The morning air was cold.
By 4 a.m., Malakai had already woken up from his sleep. He felt rejuvenated in both his body and mind.
Malakai had never felt the effect of good sleep this well before.
Because he had chosen to trust Nyx, even if only slightly, he had been able to get the deep sleep he needed.
As he woke, Malakai sat cross-legged on his bed, his eyes closed as he focused deeply.
His system was already programmed to wake up early. Being unevolved growing up, he had needed to train his body even more than most to gain even a modicum of strength.
Still, the main reason he had woken up this early was because of the youth training he was joining today.
‘If I remember correctly, it should be 5 a.m., Monday to Saturday…’
During his time as an unevolved, that had been the schedule. Every day except Sundays, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And now, even after evolving, Malakai had woken up early to prepare both body and mind for what was to come.
He meditated, steadying his breath, calming his thoughts. The minutes passed. Then, when it was almost time, he stood up and walked out of his room.
Malakai had already freshened up and was ready for the day. But as he stepped into his living room, he paused. Nyx was there, standing silently with a bow.
Just as he was about to nod and walk past, Nyx raised her head and said, “Ninth Vein… you have a visitor.”
Malakai’s gaze narrowed.
A visitor?
He instantly grew wary. The fact that the person was still here, despite Nyx’s presence, meant it wasn’t someone she could casually throw out.
“Who?” Malakai asked.
“The Second Pulse,” Nyx replied.
Malakai’s eyes widened.
What the hell…?
“Where is she?” he asked, his gaze scanning the space. He already knew the Second Pulse wouldn’t be inside. Nyx wouldn’t allow that. Pulse or not, he was the owner of this manor, the lord here.
“She’s waiting outside,” Nyx said calmly.
Malakai’s gaze shifted toward the door as he exhaled.
Valentine, who had been quiet all this while, finally spoke up.
‘Tell me about the Second Pulse. I remember her talking during your meeting, but maybe there’s something that would explain her behavior.’
Malakai remembered clearly, she had been the one who objected when he asked to join the clan’s training. She had claimed that his inadequacies would shame the clan.
‘I don’t have any relationship with her,’ Malakai responded as he reached the door. ‘I only know what I’ve heard.’
He paused, then continued. ‘She’s prideful. Cold. And she hates weakness.’
“Well, that would explain why she hated you,” Valentine muttered. “But what about now? I mean, you beat someone nearly twice your age. She can’t still think you’re weak, right?”
Malakai’s eyes sharpened. ‘Let’s find out.’
He punched the door open and stepped outside.
As Malakai stepped through the main door of the manor and into the compound, a wave of pressure hit him. Heavy and suffocating.
But just as quickly as it came, it vanished. Nyx’s presence had flared behind him, and the pressure dispersed instantly.
Malakai’s eyes narrowed as he locked onto the figure standing in the center of the compound.
She was of average height, about 5’6″, with the signature crimson hair and eyes of the Sanguine. But unlike most, her hair had been cut short, barely reaching her ears.
Her attire could be described in one word: efficient. No flair, no ornamentation. Every piece served a purpose.
Tight-fitting armored fabrics around her limbs, reinforced gloves and boots, and a sleeveless combat vest with utility straps across her sides. Everything about her appearance looked primed for battle.
But none of that was what held his attention.
It was her aura.
She wasn’t even trying to release it, but even then, it blanketed the entire area. If any being below the synergy stage entered this space, they’d be forced to their knees on instinct.
Fortunately, Nyx was here to deal with that inconvenience.
Malakai approached, then came to a stop a few feet away from her.
The Second Pulse.
Marissa Von Sanguine.
Marissa stared down at Malakai, who looked back at her calmly.
In the Sanguine Clan, a Pulse naturally held more influence and standing than a Vein. But despite this, Malakai hadn’t so much as bowed.
He hadn’t been playing when he climbed those steps to face the Sovereign, he had no intention of bowing to anyone else in this clan.
Marissa’s eyes shifted to Nyx, and her brows furrowed.
“Leave,” she said.
But Nyx didn’t move an inch.
Just as she was about to speak, Malakai cut in, “She answers only to me.”
Marissa’s gaze returned to him. She stared directly into his eyes and said,
“You’ve changed, Ninth Vein.”
Malakai didn’t respond.
Marissa gave a slight nod. “I can see your distrust clearly, so I’ll go straight to the point. I came here for two things. The first… is to apologize.”
Malakai’s expression shifted.
‘Apologize?’
He was genuinely baffled. Marissa was known for her pride and coldness for a reason. Outside of the Sovereign, no one could make her lower her head, not even the other Zeniths in the dome.
So, what was this?
‘Is she planning something?’
Malakai doubted it. Of all the Pulses, Marissa was the most blunt and straightforward. She lived for battle, respected the strong, and disdained the weak. Simple.
‘Let’s hear what she has to say,’ Valentine’s voice echoed in his mind.
Malakai remained silent, listening.
Marissa continued. “I’ve always considered you weak. Someone unworthy of the Sanguine name. But what you showed at that meeting… that wasn’t weakness. I made the wrong call, and I spoke out of turn. For that, I apologize.”
She closed her eyes and lowered her head very slightly.
Malakai didn’t know what to say. He just stood there, staring. For her to come here and apologize for something like that… it was absurd.
‘Her real reason probably lies in the second thing.’ Valentine suggested.
Malakai’s gaze sharpened.
‘That’s right, she said two reasons.’
He could try to take advantage of this, maybe ask Marissa for something. But anyone who knew anything about her knew that’d be a wasted effort.
It was better to move on.
“Alright,” Malakai said. “What’s the second reason?”
Marissa opened her eyes and met his gaze squarely.
“Join my faction,” she said.