From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 368

The soul's voice rolled across the shore of the Southern Ocean. Many stared in shock. But it was the Ashcroft family who shook with fear.

For nearly a century, the Celestial Mirror had been their sacred relic. Since the first patriarch discovered it, they had worshiped it as a god.

In all those years, no one had dared to claim mastery. Not one had even touched its true power. They worshipped the mirror as if it were sacred. Divine. And that devotion never wavered, not for even a day.

Reginald, once head of the family, had never seen the soul take form. He had only heard its distant voice.

Yet now, the soul stood before them. And it declared Leander its master.

Such a thing had never appeared in their family's history.

A sharp tone split the air.

The Abyssal Godblade, planted into the earth by Leander, shuddered free. It soared into the sky and hovered before him, glowing like starlight.

The soul stood beside the sword, its presence fierce and unyielding.

"This sword too was once held by Aurion. To be chosen by it marks you as a destined king. Today, both I and the Abyssal Godblade bend to you. You will become the second emperor of this age, after Aurion himself."

Shock poured over the crowd. Faces turned pale. Bodies shook.

The Celestial Mirror was born from the world itself. Until now, the Ashcroft family had only known one gift it carried, the power to see the future. Who could imagine what else it could unleash when mastered?

And now it had chosen Leander. He was already unmatched. With the mirror in his grasp, his power would climb higher still. With the Abyssal Godblade also his, his strength would rise to a peak no one could rival.

Astria itself, and perhaps the whole world, would fall under his shadow.

Every eye turned toward him. They believed he would claim it all without hesitation. But Leander laughed softly.

"Celestial Mirror, you are amusing."

His face remained calm. He pointed at the soul, then closed his hand around the glowing sigil.

The instant it touched his palm, light roared across the sky. The Celestial Mirror above burned like a second sun, flooding the beach in its radiance.

Leander turned his head. His voice was steady, his gaze sharp.

"So tell me. Am I now the master of the Celestial Mirror?"

The soul sank to one knee. His head bowed, his voice rang out with deep reverence.

"Master, I bow before you."

"Is that so?"

Leander's lips curved into a faint smile. He turned, his stride slow and deliberate, until he stood before Daphne, who was frozen in shock.

"Dani."

He caught her hand and pressed the glowing sigil into her palm.

"From now on, the Celestial Mirror is yours."

The beach erupted with gasps. Faces turned pale. Even Reginald and Gareth, men who stood tall among Transcendents, froze where they stood.

The Celestial Mirror was no common artifact. It was a divine relic, filled with power so vast that even kings of the Infernal Crown Realm would hunger for it.

Yet Leander had handed it away without hesitation.

"Ander, what are you doing?"

Daphne's voice trembled. She tried to return it, but Leander clasped her hand tightly and gave a firm nod.

"I gave this to you. Will you really turn it away?"

Her breath caught. Before she could speak, the soul's voice rang out, filled with alarm.

"Master, what is the meaning of this?

"The Celestial Mirror holds power beyond measure. Only the strongest sovereigns can claim it. Why would you—"

Leander silenced him with a sweep of his hand.

"I don't care how strong it is. I don't even want to know.

"But I know this. I don't need it.

"I stand proud alone. I live and fight with my fists. I don't lean on weapons.

"I don't depend on relics. That is not my way."

Claire's eyes steadied. Determination flared within them. She reached out and gripped the hilt.

Once, she could not even budge it. Now, it rose at her touch. A column of divine light burst skyward. Strength surged through her body and spirit. She felt herself rise into an entirely new realm.

She drew the blade close, dropped to her knees, and bowed low.

"Thank you, Sovereign, for this gift. I will never disgrace the name of the Abyssal Godblade."

Leander smiled softly and walked past her. His eyes fell on Ethan at last.

Their gazes locked. Ethan's chest tightened with turmoil. Nine years ago, Leander's brilliance had outshone them all. Nine years later, he stood even higher. He had become the dragon that ruled Astria. Leander's smile was quiet, but his words carried weight.

"Surpassing me won't be an easy path, boy.

"You may stand close to the realm of a Martial Sovereign. But the true realm of Sovereign is still one step beyond your reach.

Leander's voice cut across the waves, sharp and steady. "Tonight, I'll help you step into the realm of a Martial Sovereign!"

His palm sliced forward, and a surge of blue light shot out, striking Ethan's brow with force.

Ethan's body jerked. Heat roared out of his core and tore through every vein. His flesh snapped and popped like beans bursting over open fire. In that violent surge, the invisible wall inside him shattered apart.

The shaky foundation he had built when he rushed into Martial Sovereign finally steadied. Not only steady, but it also grew stronger, sharper, and far beyond anything he had before.

The crowd froze where they stood. No one dared to breathe. To raise another's strength was a miracle that consumed more than life itself. Yet with a single sweep of his hand, Leander had pushed Ethan into Martial Sovereign. It was a feat no one had ever heard of.

Ethan tightened his fists. His lips curved, but the smile was bitter.

"Leander, I don't think I'll ever catch up to you."

His head dropped, his voice heavy and raw.

"Our battle is finished. I've lost to you, Leander."

Leander shook his head with a faint laugh. He said nothing. His gaze slid past Ethan and landed on Wesley. The man's face was stiff, his eyes uneasy. Leander's smile cut sharper.

"Mr. Florian, on Eastvale Mountain's peak, you told me I wasn't worthy to stand beside Dani."

He stepped closer. His voice rose. "Now tell me. Am I worthy?"