Finn's arrival was a welcome surprise for Kael. As a seventh-tier expert, Finn's strength was formidable. But what delighted Kael even more was Finn's promise to bring students from Flamecrest Academy with him.
Kael had been troubled by the lack of reinforcements to bolster his forces. Finn's presence eased his worries considerably.
Flamecrest Academy's reputation as the continent's premier institution wasn't mere boasting. Every year, its graduates distinguished themselves across human kingdoms—many now held high positions in various realms, some even Kael's former classmates.
"Kael!"
The familiar voice made Kael's heart leap the moment he and Amelia stepped into the courtyard. His gaze snapped toward the source.
"Finn, you old rogue!" Grinning, Kael clapped the burly man on the shoulder.
Finn, his face alight with a broad smile, returned the gesture. "Look at you—a lord now, and in such a short time!" His pride in Kael was genuine; he'd always considered Kael his closest friend.
"Not bad yourself. Seventh-tier mid-stage," Kael remarked, giving Finn's shoulder another hearty slap. Sometimes, camaraderie between men needed no elaborate expressions.
Finn stiffened, stunned that Kael had seen through his cultivation level at a glance. "You… don't tell me you've reached the eighth tier?"
An eighth-tier Archmage meant standing toe-to-toe with warriors of the same rank—and even gaining the upper hand in battle!
Kael smirked. "Eighth-tier mid-stage."
"Mid-stage?!" Finn's jaw nearly hit the ground. His own rapid progress had been thanks to Vesper, that enigmatic old mentor's guidance. Yet Kael had left them all in the dust, his lead insurmountable.
Eighth-tier mid-stage was a peak most of their peers could only dream of scaling. Even among older generations, few could claim such heights.
"Senior Kael! Senior Kael!" The others Finn had brought also turned their gazes toward Kael, calling out eagerly.
After Kael's victory over Ethan at Flamecrest Academy, his reputation had soared to unimaginable heights. Every one of them knew him—many even regarded him with outright reverence.
Kael met their eyes, easily spotting the respect and anticipation shining within. He was mildly surprised; he hadn't realized his influence at the academy still ran so deep.
"Kael, these mages came specifically for you. As for the warriors… well, some were persuaded by me, and others—let's just say Amelia was the draw," Finn chuckled.
Kael blinked, then laughed wryly. So much for overestimating my charm. Of course—his relationship with the warrior students had never been particularly warm. Amelia's popularity in their faculty rivaled even Ethan's.
But she's mine.
The warriors' glances flickered subtly toward Amelia, though she remained half a step behind Kael, silent and indifferent. Not that they harbored any illusions—Amelia wasn't just a beauty in the warrior faculty; she was an untouchable powerhouse.
"Finn, they're your responsibility," Kael said, clapping Finn's shoulder. "By the way, where's that old coot Vesper?"
"Vesper and Toms—those two ancient fossils—told me to send their regards! Said they'd visit Laifei Plains soon!" Finn's tone turned grumbling, clearly still nursing grievances from their "lessons."
Kael smirked at Finn's expression but frowned inwardly at the mention of Vesper and Toms. Those two enigmatic figures were always scheming something inscrutable.
"Now that you're all here, rest assured—follow me, and I, Kael, will ensure you're well rewarded."His smile swept over the dozen students as he unleashed his eighth-tier mid-stage aura. The sheer pressure of an Archmage's might instantly manifested.
A mountain-like weight forced the students back a step, their eyes wide with shock.
Eighth-tier mid-stage. The revelation left them exchanging stunned glances.
Kael's display cowed even the most skeptical among them—including several sixth-tier high-stage experts nearing the seventh tier. After all, during the Martial-Arcane Tournament, Kael had only been seventh-tier mid-stage.
These students were in the golden stage of rapid growth, their power surging daily. Naturally, some itched to test Kael—only to be instantly overwhelmed by his aura.
Kael knew their thoughts well and effortlessly crushed any rebellious notions. On his turf, even dragons would grovel!
He delegated the students' management to Finn and Amelia, focusing his own efforts on constructing the Arcane Tower.
With the Jindick family's support, progress was swift. The Snowbear Beasts, summoned discreetly, excelled at excavation, while the Gangrock Adamantite and Earth Adamantite Kael had acquired were fully utilized in the tower's construction.
Day by day, the tower rose within the city lord's manor. Kael was pleased with the pace—another month, and it would be complete.
On this particular day, Kael, Amelia, Jett, and Finn were discussing plans to eliminate the nomadic bandit groups. With Finn and the students' addition, Kael's forces had grown significantly.
They deliberated tactics meticulously. The bandits were slippery as eels—only absolute certainty would guarantee success, so Kael proceeded with caution.
Then, a soldier's voice echoed from outside.
"Lord Count!"
Kael looked up. "Report."
"My lord, a formidable archmage has arrived at the gates, demanding an audience!" The soldier knelt urgently.
A formidable archmage?
Kael frowned. He knew no such person—what was this about?
After a brief exchange of glances with Amelia, he dismissed Jett and Finn with a wave before addressing the soldier. "Lead the way."
The soldier hurriedly led the way as Kael followed him to the manor gates, where a slender mage stood waiting.
Cloaked in a gray magical robe, her figure obscured by its voluminous folds, she cut an enigmatic silhouette. The hood concealed her features entirely, making identification impossible. Even her frame offered no clues—only an aura of terrifying power radiated from her, marking her as an Archmage at the very least. Perhaps even stronger than Kael himself.
"You are...?" Kael frowned. He had no recollection of such a person, yet her presence was undeniably formidable.
The mysterious mage smiled faintly and pushed back her hood, revealing an unremarkable face—though Kael was startled to realize she was a woman.
Plain in appearance yet exuding an air of serene tranquility, she carried herself with a quiet grace that belied her power. Kael couldn't even begin to gauge her true strength.
"I am but a wandering mage, unaffiliated and unnamed. You may call me Ella. Word has reached me that the lord of Laifei is an eighth-tier Archmage. I've come seeking… enlightenment." Her voice was soft, almost gentle.
Kael's surprise deepened—not just at her power, but at her identity.
A wandering mage.
One who belonged to no guild, no faction. On this continent, such individuals—whether mages or warriors—were known simply as:
Solitaries.