Chapter 2: An Unexpected Visit

  Garth continued absorbing world energy until darkness fell. Though this practice strengthened the body, it placed a burden on the mind, leaving him weary. Recognizing his fatigue, he decided it was time to rest.

  Marcus, noticing Garth preparing to end his session, smirked. “One last thing—what do you think the process of absorbing world energy is called?”

  Garth blinked in surprise. “Isn’t it just… absorption?”

  Marcus chuckled, his frail-looking hand lightly smacking Garth’s back. At least, that was what it seemed like. In reality, the force behind it could shatter boulders. Garth barely managed to remain standing, once again grateful for his superior physique. If not for his evolved body, he might have died countless times from Marcus’s casual smacks alone.

  Marcus grinned at Garth’s pained expression. “It’s meditation. And it has three stages—Connection, Transformation, and Self-Awareness.”

  Garth frowned, processing the words.

  Marcus continued, “Now think carefully about what you just did and tell me its essence. Why do we meditate?”

  Garth’s eyes widened as realization struck. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Refining the world energy.”

  Marcus nodded. “Exactly. World energy isn’t yours until you refine it and make it your own. The first stage is Connection—you align with the world’s energy. The second stage is Transformation—you convert it into something that belongs to you. And the last stage is Self-Awareness—where you imprint your will upon it, allowing it to work in harmony with your intent.”

  Garth’s heart pounded. But… I only passed through two stages—Connection and Self-Awareness.

  Unlike others, he didn’t need to transform the world energy. He could use it as it was, merely by infusing his will. Does this mean… He shook his head. He’d ask Marcus tomorrow. Right now, even standing felt exhausting

  Marcus’s eyes snapped open. A presence—no, multiple presences—were approaching.

  Moving with unnatural speed, his aged frame became a blur. In one swift motion, he grabbed a small box from his bedside and entered Garth’s room.

  Garth stirred at the sudden intrusion, blinking drowsily. “Grandpa…?”

  Marcus ignored his questioning gaze. His face was grim, his voice sharp. “No matter what happens, do not leave this room. They won’t find you here.”

  Garth barely had time to process before Marcus made several intricate hand signs.

  Suddenly, the entire room shifted. The air grew distorted, detached—severed from the world itself. Garth gasped, feeling as though his very existence had thinned, as if he were floating between dimensions. Space element…?

  Before he could question further, Marcus vanished.

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  Outside, the sickly old man was gone. In his place stood a force of nature.

  Power—terrifying power—radiated from Marcus’s body as a futuristic ship descended from the night sky. The sleek metallic craft hummed ominously before landing.

  From within, three figures emerged, clad in cutting-edge battle suits that concealed their bodies entirely—except for the man in the center.

  That man smirked, arms crossed. “Marcus Luka. Long time no see, my friend. Seems the rumors were true—you really are succumbing to old age.”

  Marcus remained silent, his eyes cold. “What do you want, Fredrick?”

  Fredrick placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. “We haven’t seen each other in over a decade, and the first thing you ask me is what I want? Well, I suppose there’s no need for pretense.” His smirk widened. “I’m here for one thing.”

  Marcus’s gaze darkened. “Speak.”

  Fredrick sighed. “You’re no fun. But fine—I’ll get straight to the point.”

  He paused for effect, then his voice dropped. “Your arrest.”

  The moment those words left his lips, the two armored men behind him powered up their suits, their weapons humming with etheric energy.

  Marcus didn’t flinch. “How did you find me?”

  Fredrick chuckled. “Oh? That’s what concerns you?” He sighed, shaking his head. “I suppose I should enlighten you. You see, every officer under the House undergoes an unnoticed soul imprinting during the oath-taking ceremony. It’s harmless—until, of course, someone releases a massive energy fluctuation. About ten hours ago, you did just that. The disturbance in your soul led us right to you.”

  Marcus exhaled slowly. So that’s it. He had feared they had sensed Garth’s unique energy signature. But it was only him.

  Good.

  The Battle Begins

  Fredrick’s smirk returned. “Even if you’re a former officer, it’s three against one. I suggest you surrender.”

  Marcus simply sighed. “You think you can arrest me?”

  Suddenly, his aura surged—and the air itself seemed to tremble.

  Fredrick’s playful demeanor cracked. “…Wait. You advanced to Peak Sage?”

  His eyes narrowed in shock. “Weren’t you supposed to be old and dying?”

  Regaining his composure, Fredrick sneered. “Even so, we’re still three Sages against one. Your time is up.”

  “Go.”

  At Fredrick’s command, the two armored warriors rushed Marcus, their weapons crackling with ether-infused energy.

  At the same time, Fredrick levitated, summoning massive wind blades that spun into a storm of razor-sharp currents.

  Marcus stepped forward—and vanished.

  A heartbeat later, he reappeared in the sky, face-to-face with Fredrick.

  His fingers danced in intricate hand signs, and the space between them froze. A blade of condensed space energy materialized, cutting through the air at an impossible angle.

  Fredrick’s instincts screamed. He countered with a flurry of wind blades, but the space blade cut through them like paper.

  Below, the two warriors engaged Marcus in mid-air combat, their ether-coated weapons slicing through the night.

  Marcus met them without a weapon, his bare hands shattering their attacks with raw force. One swung his sword—a perfect, seamless strike—but Marcus caught the blade with his fingers, cracking the energy around it. With a flick of his wrist, he shattered the weapon entirely.

  The other warrior lunged, spear coated in highly concentrated ether.

  Marcus twisted, catching the spear mid-thrust, and redirected it—impaling its own wielder.

  Fredrick, seeing his men fall like insects, gritted his teeth.

  “Enough.”

  A violent tornado formed above him, swallowing the battlefield in a storm of destruction.

  “Tempest Fury.”

  The air distorted—twisting, ripping apart the ground as an unrelenting vortex surged toward Marcus.

  But Marcus only sighed.

  “Zero Gravity.”

  In an instant, the battlefield changed. The air stilled. The storm ceased.

  Everything—including Fredrick and his last remaining soldier—floated weightlessly.

  Then, Marcus raised his hand.

  “Gravity Crush.”

  A titanic force slammed down.

  Fredrick’s men hit the ground like meteors—bodies shattering upon impact.

  Fredrick himself gasped, coughing blood as he barely survived. He trembled.

  “…S-Semi-Transcendent?”

  Marcus stepped forward. “Go back. Tell them—stop looking for me.”

  Fredrick fled, leaving Marcus standing alone.

  Back in the house, Garth’s wide eyes gleamed with awe.

  “Grandpa is so cool.”