“My lord, please join the Frontier Knights.”The captain dropped to one knee before Jayden Jian.Behind him, the surviving knights followed, ignoring their wounds as they lowered their heads. Some still had broken arrows buried in their armour, while others could barely remain upright, but the desperation in their voices was clear.“Remain at Grey Pass,” the captain pleaded. “Name your price. Gold, land, rank, anything. As long as you protect this frontier, Midgard will never fear another invasion.”Jayden stood silently before them.Around him, the snow had turned red. Dead Frost Giants covered the broken pass, and farther behind him lay Korr, the colossal dragon that had led the invasion. One of its wings had been torn apart, while smoke still rose from the wound across its neck.Moments ago, the Frontier Knights had been waiting to die.The Frost Giants had crushed their defensive line, and when Korr descended from the sky, even the captain had known Grey Pass would fall but then J

The pressure around Jayden spread around and the guards closest to him staggered back, their faces turning pale. Even the horses and some tamed beasts outside the manor gate neighed wildly and tried to break free from their ropes.Nia trembled in his arms, then slowly raised her small hand and touched the back of his palm.“Father…”That one word pulled Jayden back.The terrifying aura receded at once, vanishing so cleanly it was as if it had never existed. Jayden looked down at her again, slower this time taking in her beautiful features The dirt on her face had hidden it before. The swollen cheek had twisted her features, and the tears had made her look even smaller, but now that he looked properly, he saw it.His eyes, Mira’s face and his blood flowing through her.Jayden’s fingers tightened slightly around the jade pendant.This child was his no doubt and for a moment, the man who had slain Frost Giants and Korr without flinching could not move.He had returned for Mira, believin

The Skyreach Arena was already crowded by the time Mira entered the private section with a tray in her hands.Warriors from powerful houses gathered around the fighting platform, preparing for the battle that would decide the next lord of Skyreach. Nobles sat beneath decorated shades while servants moved between them with food and wine, careful not to interrupt the excited conversations filling the arena.Mira moved more slowly than the other servants.The plain dress hanging from her body was too large, hiding how much weight she had lost since she was brought there. Her fingers were bruised from work, face was pale, and dark marks circled both wrists beneath the magical restraints that sealed her power.Every step hurts.She had been awake since before sunrise, cleaning rooms, carrying water and obeying every cruel order given to her. They barely fed her, but refusing to work meant punishment, and punishment meant she might not survive long enough to see Nia again.That thought kept

The colosseum went silent as Mira stepped onto the platform but soon the shock faded and laughter began.A servant with magical restraints challenging Asher, the man who had just crushed every warrior before him, sounded more like a joke than a fight.Asher looked at her plain dress and empty hands, then laughed with the crowd.“Have the beatings finally damaged your head?”Mira stopped across from him. “I said I challenge you.”A noble called from the stands, “Will she fight with a serving tray?”Another voice followed. “Perhaps she thinks stubbornness is a weapon.”Mira glanced in their direction. “A noisy market always has more mouths than brains.”The laughter around died down a bit and she scoffed then turned to face AsherAsher’s smile thinned. “Where did you find this courage?”“I would rather die here than spend one night as your mistress.”The crowd stirred, but Mira was not finished.“And wipe that proud look off your face. You defeated frightened men and almost broke your a

Asher’s face twisted beneath Jayden’s grip.Only moments ago, the whole colosseum had praised him as Skyreach’s greatest talent. Now he lay pinned beneath the man he had spent years trying to surpass.“I refuse to lose to you!”Frost exploded from his body.Asher tore himself free and stumbled back, pouring everything he had left into one final spell. A dark seal opened above the platform, and frozen lightning gathered within it until the air began to crack.Several elders rose at once.“Asher, stop!”He ignored them.“If I cannot surpass you,” he snarled, blood running down his chin, “then I will bury you!”The seal broke.A pillar of frost and lightning crashed toward Jayden, freezing the platform in its path.Jayden did not block it.He stepped through the storm.The frost split around his body, and before Asher could understand what had happened, Jayden was already standing before him.The back of his hand struck Asher’s chest and he flew across the arena and smashed through two s