Chapter 25: Just One Year Ahead

『 Two Years Later 』

— In the Royal Capital of the Empire

"I can’t believe it’s been over two years since the Seventh Generation ended," an old merchant said while packing his goods.

"Well, the capital is already buzzing with preparations for the next Awakening Ceremony. But you know, right?" A young woman with slightly revealing clothes and messy hair asked.

The old man nodded. "Yeah."

They both looked up at the sky as if something might appear there.

"It’ll be hard for any generation to surpass them," the woman added.

The old man nodded again. "Yes, the generation that surpassed the generation of monsters, the generation of miracles."

The woman chuckled. "Old man, someone might mistake you for a commentator."

The old man scoffed. "If I could be a commentator, I would’ve left this business long ago."

"Do you think that SSS-ranked freak is still breathing somewhere?"

The woman leaned on his goods table.

"... We’ve been hearing about the Chosen One, but for the past two years, not a word has been said about him."

The man’s expression darkened. "Well, he still has over a year until the academy starts. And wouldn’t it be better for us humans if the genius of another species died?"

The woman nodded. "I guess..." she added. "However, it isn’t only the Chosen One who has grown exponentially in the Seventh Generation."

The man agreed.

Next year was going to be one hell of a celebration.

A year that would birth countless prodigies and two geniuses.

------

In the Elf Domain 』

— The Elf General Meeting

"So what do you think about your daughter, Helric? Do you think she can surpass Zahard or Embiance?"

Helric didn’t look at the head of the Southern Elves. "How is it any of your business what my daughter does? And even if Zahard is half Southern, he still grew up in the North, so don’t speak his name so casually."

A lady’s voice chimed in. "Why must you two always cause trouble when we have meetings?"

"Hahaha, I like it when they cause trouble, Head of the East."

The lady turned to the man munching on food. "This is why I hate you Westerners."

Helric sighed. "That’s beyond the topic. As the spy reported, the human domain has been growing stronger since they made an alliance with the Holy Empire."

The lady nodded. "Yes, at the rate they’re going, we Elves and all other races might soon face extinction."

The head of the South spoke. "The humans were already greedy, but with the addition of the Chosen One and the heroes of the Generation of Miracles, they’ve gotten even more arrogant."

"Should we propose an alliance with smaller races like the vampires or larger ones like the dwarves or dragons?"

They all considered the Western leader’s words.

Helric sighed again. "I think the Demonic Dragons are our best bet. They’re powerful from a military standpoint, and now they have three Elite-ranks in their family."

The dark room grew still. "Yes, Alica Arcain just transcended to the peak of Elite rank, making her the strongest in present-day awakened, while her daughters, Selena and Thyra, are lower-class Elites."

The young lady’s words sent shivers down their spines.

Helric swallowed hard. "Not only that, I heard someone in their clan recently ascended to lower-class Supreme."

The young lady laughed awkwardly. "Isn’t that just a baseless rumor? If they truly had a Transcendent, then only the Human Alliance could stand in their way. And besides..."

The four nodded simultaneously. "They have him, the monster no one has heard of for two years."

Helric nodded. "I also heard he formed a new energy unknown to the world."

The Southern leader clapped his hands once. "For now, we Elves will wait. Once the balance shifts, we ally with the winning party at all costs."

They all nodded.

------

『 In the Dragon Nest 』

"Did you receive the message from the Queen of the Human and Demonic Dragon Domain?" asked a slender man.

"Yes," said a massive dragon while eating a large corpse. "Alica isn’t giving any information about her son, even though over 80% of her clan’s blood is dragon."

"But brother," the slender man said, "wasn’t it you who refused to accept her when she came to the clan?"

The dragon clicked his tongue. "What about it? She was the one who lied about being only an A-rank talent."

The slender man exhaled. "Well, the balance of power is shifting now. The Humans and Demonic Dragons hold the most military force, and we don’t know what the demons are plotting."

The dragon slowly reduced his size as a maid covered his naked body. "But we still have her, right?"

The slender man nodded. "Yes, the Princess of the Dragons and the third SSS-rank."

The dragon grinned. "The world will know the power of the Dragons once she finishes training."

He placed a hand on his jaw. "Then both the Chosen One and the one called the Golden Boy will beg to be engaged to my baby."

The slender man looked away. "With your daughter complex, I doubt you’d allow it."

Veins popped on the dragon’s head as he leapt on his brother. "I don’t have a daughter complex!"

He stood up. "Either way, next year is going to be amazing."

------

『 In the Western Dwarf Nation 』

"Father, I’m done," the young dwarf said.

The King of the Dwarves grinned at his son’s forged sword. "Yes, that blade will sell for a lot." He looked at his son with concern. "How’s your training going, son?"

The young dwarf smiled. "Don’t worry, Dad. You know my authority—Overgeared. With the right gear, no one can stop me."

His father’s expression relaxed. "Yes, you are my pride, son."

------

『 In the Holy Empire 』

"Has the Chosen One gone back to training?" asked Cecelia.

"Yes, Saintess. He left this evening."

She collapsed on her bed. ’Ha-joon is such an idiot. How can he announce his progress to the world?’ she sighed. ’I guess that’s why most Cardinals favor him—he brings in money.’

She turned to her assistant. "Still no news about Arthur Arcain?"

Her assistant shook her head. "No, my lady. After the rumor about him secretly getting engaged to Amelia Roderick Valtor, nothing else has been heard."

She pondered. "I guess that’s what sets him apart from Ha-joon."

The assistant nodded.

Cecelia grinned. "How strong will he grow?" She closed her eyes. "I just pray it’s strong enough to rival Ha-joon. Maybe then, we might see his good traits."

The assistant fell silent. "My lady I may not believe in the oracle’s prophecies. But even I believe that the world is shifting."

Cecelia sat up. "We have to pick the right side, don’t we?"

The assistant nodded. "I can’t let my lady die in a sinking ship. The two men the world is watching, one who will bring colour and another who will bring salvation."

Her fingers curled slightly. "The one who was chosen and the one who walks an original path."

---

— The Entire Continent Was In An Uproar.

This year, many prodigies were born, and many enrolled in the prestigious Central Academy.

Many who awakened with the last batch of the Seventh Generation.

But even then, one group still lingered in everyone’s mind.

Those who would turn 17 next year.

The next heroes of Central Academy.

------

『 Inside the Arcain Castle 』

"Mom, how long has Youngest been in the Hollow Mountain?"

Alica, whose eyes were red from tears, turned to Thyra. "Three months. That useless witch separated us for three months."

Thyra sighed. "That witch is your daughter-in-law, Mom."

Alica clicked her tongue. "I’ve accepted Sweet Isabella and Cute Amelia, but I will never accept that witch."

Thyra smiled. ’I know I’m almost at the peak of current awakened, but I still can’t help feeling threatened by little Youngest.’

She turned toward the mountain range. ’Even without considering his talent, having a wife at the peak of all creation...’

She shivered slightly.

Alica looked at the mountain range too. "Everyone is talking about the Chosen One, but my baby is a greater monster."

Thyra couldn’t help but agree.

A boy who was neither a mage nor a knight.

This was information only high-ranking officials knew.

A boy walking a path no one else could follow.

Arthur Arcain’s original.

A monster born in a generation of monsters, she thought with a grin. This Generation of Miracles just keeps getting more interesting.

The rest of the year went by before anyone knew it.

And soon it reached the long awaited week.

------

『 Deep Within the Hollow Mountain 』

"I can’t believe you cleared the dungeon so quickly..."

A gentle, melodic voice echoed through the shadowed cavern.

The stunning young man she was speaking to didn’t reply.

The young woman stepped through the massive gate of the cave — and there he was.

Sitting atop a mound of fresh monster corpses, his back relaxed, one arm resting on his glowing blade plunged into an orc’s heart.

Blood glistened on his chest, sweat clinging to his lean yet masculine frame.

His golden eyes locked onto hers.

She smiled softly.

"...Arthur."

─── ✦ End of Volume ✦ ───

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