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Kain had managed to contract Vauleth with the promise that he would help him to become the strongest True Dragon.

Considering that he was not born as a True Dragon and possessed a congenital defect that made him weaker than other Red Dragon's of his age, this was something he could only hope to accomplish by following Kain.

Kain, due to his previous successes discovering new evolutionary forms had been fully confident in being able to complete this task.

That was until, after he'd seen Vauleth's profile after initially contracting him, which appeared as follows:

——————-

Nickname: Vauleth

Species: Red Coloured Dragon (Re%$#vi$&s)

The Red-Coloured Dragons, also known as the the Crimson Tyrants, are the strongest and leaders of the Chromatic 5-coloured True Dragons and the favourite children descended from the evil dragon goddess of greed Tiamat (&%%& &%&%& $%&$$). Towering in size with massive, armored crimson scales that shimmer like molten metal, these dragons are renowned for their raw power, destructive capabilities, and insatiable greed. Red dragons have been reported to cause immense ruin, death, and destruction due to coveting even ordinary jewels.

They are the embodiment of arrogance, ruling over their domains with an iron claw and seeing all other creatures as either subjects to be ruled or threats to be annihilated.

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Born with an innate connection to fire and destruction, Red Dragons typically thrive in volcanic regions, although they may choose to dwell in mineral-rich caves and mountains. Their prolonged presence is capable of altering the environment to become more hostile and inhospitable to lesser beings. Their intellect rivals their might, making them cunning tacticians and fearsome foes.(%%&f&% &%& &s% $ &%&g%& $& # #&&$h&$&#&)

Quality: Platinum (S&$#&&l)

Spiritual Power Grade: Green

Type: Dragon

Attributes: Dragon, Fire (%&$$)

Skills:

X-Abs%&ute Mimic&%: Th$%& $&&$ %h%& #&#$& $&f$&$$ &##r&& #&$$&$&$.

Temporary Skills:

SSS-Due to the bloodline inheritance of Coloured True Dragons that intimately connects them with their almighty dragon ancestor Tiamat, all True Dragons are immune to Abyssal corruption as long as it is not directly from the 'Great Mother'.

SS-Dragon's Breath: It unleashes a torrent of fire hotter than molten lava, capable of reducing fortresses to ash in seconds. This flame burns not just with heat but with abyssal intensity, consuming everything it touches, including magic defenses.

SS-Draconic Fury: When enraged, the Red Dragon's physical strength and speed increase exponentially. His claws and fangs become sharper, and his scales harden to near-impenetrable levels. This skill transforms him into a whirlwind of destruction, capable of tearing through even the toughest defenses.

S-Scorching Barrage: The Red Dragon releases a rapid series of fireballs, each one capable of causing massive explosions on impact. The barrage can be directed at multiple targets or concentrated on a single enemy, making it a versatile offensive skill.

S-Molten Armor: The Red Dragon's scales heat up to extreme temperatures, creating a protective layer of molten armor. This armor not only enhances his defense but also damages any enemy that comes into direct contact with him.

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A-Blazing Dominion: Vauleth exerts his dominance over fire, allowing him to manipulate existing flames within a large radius. He can extinguish fires, intensify them, or even redirect them toward his enemies. This skill is particularly useful in environments where fire is already present.

A-Infernal Roar: Vauleth lets out a deafening roar infused with fire-attribute energy. The roar disorients and terrifies enemies, lowering their morale and causing some to flee in panic. It also has a chance to ignite flammable objects in the vicinity.

B-Flame Cloak: Vauleth surrounds himself with a cloak of fire, increasing his resistance to fire-attribute attacks and dealing continuous damage to nearby enemies. This skill is ideal for prolonged battles, where sustained damage and defense are crucial.

B-Wingstorm Inferno: Vauleth takes to the skies, using his massive wings to create a vortex of fire and wind. The vortex pulls enemies toward its center, where they are incinerated by the intense heat. This skill is particularly effective against groups of weaker enemies.

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————–

When Kain had first scene Vauleth's profile he'd been absolutely stunned. This was the first time he'd come across a being that even the System couldn't fully see through—even despite him having a contract with it.

Never before had whole sections of text in the System Profile been concealed in such a manner.

Moreover, this was also the first time that Kain had come across a skill at an 'X' level, the highest rating previously being SSS and the fact that most of Vauleth's skills were categorized as only temporary was surprising. When he'd first seen the profile he'd been left with more questions than answers.

Had it not been for the draw from his affinity and Vauleth personally sharing his own past experiences and 'reincarnations' as various other creatures, Kain would almost think that he was a True Dragon—albeit a strange one.

All Kain could hope for was that the next System upgrade would provide enough of a boost to the System's abilities to fully analyze Vauleth.

However, despite it being the only profile that has obscured content, it was the one that Kain had read the most often recently—trying to fill in the gaps for himself. Therefore, Kain immediately noticed when there was a slight increase and change in one of Vauleth's abilities.

SS-Molten Armor of Corruption: The Red Dragon's scales heat up to extreme temperatures, creating a protective layer of molten armour. This armour not only enhances his defence but also damages any enemy that comes into direct contact with him. Abyssal Energy can act as fuel for the armour and prolonged fighting with Abyssal creatures will gradually increase the temperature and defensive abilities of the armour.

Based on the profiles of his contracts, as well as the strange but very lifelike 'dream' he had while unconscious in the relic, Kain was able to reach the conclusion that his contracts will evolve or awaken new abilities when in contact with Abyssal energy for prolonged periods of time. They all seem to have a strange connection with the Abyss—and so probably did he.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. ThankThe next morning, Kain received a notification from the Order. His rewards had been calculated, and he was to report to the administrative office to collect them. He made his way through the bustling corridors of the headquarters, his mind still preoccupied with the strange connection he and his contracts seemed to have with the Abyss.

When he arrived at the office, he was greeted by a stern-faced administrator who handed him a detailed breakdown of his rewards. Kain's eyes widened as he scanned the document. The Order had been generous, reimbursing him for 60% of the cost of the Cryostasis Nexus, the Vessel of Purification, and the Space Severing Nail. On top of that, he had been awarded a substantial amount of credits for completing the mission and neutralizing the risk of abyssal invasion from Brightstar City.

Kain couldn't help but smile as he received the notification about the arrival of the credits into his account. This was more than enough to replenish some of the 'necessities' that Benji had previously convinced him to buy as well as resources to increase the strength of his contracts.

However, Kain had heard that the most invaluable opportunity in the order wasn't the rare items, evolutionary materials, weapons, or spiritual skills for sale. Apparently, the greatest chance to increase their contract's strength was an "opportunity for realization"—whatever that meant.

Unfortunately, nobody felt inclined to explain it to him in detail since it was only useful for blue-grade spiritual creatures about to advance and high-level spiritual creatures. Otherwise, attempting to enter it may do more harm than good.

Therefore, although Kain suddenly had an abundance of credits he wasn't in a rush to spend them. With his current financial resources, connections with nobles due to being a top Evolutionary Planner, and his status as a top 5 student at one of the top 5 colleges, he could obtain most rare items without the help of the order. Heck he even had a system that could provide him with many new resources as long as he paid the corresponding amount of GP.

He planned to save his credits for those opportunities exclusive to the Order that the more senior members kept lamenting not having enough credits for.

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'Speaking of…according to the people that received us when we left the relic, we had been in there for over a month. By now another re-ranking should have occurred, so I guess I'm not a member of the top 5 currently…' Kain lamented the sudden drop in status.

However, he wasn't too upset. There would be a final re-ranking before the national tournament and given his current strength he had no doubt that he'd be able to reclaim his spot. He'd consider having someone new enjoy the fruits of being in the top 5 for a few months as his latest act of charity…

Not to mention the current privileges and resources given to the top 5 weren't particularly valuable to him now since he could receive the majority of them through other channels.

The main appeal of the top 5 for him was going to the National Tournament and getting to enter one of the college's resource vaults again that contained resources that he may not even be able to get in the Order, such as that fate-attribute spiritual skill 'Threads of Destiny.' During his previous walkthrough of the vault, there had been many items that appealed to him, but he had been forced to restrict his selection to only 3 items. To go in again, he had no choice but to make achievements on the College's behalf at the National Tournament.

'I guess I'll also miss the top 5 dormitory too though…' Kain suddenly recalled one more privilege he supposed he would miss. After all, since he'd missed the latest re-ranking there was a possibility that he had dropped from the top of his year to the very bottom. In which case, he may very well end up in a closet-sized room.

With his business at the Order concluded, Kain made his way to the teleportation array. The array was a massive, intricate structure carved into the floor of a grand chamber and had connection points to all major colleges and cities of the Empire.

Kain stepped into the center of the array, feeling the familiar hum of spiritual power as the runes activated.

After a flash of light and a brief sensation of weightlessness (thankfully he seemed to be getting accustomed to teleporting), he was standing in the teleportation chamber of Dark Moon College.

But he immediately sensed that something was wrong.

The college was eerily silent, the usual hustle and bustle of students and faculty conspicuously absent. As Kain walked through the campus, the grounds were completely empty, and the buildings were pretty much all dark—with no lights left on to indicate that people were inside.

Kain quickened his pace in unease, his footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. As he approached the main entrance, he noticed a thick column of smoke rising in the distance, its dark plume staining the otherwise clear sky. His heart sank. Something had happened while he was away.

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He ran through the open, and seemingly unattended, college gates and into the city, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of life. The streets closest to the college were intact but completely lifeless—like a ghost town.

But as he moved further toward the outskirts in the direction of the smoke, the damage became more apparent. Buildings were reduced to rubble, their walls blackened by fire. The streets were littered with debris, and the air was thick with the horrifyingly familiar smell of burning flesh mixed with rot—a smell that had practically permeated the entire battlefield during the fight against the abyssals in the relic.

'There's no way…'

The closer he got to the edges of the city, the more people he saw. They were working tirelessly, clearing debris, rebuilding structures, and tending to the wounded. The atmosphere was one of grim determination, the kind that comes after a disaster has passed but its scars remain fresh.

Kain's mind raced as he tried to piece together what had happened. He pulled out his phone and dialed Collin's—the manager in charge of most of his businesses—number. He had noticed that the region of the city that seemed to be affected was where one of their newest factories were being built and, knowing Collin's professionalism and workaholic nature, he should know best what happened here. After a few tense moments, Collin's voice crackled through the device.

"Kain? Are you back!" Collin's voice was a mix of relief and exhaustion. "Where are you?"

"I just got back to the college," Kain replied, his tone urgent. "What the hell happened here?"

There was a pause on the other end before Collin spoke again. "It's… complicated. While you were gone, there was a sudden outbreak of corrupted in the outskirts of the city. It happened so fast—one moment everything was normal, and the next, people were turning into corrupted and attacking others. The college mobilized immediately to contain the spread, but it was chaos for a while." Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

Kain's grip tightened on the communication device. "An outbreak? How did it start?"

"We're not entirely sure," Collin admitted. "Some people just… turned. No warning, no signs of abyssal creatures beforehand. The college managed to contain the outbreak pretty quickly, and so the casualties were kept low, but the damage was already done. Pretty much the entire city has been focused on rebuilding ever since and all regular events and operations have been significantly delayed."

Afterwards, Collin began to lament the loss and damage to their factory and workers, reporting the costs, delays, and other business related things to Kain. But Kain's mind had already flown far away.

'If all events were delayed or cancelled, maybe I don't have to give up my top 5 dorm…' Kain thought, while trying to find a silver lining in this otherwise bleak event.

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Kain's heart pounded as he approached the outskirts of Dark Moon City, but in a different area that the outbreak, his steps quickening with every passing moment.

The sight of the city in ruins had shaken him.

Before going into the relic, Kain—knowing that instances of Abyssal attacks were becoming more frequent—had relocated his family from Brightstar City to Dark Moon City.

Considering his mission was in Brightstar and there had been risk of an abyssal invasion at that location, he had felt good about his choice. However, not long after he'd left, corrupted were seen in Dark Moon City, one of the most powerful cities in the Empire!

Due to the city's strength. it was quickly contained, and although the outbreak wasn't too close to his family and his family should have wards surrounding the property, Kain was still worried and wouldn't feel fully relieved until he met them again.

He still felt as though he had made the right decision to relocate them from Brightstar City to Dark Moon City, and the strength of the city showcased in this attack just reinforced that, but the corrupted outbreak here had been a grim reminder that nowhere was truly safe from the Abyss.

Gradually, Kain approached the newly expanded property. Originally, Kain had had Collin purchase land neighbouring the property he currently was growing his spiritual plants and River Wolf Pups on, and his new family home would be built on that neighbouring land. However, just before entering the relic Collin called Kain to tell him that the plan had changed.

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Although Ferrin was currently living on the old property, the idyllic scenery filled with what was now probably thousands of spiritual plants, with numerous River Wolf Pups and Clear Spring Wolves frolicking through them immediately captured his siblings' hearts.

Not to mention, that in order to help Kain take care of the constantly growing number of spiritual plants in the field, Kain had brought back many of the first batch of elemental fairies evolved from the Silkworm evolutionary pathway—including the light-attribute royal fairy, there were dozens of other greater and lesser fairies helping him to manage the property.

The moment his siblings had seen this fantastical environment, they'd absolutely refused to leave.

Therefore, the new land Kain had purchased was used to expand the spiritual plant gardens and integrated into being part of the roaming areas for the fairies and wolf pups, while the original home that Ferrin was currently living in, was torn down after the mansion right next to it was almost finished construction.

As Kain approached the property, he finally saw the massive mansion he'd only ever heard about in reports from Collin.

And the second he spotted his new home, his anxiety also began to ease. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

The wards surrounding the property were intact, and the lack of damage in the area reassured him that the outbreak hadn't extended to here.

The sprawling land was a stark contrast to the chaos of the city. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of blooming spiritual plants and the distant sound of River Wolf Pups and Clear Spring Wolves playing in the fields amid the bell-like calls of the elemental fairies.

A massive mansion stood at the center of the property, its design a perfect blend of elegance and practicality. Kain could tell that Collin had taken the opinions of his relatives into account, and the architecture reminded Kain of their old home in Brightstar City— but elevated.

The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and the windows were framed by lush vines that seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight. Fruit trees, that weren't there before, dotted the landscape, their branches heavy with ripe fruits, and a large playground stood nearby that would be loved by any of his youngest siblings.

Kain paused at the edge of the property, taking in the sight of the River Wolf Pups frolicking in the fields, their playful antics bringing life and joy to the land. He could see that Ferrin, the affinity-less volunteer that Kain had helped to become a beast-tamer, was among them, clearly he had naturally grown accustomed to his role as a caretaker. Kain couldn't help but smile as he watched Ferrin interact with the pups, knowing that he'd made the correct choice.

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As Kain approached the mansion, the front door swung open, and a chorus of excited voices greeted him. His siblings spilled out onto the porch, their faces lighting up at the sight of him. The youngest, Melody, was the first to reach him, her small arms wrapping around his legs in a tight hug.

"Kain! You're back!" she squealed, her voice filled with joy.

Kain knelt down to her level, ruffling her hair affectionately. "I missed you too, Melody. How have you all been?" He turned to ask the others as they streamed out of the house. He saw that Bridge was also there, likely going to guard them during the attack—once again reassuring Kain that moving his family closer to both Bridge and himself was for the best.

The others quickly surrounded him, their questions and laughter filling the air. Kain's heart swelled with warmth as he greeted each of them, his worries momentarily forgotten.

The orphanage director stood at the edge of the group, his expression one of quiet relief. He had been unsure about moving, but since Kain had left, sightings of Abyssals and corrupted creatures became more frequent across the empire, and he no longer regretted his decision.

"It's good to have you back, Kain," he said, his voice soft but filled with emotion. "We've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Kain replied. "It's good to be home."

As the initial excitement died down, Kain's siblings led him inside the mansion, eager to show him around. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with spacious rooms, high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light. Each of his siblings had their own room now, a far cry from the cramped living quarters of their old home. The walls were adorned with family photos and mementos from their time in Brightstar City, a subtle reminder of where they had come from.

Kain's room was on the second floor, its large windows offering a stunning view of the property. The room was simple and familiar since they chose to move most of his belongings from his old room to here. But there were some welcome changes: there was now a larger bed, a new mahogany desk, and a bookshelf filled with both his old and new books. A small sitting area by the window was the perfect spot to relax and take in the view overlooking the property.

As Kain settled into his room, Ferrin appeared at the door, his expression one of quiet pride. "Welcome back, Kain. I hope you like what we've done with the place."

Kain smiled, gesturing for Ferrin to come in. "It's incredible, Ferrin. You've done an amazing job. I can't thank you enough for looking after things here while I was away, Collin told me how invaluable you were to resettling everyone."

Ferrin shrugged modestly. "It's been my pleasure. Your family is wonderful, and the land here is a dream to live on. However, there was one thing I feel I should tell you…" He began hesitantly.

Kain's heart dropped at the suddenly more serious atmosphere surrounding Ferrin. "I'm afraid that something is wrong with the spiritual creature you helped me to summon."

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Kain's smile faded as Ferrin's words hung in the air. The sudden shift in tone was enough to make his stomach twist with unease. He gestured for Ferrin to sit down, his mind already racing with possibilities. "What's wrong? Is Nyx okay? Is there an issue with the contract."

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Although Kain and Ferrin got along well now, the reason Ferrin was initially recruited was to act as a guinea pig to see if Kain's new method of creating beast-tamers was safe for Gabriel.

If Gabriel cannot become a beast-tamer he was at a great risk of dying. Therefore, he had Ferrin try it first and would periodically give Kain updates on how he and his contract are.

After Kain confirms that it is safe and there are no side-effects later on, he would have Gabriel also undergo the procedure so that he can walk around freely and healthily again.

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So far there had been no side effects. The only con was that Ferrin seems to only be able to contract 1 creature. But he and that creature appear to have very little bottlenecks. This is very similar to the method of cultivation of the southern tribes, which typically can only have one contract, but the growth rate and strength at the same level of that single contract are far superior to those in other nations. Kain was waiting to see if there would be any more discoveries or cons before letting Gabriel do the procedure soon, but now Ferrin was telling him that there was another issue…

Ferrin hesitated, his hands fidgeting nervously in his lap. "I'm not sure. During the outbreak, I… I left the property for a while. Bridge had arrived, and with the wards in place, I thought it would be safe. There was someone I needed to check on."

Kain raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt. Ferrin's expression was a mix of guilt and worry, and Kain could tell this wasn't easy for him to admit.

"There's a woman," Ferrin continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "She works as a bank teller in the city. We've been… talking. When the outbreak happened, her bank was closer to where the chaos started. I couldn't just sit here knowing she might be in danger. So, I went to check on her."

Kain's initial surprise gave way to understanding. He nodded, encouraging Ferrin to continue.

"When I got there, the bank was overrun by corrupted. Nyx and I fought our way inside, and we found her barricaded in a room with some coworkers. We managed to get them out, but… Nyx was attacked during the escape. She killed the corrupted, but afterward, she started acting strange. She's been in a coma ever since."

Ferrin's voice broke due to the immense guilt he felt, and he looked down at his hands, his shoulders slumping. "I don't know if she's just exhausted from fighting off the abyssal energy or if… if she's still at risk of being corrupted. I've tried everything I can think of, but nothing's worked."

Kain's mind raced as he processed the information. Nyx, the black fox Ferrin had contracted through the unique method Kain had invented, was in a coma after being exposed to Abyssal energy. This was uncharted territory. The procedure had been experimental, and while it had worked flawlessly so far, there was always the risk of unforeseen complications.

"Show her to me," Kain said, his tone firm but reassuring. "I'll see what I can do."

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Ferrin nodded, relief flickering in his eyes. He led Kain to a small room on the ground floor, where Nyx lay on a soft bed of moss and spiritual plants. The fox's sleek black fur was dull, her breathing shallow and uneven. Kain knelt beside her, his hand hovering over her body as he activated his System to assess her condition.

Unlike most spiritual creatures that Kain can only get vague details about their species as a whole or form a replica of them in the Training Arena with the System. Kain found that those that originated from Pangea would have more detail in their System profile—almost to the levels of his own contracts. Likely due to their unique origins as spiritual creatures born from the planet inside of him.

The System's interface flickered to life, displaying Nyx's status in stark detail. Her spiritual energy was dangerously low, and there were traces of abyssal energy lingering in her system, but the invading abyssal energy was decreasing at a slow rate. Kain's brow furrowed as he studied the data.

"She's fighting it," Kain murmured, more to himself than to Ferrin. "The abyssal energy is trying to take hold, but her body is resisting. Honestly, this isn't a bad thing. It could even be considered great. Most spiritual creatures would simply become corrupted and not have the ability to fight off the abyssal energy in their bodies."

Ferrin's face relaxed slightly, but it was still quite pale. "Can you help her?"

Kain didn't answer immediately. He activated his spiritual skill Threads of Destiny, to get any hints of if a solution was around him. If Aegis wasn't currently out of commission, Kain could simply ask for his help, but Aegis was still recovering, so Kain couldn't readily think of any more solution.

Activating the skill, he first focused on the connection between Ferrin and Nyx. The bond was still strong, but it was strained, as if Nyx's condition was pulling her further away from Ferrin with each passing moment.

But interestingly, the connection that was only faintly existent between her and Kain after she'd formed a contract with Ferrin, was increasing with each passing second.

Kain closed his eyes again to feel if a connection between Pangea and Nyx had been re-established, and did find that, while barely noticeable, the connection that had been previously cut off had been re-established.

'What does this mean? If contracts outside are injured badly enough or at risk of becoming corrupted, will they be recalled to Pangea? What does this mean for the contracts they have with their beast-tamer?'

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!Kain knelt beside Nyx, his mind racing as he processed the implications of the re-established connection between her and Pangea.

The faint thread of energy linking the black fox to the planet inside him was growing stronger by the second, and Kain could feel the subtle pull of Pangea's influence. It was as if the planet itself was reaching out to heal one of its own.

"Ferrin," Kain said, his voice calm but urgent, "step back for a moment. I need to focus."

Ferrin hesitated, his eyes darting between Kain and Nyx, but he nodded and took a few steps back, giving Kain space to work. Kain closed his eyes, his breathing steady as he tuned into the connection between Pangea and Nyx. The bond was fragile but growing, and Kain could feel the faint pulse of purple energy emanating from Pangea, flowing through the connection and into Nyx.

The process was slow at first, but as Kain's proximity to Nyx increased, the rate at which the connection strengthened accelerated. It was as if the two had been attempting to connect for a while but, possibly because the Kain was inside the relic and then at the Order headquarters, the distance had been too great. Now, with Kain right beside her, the link was rapidly solidifying.

Kain's System interface flickered to life, displaying real-time data on Nyx's condition. The abyssal energy in her body was decreasing rapidly with the stronger connection to Pangea. Kain watched in awe as the purple energy surged through Nyx, cleansing her body.

Soon enough, the abyssal energy in Nyx was completely eradicated, and her breathing steadied. Her fur, once dull and lifeless, began to shimmer with its usual sleek black sheen. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and she let out a soft whine as she stirred.

"Nyx!" Ferrin exclaimed, rushing forward to kneel beside her. He gently stroked her fur, his relief palpable. "You're okay… you're okay."

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As Kain watched the reunion between the two, he noted that the connection between himself and Nyx, which had grown so strong moments ago, was now fading. He activated his spiritual skill Threads of Destiny once more, observing as the link between Nyx and Ferrin was re-established. The bond between beast-tamer and spiritual creature was intact, and Nyx was once again fully connected to Ferrin.

Kain couldn't shake the implications of what he had just witnessed. Spiritual creatures originating from Pangea were not only somewhat resistant to abyssal energy but could also be healed by a strange energy the planet emitted.

This was a game-changer for the future battle situation against the Abyss!

But Kain's excitement soon dampened. Kain immediately noted a slight decrease in Pangea's spiritual power concentration—only a fraction of a percent, but it was enough to give him pause.

If too much of Pangea's energy was expended, it could harm the planet and, by extension, Kain himself. The idea of creating a massive million-strong army of beast-tamers connected to Pangea to fight the Abyss was tempting, but it was not possible—at least not for now.

Kain knew he would have to carefully calculate how many individuals Pangea could support, ensuring that the planet's energy reserves weren't depleted too much in the process.

——————

With Nyx stabilized and Ferrin by her side, Kain stepped out of the room to gather his thoughts. The events of the past hour had made him realize that during these chaotic times he could no longer afford to hesitate when it came to strengthening those he cared about.

Gabriel, the young boy who was practically still a prisoner due to his condition, needed to undergo the procedure to become a beast-tamer. The risks were minimal compared to the potential benefits, and Kain knew he couldn't delay any longer.

But Gabriel wasn't the only one who could benefit from this. The orphanage director, a man Kain trusted with his life, was another perfect candidate.

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Although he had never awakened an affinity, he still had a single star space that could be used to form a contract. Most ordinary people were capable of condensing their first star—the real roadblock to becoming a beast-tamer was awakening an affinity.

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If the orphanage director formed a contract, not only would this give him the ability to protect himself and Kain's siblings, but it would also extend his lifespan, ensuring that he could continue to guide and support them for many more years.

Kain found the director in the mansion's library, quietly reading a book. The older man looked up as Kain entered, his expression softening at the sight of the young man who had quickly become the spiritual pillar and support for the family.

"Kain," the director said, setting his book aside. "Is everything alright?"

Kain nodded, taking a seat across from him. "Everything's fine. But there's something I need to discuss with you."

The director's brow furrowed, but he gestured for Kain to continue. Kain took a deep breath, then explained his unique ability to create beast-tamers, detailing the procedure and its benefits. He also shared Ferrin's experience, emphasizing the lack of side effects and the incredible potential it offered.

The director listened in silence, his expression growing more and more stunned as Kain spoke. When Kain finished, the older man leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"This… this is incredible," the director said finally. "But Kain, do you realize how dangerous this ability is? If anyone were to find out, they would stop at nothing to exploit you."

Kain nodded, his expression serious. "I know. That's why I've been so careful. But the world is becoming more dangerous each day, and I can't afford to hold back anymore. You've always been like a father to me, and I want to give you the chance to become a beast-tamer."

The director hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I'm an old man, Kain. I've lived a good life. Do I really need to become a beast-tamer at my age?"

Kain leaned forward, his voice earnest. "This isn't just about you. It's about the children. Bridge and I won't always be here to protect you all, and the world is only getting more chaotic. This would give you the strength to protect them, no matter what happens."

The director was silent for a long moment, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. Finally, he looked up, his eyes filled with determination. "Alright, Kain. If you think this is the right thing to do, then I'll trust you. But promise me one thing."

"Anything," Kain said without hesitation.

"Promise me you'll be careful. This ability of yours… it's a gift, but it's also a burden. Don't let it consume you."

Kain smiled, his heart swelling with relief that the director agreed. "I promise."

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Kain went to the basement of the newly constructed.

Thoughtfully, due to his current status as an evolutionary planner and researcher, Collin and his family decided to construct a private area in the basement, just for him, meant to double as a private lab and office for himself.

Naturally, due to all of their lack of knowledge on how lab are typically set up there were many shortcomings when compared to his lab on the college campus, and his lab provided by the System, but it was more than enough to serve as an isolated and soundproof location for the procedure Kain was about to perform.

Kain had invited his four oldest siblings—Bridge, Milo (now 16 years old), and the twins Jasper and Jasmine (14 years old)—to observe the procedure. They stood near the doorway, their eyes wide with curiosity.

Kain had warned them beforehand that what they were about to witness could never be shared with anyone. This was a secret that, if revealed, could put all of them in danger.

"Remember," Kain said, his voice firm but calm, "this stays between us. No one outside this room can know what you see here today."

The siblings nodded solemnly, their excitement slightly dampened by the gravity of Kain's words. They watched as Kain prepared the tools for the procedure, his movements precise and deliberate.

Although the more people that knew about Kain's ability the more dangerous it was, Bridge had been told about Kain's ability a while ago, so there was no reason to hide it from him—rather Bridge had always wanted to see it for himself and made Kain promise to take him along the next time.

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As for his other siblings, they were all approaching the age where they would awaken an affinity. Kain's newfound wealth had given them access to better resources that would slightly increase their chances of awakening an affinity, but the chances of awakening normally were still not extremely high if they didn't have any ancestors that were beast-tamers.

Kain wanted them to witness this scene so that they could rest assured that even if they failed to awaken an affinity, they could still form a contract of sorts. Who knows, maybe the more relaxed attitude during the affinity ceremony will increase their chances of success?

Kain approached the director, who was slightly reclined in a plush chair in the center of the room to ensure his comfort, holding a small vial of crushed spiritual plants known for their pain-dulling properties. "This will help, but it won't completely eliminate the discomfort," he explained. "Bea was able to completely eliminate the sensation of pain for Ferrin, but she's still recovering. We'll have to make do."

The director nodded, his jaw set with resolve. "I've dealt with worse in my long life. Let's get this over with."

Kain applied the paste to the director's shoulder, the faint scent of herbs filling the air. He then picked up a thin, needle-like tool infused with spiritual energy and began to etch the array onto the director's skin. The process was slow and meticulous, each line of the array requiring perfect precision. Thankfully, though Kain had been practicing drawing this array in his free time so that the process wasn't drawn out longer than it needed to be—after all, he couldn't always rely on Serena.

The director's eyebrow twitched slightly as the needle moved across his skin, but he otherwise remained perfectly still, his breathing and expression relaxed.

"You're doing great," Kain said, his voice calm and reassuring. "Just a little longer."

The array began to take shape, its intricate lines and symbols glowing faintly as Kain infused them with spiritual energy. The room seemed to hum with power, the air thick with anticipation. Finally, Kain sat back, exhaling deeply. "Done."

The array, now complete, pulsed softly on the director's shoulder blade, its glow a testament to the energy flowing through it. Kain stepped back, allowing the director a moment to adjust.

"How do you feel?" Kain asked.

The director flexed his shoulder experimentally, "I thought you said it'd hurt. That was nothing. What's next?"

"Now, we see if it works," Kain replied. He instructed the director to focus on his meager amount of spiritual power and direct it toward the array. This was the most critical part of the procedure and something Kain would not be able to help him with—without precise control, the array would fail.

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——————-

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The director closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in concentration. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to manipulate his spiritual power, it had probably been decades since he'd actively tried to manipulate his spiritual power, so activating the array was more difficult for him than it was for Ferrin. Kain watched closely, ready to intervene if necessary.

"Focus," Kain said, his voice steady. "Imagine your spiritual power as a river. You need to guide it to the array, like diverting water into a channel."

The director nodded, his breathing becoming more controlled. Slowly, the array began to glow brighter, its light intensifying as the director's spiritual power flowed into it.

After a long wait, Kain could sense a faint presence from the director, like a fragment of his soul, entering his star space.

Inside Pangea, the soul fragment moved erratically, its path winding through the lush landscapes of the planet. Kain tracked its progress, his heart pounding as he watched it pause near various creatures before moving on.

Thankfully, unlike Ferrin whose soul fragment took forever to find a suitable contract, a suitable spiritual creature was quickly determined.

Soon enough, a spiritual creature that had previously been lounging lazily on a rock as it bathed under the starlight emitted from the 4 multicoloured stars perpetually orbiting Pangea, disappeared.

Back in the workshop, the director gasped, his hand instinctively reaching for his shoulder as he felt it begin to heat up.

"Did it… work?" he asked, his voice trembling. Bridge and the other siblings also looked on with nervous anticipation at what kind of contract the orphanage director may have formed.

Kain too was extremely curious. Although the creature disappeared quite quickly, based on the brief glimpse Kain had of the creature, he knew that it didn't resemble any spiritual creatures he'd ever seen or heard of.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!The room fell silent as the director's shoulder, the location Kain had chosen to place the tattooed array for convenience, began to glow faintly, the array's light intensifying until it was almost blinding.

The air seemed to hum with energy, and then, with a soft, melodic chime, the light dimmed, and a creature materialized in the center of the room.

It was unlike anything Kain or his siblings had ever seen or read about. And considering Kain's second major, that was quite a feat.

The creature stood about two feet tall, its form a curious blend of humanoid and animal features. Its body was covered in soft, moss-like fur that shimmered with a faint green hue, giving it the appearance of a living, breathing piece of nature. Its face was round and expressive, with large, luminous eyes that glowed like polished amber. Its ears were long and pointed, and tipped by a small green leaf at the end. Its hands and feet were delicate, with tiny, claw-like fingers.

The creature's most striking feature was its tail—long and bushy, with green tufts of fur. Around its neck was a vine string that carried a small, glowing orb, which pulsed gently with a soothing, rhythmic light. The creature's presence was calming, and it could probably calm down a irritated child by just standing there.

"What… is it?" Milo whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Kain activated his System, pulling up the creature's profile. The information that appeared was unlike anything he had seen before, even among the unique creatures of Pangea.

———————

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Species: Unnamed

A rare and nurturing spiritual creature born from the most nurturing of elemental energies on Pangea—nature and light. This creature embodies the essence of care and order and is a natural caretaker, its abilities focused on healing, organizing, and maintaining balance in its environment. It is deeply attuned to the needs of those around it, making it an ideal companion for those who dedicate their lives to protecting and nurturing others. Notably, this spiritual creature cannot stand disorganization and mess and will be unable to rest in an untidy environment.

Quality: Gold

Type: Nature Gnome

Attributes: Nature, Light

Skills:

SS-Harmonic Restoration: A powerful healing skill utilizing both natural and light elements. This skill not only heals physical injuries but also restores spiritual energy, making it invaluable in prolonged battles or recovery efforts.

A-Nature's Ward: It can summon a protective barrier of vines and moss that shields itself and nearby allies. The barrier absorbs incoming attacks and can convert a small amount of the attacking energy to restore its own spiritual power.

B-Guiding Bloom: It can release a burst of glowing pollen that illuminates dark areas and reveals hidden dangers. This skill also enhances the senses of those it touches, allowing them to detect threats or resources they might otherwise miss.

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C-Tidying Touch: Using its delicate hands it can repair and organize objects with incredible precision. This skill can sort through cluttered spaces, remove dust/dirt and can even mend broken ordinary items,

————————

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Reading through the System profile, all Kain could think was that it and the orphanage director were a perfect match. And after sharing the details of the unknown spiritual creature with everyone, clearly they also shared his thoughts

The unknown spiritual creature looked up at the director, its amber eyes glowing with warmth and understanding. It took a few cautious steps forward, its bushy tail swishing gently behind it. The director knelt down, his expression a mix of awe and curiosity. On his aged and wrinkled face, there was uncharacteristic childlike excitement that Kain had never seen before.

"Hello there," the director said softly, extending a hand. It tilted its head, studying him for a moment before placing its tiny hand in his. The connection between them was immediate, a bond forged not just by the array but by a shared sense of purpose and care.

"I can feel it," the director whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "Its thoughts… its emotions… it truly is such a magical connection." Kain and Bridge didn't feel much, but Milo and the others immediately had an expression of longing after hearing those words. Never before had they longed to become beast tamers more than now.

The gnome-like creature let out a soft, melodic hum, its glowing orb pulsing gently. It seemed to radiate a sense of calm and reassurance, its presence instantly putting everyone in the room at ease.

"It's adorable," Jasmine said, her voice barely above a whisper. The twins nodded in agreement, their eyes wide with amazement.

As the director bonded with his new companion, Kain began the next step of the coverup.

Although Kain didn't know if any creature like this was possible to be a mark awoken within the Southern tribes, he still had to continue the plan of concealing all of the individuals he helps as having awoken some kind of dormant southern blood.

After the contract was formed, similar to Ferrin, the previously intricate array had transformed into a white faded scar that resembled the silhouette of the gnome-like creature.

Kain changed the ink in the 'pen' he'd used to tattoo the array to a green one to match the contract's dominant attribute. The ink was made from a special material meant to be indistinguishable from the 'innate bloodline markings' that the tribespeople would awaken. And using that ink he began to fill in the white silhouette until it was no different from a natural tattoo.

After Kain finished, the director stood, his posture more confident than before, and

turned to the younger siblings watching from the side while holding his new contract. "What you've seen today is a should reassure you that thanks to your brother no matter what happens in the future, you can gain the strength to protect yourselves. But remember, this secret must stay with us. The world isn't ready for this kind of power."

The siblings nodded, their expressions serious. If anyone knew what Kain was capable of while Kain wasn't yet able to fully protect himself it may spell his doom. The Empire may even move to eliminate him if they couldn't control him out of fear of him creating an army of his own outside of their control.

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Kain sat across from Gabriel, the young boy's expression a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. Serena was beside him, her sharp eyes focused on Kain as he finished explaining the unique features of forming a contract through the summoning array.

The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the lights that lined the walls of the laboratory that had become Gabriel's temporary home (and prison).

"…And that's what happened," Kain concluded, his voice calm but earnest. "The creatures we summon using this method have a natural resistance to abyssal energy. But there are cons, too—so far, as far as we know, those that become beast-tamers in this manner can only form one contract. Therefore, if you are dissatisfied with whatever creature you get, too bad. It can only remain your one and only partner."

Serena leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "The resistance to abyssal energy is fascinating. If these creatures can truly resist corruption, it could be a huge advantage." She turned to Gabriel with an almost teacher-like disposition. "You've never faced abyssal creatures or the corrupted, Gabriel. Therefore, you have no idea how horrifying their corruptive abilities are. Being immune to such corruption was a huge boon. But Gabriel, this is your decision. You need to think about what you want."

Gabriel looked down, his brow furrowed in thought. Kain could see the weight of the decision pressing on the young boy's shoulders. It wasn't an easy choice—Gabriel still had a chance to awaken an affinity naturally, and becoming a beast-tamer through the summoning array would mean giving up that possibility.

"I thought we decided to just wait?" Gabriel asked finally, his voice small but steady. "If I try to awaken an affinity and it doesn't work… can't I still do this later?"

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Kain nodded. "You can. The procedure will always be an option for you. Waiting is definitely an option. However, with the current chaotic times, there is no telling what could happen tomorrow, and none of us can guarantee that you will live long enough to undergo the awakening ceremony. The world is changing quickly, Gabriel. Wars are brewing, and chaos is spreading. We have to be realistic about our survival. I know only having one contract wasn't the future that you imagined, but… "

Gabriel's eyes flicked to Serena, seeking reassurance. She gave him a small, encouraging smile. "Whatever you choose, Gabriel, we'll support you."

The room fell silent as Gabriel considered his options. Kain could see the conflict in the boy's eyes—the desire to follow a traditional path, to have the same opportunities as everyone else, warring with the fear of failure and the allure of getting a massive head start over his peers in becoming a beast-tamer.

Finally, Gabriel looked up, his expression resolute. "I… I want to form a contract," he said, his voice firm despite its softness. "Ideally I could wait to try to awaken an affinity…and if it doesn't work, then I'll do the procedure. But, as you said the current state of things is more dangerous, and I want my freedom back. None of my parents or other relatives had been beast-tamers anyway, so the likelihood of awakening an affinity, even after all the experiments those people did on me, probably isn't too high."

Kain nodded, a little relieved at Gabriel's words. Although he loved having Gabriel around, he was forced to essentially share his personal lab space with Gabriel's living quarters since he couldn't leave. However, it was Gabriel's life and he couldn't enforce such a huge decision on his behalf. But thankfully, Gabriel's thoughts were in alignment with his. "That's a brave decision, Gabriel. And whatever happens, we'll be here for you."

Serena nodded in agreement. "I have a feeling you'll do just fine."

Gabriel smiled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Thanks, Serena. And thank you, Kain. For doing all of this so that I even have the option."

This groundbreaking ability to awaken non-beast tamers had been developed by the two as they combed through dense sheets of paper stolen from that secret organization. Although others such as Ferrin have benefitted from the discovery, it had been developed to help Gabriel. Gabriel was not ignorant of all the efforts Kain and Serena had put in for him.

Kain reached out, ruffling Gabriel's hair affectionately. "You're family now, Gabriel. We'll always make sure you have options."

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————–

The touching moment didn't last long. Once they decided to go ahead with the procedure, they didn't waste any more time.

Gabriel shooed away Kain, insisting that Serena must be the one to tattoo the array on him.

Gabriel chose to have his tattooed on the center of his back, that way it won't be easily discovered.

After all, Gabriel wasn't like the director or Ferrin who could play off themselves as following a different cultivation system due to their bloodline. Gabriel, no matter what nation and method of cultivation used, was far too young to become a beast tamer.

By his age, no child typically even has their star space fully saturated with spiritual power, much less taken the step to condense their first stars.

Even among the Southern tribes, people usually only awaken the bloodline markings after the age of 18.

Serena, who awakened independently less than a year before her peers, was already a massive topic throughout the Empire.

But Gabriel, who wasn't even a teenager yet? If word got out, it would send shockwaves through every major power. They'd tear apart his past, search for every possible clue, and draw all the wrong conclusions. Nobody would believe there wasn't some major secret in him and want to investigate.

Worse still, if that organization believes that he was able to awaken due to their experiments on him, not only will they try to take him back, but they'll ramp up their efforts. Kidnappings, forced experiments, breaking more children just to replicate whatever they think worked on Gabriel. After all, Gabriel may give them the false belief that they are on the correct path.

Therefore, even though Gabriel will have technically become a beast-tamer before the age of 13, he could absolutely never reveal that fact to anyone.

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The process began as it had with Ferrin and the director. Serena's hands moved with practiced precision, etching the intricate array onto Gabriel's back. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire

The faint glow of the spiritual energy infused into the lines illuminated the room, casting a soft, otherworldly light. Gabriel didn't even react as the needle touched his skin, Kain had put the anesthetic made from spiritual plants on his skin beforehand but he knew it wasn't too strong, yet he was handling it even better than the tough orphanage director, his determination unwavering.

However, rather than being happy, Kain and Serena just felt pity, knowing that his pain tolerance must have been increased to a ridiculously high level due to suffering through all kinds of torturous experiments in the past.

Once the array was complete, Kain instructed Gabriel to focus his spiritual power and direct it toward the array.

The boy closed his eyes, his brow furrowing in concentration. Unlike Ferrin and the director, Gabriel's spiritual power was denser, and easier to be manipulated—possibly a result of the unknown object implanted into him that had fused with his star space.

The array flared to life almost immediately, its light intensifying as Gabriel's soul fragment entered Kain's star space.

—————-

Inside Pangea, Gabriel's soul fragment moved with purpose, its energy far more stable than Ferrin's or the director's had been.

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Kain watched via an almost godlike perspective, his curiosity piqued by the fragment's behaviour. It didn't wander aimlessly like the others had; instead, it seemed to be searching for something specific, its movements deliberate and confident.

The fragment soared over lush forests and shimmering rivers, passing by countless spiritual creatures. Some were majestic, their forms radiating immense power. Others were strange and otherworldly, their appearances not resembling anything on earth.

But Gabriel's fragment paid them little mind, its gaze fixed on something in the distance.

Kain's attention sharpened as the fragment approached a region of Pangea he rarely visited—a sprawling, golden valley bathed in perpetual sunlight.

At its center stood Aurem, the golden dragon, his massive form coiled around a towering golden mountain inlaid with glittering gemstones.

Around the golden dragon was a small army of powerful spiritual creatures that moved with quiet efficiency, their heads bowed in deference to Aurem as they acted as servants.

The scene was both awe-inspiring and comical. Aurem lounged lazily on his mountain of gold, his golden eyes half-closed as he issued orders to his servants who would have been the absolute overlords of an area on Earth.

The azure dragon, a creature of immense power and pride, was busy polishing Aurem's scales with a cloth made of woven moonlight and mist.

A massive white tiger, its fur gleaming like freshly fallen snow, was fanning the golden dragon with a giant leaf held in its mouth.

A fiery bird resembling a vermillion or phoenix, was roasting what appeared to be a massive fruit over a flame it conjured from thin air.

And a black tortoise, its shell adorned with intricate carvings and had a snake head for its tail, was using said snake tail to pour a strange glowing liquid into a golden cup held delicately in Aurem's claws.

Kain couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. These creatures, each of whom could dominate entire regions on Earth, were reduced to menial tasks in Aurem's 'court.' The golden dragon was clearly enjoying his role as the undisputed ruler of Pangea.

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Gabriel's soul fragment hovered near the edge of this valley, unnoticed by most of the creatures. But as it drifted closer, the azure dragon suddenly raised its head, its sharp eyes narrowing as it scanned the area. It let out a low growl, its nostrils flaring as it tried to pinpoint the source of the strange energy.

Aurem gave an angry huff, displeased that his servant had suddenly stopped polishing his scales and was even growling. Was this a coup?!

Suddenly feeling the pressure bearing down on his, the azure dragon quickly ignored the strange sensation and lowered his head in deference, getting back to work.

The azure dragon returned to its task, though its eyes continued to dart around suspiciously. Gabriel's fragment, emboldened by its invisibility, drifted closer to the scene.

It hovered near the vermillion bird, which was too focused on roasting the fruit to notice, and then it moved to the white tiger, who was too busy fanning Aurem to care.

Finally, the fragment approached the black tortoise. The creature's snake-like tail paused mid-pour, its head tilting as it sensed the fragment's presence. Its eyes, sharp and intelligent, locked onto the fragment, and for a moment, the two seemed to communicate without words.

——————–

Unlike usual, where the soul fragment would immediately just form a contract, potentially because the status or power of this black tortoise was too high, the fragment seemed to need its permission to form a contract.

The black tortoise's gaze softened, and it gave a barely perceptible nod. The fragment, in turn, seemed to pulse with happiness. Kain watched in amazement as the two reached an unspoken agreement. The tortoise's form began to shimmer, its energy merging with the fragment before both disappeared from Pangea.

Back in the laboratory, the array on Gabriel's back flared brightly, its light filling the room. Kain and Serena shielded their eyes as the energy surged, and when the light faded the previously large circular array changed into the white silhouette of snake-tailed tortoise that looked like an oddly shaped faded scar.

———————–

Back in Pangea, Aurem raised his head, his golden eyes narrowing as he noticed the absence of his tea-pouring servant and let out a roar of irritation while the remaining servants exchanged nervous glances.

Aurem huffed loudly and then pointed a claw at the vermillion bird, who was still roasting the fruit, letting it know that it would now be responsible for pouring its drinks and preparing its food. The majestic bird didn't dare to resist

As the vermillion bird reluctantly took up the tortoise's duties, Aurem couldn't help thinking: 'Honestly, can't a dragon get decent service around here?'

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The room was silent as Gabriel's new contract materialized before them.

The black tortoise, now significantly smaller than its original house-sized form, only reached Gabriel's knees.

Aside from its size, there were other changes to its appearance.

Its shell, once adorned with intricate carvings that glowed faintly, now bore simpler patterns, though they still shimmered with a faint light.

The creature's eyes, originally sharp and intelligent, now held a childlike innocence, reflecting that along with its size and strength, its intelligence had also likely regressed.

The once imposing aura it radiated had also diminished, replaced by something gentler, almost comforting. It was as if the creature itself had been reborn, starting anew alongside its new master.

Gabriel knelt down, his eyes wide with wonder as he reached out to touch the tortoise's shell and felt the new intangible connection to the creature like a suddenly appearing fifth limb. "It's… amazing," he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Kain activated his System, pulling up the creature's profile. Knowing its identity as one of the strongest creatures on Pangea created by Aurem. And seeing its resemblance to the mythical Black Tortoise Xuanwu that Kain had read about in his past-life, Kain was mentally prepared for the specialness of the creature.

——————–

Nickname: Unnamed

Species: Black Tortoise Guardian (Sealed)

A juvenile version of one of the guardians of Pangea created by the Golden Dragon Overlord, Aurem. The Black Tortoise embodies the essences of protection and wisdom. As one of the four guardians, its unique birth also gave birth to the season Winter on Pangea. Despite its diminished state, the Black Tortoise retains a fraction of its former power, its abilities focused on defense and support.

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Quality: Special

Type: Guardian Spirit

Attributes: Earth, Water

Skills:

*Note: Due to the Black Tortoise's diminished state, several of its higher-level skills are currently locked.*

X-Celestial Fortress: Sealed

X-Dark Tide: Sealed

X-Serpent's Dominion: Sealed

X-World Shell: Sealed

.

.

.

S-Earthen Barrier: The Black Tortoise summons a protective barrier of earth and stone, shielding its bonded partner and nearby allies from harm. The barrier absorbs incoming attacks and gradually heals those within its radius. This skill is particularly effective against physical attacks.

A-Aquatic Veil: The Black Tortoise creates a veil of water that obscures its bonded partner and nearby allies from enemy detection. This skill enhances stealth and provides a temporary boost to evasion.

B-Serpent's Gaze: The snake-headed tail of the Black Tortoise can unleash a paralyzing gaze, temporarily immobilizing a single target. This skill is useful for creating openings in battle or escaping dangerous situations.

C-Guiding Current: The Black Tortoise can slightly alter the current of large bodies of water and also control aquatic creatures in the water weaker than itself.

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——————–

Previously Kain had always thought that it was impossible for the strongest creatures on Pangea to form contracts. After all, all those undergoing this procedure did not awaken an affinity and still have white-grade spiritual power—therefore the strengths of the creatures they could contract were limited.

However, this automatic sealed state that they seemed to enter if too powerful, completely overturned that assumption.

Gabriel's eyes sparkled Kain shared with him what he knew about the Black Tortoise, and its high potential. "It's perfect," he said, his voice filled with excitement.

The Black Tortoise let out a soft, melodic hum, its snake-headed tail swaying gently. It seemed to radiate a sense of calm and reassurance, its presence instantly putting everyone in the room at ease.

Serena smiled at Gabriel, but her expression was thoughtful as she gazed at Kain with some suspicion. Although she wasn't sure about the identity of the 'hidden realm' that this array leads to, she could sense that it had some kind of connection with Kain. Especially since he seemed to instinctively have a lot of information about spiritual creatures that had never been spotted in their world before. But since he didn't want to explain, she didn't bother to ask. "It's a powerful creature, even in its diminished state. With time and training, it could become an invaluable ally."

Kain nodded, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. After all, as a planet exclusively accessed through him, the higher the potential of Pangea's residents, the better it was for him.

———————-

After forming a contract and officially being able to cultivate, it took only a couple of weeks for Gabriel to cultivate and strengthen his body to a level that could withstand the massive amount of spiritual power he had, and was able to leave the array around the lab that suppressed his spiritual power.

It also helped that as a tortoise—who Gabriel chose to name Xuanwu after the story of the mythical tortoise Kain told him about—the feedback from it also seemed focused on strengthening him physically.

Life settled into a rhythm. Kain visited his family every few days, enjoying the rare moments of peace and normalcy. The mansion on the outskirts of Dark Moon City had become a sanctuary, a place where his siblings could thrive away from the dangers of the world. My Virtual Library Empire

Gabriel had moved in with them, and the change in the boy was remarkable.

At first, he had been hesitant, unsure of how to interact with the other children. He had spent so much time isolated: he was an orphan provided for by an uncle in a far off city and only having a caregiver paid to look after him but didn't care for him; then he was trapped in a laboratory by a mysterious organization and experimented on; and then things started to lok up when rescued but he was still confined to Kain's workspace. Therefore, socializing felt unfamiliar to Gabriel. But Cherry refused to let him stay withdrawn.

Cherry, with her vibrant and mischievous personality, had taken Gabriel under her wing, pulling him out of his shell and helping him embrace his new life. She dragged him into every game, forcing him to join in races across the courtyard, sparring matches with wooden swords, and even the occasional prank against the older kids.

Despite his initial reluctance, Gabriel found himself enjoying the chaos and the other children accepted him easily, treating him like just another kid rather than a pitiful victim or freak.

Slowly, Gabriel began to laugh more, his guarded expressions softening as he adjusted to a life where he didn't have to constantly look over his shoulder.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you soKain sat in his private lab, the soft hum of spiritual plants filling the air as he reviewed the data from Gabriel's procedure.

The success of Ferrin, the director, and now Gabriel had solidified his belief in the potential of his unique method of creating beast-tamers.

The creatures of Pangea had decent potential and they had increased resistance to the abyss. He wasn't content to stop at Ferrin, the director and Gabriel. If he wanted to protect himself, his family, and those he cared about, he needed more than just a handful of allies. He needed a powerful organization full of talents—a network of individuals who were not only strong but utterly devoted to him.

The thought lingered in his mind as he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. If I'm strong enough—if I have enough powerful subordinates—then I'll have nothing to fear.

Not the Abyss. Not even the Order if they do decide to try and exploit him and his contracts against his will.

But the challenge was finding the right people. The amount of energy used by Pangea to purify corruption was limited and regenerated at a slow rate, and the secret had to remain closely guarded. He couldn't afford to recruit just anyone. He needed individuals who were competent, loyal, and had a reason to be fiercely dedicated to him.

Based on his current calculations, Kain determined that Pangea could currently purify around 17 more individuals at the same time if all infected, for a total of 20, without affecting the lives on the planet.

However, as his strength increased, he knew that this number could increase drastically.

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Kain's thoughts turned to some the criteria he planned to use when recruiting. Above all the requirements for their personality were above all else. Regardless of how talented they were, they were useless if they were not loyal to him.

Additionally, people who were desperate, for whatever reason, to become beast-tamers should be prioritized, rather than just people that were already content with their lives and becoming a beast-tamer would just be a cherry on top of their already decent lives. These were the kind of people who would value the opportunity he offered and remain loyal out of gratitude and necessity. But finding them wouldn't be easy. He couldn't just walk up to strangers and ask if they wanted to become beast-tamers and how badly they wanted it.

This whole plan would take time and couldn't be rushed.

For now, Kain decided to focus on his immediate responsibilities.

The re-ranking at Dark Moon College had been canceled due to the ongoing chaos in the Empire, so he remained in the top five. This gave him access to valuable resources and privileges, but it also meant he had to maintain his performance. He threw himself back into his studies, having fallen behind in several classes, and focused on balancing his academic responsibilities with his work as an evolutionary planner. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

Since he discovered the new evolutionary forms for the Silkworm pathway, his reputation continued to grow, and he found himself taking on even more high-profile clients. Although exhausted, he knew the benefits of expanding his network, especially if he wanted to build his own organization—it also helped that the compensation they provided to him for relatively menial tasks was ridiculously high…

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Kain sat in the opulent sitting room of Lord Alaric Veylen, a nobleman whose family had once been among the most influential in Dark Moon City.

The Veylen family had a long and prestigious history, their ancestors having played a key role in the city's founding centuries ago and had even held important positions in Dark Moon College long ago.

They had once boasted several high-level beast-tamers, including an 8-star beast-tamer at their prime. But those days were long gone. The family had fallen into decline, their power waning with each generation. Now, the strongest among them was Lord Alaric himself, a 5-star beast-tamer whose skills and affinity were mediocre at best.

The room itself was a testament to the family's faded glory. The walls were adorned with gaudy tapestries depicting the Veylen family's past triumphs, their colors faded and threads frayed.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light reflecting off the gold-leafed furniture and marble floors. The decor was ostentatious, a desperate attempt to cling to the grandeur of a long-gone era. Kain couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for the man sitting across from him. The decline of their family seemed irreversible, and yet he used all kinds of methods to seemingly try and show others that they had not declined—such as hiring Kain at a ridiculously high price.

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Lord Alaric Veylen was a large man, his rotund frame barely contained by the finely tailored suit he wore. His face was round and flushed, his jowls quivering slightly as he spoke—which he did a lot of: about his family, about himself, about Kain…

His thinning hair was slicked back with an excessive amount of oil, and his fingers were adorned with rings that sparkled with gemstones of every color. Despite his unattractive appearance, there was a certain charm to his demeanor—a mix of arrogance and flattery that made it hard to dislike him entirely.

"Ah, Kain, my boy!" Lord Alaric boomed, his voice echoing through the room. "It's an honor to have you here. Truly, an honor. I've heard so much about your work. You're quite the prodigy, aren't you?"

Kain smiled politely, though he couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable under the man's intense gaze. "Thank you, Lord Veylen. I'm just doing my best to help the Empire where I can."

"Modest too!" Lord Alaric laughed, his belly jiggling with the effort. "A rare quality in someone so talented. But enough flattery—let's get down to business, shall we?"

Kain nodded, pulling out a notebook and pen. "Of course. You mentioned you wanted me to optimize the evolutionary plan for your spiritual creature. I have the plan right here…"

The task this time was a relatively simple request.

Honestly, any professional beast-tamer could have probably completed the task, but the man was insistent on Kain and offered several times the market price to get him.

Kain wasn't sure if he just wanted to meet the young and famous evolutionary planner, or if as a prideful nobleman he insisted on having 'the best' for even the most simple of tasks. But Kain wasn't complaining…It took him less than an hour to earn the amount of completing 10 similar requests.

Quickly leaving the manor and shaking off Lord Alaric's desperate attempts to keep him, Kain left the manor and stepped out into the bustling streets of Dark Moon City, however, he felt an odd sensation—a prickling at the back of his neck, as if he were being watched.

Kain paused, his senses sharpening as he scanned the area. The street was crowded, filled with merchants, students, and beast-tamers going about their day. But amidst the chaos, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him with hostile intent. His gaze swept over the crowd, searching for anything out of the ordinary, but he saw nothing.

Still, the sensation lingered. Kain's instincts told him to be cautious.

He activated Threads of Destiny, his spiritual skill allowing him to sense the faint traces of energy around him. As Kain's proficiency in the skill grew, he picked up more details from the threads. There was something unusual—a flicker of resentment, a spark of anger—but it was too faint to pinpoint.

Intrigued, Kain decided to investigate. He moved through the crowd, his movements casual but deliberate, as he tried to trace the source of the hostile gaze. Whoever it was, they were skilled at staying hidden. But Kain wasn't one to give up easily.

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Kain's first attempt to draw out the owner of the hostile gaze was subtle.

He wandered through the bustling streets of Dark Moon City, his movements seemingly casual, pausing every so often to browse through shops or watch street performers—but he was always on guard against his surroundings.

He stopped at a market stall selling exotic fruits, running his fingers over the vibrant produce, pretending to consider a purchase while subtly adjusting his angle to scan the street behind him.

The prickling sensation at the back of his neck persisted, but the source remained elusive. Whoever was watching him was skilled and constantly remained within the busiest areas. As a result, Kain couldn't easily place who was following him. Even with his heightened awareness and trained instincts, there were too many moving figures and too many distractions.

Moreover, although Bea had recovered, she still wasn't fully back to her original strength and couldn't help him with this. But even if she was fully recovered the help she could provide would be limited. After all, in one of the most powerful cities of the Empire, and one of the more densely populated cities for beast-tamers, Kain didn't have confidence in controlling a large proportion of the crowd undetected. And if he was detected it's likely be construed as a terrorist attack and even his current status likely wouldn't be enough for him to escape harsh punishment.

Therefore, Kain was forced to use only the most mundane of methods to draw out his stalker.

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Next, Kain decided to visit a popular teahouse, a place frequented by students and low-level beast-tamers. He took his time selecting a table, choosing one with a clear vantage point of both the entrance and the busiest walkways. He took a seat by the window, sipping on a cup of fragrant tea while keeping an eye on the entrance. The hostile gaze seemed to intensify, but still, he saw no one suspicious. Frustrated but undeterred, Kain finished his drink and pastry, and then left the teahouse and made his way to the city's central plaza, where street performers entertained crowds with dazzling displays of spiritual energy.

As he watched someone that seemed to have awakened a gift related to fire conjure flames into the shape of a dragon, Kain felt the hostile gaze again, stronger this time. He turned sharply, scanning the crowd, but once more, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. The person was like a shadow, always just out of reach.

Determined to draw out his stalker, Kain decided to revisit Lord Alaric Veylen's manor the next day. After all, the source of his hostility was likely related to the nobleman, and so getting the stalker more agitated and angry may make them slip up. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire

Kain arrived unannounced, much to Lord Alaric's delight.

"Kain, my boy!" Lord Alaric exclaimed, his jowls quivering with excitement. "What a pleasant surprise! To what do I owe the honor of your return?"

Kain smiled politely. "I realized I forgot to discuss a few details about your contracts evolutionary plan. I thought it would be best to address them in person."

Lord Alaric's eyes lit up, and he ushered Kain inside with a flourish. "Of course, of course! Anything for my esteemed guest. Come, let's have some tea while we talk."

As they sat in the gaudy sitting room, Lord Alaric once again launched into a lengthy monologue about his family's history, their contributions to the city, and their once-glorious status.

Kain nodded along, feigning interest while keeping his senses attuned to the outside of the mansion. He also had some of the Vespid guards hiding in discrete locations, watching from the rooftops and alleyways, their eyes tracking every movement outside the manor.

When Kain finally left, he made sure to pull out a small wooden box from his coat, letting the sunlight catch the polished surface before tucking it away as if it contained something valuable. He made no attempt to conceal the gesture—it was meant to be seen.

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When Kain finally left, the hostility was palpable. He could feel the weight of the gaze pressing down on him, more intense than before. It was as if his stalker was growing bolder—or more desperate.

Kain had to admit that he was having quite a lot of fun. One would think that having a hostile, undetectable presence following him would be a nerve-wracking experience. However, through the Threads of Destiny, Kain could vaguely sense that there were no threats to his life and the owner of the gaze was even much weaker than him.

Unfortunately, whoever was stalking him always remained outside the limits of the spiritual skill and may even possess profound methods of combatting methods of counter-tracking, and the appearance of the threads would get fuzzy and less distinguishable the further they moved away from Kain. Even with the skill's growing proficiency, there were too many uncertainties. He needed the target to come much closer.

Kain's next move was to set a trap. After leaving the manor, he made his way to a secluded park on the outskirts of the city, a place where the streets were quieter and the crowds thinner. As he walked along a tree-lined path, he activated Threads of Destiny, weaving a subtle web of spiritual energy around him. The skill allowed him to sense the faintest traces of movement and intent, and he used it to create an invisible net that would alert him the moment his stalker stepped into it.

To further lower their guard, Kain sat on a bench beneath a large oak tree, flipping open a book. He allowed his head to droop slightly, his posture relaxing just enough to make it seem like he was dozing off. The small wooden box he'd created as bait, now placed beside him on the bench, was positioned just carelessly enough to tempt a closer look.

The minutes ticked by, and just as Kain began to wonder if his plan to provoke the opponent's emotions had failed, he felt it—a faint ripple in the web of energy he had created. Someone was approaching, their movements cautious but deliberate.

Kain remained still, his breathing slow and even, mimicking the shallow rhythm of sleep as he waited for the right moment. The hostile gaze was almost overwhelming now, and he could feel the person's presence drawing closer. Finally, when they were just a few feet away, Kain sprang into action.

Now that a single target had been identified and lured away from the dense crowds, Bea could display the full extent of her abilities. Though still weakened, she could manage this much—capturing one ordinary person was nothing compared to controlling and reading the thoughts of dozens in a chaotic crowd.

After Kain conveyed that there was an 'unwelcome guest' lurking in the bushes to his left, dozens of barely visible threads extended from her and disappeared into the foliage.

After a brief rustling where it seemed as though the target was attempting to avoid or resist the attack, the surroundings returned to quiet.

Kain immediately let out a smirk after receiving the confirmation of control from Bea.

"Gotcha."

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Kain had Bea control the stalker and bring him to a secluded area of the park, far from the walking paths and surrounded by thick vegetation. It was an ideal location—no one would see or hear them here.

When Kain arrived, he finally got a good look at the man who had been tailing him.

At Kain's silent command, Bea gradually released her influence. The man staggered back, blinking rapidly, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he regained awareness.

His expression immediately hardened.

The man was in his late twenties, with a muscular build that spoke of years of physical training. A faint scar ran from his left temple to his jawline, giving his rugged features an even sharper edge. His clothes were simple but well-worn—the kind favoured by mercenaries or labourers who valued practicality over style.

Yet, despite his imposing physique, there was no trace of spiritual power in him.

Kain frowned slightly. An ordinary man. And yet, this ordinary man had managed to evade him for hours—possibly days. Even some trained beast-tamers would have struggled to keep their presence hidden from him and his contracts.

That meant he was either highly skilled in tracking and counter-tracking or had help.

The man's eyes darted around the clearing, taking in the dense walls of trees and the man-sized giant wasps hovering in every direction to prevent his escape.

His breathing was ragged, his hands clenched into fists as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. One moment, he had been following his target and the next, he was here, standing face-to-face with the very person he had been stalking.

"What did you do…why did you suddenly…?" the man demanded, his voice low and tense. There was a flicker of fear in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by defiance.

Kain crossed his arms, his expression calm but firm. "I could ask you something similar. You've been following me for days. Why?"

The man hesitated, his jaw tightening as he weighed his options. He glanced at Kain, then at the dozens of spiritual creatures encircling him, as if considering whether to make a run for it—after all, how strong could those bugs be? Even though he was an ordinary person, he'd killed spiritual creatures before.

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And this kid? He was young. Probably no stronger than a 2-star beast-tamer.

But something in Kain's demeanour—the quiet confidence, the unyielding gaze—made him think twice.

"I don't owe you an explanation," the man said finally, his voice tinged with bitterness. "You're just another beast-tamer, another cruel human who believes that just because they had a little luck to awaken an affinity they can control the lives and deaths of us ordinary people!"

Kain raised an eyebrow, his tone measured. "I don't have the patience to philosophize the unfairness of the world with you, I only want my questions answered. So let's try this again. Why were you following me?"

The man's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, it seemed like he might refuse to answer. But then he let out a frustrated sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine. You want to know why I was following you? It's because of him. That bastard Alaric."

Kain's expression didn't change, but inwardly, he was intrigued. He had sensed the man's hostility toward Lord Alaric when Bea had briefly taken control of his mind, but he wanted to hear the story from the man himself. "What about Lord Alaric?"

The man's face darkened, his hands trembling with suppressed anger. "That greedy, arrogant bastard… he's the reason my family is dead."

Kain remained silent, giving the man space to continue. The clearing was quiet, the only sound was the rustle of wind through the leaves and the man's heavy breathing.

"It was fifteen years ago," the man began, his voice low and filled with pain. "I was just a kid, barely thirteen. My family lived in a small house on the outskirts of the city. We weren't rich, but we were happy. My older sister… she was beautiful. Kind, smart, full of life. Everyone loved her."

His fists clenched. "Then he saw her."

He paused, his eyes distant as he relived the memory. "One day, she went to the core of the city to run an errand and came across Lord Alaric. He saw my sister and immediately decided he wanted her—not as a wife, not as a partner, but as a trophy. He offered my parents money, land, and anything they wanted in exchange for her. But they refused. They loved her too much to sell her off like some piece of property."

The man's voice grew harsher, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "But Lord Alaric didn't take no for an answer. He came back with his guards, demanding that my sister be handed over. When my parents still refused, he… he had them killed. Right in front of her."

Kain's expression softened, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. He could see the pain etched into the man's face, the raw emotion that had been festering for years.

"My sister… she couldn't take it," the man continued, his voice breaking. "She killed herself that night, rather than let that monster take her. And Lord Alaric… he didn't stop there. He ordered his men to burn our home to the ground. Everyone related to us—my other siblings, my neighbours, and nearby friends—they were all slaughtered. I only survived because I had gone to the butcher to try and bargain for some of his nicer cuts of meat. When I came back… there was nothing left."

The man's eyes were filled with tears now, but his voice was steady, fueled by a lifetime of anger and grief. "I've spent the last fifteen years planning my revenge. I've trained, I've studied, I've done everything I can to get close to him. Even if he's a 5-star beast-tamer, and I'm just an ordinary man…I will use my life to drag him to the grave with me!"

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Kain studied the man for a long moment, his mind racing.

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"What's your name?" Kain asked finally.

The man hesitated, then said, "Darius."

"Darius," Kain repeated, his tone thoughtful. "You've been carrying this burden for a long time. But throwing your life away won't change the past."

Darius's eyes flashed with anger. "What would you know about it? You're a beast-tamer, one of them. You don't understand what it's like to be powerless, to watch the people you love be taken from you."

Kain's expression hardened his voice firm. "You're wrong. I've lost people too. And I know what it's like to feel powerless." Kain recalled the horrible car accident caused by a drunk driver that killed his entire family in his past life. "But I also know that revenge alone won't give you peace. It won't make you whole," Kain continued. "You've spent fifteen years preparing to die for this. What if I told you there was another way?"

Darius eyed him warily. "What kind of way?"

Kain took a step closer. "You're skilled. You managed to evade me for days, and that's not something just anyone can do. You have talent. If you work with me, I can give you the power you need to take down Alaric. And not just him. Anyone who preys on the weak."

Darius's breath hitched. Hope flickered in his gaze before suspicion took over. "Impossible. I don't have an affinity."

Kain smirked. "That's not a problem."

Darius stared at him, then scoffed. "And what's the catch?"

"Loyalty," Kain said simply. "Absolute loyalty."

Darius stiffened. "Loyalty to what?"

"To me," Kain said. "I don't do charity. If I give you power, I expect you to use it wisely. No reckless vengeance. No wasted sacrifices."

Darius hesitated. And then—finally—he nodded. "Alright. But only on one condition."

"What's that?"

Darius met his gaze, his voice unwavering. "That loyalty only holds as long as it leads to taking down that bastard Alaric."

Kain's smirk widened. He extended a hand.

"Deal."

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