NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Meeting and the Mysterious Ring
Ryo arrived at the grand palace, its towering crimson spires reflecting the eerie glow of the moon. A royal messenger guided him through the lavish hallways, leading him to an opulent meeting chamber.
"Please wait here," the messenger instructed before leaving.
Ryo settled into a plush velvet sofa. A graceful maid approached, pouring tea into a fine porcelain cup and serving it with a delicate bow. He took a sip, savoring the rich aroma, when the booming voice of the guards outside echoed through the chamber.
"His Majesty, the Vampire Lord, and His Majesty, the Dragon Emperor, have arrived!"
The heavy doors swung open, revealing the imposing figures of the Vampire Lord and the Dragon Emperor. Despite their regal presence, their expressions remained unreadable. As they entered, the Vampire Lord motioned with a wave of his hand.
"Stay seated."
Ryo mentally scoffed. It's not like I was planning to get up anyway.
The two rulers took their seats across from him, their piercing gazes locking onto Ryo's. The Vampire Lord spoke first.
"I've received the full report on what transpired during your journey—the attack, the tampering with the teleportation monument, and the kidnapping of your family."
Ryo's expression darkened at the mention of it.
"The culprits behind this incident have already been identified," the Vampire Lord continued. "It was the family of the senior noble you killed at the Grand Stadium of the Academy. They sought revenge but failed miserably. Justice has been served—they have been sentenced to the eternal imprisonment dungeon."
The Dragon Emperor added, his voice deep and commanding, "Fools who challenge the strong without proper strength deserve no mercy. However, this is merely a glimpse of the enemies you will make. Power attracts both allies and foes. You must be prepared."
Ryo remained silent, absorbing the information. His enemies were being dealt with efficiently, but he doubted this was the last of them.
The Vampire Lord leaned forward slightly. "Shall we move on to the main topic?"
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Main topic?"
A faint smirk crossed the Vampire Lord's lips. "Your land."
Ryo sat up slightly, intrigued.
"As a token of our trust and future alliance, the Vampire Kingdom and the Dragon Empire have agreed to grant you a domain. Its location is unique—at the very center of all existing nations."
Ryo's mind reeled at the implications. The center of all nations? That meant it bordered every major kingdom—dwarves, elves, fairies, demons, spirits, angels, and even the Holy Kingdom, which worshiped the gods of various races.
The Dragon Emperor spoke next, his golden eyes gleaming. "This land is no ordinary territory. It is ancient, untouched by rulers, yet its strategic importance is undeniable. Long ago, the gods sealed many races within this world, preventing them from freely entering the human realm. Only those with mixed blood or special conditions can use the teleportation monuments. Your unique existence has proven capable of traversing both worlds."
Ryo pondered. That explains why Selena and Seyra were able to pass through. But they still needed my magic to go there...
Before he could contemplate further, the Vampire Lord gestured for him to follow.
"Come with me for a moment."
Ryo followed them down the dimly lit corridors until they reached a grand treasury chamber. The room was filled with treasures—ancient weapons, enchanted relics, and artifacts radiating immense power.
"Choose one," the Vampire Lord instructed.
Ryo blinked in surprise. "Why?"
The Dragon Emperor chuckled. "Consider it a small gift from two fathers-in-law to their future son-in-law."
Ryo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You people really don't give me a choice, do you?"
Ignoring their smirks, he turned his attention to the treasures. He scanned the items, passing by dazzling swords and gleaming amulets, until his gaze landed on a simple black ring.
The moment he laid eyes on it, a sharp pain pierced his skull.
System Notification:
[Memory Fragment Found]
A distorted voice echoed in his mind, too fragmented to understand.
Grimacing, he reached out and picked up the ring. The pain subsided instantly, leaving only a dull ache. He clenched the ring in his palm and turned back. "I'll take this."
The Dragon Emperor observed the ring closely, his gaze darkening. "That ring... It is not something we placed here. It has been in this treasury for centuries, yet none have dared claim it. Are you certain?"
Ryo hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Yeah. It feels... important."
After the formalities, Ryo returned to his parents. They had dinner together, a rare moment of peace. But later that night, lying in bed, his thoughts drifted back to the ring.
Curious, he pulled it from his pocket and examined it. It appeared ordinary—smooth, cold, and devoid of any markings. Yet something about it felt... familiar.
Acting on instinct, he slipped it onto his finger.
The moment the ring touched his skin, it vanished.
Before he could react, agony exploded within him.
System Notification:
[Memory Fragment Obtained][New Dormant Traits Unlocked – Cannot Be Displayed Due to Low Level]
[New Ability Unlocked – Ether and Divine/Holy Powers Starting to Manifest]
Ryo gasped, clutching his head as unbearable pain surged through his body. White-hot energy coursed through his veins, twisting, reshaping, and expanding his very being.
His vision blurred. His consciousness wavered.
Before collapsing, he heard the system saying, "Seeing memory fragment..." Then, everything went dark.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed Chapter 25! This chapter marks a turning point in Ryo's journey—he's not only gaining land but also unlocking mysterious memories tied to his past. What is this black ring? What kind of power is hidden within him? And how will his newfound abilities shape his future?
I'd love to hear your thoughts! What do you think is coming next? Let me know in the comments!
Stay tuned for the next chapter!