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POV: Caspian Coralia
The ground trembled beneath our feet as the Awakened encircled us.
A faint shiver of fear ran through me—not because of their strength,
but because of the memories they dragged out from the depths of my mind.
These weren't "Master-rank" Awakened… just ordinary ones.
Yet danger never truly disappears.
If I were alone?
I wouldn't hesitate.
But my sister was fighting beside me… and that complicated everything.
Even the presence of Arthur didn't ease the tension.
He was a stranger—mysterious, unreadable.
I couldn't tell whether he would help us if things turned ugly.
But when their leader pointed at him and said:
> "Kill that pretty-faced idiot, and bring me the boy and girl."
Something inside me ignited.
Why do they always focus on him… and not me?
A childish jealousy—yes, I knew that.
But knowing didn't stop it.
I charged at the Awakened, even though I wasn't sure I could take him head-on.
He was awakened…
and I was still just an Advanced Trainee.
All I needed to break through was time—age, technically.
But deep down… I felt my awakening wasn't far.
We clashed fiercely—
and then Arthur intervened.
At first, irritation flared in me;
I thought he'd get in the way.
But shock came quickly.
He wasn't hindering me—
He was covering my blind spots,
opening attack windows I couldn't dream of on my own.
For the first time since meeting him…
I respected him a little.
Arthur raised his hand; a shadowy limb burst out and seized the Awakened's leg, digging into it brutally.
The man gasped—
and I seized the chance.
• Jetstream Thrust
I shot forward like an arrow of water, piercing his mana core.
He fell, convulsing—
and then—
exploded.
I froze.
It was my first time seeing a mana core burst like that.
A man from the Master Rank applauded us mockingly, praising us as a "fine duo."
I hated that comparison—
but swallowed it.
Then he said, cold as frost:
> "Unfortunately… we only need the girl.
If they're not dead in five minutes,
I'll kill you myself."
The remaining three attacked.
My sister annihilated one with a boiling-water explosion spell that melted half of him.
Arthur took the opening—
his body lit with violet lightning,
and he leapt with inhuman speed,
plunging a shadow dagger into the second one.
I was barely holding off the last two, but I saw everything.
My sister pierced one from behind.
Arthur intercepted another and bought me the perfect opening.
I struck—
the mana core burst—
another explosion.
But then…
The Awakened Arthur killed moments ago suddenly reappeared behind my sister.
He kicked her so hard she flew across the clearing.
I tried to reach her—
but two enemies blocked my path.
Before I could push through—
Arthur was already there.
He caught her just before she hit the ground and said something I couldn't hear…
Whatever it was—it snapped her back.
He rushed to help me next—
but the earth trembled.
A crushing wave of mana pressure smothered us—
like a mountain collapsing onto our lungs.
Even with Arthur's reinforcement,
only half of it was negated.
The rest hit like a hammer.
The leader chuckled darkly.
> "Five minutes are up…
I've been generous already."
He lifted his hand.
The two remaining Awakened rose into the air—
their bodies swelling grotesquely—
and then—
boom.
Blood-black and foul splattered everywhere.
From the trees emerged three men…
Rank: Basic Consumption.
A level beyond anything we could handle.
The leader opened his mouth—
then froze.
His face drained of color.
Genuine fear—real, raw fear—twisted his expression.
He shrieked:
> "Stop him! NOW! I'll take the girl myself!"
I didn't know who he meant.
I spread my domain—
but Arthur spoke first, his voice cold:
> "Looks like your luck ran out…
The King of Coralia has arrived."
I froze.
How did he know my father was coming?
I searched again—
nothing.
Father was too far for me to sense.
Then Arthur said:
> "Isn't that right… Master Klein?"
I frowned. "Who?"
The answer shattered me.
> "Or rather… your real name—
Head Butler Derik."
My breath caught.
The man we trusted most…
I turned to him—
and I didn't see the gentle old man.
I saw a twisted, deranged monster.
I tried to deny it—
their faces were different—
But—
He laughed, hysterical:
> "Hahahahaha!
Looks like I was exposed earlier than expected!"
His body began to twist—
bones snapping—
flesh tearing—
until he returned to the form of the Head Butler.
Shock. Rage. Trembling.
I tried to speak—
but he didn't give us time.
He dashed toward my sister at a speed no human could track.
One moment he was meters away—
the next, he was beside her.
He almost grabbed her—
but Arthur intercepted him,
violet lightning crackling across his skin.
Arthur seized both of us and sprinted toward the lava crater.
I tried to question him—
but he said:
> "Your father is approaching from this direction."
Then Derik blocked us.
He punched Arthur—
sending him crashing aside.
He grabbed my sister—
and shattered her legs.
Her scream tore through my chest.
I roared and leapt at him:
> "LEAVE HEEEER!"
He didn't even glance at me.
He absorbed my blows like they were nothing—
then slapped me so hard I flew across the clearing.
Dazed, I searched for Arthur—
but he was gone.
My anger spiked.
I thought—
he ran.
But then…
He was above Derik.
His dagger plunged into the monster's eye as he ripped my sister free and sprinted toward me.
He grabbed my shirt—
jumped—
and at the last second—
threw us forward.
I froze.
His left arm—
the one holding my sister—
was severed.
If he hadn't thrown us…
she would've died.
He paid for her life—
with his arm.
In a trembling voice, he said:
> "Take her and run."
I shouted:
> "But—!"
He cut me off, sharp and absolute:
> "There is no 'but.'
Your parents are coming—no,
the kings of all continents.
Go."
Before he could finish—
he was impaled from behind.
Derik's arm burst through Arthur's chest.
Arthur collapsed.
Dead.
My mind shut down.
My sister froze.
The boy who saved us—
again and again—
fell at our feet.
I swallowed my tears, lifted my sister, and tried to run toward the cliff—
A massive scythe dropped and sliced off my legs.
I screamed.
Tears blurred my vision.
My sister crawled toward me.
Derik emerged—
grabbed her hair—
dragged her as she cried and begged.
I screamed her name—
useless.
He threw her aside and approached me.
He seized my arm, pulling violently.
I shrieked while my sister begged him to take her instead.
But something was happening inside me.
Something vast… awakening.
But I couldn't bring it out.
He raised his scythe over my head—
and then—
A storm of living shadows erupted behind him.
Arthur stood there.
Alive.
Barely.
His body wrapped in shadow.
His remaining arm held my sister's sword.
Purple fire flickered along the blade.
His eyes were no longer gold—
but glowing violet.
Terrifying.
He plunged the sword into Derik's shoulder, forcing it all the way in.
Derik shrieked—
but Arthur didn't stop.
He dragged the monster toward the cliff—
and I watched, helpless, shaking.
Arthur turned to us—
one final look—
and hurled himself off the edge,
dragging Derik down…
into the molten cliff.
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