Many years ago.On Sciocidad, near a water fountain, Ryan was teaching a private lesson just for four children: Benjamin, Neel, Rye, and Dahlia.“We live in world that is alive and connected, every inch and atom of it in one way or another, whether you’re able to see it or not,” Ryan told them and then looked at the fountain and said, ‘rise,’ and the jet of water rose in height, shocking the children. He said, ‘shrink,’ and it shrank back to its normal size. “Every word that comes out of your mouth affects the world, so always be careful when you speak. Don’t say bad things to others, especially to those you love, because your words have such power. In fact, every thought that pops in your mind is also just as powerful. So, refuse to have evil thoughts. You should always keep yourself the same both in and out. That’s the only way you can attain the spiritual energy that has been blessed to our clan.”“H-How did you control the fount, Uncle?” Rye curiously asked, her eyes not blinking

“Let’s be friends…” These words that came out of the mouth of this stranger made Mina and others feel like they had lost a few of their brain cells. “W-Who are you?” Mina hesitantly asked. “Y-You’re definitely not human, but… you’re not a vampire, either.” She could just tell from the vibration that this man was giving off that he was no longer the same as Amaal. He was something different, something otherworldly. “Some of you haphazardly drink the blood of your own kind trying to represent me by indulging yourselves in worldly things,” he replied while looking at Akira and Damian. “Some of you waste your love on ingrates,” his gaze shifted to Benjamin. “You shower kindness on those who don't deserve it and live in spiritual pipe dreams.” His eyes then fell on Mina. “Some of you never express their love and live a life of abstinence.” He looked at Rye and Dahlia. “Some of you don't even know how to obtain the things they love and just struggle forever and ever. O men and women of mi

The clash between two ferocious beings, one with silver hair and the other with the raven hair, shook the very continent they were fighting on. As the space twisted about, the mountains in the vicinity were moved out of their spots. Even the distant ice wall encircling most of the world trembled ever so slightly.“The only future left for you after you’ve raised your claws against me is death!” Pan waved his sword, creating a swirling mass of black wind that could cause a plague and destroy an entire nation within a matter of seconds.Benjamin, however, speared his way through that black wind without even getting his fur damaged, which greatly surprised Pan.(He weaved through my black wind without even suffering any damage?) This was the first time this happened for Pan, so obviously, he was surprised. “It seems I underestimated your strength a little too much. Your clan doesn’t call you Sovereign for nothing, huh. Your spiritual energy is quite pure. But it’s okay. I’ll still win. A

Pan put his hands behind his back. “I’ll let you have the first thousand attacks.”Benjamin, Rye, and Shadow dashed forth simultaneously, but almost instantly, a great light blasted out of Pan, blinding all of them.It happened very fast, and the light faded off pretty quickly, too.Rye looked around, but she couldn’t see anyone else but Benjamin. “W-Where did the devil go? Where’s Shadow? What exactly happened?”Benjamin stepped closer. “You were not awake when we fought the devil. Shadow died in the process, but we survived.” He held her hand. “Nothing will separate us from now on.”Rye was surprised to hear those words. “Benjamin…”He was about to hug her, but she waved hand and slashed through his neck, and it turned out that he was an illusion.“Tsk, how did you figure it out?” he asked. “I’ve completely tricked your five senses. You shouldn’t have been able to doubt me.”“Benjamin is still married, you bastard! He would never say such a stupid thing!” Rye released a burst of ene

Dahlia came to check on Rye’s condition. She looked physically okay, but mentally, she looked so drained. Dahlia infused some of her holy energy to help soothe Rye as much as possible. It did help Rye feel somewhat better.Shadow suddenly appeared in front of them.Rye looked up at him. “Did you find him?”Shadow shook his head. “If he was anywhere on this continent, I should have been able to find him, but his presence has completely disappeared.”“H-He didn’t die during that explosion, right?” Dahlia’s voice wavered.Rye frowned. “There’s no way that happened.”“But his opponent was none other than the devil,” a voice came from the side, startling everyone, for it was Damian.“Y-You’re still alive?” Dahlia was shocked. “Didn’t Benjamin completely destroy your heart?”“Yeah. I thought I died, too, but for some reason, I’m still alive,” Damian said, his voice not at all sounding weak. He looked like he had somehow recovered his lost energy. “But I think I have an idea as to why I’m st