Silence settled over the battlefield where only moments ago chaos had reigned. The shattered remains of Noctivar's wooden puppets lay scattered across the academy grounds, slowly dissolving into particles of dark light before fading completely. The oppressive presence that had blanketed Aetherion Academy vanished with Noctivar himself, leaving behind nothing but a gentle breeze that carried the scent of fresh grass through the open field.
For the first time since the invasion began, the academy felt peaceful again.
Arios slowly released the breath he had been holding. The white aura surrounding his body receded into his skin, and his hair gradually returned to its normal shade. Beside him, Lysera lowered her hand after erasing the last trace of Noctivar's soul. There would be no resurrection, no lingering resentment waiting for another chance. The Reality Codex had lost its master forever.
The twins turned away from the battlefield together and walked toward the others waiting beneath the broad shade of the ancient tree.
Lex was the first to greet them. His usual composed smile carried a hint of admiration as he looked Arios up and down.
"You've gotten stronger again."
Arios rubbed the back of his head and laughed quietly.
"My training paid off."
Borus crossed his arms and chuckled.
"I'd say it did. You nearly made us think we weren't needed."
Veldama slipped both hands into her pockets, shaking her head with an amused smile.
"You always find a way to surprise people."
Cecil stretched lazily before yawning.
"I was hoping I'd get a turn."
Destiny simply smiled, her crimson eyes lingering on the twins.
"I knew you'd win."
Even Alex, who rarely acknowledged anyone, gave Arios a single nod before turning his gaze toward the ruined battlefield.
Philis slowly rose from beneath the tree, dusting his robes as he leaned on his cane. His old eyes swept across every student gathered there, satisfaction hidden beneath his calm expression.
"Today's lessons are over."
The students turned toward him.
"You've all performed beyond my expectations."
He paused before smiling faintly.
"The academy will be closed for the remainder of the day."
A few students blinked in surprise.
"Go home. Rest yourselves."
Without another word, the principal turned and began walking back toward the academy building, Instructor Jin, Miss Bromet, and Maelaric following behind him.
Soon the courtyard emptied as students began making their way back to their homes.
The afternoon sun bathed the streets of Lunis in a warm golden light as Arios and Lysera walked side by side through the city. The noise of merchants, travelers, and awakened cultivators blended into a familiar rhythm, yet both siblings found themselves unusually quiet after everything that had happened.
Eventually, Arios broke the silence.
"Sis…"
Lysera glanced toward him.
"Hm?"
He kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"I'm going to become an Ascender."
His voice carried no hesitation.
"I want to travel across the realms."
He clenched his hand unconsciously.
"And crush the gods."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I think… that's where my path lies."
Lysera looked at him for several moments before smiling to herself.
"I've been thinking about doing the same."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"But…"
She looked toward the clouds drifting overhead.
"Do you think Mom will agree?"
Arios laughed softly.
"Maybe."
He shrugged.
"In four years…she might."
Lysera sighed dramatically.
"I hope so."
Then her stomach growled. She blinked before looking upward.
"I wonder what she's cooking."
Arios laughed.
"Trust you to think about food."
Nearly thirty minutes later, the towering gates of the Dreamveil Estate came into view.
The estate stood peacefully beneath the evening sky, surrounded by gardens that flourished throughout every season. The branches of distant Ydris shimmered beyond the horizon, its immense silhouette barely visible against the fading sunlight.
Arios pushed open the front door.
"Mom!"
His voice echoed through the mansion.
"I'm home!"
Soft footsteps descended from the upper floor. Selene Dreamveil appeared at the staircase with effortless elegance. Her long silver-white hair flowed behind her like moonlight, and her silver eyes carried the same gentle warmth they always had whenever she looked at her children.
A faint smile graced her lips.
"Welcome home."
She descended the stairs gracefully.
"How was school today?"
Lysera answered first.
"It was invaded."
Selene blinked once.
"Invaded?"
"A man named Noctivar Khaos."
Selene calmly walked toward the living room before taking a seat on the sofa.
"I see."
She rested one arm against the armrest.
"So…Did Philis handle it?"
Arios shook his head.
"I told him I'd do it."
Silence followed. Selene looked directly into her son's crimson eyes.
Her expression remained calm, but there was a quiet seriousness behind it.
"So…Why did you fight? What was your reason?"
Arios stood still.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he remembered Noctivar's words. The unseen hands. The Reality Codex. The arrogance. Finally, he spoke.
"He wanted to capture us."
A brief pause.
"And…He used the Unseen Hands."
His voice became firmer.
"A disrespect to Father. I couldn't stand there and watch him any longer."
Selene quietly studied her son's face. Then she closed her eyes for a moment before releasing a small sigh.
"…I understand."
She opened her eyes again.
"All right."
A gentle smile returned.
"Come. I'll prepare dinner."
The aroma of warm food soon filled the estate.
The three of them shared dinner together while talking about the academy, the students, and the training Instructor Jin had begun. The atmosphere remained peaceful, almost ordinary, despite the extraordinary battle that had taken place only hours earlier.
For a little while…They were simply a family. Night eventually embraced Aetherion.
Moonlight poured through the windows of the Dreamveil Estate as silence settled over every room. Arios and Lysera had long since fallen asleep.
Within his dreams…Arios slowly opened his eyes. There was no sky. No earth or stars. Only endless white. The vast expanse stretched beyond sight in every direction. There was no beginning. No end. No sound. Yet…It didn't feel empty. It felt…Familiar. Arios slowly turned in place.
"What is this…?"
His own voice echoed endlessly across the white expanse.
He frowned.
"…No."
Recognition slowly surfaced within him.
"This feels…"
His eyes widened.
"The Mastered White."
He looked down at his own hands.
"Is this because I gained…the Body of the White?"
Far ahead Someone was waiting. A woman sat calmly in the center of the endless white world.
Shifting shadows flowed gently around her despite the infinite whiteness surrounding them, as though light and darkness had abandoned their opposition in her presence.
She watched Arios approach without moving. A faint smirk appeared on her face. When Arios finally stood before her, she spoke only a single sentence.
"You are not yet ready, young master."
She casually lifted one finger. Then flicked it toward him. Arios' eyes snapped open. He sat upright in bed, breathing heavily. Moonlight streamed through his bedroom window. His heart pounded against his chest.
"…Who…"
He looked at his hands.
"…Who was that?"
He pressed a hand against his forehead.
"I don't know…But…everything felt familiar."
Suddenly Fragments. Tiny pieces of memory surged through his mind.
Not from this life. Another. He saw himself…Older. Seventeen years old. Standing before endless waves of monsters pouring from a massive portal.
Sword in hand. Training. Fighting. Growing stronger with every battle. The memory flickered like broken glass. Then the perspective shifted. Someone stood behind that older Arios. A woman…she was Tall. Dressed in flowing black robes.
Long black hair reached her waist as she watched him train with quiet satisfaction.
She smiled.
"You even remembered the previous timeline…"
Her voice was soft.
"…As expected of you, Arios."
The vision shattered. Reality rushed back. Arios remained sitting on his bed, staring into the darkness.
One name escaped his lips almost instinctively.
"…Seraphyx?"