The next morning, as sunlight filtered through the ancient stained glass of the grand Phoenix hall, the most powerful figures of the household gathered.
Marshal Derox stood tall, his arms crossed, still brimming with tension.
Marshal Hilt, calm yet wary, watched everyone in silence.
Marshal Serena, with her usual cold aura, stood behind Reyon.
Marshal Evelyn stood near the throne, her eyes shifting between Edward and Reyon.
And finally, at the head of it all sat Edward Phoenix—the Patriarch.
Edward leaned forward from the intricately carved throne that had passed down through generations of Phoenix rulers. His deep voice echoed across the silent chamber.
"We have confirmed… that Cold Sword Serena lost to Reyon Phoenix," he declared, each word carrying the weight of legacy and law. "With that, there's no need to attack the Classers."
He shifted in his seat, voice firm. "He is from our clan. One of us."
(An audible shift of tension moved through the room. Serena closed her eyes for a breath. Derox grunted quietly.)
Edward continued, his eyes locking with Reyon's. "With that declaration, a week later, the heir ceremony will be held."
As soon as those words dropped into the air, Reyon's expression changed. His mouth opened, breath hitching as he stepped forward—
"I—"
But before his protest could take form, Evelyn moved in, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor. She placed a gentle yet firm hand on his shoulder.
"Reyon," she whispered, her voice low so only he could hear, "I know what you're about to say. But once it's declared… it can't be taken back."
Reyon froze. His lips pressed shut.
"You can speak your mind after the ceremony," she added with a quiet smile. "This… would be the first time in our clan's history that the heir rejected the title. Let it happen in order."
Reyon lowered his eyes, swallowing his objection. His thoughts ran wild, but he nodded slowly.
Derox scoffed and stepped forward. "That boy… he may have defeated Cold Sword," he said gruffly, "but I still doubt it. He will be facing me soon, whether he likes it or not."
Serena glanced toward him, but said nothing.
Derox sneered, turning his back. "He better be prepared."
Hilt whispered to reyon, "He'll come at you out of pride. He holds the clan's honor above everything else."
Evelyn spoke gently again, "Though if you really defeated Serena… he'll be no match."
"Still," she added, "go rest. It's been a long road here, hasn't it?"
Reyon simply nodded, silent.
[Scene Change – A Day Later | Horizon Border]
(News rarely traveled fast across all borders. But the defeat of Cold Sword by Reyon Phoenix? That wasn't just news—it was a wildfire.)
The Phoenix clan had already begun spreading whispers—rumors polished into fact by the elders themselves. But on the distant border of Horizon, one boy heard it not from rumors, but from the mouth of a messenger sprinting into camp.
Ray Phoenix's eyes widened.
"…Reyon defeated mom?" he asked in disbelief, snatching the letter.
The guard nodded, panting. "Aye. Marshal Serena herself confirmed it. The heir ceremony will be held in a week's time."
Ray's heart skipped a beat.
Without wasting another second, he bolted straight toward the royal outpost.
"I have to tell Alice."
[Scene Change – Phoenix Territory | Outer Palace Grounds]
Alice was seated by the fountain, arms wrapped around her knees. Her silver hair, once so sharp and composed, now draped loosely, swaying in the spring breeze.
Ray burst through the hedges, voice trembling.
"Alice!"
She turned, eyes narrowing. "Ray?"
He didn't speak—he just handed her the scroll.
She unrolled it, reading through quickly.
Her fingers froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"You… you're not joking, are you?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper. "You mean to tell me…"
She looked up, her eyes watery. "A 5th-circle mage defeated my teacher?"
Ray nodded.
Tears formed in her eyes.
"I can't… I don't believe it. No. That can't be true. Reyon was always behind us. How—how can…"
Before she could say more, Serena appeared behind her silently and gently embraced her student.
"Alice," she whispered. "My child."
Alice didn't even lift her head. Her voice cracked. "Is it true?"
"It is."
Alice trembled in her arms. "B-but how… i am far behind now"
Serena stroked her hair gently, her own eyes soft. "Don't give up just yet. He is far superior now, yes. But you… are even more talented than I ever was."
"But… how can I reach him now?" she sobbed. "He's too far…"
Serena pulled her back and looked into her eyes.
"You can reach him. But if you give up now, you may never stand beside him. And…"
She hesitated.
"And you may have to give up on him entirely. As this news spreads, countless offers will come to him. Proposals. Politics."
Alice's heart clenched painfully.
Those words hit her harder than any spell.
"I… I don't want to lose him," she whispered.
Serena smiled. "Then train. Become stronger. Become worthy. And chase after him—not just in strength, but with your heart."
[Scene Change – Phoenix Main Palace | Reyon's Room] After three days
The doors slammed open.
Reyon flinched, blinking up from his chair.
"Ray?"
The older brother didn't speak. He ran straight in and threw his arms around Reyon in a bear hug.
"Finally!!" Ray shouted. "My brother is recognized by everyone now! You did it, Reyon! No one can look down on you again!!"
Reyon felt his chest tighten.
He smiled gently, placing his hands on Ray's back.
"I'm… lucky to have you."
He thought silently: Even though our mothers are different… even though our paths separated and i became the heir the position you always wanted, you still cheer for me.
Ray pulled back, his grin wide—but his face drenched in sweat.
"Eww," Reyon muttered, shoving him. "You're sweating like a pig. Go wash up, man."
Ray barked a laugh. "Tch. I ran here, okay? I know you're amazing, but you didn't need to drag me straight from the border."
"You're the one who ran to me, not the other way around," Reyon teased. "Can't blame me for being irresistible."
Ray smacked the back of his head.
"Look at you. Getting cocky. Gutsy, too. Is this what defeating a marshal does to a guy?"
The two burst into laughter.
They talked for hours—about everything. From the duel with Marshal Serena, to the new leadership of the Classers, to the strange underground chamber hidden below the headquarters.
Ray's eyes widened with every word. "You… really fought mother head-on?"
"Yeah. She even used Absolute Zero."
Ray's jaw dropped.
"No freaking way."
Reyon nodded.
"And I won."
They sat in silence for a moment, letting that weight sink in.
Then Ray leaned back and let out a satisfied sigh. "You're incredible."
Reyon turned to the window, gazing out at the clan grounds below.
"But there's still so much left to do," he said quietly.
"I know."
Ray stood and offered a fist.
"But now, you're not walking alone anymore."
Reyon bumped it back.
"No," he smiled, "I'm not."