"I've finally managed to break through to the second level of the Asura Enlightenment Physique."

Kailen opened his crimson eyes.

His whole presence was teeming with bloodlust, and his crimson being, seated atop the corpses, was filled with boundless strength.

"The first level of the physique allowed me to have fighting prowess that made me able to go toe to toe with rank 5 beginner stage ascendant level lifeforms despite being in the rank 1 beginner stage ascendant level.

However, the second level of the Asura Enlightenment Physique has boosted my physical prowess to another level.

Just by activating the physique alone, I can fight opponents in the rank 5 intermediate stage ascendant level. I didn't know the second level will be this terrifying!

What's next is to use the energy vault of the academy to break through. I've been at this level for far too long."

Just when Kailen was in his musings, the secret realm started breaking apart — or rather, they were being ejected out of the secret realm.

Quickly, he sent as many corpses as he could to his storage ring.

"Looks like the society wars are over," Kailen mused.

They appeared in front of the teleportation gates once more.

Instructor Sigrid Coppervein appeared before the tired and worn-out Atrexia and Sword Tribunal Society members.

With a warm smile, she greeted them.

"Congratulations to the Sword Tribunal Society for winning the society wars.

However, after further deliberations by the academy board, we have decided to make an exception and let the members of the Atrexia Society also cultivate in the academy energy vault.

You have a week to rest and recuperate. After that, we will enter the academy energy vault."

After that, Sigrid Coppervein's gaze respectfully lingered on Kailen for a few moments before she disappeared.

Kailen, having reverted back to his normal appearance, approached the members of the Atrexia Society.

Gently, he bent his waist lightly — a bow of appreciation towards Zarek.

This was an action everyone found extremely out of the blue.

However, Kailen didn't care about what others thought.

He had to express his sincerity to Zarek for what he had done for him and the Sword Tribunal Society.

What Zarek and the Atrexia Society had done for the Sword Tribunal Society during the society wars was not something he could take lightly.

Yes, he was not naive that Zarek and his clan were making an investment in him — thereby the support they were rendering him.

However, with the kind of abilities he had — Emotional Resonance, Detective's Gimmick, which could help him read people extremely well, alongside his personal experiences in life — Kailen had come to a realization that there was now more to it than just an investment.

Zarek had done that for Kailen because he had sincerely come to see Kailen as a friend.

And that was something Kailen didn't take for granted.

"Thank you for your help. As a result of what you have done for the Sword Tribunal Society during the society wars, I do not just intend to thank you with words. I will make sure to make the best alchemical products and rune-inscribed artifacts for you and the members of the Atrexia Society.

They will be sold to you at an extremely high discount. I wish I could just gift them freely to you, however, academy rules won't permit that."

****

Micheal, Arrie, and the others couldn't help but sigh.

"He can be so warm and kind sometimes that if you are not careful, you can forget that he's an extremely vengeful and ruthless fellow," Phila said, remembering the time Kailen healed her parents and several other good things he had done for her, her husband, and daughter.

"Obviously, we are not the only ones who have that thought. Those fellows were extremely shocked at his display of ruthlessness during the society wars," Phoebie chuckled, head resting on Charles' chest. She added,

"Even the Esimo guy was so shocked that he was asking himself whether the Kailen slaughtering enemies like a bunch of chickens was the same Kailen they joked around with."

Everyone agreed.

Donalds couldn't help but sigh, filled with nostalgia. "I really can't believe it sometimes that we are now travelling the universe, when a couple of months ago, we had no idea that there were even extraterrestrial lifeforms in the universe."

Borngreat added, "And to think that although we had roles to play, it is mostly due to Kailen's sacrifice."

"We have to do everything we can to grow stronger to help him shoulder the burden of Earth, as we also chase our dreams."

Everyone nodded, their gazes returning to the holographic screens.

__

Zarek smiled genuinely alongside the members of the Sword Tribunal and Atrexia Society at Kailen's demonstration of sincerity.

The contrast between the person standing before them, expressing sincerity with warmth, and the ruthless, tactical, and chaos-monger during the society wars made him all the more puzzling.

They were like two different people.

However, it also helped them to realize that Kailen was one to clearly delineate between allies and enemies.

He repaid evil with evil and good with good.

He was ruthless and a devil to enemies — and a warm and good-natured person to allies and friends.

This demonstration further cemented respect for Kailen, not only in the hearts of the empire-wide spectators, but in the eyes of everyone in front of the teleportation gates.

Zarek really felt extremely fortunate for the good training he had received from his father growing up.

Thanks to that, he had been able to remain level-headed and make the right judgment to befriend and even assist Kailen Darkhaven, instead of offending him.

When his collaborations with Kailen began recently, he saw Kailen as an ally on whose coattails he wanted to ride — for which he, and the Atrexia Clan/Conglomerate, decided to back him.

But as time went on, Zarek personally started seeing Kailen as a friend — a good friend — inasmuch as they were both, in a way, using one another... or, to put it in a better way, benefiting from one another.

The sincerity of Kailen right now further cemented his decision that he had been right about him.

"There's no need for pleasantries." Zarek patted Kailen's shoulders warmly. "After all, what are friends for?"

Kailen smiled warmly at Zarek's words, then asked, "Does that mean you don't want the alchemical products and rune-inscribed artifacts?"

When everyone saw the expression on Zarek's face, they couldn't help but laugh.

"Ahem... I never said that. Thank you for the favor, Kailen."

The whole place erupted into laughter.

"Brother, you are too shameless," Everlong couldn't help but comment — her remark sparking waves of hearty laughter, as everyone looked at Zarek with a helpless expression.

"Oh really? I'm not on your case yet, young lady." His gaze lingered on Esimo for a moment, then back at Everlong.

"Or—ow." Pan whistled.

Whatever awaited Esimo from this overprotective brother... was not good.

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