The grand banquet in the Veridian Empire's Crown Prince's Palace was drawing to a close. The vast hall, filled with nobles, officials, and various dignitaries, was illuminated by chandeliers that sparkled like the heavens. Conversations were dying down as the evening's festivities neared their end, and Crown Prince Darion Aerolia stood at the head of the hall, preparing to deliver his final speech.
Kael stood quietly among the crowd, his sharp gaze fixed on the Crown Prince. His thoughts, however, were far from the evening's formalities. He glanced briefly at his fiancée, Isabella Varen, who stood beside him with the grace and poise of a noblewoman. She wore a stunning emerald gown that complemented her beauty, her expression one of polite attention as she listened to the ongoing speech. To everyone around them, they looked like the ideal couple—an alliance of two powerful families that would secure both wealth and influence.
But Kael's mind was elsewhere. Beneath the mask of calm and nobility, his true nature lurked—one of cruelty, ambition, and darkness. He was no timid noble or lovesick fool. He had always been this way, even in his past life before being transmigrated into this world. A man who had reveled in power, in control, and in the suffering of those who stood in his way. Now, in this new world, with his knowledge of the future, he would stop at nothing to seize everything that fate had once promised to others.
Prince Darion's voice cut through the murmurs of the hall, drawing everyone's attention back to him. His presence was commanding, his words polished, as expected of the empire's heir.
"I thank all of you for attending this banquet in honor of our continued alliance with the noble houses. As we face the challenges ahead, it is through our unity and shared strength that the Veridian Empire will prosper. May the bonds we reinforce tonight ensure a bright future for all of us." The prince raised his goblet, and the crowd followed suit.
"To the empire!" he proclaimed, and the hall echoed his toast with enthusiasm.
Kael raised his own goblet mechanically, but there was no passion behind the gesture. His mind was already working through the intricate web of power and influence in the room, calculating how best to turn each advantage to his favor. The speech was nothing more than the expected pleasantries—a facade to maintain the illusion of stability and unity within the empire. But Kael knew better than anyone that these alliances were fragile, built on nothing but greed and ambition.
As the hall erupted into polite applause, Kael turned his attention to Isabella. She caught his gaze and gave him a small, knowing smile. "I'll be leaving for the Varen Estate tonight," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael's expression didn't shift. "So soon?"
Isabella nodded. "My father requested my presence. There are matters of the family that need attending. I wanted to inform you before I left."
"Do as you must," Kael replied, his voice devoid of any warmth or affection. "I will return to the Ardent Estate tonight as well."
Isabella offered a brief nod before turning to join her family, leaving Kael alone in the crowd. As she walked away, Kael's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't trust her—not entirely. Isabella was cunning, perhaps even as ruthless as he was in her own way. But she wasn't a threat, not yet. For now, she served her purpose, and that was all that mattered.
The hall began to empty as the guests made their farewells. Kael didn't bother with pleasantries, nor did he linger. He made his way out of the palace, his black cloak trailing behind him as he stepped into the cool night air. His carriage awaited him along with his guardian Voidstrider, and as he climbed inside, his mind drifted back to the looming expedition to the Secret Realm.
The Secret Realm—an ancient, mysterious land filled with treasures and dangers alike. It was a place that, in the novel he had once read, had marked the turning point for the so-called protagonist, Robert Voss. Kael's lip curled in disdain as he thought of the man. Robert, the hero of the story, had been fated to find the sapling of the World Tree during the expedition. A treasure so powerful that, once fused with Robert's Vitalis Sanctum physique—the strongest life-attribute body in existence—it had propelled him to the top of the younger generation, making him unbeatable.
Kael's fists clenched as the carriage moved through the dark streets. He knew exactly how that event would play out if left unchecked. Robert would stumble upon the World Tree sapling, defeat all challengers, and fuse with it to become the shining beacon of hope and strength. And Valtor, the so-called villain, would be crushed in the process, nothing more than an obstacle for the protagonist to overcome.
But Kael was no ordinary villain. He wasn't Valtor. He was Ethan now Kael Ardent, and he had no intention of playing the role fate had set for him.
The World Tree sapling—such a treasure could not fall into Robert's hands. It was meant to enhance life, to grant the user control over nature and vitality, but Kael's power, his Heavens Devouring Physique, was the antithesis of that. He was not someone who nurtured life. He consumed it, twisted it, and made it his own. The sapling, in his hands, would become something far darker, far more destructive than it had ever been meant to be.
A sinister smile played on Kael's lips as the carriage rattled along the cobblestone streets. The elves had also sought the World Tree sapling during the Secret Realm expedition, their ancient heritage and connection to the mythical tree driving their desire to possess it. But just as in the novel, they would fail. The sapling was destined to fall into Robert's hands.
Unless I take it first.
The sapling, once fused with his Heavens Devouring Physique, would grant him power beyond anyone's imagination. It would make him unstoppable, allowing him to rise above not just Robert, but the entire empire. Kael's ambitions were far greater than simply surviving or avoiding the fate of an extra. He wanted to dominate, to rule, to crush anyone who dared stand in his way.
His thoughts were interrupted as the carriage came to a halt in front of the Ardent Estate. The grand mansion loomed before him, its stone walls casting long shadows under the moonlight. Kael stepped out of the carriage, his gaze lingering on the estate for a moment before he turned and walked toward the entrance.
The night was silent, save for the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. But within Kael's mind, a storm raged. The Secret Realm was approaching, and with it, the opportunity to change everything. He wouldn't allow Robert Voss to become the hero of this world. That role no longer existed.
Kael would be the one to ascend, the one to seize the power meant for the so-called protagonist. And when he did, there would be no one left to challenge him.
His footsteps echoed in the empty halls of the estate as he made his way to his chambers, his thoughts still consumed by the dark, twisted path he was forging. This world, these people—they were nothing more than pieces on a board, and he would move them as he saw fit.
As Kael settled into his chambers, the sinister smile returned to his lips. The story was changing, and he would be the one to rewrite it.
The extra would win. And Kael Ardent would make sure of it.