Scry and the others watched the final moments of the battle, mouths agape in stunned silence.

  Kai’s last move, the blinding light, the overwhelming power, and Florian’s desperate escape had left them speechless.

  No one had expected this. Not from a Knight. Not from anyone so young.

  Harrietta was the first to speak, breaking the silence with her usual bluntness.

  “Hey, tiger. Where the hell did you bastards come from? That move… that wasn’t Knight-level. That was sixth-circle spell territory. Maybe stronger.”

  Her voice carried disbelief, but also a hint of admiration.

  Bjorn and the other prisoners stood frozen, their thoughts swirling.

  If I had that kind of strength… maybe we could’ve saved our brothers.

  Bjorn sighed, the weight of regret heavy on his shoulders.

  Scry floated in front of Lisa, still staring at the fading glow in the sky.

  “Even if I tried to explain it… I wouldn’t know where to start,” he murmured.

  Even he hadn’t expected Kai to grow this strong, this fast.

  Then, the tension shattered.

  Clap. Clap. Clap.

  Lisa cheered, her voice bright and innocent. “We won! The bad guys are gone!”

  Laughter rippled through the group, the heaviness lifting for a moment.

  “Right,” Scry said, smiling. “We won. That’s what matters.”

  Harrietta nodded, her expression softening.

  Everything else could wait. It was time to welcome their heroes.

  ***

  Outside the facility, Hansen and the rest of the party sighed in relief.

  The night was finally over. The battle had ended, and they had survived, thanks to Kai.

  He had truly surprised them.

  “Good thing he’s on our side,” Kran joked, trying to lighten the mood.

  Hansen stared into the rising sun, its golden light spilling across the scorched valley.

  “Indeed,” he murmured. “We must show him proper respect. This could be good for our village too.”

  Thorpe stepped closer, his voice low but urgent.

  “Brother… we need to convince him to settle in our village.”

  Hansen shook his head, thoughtful.

  “Someone like him is destined for far more than guarding a small village. But maybe… if we ask, he could help us train. Help us grow stronger.”

  The two men stood in silence, already planning how to approach Kai with their request.

  Meanwhile, Kran walked toward the gates, his steps quick and eager.

  He couldn’t wait to see Kai again.

  To him, Kai was everything he aspired to be.

  ***

  Slowly, the image of a man and his beast walking side by side emerged through the morning mist.

  Behind them, the rising sun blazed in full glory, casting long shadows across the scorched valley.

  They looked like seasoned warriors returning from war, wounded, weary, but victorious.

  Kran’s voice rang out, filled with excitement. “Everyone! They’re coming! Come quickly!”

  Scry led the group from inside the facility, guiding the rescued warriors and villagers to the gates.

  Lisa waved enthusiastically, her small figure bouncing with joy.

  As Kai and Umbra drew closer, the sound of cheers reached their ears. Warmth bloomed in Kai’s chest.

  He had never felt this before, not in this life, nor the last.

  Everyone was thankful. Everyone was happy to see him alive.

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  It was a beautiful feeling, one that made him truly grateful for the power he had gained.

  If Mother and Father could see me now… maybe they’d finally be proud.

  He imagined their faces, smiling in the sunlight.

  Umbra gently curled her tail around him, sensing his emotions.

  On her back, Eira lay tied, quietly watching the scene unfold.

  The cheers, the smiles, the warmth reminded her of her old village, her lost family.

  Her heart trembled, and a soft smile touched her lips.

  Lisa couldn’t wait any longer. She ran toward Kai, arms wide open.

  “Brotheeer Kai! Welcome back!” she cried, leaping into his arms.

  Kai groaned slightly; his body was still aching, but he caught her without hesitation.

  “Hey Lisa, I’m back,” he said, smiling through the pain.

  “I watched you fight! Uncle Scry showed us everything! You were amazing, and your sword was glowing!”

  Her eyes sparkled with wonder.

  Kai blinked, surprised, then chuckled. “Glad you liked it. Once you grow up, I’ll teach you how to do that.”

  Her eyes widened. “It’s a promise! Don’t forget!”

  Kai hugged her tighter. “Never.”

  He cared for her more than he admitted, even to himself. She reminded him of his own journey.

  Torn from her family, thrown into danger, yet still pure, still smiling.

  He admired that. Deeply.

  Lisa then noticed Umbra and the girl tied on her back. “Aunt Umbra, who’s that?” she asked curiously.

  Umbra twitched. “Aunt? Since when am I an aunt?”

  “But Uncle Scry said to call you Aunt,” Lisa replied innocently.

  Umbra growled. “That damn tiger… I’ll show him.”

  Lisa giggled. “Okay, I’ll call you Big sister Umbra. No need to pout.”

  Umbra huffed, but her tail flicked playfully.

  Kai stepped in. “This girl is Eira. We’re going to help her get better.”

  “Oooh. Brother Kai is so nice,” Lisa beamed.

  And like that, they arrived at the facility, familiar faces smiling brightly, hearts lighter than they’d been in days.

  ***

  Scry was the first to welcome them.

  “Good job! Clearly, my teachings are paying off,” he bragged, puffing up proudly.

  Umbra gently set Eira down, then whipped Scry with her tail.

  “Hey, Scry! Let this aunt teach you a few things!” she growled playfully, chasing after him as he zipped around the yard in panic.

  Kai smiled, watching the chaos unfold with everyone else.

  Hansen approached and placed a firm hand on Kai’s shoulder.

  “You did well. Welcome back. You deserve some rest.”

  “Thank you,” Kai replied. “I tried my best… but he escaped. The situation might be even worse now.”

  Hansen was about to respond when Harrietta cut in. “You did the best you could, better than any of us.”

  The rest of the men looked down, embarrassed. She was right. “And you won. What comes next isn’t important right now. Rest, recover, and relax first.”

  Hansen glanced at her, surprised by her motherly tone.

  You did raise Kran well in the end, he thought, his heart skipping a beat.

  The coyote twins watched Kai in awe, inching closer.

  “Calm down, you two. Can’t you see he’s injured?” Kran warned.

  They backed off reluctantly.

  The other warriors bowed respectfully.

  Kai was a true fighter, a warrior worthy of honor.

  Bjorn, however, knelt. “Master, welcome back!”

  Kai sighed. “Bjorn, I told you, I’m not your master.”

  “You’re the strongest one here. You’re the leader of this group. I shall call you Master. Forgive me, Master,” Bjorn said solemnly.

  Kai sighed again. Hansen chuckled beside him. He knew these warriors well, stubborn and bound to tradition.

  Harrietta stepped forward and barked, “Give the boy some space! He’s injured.”

  Kai smiled. He hadn’t expected the crazy fire mage to be caring, too.

  “By the way, Kai… who’s the girl tied up here?” Kran asked, stepping closer.

  His eyes lingered on Eira, heart thumping. She looked… enchanting.

  Kai noticed the look and chuckled.

  “She’s the last high-level creation of that madman, Florian. We saved her, but we still need to find a way to break his control before we can untie her.”

  Kran’s interest only deepened. She was special, unlike anyone he’d ever seen.

  Eira looked up at the group and smiled softly. Her forked tongue flicked out briefly.

  “Hello, everyone. I’m Eira, of the Southern Anghar tribe.”

  She had decided to reclaim her name and her past.

  Hansen’s heart skipped.

  “Did you say… Anghar tribe? The one that was destroyed two hundred years ago?”

  Eira blinked. “So, it’s been two hundred years… it felt longer, honestly.”

  She hadn’t known how much time had passed while she was in her maddened state.

  “But how are you alive?” Hansen asked, stunned. “Our chief was still alive back then. He said no one survived the Silverheart Viper’s attack.”

  Eira’s expression darkened.

  “The Viper attacked, yes. But it was the Master who finished off the survivors and the snake. He used its soul to strengthen me… so I could serve him.”

  Her voice was calm, but the pain lingered beneath.

  Hansen paled. He hadn’t meant to stir such memories.

  Harrietta stepped in, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

  “There, there, snake girl. We’ll take care of you. Do you need some rats for lunch?”

  Kai burst out laughing. Eira joined in, her smile returning.

  “Regular food will be fine. Thank you.”

  Then she turned to Kai. “Boy, bring the girl and come inside and rest. I might even cook something in that kitchen for everyone.”

  Kai’s face turned green. Just the thought of eating food prepared in that place made his stomach churn.

  “I have a better idea. There’s enough space in the yard,” Kai said.

  Harrietta raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  Kai turned to Scry.

  “I think we can trust them. Bring out Arcanum. Let’s give everyone a proper place to eat and rest. I’ll open up more rooms inside.”

  Scry, still being stretched like a toy by Umbra, groaned. “Good thinking. Also, tell this brute to let go of me!”

  “Who’s a brute, you baby? You forgot I can hear you two talking?” Umbra smirked, tossing him to the ground and standing triumphantly over him.

  Scry dusted off his fur. “Hmph. Lucky for you, I’m a kind spirit.”

  He pulled a small ancient orb from within his soul and chanted an old spell. “Everyone, please step back,” he called out.

  The orb pulsed and struck the ground.

  Moments later, Arcanum began to grow, expanding into the size of a small house.

  He didn’t make it larger. There was no need.

  Harrietta gasped.

  “An Arcanum? And so well preserved? Holy shit. You guys must be from the Seven Towers… or is this boy a prince? A son of an Emperor?”

  She couldn’t believe her eyes.

  Arcanums were rare, ancient, and priceless. The technology to create them has long been lost.

  Kai smiled.

  “It’s a gift from a well-meaning senior. Come, everyone. Let’s enter and rest. I think we all need it.”

  He picked up Lisa and walked inside. Umbra followed with Eire on her back.

  Kran appeared right behind, staring at Eira as he entered.

  Scry turned and grinned.

  “Come, come. There’s plenty of space inside.”

  Harrietta was the first to rush in, of the group; she wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

  The rest followed eagerly.

  Once everyone was inside, the doors closed, and Arcanum shimmered with light, turning invisible.

  Scry wasn’t foolish enough to leave it exposed.