The Beginning of Chaos

As soon as Klaus returned, his first order was clear and ruthless. 

Turning to Mike, his voice was calm yet laced with absolute authority. **"Eliminate Riya the moment she steps out of the capital. No loose ends."** 

Mike nodded without hesitation. There was no room for mercy in Klaus's world—especially not for those who had crossed him. Riya Nelson was no longer of any use, and her existence was a potential risk. The moment she left the capital's protective walls, her fate would be sealed. 

Just then, the system's voice buzzed in Klaus's mind. 

**(Ding! Alert! Due to the host's actions, the protagonist's awakening has been accelerated! Instead of one month, he will now awaken in just a few days! The World's Will is taking precautions!)** 

Klaus's expression darkened for a fleeting moment before a slow, sinister smile stretched across his lips. **"So, the world is already reacting, huh?"** he murmured under his breath. **"Interesting. Then, I should prepare accordingly."** 

Without wasting time, he summoned George. 

The young man entered, his face unreadable. The weight of betrayal still clung to him—his own family had turned their backs on him, and now, he had no one. Klaus could see it in his eyes: the anger, the resentment, the overwhelming sense of loss. A perfect pawn. 

Leaning back in his chair, Klaus chuckled softly. **"George, I'm sure you want to prove yourself—to your family, to everyone. You are a genius, after all."** 

George remained silent, his gaze distant. 

Klaus tilted his head, his smile deepening. **"But George, let me tell you something. In this world, only power matters. Right now, you are nothing."** His words were sharp, slicing through the silence like a blade. **"You've seen it for yourself, haven't you? How easily you were cast aside? How quickly they were willing to discard you like trash?"** 

George flinched. 

Klaus leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper. **"So, tell me, do you want power? Or do you want to remain a so-called 'genius' who can be discarded at any time?"** 

George clenched his fists. He knew something was wrong—Klaus's words were weaving a web around him, dragging him into something dark. But right now, his mind was a mess. He had lost everything—his family, his honor, his very sense of self. He had no direction, no purpose. 

And Klaus knew exactly how to exploit that. 

Slowly, Klaus placed a hand on George's head. His touch was light, almost gentle, but his words carried a chilling weight. 

**"Swear your loyalty to me. Accept me as your lord—your supreme."** 

A long silence stretched between them. 

Then, with a voice devoid of hesitation, George uttered a single word. 

**"Yes."** 

The moment the word left his lips, a surge of power exploded within him. It was like nothing he had ever felt before—raw, dark, overwhelming. His body trembled as a deep energy coursed through his veins, igniting his very soul. 

His cultivation skyrocketed. In mere moments, he had ascended to **mid-level Essence Gathering**, a feat that should have taken years. 

George's eyes widened in shock. He looked at his hands, feeling the darkness pulsating within him. **"This… this is impossible…"** he whispered, his voice shaking. 

Klaus chuckled, watching George's reaction with amusement. **"This is what I can give you."** He stood, his presence dominating the room. **"The power of darkness."** 

Then, his voice grew colder, sharper. **"Listen well, George. There is no right or wrong in this world. Only survival."** 

With that, he turned and left, leaving George standing there, still struggling to comprehend the power that now resided within him. 

### **A Meeting with the Old Lion** 

Meanwhile, Klaus made his way to the heart of the Blake estate. There, in a grand yet dimly lit study, sat **Andrew Blake**, his grandfather—the man who once struck fear into the hearts of nobles. 

Andrew sat in his chair, exuding a quiet but suffocating authority. His sharp, aged eyes assessed Klaus as he entered. 

Klaus wasted no time and explained everything. The Nelsons, the Gilberts, Riya's fate, George's new allegiance, and the accelerated awakening of the protagonist. 

Andrew listened in silence, his expression unreadable. 

When Klaus finally finished, Andrew simply leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled together. Then, in a voice as steady as iron, he spoke. 

**"Do not concern yourself with the Fifth Prince for now."** 

Klaus raised a brow. **"Oh?"** 

Andrew nodded. **"No matter what, the Drawen family will not make a move against us—not yet. The kingdom is already in a delicate position. They cannot afford internal conflict."** 

Klaus smirked. **"So, they'll be forced to stay quiet. How convenient."** 

Andrew simply gave a knowing smile. 

Klaus didn't linger. He had heard what he needed. With a slight bow, he left the study, his mind already weaving his next move. 

As he walked toward his chambers, he exhaled slowly. 

**This is only the beginning.**