"Of course we can visit the capital, and our manor remains ours. We are not enemies of the kingdom, just neutral," Conri replied."When Oasis returns, we should head to the capital to see the prince and others along the way," Zane suggested.Conri smiled faintly at his son's enthusiasm, but Zane's thoughts turned mischievous."That prince called me a puppy once. I need to teach him a lesson next time I see him."Conri’s expression turned stern as he unleashed a bit of his aura."That’s not going to happen, young man. As soon as Oasis returns from his mission, both of you will enter secluded cultivation and training."Zane shuddered slightly, feeling the weight of his father’s presence. "I sometimes forget how terrifying Father can be," he thought."Raising our strength is the priority," Conri continued. "It’s also about time your elder brother, Zenon, comes out of his seclusion.""Brother Zenon!" Zane exclaimed with excitement. "I bet he’ll be even stronger now.""With Brother Zion no

There was little sign of wealth or luxury; everything about the town spoke of survival and hardship.The carriage rattled through the uneven streets, and Oasis glanced out the window, taking in his surroundings.The townspeople barely gave him or his guards a second look, used to the comings and goings of traders.Yet, Oasis could sense an underlying tension beneath the surface.Oasis glanced out the window of the carriage, taking in the state of Riffridge.The town, hidden in rocky valleys, was clearly struggling."So, this is the state of Riffridge, huh?" Oasis thought as they passed through the dusty, narrow streets.People moved about slowly, their faces hollow, as hunger and hardship were etched into every step they took.Suddenly, breaking the silence in the carriage, Oasis turned to the guards seated with him."What are your names again?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.The guards exchanged quick glances, surprised that Oasis had spoken.One of them finally responded, “I'm A

Oasis moved silently through the shadows of the city lord’s residence, his steps light and precise, avoiding detection with ease.The mansion, though worn by neglect, had a complex layout.Guards patrolled in predictable patterns, moving along predetermined routes that Oasis had already observed using his spiritual senses.“Their movements are methodical, but uninspired,” Oasis thought as he studied the guards' routines.“The guards stationed near the entrance rotate every twenty minutes. The inner patrols are less frequent, giving me small windows to slip through.”As he moved, his azure eyes scanned the manor’s halls, catching subtle details—scuff marks on the floor indicating where guards commonly stood, and faint energy traces revealing where magical wards were placed.“The layout matches what I sensed earlier,” Oasis thought, gliding between two patrols with practiced ease.“Once I pass through this wing, the room where the city lord is bedridden should be up ahead.”Passing thr

Back in the chamber, Oasis stood calmly in the wake of the city lord’s unleashed aura, completely unfazed.His azure eyes remained steady as he watched the older man with quiet respect.“Not bad,” Oasis thought, his expression unchanged, though inwardly he acknowledged the power being displayed.“Follow me, young man,” the city lord said, his voice now firm and commanding as he walked toward the door. “Let me show you how to deal with traitors.”As the city lord strode out of the room, Oasis followed at a measured pace.The two of them barely made it past the threshold when a group of guards came rushing down the corridor, their faces pale with fear.They skidded to a stop the moment they saw the city lord standing before them, fully revitalized.“My lord!” the guards gasped, immediately dropping to their knees, their bodies trembling from the pressure of his aura.Sweat dripped from their brows as they struggled to maintain their composure in his overwhelming presence.The city lord’

The atmosphere in the manor shifted from tense anticipation to outright horror as Oasis stood over the five mangled bodies, his expression calm, almost indifferent.His hands and legs, not even stained with blood, were all it took to dispatch them.The shock of the scene silenced the onlookers—guards, servants, and even Pervard’s lackeys—all frozen in disbelief.“Is he really a mage?” a servant thought, trembling, her knees buckling under the weight of the spectacle.“How… how can a mage move like that?” one of the manor guards thought, sweat running down his face. “No mana, no spells… just raw strength and precision.”“I’ve never seen anyone fight like this, not even our strongest warriors,”another guard, drenched in sweat, trembled as he struggled to comprehend the sight.“It’s impossible. A mage should be relying on spells, not... this,” Alto thought, his eyes wide with fear. “How can he kill with just his bare hands?”Oasis’s own guards, who had been standing beside Raven, could h