Kai didn't know anything about this.
Kai finally felt relieved as the pressure weighing on him vanished. For the first time, he felt like he had a place in this world — a place where he could stand tall.
A place where he no longer needed to fear anything or anyone.
What made it even more overpowered was the fact that he could defeat a Core Foundation Realm cultivator with just his physical body.
And that was without even using his ice powers. Just imagine what would happen if he did.
After leaving the training space, Kai washed his body and took out the Ice Emperor Clothes he had received from the spin. The moment he wore them, the fabric shimmered with a faint frost aura, wrapping him in an air of nobility and silent power.
He decided to meet his father.
As he walked through the mansion's halls, the maids and workers were stunned by his transformation. They bowed respectfully, unable to hide the awe in their eyes. Some whispered quietly, while others stared in disbelief.
After a while, Kai reached his father's room.
The room, as always, was clean and minimalistic. Simple wooden furniture, no ornaments—just as his father liked it. Kai checked the living area, then the bedroom, but his father was nowhere to be seen.
He stepped out and asked a nearby maid, "Where is Father?"
"He's in the courtyard, young master," she said with a bow.
Kai thanked her and made his way to the courtyard.
There, his father stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky as if deep in thought. His presence, calm yet powerful, always gave Kai a sense of respect.
Kai approached and bowed. "Father."
His father turned. "You're here… Good. I was about to call for you."
"What's going on?"
"There are only fifteen days left until the Academy Trials," his father said seriously. "You must prepare for the journey. Everything has been arranged."
Kai nodded. "Understood."
"You'll be traveling with the main family branch. A transport has been arranged for all of you."
Kai's expression changed slightly at the mention of the main branch.
As expected, when the day of departure came, several members of the main family were already waiting near the transport array. The atmosphere was cold.
One of them sneered as Kai arrived. "Tch. Who let the side branch stray in? This isn't a festival, peasant."
Another one added, looking at his Ice Emperor Clothes, "Don't wear that. You don't deserve it. That kind of outfit is reserved for someone who actually has what it takes."
Kai didn't respond. He simply stood there, his expression calm, almost bored. But deep inside, a storm was rising.
The air around the transport platform buzzed with suppressed spiritual energy. Several members of the main family stood proudly, each exuding their cultivation levels openly, as if trying to establish dominance before the journey even began.
Rin Leor, the eldest of the group and a direct descendant of the main branch, smirked as he stepped forward. He was already in the Mid Core Foundation Realm, and his Flame Serpent Martial Vein gave off a searing aura, distorting the air around him. The crimson scales running up his arm flickered like embers.
Beside him stood Rin Zeyra, a genius with the Lightning Pulse Physique, also at the Early Core Foundation Realm. Sparks danced between her fingertips as she folded her arms, eyeing Kai with open disdain.
"Don't slow us down," she said. "This journey isn't a charity ride."
Another cousin, Rin Davin, activated his Stonehide Technique, causing his skin to harden like granite. He cracked his knuckles while laughing mockingly. "Why's the weakling dressed like a sovereign? Take that thing off before you embarrass us all."
Kai stood quietly, not replying, but his gaze swept across them once. That silent look—it wasn't arrogance, nor defiance. It was calm… like an ancient beast that didn't need to growl to show its fangs.
But to someone like Rin Davin, that was more insulting than any word.
"What, too scared to talk now?" Davin stepped forward, veins bulging under his hardened skin. "Or did your fake little royal act freeze your tongue, ice boy?"
The others chuckled. Even Rin Leor smirked, enjoying the tension.
Kai didn't move. His arms remained folded, eyes expressionless.
Just as the mocking continued, an elder arrived — Elder Furon, the one in charge of escorting the younger generation to the Arkaelus Grand Academy.
"Enough." His voice was sharp. "We leave in five minutes. Prepare yourselves."
Everyone quieted immediately. The transport glyph began to glow, and a portal shimmered into view.
The group stepped into the array, one by one. When Kai entered, a sudden pulse of cold energy radiated outward, briefly freezing the ground beneath his feet. Several members turned, startled.
Rin Leor narrowed his eyes. "Did you feel that?"
Zeyra nodded slowly. "That wasn't the transport array... That was him."
Kai ignored them, adjusting the collar of his Ice Emperor robe. The frost-like patterns on the fabric shimmered faintly with every movement, giving him the aura of a monarch hidden among mortals.
They all thought they were above him.