Chapter 2026: Acknowledgement from the strongest

As soon as Adam learned about the Radiant Branch, he and Frida set off for Azure Island.

There, she told him everything Silvana had mentioned: who would be at the Radiant Branch, the opportunity to gather useful information, the fact that all the most talented Phantoms would be there, and the Star Rail.

But of all this, only one detail caught Adam’s attention more than the rest.

“Am I the Present Star?” Adam pointed at himself.

Frida nodded deeply.

“Indeed. In fact, it hasn’t been officially decided yet since you haven’t attended the Radiant Branch. Well,” she shrugged, “during the last Radiant Branch, you were an ordinary person, not a K4-Phantom, so that’s not surprising.”

Her gaze grew more intense as she continued.

“Either way, once it’s confirmed that you’ll be participating in Radiant Branch in a week, I and the other Second-Rank Phantoms will have to determine your status. It’s clear that you’re a Present Star, not a Future Star.”

Adam smiled contentedly. This meant more than it might seem at first glance.

“So the strongest Phantoms believe I have a chance of becoming a Second Rank Phantom within the next five years, don’t they?”

Frida nodded.

“Indeed. You’ve made such progress in just over two years. Also, all that’s left for you is to break through the Grand Barrier. Sure, most K4 Phantoms can’t manage to do that even in a hundred years, but something tells me that’s not the case for you.”

Adam glanced at Silvana as his eyes sparkled.

“What do you say? Shall we attend this event?”

“Huh…” Silvana sighed. “I wasn’t opposed to it at first when I found out what level this event was. I just didn’t know if you’d agree to it.”

Adam smirked, waving his hand.

“Well, if it were just an evening for rich people to drink rare wine and sample appetizers, then yeah, I’d probably turn it down, especially when I could go to the Hollow Lands instead. But… it seems it would be more beneficial for me to go to the Radiant Branch and not miss this opportunity.”

“Yes.”

Frida confirmed.

“That’s a wise decision. Also, it won’t just be me, Damien, and the heads of the noble families there, Kamora will be there too. She said she’d visit Radiant Branch this time, and I think she did it because of you.”

“Damn, I’m flattered. Too bad she disappeared without even saying goodbye.”

Frida spread her arms wide.

“Hundreds of years ago, the moment passed when anyone or anything could have changed Kamora. Then again, the same is true for the rest of us.”

Adam nodded, mulling over what he’d heard.

“Got it. So, in a week? I hope it’ll be worth it. If you hadn’t invited me to Radiant Branch, I’d already be figuring out how to get to the Hollow Lands.”

“I know. That’s exactly why I told you this now.”

Then, she glanced toward the exit and turned back to Adam.

“Now, I think that’s all we have to discuss. If you have any questions for me, go ahead. If not, it’s time for you to leave.”

Adam looked at Frida as his expression grew more serious.

“Frida, you’re strong, you’re very strong. That’s obvious from your status, but… you’re not the strongest at the Citadel, are you? I’m asking this because I want to understand how the top tier of the Citadel is structured.”

She remained silent for a moment. She was studying Adam’s reaction. She wanted to know if he was asking this sincerely or not.

“No,” Frida replied. “I’m not the strongest Phantom, if that was your question. There are Phantoms stronger than me, even though we’re on the same level. But I’m not going to say who they are. The truth is, there are some you don’t know about yet, and that’s how it should be.”

It wasn’t exactly what Adam had hoped for when he asked the question, but he realized Frida wasn’t going to delve any deeper into the subject.

Adam gave a wry smile.

“Got it.”

Then, he stood up and headed for the exit.

“Thanks for your help. We’ll meet in a week.”

“Yes.” Frida nodded. “I’ll be waiting for your visit, as will the other Second-Rank Phantoms. I’ll let them know the news today.”

“Good.” Adam smiled before stepping out of the white building.

With a relaxed stride, he made his way to the edge of Azure Island.

Gusts of wind swept toward him, causing his hair to flutter, and for some reason, his eyes grew brighter.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heart was beating faster and faster as Frida’s invitation affected him more strongly than he had expected.

“Did you hear that, Silvana? She and the other Second Rank Phantoms believe that very soon I’ll become one of them.”

Tap.

She came up behind him, wrapping her arms around him in a tender embrace.

“Yes. It’s worth acknowledging that not only our allies but also our enemies think so. Otherwise, the Befallen Crown wouldn’t have sent a True Lord to hunt you down.”

Adam smirked, looking at the layer of clouds below, beneath which lay the Citadel. There were other ways to leave Azure Island or Heaven Island, but Adam preferred the most direct of them all – simply jumping down.

Step.

He stepped forward, and his body leaned forward.

He let gravity do its work as he fell, gaining speed with every passing moment.

“Huh… I usually try not to let others’ opinions influence me, but it’s also worth considering whose opinion it is, right? The Second-Rank Phantoms… They’re the strongest. They must know what they’re talking about.”

…

At that very moment, Frida walked up to a wall in her building and, with a light touch, activated a hidden console.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She typed out a message, and in the next moment, countless phones, bracelets, and similar hidden consoles pinged.

The screens lit up as the most important people at the Citadel received the same message.

Given that Frida was the sender, no one was going to ignore it.