The crimson ripples of the Artificial Breach gradually calmed.
The last trace of my figure disappeared beyond the portal.
Silence followed.
A heavy...
Uncomfortable silence.
No one spoke.
For the first time since the Artificial Breach opened...
The island felt strangely empty.
...
One after another...
The remaining prodigies stepped forward.
Some embraced their families.
Others simply bowed.
A few smiled confidently.
Some...
Couldn't hide the fear in their eyes.
The path awaiting them wasn't a competition.
Nor a simple trial.
It was Neraphyx.
The Land of Endless Death.
A world where countless geniuses disappeared every year.
Never to return.
The elders responsible for the Artificial Breach quickly regained control of the gathering.
"Next."
A young cultivator stepped forward.
The crimson portal rippled.
He disappeared.
"Next."
Another followed.
Then another.
And another.
The once crowded island slowly emptied.
Every departure carried the hopes of an entire family.
...
Grandfather quietly watched everything unfold.
His expression remained calm.
Yet those closest to him noticed the slight fatigue hidden within his eyes.
Every prodigy who crossed that gate...
Was a future pillar of Zeraphyx.
Some would become legends.
Others...
Would become forgotten names engraved upon memorial tablets.
No one knew which destiny awaited them.
...
Mother stood quietly behind Azharyon.
Her arms gently wrapped around him.
She rested her head against his shoulder.
Her eyes remained fixed upon the Artificial Breach.
Though Velzahar had already vanished...
She continued staring.
As though hoping to catch one final glimpse of him.
Father silently placed a hand upon her shoulder.
"He'll return."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
"He always keeps his promises."
Mother smiled faintly.
"I know..."
"...I'm still his mother."
A single tear escaped her eye.
She quickly wiped it away before anyone noticed.
...
Meanwhile...
Uncle Zeranyx wasn't nearly as fortunate.
Grandfather slowly looked toward him.
"You."
Uncle's entire body stiffened.
"...Father?"
"You heard my sentence."
"...Y-Yes."
"Then why are you still standing there?"
Uncle blinked.
"...Because..."
"...I'm hoping you'll change your mind?"
Grandfather smiled.
It wasn't a pleasant smile.
"If I hear another word..."
"I'll make it two hundred years."
Uncle immediately covered his mouth.
Aunt Zeraphine helplessly shook her head.
Their children couldn't help laughing.
Even several elders coughed awkwardly to hide their amusement.
Grandfather pointed toward the distant horizon.
"Go."
"And spend time with your family."
"If I discover you've disappeared again..."
"...I'll personally drag you back."
Uncle swallowed.
"...Understood."
His shoulders drooped.
He looked like a defeated warrior returning from battle.
Father walked beside him.
A hand rested upon his younger brother's shoulder.
"You brought this upon yourself."
"I know..."
Uncle sighed dramatically.
"...But one hundred years?"
"...Father is truly heartless."
Father chuckled.
"No."
"He's giving you something you've neglected for far too long."
Uncle looked toward his wife.
Toward Kaelith.
Toward Elira.
For the first time...
His carefree smile softened.
"...Perhaps..."
"...you're right."
...
Not far away...
Azharyon remained standing before the Artificial Breach.
His hands rested quietly at his sides.
Hidden beneath his sleeves...
His fingers trembled slightly.
The soreness from blocking Velzahar's attacks had not faded.
He slowly opened his palm.
Tiny cracks covered the skin.
Fresh blood quietly trickled between his fingers.
He stared at it silently.
"...So..."
"...that wasn't even your full strength."
He clenched his fist.
Ignoring the pain.
His eyes remained fixed upon the portal.
Seven days.
He had trained for only seven days.
Yet...
Even after awakening his bloodline...
Even after instinctively entering a partial Prime Form...
Even after unknowingly touching the threshold of something greater...
He still understood one undeniable truth.
His brother had been holding back.
If Velzahar had truly intended to win...
The outcome might have been completely different.
Instead...
His brother had tested him.
Measured him.
Acknowledged him.
Azharyon's lips slowly curved upward.
"...Next time..."
"...I won't just block your punch."
His blue eyes shone brightly.
"...I'll force you to fight seriously."
A silent promise.
Not spoken aloud.
But carved deeply into his heart.
Far above the island...
Dark clouds drifted slowly across the heavens.
Then—
RUMBLE...
A distant clap of thunder echoed beyond the horizon.
It was so faint...
No one else seemed to notice.
Not Father.
Not Mother.
Not Grandfather.
Only Azharyon slowly lifted his head.
The thunder echoed once more.
As though the heavens themselves had heard his vow.
Or perhaps...
They were warning him.
The path before the two brothers...
Would shake both worlds.
...
The Artificial Breach continued shimmering quietly.
Beyond it...
Velzahar had already taken his first true step into the unknown.
And with that single step...
The fate of Zeraphyx...
And Neraphyx...
Had begun to change.