[Phoenix Border Camp – Strategy Tent – Evening Before Departure]
Reyon stood inside the war tent, eyes sweeping across the large map laid out on the table before him. Candles flickered in their iron holders, casting long shadows on the weather-worn parchment. His fingers traced the rough terrain etched in ink—the scarred landscape of the Dark Nation.
With a deep breath, Reyon looked up at Evelyn and Edward, both standing silently across from him.
"I'll start explaining the plan," Reyon began, tapping a specific line on the map that marked the western region. "In two days, the squads stationed at the Dark Nation border will collaborate and clear a route toward the middle area of the Dark Nation, in the west direction."
He paused, letting that part sink in. "With that done, Aunt Evelyn's strength would be reserved… preserved for the real fight. In the west, she'll fight and defeat two S-Rank beasts."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes at the map, folding her arms. "Only two?" she asked softly.
Reyon nodded. "With your strength, you can take them out while using only half of your mana reserves."
Edward raised an eyebrow, lips pressed in a thin line, but said nothing.
"Meanwhile," Reyon continued, voice firm, "I'll move in from the east side. I'll pass through the middle zone and reach the place where the other two S-Rank beasts reside. When I get there, I'll cause a commotion. A strong spell. One loud enough to alert Cerberus himself."
"You're going to bait him," Evelyn said slowly.
"Yes," Reyon confirmed. "Cerberus, along with the two S-Ranks… I'll handle them. I'll defend and stall for time."
Edward's brows furrowed, and Reyon could almost hear the storm brewing in his father's head.
"I'll hold out just long enough, as long as i just focus on defending" he pressed on. And after Aunt Evelyn defeats her two targets, she'll rush to my side and take over the fight against the two S-Rank beasts. That'll free me up to focus on eliminating Cerberus."
Edward slammed his palm on the table. The map fluttered under the sudden force.
"This wouldn't work!" he snapped. "Won't you be exhausted?! Only the east path will be cleared by the squad. You have to fight through monsters just to reach the middle zone. Then take on two S-Rank beasts and Cerberus?! Won't you run out of mana before Evelyn even gets there?!"
Reyon didn't flinch. His eyes were calm, but the fire behind them never wavered.
"You're forgetting one thing, Father," he said quietly, with a confident smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I don't use a mana heart to cast spells."
Edward blinked.
"I use vectors."
Reyon's hand hovered over the map, fingers curling in a soft motion, as if controlling invisible currents.
"They can't be exhausted," he added. "As long as my mind holds up, I can cast spells for as long as I want."
There was silence.
Edward grumbled under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Okay… okay," he muttered. "You have vectors, so you won't be exhausted. But even then, I think Evelyn should take on Cerberus. She's more experienced than you."
Reyon shook his head slowly. "No," he said, tone resolute. "With only half of her mana reserve, she won't be able to defeat Cerberus."
Edward's gaze locked with his.
"I can defeat him, don't worry father" Reyon finished.
Edward exhaled slowly and leaned back, arms crossed. "Alright then… proceed with it."
[Next Day – March to the Border]
The road to the Dark Nation stretched endlessly before them, painted in dusky reds and burnt golds by the setting sun. The terrain grew harsher with every mile, sharp ridges and broken cliffs jutting from the earth like bone fragments. A dry wind howled over the canyons, echoing with forgotten screams.
Reyon walked beside Evelyn, the wind whipping through his silver hair. His long coat fluttered behind him as they crested a familiar hill.
As they reached the ridge, the familiar scent of dust and dried blood filled Reyon's lungs.
The battlefield from a few months ago.
He stopped for a second, gaze lingering on the shallow scarred valley below.
His mind wandered to the time he'd spent here. With his squad.
Their laughs… the rough banter… the blood they spilled together.
He could still remember the roar of the A-Rank Orc King as it charged their line. The way they stood together, held the front—
"How are they?" he asked suddenly. "Sylph… and the others? My squad?"
Evelyn glanced at him, smile forming gently.
"Don't worry about them," she said with a small chuckle. "They were so motivated by you that now they've become the strongest squad on my border."
"What?!" Reyon nearly tripped over a rock. "They became the strongest?!"
Evelyn's eyes sparkled with pride.
"But… wait," Reyon shook his head. "Wouldn't they need an elite 7th Circle mage for that? From what I remember, Sylph was only a 6th-Circle veteran… She couldn't have gotten that strong this quickly…"
"No," Evelyn replied, "but don't underestimate her."
She paused, smiling faintly to herself.
"She's one of the most talented mages I've ever seen. She reached the 7th Circle."
Reyon stared at her.
"What…?"
"And not just that," Evelyn continued. "Her strength rivals that of a veteran 7th-Circle magician."
"…You mean…" Reyon whispered, "she's as strong as Alice?"
Evelyn nodded. "She and Alice will likely be competing for the elite 7th-Circle title… as soon as Alice reaches the 7th Circle herself."
Reyon blinked several times.
Sylph.
That Sylph?
In his past life, she had potential, sure. She was always decent in training. Had a sharp tongue, never took orders without some snark—but hard-working?
No. Not like this.
"She wasn't… that strong in the past," he murmured. "She was talented, yeah, but she wasn't this hard-working…"
Evelyn's voice softened. "She is… now."
She stopped walking for a moment, turning to face him.
"Though everyone thinks Sylph is older than alice," she said, "she's just two years older. Barely."
Reyon frowned slightly, digesting that.
"And the reason she reached this level…" Evelyn continued, "was because of you."
Reyon's head tilted. "Me?"
Evelyn smiled warmly. "Seeing your strength—seeing how far you've gone—she was motivated. When you left, she trained like a madwoman. Fought beasts stronger than herself every single day."
She looked away, eyes distant.
"She faced countless life-and-death situations," Evelyn said softly, "and reached the 7th Circle… all by her own effort."
Reyon stared down at his feet, heart heavy and proud at the same time.
"…Wow…" he whispered. "She… might be more amazing than I thought."