The Vlorians estate had returned to its usual rhythm. Servants moved quietly along the polished marble floors, arranging plates and sweeping courtyards, while guards patrolled the perimeter with the practiced precision of trained soldiers. The sun shone brightly over the sprawling estate, catching on the gold accents of the gates and the crest of the Vlorians family above the main hall. Kaien leaned casually against the balcony of his room, the soft wind ruffling his ebony-black hair, his piercing blue eyes scanning the familiar grounds with an intensity that belied his relaxed posture.
After yesterday's reunion with his family, Kaien had recounted his adventures in the portals—the battles with lesser demons, the loot he had gathered, the experience he had gained—but carefully omitted the part about the demon king. That encounter, even now, remained unspoken. His parents, Alora, and Jay listened in awe to his tales of battles and treasure, each of them impressed by how much he had grown in the past three years.
Jay, however, wasn't one to rely only on stories. He wanted proof. His sharp green eyes narrowed, a competitive gleam flickering within them. "Kaien," he said, his tone serious, "enough talking. Let's spar. I want to see just how much you've grown."
Kaien smirked, brushing back a strand of hair from his face. "You're curious, aren't you? Alright… let's do this.
With that, the brothers made their way to the estate's training grounds, a large open space lined with trees, targets, and weapon racks. The soil beneath their feet was slightly damp, perfect for training and maneuvering. They each picked up a wooden sword from the racks, eyes locked, breathing steady, and hearts poised.
Jay's expression was intense, his brow furrowed with focus. Kaien, on the other hand, wore a half-serious, half-amused expression, already calculating the ways he could counter his brother's strikes while masking his true strength.
"Alright, Kaien. Give it everything you've got," Jay said, spinning his wooden sword lightly in his hands. "I won't hold back."
Kaien scoffed. "Fine. But don't think I'll go easy either."
In the blink of an eye, Jay lunged forward with a Parallel Swing, a sweeping motion aimed straight at Kaien's side. Kaien's body blurred as he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike. Sparks of friction kicked up where the wooden swords had nearly clashed.
Jay didn't stop. He unleashed a flurry of swings, strikes coming from every angle in rapid succession. Kaien's mind raced. Is it me who has grown stronger, or has Jay slowed down slightly? I can see his strikes now… I can anticipate them… Kaien thought, smoothly shifting to dodge, block, and even deflect some attacks, all while maintaining a calculated rhythm to avoid revealing the full extent of his growth.
"Why do you keep dodging without attempting to strike?" Jay asked panting and halting briefly, his chest heaving slightly from exertion.
"Because your attacks are too fast, Jay," Kaien replied calmly, his eyes glinting. He barely flinched as another swing sliced through the air near him.
Jay adjusted his stance, spinning and delivering a low kick toward Kaien's left side. Kaien deliberately let it connect, using his stamina to absorb the force and shifted backward in a controlled manner. The kick knocked him a few steps back, but he remained poised, his expression unreadable.
Kaien then sprinted forward with silent, precise steps, his movements nearly like a ninja's. He leapt into the air, aiming a strike at Jay. "Haaah—!" His blade descended in a sharp arc, but Jay anticipated the attack, stepping aside with fluid agility. Kaien's eyes widened in mock surprise.
"Oh, oh…" Kaien muttered, feigning shock. Before he could recover, Jay jabbed him on the head with the hilt of his wooden sword.
"Ouch," Kaien groaned, rubbing his temple.
"You've improved a lot, Kaien," Jay said with a grin, sweat trickling down his face. "But you still lack focus when delivering an attack."
"Tch," Kaien clicked his tongue. "Easy for you to say, but I'll surpass you one day… no matter how strong you are."
Jay laughed lightly, raising his chin with pride. "Hmph! You won't surpass me with your current level."
Kaien's mind smirked quietly, "Brother… it's you who needs to improve. I've surpassed you a long time ago."
After a few more exchanges, Kaien leaned back, lowering his sword and wiping sweat from his brow. "I still have more raids to explore, items to sell… I'll catch up with you later," he said. Jay chuckled, sheathing his wooden sword.
Just then, a young female servant approached, bowing respectfully. "Breakfast is ready, Masters," she said politely. Both brothers nodded in acknowledgment and made their way to the dining hall. The meal was warm and hearty, filled with familiar tastes and laughter. Kaien felt a rare sense of peace—a moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of his adventures.
After finishing breakfast, Kaien prepared to head out to sell the items he had gathered from his latest portal raid. His collection included Soul Shards, Demon Teeth, Spirit Cores, Ethereal Essence, and a few Fragmented Relics from the weaker demons he had encountered. He mounted a transport train and set off toward the Guild of Eternal Trade, the professional hub where adventurers sold rare items.
The guild's trading floor was bustling with activity: merchants haggled over ores, adventurers displayed weapons and artifacts, and clerks recorded every transaction with meticulous care. At the center of it all was Master Renvid, a seasoned guild professional responsible for appraising and purchasing rare goods. He was known for his composure, able to hide his astonishment no matter how extraordinary the items presented to him were.
Kaien approached, placing his collected items on the counter. Master Renvid's eyes widened slightly as he inspected the Soul Shards glowing with ethereal light, the Fragmented Relics engraved with dark runes, and the Spirit Cores pulsing with energy. Despite his shock, he maintained a calm expression, his tone measured. "Hmm… you've brought quite the collection, young adventurer. I must say, I haven't seen this many rare drops at once in years."
Kaien smirked faintly. "It was a profitable raid."
Master Renvid nodded, tapping notes into a ledger before handing Kaien his payment. "7,940 Velrions. Adequate for the quality and rarity of your goods. Use it wisely."
Kaien accepted the payment, storing the Velrions in his belt pouch. He counted it briefly—enough to stock up on supplies, healing potions, and a few rare consumables for the next raid.
"Don't forget to check the portals for anomalies," Master Renvid advised. "Some of the new A and S-ranked portals have unpredictable environments. Even an experienced adventurer should proceed with caution."
Kaien nodded, his mind already racing ahead to his next mission. "Understood. I'll be careful… but I'll make the most out of it."
With the transaction complete, Kaien left the guild and , heading toward the portal district. The memory of the Demon King lingered faintly in his mind, but he kept it tucked away for now. His focus was on preparation, strategy, and acquiring more experience. He passed through the streets of the city, people whispering as he went by—some in awe, some in jealousy. He didn't mind. His mind was set on his path.
Along the way, Kaien assessed his inventory: Spirit Cores could be refined into energy or mana-enhancing items, Soul Shards were valuable to guilds for enchantments, and Fragmented Relics could fetch a high price from collectors. Each item, each resource, was another stepping stone to becoming stronger, another tool to face the dangers that awaited him in the portals.
He arrived at the portal hub—a large, circular plaza where adventurers could choose which portal to enter. A faint purple aura radiated from the portals, pulsing like the heartbeat of the world itself. Kaien took a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. He tapped into his energy reserves, feeling the fragments of strength Chronos had instilled in him.
"Another raid… another step forward," he muttered, gripping his sword tightly. "Let's see what today has in store."
With a steady exhale, he stepped toward the portal, the light swirling around him. The air vibrated with latent power, and the portal shimmered like liquid amethyst. Kaien's eyes narrowed, half in anticipation, half in calculation. Whatever challenges await me, I'll overcome them. This is just the beginning.
And with that, Kaien stepped through the portal, disappearing into the unknown, ready for the next adventure, ready to face whatever danger lay ahead.