Upon returning to the Blue Lagoon Palace, Nolan immediately locked himself in his room. Claiming that he wanted to rest, he dismissed the inquiries of the concerned servants. As soon as the door closed, the hexagonal chain on his wrist floated into the air and split in two. A dark portal opened, engulfing his body and transporting him into the domain.
He stood before the Mirror of Memories towering before him.
"The Aurora Association only confirmed the appearance of Demon King Ababel, not Demon Emperor Hades," he muttered softly. "Yet a Primordial Daemon truly appeared and killed Caelthorn. What exactly happened?"
He touched the surface of the large mirror with his palm. Its surface rippled like disturbed water, and suddenly, the waves pulled Nolan into it.
Explosions boomed, weapons clashed, and cries of battle echoed in his ears.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Selena helping him sit up. The short-haired girl was injured; fresh blood flowed from her temple.
Confusion clouded Nolan's mind. He wanted to ask something, but when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. His lips moved soundlessly. Uncontrollably, his body stood up on its own.
In an instant, Nolan realized the truth:
He was in Nolan Caelthorn's memories.
The setting was the Kaffal region, a forest now in ruins. Fallen trees, scorched earth, and the scars of battle filled his vision. A man clad in silver armor and holding a sword was engaged in a fierce battle before him. It was Captain Thomas.
His opponent was the Demon King Ababel, a tall figure in dark purple robes with wavy, shoulder-length hair.
When Captain Thomas delivered a powerful slash to the Demon King's chest, the team members cheered.
But all that vanished in an instant.
Without warning, a dense black mist appeared, accompanied by a wave of dark green mana that swept across the area. Demon King Ababel's body suddenly paled. A green hue resembling roots spread rapidly across his skin.
It wasn't just the Demon King.
The other Sentinels, including Selena and Julian, were affected as well. Their faces paled, and they fell unconscious one by one.
Nolan could only watch from within Caelthorn's memories.
The Kaffal region, Area Three, had been completely destroyed. His comrades were dead. Only two men remained alive, and even then, they were dying. Captain Thomas was mortally wounded, with both arms severed and his chest crushed.
Then, a figure appeared.
Rising from the darkness itself, the Sequence 10 Primordial Daemon stood before them:
Demon Emperor Hades.
He was tall with a slender yet sturdy build—not thin nor fat. His dark purple eyes stared coldly and emotionlessly. Long, white hair flowed beneath the black robe that shrouded his body. He exuded a pressure that made the entire world seem to freeze.
However, Nolan's attention wasn't solely focused on the terrifying figure.
He sensed Caelthorn's body move.
Without hesitation or fear, Caelthorn charged straight toward Demon Emperor Hades. The blade in his hand was enveloped in a compressed mana aura containing an absolutely lethal attack.
But the attack was blocked.
With just one hand!
The Demon Emperor Hades caught the blade in his palm as if holding something fragile. Nolan couldn't hear the figure's words; they seemed to be drowned out before reaching his ears. All Nolan felt was one thing:
Power.
Absolutely overwhelming power.
In the next instant, Caelthorn's body staggered. A palm strike hit his chest. It didn't look majestic; there was no loud explosion. But Nolan felt the impact.
Devastating.
Blood splattered the ground.
Caelthorn was still conscious, though his body was near collapse. With his last bit of strength, he dragged the two unconscious bodies, Selena and Julian, away from the battlefield toward the nearest security post.
Then, a white mist enveloped Nolan's vision.
Everything faded.
When Nolan's vision cleared, he was standing inside the domain, right in front of the Mirror of Memories.
"Caelthorn was so reckless attacking the Demon Emperor Hades that his heart was destroyed," Nolan murmured softly. "But when I entered the memories, I could still sense his soul."
He shook his head slowly.
"No, I don't feel anything now."
His gaze sharpened.
"Caelthorn's soul is truly gone. I—Nolan Steward from Earth—have taken over this body. The possibility of returning to Earth is impossible."
He exhaled softly.
"Caelthorn's soul has indeed vanished from this world."
While Nolan was still inside the domain, a faint commotion could be heard from outside. He quickly exited the domain and carefully placed the hexagonal object back into his storage bracelet.
As soon as he returned to his room, he immediately saw the source of the commotion.
Catherine.
She forced her way into his room with a sharp gaze and an arrogant attitude, wearing a purple dress. The two maids who had been trying to meet her were forced to retreat. They passed by her on their way out.
Nolan remained calm.
"You could have come to see me without making a fuss," he said firmly but calmly.
Catherine looked slightly taken aback.
Nolan noticed this clearly.
To those who knew Nolan Caelthorn, this was unusual. He had always been reserved, submissive, and afraid to challenge his own arrogant mother, Catherine. She had been free to bully him to her heart's content.
Nolan knew he couldn't continue pretending to be the weak, easily bullied Caelthorn.
There was a side of Caelthorn that had been suppressed all this time—a desire to rebel that could never be realized. Even Caelthorn, who was considered weak, had been brave enough to challenge the Demon Emperor Hades. He died for it, but his courage was real.
It was time to stop wearing Caelthorn's fragile façade.
He would reveal his true self now.
"Nolan," Catherine said, her eyes sharp. "You dare challenge me?"
"I'm not challenging you at all," Nolan replied coldly. His tone was firm and unwavering. "What part of what I said sounded like a challenge?"
Catherine's gaze sharpened. Her hands clenched tightly, and the veins on the backs of her hands stood out. A few seconds later, however, she exhaled slowly, and her face returned to its usual calm—a feigned calm.
"Nolan, I heard you've risen to Sequence 2," she said flatly. "I want to see how powerful you are now."
Catherine turned and headed for the door. But before leaving, she stopped and turned to Nolan.
"If you can't satisfy me," she continued coldly, "you'll turn out to be as weak as Antares."
The words cut deep.
"I'll wait for you in Training Room Three."
The door closed.
Nolan stood his ground, even as Catherine's words cruelly trampled on his father's dignity. His arrival in this hostile room was apparently only to deliver that one-sided challenge.
Caelthorn's memories replayed in his mind. Since childhood, Catherine had treated him cruelly. Intimidation, pressure, and insults were part of his life. That was what kept Caelthorn striving to climb the ladder—but he always failed and was broken again.
Nolan fell silent.
He hesitated for a moment. Should he meet Catherine in Training Room Three or ignore her altogether?
But he knew the answer.
There was no other choice.
Nolan exhaled slowly, then picked up the long, black blazer hanging neatly in the closet. He put it on and stepped out of the room.