Pseudo Super Tier Subordinate!

"Intermediate Rank 2... sigh, finally, fire also reached this level."

Breaking out of his meditative stance, Damon, who had been engrossed in cultivation for over a day, felt the barrier between the minor rank of the intermediate level shatter as his third element also entered the second rank.

"So many resources have been consumed, but well, it's worth it."

Stretching his body, Damon couldn't help but mutter to himself as he looked down at the transparent crystals lying around him, with faint traces of fire energy still lingering on them.

It had now become a habit for Damon to rely on consumables like these to increase his cultivation.

'But seriously, these things are such a cheat.'

For Damon, who didn't only focus on cultivation but also on control, other training, and matters related to the Crown Group, his time for cultivation was somewhat limited. Still, with his talent and the use of consumables, he was able to progress rapidly.

Using consumables was indeed an easy way to increase one's cultivation, not to mention there was no harm to one's body or foundation when using them.

As mentioned before, a person who naturally ranks up is the same in all aspects of cultivation as one who uses consumables. The only edge natural practitioners might have would be their experience, control over the element, and the concentration gained from being in a prolonged state of meditation.

Well, since Damon practiced all that and kept up his spiritual attainment (which was kind of lagging in growth compared to before), he was still confident he could defeat even natural rankers.

"Maybe I should focus more on cultivation now," Damon muttered. He was already leagues ahead of his supposed level in almost all aspects and was only held back by cultivation, which still felt lacking, leaving him unsatisfied with his current growth rate.

For physical training, spiritual attainment, magic control, and combat, everything about him exceeded his level. But even with high skills in these, if his cultivation lagged, he might find himself restricted.

As he thought about what his next steps should be, Damon exited his secluded spot, only to be surprised to find David standing near the entrance, looking at the beautiful scenery ahead as he rested his back on the wall.

"Reached level 2 again?" David asked lightly without looking at Damon, having sensed the aura of fire radiating from Damon's body.

"Space, lightning, and now fire... sigh, do you know how long it took me to reach that level?" David couldn't help but sigh as he recalled Damon's rapid progress before pulling out a cigarette from his inventory and lighting it.

"Years, maybe? Well, what can I say... it's all about talent—ouch!"

As soon as Damon finished his sentence, he felt an invisible smack on his head, one he couldn't dodge.

"I knew you would say something like that," David mumbled, taking a drag of smoke. Being the strongest in the Crown's Domain, it was natural for Damon not to be able to defend against someone like David, who was an advanced space mage with a Tier 7 spiritual attainment level.

"Don't be overconfident, brat. The world is still vast. There may be someone out there more talented than you, training even harder than you," David said as he puffed out a cloud of smoke and lowered the hand holding the cigarette.

"Bullshit."

"I used to think a quadruple awakening was bullshit too."

Damon shook his head at David's words, but he knew his mentor well enough to understand that David was just trying to keep his confidence in check.

"So, what brings you here?"

Although David was Damon's teacher and the closest person to him, he had his own responsibilities, so it was rare for him to visit casually, even for something like congratulating Damon on his rank-up. Damon was curious about the reason behind his visit.

Releasing another cloud of smoke, David finally said, "I'm leaving."

"Leaving?" Damon frowned, then his eyes widened in realization as he understood what David meant.

"You reached the peak?" Damon asked, excitement rising as he looked at David, who just nodded.

"You're attempting the breakthrough to Super Tier now? Which element is it?" Damon asked, his excitement growing. It was uncharacteristic of him, but how could he not be excited?

The Crown Group had many Super Tier mages under its command now, but they were all hired guards and the like. David was different. He was the first of Damon's subordinates, someone Damon had invested in from the beginning. And now, David was on the verge of breaking through to Super Tier. This was the biggest news for Damon—his Crown Group had finally raised a Super Tier mage!

"Both," David said.

"Really?"

David just nodded, smirking as he watched Damon's uncharacteristically childish reaction, a stark contrast to the usual narcissistic or cold demeanor David was used to.

David's mastery of both the space and curse elements had reached the peak of advanced mage status, and he was now ready to break through at any moment with the use of external resources.

Advanced Tier was the natural limit of human cultivation, after which the stage of Super Tier could only be reached with external help. David had reached this level in both of his elements.

"A dual Super Tier mage! Let's go! This calls for a celebration!"

The news brightened Damon's mood as he hurried to call Evan, preparing for a celebration not only to mark David's milestone of reaching the pseudo Super Tier but also to throw a farewell party for him.

The aura of a Super Tier mage would attract monarchs near the territory of the city. These powerful beings, who didn't appreciate the presence of humans—especially strong ones like Super Tier mages—would attack them instinctively. This was why David, like anyone else reaching Super Tier, would have to leave the domain for the time being.

'And since David is departing... why shouldn't I?' Damon thought.