"The boy's power is not something to ignore, but he is still just a boy. He has much to learn… How could the Supreme General adopt him as his son?"
A man draped in a shining silver mantle scoffed in distaste, voicing his concerns. His well-defined muscles masked his age, while his grayish hair hinted at years of experience. The smooth, silky strands were swept back by the wind as he stood on the terrace of a grand fortress, his back facing a woman—the second-highest-ranking member of Clan Bing and his wife.
This man was Dren Bing, the King of Ice, leader of Clan Bing—one of the most powerful clans known to humanity.
Behind him, his wife stood gracefully, dressed in an elegant silk garment embroidered with gold. The outfit complemented the serene landscape surrounding them but felt out of place in the turbulent times they lived in.
She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, resisting the rising wind, and her pale skin was as white as snow. Her black eyes, deep and mesmerizing like the moonlit sky, held an intelligence and strength that few could match. Though her delicate features made her look fragile, they did nothing to hide the immense power she wielded.
She looked at her husband with a calm yet resolute expression before speaking.
"The boy may be young, but he is humanity's hope. We do not know when the next Disaster-Class monster might appear."
Dren turned to face his wife, his distant eyes revealing a mind filled with contemplation.
"I see."
Both Dren and his wife were S-ranked individuals—perhaps even beyond that. Unlike rankers under the Association, clans were not required to disclose their full strength. Much of Clan Bing's true capabilities remained a mystery to the outside world.
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Chapter X+1: A New Beginning
Zain was preparing for school when he caught sight of himself in the mirror. He stopped, momentarily stunned.
During the celebration, he hadn't had the chance to truly observe his reflection. But now, as he stood before the mirror, he saw just how drastically he had changed over the past twelve months.
What had once been a frail, thin frame was now tall and well-built. His muscles were well-defined, his physique athletic and powerful. He ran a hand over his arm, flexing slightly before grinning.
"Looking good, Zain," he muttered to himself. "Could this be because of the Ascension?"
The transformation was remarkable. But what excited him even more was the fact that he would finally be going back to school. After two years of absence—the first spent in a coma, the second in relentless training—he could finally step back into a normal life, at least in some capacity.
His intense training had paid off in more ways than one. His body had been forged through hardship, and now, he could wield the energy coursing through him as naturally as breathing. Even without conscious effort, he was already circulating it—a feat he later discovered was extremely difficult, even for seasoned rankers.
Beyond his physical transformation, his conversation with the Supreme General had been a defining moment. It had been a long and serious discussion about their new relationship, about the wealth and power Zain had acquired—two things he had long sought for his own freedom.
The Supreme General had spoken with conviction, telling him to take pride in being the strongest Scavenger and Ranker of his generation.
That conversation had changed him.
Zain no longer carried the uncertainty of the past. His demeanor had shifted—he was confident, determined, and for the first time in a long while… enthusiastic about the future.
And after a long time Zain was returning to the academy.
End of volume 1