In the middle of a breezy spring night, a cluster of stars twinkled overhead as the bronze-skinned boy lay alone atop one of the many barracks rooftops, gazing into the heavens through his golden eyes.
Located within the inner disciples' main quarters, Zeke took a rare moment to relax and reflect.
A little over four months had passed since the events surrounding his confrontation with Sensei Haruto.
...
After their battle concluded that day, mutual respect had been forged between them. Kenshin, Liz, Rosemarie, Sakura, and Sayuri arrived shortly afterward, barely making the deadline thanks to Zeke deliberately disrupting Haruto's concentration and forcing him to release the Gravity Field.
However, an unexpected guest soon descended upon the summit, effortlessly shifting the atmosphere until only his presence mattered.
Dressed in a white robe embroidered with diamond patterns, possessing a cloud of hair that matched his fluffy beard atop a physique reminiscent of a towering bear, Martial Leader Rayden had personally appeared to investigate the disturbance.
His silver eyes calmly surveyed the destruction.
Naturally, tension filled the air.
Haruto promptly explained the situation without omission. Throughout the explanation, Rayden's expression remained unchanged.
Eventually, the Martial Leader turned his attention toward the primary source of the chaos.
"So, young lad, if I understand correctly, you deliberately caused this commotion in hopes of creating an opportunity for your companions to become outer disciples?"
"Correct, Martial Leader. I'd also like to formally apologize to Sensei Haruto and everyone present for my unruly behavior. However, I couldn't simply stand by and watch my allies fall short."
Zeke bowed respectfully while studying the imposing figure before him.
At the same time, he discreetly activated his trusted Scouter.
[Scout]
Alias: (Rayden Yan) — Mana (N/A) — Qi (78,660/78,666) — Sword Force (N/A) — Power Level (173,000) — Health (155,000/155,000)
Title: (Stage 5 Disciple) (Lightning Physique)
Despite the overwhelming pressure Rayden naturally emitted, Zeke wasn't awestruck.
Instead, he found himself intrigued.
Rayden stood among the strongest martial cultivators on the Eastern Continent, yet from Zeke's perspective, he had merely reached the threshold of Stage 5.
That wasn't meant as disrespect.
More than anyone present, Zeke understood the talent, opportunity, perseverance, and luck required to climb that high.
Still, his previous life had exposed him to monsters that made even Stage 5 Grandmasters seem ordinary.
His father, Lord Samus, had once been considered an untouchable powerhouse.
Yet even Samus was little more than a puppet dancing to the whims of immortal ancestors residing in higher realms.
Returning his attention to the present, Zeke noticed Rayden observing him as well.
Naturally, the Martial Leader had already determined his cultivation level.
"How old are you, child?"
Rayden asked.
"I'll be turning eleven next month, Lord Rayden."
A flicker of surprise crossed Rayden's eyes.
The Martial Leader made a mental note to keep watch over this promising youth moving forward.
After a brief pause, he shifted his attention back toward Haruto.
"Do as you see fit."
With that, Rayden rose into the sky and vanished into the horizon.
...
Fast-forward to the present.
Zeke had recently been promoted to Inner Disciple.
At only eleven years old, he had become one of the youngest individuals in the Martial Alliance's two-hundred-year history to attain such a position.
However, the achievement hadn't come without controversy.
A heated debate erupted among the inner circle of elders.
Many argued that an outsider should not be allowed to establish such a precedent.
They criticized Zeke's disruptive behavior during the entrance examination and worried it might encourage future candidates to challenge authority.
Others took the opposite stance.
They saw a rare diamond in the rough.
An investment.
A future powerhouse.
Some even entertained thoughts of recruiting him into their own factions within the Alliance.
The divide remained nearly even.
Ultimately, Rayden cast the deciding vote.
In his eyes, Zeke possessed both the strength and potential necessary to stand among the Inner Disciples.
While not everyone agreed with the decision, no one dared challenge the Martial Leader openly.
The matter was settled.
Nine months passed.
The yearly ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
Only a week had gone by since Zeke officially assumed his new status and moved into his new residence.
Yet one persistent question continued to plague his thoughts.
How do I obtain the Angelic Flute?
The objective remained elusive.
No matter how many angles he considered, a clear solution refused to present itself.
His contemplation was interrupted by the sound of someone landing beside him.
"You're quite the peculiar little fellow, aren't you?"
A soft yet sharp voice broke the silence.
Zeke didn't even bother looking over.
"Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that, Senior Sister Julep?"
This wasn't their first rooftop conversation.
During the nine months following his admission into the Martial Alliance, the two had grown surprisingly familiar through a mutual acquaintance.
"Where do I even begin?"
Julep sighed dramatically before sitting cross-legged beside him.
The renowned beauty of the Martial Alliance stared at the stars overhead.
"How does a tiny sect cultivate a baby monster like you? Even I didn't reach Stage 3 until I was sixteen, and I'm considered one of the top one hundred youths on the continent."
"Is that so? Don't tell me you're jealous of little old me, Senior Sister."
Zeke sat up and flashed a childish grin.
If Kenshin or Liz had witnessed the scene, they would've assumed he'd suffered a concussion.
Even Zeke occasionally found this carefully crafted persona awkward.
Still, appearances were valuable.
He had spent over a century mastering the art of deception.
Julep rolled her eyes before pinching both of his cheeks.
"You brat. Don't get cocky. Do you know how many so-called geniuses fail to advance past Stage 3 because of their own arrogance?"
Despite her playful delivery, her advice was genuine.
Zeke already knew Stage 3 was a major bottleneck.
The first two stages could be compared to infancy and childhood.
Stage 3 represented adulthood.
Growth was no longer guaranteed.
Progress had to be earned.
"I understand, Senior Sister..."
He responded while making an exaggerated face of defeat.
Immediately feeling guilty, Julep released his cheeks and stood up.
"Anyway, I didn't come here to ruin your evening. I just wanted to remind you that we're meeting at the usual place tomorrow morning."
She pointed a finger at him.
"And don't be late."
Without waiting for a response, she leaped from the rooftop and disappeared into the darkness.
Zeke rose and offered a polite bow despite her already being gone.
The moment she vanished, his expression returned to its usual neutrality.
Tsk.
What self-respecting fox would ever complain about gaining access to a henhouse?
The thought amused him.
Stretching out atop the roof once more, he closed his eyes beneath the stars.
The granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader was a golden goose.
The only question was how best to capitalize on the opportunity.
...
The next morning, the sun rose over the Martial City.
Embroidered in gold across the back of his white double-breasted robe were the words:
Inner Disciple.
Beneath them rested the name:
Chameleon Sect.
Walking casually through the streets, Zeke attracted attention wherever he went.
"It's him!"
"Wow, he's shorter than I expected."
"What did you expect? He's practically still a child."
"Maybe, but he became an Inner Disciple. He has to be something special."
"Didn't you see the recording of him fighting Haruto Namgung? We might be witnessing the rise of another Top Hundred Youth."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Haruto was clearly holding back."
"Maybe, but the kid's still terrifying."
The discussions had become commonplace.
Ever since footage of his battle leaked to the public, his popularity had exploded.
Ironically, the Martial Alliance itself wasn't responsible.
Someone unknown had leaked the recording.
An investigation was quietly underway behind closed doors.
I wonder who I should thank?
Zeke smiled inwardly.
He continued signing items and greeting admirers.
Although he disliked the attention, he viewed popularity as a necessary evil.
Most days he preferred moving across rooftops unseen.
Once a week, however, he intentionally allowed himself to be seen.
In his eyes, public perception functioned like a bank account.
Make enough deposits now.
Withdraw later when necessary.
Of course, operating so openly contradicted the instincts of an assassin.
Yet Zeke had never been merely an assassin.
He was a survivor.
A strategist.
An opportunist.
If attention presented advantages, he intended to exploit them.
"My, aren't you popular?"
A familiar voice cut through the crowd.
Almost immediately, people stepped aside.
The newcomer was far more famous than Zeke himself.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Julep."
Zeke bowed.
She immediately patted his head.
"As if this isn't the third time your fans have delayed our plans."
Julep laughed before pinching his cheek.
By now, he had reluctantly accepted it as one of her habits.
His golden eyes drifted past her.
Standing farther down the street was another familiar figure.
Amber.
Dressed in extravagant crimson and gold garments, the scarlet-and-peach-haired beauty appeared unusually distracted.
She wore a noticeable frown.
"What's wrong with Lady Amber? She seems even more disgruntled than usual."
Zeke asked.
Julep followed his gaze.
A knowing smile appeared on her face.
"Well, about that..."