The journey back to the Brunvalia Duchy was quick and mostly quiet.
However, Adonis eventually learned why the boy named Julian had targeted him so specifically.
"He is the youngest son of a hostile marquis under Duke Kingsbane," Commander Silva explained while carrying him back. "They claim that Brunvalia has oppressed them through increased taxation and poor resource management. But in truth, their own rule is corrupt and dishonest."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Listen, boy. No matter how your father may appear to you, he would never tolerate corruption or disloyalty within his domain, nor would he ever allow it to threaten the Royal Throne."
The words were firm, spoken not as reassurance but as an unshakable truth.
For the first time, Adonis did not feel anger toward the Duke.
Perhaps it was because his mature mindset was gradually synchronizing with his young body. Or perhaps it was the assurance that he had finally stepped onto the path of power, a path where he would no longer need to care about anything else.
Hours later, when the Pegasus landed, he saw his mother waiting with her arms wide open.
He accepted her embrace briefly, then returned to his room at once.
Adelaide was left standing in the courtyard, more confused than ever.
She turned to Commander Silva for answers.
Commander Silva explained everything to her. How Adonis had awakened what appeared to be a White Tier Sword, how the Awakening Globe had exploded mysteriously, and how the crowd had labeled her son a cursed child.
Adelaide's eyes streamed with tears as she imagined how heartbroken her son must be.
She immediately rushed to his room in the servants' quarters, only to find Adonis grinning to himself like a fool.
[ Status ]
[ Name: Adonis Kingsbane ]
[ Age: 18 ]
[ Level: 1 | Exp: 0/100 ]
[ Health: 79 (Average 100) ]
[ Strength: 6 (Average adult human: 10) ]
[ Agility: 7 (Average: 10) ]
[ Intelligence: 15 (Average: 10) ]
[ Defense: 7 (Average: 10) ]
[ Charm: 11 (Average: 10) ]
[ Luck: 23 (Average: 10) ]
[ Ether: 101 (Average: 10) ]
[ Special Traits: Boundless Stamina ]
[ Sword Soul: Chaotic Harem Sword (SSS+) ]
[ Sword Arts: None ]
< Boundless Stamina: A special ability that once belonged exclusively to the Primordial race. This trait has now been woven into the host. The host will never grow tired, regardless of immense physical strain or mental exertion. >
Lying on his bed, Adonis studied his status window carefully. The earlier incidents had already faded from his mind.
Instead, his thoughts focused on his current strengths and weaknesses.
The Harem Sword had already proven itself far from obsolete by granting him the "Boundless Stamina" trait.
And this, Adonis knew, was only the beginning.
"Son, are you all right? Why are you talking to the air?" Adelaide asked as she rushed into the room.
Adonis turned toward her and offered a calm smile.
"I was talking to my Sword Link, Mother," he replied. "Did you forget? I've also become a Swordmaster today."
She reached out and gently touched his face, her eyes filled with pity, convinced that her son had finally lost his senses.
"A white-grade sword soul doesn't form a sword link, my child," she cried softly. "What have they done to you? Sob… my son… my son has lost his mind."
She pulled him into her arms, clutching his head tightly against her bosom as she cried.
Adonis was left speechless for a moment.
He gently pushed himself free and said helplessly,
"I'm not mad, Mom. Please let go."
Adelaide released him unwillingly, then looked directly into his eyes.
"Are you sure, son?" she asked softly. "They said you awakened a white-grade sword."
"They're fools," Adonis replied calmly. "My Sword Soul is not that simple. Anyway, I'm getting hungry. Please give me something to eat."
He deliberately changed the subject, acting as pitiful as he could. In truth, however, he did not feel hungry at all, largely due to his special trait: boundless stamina.
"Ah yes, yes. My son must be hungry after such a long day," Adelaide said quickly, wiping away her tears.
She then hurried toward the kitchen to fetch some leftover food.
Once alone, Adonis resumed his conversation with his Sword Link while holding the Harem Sword in his hand.
'Sword Link… maybe I should give you a name. Sword Link sounds strange,' he muttered inwardly.
Her cheerful reply came at once:
< I would love that, Master. Please give me a cool name. >
"Uh, I'm not very good with names," Adonis admitted honestly. "But give me a moment."
He thought quietly for a while.
Finally, he spoke with certainty.
"All right. I've come up with the perfect name for you—"
He lifted the small black sword, studying it with his calm eyes.
"From today onward, you will be known as Vexa. It means Chaos."
There was a brief pause.
Then, a delighted chime echoed in his mind.
< Name registered successfully. >
< Designation confirmed: Sword Link Vexa >
< Oof, Master. I like it very much. >
Adonis felt a faint warmth spread through his palm, as if the sword itself were pleased.
"Good. Then from now on, we work together. No tricks, no hiding things from me unless you absolutely must."
< Understood, Master Adonis. I exist for your growth, your freedom, and your ascension. >
Meanwhile, the news of Adonis's awakening did not remain confined to the servants' quarters for long.
Within the hour, whispers spread through the inner halls of the Brunvalia Duchy like an unseen contagion.
"A White-grade awakening."
"He shattered the Sacred Globe."
"A cursed child."
"He embarrassed the Kingsbane family."
Such phrases slipped from behind marble pillars, passed between attendants polishing armor, maids arranging drapes, and stewards pretending not to listen.
But none spoke too loudly, nor bothered to hide the contempt in their voices.
In the western wing of the duchy, where the legitimate heirs resided, the reaction was far from simple.
"Bang!" A porcelain cup shattered against the wall.
"Just a white-grade sword?" a young man with crimson hair scoffed loudly. "And that trash dared to stand on the same altar as us?"
Another laughed cruelly, "Worse. He broke the Awakening Globe. Even the Church couldn't hide their shame."
"So that bastard finally showed his true colors," a third added. "Cursed from birth. I told you."
Their laughter was contemptuous and merciless. It's as if they were not talking about a half sibling but a wretch they want to get rid of.
Yet not all reactions were so simple.
---
In the inner council chamber, several senior retainers stood in tense silence. Commander Silva was also present with an unreadable expression.
Across from him sat a group of stewards and military officers. All of their brows knitted together in intrigue.
One elder finally said,
"The Globe exploding cannot be ignored. That artifact has survived since the era of the gods."
"Indeed," another muttered. "No White-grade awakening could cause such a phenomenon."
Silva's reply followed sharp as a blade,
"The boy is not cursed."
Several heads snapped toward him.
"I witnessed it personally," he continued. "The reactions before the explosion were abnormal. Green. Blue. Yellow. Red. Gold. Black."
The room fell into stunned silence.
"Impossible," someone whispered.
"And yet it happened," Silva replied flatly. "Whatever Adonis awakened, it is beyond conventional classification."
A steward expressed his doubt, "Then why did they announce it as a White-grade?"
Silva's eyes darkened slightly, "Because that was all the Church dared to say."
---
At night.
Far above them all, in the highest tower of the Castle, a single man stood before a wide window.
Duke Kingsbane.
His crimson hair fell loosely over his shoulders as he gazed out across the vast lands under his rule. His expression couldn't be fathomed by anyone.
At that moment, a shadow knelt behind him, delivering the report:
"In summary, my lord, your youngest child, Adonis, awakened a Sword Soul. The Globe shattered. The Church declared it a white-grade anomaly. Public opinion is very hostile. The church and kingdom may send severe punishment."
The Duke did not turn around, but a terrifying crimson storm erupted within those eyes as soon as he heard "Punishment."
After a long moment, he finally spoke:
"Let them come. Just a white-grade sword cannot destroy divine artifacts. I believe the King is wise."
The shadow trembled slightly. "Y-yes, my lord."
"But there's one thing: Your youngest child didn't seem too sad, even after awakening a White-grade sword.
The Duke's fingers tightened slightly on the stone railing.
"Interesting."
For the first time in years, something resembling curiosity flickered across his cold features.
"Keep watching," he ordered. "Do not interfere. Do not suppress him."
The shadow hesitated as he asked, "And Lady Adelaide?"
"She remains under my protection," the Duke said quietly.
The implication was clear.
Anyone who moved against the boy prematurely would answer directly to him.
As the shadow withdrew, the Duke remained at the window, his crimson eyes reflecting the fading sunlight.
"A broken globe," he murmured to himself.
"A white-grade lie."
"What are you hiding, Adonis?"