CHAPTER 4 - THE MAN BEYOND REALMS

Lord Irrus led them through the grand gates of Ormadock Martial Academy, his pace respectful, his demeanor transformed. Behind him, Davious walked like a monarch without a crown—silent, unreadable, but radiating an invisible authority that made onlookers pause mid-step. Heddicus followed closely, his eyes wide in awe.

The academy grounds sprawled like a small city carved by the heavens. Towering pagodas and marble arenas rose into the sky, trimmed with jade rooftops and dragon-etched banners that fluttered in the wind. Pathways of polished stone glowed under the sunlight, weaving between crystal-clear ponds and ancient trees whose gnarled roots whispered history.

Heddicus was enchanted. So this is the legendary Ormadock Academy… It’s like stepping into a different world.

All around them, students moved in groups—some sparring, some meditating, others walking with the proud posture of noble clans. Their clothing varied—some wore plain linen robes, worn but clean, while others flaunted luxurious silks laced with emblems of prestigious sects and wealthy families. A few had weapons slung across their backs, ranging from glowing blades to blackened spears pulsing with runes.

As the trio passed, every student stopped to bow in respect to Lord Irrus. But their eyes kept darting to the unfamiliar figure beside him.

Who is that man?

Since when does Lord Irrus escort guests personally?

Even the elders don’t get this kind of treatment…

The whispers began, soft but growing like a storm cloud on the horizon. Davious ignored them, but Heddicus caught every word and smirked proudly. Let them guess.

They walked up a winding stone staircase that climbed the academy’s highest mountain. The air turned crisp, the wind stronger, carrying the scent of pine and ancient incense. Finally, they arrived at the summit—where a majestic structure stood, noble and solitary.

The building shimmered under the sun, its curved purple-tiled roof and black marble walls exuding ancient grace. Gold-lined windows gleamed, and carved pillars shaped like blooming orchids flanked the massive entrance.

From here, the entire academy stretched below like a painted scroll. Training fields, towers, lakes, and dormitories—all visible from this serene peak.

Lord Irrus stopped, turned with a small bow, and gestured toward the villa.

“Lord Davious… this is called the Purple Orchid Villa. It was built three hundred years ago by the first Head of the Academy. Only the most honored guests have ever stepped foot here.”

Davious stood silently, the breeze tugging at his dark robe. His eyes scanned the view before locking onto the villa.

“Hm,” he murmured. “It’ll do.”

The sky turned darker as evening settled over Ormadock Academy. In a grand circular hall deep inside the inner sanctum, eight elderly men gathered—each one seated in a stone chair that radiated their personal soul aura.

Lord Irrus sat at the head of the round table.

The First Elder, a tall man with silver hair and sharp eyes, wore a golden martial robe. His aura surged faintly—powerful and refined. He had reached the 9th stage of the Martial King realm, the peak, and the very threshold before entering the Martial Emperor realm.

The Second and Third Elders sat beside him—each cloaked in long blue robes, both having reached the 7th and 8th stages of the Martial King realm. The rest of the elders, ranging from the 3rd to the 5th stages, sat respectfully. They all had one thing in common—the bitter pressure of hitting bottlenecks for years. Reaching the Martial Emperor realm was a dream few dared to claim.

Lord Irrus slammed his black rod lightly against the ground.

“I summoned you all because of a man I encountered today… Davious.”

He paused, letting the name settle in their minds.

“What about him?” First Elder asked, voice steady.

“I tried to test him… but before I could even touch him, I was crushed to my knees. His soul force—golden in color—rendered me immobile. I couldn’t resist. He even helped me break through to the third stage of the Martial Emperor realm... just with a touch of his soul force.”

Silence took over the room.

“…What?” the Third Elder’s eyes widened. “You… broke through just like that?”

“It’s true,” Lord Irrus confirmed.

“Impossible!” the Fourth Elder gasped. “That kind of control… golden soul force? Could he be beyond the Martial Emperor realm?”

“We don’t know,” Irrus said grimly. “But his strength is absolute. I dare say he could crush any of us without lifting a finger.”

The First Elder’s eyes gleamed. “Then… it’s clear we must act.”

He stood slowly, his soul force radiating with authority. “Let’s offer him a post. Not just any position—a supreme position. We make him our Supreme Elder. A rank higher than even the dean himself.”

Some elders immediately stood in protest.

“That’s far too sudden!”

“We know nothing about him!”

“He could be dangerous!”

“I understand,” the First Elder said. “But strength like that? If we let him slip through our fingers, we’d be fools. With him here, Ormadock Academy could solidify its position as the strongest institution on the continent!”

A heavy silence loomed.

After a long pause, Lord Irrus spoke, “He could've destroyed me. Instead, he spared me. And even helped me. That says something.”

“…Agreed,” the Second Elder said. “We take the chance.”

One by one, the elders reluctantly nodded. The final vote was unanimous.

“Then it’s decided. We appoint Davious as Supreme Elder.”

—

Later that night, the elders arrived at Purple Orchid Villa. Davious sat in the garden, sipping tea. Moonlight danced across his robe like a faint aura. Heddicus stood behind him, arms folded proudly.

The elders bowed in unison.

“We greet Lord Davious!”

Davious raised an eyebrow. “Oh? This many old men at once. What now?”

The First Elder stepped forward and bowed again. “We’ve come to request you take the post of Supreme Elder of Ormadock Academy.”

“I’m not interested,” Davious said flatly, waving a hand.

“Please reconsider,” Lord Irrus stepped forward. “It’s a token of our respect. A position of honor and power—granted only to someone like you.”

Davious studied them quietly for a moment.

“…Fine,” he said at last. “Since I’ll be here for a while, I’ll play your little role.”

A golden plaque was presented to him, engraved with ancient symbols—it radiated the aura of prestige. Davious accepted it casually.

“And since I’m in a generous mood,” Davious said, “why don’t I offer you all something in return?”

He stood, his soul force flaring out gently like ripples of a divine lake. He tapped the First Elder’s forehead.

A powerful surge burst forth—green light spiraling from the old man’s body. His eyes went wide as tears streamed down his cheeks.

“AHHH! I—I… I broke through!!”

The aura around him surged violently—he had stepped halfway into the Martial Emperor realm.

“In two years, you’ll ascend,” Davious said. “Prepare yourself.”

The hall shook with gasps.

“Two years?! That’s unheard of!”

“It takes ten, fifteen years… and even then, most never cross the threshold!”

The rest of the elders received lesser boosts—each advancing by one or two stages, their expressions flooded with gratitude and disbelief.

Davious finally turned away.

“One request,” he said calmly. “Keep my identity a secret.”

“Of course!” they all replied in unison, bowing deeply.

As they left the villa, the elders were seen murmuring excitedly, their faces lit with rare joy. Their voices echoed into the night, filled with awe.

“That man… he’s not just powerful.”

“He’s a godsend.”

“A miracle…”

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