Avery Ransthrol snatched the small emblem from her hands, shock flashing across his face.
How did she have this?
How did she even know its name?
The project's name had been buried deep — only those directly tied to it still remembered. Avery himself knew only because he had been one of the children used in the experiments.
Because of the tampering done to his Spirit Sea, he had lost his family's innate flame technique.
And yet… he didn't know her.
Most of the children who survived the experiments were now affiliated with the Dead Men's Ship. That meant—
Avery grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward a less crowded part of the office.
"Who are you?" he demanded, voice sharp and uneven. "How do you have this? You work with them, don't you!? You're the one who destroyed the tower too!!"
His words spilled out, frantic and unfiltered.
Alison Jean looked at him, confusion flickering across her face — then hurt. She studied him for a brief moment, as if testing him, waiting for hesitation.
He didn't falter.
And then neither did she.
"Are you asking me a question," she said calmly, "or yourself—"
"You bitch!! What have you done!!"
"Only what my Master commanded."
Avery's hands slackened.
Anyone who heard the story of the kidnapped children would sympathize with them. But the children themselves didn't see it that way. They had been conditioned to believe they were the next generation of humanity — that they alone would inherit the world.
And now, they were lapdogs of the Ransthrol family.
They had wills unlike the Zengas — the failed subjects — yet they never questioned the instructions given to them. They never thought beyond what they were told.
In that sense, they were no different.
"Master calls for you," Alison continued evenly. "He wants all his children together in the new world. Come with us. Everyone else here will die. But you— as a heir to the Ransthrol family — will be spared by the Zengas."
Avery's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor.
He didn't fully understand what was happening. But one thing was clear.
The Ransthrol family had chosen war with Kime.
Bodies littered the area around them — twisted, broken beyond recognition. People screamed for loved ones they were forced to abandon just to survive.
This was worse than the Dungeon incident six months ago. That had been the work of an outside organization.
This time, it was his own blood.
"Never!" Avery shouted, forcing himself upright. "I will never be a part of this! I renounce my identity as a Ransthrol — right now!!"
Silence followed.
"Is that so?" Alison said quietly. "It doesn't work that way. The Ransthrol family isn't a name you can put on and take off like a piece of jewelry—"
Avery vanished.
Golden boots with feathered edges flared as his speed tripled. He appeared beside her in an instant.
"Triple Damage!"
His punch drove straight into her stomach, sending her crashing across the room.
The impact echoed loudly. Everyone turned.
People rushed forward, restraining Avery as he advanced again, bloodlust burning in his eyes.
Rose appeared at his side, gripping his arm tightly.
"Avery, stop it! You're making a scene—"
"She's the reason!" he shouted. "She came here to kill us all!!"
Alison had already shifted — posture slumped, expression fragile, eyes wide. The image of a weak woman assaulted by a raging brute.
The crowd believed it.
"No!" Avery screamed as they pulled him back. "You don't understand! She's going to kill us all!!"
"Tell me what's going on, Avery!" Rose pleaded.
He didn't look at her.
His eyes were locked on Alison.
She met his gaze — and smiled.
Slow. Knowing.
A chill ran through Rose.
"She's the one who destroyed the tower!" Avery yelled. "She's why all this is happening!"
"Avery, calm down!" Rose said urgently. "No one will listen if you keep this up. Instructor Keel Kun has contacted the Head Master. We just have to wait."
That finally broke through the haze.
Avery exhaled, his head clearing.
"…Sorry," he muttered. "I'll explain everything."
---
Back in Lestrel City…
Kime surveyed the royalties seated beside him. A lyre played in the background as they watched the doctored feed from Corinth. A servant carried a tray with several liquor and fine wine.
The sounds of chatter filled the room as the highest ranked individuals across three of the major nations conversed.
It had already begun. The call from Keel Kun had reached him not long ago. He wanted to leave— to help, but he knew he couldn't leave.
Not yet anyways.
Not until...
"Quinnson Guel, when will your trickery end?" Kime asked.
The voices in the room ceased. The silence that ensued was tense like a performer walking on a tightrope.
They all seemed to sink further into their seats.
Alexander Alroind's gaze pulled his wife close. He did not want to be caught in the crosshairs of whatever was brewing.
"What do you mean, Kime?"
A gasp went through the entire room as Quinnson called him by his first name. He wasn't backing out.
"Did you really think a mere polyon mask could trick me? I see through your deception." Kime said without care.
King Quinnson Guel hissed but quickly regained his composure, afterall he was in it for his life
"So you knew" This was said by the princess Azaria who stood up then.
"Alex." Kime called out to the King of Falmouth who stood in front of his wife in a protective stance.
"You have done well to abstain from a life of evil unlike much of those who occupy the position of Royalty. So I will spare you and yours. Take your wife and head in there—"
A portal opened up into a snowy area. The grounds were coated in layers of ice. And at the end of the path was a cottage. King Alexander Alroind nodded thanking Kime softly for sharing them. He and his wife, Queen Elena Alroind entered the portal before it vanished.
Kime then turned to Prime Minister Gruddal Himps who was shaking in his seat. His kids, Austin as Mariliel Himps were shivering like their father, Austin had even wet himself in fear. Georgia Himps however sat like she had nothing to worry about. She didn't even react to her children's fear.
"Grudddal hide away in the corner like the bug you are. When I am finished with Quinnson I will begin your judgement."
With that sorted out he turned back to King Quinnson Guel and the person who was with him.
"Now. Are you going to get rid of thy mask or should I do it myself."
"With pleasure." The person inder the mask said as he tore away the polyon mask, underneath it was none other than Fadex BuVūon.
"So you're the one Corinth sent to keep me occupied. You must be stronger than this right? There's no way the current you can hold me down for even a second."
"Hold you down? No I am here to kill you Kime!!" as Fadex said that he released his SE he'd been holding back, instantly shattering the glass sending shards flying everywhere.
Down in the auditorium, screams rose as they heard the explosion. It was intense. Nobody, not one single soul out of the million or so persons in the crowd could breathe. Even Kime had to admit it, the amount of energy Fadex BuVūon held was definitely on the level of a Legend.
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Spiritual Energy (SE)
Spiritual Sea (SS)
Spiritual Signature (SST)