Everyone fell silent, listening closely as Cyrus replied,
"Yes… I found that book during a mission. It intrigued me deeply. But… I'm afraid I can't tell you why, because the only thing I remember is the day I left this place. All other memories seem to have been wiped from my mind. It sounds unreal, I know, but that's the truth."
Ari added softly,
"Miss Mirae also told us that a binding spell was cast upon you. Perhaps that's why."
Then she noticed the sad look on Dawn's face and smiled reassuringly.
"Try not to be disheartened, Dawn. We're still in the middle of this journey, and we'll find the answers in time."
Though still subdued, Dawn nodded quietly. This journey had felt like one long path toward understanding, and she hoped that one day it would lead to the truths they all sought.
Then Erika spoke up,
"Lord Zech, do you remember anything about those years you and Lady Kira were imprisoned?"
Zech shook his head slowly.
"After that incident, we were kept in a prison. They gave us good food every day — as fine as any royal banquet. Weekly, a man came to check on our health. We never saw his face. He always wore a mask. But he treated us like patients, making sure we were well enough to stay alive. Whatever their reason, it wasn't to kill us."
Ari furrowed her brow, puzzling aloud,
"Why would they capture you in the first place if they didn't want to kill you?"
More questions floated in the air, but soon Zech spoke with resolve.
"Miss Erika, could you escort us to the empire tomorrow?"
Erika bowed her head respectfully.
"Yes, sir. Of course."
Cyrus smiled and offered,
"But you can stay as long as you'd like, Lord Zech."
Zech responded firmly,
"Thank you, Lord Cyrus. But we have to honor my father's final wish and return to our homeland. It's where we belong now."
Cyrus inclined his head, understanding. The room fell quiet for a moment until Ari spoke.
"Mom, Dad… I won't be coming with you. Not now. I want to stay and train. I can only become truly strong if I stay here."
Kira smiled softly.
"That's alright, Ari. As long as Lady Lyra doesn't mind, you're welcome to stay."
Lyra waved her hand with a smile.
"Of course. Stay as long as you want, dear."
Zech glanced at Ari approvingly.
"You're still chasing your goal?"
Tracey tilted his head.
"What goal?"
Kira smiled proudly.
"Ari's dream is to become the strongest member of Bladehex—or the strongest of all time. But… it seems she has found an even more important reason to pursue strength."
Ari clenched her hand over her heart.
"Mom, Dad… Imperial pushed himself to save all of us. Not just me, but every one of us. We were inside that dark magic, helpless, and he was fighting for all of us. We felt powerless. We felt like a burden. In that moment, we decided we can't stay like that anymore. We must stand beside him as equals, as friends, and protect him too."
Tracey added with a nod,
"She's right. When the Vice Generals came for him, Imperial was gravely wounded. Only Gray could move to protect him. The rest of us just watched, powerless. Never again."
Ari spoke with quiet determination.
"That's why I've decided. While we're here, I'll train under Master Kaien."
Zech and Kira exchanged a glance upon hearing that name, and recognition sparked in their eyes. But before they could speak, Cyrus gave a slight glance, a warning to remain silent. They simply nodded and smiled quietly.
Then Dawn spoke up shyly,
"And Tracey and I… we'd like to train under you, Lord Cyrus. If you'll accept us."
Cyrus smiled faintly, a proud glint in his eyes.
"I can hardly refuse friends of my son who feel this strongly. But be warned — I am a strict teacher."
Tracey grinned with a determined nod.
"That doesn't matter, sir. We'll become strong — no matter how hard it is."
Gray listened quietly from the side, a faint smile crossing his lips as he finished the last bite of his meal.
After dinner, Lyra announced,
"Alright, it's getting late. You can all head to your rooms now."
Dawn smiled shyly at Ari.
"If you don't mind, can I stay with you tonight?"
Ari smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
Tracey started towards Gray's room and called out,
"Hey, can I crash with you tonight?"
Gray waved a hand dismissively as he kept walking.
"Nope."
Lyra smiled knowingly.
"Don't be disheartened, Tracey. We have plenty of rooms here. Or you can stay in Imperial's room, if you'd like."
Tracey shook his head and smiled softly.
"No thanks, Aunt Lyra. He needs rest, and I don't want to disturb him. I'll take another room tonight."
That night, as the quiet of the Alden mansion settled in, Ari and Dawn lay in bed, unable to sleep.
Dawn sighed.
"I still can't believe I'm here — in one of the Supreme Families' homes. And that my teacher will be one of its leaders."
Ari smiled.
"The Aldens really are good people."
Dawn thought aloud.
"I wonder how Gray will train while we're here. He's strong… but I'm sure he has a way to grow stronger too."
Ari nodded.
"He always finds a way. That's just who he is."
The next morning, Zech and Kira were ready to depart for their homeland. Ari gave her mother a communication crystal, allowing them to stay in contact. Together with Erika and a team of guards, they set out for the port.
Ari, Tracey, and Dawn waved them off, then returned to the Alden estate.
Ari departed for training under Master Kaien. Meanwhile, Tracey and Dawn followed Cyrus down into the Alden underground training arena, ready to hone their skills. The chapter of their journey in the Alden family had truly begun.
Imperial stood quietly in the hallway, smiling faintly to him.
He was happy for Ari, Tracey, and the others. They were training hard — harder than ever — to become strong .What he didn't know was the reason of being more stronger is him.. She didn't want him to bear the weight of their feelings… at least, not yet.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Lady Lyra," announced Velya, "breakfast is ready for Lord Imperial."
Lyra smiled.
"Thank you, Velya. Let him wash up first, then he can eat."
After a quick bath, Imperial returned to his room and found a fresh set of clothes laid out neatly on the bed. He smiled, brushing the fabric with a hand.
"Mom… always looking out for me," he murmured, before dressing and making his way down to breakfast.
At the table, only Lyra and the servants were present. It was a quiet morning — Ari, Tracey, and the others had already left for their training. After finishing his meal, Imperial jogged back to his room, searching for his bag.
"Good… still here," he said to himself, relief in his voice.
He tore a page from his notebook, scrawled a message, folded it, and placed it on the table. Then he slung the bag over his shoulder, came down to the main floor, and waved to Lyra.
"Mom, I'm leaving for training too. When the others return, tell them to read the letter I left for them."
Lyra smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Stay safe, Imperial."
As he stepped out, the servants bowed deeply.
"Good day, Lord Imperial!"
On the path, Erika appeared, falling into step beside him.
"Hey, Erika," Imperial said, brushing a hand through his hair. "I thought you were with Ari's parents?"
Erika nodded.
"We dropped them off at their empire. The CA Commander, Ezren, arranged security for them as soon as we arrived, so it was safe for us to return."
She glanced sharply at him.
"Where are you going?"
"Just… going to train. Nothing more."
Erika stopped, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
"Have you thought about Kai? The fact that he hasn't come to rescue master Cyrus… doesn't that seem strange?"
Imperial shrugged slightly.
"Maybe he's just busy. He's a royal soldier, after all. Perhaps he doesn't even know about any of this."
Erika frowned and pressed a piece of paper into his hand.
"Imperial, everyone knows about this. It's been broadcasted everywhere. There's no chance he doesn't. Just… consider what I said, alright?"
Imperial sighed, accepting the paper with a nod.
"Alright, I'll think about it."
With that, they parted ways.