Reborn As Noble-Chapter 388: Essence of Ambition ( )

King Edmund.

Cloaked in shadows, his form radiated an unnatural, glowing aura.

His sly grin twisted into a manic smile, eyes gleaming like a predator toying with its prey.

"You—! Arghhh!!"

Ibzles's body began to distort, flickering as his soul—his celestial essence—was siphoned away, like smoke drawn into a vortex. The swirling light around him turned chaotic and unstable, as if rejecting him now.

The butler, watching in horror, panicked.

"M-My lord!!"

Without a second thought, he turned and ran back toward the corridor they had come from, tripping over his own panic.

The elite guards of House Ibzles drew their weapons with discipline and resolve, surrounding the king.

But it was pointless.

With a casual wave of his free hand, black and gold magic lashed out.

Silent. Precise. Instant.

Each guard fell—not with blood, but as their life force was simply extinguished, collapsing like dolls with their strings cut.

As Duke Ibzles screamed in agony, his body and the celestial power within him were pulled out together, transforming into glowing, ethereal mist.

Edmund inhaled it.

Slowly.

Leisurely.

As if savoring the essence.

And as the last wisp vanished into him, Edmund exhaled—grinning wider than ever.

"Ahh... that's better."

His voice was calm. Too calm.

He looked down at where Ibzles's body had stood.

There was nothing left.

Not even a shadow.

The moment the last trace of Ibzles vanished, silence settled over the chamber like a heavy curtain.

Then—a soft rustle.

The mysterious man who had led Duke Ibzles all this way began to remove his cloak, pulling the hood back with a smooth motion.

His face, once hidden in shadow, was now fully revealed.

Edmund turned to him, that same wicked smirk playing on his lips.

"Good job… Arnold."

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The man chuckled, his features shimmering—a subtle ripple across his skin, as if shedding an illusion. And in the next moment…

He changed.

His height remained, but his hair shifted to silvery gray. His eyes turned sharp and intelligent. His whole presence became colder, more composed—the air of someone accustomed to power and the long game.

The mysterious man… was none other than Arnold, the Headmaster of the Royal Noble Academy.

"Your Majesty," Arnold said with a slight bow, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Everything went exactly as planned."

Edmund let out a low, pleased hum.

"Arnold."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

King Edmund's voice echoed with irritation as he stood above the fading glow of the seal. The energy still coursed through him, crackling just beneath the surface—raw, unstable power of two Celestials now fused into one body.

"If only Armand's special unit hadn't escaped…" Edmund muttered, scowling, his eyes burning with frustration. "I could've absorbed their power too. But damn it… I'm sure they'll report this to Garius."

Arnold's smirk widened.

"They will, without a doubt. But… that's fine." He adjusted his collar, brushing dust from his coat.

Arnold didn't elaborate—his grin deepened, full of hidden meanings and unspoken secrets.

He turned to face the extinguished seal behind them.

"Regardless…" he said smoothly, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. You now have two Celestials within you. A feat no one in history has ever achieved."

Edmund let out a low, prideful chuckle, flexing his hand as dark light shimmered along his palm.

"Two down…" Arnold continued, "…five remaining."

The chamber fell into a brief silence—until Edmund's voice broke it again, low and craving.

"But I wonder… where are the others hiding?"

His eyes gleamed with hunger, obsession leaking through his grin.

"I really want to suck them dry."

Arnold's smile remained sharp.

"Then let the hunt begin."

In the Klimbert Household.

A grand hall adorned with crimson banners and obsidian pillars stood tall, the air laced with silent tension.

"My lord?"

A voice echoed softly, respectful and composed.

"Yes, Anem?" Lord Klimbert responded, turning from the tall window where he had been silently gazing at the darkened sky.

Anem, the loyal butler of the Klimbert family, gave a deep, elegant bow.

"The package has arrived."

Klimbert raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching with a faint smirk.

"Package?"

"The one our elite unit managed to secure… and deliver safely to the estate." Anem straightened slightly, his tone calm but alert. "We must proceed to the Main Tower to ensure nothing goes wrong."

Klimbert stood tall, adjusting his gloves with a glint in his eye.

"Oh… good."

He turned with purpose, the sound of his boots echoing in the silent hall.

"Then let's not waste time. Lead the way, Anem."

"As you wish, my lord."

The dark corridor leading to the Main Tower was silent, only the soft echoes of footsteps and the rustle of cloaks filling the air. As they walked, Lord Klimbert suddenly spoke.

"Anem?"

The butler straightened immediately.

"Yes, my lord?"

"What about this thing's guide?" Klimbert's tone was calm, but his sharp eyes glinted with cold curiosity.

Anem didn't hesitate.

"Done, my lord. We lured and eliminated it. The guide posed no issue. After its removal, we secured the seal without incident."

Klimbert gave a satisfied nod.

"Good. And the status of our borders?"

"Already handled," Anem replied smoothly.

"We've stationed the majority of our forces along all key borders—especially those adjacent to the neighboring noble territories. Surveillance and early response measures are in place. No movement will go unnoticed."

"Excellent." Klimbert's voice held deep confidence now.

"And the recruitment?"

"Completed," Anem answered.

"We've recruited exclusively from the local populace—those loyal, raised under your rule, and easy to manage. No outsiders. No risks."

Klimbert let out a faint chuckle, slow and deliberate.

"As expected of you, Anem. Always dependable."

Anem bowed deeply again, his expression stoic.

Once they arrived at the top of the Main Tower, the air shifted. The room was vast and open to the sky, with stone walls covered in faint, ancient markings. In the very center, the seal glowed, pulsing softly like a slumbering heart.

Klimbert's eyes locked onto it, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

"Good job, Anem." His voice echoed through the chamber. "So… how am I going to claim its power?"

Anem stepped forward, composed as ever.

"According to the information we acquired from our intelligence unit… normally, a large number of sacrifices is required. This strengthens the celestial and ensures the vessel receives its full power—stable and absolute."

Klimbert frowned slightly.

"Hmm… but I have no intention of sacrificing my people. Or my family."

Anem offered a small nod of reassurance.

"Understood, my lord. Fortunately, the sacrifices were already made—back at the place where we secured this seal. Everything is ready. You may claim the power now, without further bloodshed."

Klimbert chuckled, pleased.

"Good job, Anem. Truly… you're the only one I can count on."

Anem lowered his head respectfully.

"Always, my lord."

The seal began to glow brighter in response, awaiting Klimbert's approach.

Klimbert stepped forward, his gaze steady, and reached out with one gloved hand.

The moment his fingertips brushed the seal, a surge of energy rippled through the air—as if the room itself inhaled.

From the glowing seal, a spirit-like figure emerged, rising with slow, ethereal grace. The figure was tall, composed of glowing threads of light, resembling a man clad in ancient robes of energy. Its face was serene and timeless, with eyes that pulsed like distant stars.

The celestial hovered silently before Klimbert, its presence vast and overwhelming, yet calm. Then Klimbert extended his hand again—this time placing his palm against the being's chest.

The celestial did not resist.

A warm golden glow burst forth, swirling around Klimbert's body. Runes ignited on the stone floor beneath them, circling like gears in motion. The contract had begun.

Klimbert narrowed his eyes as the light flooded into him, his cloak fluttering from the invisible force.

"Hmm… this is good power," he muttered, his voice calm—but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his aura steadily rose.

Behind him, Anem watched silently, his expression unreadable.

The seal faded.

And now… the celestial was his.

( End of Chapter )