CHAPTER 129: MAGICAL WOLF EVOLUTION: HATI CULTIVATES SPACE ELEMENT

Inside, the world changed.

Alex felt as though he had stepped into the void itself. The floor beneath was a swirling ocean of purple and black, as if standing on the edge of a galaxy. The ceiling shimmered with distant stars, nebulae swirling in slow motion. The walls glowed faintly, covered in specks of violet light, each flickering like a star in deep space.

"Woof! Woof!"

Hati barked excitedly, tail wagging as he sniffed the energy-heavy air.

Alex turned to him, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah. We’re here for you, buddy. Time to work. Cultivate your space element, you lazy bum."

Hati huffed dramatically, as if offended, then gave a little grumble before flopping down in the centre of the room.

Alex chuckled and walked over to the edge, sitting in the corner, arms folded across his chest. He leaned back against the wall and watched silently.

He felt a strange comfort in the room, like reuniting with a long-lost friend.

The sensation was warm—familiar.

He glanced at Hati, realization dawning in his eyes.

"Maybe... it’s because of Hati."

He whispered the thought aloud.

Hati sat down, closed his eyes, and let his body relax.

A soft purple light began to shimmer around him, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Then, as if summoned by the rhythm of his breath, the ambient purple light of the room surged inward. It gathered around Hati like ethereal smoke, swirling faster and faster until it enveloped him completely.

Thrum!

The ground trembled gently—pulsing with the same purple energy.

Thrum!

Another vibration passed through the room, synchronized with the flow of space energy.

Time felt like it stood still.

Then—

The haze of light slowly faded.

Hati stepped out from within it.

Alex’s eyes widened in awe.

Hati had grown—just slightly, but noticeably. His fur gleamed with a deeper, richer violet hue. One of his eyes now glowed with a luminous, pure purple light, while the other remained its usual silvery-gray.

There was something else, too—a wild aura about him, primal and free, yet strangely unreal, as if he stood half in this world and half in another.

Alex stood up, eyes still fixed on his companion, and smiled warmly.

"Congratulations."

Hati lifted his head proudly, tail wagging.

"Woof! Woof!"

Alex chuckled and walked toward the door.

"Yeah, yeah. You’re the great wolf now, huh?"

He opened the door and stepped outside.

Hati followed, his paws almost silent.

He collided with someone and was pushed back. After a few stumbling steps, Alex steadied himself and raised his head.

In front of him stood Riven, his violet eyes blazing with hatred and disgust.

Riven snarled, "Don’t you have eyes, you moron?"

Alex didn’t flinch. He calmly glanced back at Hati, then stepped sideways to pass by, his expression unchanged—cold and composed.

But a hand clamped down on his shoulder.

Alex turned his head.

It was the same bastard—Riven, now wearing a menacing smile.

"Wait here, you commoner trash," he sneered. "You think you can dirty my clothes with your disgusting hands and get away with it?"

Alex didn’t reply with words.

He simply grabbed Riven’s wrist, turning around slowly.

His voice was low, calm—yet it carried a blade’s edge:

"A hypocrite shouldn’t speak words like that."

The corridor fell silent.

All eyes were now on them, some with mocking smiles, others just watching the drama unfold.

Then—

Crack.

A sharp sound echoed as Alex clenched Riven’s wrist.

Riven’s face twisted in pain—his body cultivation was nothing compared to Alex’s. His bones were soft like overripe persimmon.

He gritted his teeth and opened his mouth to speak—

But Alex cut him off.

Still gripping his hand, Alex said, voice calm yet threatening:

"You should be thankful to me. I’ve saved your girlfriend’s life—

—more than once.

On her behalf... you owe me several debts."

A hush swept through the crowd.

Eyes widened—shifting from mockery to a mix of fear and respect.

Alex gave one last squeeze, then released Riven’s wrist.

Without another word, he turned and walked away, exiting the Elemental Cultivation Hall.

Behind him, Riven stood frozen—his face twisted with rage, staring at Alex’s retreating back like a hungry dog.

Riven stormed into the Purple Door, slamming it shut behind him.

[DING]

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[MAIN MISSION PROGRESS: 5% → 4%]

His eyes flew open in shock.

"Why did the progress drop this much?!" he roared.

No answer came.

Only silence—thick and choking—wrapped around him.

The swirling purple light shimmered on the walls like it was mocking him.

Riven’s chest heaved, his breath ragged.

Then he threw his head back and screamed, voice echoing through the void:

"FFUUUUUCKKKKKKKK!!

I’ll tear you apart, you bastard!

I’ll make you kneel before me!

I’ll make sure you beg me!"

Alex walked briskly through the corridor, each step sharp.

His fists were clenched tight, knuckles pale. Through gritted teeth, he muttered,

"I should’ve punched that bastard’s smug face."

He exhaled hard, forcing air through his nose, then drew in a deep breath. Slowly, his pace steadied. The storm inside began to quiet.

"I can’t lose my composure," he whispered. "I know they’re the enemy. I have to lie low... But still, it felt good. Freeing, somehow."

"Woof."

Hati barked beside him, his presence grounding.

Alex looked down at his companion and managed a smile. He could feel the wild, burgeoning power radiating off the wolf.

"Yes, you’re strong. But we can’t lose control here. This is their world. And there are people much stronger than us."

Hati nodded, as if he understood, and they continued walking side by side.

They passed students along the way—nobles draped in arrogance and name. As always, the glares came like daggers: disgust, disdain, dismissal. But Alex didn’t flinch. He had grown used to the looks. The world of nobles had never welcomed him.

Not just the Veylor clan—

The whole world had forsaken him.

But he would rise.

Someday, like the sun itself—

He would blaze so brightly they wouldn’t be able to look away,

Even if they didn’t want to.

Alex stepped into the Rebel Club’s training hall.

All heads turned.

A loud, squeaky voice cut through the air.

"Look who finally showed up—our ghost member! Must’ve woken up from his sweet, sweet slumber."

The cheeky brat sauntered forward, grinning from ear to ear as he threw the words like knives.

Alex gave him a flat glare and rolled his eyes. His voice came out low and threatening:

"Don’t start. I was training on my own."

The brat immediately stepped back, putting on an exaggerated expression of fear.

Then burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

SLAP!

A clean slap landed on the back of his head.

"ARGH!"

He crouched down, holding his skull in both hands.

"I swear... I just lost, like, seven brain cells."

Tina Drakthorn stepped forward, having sheathed her katana without a word.

She stopped in front of Alex. Her crimson eyes scanned him, head to toe.

Alex felt the weight of her gaze press against his shoulders like a challenge.

But he didn’t flinch. He met her eyes, standing tall.

Tina nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"You’ve grown stronger."

Alex let out a breath and returned the smile, his shoulders relaxing.

"Hahahahaha! That’s our champion!"

Darian boomed from across the room, striding toward them.

"You’ll be a great asset in the finals."

SLAP!

A powerful hand smacked Alex on the back.

"Gah—!"

He doubled over, all the air knocked from his lungs.

With dramatic flair, he dropped to the floor, groaning.

When he finally stood again, he glared at Darian.

"Captain... are you trying to kill me? Can’t you be a little more civil?"

Darian just laughed.

"Hahahahaha! That was just a pat. You’re stronger than that, right?"

The rest of the team collectively rolled their eyes.

The cheeky brat finally stood back up, rubbing his own head.

"That kind of ’encouragement’ would’ve killed me. Seriously though... you are strong, Ghost friend."