[Veldanava's Garden]
The crimson blaze surrounding Velgrynd flares as she lands hard on the grass, the heat pressing against everyone present.
Velgrynd: Five hundred years, Veldora. Not one visit. And the moment you finally appear, it's to fight Dagruel instead of seeing your sister?
Veldora: Hey, I had to see if my new form could keep up.
Velgrynd: You could have tested it on me.
Veldora: Would you have gone easy?
Velgrynd: Absolutely not.
Her tone softens for the briefest heartbeat.
Velgrynd: I missed you, idiot.
Veldora: …Yeah. Missed you too, sis.
But her eyes sharpen again.
Velgrynd: And remember—no destroying cities without reason. Like you did to Night Rose City five years ago. Velzard was so furious she killed you on the spot.
Veldora: That was an accident.
Velgrynd: You were laughing.
Veldora: It was a fun accident.
Velgrynd exhales sharply through her nose, muttering something about "hopeless little brothers."
[Rudra's Perspective]
Rudra's gaze flicks between them. Five centuries absent, mass destruction, and now Veldanava gives him Uriel…
Uriel. The very same skill Rudra once wielded—a fortress of infinite defense, traded away long ago for Michael. Now it sat in the Storm Dragon's core, feeding his already absurd durability.
At least it's not an attack skill, Rudra thinks. If it had been, half the continent would be rubble by now.
Veldora flexes his fingers, arcs of golden light sparking faintly.
Veldora: Not bad. Between this and my own control, I've got a style I like.
Velgrynd: You've come far, little brother.
Veldora: Heh. I've even had a name for myself for a while now—Veldora Tempest.
Velgrynd: …You what?
Rudra: You gave yourself a last name?
Veldora: Yeah. Sometime back. Sounds cool, right?
Rudra: You just… decided it?
Velgrynd: And you didn't tell anyone?
Veldora: Why would I? I liked how it sounded, so I kept it.
Velgrynd: (sighs) You are impossible.
Rudra: Predictable, though. Very predictable.
Veldanava simply smiles faintly, as if none of this surprised him.
Veldanava: Names have weight, Veldora. Make sure you carry yours with care.
Veldora: Don't worry. I'll make "Veldora Tempest" unforgettable.
Velgrynd: Just… not in the same way you made Night Rose City unforgettable.
Veldora: …No promises—
Velgrynd: Veldora.
Veldora: …Fine, fine.
Rudra leans back in his chair, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Rudra: Well… I suppose I should be glad you didn't get an offensive type Ultimate Skill.
Veldora: Huh?
Rudra: Think about it. Uriel's just defense. That's probably the only thing saving you from Velgrynd's and Velzard's combined wrath.
Velgrynd: …
Veldora: …
Both turn their heads and glare at Rudra in perfect sync.
Rudra keeps his calm smile, completely unfazed. After all, Milim is sitting comfortably on his lap, munching happily on a plate of cookies an otherworlder chef had made earlier.
Milim: (mouth full) These are sooo good! Uncle Rudra, you have the best snacks.
Rudra: (patting her head) I know.
Veldora mutters something about "smug humans," while Velgrynd narrows her eyes as if plotting payback.
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To be continued.
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Authors Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
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