Chapter Two: Falling from the Sky

A searing pain surged through his entire body, and though he had believed himself already dead, Weir was astonished to find that he still possessed consciousness. The space around him shimmered with dazzling, blinding colors; the boundaries writhed and undulated like liquefied mithril, relentlessly consuming and tearing at his very being.

He groaned in agony, hastily channeling the magic within him. In an instant, a thick magical barrier formed, perfectly shielding his body. Yet, to his dismay, the force tearing at the fabric of space was too great. Even as a Divine Descendant, the defensive barrier he conjured was no match for it. With a sharp, crystalline crack, the barrier shattered like glass, torn apart by the writhing void.

Now stripped of his protection, Weir found himself in dire straits once more. Without hesitation, he unleashed the last remnants of his magic, forging a tangible shield of energy to safeguard himself. But the spatial turbulence only intensified, twisting and contorting his body, spinning him helplessly as the void began to consume him piece by piece.

"How can this be? I don't want to die!"

He had been certain the forbidden spell's explosion meant inescapable death, yet he had survived. An overwhelming desire to live flared within him—a yearning stronger than ever before. Refusing to surrender to this bizarre space, he shouted defiantly, releasing every scrap of power from his sea of consciousness in a desperate stand against annihilation.

Still, his body was steadily devoured. His eyes brimmed with unwillingness, yet he failed to notice the faint, unnatural fissure that had appeared beneath his feet as he fought for survival.

The Viladia Empire, Imperial Capital—Glancos.

On the central square, the annual Soulmaster Awakening Ceremony was underway. Crowds packed the plaza, all eyes on the ceremonial platform where Robbie guided one child after another through the ritual, watching them step down in turn. After half an hour, the final, most anticipated participant finally made her appearance.

Chelsea Weilynn, the youngest daughter of Count Charles, and the younger sister of the current Queen Consort!

Though only fourteen, Weilynn hailed from nobility and carried herself with distinction. She lifted her porcelain neck, proud as a swan, mounting the Soulmaster's dais with unmatched grace.

Seeing her ascend, Robbie hurried to her side, forcing an excessively humble smile. "Miss Charles, the ceremony is ready to begin."

Accustomed from childhood to such sycophantic faces, Weilynn paid Robbie's expression little mind. She nodded. "Let us proceed."

"Yes, of course!" Robbie bobbed his head, flustered, ushering her onto the platform.

Chelsea Weilynn—youngest daughter of Charles Berg, head of the illustrious Charles family. The family had traded for generations, amassing such wealth that even Emperor Pangutin coveted their fortune. "Richer than a kingdom" was no exaggeration. Charles Berg had two daughters: the elder married into the royal family and became Queen Consort, while the younger was the fourteen-year-old Weilynn.

It went without saying—whoever could win Weilynn's hand would gain the vast Charles fortune. Such a prize would tempt even the mightiest of monarchs.

Since she was old enough to understand, Weilynn knew her suitors could form a line stretching from the heart of the capital all the way to the distant forests beyond.

At fourteen, Weilynn's figure was still maturing, yet she was already a beauty in the making—rosy lips, pearly teeth, slender brows, and a delicate chin that accentuated her enchanting eyes. She was as lovely as a porcelain doll.

"Very well, then. What must I do?" Living among such a family, Weilynn was far more perceptive than ordinary children. She lifted her gaze to Robbie and asked.

"Ah, it's simple, Miss Charles," Robbie explained, nodding eagerly. "Place your hand on the crystal orb. Close your eyes and relax your body. I will channel an energy into you—just be sure not to resist..."

As he spoke, Weilynn gradually relaxed. True to his word, she felt a current of energy flow into her. Before Robbie could continue, she instinctively responded—her own energy rose up, and guided by his, she reached deep within her soul to the sleeping beast within.

"Heavens!" Robbie was astounded. This girl could generate her own energy—a feat requiring at least the rank of Soul Adept!

Fourteen and already a Soul Adept? Robbie's mind reeled, but what happened next stunned him even more.

"Awaken, my soul beast—Azure Luan."

With her eyes gently closed, Weilynn intoned softly, and within her, the slumbering beast responded with faint waves of energy.

Relying not on external force, but merely using Robbie's energy as a guide, she awakened her own soul beast!

This was extraordinary. If she succeeded, the news would shake the entire continent.

A faint blue-green glow began to emanate from Weilynn's chest. In moments, the gentle light flared dazzlingly bright, forcing everyone to avert their gaze.

"Awaken, my soul beast..." A confident smile played at Weilynn's lips; her voice was as enchanting as celestial music.

Suddenly, thunder crashed above the central square. Black clouds gathered, blotting out the sun and plunging the world into darkness.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared, leaving the crowd frozen in place.

Weilynn frowned slightly, looking up. By the ethereal light of her awakening soul beast, she noticed an uncanny phenomenon—the sky churned like thick honey, and jagged black rifts split the heavens with an ear-piercing shriek.

"What is happening?"

"Is it going to rain?"

"I don't know, but we should take cover! This damned weather is making me uneasy!"

Panic swept the plaza; the crowd became a frenzied swarm, shouts and screams echoing as people surged and pressed together in confusion.

"Damn it! What is going on?!" Robbie shouted, his face flushed with anger, forgetting that Weilynn stood only a few steps away.

"Miss!" Weilynn's guardian stood quietly behind her, speaking in a low voice. "Is something wrong?"

"Uncle East," Weilynn replied, turning and pointing at the sky, "I just saw a figure up there!"

Had an ordinary child claimed to see a shadow in the sky, East would have dismissed it outright. But Weilynn's words, he believed without question.

He looked up, about to ask where she had seen the figure, when suddenly a dark shape plummeted from the heavens, crashing down directly toward him.

"Damn it! What is that?!"