The golden glow from the cliffside still lingered faintly in the sky when a shadow detached itself from the clouds above. Harold, still holding the Monkey King's staff, felt the pulse of the titan stir anxiously within him. Something powerful was coming.
Luke's voice cut sharply through his mind. "Brace yourself. That isn't just any expert—it's a warlord. One of the SS-tier titans, the Frost Phoenix."
Harold's eyes narrowed as a figure descended gracefully, landing several feet away. White and silver feathers shimmered in the fading light, and cold wind spiraled around the newcomer. The aura radiating from him was unlike anything Harold had felt before—immense, refined, and undeniably dangerous.
"I am Warlord Kael, the Frost Phoenix," the man declared, his voice calm but carrying the weight of centuries. "I felt the awakening. The Monkey King… you awakened it? Alone?"
Harold flexed his fingers, feeling the Monkey King stir. "Yes. I didn't expect to, but… it happened."
Kael's eyes glinted, a mix of curiosity and cautious admiration. "Interesting. Most cannot even approach the titan door without failing. You… passed."
Harold straightened. "I wasn't aiming to impress anyone. I just wanted to awaken it."
Kael's lips curved into a faint smile. "You are… bold. Rarely do I see someone of your age and status awaken a legendary titan. Most die trying."
Luke's voice buzzed in Harold's mind, sharp and amused. "This is a good sign. You're about to gain a powerful ally."
Kael extended a hand. "I offer you discipleship. Under my guidance, you could master the Monkey King far faster, and perhaps—eventually awaken the others waiting for you."
Harold hesitated. His pride and embarrassment flickered against the offer. He had been scorned his whole life, and now a warlord was offering mentorship? But as he looked at the Frost Phoenix, Harold could feel the promise of growth—and of power beyond measure.
"I… accept," Harold said finally, voice steady. "I will learn from you."
Kael's aura flared briefly, a faint swirl of icy feathers brushing Harold's arms. "Good. Know this: this path is not safe. Many will envy your progress, others will fear you, and yet others will try to destroy what you have achieved. Stay vigilant."
Harold nodded, gripping the Monkey King's staff tightly. "I understand. I won't fail."
Behind them, the lingering academy experts watched, eyes wide and expressions taut. Murmurs rippled through the ranks:
"Did… did he just gain an SS-tier warlord as a mentor?"
"The awakening crystal… it broke. There's no telling how powerful he is."
"He's… out of our league."
Harold didn't care. His attention was on the Frost Phoenix, on the guidance he would receive, and on the path ahead. Already, the Monkey King pulsed, eager, restless, waiting for Harold to prove himself worthy of its full strength.
Kael's eyes softened slightly. "We begin training at dawn. Rest now, Harold Vale. Tomorrow, your life changes forever."
As the warlord ascended back into the sky, leaving a swirl of cold, shimmering wind in his wake, Harold allowed himself a small, private grin. He had begun to rise, not just from failure, but from utter obscurity to a force the empire would have to reckon with.
Luke's voice was sharp with amusement. "One warlord. Just the first. The others are already watching."
Harold clenched his fist around the Monkey King's staff. "Let them watch. Let them envy. I'll prove every one of them wrong."
The first step had been taken. The first ally secured. But Harold knew the path ahead was far from easy—many battles, trials, and awakenings awaited. And the Monkey King inside him was just the beginning.