The day passed quickly, and the fortress was filled with excitement over the arrival of the apex of humanity. Ever since the Nexus event, Atticus Ravenstein had become a figure of legend, someone everyone wanted to meet, even if only once in their lives.
For many, what they had witnessed today would likely be the closest they would ever get to him. But none were complaining.
Atticus spent most of his time in his room, meditating in silence. He had arrived in the mid afternoon and politely declined any food or amenities, claiming he had already eaten before coming to the fortress.
However, as night fell, he decided to accept one act of hospitality.
A knock at his door broke his focus.
"The fortress commander would like to respectfully invite you to dinner, Apex Atticus," said the maid kneeling before him.
Atticus's eyes flickered open, landing on her. His gaze was sharp but calm. After a brief pause, he nodded slightly.
"Inform him I'll join him shortly."
The maid bowed deeply before leaving the room. As the door closed, Atticus let out a soft exhale and rose from his cross-legged position.
He walked over to the open window, staring out at the fortress below.
"How annoying," he muttered under his breath.
The fortress was still alive with activity. Despite the late hour, it was brightly lit, with warriors moving purposefully through the grounds, each engaged in their own tasks.
Atticus watched them for a moment, feeling torn.
These past few months had left him confused about how to live his life and what to plan for the future. After his confrontation with the delegates of the other races, he noticed a subtle but significant change in how the other tier-one families treated him.
Before, even after his victory in the Nexus, their support had been cautious. They had sent valuable gifts, but not enough to display unwavering loyalty or full trust. Atticus had understood this perfectly and hadn't expected more from them.
"But now…"
Now, things were different. The support from the tier-one families was overwhelming.
The Alverians had sent an immense supply of potions. The Emberforge family had delivered a mountain of weapons and armor. The Enigmalnks had sent a truckload of runes and artifacts, each designed for specific uses. Even the Stormrider family had contributed.
The gifts were staggering not just in quantity but in quality. Every weapon, potion, rune, and artifact was at least grandmaster+ rank, with many reaching the paragon rank.
And it didn't stop there.
Every tier-one family had personally visited the Ravenstein estate, publicly declaring their support and loyalty to him.
At first, Atticus had been overwhelmed.
To be honest, he hadn't known how to handle the situation. The sheer amount of support, gifts, and declarations had left him unsure of where to even begin.
As he received these tokens of loyalty, his mind grew more muddled.
"Things are getting more complicated," he muttered.
He had never wanted to take on any kind of leadership role in the human domain. To him, it felt like too much effort for too little reward. His only goal had been to grow strong enough to protect his family. That was supposed to be it.
But now, with all these complications, it felt as though he was inheriting a responsibility he hadn't asked for.
Atticus wasn't a hero. But he wasn't a villain either.
He let out another breath, his gaze lingering on the bustling fortress below. "It's too much…" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Atticus treated people the way they treated him. Right now, the human domain was treating him well. If something were to happen in the future, ignoring their plight wouldn't sit well with him.
He wouldn't be able to.
"Now you can be quiet," Atticus directed inwardly at Ozeroth, though the spirit remained silent, apparently unwilling to respond.
Atticus shook his head. Advice from the old man would have been welcome, but it seemed none was coming.
After pondering for a bit, Atticus stopped overthinking and decided to head to dinner.
After wandering through the fortress for a short time, Atticus finally found the dining room. The sound of muffled conversations greeted him as he approached.
The moment he stepped inside, the brightly lit room fell silent.
Seated around a long mahogany table were Candence, Vyn, and the fortress commanders. Their casual chatter ceased abruptly as their gazes locked on him.
One by one, they stood, their movements stiff.
"Welcome, Apex Atticus," Candence greeted, his voice steady, though his posture betrayed the weight Atticus' presence.
The others echoed his greeting, bowing slightly. Despite their composed appearances, none could fully mask the unease Atticus's presence brought.
Atticus nodded his head slightly. "Thank you."
Candence gestured toward the seat at the opposite head of the table. Without hesitation, Atticus walked forward and took his place. Candence resumed his seat at the other end, with Vyn on his right and the other commanders lined along the sides.
A heavy silence settled over the room.
The table was laden with food, steaming and artfully prepared, but no one reached for it. The tension in the air was palpable.
Candence cleared his throat, attempting to shake off the oppressive weight of Atticus's aura. His thoughts churned.
'He's just 17. I've lived more than four of his lifetimes.'
But the knowledge that Atticus was stronger than anyone present, including himself, rendered the attempt to bolster his confidence hollow.
Finally, Candence broke the silence, carefully choosing his words. "Apex Atticus, your presence here is an honor. Please, enjoy the meal we've prepared for you."
Atticus didn't respond immediately. Instead, he picked up his fork and began eating in silence.
The commanders exchanged hesitant glances before tentatively following his lead. The quiet clatter of utensils against plates filled the room, the only sound breaking the tension.
Dinner continued this way, the commanders too intimidated to speak. When the meal concluded, the maids entered to clear the table, and the already heavy air grew denser.
It was Vyn who finally broke the silence. His sharp, measured voice cut through the tension.
"Apex Atticus, I hope you've found the fortress to your satisfaction. It's not much compared to the luxuries of the Ravenstein estate, but we've done our best to make it comfortable."
All eyes shifted to Atticus, awaiting his response.