The announcement of House Ares becoming a Vassal clan landed like a bomb for most normal people in the Northern Settlement.

How could it not feel like one? The people of the Northern settlement treated Lord Ares as their king after all.

In their eyes, he was the mighty protector and true ruler of this part of the mortal realm. Ascenders like him were viewed as selfless heroes and were loved a lot by the people they protected.

Lord Ares had been around since Fall. He awakened as a child and went on to create a clan in the name of the god he followed before the Fall. His clan then created the Northern Settlement by gathering survivors of Europe to build the utopia it is today. They were a clan that only cared about humanity and not themselves.

One could say they were like Zheng Feng. True Heroes.

"So what if House Feng helped stabilize the surface!" an elderly man bellowed, his voice hoarse with disbelief. He pointed a trembling finger at the glowing projection in the center of the cafeteria. "Why should we share what we've built with them? I always knew it. Those bastards just want to exploit our technology!"

His words stirred murmurs and quiet outrage from the surrounding tables.

But none of it mattered to Luna.

She sat in the far corner of the Guild Cafeteria, calmly reading her latest assessment report while chaos unfolded around her. The old man's outburst didn't even register as a mild distraction.

Politics. Power. National pride.

It was all meaningless to someone like her—someone forgotten by the world.

She had never truly belonged to the Mortal Realm, or any realm for that matter. The only reason she'd returned after years in the shadows was because they'd finally found a possible link to the Visionaries. Finding just one visionary could answer so many of the questions she still had on her mind.

'It's so noisy here.' Luna scowled softly, her gentle gaze drifting across the noisy cafeteria crowd.

A steaming cup of hot chocolate sat in front of her. She'd only ordered it minutes ago, after realizing with a start that night had fallen and she hadn't eaten anything all day.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Her fingers tapped lightly on the silver table, her other hand holding the report. The results were clear and dull. The evaluation marked her as a slightly above-average ascender. Skilled, sure. But nothing remarkable.

To be honest, these results were sad to look at. She was far stronger than this. A Qi user stood on a path superior to any Zenshi user. She knew this as fact.

"This is bad," Luna muttered with a quiet sigh. "Aaron Phillips might be intrigued that I defeated one of his candidates… but not as much as I want him to be. Should I go after the others, too?"

She fell into silence again, her thoughts running deep. In the end, she never touched her hot chocolate.

She was always like this—trapped in her own head, disconnected from the world around her.

Hours passed. And the Guild Cafeteria slowly emptied. From the peak of its buzz to murmurs and clinking dishes, the crowd dwindled down to thirteen ascenders. They had just returned from assignments, tired and hungry, too focused on their meals to acknowledge anything else.

Luna turned her gaze to the window beside her.

Outside, the night stretched endlessly with no stars in the sky. A silver full moon hung in the sky, casting its ethereal glow over the district. Its light touched every shadow, reaching even the darkest corners with gentle illumination. A cold breeze stirred the air, rustling the leaves of the small trees planted along the Guild's perimeter.

It was strange. This district felt peaceful, despite the horrors the Northern Settlement was known for. Here in this quiet corner of the world, humanity still found ways to breathe.

That, she had to admit, was their greatest gift: the ability to find peace even when the world lay in ruins.

"Ascender Lara." She blinked, returning to the present.

Her fake name echoed again, and her dark eyes glistened faintly as she turned toward the voice that called her.

It was Vast. He no longer looked disheveled like he did during their last session. The proud arrogance that once clung to him had shrunk. He seemed quieter now—humbled, maybe even thoughtful.

"Ascender Vast. I'm glad to see you're in good condition."

Vast smiled. "Thanks for your concern." His eyes shifted to the open file on the table. "Are you planning to join the Guild?"

Luna pulled the folder back with a single finger and closed it.

"I want to join your academy," she said plainly. "But I don't think I'm good enough."

Vast let out a soft chuckle. Whatever arrogance he'd carried before had long since vanished. Now, there was only respect left for the martial artist who had utterly outclassed him.

"Honestly, none of us thinks we're good enough," he admitted. "Sir Phillips is... complicated. Mysterious. When he returns to the Guild tomorrow, he plans to hold an examination for his students. We've been training hard for it."

Luna blinked. "An examination?"

Vast nodded. "It takes place in the Dream World. If we pass, we're allowed to join his sect temporarily."

So… the duels take place in the Dream World? That didn't align with the information she'd gathered from Adam and Mira.

Still, she would adjust. She always did. Maybe Aaron was being careful by holding the exams in his domain. Or maybe he was looking for something—something specific in those he chose.

"Do you think he'll let me in?" Luna asked, her tone carefully friendly.

Vast shrugged, mirroring her tone. "I doubt it. Defeating me doesn't mean anything. If you want in, you'll need to prove yourself against the strongest of his handpicked students."

Luna raised a brow. "I thought you were the strongest?"

Vast laughed lightly. "Well, I hope that fight gave you a reality check." He then leaned in, curious now. "How did you get so strong, anyway?"

Luna grinned. "Well, I'm the long-lost daughter of Mao Feng. Second daughter, actually. Two years ago, I was a trained battle freak who helped save the world from the Crimson Tower dungeon. Oh! And I also happen to be a descendant of a very powerful god."

Vast stared at her for a moment, brow raised. Of course, he didn't believe a word of it. The curse made sure the world forgot her existence—every trace scrubbed clean.

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"Really?" he said, smirking as he pulled out a chair and sat across from her. "What's your name, then?"

"Lara," she answered, smirking right back. "If I told you my real name, you'd forget me. I don't want that."

Vast chuckled. "You're interesting."

"You might want to take that back," Luna said with a faint smile. "I'm a pretty boring person when I'm not fighting horrors or running for my life in the Divine Realm."

"I see."

Luna smirked inwardly. No sane person would believe what she was saying. Gods had been dead for centuries, and the idea of a human being descended from an immortal was something out of the myth cycles of old Greek fables, not modern reality.

As for the Divine Realm, very few humans had made it out alone.

She was one of them.

"Aaron Phillips returns tomorrow," Vast said suddenly. "Challenge Leo Grant. That'll earn you his attention."

"Leo Grant?"

Vast nodded quickly. "He's an Elemental User; white lightning and white fire. He is raised by the government, so believe me when I say he's strong. Super strong."

"Hmm… fine then."

Luna didn't even need to think long about it. She'd read about him earlier, but much of the information had been redacted. Leo Grant wasn't from a noble house. He is an orphan raised in a government-funded research facility. The Guild report had filtered key details: his exact Zenshi mastery and where he was really from.

Now it made sense.

'Government property,' she thought. 'That's why they hid so much. Just like Gail.'

Her chest ached a little when she thought of the colleague she failed to save years ago.

"You really want to fight him?" Vast asked, slightly surprised.

"Do I have a choice?" Luna leaned back in her seat, gazing up through the window at the night sky.

"Actually," she added with a sigh, "why am I even asking that? I don't have a choice."

Vast didn't understand what she meant. He stared at her for a long moment, trying to find the words—then awkwardly coughed when he realized he'd been staring too long.

He stood up, the corner of his lips curling slightly. "I guess I should leave you to your scheming, Ascender Lara. I look forward to seeing you again. Though I'd advise you to tread carefully in this world. You might be very skilled, but your confidence could hurt you."

"I know that," Luna replied, tapping the table with a finger. "But maybe worry about yourself instead."

Vast tilted his head.

"Your punches carry too much force," she said calmly. "Your pride is a wall—it blocks your progress by making you overlook your flaws. Control your emotions in combat. And stop using repetitive footwork, or you'll be too predictable."

She figured sharing a little insight from their fight couldn't hurt.

"My pride? My emotions? What are you talking about?"

"Martial combat is the balance of body and soul," she interrupted gently. "Kung Fu reminds us that combat can be an art, and that art can bring peace. True strength comes from inner peace. You're strong, Vast—but you lack that peace, and it's holding you back."

She wasn't quoting anyone specific, just passing on teachings that had shaped her. Teachings that already existed, though rarely spoken of with depth or care in this world.

"Did your master tell you that?"

"Yes."

"…Thank you."

With those quiet words, Vast walked out of the cafeteria. His steps were lighter, like someone who'd just been given something they didn't know they needed.

Luna watched him leave. Beneath the arrogance, there was nothing to hate about Vast. He was a decent person—far better than the noble-born brats who thought lineage made them important.

***

The next day, even before the sun's light touched the horizon, Luna was already at the Guild's entrance—waiting.

Today was the day Aaron Phillips was supposed to pass through the Guild before returning to the Dream World with his chosen candidates.

If Luna failed to catch his attention now, she might as well disappear. All their effort would be for nothing.

Hours passed. The sun rose fully, casting its soft orange glow over the white stone of the Guild building.

One by one, workers began to arrive—most of them dressed in crisp corporate wear—those on night shift left with tired eyes and slow steps. Brief greetings were exchanged in the changing tide of routine.

"Ascender Lara, good morning."

Luna lifted her head. Gina stood a few feet away, smiling politely.

"You're early," she said. "Looking for an assignment? I can pull up one just along the outer boundary. Mutated creatures are easy to handle, and the credit's decent."

Luna smiled faintly. Of course, you'd offer me the easy jobs. Are you pitying me, Gina?

"I have a meeting today," she said instead.

"A meeting?" Gina's brow creased. "Did you schedule something with a Guild official?"

"Heh… kinda." Luna smacked her lips. Last night, she'd made up her mind. If she wanted to join Astral Vigil and train under Aaron Phillips, she had to defeat or at least earn the approval of his strongest candidate.

"I'm going to challenge Leo Grant."

"What?!"

Gina's mouth dropped. "Are you out of your mind? Do you even know who Leo Grant is? He's the Guild's top talent!"

It was completely inappropriate for someone like her to raise her voice at an ascender, but Gina didn't care. Not after hearing what might have been the dumbest thing anyone had said in the Guild cafeteria, ever.

"I'm aware," Luna said calmly.

"Miss Lara. He's a Second Gate master," Gina pressed. "The gap between First and Second Gate isn't just wide—it's lethal. Sure, you beat Vast. But Leo? Leo's different. He's a monster. A monster on the verge of opening his Third Gate."

Luna didn't flinch. Gina's words meant nothing, she hadn't already told herself. She knew exactly what she was walking into.

"I've heard. All the more reason to fight him." Luna crossed her arms, an arrogant expression playing on her lips.

"All you Ascenders are psychopaths. Gods help us." Gina finally gave up trying to talk her out of it. They weren't exactly friends, so pushing further felt pointless. "Anyway, good luck, Ascender Lara."

She turned and hurried off to her station, muttering under her breath.

Three more hours passed. Luna remained by the entrance, waiting for her target like a patient lioness.

The Guild doors slid open and shut over and over, letting in a steady stream of Ascenders and mundane workers.

Some were stained with monster blood, others rushed toward emergencies, and a few lingered around, waiting for their teammates to arrive.

Luna drew occasional glances, but no one dared to approach. One cold glare from her was enough to keep them at a distance.

"Is she even a Guild member?" someone whispered.

"Probably got kicked out of her team. I heard she's a First Gate with trash-tier Zenshi. Can you believe she thinks she can join Aaron Phillips's academy?"

Luna's eyes flickered. 'Already?'

She was surprised how quickly that kind of information had spread. But then again, what organization was ever good at keeping secrets?

As she stewed in thought, her body suddenly tensed when a powerful presence stepped into the Guild.

Her eyes darted to the sliding doors, narrowing briefly.

Then, she relaxed. It wasn't her target, but someone equally important.

A young woman had entered. She had long, cotton-pink hair and a small, doll-like face with delicate features. Her lips matched her hair, but it was the aura around her that truly froze the room.

Every mundane in the lobby stiffened. Even some Ascenders instinctively backed away.

"Sophie," Luna murmured. "She looks a lot older in her pictures."

Ascender Sophie. One of Aaron Phillips's handpicked elites.

The files hadn't said much, just that she was a lethal archer and skilled swordswoman.

Sophie approached the front desk. The receptionist looked like he might trip over his own words before silently guiding her toward the elevator.

But before she stepped in, Sophie's eyes—cold, violet, and grim—landed on Luna. A flicker of curiosity broke through the frost in her gaze.

And for a second, their eyes locked. A conversation passed between them in that single moment.

Inside the elevator, Sophie turned to the receptionist.

"Who's that woman?"

"That's Ascender Lara," he replied quickly. "First Gate user. Caused a bit of a stir after besting Ascender Vast in a training session."

Sophie's lips curved ever so slightly. "A First Gate beating a Second? That's rare. She must be well-trained. What House or Clan did she walk out of?"

"None. She's from the Outskirts. House Ares gave her a privileged pass."

"Then she's probably from House Feng," Sophie said softly.

***

"Crap… she noticed me."

Luna watched the elevator doors slide shut. Sophie's gaze had been sharp enough to peel back layers. It left her feeling almost exposed.

'She might be a problem in the future,' Luna noted grimly.

Her instincts were already warning her—Sophie wasn't someone to underestimate. One look had been enough for her to study Luna like a puzzle piece.

Just then, the lobby doors slid open again, and someone stormed in with a voice far too loud for the time of day.

"Good morning, everyone!"

His tone was obnoxiously cheerful, so much so that no one bothered to look his way.

But Luna did, and she smiled for the first time today.

'He's here.'

She rose from her seat in an instant, eyes locking on the newcomer. Recognition hit her like a jolt as she noted down his features. White hair. Red eyes. A warm, almost careless grin. It was him.

Before he could get any further, Luna appeared in front of him.

"Are you Leo Grant?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

He tilted his head, sizing her up. "Depends. Who's asking?"

"Me."

Leo gave her a slow, intrigued look."I didn't know I attracted your kind," he said with a lopsided grin. "A girl like you is way out of my league. But since you're asking—yeah, I'm Leonard Grant."

Luna didn't reply with words. She raised her right hand, and with a whisper of shadow, a black blade appeared in her grasp.

She pointed it at him, her voice calm but edged with challenge.

"My name is Lara. I was told you're Lord Aaron's top student."

"Yes...that's about right. What do you want with me, Miss Lara?" He was using an easy-going tone.

The lobby was now silent. Who was foolish enough to mess with the Leo Grant?

"A duel."

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