Early morning.

Lightning-Art training hall of the Astreios Stronghold.

Crackle-crackle-crackle!

“Gh—!”

“Ghhhaaaa!”

Kyrie and Nereus sat before a cylindrical pillar, gripping copper wires, their bodies trembling.

Fragments of the Thunderbird’s roar inside the machine generated current, which traveled through the copper into their bodies, increasing maximum mana capacity within the heart.

Both were strong enough to train through self-induced overload alone—but if the machine was available, using it was far more efficient.

“You look like you’re about to die. Are you sure you’re all right?”

Steam rose from the crown of Kyrie’s head.

“You’re one to talk!”

Cold sweat soaked Nereus’s face.

Just give up. Please. At this rate we’ll both fry alive.

Hard to keep up. I knew he got strong, but not this strong. If I relax even a day, he’ll overtake me.

They glared at one another, drawing on more mana.

I’m at my limit.

I might actually pass out.

I’d rather pass out than quit before this bastard.

Been a while since I’ve had a nosebleed. Let’s have one today.

Their hands and feet were numb from nerve overload—but neither could be the first to stop.

Riiing— Riiing—

The magic clock on the wall blared loudly.

One hour and thirty minutes had passed.

Ssshhh—

The timer shut the machine off.

“Count yourself lucky.”

Nereus lifted a thick eyebrow in accusation.

“You too. I could’ve gone thirty more minutes.”

Kyrie raised his chin with a bold grin.

“The way your eyes rolled back was glorious. You couldn’t have lasted thirty more seconds.”

“You’re nosebleeding. You blacked out for a moment; I saw your head dip.”

“Oh? Then how about ten more minutes?”

“Ten? Make it thirty.”

They were rivals.

“You want to go right now? I don’t mind.”

“Me neither. Turn the machine back on. Or better—don’t set the timer.”

“Fine. Then turn it on.”

“You turn it on. It’s closer to you.”

“What? Can’t stand up because your nerves are fried?”

“You?”

They traded barbs—

Then at the same moment, both sharply turned their heads aside.

How embarrassing.

Shameful.

My Heaven-Thunder Physique is past 300% efficiency, and I still can’t beat this bastard. He was practicing Guided Strike and Brain-Bolt recently—am I going to lose forever at this rate?

Should’ve sacrificed my eye too. Giving a madman a spark of talent has made his growth absurd. If this continues, I’ll be second place forever.

Competition, wariness, and embarrassment swirled over both Blue Knights’ faces.

“….”

“….”

“So.”

After a beat—

“…What was that about Prochus and Epichus?”

Nereus released the copper wire first.

“Exactly as it sounds. They agreed to serve as regular Blue Knights for a while. But it’s awkward if I command them directly. It’ll look petty. And as an adopted son, I need to supervise the Star Seats across the region; I can’t micromanage those two. I also can’t afford to attach them their own soldiers.”

“So I’m the right fit.”

“Who else? In strength and in lineage, only you can keep those two in line.”

“Hm.”

Kyrie likewise loosened the wire.

“Your adoption.”

“Yes.”

“It was political. You didn’t earn it only by merit. The conflict between Her Grace Andromeda and Senior Adopted Son Trisan simply surfaced because of your adoption.”

“If saying that helps you protect your fragile pride, you may say it as much as you like.”

“You one-eyed bastard.”

“Second place dares speak in front of first?”

Electric sparks flickered again in their eyes.

“…But I thought this too. If a storm forms around you, you can either rise on its winds or be thrown and shattered. You were in a position where you could climb much higher—but also a position where you could be flung and destroyed.”

This time, Nereus extinguished the fire first.

After all, Kyrie became adopted son—and Nereus did not.

He refused to console himself with hollow pride.

“I’ll take them. But let me apologize in advance. I’ll use those two to make such a great achievement that I’ll crush you in an instant.”

“I’ll be waiting above. Try not to make me bored—get up here fast.”

“I’ll tell the Star Seats around me to cooperate with your operational command as much as possible.”

Nereus exhaled like a lion.

【Hero’s Journey — Stage 2: Warlord】

【You have completed: “Objective 1 — A Blue Knight among Blue Knights.”】

【You now command 4 or more Blue Knights.】

【Progress: 74】

【Reward: Sky Bolt cooldown reduced by 50%.】

Light flickered behind Kyrie’s right eye under the eyepatch—stigmata brightening.

Good. Exactly as expected. With his cooperation, the whole cluster follows. And it even went beyond the requirement.

Kyrie smiled inwardly like something cold and sharp waking.

“If you’d really do that, I’ll give you top performance marks for your service term.”

“That’s not a favor. If my performance is top-tier, that’s what you’ll have to write.”

He offered too little a reward and was casually rejected.

【Progress: 74】

【Excess achievement confirmed.】

【Bonus: Heaven-Thunder Physique efficiency +15%.】

Another line appeared.

15%… so they converted the remainder at roughly 5% per unit.

Extra reward.

“Then want to drink an Elixir of Thundercloud? Being adopted means I get three each month. We trained hard today, so it’ll be effective.”

Kyrie decided to be generous.

If I keep this cooperation as unspoken debt, it grows too large. Wipe it clean with one bottle.

An elixir. Elixir of Thundercloud. Come to think of it, I gave him one a few months ago. At the time, adoption was a distant dream—and now he’s adopted and offering one to me.

Nereus took psychological damage.

After drinking the elixir and napping through midday—

Kyrie received the next objective.

【Hero’s Journey — Stage 2: Warlord】

【Build your military force.】

【Failure penalty: Death.】

【Success reward: Mass Infusion.】

【Hero’s Journey Stage 3: (Locked)】

…

【Objective 2: King of Swordbearers】

【If Blue Knights rule the battlefield, then knights are the ones who move it. Acquire command over 12 Knights.】

【Success Reward 1: Heaven-Thunder Physique efficiency +50%】

【Success Reward 2: For each additional knight beyond 12, Heaven-Thunder Physique efficiency +10%】

【Failure Penalty: Heaven-Thunder Physique efficiency -50%】

Kyrie considered the task.

Knights.

Knights were called stewards of the battlefield.

Even without a noble lord, an estate could run.
Without a steward, the estate collapsed.

Blue Knights—except for rare cases like me—pursue personal martial prowess. And yes, if you blitz the enemy command, you win. But knights… are different.

Knights had limits in raw power.

They could cut down beasts—but could not call lightning from the sky.
They could block volleys—but could not dodge them all.

But they were still beyond ordinary men.

However, five knights can easily kill even a Blue Knight if coordinated. And unlike Blue Knights, anyone can become a knight.

Knights studied.

They fought as warriors, commanded as officers, and served as aristocracy.

Even the Baron Helix who once worked with Kyrie belonged to an old knightly lineage.

Twelve knights, then.

Kyrie understood clearly.

I have Blue Knights for decisive power. Now I need knights for an actual army.

Build a military structure.

Perfect objective for staying in the capital.

He did not need to return south to start.

So Kyrie visited Andromeda that evening.

“Sister.”

“You’re here!”

They chatted idly—then Kyrie brought it up naturally.

“…It’s hard to fill the palace staff. Keeping Chen is awkward, but there aren’t many good stewards available.”

Meaning: I want to stay in the capital to recruit talent.

Andromeda interpreted:

The capital is stifling for him. A Blue Knight among Blue Knights has been stuck in politics for weeks; of course he longs for freedom.

Kyrie continued:

“…I suspect my role will involve overseeing the southern Star Seats as successor to Prochus and Epichus, but the mess they caused makes that a heavy burden.”

Meaning: I want to remain here and avoid being dragged into their aftermath.

Andromeda interpreted:

He wants to rush south to prove himself different. To lead properly. To restore order.

Kyrie added:

“…Nereus can handle the south well. He’s from a distinguished line.”

Meaning: Leaving things to Nereus is efficient.

Andromeda interpreted:

He can’t let his rival outshine him. He wants to fight beside him, to compete. He wants the front.

Andromeda interpreted everything wrong.

Right. My brother. I’d keep you near me forever if I could. How are you so brave and brilliant? But now is the time to let you go forward.

That night she went to see Peleus.

“The front line is severe. For the House’s hierarchy and discipline, ritual matters—but as the House Lord’s son and acting officer, Kyrie must not remain in the capital. Send him south to command the Star Seats.”

Peleus approved.

[Kyrie of House Astreion Astreios, my beloved son. Descend to the southern border and command the Star Seats against the mutated beasts and halt House Rykenta’s maneuverings. Secure evidence that may escalate this conflict to a grand house war. I entrust all diplomatic decisions to you. Your name shall stand for mine.]

Receiving the decree, Kyrie trembled on the spot.

Is this woman trying to watch my life collapse?

My debut ball was erased.

I’m to depart for the south this week.

How did it end up like this.

I stared up at the ceiling of the Twin Lightning Palace.

Does the Thunderbird hate me?

That bug-infested, humid jungle full of mutated beasts and Rykenta navigators awaited me again.

Tears pricked my eyes.

Should I go see Trisan? Isn’t that why I spared Prochus and Epichus?

A violent thought crossed his mind.

No. Not yet. Maybe this wasn’t Andromeda.

What if Trisan convinced the House Lord:

“Kyrie claims to care for the House—let’s test him.”

Then going to Trisan now would be political suicide.

He shuddered.

“…Yeah.”

There was no coexisting with Trisan.

Not because he was Andromeda’s political rival.

But because the uncertainty he birthed was lethal.

He had to be removed.

Not today.
Not soon.
But eventually.

And Kyrie would catch him.

Because Kyrie’s existence itself contradicted Trisan’s faction.

Kyrie was a bastard of the capital’s red-light district.
He should never have qualified for adoption.

Yet he became adopted son—under Andromeda, one of the direct line.

Trisan’s entire platform—“Direct line exploits us, so branch sons must unite”—collapsed the moment Kyrie existed.

Their confrontation was inevitable.

And soon.

Kyrie exhaled slowly.

The mutated beasts… the dream the Thunderbird showed me… I can’t ignore it. If I do nothing, the world falls. And I fall with it.

Besides—no one truly understood the connection between Rykenta and the mutations.

Someone had to go and uncover it.

And that someone—

was him.

Because that was why he became adopted.

“Joy.”

“Yes! Joy reporting for duty, sir!”

Kyrie called Joy and ordered preparations for departure.

“Let’s go home. The battlefield is waiting.”

Leaving behind this beautiful palace for that jungle again—

Tears blurred his vision.

Chapter 50

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