The maidens of the Ryko Clan finally arrived at Noctharis Palace.Royal guards escorted them through the grand halls until they reached the king's chamber.There were eight of them.They stepped forward together before dropping to one knee in a perfectly straight line.With their heads lowered, they spoke in one voice."Our lives belong to the Crown of Noctharis. Our hands shall serve without complaint, our lips shall speak with honesty all the times, and our hearts shall remain loyal until death. We stand as one, we serve as one, and we shall never betray the kingdom entrusted to us."Silence followed.Then, as tradition demanded, all eight maidens removed the embroidered scarves covering their faces.Young.Elegant.Beautiful.King Aurelius slowly looked across each of them before giving a satisfied nod."Rise.""You have traveled far to stand before the royal house of Noctharis."From this day onward, you are no longer merely daughters of the Ryko Clan because..."You now serve thi

"Wait a minute can she sense my power?" Elena asked inwardly.Impossible. Her beast answered immediately. I made sure not even a trace of your energy core can be detected. Still... stay alert. The moment something feels wrong, we run.Elena remained calm.Princess Diana slowly closed the distance between them.Instead of stopping, she casually circled Elena once, studying her from head to toe.Finally, she reached out, lifted Elena's chin with one finger, and smiled."You are quite beautiful."Elena lowered her eyes respectfully."Thank you, Princess."Diana's smile became playful."But I'm still prettier."She brushed a strand of her silver hair behind her ear and admired herself."I know. Life isn't fair."She leaned closer."If I were a man, I'd probably fall for myself."Elena remained silent.Diana chuckled."Good. At least you know when to keep quiet."Her expression suddenly changed."I saw you coming out of Scott's room."Before Elena could react...Diana's hand shot forward.

Scott's eyes locked onto the ancient tattoos spreading across Aron's body.Every main marking was traced by a thinner glowing line.His heart sank."A General-Rank God-Tier Beast Summoner...""We can't beat him," White said inside his mind. "Not like this.""You have to let me take control."Scott frowned."Huh? So you can go berserk again?""I already told you..."He never finished the sentence.Boom!Aron was already in front of him.A devastating roundhouse kick came crashing toward his ribs.Too fast.Scott barely had time to react.At the very last instant, White fused with him.Ancient blue markings spread across Scott's body as icy energy burst from his skin.Even then...It wasn't enough.Bang!The kick slammed into Scott's side.His body shot across the arena before smashing into the stone wall with a thunderous crash.Blood sprayed from his mouth.He felt several ribs snap at once.Pain exploded through his body.Before he could even breathe...The broken bones began healing

Scott was caught off guard by the sudden question about his mother.A trace of sadness passed through his eyes, but he quickly composed himself."She's gone," he said quietly."And it was my fault.""I couldn't save her."King Aurelius gently placed a hand on Scott's shoulder."We have all lost people we love.""Most of us spend years blaming ourselves."He smiled faintly."But if those we lost could speak to us again, they wouldn't ask us to drown in guilt.""They would only want us to keep living."Scott lowered his head.The King continued."Did your mother ever mention the birthmark while she was alive?"Scott shook his head."No.""The mark never appeared until White came.""I'm still surprised I even have it.""My mother was a slave in Azra.""Every slave there has their magic sealed so they can never become mages or summoners.""I still don't know why I have this birthmark."He paused before speaking again."There were times I even thought I had been adopted.""My mother raised

"Shhh..."Jessica gently placed a finger over her lips before motioning for Raya to stay perfectly still.Raya immediately held her breath.The two hunters slowly stepped deeper into the abandoned building.Jessica's fingers quietly tightened.They had planned to ambush the pair the moment they entered.Then...More voices echoed from outside."Leo! Stephen! Where have you two been?""We searched the alleys around Old Falcon Street," one of the hunters answered."Nothing."A flash of lightning lit up the doorway.KRRRRACK!!!!Thunder shook the entire building and the rain suddenly grew even heavier.Without another word, the two newcomers rushed inside, slamming the broken wooden door behind them.One of them groaned."This rain is ridiculous.""I doubt those girls are still running around in this weather.""They've probably found somewhere to hide."Another hunter dropped his soaked cloak onto the floor."The boss doesn't care.""Ever since word spread that those two are inside Grimv