My coming-of-age mission, as decreed by Lord Alaric: earn ten million pounds (£) from the Valeborne GeneX business within one month.
If I fail, the Valeborne GeneX enterprise will fall into the hands of the Mulcaster twins.
Last night, Anna and I battled the Mulcaster twins. The result? Bari Mulcaster lies unconscious—our prisoner, secured in the basement-level storage of the Valeborne GeneX skyscraper.
Basement Level – Valeborne GeneX Headquarters
"Ugh…"
Bari stirred awake again. His vision adjusted to the dimly lit space, and he realized—he was still bound to the steel chair by glowing runic chains, a high-tier artifact pulsing with suppressive energy.
Just ahead, shrouded in the deeper shadows of the room, stood the two masked figures from the red carpet. Recognition struck. Rage followed.
"You pieces of shit! Do you have any idea who I am? Let me out of here this instant!"
Bari's voice thundered as he thrashed violently against the magical chains, his face flushed with fury.
Caelum watched him calmly, his masked expression unreadable. This time, he decided not to knock Bari out again. Negotiations needed to begin.
Caelum stepped forward, lightning humming faintly in the air around him.
"I only have one request," he said, voice cool and sharp. "Do as I say, and both you and your brother walk free."
"Don't you dare touch my brother! The Phoenix Monarch will find you soon enough—and when he does, you'll be executed!" Bari snarled, still thrashing in denial, as if his outrage alone would free him.
Pfft.
Caelum gave a short laugh. "The Phoenix Monarch?" he echoed, almost amused. "You and I both know he has no use for weaklings."
The words sliced through the room like a blade.
Bari's anger cracked. His head dipped slightly, and for a brief moment, silence ruled. Because deep down, he knew it was true.
The Phoenix Monarch had no care for the weak. Not among his disciples. Not even among his so-called favorites.
Contrary to public belief, the powerful Phoenix Monarch didn't shield his subordinates unless they proved useful—ruthlessly so.
"…W-what do you want from me?"
Bari finally whispered, his voice strained, shaken by truth and fear.
Caelum's answer was simple. "The Valeborne GeneX trade routes. I want them free."
The air shifted.
Bari narrowed his gaze now. He knew. Of course, he knew. The constant bandit raids on Valeborne transport vehicles had been orchestrated—by him and his brother. Every delay. Every attack. All calculated.
"Never," Bari spat. "You're bluffing. My brother's ability is teleportation. You could never capture him. Not you."
Still posturing, Bari tried a new tactic. "How much did the Valebornes pay you? I'll double it. Triple it. They couldn't have offered much."
But he had no idea—he was speaking to a Valeborne.
The masked silence that followed unnerved him.
Then, Caelum leaned in slightly. The air seemed to crackle.
"Keep acting like this," Caelum said darkly, "and the world will never see the Mulcasters again."
His tone was colder now. Final.
"For your sake, and your brother's… accept our proposal."
Before Bari could retort, Caelum's fist crackled with lightning.
Crack!
One punch sent Bari unconscious again, slumped in his chains.
As I said before, with the ancient runic artifact binding his limbs, Bari can't manifest his Creation ability. Which means—he has no choice. If he wants to survive, if he wants his brother to survive, he'll have to comply and release the Valeborne trade routes.
He may act tough now, but the truth is this: Bari can't tell if Baro has also been captured. And that uncertainty? It's already eating at him.
Channel Super Crore – Morning News Theme Playing…
BREAKING NEWS:
"After last night's shocking red carpet crash, multi-millionaire and executive of Mullet Banking and Finance, Bari James Mulcaster, has been kidnapped!"
The female newscaster continues with poise:
"Baro Mulcaster has refused to respond to any questions. However, the event manager, a renowned senior Crown Hunter disciple, has vowed to uncover the masked perpetrators and recover Bari safely."
"Next up—we discuss the unexpected surge in rune usage across European markets. Stay tuned…"
A muscular hand slammed the remote onto the desk. The television screen went black.
"Hmmm…"
Lord Alaric leaned forward in his office chair, fingers tapping slowly on polished wood. His voice was low and tense.
"This could either be a blessing, or a disaster, for our family. Let's hope it turns out in our favor."
Ding.
The eastern elevator doors slid open with a mechanical chime, revealing Caelum and Anna stepping in, fresh from the basement level where Bari Mulcaster remained chained and sealed away.
The First Rune of Amplification — A.K.A. Static Runes
Allow me to explain what this is...
In this continent, Europe, almost everything is powered by obsidian runes—electricity, armored suits, weapons, and far more. These runes are the lifeblood of modern civilization.
The corporations crafting them? Controlled by some of the most powerful families alive.
And towering above them all is the number one rune company in the world—Orion Industries—owned by none other than the current strongest Monarch since Darius Drakenhart's fall.
Whisper his name in awe: Orin Drakaris—the current apex Monarch. But we'll talk about him later in this novel.
For now, let's return to the story...
The rune industry is one of the most lucrative sectors in Europe. If you manage to create a new rune crafting method or discover a new amplification technique, you could become a billionaire overnight.
Now, according to the memories I inherited from the previous Caelum, he had been working on a groundbreaking initiative—his final gamble to drag the Valeborne family out of disgrace and into dominance once again.
He named it… PROJECT STATIC.
According to his notes, there exists a mineral called black ore. It's considered one of the most worthless ores on the continent. Commonly used like charcoal, it conducts heat well and burns hot. The only reason it's remotely valuable is because it forms deep inside monster caves—making it difficult to obtain.
But Caelum had a theory: if he could fuse and retain high-level energy inside black ore, it could change the world.
Imagine this—an ability user with weak potential getting their hands on a fragment of black ore infused with the right energy signature… Their power would triple, even quadruple. Suddenly, they'd be employable, valued, respected. Even elite ability users would pay fortunes for further amplification.
It would be the ultimate game-changer.
But the problem was fusion.
Caelum had run countless experiments—infusing, burning, channeling—but the black ore rejected every form of energy he introduced. Even intense, high-level surges failed to synchronize with it. According to his research, it wasn't just about the power—it was about resonance.
That's where I come in.
With my soul now fused into this body, I possess the full memories of the previous Caelum and the battle-forged experience of a Monarch.
And unlike the former Caelum—I have mastery over my ability.
If there's anyone who can find the right energy frequency to merge with black ore… it's me.
"I will complete this project," I muttered to myself, a rare smile curling at my lips. "On behalf of the previous Caelum… and for the sake of the Valeborne family's future."
But first, I needed to get my hands on a large supply of black ore—mine it, refine it, and infuse it. Not an easy task.
This body may be powerful, but it's not fully developed. I still can't access my full strength without risk.
Which means…
I need help.
Selira Valeborne—the first daughter and second child of the Valeborne family.
They once called her the War Goddess of the Mercenary Era. A living legend in her own right.
She's the only person I can trust with this project.
Why?
Because according to my memories, Selira was the only one in the family who ever believed in Caelum. She alone knew about Project Static. She supported him when no one else did.
But convincing her won't be easy.
That will come later.
For now… I must focus on acquiring the ore.
Three Days Later
Valeborne Skyscraper — Basement Storage Level
A figure sat motionless in the pitch black.
Bari Mulcaster.
His face was pale, sunken. His body weak from starvation. He hadn't eaten or drunk anything in three days—not since Caelum captured him.
But still… he remained defiant.
He knew the only way to climb the Ashwing disciple ranks was by continuing to sabotage the Valeborne family's trade routes. He believed that even now, enduring captivity would earn him points among his superiors.
But in front of him stood Caelum, once again wearing his unicorn mask—his eyes hidden, but his presence suffocating.
He said nothing at first. In his hands were two trays of steaming, aromatic restaurant meals. The smell alone caused Bari's stomach to twist in agony.
Then Caelum spoke, his voice void of emotion.
"I'll ask once more. Refuse again, and you'll remain starving. And this time, your brother will be tortured… in your place."
Bari's mask of pride crumbled instantly.
"I—I'll do it! Please… just feed me," he croaked out, almost weeping.
"Good," Caelum replied coldly. "You've promised. Break your word, and you'll never see your brother again."
He dropped the trays to the floor.
Bari lunged like a beast, shoving food into his mouth, his pride in tatters.
But deep in his heart, a new vow ignited:
The moment I'm free… I'll kill you myself.
This was only the first step in Caelums plan.
Next Objective: Project Static… A.K.A. The Black Stone Revolution.
And it will be thrilling.