Kai stood at the grand gates of the City Lord's Mansion, escorted by Chris, the loyal aide of City Lord Victor.
Inside the main hall, Victor sat upon a raised throne, his aura calm yet commanding. "So you're the one who leveled the Lincoln Clan," Victor said with a grin. "Impressive. Especially your control of the blade."
Kai remained silent, his eyes scanning the room with indifference.
Victor leaned forward. "You've stepped onto the path of the Blade Realm. First comes Blade Aura, then Blade Intent… and finally, Bladeheart—said to be only a myth. A legendary level of comprehension."
Kai smirked. "This world keeps getting more interesting."
Victor nodded. "Are you staying in Windy City for long?"
"No," Kai replied. "I leave tomorrow."
Chris asked, "Young master, are you heading to the Blue Sky Academy?"
"Academy?" Kai raised a brow. "What's that?"
Victor chuckled. "The most prestigious institution in the Blue Sky Kingdom. Only the finest geniuses enter. There are thirty cities under the kingdom's rule—ten minor, ten middle, and ten major. Each gets limited recommendations to the Academy."
"Recommendations?" Kai asked.
"Every City Lord can give one," Victor explained. "Minor cities like Windy City get one every ten years. I have one… but it doesn't officially renew for another three years."
Kai turned to leave. "Give me the letter of recommendation and have a horse ready tomorrow morning."
Victor blinked. "Wait, I need your help with something first."
Kai paused.
Victor continued, "The Shadow Serpent Gang has been terrorizing my city for too long. If you take them out… the letter is yours."
Kai didn't respond immediately. Then he turned his head slightly. "Done."
As he left the mansion and returned to the inn, Crimson stepped forward from the shadows. "Yes, Master?"
Kai's eyes flashed. "Destroy the Shadow Serpent Gang."
"Gladly," Crimson said with a twisted grin before vanishing into the night.
Not even two minutes later, Crimson returned, his robes stained faintly with blood.
"Mission completed," he said simply.
Kai nodded. "Good. Let's rest. We leave at dawn."
The next morning, Kai stepped out of the inn. He tossed a heavy bag of gold to the shocked innkeeper. "For the trouble."
"Thank you, young master! Thank you!"
Outside, Victor and Chris awaited with a majestic black steed.
"Your horse," Victor said. "And your letter. Safe journey."
Kai mounted without a word.
Chris muttered, "I pity whoever crosses him next."
Victor nodded solemnly. "Me too."
Kai looked ahead, his voice low and calm. "To Imperial City, Crimson."
The beast spirit materialized beside him, laughing softly as they galloped out of Windy City. The sun rose behind them, painting the road ahead in gold.
For those who dared cross his path—be they man, beast, or god—they would come to know the edge of the Blade of Dominance.