Reyon stood before Min Hee, his expression a mix of gratitude and concern. "What arrangements have you made for me?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him.
Min Hee, her once-vibrant presence now weakened by the toll of time and training, smiled gently. "Just go with Evelyn," she said, her tone carrying a quiet finality. "There is nothing more to discuss."
Reyon hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and embracing her tightly. "Take care of yourself," he whispered. His past life had been filled with regret, and one of the biggest was not cherishing the time he had with his grandmother. But this life was different. He had grown close to her, and he knew—if he embarked on his journey now, by the time he returned, she would be gone.
Min Hee had grown weaker after training him. She was once the mightiest magician of their family, but now her life force was fading faster than before. In his past life, she had died only after defeating Cerberus when it broke free. But this time, it seemed she might not even last that long.
Min Hee gently touched his cheek. "Every life must end, my child. Have a safe journey."
With a flick of her hand, golden runes lit up beneath them, and a bright light engulfed both Reyon and Evelyn. The world twisted around them as Min Hee activated her transfer magic, sending them straight to the Phoenix Palace.
They arrived in the grand hall of the Phoenix Palace, where the atmosphere was thick with tension. At the far end of the chamber sat Edward Phoenix, the family patriarch, upon an ornate throne. In front of him, four grand marshal seats were arranged, though only three were occupied. Evelyn silently took her place among them.
It was rare for all marshals and the patriarch to convene together, and Reyon immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
Edward's deep voice broke the silence. "The matter we discuss today is of great importance. It concerns Reyon's future."
Derox, one of the marshals, narrowed his eyes. "Every Phoenix and their bloodline relatives are bound to serve in the army for three years before choosing their own paths. No one has ever left before that period was completed."
His sharp gaze turned toward Reyon. "Even if Phoenix Queen Min Hee has given her permission, I do not agree. He is the only known Vector Magic user alive. How can we let him go?"
Edward exhaled, his fingers tapping the armrest of his chair. "Let's vote."
Two marshals remained neutral, unwilling to take sides, while Derox voted against it. Evelyn, unwavering in her stance, voted in approval. The tie was evident.
"Haa… what a hassle," Derox muttered before smirking. "I'll agree only on one condition. Let him take on a seventh-circle magician."
Edward scoffed. "Derox, how old were you when you reached the seventh circle? Thirty? And you were hailed as the second greatest genius, second only to me and Evelyn. Even my mother—the youngest eighth-circle magician and the only ninth-circle mage in history—reached the seventh circle at twenty-two. You expect Reyon to achieve that now?"
Derox, unbothered by Edward's words, replied, "Reverent Leywin defeated an eighth-circle mage at eighteen. Reyon is the same age. I know I shouldn't compare anyone to the strongest magician in history, but I cannot allow him to carry Reverent's legacy while risking his life before completing his enlistment."
Reyon stepped forward, meeting Derox's gaze. "I respect your concern for my safety. That is why I will face this challenge."
Edward was about to protest, but Evelyn placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let him."
Derox smirked and motioned toward a nearby hall. "Bring in one of the commanders."
A hush fell over the room as heavy footsteps echoed. A tall, battle-hardened man with piercing green eyes and wind-swept silver hair stepped forward. His presence alone radiated authority.
"Alex, one of our finest commanders."
Commanders were third in the Phoenix hierarchy, directly under the marshals. They were elite warriors, future marshals in the making. Among them, Alex was known for his unparalleled close combat prowess and mastery over wind magic.
Alex gave a respectful bow. "It is an honor to be chosen for this duel."
He turned to Reyon, his sharp eyes assessing him. "I have heard much about you. Let us see if you are worthy of the Phoenix name."
The hall transformed into a dueling arena as space was cleared. A protective barrier flared to life around them, ensuring the battle's destructive force did not harm the spectators.
Alex wasted no time. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured numerous wind swords that shot toward Reyon like razor-sharp projectiles.
Reyon's eyes sharpened as he activated Vector Field. The invisible barrier around him shifted the trajectory of each blade, dispersing the attack effortlessly. The crowd gasped in astonishment.
"Incredible," one of the marshals muttered. "He deflected a seventh-circle technique as if it was nothing."
Alex's lips curled into a grin. "Interesting. Then let's see how you handle this."
He lunged forward, his hands coated in violent gales. He was a close-combat mage, meaning his physical strength was reinforced with magic. He moved with blinding speed, faster than the eye could follow.
Reyon countered by casting Water Surge, a fifth-circle spell. But rather than relying on traditional mana control, he infused it with vectors, amplifying its power to match a seventh-circle spell.
A towering wave of water surged toward Alex. He barely managed to conjure a barrier before the force of the attack sent him skidding across the floor. The sheer power left cracks in the ground.
Derox watched intently. "Vector magic… terrifying. It allows a lower-tier spell to rival something two circles above it."
Alex wiped the blood from his lip and smirked. "Then I'll stop holding back."
His mana flared wildly as he chanted a complex incantation. The air trembled as the hall darkened with an ominous presence.
"Seventh-circle spell: Wind Razor Storm!"
The temperature dropped as hundreds of razor-sharp wind blades materialized, forming a storm of devastation. The storm expanded, swirling violently toward Reyon.