Sovereign of the Ashes

Julius had been stuck at mid-stage Rank Two for quite some time.

Although he had enough experience and resources, he lacked a complete cultivation technique and a clear path forward.

Of course, House Grantt would not follow exactly the battle qi technique that Sein provided.

After all, the Violet Flame Battle Qi was their hallmark.

For squires below Rank One, transitioning from this battle qi to another would not pose a significant issue, as the costs involved were minimal.

However, for Julius, Jeremy, and others at higher ranks, the potential losses and costs would be prohibitive.

Numerous concerns also needed to be addressed—What if the technique was flawed or fake? What if it proved incompatible with the constitution of House Grantt’s members?

Thus, Julius decided to spend some time studying this top-tier battle qi technique from Sein.

He aimed to integrate its meridian expansion and qi circulation methods into the Violet Flame Battle Qi technique.

In the Magus World, all battle qi techniques were creations of human ingenuity.

Julius and the others had yet to realize this, but the journey of every Rank Four Knight was uniquely challenging.

Each battle qi technique beyond Rank Four was distinct, crafted specifically for its creator, and often incompatible even with direct descendants.

Sein nodded in agreement with Julius’ strategy.

He too believed that adopting someone else’s battle qi technique was imprudent. Instead, studying it and refining an existing method to create something uniquely personal was the wiser approach.

However, the research required to refine a battle qi technique was not a task that could be completed overnight.

The complexity of such an endeavor could surpass even Sein’s experimental research.

With his limited knowledge of battle qi techniques, Sein found himself unable to provide substantial assistance.

Thus, the task of enhancing the Violet Flame Battle Qi fell primarily to Julius.

After all, Julius was the founder of House Grantt.

***

Sein left Old Grantt’s ward, accompanied by Samson and Julius.

Julius arranged accommodations for Sein and used his connections as a Rank Two Land Knight to secure simpler missions for him to undertake as well.

“Hey, what were you all up to in there? I swear I smelled something good before you sealed the room tightly,” said a knight, leaning on crutches with one leg bandaged. He had peered his head out from one of the wards in the recuperation area, smiling inquisitively.

“There’s nothing good, so beat it! We were discussing the upcoming marriage of House Grantt’s little genius,” Samson replied.

“Or are you saying that you want a cut of the dowry from House Ernst?” he asked loudly.

The upcoming marriage between House Grantt and House Ernst was already the talk of a select circle within the Order of the Steel Fist.

The elders from both houses had nearly finalized the arrangements, so there was no longer any need for secrecy.

The injured knight, a late-stage Rank One and an old acquaintance of Samson and Julius, merely smirked and muttered, “I’m pretty sure the dowry’s off-limits to me, but can’t I at least get a glimpse?”

After making his remark, he cast an envious glance at Sein, who stood between Julius and Samson, wishing he were the fortunate one poised to marry a lady from House Ernst.

In the Magus World, where male knights greatly outnumber female knights, it was common for many female Rank Two Land Knights to marry Rank Three Sky Knights.

Julius, however, became the envy of his peers for securing a marriage with Cleona, a Land Knight of equal rank and lineage.

The surprise turned to admiration when it became known that it was Cleona who had pursued Julius.

Now, with Sein poised to marry another Land Knight, the prosperity of House Grantt seemed all but assured!

What made it even harder for the crippled knight to accept was that Sein was still a Rank One mage!

It had been years since anyone in the Order of the Steel Fist had managed to marry a female knight of higher rank.

Noticing the crippled knight’s envious stare, Samson blew his stray strand mane and teased, “There’s no need to be envious, Kodak.”

He continued loudly, “By the way, I heard Trixie’s fighting somewhere on the main battlefield of Thunder Plains. Maybe I should let her know her man’s here, plotting to divorce her for another female knight instead of focusing on his recovery.”

The lion king’s voice boomed so loudly that several other knights in the recuperation area turned their heads.

A muffled chuckle echoed from the adjacent wards.

The knight hastily withdrew back into his ward, nervously stammering, “N-N-No! I never had such thoughts!”

“By the way, I’ve got some Giant Thunder Lizard meat, would you care to have it?” Kodak called from his ward, trying to change the subject.

“Thanks, but no thanks. Giant Thunder Lizard meat is too dry. I’ve got better options,” Samson replied, declining the offer with a shake of its massive head before it departed with Sein and Julius.

Catching up to Sein, the lion sneakily whispered, “It seems like all the knights I know who married female knights of the same rank end up being controlled by their wives. I’m guessing Sterk will end up the same way eventually.”

His comment almost suggested to Sein that his own future could be similarly challenging.

This made Sein wonder if the male knights of the Magus World tended to marry female knights of a lower rank not only because higher-ranking females were rare but also to avoid being overly controlled.

After all, male knights often led messy private lives, fueled by their robust constitutions and high libidos which constantly drove their desires.

In contrast, the female knights tended to be more faithful partners.

From a historical and cultural perspective, the women of the Magus World tended to adhere to more traditional roles.

“I’m glad I’m a magic lion! I can choose to mate with as many lionesses as I want! Ah, this reminds me of those bitches I met in the magic forest last forest. I’m gonna make them beg for mercy when I return next time!” Samson muttered with a vicious look on its face.

Julius’ increase in strength could bring considerable benefits to the Reverse Winged Lion King as well.

It seemed they had formed a pact, one that bound them to prosper together and suffer together.

Hence, Samson was genuinely elated that Julius had acquired a demigod-level battle qi technique.

Meanwhile, Sein could only press his hand to his forehead in exasperation as he listened to Samson’s antics.

***

With Julius’ help, Sein was assigned to a five-story high magic tower in the central-west part of the Thunder Marsh camp.

Typically, a tower of this size was meant to man by at least two spellcasters.

Its primary functions included defense and the detection of unusual elemental fluctuations in the vicinity of the camp.

However, given the scarcity of spellcasters on the Thunderfall World’s battlefield, this magic tower was provisionally assigned to Sein in the absence of other available mages.

On top of that, Sein was also granted access to the three other nearby magic towers.

The fortress camp had suggested that he inspect them to ensure their functionalities were intact and operational.