Magus Supremacy

It had been a full week since Grey had fallen off the cliff during his Aetherian assessment, teleported to an unknown location where he fought for his life against Thalos, and ultimately had the gargoyle submit to him as a subordinate of sorts.

During this week, Grey had been training relentlessly under Thalos's tutelage, mastering the gargoyle style of fighting. He had managed to grasp the concepts quickly, learning to sense Ki and detect lifeforms with impressive speed.

His days were filled with constant drills, mock battles, and grueling exercises that left his body aching but his skills sharper than ever.

He had also learned proper swordsmanship, refining his strikes and footwork, along with several other techniques that broadened his combat versatility.

Eventually, Grey reached a bottleneck. His Ki had grown far beyond its previous limits—if it had once been the size of a soccer ball, it was now twice that size, swirling inside him with a denser, more vibrant energy.

Now, Grey felt more than ready to return to the Aetherian Academy. Armed with polished skills, greater strength, a new sword, an ally, and a collection of rewards, he believed he was fully prepared.

"Are you sure you want to head back to the academy now? Do you really think you can handle those descendants you were so afraid of?" Thalos asked, sitting at the foot of the throne while watching Grey prepare for departure.

"When did I say I was scared of them?" Grey shot back, glaring at the gargoyle.

"You did—when you first came here. You didn't want to go back because you feared them. So, what changed now?" Thalos asked with a raised brow.

"Because I have you with me," Grey said with a smug grin, shoving the last of his rewards into a small backpack.

"You have me?" Thalos chuckled as he rose to his full height, pulling his massive sword from the ground and striding forward. "Don't think I'll be interfering in your petty disputes with those weaklings. If you've got a score to settle, settle it yourself. Don't drag me into it."

"Tsk! Not like I was relying on you before," Grey muttered as he strapped the backpack to his back, his sword rattling slightly at his waist.

"Whatever. Where's the rune stone?" Thalos asked.

"Right here." Grey pulled a green gemstone from his pocket, its surface engraved with intricate runic circles.

"You know how it works, right? Let's go," Thalos said, stepping beside Grey, greatsword in hand.

"Stop ordering me around," Grey scoffed. He gripped the stone tightly, closed his eyes, and crushed it with all his strength.

The instant it shattered, a bright light began swirling upward from their feet, enveloping them. Within moments, they were consumed by a blinding radiance.

"Finally," Thalos said with a broad grin. "After several years, I'm leaving this place."

The light faded, and the throne room was gone.

In another location—a vast, silent cave—a white glow slowly dimmed to reveal Grey and Thalos standing side by side.

The gargoyle turned in slow circles, scanning every inch of the cavern. "I almost forgot how this place looked," he murmured under his breath before they began making their way toward the exit.

'This cave… I doubt anyone else knows it exists. If I get the chance, I'll use it as a hideout. It could be a real advantage one day, especially since the fog never reaches here,' Grey thought as they stepped out into the open.

"Hold on. Before we go any further, aren't you forgetting something?" Grey asked, stopping to eye Thalos with a raised eyebrow.

"Forgetting something? What could I be… oh, right!" Thalos nearly facepalmed before letting out a sheepish chuckle. He reached for the ring on his stone finger and held it up to inspect it.

"Now, how do I use this to change my appearance?" he muttered, twisting the band around again and again as though expecting some kind of click or spark.

"How about you think of what you want to look like? Maybe it'll work," Grey suggested, adjusting the strap of his backpack.

"It's worth a shot," the gargoyle replied. He shut his eyes tight, holding the ring firmly as he imagined the form he desired.

Instantly, a shimmering white light wrapped around him. His solid stone skin softened, features shifting as the transformation took hold. From the weathered image of a statue, Thalos's form molded into that of a human.

His slick blue hair swayed lightly in the breeze, hazel-green eyes stared back at Grey with an almost mischievous glint, his face now rounded and strikingly handsome. He wore a fitted black outfit, tailored to perfection, and bore a confident, almost dazzling smile.

"Woah… I look… I look—" Thalos stammered, holding his hands up to the light, turning them over in disbelief.

"Not statue-y, that's for sure," Grey said with a small grin as he began walking forward.

Thalos followed, though his steps were slower as he couldn't resist brushing his fingers over his cheeks, jawline, and hair in awe of his new flesh-and-blood form.

The fog thickened ahead, and the pair moved carefully. Grey led the way, navigating toward the base of the cliff from which he had fallen, intending to return to the academy from there.

"Woah! I can feel the cool breeze on my skin!" Thalos exclaimed, waving his arms in the air like an overexcited child.

"Stop acting like a newborn," Grey said sharply, still keeping his eyes forward.

"Well, technically, I am a newborn. Technically," Thalos replied with a smug little laugh.

Grey ignored him—until something made him freeze. "Hold on. Where's your sword?"

"Right here," Thalos said casually, producing a sleek dagger and holding it up for Grey to see.

Grey blinked in disbelief. "You turned it from a giant sword into… a dagger? How exactly is that supposed to protect you?"

"Look at me. Do I look like someone who needs protection? I'm not like you," Thalos said with a dismissive scoff, striding ahead.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Grey demanded.

"That you're weak," Thalos answered without hesitation.

A vein throbbed at Grey's temple, but before he could retort, Thalos called out from several steps ahead. "Over here."

Grey trudged up behind him, muttering darkly under his breath. 'I'll get my revenge on you soon, you damned gargoyle.'

Side by side, they stood at the base of the cliff, its towering height vanishing into the fog above.

"So, how do we get up?" Thalos asked.

"We climb," Grey said simply, exhaling heavily.

"Anyhow," Thalos replied with a shrug.

'I'm back, guys. Finral, Ray… you must have been worried sick. You haven't seen me in days, but I'm here now. And I'll make sure to deal with those arrogant direct descendants. That's my promise.'

With that silent vow burning in his chest, Grey began the arduous climb, Thalos right beside him, the fog curling around them as they ascended toward whatever awaited at the top.