Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1842: You are a defect

Even now, Adam still couldn’t believe that just a couple of minutes ago he had been in Krador’s tower, preparing to set out for the Gray Sea, and now he was already on the upper level of Varreyn, at Amelia’s special request.

Step. Step. Step.

They walked slowly forward, entering the grounds of the majestic castle that was her family’s estate.

The first thing that caught Adam’s eye was the other monsters there.

But… They were dressed much more modestly than Amelia.

“No, it’s not just their clothes. Their auras are significantly weaker. And their gazes, they’re so submissive…” Adam mused, looking at the monsters who had turned their attention to their guest.

Adam had only ever seen a scene like this among the nobles at the Citadel. This led him to the only logical conclusion:

“Are these their family’s servants? But how? This is the first time I’ve encountered nobles from the monster world, and… isn’t that strange? How did their family come to be? Monsters and humans… are born and develop according to completely different rules.”

Adam had many questions. He understood perfectly how the noble system at the Citadel worked. There were powerful Phantoms with ancient bloodlines, and thanks to that, their children had a much better chance of awakening the Spark. Everything was clear and straightforward, but it didn’t work that way with monsters.

“Most monsters either emerge from energy or are born when they’re much weaker and lack their own consciousness, for example, from eggs. Then, they go through a long journey until they finally become one of the Awakened Monsters.”

Adam pondered with a deep gaze, quietly following Amelia, who, like him, remained silent.

‘Almost all monsters are individuals who later form factions, but not families. To be a family, you must be bound by something more than a common goal and worldview. It must be blood or…’

Step.

A muffled footstep echoed through the hall, snapping Adam out of his thoughts.

At the top of the grand staircase before them stood a young man in noble blue clothes, similar in style to Amelia’s dress.

However, unlike her, who had light hair and blue eyes, he had brown, tousled hair and green eyes.

Adam frowned slightly.

‘Judging by their clothes, are they members of the same family? Then why do they look so different? Is this just a coincidence, or are they actually not related by blood?’

Amelia stopped, her emotionless gaze fixed on the young man, whose face quickly contorted into an annoyed grimace.

“Amelia, what the hell are you doing?! Why did you bring a Phantom here?”

She took her time answering, keeping her hands on the hem of her dress.

“Markol, my brother, is this really how we should welcome distinguished guests?”

In an instant, Markol’s eyes filled with rage.

“An honored guest, is he?! We can’t waste time on some fools! Father is getting worse and worse! We’re trying to hide it, but how can we do that now that you’ve brought a Phantom here? The monsters from the upper level will figure it all out in no time because of him!”

Step. Step. Step.

Markol stepped forward with a menacing stride. He held nothing back and unleashed his aura, causing the monster servants peeking from around corners to flinch before his might.

“Leave this house at once, human! You are not welcome here!”

However, no emotion showed on Adam’s face, neither fear nor panic.

‘That’s interesting. He’s at the Black Threat Level. Basically, he’s an Elder. Technically, we’re on the same level, but in practice… He doesn’t stand a chance against me.’

Adam glanced at Amelia.

‘So her brother is some kind of idiot? But, judging by his reaction, they really do have big problems. Still, what is Amelia up to? How does she want me to help her father? Apparently, he’s a powerful Lord, at least.’

“You!” Markol exclaimed. “Don’t you dare look away when I’m talking to you! I’m sure someone like you doesn’t even understand where you are! You’re standing before a noble! My legacy alone is enough to reduce you to nothing if I so desire.”

At that moment, Adam was certain that Markol was an idiot. Unlike Amelia, he knew nothing about Adam. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so bold.

“Markol, you need to calm down,” Amelia’s voice rang out.

“Shut up! What makes you think you’re in charge? No one appointed you to that role!”

Step.

At that very moment, Amelia stepped forward and touched Markol’s wrist.

“Agh…?”

Crack.

With no emotion on her face, she broke his wrist with a distinct snap of his broken bone.

In an instant, pain shot through Markol’s body, causing his face to flush.

“ARGH! My arm!” He collapsed to the ground, clutching his wrist.

Adam’s eyes widened for a moment. He hadn’t expected that from Amelia, but something else caught his attention.

‘She didn’t move particularly fast. I saw every one of her movements. Could he really not have reacted at all? What’s more…’ ..’

Adam’s gaze deepened as he looked at Markol, who was on the verge of crying from the pain.

‘After all the battles I’ve been through, I wouldn’t even have noticed a wound like that. All he needs to do is channel his energy, and his rune will start to regenerate, and his wrist will work if he needs it during combat.’

“F-Fuck! That hurts!” Markol growled in pain.

He turned to her, biting his lip.

“How could you even do something like this?! You attacked your own brother for some Phantom?! Who is he anyway?”

Step.

As always, Amelia took a calm step forward, towering over Markol. She leaned forward as a shadow fell over Markol, while Amelia’s blue eyes grew particularly cold.

“My brother, I’m not angry with you, but you must never forget who you really are.”

Markol gulped.

“You are a defect, a failure who couldn’t fully inherit the power of our great family. The pinnacle of this world is forever closed to you, so you have no right to interfere with those who have access to it.”

She pointed at Adam, maintaining her cold gaze.

“This is Adam Vinter, a candidate in the Second Rank Phantoms. I’m sorry, but the difference between you is like that between a warrior and a pathetic worm.”