Shalenpore Country; Melbrise City
A man could be seen seated on a chair in front of a closed metal door, waiting in silent anticipation.
He is William Melbore, the formidable head of the Melbore keeper family.
Normally, he should be engrossed in the development of his territory, meticulously drafting plans alongside government officers while ensuring his own interest alongside it, paving a path for the future growth of both society and technology.
But today is different.
Today, everything else fades into insignificance.
He has neglected his territorial duties, dismissed every servant from the palace, canceled crucial meetings with government officials, and heightened security across his domain. Because today is no ordinary day—it is a turning point, one that will determine the fate of his family.
Step. Step.
The sound of footsteps echoed from behind him, crisp and deliberate. But William did not flinch; his unwavering gaze remained on the door. He knew precisely who could enter this restricted area—except himself and David.
And true to his expectation...
"Father," Anora's voice rang out, steady yet laced with concern.
He did not turn his head to face her.
"What happened, daughter?"
His tone was light, almost indifferent, as though there was nothing to worry about. Yet the stillness of his form betrayed him.
"Father, you don't have to worry about David. I know he will succeed. I believe in him."
"Of course, I completely believe in him," William replied with practiced ease, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I am not anxious in the least.
Anora let out a small chuckle, her eyes shining with knowing amusement.
"Yeah, as if I would believe that," she muttered, rolling her eyes internally.
Her gaze lingered on William, carefully observing the subtle tremor in his leg, the tension coiled beneath his composed exterior.
Yet, she chose to stay silent, sparing him the embarrassment.
After spending enough time with William, Anora had come to a rather amusing realization—this stern, intimidating father-in-law of hers was, in essence, a tsundere. It wasn't something most would dare to say aloud, but to her, it was glaringly obvious.
Beneath his rigid demeanor, behind the carefully measured words and cool composure, existed a man who cared deeply, perhaps more than he allowed himself to admit.
Shifting her focus, Anora looked toward the heavy door, the threshold beyond which David was fighting to break through—from the second level to the third, striving to stand at the same rank as the family head.
A flicker of worry surfaced in her eyes, but she immediately shook it off, choosing instead to trust in her husband's capabilities.
The silence stretched, thick with tension, until William finally spoke, his voice cutting through the weight of their thoughts.
"How far are you from reaching the peak of the second level?"
"I am still quite far from reaching it, Father," Anora admitted with a composed tone.
"Take your time. Unlike David, you have no need to rush."
"Yes, Father."
Anora understood that William's words carried only goodwill.
Unlike her, David needed every ounce of strength to face what was coming.
She still found it hard to believe—how had David managed to reach the peak of the second level so quickly when they had both entered it around the same time? But then again, she was painfully aware of the grueling, near-unbearable training he had endured after losing his best friend, Kevin.
The metal door groaned open.
A thick wave of smoke seeped through the widening gap, curling and swirling before dissipating into the air.
From the haze, David emerged. His body was drenched in sweat, the moisture clinging to him despite the bathrobe he wore. His breathing was steady but heavy, his frame marked with exhaustion—but his expression?
Smug.
He flashed a small smile, attempting—rather poorly—to feign humility.
William observed him, his expression unreadable. And yet, the twinkle in his eyes made his true feelings obvious.
"Good. You succeeded." His voice was firm, neutral, yet carrying the weight of an unspoken approval.
Anora beamed, stepping forward.
"Congratulations, my love!" Her wide smile radiated warmth, pride evident in her tone.
David, naturally, couldn't resist.
"Of course! How could such a small breakthrough possibly stop the great me?" He declared, lifting his chin just a fraction higher than necessary.
Anora let out a sigh, shaking her head.
"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, rolling her eyes at his antics.
William, however, was quick to cut through the moment. His sharp gaze settled on David with quiet authority.
"Don't get too excited," he warned. "You have only met the bare minimum requirement to enter the competition."
"There will be several individuals with strength similar to or even higher than yours."
David froze.
His moment of triumph dulled slightly.
David knows what his father wants to convey.
A competition organized by the watcher of Shalenpore country.
It's more than a competition; it's a chance to achieve what other people can only yearn for.
A chance to reach a stage higher than just a keeper family.
To become the successor of this whole country's watcher, an individual whose power can only be experienced through history records and through rumors. the one who can decide the fate of a keeper family whenever he wants.
"Let's go. I need to assess your progress in the training room."
Suddenly, William said.
David's body stiffened. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Eyes darting toward Anora, he grasped at one last lifeline.
"I just remembered—I have an incredibly important task to handle! Right, Anora?" He threw her a desperate look, pleading with wide, hopeful eyes.
Anora took her time responding, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Then, with deliberate slowness, she spoke.
"Let me think.... NO. You are completely free."
The devastation on David's face was priceless.
Anora barely held back her laughter, watching as the reality settled in.
"Ah! My heart is so fragile! I can't believe you would betray me like this!" He clutched his chest dramatically, his voice full of exaggerated despair.
William rolled his eyes.
"Enough. Let's go." His command was final.
David wanted to protest.
"I am also on the same level as you!" he screamed internally, frustration flaring within him.
But his protest never surfaced.
Because no matter how strong a son becomes, a father will always remain a father.
****
Melbrise City is not the only place where an heir of the Keeper family is trying to advance his strength.
Several incidents similar to David's advancement are either happening or have already happened in all other keeper families of Shalenpore country.
Shalenpore Country, Capital City
Inside the main government building, a man sat in rigid silence, his piercing gaze fixed on the individual standing before him.
There was no mistaking it—this person was more than just a soldier, more than just another ambitious figure vying for power.
He was the culmination of decades of struggle, the product of relentless effort and sacrifice. He was the hope of all who still believed in government rule.
For years, the Keeper families had kept the government suppressed, maneuvering in the shadows, dictating the country's development with their superior technology and evolved abilities. To the common people, the government appeared to be the ruling force, but those who truly understood the fabric of power knew the truth—the Keepers were the true architects of control, the unseen hands shaping the nation's future.
But now, for the first time, an opportunity had emerged. The Watcher of Shalenpore, the mysterious entity capable of shaping destinies, had opened the gates to a competition—a trial that was more than mere rivalry. It was a battle for ascension, a chance to grasp power that transcended the Keeper families themselves. The victor would earn the right to succeed the Watcher, a being whose influence could only be traced through fragmented records and whispered rumors—a being who held the fate of the Keepers in his grasp, able to decide their future at will.
The government, desperate to reclaim control, had poured every ounce of its strength and resources into nurturing this one candidate. For decades, they had gathered knowledge, extracted technology, and built a foundation strong enough to sustain their gamble. And now, standing before the official in that dimly lit room, was their ultimate creation—the individual who would challenge the Keepers, the one who could rewrite history.
"You understand the weight of this task," the official finally spoke, his voice low but firm.
"I do," the young man responded without hesitation. His stance was solid, his expression carved from quiet resolve.
The official leaned forward slightly.
"This is not just about proving your strength. If you fail, it will be more than just your own loss—it will be the government's last failed attempt at freedom. Decades of effort, every sacrifice, every resource—we have poured it all into you."
"I know." The youth's jaw tightened, but there was no fear in his tone. "That's why I won't fail."
The man hesitated for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, with quiet certainty, he answered:
"I believe in you.
A moment of silence passed. Outside the walls of the government building, Shalenpore buzzed with life, unaware of the storm about to unfold.
This was more than a competition.
This was the Cold War.