My head felt like a group of Dwarven blacksmiths were using my skull as an anvil.
Memories flashed like a broken film reel: A roaring fire, the smell of ozone, and the sight of my father—Astarion Bael—standing like a titan against a tide of Old Satan Faction cowards. He hadn't just fought; he had burned his own life force to make sure I, Reinhardt Phenex, kept breathing.
I opened my eyes to the sterile white ceiling of a high-end Underworld hospital. I was fifteen again. And I was furious.
The door creaked open. Four figures stepped in, and the sheer magical pressure in the room spiked.
"Rein! My boy, are you with us?"
Leading the pack was Zeckram Bael. He looked like a refined elderly statesman, but those eyes held the weight of a man who could delete a mountain range if he sneezed too hard. Behind him stood my uncle, Rhaziel Phenex, looking sharp but worried, and the twin sisters, Reyna and Jessica Phenex.
"I'm fine," I croaked out, my voice raspy. I looked straight at Zeckram. "Grandpa... where's Dad? Where is he?"
The silence that followed was heavier than a gravity spell. Zeckram's hands, usually steady, clenched into trembling fists.
"Rein..." the old man began, his voice thick. "What I'm about to say... it will hurt. Astarion... your father... he died protecting you. He gave everything to ensure you reached safety."
Rhaziel stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I promised my sister Seraphina I'd look after you, Rein. I failed you both today, but I swear on the Phenex name, we will have justice."
I felt the heat rising in my chest—not just the Phenex fire, but the Bael destruction. "No," I said, shaking my head. I looked Zeckram dead in the eye. "Uncle, Grandpa... I'm going to kill them myself. I'll make them regret ever being born."
The sheer killing intent coming from a fifteen-year-old made even Zeckram blink in surprise. Then, he smiled—a cold, terrifying pride. "That's my grandson."
I turned my gaze to the twins. "Sorry for worrying you, Reyna, Jessica."
Jessica, who was set to marry my uncle, huffed and crossed her arms. "Of course we were worried! You're family, you idiot."
Reyna, however, didn't say a word. She just lunged forward and hugged me like I was made of glass. "Don't ever do that again, you stupid fool," she whispered.
"I'm back, baby. I'm not going anywhere," I murmured, patting her back.
The Great Divorce Scandal
I looked back at the Old Man. "Can I go home now? I hate the smell of bleach."
"Sure," Zeckram replied, regaining his composure. "But you're not going alone. Venelana will be staying with you to oversee your recovery."
I paused. My brain did a quick mental scan of the family tree. "Are you senile, Old Man? Venelana is a Gremory. Why would you bring a Gremory wife to a Bael-Phenex household?"
Zeckram actually turned red. He looked embarrassed, while Rhaziel let out a muffled snort.
"Brat, I forgot to mention," Zeckram coughed into his hand. "Venelana... she divorced Zeoticus Gremory."
I blinked. Then I looked at Rhaziel. "Uncle, I think the blast damaged my ears. Did he just say what I think he said?"
"It's true, Rein," Rhaziel chuckled. "Zeoticus was caught cheating with her step-sister, Evelyn. Venelana didn't just leave him; she basically tore the Gremory crest off the wall on her way out. She's back to being a Bael now."
"Well," I whistled. "Good for her. Can I add Misla to the list of people I want to see? And later, Grandpa, you're going to tell me exactly which clans were involved in the hit on my father."
Zeckram nodded solemnly. "Everything in due time."
Private Time
The room cleared out until only Reyna remained. She sat on the edge of the bed, her face a mask of lingering fear.
"What's my little Reyna thinking about?" I asked, reaching out and pulling her onto my lap. In this life, she wasn't just some future Lady Phenex—she was my girl.
"I thought I lost you," she whispered, leaning her forehead against mine. "When I heard about the attack... about your father..."
"I'm a Phenex, remember?" I caught her chin, tilting her face up. "We don't stay down. I'll get my revenge, and I'll build a world where you never have to look that scared again."
Reyna didn't reply with words. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into a deep, desperate kiss that tasted like fire and promises.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING...]
[USER: REINHARDT PHENEX]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 5,000,000 DEVIL COINS]
[SHOP UNLOCKED: WOULD YOU LIKE TO VIEW THE STARTER DEALS?]