Duke, who had just been arguing with his brother Blake, was suddenly pulled back. His attention snapped toward a voice behind him.
A man stood there — around 34-35 years old, with a calm but intense expression, and his hand stretched forward.
Duke's eyes moved from his face down to the left side of his coat, where a badge was pinned.
On the badge, it read: "North Side Hall", and just below it were 5 engraved stars.
The moment Duke saw that badge, he fell silent.He closed his eyes.And as soon as darkness embraced him, his memories began to flash before him like a reel of forgotten tales.
A minute later, when he opened his eyes — there was a different fire in them.He stood upright, staring straight into Tim's eyes.
Tim, witnessing the sudden change, felt a strange chill run through him.The boy he had seen moments ago — and the one now standing before him — were worlds apart.
Duke glanced briefly at Tim's hand, then locked his eyes with his — as if reading something buried deep inside.
Tim's hand slowly retreated on its own.
Duke (coldly):"So... you're from the North Side Hall, huh?"
Laila (angrily):"What kind of tone is that, huh?!"
Duke looked at Laila for a fleeting second.And the moment their eyes met, Laila's entire body trembled.
She couldn't understand what exactly was in his eyes that shook her core.
Duke (with a faint smirk):"So... a Level 5 Magician...How's life in the Side Hall? Everything running smooth?"
Hearing that, the person beside Tim, Oliver, burst out:
Oliver (furious):"Watch your tongue... you useless fool!"
Duke didn't react — he just kept staring into Tim's eyes and then whispered:
Duke:"Yeah, fair enough... brother-in-law."
He then lightly brushed his fingers over Tim's badge and let out a mischievous, almost demonic laugh — and walked away.
As he left, Oliver muttered angrily:
Oliver:"He has no sense of manners at all... Tim? Tim?! Where are you lost?"
Tim was still staring in the direction Duke had gone.It was as if his eyes had frozen.
Oliver:"Tim? What's wrong with you? Why are you just standing there?"
Tim (slowly):"I don't know... Did something happen just now?"
Oliver:"You're probably exhausted from all the traveling.Come on, I'll get you some Gold Blood — it'll lift you right up."
Tim:"Yeah... sure... but what exactly just happened here?"
Oliver ignored the question and pulled him inside the hall.
[NOTE — Mysterious Organization of the Dark World: "DARK HALL"
A powerful secret organization that operates in the shadows of the Dark World — known as Dark Hall.Its duties include:
Exploring new territories
Researching extinct bloodlines
Uncovering the forgotten truths of Supreme Families
Maintaining the power balance in the Dark World
And hunting hidden secrets lost in time
Its main base lies hidden deep within the Dark World, inaccessible to most and highly secured.
1) Continente Hall
Each continent has its own Continente Hall, which oversees operations, control, and information flow for the entire region.
2) Side Halls
Every continent is divided into four regions — North, East, West, and South.Each region has its own Side Hall, which reports directly to its respective Continente Hall. ]
Back in the hall, Ella was introducing Queen to her family.She called out to Laila, but Laila wasn't listening.
Her focus was locked on only one person — Duke.Ignoring everyone else, she followed the path Duke had taken.
Duke was now seated at a table with Blake, calm and collected.
Laila walked straight up to him.
Duke (raising an eyebrow):"What now? What do you want?"
Laila:"I need to talk to you. Alone."
Duke (laughing):"Talk here… Who knows, you might kill me if I follow you somewhere private."
Laila (glancing at Blake):"Blake, give us five minutes."
Blake looked at Laila, then at Duke… and quietly walked a little distance away, keeping them in his sight.
Laila (coldly):"Who are you?"
Duke (mocking surprise):"What kind of question is that? Are you drunk?"
Laila:"You know exactly what I'm asking.Who ARE you? Or should I say… what are you?"
Duke:"What's that supposed to mean?"
Laila:"When the Headmaster asked to make you his student —I knew something was off."
Duke:"What are you even saying? He asked Queen, not me. Everyone was there… everyone heard him."
Laila:"I've been training under the Headmaster for four years.I know how he speaks. I know how he moves.You rejected him.He hid it — but I saw it."
Duke:"You're dreaming during the day now?"
Laila (firmly):"You're hiding your true power, aren't you?Is this a Falcon Family conspiracy — or is it just you?"
Duke:"What nonsense are you even—? What kind of girl are you? Mad enough for the both of us."
Laila:"That innocent face you wear — I've seen through it.I saw a glimpse of what's really hidden behind your mask.
Those eyes… they aren't human.
No matter how much you try to hide…One day, the truth will come out.And if no one else does — I'll be the one to bring it out."
With that, she pushed the chair back in anger and walked away.
Duke (thinking to himself):"Her eyes... they're sharp. Too sharp."
As soon as the Engagement Ceremony ended, the Falcon Family returned to their mansion.The news of Queen and Duke's engagement spread like wildfire across the North Side.Every corridor, every whisper, carried their names.
Eventually, the Academy heard it too.
In a deep underground Tomb, a boy had just completed his training.He had officially reached Alpha – 1st Level.
Just as he emerged, his peers rushed up to him and shouted:
"Did you hear?! Queen's engagement is official!"
The moment he heard it — his rage exploded.He screamed toward the sky:
"QUEEN IS MINE!!And whoever dares stand between us…WILL DIE."
His name was:Nicholas Joseph —The third son of the Joseph Family,and heir to the strongest house of the East Side.