"The legend wasn't a myth."
Baron Red stood in silence, his expression unreadable as countless thoughts crossed his mind.
What he didn't know—what he could never have sensed—was that the very existence he was thinking about was standing only a few steps away from him.
Blake.
Hidden in plain sight, his presence perfectly erased, Blake calmly observed both Baron Red and Jake. He had already identified the one who had been watching him earlier… and yet, he hadn't acted.
I could kill him easily from here, Blake admitted silently as his gaze flicked toward Baron Red.
The thought vanished just as quickly.
Killing Baron Red would turn the entire Rodrick Family into his enemy—and worse, after cultivating the new sutra, Blake had clearly sensed the presence of someone far more terrifying than Slake. Someone who hadn't intervened even when Slake's life had nearly been taken.
That alone was enough to make him cautious.
Nobles are never simple.
Just as Blake was considering his next move, Baron Red spoke again, his voice low and heavy.
"It seems that child's fate was influenced by the possessor of the Ancient Bloodline."
"He had no talent in either path before… yet now he can cultivate."
"He must be watched."
Baron Red raised his hand.
Whoosh.
A figure clad entirely in black appeared soundlessly before him.
"What are your orders, my lord?"
"Keep an eye on that child."
"Yes, my lord."
The figure vanished instantly.
Baron Red's eyes narrowed.
"If that child was truly affected by my disciple's bloodline, then he must be brought under my control. Only then will he be useful when the chaos begins."
"This war… will be my stepping stone—not just to the 5th Rank, but beyond it."
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he turned and walked away.
Blake had already disappeared.
By the time the shadow operative began moving, Blake was already halfway back to the dormitory, his speed leaving the pursuer far behind.
When Blake arrived, he secretly deactivated his suit while heading to get dinner.
After finishing his meal, he returned to his room—and as expected, he sensed another presence inside.
2nd Rank — Mid-grade warrior.
Blake easily saw through the hidden figure's cultivation due to his higher realm.
He didn't act.
Baron Red's words echoed in his mind, pulling his thoughts deeper.
A great battle? A war?
Blake frowned slightly.
He knew nothing about the outside world. Everything beyond the academy was shrouded in uncertainty.
Alright, that's enough, he decided.
Overthinking would lead nowhere. Strength was the only answer.
Blake lay down on his bed, already forming a plan—not just to deceive this spy, but Baron Red as well.
Slowly, an idea took shape.
When night fell, Blake's eyes snapped open.
The hidden watcher narrowed his eyes as Blake rose from his bed in the middle of the night.
Then Blake looked around and began to move.
His body flowed into a precise, rhythmic sequence of movements—smooth, disciplined, and unmistakably familiar to the ninja, who immediately recognized them.
The watcher's pupils shrank.
T-This…
This is impossible.
Far away in the west, within the territory of the Triss Family—
"Huff… finally."
"I've reached the 3rd Rank Mage."
Ray opened his eyes, authority radiating from them—an aura that felt completely out of place on a teenager, as though they belonged to a god-king gazing down upon the world.
"Haha… reaching this realm so quickly—no top-grade talent can compare to me."
His smile slowly faded.
"The only ones who can still rival me are that warrior freak from the Resu Empire, the most talented mage of the Golden Den Empire, the one born with the Star King's Eyes from the Stargaze Family…"
"And my brother."
"The one from the Triss Family who hates me the most."
Ray clenched his fist.
"But even they don't compare to the true monsters."
"The possessor of the Ancient Bloodline in the Rodrick Family."
"The demon of the Demon Forest, born with the Dragon Bloodline."
"And the talent of the hidden Valenheart Clan… the one with the Myriad Tribulations Thunder Physique."
"Most of them are still weaker than me for now—but in a month or two… they might surpass me."
Ray frowned deeply.
"And those red thunders yesterday…"
"Why did they appear?"
"Nothing like that happened in my previous life."
A faint unease crept into his heart.
"Was the world changed by my arrival… or is there truly something out there that threatens everything?"
He exhaled slowly, forcing his thoughts into order.
"It doesn't matter."
"With my past-life knowledge and the undiscovered opportunities of this era, I will surpass them all."
"I will stand at the peak of this world."
Ray left his room, heading toward a specific location within the Triss Family.
The moment he stepped outside—
"Sir, the Seventh Young Master has exited his room."
"He appears to be heading toward the Demon Forest."
Sirius entered a shadowed chamber and reported respectfully.
The figure before him remained silent for a long moment.
Then—
"Send them."
Sirius stiffened.
"Sir… are you certain?"
"Yes."
"Kill him without fail."
"And erase all traces."
The Triss Family was located in the western region of the southern continent, with the Demon Forest looming behind it—an infamous land connected to all four regions of the continent.
The Demon Forest was home to demons ranging from low grades to high ranks, with many deep bloodlines, both open and hidden within it.
The forest was divided into several regions—the outer zone, middle zone, inner zone, and the core.
No humans were allowed even in the outer zone, let alone the deeper regions.
The outer zone mainly consisted of 1st Rank or lower demons and demonic beasts.
Ray headed toward the outskirts of the outer zone, seeking a treasure that would allow him to break through to the 2nd Rank Warrior Path in a single leap.
As he moved through the wilderness—
Whoosh!
An arrow tore through the air, aimed straight for his throat.
Ray halted instantly, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"So…"
"You finally decided to show yours..."
Just as he finished speaking, an arrow far faster than the previous one shot in from his side and pierced straight into his head.