The woman's voice was like a low intoxicating melody, her every word wrapped in a charm that seemed to claw into Gray's mind, pulling him to the edge of submission. It threatened to grip his very will, twisting his instincts with a demonic pull that made his body want to bow to her, mind and soul.
Every hair on his body stood on end, his senses screaming as though he'd walked into the den of a predator far above his rank. Gray's teeth clenched, his jaw tight, and with every fiber of his being, he fought against the demonic impulse.
"Come on, damn it. You're stronger than this," he shouted in his head, feeling a flush of anger and fear. Despite his fury at himself, his body strained against his will, instinctively wanting to yield.
He had to use every single ounce of his strength just to resist.
Then, as though satisfied with her effect on him, the woman's voice drifted again, laced with amusement. "Interesting... very interesting. I never thought I'd see a mortal resist my charm," she murmured. As quickly as it had come, the invasive feeling dissolved, leaving Gray dizzy and drenched in cold sweat.
"Hehe~ My name is Rose Blue Heaven, Rank 6 Radiant Moon Divine Magus," she said with a soft giggle, and the words hit him like lightning on a cloudless sky.
Gray's eyes widened in shock and his heart threatened to burst out of his chest as he comprehended the implications of her words. A Rank Six Magus!
It was no wonder his own will had almost betrayed him. In the books, Rank 6 Magi were said to embody the force of nature. They were no less than nuclear weapons back from Earth, the kind that could level cities with a wave of their hand.
'But why was she here?'
His fear, though, began to become weaker with a sort of grim calm. If she'd wanted him dead, it would already be done. No, he would've been a mere memory if she'd willed it. And if the fact that he was still breathing… Perhaps he could trust her words.
'Huh! Where did she go?'
Suddenly, right before his eyes, the figure of the woman disappeared as if she had never existed.
Suspicious, Gray looked around himself to find the woman's figure, but there was not a single trace of her.
"Silence!"
The word struck the air like a hammer, the commanding voice sending a shock through the gathered crowd. All fell quiet in an instant.
Gray turned his attention to the stage, where representatives of the four noble families and the True Lord Family had taken their places.
"Big brother, here!" A sweet, familiar voice called out from the stage. Gray didn't need to look up to recognize his younger sister, Raven. She stood there, waving excitedly, her face lit with unmistakable joy.
Around him, dozens of gazes landed on his body, some curious, some less kind. My sister really has a way of drawing eyes, he thought with a grin. Calmly, he walked up to the stage, his head held high despite the pressure weighing down on him.
As he approached, Gray could feel a layer of pressure on him. The pressure came from the five Earthly Knights respectfully standing beside the Asura statue. Gray didn't dare to take any of these figures lightly; although he might have forgotten his killer face, the power wielded by the figure was still fresh in his mind, as if the incident had happened just a moment ago.
Gray took his place behind the knight from the Peace-Loving family, and Raven quickly moved to his side, her soft voice filling the air with stories and questions. He could only nod occasionally, his focus shifting between her and the scene unfolding on the stage.
Except for the Peace-Loving family, all of the Earthly Knights were males with cold gazes. Gray acted cautiously, not daring to look at them for long, afraid of alerting them.
Then the representative of the True Lord family spoke.
"It's time!"
Immediately after his words, dozens of cloaked figures quickly moved and closed the gate leading to the square with practiced movement. No would be leaving until the ceremony was complete.
Those who weren't able to arrive on time could only blame their negligence and bad luck.
Gray's gaze turned to the speaker, and recognition dawned. Rexton—the famed Earthly Knight and True Lord family genius. Rumor had it that Rexton had once held off an entire battalion from Fire Salamander City on his own. There was even talk of him reaching the Sky Knight level. He might have already reached it, Gray thought with narrowed eyes.
Rexton's voice turned respectful, his hard features softening as he looked up at the towering statue behind him. "Let us honor Supreme Lord Asura, the first Magus after the apocalypse."
As Rexton bowed, the four Earthly Knights followed suit, their faces solemn. The crowd moved as one, bowing before the imposing stone figure that loomed over them all.
Gray and Raven also bowed, his heart filled with sincere admiration. The deeds of Lord Asura had left him speechless.
Every child of the Knight Heaven City grew up hearing the stories of Lord Asura. If today the humans were able to resist the apocalypse beasts, it was only because of Lord Asura.
How could Gray not admire such a figure?
"Blue Swan Noble Family, send forth your champions," Rexton commanded, his gaze never leaving the statue.
Gray felt the shift in the crowd's attention as the ceremony began. The four noble families would step forward in turn, beginning with the Blue Swan family. No one questioned the hierarchy; it was respect earned through strength and deeds, a reminder of who ruled this world of power and survival.
This was something that Gray had already expected in his heart, as he already knew that the Blue Swan family was the strongest among the four noble families, followed by Solorius, Peace-Loving, and lastly, the Flying Wind noble family.
After the disappearance of the legendary Knight Theodore, the Peace-Loving family had started to show weakness and might soon rank last in the hierarchy.
The imposing Earthly knight from the Blue family stepped forward, his voice proud and clear as he addressed his clan's heirs. "Show everyone why the Blue Swan family stands above all others."
At his command, a young warrior stepped out with confidence, his expression hardened, eyes filled with ambition. Gray could see it in youth's eyes—the thrill, the need to prove himself. A true warrior, Gray thought, and made a note of the young boy in his head.
The ceremony was about to begin, and in this world of magi, knights, and noble bloodlines, only the strongest would rise.