After the chaos of the Goddess's Trial, Shadow Nexus had gained more recognition not that Cale wanted it.
One of the organization's most incredible achievements.
They had defeated a dragon.
And the land where it fell became the new training ground for Shadow Nexus. Massive, dangerous, yet perfect for cultivating power without outsiders noticing.
Cale, sitting at the edge of his house on the hill overlooking the dragon's crater, sipped tea. Calm. Observant. Background.
His sister, Aria, was set to compete in the next big tournament. The stakes were enormous: fame, political alliances, and recognition from the kingdom itself.
Aria fought with flawless precision. Every opponent fell in awe of her speed and skill.
By the end of the tournament, she had won.
The princess, Lyra, saw Cale at the organization's base for the first time. She had wanted to confront him about the chaos, but it wasn't going to be easy.
Lyra confronted Cale.
"You! I won't let you run away anymore! No more hiding!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the kingdom.
Cale looked at her, grinning.
"Hahahahahahahaha! Run? Running where? Why would I run?"
Lyra's fists tightened.
"You're going to answer for everything you've done!"
Cale shrugged.
"Look… don't misunderstand. This isn't my full power. This," he gestured to the massive energy swirling around him, "is just the leftovers I brought in my luggage."
He smiled casually.
"Now it's just for show."
And in an instant, he disappeared.
Lyra stood in shock, tears forming in her eyes.
"Why… why are you always so impossible?" she whispered, frustrated and angry at the same time.
Cale appeared elsewhere, watching quietly. His laughter faded into the wind.
Even when the princess and kingdom thought they had cornered him… Cale, as always, remained the background character.
He was untouchable. Unseen. And very amused.