Back in the Abyss, Void returned as he merged with his true form and continued studying the Rules.

At the same time, the five multiverses hummed as the key merged with Void. Outside Void's multiverse, the five multiverses appeared and surrounded it. Slowly but surely, they began merging, enhancing Void's multiverse as a constant flow of souls poured in, causing the demons to rejoice.

---

Far away from the Abyss, in another multiverse…

Linkir looked at the two lovers who had turned into enemies and ultimately restarted their multiverse.

Linkir did not know whether to call it foolishness, but it worked to her advantage.

Now, with a world that had no protector, she could alter and influence the multiverse freely.

Crack—

A storm formed in space as chains of Laws and Origins appeared, attacking Linkir.

Although the multiverse was currently undergoing a restart, it was still able to sense her presence. It could feel that this dangerous being held malicious intentions toward it, so it chose to strike first in an attempt to protect itself.

Seeing this, Linkir looked at the multiverse with pity.

"This struggle would have been meaningful if you still had strong inhabitants left to defend you," Linkir said as she walked directly into the center of the storm.

Laws struck her relentlessly while Origins transformed into divine spears that pierced toward her body.

Alas, they disintegrated only inches away from her as she took another step forward.

Each step crossed an infinite distance as she drew closer and closer to the core of the multiverse.

Bang!

A deafening explosion rang out as an entire universe appeared before Linkir and instantly detonated.

Yet Linkir tanked it effortlessly, not a single injury appearing on her body as she continued her calm march forward.

To her, all this resistance was futile.

With the loss of the two strongest beings, the multiverse was like a small dog trying to guard a mansion filled with gold.

It was inevitable that she would gain influence over how the multiverse progressed.

Fate. Order. Time.

All of them would slowly fall under her control or at the very least, under her influence—creating a path forward for Dreadborne.

There was a limit to how much she could alter, but for Linkir, this was already enough.

Outside the multiverse, a massive army stretched endlessly through space as terrifying growls echoed.

The newly formed demon army, filled with Rank 3, Rank 2, Rank 1, and Rank 0 demons, waited outside the multiverse.

All of them belonged to Dreadborne.

All of them awaited Linkir's command to invade.

******

After the restart of the multiverse,

at a planet

of the magi world, continent C

academy.

Azar stood at the center of the academy halls, his presence naturally drawing attention even when he did nothing to command it.

He was the leader of his generation—at least within the Academy of Continent C. Among the younger generation across all ten continents, his name was already beginning to circulate within certain circles.

Born into the Brazen Family, a wealthy merchant lineage, Azar had awakened mana at the age of five. That alone had secured him a place in the prestigious Academy of Continent C, where the strongest and most talented youths were trained before eventually advancing to Continent A to join the great war against mana-devouring beasts.

Years had passed since his enrollment.

Now, in his final year, Azar stood at the very top of the student rankings. Graduation was near, and with it came the final trial that would determine their futures.

Footsteps echoed through the corridor.

"Senior brother!"

A sharp feminine voice cut through the quiet halls.

Azar paused for only a moment before continuing toward his teacher's office, wishing he had more legs to escape faster. He did not need to turn around to know who it was.

"Senior brother, there you are… I was looking everywhere for you."

A girl stepped into view with a bright smile.

Her name was Veya.

Like Azar, she was considered a genius of this generation and was also in her final year. Unlike him, however, she came from a common background. Yet ever since Azar had saved her from bullying during her early years at the academy, she had begun following him closely.

Perhaps too closely.

She insisted on calling him "senior brother" despite being only a year younger.

"Veya," Azar said calmly, his tone controlled but slightly strained, "shouldn't you be preparing for the upcoming trial?"

"I mean… yes," Veya replied, tilting her head slightly, "but I can prepare with senior brother, right?"

Before Azar could respond, she continued quickly, her tone brightening.

"So I came to invite you to practice with me! It would be fun, and—"

She twisted a strand of her hair as she spoke, growing more excited with every word.

Azar felt a faint twitch of irritation at his brow.

He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain composed.

"Veya, I have to see our teacher," Azar said.

Only then did Veya calm down before nodding reluctantly.

Click

Azar opened the door and stepped inside, leaving Veya standing outside.

"I just wanted to repay your kindness…" Veya murmured softly as she bowed her head slightly before walking away.

Once inside, Azar took a deep breath before smiling at his class teacher.

"Teacher Tofan," Azar greeted.

A young man sat leisurely behind a desk piled high with paperwork.

"Oh, Azar, you're here," Tofan said with a smile.

This was his proudest student.

Azar's interaction with magic was enviable. He could cast spells with incredible ease, and his learning speed was equally terrifying.

What a talent he had been blessed with.

"Yes, Teacher. I finished the study you assigned about what magic elements truly are," Azar said as he brought out a book and handed it to Tofan.

"Oh?"

Tofan collected the book and began reading through it carefully.

The more he read, the wider the smile on his face became as he nodded repeatedly.

"This is good," Tofan said, clearly impressed.

Azar bowed slightly in response.

"Alright, Azar, you did well. But your trial won't be easy. I heard that not only our academy, but the other nine continents as well, have raised the difficulty of the trial by another level. So expect anything. You have to be fully prepared and in top shape," Tofan said as Azar pondered his words.

"Yes, teacher. Don't worry, I won't fail. I'll become a Tier 3 Magi soon," Azar promised as Tofan nodded.

"Good," Tofan replied.

The two continued discussing the problems Azar had with magic, while Tofan tried to guide and solve them.

Once everything was done, Azar left to continue preparing for the trial that would begin in a few days.

Left alone, Tofan's mind drifted into deep thought.

"Even among my family, he is a good candidate… Azar Brazen. Such talent… It seems this world might become your stage, and it is time for you to perform," Tofan said with a smile.

But before he could continue enjoying the thought, he received a call.

"Oh, Dean, how are you? I was just about to call—"

"Tofan, cut the bullshit. Are you done with the paperwork yet?"

Tofan glanced at the mountain of paperwork on his table and immediately stiffened his expression.

"Paperwork? I wasn't given anything, Dean."

"TOFAN!!!"

A loud roar came from the other side as Tofan calmly ended the call.

"Maybe I should just return to my family. Being a teacher is not for me. Paperwork every day… I think the Dean wants to kill me with paperwork," Tofan muttered, squinting his eyes in complaint.

---

At another corner of the academy…

A teacher stood silently with dark hair, a middle-aged face, and a terrifying mana field surrounding him—a clear sign that he was a Tier 5 Magi.

But teachers were only supposed to be Tier 4 Magi, while the Dean was the only Tier 5 within the academy.

Yet now, a Tier 5 teacher had appeared.

"Yes, everything is going as planned. And yes, I am almost done with the spell. After this, only the one from the Judak Family could hinder us," the teacher spoke.

In front of him floated a swirling orb of darkness that spoke with a mixture of distorted voices.

"He must not hinder our plans… take care of him," the being within the darkness said.

"Yes," the teacher replied as the darkness slowly faded, sinking back into the shadows beneath him.

"Hehehe… just wait for the gift we have prepared for all your geniuses during the trial," the teacher laughed wildly as he stared ahead with anticipation.