"Silence, you fool. Don't get me angry."
Amanda's words slashed across the chamber like a blade. The moment her voice dropped, her Renshi pressure exploded outward. The entire room warped under the weight of her presence—air twisting, torches bending, the stone floor trembling. Even the Upper Five lowered their heads, unwilling to look directly at her.
"A simple task," Amanda continued coldly, "bring me the boy. Yet the five of you failed."
The atmosphere thickened, crushing Pascal to his knees. His body shivered as if an invisible mountain had been dropped on his shoulders. The other Origins watched in silence, some hiding smirks, others narrowing their eyes at Amanda's authority.
"Just Today, you will be here with me," Amanda calm voice changes the atmosphere again.Until another thirty days. Don't you dare ruin it."
The pressure lifted instantly. The suffocating weight vanished as Amanda withdrew her Renshi Pressure. Pascal slumped into his chair, his face pale, his pride shattered.
Amanda shifted her gaze across the table, her tone calm now. "Rebekah here will be our Little Brain. From this day forth, she will serve as our strategist."
The chamber stirred. Murmurs rippled across the massive table as the Seven Origins of the Seven Realms studied the young girl. They were the founders of the Avengers—ancient beings who lived through countless centuries, who raised and discarded leaders like pawns. And yet Amanda, whose reign had lasted the longest, had chosen this child.
One of the Origins, seated closest to Amanda, leaned forward. His youthful face betrayed no age, though his eyes carried centuries of calculation. "Amanda… tell me. Why give this child such privilege to stand among us?"
Amanda's lips curled into a faint smile. "Because her mind works faster than most adults. She can strategize before others even grasp the situation. I am making her my successor."
The room froze. Even Rebekah herself widened her eyes. The Seven Origins rarely showed shock, but now, every gaze was fixed on Amanda in disbelief.
"Are you insane?" another Origin thundered, slamming his hands against the table. His voice carried like a storm. "You've held power this long because of your strength, Amanda. But this? A weak girl as the future leader of the Avengers? Never!" He rose to his feet, his aura sparking like flames ready to burn the chamber.
Amanda did not flinch. She tilted her head slightly, speaking not aloud but directly into their minds. "Calm yourself, Stark. I have everything under control. There is no world where I would hand my throne to a weakling."
The words rang in all of their heads simultaneously, heavy and commanding. Stark—Origin of Blazora, Realm of Fire—halted mid-step, his aura snuffed out as though Amanda's will had extinguished them. Slowly, he sat back down, his jaw clenched.
The names of the seven were etched into the silence:
ORIGIN Stark – REALM of Blazora ( Fire)
ORIGIN Cregan –REALM OF Aquara (Water)
ORIGIN Julius – REALM OF Voltaris, (Lightning)
ORIGIN Caesar – REALM OF Terranox,(Earth)
ORIGIN Vidarr – REALM OF Skyveil,(Wind)
ORIGIN Scylla – REALM OF Duskbane, (Darkness)
ORIGIN Gladius – REALM OF Lunara,(Light)
The Seven Origins of the Seven Realms—ancient beings who still wore the bodies of their twenties. Their ambitions, even to Amanda, remained a mystery. Their realms, hidden in shadows, undiscovered even by the most powerful.
Rebekah, standing in the center, clenched her fists. So this is the weight of the Avengers… The people I'm expected to outwit and serve beside. I have no choice but to play their game now.
---
Morning in Ashura
Dawn broke gently over Ashura. The training field came alive with effort and sweat. Alfie, Jackson, and Sasaki strained against the weight of the Shinra statues while Lucy observed from the sidelines, sipping a drink.
For five relentless hours, they pushed themselves. Muscles screamed, veins bulged, their bodies near collapse. Finally, Lucy clapped her hands, calling them over for lunch.
They collapsed around her like hungry wolves. Alfie grabbed a hamburger, stuffing it into his mouth at lightning speed. "This… is… so delicious!" he mumbled through full cheeks.
"Don't choke yourself, Alfie," Sasaki said dryly. "Try acting more like Jackson once in a while."
"Butt out, Mr. Reaper!" Alfie shot back without looking up. "I can't slow down with food this good!"
"Slow down, Alfie." Lucy's calm voice cut through the noise.
Alfie froze mid-bite, then chewed slowly, almost obediently. Sasaki glared at him. "Unbelievable. You follow her orders instantly but ignore me every time."
Alfie smirked. "That's because you cheat. We had a bet yesterday, and you still didn't give me your dinner."
"That's not the reason," Sasaki replied, his tone suddenly serious. He leaned closer, his sharp eyes boring into Alfie's. "You still don't trust me. I can see it in your eyes."
"Stop creeping me out!" Alfie shoved his face away.
Lucy intervened, her voice cold. "Don't forget who the master is here, Sasaki."
The atmosphere cooled again, and after a few more minutes of food and laughter, they returned to training. Their improvements were steady—Alfie lasting a full minute, Jackson pushing forty-five seconds, and Sasaki enduring for five minutes straight. Their progress, though grueling, was undeniable.
"I'm impressed," a voice said from behind Lucy.
Raizer.
Lucy didn't turn. She took another sip of her drink. "You can't keep coming here like this."
"I was just passing by." Raizer's disguised form lingered at the edge. "Thought I'd say hello."
"If that's true, drop the disguise," Lucy countered sharply.
"Of course I'm wearing one. I can't show myself here. Too many eyes are watching after yesterday's duel."
Lucy set down her drink. Her voice softened slightly. "I forgot to ask… your boy. The one you cried to return home for. How is he?"
Raizer smiled faintly, for the first time letting his mask slip. "You still remember, huh? He's strong now. Growing alongside his younger brother. They're training hard, waiting for the upcoming Elite Tournament. I'm looking forward to seeing what your boys has, Lucy."
"He's got a brother now…" Lucy mused, almost to herself. "That's good to know. But be certain, Raizer. If our boys cross paths in that tournament, neither of them will hold back."
Raizer chuckled. "That's fine by me. My sons are ready. Stronger than you think Lu."
His eyes drifted to the field, landing on Alfie. "That kid looks tough. How old is he?"
Lucy shot him a sharp glance. "Don't show yourself!"
"Relax Lu," Raizer said casually. "You're the only one who can see me right now."
Lucy exhaled through her nose. "If that's the case, fine. But one more thing—call me 'Lu' again and I'll cut you in half."
Raizer raised his hands in mock surrender, smirking.
"His name is Alfie," Lucy continued. "My first student of this generation. Just ten years old, but sometimes he carries himself like an adult. Still… a kid will always be a kid."
Raizer's smirk softened into something warmer. "Not bad. I like him. He keeps going back to help his friend after learning something new. Shows spirit."
Lucy's eyes narrowed. "He's only done that twice. How did you notice?"
Raizer tapped his temple. "It's called observation, Lucy." He rose to his feet. "Well… I've seen enough. But tell me—why are you training that other one? The grown-up."
His gaze flicked toward Sasaki.
The air went still.