Biggest Pride to Biggest Regret

Like any ordinary day—aside from the raging war between the Azure Wood Family and the Nine Ice Family—the Sacred Dragon Kingdom remained silent and serene. No powerful clan or force had yet learned of the chaos that befell the Aurora Town; none had discovered that the youth once hailed as the most talented Adventurer in the entire history of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom was alive and had returned.

And none of them knew that with Finn's return, a catastrophe was now looming ever closer to the kingdom.

--

High above the skies, hidden behind layers of drifting clouds, an enormous bird could be seen soaring at tremendous speed. It was a Silver-tailed Sparrow, a Fifth Grade Vicious Beast whose strength rivaled that of a 9th Level Profound Rank Adventurer.

As its name implied, a long silver tail trailed elegantly behind it. Thick brown feathers covered its robust body, and its large beak radiated an imposing presence. It had razor-sharp talons and vast, outspread wings.

Its speed was so great it seemed capable of traversing from one city to the next within mere hours.

Atop its broad back stood two figures, one an elderly man, the other a young man.

The elder's hair and beard were a pure, snowy white. Deep lines marked the weathered skin of his face—a testament to a long life.

At his side was a young man with striking blue hair and a pair of equally blue eyes. One needed only a glance to glimpse the arrogance shimmering in that gaze.

His porcelain-like skin was almost too perfect, a handsomeness that set him apart, further accentuated by the green uniform he wore.

These two figures were none other than Brien and Morris, the leader of the Alchemist Association.

They were bound for the royal palace to pay a visit to the king of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. The king was grievously wounded, and all believed that only Morris—an Alchemy Master—held the means to fully heal him.

Morris had brought his disciple, Brien, to broaden the young man's understanding of such grave matters.

"Brien," Morris spoke gravely as the wind tore past them, "you must conduct yourself properly once we set foot in the palace. I let you behave as you please within the Alchemist Association since it is our domain, but there, before the king, Lord Helbram, and the ministers, you will show restraint. Many influential Adventurers will be present, each with the power to sway this entire kingdom."

Brien didn't turn his head. A smile touched his lips as he answered lightly, "Naturally, I understand that. Do you have so little faith in your own student, my most esteemed teacher?"

Though the words were polite, his tone carried no sincerity.

Morris could only sigh, forcing a weary smile.

"In all my years, I have accepted only two Alchemists as students—you, and Alicia. You two are the greatest pride of my life. I have always held my head high because of you," he said gently. Stretching out his palm, he summoned forth his orange alchemy flame. "You possess the rare Blue Alchemy Flame. For that alone, I am already proud. Soon, you will surpass me, and I am certain that one day you will ascend to the rank of Alchemy Grandmaster. It is not impossible you may even reach the title of alchemy legend, if you persevere and fortune favors you."

Emotion deepened his voice as the flame danced in his palm, twisting and swaying in the fierce currents of air.

Brien only looked at him and smiled broadly—a smile that concealed a scorn no one else could perceive.

"That day is already near, Teacher. Your student will become an alchemy grandmaster in only a few more years," Brien declared with a meaning only he knew.

Morris smiled faintly and turned his gaze to the clouds ahead. For a few breaths, silence hung between them, then he spoke again, voice tinged with regret:

"It is only a pity that the kingdom lost its most prodigious Alchemist... Finn Doria. I am certain he could have helped you develop further, especially with that book he claimed to possess about alchemy. If only we had secured that book before his death, the Alchemist Association would have reached even greater heights."

Sorrow laced his words as the memory of Finn resurfaced. He knew well the immense value of a high-quality alchemy flame, how essential it was for refining pills of the finest grade.

Finn's talent had been a treasure beyond measure, not only to the Association but to the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom.

The broad smile on Brien's lips vanished the instant Morris spoke Finn's name. His expression darkened, and his eyes grew cold with barely suppressed rage.

He was an Alchemist consumed by pride—he could not abide comparison, nor tolerate the idea of anyone standing above him.

He possessed the blue alchemy flame. In his eyes, he was the most talented alchemist in all the Ancestral Continent.

He cast an icy gaze down toward the earth below and spoke flatly, "He still died in the end. The dead are nothing but worthless trash. Perhaps his flame was extraordinary, but it no longer exists—so it has no value."

Morris turned and looked at him, sighing once more.

"But he was still a challenge to you, Brien. Fate only showed you that there is always someone higher, even in alchemy," he said with quiet admonition.

"Hmph! If there is anyone superior between the two of us, it is me—no one else!" Brien snapped. "How could that wretch ever compare to me, when he is nothing but a rotting corpse?"

Morris' expression darkened. His eyes grew sharp as blades as he stared the young man down.

"Watch your tone in my presence, Brien. Have you forgotten who you are speaking to? I am your teacher—you are my student," Morris said coldly.

Brien paused, then lowered his head, smiling softly. "Forgive me, Teacher."

Morris was about to nod when, without warning, a dreadful sense of danger swept over him.

A figure came hurtling from the clouds, striking with such speed it blurred from sight.

In the same heartbeat, Morris seized Brien and leaped from the Silver-tailed Sparrow's back.

CHIRPP!

BANG!

Their sudden evasion left the colossal bird exposed. The falling figure smashed into it with terrifying force, detonating an explosion and unleashing a harrowing shriek.

Morris' eyes flew wide as he and Brien plummeted toward the earth.

In the next instant, the great bird—his trusted companion for so many years—fell lifeless to the ground, its massive body streaked with blood.

THUD.

Its corpse struck the earth with finality.

Yet Morris dared not rush forward—for atop the sparrow's skull now stood a cloaked figure.

"Who are you?! Why have you attacked us?!" Morris roared, hatred burning in his chest.

His heart was pounding with rage and grief. His Silver-tailed Sparrow had nearly reached the threshold of Sixth Grade—Sky Rank. In one instant, it was dead, and all his hopes of raising it further had died with it.

Beside him, Brien only gazed emotionlessly at the cloaked intruder. There was no trace of fear in his blue eyes—even when facing a Sky Rank enemy.

"Surely you know who I am, Association Master Morris," the cloaked man called out with a laughing voice.

"K-know you…?" Morris asked, though fury still blazed in his eyes.

Then the stranger smiled and slowly pulled back his hood, revealing the face of a man in the prime of life—long purple hair, piercing eyes, and sword-shaped brows.

Recognition struck Morris like a blade. His expression twisted with dread. Still, he forced himself to meet the man's gaze.

"If I am not mistaken…you are the Sect Master of the Alchemy God Sect in the Crimson Blood Kingdom. Sect Master Morgan," he said hoarsely.

The man's grin widened. He met Morris' eyes unflinchingly. "You are correct. I am Morgan—an Alchemy Grandmaster."

"Hmph! What are you doing in our kingdom? Do you think the Royal Clan will let you leave alive when they learn you've trespassed here?" Morris demanded coldly.

Morgan threw back his head and let out a booming laugh. "Are you jesting, old man? Do you truly believe your third-rate kingdom can restrain me? What an amusing dream you have."

As his words ended, a suffocating aura erupted from his body.

Morris' heart lurched. His pupils contracted.

"5th Level Sky Rank! How—?!"

Despair clawed through him. He was but a 3rd Level Sky Rank—against this man, he could not win.

"Surprised?" Morgan mocked, seated calmly atop the corpse of the sparrow. "If your king were still healthy, our illustrious ruler might have hesitated to send me. But as things stand, there was no reason not to complete what we planned—to prevent you from healing your precious king."

Morris' face paled further. He knew—every word was true.

Aside from the king, no Adventurer in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom could match this man in battle.

"Planned…? What are you talking about?!" Morris demanded. His eyes narrowed to slits. "And how did you learn of our secret mission to the palace? Only Lord Helbram and the ministers knew!"

Morgan smirked. Slowly, he turned to Brien.

"Will you not reveal your true self to your dear teacher, Brien Latter?"

The words echoed in Morris' ears, each syllable striking like a hammer.

He froze. His feet would not obey him.

Brien stepped forward, smiling in quiet mockery.

"Forgive me…'Teacher'," he said softly.

"You…you traitor! How could you do this to me?!" Morris screamed, voice breaking.

Morgan's laughter pealed across the air. "Brien Latter is no traitor, old man. He was never one of you to begin with—he was born in the Crimson Blood Kingdom. You were so blinded by his flame you never questioned it. Tell me—did you truly think your kingdom could produce such a genius? Aside from Finn Doria—who is long dead—your pitiful kingdom has no future. Your own greed has brought about your ruin."

Morris' mind went blank.

All he could feel was regret—black and bottomless.

He raised his eyes, voice hoarse with fury. "You're right. I am the cause of my kingdom's downfall. But I will give my life to stop you!"

An overwhelming aura burst forth as Morris leapt skyward, a long spear appearing in his hand.

He streaked toward Morgan like a falling star.

"Hmph! Do you think yourself worthy of stopping us? How laughable," Morgan sneered.

He brandished a colossal axe and met Morris head-on.

CLANG!

BANG!

BANG!

A hurricane of power exploded between them. The impact tore ancient trees from the earth and split the land into jagged chasms.

Yet in moments, Morris was flung away, body bloodied.

Morgan did not relent. He shot after him, intending to end it in one strike—

—until another figure dove down in a blur.

Morgan halted midair, springing backward just as a golden-robed elder struck the ground, shattering it beneath him.

"Helbram Vildar?" Morgan said calmly, lips curling into a smile. "A 5th Level Sky Rank now. I see you came yourself to drag this old man back."

He chuckled. "Regardless, I've accomplished my mission. Your Alchemy Master is crippled—and will never heal your precious king. We have no reason to remain."

Laughing, Morgan and Brien vanished like a mirage.

Helbram exhaled slowly and looked upon Morris' unconscious, bleeding form.

"It was a grave mistake to take that youth as your student, Association Master Morris…"

--

On a plateau high in the mountains, a gathering of adventurers stood clad in black, sorrow etched upon their faces as they watched over fresh graves.

Hours passed, and one by one, they departed—until only a single young man remained.

Grief and fury mingled in his expression as he looked upon the resting places of the fallen.

Finn.

"I will not allow your lives to be wasted for nothing," he whispered, voice firm with conviction.

He closed his eyes, focusing every ounce of his will on summoning the Myriad World Mirror. Minutes passed before the rift finally opened—revealing the vast, hidden world of his treasures.

Finn stepped inside without hesitation, combing through the relics and riches in search of one thing.

According to Kurt's memories, there existed a rare pill capable of restoring severed limbs and healing grievous wounds.

He needed that pill—for his father, and for all those whose bodies had been maimed in this war.

As he searched, a tiny black creature suddenly appeared before him, clutching a ring.

It dropped it into his waiting hand and vanished as swiftly as it had come.

Finn blinked in surprise—then turned his attention to the ring.

When he probed its contents, shock dawned across his face.

The very pill he had been searching for was inside this interspatial ring!