Signs of annoyance appeared on Lucy's face upon hearing Jian Yi's words. She muttered to herself, clearly irritated:
"I could just knock you unconscious! How could you put Jia and Yuta on the same team? If I'd known, I never would have agreed to let you be the strategist!"
"My intuition was right. Jia Guilford and Yuta Caseral are roaming around Gigua Island, fighting monsters and the organization's lackeys."
"They're probably crafting their own little romance, written in the blood of their enemies and the severed limbs of their foes! Ugh—why can't *I* be in that wretched hussy's place?!"
In contrast to Lucy's agitation, Grey responded with a sense of conviction after hearing Jian Yi:
"So that's how it is. After all, Jia is at the Holy Sovereign rank, and Yuta managed to hold his own against her—even after she boosted her power to the Sovereign-Ruler rank."
Hearing Grey's reply, Jian Yi proceeded to outline the rest of his plan:
"The first team consists of Lucy Ketahli, Grey, Roichi de Moliar, and Beatrice Azwasen. That team is finalized, as everyone has already given their consent."
"As for the second team, it will include Tom Fragelson and Gowther MacTire..."
Before he could continue, Previka emerged from the trees, a provocative smile playing on her lips.
"Did I interrupt something? My apologies in advance."
Previka's tone carried a hint of sadness, laced with a sharp, mocking edge. Nevertheless, no one paid any mind to her manner of speaking; there simply wasn't time to scrutinize the behavior of others—whether it was impolite or merely unconventional.
"No, you didn't interrupt us. You've arrived at the perfect moment."
Jian Yi spoke calmly, looking toward Previka, who wore an expression of surprise.
"What do you mean? I arrived at the perfect moment? I don't follow."
"You'll see. Just listen."
"Let's return to the matter at hand. The second team will consist of Tom Fragelson, Guther MacTire, Christian Jorgam, Nicholas Jorgam, and Kazuhiro Kenzaiil. Are there any objections?"
Jian Yi scanned them one by one for several minutes, waiting to see if anyone would raise an objection.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Yet, Guther, Tom, Nicholas, Christian, and Kazuhiro remained silent; they were entirely confident in their ability to defeat every member of the Scorpion organization on Jigwa Island with minimal effort.
To them, which team they were assigned to made no real difference—raising an objection would have been nothing more than a waste of time.
"Since there are no objections regarding the second team..."
"The third team will include Jiya Guilford and Yuta Caseral—given that we haven't crossed paths with them over the past few days."
"This points to one conclusion: they must be in the northern sector." "Judging by their respective mindsets, they must have met up and formed a team to fend off the waves of XXX++ rank monsters."
"Alright, as for the fourth team—it will consist of myself, Previka Al-Salahan, Leon Brittain, and Inuyasha Brittain. Any objections? Speak now, or we begin."
Beatrice let out a sigh, then snapped her fingers, causing a dome to manifest around them.
In her usual tone, she continued:
"Since there are no objections, I'll send the fourth team to the south, the third team to the east, and the first team to the west. Agreed?"
Before waiting for a response—whether in agreement or otherwise—Beatrice snapped her fingers once more.
In an instant, they vanished from where they stood, heading toward their assigned locations.
The battle between the students of Versalkin Academy and the followers of the Scorpion Organization was nearing its end.
Meanwhile, Jia and Yuta sat atop the corpses of Scorpion Organization members and monsters, their expressions cold as they gazed up at the sky.
A faint smile crossed Yuta's face as he looked at Jia, who was staring into the void, seemingly lost in thought.
"Do you remember what I said—back when I claimed I would kill the Magic Emperor, Aster Guilford?"
Jia turned her gaze toward Yuta and stood up; as she did, the corpses beneath her—along with all the others—vanished. She answered his question as she returned her blood-stained sword to its scabbard:
"Yes, I remember what you said. But I still don't understand why you want to kill him. Is there some enmity between you and my adoptive father, Aster Guilford?"
Gia's gaze was sharp as she watched Yuta, tracking his every step and movement.
A faint smile touched the corner of Yuta's lips as he observed Gia, who was studying him with an analytical look.
"As you said—your *adoptive* father. But don't you have any desire to know your true origins and your real family? Your father, your mother, your siblings? What happened to them? And why did you end up an orphan?"
"Why did Aster Guilford decide to take *you* in, specifically, and forbid you from using your abilities? Your hybrid blood is unmistakable—you are just like me: a hybrid."
"As for why I want to kill Aster—it's because he intends to kill me, too, and use me as a tool to increase his own power. And you are no exception to that."
"I know you might not grasp this just yet, but if you want to learn the whole truth, why not come with me to the celebration being held in the city of Berhais during the year-end holidays?"
"Think of it as a respite from the pressures of being the daughter of one of the Great Duchies—the daughter of Duke Aster Guilford—while also being the daughter of the Emperor of Magic."
Gia continued to look at Yuta, saying nothing. She could not fathom why he was drawing close to her—especially since he neither liked her nor cared that she was the daughter of Duke Aster Guilford, one of the most powerful figures on the Central Continent and among the most renowned individuals in the entire human realm.
Yet, he openly declared his intention to kill her father. Why was he so confident?
Jia could easily inform Aster of Yuta's plot to overthrow him—an act that would surely lead to Yuta's execution for conspiring against a high-ranking official of the Empire.
Such an act would be deemed treason against the Human Empire, given that Aster Guilford serves as one of the pillars preventing the Empire's collapse.
At the same time, Jia might ultimately benefit from this situation; Yuta Caseral is a dangerous rival with an unpredictable temperament—a man who bows to no one and pledges his loyalty to no one. He could prove to be an ally, or he could just as easily become an enemy.
Nevertheless You could never trust him—not for a second. Even the mere desire to trust a devil could lead to one's death; it is, in itself, an act of utter foolishness. Yuta has surpassed the devils themselves through his actions—murder, betrayal, and even the extortion of fellow students for his own gain.
Jia has been observing Yuta for the past few months, and she has come to realize that he is not the type to give up on his goals—no matter what means he must employ to achieve them.
"From what you've said, it seems you know who my family is, and the true reason why Aster Guilford adopted me. And yet..."
"What is the *real* reason, then? Your desire to kill him isn't enough of an explanation. My father is currently a 'High Holy Sovereign' rank fighter."
"And yet, you are stronger than him. You managed to keep up with me without the slightest effort—even when I invoked the 'Sovereign's Blessing,' which boosted my power to the 'Master Sovereign' rank at the time."
"Theoretically, that makes you stronger than Aster Guilford, who remains at the 'High Holy Sovereign' rank. And yet, you speak as if he is far more powerful than his rumored level suggests."
Jia spoke with an interrogative tone, a translucent violet aura shimmering around her body.
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha! You poor fool! Do you truly believe that what is happening around us—or what we currently know—is the whole truth? Do you honestly think there is a logical explanation for everything that has happened, or is happening, right now?"
Yuta laughed boisterously, his gaze fixed upon Jia. He then continued, his tone calm yet tinged with a hint of mockery:
"In this world—or any other, for that matter—there remains one constant rule: the strongest are the ones who write the rules of the game."
"The strongest dictate how events unfold, exactly as they please. Do you truly believe Ester Guilford is still merely a 'Supreme Holy Ruler'? How pathetic!"
"But if you come with me during the year-end break, you'll find answers to every question you've ever pondered—and even to those that never crossed your mind."
Although Gia seemed to be privy to everything happening across the world, that didn't mean she knew *everything*; in the end, she was just like anyone else in this world.
She knew only what she was meant to know—nothing more. As for the things she wasn't supposed to know—well, she simply wouldn't know them.
The world doesn't reveal everything; some things must remain hidden, for they have the power to shake the very foundations of the world and alter how its inhabitants perceive those in power.
Moreover, those in power would never allow the general public to learn of such things, as doing so would threaten their own personal interests.
A deep sigh escaped Gia's lips as she gazed at Yuta. She couldn't utter a single word, as if she had suddenly lost the ability to speak.
Living under the same roof as Yuta was the last thing she had ever imagined—yet, she felt absolutely nothing toward him: no sense of familiarity, caution, hatred, interest, love, rivalry, tension, anxiety, or even the slightest discomfort.
Nothing at all. It was as if she were looking at herself—a realization that left her feeling more bewildered than threatened, anxious, fearful, or even awestruck.
She kept shifting her gaze between Yuta and her own reflection in the blade of a sword lying beside her.
As she scrutinized their respective behaviors, she noticed that he resembled her in almost every way: his appearance, his manner of speaking, his expressions, the way he sat—even the way he ate.
Could it be because they were both hybrids, and having the same hybrid genes had led them to develop similar lifestyles?
That was the only hypothesis she could come up with at the moment.
Such an extreme degree of similarity could not easily be achieved through mere imitation. Given that they were both hybrids, it stood to reason that they might share a similar mindset—a logical explanation for the striking resemblance between them.
This was the theory Giya tried to convince herself of, once she discovered that Yuta, like her, was a hybrid.
"Let's assume I agree, and that I learn the true reason behind your desire to kill my adoptive father, Aster Guilford. Even so, I'm still puzzled as to how you found out—not even the children of the Great Duchies know that I am the adopted daughter of Duke Aster Guilford."
"Setting aside how you came to know this, one question remains: what do I stand to gain from Aster's death? I live like royalty, doing whatever I please, whenever I please. And if Aster were to ever act against me, I would simply kill him myself." "The speed at which my power is rising is terrifying. Furthermore, being a hybrid grants me a combat advantage, even against those stronger than I am. After all, the 'Sovereign Master' rank is the highest I know of, and the gap between me and anyone who has reached it won't be significant."
"Even with all his experience, he'll be no match for me. With the aid of the 'Sovereign of Energy' and the 'Sovereign's Blessing'—things Aster Guilford lacks—I'll be able to defeat him with ease."
"I can extract the information from him without your help. So, why would I ever need you, Yuta Caseral?"
A malicious smile spread across Yuta's face as he listened to Jiya's words—words he deemed nothing more than utter nonsense and absurdity. He decided to shatter her overconfidence before it led her straight to her death.
"That's precisely the problem. Do you actually believe the 'Sovereign Master' rank is the final level? What a fool you are!"
"Let me tell you something... no, let me show you something that will truly leave you stunned."
Yuta rose from his seat, ignoring the way Jiya's gaze seemed to pierce through his back.
Once he had moved a few meters away, he muttered under his breath:
"Wing of the Great Outcast: The Great Creator — Activate!"
The moment Yuta finished speaking, a surge of spiritual energy erupted from his entire body, cloaking him in a shimmering, black-and-white radiance.
His power soared to a level beyond Jiya's ability to comprehend.
In a voice filled with sheer astonishment, she exclaimed:
"What is happening? What is this terrifying energy?" "Is this Yuta's true power, or what?"
The layer—a blend of charcoal black and stark white—began to shatter, piece by piece, revealing a Yuta whose appearance had changed entirely.
His hair had turned a deep, dark black, and his eyes had shifted from crimson to a pale gray, resembling two cut diamonds.
Yet, it wasn't the change in his appearance that left her in shock; it was what lay behind his back.
Furthermore, she sensed that this That was not his true strength; he was still hiding something, even now.
But she was in no position to dwell on that, for her attention was entirely captured by what lay behind Yuta—something she recognized instantly.
Behind him hovered a massive disc bearing a Yin-Yang symbol, with a stylus at its center tracing a curved mark.
"It looks just like what happens when I activate a Ruler's Blessing! How is that possible? Has he been blessed by another Ruler, or what?"
"I haven't been blessed by any Ruler. This is my own ability. As for what you call a 'Ruler's Blessing'—well, that's not entirely the truth."
"What do you mean it's not entirely the truth? Does that mean this power can be bestowed upon other entities?"
Jia spoke as calmly as she could, striving to mask her inner turmoil.
Yuta deactivated the 'Wing of the Great Outcast: The Great Creator' and returned to his normal form, watching as Jia fought to keep her composed facade from slipping.
She had already shown enough surprise for one day—a realization that crossed her mind, as revealing too much of her thoughts might make her all too easy to exploit.
"What you call the 'blessing' of a mysterious entity or a 'Ruler's Blessing'? It's both yes and no."
"Why both yes and no?"
Though Jia appeared indifferent once she regained her usual expression, she was listening to every word Yuta said with the utmost attention.
"That 'blessing' is actually called a 'Wing,' and it can be acquired in several ways—inheritance being one of them." "This is what you and the families of the Grand Duchies possess—with the exception of Aster Guilford, who is the adopted son of the former head of the Basholen family."
"Let's return to the matter at hand. The 'Prime Wing' I possess is called the 'Wing of the Great Outcast: The Great Creator.' It alters my form, enhances my power, and accelerates my evolution. It also grants a 'sub-wing'—or what you refer to as a 'Ruler's Blessing.'"
Jia gazed at Yuta for several seconds before speaking:
"I am aware of that. You are merely mentioning common traits. What distinguishes a sub-wing—or the 'blessing' of such an entity—from a Prime Wing?"
A look of admiration crossed Yuta's face as he listened to Jia.
"Indeed, there is a subtle difference. If we were to liken a Prime Wing to a snail inside a shell, the snail represents the specific ability granted by the wing."
"The shell, meanwhile, represents what you are familiar with: the boost in power, the accelerated evolution, and the change in physical appearance. Therefore, when a wing is inherited or acquired through other means—excluding those belonging to a 'sequence' type, such as the Hunter or Warrior wings..."
"...you receive only the shell. To be clear, no matter how 'weak' a wing might be, the ability it bestows is sufficient to fundamentally redefine the very concept of power."
"Now, to activate a wing, one must reach the 'Boundless' rank—a level that transcends the 'Ruler-Master' rank. In fact, there are ten distinct ranks above that of a Ruler-Master." "So that's why..."
As she listened to Yuta, realization dawned on Gia. In a calm tone, she asked:
"Are you saying that the Grand Duchies long ago surpassed the rank of 'Lord Ruler' and reached even higher tiers?"
"Precisely. Lord Gia Guilford is currently at the first level of his 'Wing,' while the highest level any human has ever attained is the second—a feat achieved by Reinhardt de Molière, the strongest among them."
"If you wish to learn more, follow me. You'll discover everything you want to know—and even things you hadn't thought to ask about."
Gia rubbed her temple, a sudden headache triggered by the information she had just received; it faded after a few seconds.
Although Yuta had shared several details, what he revealed was merely general knowledge—the kind one might deduce on their own.
But how does one acquire these "Wings"? What types exist? How does one ascend through their levels, and how many levels are there in total? What specific abilities does each Wing grant?
A flurry of questions raced through Gia's mind, but Yuta offered no answers—leaving them hanging, a calculated move to draw her to his side.
She extended her hand, signaling her agreement to the pact. After all, the world remained shrouded in mystery, and the fact that Aster was vastly more powerful than her only added to the complexity of her situation.
Coming to terms with the realization that her entire standing was built upon only half the truth was difficult to swallow.
Yet, her craving for power and her desire to uncover the world's secrets ultimately eclipsed her confusion and shock. "Fine, I agree. You'd better make sure what you have to say is actually useful—not just a load of nonsense."
"Don't worry; every word you hear from me will be of value. I promise you that."
The moment their hands met, an electric jolt surged through both of them, striking terror into their hearts for a split second before they pulled away.
Even Yuta—who had faced death without a shred of fear—felt a tremor of dread, the first he had experienced since encountering the master of the Path of Death, BO 00 01.
Yet, he betrayed no sign of it; his gaze remained steady, brimming with an unshakeable confidence and resolve.
The two rose to their feet and continued on their way without another word—there was nothing left to be said.
Meanwhile, the combat elite were gathering, while the shadow of death loomed over everyone, sparing no one.
In this world, only the worthy live to fight another day, while the weak perish. Survival belongs to the strongest, and it is the victor who writes history—molding it however they please.
For this reason, dwelling on what had transpired would serve no purpose; the time was simply not right for such reflections.