The Ashen Dominion

After watching the fight between [The Pack] and [The Red Sun], Kaiser and the others headed straight to the training ground.

The event had ended faster than expected, and even though there were still some 1v1 events left to be held after, none of them had the interest to stay and watch. They had seen what they wanted.

So without saying much—

They all left.

Kaiser, Viktor, Edmar, Leo, Niko, Yuwa, Brock, Khan, and Jin quietly made their way back to the usual training ground they always used.

(Leo, Niko, and Yuwa goes to a different training ground. So the three of them separated from the others not long.)

And once they arrived—

They got to work.

Viktor clenched his wooden dual axes tighter.

Edmar did the same, training his weapon skills as well.

Khan picked up a wooden spear from the rack.

Jin, as usual, stayed quiet and started stretching as soon as they arrived.

Brock let out a few deep breaths before clenching his fists, veins rising along his forearms.

And Kaiser—

He took off his upper shirt, revealing the dense mesh of muscles and scars across his body that he got throughout all of his fights. Calmly, he started practicing his greatsword skills and control again.

(He got more scars sparring with Viktor and Brock than all his fights until now.)

Meanwhile, on the other hand—

Leo removed his jacket and started shadow boxing after arriving where he usually trains.

Niko sat down cross-legged, meditating, and relaxing before training hard later on.

Yuwa jogged a few laps around the training field before practicing his footwork drills.

None of them said much after watching the [Organization VS Organization] event. They didn't need to.

They just continued on their day.

They were used to this already. This was their daily rhythm. Their habit. Their fire.

...

...

...

The sun hung high for a while, but gradually—

Hours passed.

And as the light began to dim, and the sky turned orange—

One by one, they started to slow down.

Their bodies ached. Muscles screaming. Sweat dripping.

But none of them stopped until they absolutely had to.

Eventually, Kaiser, Viktor, and Edmar decided to call it a day.

Kaiser spoke first.

"That should be enough."

He wasn't even panting. Just calmly wiping sweat off his brow as if it was just a regular stroll.

Viktor grunted.

"Yeah... I can barely feel my arms."

Edmar laughed a little while spinning one of his wooden swords back into the rack where he took it.

"That just means your training is working, don't worry."

They didn't bother saying goodbye to Brock, Khan, and Jin. The three of them were locked in training so they just let them be.

Kaiser, Viktor, and Edmar simply started walking back.

Heading toward the Silver Place where they stay at as usual.

They can go back there now without actively looking at the way because they got super familiar with the route now. The clean halls. Quiet atmosphere. Full of guards around.

Anyway... The three of got there not long, and when they arrived—

Kaiser, Edmar, and Viktor entered their room, then they rested.

...

Just for a bit.

Edmar lay flat on his rock solid bed, staring at his ugly ceiling.

Viktor sat on the chair by his desk, towel on his head.

Kaiser leaned against the wall of his room with his arms crossed, eyes closed. He doesn't want his adrenaline to get down so he's not sitting down.

He'll use it to train [Intimidation] later.

Silence filled their rooms.

Only the quiet hum of the wind outside and the distant chatter from other rooms could be heard.

Then after maybe thirty minutes or so, the three of them stood up again—

And headed outside to get their dinners.

It was already nighttime.

The place was lit by lamps and torches on the wall. It's still a bit dim though.

Kaiser, Viktor, and Edmar joined up outside and their portions.

Just the usual soup with meat and bread.

'They make us eat this whether it's morning or night... We rarely get something new.'

Kaiser thought to himself.

He was sat together with the two, the three of them eating in silence.

Leo, Niko, and Yuwa were eating too not far away from them.

But they didn't say anything to each other, they were all extra tired today for no real reason.

Anyway, after dinner—

Edmar stretched his arms up and got up from the bench.

"I'm heading back. Gonna polish my blades."

Viktor followed suit.

"I'm heading back as well. I need to fix my dirty clothes to clean them tomorrow. They all stinks now."

"See you guys tomorrow."

Kaiser replied to the two of them.

Then they both left.

Leaving Kaiser alone sitting on the bench.

He didn't mind. He actually like being alone like this sometimes to think to himself.

He stayed there, sipping his water, glancing at the entrance from time to time.

...

...

...

A few minutes passed. Then—

Tap. Tap. Tap—

Kaiser heard footsteps.

And from the outside of the gate— Rai arrived, holding a brown paper bag.

He was wearing his usual white shirt and black pants servant uniform, apron still tied around his waist. His face looked calm—

But... for some reason... his body language said otherwise.

"Hm?"

Kaiser immediately noticed that. He raised a brow.

He stood up and walked over to Rai.

"Yo."

"Hello, Kaiser."

Kaiser greeted, then Rai responded with a smile om his face.

"Your protein. Two roasted chicken breasts, just how you like it."

He followed immediately after.

"Mn."

Kaiser reached over and took the paper bag. He opened it.

The familiar scent of roasted meat hit his nose.

He took one out with his bare hand and started eating on the spot. He was still hungry.

Kaiser is a growing child, his body now wants more and more food.

Moving on, Rai just watched him with a small smile.

He just stood there. Silent.

But he was also slightly fidgeting.

Kaiser chewed slowly.

Then he finally opened his mouth not long.

"...What is it?"

He asked, looking at Rai in the eyes.

Rai blinked.

"Huh?"

"You're acting weird. What's wrong...?"

Kaiser followed.

Rai gulped at his words... He lowered his head a little.

Took a breath—

"Fuuuu..."

And then... He finally parted his lips and spoke.

"Kaiser... I just got the notice. From the owner himself."

Kaiser stopped chewing.

Then Rai continued.

"Next week... [Ashborn] is joining the [Organization VS Organization] event. He wants me to tell you that."

Kaiser looked at him.

"..."

His expression unreadable.

Kaiser wiped his fingers on the paper bag in his hand.

He blinked once... then tilted his head.

"Calm down, Rai."

He said casually while chewing slowly on the second roasted chicken breast.

"..."

Rai looked at him, surprised at how chill Kaiser was.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath—

"Fuuuuuh~"

Then Rai exhaled.

Now that he looked at Kaiser properly... How unbothered he seemed...

The tension in Rai's shoulders slowly melted away.

His heart started slowing down. His nerves settled.

And opening his mouth slowly—

"...We're fighting next week."

Rai repeated softly, more to himself than anyone else.

Kaiser nodded slightly, finishing his food in two more bites before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Good. Now that you're calm... I want you to let everyone in the Copper Rank know about this. I'll let the other guys here about it."

He looked directly at Rai and ordered that.

"Tell every single one of them."

"Yes."

Rai nodded quickly, his nervousness gone. A serious and focused light appeared in his eyes.

Kaiser looked up a bit, thinking to himself.

"And one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Get me all the information you can about the fight. Who our opponents are, about their members—everything you can."

He waved a finger lazily.

"Understood."

Rai straightened his back, chest out. He was already collecting information about the other organizations for quite a while now, so he can really help in this aspect.

"I'll get right on it."

"Thanks."

Kaiser looked back at Rai again, eyes half-lidded now as he relaxed his body.

"See you tomorrow."

Rai said as he took a step back.

"Yeah, I really appreciate your help."

Kaiser replied to him as he took another step back.

And with one last glance at Kaiser—

A resolute look appeared on Rai's face.

He turned around... And left to the dark corridor.

For tonight, he would go back to his room, and compile the information he has about [Ashborn]'s enemy.

"..."

Kaiser just watched him go silently. Then when he was gone—

"Ugh..."

Kaiser groaned and threw the paper bag in his hand outside the metal bars.

"Next week, huh."

He mumbled.

"I need to tell the others as soon as possible and prepare... I'll just inform them tomorrow morning, and wait for Rai with the extra information to start planning on what to do."

Then he added, walking back to his room with a frown on his face.

His calm facade now gone.