Published at 25th of August 2026 9:11 am

Chapter 1031: Why?

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They looked at Malrik as though expecting some sort of explanation, but the man simply shook his head, as he too was just as confused and surprised.

"Don’t look at me for answers. If you want to know anything, go ask your Father," he stated.

Thalric’s voice cut through the air, "You say ’your Father’ as though he isn’t your Father too."

His words earned a round of chuckles.

Malrik also smiled. He sometimes said that whenever he didn’t have an answer to whatever question his siblings asked.

"Anyway, I’m sure it’s because it’s been a while since all of us gathered together like this, and since we are all free and have nothing to do, a family meal wouldn’t hurt, so don’t overthink it like he is asking for your school report cards or something," Malrik spoke with a small laugh as he shook his head.

At the mention of report cards, he couldn’t help but remember their Father checking the yearly report cards he received from Star Academy after each year. With that smile still on his face, Malrik simply turned and began to walk away.

As for his siblings, they all began to discuss and guess why Azaron was calling for a family dinner. As for Malrik’s words about the man just calling them together because it had been a while, they didn’t believe it. After all, they had spent almost a month together at the Thalvorn Empire and had fought together on the way back.

With that much time spent together, there was no need for a family meal, hence reinforcing their thoughts that their Father had a reason for this family dinner. Xavian and Xavienne even put their spar on hold as they discussed this.

Asher gazed at Malrik, who was walking away, and simply followed. He wasn’t bothered like the rest. To Asher, it was just a meal, and if anything arose there, then so be it; it’s not like anything dangerous was going to happen.

Malrik, who was walking, slowed his steps as he sensed Asher following behind, then matched his pace beside him.

"Is there anything you want to discuss?" Malrik asked, going straight to the point as he knew Asher wouldn’t follow him without a reason.

Asher stayed silent for a moment, then replied, "Not really, but I have a few questions..."

"Shoot," Malrik stated with a smile as he walked.

Silence passed between them for a moment, as though Asher was trying to find a way to ask the questions he actually wanted to ask. But after a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke, as though he had found the right words.

"Why did Father do it?" His tone was calm and unhurried.

Malrik raised an eyebrow in confusion as he replied, "Father has done a lot of things, so you would have to be rather more specific, Junior Brother."

Malrik was a smart man. He already knew what Asher meant, but he wanted Asher to say it out loud.

Asher didn’t hesitate to speak, "Why did he allow me to witness the death of everyone?" he asked, his mind going back to what happened just yesterday. "I remember watching Rachael’s burnt body, Wuthenya’s body that was divided in half from the waist, Father’s body split perfectly in half from the head down. I remember holding him in my arms as he bled to death," he paused for a moment as his perfect mind replayed everything in extremely vivid detail.

He remembered the blood, the smell of everything burning, the heat, the destroyed battlefield, and those who had also simply been erased from existence. Another person might have just forgotten the environment and remembered the bodies. But not him; he remembered every single little detail.

"You all stood there, watching as he told me to run away. I screamed, you know. I cried. I was ready to take revenge... no, I was ready to die that day with all of you," Asher began to speak after a momentary pause. "So I ask, what had I really done for me to watch everyone die before me, or rather, what was Father’s goal in mind?" he asked, his head raising slightly as his purple eyes met Malrik’s calm blue ones.

Malrik wasn’t smiling. He simply stayed silent for a moment before he sighed, as though he didn’t really know what to say.

"Before the attack from The Convergence, we already had information that they were going to make a move," he began to speak, referring to the information from Solaris. "Father’s idea at the time was to basically create clones that would replace us, but he knew our enemies wouldn’t fall for such tricks, so he told Morthern to use one of his skills called Soul Clone," he explained, "an ability that allows him to take a piece of someone’s soul and create a perfect clone with it."

"Using the skill, he created a clone for everyone, but when it got to your turn, the skill failed for some unknown reason," his tone was calm as he spoke. "Our guess at the time was that Virelass, who is also protecting your mind, could also protect your soul, so Father came up with an idea." He raised his head towards the sky as he gazed at the burning sun, as though something was there that only he could see.

"You’ve been growing much stronger and faster than everyone expected. You literally have the power to match a Dust Voidstar Life Ranker while being at just the Dust Firmstar Life Rank, and you got to such a position in just two years," he continued speaking as he shifted his eyes away from the sun. "Father felt that if everything progresses, your Will and mentality should also improve, and if these two are left unchecked, then..." he paused there as though he couldn’t continue.

"So he ordered us to leave you behind and witness the scene. He felt that, that way, you could maybe confront your greatest fears and worst imaginations earlier," he sighed as he walked, as though he had somehow failed his brother.

Asher stayed silent for a moment. He understood where Azaron was coming from, but they didn’t truly understand what he had seen and heard. During his mission against Debro, he had seen too many insane and maddening things that he had nearly vomited. Those things had toughened his mindset and strengthened his will every single time.

"And before you ask, I disagreed with the idea. I wouldn’t watch my own sibling go through something like that. I wouldn’t even put my son or daughter in such a situation," Malrik continued, breaking Asher out of his thoughts. "So while I do understand why Father did it, I can’t fully comprehend it..." he added.

Asher, who had been silent, replied with a sigh, "I already guessed you disagreed."

Malrik couldn’t help but let a small smile appear on his lips at the faith his brother had in him. Still, he decided to say something in his Father’s defence, as he couldn’t just hang the man out to dry.

"While I would never do such a thing to my own child, and I’m also of the opinion that this is the worst parenting I’ve seen in the three decades of my life," he began to speak, his blue eyes turning to Asher, "it doesn’t change the fact that he is a loving Father."

He broke eye contact with Asher as he continued, "Although I’m not clear on all the details, I’ve sort of heard stories from Aunt Morgana and other Great Elders that Father had a rather peculiar childhood due to how his own Father, our Grandfather, was, and I feel that a part of him is somehow projecting that onto you, or that it has affected his own style of parenting," he added in finality.

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