The doors of the guild slammed open, wind rushing in behind the lone figure that stepped inside. The bustling chatter stopped, mugs froze midair, and every head turned toward the entrance.

  A tall boy stood at the threshold, his snow-white hair flowing with the storm he carried on his shoulders. His once warm eyes were now colder, sharper, emotionless. The dark aura clinging to him pulsed with electricity, and yet he stood calm—composed like the eye of a hurricane.

  Kazuki had returned.

  Whispers erupted in the room, but none dared speak his name aloud. His mere presence weighed heavy in the air like a god descending to the mortal realm.

  Behind him, within a silent ripple of space, his army vanished into his pocket dimension with a simple gesture—over a thousand dark soldiers responding to his will. The number had not changed: 1,463—but their aura had matured. Stronger. Sharper. Rank-defined.

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  Garron was the first to stand, eyes wide, his blade clattering to the ground.

  “…Kazuki?” he breathed.

  Elara covered her mouth, trembling, eyes welling up with tears. Even Drake, once skeptical of the boy’s mysterious powers, looked stunned.

  “It's him,” Rinara whispered under her breath. “He’s back.”

  Kazuki looked around the guild with a hollow gaze. No warmth. No smile. His aura silenced even the Guild Master, who had rushed in at the surge of energy but now stood frozen by the door.

  He slowly walked forward, each step echoing.

  From the highest tower overlooking the city, Kairyuuha smirked, the wind tugging at his blue jacket. “So… you broke it,” he muttered, eyes glowing red and blue. “Let’s see how long you last, Kazuki.”

  Meanwhile, deep within the sealed dimension he had broken free from, tendrils of corrupted time twisted and churned violently—Kazuki’s escape had left a tear.

  Back at the guild, Kazuki spoke for the first time, his voice colder, deeper.

  “I’m here to report… the failure of the seal.”

  A long silence followed.

  The Duke, who had just entered the hall, clenched his fist with visible emotion.

  “You’re really back…” he said, stepping forward. “Kazuki… what happened to you?”

  Kazuki’s answer was delayed. Then, with an unreadable expression, he simply replied:

  “…I’ve evolved.”