Elsewhere inside the Greyson residence as all these events unfolded.

Rysten stood within the grand hall, overlooking the empty throne. Multiple elders of the Greyson Residence and affiliated forces stood behind him.

Before finally he erupted into a chuckle. Wheezing as he mumbled beneath his breath.

Not entirely loud, but with the present powerhouses’ senses it was hard for them to miss it.

"Hahahaha... fascinating... truly fascinating." Rysten inhaled as he paced slowly, a thoughtful expression forming across his face.

"Power is a fascinating thing." He nodded, a flash of insight crossing his eyes. "To some, it is an endless mountain climbed step by step... while to others, it is simply handed to them by fate."

All his life, he had dedicated himself toward getting stronger. Yet decades later, his power had only reached the peak of E-rank.

If it wasn’t for the countless resources and flashes of insight gained as he watched the young lord fight, he doubted he would have ever managed to make the leap to D-rank as he had recently. The same path the lord walked so easily.

Everyone in the grand hall had felt the trails of energy that had leaked out of the lord’s chambers, and it was nothing short of astounding. The aura of it all made them shudder from a distance, which couldn’t help but make them wonder just how strong the young lord really was.

They were unsure about many things, but Rysten was certain about one. Previously he hadn’t been entirely sure... but the constant surge of energy was more than enough to erase any lingering doubts.

The lord had far eclipsed Greyson’s power. Perhaps he even wielded power to rival peak C-rank beings?

Just as the thought formed, he shuddered slightly as he took in a cold breath of air. Terrifying... truly terrifying.

To ascend to such great heights, this darkness talent must have been more unbelievable than their minds could ever wrap around.

But even then... talents had limits. All those who would think the lord’s monstrous feats emanated purely from his high talent were fools.

Talents alone could not explain such power. Neither could Tempest contain it forever.

***

At the side, the elders nodded in thought. Similar expressions to Rysten’s plastered across their faces. Their thoughts not too far off.

Now that the lord had returned, they awaited his commands.

Not that anything much was left to do. All resistance had been crushed. Those who would think to go against the Greyson Residence had all fallen.

All that remained was perhaps spreading the banner of their conquest beyond Tempest. The only question being just by how much.

As all the elders spiraled deeper into their thoughts wondering about the future,

A middle-aged woman stood out. Sporting silvery hair that trailed all the way to her waist. Mistress Aria sighed quietly.

A wry smile stretching across her face as her gaze lifted to the top of the room. Past memories churning at the back of her head.

Unlike most of the elders present, she had noticed the special glint in his eyes before he even laid a hand on the awakening talent orb.

The way his eyes had lit up with brilliance had sparked her interest, something countless others had failed to do. And she had been right.

Having witnessed most of his feats up close, she could only nod thoughtfully as she looked back on it all.

It had been an enlightening experience, watching a youth once deemed nothing more than a weakling rise through the ranks of power so effortlessly, defying all odds.

Lowering her head, she let out a slow breath as her smile gradually faded. Pity she wouldn’t be there to witness the rest of his rise.

As the elders reflected on everything, silence descended upon the grand hall.

***

Elsewhere across the Greyson residence, murmurs swept through as multiple people still reeled from the shock of the recent events.

"This... I still can’t believe Lady Valeria was a traitor."

"Hmm, I always knew there was something off with her. This just connected the pieces of the puzzle perfectly."

"Weren’t you the same person who said you looked up to her?"

"Wait... what... you must have heard wrong."

"For the suffering she caused the young lord and the deaths of multiple clansmen, I think death was a mercy granted to her."

"I agree. But did you hear what she said? Her father is a C-rank powerhouse. Once he gets news of this, won’t he come to attack us..."

"Tsk... tsk... so what if he is a C-rank? The leader of the coalition of clans was a C-rank expert as well. He’s dead, isn’t he?"

"Hmm, I can’t blame you for lacking vision. I’ve seen the lord fight and ranks... ranks are meaningless before his power. A concept I don’t think you’ll ever understand."

"I was there too... there’s no need to rub it in."

"Hahaha... I think you’re all missing the point. Now that we’re the strongest clan in the city..."

"What do you mean strongest... if it wasn’t for the lord... we would all have lost the war and the clan be erased."

"Uh... this..."

"He’s right... if it wasn’t for the lord’s strength we wouldn’t be here. If it wasn’t for him saving us repeatedly... there would be no Greyson residence..."

"I don’t want to be saved anymore... I want to be strong. Perhaps as strong as the lord one day... or maybe closer."

"I’m going to meditate on some insights as well. With a little luck, I can polish my skills too."

"Do you want me to come with you... I’m very skilled in a particular set of skills. If you want... I can show them to you."

"Aaargh! What do you mean and why are you grabbing me like that? Get away from me you pervert!"

As time slowly passed, the murmurs intensified while growing even more outrageous, but even then all their eyes flashed with hope.

With the lord by their side, the future just seemed so... limitless.

***

Elsewhere in Tempest City, behind a rusty shop, a scrawny old man sat stroking the white stubble on his chin as a twisted smile hovered across his face.

The encounter with the dark-robed youth replayed repeatedly in Alaric’s mind. If everything went well, and the brat managed to survive while maintaining this pace of growth... then the connection he had just formed would prove invaluable.

He could already imagine everything he could extort... cough... borrow from the youth. The possibilities were endless.

Having a powerhouse of that level by his side would benefit him in more ways than he could count. Struggling to tear himself away from his thoughts, he squinted slightly as he rose to his feet and began pacing around the room.

His brows furrowed. He had the strange feeling that he was forgetting something. Odd. Despite his age, he was still a powerhouse. Forgetting something this important should have been impossible.

Had he simply grown too excited and lost himself in thought? His frown deepened further. What was it?

Just as he was about to dismiss the matter entirely, his gaze swept across the chamber toward the empty shelves lining the shop.

His eyes widened before he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, fists clenching tightly in outrage.

"My merchandise!" he growled through gritted teeth.

***

Back inside the Greyson Residence in a grand chamber, sparse rays of sunlight filtered across the window to bathe multiple figures lying on a massive bed with a golden hue.

At the front, a single figure stood. Clad in an intricate dark robe. His piercing crimson gaze falling into the endless horizon.

An unbothered look plastered across his face, unaware of the frustration and rage welling up inside of one old man.

Not that it mattered. Even if he knew, he would be rather pleased. The old man was a swindler with no doubt having fooled countless people. This would be something of a... payback. But he doubted it would even form such an impact.

All the items he had acquired were good but not of great value. At least not for someone who knew so much about the realm. To him this could even be considered as scraps. The true treasures he must have kept hidden. Hoarded alongside with that precious tea of his. Too bad he didn’t get any of that.

Exhaling quietly, a faint smile slowly formed across his lips as he turned slightly.

"You’re awake," Ulric muttered, staring at the figures slowly stirring awake.

Groaning slightly, Amber and the rest struggled to open their eyes. But when they did, they couldn’t help but blink rapidly as they stared at the figure before them.

"You... changed." The grogginess in her eyes washed away and was replaced by surprise. The rest, except Tara, seemed to agree.

Before, his appearance had already been exceedingly striking. But this was different. It was as if his features had been sharpened to perfection.

Noticing their gazes, the smile on Ulric’s face widened. He had been surprised as well. It seemed incorporating many SSS-rank talents had influenced more than his power.

His thoughts were cut short as Tara suddenly cleared her throat. Their attention shifting to her before another slew of gasps erupted upon noticing the change in her as well.

Seeing the mischievous twinkle in her eyes and the smug look as she showed off, Ulric’s lips twitched slightly. Barely resisting the urge to walk up and pinch her nose.

Snapping out of her daze, Aelira walked to him. A fiery glint flashing across her eyes.

"Y-you..."

Before she could even finish, Ulric sealed her lips with a finger as he smiled. Already anticipating her next words.

"All in time... all in good time." He breathed. He would get her an S-rank talent as well.

But first it was time for something he had been holding off for a while. It was time for his ascension to D-rank.