Earth's Greatest Magus

For a magus, breaking free from a two cosmos domain battlefield was already a rare and commendable feat. Thus, even if Emery was seen as defeated in a sword fight, none would think less of him, especially against a renowned sword master like Master Atika.

However, Master Atika had no intention of letting the battle drag on any longer. She decided to unleash her bloodline transformation: [Shardfang Vipers]. Sharp yellow scales began to cover her entire body, transforming her into a fearsome sight. A blade-shaped tail emerged, adding to her already formidable presence.

With her enhanced sword aura and battle power, Master Atika became a blur of motion. She charged at Emery with extreme speed, her movements almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Each strike was precise and deadly, her blade slicing through the air with a whistle.

Emery's space-bending abilities provided some defense, but Atika's ferocity and precision were overwhelming. She passed through his defenses with ease, her blade leaving multiple wound marks on his body. Blood sprayed from the wounds as she relentlessly attacked, her blade finding its mark again and again. Emery gritted his teeth, feeling the searing pain from the deep cuts.

To counter, he decisively sheathed his sword and unleashed his Khaos-enhanced [Blade Claw], to go full on the defensive. Although his claw technique was not as refined as his swordsmanship, it was effective enough to parry and deflect Master Atika's relentless attacks. At the same time, the activation of his newly learned [Spirit Devour] managed to restrain some of his opponent's strength, subtly sapping her energy.

SPLLAATT!!!

Blood burst out as the rapid attacks continued, and more sword wounds marred Emery's body. Despite the pain, Emery fought on with grim determination, guarding his vitals and persistently waiting for an opening.

The dozens of combo attacks finally culminated in one final, powerful slash.

Emery saw his chance. With a burst of resolve, he ruthlessly grabbed the descending blade with his arm. Blood splattered as the sharp edge cleaved through his flesh, nearly severing his limb. Ignoring the searing agony, Emery's second arm lashed out in a counterattack, his claws aimed at Atika's throat.

CLANKK!!

Unfortunately, it was intercepted by Atika's blade-shaped tail.

Everyone watched the scene in awe, believing Emery's ruthless tactic had failed. However, Emery was not finished. Instead, he took a bold step forward, his eyes locking onto Atika's at such close range. Suddenly, Emery's right eye glowed, erupting with a powerful spirit attack.

[Spectral Gaze]

This was a skill Emery had managed to salvage from Mo Yan's soul and had trained in over the past few weeks. A spirit attack technique that harnessed his powerful soul strength. It would be devastating against any magus, against a two-cosmos magus like Atika, it would only stun her for a second.

However, a second was all Emery needed. Seizing the moment, he activated [Immortal Gate Stage 9], breaking through the sword master's restraint with a surge of raw power. With a swift, brutal move, he lunged forward and delivered a powerful headbutt.

BAMMM!!!!

The impact sent shockwaves through both of them, leaving their heads spinning. Emery, driven by sheer determination, was the first to recover. Seizing the moment, he unleashed a relentless combination of claw strikes.

His claws tore through the air, landing multiple deep wounds on the Sword Master's body. She staggered back, blood seeping from her injuries as Emery's ferocity and the unexpected nature of his attacks forced her to retreat.

The crowd watched in stunned silence as Emery's ruthless attack not only won the round but also managed to wound the Sword Master heavily. Blood dripped from Atika's numerous injuries, her breaths heavy and labored. Emery, despite his own wounds, stood tall, his resolve unwavering. His body regenerated rapidly, ready for another round.

Before he could engage further, however, the queen's voice cut through the tension.

"It's enough!"

Her command was followed by a subtle gesture, signaling for all present to leave the chamber. As people left the room, Vizla's voice echoed from behind Emery, openly displaying his annoyance before the door closed.

Alone with the queen, Emery felt a mix of anticipation and frustration. Her gaze held an amused glint as she regarded him. "Your strength has earned you my attention. Speak."

Hearing the queen's response, Emery couldn't help to be annoyed. He was certain the queen knew about what had happened to Shinta, and her casual attitude only added fuel to the fire burning within him. However, he needed to fill the empty gaps in his mind first.

"Tell me the truth about Shinta!" His voice quivered with emotion as he pressed on. "Tell me why you kept the truth of my daughter from me!"

The queen's demeanor shifted abruptly, her expression hardening into a murderous glare. In an instant, a palpable pressure enveloped Emery, forcing him to his knees. It was the raw power of a three-cosmos grand magus at work.

With the weight of her spell came her retort, delivered with chilling finality. "SHE IS NOT your daughter!! You don't deserve to call her that after what you did to her mother!!"

"Tell me!!" Emery persisted, his voice echoing through the chamber.

After a tense moment, the queen released her restraint. With a heavy sigh, she gestured with her hand, summoning a faint, glowing energy from her forehead that hovered before Emery. As it entered his mind, a flood of memories surged through him, fragments of the queen's recollections of Silva.

Emery not only witnessed but also felt the queen's emotions intertwined with each memory.

The time she returned from the academy and repeatedly talked about the foolish wolf boy,

The first time she broke the rules to involve herself in the wolf clan's problems.

The time she was worried sick when her daughter was lost.

The moment she was safely home she finally introduced the wolf boy.

The boy was honest and brave, but from their relationship, she knew he was not the right match for her daughter.

"But, if this is what makes her happy, I will grant her request,"

However, despite granting her daughter's wishes, the boy rejected joining the faction. What was worse, he dared to spurn her daughter's sincerity.

Watching him flee the planet was the best outcome for her daughter.

Surprisingly, her daughter had a hidden surprise in store. The boy's clone body was filled with rare high-rank wolf genes. Her contribution to the blood gene research satisfied the patriarch and resolved the issue with the Alabaster clan, all to absolve the boy of his crimes.

However, months later, a shocking truth emerged. Her true reason for researching the wolf bloodline was a hidden pregnancy, one with the rare dual lineage.

After learning the truth, the queen wasted no time in trying to persuade her daughter to give up on the baby.

"The chance of success is less than 10%; it's very risky for you,"

"No, Mother, I will keep her. She is his daughter,"

She was head over heels for him, either worrying the baby to be the last thing to remember him by or that it would change his mind about staying with her.

"Silva, I will grant his return. In the future, you can have another offspring with him, but a dual bloodline is not possible…"

"No, Mother, Uncle Bob knows a way!"

"Silva! Such projects are not permitted by the clan!"

"Mother… the patriarch already knows… he already approved the project."

There came the regret—the moment the queen should have intervened. Although gene sequencing would increase the chance of a successful birth, it would be extremely dangerous for the mother. Unfortunatly when the serpent supreme was involved, things became much more troublesome.

A healthy baby girl was born, but the mother's health began to deteriorate.

To prevent the baby from being taken by the patriarch, the birth report was falsified, and the girl was entrusted to her uncle instead. Knowing there was no promising cure for her condition, Silva agreed to this plan.

She then received the best available medical treatment in hopes of maintaining her health.

However, when news of the academy attack reached her ears, Silva Ignored her fragile health and embarked on a journey to find the boy.

Her return was heartbreaking. She came back barely alive. It was a miracle she could survive a few more years.

The boy then expected to take responsibility for her and heal her, but as always, he failed. His repeated failures made him a symbol of disaster for the clan, concluding that it was better for him to remain unaware of the truth.

#####

The emotional memory pierced deep into Emery's heart, more painful than any physical wound. It provided some clarity on the situation and helped him realize his failure to protect her. Yet, despite this, anger still simmered within him.

"Even so… you… do not have the right to keep her from me… I am the father,"

The queen replied casually, "You misunderstand. It was not my wish... I only agreed with my daughter's wishes."