Chapter 26
The Princess's Friends
Einver slowly opened his eyes, as though lifting a heavy veil of dust from his soul, only to find himself sitting in his room, breathing deeply while a solemn stillness wrapped around him. What he had just endured felt like ages, yet in truth, only four hours had passed…
Four full hours of harsh pain and grueling concentration that drained every fragment of his awareness. Had he lost focus for even a single heartbeat, his body would have erupted in a catastrophic explosion that could have obliterated half of Sunlight City, reducing everything nearby to ash.
His mind shuddered as he recalled the words of the old man, Mon Fai—the wise voice that echoed within him:
"Remember, when you forge your spiritual sea, you must give it your full focus. You are drawing energy from nature and merging it with your body. The slightest error, the faintest distraction, can bring total destruction."
A quiet smile touched Einver's lips, concealing a hidden pride at the achievement he had just secured. He had succeeded—he had pierced through the barrier that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. For the first time, he had stepped into the martial realm of this world. Officially, he now belonged to the Earth Realm – Initial Stage.
He whispered to himself with firm conviction:
"Now I must grow stronger. I must climb the remaining realms, advance further, and become even more powerful."
Raising his head, he glanced around his room. Chaos lay everywhere—torn pillows, scattered furniture, the air thick with the residue of dissipated energy. And it wasn't only that… for nearly an hour, a relentless knocking had echoed at his door, constant and unyielding, as though the guards were ready to break it down.
He rose and looked at himself. His clothes were shredded, stained with dried blood. His fingers bore fractures and cracks—the scars of a brutal struggle he had fought against his own body when he drew upon the world's energy without yet having a spiritual sea. But when he raised his hand to examine it, he found it had already healed completely, as though it had never been wounded. His body now felt lighter, stronger than ever before. The new energy coursing through his veins moved with balance and ease, filling him with a sensation as though he could crush mountains or soar beyond horizons.
A silent thought stirred within him:
"The strange shadow wasn't lying… this world truly is something else. I've reached the Earth Realm – Initial Stage… and my strength feels a hundred times what it once was."
He stretched his arms upward, releasing a soft breath, then walked confidently toward the door. As soon as he opened it, three guards stood waiting, two of them braced as if prepared to break it down.
Einver stood at the threshold, hands clasped behind his back, regarding them with calm detachment. His torn clothing and the blood upon him were sights the soldiers could understand, but what truly stunned them was the aura rising faintly around him—an invisible shroud of power, terrifying in its intensity, yet delicate as a night breeze.
They had seen him before, at the city gate, glimpsing only fragments of his strength. Yet they had been unable to gauge him fully, for one cannot measure another's might unless they reveal their aura. Back then, they assumed he was either a mere trainee or perhaps an expert concealing his true strength. The latter had seemed more likely, given the speed of his movements and his composure before the wild Bicarrisoi beasts—creatures that only bowed to the strong.
Now, as they clearly witnessed the aura flowing from him, they realized: this was the aura of the Earth Realm – Initial Stage. Shock gripped them. How could someone at the very beginning of this stage radiate such weight and grandeur?
Sensing their unease, Einver deliberately suppressed his aura until it dissipated entirely, returning him to his ordinary state. He raised a brow and spoke coldly:
"Well? Do you require something from me?"
The guards blinked, as though waking from a trance, and one quickly bowed.
"Yes, honored guest. Our lady… summons you."
Einver gestured lightly with his hand.
"Lead the way."
The guards marched ahead in measured steps, while he followed with steady calm, his crimson eyes wandering over the palace's ornate corridors. Deep within, his thoughts murmured:
"What does she want from me now? That look in her eyes last night… unsettling. Absolute confidence, as though she is certain she'll claim me within a week."
He sighed faintly, brushing aside the thought as he continued on, until they reached a grand hall whose vast wooden doors stood open.
One guard bowed at the entrance.
"The honored guest has arrived."
Then he stepped back.
Einver entered with composed steps. The hall was immense, lavish cushions arranged across the floor, and at its forefront sat Princess Sun Mi upon a raised chair, radiant as a jewel within the palace walls. Before her, seated on cushions, were four others: three men and a young woman.
All eyes turned to him as he entered—the torn clothes, the stains of blood, his long black hair tied neatly back, the sword at his waist, and those red eyes glowing with a calm yet piercing light. His face, even beneath exhaustion, was sharp and striking, handsome as a blade freshly honed.
The princess's face filled with surprise as she studied him.
"What happened, Einver? Why are your clothes torn, and why is there blood on you? What occurred?"
Einver let his gaze sweep the room, assessing with quiet vigilance. Before him were three men clad in bright garments steeped in luxury. His eyes lingered briefly before discerning their nature with ease: pampered nobles, driven by desire rather than reason. Their fine clothes, their delicate faces, and their hands untouched by labor or battle betrayed the truth—they had never known the meaning of blood or struggle. Their swords lay idly on the ground beside them, never drawn, more ornament than weapon, tools for flaunting before women. A true swordsman never parts from his blade.
Then his eyes shifted to the girl. She was different—dressed in simple black, her figure lean, her long brown hair flowing freely across her shoulders, her brown eyes carrying a subtle depth. She bore no visible weapon, and that alone made Einver wonder: What kind of person is she?
He sighed inwardly, murmuring to himself:
"What a pity… these four are worse than pigs."
Lifting his eyes to the princess, he answered quietly, weariness faintly in his tone:
"Nothing happened. I simply had a small accident while training, that's all."
The princess exhaled in visible relief.
"Why didn't you ask the guards to bring you fresh clothes?"
Einver raised a hand gently, refusing with courtesy.
"Thank you, Princess… but I'll go out later and buy new clothes myself."
She studied his crimson eyes, recognizing from his firmness that he would not change his mind. She nodded.
"Very well, as you wish."
Einver stepped forward slightly, his gaze questioning.
"Why did you summon me?"
She quickly replied, as if recalling what she had nearly forgotten.
"Ah, yes… I wanted you to meet my friends."
The four rose together and introduced themselves one by one.
The first bowed slightly, forcing a smile.
"I am Mi No. It is an honor to meet the princess's friend."
Einver returned the smile calmly.
The second followed.
"I am Mi Ni. An honor to meet the princess's friend."
Then the third:
"I am Nan Wu. An honor to meet the princess's friend."
And finally, the girl stepped forward.
"I am Nan Wei. An honor to meet the princess's friend."
Each extended a hand in formal greeting. Einver responded in kind, his tone steady as he said:
"A pleasure to meet you all. I am the wanderer, Einver… and I am honored to make your acquaintance."
At a signal from the princess, everyone sat down again. Einver took a place beside Mi No. Sun Mi's eyes moved over them, her lips curving into a faint smile.
"Well then… let us talk."
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