Sovereign of the Ashes

There were three possible routes from the Chaos Sea to the star domain controlled by the Magus Civilization.

Karazo and Sein eventually chose the path that promised smoother travel and shorter overall time.

Following the star map, the Klytheran metal fleet pushed forward at full speed, with an estimated arrival in the Sanok Star Domain in roughly 152 years.

Along the way, Sein and the others would pass through two more star domains and a vast stretch of desolate, barren dark void.

“Who would have thought that slipping into that rift to escape and drifting in the space-time corridor for such a short time would lead us out at coordinates this far from Magus Civilization territory? If we had lingered even a little longer, we might have ended up truly banished from space and time,” Sein marveled quietly to himself.

Once they began their journey back toward the Magus Civilization’s territory, Sein’s daily routine settled back into something close to peaceful.

As usual, he spent most of his time holed up in his laboratory.

He had more than enough experiments to keep himself occupied—studying the power he gained after reaching Rank Five, analyzing Klytherite and Gray Quartz, investigating unusual patterns he had picked up in the surrounding star fields, modifying Yuri’s mecha...

Even though Sein tried not to stray too far from his original focus, the natural process of growth kept pulling him into more and more new areas of study.

While it scattered his time and energy, it also broadened his horizons.

He had become far more well-read and knowledgeable than the Sein of a thousand years ago, equipped with an entirely different set of skills altogether.

One day, when the Klytheran fleet entered a desolate star domain known as the Dark Edge, Kram came looking for Sein.

“Why not step outside for a bit? You really enjoy locking yourself in the lab all year?” she asked.

“Orric and Beatrice already went out to look around. Rumor has it that this region once produced something called Dark Essence. Someone even auctioned it off in Freedom Star City,” Kram continued as she made herself comfortable on the sofa and poured a glass of juice for herself.

Sein and Kram were familiar enough by now that he was not bothered by her unannounced visit to his laboratory.

At the moment, Sein was observing a wisp of flame he had just developed. Its destructive power was average—nothing special there.

The unusual part was its fuel source... It was the Gray Quartz he had collected near Blue Star.

Sein might not gain any benefit or boost in strength from this experiment, but as a common saying in the Magus World went: even if a thousand experiments failed, one success made up for all of them.

Most of Sein’s experiments ended in disappointment. In truth, almost every one of them existed only to pave the way for the next attempt that might finally succeed.

If even one experiment suddenly produced the result he wanted, enhancing his strength or opening a new direction for his research, the satisfaction that followed was something only mages could understand.

Despite how familiar Kram and Sein had become, she still did not fully understand him or the purpose behind his long hours locked away in the laboratory.

Ignoring Kram, who was happily sipping juice by herself, Sein stayed completely absorbed in his work.

After a long time, he finally pulled himself out of his experimental trance.

By then, Kram had nearly finished all the juice Sein had brewed recently. She had waited three full days for him to look up!

“By the way, what brings you here?” Sein asked while tidying up the instruments on the workbench.

Knowing her well, he suspected she was not here for idle chatter.

Kram did not seem bothered by his bluntness. After a brief pause, she reminded him, “Didn’t you say you’d make me divine artifact-grade bracers?”

“Oh? So you’re willing to cooperate with my experiments now?” Sein paused, raising his head to study her.

He remembered the conversation clearly. It had always bothered him that he had not yet done in-depth research on Klytheran fighters of Rank Four and above.

“Yeah, I’ve thought it through. I’m not planning on looking for a partner anyway, so I might as well take the chance to make my life better,” Kram said.

“With more strength, I can protect more of my people. I don’t want to end up like Misori... all tangled up in her feelings,” she added.

It was obvious her decision to volunteer herself had something to do with Misori, the other Rank Four female Klytheran fighter.

Sein did not bother digging into Kram’s reasons for agreeing to the experiments, nor into whatever troubles Misori was dealing with.

He had just finished a pyro-magic experiment and could already feel the fatigue creeping in. However, the chance to study a high-ranking Klytheran fighter instantly revived him, stirring his motivation back to life.

“This is a rare chance to study a live Klytheran specimen. I’ll need Yuri’s help. Come on, let’s head to Lab Two!” Sein told her.

The corner of Kram’s mouth twitched at his eagerness, and regret washed over her. Still, she did not go back on her word.

Before stepping inside, she quietly said, “I... don’t like being stared at. Could you blindfold me?”

“And could you be the only one doing the experiment? I would rather your subordinate not be there,” she added.

Kram was Sein’s friend, not a captive. She had the right to set boundaries.

Sein thought for a moment, then nodded. “Fine. The experiment isn’t nearly as frightening as you’re imagining. In fact, you might start liking it once you experience the results for yourself.”

“Besides studying your tissues, I can tailor a scientific training plan for you, based on the evolutionary patterns unique to Klytherans,” he continued, explaining with a smile.

Kram took a deep breath and stepped into the laboratory.

***

Training, experimentation, and the pursuit of truth often made years slip by unnoticed.

Thirty years later...

A sharp cry suddenly tore through the laboratory.

Weak groans and chaotic bursts of power rippled around the experimental table. The room was a wreck, overturned and scorched from the energy shockwaves.

Before the table, the usually composed Sein had a rare flash of panic in his eyes.

A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as he watched Kram’s life slowly slip away.

Sein swiftly reinserted the Klytherite into her body.

“Bring me the Defibrillator Gun, the strongest one!” he told Yuri the moment she rushed in.

Seconds later, Yuri hurried to the table with a massive device.

Sein abandoned all mage-like grace, pressed the device to Kram’s chest, and fired it without hesitation.

Boom!

Kram’s limp body jolted violently, arching several inches off the table.

Watching the faint rise in the readings on the crystal ball surrounding the table, Sein barked, “Increase the output! We’ll do it again!”