Far beyond the Academy…
Beyond cities, empires, and known territories—
There existed a place where only the strongest gathered.
A place untouched by ordinary rules.
A place where even warlords spoke carefully.
The Sovereign Council
A vast hall stretched endlessly, its ceiling resembling a living sky filled with shifting constellations.
At its center—
Seven thrones stood.
Six were occupied.
One remained empty.
The Gathering
The crimson man, the silver-haired woman, and the shadowed figure knelt at the center of the hall.
Not out of submission—
But acknowledgment.
Because those seated above them…
Were on an entirely different level.
The Six Rulers
Each throne radiated a different kind of overwhelming presence.
A Dragon Sovereign whose aura burned like a sun.
A Sea Sovereign whose presence felt endless.
A Sky Sovereign who seemed untouchable.
A Titan of Earth whose existence alone felt immovable.
A being of pure balance.
And—
A figure wrapped in threads.
Watching everything.
Calculating everything.
The Report
The crimson man spoke first.
"We found him."
The hall grew quiet.
The Sea Sovereign leaned forward slightly.
"…And?"
The silver-haired woman answered calmly.
"He rejected the path."
A pause.
Then—
The entire hall shifted.
Even the air changed.
The First Reaction
The Dragon Sovereign's voice rumbled like thunder.
"…He what?"
The shadowed figure spoke.
"He was offered the three paths."
"Domination."
"Balance."
"Evolution."
Another pause.
"…He chose none."
Silence.
Then—
The Balance Sovereign spoke softly.
"…Interesting."
A Dangerous Variable
The Thread Sovereign's voice echoed like a whisper through reality itself.
"…Unpredictable."
The Earth Titan rumbled.
"Unstable."
The Sky Sovereign added calmly,
"Potentially uncontrollable."
The Sea Sovereign leaned back slightly.
"…Or something new."
The Real Concern
The Dragon Sovereign stood slightly.
"…Can he be contained?"
The crimson man hesitated.
"…Not easily."
The silver-haired woman added,
"He has already reached early Sovereign Authority."
That—
Changed everything.
The Truth Revealed
The Balance Sovereign's glow intensified slightly.
"…At that level… he should not exist yet."
The Thread Sovereign's threads moved rapidly.
"…Growth rate abnormal."
"…System integration complete."
"…Adaptation speed—"
It paused.
For the first time—
It paused.
"…Unquantifiable."
The Final Question
Silence filled the hall again.
Then—
The Sea Sovereign asked the only question that mattered.
"…Do we eliminate him?"
The atmosphere turned cold.
Heavy.
Decisive.
Divided Opinions
The Dragon Sovereign answered immediately.
"Yes."
"No unknown variables."
The Earth Titan nodded.
"Destroy before instability spreads."
The Sky Sovereign remained calm.
"Observation first."
The Balance Sovereign spoke softly.
"…He achieved what we could not."
That made the hall go silent again.
A Hidden Truth
The Thread Sovereign finally spoke.
"…The last one who attempted that…"
It didn't finish the sentence.
Because it didn't need to.
Everyone in the hall knew.
The Empty Throne
All eyes shifted.
To the seventh throne.
Empty.
Silent.
Forgotten.
Or perhaps—
Sealed.
The Decision
The Sea Sovereign exhaled slowly.
"…We watch."
The Dragon Sovereign frowned.
"…And if he becomes a threat?"
The Balance Sovereign answered,
"Then we act."
The Thread Sovereign added quietly,
"…Too late, and we lose control."
The Sky Sovereign concluded,
"…Too early, and we lose potential."
Final Order
The Sea Sovereign raised a hand slightly.
"…Send observers."
"…Limit interference."
"…Test his limits."
The crimson man nodded.
"…Understood."
The silver-haired woman bowed her head.
"…We'll monitor closely."
The shadowed figure said nothing.
But vanished instantly.
Already moving.
Back at the Academy
Harold stood at the highest point of the Academy.
Looking out at the horizon.
The wind had returned.
Soft.
Controlled.
Peaceful.
Storm walked up beside him.
"…You're thinking too much."
Harold didn't look at him.
"They're coming."
Storm smirked slightly.
"…Then we deal with them."
Frost joined them silently.
"…It won't be that simple."
Harold finally turned.
"I know."
The Next Step
He looked toward the distance.
Toward something only he could feel.
"…The next Titan."
Inside—
The six Titans responded.
The Monkey King grinned.
"Round two?"
The Devourer rumbled.
"New acquisition required."
Unity glowed.
"Progress necessary."
The Counter-Sovereign whispered,
"Second gate location… emerging."
The Direction
A faint pull appeared.
Far away.
Deep.
Ancient.
Calling him.
Harold smiled slightly.
"…Good."
He stepped forward.
"Let them watch."
Storm blinked.
"…Where are you going?"
Harold didn't stop.
"To get stronger."