanned the horizon, cold determination flickering in them.

His boots halted before a courtyard where a girl with light swirling around her stood atop a training post.

"Sylph," Reyon said, voice steady.

The girl turned, the light easing around her. Her silver hair caught the fading light.

"I want you."

Sylph blinked once.

"To join the team I'm building," he clarified. "We'll clear Horizon Forest."

She narrowed her eyes. "Understood."

Reyon turned away immediately.

Next, he found Ray training with soldiers in the south yard.

Reyon didn't waste a word.

"You're coming too."

Ray grinned. "Been waiting for you to ask."

Then… the last.

He found Alice meditating under the large arc tree, her blade in her lap.

"Alice."

She opened one eye.

"Join the Horizon mission."

She smirked. "Took you long enough."

He gave them a week.

"One week," Reyon said. "Clear the forest. A-Rank monsters mostly. Nothing more."

Alice, Sylph, and Ray all nodded.

They left together, walking through the Phoenix gates, into the growing dusk.

[Horizon Forest – Day 2]

A massive boar beast, A-Rank, lunged toward Alice. She flicked her sword once. Ice flashed. Its head hit the ground before its body.

Sylph wasn't far behind, dicing a winged lizard with three light lances.

The two glared at each other.

"Still lagging behind me, Sylph?" Alice teased.

Sylph rolled her eyes and summoned a vortex behind her.

"Took you three seconds. I did mine in two."

Alice laughed softly.

"You trying to impress someone?"

Sylph turned to her, sharp.

They walked deeper into the forest, reaching a clearing.

A heavy stomp echoed—an armored troll crashed from the trees, slamming a tree trunk toward them.

Sylph jumped, air blasting her upward. Alice dashed forward, blade ready.

Sylph spun midair, with sword embedded with magic slamming the troll's foot. Alice appeared on the troll's shoulder and slashed downward.

With two moves, the troll fell.

Its body crashed, raising dust and shaking the ground.

Alice looked at Sylph, panting lightly.

"Sylph… we make a great team."

Sylph scoffed.

Alice's smile faltered. "Even if we're rivals for the 7th-circle elite spot… can't we still be friends?"

Sylph looked away.

"You think this is about that?"

Alice's brows rose.

"If not, then what?"

Sylph's hand went to her sword.

"It's because of Reyon."

Alice blinked.

"I like him."

Sylph's voice turned icy.

"You keep clinging to him. Even though your engagement's broken… you still won't let go."

Alice's eyes widened—then narrowed sharply.

"You don't know your place, do you?"

She stepped closer, fury flashing in her eyes.

"Don't ever think he could be yours."

She raised her hand, aura flaring.

"Engagement or not—he only belongs to me."

Sylph's sword was halfway out of its sheath.

"Then come take him."

They both moved.

[A spark of light—mana flaring.]

But before their blades could clash—

Ray appeared between them, slamming his fist into the ground. The shockwave pushed them both back.

"Hey!"

His voice was loud, firm.

"You can finish this fight during the title match."

His gaze sharpened.

"Right now, focus on the mission Reyon gave us."

He looked to the side.

"We still have Horizon to clear."

Both girls gritted their teeth… but turned away.

Alice stormed westward. Sylph leapt east into the trees.

Ray sighed.

" These girls are scary i fear for reyon's future."

[Meanwhile – Elise Kingdom, Underground Chambers]

Reyon stood before the Classers headquarters. The guards immediately bowed.

"Leader."

He didn't stop for pleasantries. His cloak fluttered as he descended the steps beneath the stone compound.

Down, into the darkness.

Into the place where the Gem once rested.

Now, where the Gem once floated, a door had appeared.

Last time, it couldn't be opened. cause of reyon's lack of mastery

But Reyon's gaze glinted now— as cerberus's core is now embedded into ring of ferica he could feel it.

"I've mastered Void… eighty percent."

He lifted his hand. A symbol of ∞ shimmered above his palm.

"I can do it."

He touched the door.

The black runes lit with blue light… and it opened.

Reyon stepped inside.

[The chamber was vast—lit by swirling mana.]

And in the center stood a projection.

An image—ghostly, flickering.

Leywin.

Reyon froze.

The image turned to him, its voice unstable, almost shaking.

"Due to my mind going corrupt… after using the Ring of Ferica…"

Leywin's voice cracked.

"I have done… many heinous things."

Reyon's breath caught.

Leywin continued.

"The Brook royal family… they saw it… as a chance to wrap Phoenix around their fingers…"

The projection twitched.

"But From time to time… I regained my sanity…"

Leywin's eyes met Reyon's.

"I left my final symbols… ∞ and τ…"

He coughed—blood even sprayed in the image.

"I wasn't going to cause it… not intentionally…"

The room trembled.

"Due to my insanity… Brook would eventually release those calamities…"

Leywin's body shook violently.

"My successor…"

His eyes pleaded.

"I want to tell you everything… but I can't contain my sanity…"

Mana began to surge around the room.

"Train hard…"

His voice cracked, pain behind it.

"Master ∞…"

Leywin fell to his knees.

"That alone… will be enough to stop it…"

The final words echoed.

"Beware of the Brook family… they are not what they seem…"

The projection shattered.

The chamber began collapsing.

"Damn it—!" Reyon turned, Void glowing around him.

The walls cracked, mana flooding outward.

He ran, eyes locked forward.

Chunks of the ceiling fell behind him. A spike of black stone shattered just inches from his shoulder.

Vector field saved his back—barely holding.

"Just a little more—!"

He leapt, the final gate crumbling.

With a gasp, he dived forward as the entire underground chamber caved in behind him.

Dust billowed. Silence followed.

Reyon coughed and stood, eyes sharp.

"…Brook family…"

He clenched his fist.

"You've played your hand too long."