[Underground Chamber – Final Day]
Three weeks had passed.
The subterranean training chamber, once a den of danger and legacy trials, now echoed only the quiet hum of shifting mana and the breath of a lone boy. Reyon stood in the center, his shirt torn and soaked in sweat, the air dense with condensed vectors and raw magical intensity.
In both of his hands, two different incantations shimmered.
One flickered with static blue flame, the other twisted with concentrated wind— simultaneous double casting.
Reyon exhaled, lowering his hands slowly.
"Finally..." he muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Infinity at thirty percent... and as in order to cast infinity it took vector control to the limits i can now use double casting"
The mana around him settled like mist returning to the earth.
His vector control had soared beyond his expectations. He could feel it in his bones, his mind—no, even his soul.
With every movement, vectors bent like loyal servants.
"It's time," he whispered, glancing at the silver-embedded Ring of Ferica glowing faintly with its new purple gem. "I should return to the Phoenix household."
He paused, lowering his gaze.
"…But before that, the Classers need a leader. Someone with power. With presence. Someone they'd follow even if I vanished tomorrow."
A face came to his mind—harsh eyes, stubborn grit, and unwavering ambition.
"Julie..."
Yes, she had tried to kill him. Had attempted to annihilate the Classers. But deep beneath that, her goals mirrored his own.
To destroy corruption.
To rebuild the nation with the first generation's vision.
"She's the only one who can handle this," he said, setting off through the underground tunnels.
[Classer Headquarters – Brief Pass]
Reyon passed through the dim stone halls of the headquarters silently.
He didn't stop. Not even once.
Some of the guards stood tall, saluting the masked boy who had led them through war and chaos.
"Leader."
"Classer Chief."
But Reyon said nothing.
He merely nodded, cloak trailing behind as he exited the gates and disappeared into the shadow of the night.
[Royal Palace – Night]
The palace had no idea it had been breached.
A flicker of mana, a distortion of air—and Reyon slipped through the perimeter, bypassing every ward and knight with the ease of a phantom. His current mastery over vectors allowed him to walk through security as if it didn't exist.
"Still the same layout... her chamber should be to the right."
His boots made no sound as he approached a large polished door. He gently pushed it open.
There she was.
Julie, once the feared noble and mighty commander of royal guards, now slumped in a chair by the fireplace. Her long silver-blonde hair was messy, lips dry, eyes lifeless.
"Miss Julie," Reyon said, breaking the silence. "This is the first time I've seen you so... lifeless."
Her eyes flicked toward him slowly. She didn't even flinch at the sudden voice.
"…Do I have to tell you what happened?" she murmured. "I lost. That's all. I couldn't end the Classers... even after everything. I even requested aid from Phoenix… and still…"
She laughed bitterly, head falling back against the chair.
"To think you were the young master of Phoenix... how laughable."
Reyon blinked, stunned. "...How did you know?"
Julie lifted one brow.
"You're forgetting something," she said flatly. "My disguise as Emily still hasn't been uncovered. I've been gathering intel from inside the resistance all along."
She stood up slowly, brushing her coat into place.
"One of my squad members said you not only healed Cold Sword's injury, but stood by her side the entire night she was unconscious. Guarding her like a knight."
Reyon looked away, his silence betraying the truth.
"There's no reason for a classers member to protect a Marshal of Phoenix," she said coldly. "Unless you had a reason to keep her alive… and more than that, she left peacefully after waking up. No incident. No report. Just gone."
Julie stepped closer.
"Then a name came to my mind. Reyon. The second young master. A direct descendant of Phoenix." it can't be a coincidence
"…And your power." She narrowed her eyes. "No 5th-circle magician can fight a veteran 8th-circle and win. It's not possible. But if you're the inheritor of Lord Leywin's legacy… then it all adds up."
Reyon gave a dry laugh, shaking his head.
"You figured it all out, huh?"
She scoffed. "What do you intend to do now? You've already killed off every corrupt noble. Don't tell me... you're planning to take over this kingdom now?"
Reyon's laugh grew deeper this time.
"You really think I want that?"
Julie stared at him, confused.
"I don't intend to rule anything. I came here to kill Berth... and retrieve an important item."
He walked to the window, glancing out over the palace garden.
"This kingdom's future isn't mine to shape."
"…Then why are you here?"
"To name a new leader for the Classers."
Julie's mouth parted.
"…What?"
"I'm placing you in charge."
"WHAT!!?" Julie's voice cracked the silence like thunder. She stepped forward in disbelief. "Are you insane?! Why would you do that?!"
Reyon turned to her, calm and unwavering.
"I told you—I'm done. I killed Berth. I retrieved what I needed. But the Classers… they need someone with vision and power. You already control the royal guards. If you take the Classers too, no one will dare oppose you."
He pointed at her heart with two fingers.
"With both blades in hand, you can become the first Empress of Elise."
Julie's mouth opened, but no words came. Her legs wobbled slightly.
"…Why would you help me…?" she asked, voice trembling. "How do you even know that's what I want?"
Reyon smirked, arms crossing.
"Let's just say… this is the repayment for stealting jewel of elise."
His thoughts drifted.
In his past life, Julie had done the unthinkable. After the fall of the Classers and the collapse of the kingdom, she'd saved Reyon. Risked her life for him when she had no reason to.
"I'm just repaying the favor."
Reyon turned, stepping toward the door.
"Well then. Goodbye."
Julie was frozen.
His figure disappeared into the night, like a passing storm—leaving behind silence, confusion, and… the faintest spark of hope.
[Julie's Chamber – After Reyon's Departure]
Julie sat back on her chair, trembling.
"…What the hell is that boy?"
She gripped the fabric of her sleeve tightly.
"Strongest in the kingdom… and doesn't want to rule? No attachments to power or fame…"
Her mind raced.
"He's someone who will become the strongest in the world in a few years."
Her breathing became shallow. Her cheeks flushed red.
"He doesn't seem like he wants to inherit Phoenix... then… he won't be bound by any faction."
Julie grinned slyly, a twinkle in her eyes returning.
"I can still make this work. If I become Empress… and send a marriage proposal for reyon amd me to the Phoenix Patriarch…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"…That would solidify the alliance."
The fire crackled beside her.
And in its glow, Julie's ambition burned once more.