Far beyond the walls of Nahlara Kingdom stood a massive mountain that overlooked the entire land.
The peak rose high above the clouds, allowing anyone standing at its edge to see the kingdom stretching endlessly below.
At the very edge of the cliff sat a lone figure.
Abel Velvet Tyrant.
The Demon King sat calmly, his dark complexion illuminated by the pale moonlight. His long coat moved gently with the mountain breeze as his crimson eyes remained fixed on the kingdom beneath him.
No guards surrounded him.
No servants stood nearby.
He needed neither.
The silence of the mountain was suddenly broken by approaching footsteps.
A figure walked across the rocky ground.
Cadoc.
He stopped a short distance behind Abel.
He looked toward the Demon King before speaking.
"You're a difficult man to find, Abel."
Abel did not turn around.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I hope you have some good news for me, Cadoc."
Cadoc's expression became serious.
"I do."
Abel remained silent.
Cadoc continued.
"I finally knows who possesses the Anti-Energy."
The smile on Abel's face grew slightly.
"Go on."
Cadoc paused for a moment.
Then he said,
"Chad Grace."
Silence.
Abel's crimson eyes slowly shifted toward Cadoc.
For a few seconds, he simply stared at him.
Then—
Abel smiled.
A low laugh escaped his mouth.
Then another.
Until his laughter echoed across the mountain.
"Hahahahaha!"
Abel finally turned his attention back toward the kingdom.
"A mere human."
His smile widened.
"A mere human possesses an ability capable of troubling me?"
He laughed again.
"Impossible."
His voice became colder.
"There isn't a single Lord among them who should possess enough power to pose such a threat."
Abel slowly rose from the ground.
His eyes remained fixed on Nahlara.
"My authority is absolute."
He turned toward Cadoc.
"Far beyond what humanity could ever comprehend."
Cadoc remained silent.
Abel smiled.
"Do me a favor, Cadoc."
He stepped toward the edge of the cliff.
"Eliminate him."
And without another word—
Abel stepped off the mountain.
Legion Academy — Great Elder's Office
The scene shifted back to Legion Academy.
Inside the Great Elder's office, Chad Grace stood before Neil as the two continued their conversation.
They had been discussing several matters concerning the academy and the upcoming Entrance Tournament.
Eventually, Chad smiled.
"Thank you for choosing Mason as one of the special students entering the academy this year."
He shook his head slightly.
"I honestly never expected it. You caught me completely off guard."
Neil smiled.
"Mason is a young boy worthy of the opportunity."
He leaned back slightly.
"He is talented, determined, and possesses potential that should not be ignored. I wish him the best of luck during his time at the academy."
Chad smiled.
"I'll make sure he does his best. Thank you, Great Elder."
He turned toward the door.
Just as he was about to leave—
"Chad."
He stopped.
Chad turned around.
"Yes, Great Elder?"
Neil's expression had changed.
"Did you tell Mason?"
Chad's expression immediately became calmer.
A slight coldness entered his eyes.
"I don't really know how Mason is going to take it."
Neil remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"The reason I stopped the Final Lord Clash was because of you."
Chad looked at him.
Neil continued.
"You were using too much of your magic. Your Dark Flame isn't simply consuming your energy."
His expression became serious.
"It's consuming you."
Chad said nothing.
"It's eating away at your lifespan."
The room became silent.
Neil looked directly at Chad.
"How many years do you have remaining, Chad?"
Chad stood completely still.
His hands slowly tightened.
For several seconds, he couldn't answer.
Then—
"Two years."
Neil's eyes widened slightly.
Chad slowly looked up.
There were tears in both of his eyes.
"That's all I have."
His voice trembled slightly.
"Two years to be the best father I can be to my kids."
Neil remained silent.
Chad wiped his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
"And I'll make sure every single day counts."
He looked toward the floor before continuing.
"I'll make sure Mason becomes a great warrior, even if I'm not alive to see it."
His voice became quieter.
"I'll be watching him from above."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Proud of him. Happy with whatever he becomes."
Neil slowly nodded.
"Mason will be great."
His voice was firm.
"He is talented. He's determined. And when I called his name before the nobles, they laughed at him."
Neil smiled faintly.
"But Mason didn't care."
"He stood up."
"He took the oath."
"And he promised me that he would give everything he had to the academy."
Neil looked directly at Chad.
"That boy of yours will accomplish things even you cannot imagine."
Chad smiled.
"I know."
He lowered his head.
"I know my son is capable."
His smile slowly disappeared.
"I just wish I could see him for longer."
Chad clenched his fists.
"If there was a way for me to stay beside my family longer..."
He paused.
"I wish I had never awakened this magic."
Silence filled the office.
Neil looked at Chad for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"Regret cannot give you back the years you've lost."
Chad looked up.
Neil's expression remained firm.
"But the time you have left is still yours."
He stood from his seat.
"So don't waste it wishing for a different past."
Neil walked toward Chad.
"Use every remaining moment to create a future your children can be proud of."
Chad stared at him.
Then slowly nodded.
"Right."
Neil turned toward the window before looking back at him.
"I expect to see you at the Entrance Tournament."
Chad raised his head.
Neil's voice became firm.
"And I expect to see Mason standing beside you."
He paused.
Then his expression hardened.
"This is no longer a conversation, Chad Grace."
Neil's eyes narrowed.
"It's an order."
Then Chad immediately stood at attention.
He raised his hand in salute.
"Roger that."
The scene ends.