"¡AHHHHHHHH!"
The Atrox Battle Puppet roared, unleashing a burst of energy that dispersed the dark clouds in the sky. It swung both hands toward Cain, and the sheer motion generated a crushing gale.
Although the brute power behind that attack did not fall beneath that of an Old World's small nuclear weapon, Cain did not lose his calm and kicked the broken puppet up.
"BOOOOOMMMMMMMM!"
Monts later, the Atrox Battle Puppet's fists slamd into the ground where Cain had stood, causing a tremor throughout the mountain and producing a shockwave that extended to those watching below.
While most onlookers wondered about Cain's fate, the Crown Prince, Second Princess, and Fourth Prince imdiately turned their gaze skyward. They saw Cain erging from the shadow cast by the broken puppet he'd propelled just before the impact.
The Atrox Battle Puppet, sensing Cain's presence, displayed pure rage and killing intent as it lunged into the sky with its colossal fra.
Cain, his eyes cold, was surrounded by a dark aura, especially around his wings. As the massive hands of the Atrox Battle Puppet neared him, aiming to crush his body, he uttered two words:
"Third Gear!"
"BOOOOOOMMMMM!"
Following Cain's declaration, a dark flash pierced the chest of the Atrox Battle Puppet.
A mix of awe and shock was evident in the eyes of the onlookers. Cain had brilliantly exploited the puppet's lack of agility, propelling it skyward. He then reinforced his blood wings with dark energy, transforming them into a drill that, at a breathtaking speed, pierced the Atrox Battle Puppet!
"¡Boom!"
Another explosion resonated at the volcano's peak as Cain crashed into the ground. The speed he'd achieved was more than he could control, preventing him from halting his descent in ti. Despite this, his majestic aura did not fade as he slowly rose to his feet.
Bloodied and with a pallid complexion due to the intense strain of using Third Gear, Cain's triumph was undiminished, reflected in his proud smile. He'd reached the peak, vanquishing every single battle puppet!
Drawing a deep breath, he activated the power of his Alter Ego. A radiant red light soon enveloped him, illuminating the sky.
"Laurifer Noble Family. May my wrath burn the sky!"
His declaration echoed across the expanse, and dark red light enveloped the peak of the Ember Ascension Peak, resembling a majestic sun rising from the magma.
All eyes were fixed on Cain, and even the mightiest among them couldn't help but be awestruck by the magnificent red light.
Cain's eyes were burning with pride and resolution. Laurifer, the na his father granted him, an orphan of war, would be engraved in the Godslayer Humankind Empire!
For him, the fa and prestige of a noble title ant little. Cain had already understood that the only way to guarantee his safety and happiness was through raw power. But he couldn't suppress the thrill at the thought of the honor his father would have felt if this one could see just how high that na had risen.
After catching his breath and regaining his strength, Cain's Blood Wings fluttered, and he flew over the Ember Ascension Peak, reaching the zone clear of magma where Dominguez and the other two Scholars awaited him.
Dominguez was a professional, but even he struggled to maintain composure after witnessing such a masterful display of talent, intellect, battle awareness, and raw power. Despite being only seventeen, Cain's performance during the Arcane Route surpassed countless seasoned warriors who had prepared for hundreds of years for this trial.
"Ahem."
Erald Goldsoul coughed, snapping the Imperial Scholars back to reality, and the trio imdiately jolted to attention. Dominguez's eyes sharpened as he glanced at the other two, and they began to discuss using their Ego Waves.
Cain observed the trio with a calm expression. They would evaluate his performance during the Arcane Route and assign him a grade ranging from Lesser Marquis to High Marquis.
"We have co to a conclusion."
Dominguez's expression was solemn as he addressed Cain. The man was aware of the stakes; a miscalculation or oversight could have severe consequences.
If he were to undervalue Cain's achievents, it would enrage all the people who put forward their nas to support this one. Yet, if he were to overestimate him, it would make him a target for those who wanted to see this one fail.
The Grand Scholar knew that the only path was to ensure accuracy in his judgnt, which was why he did everything by the book.
"According to what we observed and after evaluating every aspect of your performance, we are pleased to grant Colonel Laurifer the grade of High Marquis."
Smiles graced the faces of those who had co to see Cain's performance, especially those who publicly supported him. But none were surprised.
Cain had defeated every Battle Puppet and reached the zenith of the Ember Ascension Peak, so if that wasn't enough to earn the highest grade, then there was no form to get it.
Of course, this grade didn't an Cain was already a High Marquis. He would need to undergo the other two trials, and only then could he claim that title.
"I thank you three for your service."
Cain clasped his hands and gave a slight bow to the three Imperial Scholars, who reciprocated the gesture with smiles of their own.
"Our pleasure. We will see you in two months for the Walk to Heaven."
Dominguez spoke before bowing to the mbers of the Imperial Family and departing with the other two Scholars.
As the trio left, individuals began approaching Cain, with the Fourth Imperial Prince, Klaus, being the first.
Klaus' smile remained, but the intent behind his eyes was clearly not one of pure friendship. Onlookers maintained a respectful distance and silence, observing their interaction.
"It has been a pleasure accommodating you in my ho these past few days, Colonel Laurifer. You're welco to return anyti. We always have room for individuals of sheer interest."
Klaus' smile faded, replaced by a neutral expression, as he extended his right hand.
Cain's eyes narrowed, catching the subtext in Klaus's words. While they might not have beco close allies, animosity was unnecessary. Friendship and enmity aren't the only possible relationships; acquaintances can still assist one another through transactions or exchanges.
Cain responded with a small smile, nodding and shaking Klaus's hand, acknowledging their mutual understanding.
"It was my pleasure. I'll see you again at the Genetic Tournant in two weeks."
Klaus smiled, recognizing Cain's commitnt to participating under his banner. Without another word, he nodded and departed.
A palpable tension lingered for a few monts after their exchange, broken only by the approach of the Second Princess.
"Colonel Laurifer, allow to congratulate you on that exceptional performance."
Erald extended her hand toward Cain, and the onlookers held their breath, curious about his next move.
Cain t her gaze and, without hesitation, adopted a military stance, bowing.
"Colonel Laurifer greets Her Highness, Erald Goldsoul."
A flash of shock appeared in the eyes of many as they observed Cain's response to the Second Imperial Princess' greeting. There was nothing wrong with it, but it was the standard response of a military officer to a mber of the Imperial Family.
Cain hadn't severed his relationship with Klaus simply to find a new patron; anyone who thought that was seriously mistaken.
The Second Imperial Princess' eyes glowed with a silver light. She maintained a composed expression, yet it required significant willpower on her part to contain her emotions. Her gaze beca sharp, but she remained silent and simply nodded.
"Arise, Colonel."
Afterward, Erald turned and departed. Yordana and Marlon wore complex expressions as they nodded to Cain before following the Second Imperial Princess.
Though the duo wanted to establish a relationship with Cain, their primary allegiance was to the Second Imperial Princess' faction. Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire
They weren't the only ones. Almost everyone else who had co to witness the Arcane Route departed, believing that trying to ally with Cain was a lost cause. After all, what could they offer the man that the Second Princess couldn't?
Cain watched them go without comnt. He was aware that his deanor might create challenges, and alienating others wasn't the most strategic approach. However, he preferred solitude over being entangled in soone else's sches.
While it's true that the Second Imperial Princess might not seek to create a dependent relationship like Klaus, she'd likely still want to keep him close, restricting his freedom in so manner. That was sothing Cain could never accept.
"RUMBLE!"
For a mont, Cain's eyes widened as he felt a tremor in his mind, but he managed to mask it so no one else detected it.
The source of the sudden disturbance in Cain's mind was his Alter-Ego. His actions significantly impacted the Sun Seed Visualization Technique.
He aligned with his innate nature by pursuing a path characterized by freedom and autonomy without allowing anyone to dominate him.
This fortification of his core values enabled the Sun Seed to grow stronger, paving the way for its next evolution!
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