The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Klaus spent the next day in Arcadian City, marking his tenth day there before heading back to Ross City with Miriam. Dave and Hank Arcadia were generous enough to lend them a jet, reminding Klaus of how much he needed to get his own. His obsession with jets only grew by the second.

Miriam smiled when she noticed his obsessed look, She mentioned that she had her own jet, which could now be his. Klaus just shrugged, saying he wanted one of his own, but for now, he was content to enjoy others' jets while saving up for something better.

They landed at the Ross private runway, where Kofi was waiting to pick them up. Klaus noticed that, despite most people being Saints with the ability to fly, he rarely saw them soaring through the skies as one might expect. He planned to ask Anna about it the next time he saw her.

Speaking of Anna, a day ago, she and Klaus's other friends, including Hanna, returned from their weeks of training in three different forbidden zones. They informed him they were nearing level nine and would hold back until after the Union Trials.

So, they entered seclusion to solidify their foundations. Klaus wanted to provide them with some techniques, but the Senior said they wouldn't be able to use them until after they became Saints.

Klaus was in the same situation. For now, they would have to rely solely on their own prowess to conquer the Union Trials.

From Lulu, Klaus learned that after passing the Union Trial, the 8,000 who made it to the academy would have six full months of nurturing before their final trial took place.

This period was designed to help those who might wash out receive guidance from the academy, which, according to her, was better than what most academies offered their true Outer and Inner Disciples.

The Union Trial would be highly competitive, and Klaus knew his friends felt the pressure to come out on top—unlike him, who didn't even pause to think about it.

Right now, he was more focused on improving his mental strength, and thanks to Lulu, he had received a few suggestions for the next flying weapons he should buy.

Klaus already had plans in mind. He would train his mind and make sure that the next time he faced severe odds, it would feel like child's play.

"Mom, I'm home!" As always, he called out to his mother as soon as he arrived and ran into her embrace.

"Klaus, you're a grown-up now; stop this child's play," his mom said, though she was smiling as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Glad to be home too, Mom," Klaus replied, smiling back. She was happy he was home, and he was glad to be back. As the saying goes, there's no place like home.

"There's something different about you, Klaus—something that makes me tense up just from looking at you," his mother said, looking at him in a particular way.

"That's because your son has made great progress in his training and hasn't yet gotten things under control. I didn't mean to scare you, Mom," Klaus replied, resting his head on her shoulder.

Miriam smiled at the sight and went to get herself a drink. The Mom and Son duo were always up for some mischief. They are a shameless pair.

"Well, I'm not scared of you; I could never be scared of you. You're my baby boy. But for the sake of your women, make sure to get things under control, especially before seeing any of them," she warned.

Miriam didn't say anything, but she felt the same when she saw Klaus after he upgraded his Eye of Malevolence. Even without activating it, its effect was already palpable.

"You know, Mom, these days I wonder if you're really my mother. What kind of mom is okay with her son having multiple wives?" Klaus joked, but his mom's smile faltered at his words.

She brushed her hand through his hair and said, "The kind that wants you to be happy. Klaus, I was really scared when you nearly died a few months ago.

I didn't want to say this, but I would have killed myself if you had truly died. But now that you're well and happy, I know that, no matter what, I will always want to keep a smile on your face.

You are my son, and it's my job to make sure you're well and happy, so don't think for a moment that I would want to take away what makes you happy. You deserve everything."

Klaus listened to his mother and couldn't help but feel his heartbreak. He had caused her immense pain when he nearly died.

But for Klaus, it was even worse. When he was near death, he was sent down memory lane, reliving the experience of losing his mother instead. Though he appeared well and happy on the surface, inside, he couldn't take it.

Although it was his past self, he missed her deeply. So, just like his mother, he wanted what was best for her, and for now, he could only be there for her. This was one of the reasons he took Hanna as his sister. He had seen in his memories how much she loved his mother, and how his mother loved her.

He didn't fully grasp the concept of this reincarnation thing, but he knew that connection would always be there—and he was right. His mother had become significantly happier with Hanna around.

However, hearing his mother say she would have killed herself had he died from the assassination attempt, two thoughts surfaced in his mind.

First, he vowed to never put her in that situation again. Second, he would unleash hell on the dark order. He wouldn't be doing it because he wanted what was best for the world; he would do it because they made his mother worry. Nobody had the right to make her worry, cry, or hurt.

'I will kill every last one of them—every last one of them,' he vowed inwardly.

"Klaus, are you alright? You're becoming cold," his mother suddenly said, snapping him out of his murderous thoughts.

"Get a grip on it, kid; your mother isn't like you," the Senior said from his soul sea, helping Klaus calm himself down.

Just now, his mind had gone into a state of slaughter, which he immediately recognized had something to do with the Seal of Slaughter in his soul sea.

"I'm fine, Mom. Sorry about that," Klaus said with a smile.

Standing at the entrance of the kitchen, Miriam clenched her fists upon hearing Klaus's mother confess her feelings. Just like Klaus, she wanted nothing more than to kill every last one of the dark order members until there wasn't even an atom left.

She had taken Klaus's mother as her own after her family had disowned her, so hearing how she felt made her realize that those responsible would have to pay.

She joined them as they shifted the conversation to something more cheerful. Laughter filled the room as they chatted, enjoying their time together. Suddenly, Kofi walked in to inform them that they had some guests.

Klaus was surprised, as this was the first time Kofi had personally come to inform him of visitors. Usually, it was just the media trying to get an interview, which he always declined. For Kofi to come now meant these guests were important.

"Take them to the meeting room. I'll be there shortly," Klaus said before running off to freshen up. A little while later, he walked into the meeting room, where three men were waiting for him.