"No, absolutely not." I gripped ra''s shoulders firmly, looking directly into her eyes. "That is never happening."


    Her small face crumpled with confusion. "But Mr. Liam, if my body is so valuable—"


    "ra." My voice softened but remained resolute. "You are not a resource to be used. Not by Flores, not by me, not by anyone."


    Tears welled in her eyes. "But what if someone else tries to take me? What if they''re stronger than you?"


    I knelt to her level, my heart breaking for this child who''d been forced to confront such darkness. "Then I''ll be even stronger to protect you."


    "But I could help you fight Dashiell ckthorne," she insisted. "If what that man said is true, you could use my dark energy to—"


    "Stop." I cut her off gently but firmly. "Listen to me very carefully, ra. True strength doesn''te from exploiting others. That path leads to bing like Flores—and I''d rather die than be that kind of monster."


    Conrad approached, setting aforting hand on ra''s shoulder. "Liam''s right. Dark cultivation through... those methods... it corrupts the user''s spirit. The power gained isn''t worth what''s lost."


    ra wiped her eyes, looking between us uncertainly. "Then what happens to me?"


    "You train," I said simply. "You grow stronger on your own terms. And until you can protect yourself, I''ll be there to keep you safe."


    A flicker of hope crossed her face. "You promise?"


    "I promise." I ruffled her hair gently. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow, we begin your proper training."


    ---


    Two dayster, Conrad and I stood at the edge of a massive pit we''d dug in the area where I''d encountered the phantom face. Sweat dripped down my back as I leaned on my shovel, staring at nothing but ordinary soil.


    "Twenty feet down and still nothing," Conrad sighed, wiping his brow. "Are you certain this was the spot?"


    I nodded, frustrated. "Completely certain. The face emerged right here, spoke those words, then vanished back into the ground."


    Conrad climbed out of the pit, offering me a hand up. "Perhaps it wasn''t physical. Some ancient formations can project images as warnings or tests."


    "Maybe." I wasn''t convinced. "But it felt... substantial. Like it was trying to break through from somewhere."


    "Another realm?" Conrad suggested, passing me a water skin.


    I took a long drink, considering. "Possibly. Or maybe I was wrong about it being buried. Perhaps it manifested here but originates elsewhere."


    Conrad gestured toward the darkening sky. "We should head back. We can research more about phantom manifestations once we return to Havenwood."


    As we gathered our tools, I cast onest look at the empty pit. Something about that face—its desperate expression, its cryptic words about "the final piece"—nagged at me. But without more evidence, we were at a dead end.


    ---


    Over the next twenty days, I threw myself into two priorities: training ra and preparing the Dragon Tiger team for the uing inter-provincialpetition.


    Each morning, I guided ra through modified cultivation exercises, tailored to safely channel her dark energy affinity. Though young, she disyed remarkable talent, absorbing techniques like a sponge.


    "Remember," I instructed as she practiced forming a protective barrier of dark energy around herself, "control is everything. Feel the energy responding to your intent, not just your emotions."


    Her small face scrunched in concentration as the dark aura surrounding her stabilized, taking on a more coherent form.


    "Good," I praised. "Now hold it steady while walking."


    She managed three steps before the barrier wavered and dissipated. Disappointment shed across her face.


    "That was excellent progress," I assured her. "Far better than yesterday."


    ra''s resilience surprised me. Despite everything she''d been through, she approached each lesson with determination beyond her years.


    "Mr. Liam," she asked one day after practice, "will I ever be able to make golden light like you do?"


    I considered her question carefully. "Your natural affinity is different from mine. But with proper training, you''ll develop abilities uniquely suited to you."


    She nodded, seemingly satisfied with this answer. "I want to be strong enough that nobody can use me. Ever."


    The fierce determination in her young voice made my heart ache and swell with pride simultaneously.


    ---


    Afternoons were dedicated to the Dragon Tiger team. I supplied each member with specially formted pills to enhance their physical capabilities and elerate their cultivation.


    "These aren''t miracle drugs," I warned as I distributed them. "They''ll amplify your existing strengths, but only consistent training will yieldsting results."


    The effects became evident within days. Reaction times improved, stamina increased, and moves that had once been clumsy became fluid. Even Zane Avery, initially skeptical of my methods, couldn''t deny the progress.


    "Whatever you''re giving them," he admitted during a sparring session, "it''s working. I''ve never seen such rapid improvement."


    I watched as two team members executed aplexbination attack they''d struggled with just a week prior. "The pills only enhance what''s already there. Your training foundation is solid—they just needed a catalyst."


    By the third week, the transformation was remarkable. Movements that had once been mechanical were now intuitive. Team members who had struggled to hold their own against a single opponent could now handle multiple attackers.


    ---


    When I arrived at the Eldoria Battle Zone for a final assessment before our departure to Veridia City, Commander Wood was waiting with Zane Avery.


    "Knight," themander greeted me with a rare smile. "Avery has been singing your praises. I wanted to see these miracles for myself."


    I bowed respectfully. "The team has worked incredibly hard, sir. Any improvement is primarily due to their dedication."


    Commander Wood gestured toward the training field. "Show me."


    The Dragon Tiger team performed brilliantly, executing difficult formations with precision that would have been unthinkable a month ago. Even their individual sparring demonstrated significantly enhanced power and technique.


    After the demonstration, several team members approached me with genuine gratitude.


    "Master Knight," one young man said earnestly, "I''ve never felt so strong in my life. It''s like I''ve been seeing through a fog until now."


    A female team member nodded in agreement. "The pills you gave us—they''ve done more than boost our strength. I can sense my opponent''s movements before they happen now."


    Their praise was interrupted by Commander Wood. "Knight, a word in private."


    I followed him to his office, where he closed the door and turned to me with a serious expression.


    "What you''ve aplished is remarkable," he began, "but it presents us with a dilemma."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Sir?"


    He sighed, leaning against his desk. "The inter-provincialpetition has been dominated by Veridia City''s team for the past five years. Their captain, Ignazio Bellweather, is not only a formidable fighter but also the nephew of High Commander Bellweather of the Veridia City Martial Guild."


    A sense of unease crept up my spine. "I don''t understand the problem, sir. Isn''t our goal to win?"


    "In theory, yes." Commander Wood''s expression grew troubled. "But in practice... Look, Knight, I''ve been in this position long enough to understand the political realities. If our previously mediocre team suddenly defeats Veridia''s champions, questions will be asked."


    "Questions about me," I supplied, understanding dawning.


    "Precisely." He nodded grimly. "Your methods, your background, your surprisingly advanced knowledge of cultivation and alchemy—all of it would be scrutinized. And not just by curious officials, but by powerful people who don''t appreciate being upstaged."


    I crossed my arms, frowning. "So what exactly are you suggesting?"


    "Second ce," he said bluntly. "A respectable showing that demonstrates improvement without drawing unwanted attention. Enough to secure additional funding and recognition for the team, but not enough to bruise important egos."


    My jaw tightened. "You want me to tell them to deliberately lose?"


    "To strategically ensure a strong second-ce finish," he corrected. "Bellweather''s team wins, maintaining the status quo, while we demonstrate enough improvement to be taken seriously for futurepetitions."


    I paced the small office, frustration building. "These people have worked incredibly hard. They deserve the chance to win."


    "And they deserve to continue their careers without bing targets of powerful enemies," Commander Wood countered. "This isn''t about fairness, Knight. It''s about survival in a world where merit often takes a backseat to connections." <var ss="frag-498f85">The<i ss="node-sep"></i>genuine<i ss="node-sep"></i>article<i ss="node-sep"></i>resides<i ss="node-sep"></i>on<i ss="node-sep"></i>M|V|L&EMPYR.</var>


    The truth in his words stung. I''d experienced firsthand how the powerful manipted the system to maintain their advantage. Was it fair to potentially subject these young fighters to simr treatment?


    "Fine," I finally conceded, my voice tight. "Second ce."


    Commander Wood''s shoulders rxed visibly. "Thank you for understanding. I know it''s not ideal, but sometimes we must choose our battles."


    I nodded curtly. "When do we depart for Veridia City?"


    "Two days from now," he replied. "Thepetition begins in five days. You''ll be traveling as the team''s official alchemist and strategic advisor."


    As I turned to leave, Commander Wood added, "Knight, for what it''s worth... what you''ve aplished here is extraordinary. In another world, under different circumstances, this team would rightfully stand at the top."


    I paused at the door. "In another world, perhaps. But in this one, we y by their rules—until we''re strong enough to change them."


    ---


    That evening, I stood at the entrance of the battle zone, looking northward toward the capital. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of crimson and gold, a fitting backdrop for my thoughts.


    Veridia City. The beating heart of power in our nation. Home to the Ashworth family, the Martial Guild, and countless other forces that had shaped my destiny.


    I''d first journeyed there as a desperate man, seeking to save Isabelle. Now I would return as an official representative of Eldoria Province—still keeping my capabilities hidden, still ying the game by their rules, but growing stronger with each passing day.


    "Veridia City," I murmured softly, "here Ie."


    The wind picked up, carrying my words northward, like a promise—or perhaps a warning—to all who awaited my arrival in the capital.