The cart known as Midgard rolled steadily across the road, its sturdy wheels humming beneath the faint whir of hidden mechanisms. Luc and the young prince Ben sat inside, occasionally exchanging quiet words, while Levi held the reins, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he maneuvered Midgard through the winding path. Rei sat at the edge of the cart, chin in hand, eyes lost in thought.
The journey toward Betal Town had only just begun, but Rei's mind was already far ahead.
His thoughts lingered on Levanna Town—a crucial stop on their way. Levi had mentioned a legendary blacksmith residing there, a master of metal and soulcraft. But Rei couldn't forget the prophecy surrounding Levi's fate: a long, arduous journey with a mysterious boy, a trek through monster-infested paths, and finally, the forging of a sentient blade within an erupting volcano.
Volcanoes were unpredictable. Violent. Which meant it was still uncertain whether Rei would be able to craft his Chaos Scepter.
As Midgard slowed near the gates of Levanna, Rei blinked away his thoughts and stood up. The town spread out before them—stone walls, quiet cobbled streets, and the faint sound of iron striking iron in the distance.
Stretching his arms, Rei stepped off the cart just as a well-dressed noble strolled past, surrounded by guards. The man stopped abruptly in front of Midgard, completely ignoring Rei.
"Hmph," the noble scoffed, eyeing the cart like a spoiled child with a new toy. "This cart… it's quite the prize. Guards, seize it. From now on, it belongs to me."
The guards took a step forward.
Before they could touch the cart's frame, Levi leapt down and landed between them.
"Hey, hey, hey!" he barked, slamming his fist into one guard's face, sending the man sprawling. "No one touches this babe!"
Rei narrowed his eyes. Calmly, he reached into his belt, pulled out his crossbow, and without hesitation, fired a volley of bolts—each striking precisely into the legs of the remaining guards. They collapsed with screams, clutching their wounds.
"Try coming near Midgard again," Rei said coldly.
The noble bristled. "Do you even know who I am?"
A sharp voice answered behind Rei.
"Do you know who I am?"
Prince Ben stepped forward, unsheathing a finely crafted blade. His stance was casual, but the air around him shifted.
The noble flinched but didn't back down. "So you're the runaway prince? After I kill you, I'll join your sister's faction. I'm not afraid of you!"
A sudden gust of wind swept the square. Luc, having vanished into the shadows moments earlier, appeared behind the noble, sword at the man's throat.
"You should be," Luc said quietly. "If you don't value your life—or theirs—try something."
The noble froze. His mouth trembled. He opened it to speak, but instead whistled sharply.
From a nearby alley, a hulking hound charged forward—muscles rippling, eyes glowing.
Before it could reach them, a sharp wind sliced through the air. Tenko, now wielding the Nyx Scepter, appeared in a blur. With a single arc of wind, he decapitated the beast and landed gracefully on Rei's shoulder.
The hound's body thudded to the ground.
Rei didn't flinch. "Don't kill the noble," he said. "We'll make him an example."
The noble paled. "Wh-what are you going to do?"
Rei pulled a parchment from his coat and held it up. "This is a property surrender document. You'll sign it, turning everything you own—land, title, assets—over to us."
"Never!" the noble spat. "I'll never do that!"
Rei sighed. "Luc, hold his hand."
Luc moved swiftly, forcing the noble's arm out and pressing it against the stone wall. Rei drew a small dagger and slowly pressed it into the man's palm.
The noble screamed.
Another dagger followed. Then another. Each scream grew louder, the crowd that had gathered watching in stunned silence.
"Please! Stop—please!" the noble begged. "I'll sign! I'll sign!"
Rei handed him the quill. "Sign now."
Shaking, the noble scrawled his name across the parchment, blood dripping from his hand. The seal was marked.
From the crowd, a girl pushed her way forward. "What's going on here?" she asked someone nearby.
"They say a man's making a noble yield," came the reply.
"A noble?" she muttered. "Let me see."
She finally made it to the front and stopped cold.
"Rei?"
Rei turned at the voice and blinked in surprise. "Emilia?"
Levi chuckled. "Looks like our genius found his friend."
Rei smiled faintly. "What are you doing here?"
Emilia crossed her arms. "That's my question."
"This isn't the place," Rei said. "Let's talk inside our mansion now."
The group, now larger by one, entered the noble's estate. Grand halls, velvet curtains, and polished floors surrounded them. They settled into a sitting room, where Rei finally turned to her.
"So… what brings you to Levanna?"
"I heard there's a reclusive magician here," Emilia replied. "I came for a different perspective on magic. And you?"
Rei placed a long, curved scepter onto the table. Its color shimmered in shades of violet and deep purple.
"This," he said, "is the Chaos Scepter you gave me. It's become sentient."
Emilia's eyes widened. "That's… the same scepter? It looks completely different!"
Rei nodded. "It changed on its own. I don't know why. That's why I'm looking for a blacksmith—someone who can reinforce its core to keep the sentience under control."
"I see," Emilia said softly. Her eyes shifted. "Wait… you're still wearing the Whispering Cloak I gave you?"
Rei looked down at the blue, rune-stitched cloak around his shoulders. "Of course. You gave it to me. Why would I stop?"
"You've outgrown it. I'll make you a new one," Emilia said, smiling gently.
"I'll be waiting for it," Rei replied with a rare warmth. "Oh—and one more thing. I need to ask."
"Yes?"
"I'm building an organization. Would you join us?"
Her brows furrowed. "An organization? Why?"
Rei's face darkened. "The Mystic Church is after me."
Emilia froze. Then, after a moment, she nodded. "Then I'll help. To the best of my ability."
"Thank you," Rei said, quietly relieved.
As the group settled, Rei stood and looked at them.
"Now then… before we move forward, I think we should discuss leadership."
Luc frowned. "I don't think that's necessary."
Levi laughed. "You're already the best."
Ben leaned back. "What's the need to change it?"
Emilia folded her arms. "Is there someone you think would be better than you?"
Rei smirked.
"Ben," he said, pointing at the prince. "He'd make a better leader than me."
The room went still.
Ben blinked. "What…?"