Dron Leon, the mentor of Cole Leon, was a six–star Dark–element swordsman. His body was thin, yet strangely powerful, and his speed was unmatched. Many tales about him circulated on the battlefields against other kingdoms, but what he was most famous for was his arrogance and pride. Those traits seemed almost made to define him. It was even said that he had boldly challenged high–ranking duelists. Though he never won any of those battles, he still received praise from every single one of them. Even Tim, the nine–circle Time Mage, praised his talents—despite never gets a fight with him, for it would have been nothing but bullying. Still, Tim respected Dron Leon, and the royal family valued his abilities greatly. He had many feats and countless stories told about him.
But at that moment, he was afraid… afraid of a boy—or, more precisely, what lay within that boy!
Petalin could not understand what Dron meant when he said, "If you do not wish to die, step back." She never thought such a threat would shake him, but now he was drenched in cold sweat. When he noticed her confusion, Dron continued,
"Even though the words came from his mouth, I don't believe they were his own. Earlier, when my aura pierced through him, his eyes were silver, pure, and radiant. His aura carried a glimmer of the stars. But when I struck at him…"
Dron recalled the scene, and his heart pounded violently, his soul screaming in terror.
"When I attacked, I felt as if the world itself froze in place. His silver eyes were gone—not replaced by black as usual, but by something else. They were dark, lifeless… as though a corpse was staring at me. And his aura…"
He swallowed hard before continuing.
"Before, his aura could be described as warm, like a hot spring. But in that moment, it was as if icy water had been poured down my back. My soul, my blood, my body trembled in fear. Memories rushed to me—tragic, painful memories. Every moment of suffering I had ever endured replayed vividly before my eyes. I saw them materialize in front of me, alive, suffering… as if I were watching my loved ones being slaughtered by my enemies, while I, at the peak of my power, stood helpless to stop it. And then I heard a voice—not one that belonged to the living, but something that seemed to crawl out of a dark cave. The voice was cold, void of all emotion, and it said: 'If you do not wish to die, then retreat.'"
Dron shook as he spoke, his voice cracking.
"Though it sounded like a threat, that's not how I felt. I knew without doubt—this person would do it without hesitation, as if killing me was the most natural thing in the world. That is why I withdrew my aura."
Petalin was stunned, but asked, "How? Only a few moments had passed, so how could you have experienced all of that?"
"That," Dron said grimly, "is the terrifying part. He could have tortured me endlessly, killed me, and cast my corpse aside without me even being able to move a finger! Everyone I've ever fought had their own kind of oppressive pressure, and each carried terrifying killing intent. But this one… his aura and intent weren't just overwhelming—they were boundless. They swallowed everything, with reason or without, as if he wouldn't even care if he killed an entire kingdom. He would remain indifferent, as though it were the most natural thing in existence."
Dron's body trembled as he finished. Remembering it sent shivers down his spine. Fighting enemies of the ninth level seemed merciful in comparison to facing that boy.
---
Meanwhile, Shion Lan went with Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai to the battle arena, where they met Sol and Vivi. Shion told them that Baro and Fiore would be accompanying the second princess, Jina Joul. Vivi was overjoyed at this, for her disciple, Fiore Tai, would now serve as the princess's knight—something that would greatly raise her standing in the family's next gathering.
But Fiore interrupted, "Lady Vivi, after the evaluation, may I follow Master Shion instead?"
Vivi was surprised at the request, but she understood. The difference in experience and skill between her and Shion was undeniable, and it was Shion who had helped Fiore through his troubles. All she could do was smile bitterly and nod in agreement.
Shion, however, was not paying much attention to what they were saying. His mind was deep in thought.
'What happened back then? Why did that memory resurface again? I don't understand how the meridians work… The fifth scene reappeared when I faced Dron, and I saw Shi Yun Lan's mother once again. But this time, I didn't hear the anxious voice, and I was able to end the scene quickly. When I came to, Dron was standing before me, fear written all over his face. Was this Shi Yun Lan's doing? I need to ask him!'
The visions Shion experienced—according to Shi Yun Lan—had been caused by poison. But this time, what was the cause? Why was it so brief? Why only the fifth scene? He was already entering the sixth vein. Could Shi Yun Lan truly appear in this world? And what would happen if Shion failed to awaken all the veins?
These questions plagued him without answer. He even suspected Shi Yun Lan himself might not know, since his knowledge was limited to the memories he lived through.
When Shion snapped out of his long contemplation, he found himself already at the battle arena. He entered with Sol, Vivi, Baro, and Fiore, and they sat together to watch the final journey's events. Since the supervisors had requested patience, he assumed they would display each person's best moments in a grand fashion.
The presentation began with the first rank: Cole Leon, who appeared in elegant form, clad in his black armor and wielding his sword. He stood at the coastline as waves of monsters emerged from the sea. But amid this spectacle, Shion muttered suddenly, "Sol, I'll take a short nap. Wake me when it's Baro and Fiore's turn."
"Hmm… alright." Sol agreed.
Shion closed his eyes and focused. Soon, he found himself before the veins once again, standing across from Shi Yun Lan.
Shi Yun Lan spoke, "You've come to learn what happened earlier, haven't you?"
"Indeed," Shion answered. "I believe it was the fifth vein's response this time, and as I can see, it seems quite lively—especially for the art of Annihilation.'"
He looked at the fifth meridian, which had once been dim, now glowing with black and red brilliance like the others. Four veins remained dormant.
But Shion turned to Shi Yun Lan and said, "I came to fight you and open the second vein."
"Very well," Shi Yun Lan replied indifferently, activating his (Aura of Death), which coiled around Shion.
Shion focused, activating his (Aura of Stars), repelling the deathly aura. His silver eyes and white hair shone in defiance against Shi Yun Lan's dark eyes and black hair.
Shi Yun Lan smiled. "I didn't expect you to walk the same path and even create your own art in such a short time." He raised his sword. "But is this all you have?"
He surged forward, using the techniques of the Shi family, infused with his aura, striking with a Dark–element technique. Shion' (Stellar Vortex) shielded him.
Shi Yun Lan quickly followed up with (Dark Crow), unleashing a death–shrouded aura shaped like a raven, covering his body. Then came (Dark Body), as his form turned into pure darkness. With the raven's wings sprouting from his back, Shion felt sweat trail down his neck.
'Damn it, he wasn't serious in the previous fights! I'll have to use the (Stellar Summit) fully to keep up!'
His body blazed with starlight, his aura wrapping his sword and hand. Shion decided to start with Water techniques before using his original arts. (Rain Drops) formed on his sword, glowing with starlight, while his left hand conjured a (Water Bomb), glowing faintly.
The two stared at each other. Shi Yun Lan melded into the shadows, attacking at blinding speed. But Shion had lived Shi Yun Lan's life for thirteen years—he knew his patterns. He struck at Shi Yun Lan's blind spot, only to hear a voice behind him:
"I knew you'd think that way, so I feigned the attack from behind."
But Shion's left hand was ready—the (Water Bomb) exploded against Shi Yun Lan, disrupting his dark body. Shion closed in, only for Shi Yun Lan to counter with (Raging Storm), slashing with immense force. Shion's (Stellar Vortex) shielded him, and he pressed on.
Shi Yun Lan's eyes widened. "Your strength is already at a expert's level! No wonder I lost to that strike."
Shion closed the distance, but Shi Yunlan retaliated with (Fire Claws), piercing through Shion's shield and striking his body.
"Though you've improved so fast, it's still not enough, and—"
"(Star Tide)!"
A blow from behind toppled Shi Yun Lan. Shion explained, "Though I've inherited countless techniques, this spell I learned myself from the academy's library. It was a (Water Version), so I cast it from the front while mimicking the same from the back."then smiled" (Star Tide), the technique I have created from realising the core of (Rain Drops), what do you think about it? "
Shi Yunlan chuckled, "So all this time, you were distracting me from the front just to land this strike in a real fight. I'll admit, you were clever. But…"
The (Dark Crow) surged from his body, striking Shion. The (Water Bomb) wasn't enough; Shion was injured but rose again. Shi Yun Lan restored his dark form and vanished.
"I forgot," Shi Yun Lan's cold voice echoed, "my goal is to kill you, not just defeat you. Forgive my earlier mercy—now, die!"
Shion summoned his (Aura of Stars) and thought, 'The advantage here is that I can use my full power without running out, since this is my mind. I'll gamble on that.'
He fused (Stellar Vortex) with (Raging Storm), magnifying its strength. Shi Yun Lan roared, merging (Fire Claws) with (Dark Crow), shrouded in the (Aura of Death). The collision was imminent—!