Note: Ukraine, Located in southern Europe, this is where the Valeborne family resides, and where the novel begins.
Vroom!
Several garage doors swung open at once, revealing rows of sleek, obsidian-black Valeborne GeneX transport vehicles. Each one was already loaded with Valeborne GeneX products, engines humming low like predators ready to pounce.
Ever since Caelum announced to the executives at the Valeborne GeneX skyscraper that the Mulcasters had been attacked, and that Bari Mulcaster was currently missing, the board wasted no time. They seized the opportunity to flood the European market with high-priority goods, taking full advantage of the chaos to expand reach and maximize profit.
But what they didn't know was that Caelum had already resolved the root of the trade route issue. He hadn't done it by negotiation or brute force, but by using Bari Mulcaster himself.
And now, it was time to make it permanent.
A magical contract would finalize everything. And naturally, it was Anna who drafted it.
Magic Contract: A binding agreement created through magic. Once both parties inscribe their signature, the terms become magically enforced. Any violation of its clauses results in a punishment equal to the terms agreed upon by the parties involved.
Thursday, March 25, 2025
Ding!
The elevator door at the lowest basement level slid open with a soft chime. Caelum and Anna stepped out, both dressed in sharp black suits, their unicorn masks smooth and expressionless beneath the harsh lighting.
At the center of the room, chained tightly to a reinforced steel chair, sat Bari Mulcaster.
Today was his release day.
But not before he signed the contract.
Anna said nothing. She stood off to the side, her gloved hands behind her back as Caelum approached and handed Bari the rolled Magic contract, glowing faintly with an ethereal pulse.
Bari clenched his jaw and took the document. His eyes flicked across the terms-his face twisting in growing disdain. Every few seconds, he'd shoot a glare at the two masked figures standing silently before him, his eyes dripping with murderous intent.
Still, he took the pen Anna offered and signed it with a tight grip, almost stabbing the ink into the paper. Then, like a prisoner forced to surrender his sword, he handed it back with trembling restraint.
Pfft!
Caelum couldn't help but let out a soft, amused laugh before adding his own signature beneath Bari's.
The contract then shimmered, lifted off their hands like a living scroll, spun once in the air glowing with arcane light, then vanished.
The terms were simple, but absolute.
Bari Mulcaster was forbidden from interfering with Valeborne GeneX operations ever again, directly or indirectly.
That was the only rule.
Caelum had intentionally kept the clause minimal. He didn't want to push too far.
Bari was still a prominent figure in Europe's underworld. Humbling him too much might create future problems that could spiral out of control.
Besides, Caelum had other ideas for the Mulcasters.
Eventually, he planned to fold them into the ranks of his future empire, the one he would rebuild under the name of the Draco Monarch.
Once the contract had vanished, Anna calmly walked over and knocked Bari unconscious again with a swift, calculated blow. Without a word, the two masked figures carried him out through a concealed underground passage, drove him several miles into the countryside, and left him slumped in a secure, abandoned cabin.
By the time Bari woke up, the morning sun was already rising. He'd find himself free… but changed.
Later that same day, he would gather the remaining bandits and issue a quiet command:
"Stay away from the Valebornes. For now."
"Now that that's taken care of," Caelum said, brushing dust off his shoulder as he stepped into another elevator inside the skyscraper, "time to move on to the next step."
Anna remained behind to supervise the convoys. She watched each vehicle go and return with the precision of a war general, ensuring that not a single one was intercepted, sabotaged, or delayed.
Ping!
Caelum inhaled deeply and pressed the silver button for Level 45.
The doors closed, then the elevator began to ascend, smoothly, silently.
The Forty-Fifth Floor , it was Selira Valeborne's Quarters
This floor belonged solely to Selira Valeborne.
Caelum had finally located something rare, something of immense value.
A trove of pure Black Ore.
He had to inform Selira.
Why her?
Because the ore was located inside a hidden cave, one only he could find, thanks to the lingering memories of the previous Caelum etched deep into his consciousness.
But even with those memories, locating it hadn't been easy. He spent days deciphering clues, comparing mental landmarks, driving north and back until he found the place at last, a forgotten tire factory, seemingly abandoned, an hour's drive from the skyscraper.
And within that factory, was the entrance to the hidden cave.
Knock knock.
Caelum reached Selira's door and knocked softly.
Crack!
The door swung open, and behind it stood_Domas_Lady Selira's ever-composed personal maid.
Upon seeing the visitor was Caelum, she turned wordlessly and went to inform her master, Selira Valeborne, seeking approval.
Moments later, she returned and ushered Caelum inside.
The interior was massive, spacious enough to fit two entire houses. Towering marble walls shimmered under the glow of cascading chandeliers. Almost everything in the room gleamed with a golden hue, exuding nobility and power.
She probably sensed Caelum's presence from a mile away.
As he stepped deeper into the living room, Caelum came face-to-face with Selira Valeborne, his sister, and the second-born of the Valeborne bloodline. Her presence was tranquil, yet somehow stifling, like calm water hiding a deadly current.
Selira Valeborne. She had the tall, elegant body of a runway model, flowing yellow-blonde hair, piercing feline eyes, and a beauty that turned heads in every direction. Today, she wore a light, form-fitting suit, clearly preparing to head out. A small pouch sat on her waist_a pocket dimension, no doubt. What lay within it was likely terrifying in power.
Once seated, Caelum wasted no time.
"Sister," he began, his tone steady. "I've made great progress on Project Static. I've discovered the final missing piece of the puzzle, but…" his voice dipped into worry, "I'd like to request your help."
He delivered his rehearsed speech with flawless precision. Of course, no one knew this was the new Caelum, not the old one, nor that he now wielded dual abilities. So naturally, he had to act like the only power he retained was his absurd super strength. He had to make it seem like it would be nearly impossible to retrieve the Black Ore alone.
This wasn't just for now, it was strategic. He needed to preserve the original bond between Caelum and Selira. Because eventually, he'd need her help again.
After listening in silence, Selira's golden eyes twitched slightly.
He's finally discovered how to process Black Ore… she thought.
With practiced elegance, she tilted her head and adopted a sharp business-like expression. "So how can I help?" she asked, raising one curious eyebrow.
"What?" Caelum accidentally blurted aloud before quickly recovering, "Sorry, I didn't expect you to agree so easily."
Outwardly, he wore an anxious mask. But inside? He was rejoicing.
"Well," Selira replied with faint amusement,
"I know you wouldn't approach me unless you were confident your plan would succeed."
"Whoa… I didn't know their relationship ran this deep. Perfect" Caelum thought.
Everything was going smoothly.
"There's an abandoned tire factory north of here," he began, cutting straight to the chase. "I believe a hidden monster cave lies beneath it. I've confirmed a high concentration of Black Ore in that location."
"Hmm…" Selira narrowed her eyes. "Are you certain about the monster hideout, Caelum?" Her voice turned serious. If it were true, then leaving such a creature alive would be a grave risk.
"Yes," Caelum replied, firm and direct.
"Perfect!" Selira's face lit up. She suddenly rose to her feet. "You need me to slay the monster so you can harvest the Black Ore. That's two birds with one stone."
"You'll help? Thank you so much, Selira!" Caelum slipped right back into character, bowing his head with sincere gratitude, at least on the surface.
"I was about to head out and join the monster subjugation team outside the city anyway," Selira replied coolly, signaling for them to move. "But this is better."
With a confident toss of her hair, she strode ahead, each step exuding power and authority. A subtle flicker of her aura rippled through the room like a breeze laced with lightning.
Behind her, Caelum grinned. He hadn't expected this to go so well.
As they exited, Domas bowed deeply and gracefully. She would never accompany her mistress unless ordered to.
Downstairs, Caelum and Selira climbed into her car_a simple Toyota Prado. Well, simple in design, not in speed.
She stepped on the accelerator with no regard for speed limits, sending them rocketing through the streets. Caelum clutched the dashboard, his stomach beginning to churn.
Vroom!
Selira drove like a demon unleashed while Caelum gave her directions, barely able to keep his breakfast down.
Just like that, they were off, racing toward the hidden cave, the motherload of Black Ore, and the first real step in creating the Static Rune.
Channel Super Crore. Music theme begins playing...
BREAKING NEWS
Just in: Global music artist and executive of Mullet Banking & Finance, Bari Mulcaster, has escaped from the hands of the criminal known to the public as Mr. Unicorn.
He reportedly returned to his mansion here in Ukraine at exactly thirteen o'clock this afternoon.
We have yet to receive an official statement from him. Gaining access to the property for an interview has proven difficult, as the artist has requested total privacy.
We will keep you updated the moment new information becomes available. Stay tuned...
Caelum glanced at the news headline on his phone and grinned darkly.
My comeback has only just begun.
I swear, I'll rise back to the top... and get my vengeance on you damned, motherfucking Monarchs.
Just you wait. This will be thrilling…