"Lo-Lord Rank…" James stammered. The Guild Leader of the Crimson Dwarves stared at the cloaked figure with eyes widened to pinpoints, his breathing strained beyond normal limits.
Daniel quietly observed everyone's reactions.
Inside, however, he remained far calmer than he appeared.
Lord Rank, in this world, such beings were treated like untouchable existences capable of ruling nations and suppressing entire regions through sheer strength alone.
But to Daniel… They were not weak beings, not even comparable to ants.
Because in another life— he himself had stood infinitely higher.
The Last Paragon of Reality.
A title born at the end of countless broken timelines and shattered dimensions. He had once stood at the absolute apex of existence itself, where reality, causality, space, and time bent beneath his will.
Compared to what he once was… Even this so-called Lord Rank expert resembled little more than a child holding a candle beneath the stars.
The gap between them at their peaks exceeded thirty entire ranks.
Of course, that was the old him.
Now, Daniel was weak.
Reborn. Starting over from nothing. But his soul remained the same. And deep within that soul—
The countless worlds sleeping inside him still existed. The endless void appeared faintly within his consciousness once more. Floating silently around him were countless glowing orbs.
The desert realm of time.
The dark realm of devouring.
The silent realm of space.
Each world drifted quietly through the void like fragments of creation itself. They were not treasures nor were they dimensions discovered by chance.
They were him.
Fragments of his existence left behind from when he once stood as the Last Paragon of Reality.
No one else could sense them. No one in this world at the very least.
Not because the worlds hid themselves well, but because the difference between Daniel's existence and everyone else's was simply too vast. Even weakened and reborn, his essence still transcended ordinary understanding.
The cloaked figure descending before him could perhaps sense that Daniel was unusual. But the worlds themselves? Impossible.Not even close.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The mysterious man continued walking through empty air itself until he stopped several meters above the ruined academy hall. Silence followed him. Even the flames across the broken ceiling dimmed faintly beneath his presence.
Lucas tightened his grip around his cane. Lightning crackled violently around him.
Elizabeth silently circulated mana through her body while flowers bloomed and withered repeatedly at her feet.
James looked ready to fight despite the fear visible in his eyes.
Then—
"Daniel Williams." The cloaked figure's voice echoed directly within everyone's minds.
Daniel calmly looked upward. "…Yes?"
The figure remained silent briefly before speaking again.
"You possess an unusual fate."
"Senior," James immediately frowned and said cautiously, "why has a Lord Rank powerhouse personally descended for a student?"
The cloaked figure ignored him entirely. Instead, his attention remained fixed solely on Daniel. An unnatural pressure spread quietly across the surroundings.
Not oppressive. Not violent. But profound.
As though the surrounding space itself acknowledged the man's existence.
Daniel remained expressionless. Inside his consciousness, the floating worlds drifted silently through the endless void, completely unaffected by the man's presence.
The silent realm of space remained still and distant.
The cloaked figure knew nothing about it and could sense nothing about it.
And that was natural, the difference between them was simply too large.
Even weakened beyond imagination, Daniel's true existence still stood on an entirely different level from anyone in this world.
Then suddenly—
The cloaked figure raised one hand. Space distorted lightly beside him.
A strange object materialized from the void before floating gently toward Daniel.
It was an ornate compass. The artifact looked ancient beyond measure. Dark silver metal formed its body while countless microscopic runes shifted endlessly across its surface
Beneath the glass covering, there was no ordinary needle. Instead countless tiny stars rotated slowly within it like a miniature galaxy.
The moment Daniel touched it—
His eyes narrowed faintly. 'Interesting. This artifact contained traces of genuine spatial authority. Not ordinary spatial mana manipulation. Something deeper.'
Lucas stared at the compass in visible shock. "That artifact…"
Even Elizabeth's expression became serious.
"It's just a compass." Only James seemed confused, oblivious to the compass's true nature.
Elizabeth glanced at him like he was an idiot. "That is not a normal artifact."
The cloaked figure finally spoke again.
"You will come to the royal capital of the Monarchy of Glory's Bane."
The atmosphere shifted instantly even Lucas looked startled.
The Monarchy of Glory's Bane. One of the oldest and most terrifying human monarchies in existence. Its capital was filled with ancient bloodlines, transcendent guilds, and monsters hidden beneath civilization itself.
Daniel's interest deepened slightly. 'So he has personally come to recruit me.'
"Why?" Daniel asked calmly. James and Elizabeth both looked shocked at his composure.
Yet the cloaked figure remained unfazed.
"Because you are suitable."
Daniel almost laughed internally. 'Suitable? Back in my previous life, entire cosmic civilizations would have considered receiving a glance from me an unimaginable blessing.'
Still, his face remained calm
"Suitable for what?"
"For the Astral Veil."
The moment those words appeared, Lucas' expression changed sharply. Elizabeth inhaled quietly. Even James froze.
"You're from Astral Veil?" Lucas asked in disbelief.
Daniel noticed the reaction immediately. Clearly, this guild possessed terrifying influence in the world.
The cloaked figure slowly extended one hand outward. The space behind him distorted instantly. For a brief moment, Endless stars flickered within the darkness.
"We govern the unseen paths."
The surrounding air twisted unnaturally.
"Space."
Fragments of debris froze midair.
"Time."
The debris reversed briefly before continuing its fall.
"Fate."
For a split second, everyone present felt an indescribable chill brush across their souls.
"No wonder…" James cursed under his breath.
Elizabeth meanwhile stared at Daniel thoughtfully. Astral Veil almost never recruited publicly. Most people were unsure whether the guild even truly existed.
Yet now— A Lord Rank powerhouse had personally descended for Daniel Williams.
The cloaked figure looked toward Daniel once more.
"The compass will guide you."
Daniel lowered his gaze toward the artifact. The stars within it rotated endlessly.
"When should I leave?" he asked.
"When the path opens."
Daniel resisted the urge to sigh. Another vague answer. Still, he understood enough, the artifact itself would likely react when the time came.
The cloaked figure slowly turned away.
Then suddenly he paused slightly. "You possess potential beyond this world," he said calmly.
Daniel's eyes narrowed faintly. 'Interesting wording.'
Before anyone could speak further—
Space distorted and the cloaked figure's body dissolved slowly into countless fragments of darkness. His final words echoed softly throughout the ruined academy.
"We will meet again in Glory's Bane."
Then—
He vanished completely. The terrifying pressure blanketing the academy disappeared instantly.
Silence remained and nobody spoke for several moments.
James finally broke first.
"…What in the hell just happened?"
Lucas remained silent while staring at the compass in Daniel's hand.
Elizabeth crossed her arms slowly.
"Well," she muttered softly, "the boy just became far more troublesome."
Daniel ignored them entirely, his gaze remained fixed on the compass.
Inside its glass surface— The countless stars slowly shifted. One of them brightened faintly.
Pointing toward the distant north.