A/N — Kindly bear with the info dumps, guys. I initially thought of making that part in conversation form, but that would have taken too much space and unnecessary chapters.

****

After several rounds of catching up and bonding, Kailen's friends finally opened up to him about their plans going forward, now that they were at the ascendant level.

Arrie made a decision to enrol in the Tian Xu Empire Academy — the academy of the empire that borders the Astral Empire to the East. The empire itself, and the academy there, had strong specialties in healing as a secondary carrier that she could learn from.

Of course, the other speciality of the empire was runesmithery, but she was not a runesmith.

Arrie's focus was to not only build herself in the area of her metal affinity — she wanted to increase her proficiency in the area of healing.

Charles made a decision to enroll in the Phantom Organisation, a mercenary organisation that specializes in assassinations.

No one was quite surprised at his decision, because Charles had always emphasized he enjoyed commotions — and mercenary organisations were the best places for that.

Plus, on a more serious note, he had the wind affinity, which focused on stealth and mobility, agility and fluid movements, precision and range — due to the versatility of the wind affinity in launching swift and evasive attacks, which was tailor-made for assassinations.

Micheal decided to enroll in the Cornelia Empire Academy — the empire that borders the Astral Empire to the West — to make a name for himself.

Over there, he'd focus on building a society named Heavenly Lightning Society, and not only will this society be aimed at growing into the Heavenly Lightning Sect, it will also aim at helping Kailen defend Earth in the not-too-far future from any threat, and would also grow into a formidable force that could come to Kailen's aid during times of need.

Honestly, everyone was surprised he had not decided to join the Tian Xu Empire Academy, because they had runesmithery specialties he could benefit from since he was a runesmith.

However, Micheal said that he would have loved to include runesmithery, but he didn't awaken any spiritual power when he got to the ascendant level, so his runesmith career was as good as dead.

Unlike the traditional and archaic array tricks he learnt on Earth, true runesmithery in the universe required spiritual power as a requirement — something he didn't have or didn't awaken when he got to the ascendant level, even though he was looking forward to it.

He told the group not to worry, because it would even let him focus more on growing his lightning affinity and the society he would form into a formidable force.

It was an ambitious dream, as growing a society into a sect was no small feat — but no one judged him or discouraged him. Instead, the group encouraged him and motivated him.

Helena Hall had already joined the Titanium Research Institute — a research institute she collaborated with on Earth on making nanosuits that could help individuals who were not awakeners at the ascendant level, or even mundane people like Phoebie and Phila — to be able to step into the vast universe for tourist purposes and short-term explorations that won't require them having to step into the virtual universe.

Kailen used this opportunity to inform her of the support the Atrexia Conglomerate had decided to offer to her for her research.

Lee and Angela decided to also become rogue mercenaries.

This was extremely dangerous, as they wouldn't have the backing of any powerful organisation, but they said they had considered the risks and had made their decision — and they felt like that was how they'd improve their strength.

Since the couple was hell-bent on this choice, everyone supported them.

Speaking of Kim, she had just broken through the S-rank, and it wouldn't be long before she also broke into the ascendant level.

Reynolds and Kim, alongside Jane and the other awakeners, decided to stay on Earth to guard and protect the planet from harm.

They would, however, from time to time switch schedules to traverse the universe and gain strength and experience — but they would not leave the planet too often.

Donalds and Borngreat decided to join the military of the Uzumaki Empire, where joining their military does not require one to join any form of academy.

After these words, Kailen informed them of everything he had found out concerning the conspiracy regarding his parents and grandfather.

"Seriously, how can someone be so evil?!" Phoebe couldn't help but exclaim.

"These guys are worse than Arkon Xandros." Troy shook his head incredulously.

Everyone agreed with their thoughts.

"I honestly think this only means we have to take our plans to grow stronger seriously," Arrie added, holding Kailen's hands to comfort him.

Kailen nodded tenderly at her gesture.

The group couldn't agree more with her thoughts.

After that conversation, no one was in a cheerful mood anymore, as the atmosphere had turned quite serious since a sense of urgency had encumbered them.

Kailen would have loved to spend more time with them, but he had an artistry/painting class in the next hour that he couldn't miss.

Before they left, Kailen gave Arrie a passionate kiss — one that earned them several rounds of teasing remarks from everyone.

After that, they turned into motes of light and disappeared, leaving Kailen alone in the room.

****

Francisca was feeling extremely angry and was in serious pain.

Compared to when she had acted nonchalant about the death of her daughter and son, she was acting differently this time.

Surprisingly, the fierce leader of the Harkers Clan was not emotionless — as, at the moment, several bottles of alcohol lay sprawled in the large bedroom screaming flamboyance.

Her sister was dead, and even the academy had no fucking idea as to how she was dead.

Not only that, her deadbeat husband had walked out on their marriage without any form of explanation as to why he did that.

"Fuck! How dare she die! How dare he walk out on me! That useless piece of scum left me!! If anything, I was the one supposed to discard the son of a bitch!"

Her screams erupted. Her palpable, unrestrained aura, due to her volatile emotional state, reverberated through the room, causing the protective runes of the room to flicker to life.

She sobbed — something that would shock anyone who found her in this state.

Because if she left the room right now, she'd act all tough, as if she didn't care about anything.

Oblivious to her, Samaron was observing her current situation from a veiled distance.

An expression of glee could be seen on his face at the moment — something you wouldn't expect a husband to have on his face upon seeing his sister-in-law, the sister of his wife, dead.

"Weep all you want, you miserable wench. Whoever killed your sister really saved me the trouble of killing her myself. As for you, your days are numbered."

After those silent words, Samaron disappeared as though he had never been there.

Little did he know that the person he was thanking for killing Enna Harker was actually someone he hated so much, to the point where he sold his soul to a Vimodial in order to get revenge on.

****

Kailen stood before the artistry department.

He headed towards the particular complex where his class would be taking place.

"Hey, is that not Kailen Darkhaven?"

"What the hell is he doing here?"

"He looks so handsome, and his eyes are drawing me in. They look so mysterious. Do you think I should ask him out?"

"Girl, snap out of it. With your face, even his ancestors would rise up from the dead to give you the middle finger for even having the thought."

"Hmph!"

"But what is he doing here?"

"Don't tell me he's here to participate in a lecture?"

"This guy is really something else. Apart from getting time to focus on alchemy and runesmithery, he finds time to join a painting lecture too?"

"This fellow is definitely gonna cause an uproar again. Quick, quick, let's go!"

"Are you kidding? Do you know how much it costs to participate in Instructor Bonevald's painting lecture?"

"Look, do you know how much the previous person that streamed the uproar he caused at the life and death arenas — apart from the streaming of the Academy AI — earned?"

"Fine, let's go take a look."

Oblivious to the commotion his arrival at the painting department had caused, Kailen rounded several buildings and finally stood before a particular one.

The tall building, with its summit peering through the clouds, looked like a pagoda. However, it also looked like some sort of futuristic skyscraper.

This was oddly mesmerising and confusing at the same time.

Kailen sighed and confirmed the picture from the one in his memory.

"Looks like my poor sense of direction is getting better."

With that, he strolled into the building.

****

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