Piya looked at him with concern in her eyes.
Brother, how was your adventure? she asked softly.
Kairo — still in Zephiron's body — held his head slightly, pretending to feel dizzy.
I'm very tired, he said in a low voice. I'll tell you later… I want to sleep. Take me to my room… I feel a little dizzy.
Piya immediately moved closer and supported him by the shoulder.
Come, bhaiya. I'll take you, she said.
She slowly walked him through the long corridors of the Korvik estate and finally brought him into a large, well-decorated room.
She helped him lie down on the bed and covered him with a blanket.
Rest well, brother, she said gently. Bye.
Then she left the room quietly, closing the door behind her.
The moment the door closed—
Kairo opened his eyes.
The tired, weak expression on his face disappeared instantly.
Idiots, he muttered quietly.
He sat up slowly and looked around the room carefully — the furniture, the sword stand, the cultivation mat, the shelves, the windows, the exits.
Finding this room was easier than I expected, he said softly.
He looked at his hands — Zephiron's hands — and then closed his eyes, feeling the energy inside this body.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
Finally… I've reached Core Formation Peak, he whispered. Just one more
breakthrough… and I'll enter the Nascent Soul Realm. Then I'll be able to fly.
He stood up and walked toward the window, looking outside at the Korvik estate.
I was given an opportunity… and I took it, he said quietly.
But then his expression changed slightly. His eyes became colder.
But… when did I become like this? he murmured. So ruthless… Now I don't even care who dies and who lives…
For a few seconds, he stayed silent.
Then suddenly his eyes widened slightly.
…Wait.
I have to go back home, he said.
If I don't return, they'll get suspicious.
They'll start asking where I disappeared.
Without wasting a second, he jumped out of the window and moved at full speed toward the forest again.
The Cave – Return
After some time, he reached the cave again.
Inside the cave lay Zephiron's real dead body, cut in two.
Kairo looked at the corpse for a moment.
Then a dark formation appeared beneath the body, glowing faintly.
A few minutes later, Kairo stepped out of the formation again —
But this time, he was back in his original body.
His real face. His real eyes. His real identity.
He took one last look at Zephiron's corpse, then dragged it deeper into the cave and left it there.
No one will find you here, he said calmly.
Then he turned and left the cave, heading toward the Kelric family estate.
Kelric Family – Evening
By the time Kairo returned home, it was already 4 PM.
He walked into the estate normally, like nothing had happened, and started walking toward his room.
As he passed through the hallway, his mother saw him.
She looked at him… but said nothing.
But inside her mind, she was thinking:
Day by day, he's becoming more arrogant… He doesn't talk to us anymore… What is our fault? Just because he can't cultivate, does that mean he'll stop talking to his own parents…?
While she was thinking, Sofia walked into the room.
Mom, what are you thinking? Sofia asked.
Nothing, her mother replied quietly.
Sofia sat down and said, By the way, Mom — I've reached Nascent Soul Peak now.
And Krothe brother has also reached Nascent Soul Peak. Zyrith brother has entered Spiritual Transformation Low Stage.
All three sisters have reached Foundation Establishment.
Elena has reached Core Formation Low Stage. And Ketlos has also reached Foundation Establishment Low Stage.
She paused for a moment, then asked:
Mom… tell me something. Why can't Kairo cultivate?
Her mother lowered her eyes slightly.
I… don't know, she said quietly.
Just then, Kairo's father entered the room and heard the last part of the conversation.
He spoke slowly:
Listen, Sofia.
In this world, everyone is born with power.
No one is born without the ability to cultivate.
Sofia looked at him seriously. Then why can't he cultivate?
His father replied:
There can be only two reasons. Either he has power but hides it… or he has power but never uses it.
Sofia crossed her arms and said coldly:
If he is hiding his cultivation, I have no problem. But if he simply doesn't cultivate… then I have a problem. I don't want a lazy person in the Kelric family.
At that exact moment—
Outside the room, in the corridor—
Kairo was standing silently.
He had heard everything.
His face showed no emotion.
No anger. No sadness. Nothing.
Just silence.
Then he slowly turned and walked away toward his room.
After a few minutes, he came out again and walked toward the room where his mother was sitting.
He stopped at the door.
His mother looked up and saw him standing there.
For a few seconds, mother and son just looked at each other.
The room was silent.
Then Kairo spoke: