SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

Chapter 1012: A Madman’s Grief!

Then came the scream.

It tore from his throat like a wild beast, one so primal that the palace guards outside staggered back in alarm.

“Why!? WHY!!?”

He punched the floor, again and again, until his knuckles bled. Blood mixed with tears, and pain mixed with rage. His fingers trembled as he grasped at the floor, trying to dig, to claw her back from whatever realm had stolen her.

“I am a monster… MONSTER!”

The Heart in Sword treasure, the crystal sword vanished into his chest, warm and dormant — a cruel reminder of what it had cost him.

Moments later, the door burst open.

The Lan family elders stormed in, led by the clan head himself, Grand Duke Lan Tian. Behind him were Manuka’s cousins, uncles, the old matriarch, and several retainers, all wide-eyed, breathless.

“What happened!?” Lan Tian shouted, eyes locking on Phillip. “Where is Manuka!?”

Phillip didn’t respond. He didn’t even look up.

One of the cousins stepped forward, pointing. “What did you do to her?! She was fine this morning!”

“You monster!” cried the matriarch. “I told her not to let this outsider into our house!”

Another voice snarled, “He tricked her into giving up the treasure—where is she?! What did you do?!”

But Phillip… stayed kneeling.

The wine jug had toppled over. The light fabric of her robe was still neatly folded beside the pillow. The room was quiet, save for the sound of his breath — ragged, shallow, like someone drowning in silence.

“I didn’t want this…” Phillip whispered finally. “I didn’t ask for this…”

Lan Tian stepped forward, fury in his eyes. “My daughter is gone, and all you can say is—?”

But then he stopped. Because he saw something no one else did.

Phillip’s tears had carved trails down a face that wasn’t simply crying — it was shattered. His eyes were red, lips trembling. He was beyond guilt, beyond fear. He was… grieving.

Real grief silenced the room.

No one moved. Not even the harshest elder dared to speak. In that quiet chamber, everyone could feel it: this was not a murderer. This was a man who had just lost the only light in his world.

Suddenly, a strange rumble echoed across the estate.

The floor trembled. The wind outside howled unnaturally, blowing open the shutters with a mighty crash. The candle flames burned blue.

And then… time itself stopped.

The servants froze midstep. The petals outside ceased falling. Even the blood from Phillip’s hands halted mid-drip in the air.

Only Phillip moved, still breathing.

A wave of divine pressure rolled into the room like a crashing tide. The lanterns shattered. The air turned thick with ocean mist. From the shadow behind Phillip, a colossal silhouette emerged, dressed in robes of deep aquamarine and crowned with a coral crest.

A voice like rolling thunder echoed:

“You have passed the test, Heir of Sea.”

Phillip slowly turned, blinking in disbelief.

The Sea God’s ethereal figure hovered above the ground, eyes shining with cosmic knowledge and ancient power. With eight hands, each holding different weapon and a 9 headed snake behind him, the sea god watched Phillip with kind eyes.

“You bore the weight of the Heart in Sword without surrender. You experienced love, pain, and loss — and you stayed on top of every situation. In this illusion built from world politics, betrayal, longing, and sacrifice — you emerged intact.”

Phillip stared, lost. “What test…? What are you saying?”

The Sea God’s eyes turned deeper, as though the entire ocean swirled within them.

“Wake up from your grief, young one. This world… this moment… was a trial. One forged within your own soul. In the mortal realm, great powers are not given without cost. Before you can command the tides of the seas, you must first learn to navigate the storm of your heart.”

At that moment, another soul tore free from Phillip’s body.

From the sea of light behind the Sea God, Kent — cloaked in golden lightning and shadowed power — stepped forth, emerging from within Phillip like a blazing second consciousness.

The Sea God raised his hand and everything vanished around them.

Kent looked at the Sea God with grim, furious eyes.

“I don’t care about your legacy,” Kent said coldly.

The Sea God raised a brow. “And yet it is within you. The Sea’s Heart has chosen you.”

“I want Manuka Lan to live,” Kent replied. “I want her back.”

“That is not how the trial works,” the Sea God said, his voice thundering. “She was a living test. A forged life to challenge your will. And her death was the price of awakening the Heart in Sword.”

“Then take it back!” Kent roared. “Take your damn power and leave me!”

The Sea God’s expression turned dark. “You would give up dominion over water, the command of sea beasts, the right to summon the Great Tide and the Rainstorms of Heaven — all for a woman forged in illusion?”

“But I did the terrible mistake and I can’t live with it…” Kent growled. “Her smile, her scent, her dreams… that wasn’t illusion. That was life. And no treasure… not even the Heavenly Sea Crown… is worth her death.”

A long silence followed.

Then, the Sea God’s expression shifted — from sternness to something gentler, ancient… wise.

“So this is the choice you make.”

“I choose her life,” Kent said firmly. “Even if I must carry the weight of powerlessness.”

The Sea God reached into his robe and pulled out a strange conch — shimmering with deep-blue lightning.

“Very well. Then let your path diverge from the legacy of power, and follow the tide of your own soul.”

He closed his hand, and the glowing scroll within Phillip’s chest dimmed, fading slowly. The power began to recede, the runes vanishing.

Kent staggered, but did not fall.

“Then rise,” the Sea God said, eyes gleaming. “For you have chosen not just the woman — but the path of the true monarch. A king who values life over dominion… a heart over a sword. Dear Kent, you truly passed this sea god trail. Let me handle your grief…” The sea god pointed his finger against Kent’s forehead.

–

Note: Soon, prepare for the sword master’s dominance over Golden Heir tournament. Revenge is on the way! Tada!