Harem: Rebirth of the strongest shadow mage

Chapter Eight

As Ryan strode towards the grand hall of the Sunblade Clan, he drew upon the mental map he had constructed from Gorm’s revelations.

The guard’s words had provided him with a vivid understanding of the castle’s layout, allowing him to navigate its corridors with ease. He approached the hall, its imposing structure a testament to the clan’s wealth and influence.

Upon entering the hall, Ryan was immediately struck by its grandeur. The room was spacious, with a high ceiling that seemed to stretch up to the heavens.

The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, their threads woven with a precision that spoke to the skill of the artisans who had created them. The tapestries depicted scenes of great battles, powerful magic, and ancient legends, each one a testament to the Sunblade Clan’s rich history.

At the far end of the hall, a massive drawing of the Flaming Sun, the symbol of the province, dominated the wall. The drawing was crafted from a delicate mosaic of golden tiles, each one glinting in the flickering torchlight.

Only families who held the privilege of governing a province were permitted to display such a symbol, a testament to the Sunblade Clan’s power and authority.

The room was filled with a warm, golden light that seemed to emanate from the very walls themselves. The air was thick with the scent of old leather and parchment, a smell that spoke to the clan’s love of knowledge and learning.

Ryan’s gaze swept across the hall, taking in the large discussion table that sat at its center. The table was crafted from a rich, dark wood, its surface polished to a high sheen.

The table was surrounded by high-backed chairs, each one adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and ancient runes.

As he approached the table, Ryan’s attention was drawn to the figure seated at its head. The man was imposing, his presence commanding attention.

He had a strong, chiseled face with piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into Ryan’s very soul. His hair was a rich, dark brown that was flecked with threads of silver, a testament to his age and wisdom.

He wore a formal black robe with intricate silver embroidery that seemed to shimmer and shine in the flickering torchlight. Around his neck, he wore a heavy silver chain with a large, glittering pendant in the shape of the Flaming Sun.

The pendant seemed to pulsate with a warm, golden light that spoke to the man’s connection to the Sunblade Clan.

Ryan recognized him instantly as the head of the Sunblade Family, his father. A complex mix of emotions swirled within Ryan as he gazed upon his father’s face, a face that was both familiar and yet, utterly alien.

Ryan’s gaze fell upon his father, he couldn’t help but assess the man’s magical prowess. With a mere glance, Ryan was able to discern the level of his father’s abilities, and what he saw left him impressed. His father stood at the second level of the Elemental Realm, a stage that marked the beginning of a mage’s true power.

In a small province like theirs, such a level of magical attainment was truly remarkable. It spoke to his father’s natural talents, and the dedication he had shown to honing his craft. Ryan’s eyes narrowed as he considered the implications of his father’s abilities.

As an Elemental Realm mage, his father was capable of interacting with the elements he had affinity towards, bending them to his will with a mere thought.

However, Ryan knew that even at the second level, his father still required a source of magical energy in order to control the elements. This was a fundamental limitation of the Elemental Realm, one that mages at this stage had to contend with.

Ryan’s thoughts turned to the possibilities of his father’s abilities, and how they might be used to further the interests of the Sunblade Family.

As he stood there, lost in thought, Ryan’s father looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto his son’s face. For a moment, the two simply stared at each other, the air between them thick with tension.

Ryan’s father’s expression was inscrutable, but Ryan could sense a hint of curiosity behind his eyes, a sense of wonder at the sudden return of his son.

As Ryan’s gaze shifted to the person seated at the right side of his father, he was met with a familiar, yet unsavory, face. Tristan, his cousin, and the nephew of his father, sat with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. Ryan’s eyes narrowed as he took in Tristan’s smug expression, a look that seemed to say he was superior to everyone else in the room.

Tristan’s talent was undeniable, and Ryan knew that he was one of the most gifted individuals in the Sunblade Family. At the same age as Ryan, Tristan had already reached the nine level of the Energy Realm, a feat that few could match.

However, Ryan’s feelings towards Tristan were far from admiration. In fact, he had always found Tristan to be condescending and dismissive, looking down on him as if he were nothing more than trash.

Ryan’s mind flashed back to the countless times Tristan had belittled him, making him feel like he was worthless. The memories still stung, and Ryan couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment towards his cousin.

Tristan’s ambition was well-known, and Ryan was aware that he was fighting for the position of head of the Sunblade Family, along with his father’s brother, Melton.

Tristan’s pride was palpable, and it was clear that he believed himself to be the superior choice for the position. As one of the most talented individuals in the province, Tristan’s ego had grown exponentially, and he seemed to revel in the admiration and envy of those around him.

Ryan’s eyes lingered on Tristan’s face, his expression a mask of calmness, but his mind seething with a mix of emotions.

Laycon Sunblade, Ryan’s father, spoke up as he caught sight of his son standing at the entrance of the door. “Where have you been for the past three days?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and curiosity.

As Ryan’s father spoke, Tristan’s eyes snapped towards him, his expression transforming from one of boredom to shock. However, his surprise was short-lived, and his face quickly contorted into a disgusted scowl. “The prodigal son returns,” he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

Ryan’s gaze flicked towards Tristan, his eyes narrowing into a sidelong glare. However, he chose to ignore his cousin’s jibe, instead focusing his attention on his father. “Sorry to worry you, Father,” he said, his voice measured and calm. “I’ve been meditating and trying to become a mage.”

Tristan snorted in derision, his expression twisted into a scornful smile. “We all know that’s not true,” he said, his voice laced with venom. “You can’t absorb any energy, so how can you become a mage? If you wanted to lie, you should try harder and give us a more convincing reason.”

The air was thick with tension as Tristan’s words hung in the air, his insult clear and deliberate. Ryan’s father, Laycon, looked at his son with a discerning eye, his expression unreadable.

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of Tristan’s mocking laughter, which seemed to echo through the hall like a challenge.

Laycon Sunblade, Ryan’s father, chose to ignore Tristan’s jibe, his eyes locked onto his son’s face as he spoke in a firm but measured tone. “Don’t lie to me, son. Where have you been?” he asked, his voice commanding honesty.

Ryan hesitated for a moment before responding, his eyes darting towards Tristan before returning to his father. “I have been meditating, and it has brought me good results,” he said, his voice steady. “I also have something important to discuss with you.”

Tristan snorted in derision, his voice laced with mockery. “Oh, really? Can you show us these amazing results?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ryan’s eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his cool, a small smile playing on his lips. With a subtle gesture, he released a burst of energy, his aura flaring outwards as he revealed his true strength.

The air seemed to vibrate with power as Ryan’s energy signature became apparent, his level evident to all who could sense it. He was at the eighth level, a fact that left Tristan’s jaw hanging open in shock.

The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of Ryan’s energy. Laycon’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he processed this new information. Tristan, on the other hand, looked like he had been punched in the gut, his face pale and his eyes wide with surprise.

It was in this moment of stunned silence that Ryan dropped his bombshell. “I’m calling off the wedding with Ignisia,” he said, his voice firm and resolute. The words hung in the air like a challenge, leaving Laycon and Tristan to wonder what had prompted this sudden decision.