Jay's POV
It had been a few weeks since we last saw our father. In that time, Simon and I had thrown ourselves into training, pushing our Xeno abilities to the limit—and the results were clear. Our ki pools had grown, our control over shadows and elemental ki stronger, sharper, faster. The air around us seemed lighter, as if it acknowledged our growth.
Then, without warning, our world shifted.
Selena appeared. The eldest of us siblings—rank 10 Knight, the pinnacle of power. Her reputation stretched across the continent: the Lunar Queen, a name whispered in awe and fear. Her spiritual energy shimmered in the afternoon light, and her snow-white hair rippled like liquid moonlight.
The moment she saw us, she moved with astonishing speed. Before either of us could react, she scooped us both into a crushing hug, pressing our faces against hers.
"Hey, my cute little brothers! How are you doing?" she said cheerfully, her voice carrying that strange mix of warmth and authority that always left me off-balance.
"Sis… we might be dying. Please let us go," I gasped, nearly suffocating under her strength.
Finally, she released us. I stumbled back, catching my breath. Geez… she was strong. In my previous life, she had been called the White Whale of Annihilation. A single tale of her slaying a colossal white whale with a montante—wielded in one hand—still echoed in the memories of our House. Most would consider such a feat impossible. But for her, it had been effortless.
Her eyes softened as she produced two containers that radiated raw, overwhelming spiritual energy.
"So, brothers, I have a gift for you both," Selena said, her smile teasing yet proud.
"Here—dragon hearts. They'll help young ones like you grow stronger."
The dragon heart. Legendary. My pulse quickened. Consuming it meant a tremendous boost in power, though the effects spread slowly. The gift was priceless, a relic that many warriors spent a lifetime seeking.
"Why are you giving us this?" Simon asked, brows furrowed in confusion.
Selena's hair floated like a halo around her face as she turned gracefully.
"I don't know. I'm not really interested in taking over. Even though I'm the heir, I'll just do as I please."
Her words left me reeling. Why would she hand over something so precious so casually? The Lunar Queen didn't make mistakes. Something was strange.
Before I could question her further, she vanished—gone in a blink, leaving only the faint shimmer of her spiritual energy behind. Simon and I stood frozen for a heartbeat, then shrugged ourselves back into reality.
"Hey, Emily," Simon called, collapsing into a dining chair, "can you make these dragon hearts into soup for us?"
"Understood, young master," our nanny Emily said, her voice calm and steady as ever.
Two hours later, the soup arrived. Golden steam curled upward, filling the room with a fragrant, intoxicating aroma. The broth shimmered like liquid sunlight, rich yet clear. The scent of slow-simmered dragon heart mingled with garlic, onions, and fresh herbs. Cubes of potato floated alongside soft carrots and wilted spinach, their green a vibrant contrast. Thin noodles twisted beneath the surface, catching droplets of golden broth with each lift of the spoon.
I inhaled deeply, savoring the bouquet of flavors even before tasting it. Each sip was a journey. The comforting warmth of the broth, the sweetness of the vegetables, and the deep, savory essence born of hours of simmering—all combined into something almost transcendent. A dash of black pepper, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley completed the experience.
It didn't take long before the brothers we had bested in training earlier slithered toward us, hoping for a taste. Their faces were pale, eyes wide with hunger and envy. Simon immediately stiffened, his protectiveness of food legendary.
"No chance," he growled, arms crossed.
I hesitated, though. If they ate this, they'd grow stronger. And I… I didn't want that. Yet part of me also felt the weight of responsibility. I couldn't just let them wander, weak but dangerous, in our clan.
A plan formed.
"Fine," I said, standing tall, shadows faintly rippling along my arms. "I'll give you some—on one condition. Dig into the cave north of the palace, at the right corner. Do that, and I'll share."
Their eyes lit up with greed and excitement, oblivious to what awaited them.
In truth, that exact spot hid a secret known only to high-ranking members of House Valemont. If one infused ki into the wall, it would reveal a hidden library—ancient records, forbidden lore, and techniques powerful enough to alter the course of destiny.
I watched them scramble eagerly toward the cave, each step a test of obedience, cunning, and resolve.
As I returned to the dining room, the golden soup in front of me, I couldn't help but smile. This was more than a meal. This was a trial, a lesson, and a stepping stone toward the power Jay and I would one day wield—not just as Xenos, not just as heirs, but as the rulers of the House of Valemont.
The journey ahead was long, and fraught with dangers and betrayals. But with the Twin Emperor Dragons skill awakening within us, and with the lessons of the Lunar Queen guiding us, nothing—not our rivals, not fate itself—could stop us.
This time, we would rise, and nothing would stand in our way.