"And in addition," Nolan continued, "I've secured you a place in the Demon Locking Tower."

Xander's head snapped up, his weathered face breaking into an unrestrained grin. "The Demon Locking Tower? For me?"

Despite the name, the Tower in Western Bridgeport on Krythos wasn't really a tower at all, but one of the highest-grade Original Instruments in existence. It held Awakened criminals and captured mutants of Level Six and above. The reason it was so coveted: once you killed one of the captives, you absorbed a fraction of their abilities. Most of the gains were Force-based, but some had walked out with new Awakening skills—hell, a few had even triggered secondary Awakening talents.

For Xander, who'd been stuck at mid-sixth level for over a decade, it was a lifeline. At his age, further advancement was nearly impossible without a miracle. The Tower was as close to a miracle as he was likely to get.

"This honor, stacked with your previous contributions, is exactly what you've earned," Nolan said with a nod. Then his tone shifted. "But the Obsidian team's record of merit will be erased—at least temporarily."

Xander froze. His excitement drained in an instant. "Erased? General, how—what will the other teams think?"

Nolan raised a hand, silencing him. "It's for protection. The Wandering Fellowship isn't finished. If word got out, Obsidian would become a prime target for assassination."

"The records won't show accomplishment, but the rewards stand. In fact, they'll be even more generous. I'll send you the details later."

Relief softened the tension in Xander's shoulders. The recognition might be hidden, but at least his people wouldn't lose their cut.

"And there's one more matter," Nolan added. "It concerns Axel."

......

In the northern military housing complex at Suppression Town, the television droned on:

"On February 2nd, Everton time, a mutant beast tide erupted once again. With the combined efforts of our soldiers and social Awakeners, the threat has been contained…"

Obsidian's members crowded around the screen. Not one mention of them.

"What the hell? Not even a single word about us?" Millers slammed a fist against his chest, pacing in frustration. "I thought at least they'd show me being a damn hero!"

"Quit whining. You'll get what's coming," Xander stepped through the door. Instantly, the team snapped to attention.

"Leader!"

"Sit," Xander said, smiling. "You've all earned it. No need to act stiff around me."

Once they were seated, his tone turned serious. "This operation was bigger than you realize. To keep you safe, your merits won't be made public. Instead, each of you will receive an A-level reward. That means you get to pick any resource or item at that tier."

The room fell silent for a heartbeat—then exploded in disbelief.

"A-level military reward?!"

None of them had ever even touched an A-level mission before.

"Vince, Rosaline—you'll each choose a B-rank Original Instrument. The rest of you, one C-rank Instrument each."

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His gaze settled on one man in particular. "Axel—you made the single biggest contribution. You'll get two C-rank Instruments. I've already made your picks."

The announcement sparked cheers. Axel, who'd already grown stronger thanks to the Cloud Chasing Boots and the Red Flame Blade, could barely sit still. Two more tools like that? His strength would skyrocket.

"Leader, what did you pick for Axel?" someone pressed.

Xander's mouth curved into a sly smile. He pulled two sheets from his coat. The first was laid on the table. "The Serpent King Scale Armor."

The list described it in detail: crafted from the hide of a Black-Scale Python, a full-body, skin-tight armor. Its passive ability nullified all damage under 800 Force energy. Its active ability? For two whole seconds, it nullified anything under 2000 Force energy.

Axel's eyes lit up. Ordinary Awakeners beneath third tier would never be able to touch him again. And for two seconds—even a fourth-tier Awakener couldn't break through.

"Careful," Xander warned. "It only guards against physical and psychic strikes. Mental attacks can still get through."

Axel grinned. Good thing he had already got that covered.

Xander chuckled, then slid the second sheet across the table. Millers caught a glimpse and let out a sharp yelp. "No way—that's a portable energy cannon!"

The others stared, wide-eyed. Strategic-grade military ordnance wasn't the sort of thing that just got handed out to private units.

"A portable energy cannon, a pseudo–B-class Original Instrument. Once charged, it can fire three energy beams at Force level 2500, each covering a ten-meter radius with a range of eight hundred meters."

Axel's eyes burned with envy. Between the Red Flame Blade and Burning Flame, he was already a monster in close combat. The one thing he lacked was wide-area firepower. This thing was perfect for him.

"Wait—pseudo-B? I thought it was C-class?"

Xander gave a knowing smile. "Normal Original Instruments require a minimum threshold to use. Take the Serpent King Scale Armor—it needs at least a Level 3, top-grade Awakener. But this cannon? Once it's charged, anyone can pull the trigger."

"So it's technically C-class, but better than most."

Axel nodded slowly, his fingers twitching. He wanted it badly.

Xander folded the papers away. "That's enough for now. The rest of you can head back to Everton. Go to Isaac and choose your own rewards—I've already cleared it with him. As for Axel, you've got other plans."

The room turned toward him.

"You'll be representing Bloodstone Warfare School in this year's Warfare Academy Competition."

Axel froze. Tristan, Bloodstone's principal, had invited him back in spring, but he hadn't given it much thought.

"This year is different," Xander continued. "With the Beast Tide raging, the academies are pushing Awakeners harder than ever. Sixteen schools are competing, and the rewards have multiplied several times over. First place earns a Rock Spinal Cord."

Axel's heart slammed in his chest. A Rock Spinal Cord—an earth-element treasure born from the apocalypse itself. Like the Fire Spirit, but with a different attribute.

"Consume it, and your defense increases permanently by about ten percent. Sounds small, but don't underestimate it. That's a straight ten percent boost to your Vitality-based defense. You'll never find another treasure like it."

Even Xander's eyes gleamed as he explained. "Normally, ten points of Vitality might raise your defense by one. But with the Rock Spinal Cord, it'll be one point plus an extra tenth. If there wasn't a twenty-five-year-old age limit, ......"

Axel's heart slammed in his chest. A Fire Spirit had already changed his path—this thing could cement it. If he was destined to be the team's tank, why not push that role as far as possible?

"The competition won't be easy. Aristocratic brats will be there in force. You've got one month to prepare. First place will be brutal, but even the lower prizes are worth the blood." Xander paused, then turned. "Vince, head to Everton first and claim your item. After that, I need a word with you."

It looked like what Xander wanted to discuss was related to him! Otherwise, there would be no need for him to discuss it with the captain and the others alone.

......

The next day, after farewells to the Obsidian team, Axel returned to Northern Spiritual Town and met up with Annabelle. The competition wouldn't begin until March, so he didn't rush to Shiverstone.

While biding his time in Northern Suppression Town, he raided several nearby battlefields, stockpiling lower-tier Life Crystals until his reserves swelled to terrifying numbers.

"This month's enough time to digest them," he muttered. "I'm not short on resources. But the Rock Spinal Cord… I can't let that slip away."

.....

Meanwhile, in the principal's office at Bloodstone Warfare School, Tristan stared grimly at the roster his assistant handed him.

"The aristocrats are going to steamroll us," he said with a sigh.

His assistant nodded, the same worry etched across his face. "We'll be lucky to make top four. Shiverstone doesn't have the same noble families to draw from. The North has numbers, but not pedigree."

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