The battlefield at the ruins of Velkar Temple slowly fell silent.
The Void Cult had disappeared.
Their leader and followers vanished into the mountains along with the Void Guardian.
Only the injured royal knights remained among the broken stones.
Captain Leon stood in the center of the ruins, staring at the destroyed ritual circle.
His sword slowly lowered.
"So this was only a test…"
One of the knights approached him.
"Captain… should we pursue them?"
Leon shook his head.
"No."
"That would be suicide."
Even he could feel it.
The cult leader had been holding back during the battle.
If he truly wanted to fight, the entire scouting team might have been wiped out.
Leon turned toward the remaining soldiers.
"We return to the capital immediately."
"We must report everything to the king."
Meanwhile—
back at the royal palace—
Saksham was still standing on the library balcony.
The dark storm above the mountains had slowly begun to disappear.
But the feeling of danger had not vanished.
Inside his mind, the system appeared again.
SYSTEM MESSAGE
Event Update
Void Guardian Awakening
Current Progress:
32%
Next Phase Trigger:
50%
Saksham frowned.
"So the ritual wasn't finished…"
Which meant the cult would attempt it again.
Somewhere.
Soon.
Just then, footsteps approached behind him.
"Prince Saksham."
Saksham turned around.
It was Orion again.
The mysterious academy instructor stood calmly near the balcony door.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Orion asked.
Saksham nodded.
"That darkness… it was huge."
Orion looked toward the distant mountains.
"The Void Cult is preparing something dangerous."
Then he looked back at Saksham.
"And unfortunately…"
"You are connected to it."
Saksham remained silent.
Orion continued speaking.
"The power inside you is very similar to the energy they worship."
"That means if they discover you…"
"They will come for you."
Saksham crossed his arms.
"They already know about me."
Orion raised an eyebrow.
"That's… not good."
But instead of looking worried, Orion smiled slightly.
"Then your training needs to become much more serious."
Saksham looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
Orion stepped closer.
"I will personally train you."
Saksham blinked in surprise.
"You?"
Orion nodded.
"I am one of the strongest instructors of the Royal Academy."
"If you want to survive the future battles…"
"You must learn how to truly control your power."
Saksham thought for a moment.
Then he asked the most important question.
"Will you teach me how to use both elements?"
Orion looked directly into his eyes.
"Yes."
"But only if you promise something."
"What?"
Orion's voice became serious.
"Never lose control of your darkness."
"Because the moment darkness controls you…"
"You will become exactly what the Void Cult wants."
Saksham slowly nodded.
"I understand."
Orion smiled again.
"Good."
"Then tomorrow morning…"
"Your real training begins."
Far away in the mountains—
inside a hidden underground temple—
the cult leader stood before a massive dark crystal.
The Void Guardian rested behind him like a sleeping beast.
One of the cultists knelt before him.
"My lord… the first awakening has succeeded."
The cult leader looked toward the direction of the capital.
"Excellent."
Then he whispered quietly.
"Prepare the second ritual."
"The prince will soon become the key to everything."
To be continued…