The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 83 - Next Level

Chapter 83: 83 - Next Level

The next day...

The morning air inside the Copper Place was cool and quiet.

"Ugh..."

Kaiser blinked his eyes open.

His body still felt a bit sluggish, but it was a huge improvement compared to yesterday. Most of the aches had dulled into manageable soreness. He sat up slowly, rolled his shoulders, and stretched out his arms with a quiet yawn.

’Still not at a hundred percent, but good enough.’

His instincts had kicked in before the sun rose, his body clock tuned to the rhythm of discipline and repetition. Even if training was out of the question, that didn’t mean he’d stay in bed like a sloth.

After doing a short round of light stretching inside his room to get his blood flowing, he stepped out into the common area of the Copper Place.

There, he saw Rose, Jenna, Jhamillah, Damian—and Viktor.

The three girls and Damian were seated in a small circle, eating breakfast together. They were having egg, small slice meat, and bread.

"Morning."

Kaiser greeted them all with a simple wave.

They all looked toward him, pleasantly surprised.

"Morning, Kaiser."

Rose greeted cheerfully.

"You’re looking better."

Jenna smiled.

"Do you want some?"

Jhamillah offered him food. Kaiser declined, saying he’s all good.

"I’m glad to see you’re okay now."

Damian said as he casually chewed on a slice of meat.

Kaiser just gave them a tired but grateful smile.

"Yeah. Thanks."

Then from the side—

Viktor, who hadn’t been eating, stood up and walked toward him. His sharp eyes scanned Kaiser’s posture before stopping in front of him.

"You ready?"

He asked.

Kaiser rolled his shoulders again and gave a small shrug.

"Yeah. Let’s go."

There was no need to say where they were headed. Both of them knew.

Jeff—the owner of the coliseum—had called for the two of them. The message had been passed shortly after the last event they were in, though Viktor had intentionally held off from going. He’d used the excuse of needing rest.

In truth, Viktor had simply wanted to go with Kaiser.

And now, they finally could.

So without delay—

Tap- tap- tap-

Tap- tap- tap-

The two walked side by side across the Copper Place, headed toward the metal-barred gate on the far side. A guard stood posted beside it, arms crossed, keeping idle watch.

And as soon as they reached it, Viktor raised a hand and grinned.

"We’re ready to meet the boss now."

He said casually.

"..."

The guard looked at him,.not changing his expression. Then after taking a look at him and Kaiser.

"Okay."

The guard nodded once, grabbed a key ring from his hip, and with a series of metallic clicks—

CLANK- CREAK—

The gate slowly opened.

And with that...

"Let’s go, Kai."

"I’m right behind you."

Tap—

The two stepped out of the gate.

*****

It was the fifth time Kaiser had been called into Jeff’s office, and most of those times weren’t for good reasons.

But now, he was with Viktor. And this time, he was sure the reason he was called for was finally something good.

’I fulfilled my part of the deal with him. It’s time for him to do the rest.’

Kaiser thought to himself as they walked. Beside him, Viktor was mumbling something about wanting to train. The guy was truly a workaholic.

Anyway, the two of them were being escorted by the same guard as before.

And after a few minutes of walking...

TAP—

"We’re here."

The guard stopped in front of a simple wooden double door and said that.

Then opening his mouth again—

"Master, Kaiser and Viktor are now here."

He declared that loudly.

The two stood behind him, and shortly after—

"Let them come in."

A voice responded from inside. It was Jeff’s voice, Kaiser recognized it.

Viktor leaned closer and whispered to Kaiser.

"I’ve been here in the coliseum longer than you, but this is my first time meeting the boss face-to-face."

"It’s my fifth time here now lol... Let’s just stick together."

"Yeah, got it."

Then after their short conversation—

Creak—

The guard opened the door.

And without beating around the bush—the two of them stepped into Jeff’s office.

TAP-

As soon as Kaiser and Viktor got inside; they saw a man in his mid 40s sitting behind a luxurious-looking desk.

He wore a black suit that contrasted his pale skin, and a sleek top hat rested neatly on his head.

It was Jeff.

Then—behind Jeff, both Kaiser and Viktor noticed someone else.

It was a man who looked to be in his early 50s, but despite his age, his presence was overwhelming.

His build was massive—broad shoulders, thick arms, and a back like a wall. Even with the plated armor he wore over his guard uniform, his muscular frame was unmistakable. And on top of that... he was tall. Towering.

He stood there silently, arms crossed, like an immovable statue—but his presence spoke volumes.

’He’s strong...’

Both Kaiser and Viktor thought the same thing, their eyes narrowing instinctively.

And as if he heard their thoughts— The towering man glanced at them and smirked.

It wasn’t mocking... More like a recognition.

Kaiser remained calm, his face neutral. Viktor, meanwhile, kept a slight grin—he liked sizing people up.

Just then—

Jeff, resting his elbows on his desk, intertwined his fingers and spoke with a relaxed tone.

"Welcome, boys. I believe congratulations are in order."

Then he said that and smiled.

Kaiser and Viktor turned their attention back to Jeff when they heard his voice.

And seeing that—

"Good job, you two."

Jeff praised their performance im the last event with a nod of his head.

"Thanks."

Kaiser and Viktor simply replied out of courtesy.

Jeff leaned back slightly on his chair, arms resting on the desk to take a short break.

"Anyway, I called you here for something simple. It won’t take long, so no need to sit."

"Got it."

"Mhm."

Kaiser and Viktor both nodded their heads in understanding.

Then after that, casually—

"From today onwards, you two are Silver Rank Gladiators. Congrats."

Jeff declared that with a slight smile on his face.

Kaiser smiled, hearing that.

Viktor was grinning too.

The two of them already expected it, but hearing this from the owner of this place means that it’s official now.

"You should all take your belongings later because you’re both going to be relocated to the Silver Place. I’ll have a servant explain the benefits you two have as Silver Rank fighters later... Oh, and also—you two get to enjoy the Silver Prize Room today."

Jeff explained everything clearly, making sure not to miss anything important.

Kaiser’s and Viktor’s smiles widened at that.

But right after—

"Sir Grant here behind me will escort you two to the Silver Prize Room. You both are excused now."

Jeff finished.

"..."

"..."

Their smiles faded immediately.

The two slowly turned their eyes to the towering man behind Jeff—Sir Grant. The air around him was heavy, as if he was daring them to do something stupid.

And staring right back at them—

"Let’s go, you two. The boss is busy, better not disturb him any further."

Grant said with a low, almost growling tone.

"..."

Kaiser and Viktor said nothing and simply nodded.

Without making a fuss, the two followed him out.

*****

As soon as Jeff finished speaking—

TAP!

Grant stepped forward from his spot behind the desk, giving the two boys a short glance before turning around.

"You two, follow me."

He said curtly, his voice deep and firm.

Kaiser and Viktor exchanged a glance. The excitement they felt earlier began to dim under the weight of Grant’s presence.

Neither of them said anything, but they both understood—this man wasn’t someone to mess with.

Also, for some reason; Kaiser thinks Grant’s voice is familiar.

Anyway... They followed closely behind Grant as he exited Jeff’s office.

Then just after a little wild—

The corridors they walked through now were unfamiliar, a more polished part of the coliseum compared to the rugged stone halls they were used to.

The walls were cleaner, decorated with hanging banners of different ranks and old weapons displayed in glass frames. They even passed by a few guards standing on post—each of them straightened the moment Grant passed, offering respectful nods without a word.

It was quiet for most of the walk, save for the echo of their footsteps.

"He’s a monster."

Viktor muttered just loud enough for Kaiser to hear.

Kaiser nodded faintly.

"Yeah. We’d be dead before we even blinked if he wanted to."

The two of them never lowered their guards.

...

...

A few more turns and staircases later—

Grant finally stopped in front of a pair of large double doors. They were wider than normal, with a sleek metallic sheen and elegant silver engravings curling into sharp symbols along the edges.

Then the top of the door, etched in bold letters, read:

Silver Prize Room

"We’re here."

Grant said without turning around.

"Enjoy it, kids."

He reached out and pushed the door open with one hand.

CREAK—

A cold gust of air rolled out from inside, brushing against their skin.

"..."

"..."

Kaiser and Viktor stood at the door, eyes squinting into the softly lit room beyond.

They had arrived at the Silver Prize Room.