Kaien stepped out of the guild gates, his steps calm but confident. The morning sun reflected off the polished cobblestones of Veloria City, highlighting his presence. Whispers erupted instantly from guild members, merchants, and passing adventurers alike. Word had spread: the boy who couldn't even be measured had just emerged from the SSS-rank re-evaluation.
His brother, Jay, stood waiting near the Vlorians' estate gates, arms crossed and a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "So… this is what all the fuss was about?" Jay said, squinting at Kaien from head to toe. "You came back from the guild looking like a walking catastrophe of numbers and question marks."
Kaien raised an eyebrow, a half-smile forming. "Better a catastrophe than someone who tries to make a joke out of me every day."
Jay chuckled, clapping Kaien on the shoulder far too hard. Kaien staggered but quickly steadied himself. "Careful," Kaien muttered, "or you'll get a lesson in humility."
"Oh please," Jay replied, "the only thing I envy about you is that the guild thinks you're some god-level freak now. Me? I just get to be your brother and witness your glory firsthand."
Despite the teasing, Jay's tone carried genuine pride. The two walked back toward the Vlorians estate, Kaien's steps relaxed, as if every glance from passersby only confirmed what he already knew: he had leveled up beyond almost every living being in this city.
....
Arriving at the estate, Kaien was greeted with warm smiles and laughter. Alora, his sister, congratulated him and tackling him in a hug. "Kaien! You came back! And… you're… glowing?" she exclaimed, her blue
eyes sparkling with excitement.
His father, Lord Luca, gave Kaien a firm yet proud nod. "The rumors… they might have been true," he said quietly. "SSS-rank, you say? My son…"
Kaien's mother, ever composed, only smiled warmly. "It's good to have you back safely.
Kaien shrugged and gave a warming smile.
But…" He paused, thinking of the shattered crystal, the question marks, and the whispers behind the evaluation panel, "…it seems they still don't know exactly what I am." Although Nyxara told me I was still at SS+ rank level.
....
Later, as they settled in the estate's courtyard, Jay couldn't resist poking at him. "So, SSS-rank, huh? That means no more sparring with me, I guess. I'd just embarrass myself."
Kaien smirked. "You've embarrassed yourself plenty without my help."
Jay laughed, tossing a wooden practice sword at him. "Fine! Then let's see if your new SSS-level reflexes can block this." He lunged forward, and Kaien dodged effortlessly, landing a light tap on Jay's shoulder in return.
Jay staggered and grinned. "Okay, okay… I see it now. You really have grown. Just don't forget, big brother will always find a way to annoy you."
Kaien chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
....
Meanwhile, across Aurelion City, news of Kaien's SSS-rank status spread like wildfire. Among those paying attention were Vaelric Virel and the patriarchs of other noble families. Vaelric, often regarded as a legendary SSS-rank adventurer himself, leaned back in his chair, his green eyes narrowing.
"Interesting…" Vaelric murmured, swirling wine in his glass. "This boy survived solo portals, cleared SSS threats, and now… he cannot even be measured. The guild is in shock. The city is in shock. Yet…" He smiled, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "He has even surpassed my boy and has gotten to my level huh? DHow intriguing. I wonder if he's truly as controllable as the guild thinks."
Other noble families whispered in corridors of their estates. Some were delighted, thinking of alliances and opportunities; others were fearful, realizing someone so powerful could upset their carefully constructed hierarchy.
Among the female nobles, a small, subtle intrigue began to take shape. Lady Lysariel, a young aristocrat of the Virels known for her elegance, poise, and keen intellect, had overheard the whispers in the council chambers. She watched Kaien's movements through the guild's announcement window, captivated by the aura of quiet confidence he radiated.
"Remarkable," she murmured to herself. "He isn't just strong… he has presence. I must see him in person."
Lady Lysariel's attention didn't go unnoticed. Within the Vlorians household, rumors quickly spread among household staff and minor nobles visiting the estate. A few servants whispered with excitement, while Alora merely raised an eyebrow.
Kaien, for his part, remained calm. He noticed the stares, the whispering nobles, and even the subtle glances from Lady Seraphine during a recent visit from a neighboring family. He didn't blush or react outwardly, but internally, he filed away each observation.
Interesting… seems the world wants to treat me differently now, he thought. Let's see how far their curiosity goes.
Even Jay noticed the sudden attention toward Kaien. "Looks like you've got admirers already," he teased, nudging him.
Kaien rolled his eyes, pretending to be indifferent. "Focus on yourself, Jay."
Jay smirked, knowing full well that Kaien's calm exterior masked the tiny hints of amusement flickering beneath.
....
Back at the guild, Kaien's return caused more chaos than he could have imagined. Word spread about the SSS-rank re-evaluation, and the city's adventurer network practically exploded.
Guild officials scrambled to verify his SSS status, while the guild's professional buyer, Mervin Clast, was nearly paralyzed with disbelief when Kaien arrived to sell loot from his latest raids. Kaien laid out the rare Sove Cores, Abyssal Fragments, and Demon Sovereign Relics, items that most guilds would only see in whispers.
Mervin's face remained impassive, but inside, he was reeling. How could an E-ranker-turned-SSS possibly acquire such spoils alone? He maintained his composure, as any professional would, and began tallying the items carefully.
When Kaien received his payment in Velrions, the newly minted currency for elite adventurers, he couldn't suppress a faint grin. The pile was massive, reflecting the rarity and difficulty of the materials he'd gathered.
Nyxara's calm voice echoed in his mind:
[Master, your strength continues to ascend. Each victory multiplies not only your skill but your potential.]
Kaien smiled faintly. "I know, Nyxara. And I'll keep pushing further."
As Kaien continued his routine—selling loot, preparing for future raids, and training—whispers circulated among nobles. Vaelric Virel and his council debated the boy's potential, some fascinated, others wary.
A few female nobles, led by Lady Lysariel, quietly plotted ways to interact with Kaien under the guise of societal duty, while Kaien remained blissfully unaware of the silent admiration brewing around him.
Even within the Vlorians household, the family discussed his progression with a mix of awe and worry. Alora teased him about attracting attention, while Lord Luca and Lady Eren Vlorian reminded him to stay cautious of envy and politics within the noble circles.
Kaien only nodded, the faintest smirk on his lips. He knew the world had shifted around him—but he also knew he had to stay focused. Every glance, every whisper, every subtle admiration was irrelevant compared to the goal he'd set for himself: to keep growing, to keep exploring, to keep mastering his skills, and to eventually face threats beyond even the highest-ranked SSS challenges.
Humor and Interactions
Even amidst the serious tone of power and politics, Kaien couldn't escape the funny moments. Jay's endless teasing, servants' attempts to act discreet while gossiping about his status, and even Lady Seraphine's subtle blunders in attempting to appear composed near him brought a lighthearted layer to Kaien's homecoming.
Kaien found himself laughing quietly at Jay's antics—like attempting to imitate his SSS aura and accidentally tripping over the courtyard's fountain edge—or smiling faintly when Alora attempted to embarrass him by announcing to the staff, "My brother is a living legend now!"
Closing Reflection
By nightfall, Kaien stood on the balcony of the Vlorians estate, looking over Veloria City. The streets were alive with chatter about his power, the whispers of SSS rank, and the growing admiration from nobles and adventurers alike.
With this Kaien muttered:
"Let them talk. I'll prove that even SSS rank isn't enough to for me. I'll keep pushing, keep exploring… and when the right time comes, I'll surpass everything they think they know about me."
And with that, Kaien turned back into the estate, the faintest smirk curling on his lips, ready to continue his journey toward power, mastery, and destiny.