Leo woke in the heart of the mountains and slowly sat up, his gaze sweeping across the devastation around him. Entire ridges were split apart, fields scorched and torn open, the land itself bearing the scars of a battle far beyond mortal scale. He drew a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling in his chest.
This time, it had truly been dangerous. He had come closer to death than ever before.
Yet beneath him, life pulsed softly. Vines crept through cracked stone, grass pushed through scorched earth, and warm mana flowed steadily into his body. He recognized it immediately, it was Ilandra's power, quietly restoring what should not have survived.
A small smile touched his lips.
Closing his eyes, Leo shifted his consciousness into his domain. In an instant, the ruined mountains vanished, replaced by the familiar calm of white space and flowing mana. He appeared beside Elna and Ilandra.
The moment Elna saw him, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Her grip trembled, as if letting go would make him disappear again.
"I was worried," she whispered, tears sliding down her cheek.
Leo held her just as firmly, resting his chin lightly against her head. "Sorry to make you worry," he said quietly. Then he looked up at Ilandra. "Thank you for saving me."
Ilandra returned his gaze with a gentle smile. "You still have a long path ahead of you," she said. After a brief pause, her expression grew thoughtful. "You may not yet have the mana to do everything you want, but your potential is already limitless. In terms of authority and capability, you are standing at S3. What you lack is refinement, mana capacity and control."
Leo nodded slowly. "It's not just that," he said, lost in thought. "When I try to create something that isn't fully aligned with my paths, the mana cost increases drastically. It feels like I still don't fully understand the shape of the soul."
Elna glanced to the side, her expression softening as she looked at Katrine's unconscious form. "What should we do with her?"
"We'll take her to the capital," Leo replied calmly. "I'll ask my master to watch over her for now."
With a gesture, a portal opened before them, light swirling quietly within it.
"Let's go," Leo said.
Together, they stepped through the portal, leaving the battlefield, and its echoes, behind.
…
In the Northern Kingdom, Arthur chose to wait a full day before making any move against the enemy. The changes within his domain still felt fresh, unfamiliar, and he didn't want instability to interfere once battle began. Only after careful observation, when his mana flow settled and his control felt steady again, did he decide it was safe to proceed.
With that certainty, they resumed their plan.
From a distance, they shadowed the Northern Kingdom's army as it advanced toward a wide, open field, a place clearly chosen for a large-scale confrontation. The enemy forces were already forming ranks, preparing to clash with the army of Count Errenor Daradia. The scale of the battlefield alone made it clear that this would not be a minor engagement.
Arthur observed the enemy through divination while Briva maintained constant visual tracking. Thousands of soldiers filled the field, supported by a significant number of A-rank fighters. Several stood out immediately, individuals whose presence felt heavier, stronger, hovering near A4 or even A5. Their commander was undoubtedly A5, and based on Arthur's readings, the man wasn't just a warrior. He wielded elemental power as well, making him far more dangerous than a simple frontline fighter.
Briva confirmed additional details through Ashen's eyes. The opposing army was fully prepared, with Ryan, Edgarth, and several other A-ranks positioned at the front, clearly intended to break the enemy's momentum once the battle began.
Arthur considered his options carefully. Even as an S1, charging in alone would be reckless. He could destroy the army by himself, but only after days of preparation, layered traps, and careful manipulation of the battlefield. That kind of delay wasn't an option here.
Instead, he chose patience.
The plan was simple and effective, let the battle begin, allow both sides to commit their forces, and then strike from the shadows. An ambush would yield far greater results.
Until that moment came, they stayed hidden.
Arthur used the little time they had to train Marco. reminding him that survival on a battlefield like this depended not on strength alone, but on awareness, timing, and restraint.
…
In Flesa City, Luciana chose to remain in Liam's house for the night. The recent changes within her domain still felt unstable, and she didn't want to risk losing control while traveling. Only the next morning, after confirming that her mana flow had settled and her power responded normally, did she decide it was safe to leave.
Together with Liam, she prepared for the journey to the capital.
As they walked through the city streets, Luciana quickly noticed how much Flesa had changed overnight. Large posters announcing an upcoming speech by the city's bishop were plastered on walls, taverns, and market stalls. In open squares and along main roads, preachers stood atop crates and stone steps, loudly retelling the events in the capital, how the God of Light had betrayed humanity, how the pope had sacrificed himself to save the people, and how a new divine being had appeared to banish the false god before he could slaughter the city.
Illusionists and diviners stood beside the preachers, shaping glowing images in the air or projecting miniature scenes onto the ground. The demonstrations made the stories feel real, as if the events were unfolding again in front of the crowd, only on a smaller scale.
At the same time, paladins moved quickly through the streets, splitting into squads and heading in different directions. They were clearly trying to suppress any remaining followers of the God of Light before unrest could spread further.
Taking in the scene, Luciana and Liam wasted no time. They hired the fastest carriage they could find and set out immediately, leaving Flesa behind as they began their journey toward the capital.
…
Unlike their journey to Raiwood, which had taken only a single day, the return trip dragged on far longer. Leo's body still carried the weight of his battle. Even when he rested, a dull ache lingered in his bones, and his mana responded sluggishly whenever he tried to use it. Pushing himself too hard now would only risk permanent damage.
They traveled cautiously, stopping often. Elna kept a close watch on him, insisting on rest whenever his breathing grew uneven or his focus slipped. The land below them slowly changed from broken stone and scorched earth back into familiar desert, but Leo barely noticed. His thoughts kept circling back to the fight, how close death had truly come.
By the third day, the fog inside his body finally began to lift. His mana channels steadied, the strain in his chest eased, and the constant pressure behind his eyes faded. Though he was far from fully recovered, it was enough. They took to the air again, flying the rest of the way at a measured pace.
On the fourth day, the capital came into view.
Leo went straight to his master's residence. The moment they arrived, he brought out Katrine from his domain. Her body emerged gently, still unconscious, her breathing shallow but steady. Leo placed her carefully into Alexia's care before recounting everything that had happened, Raiwood's fall, the clash of domains, the woman who wielded divination, and the authority that had nearly crushed him.
Alexia listened in silence, her eyes sharp, missing nothing. When he finished, the room grew quiet. She remained still for several long moments, lost in thought, before finally lifting her gaze.
"That woman is probably still alive," she said.
Leo stiffened. "How do you know?"
"She spoke of preparation," Alexia replied calmly. "People who reach S-rank rarely leave their survival to chance. Those who walk necromancy or divination paths are especially difficult to kill. They always plan for defeat."
Elna's expression tightened. "Then… could she be influencing things already?"
Alexia shook her head. "No. Not now. The damage she took will force her into hiding for at least a few months." Her eyes shifted back to Leo, assessing him just as critically. "The same applies to you. Your soul is stable, but your reserves are strained. Another battle like that would break you."
Leo exhaled, some tension finally leaving his shoulders. "Then I'll stay out of trouble," he said with a faint smile. "At least for a while."
After a bit more discussion, Alexia dismissed them. Leo and Elna were shown to one of the rooms deeper inside the residence.
That night, they rested.
…
The next day Leo and Elna started their journey toward the south. As the teleport towers were fewer in that direction, it would take them nearly a week to reach the city Arestin, so they didn't waste any time.
They left the capital early, passing through its outer districts while the streets were still quiet. The tension that had gripped the city after the orcs attack had not fully faded, but life was moving forward. Merchants opened their stalls, guards changed shifts, and travelers gathered at the gates, all pretending, consciously or not, that the world was still stable.
Once beyond the walls, the landscape slowly widened. Paved roads turned into packed dirt paths, bordered by fields and low hills. Leo kept their pace steady, careful not to strain himself. Though his body felt far better than it had days ago, he could still sense the lingering fatigue deep within his mana core, like embers that hadn't fully cooled.
Elna noticed, as she always did, and matched her steps to his without comment. They spoke little during the first hours, content with the quiet rhythm of travel. The air was cool, the sky clear, and for a rare moment, nothing demanded Leo's attention, no pressure on his soul, no distant threats brushing against his domain.
By midday, they stopped near a stream to rest. Elna prepared a simple meal while Leo sat on a rock, letting the sound of flowing water calm his thoughts. He circulated mana slowly, focusing not on power but on balance, something Alexia had emphasized countless times. Strength meant nothing if it tore its wielder apart.
They resumed their journey in the afternoon, sharing small conversations as the road stretched onward. Elna talked about places she had passed through when she was with Timon, towns known for trade or quiet farming villages untouched by larger conflicts. Leo listened, occasionally adding a comment, appreciating the normalcy of it all.
At night, they camped beneath the open sky. Leo set light protective enchantments, nothing complex, just enough to warn them if something approached. Elna gathered firewood, and soon a small flame flickered between them, chasing away the darkness. They ate, rested, and watched the stars emerge one by one.
The following days passed in much the same way. Roads curved through forests and plains, sometimes crossing other travelers, sometimes alone for hours at a time. They stayed at small inns when possible, choosing simple rooms and avoiding attention.
With each passing day, his condition improved. His steps grew lighter, his focus sharper. The quiet journey allowed his body and soul to realign, something no amount of forced rest could have achieved within the capital's walls.
By the end of the week, the air began to change. The land grew warmer, the roads more traveled, and distant signs of a larger city slowly appeared, stone markers, patrol posts, and caravans heading north.
The city Arestin was still ahead, but no longer far.
For now, Leo allowed himself to simply walk forward, knowing that this calm would not last forever, but grateful that, for the moment, it existed.