Another Knight swung a massive sword overhead. Miles rolled under it, the edge grazing his shoulder and tearing a deep gash. Blood ran down, soaking his sleeve, but he forced himself up. He was outnumbered. One Knight thrust with a spear, the tip grazing his chest, drawing blood. Another swung a hammer; the force sent him skidding across shattered stone tiles, shards cutting into his arms and legs. Another Knight slammed its broadsword down from above. Miles leapt into the air, spinning, striking another Knight in the chest with a brutal arc of his dagger. The collision of steel reverberated through his arms, sending pain up to his shoulders. Debris erupted again as armor and stone met in violent sparks. Suddenly, a blade pierced his abdomen.Miles screamed.Blood flooded his mouth as the Death Knight wrenched the sword free, blackened ichor spilling freely as Miles collapsed to one knee, vision blurring violently.Another Death Knight brought its mace down on his chest.The impact

Miles stood alone amid the ruin, chest rising slowly, power radiating from him in palpable waves. He flexed his fingers as fresh strength flowed into his body, his presence no longer merely human.The lich drifted backward.For the first time in centuries, fear seeped into his voice.“You… you grow stronger with every kill,” he whispered. “That ability—no mortal should possess it.”Miles lifted his gaze and his eyes met that the lichAs their gazes met the lich understood that the boy before him was no longer prey but was a catastrophe in the making.The suffocating aura of undeath that had filled the chamber moments ago now hung thin and uncertain, like smoke after a wildfire.At the far end of the vast throne hall, suspended above a cracked obsidian dais, the Lich King watched.He did not move.He did not blinkBut he was fazed.The faint emerald flames burning within his hollow eye sockets flickered—just slightly—as he surveyed the battlefield. His Death Knights. His elite vanguard

Miles lay still. Pain radiated through his body. His ribs were cracked and vision blurred. His regeneration worked—but the damage had been severe. His bones groaned as they forced themselves back into place. And beneath the pain— Something older stirred. Weak. Trash. Useless. The words echoed in his mind like ghosts from his past. The same look of contempt. The same way of being stepped on. Even now. Even after everything. Even after growing stronger. He was still being looked down on. Still being crushed beneath someone else’s heel. His jaw tightened. His hands trembled. Not from weakness. From rage. Slowly— His hand rose and grabbed the Lich’s ankle. [Ding] [Hellflames Activated] The skeletal monarch looked down, mildly annoyed. “What are you—” . It couldn't finish its sentence before it felt a surge of heat. Suddenly a Violent Crimson flames erupted from Miles’ palm. Not normal fire. Hellfire. It ignited in an instant—dark red at the core, edged in black,

Mia stirred, sensing movement through their joined hands. Her eyelashes gently fluttered.For a moment, confusion clouded her expression as she lifted her head but her eyes widened instantly when she saw Miles sitting up on his bed and fully awake..“Miles?” Mia called, her voice cracked on his name.Before he could respond, she leaned forward abruptly and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.The sudden movement startled him but he remained calm“You idiot!” Her voice trembled—not weak, but overflowing with emotion.“You are an absolute idiot!”He blinked, stiff for half a second before carefully returning the hug, mindful of the IV lines.She buried her face against his shoulder.“I was here for hours,” she said, her words muffled. “They said you collapsed after the rift closed. You wouldn’t wake up. They didn’t know when you would wake up.”Her arms tightened.“Do you have any idea what that does to someone?”He opened his mouth.“I—”She pulled back just e

Agent Kwon rubbed the bridge of his nose slightly. “I believe you assumed we came here regarding impersonation during the qualification test.”Mia hesitated before she answered“…Yes.”Kwon shook his head. “That matter is not under investigation.”Miles silently exhaled but the relief was short-lived.Gary’s gaze returned to him. It was sharp and focused. “We are here regarding the rift incident.” he revealed Miles instantly felt that the temperature in the room seemed to drop.Mia looked between them again, confusion returning to her face. “The rift…?”Agent Gary nodded once. “Yes.” His voice remained calm as he explained. “Specifically, the unusual mana fluctuations recorded shortly before the rift collapsed.”His eyes narrowed slightly at Miles. “And how your brother appears to be connected to them.”The heart monitor continued its steady rhythm.Beep.Beep.Beep.Miles met Agent Gary’s gaze without speaking. He maintained a composed demeanor but inside his mind, thoughts moved r