The orphanage rooftop came into view as Kuro descended through the night air, his massive wings beating steadily. Damian slid off his back the moment they touched down.

’Finally,’ Kuro’s voice came through the mental link, shaking out his feathers. ’My back is killing me.’

Damian rolled his eyes, but before he could respond, the air around them shifted.

Whoosh

Four figures materialized out of nowhere.

"Where the hell have you been?" Vash’s voice was loud, but the concern underneath was unmistakable. "Months, kid... Months without a word."

Damian let out a long breath, running a hand through his crimson hair.

"It’s... a long story."

Gregor’s expression softened slightly.

"We have time."

****

The Phoenix bottle sat empty on the table between them.

Well, the first bottle anyway.

Bam

Vash slammed his glass down and pointed at Kuro, who had shifted to his small size and was perched on the edge of the table with his own cup clutched in his talons.

"Another round, bird. I’m not done yet."

Kuro’s crimson eyes gleamed as he dipped his beak toward his cup, draining it in one smooth motion. He let out a satisfied croak and flapped his wings once.

Vash laughed, the sound booming and genuine.

"I like this bird. He’s got the right spirit."

He poured them both another round, the liquid filling into the glasses.

Yara shook her head, but she was smiling.

"You’re both going to regret this tomorrow."

"It’ll be worth it," Vash said, raising his glass toward Kuro.

The raven mirrored the gesture with his cup, and they both drank.

Damian watched them, something warm settling in his chest. It felt good to be back and to be around people who actually gave a damn.

Gregor was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. When he spoke, his voice was thoughtful.

"So the Patriarchs are starting to pay attention to you now."

The warmth faded as Damian’s jaw tightened slightly.

"Yeah... The Royce Patriarch pulled me to the forest for a talk." He exhaled slowly. "Gave me what he called an advice."

’More like a threat dressed up as friendly advice.’

Gregor’s expression stayed calm, but there was something sharp in his eyes now.

"And you walked away from it breathing... That’s better than most people manage."

"I don’t think he wanted me dead," Damian said quietly. "Just wanted me to understand where the line is."

Castor was studying him now, like a mentor watching his student. After a moment, he spoke.

"All of your physical stats are already above 750." There was approval in his voice. "That’s unheard of for someone at B+ rank."

He paused, pushing his glasses up slightly.

"Although I’d recommend trying to push as close to the 1000 stat-point limit as possible before you advance to S rank."

Yara’s head snapped toward Damian, her eyes going wide.

"Wait, all of them?! Not just one or two stats?"

Castor glanced at her, then back at Damian.

"From what I’m seeing, yes. All of them are above 750."

Vash let out a long breath, setting his glass down with a heavy thud. He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the sky.

"I’m almost jealous, you know that?" His voice was rougher now, the alcohol starting to hit. "If I’d had access to something like that devouring art of yours when I was younger, I could’ve maxed out everything in A rank before even thinking about advancing."

Castor shook his head, his expression turning more serious.

"I don’t think it will be that easy... Soon he will start hitting walls that won’t break no matter how many regular monsters you consume." He paused, his gaze distant. "The closer he gets to 800, the more he will need to devour extremely powerful creatures or treasures"

His voice dropped slightly.

"Crossing 800 in any single stat is incredibly difficult. Most awakeners never manage it in their entire lives."

Gregor’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"But you did manage it, didn’t you? For speed." He paused, looking at Vash. "And this one managed to cross 800 for all his physical stats. Even pushed vitality past 900."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as Castor’s face became grim.

"...And you know exactly what the reason for that was."

"..."

Silence fell across the table.

Even Vash stopped pouring, his hand frozen mid-air. Kuro tilted his head, his crimson eyes darting between the four of them as he sensed the sudden shift in mood.

Damian looked at each of them in turn, watching the way their faces had changed.

’What really happened to them?’

He’d always wondered about their past, but he’d never asked why and what they’d been through to get this strong.

After a long moment, Damian leaned forward slightly, his voice quiet but steady.

"...I never asked before, but I think it’s time you tell me what happened to you."

The four of them exchanged glances.

Yara looked away first, her jaw tightening, Vash’s grin faded completely, Gregor’s expression remained calm, but there was something heavy in his eyes now.

And Castor reached up and adjusted his glasses, then leaned back in his chair and let out a slow breath.

"I know you don’t know much about the dark side of our world." His voice was calm and measured, but there was an edge to it now. "So let me start with a simple question."

He paused, his eyes meeting Damian’s.

"Is there anyone in the world who truly likes being second best?"

Damian thought about it for a moment, then shook his head.

’Isn’t that what drives all of us? The need to be stronger? To be better? To never be the one looking up?’

Castor’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

"And that’s where everything starts to rot." His voice was quiet now, almost bitter. "The Noble families spend their entire existence looking up at the Imperials... Always wanting more. More power, more status and more control over their own fates."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

"So they fund underworld organizations to help them climb higher... Secret ones that operate in the shadows where no one can see what they’re really doing." He paused. "Some Imperials probably do the same thing. It’s hard to tell where the money and manpower really comes from when everything’s buried deep enough."

Damian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’Underworld organizations? I have heard some rumors...’