"Well, yes. One of them is Asta Xavier."The reaction was immediate and dramatic.The Empress's eyes widened, genuine shock breaking through her usual composed expression. Her hands lifted off the table, flames extinguishing as surprise overrode her flame control for just a moment."That flameless Xavier boy?" Her voice had gone up slightly in pitch, disbelief evident in every syllable. ."But how? How did a flameless initiate win a match in a flame-wielding tournament? That shouldn't even be possible.""He's actually the best swordmaster among all the initiated squads." Kael explained, and there was a note of pride in his voice despite the situation. "Pure technique, strategy, and an absolutely ruthless willingness to adapt when things go wrong. He won his match against a flame wielder by turning it into a grappling contest and choking his opponent into submission."The Empress sat back in her chair, processing this information. Her expression had shifted from shock to something

Jabber and Asta stepped out of their dorm room together, the door clicking shut behind them with a soft sound that seemed too final, too ominous given the circumstances. The hallway stretched out before them, lit by the warm glow of flame-powered lamps mounted at regular intervals along the walls, casting long shadows that moved and flickered with each step they took.They walked side by side, neither speaking at first, both lost in their own thoughts as their footsteps echoed off the stone floors. Other initiates passed them in the corridor,some heading to late training sessions, others returning from meals or study groups,but Asta and Jabber barely registered with them, too caught up in their own internal worlds.Asta's mind was churning, working through a problem that had been nagging at him since his conversation with the emperor dragon in that dream-void. His hands were in his pockets, his posture relaxed and casual, but his thoughts were anything but.‘I wonder.’He thought, his

“His team consisted of some of the best fighters in the facility,people who've been on dozens of successful missions, who know how to handle themselves in dangerous situations."Asta's eyes widened slightly at the name, but he didn't interrupt.Kael's hands gripped the window frame, his knuckles going white. "They were supposed to be in and out in two days. Map some of the upper dungeon levels, assess the current flame beast populations, collect samples for our researchers. Simple. Safe, by dungeon standards.""But?" Flora prompted softly when the silence stretched too long."But they haven't come back." Kael said, and the words fell like stones into still water. "And they haven't sent any reports, any signals, any communication of any kind. They've missed two scheduled check-ins. As of yesterday, they're officially considered missing."He turned around to face them finally, and his expression was grim. "The Empress wants them found. Wants them rescued if they're still alive, wan

Everyone in the room had gone completely still.Mira stood closest to the door, her hand still resting on the handle from when she'd opened it to enter, frozen in place like someone had cast a spell on her. Her eyes were wide, darting between Asta and the impossibly powerful figure who'd just stepped through a portal made of black flames, trying to process what she was seeing and hearing.Flora was right next to her, both hands clasped together in front of her chest in that nervous gesture she had, but she'd stopped moving entirely. Her mouth was slightly open, like she'd been about to say something and forgotten how to speak halfway through forming the words. Her gaze was fixed on the Black Flame Clan Leader with a mixture of awe and terror that suggested she was very aware of exactly how dangerous this man was.Jabber stood slightly behind both of them, positioning himself so he had a clear view of the door in case he needed to make a quick exit. His face had gone through several e

The Black Flame Clan Leader's expression shifted, the lightness draining away and being replaced by something more serious, more weighted. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling in front of his face in a gesture that suggested he was choosing his next words carefully."Alright." He said finally, his voice dropping to a more somber tone. "Since you're asking directly, I'll tell you the real reason I came."He paused, letting the anticipation build for just a moment, then continued. "I'm here to inform you that Cassian Xavier has finally been officially made the Xavier clan leader. The ceremony was held three days ago. The elders voted, the bloodline was confirmed, and he's been given the clan seal and all the authority that comes with it."For a moment, Asta just stood there, processing the information. His face went through several micro-expressions,surprise and confusion, something that might have been hurt, then settling into something more complicated that was hard t