Level Up Legacy

As the golden star appeared like a flower blooming, Emma was caught off guard. The golden light it cast made her feel warm and nostalgic, but she did not understand how this star came into existence or what it represented.

"That golden star…" muttered Marvi with confusion as he took several steps to stand next to her. "It belongs to my master!"

"Arthur's star?" muttered Emma with confusion as she turned toward it, feeling its warmth. Her heart started skipping beats as she remembered their times together. As she was just wondering about the meaning of her life, this star brought her comfort.

"What is he doing in such a faraway place?" muttered Marvi with a frown as he held the window's edge. "What is he fighting that he needs to use this amount of mana that might hurt him?"

Emma realized that she was thinking about her own life and feelings, but never considered what Arthur himself was experiencing. As the rising outcast throughout the world, known as the most wanted criminal, he must be facing challenges that no one could fathom.

"I changed my mind, Marvi," said Emma with newfound determination. "I have no plans to die or give up before I meet Arthur again. At that time, I will find out the truth from his own tongue, not some book."

"That sounds like a fine idea, Miss Emma," said Marvi with a smile as he watched the golden star. "The first thing that we need to do is to ensure your safety."

"And my family's safety too," said Emma with determination as she looked at the golden star. Marvi nodded and the two of them stood there in silence, admiring the golden star and how it shook the universe. Then, a voice echoed from the distant star, reaching their ears.

***

Many people admired and cherished Arthur for his heroic deeds or unwavering character despite his powers, but even more hated him. After his broadcast to the world after the battle of Kera, he became a world-class terrorist and anarchist.

Rebellions rose in different parts of the world against the seven families, who did not stand idle to crush them. The infighting amongst the major countries in the world unsettled peace for the lower classes, who began to loathe the person who ignited this flame.

No one, however, hated the outsider more than the seven families themselves. After he exposed their secret to resurrect their ancestors, their loyal subjects began dwindling. Many of them joined the rebellion, and one famous example was Ilia Perli.

Captain of the famous Unbroken Corps was said to be killed during the Battle of Kera, but he made a surprising reappearance during the Battle of Runes just a day ago. In response to the outcome of that battle, a secret meeting happened in the Republic of Orlan.

In the middle of the largest desert in Orlan, an underground venue was built to ensure that no one could see. The ceiling was made with star glass, a rare item that allowed people to see through it, but not the other way around. From the outside, it blended to the surrounding and formed a camouflage.

The reason that this meeting was held here was that Orlan was the only one with good relations with the others. Their technology depended on their trade to other countries, so they had to maintain a proper relationship with them.

The small venue had nothing but an entrance and a hall, which the moonlight illuminated. Seven seats around a round table, with a giant map on the table.

The secret meeting began when the doors opened, revealing a group of people, led by Rolan of Orlan. He was leading several people into the secret room before gesturing for them to sit.

"We gather here today on the request of the Yalen King," said Rolan of Orlan as he glanced at the man wearing a golden crown. "He declared that this will be a state of great emergency. As the seer, we could not ignore his warning."

"I appreciate the introduction," said the Yalen King as he eyed Rolan with his violet eyes, examining him thoroughly, "but where is the president?"

"My father has fallen ill with mana fever," said Rolan with a sad expression. "It seems that he has harnessed too much mana in his recent training."

Rolan said the words casually, but it generated different responses from the rest. Although the president was a powerful transmutation mage, he was not the real threat in Orlan. It was the genius before them, who could rival the leaders of the families with ease.

"Instead of discussing personal matters, I want to understand what urged you to gather us here," said Queen Ava of Janea as she eyed the Yalen King with clear hostility. Sensing her sharp tone and gaze, the king turned toward her with an unimpressed look.

"For a nation plagued with famine, you should seek allies and not enemies, Ava," said the king without a hint of respect. Queen Ava glared at him in rage, making plants rise from the ground. A fight was about to occur when Rolan appeased the situation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we did not come here to fight," said Rolan as he raised his hand with a concerned look. "We can do that after we're done. According to the Yalen King, a great threat is coming to this world."

"And that threat is Arthur Silvera," said the Yalen King without a pause as he still glared at the queen. "None of you did a thing as he marched to Runera, because no one thought he could take it down. But it happened."

"Arthur Silvera did not win against Runera, but Runera collapsed on its own," said the King of Beasts, who was topless except for a leather cape. His rough look showed the barbaric nature of Thiria. "If you consider a brat like that a threat, then you are indeed a coward."

"And how is Dragonir handling Ascent so far?" asked the Yalen King with a grin. "I know everything there is to know about your struggle against them. Even though they have defeated you in C-rank Dungeons, you have yet to make that right."

"Thiria is not Dragonir."

"Your son is its guildmaster, and you have crushed every other guild that rose in Thiria," scoffed the king. "At least I admit that Arthur Silvera is a threat, but you are too blind to do that!"

Instead of flaring up, the King of Beasts was silent. Contrary to common belief that he was short-tempered, the truth was far from that. His ego could not be harmed by mere words, so nothing enraged him.

"We already considered him a threat, so there is nothing new," said the King of Tenera, descendant of the Summoner Guardian. "Ilios has fallen because of him, and our hidden masters have already noticed him."

"He became a bigger threat now," said the Yalen King as he leaned back. "I was ecstatic when Ilios fell because the Light Emperor always tried to pouch my union. However, I foresaw something."

"And what is that?" asked Rolan with interest.

"A golden star," said the king with a grave expression. "Whenever I try to foresee the future, there is just one image: a golden star in the night's sky!"

"The sky is above you," said the King of Beasts as he pointed upward toward the ceiling, "do you see a golden star?"

"A man of short insight takes prophecies literally," said the Yalen King with a sigh. "I do not specialize in prophecies like my father did, so I see them as metaphors. A star means a grave danger and change, and the golden means the creator!"

"You are gathering us here based on a dream?" asked Queen Ava with a laugh as she rose to leave. "I have better things to do than sit here and chitchat about our dreams!"

"There is more!" shouted the Yalen King while staring at the table. "I had another vision last night, and it was Arthur Silvera carrying a black dagger in his hand. Against him stood a divine gate in the skies!"

The entire room froze as they heard his words. Even Queen Ava turned toward the Yalen King with shock instead of disdain. As a few moments passed, the crowd could hear nothing but their shallow breaths.

"Arthur Silvera is challenging the gods?" asked Rolan of Orlan with visible fear, but none of the rest dared answer. "Is this his way of bringing doom to our world?"

"I have no idea what his intentions are, but this man needs to be stopped!" said the Yalen King as his hands trembled, and he tried to control them. "Our ancestors had a reason to forsake this world, and we cannot allow someone like him to ruin our relationship with Devaheim!"

The existence of Devaheim was something that no one dared to mention, even in his own chambers. This grave secret was enough to destroy the entire world, and it was transferred from parents to their children in the seven families.

There was one rule that no one in the seven families dared to break, even at the cost of his own life. The rule was simple: never stand against the upper realms, because the entire world will be crushed!