The training grounds of the Veyris Empire were unusually calm.
Not peaceful nothing here was ever truly peaceful
but controlled, as if reality itself was waiting to observe what came next.
Floating platforms drifted through layered skies.
The Universe Tree's humanoid form stabilized distant space distortions.
And in the center
Kael Veyris stood with his daughters.Kael Veyris looked at both children.
In front of him stood:
Elyrion Veythera
and
Veyloria Kaelthera
The air was quiet.
Even Wukong had stopped talking.
That alone was a sign something serious was happening.
Kael spoke calmly:
…You may have all the magic in existence.
…But answer this.
He paused slightly.
His gaze sharpened not harsh, but absolute.
…If your magic is gone… and an enemy stands in front of you…
…what do you do?
Silence.
Elyrion blinked.
Veyloria looked down slightly.
Neither answered immediately.Then
Kaelignis Veyris stepped forward.
…You fight anyway.
Next to her,
Lyra's Kaelry nodded.
…Without relying on power.
Kael watched them for a moment.
Then nodded once.
…Correct.
…Power is an extension.
…Not the foundation.
A faint pressure shifted through the training grounds.
Not from force
but approval.Kael raised his hand slightly.
A simulated combat field formed instantly.
No magic allowed.
No abilities.
No manipulation of reality.
Only movement.
Only technique.
The restriction settled over everyone.
Even Kaelignis and Kaelry felt their powers sealed.
Kael spoke:
…Demonstrate control.
The two daughters moved.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
Then cleaner.
Their motions began to align with something deeper than instinct.
Something Kael himself had shown only faintly before.
After several exchanges
a system-level recognition appeared.
Swordsmanship Understanding: 0.5% Achieved
Kael paused slightly.
Then nodded.
…Well done.
…For now.
Wukong dropped to the ground.
…0.5%?! THAT'S A FAIL OR A PASS?!
Kael didn't answer.Around the training field, Kael's wives observed quietly.
Not interfering.
Just watching.
Lilith stood closest, her gaze soft but attentive.
Ignisia crossed her arms, smiling faintly.
Seraphina watched with quiet pride.
Aetheria nodded in approval.
Cosmyra muttered something about training efficiency.
Eternya smiled softly.
Yunara observed calmly.
Kitsune Reina tilted her head, amused.
Umbryssia watched the daughters carefully.
…They are learning the foundation of dominance.
Sanguinara Dracoryx smiled faintly.
…Not dominance.
…Survival without dependence. As the training continued, something subtle shifted among the group.
Lilith and Ignisia stood slightly closer than usual.
Not obvious.
Not announced.
Just… present.
Ignisia spoke softly:
…He really believes in starting them from nothing.
Lilith replied gently:
…That's why they will never fall completely.
Ignisia smirked.
…And why they're already terrifying.
Seraphina chuckled lightly.
…Family of monsters.
Aetheria added:
…Capable ones.
Cosmyra sighed.
…Expensive ones.
Eternya smiled:
…Beautiful ones.
Yunara nodded:
…Strong ones.
Kitsune Reina whispered:
…And unpredictable ones.
Umbryssia added quietly:
…Perfectly aligned chaos.
Sanguinara Dracoryx concluded softly:
…A lineage beyond structure. Kael stepped forward once more.
The simulated battlefield faded.
Power restraints lifted.
Reality returned.
He looked at his daughters.
Then spoke calmly:
…Remember this.
…Power is not what makes you strong.
…What makes you strong…
…is what remains when it is gone.
Elyrion Veythera and Veyloria Kaelthera both nodded slowly.
Understanding deepening.
Kael looked at them one last time.
…Continue training.
…You are improving.
Wukong groaned in the background.
…They're at HALF A PERCENT.
Kaelignis shrugged.
…That's still something.
Kaelry nodded.
…Progress is progress.
The training field quieted again.
Wives watched.
Daughters trained.
The Universe Tree stabilized the skies above.
And Kael Veyris stood at the center
not as a ruler in battle…
but as a father shaping beings who would one day stand even beyond gods.