Chapter 460 — Do You Mind?

Damian’s crimson eyes shifted to the person who had arrived.

The man wore a luxurious black military police uniform, his black hair swept back from a middle-aged face that carried the weathering of decades spent making hard decisions.

His black eyes held the same composure Damian had seen in his mother’s gaze a thousand times.

The resemblance was immediate and undeniable.

Then his attention snapped back to the man whose wrist was being held.

’Marshal Eckhart.’

The title registered properly now, clicking into place with everything he’d heard about the Federation’s military structure.

’One of the Nine Marshals... The highest-ranked military officials who guard humanity’s frontlines, permanently stationed in the northern regions.’

His eyes tracked back to the man in the military police uniform, pieces falling together with stark clarity.

’And if this is Marshal Eckhart...’

The face that looked so much like his mother’s.

The military police uniform that marked the second-highest authority in the entire armed forces.

’Vice Director Felix Onyx... My mother’s father.’

The man she’d been estranged from for decades, who’d refused to acknowledge her marriage to Alaric, who’d cut ties rather than accept them.

Damian’s telekinesis released, his feet settling onto the blood-soaked stone.

Then the Marshal’s words from moments ago surfaced in his memory.

The hatred in his voice when he’d talked about crimson eyes and crimson hair.

Damian’s jaw tightened, questions forming, but before he could focus on them–

Lysander took a deep breath, his chest expanding slowly as he brought his emotions under control.

His hand lowered, pulling free from Felix’s grip without resistance.

Then he turned his head, looking at the Vice Director with an expression that gave nothing away.

"Didn’t expect to meet you here, Vice Director Onyx." His voice remained neutral as he continued. "Did Icarus inform you? Or did you fear I would hurt your ’grandson’?"

The question hung in the air, weighted with implication.

Silence fell across the chamber.

Felix’s face showed no expression at all, his black eyes flat and unreadable.

"Marshal Eckhart, I would suggest against making any false assumptions." His voice came out cold and formal. "Everyone knows I only have one granddaughter born from my daughter. This child has no connection to me or my family."

Damian stood beside them, listening to himself being disowned by a family he’d never claimed in the first place.

His face showed nothing.

’At least he acknowledges Luna...’

Felix’s gaze didn’t shift toward Damian even once, his attention remaining fixed on the Marshal.

"On the other hand, you coming here and interfering in the training of candidates is quite unbecoming for a person of your stature."

His voice carried weight that made even the air seem heavier.

"Especially considering you were about to harm a genius of the Federation..."

Lysander’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes.

"I only came here to see the so-called greatest genius of the younger generation for myself."

His voice remained perfectly measured, giving nothing away.

"To determine whether the rumors circulating through military channels were actually true, or simply exaggeration born from inexperience."

He paused, his gaze drifting back to Damian with an intensity that felt like it was searching for something specific.

"The younger generation has produced many prodigies over the years. Most of them died before reaching their full potential... I wanted to see if this one would be any different."

Felix’s eyes narrowed fractionally.

"And what’s your conclusion, Marshal?"

Lysander looked at Damian for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

His gaze lingered on the crimson hair, the crimson eyes, the blood-soaked features and the way Damian stood upright despite bones that should have made standing impossible.

"Impressive indeed."

His voice came out quiet, carrying acknowledgement.

"His willpower is genuine, his talent appears to match the reports and his mentality is exactly what the Federation needs in the coming years."

He tilted his head slightly, something cold entering his expression.

"But arrogant beyond belief to think he can stand above the geniuses of other races. Many have held such aspirations throughout history–"

His gaze became distant, as if seeing faces from the past.

"–And the graveyard is filled with their bodies... Talent means nothing if you die before reaching maturity."

His attention shifted toward the observation window, where the remaining candidates pressed against the glass.

"Not to mention, he can’t even win against those gathered outside this chamber as of yet. Declaring himself the end they’re all walking toward when he hasn’t surpassed the people standing in the next room seems childish at best."

Felix followed his gaze, studying the candidates visible through the observation glass, his eyes focusing on Sword Demon, Sicar Verratoux, Regulus Blackwood, the Hollow sisters, Torin Barke and Kaelen Hayes.

His expression didn’t change, but he nodded slowly.

"Arrogant or not, that still doesn’t excuse the fact that a Marshal was about to harm an Academy student."

His voice became harder, carrying the kind of authority that made it clear this wasn’t a suggestion.

"And that student happens to be the disciple of Headmaster Kaiser. Don’t you think you should compensate him for the... misunderstanding?"

Lysander looked toward Felix silently for several long seconds.

The two men stared at each other, neither backing down.

Then after some time, Lysander’s hand rose, making a casual gesture.

A book materialized out of thin air, appearing in a flash of light before floating slowly toward Damian.

The cover was black leather, worn from age and use, with silver lettering that caught the dim light.

"This book contains one of my personal skills."

Lysander’s voice carried no particular warmth.

"Whether you have the ability to learn it or not is another matter entirely. Most awakeners lack the comprehension required to even attempt what’s described inside."

He paused, his eyes locking onto Damian’s face with intensity.

"But if you do manage to learn it, try not to die too quickly. It would be a waste of effort on my part."

Damian’s hand rose, catching the book as it floated within reach as his eyebrows rose slightly.

Lysander turned away, preparing to leave.

But before he vanished, his voice cut across the chamber one final time, carrying casual disdain.

"You spoke about hunger being stronger than talent or genius or bloodline. But hunger without the strength to satisfy it, will only lead to... starvation."

His head turned slightly, looking back over his shoulder at Damian’s bloodied form.

"Prove you’re not just another corpse waiting to happen. Otherwise, all that arrogance will only make your grave marker more ironic."

Then he vanished, disappearing without sound or warning.

The chamber fell silent.

Felix stood motionless for several seconds, then he turned his head toward the observation window, where Icarus stood among the gathered candidates.

"Senior General Icarus... Do you mind if I borrow Candidate Damian for some time?"

Through the observation glass, Icarus straightened immediately, his hand snapping up in a crisp military salute.

"Please go ahead, Vice Director."

Felix’s hand settled on Damian’s shoulder, his grip firm despite the casual placement.

Damian felt the world shift, reality bending around them.

Then they vanished, disappearing from the Mind Tower chamber without warning.

Silence stretched across the observation area for several long seconds as nobody moved or spoke.

Then Icarus turned away from the window, his voice cutting across the observation.

"All candidates, return to your assigned training areas immediately." His expression had become severe. "You just watched a seventeen-year-old endure S rank mental pressure and he did it without using mental defense skills..."

He let that sink in.

"If you’re standing here feeling impressed instead of feeling ashamed, you’ve already failed. Every second you waste being amazed is a second he’s using to get even further ahead."

His voice became harder.

"So stop staring at where he was and start working on where you are. Because right now, a seventeen-year-old just made every single one of you look pathetic by comparison."

The words landed like physical blows, snapping the candidates out of their shock.

Movement erupted across the observation area as candidates scattered toward their respective training zones, the fire of determination visible in every stride.

Zara left as well, immersed in her own thoughts.

Only Sicar remained for a few extra seconds, his pink eyes locked on the empty chamber where Damian had stood floating above a Marshal.

’Father will want a full report on this... The Verratoux family needs to make a decision about Damian Valcor soon.’