Alex POV
The bullet train blitzed through the wilderness with unparalleled speed.
Still seated on the roof, I could see the approaching metropolis of Shard City, illuminated by the brilliance of the golden sun.
Feeling it was finally time for me to make my way back into the train car, I stood up and made my way to the opened hatch before me.
With a single step, I dropped onto the smooth floor of the car.
My descent was rather awkward, but I kept my footing stable and casually walked through the row of empty seats before reaching the train car belonging to the Bladeheart.
The door automatically opened for me when I neared it, offering me a view of the luxurious train cabin.
There I took notice of my brother Abel and Sir Felix, still engrossed in chatter.
A bit far from them was Umbra, his eyes glued to the screen of his phone.
Judging by the smile plastered on his face, he was probably chatting with a crush of his.
I didn't want to disturb either of them, hence I found a corner for myself and sat down, glaring out the window to observe the passing scenery.
A few minutes from now, we would finally arrive in Shard City. The duel would be quickly arranged and fought, and by late evening, the victor would be decided.
Honestly, I was rather pressured, my anxiety accumulating to impossible heights.
Victory depended on me, hence I couldn't disappoint. But my opponent was Selena—a talent rivaling my brother and one of the three anomalies of our house.
She supposedly also had a unique ability, and worst of all, I wasn't on the best of terms with her.
As far as I recalled, from infancy to early last year we had been close, but people change.
Before I had my previous life memories, I was different from how I am now—maybe she too had her own experiences that changed her.
Whatever it was, I didn't care. I just wanted to defeat her and be done with this whole mess.
As I was thinking so, the train began to slow down as the wilderness shifted into the urban streets of Shard City.
Neon-colored billboards displaying advertisements for products filled my sight.
In the far horizon, I could see nothing but rows of skyscrapers—a jungle of them, to be exact.
The sight was reminiscent of Singapore back home.
Abel and Sir Felix, noticing we had arrived, paused their conversation just in time for the train to come to a screeching halt.
"I can't believe I'm back in this place."
The city, no matter how fancy it looked, just brought back memories—the bad kind.
Trying my best to keep my anxiety and trauma in check, I stood up, following after Abel, Sir Felix, and Umbra, who walked to the door as it slid open.
Dozens of the branch family surrounded the train.
I knew they were here to welcome us, but could they dim down their hostility for some minutes?
By now, because of Vanessa's antics, we—the main family—weren't particularly their subject of affection.
Just like me, they also wanted this to be over with, so Uncle Kain, whom they thought would win, could become the new Patriarch.
If that happened, all family authority would be placed in his hands, and he would be able to punish Vanessa for the massacre she had caused.
But such a prediction was delusional on their part.
I wouldn't lose—not now and not ever.
Even if I was weaker, so be it.
But Selena's victory wasn't set in stone, and it would never be.
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The scions of the Bladeheart, both far and distant, watched keenly as the temporary lords disembarked from the bullet train along with the Emperor's envoys.
Among the two lords, the first to step onto the soil of the city was Abel Bladeheart—the son of the former Patriarch, who had lost his life in his line of duty.
Lord Klaus—also known as the strongest knight of the empire—was a very respected man among their family.
He was blessed, and in his time of tenure, brought about the golden age of their clan.
From being the first talent in ages to surpass the Emperor himself to bringing about the birth of another child that carried the same potential—
that child being Abel Bladeheart.
He stood strikingly tall, with platinum-colored hair that reached his neck and pale-colored eyes that saw nothing but also everything.
Draped in noble clothing colored in a mixture of gold and white, he had a sheathed sword with a golden hilt strapped to his waist.
That sword was the sacred weapon and the symbol of the Bladeheart—the Golden Dawn.
It was the sword entrusted to all the Patriarchs of the family, and it was also an oath of loyalty.
Whether that sword was in the right hand or not, the scions couldn't complain, because currently, as it stood, Abel was the wielder, and as such, he should be seen as one.
"All hail the blade of our noble empire!"
They said in unison and fell on one knee.
Everyone, with the exception of Kain Bladeheart, did that—and he was smiling... a clear show of disrespect at his authority.
But Abel wasn't mad.
He smiled back before letting way for Alex to step out.
The other lord of the family, Alex Bladeheart, wasn't as imposing as his brother, but the scions, who years ago wouldn't have even bothered to bow, ended up doing just that.
It wasn't because he radiated authority or because of his growth, but rather because they had heard his tale—of how he single-handedly fought dozens of assassins just to keep the youngest of the lords safe.
He might not be as talented as his siblings, but he had definitely earned their respect one way or another.
A bit surprised by their sudden shift from hostility to respect, a small smile tugged at the edges of Alex's lips, which soon twisted into a furrow as he took notice of his uncle.
The man's presence—foul and sinister—filled him with dread, causing him to quickly look away as the other elders stepped in to greet them.