The last thing Kaelus remembered was the searing pain of exhaustion, the sound of crystal shattering, and the hard impact of the ground after defeating the S+ Two-Headed Crystal Wyvern. His mana core was screaming, pushed far beyond its limits.
He awoke, not to the chaos of the Eastern Entrance, but to an unidentified, disorienting space. The air was thick, heavy, and filled with billowing smoke that obscured the immediate surroundings. He couldn't clearly see anything; the environment shifted and swam as if underwater. It was a space that existed purely on the edge of consciousness and deep elemental power.
He tried to stand, but his body felt impossibly heavy. He was deep within the territory of his suppressed dragon lineage, a void created by his catastrophic mana depletion.
Then, through the swirling haze, he saw something in the distance. It was colossal, built of shadows and power, a replica of a familiar, ominous creature. It was impossible to mistake the sheer scale and ancient aura.
He felt a sudden, profound warmth bloom inside his exhausted core—the unmistakable, resonant comfort of his own kind. It was a dragon, his mother, projected into this mental space.
He didn't recognize her at first glance; it had been fifteen years since he had last seen her, just before he was sent into the human world. Her form here was purely elemental and majestic.
The projection of his mother turned its massive head toward him, its gaze filled with ancient sorrow and powerful love.
"Aelius, my beloved son," her voice resonated, not through his ears, but deep within his soul, sounding like the grinding of tectonic plates and the sigh of the wind. "The world is changing since you left the cave. The seals are weakening, the veil is thinning, and the chaos is rising faster than we ever predicted. You must return to the source of your becoming. If you seek to save those you wish to save, you must return. That is the only path."
The words struck Kaelus with the finality of an axiom. He collapsed, the vision dissolving into blackness.
When he awoke, the smell of healing herbs and clean linen replaced the oppressive smoke. The events were a dream, but the profound warmth in his core and the critical message from his mother felt intensely real and important.
"Kaelus! Thank the gods, you're awake." A voice full of immense relief and gravelly fatigue spoke beside him. It was Zane Bladeheart.
"How long did I sleep?" Kaelus asked, his voice rough.
"You've been in a coma for seven days," Zane replied. "You are now resting comfortably here, in the Dragon's Fury Guild Hall."
"That long? How is the monster wave?"
Zane smiled, exhausted but triumphant. "We were successful, thanks entirely to you. Your actions broke the chain."
The door opened, and Sylva Moonshadow and Guild Master Aethon Ironheart entered.
"How are you feeling right now, Kaelus?" Aethon asked, concern etched on his face.
Kaelus instinctively examined himself. The most obvious change was his appearance: his hair was undeniably silver-white, and his eyes were a vivid, perpetual emerald green. His disguise was gone. More shocking was his inner state: his mana core had stabilized and grown. He was now at the initial-stage of an 8-star Dragon Level, a jump from his previous peak 7-star level.
"There's nothing wrong with me," Kaelus reported calmly. "I think I rested enough."
Aethon, staring at his radiant silver hair, couldn't hide his shock. "Is your hair and eyes not going to turn back? It feels like you're not Kaelus while I'm looking at you."
"I pushed myself past my limits," Kaelus explained simply. "So I think it will not turn back to its original color."
Sylva shook her head, a hint of a smile touching her lips. "I'm so curious, but I will just think you're a bit special, so I will not ask anymore questions. We owe you our lives, Kaelus. Thank you."
Aethon cleared his throat, pushing past the shock to deal with official matters. "Also, I think I need to give you a new adventurer rank. You are now officially an S-rank adventurer. I will assign you to the Obsidian Phalanx as one of their official members."
The celebration was interrupted as the door burst open. Zathis, followed by the other members of the Phalanx who had recovered, rushed in. "KAELUS! How are you? I need to thank you from the bottom of m—"
"Get out, all of you!" Sylva commanded sternly. "Kaelus needs to rest more!"
As the others scrambled out, another figure entered: Riona Steelsworn.
"If he's awake, he immediately needs to go to the Magic Court," Riona announced, holding up a scroll sealed with an official insignia. "I have their summon order."
She added, her gaze sweeping over the room, "Zane, Sylva, and Guild Master Aethon are also invited to accompany me."
Sylva grimaced. "So even the Magic Court cannot ignore Kaelus, huh?"
"Sylva, what do we do?" Zane asked, his voice heavy with apprehension.
"Nothing good will happen if we ignore the Magic Court, Zane. We need to attend."
Following Riona's orders, Kaelus was prepared for travel. He was then escorted by Magic Guards—the official mage-soldiers of the Magic Court—along with Zane, Sylva, Riona, and Aethon.
The Magic Court is the highest legal and magical authority governing the Neutral Zone—or the Neutral Empire. It is governed by the continent's strongest mage: the Mage Emperor.
The Mage Emperor holds authority equal to the King, Queen, and State Head of the three surrounding territories: the Elven Kingdom of the North, the Human Sovereign of the South, and the Dwarven State of the West. Even these three nations cannot ignore a summon from the Mage Emperor and the Magic Court. Consequently, all Guild Halls and organizations within the Neutral Zone must adhere to the Court's decree.
Crucially, the Magic Court also serves as the ultimate protector of the common citizens. The Mage Emperor's influence ensures that even royals and nobles from the neighboring nations cannot directly intervene with the lives of commoners in the Neutral Empire, which is a major factor in why the Neutral Territory has always remained so prosperous.
Kaelus and his party were led into the Magic Court's Judicial Hall. The hall was massive, dwarfing the Dragon's Fury Guild Hall—which looked like a toy in comparison. The court's high officials were seated on tiered benches along the side of the circular judicial chamber.
At the very topmost front, seated on an elevated throne, was the Mage Emperor, Ian Emrys Skyrune. Seated directly beneath him were the judge, representing the noble House of Nexus, and the speaker, representing the powerful House of Aquilon. The destiny of Kaelus was now in the hands of the continent's most powerful magical government.