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

comfortable on one of the sofas at the back of the room. Ava, staring at

with your family. Ren did say that after he finishes whatever he's doing, we won't have time to

expression on Leopold's face subtly shifted as he leaned his head down to gaze at his daughter. In

it that way, then I will do my best to enjoy my

***

Within a dark void.

Swoosh—! Swooosh—!

could be seen practicing a series of sword moves as his sword

Swooosh—! Swoooosh—!

set of moves he would perform, his moves would become increasingly precise

from where 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

eerie silence enveloped

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

This is what I've come

"…"

to stare at Ren without uttering a

the ground and

hand, a green book appeared in his

sets one executes, the more precise and potent their attacks become. It is said that a person's body

the words out loud while his eyes continued to move slowly over the pages of the book

following few passages, he discarded the book and picked up a new one to continue

new colored book appeared

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 style, one can directly tear the space with just

description of the two sword arts,

"The Keiki style…"

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

be such a great space to

turned his head to the side

while, now, haven't you? It's been about a month since I decided to practice over here, and yet, not once did I ever hear you speak during the time that I started my

in chains. His feet eventually came to a stop in front of him, and

It's very obvious that training outside of here would be more efficient given all of the equipment that is available to me, but I chose

continued to stare emotionlessly at the space. His face looked completely dead, and Ren's words seemingly passed through his head

to mind this as

reason why I decide to train here

forward and

I be able to create a new sword art and reach the next