A little less than a month had passed since Robin began his seclusion. Though his mastery over cracking major laws and turning them into cultivation techniques had improved—requiring less time than before—the process still demanded enormous focus and precision. He was simply becoming more accustomed to the difficulty.
At last, today, he emerged. Outside his room, he found Theo kneeling silently by the door. His head was lowered, breath shallow, his body on the verge of collapse. He was asleep.
Robin's brows furrowed. "How long have you been kneeling here?"
Theo's eyes fluttered open, and the moment he saw Robin standing before him, he lowered his head even further.
"He's been there for about four days," Zara explained softly.
Robin sighed, then tapped Theo's forehead with a gentle smack. "Stand up, you idiot. Gratitude isn't shown by kneeling—it's shown by working harder for me." He looked toward Zara. "Where's your brother?"
"He's in seclusion, Big Brother, pushing his cultivation quickly, just as you commanded."
"Good. Call him. I have something for him." Robin nodded, then crossed the room to his sofa. In his hands, he carried one large tome and two smaller booklets.
It wasn't long before Peon entered, bowing slightly before Robin gestured for him to sit at his side. Robin then turned his attention back to Theo.
"Theo," Robin began with a faint smile, "I'm sure you've gained much from your seclusion. Why don't you show us a little of what you've learned?"
Theo nodded silently. Before his head even lifted fully… he vanished.
"What?!" Peon's eyes widened. He sniffed the air, reaching instinctively for any trace. "He's gone… not only his figure—everything about him is gone!"
Robin nodded calmly. "Well done." He recognized it immediately. This was part of the technique he had written: Perfect Invisibility. Darkness itself swallowed the body, sealing away light, sound, even scent. Only someone far stronger could sense the faint ripple that remained. "What else have you mastered?"
Still hidden, Theo crept step by step toward the table. Though no one else could see him, Robin's eyes followed his movements unerringly. When Theo picked up a cup, both Zara and Peon gasped, for the cup itself vanished along with him.
Robin's lips curved. "Perfect Swallow. Nicely done. What about Shadow Mobility?"
Theo reappeared suddenly—only for his body to melt into the table's shadow, vanishing once more. Different from invisibility, this was Shadow Teleportation. It required existing shadows to function, but it allowed quick movement and devastating surprise attacks.
"And Dark Scope?" Robin asked expectantly.
Theo appeared again, then with a wave of intent, the entire room plunged into absolute blackness. Not even one's own nose could be seen.
Robin nodded with satisfaction, urging him to demonstrate a few more techniques before finally applauding. "Excellent. Seeing these in practice is far more exciting than writing them. The Perfect Law of Darkness is truly something… I may just practice a few of them myself."
He tossed a small booklet at Theo. "Here. This is an energy-cultivation method centered on the Darkness Path. It's superior to whatever you're using now."
Theo accepted it with calm grace, though his heart surged with excitement. To receive a stronger energy technique was monumental, yet with Robin as his master, he had grown used to miracles. After all, what could surpass the creation of the Perfect Law of Darkness itself—something that had eluded sages across all history?
Robin then turned to Peon. "Your turn. In this large book is the Perfect Major Law of Wind cultivation technique. The smaller one is an energy-cultivation method aligned with the Wind Path. Make good use of them." He placed the books into Peon's hands.
Peon trembled beneath his mask. He had seen Caesar wield terrifying might, and Theo manifest deathly arts of shadow. Anything created by Robin—this boy who seemed younger than him—was no less than a divine treasure.
"My lord…" Peon swallowed hard, then dared to voice his fear. "Are you not afraid that I—or Theo—might betray you? That we might leak your heritage?"
Theo, too, turned his gaze toward Robin. He had asked himself this very question countless times during his months of training.
Robin laughed softly. "Smarter than most, that's why I chose you in the first place. If betrayal ever occurs, I will find a way to kill the traitor—directly or indirectly. No, in truth, whoever receives my work will be the one to kill you, just to curry favor with me." His tone sharpened, but then softened again as he leaned back.
"But let's look at the bigger picture. What if one of my techniques is leaked? Do you think I'm giving you these gifts to satisfy my ego? This… is just the beginning. My dream is not only to strengthen you three. My dream is to spread my heritage to the entire world—but at the right time.
I dream that one day, you three will rise beyond the limits of sages, forging your own powers, your own armies, your own empires. Only then, when you stand at the top of the world, will I release these techniques to all of humanity—strong and weak alike. Tell me, Peon… who would truly be harmed if one of my techniques slipped out now?"
Peon froze, thunderstruck. To dominate the world? To surpass sages themselves? No emperor had ever dared voice such audacity. Yet… when he looked at Theo and Caesar, and at himself—each of them wielded strength beyond what emperors had at their age. And if they built their pillars upon such flawless laws, would their rise not be unstoppable?
He drifted deep into thought, until Theo stepped forward and smacked the back of his head, snapping him back to reality. Peon bowed hurriedly. "Forgive me, my lord! It was only a question. I live only to win your satisfaction."
Robin's expression softened. "I know you will. Now go. Train hard. Do not show me your face again until you've mastered the Law and broken through to the eighth level at least."
"Understood!" Peon clutched the two books to his chest, bowed deeply, and hurried back to his room, determination blazing in his heart.