The Author's POV

Caissa headquarters.

"Everything is going as Ren has predicted."

Ryan mumbled something under his breath as he bit his nails and studied the monitors that were situated in front of him. Ava was standing next to him at the time, and she gave a slight nod as a bird perched on her arm.

"In approximately one week, the forces of the Monolith will make their way to Ashton city. As Ren had predicted, they began their assault on us by first destroying the four cities at the edge of the human domain. They will almost certainly make a brief stop on the outskirts of the city before attempting to breach the city's defenses."

"I agree…"

Ryan kept gnawing on his fingernails as he moved the pointer of his mouse around the screen and gazed at the deserted streets of Ashton city. In particular, his gaze was drawn toward a few distinct buildings, and he turned his head to inquire about something.

"Have you already set everything up?"

"Yes. Everything has been arranged. All we have to do is wait for Ren to give us the go ahead before moving."

"How long do you think that will take?"

"Probably two more months."

Ava truthfully answered.

"He did mention in advance that he would be extremely busy over the course of the next three months. One month has already passed, and there are still two more months to go. Because Angelica is not here with us either, we are unable to proceed with our plans just yet."

"So are we just going to stay here and do nothing while the Monolith attacks next week?"

Leopold's voice could be heard as he walked into the monitor room with his daughter Sophia following closely behind.

She waved her hand lightly at the two, who waved back at her.

All of the members' families were escorted to the headquarters in order to ensure their own personal safety.

Hein's parents and siblings, Ava's family, Ryan's mom, Leopold's daughter, and so on…

This place had basically become the home of all the members' families. Fortunately, the warehouse was big enough to house everyone without any problems.

"Yes, for now, that is."

Ryan replied to Leopold without looking at him. He had already seen him coming a few seconds ago so he wasn't exactly surprised.

supposed to do in the

the sofas at the back of the room. Ava, staring at him, turned

he's doing, we won't have time to spend with our families for quite some time, so make the most of the

Leopold's face subtly shifted as he leaned his head down to gaze at his daughter. In the end, he gave a respectful nod

then I will do my best to enjoy my time with her.

***

Within a dark void.

Swoosh—! Swooosh—!

of sword moves as his sword danced through space, leaving a

Swooosh—! Swoooosh—!

new set of moves he would

he was. The figure was restrained by a number of chains, and it just stood there and stared expressionlessly at Ren as he worked on the sequence of moves in the void by

silence enveloped the

what he was doing and looked at the other Ren. Sweat dripped from every corner of his

you think? This is what I've come

"…"

without uttering a word, displaying no

and dropped the sword beside him, which vanished

hand, a green

is a sword art that thrives primarily on style and power increases across multiple moves. The more move sets one executes, the more precise and

to move slowly over the pages of the

the following few passages, he discarded the book and picked up

colored book

in order to release the latent and raw power that is within the muscles of the human body. The harsher the conditions that their bodies undertake, the more powerful they will become. It is said that upon reaching the final level of the Gravar

arts, he eventually set that book aside and took out

"The Keiki style…"

and tossed it to the side of the room. He cocked his head back and looked up at the pitch-black abyss that loomed

would've thought that there would be such

the side and

haven't you? It's been about a month since I decided to practice over

direction of the figure that was restrained in chains. His feet eventually

why I decided to train over here, instead of outside? It's very obvious that training outside of here would be more

to stare emotionlessly at the space. His face looked completely dead, and Ren's

didn't seem to mind this as he continued

reason why I decide to train here is

brought his head forward and whispered

will I be able to create a new sword art and