Liam's Perspective
The airship descended toward Dolan, a mountainous region fad for its cultivation resources. From the window, I could see vast forests and jagged peaks stretching toward the horizon. The perfect place to hide—or to grow stronger.
"First ti in Dolan?" Evelyn Norton asked, seated across from .
I nodded. "I've heard stories. They say the spiritual energy here is three tis denser than in Veridia City."
"Four tis, actually," she corrected with a smile. "It's why the Kaelen family built their empire here centuries ago."
The airship docked at a modest terminal carved into the mountainside. As we disembarked, I couldn't help but think about Dudley Lowell's pathetic attempt to curse back in Oceana City. His incantation had fizzled against my skin like water on hot stone. Another enemy who'd underestimated .
"You're distracted," Evelyn noted as we collected our bags.
"Just thinking about sothing that happened before we left."
"Care to share?"
I shook my head. "Nothing worth ntioning. Just another fool who thought he could hurt ."
We hired a local taxi to take us into Dolan City. The driver, a weathered man with sun-darkened skin, perked up when I ntioned the Kaelen family.
"Heading to see Master Axel?" he asked, eyes widening in the rearview mirror. "Important folks, you must be."
"You know of him?" I asked.
The driver laughed. "Everyone in Dolan knows the Kaelens. They own half the mountains and most of the city. Master Axel's the richest man in three provinces."
"And powerful?" I pressed.
"Like you wouldn't believe. They say he can move mountains with a wave of his hand." The driver lowered his voice. "So say he's already reached Martial Marquis level, but keeps it quiet to avoid trouble from the Guild."
Interesting. I exchanged a glance with Evelyn, who raised an eyebrow slightly.
The taxi wound up a narrow mountain road until we reached a massive gate carved with intricate runes. Beyond it stood the Kaelen manor—or rather, palace. The sprawling complex spilled across the mountainside like a cascading waterfall of ivory and jade.
"Holy shit," I muttered.
Evelyn smirked. "The Kaelens don't do anything halfway."
I paid the driver, who sped away after giving us a respectful bow. Before we could approach the gate, my senses tingled. Soone was watching us.
No—two soones. Both at Grandmaster level, hiding poorly in the trees flanking the road.
"We have company," I whispered to Evelyn.
She nodded slightly. "I noticed. Want to handle them?"
"No need." I smiled thinly. "I'll give them what they're looking for."
I walked casually toward the gate, then suddenly darted left into the forest. Moving at full speed, I circled behind our observers. They were still looking at the spot where I'd disappeared, completely unaware I was now behind them.
Amateurs.
I cleared my throat loudly. Both figures jumped, spinning around with expressions of panic.
"Looking for soone?" I asked pleasantly.
They were both n in their thirties, dressed in plain clothes that failed to hide their muscular builds. Guild training, clearly, but not elite.
"Liam Knight," the taller one stated, trying to recover his composure.
"Congratulations. You found ." I crossed my arms. "Now, would you like to explain why you're following like second-rate spies?"
The shorter one flushed. "We're not—"
"Save it." I cut him off. "You've been on my trail since Veridia City. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
They exchanged uncomfortable glances.
"We're from the Veridia City Martial Guild," the taller one finally admitted.
"I gathered that much. Who sent you?"
"Vice President Erson Hols."
Now that was interesting. Dashiell's master had his eyes on —but why?
"And what does the esteed Vice President want?" I asked, letting a hint of danger seep into my voice.
"We don't know," the shorter one blurted. "We were just told to track your movents and report back."
I stepped closer, towering over him. "Do you know who I am? What I've done to people who've gotten in my way?"
He swallowed hard. "We've heard stories."
"They're not stories." I reached out and gripped his collar, lifting him slightly off the ground. "They're warnings."
The taller one tensed, ready to attack, but Evelyn materialized beside him, her finger pressed against his throat.
"I wouldn't," she advised quietly.
I released the shorter man, who stumbled backward.
"Here's what's going to happen," I said calmly. "You're going to leave Dolan. Now. You'll tell Erson Hols that if he wants to know what I'm doing, he can ask himself."
"But sir—" the taller one began.
"I'm not finished," I interrupted. "You'll also tell him that the next ti he sends people to spy on , I won't be so understanding."
They nodded quickly, faces pale.
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"Now go."
They turned and hurried away, practically tripping over themselves.
Evelyn joined as we watched them disappear down the mountain road. "You think Hols is acting on his own, or on Guild orders?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "But I intend to find out."
We approached the Kaelen family gate once more. Before we could announce ourselves, the massive doors swung open silently.
A servant in formal attire bowed deeply. "Master Knight, Miss Norton. Master Axel is expecting you."
Of course he was. Nothing happened in Dolan without Axel Kaelen knowing about it.
"How thoughtful," I said. "Lead the way."
As we followed the servant through manicured gardens and over ornate bridges spanning artificial lakes, I considered the Guild's interest in . Erson Hols was Dashiell's master—was this surveillance related to that connection? Or was there sothing deeper at play?
Either way, it didn't matter much now. Once I reached half-step Martial Marquis level—my imdiate goal—Hols and his pawns would beco irrelevant. The Guild's vice president might be powerful in Veridia City, but here in Dolan, under Axel Kaelen's protection, I could focus on what truly mattered: becoming strong enough that no one, not even ten half-step Martial Marquis from the Umbral Covenant, could threaten again.
The servant led us to an expansive courtyard where a slender man in flowing white robes stood with his back to us, apparently studying a peculiar flower that emitted a soft blue glow.
"Master Axel," the servant announced. "Your guests have arrived."
The figure turned slowly, revealing a face of striking beauty that seed ageless—neither young nor old. His eyes, however, were ancient, filled with knowledge and sothing else I couldn't quite identify.
"Liam Knight," he said, his voice lodious yet sohow unsettling. "I've been watching your progress with great interest."
His smile didn't reach his eyes, which remained fixed on with an intensity that made my skin crawl.
"Welco to my ho," Axel Kaelen continued. "We have so much to discuss."
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