Chapter 28: Chapter 28: One Step Chapter 28: One step Noah stood still. Unhurried. While others rushed, fought, and clawed their way forward—he sat. With a flick of his fingers, an ice chair formed beneath him. He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. Calm. Unbothered. A porcelain cup materialized in his grasp, steam curling from the surface. The scent of jasmine and frost filled the air. A special blend. His mother’s favorite. As he brought the cup to his lips— Rustle. A figure emerged from the foliage. Petite. Green-haired. Wide-eyed. She blinked. Confusion flickered across her delicate features. Tea? Here? In the middle of a death match? Noah met her gaze. His expression unreadable. "Do you like tea?" he asked, voice smooth. "This is my mother’s personal blend. Consider yourself honored." The girl: O|O ... Elsewhere, none of the true geniuses moved toward the center. It was an unspoken agreement. They waited. Measured. Assessed. Each occupied themselves in their own way— Aphasia hovered mid-air, seemingly weightless. But those with keen senses could see it—an air spirit cradling her form. Elijah roasted the carcass of a slain beast. Flames licked hungrily at the meat, controlled by his skill. Eric? Snoring. Sprawled atop a tree branch, utterly indifferent to the chaos below. Sophie strolled calmly without care of the world. CRACKLE. Red lightning pulsed through her veins. She did not slow. She did not hesitate. Every time she saw another participant— They died. No mercy. Elizabeth did what she did best—building an army. She sought out stragglers, weaving her web. A growing force, all to aid Elijah. Rouge? The twin beastmen? They hunted. Actively. They were truly bloodthirsty. ... Half a day passed. By now only the strong, the talented, and the resourceful remained. And then— They moved. One by one, each of them rose. Their gazes locked toward the center, as if able to see that far. A pulse rippled through the air—tension, anticipation, a silent declaration. ⸻ Elijah read the quest prompt and smirked. It was time. He stretched. Rolled his shoulders. Then—he stepped forward. And vanished. A breath later, he reappeared hundreds of meters ahead. Teleportation. "Hmph." He sighed. "Two more steps, and I’ll be there. If only this ability were easier to train..." Shaking his head, he pressed onward. At the same time— Aphasia. She summoned five wind spirits, their translucent forms swirling around her. Then—she blurred. A hurricane in human form. Rouge. She melted into a pool of blood, slithering unseen through the forest. The twins. A golden flash. Two lions streaked across the land, their paws barely touching the ground. Sophie. CRACKLE. Red lightning surged. And then—she was gone. Ten seconds. That was all it took. And She was already there. In the center. In company with one orange haired sword girl and a gloomy deathly aura boy. "What the ?" ⸻ Meanwhile, Noah remained seated. Still sipping tea. The spectators stirred wondering what he is doing. The Emperor frowned. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺 What was he doing? Why hadn’t he moved? And then— Noah stood. The green-haired girl glanced up at him, confused. "Are you finally making your move, sir?" Noah raised a brow. "Sir? We’re the same age." She hesitated. "I don’t know... I just feel like calling you that." Noah exhaled. His gaze shifted—to the heart of the forest. "So..." he murmured. "Are you ready?" The girl frowned. "Ready for wha—?" "I’m taking you with me." Before she could react— He placed a hand on her shoulder. And then— His aura stirred. Something shifted. Something changed. Yet—nothing seemed to happen. No grand explosion. No dramatic spectacle. Just silence. But the world noticed. All eyes turned to him. His mother. The Emperor. Countless powerful beings. The mundane people. Even Damon’s interest piqued. Noah’s voice echoed in the stillness. "I am limitless. Space and time cannot bind me." A ripple coursed through the space around him. What is a limit? Space was a limit. It dictated where one could stand, how far one could move. Time was a limit. It dictated when things could happen, how long they would last. But Noah was Limitless. Space should not restrict him. Time should not constrain him. And so— His aura activated. Space weakened. Time slowed down slightly around him. It was just a little bit. But it was enough for Noah. And then— He took a step. To the spectators—he did not move. He simply...arrived. One breath, he stood with the girl. The next— He was at the center of the forest. At the exact same moment as Elijah. The world froze. Shock rippled through the audience. Even Damon’s brows shot up. A smirk tugged at his lips. Selene exuded quiet pride. Her son—was finally beginning to reveal himself. At the same moment— A chime rang through Noah’s mind. {Your title: The Reincarnator is acting.} {You have cleared the necessary conditions.} {Congratulations, Noah Weaverheart.} {You have awakened Space and Time affinities.} Noah exhaled. Slowly, he turned— Eyes locked onto him. Shock. Disbelief. Noah smirked. "Well," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Looks like I wasn’t too late." —End of Chapter 28—