Chapter Eleven: Surprises and Old Flames
Ren woke up early, just as the pale morning light slipped through the heavy curtains. He remained motionless for a few seconds. The mana of death still pulsed through his body, calm and familiar—like it belonged there.
He had succeeded.
He had reached Rank B-.
And the Domain of Death was fully activated within him. Mana no longer resided only in his heart—it now flowed through every fiber of his being. Death itself lived in him.
He rose quietly, showered, and dressed in formal attire before heading to the dining room.
**
His father, Duke Malphus, was already seated at the head of the table, reading some reports. Across from him, Liana was sipping her usual violet tea.
As Ren entered, Malphus looked up, his gaze sharp. Then, with a cold yet rare tone of approval, he said:
"B minus rank… That's not a small leap, Ren."
The room froze.
Liana gasped.
"What?!"
Even Malphus's normally stoic face twitched slightly as he continued:
"You broke through right after yesterday… Sooner than I expected."
Shock echoed in Liana's voice as she turned to her brother:
"How did you do it?! That's insane—you were just in Rank C!"
Ren simply sat down and replied flatly:
"I found a different method."
**
After breakfast, the three headed to the Aldritch teleportation gate. The device was powered by noble-grade stones capable of warping space to connected regions in seconds.
With a short command from Malphus, the gate activated, opening a silver vortex before them.
"Let's go."
**
On the other side, they stepped out before a towering black-iron gate adorned with the sigils of House Kraimora.
Waiting for them was the Duke himself—Galen Kraimora. A tall man with fiery hair and bright, mischievous eyes. Dressed in red robes embroidered with gold, he spread his arms wide in welcome.
"Malphus! You damn ghost—I thought you'd died after the last dinner invitation!"
Then his eyes fell on Liana and Ren.
"And these? Don't tell me they're your kids… They've grown fast!"
But Malphus, as usual, answered with cold detachment:
"Galen."
Galen chuckled heartily:
"Ah, still frozen stiff. I missed that dryness of yours."
**
From behind him stepped his wife, Mariana, a graceful woman with long crimson hair and amber eyes that glowed with the soft intensity of fire. She hailed from the noble House Flamintra, famed for its mastery over fire magic.
She smiled warmly.
"Welcome, all of you. It's an honor to have House Aldritch here."
Malphus gave a polite nod. Liana bowed slightly, while Ren simply replied:
"Pleased to meet you, Lady Mariana."
**
Galen gestured for them to follow, grinning:
"We've prepared a private wing for you. And Sislia's inside… She's been waiting for hours. Don't even ask how many times she asked if you'd arrived."
He gave a playful wink, but Ren said nothing.
His steps were steady…
His eyes, quietly expectant.