Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start

No one knew what had happened.

Why was there no bloodshed? Wasn't Alex supposed to try killing Damien?

Other than the traces of beating, nothing else was seen on Damien's body.

Even those beatings seemed purely out of an objective, but no one knew what it was. Other than Alex and Damien, of course.

To all of them, it seemed like Damien and Alex had some disagreements, then a fight broke out, and after some exchanges, they came to a settlement.

Valen, although confounded, was still somewhat satisfied with everything that went down.

He didn't know what had happened, but he could tell that Damien hadn't lost anything in the settlement, meaning he held strong.

What he didn't know, however, was that although it looked like Damien was happy, it was all because Alex had instructed him to do so.

Anos, on the other hand, had noticed something Valen didn't. It was the mark on the ground. It was as if someone had knelt there.

There was also some residual dust left on the pants covering Damien's knees.

It was clear to him that something had happened—something Damien and Alex were hiding. But he didn't ask anything about it.

'It's not like he's my son or something.'

This was what he had thought.

The other reason why he didn't say anything was because he felt good seeing someone in Valen's position being fooled by a child around the age of his son.

He was having fun.

Soon, that issue was resolved without much problem.

Damien was let go, and it was said that he had run away using the blood teleportation technique, which was banned in the city.

That, of course, made the Originviel academy use force by sending the teachers' council to meet the Vampire Emperor, but that matter was solved with an apology and some treasures.

The Vampire Emperor told them about the situation and how helpless he was.

Of course, dealing with the Originveil didn't solve all their problems, as their empire would be at war soon, but for some reason, Valen wasn't worried about the war.

He was completely unbothered.

After all, he wasn't weak enough to worry about an attack from people weaker than him.

Unfortunately for him, his confidence might be harmful to him this time around. After all, a colony of ants can possibly bring down an elephant, no matter how big it is.

The one who caused all this and was the root of everything happening, however, was unconcerned.

He was, instead, visiting one of his lovers' kingdoms.

...............

Simharian teleportation portal.

The wind shimmered as the portal opened, rippling the air like heat over desert sands.

With a subtle hum, four figures emerged—Alex at the front, flanked closely by Zahara, Mira, and Lilia.

As the magical gateway collapsed behind them with a quiet hum, they found themselves standing in the heart of the Simharian capital.

It was a sight to see as the sun was bright but not harsh, casting a warm golden hue over the sprawling marble and sandstone city.

Buildings curved like flowing silk, their archways painted in vivid reds and blues, with golden domes reflecting the light like fire caught in glass.

The streets were bustling—merchants calling out their wares, children darting through alleyways with sticky fingers and laughter, and banners flapping in the wind, all emblazoned with the lion-head crest of the Nemeanor bloodline.

It was a kingdom that didn't wear its power with iron and stone but with life and color.

And right now, Alex and his companions stood in the middle of it like characters out of a painting.

Mira blinked slowly at the sights, her light blue eyes wide and unfocused, like she was trying to absorb the entire city at once.

Lilia, ever composed, adjusted the hem of her cloak and murmured, "I thought the palace would be... more distant from the marketplace."

Zahara let out a soft laugh, her crimson eyes amused. "Welcome to Simharia. Though be mindful of what you say. The royal guards hide among the citizens to conduct surprise inspections."

Lilia just huffed at Zahara's words while Alex, with his hands stuck in his pockets, hummed slowly. "It's lively. No wonder you love it here."

"I love you more, though," Zahara smirked, her brow raised.

"I know," Alex smiled, tilting his head slightly toward her. "And I love you more."

Zahara's expression softened, the corner of her lips tugging upward in that quiet, rare smile that only surfaced around him.

They stood like that for a moment—elegant, quiet, and radiant.

But of course, seeing him flirt with Zahara wasn't something the other two could just swallow.

Even Mira, who had always stayed on Zahara's side, was frowning.

But before anyone could say anything to them, someone finally noticed them.

First, it was a little girl tugging at her mother's dress. Then a baker holding a tray of fresh bread.

Then, a few more citizens turned.

Whispers spread like wildfire and heads turned until finally, someone shouted, voice thick with awe—

"Wait! Is that—?! That's the Crown Princess! Zahara Nemeanor!"

The atmosphere exploded.

People surged closer, gasps and cries echoing through the square.

Shoppers dropped their baskets, stall owners leaned over their counters, and guards began pushing through the crowd from the palace edge in alarm.

"The princess has returned—look at her!"

"She's with companions—gods, they're all beautiful!"

"That man—who is that man standing with her?"

"Is that her consort?!"

"He's too handsome to be just a consort!"

Zahara sighed, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear. "I forgot how loud they get."

Mira leaned into Alex slightly, barely touching his arm. She didn't say a word, but her tiny sigh said everything.

Lilia simply folded her arms and muttered, "I can already hear the rumors. We've been here less than a minute."

Alex raised a hand casually, and in a single motion, his Flare activated.

Swish—Boom!

The ground subtly vibrated beneath his feet as his presence surged outward—not aggressive, but undeniable.

People paused. The clamor dulled. Some backed away instinctively, getting stunned for a while, and that was enough for Alex to use his other skill—Shadow Veil—and slip out of the crowd like ink through water.

The shadows under their feet stretched and thickened before melting upward, wrapping around them like a curtain of mist.

To everyone else, they simply… vanished.

They were still there, of course—just outside the perception of ordinary senses.

As if the air had folded around them like a polite but firm "do not disturb" sign.

Now safe from the gathering chaos, the group began walking down the quieter lane that led toward the palace garden entrance.

"Well," Lilia said as they strolled, her purple eyes catching glints of the banners above. "That was dramatic... subtle, but dramatic."

Alex gave her a sideways glance. "You were enjoying it."

"I was cataloging the reactions," she replied with a tiny smirk. "It's part of my job."

"I like the colors," Mira murmured softly, her voice like a breeze. Her eyes followed a group of children chasing one another around a fountain, the water catching the sunlight in bursts of rainbow. "Bright…"

Zahara reached over and squeezed Mira's hand gently. "Simharia's built on flame, but we never let it burn alone. We paint our heat with joy."

Mira nodded, still watching the kids. A flicker of something like nostalgia passed through her gaze.

Alex slowed slightly as a spice vendor passed nearby. "What's that smell?"

"Probably sun-chili and gold-leaf pepper," Zahara answered immediately. "Simharian delicacy. You'll cry and smile at the same time if you eat it."

"That's oddly poetic," Alex muttered.

Zahara laughed, the sound mellow and warm. "Wait until we get to the palace gardens. Mira will love them."

Mira turned her gaze toward Zahara, and a small, rare smile crossed her lips.

"I will."

As they walked—shadow-veiled, surrounded by the pulse of a kingdom that didn't know whether to fear or adore them—the four of them moved like whispers in the wind.

They failed to notice a movement in the crowd.

There was someone in the crowd who had their eyes set on them, never leaving them for a second.

The shadow veil only blocked them off from the perception of those who got distracted by the flare. If you never looked away from them, then you could see them as normal.

That was what had happened with that person.

Unlike others, they could see everything without a problem.

'What kind of magic is this?' They wondered, staring at the group of four. 'And is that guy the one father told us about?'

The figure didn't stay standing for long.

After observing them for a while, seeing them move around the capital, stealing food while using their cover, and visiting places, the figure slipped into the castle.

"I need to inform Father about everything," they muttered before they moved into the castle.

Alex, Zahara, Lilia, and Mira, on the other hand, remained oblivious to the trouble coming their way.

Though one couldn't call it trouble. It would be better to call it the consequences of their actions.