BOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!
The Shadow Realm trembled.
Not from battle.
Not from destruction.
But from the collision of two overwhelming Authorities.
The endless sea of shadows rippled in every direction.
Mountains shook.
The rivers of darkness surged violently before gradually calming once more.
Even the sky itself distorted slightly.
"...They're done."
The leader's calm voice broke the silence.
Without another word, the seven stepped into the shadows.
Their bodies dissolved into black mist.
Not disappearing...
But entering the Shadow Dimension.
This time—
I followed.
Not with my body.
With my eyes.
Seven years ago...
Their movements were mysteries beyond comprehension.
Now...
I could clearly see countless layers hidden beneath reality.
The Shadow Dimension wasn't merely another space.
It was a world woven together by shadows.
Every shadow cast by an object became a doorway.
Every patch of darkness became a road.
Every warrior moved freely through an endless network invisible to ordinary eyes.
Magnificent.
I stepped forward.
Boom.
The world around me blurred.
The next instant—
I was already moving through the Shadow Dimension myself.
The scenery around me distorted.
Shadows stretched infinitely in every direction.
Countless black pathways crossed one another like the veins of a living world.
The seven moved effortlessly ahead.
I followed close behind.
Years of training had finally allowed me to walk this path without assistance.
No...
Without getting lost.
Only now did I truly understand how terrifying the Shadow Legion really was.
As long as shadows existed...
Distance meant nothing.
An army could appear anywhere.
Retreat anywhere.
Strike from anywhere.
It wasn't speed.
It was geography itself that favored them.
Moments later—
We emerged.
The enormous palace stood before us.
Ancient.
Majestic.
Unmoving.
Yet today...
The pressure surrounding it was far greater than before.
Two figures stood in the center of the courtyard.
One dressed in black.
The other surrounded by faint Azure Flames.
Nyxaroth.
My father.
The moment they noticed our arrival...
The pressure quietly disappeared.
Father slowly turned around.
His clothes were torn in countless places.
Several fresh scars crossed his arms.
Even his breathing was slightly uneven.
Yet...
The smile on his face couldn't have been brighter.
"Hahaha..."
"So you've come."
I smiled.
"It looks like your training wasn't easy."
Father laughed louder.
"Easy?"
He looked toward Nyxaroth.
"This old monster nearly killed me more times than I can count."
Nyxaroth remained expressionless.
"You survived."
"...Barely."
Father muttered.
The Seven couldn't help but chuckle.
Even I smiled.
It was rare seeing Father this exhausted.
Nyxaroth slowly walked toward us.
His ancient eyes briefly rested on me.
Then—
A faint nod.
"You've changed."
Only three words.
Yet hearing them from Nyxaroth...
Was greater praise than most would receive in a lifetime.
"I still have much to learn."
I replied honestly.
He nodded once.
"Good."
"A warrior who believes he has reached the end..."
"...stops growing."
Silence followed.
The atmosphere became peaceful.
Unlike before.
No killing intent.
No pressure.
Simply...
Mutual respect.
Father suddenly folded his arms.
"I heard."
"You surpassed me."
I blinked.
"...Already?"
The Seven exchanged amused glances.
Father burst into laughter.
"You don't even realize it."
He stepped closer before placing a hand firmly on my shoulder.
"When did my little cub become this strong?"
There wasn't even a trace of disappointment in his eyes.
Only pride.
Pure pride.
"I always hoped..."
"...one day..."
"...you would surpass me."
His grip tightened slightly.
"And today..."
"You finally have."
For a brief moment...
Neither of us spoke.
Seven years ago...
I had entered this Realm protected by him.
Today...
We stood as fellow warriors.
The feeling was...
Strange.
Yet comforting.
Nyxaroth quietly watched the scene unfold.
Then—
He spoke.
"The preparations are complete."
Every smile disappeared.
The atmosphere instantly became serious.
"The Breach will open soon."
"Neraphyx awaits."
The name alone caused the air to grow heavy.
The Realm beyond Zeraphyx.
The prison of the false Pure Ones.
The battlefield that had existed for millions upon millions of years.
The place where even Gods disappeared without a trace.
Nyxaroth slowly looked toward the distant sky.
"For seven years..."
"You trained."
"You learned."
"You survived."
His gaze returned to me.
"But training..."
"...is over."
A long silence followed.
Then—
"The next step..."
"...will determine whether you become a legend..."
"...or another forgotten corpse."
His voice remained calm.
Matter-of-fact.
There was no encouragement.
No comfort.
Only truth.
Exactly the kind of truth I had come to expect from him.
I slowly smiled.
"Then..."
"I'll simply make sure I don't die."
For the first time since I met him...
The corner of Nyxaroth's lips lifted.
Only slightly.
Yet everyone present noticed it.
"So..."
"You finally understand."
The leader of the Seven quietly lowered his head.
"Our duty ends here."
His words caused the other six to do the same.
For seven years...
They had taught me without reservation.
Every lesson.
Every technique.
Every secret they were permitted to pass on.
Without them...
I wouldn't be standing here today.
I stepped forward.
Then...
For the first time since arriving in the Shadow Realm...
I cupped both hands before them and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you."
"I won't forget these seven years."
The seven looked at one another.
Then...
Every one of them smiled.
A genuine smile.
Not because they had completed a task.
But because...
Their disciple had finally graduated.