Sovereign of the Ashes

While Sein decided against troubling Lorianne regarding gaining entry to the Knight Continent, he was unaware that far away in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne was also contemplating ways to save money.

After leaving the ancient castle where Martin resided, Sein and Zorro headed back to Mordoron Island.

Martin did not provide Sein with directions to find Leena in the north. He simply mentioned that if Leena came searching for Sein again, he would notify Sein immediately.

Regarding the conflict with Daelis, Martin stated he would address it with Gandra in twenty years.

Although the Knight Continent would be opened for up to a hundred years at a time, the vast majority of trialists below Rank Four typically stayed only ten to twenty years.

Stays longer than thirty years were uncommon, and some trialists were expelled just two or three years after their entry.

In the Knight Continent, trialists could not determine the length of their stay based solely on desire; both strength and luck also played significant roles.

“What are you planning to do next? Are you really going to wait twenty to thirty years?” Zorro asked Sein telepathically after they left the castle.

Sein shook his head. “Killing Daelis doesn’t necessarily require the presence of two Rank Three black mages. The upcoming opening of the Knight Continent in the south has even piqued the interest of someone like Martin. It must be a significant event that will capture all attention in Blackhaven, including Gandra and Daelis.”

“As soon as Daelis appears, I will strike to kill her, regardless of the cost!” Sein declared firmly.

“So, you’ll be going to the south and explore the Knight Continent?” Zorro asked, sensing Sein’s underlying intent.

“Since it’s a major event that concerns all of Blackhaven and is likely to be a spectacle observed across the Magus World, I’d like to see it firsthand. Opportunities are sought, not waited for. I don’t mind waiting twenty or thirty years, but I prefer to resolve this sooner,” Sein replied.

Zorro nodded upon hearing Sein’s words.

Both of them truly had different personalities.

Zorro was more reserved, a true researcher at heart.

Sein, by contrast, was more proactive and less cautious, likely a result of having abundant resources to deal with situations.

When an opportunity arose, Sein did not hesitate to seize it. He was always ready to face any consequences.

He understood that there was no such thing as perfect scenarios, so he simply had to do his best in every situation.

As Sein and Zorro exited the castle, a chorus of hoots echoed behind them.

Martin resided in a stunning environment—a classical and solemn ancient castle surrounded by dense forests and a vast lake at the back.

The hoots came from hundreds of owls, which, having likely found plenty of food, were now taking flight from the lake toward the eastern forest.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t reunite you with your kind,” Sein said, clutching the space piccolo around his neck.

Two faint hoots responded from within, though Sev did not seem overly concerned.

The concept of family among magic beasts differed greatly from that of humans.

Most magic beasts left their families upon reaching adulthood, especially the males.

Unlike humans, who often maintained close-knit family groups, a typical magical beast clan usually had only one king or a single male who dominated the pack and was the sole mate of all female members.

A mage from the Magus World once studied and documented these relationships.

According to their writings, such customs among the magic beasts might relate to behaviors observed in lesser, weaker wild beasts.

Magic beasts were believed to have evolved from wild animals—a notion widely accepted in the Magus World.

Moreover, unlike ordinary beasts, the magic beasts generally exhibited a higher level of intelligence.

When Sein first encountered Sev, the owl exhibited intelligence comparable to that of a human.

This higher level of intellect enabled the beasts to gradually adapt to some human customs.

Learning and evolving were intrinsic to all species, so it was incorrect to view beasts as merely savage, ignorant creatures subsisting on blood and fur.

The owls in Martin’s care were likely bred by him.

Unlike wild beasts, these owls were less independent and tended to function as a team.

Sein chose not to let Sev reunite with those owls, due to the ongoing transformation in Sev’s bloodline.

Most people might not be able to notice Sev’s changes, but Sein was worried that Martin might detect it.

Before resolving his own issues, Sein preferred not to reveal too much in the presence of Blackhaven’s black mages.

Even Martin could not be fully trusted as the basis of their cooperation was purely interest-driven.

Without mutual benefits, Sein suspected that Martin would not hesitate to kill him the moment Sein exposed his identity and wealth.

Sein could sense that Sev, who was in the space piccolo, kept its gaze on the group of owls as they flew further away.

These owls, likely reared by Martin upon his return to Blackhaven, were mostly juveniles.

Only less than ten percent of them were quasi-ranked magic beasts, similar to Sev’s level when it first escaped the underground.

As for ranked magic beasts, Sein spotted one male and three females in that distant group of owls.

It was unclear whether these owls were the only ones directly under Martin’s control or if there were other owls roosting elsewhere.

They lingered on a hilltop outside Martin’s ancient castle until the owls had completely vanished from sight before Sein finally said, “Let’s go.”

During the flight south to Mordoron Island, Sein suddenly asked Sev, who was in the space piccolo, “Do you want me to figure out how to find a few female mates for you to breed with?”

“Your species of owl must exist elsewhere in the Magus World,” Sein added.

Sev shook its head and refused Sein’s offer.

“I have no plans of fathering children at the moment. Besides, I’m currently undergoing a transformation that wouldn’t allow it,” Sev replied.

Unlike Sein, who had stronger needs in certain aspects, Sev had never felt such impulses.

This might also be linked to the natural habits of its clan.

Sein speculated that the flourishing population of owls under Martin’s command might be due to some potion that accelerated their breeding.

Black mages were notoriously unscrupulous.

Sev was much luckier than others of its kind. At least Sein had never considered controlling it with any type of potion or soul enslavement magic.