An overwhelming presence dominated the surroundings.

Maximen Cronell was simply quiet.

However, people couldn't dare to move recklessly.

'The Strongest Swordsman.'

A simple yet the most fitting descriptor for him.

Sometimes called a living disaster, but that was just because he didn't care about the attention of the world to that extent. It was insufficient to describe him.

"Evan, I've come to meet you."

"Are you talking about me?"

Evan forced a smile and exuded a relaxed atmosphere.

But he couldn't help the emotions hidden deep within.

"Huh!"

A bitter laugh escaped, but he couldn't help it.

The emotion he had tried to forget was fear.

"I guess I came at the right time."

Maximen looked around and spoke.

With each of his actions, Jeffrey felt his body involuntarily tremble, and his face contorted.

"Maximen, we have matters to attend to with Evan. Will you please yield?"

"Are you irritated, old man?"

Although he trembled with sudden insult, he couldn't get angry.

That's how absolute force worked in this era.

"If you bother me, I'll just cut you down."

"Ugh..."

After Maximen's words, Jeffrey eventually took a step back.

As an unpredictable figure who could go anywhere, it was a retreat for now.

He ordered his subordinates, who had followed him from the Holy Empire, to retreat as well.

"I'm pulling back for now."

With that, his subordinates, showing relief disappeared.

"Evan, don't worry."

"You're always welcome. By the way, I don't see the other one. Did you fight?"

"Hmph! I don't know anything."

Even Jeffrey disappeared, and soon, only Maximen and Evan, were left on the road, creating an eerie silence.

Evan couldn't have known he would meet Maximen again, so he was curious about the reasons for his visit.

"Now, tell me your business."

Still wearing a smiling face, Evan asked, and Maximen stared at him in silence.

"Evan, you were so devoted to the gods, and yet I heard you left the Holy Empire."

"Is that why you came? I was simply faithful. If anything, you were the one who was truly devoted."

"Are you joking? I'm looking for the real god, not the fake one you believed in."

"Fine, I understand. You seem more urgent than I expected. To come all the way here to ask such a trivial question..."

"Yeah. It seems I've grown old. I hope you have the answer I want, whatever it may be."

Maximen looked like he was in his thirties, but his actual age was over 60, so it was a reasonable remark.

"So, what's your answer?"

"I still believe in the existence of the gods. However, I admit that your words from before were correct."

"So, you no longer believe in the gods of the Holy Empire. Why did your thoughts change?"

"Because I met a real god."

Maximen's calm eyes suddenly widened at Evan's words.

He struggled to speak, but no sound came out.

"No, I'll be more precise. I didn't meet the god directly, but I was with someone who did, and I was at the place."

"You're talking about the ancient gods, right?"

"That's right. Your words were correct."

Evan raised his eyes to the sky and looked at the bright sun.

The dazzling light reminded him of that moment.

A holy light that dispelled all darkness.

Far more brilliant than his own aura techniques.

"Indeed, your words were correct. The gods were not perfect beings. In fact, it might be that their imperfections were what made them perfect. It's just that from a human perspective like mine, it might be hard to understand."

"You really met them."

"I was trapped in the land of the gods. It was my companions who met the gods, not me."

My king.

Evan whispered quietly.

"Where exactly is that place?"

"I can tell you, but you won't like it. It's already over."

"It's over?"

"In a way, that place is no longer the land of the gods. Their power ended when we escaped."

Maximen fell into deep thought upon hearing Evan's words.

This was the first time he had seen Maximen in such turmoil, so Evan watched with a certain fresh feeling.

"I experienced a city where time repeats itself. And through that, I learned that it was the power of the gods."

He didn't mention who he was with, just vaguely describing the strange city he had experienced and the events that had taken place within it.

"Lethe..."

Maximin mumbled.

He never expected that Evan, who had been searching so desperately, would discover a god, and not just any god, but someone he didn't believe was a fake.

"Is it fate?"

But Evan was someone who had chosen to defy fate.

Perhaps all the small clues he had gathered over time had led him to obtain this information.

"Evan, I have a favor to ask."

"I can tell you the location without any problem."

"That's not it. Can you tell me who the person is that you said had a conversation with a god?"Unexpectedly, Maximen made a request that left Evan speechless.

Evan couldn't trust Maximin enough to reveal the identity of the person.

If things went wrong, this recklessness would be the one to ruin everything.

It might seem relatively calm now compared to before, but his past actions were still there.

Maximen sensed Evan's concern and spoke.

"I know what you're worried about. But make a promise. I won't harm the person you're talking about."

"Do you expect me to believe you?"

It was too risky to trust him.

The reckless figure who could destroy everything if provoked.

Although he seemed more subdued now than in the past, his previous actions were still a part of him.

"Let Isabelle be our guarantee. Please."

Maximen's earnest request surprised Evan.

Knowing what Maximen was up to through their past conflicts, Evan couldn't help but believe his words now.

If Maximen was willing to mention Isabelle in this context, it meant that he would kneel down even if asked to.

The greatest weakness and vulnerability of the strongest warrior.

"If you insist that much... All right."

Evan nodded reluctantly.

If Maximen was emphasizing it to this extent, Evan couldn't refuse.

'But I can't reveal Luna... '

The person who killed Eve Millennium was none other than Maximen. Luna, who held her soul, would undoubtedly be aware of this fact.

Maximen might have sworn not to harm her, but regardless of his oath, Luna was a wild card. If she sensed any danger, she would likely not remain passive.

'In that case, for the king...'

Paradoxically, Evan thought that this might actually be a good thing.

'If it's the great king, he might even be able to sway Maximen.'

He envisioned the magnificent king, filled with radiant light, using this trial as a stepping stone.

He was the king who would save this world and bring light to it.

"Adrias Cromwell, please find him. I will guide you toward the path of salvation."

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In the sky, it wasn't stars that adorned it but magic circles. Countless magic circles filled the night sky, shimmering with enchanting colors.

Portrian, the city of magicians.

This place, enveloped in powerful magic and mystique, held an annual festival to honor the great magician, Nivas, who widely propagated the concept of magic in the world.

Although it was called a festival, only those with invitations could enter, and even invitations weren't given out to just anyone. Magicians considered it a great honor to participate in the Nivas Festival.

"Bart? Why are you staring like that?"

Bart Alben, one of the Ten Great Mages of the continent, was undoubtedly invited to the festival. While invitations were sent every year, Bart had hesitated every other year, but this year he decided to attend the Nivas Festival.

Taking a break and participating in the festival, he was currently at the Milnorah Banquet Hall, where only renowned magicians had gathered, checking his tablet.

"It's academy business."

"Oh my, you've come all the way here for academy business? Thank you for your hard work."

"I didn't intend to check it, but something interesting came up, hehe."

"Oh, that sounds intriguing. Can you tell me about it?"

"No, and mind your own business."

When Bart snarled weirdly, the other person just gave a wry smile and stepped back.

Bart was famous among those gathered here for his eccentric behavior.

Once the uninvited guest had left, Bart checked his tablet again.

It was about the mysterious incident that had occurred while he was away.

'The corpse of an unidentified monster found in the golden autumn forest, along with the body of Charon Diflen on the opposite side. Undead traces and traces of powerful magic are left in the vicinity.'

The report clearly showed that there were traces of not only Charon but also others. Although it indicated that there were traces of other individuals, it was not clear.

'Could it be hCaron... '

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Bart had his suspicions.

'Hmph, it seems they haven't discovered much.'

The academy had indeed found evidence that Charon was a necromancer through various traces, but they chose not to publicize it. Since Charon just like Kyle, they portrayed him as a hero who had sacrificed his life for the academy.

Since there was no one who knew the details of the incident, it was possible.

'So this is what politics is all about...'

Bart understood why the academy had made that decision.

If they revealed that Charon Diflen was a black mage, it would not only cause harm to many individuals, but it would also likely result in Bart being held accountable and possibly stepping down from his position as the Tower Master.

'But there are traces of another person. Is the one who killed Payhat still within the academy?'

Payhat, a high-ranking member of the Zepar Order who had planned to commit acts of terror. He possessed a power that rivaled that of an aura master, and it was a shock to Bart that he had been defeated so easily.

Although it was not explicitly stated, Bart's intuition led him to believe that the individual involved in this incident might be the same person who had killed Payhat.

"Something unknown is lurking within the academy. How sinister."

Bart smiled as he muttered to himself.

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Richard and Dexter were sitting nervously in the club room.

The club room was not empty; it was filled with members of the journalism club who had gathered.

They had been preparing for something for a while, arranging chairs and setting up equipment. One of the club members called out to Dexter.

"How many did you say?"

"Eleven!"

Dexter shouted, and the person who had spoken to him nodded and prepared the seats.

Richard watched nervously as this unfolded.

Kram, the head of the journalism club, chuckled as he observed their actions.

"Why do you two look so anxious when I told you to take a break?"

"Um, the seniors are working, and we're just... ""Because you've already provided us with an excellent proposal. I never expected you to interview all the promising students. I've done interviews individually, but..."

Kram's praise made Richard smile proudly, while Dexter felt a bit embarrassed.

Seeing the two of them, Kram became curious about something.

"But I have to ask, even though I hate to say this, how did you persuade Adrias?"

"Oh, well, Senior Adrias..."

Just as Dexter was about to explain, a quiet knock on the club room door could be heard.

"Come in!"

The door opened, and someone entered.

When Richard and Dexter saw who it was, they hurriedly prepared their seats.

"Oh! Miss Vivianne, please come in. You're here early."

Kram stopped what he was doing and guided her to the waiting room.

Vivianne briefly looked around as if searching for something, and then, after finding what she was looking for, she followed Kram into the waiting room.

After Vivianne, other interviewees began to arrive one by one.

"Senior Adrias hasn't come yet?"

"He'll be here soon. There's still time."

"But it's a bit rude, isn't it? After all, who thinks they can be punctual these days?"

The journalism club's third-year students filled the room with their chatter.

The first-year trio remained quiet, knowing their place in the presence of their seniors.

"Well, the big shots will handle it themselves."

"As if they're really that great. Honestly, if it weren't for the Tower of Modras, they wouldn't be making such a fuss."

"That's true. Honestly, if I were to enter the Tower of Modras right now, I think I could easily break it down."

At that moment, Lucia, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

"Could you please keep it down a bit? It's too noisy. And remember, there are others here besides you."

"What? Oh, is this some kind of protective measure because we're both from the Magic Department?"

"Are you picking a fight with us? Just over a topic from the Magic Department?"

Among the four knights in the Magic Department, there were a total of four third-year students.

They were known as the Four Kings, a somewhat childish nickname, and they glared at Lucia with their eyes squinted.

"Why? Is my statement incorrect? It's a fact that the Magic Department is weaker compared to the Knight Department."

"Do you not know who I am?"

"Of course, I do. I know that you, senior, won the tournament. But that's unusual, isn't it? Not all students from the Magic Department are like that. Am I wrong?"

As promising individuals, they had a high level of pride.

As the atmosphere became more intense, Vivianne, as if lost in her own thoughts, stared towards the door as if she couldn't hear any of it.

Bella Houston, one of the Four Kings, stood up and looked down at Lucia.

"Good. How about we settle who's stronger now, Lucia Everlast? After all, we're in the same grade."

"Hmph. I'm not foolish enough to fall for such a cheap provocation."

"Scared, huh?"

"I'm not scared."

"Come on, you're definitely scared."

As the tension escalated, Louis, who couldn't stand by any longer, stepped forward.

"Seniors, we didn't come here to strengthen friendships, but we also didn't come to fight. Please calm down a bit..."

"What? You?"

"Mind your own business. If you interfere, the atmosphere will only get worse. Got it?"

The knight's words were correct.

Serena, who realized that intervening would only make the situation worse, quickly grabbed Louis' sleeve.

In the end, Louis couldn't do anything and returned to his seat.

"It's a mess these days. We might need to re-educate the kids."

"Yeah, we should. If the underclassmen act like this, even the Magic Department will look down on us."

"Stop it. I won't tolerate this any longer."

Dianne's eyes glowed with determination.

However, the third-year students, instead of being intimidated, responded with mocking laughter.

"Don't hold back. It's not good for your health. Ah, good. I was curious about how skilled the great tournament champion really is. Would you like to spar?"

As laughter erupted among the third-year students, and unable to bear the insult, Dianne was about to stand up.

Squish.

The door opened, and someone entered.

Adrias Cromwell, who arrived just in time, walked in.

"Adrias!"

Vivianne greeted him warmly, standing up from her seat.

Adrias nodded lightly in response and scanned the room.

Those whom his gaze fell upon felt an inexplicable pressure.

"What's going on? This is..."

Seeing Adrias for the first time since the end of the break, Louis felt his breath tighten, sensing a different kind of pressure.

The imposing presence Adrias exuded was incomparable to what it used to be.

It felt as if one were standing in front of a predator.

"No way... Aura Master?"

No, it couldn't be. Adrias, who was in his early twenties at most, couldn't have reached the level of Aura Master already.

But what was this aura? What had happened during the break to cause this?

The Four Kings of the Knight Department fell silent the moment Adrias entered. Their mouths, which were usually quite vocal, seemed glued shut.

Lucia greeted him as if she had been waiting for his arrival.

"Senior, you're here?"

"Yes."

He nodded and greeted Dianne.

"Good afternoon, Dianne."

"Uh, yeah."

Adrias's presence felt different than usual. His usual friendly demeanor was replaced by an unfamiliar atmosphere.

Lucia remarked on the strange atmosphere.

"Senior, the atmosphere seems a bit strange."

Adrias, who had been scanning the room, finally stopped.

"Something seems off. There was some commotion before I entered the room. What happened?"

His gaze was fixed on the third-year students of the Knight Department.