Meanwhile, in General Ryker’s office, a hologram call flickered to life. The heads of the Five Families appeared one by one:

  Gustav Tremblay, patriarch of the Tremblay family.

  Akane Sato, matriarch of the Sato familly.

  Hank Goetia, patriarch of the Goetia family.

  Victoria Rui, matriarch of the Rui family.

  And at the center, standing in full authority, General Ryker Smith, patriarch of the Smith family.

  Ryker began, his tone firm:

  “Since the Inter-Infantry Competition is approaching, bases across multiple sectors of space will be sending their candidates here. I recommend we raise security during the event. Abberant activity is rising.”

  Gustav crossed his arms and scoffed lightly.

  “Ryker, we’ve held this competition for hundreds of years. Not once has an Abberant ever appeared. What makes this time any different?”

  Ryker didn’t answer with words. He simply waved his hand.

  A large hologram screen materialized behind him, its display showing blinking red zones and expanding black territories.

  “Gustav,” Ryker said darkly, “have you reviewed the Abberant Activity Database lately?”

  The screen zoomed in: Australia—lost. New Zealand—lost. The Philippines—currently falling.

  “With that it makes 14 countries have been lost for the past hundred years.” Ryker said.

  Akane’s eyes narrowed sharply.

  “They’ve become far more active these past years… and far more aggressive. I agree with Ryker. I’ll dispatch a contingent of my samurai warriors to guard the event.”

  Hank nodded, his expression grim.

  “The Abberants in Greece have evolved. They’re more cunning… more intelligent. I’ll send Goetian soldiers as reinforcement.”

  Ryker bowed his head slightly.

  “Thank you, Akane. Thank you, Hank.”

  Gustav let out a sigh, reconsidering what he’d seen, yet still unmoved.

  “Even with this data, I cannot spare any of my soldiers. However, I believe my youngest daughter, Winter, will be sufficient to handle anything that occurs.”

  Ryker paused. His jaw tightened, just for a moment.

  “…Understood.”

  His gaze shifted to Victoria, who had been silently sipping her tea, seemingly unbothered by the escalating tension.

  “How about you, Victoria?” Ryker asked.

  Victoria set her teacup down with a soft clink, lifting her eyes toward him.

  “I will send half of the Shadows of Rui,” she said calmly, “if you answer one question for me.”

  The other heads stiffened in surprise. Victoria never offered her elite shadows so easily. Something was off.

  Ryker remained expressionless.

  “What is it, Victoria?”

  Victoria leaned back in her chair, recalling the memory.

  “A few months ago, at Aurora Academy, I met a young man. His spirit energy was… unusual. Disturbingly unusual. He defeated my son in their match.”

  She crossed one leg over the other, voice lowering.

  “According to his database profile, he is under protection of the Smith family.”

  Her eyes sharpened.

  “Why is that, Ryker?”

  “The reason will be announced after the event,” Ryker said firmly.

  “For now, Kael Santos is considered part of the Smith Family, and therefore he will be treated—and protected—as one of us.”

  Victoria lifted an eyebrow.

  “Very well. If you won’t tell me who he is, then allow my sons to face him in the three-on-three category during the competition.”

  Akane’s eyes widened.

  “Really, Victoria? You would stoop so low just to give your son revenge for his defeat?”

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  Victoria shook her head.

  “It’s not about revenge, Akane. I want to assess the power of that young man.”

  “And why is that?” Hank asked.

  Victoria set her teacup aside, her expression sharpening.

  “Because his spirit energy is unusually similar to someone, we all know.”

  Gustav frowned.

  “And who might that be?”

  Victoria took a quiet breath.

  “It’s almost the same as Cael—”

  But before she could finish, Ryker cut in sharply.

  “Enough, Victoria. I understand. You don’t need to bring up him up.”

  He exhaled slowly.

  “I accept your deal.”

  Victoria smirked, lifted her teacup again, and took a final sip.

  “Good. Expect the Shadow of Rui to arrive a day before the event.”

  Her hologram faded out.

  Hank leaned forward, face shock.

  “Ryker… is it true? Was she about to say that this Kael Santos boy has the same spirit energy as that person?”

  Ryker looked away.

  “I’ll explain everything after the Inter-Infantry Competition.”

  Hank nodded once.

  “I’ll be expecting your explanation. My soldiers will arrive a day before the event as well.”

  His hologram disappeared.

  Akane spoke next, her tone half-concern, half-warning.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, Ryker. I hope… this will be it. My warriors will arrive at the same time.”

  She bowed and vanished.

  Gustav lingered for a moment, then smiled lightly.

  “Ryker, just tell my daughter I said hello.”

  His hologram flickered out.

  Left completely alone in his dim office, Ryker stared at the glowing map of Abberant activity.

  Quietly, almost to himself, he muttered:

  “…I really hope he truly is it.”

  Meanwhile, at the Rui Mansion, Victoria stepped into the dojo—and instantly stopped.

  Blood splattered the walls.

  The tatami floor was soaked crimson.

  The bodies of the Claws of Rui, her elite enforcers, lay scattered like broken dolls.

  In the center of the carnage sat James, drenched in blood. His chest rose and fell in ragged breaths. Deep cuts, bruises, and claw marks covered him from neck to wrist. His trembling frame was the only movement in the silent, blood-scented room.

  Victoria’s lips curled into a cold smirk.

  “Now this is what I want to see.”

  James didn’t move. He just stared at the floor, blood dripping from his chin.

  Victoria approached him slowly, heel tapping against the soaked wooden edge of the dojo.

  “Tell me, James… do you wish to cleanse the humiliation you brought upon yourself?”

  James lifted his head.

  His eyes glowed burning red—feral, humiliated, hungry for violence.

  He pushed himself up shakily, then knelt before her, lowering his forehead to the bloodstained floor.

  “With every ounce of my blood, Matriarch,” he growled.

  “Good.” Victoria’s voice was velvet and venom.

  “You will have your chance to face that boy again. This time, go all out.”

  James’s lips peeled into a smile—pure malice, pure intent to destroy.

  “Clean yourself,” Victoria continued, turning away. “Then come inside the mansion. You and your brothers will be entering the Inter-Infantry Competition.”

  James rose, leaving a smeared trail of blood behind him as he limped out—still smiling.

  Victoria waited until he was gone.

  Then, under her breath, cold and murderous, she whispered:

  “If I am wrong… that boy who humiliated my son will die a gruesome death.”

  Back at the infantry base, after a full night of rest, Kael finally felt his spirit energy fully restored. His body was lighter, his mind clear, and the lingering dizziness from the Elemental Split had faded.

  He made his way to the mess hall, the early morning chatter mixing with the clatter of trays. As he entered, he spotted his friends already gathered around their usual table. Natalia waved him over, Serafina smiled softly, Kyle and Anya nodded in greeting.

  Kael joined them—and then tapped the glowing emblem on his belt.

  “Alright, you three. Breakfast.”

  His belt pocket lit up, and three shimmering forms emerged from it:

  Kylon, elegant and calm;

  Kawa, fiery and proud;

  Zatz, cheerful and buzzing with energy.

  Kylon stretched his arms like someone waking from a long nap.

  “Dear Holder,” he said in his composed, gentle voice, “yesterday was… truly confusing. I still recall being a part of you—not through Spirit Drive, but as if we were one singular being of light.”

  Kawa crossed his arms, scoffing.

  “Speak for yourself. You were light. I was fire. And obviously the strongest of the three.”

  Zatz, bouncing excitedly, added, “Being spark with Holder was the best! I loved every moment—zzzt-zzzt—so much fun!”

  Kael laughed under his breath.

  “It was disorienting… but also freeing. I remember being light, fire, and spark all at the same time. Three minds, three instincts—and somehow still me.”

  He set plates in front of them, Bread with cheese and ham for Kylon, Steak with gravy and mashed potatoes for Kawa, Chocolate chip cookies and chocolate milk for Zatz.

  “And here,” Kael said, placing the extra portions down, “a reward for all your hard work yesterday.”

  Kawa pointed at the steak with an approving nod.

  Zatz immediately shoved two cookies in his mouth at once.

  Kylon clasped his claws, bowing in gratitude.

  Takeshi finished the last of his meal in a quiet, focused manner. The moment he set his tray aside, he stood and bowed his head slightly to the group.

  “If it’s alright, I’ll head out first,” he said. “I still need to train.”

  Before he could take more than two steps, Kyle—mid-bite into a burger—called out through a mouthful of bread and meat.

  “W–wait up! It’s my turn to help you train today.”

  He hopped up, still chewing, and hurried after Takeshi.

  As they left the mess hall, their Spirit Creatures dissolved into glowing particles, returning to their belt pockets as spirit cards. The hum of their energy faded from the room.

  Serafina turned to Kael, adjusting her glasses lightly.

  “How about you? Aren’t you going to follow them?”

  Kael shook his head with a small, understanding smile.

  “I would… but I’m scheduled to practice with the other squad leaders for the competition. Kyle and Takeshi both have one-on-one matches—they need that extra training. This will help them more than me tagging along.”

  Serafina nodded, accepting his reasoning. Natalia gave him a light pat on the shoulder, proud yet concerned. Anya simply smirked—she always liked seeing people grow stronger.

  Kael took one last sip of his drink, stood up, and stretched.

  “Alright. I’ll see you all later,” he said, voice steady but eager. “Time to get ready for the big event.”

  Just as Kael was about to leave, the doors of the mess hall slid open with a soft hiss.

  Barnabas and Joseph stepped inside, both already geared up and clearly looking for him.

  “Kael!” Joseph waved. “We’re here to fetch you. Ready for training?”

  Barnabas gave a nod, more reserved but just as eager.

  “You said you’d practice with us for today.”

  Kael smiled.

  “Perfect timing. Let’s go.”

  The three of them exited together, heading toward the high-level training wing.