Warm sunlight filtered through the windows.
The scent of herbs and medicine filled the room.
Kael slowly opened his eyes.
“…Where…”
His vision was blurry.
The last thing he remembered was the Dragon King’s roar…
Then darkness.
A familiar voice reached his ears.
“You’re finally awake.”
Kael turned his head.
Lyra sat beside his bed.
Her silver hair reflected the morning sunlight.
Dark circles rested beneath her eyes.
She looked exhausted.
“You…”
“…never left?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“You’ve been unconscious for three days.”
Kael tried to sit up.
Pain shot through his chest.
“Tch…”
Lyra immediately helped him.
“Don’t force yourself.”
“The healers said your mana pathways were nearly destroyed.”
She looked down.
“…You scared me.”
For several moments…
Neither spoke.
The silence wasn’t awkward.
It was comfortable.
Kael noticed several books scattered across the bedside table.
A water jug.
Fresh fruit.
Medicine.
“You did all this?”
Lyra looked away.
“…Someone had to.”
Inside the Infinite Sword Archive…
Scarlet covered her face.
“She hasn’t left for three whole days.”
Astra smiled warmly.
“Our Master is denser than steel.”
Even Nerina giggled.
Kael quietly looked at Lyra.
“You should’ve rested.”
She sighed.
“And leave you alone?”
“No.”
“Not again.”
Those final two words…
Carried far more weight than they seemed.
She remembered.
Not everything.
But enough.
Enough to know how much Kael had suffered in the previous timeline.
A knock interrupted them.
Professor Roland entered.
Behind him…
The Headmaster.
Victor.
Cedric.
Lucien.
Mira.
Everyone looked relieved.
Victor laughed.
“You idiot!”
“You actually survived!”
Cedric crossed his arms.
“…Don’t misunderstand.”
“I just wanted to confirm you were still alive.”
Scarlet immediately commented,
“He absolutely misunderstood.”
The Headmaster stepped forward.
He looked at Kael for a long moment.
Then…
He bowed.
Every student froze. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“Headmaster?!”
The old man ignored everyone’s shock.
“You saved not only this expedition…”
“But the entire kingdom.”
Kael frowned.
“I only did what anyone would’ve done.”
Lucien chuckled.
“No.”
“They wouldn’t.”
The Headmaster straightened.
“The Royal Council has decided.”
“You are all officially recognized as Kingdom-Class Hunters.”
Victor nearly fainted.
“W-Wait…”
“At our age?!”
Professor Roland smiled proudly.
“No academy team has ever achieved this.”
Another announcement followed.
“The Royal Tournament begins in one month.”
Every student’s expression changed.
Even Lyra looked surprised.
Cedric immediately smiled.
“So it’s finally happening.”
Victor grinned.
“This year’s prize is legendary.”
Kael looked toward the Headmaster.
“What prize?”
The old man’s expression became serious.
“The winner receives…”
“…entry into the Hall of Heroes.”
Inside the Infinite Sword Archive…
Fenrir suddenly opened his eyes.
“No…”
Scarlet frowned.
“They’re opening that place?”
Solis looked thoughtful.
“History is changing faster than expected.”
Kael noticed their reactions.
“What’s inside the Hall of Heroes?”
No one answered.
After everyone left…
Only Kael and Lyra remained.
The afternoon sun had turned golden.
A gentle breeze drifted through the open window.
Lyra quietly stood.
“I should let you rest.”
As she turned to leave…
Kael gently reached out.
His fingers wrapped around her hand.
She stopped.
Her heartbeat quickened.
“Lyra.”
She slowly looked back.
“Thank you.”
“For staying.”
“For believing in me.”
“For protecting me.”
Her silver eyes softened.
“I wasn’t protecting you.”
“I was protecting…”
She stopped herself.
“…Someone precious.”
Kael’s heartbeat skipped.
For a moment…
Neither moved.
Neither let go.
Inside the Archive…
Scarlet excitedly stood up.
“It’s happening!”
Astra smiled.
“Quiet.”
“We’re witnessing history.”
Nerina clasped her hands together happily.
Even Aurelius smiled faintly.
“They remind me of simpler days.”
Lyra slowly sat back down.
“I remembered something else.”
Kael listened quietly.
“In my memories…” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“We stood beneath a tree covered in white flowers.”
“You told me…”
She smiled faintly.
“…that after the war, you’d show me the ocean.”
Kael froze.
That memory…
He remembered it perfectly.
He had made that promise.
Just days before humanity’s final battle.
A promise he never kept.
“I failed.”
He lowered his head.
“I couldn’t keep it.”
Lyra gently squeezed his hand.
“You didn’t fail.”
“You gave your life so everyone else could live.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“…Including me.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“I hated myself.”
“I survived…”
“…while you died.”
Kael slowly shook his head.
“No.”
“I’m happy you survived.”
“If I had to make that choice again…”
“I’d still choose you.”
Silence filled the room.
Lyra stared at him.
Then…
Without thinking…
She leaned forward.
She rested her forehead gently against his.
Their eyes met.
Only inches apart.
Her cheeks were slightly pink.
“So…”
“Don’t you dare die again.”
Kael smiled.
“I’ll do my best.”
“No.”
She smiled back.
“You’ll promise.”
Kael laughed softly.
“I promise.”
Far beneath the academy…
Within the Infinite Sword Archive…
A brilliant silver thread appeared between Kael and Lyra.
Nerina gasped.
“The Bond…”
Scarlet blinked.
“It formed already?”
Solis smiled peacefully.
“It seems fate has accepted them.”
Aurelius looked toward the glowing thread.
“It isn’t fate.”
“It is a choice.”
“And choices…”
“…are stronger.”
At that very moment…
Inside the Abyss Continent…
The masked ruler slowly opened an ancient stone chest.
Within it rested a single crimson sword.
Unlike the Sovereign Blades…
This weapon radiated only hatred.
The masked man smiled beneath his mask.
“The Sword Sovereign has awakened his Domain.”
“So…”
“It is time to awaken…”
“…the Thirteenth Sword.”
The blade trembled violently.
A crimson eye slowly opened along its hilt.
Its voice echoed through the darkness.
“Bring me…”
“…my brother.”
End of Chapter 22