The Most Talented in the Entire History of Sacred Dragon Kingdom

'5th Level Profound Rank!'

He wasn't a 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank—he was a 5th Level Profound Rank Adventurer!

Finn was finally allowing his true power to radiate across the battlefield, no longer concealing it from the eyes—or the trembling souls—of everyone present.

Just moments before, they had laughed at him, mocking his arrogance. But now, as the oppressive, bone-chilling aura crashed over them, no one could even steady their hands. Cold sweat slicked every forehead. Their knees threatened to buckle. Even the strongest among them instinctively tried to brace themselves with their own aura, but it was useless.

Terror was etched into every young face. Their skin prickled as though icy needles were driving into their flesh.

And Brien…

Brien felt a hollow, sick despair open in his gut.

The boy he'd faced…had been a Profound Rank adventurer all along.

He himself was no ordinary Scarlet Gold Rank, and yet he'd been defeated as easily as an insect.

Even if they fought again, with every secret technique unleashed, the result would be the same. He would lose.

It was a nightmare.

All their lives, they had trained, fought, swallowed Rank 1 soul-enhancing pills like cheap candy—just to stand here today. To prove they were geniuses.

But now, feeling this monstrous aura, they understood how futile it had all been.

Finn hadn't even reached eighteen—and he already stood at the threshold of power reserved for Core Elders of their factions.

A Profound Rank. At seventeen.

The strong were revered. The weak…trampled.

If Finn had continued hiding his strength, they would have all clung to their illusions, believing he was just a gifted Scarlet Gold Rank like themselves.

But now, that thin veil of self-importance was torn to shreds.

Some clenched their fists, nails biting into their palms. Others simply stared blankly at the ground. All their confidence, their pride—evaporated.

From this moment on, none of them could ever compare themselves to Finn.

In their clans, they were the golden children. Prodigies.

Before Finn…they were nothing. Mere insects he could squash with a flick of his hand. Small fish in an ocean too vast to comprehend.

Even Finn's allies—Ashe, Lore, Ezekias—were stunned speechless.

They had known he wasn't truly a 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank, but none of them had ever dreamed…this.

Lore felt an almost painful awe bloom in his chest.

He was glad—so glad—that he'd chosen to befriend Finn rather than resent him.

This was the greatest opportunity of his life, and he would treasure it.

Ashe's expression was more complicated.

Envy. Frustration. Admiration.

Yet beneath it all burned an unshakable determination.

It was too soon to give up.

She was still young. The world was vast. There were countless trials ahead.

Even if she could never eclipse Finn, she could still strive to stand at his side.

She would not let fear or jealousy define her.

All around them, others were breaking.

Some sank to the ground, unable to keep standing. Others just stared at their trembling hands.

The Seven Great Faction Games…?

What a joke.

If Finn had revealed his true power from the start, there would be no competition. No contest.

The Cloud Soaring Sect would have claimed victory the moment he stepped onto the field.

The whole point of the Games was to identify the greatest talents of the new generation—those who might one day become legends.

But with Finn standing here, that search was over.

Even the Sacred Dragon Family's prized prodigies were nothing beside him.

Minutes passed before anyone dared to speak or move.

At last, someone found their voice—a strangled, desperate scream.

"It's a nightmare! This has to be a nightmare!" Azur pointed a shaking finger. His eyes were wide, half-crazed. "I refuse to believe you're a Profound Rank! You came from a common clan—!"

"Hmph."

Finn's cold snort cut through the air like a blade.

He let his aura surge again—this time aimed squarely at Azur.

A thunderous crack split the air.

Azur was hurled backward like a ragdoll, body slamming into the ground so hard the stone fractured around him. Blood gushed from countless gashes.

He didn't even have time to scream before darkness swallowed him.

Someone bolted from the crowd to shove a recovery pill into his mouth.

The rest flinched back in terror.

Tiffanya was frozen. Her knees knocked together, and for the first time in her life, she felt the cold weight of absolute despair.

The Ice Sky Pathway…?

What was that compared to this?

Even if she reached the Sky Rank someday…Finn would be there too, standing higher still.

Five more years—no, perhaps fewer—and Finn would be the youngest Sky Rank adventurer in the kingdom's history.

"…So."

Finn let the last echoes of his aura fade to a simmering thrum.

His gaze swept across the circle of pale, stricken faces.

"Does anyone else still want to fight?"

He spread his hand, palm open.

"You're welcome to come at me one by one," he said softly. "Or all at once, if you think it will matter."

A shiver ran through the crowd.

One by one, they stumbled back, shaking their heads.

Some sank to their knees. Others dropped their weapons in silent surrender.

None dared answer him.

They all understood—no matter what tricks they had left, no matter how many of them banded together…

They would never defeat him.

A hundred Scarlet Gold Ranks could not touch him.

And he could end them all with a single gesture.

"…Finn Doria!"

A deep, resonant voice broke the heavy silence.

Heads snapped up.

From the skies above, the faction masters and Elders descended in a ripple of swirling robes and solemn power.

Noah's voice boomed across the ruined place.

"I cannot believe this day has come…to witness a youth who has reached the 5th Level Profound Rank!"

Noah landed lightly before Finn, Elder Marcus beside him.

Finn smiled, inclining his head.

"Sect Master Noah. Elder Marcus."

"HAHAHAHA!" Noah threw back his head in booming laughter.

"You are the pride of our Cloud Soaring Sect!" he declared. "No—the pride of the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom! None of your generation can rival your talent!"

He was genuinely overjoyed.

Even Marcus, normally so reserved, wore a rare, gentle smile.

Finn bowed again, voice calm.

"…Thank you for your praise. I was only fortunate enough to stumble upon an opportunity in this life."

Of course, the "opportunity" he spoke of was the fusing of the Myriad World Mirror and the system into his soul.

And the memories of Kurt—without which he might never have learned to wield that power, and would have been little more than a gifted alchemist.

While Finn spoke, another figure stepped forward—Morris of the Alchemist Association.

"So that's why," Morris said quietly. "That's why you could craft a Rank 5 soul-enhancing pill with such ease. I see now."

All this time, he'd half-believed it was the legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame alone…but knowing Finn's rank was Profound Rank explained everything.

Such monstrous talent—such an impossible combination of gifts—he'd never heard of it in any kingdom.

Finn only smiled, inclining his head again.

It was no great feat for him to create the Advance Scarlet Pill.

He possessed the Blue-Green Alchemy Flame. The 5th Level Profound Rank. The system. And Kurt's memories.

One by one, the other faction masters came forward, offering their praise.

All except the Ice Feather Sect.

Even Sheeha was too stunned to speak.

She felt danger prickling down her spine.

Everyone knew of the animosity between Finn and the Nine Ice Family—and Tiffanya was of that bloodline.

If Finn ever chose to settle that score…Sheeha knew she would be forced to stand in his way.

But how?

Right now, it was impossible to imagine.

She clenched her fists, a cold ache behind her eyes.

While the others crowded around Finn, offering compliments and strained smiles, he only bowed politely, smiling in return.

No matter how high he rose, he would always offer respect to those who deserved it.

Even if he was now a power none of them could contain.

"…I never dreamed I would see the day," Netero of the Burning Heaven Sect said softly. His eyes were full of something almost like grief. "At twenty-five, I reached Profound Rank. But you…you haven't even turned eighteen."

He shook his head.

"The Cloud Soaring Sect—and your clan—are truly blessed."

Several others nodded solemnly, unable to disagree.

Selena's gaze was warm and grave all at once.

"Even in the First-rate Kingdoms," she said quietly, "your talent would be extraordinary. If our kingdom were filled with young adventurers like you…we would never be called 'third-rate.'"

A hush fell over them all.

They knew she was right.

The Sacred Dragon Kingdom was weak—impoverished of skills, of resources, of legacy.

And yet here stood a youth who defied every limitation.

As the quiet stretched on, a ragged, hoarse voice suddenly shattered it.

It came from Brien—still half-collapsed, face pale with exhaustion and bitter hate.

"…5th Level Profound Rank," he rasped. "And from an Ordinary Clan… Are none of you the least bit suspicious, you so-called Elders? Tell me—how does a peasant boy reach this power?"