Ray's vision blurred.

The moment he read the first line, his heart seized.

"Dad… Mom!"

He suddenly turned and ran, as if he could chase them back.

The next instant, he slammed into Gilbert's chest, solid like iron.

Gilbert grabbed his shoulders firmly. "They're safe. They just need to be away for a while. Ray, you must stand strong."

Tears poured down Ray's face.

For my sake… all of this was for my sake.

His parents had left, taken on danger, and sacrificed their peace to support him.

Three months of suppressed longing exploded at once. Clutching the letter tightly, Ray finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably in the workshop.

Gilbert simply kept his hands on Ray's shoulders and said nothing more. Right now, no advice was needed. Letting the boy cry it out was the best thing he could do.

After a long while, Ray's sobs gradually quieted. He lifted the letter again and read it once more.

Every time his eyes passed over the words "Your father and mother love you," his tears surged back uncontrollably.

Mom and Dad are gone. I don't know where they went, or when I'll see them again. Vivienne is gone too. My whole family… gone.

"Do you want to look for them?" Gilbert's low, thoughtful voice broke the silence.

Ray lifted his head, eyes red and swollen as he looked at his teacher.

Gilbert spoke slowly. "If you want to find them, then you must first become strong. Your father is an outstanding mecha designer. That very excellence is what drew danger to him. Of course, it also protects him, but anyone capable of forcing him to leave is not someone you can face right now."

He tightened his grip slightly. "If you want to reunite with them, you must become powerful enough. The current you… is still far too weak."

"Teacher!" Ray cried out hoarsely. "I want to become strong!"

Those words came from the depths of his heart.

After releasing his emotions, Ray slowly regained control of himself. Gilbert discussed a few more matters related to Thousand Refinement before leaving. Soon after, Ray returned to the academy.

Inside his storage ring were two new cards.

One was an identity card, granting him free movement across the continent. The other was a bank card, containing the money his father had left him.

One million federation coins.

Counting his previous savings, Ray now possessed more than 1.3 million federation coins. He was no longer far from being able to afford both the Ice Crystal Fruit and the Scarlet Flame Fruit.

For the current him, spirit souls were no longer the priority.

Survival was.

He had to break the first seal and absorb the Golden Dragon King's soul before turning ten.

"Ray, what's wrong with you?" Raziel Phoenix asked during dinner that night. Lily was also watching him closely.

Although Ray's physique had erased the signs of crying, the heaviness in his eyes was impossible to hide. He was still a child, and he hadn't learned how to conceal his emotions yet.

Ray shook his head. "Nothing. So… what did you find out about class one?"

Raziel Phoenix and Lily exchanged a look. Their expressions turned serious.

"We ran into trouble," Raziel Phoenix said heavily.

Ray straightened at once. If even Raziel Phoenix called it trouble, then the situation was serious.

Raziel Phoenix continued, "This year's class one is known as the strongest freshman class in the last hundred years. Now I understand why the director could dump me into class five without hesitation."

"The strongest new class?" Ray frowned. "How strong are they? Don't tell me they have three people with two soul rings?"

Raziel Phoenix stared at him, stunned. Lily's eyes narrowed slightly. Then, both of them spoke at the same time.

"How did you know?"

Ray froze. "All three have two rings? They're really new students?"

Lily nodded. "We're sure. And Ares isn't even the strongest among them. I don't know whether the teacher arranged us on purpose, but one thing is certain. This battle will be extremely difficult."

Ray's expression stiffened.

Three opponents, all Soul Grandmasters.

They only had one ring each.

Even against Sebastian, they had barely managed to hold on by working together and relying on Ray's mysterious power. Now they were facing three two-ring Soul Masters.

How could they fight this?

Lily added quietly, "Because of that class, the academy just issued new rules. Classes can no longer skip grades; they can only move up by class number. They're afraid class one will sweep the upper grades too fast. Right now, class one has the best teachers and resources. The academy values them highly. They're even considering letting them skip grades altogether."

Silence fell over the table.

Tomorrow, they were supposed to face this terrifying class.

Raziel Phoenix and Lily's confidence was clearly shaken.

Ray felt his appetite vanish completely.

Just then, a broadcast echoed through the dining hall.

"Attention, teachers and students. This is an emergency announcement. According to the meteorology department, a powerful tropical storm will pass through West Ocean City tonight. The typhoon is expected to last for one week. During this period, students are advised not to leave the academy. All classes will be suspended. The Class Promotion Tournament will be temporarily halted until the storm passes."

A typhoon.

What Ray focused on was the last part.

The tournament was suspended.

The trio looked at one another.

They had gained a week.

A week to investigate, to train, to prepare.

But what could they really change in a single week? Even Raziel Phoenix couldn't possibly break through to two rings in such a short time.

Suddenly, Ray stood up.

He turned and walked away.

"Ray, where are you going?" Raziel Phoenix hurried after him.

Without turning back, Ray replied, "I need to take care of something. The typhoon's coming. I have to go now."

With that, he rushed out of the dining hall.

Watching his retreating figure, Raziel Phoenix turned to Lily. "Don't you think something's been bothering him these past two days?"

Lily nodded faintly. "Yes. But he's still far calmer than you. You should learn from him."

Raziel Phoenix bristled. "Can you stop picking on me for once?"

"Impossible," Lily replied lazily. "You're arrogant, loud, and not that strong. Ray is different. He's steady, restrained, and has limitless potential."

Raziel Phoenix stood up angrily. "I won't argue with a girl!"

His voice was loud enough to attract attention.

"Eh."

In the next second, he vanished like a puff of smoke.

*

Ray didn't just leave the dining hall.

He left the academy.

His heart burned fiercely as a single voice thundered endlessly within him.

I want to become strong.

I wasn't strong enough, so Vivienne left.

I wasn't strong enough, so Mom and Dad left.

I'm not strong enough, so I'm a burden to my teammates.

His steps quickened.

His fists clenched.

I want to become strong.

If this had been the past, Ray would have had no choice but to accept defeat.

But now, things were different.

He knew about the Golden Dragon King. He knew that within his body lay a terrifying danger, but also a path to overwhelming power.

The seals threatened his life, yet they also gave him a chance to overturn his fate.

One week.

The typhoon had given him one week of time.

Father sacrificed his freedom for one million federation coins. I can't waste that money. I must use it to grow stronger.

Ray took out his soul communicator and quickly pressed one of the few stored numbers.

"Ray?" A warm, familiar voice answered almost immediately.

"Grandmaster," Ray said without wasting a single word. "I want to take the third-rank blacksmith examination. Can I do it now?"

On the other end was Kaelan, a grandmaster-level blacksmith.

"At this hour?" Kaelan replied reflexively. Then he froze. "Wait… what did you say? Third-rank?"

His voice jumped an octave.

Ray stopped walking. His heart sank. "Is it… not possible?"

For a moment, the urgency in his chest cooled into disappointment. The typhoon was coming, time was pressing, and if he couldn't take the exam now, his plans would all be delayed.

"Wait a moment," Kaelan said solemnly.

*

At that moment, Kaelan was dining at a restaurant. Sitting across from him was the president of the West Ocean City Blacksmith Association, Saint Craftsman Nigel, along with his daughter, Rachel.

Nigel chuckled when he saw Kaelan's expression. "Who could shock you so badly just by mentioning a third-rank examination?"

Kaelan's face twitched. "You wouldn't guess."

"Who?" Nigel paused. Then a young face surfaced in his mind.

Kaelan nodded. "That kid."

Nigel inhaled sharply. "Raymond?"

"He wants to take the third-rank examination. Right now."

Nigel's smile vanished. His eyes narrowed, then brightened. After a brief silence, he said firmly, "Tell him to come. Immediately. The exam will proceed."

Kaelan blinked. "President…?"

"Seeing is believing," Nigel replied. "I want to witness this myself."

Kaelan lifted the communicator again. "Come, Raymond. By the president's request, you may take the exam now."

"Yes!" Ray's excited voice rang out instantly. "I'll be there right away!"

Rachel stared back and forth between the two men, disbelief written all over her face. "Dad, what are you talking about? Third rank? At his age? Passing third rank means Thousand Refinement!"

Nigel rose to his feet and smiled faintly. "That's why we're going back. Some things must be seen with one's own eyes."

*

By the time Ray arrived at the association, the sky had already darkened.

The gates were open, but the interior was dim and silent.

Most of the staff had already left early due to the typhoon warning.

Ray entered the empty hall and headed straight for the elevator. When the doors opened on the third floor, he was met with a familiar figure.

"Master?" Ray hurriedly bowed. "Sorry to trouble you so late."

Kaelan placed a hand on his shoulder, eyes gleaming. "No trouble at all. Miracles don't follow office hours. Come."

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