Liam''s Perspective


    The airship descended toward Dn, a mountainous region famed for its cultivation resources. From the window, I could see vast forests and jagged peaks stretching toward the horizon. The perfect ce to hide—or to grow stronger.


    "First time in Dn?" Evelyn Norton asked, seated across from me.


    I nodded. "I''ve heard stories. They say the spiritual energy here is three times denser than in Veridia City."


    "Four times, actually," she corrected with a smile. "It''s why the Kaelen family built their empire here centuries ago."


    The airship docked at a modest terminal carved into the mountainside. As we disembarked, I couldn''t help but think about Dudley Lowell''s pathetic attempt to curse me back in Oceana City. His incantation had fizzled against my skin like water on hot stone. Another enemy who''d underestimated me.


    "You''re distracted," Evelyn noted as we collected our bags.


    "Just thinking about something that happened before we left."


    "Care to share?"


    I shook my head. "Nothing worth mentioning. Just another fool who thought he could hurt me."


    We hired a local taxi to take us into Dn City. The driver, a weathered man with sun-darkened skin, perked up when I mentioned the Kaelen family.


    "Heading to see Master Axel?" he asked, eyes widening in the rearview mirror. "Important folks, you must be."


    "You know of him?" I asked.


    The driverughed. "Everyone in Dn knows the Kaelens. They own half the mountains and most of the city. Master Axel''s the richest man in three provinces."


    "And powerful?" I pressed.


    "Like you wouldn''t believe. They say he can move mountains with a wave of his hand." The driver lowered his voice. "Some say he''s already reached Martial Marquis level, but keeps it quiet to avoid trouble from the Guild."


    Interesting. I exchanged a nce with Evelyn, who raised an eyebrow slightly.


    The taxi wound up a narrow mountain road until we reached a massive gate carved with intricate runes. Beyond it stood the Kaelen manor—or rather, pce. The sprawlingplex spilled across the mountainside like a cascading waterfall of ivory and jade.


    "Holy shit," I muttered.


    Evelyn smirked. "The Kaelens don''t do anything halfway."


    I paid the driver, who sped away after giving us a respectful bow. Before we could approach the gate, my senses tingled. Someone was watching us.


    No—two someones. Both at Grandmaster level, hiding poorly in the trees nking the road.


    "We havepany," I whispered to Evelyn.


    She nodded slightly. "I noticed. Want me to handle them?"


    "No need." I smiled thinly. "I''ll give them what they''re looking for."


    I walked casually toward the gate, then suddenly darted left into the forest. Moving at full speed, I circled behind our observers. They were still looking at the spot where I''d disappeared,pletely unaware I was now behind them.


    Amateurs.


    I cleared my throat loudly. Both figures jumped, spinning around with expressions of panic.


    "Looking for someone?" I asked pleasantly.


    They were both men in their thirties, dressed in in clothes that failed to hide their muscr builds. Guild training, clearly, but not elite.


    "Liam Knight," the taller one stated, trying to recover hisposure.


    "Congrattions. You found me." I crossed my arms. "Now, would you like to exin why you''re following me like second-rate spies?"


    The shorter one flushed. "We''re not—"


    "Save it." I cut him off. "You''ve been on my trail since Veridia City. Did you really think I wouldn''t notice?"


    They exchanged ufortable nces.


    "We''re from the Veridia City Martial Guild," the taller one finally admitted.


    "I gathered that much. Who sent you?"


    "Vice President Emerson Holmes."


    Now that was interesting. Dashiell''s master had his eyes on me—but why?


    "And what does the esteemed Vice President want?" I asked, letting a hint of danger seep into my voice.


    "We don''t know," the shorter one blurted. "We were just told to track your movements and report back."


    I stepped closer, towering over him. "Do you know who I am? What I''ve done to people who''ve gotten in my way?"


    He swallowed hard. "We''ve heard stories."


    "They''re not stories." I reached out and gripped his cor, lifting him slightly off the ground. "They''re warnings."


    The taller one tensed, ready to attack, but Evelyn materialized beside him, her finger pressed against his throat.


    "I wouldn''t," she advised quietly.


    I released the shorter man, who stumbled backward.


    "Here''s what''s going to happen," I said calmly. "You''re going to leave Dn. Now. You''ll tell Emerson Holmes that if he wants to know what I''m doing, he can ask me himself."


    "But sir—" the taller one began.


    "I''m not finished," I interrupted. "You''ll also tell him that the next time he sends people to spy on me, I won''t be so understanding."


    They nodded quickly, faces pale.


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    "Now go."


    They turned and hurried away, practically tripping over themselves.


    Evelyn joined me as we watched them disappear down the mountain road. "You think Holmes is acting on his own, or on Guild orders?"


    "I don''t know," I admitted. "But I intend to find out."


    We approached the Kaelen family gate once more. Before we could announce ourselves, the massive doors swung open silently.


    A servant in formal attire bowed deeply. "Master Knight, Miss Norton. Master Axel is expecting you."


    Of course he was. Nothing happened in Dn without Axel Kaelen knowing about it.


    "How thoughtful," I said. "Lead the way."


    As we followed the servant through manicured gardens and over ornate bridges spanning artificialkes, I considered the Guild''s interest in me. Emerson Holmes was Dashiell''s master—was this surveince rted to that connection? Or was there something deeper at y?


    Either way, it didn''t matter much now. Once I reached half-step Martial Marquis level—my immediate goal—Holmes and his pawns would be irrelevant. The Guild''s vice president might be powerful in Veridia City, but here in Dn, under Axel Kaelen''s protection, I could focus on what truly mattered: bing strong enough that no one, not even ten half-step Martial Marquis from the Umbral Covenant, could threaten me again.


    The servant led us to an expansive courtyard where a slender man in flowing white robes stood with his back to us, apparently studying a peculiar flower that emitted a soft blue glow.


    "Master Axel," the servant announced. "Your guests have arrived."


    The figure turned slowly, revealing a face of striking beauty that seemed ageless—neither young nor old. His eyes, however, were ancient, filled with knowledge and something else I couldn''t quite identify.


    "Liam Knight," he said, his voice melodious yet somehow unsettling. "I''ve been watching your progress with great interest."


    His smile didn''t reach his eyes, which remained fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin crawl.


    "Wee to my home," Axel Kaelen continued. "We have so much to discuss."