When The First Prince Jaiden Joul awoke, he found himself in the infirmary. The first thing he saw was the doctor he had met earlier.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Your Highness, you were cursed when you tried to save Her Highness. This is the result," the doctor replied.
The prince turned his head, only to find the bed where his sister had been lying now empty.
"Where is my sister?"
"Her Highness left after being treated and went to attend the combat stage."
The prince was startled.
"Who treated her?"
"It was the second-year student, Shion Lan."
A wave of worry and tension washed over the prince.
"And he only treated her? Could he not treat me as well?!"
"He did heal Your Highness, but the curse had burrowed too deep within you. You needed rest and recovery to regain your strength."
The prince sat upright, activated his magic circles, and used the purification element to restore his body. But then, his eyes widened with rage as he glared at the doctor.
"Did you perform surgery on me?!"
The doctor trembled, knowing about the forbidden ring—an object whose mere possession was a crime, let alone when the culprit was the kingdom's prince. Remembering the words of the second princess, he stammered,
"By Her Highness's command, student Shion Lan removed that ring from your body. I had no part in it."
The prince's eyes widened in disbelief. She knew about the deal I made? If Father finds out, I could lose my head!
In his mind, he could still hear his father's voice — not as it was now, but as it had been in his childhood: firm, commanding, a single glance enough to silence an entire hall.
What will he do when he finds out?
The thought tightened his chest. It wasn't punishment he feared, but that look — the look of disappointment that could break more than any blade could cut.
He had betrayed the king, not in battle nor in council, but in the very trust he had once been proud to bear.
And every time he tried to justify himself, his inner voice grew fainter, whispering:
You were his son… and now you are his first betrayal.
He left at once, meeting his followers who had gathered six of the top ten, though five of them were from the lower half of the ranking. He didn't care. Sitting on his balcony, he gazed toward the final stage—not to watch the fights, but to watch Shion. He also noticed Sol Hart standing close to him.
Should I take revenge? But my sister won't allow it… I just don't know what her weakness is… hmm?
Casting a glance at his sister, he caught sight of something unexpected—her eyes, filled with warmth, directed at Shion Lan. She looked utterly captivated, staring at him even as he mocked her followers during his commentary.
Because what he says is true, and she cannot deny it anyway, he thought bitterly.
When Shion closed his eyes, she watched eagerly, waiting for him to open them again.
'Is she…? But when? How?'
The prince had no idea that his sister had already started developing feelings for Shion. He clenched his fists in frustration. "Damn it!" One of the most important conditions of the deal was that this foolish girl marry into their family—but now she gazes at someone else with affection! Wait…
The corners of his lips curled into a twisted smile. It seems I've found a way to reclaim the ring from her… and exact revenge on that bastard.
While Shion was analyzing Vione Lucius's battle, the prince ordered his guards to summon Feri Lucius. Vione, puzzled, had no idea what the prince intended until her mother arrived and bowed before him. His voice dripped with venom.
"I will give you the chance to strike that bastard!"
…
Meanwhile, Shion was lost in his own world with Shi Yun Lan. Before their battle began, Shi Yun Lan asked,
"Why are you so energetic today?"
"I've found patterns I can learn from," Shion replied. "By observing them, I've been able to improve myself—and I found no better subject to test against than you."
Shi Yun Lan frowned. "That's strange. People spend years watching and meditating to refine even a small part of themselves. Yet you say you can do it so easily, as if you're merely reviewing old lessons. Almost like you're not discovering new things, but revisiting what you already know."
Shion paused, deep in thought.
"Tell me, little Lan, is there a connection between your inheritance and me?"
"Well… as far as I recall, the inheritance is related to the soul…"
"That's not what I mean! I hadn't noticed before, but when Dron Leon tried to force his aura on me, I felt no pressure on my soul—only on my body. I could gauge his strength clearly. And everything I see, I can analyze as though it's laid bare before me. Could this be tied to the inheritance?"
Shi Yun Lan looked startled.
"That's possible… but I don't recall ever helping you with that. Even when the inheritance responded, it was the other bloodlines that acted, not me. So I don't know."
"Then the inheritance hasn't strengthened my soul or enhanced my understanding at all?"
Shi Yun Lan hesitated. "Honestly, I don't know anymore. But perhaps you'll find the answer in the next bloodline."
"In that case… let's begin!"
Shion unleashed his enhanced (Stellar Vortex), spinning it with overwhelming force and raising his defenses. Shi Yun Lan retaliated with (Earth Body), (Earth Thorns), and (Fire Claws) under the oppressive (Aura of Death). Thorny flames shot forth, but they failed to pierce Shion's vortex.
Though he wields many techniques, half his strength is consumed by the (Aura of Death), Shion analyzed. The flaw is that it cannot be projected outward naturally, as I can. Because Shi Yun Lan is alive, not dead. His fused techniques only draw fragments of his strength. Still… the way he combines them is remarkable. If refined, the power could be much greater. But…
After several failed attempts, Shion dispelled his vortex and instead summoned the Stellar Aura. He merged (Rain Drops) with (Water Bomb), raising his voice:
"Star Tide!"
Brilliant star-lit bombs radiated along his sword, echoing with remnants of the earlier vortex. He swung, sending a shining tide crashing toward Shi Yun Lan.
Shi Yun Lan's eyes widened. Though this isn't a fourth-level strike, it's still powerful enough to overwhelm me! He activated his full (Earth Body) shrouded in the (Aura of Death). The Stellar Aura clashed with the Death Aura—canceling each other out—yet the tide itself remained. Shi Yun Lan barely held his defense, but he had not accounted for the countless bombs hidden within the tide.
Explosions tore through his guard. Exhausted despite the boundless energy of this realm, he was blasted back, his body wracked by detonations. He tried to rise—then felt a strange sensation at his neck. In the next instant, his head rolled from his shoulders. Shion's silver eyes watched coldly as Shi Yun Lan realized his defeat.
Shion sighed in relief, resting his mind. But then, the first bloodline within the inheritance trembled and its vitality faded.
What's happening…?
Before he could think further, Shi Yun Lan's severed body stirred. The head was lifted and placed back on the body, lines of blood stitching the wound until it healed. The figure grew taller, its features reforming.
"I am Shi Yun Lan, of the second vein," he declared. "I am fifteen years old, at the level of General—roughly equivalent to your fourth level. Congratulations on passing the first trial of the inheritance."
Shion bowed. "What is this stage of the inheritance about?"
"The second inheritance is divided among three veins, and I am the first of them. I possess a technique I believe you've seen before."
Shion thought for a moment. "Is it related to blood?"
"Indeed. I learned it during a mission against the followers of the Blood King. Their arts aligned with mine, and I mastered it—reaching General rank before the age of fifteen."
He gestured to the circles and stars etched into the bloodlines. Four magic circles shone brightly, with stellar halos orbiting them, though the first bloodline had already perished.
"And the first vein?" Shion asked.
"It's gone. An inheritance must be taken in full—or not at all. Once defeated, the first vein ceases to exist within you. But if another gains the inheritance, all veins would reset. Still… I doubt you have the strength to defeat me."
Shion frowned. Shi Yun Lan continued,
"The truth is, you lack power equal to the fourth level. Even if you had it, you don't know how to wield it properly."
"Why?"
"Because in your world, the gap between the third and fourth levels isn't just a number—it's a realm of abilities. Even if you reached the sixth level without understanding your powers, I could still defeat you. My knowledge at the fourth level lets me refine and enhance third-level techniques. Let me show you."
One circle and star faded. A chilling (Aura of Death) rose from Shi Yun Lan, but this time infused with something darker.
"What you see," he said, "is the fusion of two techniques from the Inheritance of Annihilation: (Aura of Death) and (Blood of the Dead). Though both are third-level, my fourth-level understanding elevates them far beyond. Tell me, what do you think?"
With lifeless eyes and an aura that dragged the soul into nightmares, he smiled.
"It is terrifying indeed," Shion admitted. "Cancel it, now."
"I don't know its limits in this realm. You're the perfect test subject."
Even with the Stellar Aura shielding him, Shion felt its grip. His blood seemed to freeze, his heart pounded in agony. Shi Yun Lan flicked a finger, and blood gushed from Shion's mouth, nose, eyes, and ears.
"Damn you…" Shion gasped, on the brink of collapse. "When I reach the fourth level—if I don't crush you then…"
But Shi Yun Lan only smirked as the vision ended, leaving Shion back in reality. 'Damn you, bastard!' he cursed silently.
Before his thoughts could settle, the announcer's voice echoed through the arena:
"By order of the supervisors and His Highness, The First Prince Jaiden Joul, it has been decided—the next battles will be between the teachers who trained the top ten!"
Shion, Sol, Vivi, the princess, and the others all turned to the stage…
"Don't say!" Shion realised what will happen next.