Later that night, the castle slept.
But Julian couldn't.
He sat alone in the dormitory, staring at his hands.
The duel replayed in his mind.
His power stirred restlessly beneath his skin.
Then it happened.
Without warning.
A massive wave of Conqueror's Haki burst outward.
Across Hogwarts:
Students collapsed in their beds.
Magical portraits faded inside their frames.
Candles blew out across entire hallways.
Even Banko paused mid-step while walking through a corridor.
The castle trembled.
Deep beneath the school, Principal Aadon slowly opened his glowing eyes.
Far above him, in a quiet classroom, Kieran removed his pipe.
He stared toward the ceiling.
Then he muttered quietly.
"A king has awakened."
The storm had only just begun.