In the arena where team-based matches were held, the referee's voice rang out, mingling with the cheers of the crowd. His tone—a blend of excitement from the preceding battles and a subtle, hidden tension—announced the start of the next round with both fervor and a sense of awe, echoing across the stands:
"In the sixth round, we have the 'Midnight Beasts'—led by Grey de Molière—facing off against the 'Cannibals,' led by William Falcona! Let the sixth round begin!"
The gazes of everyone present were filled with trepidation as they looked toward the team making its debut in this competition. The members of the 'Midnight Beasts' were truly beasts, living up to their name: Grey and Roichi, both descendants of the hero who fought the Demon King a thousand years ago, possessed a level of talent that emerges only once every millennium. Despite being under the age of fifteen, they had already attained the rank of Magister (XX).
Furthermore, there was Lucy Kathali—daughter of the magic master Balgord Kathali—who held a pact with the Ruler of Time. She stood among the most gifted human beings of all. Having transitioned from the rank of Magister to that of a Saint, reaching the rank of Legend by the age of twenty was nothing short of a miracle. Yet, her ascent to the rank of Legend—and beyond—transcends mere miracles; it is as if she has been reincarnated, slowly reclaiming her former power. She is now capable of wielding *Konwa* on a massive scale. The source of this surge in strength is staggering: mana had long been dammed up within her heart, but once the underlying issue was resolved, energy poured forth like a raging sea. By harnessing the power of the "Ruler of Time," she managed to temper this turbulent torrent—not by simply calming it, but by manipulating the very concept of time to decelerate the flow of energy itself. That she is also a seasoned master of the blade makes her feat all the more astonishing.
Then there is Beatrice, granddaughter of the former Magic Emperor Boswal and one of the greatest mages to ever live. Her achievements span the realms of magic, mana refinement, and *Qi*. She amassed a vast collection of texts detailing the secrets of mana and *Qi*—guides on advancing one's cultivation, as well as interpretations of ancient manuscripts, incantations, and inscriptions long consigned to the "River of Oblivion"—a void that consumes all who fall into it, erasing them from memory and existence. Perhaps her most extraordinary gift—a talent, arguably, the likes of which humanity has never before witnessed—is her perfect mastery over the energies of the "Rulers of Matter and Void." Such a feat is considered all but impossible. Some whisper that she was born from the essence of a fractured world; destined to be a demon, she emerged instead in a state of such purity that she took the form of an angel—a double-edged blade, both divine and formidable. Prevka is a seasoned psychologist. It is said that, from a young age, she was conditioned to manipulate and exert control over the minds of the dangerously deranged. After enduring years of torment, she managed to escape. It is rumored that the "Ruler of Love"—captivated by her twisted, malevolent nature—recruited her; some even suggest their bond resembles that of a mother and daughter, or a mentor and her protégé.
The final member of this group is Yuta Caseral—also known as Yuto, "Bo," or simply "The Architect." Though he goes by many names, he is one and the same: cherished by those close to him, feared by his enemies, and revered by his followers—and by all who truly know his identity. His origins remain a mystery; he is defined solely by his objectives. He forged a pact with the ruler of the realm simply because he willed it; he established the "Blood Moon Assassins" because he desired it; he orchestrated the assassination of Lucy during the academy's examination—tearing out her heart—simply because he chose to. He had a hand in everything that transpired. He was like a king operating from behind the curtain—a fisherman who casts his bait, waits for the fish to fight over it, and then snares the victor—the one who devours the lure, believing it to be a precious treasure, only to discover it is a lethal poison disguised as a prize. Such was Yuta Caseral. He kept his interventions and schemes hidden, making events appear entirely ordinary—leaving even the reader to wonder whether or not he had a hand in them. To his loved ones, he appeared a hero; to his enemies, a demon; and to his followers, a king and absolute ruler. He fought like a lone wolf. His violet eyes were devoid of any genuine emotion, gazing at everyone just as others gazed at him—with the same indifference one might show toward someone they love or hate. It was impossible to tell whether it was love or hatred; you couldn't even discern if his intent to kill you stemmed from a desire for revenge, pure animosity, or simply a whim to take your life.
There is something peculiar about living within a world one has constructed entirely in one's own imagination. While foreknowledge could serve as a weapon, its utility would be short-lived. He chose not to interfere with the unfolding narrative; the events were taking place in the capital of the human empire in the East, while he remained in the West—not out of fear of the "butterfly effect," but because, aside from Goku, there was simply nothing worth intervening in.
Nevertheless, the team known as the "Midnight Monsters" was composed of literal monsters—each one a beast in their own respective field:
Mana: Beatrice Azwasen.
Magic Duelist: Lucy Kathali.
Combat Duelist: Greyi Rōichi de Molière.
Psychic Manipulation: Privka.
Observer of Events: Yuta Caseral.
The referee's voice boomed, announcing the first round with great enthusiasm. The opening matches were to be individual duels between the team leaders: "The first round features the 'Skull-Crusher'—a pinnacle among countless talents—William Falcona, facing off against the descendant of the First Hero, a talent as rare as oxygen in the vacuum of space: Greyi de Molière!" Grey and William—the latter appearing to be in his forties and holding the rank of "semi-ruler"—made their way toward the arena with steady, powerful strides. A burning desire for victory blazed in their eyes: Grey sought to defeat the pinnacle of talent, while William aimed to vanquish a descendant of the "Hero"—seeking vengeance against a member of the same family as Grey, who had defeated him years prior.
William had been a student of a renowned master, long since deceased. As for Grey, he held the rank of "Magister"—a status achieved, in part, through access to a private training chamber. Each noble family possesses such a chamber, a space existing in a reality separate from the outside world, where a single hour spent inside equates to hundreds of years. This is why the scions of noble houses typically surpass the "S" rank. However, attaining the rank of "Legend"—or anything beyond—requires absolute, innate talent or a divine blessing. Certain families—such as the De Molière, Kethali, Ozarsen, and Guilford clans—are said to have been blessed by an enigmatic entity of unknown origin; a being rumored to be immeasurably more powerful than the very rulers of this world, at least according to ancient legends and dusty tomes.namely, his uncle Reinhardt. (He had hoped to face Ruichi, given that Reinhardt de Moliar was his father, but luck was not on his side; the rules strictly prohibited the leaders of the combat groups from facing one another in the opening rounds.)
His defeat at the hands of Reinhardt thirty-five years ago had been, in every sense of the word, humiliating. Yet, he felt no anger—he was, in fact, pleased. After all, Reinhardt was one of the most formidable beings in existence, ranking first among humans, and placing within the top five overall—a list that encompasses the Demon Kingdom, the dragons, and both the Upper and Lower Worlds (according to the current global consensus). William held high expectations for the son of the first human to ever attain the rank of "Master of Rulers." The five most powerful entities in this world were: the Dragon King (Master of Rulers), the Ruler of the Lower World (Master of Rulers), Reinhardt de Moliar (Master of Rulers), the Demon King Mlayder (Master of Rulers), and the World Observer, Kazlen (...).
The Dragon King's placement—fifth on the list—was due to several factors. Reinhardt, for instance, possessed the blessing of a legendary entity, in addition to being a descendant of the most powerful human in history—a figure whose fate remains a subject of debate, with some claiming he still lives, while others insist he perished a thousand years ago. As for the Demon King, his standing was attributed to his ability to manipulate space itself, combined with centuries of accumulated experience.
Returning to the matter at hand: Grey and William stood in the center of the arena, their gazes as sharp as the blades of swords. In a calm, resolute tone, William spoke: "Grey de Moliar—a scion of a lineage synonymous with heroism, a family that has produced the strongest human in every era. Truly, it is quite impressive." A faint smile appeared on Grey's face as he looked at him—flattery, indeed! William was attempting to flatter Grey to test his true mettle; most people would become arrogant or reckless when faced with such talk, but Grey was not one of them. Having been raised within the De Moliar family—a lineage that produces only the strongest—he was so accustomed to such praise and sycophancy that it no longer had any effect on him. "Let us begin the fight, William Falcona."
A broad smile spread across William's face as he gazed at Grey—a smile of genuine admiration. Without the slightest hesitation, he drew a colossal, two-meter-long double-bitted axe, its head as large as a bull's. Though it appeared immensely heavy, in the hands of William—who stood nearly three meters tall, with a physique equivalent to two average-sized men—it seemed as light as a feather.
Grey drew his slender sword—a standard-sized, double-edged blade, engraved with a charcoal-black dragon that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. A pale green aura emanated from it, reminiscent of imperial green jade—one of the rarest and finest varieties. On the other side, William was enveloped in an overwhelming blue aura. Both men wore wide grins, filled with a mix of intense excitement and the daunting challenge of breaching an insurmountable barrier: the act of offending a member of the De Moliar family. And William, notably, bore the moniker "The Talent-Slayer."
The referee's voice rang out, signaling the start of the first round: "Ready... Begin!" Immediately afterward, both Grey and William vanished into thin air, maintaining a safe distance of six meters from one another. Each sought to discern the other's movements and identify any openings—yet neither presented a single flaw, rendering the search entirely futile. Consequently, they began attempting to force openings themselves. To simply wait for an opening to appear would have been as hopeless as trying to find a living bacterium in a concentrated acid solution. Their speed was terrifying; for individuals outside the nobility—lacking the inherent privileges of the high-born—to reach the rank of "Semi-Ruler" in their forties was truly remarkable. Most fighters of noble lineage and natural talent, at William's age, would still be at rank S or even lower. (For context, Thom reached the rank of Semi-Ruler at the age of 500—human lifespans extend with each rank attained, and upon reaching rank SSS, one's youth is restored; Thom was 1,000 years old when he finally ascended to the rank of Supreme Holy Ruler.)
Reinhardt, by comparison, reached this rank at only 300 years of age and was hailed as the "talent of the century"—yet the prodigies of this current generation defied logic itself! As for Grey and William, they traded sword strikes with masterful skill; it was a clash between raw talent and the seasoned experience of over 600 years of combat and war—a true battle of honor.
Grey maneuvered to parry William's strikes, executing the movements with such finesse that he attempted to pull away by several meters. But William had anticipated this—in fact, he had coerced Grey into making that very move—and delivered a strike to his midsection that sent him flying! William's gaze shifted to an expression of surprise, triggered by something he noticed on Grey's middle finger—a ring that appeared ordinary, yet stirred a deep sense of suspicion within him. Shaking off the thought, William advanced toward Grey, channeling earth magic to encase his body in a protective shell of rock.
Meanwhile, Grey adjusted his stance, struggling to regain his balance and avoid falling out of the arena. As his foot touched the ground, a jade-green armor began to manifest around him, forming an exquisite suit of protection. He then lunged toward William, the two colliding with immense force. In a calm, steady voice, each announced their technique:
Grey: "Art of the Ten Kings, Fifth Form: The Unstoppable Slash." William: "Hell-Quaking Strike."
A solid layer of jade-green aura enveloped Grey's blade, while the dragon emblem etched into the sword emitted a faint red glow, amplifying its destructive power. As for William, rocks gathered around the head of his double-bitted axe, laced with fissures of molten magma. The moment the two weapons met, a deafening explosion erupted—BOOM!
Dust billowed across the arena floor, leaving the onlookers stunned. It was a pure, unadulterated duel; neither combatant spoke a word—only their weapons did the talking, their exchange unfolding entirely through the clash of steel.
As the dust finally settled, William appeared relatively unscathed, though a small crack had appeared in a section of his armor. As for Grey, he had sustained injuries across his body; warm, red blood flowed from his mouth and head, yet a smile remained etched upon his face—a smile that radiated confidence in his eventual victory.
Raising his hands, that same confident smile still gracing his features, Grey declared with a tone brimming with enthusiasm and profound self-assurance: "I shall show you my true power, William Falcona!"
He then set about removing the ring from his finger—a difficult task, given the profuse bleeding from the digit. It was no ordinary ring; it was a seal, designed to suppress the manifestation of the power granted by that particular blessing.or the user's ability to wield it—a power that only truly evolves when the combatants are locked in a standoff.
A faint smile played on Ruichi's lips as he looked toward Grey, murmuring under his breath, "It seems you've finally become capable of wielding that power."
The moment Grey removed the ring, a surge of spiritual energy erupted from his entire body, shrouding him in a jade-green aura. His power spiked dramatically, leaving both the audience and the referee stunned—unlike William, whose expression remained calm, a subtle smile still gracing his face.
The referee spoke, his voice laced with astonishment: "What is happening here? What is this terrifying energy? Is this truly the power of the De Molière family? They are absolute monsters!"
The jade-green aura began to fracture, piece by piece, revealing a radically transformed Grey. His blue hair had shifted to a jade-green hue, and his sea-blue eyes had turned a pale, jade-like green—his appearance now perfectly mirroring the color of his aura. Behind his back hovered a massive disc, emblazoned with the image of a beautiful woman wearing a black veil that obscured her face; her hands were clasped together, as if in prayer.
Grey's current strength was on par with a fighter at the "Beginner Ruler" level. However, this power came with a strict limitation: it could only be sustained for half an hour, after which he would lose consciousness for several hours.
William began to applaud enthusiastically, watching Grey as he hovered a few inches above the ground. "It appears that every member of the De Molière family is truly this formidable." As soon as he uttered these words, he lunged toward Grey at lightning speed, his axe aimed straight at him. Yet, Grey remained so chillingly calm that William's face betrayed signs of terror and cold sweat. Staring at him, William muttered under his breath: "I have fought many members of the De Moliar clan over the last 600 years—some even used their 'blessings' against me—but none possessed such an overwhelming presence! This isn't the power of a blessing; it's something else entirely. I've encountered others who bore the same blessing—nobles and the like. Two of my own squad members held it: Gother MacTire—son of Duke Yokimarus MacTire, the 'Demon Slayer'—and Jian, the 'Legend of the Sword,' who reached the 'semi-ruler' level at the tender age of sixteen. Even my own master's son possessed a presence as formidable as Grey's. I don't know where this power comes from, but it heralds something I cannot comprehend—and likely won't for a long time to come."
Grey parried William's axe with effortless ease, then struck the double-headed weapon, sending William flying out of the arena as if he were nothing more than a broken doll!
But the price for such power was steep. Channeling so much of this mysterious energy in such a short span caused Grey to vomit a great deal of blood and suffer severe physical and spiritual trauma, leading him to lose consciousness. Nevertheless, Grey was declared the victor, as William had been knocked out of the arena.
A chilling silence descended upon the arena. Ruichi roused the referee—who had been left paralyzed by shock—asking, "Isn't it time to announce the winner?"
The referee began to tremble, then called out in a loud, strained voice, "This concludes the first round of today's sixth match—the winner is Grey de Molière, from the 'Midnight Beasts' team!"
Yuta moved toward him with agile, graceful steps and lifted him up, a faint smile playing on his lips. In a quiet, respectful tone, he murmured, "You are truly strong, Grey—whether in the past, the present, or the future."
He carried him to the area designated for their team and laid him on the ground. Placing one hand on Grey's chest and the other over his navel, Yuta channeled a soft green light, flecked with a brilliant, shimmering gold. Pure energy flowed like cool water throughout Grey's body—coursing through his veins, nerves, and spiritual energy channels—healing every physical and spiritual injury.
Yuta's healing power was extraordinary; as the strongest individual in his world, his capacity to mend wounds was nothing short of formidable. He looked toward his companions and said, in a calm, reassuring tone, "He will wake up in a few minutes. He pushed himself beyond his body's limits, which is why he is so completely exhausted."