Chapter 32: The Storm After the Calm – Echoes of Supremacy

Silence.

The kind of silence that descends not from peace but from the weight of something vast shifting in the world.

Leon stood before the Supreme Throne, its shimmering form pulsating with the condensed wills of long-forgotten rulers. The battlefield behind him lay in ruins, yet it radiated a profound serenity—the calm before the inevitable storm.

[Selene]: "Congratulations, Leon. You've officially crossed the threshold... but the true climb begins now."

Leon exhaled slowly. The thrill of victory didn't linger. If anything, his instincts screamed that this was just the first ripple in a sea of chaos.

And Selene was right.

This was only the start.

Back at the Academy – The Cracks Appear

The moment Leon's name etched itself atop the Ranking Pillar, the Academy's internal balance shattered.

In the dark corners of the Academy, whispers spread like wildfire.

"Did you see? Supreme Rank... That's impossible!"

"Wasn't he just a commoner from the Outer Sectors? How…?"

"He surpassed even the Heir of the Abyss Dragon Clan. What does that mean for the factions?"

Velgrath, headmaster of the Academy, stood overlooking the courtyard from his towering spire.

"It begins," he muttered, his eyes reflecting both awe and concern. "A power like his doesn't appear without consequence."

Beside him, Nyssa smirked, arms crossed. "Or maybe this is exactly what we needed to shake things up. The old powers have gotten complacent."

Far beneath them, the hidden High Council convened, cloaked figures sitting around a glowing table depicting the multiverse's current balance.

"The Voidbearer has awakened earlier than the prophecies foretold," one elder rasped.

"Should we intervene?" another asked.

"Not yet. Let us see who he draws out first."

Meanwhile... Celeste's Awakening

Far beyond the physical realm, within the depths of the Abyss Trials, Celeste stood atop a floating isle of black stone, gazing into a swirling maelstrom of dark energy.

The voice of her trial guide—a fragment of the Abyss itself—echoed in her mind.

"You have been touched by fate, mortal. You seek to reunite with Leon, but the cost will be steep."

Celeste clenched her fists. "I will pay it."

"And if it means sacrificing yourself?"

A pause.

Then, without hesitation, "So be it."

Darkness surged around her, seeping into her veins. But unlike others who had taken in Abyssal Energy and lost themselves to madness, Celeste remained intact. Stable. As though she was... made for this power.

The Abyss whispered.

"You are worthy. Find your king. Rebuild the throne of night and flame."

Leon's Return – The New Era Begins

When Leon returned to the Academy grounds, all eyes fell upon him.

He walked slowly, purposefully, ignoring the looks of shock and fear. The once-mighty geniuses who used to sneer at him now looked away, pretending to be busy.

Others watched him with undisguised hatred. Ambition. Jealousy.

[Selene]: "Scanning... Multiple hostile intent sources detected. Shall I mark them for future elimination?"

Leon smirked. "Nah. Let them stew. It's better if they make the first move."

From the edge of the training grounds, Drakar approached, his usual arrogance gone, replaced with reluctant respect.

"You've changed, Leon," Drakar admitted. "I never thought I'd say this, but... be careful. You may have surpassed us, but the real monsters in this place aren't students."

Leon tilted his head. "Thanks for the warning. But I'm no one's prey."

Drakar laughed bitterly. "Not yet, at least."

Behind Drakar, Veyra, the cold and calculating strategist of the Arcane Wing, watched Leon with an unreadable expression.

"A storm is coming," she said softly. "I hope you're as prepared as you think you are."

Invitation from the Abyssal Council

That night, a letter slid beneath Leon's door.

Dark parchment. Sealed with the emblem of the Abyssal Council.

Inside, elegant handwriting read:

To the Supreme Ranker, Leon Valeheart.Your rise has upset the delicate balance. The factions wish to meet. Decline at your own peril.

Leon read it once, twice, then tossed it aside.

"They can wait."

[Selene]: "And if they won't?"

Leon shrugged. "Then they can try to make me."

Plans for the Future

Leon's mind whirled as he stared out at the moonlit Academy.

He needed allies. Real ones.

Celeste.

Drakar.

Maybe even Veyra.

And others yet unseen.

But beyond that?

Power.

If this was only the first step of his journey, he needed more than just strength.

He needed an army. A domain. A legacy.

[Selene]: "Do you wish me to begin identifying potential recruits and resources for your faction?"

"Yeah," Leon said. "And call it..."

He paused, the words tasting foreign but right.

"...The Voidborn Legion."

Selene purred through his mind.

[Selene]: "As you command, my King."

And somewhere deep within the multiverse, powers both ancient and forgotten stirred.

Leon Valeheart had declared himself.

And the cosmos would answer.