Klein Mornantte!

One of the thousand Barons that exist in the Kingdom, a Grand Scholar, the husband of Seraphina, one of my Academy mentors and teachers, and...

... one of my closest friends.

’What is he doing here? Should he not be by Seraphina’s side?’

I hold onto this thought as I temporarily leave the presence of my comrades in order to answer the man before my doorstep.

Using Clairvoyance, I can clearly perceive his current demeanor.

’He appears determined...’ My eyes narrow slightly. ’Did he come here with some kind of objective? Why didn’t he send me a message before coming? Could it be...?’

I slowly open the door and smile at the man on the other side.

"Klein... It’s good to see you."

"...."

For a moment, he opens his mouth, but no words proceed from his lips.

He appears rather stunned.

Even then, his handsome and refined noble demeanor has remained unchanged in the slightest.

Klein is a man who looks completely different from me.

His blond-yellow hair is tied in a long ponytail, and although his circular gold-rimmed glasses shield his eyes, the ocean-blue irises continue to shine like gems.

With light olive and healthy skin, he appears bright and resplendent.

’He doesn’t look as depressed as I remember. He even dressed for the occasion.’

I notice his vintage-style black jacket with gold trim, a white cravat hanging loosely around his neck, and a red gem brooch fixed firmly atop it. Beneath his black-and-gold jacket are his gray waistcoat and white shirt.

All in all, he looks like a respectable Noble... the one I grew to respect so many years ago.

But this is strange.

’The Klein that I know is usually a mess when he is going through immense hardship.’

At this point, my eyes brighten up.

’Could it be that Seraphina’s situation has improved?’ Despite my awareness that such a thing cannot be so easily resolved, I allow myself the delusional thought.

Why else would Klein appear unannounced before me, looking so put together?

"It is... nice to see you as well, Javier..." Klein finally speaks, his tone soft and warm. "Can I come in? It’s quite cold outside."

"A-ah, yes! Sure thing! Sorry for keeping you outside so long!" I answer with an awkward smile, though I notice him shrugging nonchalantly as he shakes his head.

"It’s fine..."

As he enters the house, I notice a carriage as well as a huge wagon within my compound.

’He brought a lot of stuff for me?’ I silently wonder. ’What exactly are you up to, Klein?’

A thought quietly flashes in my mind, but I quickly dismiss it.

I don’t want to jump to conclusions.

"Hello, everyone. It appears I interrupted something..." The moment Klein steps in and notices the small crowd in the living room, he makes an apologetic smile.

Almost everyone responds to his remark with their own version of "Oh, it’s no problem at all."

The only person silent is Ciel.

In fact, she simply stares at Klein unblinkingly and doesn’t do anything.

He also glances at her for a moment and nods.

I had actually introduced Klein to Ciel a while back. Back then, I was actively seeking solutions to Seraphina’s problems, and I approached Ciel for help. Ciel wanted to see Seraphina’s condition for herself, so I introduced her to Klein as a Vey’lithar Healer I came across.

’It’s a shame she couldn’t do anything about her condition...’ I sigh deeply, though I hide this heavy emotion while inviting Klein to sit with us.

"Would you like something warm to drink? Do you wish for—?"

"I... actually want to discuss something with you." Klein stares at me with an undiscernible smile. Then, after looking around us for a moment, he adds, "In private."

"Understood."

I make a wry smile to everyone and leave the living room with Klein.

Then, we go upstairs to my private quarters.

I believe this should be secluded enough for Klein.

’Well, Ciel should be able to spy on us with her Conception, but she should have enough tact not to do that...’ I show Klein a comfortable seat in the lounge area of my vast room, and then I sit not too far away from him.

A part of me wishes to ask how he is doing, or even venture into pleasantries.

But I stop myself.

I believe Klein wishes to speak to me through his own train of thought.

So, I should let him.

Silence ensues for a moment, but I remain quiet. I watch as my friend arranges his thoughts, his body language suggesting a torrent of emotions coursing through him.

Then—

"I sold my Barony..." He begins by dropping a bombshell.

"W-what?!"

"I went through the official channels, so there shouldn’t be a problem. It was sold at a premium for 25,000 Ecliptics, though I specifically requested to be paid in Crownmarks."

’25,000 Clips... That’s about 6,250 Crowns.’

Crownmarks is the official currency of the Nowe’arn Race, and it has the greatest value among all other currencies in this vast continent of Eariel.

As for Ecliptics, it is the unified currency that is accepted in almost every corner of the continent.

It even holds worth in international trade.

However, Ecliptics isn’t as strong as Crownmarks.

Four Clips equal one Crown.

That’s how disproportionate the difference is—and the value hasn’t gone down in a while.

I can see why Klein would request to be paid in Crowns.

Still—

"Why would you sell your Barony?"

"Just to clarify, a standard Barony would only be sold for about 8,000 to 15,000 Ecliptics, depending on the size and location of the land. Premium titles that fall beyond that range have the most fertile and developed lands, and they exist in prime locations. My title was sold at the highest figure of 25,000 Clips. It’s the upper limit for sale." He explains to me, his expression showing very little concern towards the gravity of his decision.

"B-but..."

"Naturally, this is merely the sale of the title. It doesn’t include things like my property, businesses, and all the relevant assets on the land."

"So you still have those?"

"Of course not," Klein laughs at my question, as though it is an absurd thing to ask. "For immovable properties, I would have no choice but to sell them to the buyer, since he now has rights to the land. As for the movable properties, I also thought it best to let them go. I gained over 100,000 Clips from the transaction."

"Y-you really sold everything..."

"Yes," he nods and smiles deeply. "I also sold your business for a considerably higher price than I bought it for. After some polishing and restructuring, its value skyrocketed—especially since it was being sold by a Noble. Well, a former Noble now..."

’Why, though? Why would you part with all of those things?’

"I have spent the past week collecting all my debts and laying hold of all the inheritances I have in various places. I have also taken out all my investments in different channels, and I have liquidated my shares in every enterprise I was ever involved in. Right now, my total accumulation is a little over 700,000 Ecliptics."

"S-slow down, Klein..." At this point, I have no choice but to stop this man.

If I leave things as they are, he’ll only delve deeper into the specifics. As much as I have the patience to listen to the breakdown, I have to get this question off my chest first.

"W-why?"

I don’t understand it.

Why would Klein uproot his entire life so suddenly?

"For my resolve..." He answers vaguely, his smile slowly dissipating to form a serious expression.

"Resolve?"

"Yes, Javier." He nods before continuing. "I wish to make a very important decision, and I don’t want anything holding me back."

’Is this what I think it is?’ My heart jumps slightly.

"What decision?"

At this point, he gives me a piercing stare. I don’t think I have ever seen such a serious and intimidating look from this man before.

"Javier, you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?"

"...."

As expected, Klein has suspicions about me.

I already knew he had his thoughts about me ever since the Royal Family began showing me deep favor. There’s also the fact that my quality of life drastically improved, and I was able to solve his Potion Deficiency problem very casually.

When we went for the Annual Exchange in the Randalorion Kingdom’s university, I used my Conception to help Klein find Seraphina.

There are also a few other instances where my ’uniqueness’ was laid bare to him.

Klein never questioned me too deeply or dwelled on them.

But he must have known I was hiding something.

Now—

"I have suspected for the longest time that you’re a special person, Javier. I want you to tell me what it is you are hiding. If you don’t wish to tell me, then that’s fine. But it will affect my response to your earlier question." Klein says, his stern voice mixed with a degree of softness.

I can tell that this confrontation isn’t easy for him.

After all, Klein isn’t someone who particularly enjoys confrontation or any form of drama.

This must mean a lot to him.

’As for how it’ll affect his decision in revealing his true intentions to me, I understand.’

Klein likely sees me as his closest friend during this period.

We have been through a lot together, and I have helped him in many ways. He trusts me a great deal, but the fact that I am keeping a very important secret from him also makes him doubt the extent of our relationship.

As such, he likely wonders if he should burden me with his current decision.

My decision to bring him into my secret life will determine whether or not he should bring me into his choice for the future.

I think it’s fair.

Now, what should I do...?

’I already know...’ With a smile on my face, I stare at Klein and tell him honestly:

"Actually, I am a Leviathan."

I let my words settle in the air, watching as Klein’s focused gaze grows wide in both terrifying shock and overwhelming realization.

"Y-you mean...!"

While nodding and smiling, I tell Klein everything.

From the beginning.

I was a Knight in a ruined Kingdom, 65 years old, dying in regret... and I was mysteriously granted my last wish. I returned fifty years into the past, and I chose to live a brand new life.

For the first couple of years, I was able to do precisely that.

I lived according to my wishes.

I broke free from the constraints of my family and also taught my siblings to do the same.

I attended the Royal Academy and graduated top of my class.

I went on adventures, traveling the Randalorion Kingdom and experiencing things I could never have dreamed about in my past life.

I met new friends, and we became close... like a family.

Traveling alongside them made me do exploits, and not only did I increase in wealth, but also influence.

I grew from an average nobody, the head of a rather insignificant mid-rank Knight Family in a dying Kingdom, to a famous hero whom everyone knew within the Kingdom. I became popular, and I became publicly recognized as a hero.

Not just me.

All of us were recognized as such by the Kingdom.

But...

Everything slowly began to change.

The assault of the Thorn Overseer Vine, a Cadre 5 Magivore that hadn’t graced the Randalorion Kingdom in over a century, emerged.

Brad died in this conflict.

His sacrifice saved everyone, including me.

However, this would only mark the beginning of my loss.

My parents... my siblings... my friends... they all died as a result of a single person’s machinations.

The man who orchestrated all the major events of my previous life.

A Rank 1 Leviathan.

Witness Exemplar... Zarius!

Witnessing his Apotheosis turned me into a Leviathan, and killing him served as my revenge.

From that moment on, I have been removed from humanity.

I have had to live a completely different life.

Relying on Potions to maintain my Existence, seeking various methods to gain power, looking for ways to return to the past and save my parents, stopping schemes of other Leviathans, and constantly learning more about the terrifying truth of the world.

All of these things... I pour all of them out to Klein, who can only stare at me incredulously.

A lot of things must now be making sense to him.

He is a smart man.

It doesn’t take him very long to completely understand my position.

"Javier..." He mutters shakily, though his eyes still refuse to display an ounce of hesitation. "I want to accompany you to Dustinville. I wish to seek a cure for Seraphina beyond the Randalorion Kingdom, and I believe my chances of doing so increase if I am by your side."

A small sigh leaves my lips almost immediately.

’So it is exactly as I suspected...’

I have no issues with Klein accompanying me to the Great Kingdom.

In fact, I agree with him in the sense that there is no viable means to resolve Seraphina’s partially collapsed Existence on this side of the Continent.

As such, as Klein’s friend, I won’t restrict him from pursuing this path.

He is free to do so.

"I am not promising anything. But I will also try my hardest to look for a remedy in Dustinville. It was always my intention to do so."

"I understand..." Klein smiles warmly at me. "But you also have your life to live. Seraphina is your friend, and I know you went through a lot to rescue her. I have selfishly imposed many responsibilities on you, and it’s not fair to ask for even more. As her husband... it is my responsibility to seek any and all avenues for her."

"You know you can always count on me to help, right?"

"Yes... I know, Javier." He stretches out a hand while staring fondly at me. "After all, we’re friends." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Exactly. We’re friends."

The two of us shake hands, and the decision is made at that moment.

Klein is coming with us.

"Seraphina’s Existence likely won’t be able to endure such long travel, and I also don’t know what could happen in Dustinville when we arrive. It’s best not to subject her to any kind of stress." I quickly speak after recalling something important.

"Yes, I was thinking of having her return to her parents’ estate for the time being."

"It’s not safe enough..." I shake my head.

Klein is unaware of the true extent of the Randalorion Kingdom Incident. He cannot comprehend just how unsafe the Kingdom could actually be in the face of a Leviathan’s disaster.

A single Rank 1 Leviathan could orchestrate a Civil War within a Kingdom or even cause war to erupt between Kingdoms. As for an Adept, they could single-handedly cause the destruction of the Randalorion Kingdom overnight if they really tried.

Although Zarius has long been dead and Lucien Zevalis no longer exists, that says nothing about the other Leviathans that could be lurking in the shadows.

Especially those that Lucien likely worked with during the Paranormal Abductions.

To ensure Seraphina’s utmost safety... we have to do better.

I cannot leave things to chance!

"I believe the safest she will be is within the Vey’lithar Sanctuary," I quickly explain what I mean after giving Klein this response.

Although the defenses of the Sanctuary aren’t invincible to a Leviathan, the place has existed for far longer than the Randalorion Kingdom. This shows how adept the Vey’lithars are at warding off external aggressors and dealing with threats.

The Sanctuary was also safe during the Randalorion Kingdom Incident.

That says a lot about its security.

’Most importantly, a Leviathan is guarding it. Even though Sarah is still inexperienced, she is a Leviathan of the Seeker Pathway. There are also Magivores guarding the area. I can’t think of anywhere else in the Randalorion Kingdom that would be safer...’

Naturally, taking Seraphina there will require the permission of the Sanctuary’s Chief.

However, considering the kind of relationship I have with Ciel, and the fact that there has already been a precedent for Nowe’arns dwelling in the Sanctuary, I believe we can work something out.

’Besides, Seraphina is currently inept and cannot do anything to harm the Sanctuary. She will be unconscious throughout, so unlike the others who pose a potential threat if they ever leave the Sanctuary, Seraphina could eventually be allowed to leave once Klein returns to help her get better.’

"Thank you, Javier..." Klein smiles helplessly once again. "I really am lucky to have a friend like you."

Although a part of me wishes to be modest, I decide to be cheeky.

At least, just for this moment.

"You’re goddamn right."

.....

Getting Ciel’s permission wasn’t very difficult, as I expected.

In fact, she already saw the future through Vision and knew what I would ask before I even said anything. She agreed to the arrangement on the terms that I compensated her appropriately.

What a shrewd woman.

I suppose she has now gained some financial foothold and won’t be as stranded in Dustinville as I initially estimated.

Regardless, the difficulty arose during transportation.

It took almost an entire week to transport Seraphina to the Sanctuary. If it weren’t for her delicate condition, it would have surely taken less time, but no one could really complain.

I just hope Tracing reaches a level where I can transport others the same way I can teleport myself.

Regardless, one week and two days later, we are all prepared to depart.

Seth, my best friend in the Academy.

Ciel, my sole Leviathan companion and ally.

Uncle Damon, my close family member and one of my trusted business partners.

Leon, my most reliable subordinate.

Klein, my dear friend.

Then there’s me, Javier Aditi, a Leviathan of the Exemplar Pathway.

All of us stand together.

And so, on this day, Saturday, 1st December 2030... we depart for the Great Kingdom of Dustinville.