The sting of defeat lingered after my father effortlessly dismantled me in our duel. The power gap between us was vast, as expected. Interestingly, he held back considerably. No fancy sword arts were employed, just a series of ranged attacks using aura and ambient mana. It seemed he was testing my ability to read mana flow, a feat that seemed to impress him.

Godflash, the technique I'd picked up from the novel, proved ineffective. His guard remained impenetrable. Against Shurkan, it had worked because of Rachel's distracting light magic, creating the perfect window of opportunity. Unfortunately, I lacked the necessary astral energy to replicate Lucifer's full-fledged Godflash, leaving mine a pale imitation. Still, considering I only had a textual description to go on, it was impressive that I could even manage this much.

The Kobold Sea, a sprawling mass of water lapping at the northeastern edge of the continent, bordered both Murim and the lands of the Windward and Creighton families. This untamed expanse, teeming with powerful, uncharted beasts, held the key to my plan.

Here, somewhere amidst the churning waves, resided a legend – a mana beast that had defied limitations, evolving into a creature of immense power, the equivalent of a human -rank. This unknown entity, a secret to the entire world, could potentially bridge the gap created by my lack of a Gift if I managed to get its beast will.

The Kobold Sea beckoned, a siren song of risk and reward. But before I took the plunge, I needed backup. While the future, thanks to my foresight, held the key to locating the beast, the journey itself could be fraught with unforeseen dangers. That's where Lucifer came in. His strength was formidable, enough to take down any 5-star beast single-handedly. Together, we could handle some of the tougher 6-star creatures – a crucial advantage in such a volatile environment.

The Kobold Sea also presented a unique training opportunity. For the past two months, I'd been laser-focused on honing my swordsmanship. Now, I craved a more balanced approach. The Creighton family, with their unparalleled lineage in magic, was the perfect fit. Rachel was a far better choice than Seraphina for this specific purpose. With a plan in mind, I reached out to Rachel.

Arthur: "Hey Rachel, can I take you up on your offer to visit you?"

Her enthusiastic response was immediate.

Rachel: "Of course, of course, Arthur! You're welcome anytime. Just use the plaque I gave you, it'll grant you access throughout my family's territory."

A weight lifted from my shoulders. Knowing Rachel would be there put me at ease. After securing the beast will at the Kobold Sea, I planned a detour to Mount Hua Sect before returning home and, eventually, Mythos Academy.

What about Cecilia? No thank you. The mere thought of her left a bad taste in my mouth. Besides, I wasn't eager to deal with "that guy" just yet.

He was the main antagonist in <>, after all, a boy my age who wielded power exceeding even Lucifer's. Meeting him now would only be a distraction. My current focus was clear: surpass Lucifer by the year's end. Everything else could wait.

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The night before my departure, Count Chase summoned me to his office. Kelly, the knight vice-captain I'd bested earlier, escorted me down the familiar halls. I rapped my knuckles on the traditional hardwood door.

"Come in," a voice, both gentle and firm, resonated from within. The door swung open, granting me entry.

I stepped inside, Kelly remaining outside. With a bow, I offered my respects. "You called for me, Count?"

A hint of a smile played on his lips as he set down his pen. "Relax, Arthur. No need for formalities. Take a seat." His voice lacked any reprimand, even though I hadn't quite heeded his previous request to drop the honorifics.

I settled into the plush chair across from the Count's desk, a touch of apprehension tightening my muscles. His usual jovial demeanour seemed muted, replaced by a contemplative air. The silence stretched for a moment, broken only by the soft crackling of the fireplace in the corner.

A wave of nostalgia washed over Count Chase as he began. "I still remember the first time you picked up a sword, Arthur," he chuckled. "Now, I'm no master of magic, let alone swordsmanship, but even my untrained eye could see it. There was something… special in the way you moved."

I shifted in my seat, a silent acknowledgment of his words. Arthur's phenomenal sword talent, the kind that allowed him to master a Grade 5 art in a mere two to three years – it was mine now. Talent that even surpassed Lucifer's raw skill.

"You went from being my knight captain's son to someone I could truly put my faith in," Count Chase said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Ever wondered how I became a Count despite being a mere 5-circle mage, with no sprawling empire under my control?"

"...It's because of Marquis Korle, your grandfather," I replied. Marquis Korle, a powerful 7-circle mage, had paved the way for Count Chase's title, even if it was only in the capital.He sighed, drumming his fingers on the desk.

"This world preaches progress, yet violence remains its constant companion. The ones who rule are the ones with the power to destroy. It all comes down to power, Arthur – power, and more power. And power stems from mana."

His gaze turned serious. "Arthur, I can no longer predict where your path will lead. Once, I would have been content if you reached -rank. But you wouldn't settle for that, would you?"

I nodded instinctively. He was right. -rank was my ultimate goal. was merely a stepping stone.

"Excellent," Count Chase breathed. "For a moment, I considered using you for my own ambitions. But I see the folly in that now. A dragon wouldn't be impressed by a crocodile's den."

I remained silent, head bowed.

"Don't fret, Arthur," he reassured me, a smile softening his features. "Even if you don't fulfill some grand scheme of mine, your growth will be a repayment in itself. So keep growing, Arthur. Don't worry about me. I'll support you in any way I can. Just keep growing."

Relief washed over me. "Thank you," I offered sincerely. Having a plan B in case Count Chase abandoned me was one thing, but this – this was the best possible outcome.

A shared smile passed between us as we reminisced about my childhood here. Once the lighthearted conversation wrapped up, Count Chase dismissed me, and I retreated to my room for the night. Peaceful sleep and a smooth departure in the morning – that was all I craved. Unfortunately, the fates seemed to have other plans.

A booming voice shattered the tranquility.

"It's an honor to greet Her Highness, the Imperial Princess of Slatemark Empire, Cecilia Slatemark!" Count Chase bowed deeply, and the room followed suit, myself included.

My gaze landed on Cecilia's face, a smirk playing on her lips.

Great. Just what I needed.

Why did she have to show up now?