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---
title: "Chapter 299: Reason"
slug: "ch-299"
novel: "Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100"
number: 299
views: 0
likes: 0
wordCount: 1010
createdAt: "2026-04-13"
---

Aelric's smile didn't fade. "I've heard from my father that Mark is… different. Stronger than me. Stronger than Amelia, Revenna. Stronger than any genius in Valora Continent."

Max's frown deepened.

Stronger than all of them?

If that were true, then why had he never heard of him?

Why had Mark Vandor—someone supposedly above all geniuses—remained in the shadows?

And more importantly—

What did any of this have to do with Palace Master Hugh's hatred toward him?

The confusion in Max's eyes was clear.

Aelric chuckled. "You're wondering why, aren't you? Why haven't you heard of him before?"

Max nodded slightly.

Aelric's next words wiped away any lingering doubt.

"Because Mark was set to become the strongest genius of Valora Continent… until someone else came and took that title from him."

Max's breath hitched.

The realization hit instantly.

He was the reason.

He was the one who took that title.

And Palace Master Hugh?

Was this the reason for his hatred against him?

But Aelric wasn't done.

His smirk widened as he leaned in slightly. "And that's not all."

Max raised an eyebrow.

"Not only did this person take the title of the strongest genius… but they also stole everything that came with it."

A pause.

Then—"The fame. The recognition. The spotlight that should've belonged to Mark Vandor."

Max's expression remained neutral, but inside, he was amused.

"It got so bad," Aelric continued, "that Mark had no choice but to call himself the 'Second Strongest Genius of Valora Continent.'"

Aelric chuckled. "But guess what?"

Max already knew the answer.

"Nobody took him seriously."

The words were almost cruel. But they were the truth.

Because at that time—

The world was exploding with the strongest genius at that time.

Aelric's voice lowered slightly, but his amusement remained.

"Just when he tried to make a name for himself, the entire continent was talking about something else.

About how the strongest genius of Valora Continent had fought and defeated a member of the Ascendants."

Max immediately recalled that battle. It had shaken the entire Lower Domain.

For the first time, a genius from Valora Continent had stood against an Ascendant… and won.

That moment had overshadowed everything else.

Including Mark Vandor.

"In the end," Aelric said, shaking his head, "Mark fell so hard that he wasn't even considered among the top geniuses anymore."

A short silence followed.

Max felt an urge to laugh out loud.

'Damn… did I really become someone's unlucky star?'

He had never even met Mark, yet somehow, he had completely erased the guy from existence.

The so-called Second Strongest Genius of Valora Continent… who was never even acknowledged.

"Haha, I've heard about him too."

Amelia's voice broke the silence.

She smiled lightly, eyes glinting with curiosity. "But I always thought it was just a rumor. A made-up story about someone out there trying to do the impossible."

Her gaze shifted to Max.

"Turns out, it was real all along."

Max shrugged.

"I didn't even know he existed before now."

That did it.

Jack, who had been silent all this time, burst into laughter.

"Now that's funny!"

His laughter rang through the group, drawing a few amused looks.

Max shook his head lightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Then—his gaze shifted.

Alice.

She stood with Anton and Bruce, surrounded by the Phoenix Order Guild.

Aurelia, meanwhile, was further away—deep in conversation with King Magnar, Envoy Lucas, and Palace Master Hugh.

Max smiled slightly.

Then—he walked.

Straight toward Alice.

Jack blinked. "Is he…?"

His voice carried surprise. His eyes trailed after Max, disbelief creeping into his expression.

Crown Prince Aelric followed Max's path. His lips thinned.

"He's really walking toward the Phoenix Order Guild."

A moment of silence.

Then—Amelia spoke.

"Does he want revenge?"

Her voice was calm, but a faint edge of curiosity lurked beneath it.

Aelric frowned.

"Probably."

Just then—a voice interjected.

"No, you fools."

Aelric turned, along with Amelia and Jack.

The speaker?

Princess Aveline.

She stood with arms crossed, her gaze cool yet knowing.

She looked at her big brother, then at Amelia and Jack, as if they were all missing something obvious.

"He isn't going for revenge," Aveline said smoothly.

A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"He's going for something far more interesting."

Aelric narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Aveline's smirk deepened.

"Just watch."

And so—they did.

Their eyes followed Max's every step as he approached Alice.

Max moved forward, stepping toward Alice.

But before he could take another step—two figures blocked his path.

Anton. Bruce.

Their movements were sharp, immediate. Their expressions hardened.

Max met their gazes, waiting.

"Traitors aren't allowed."

Bruce's voice was cold. Final. Absolute.

For a moment, Max simply looked at him.

Then—he chuckled.

Not out of amusement.

But because of how predictable it was.

His gaze flickered to Anton.

His eyes gleamed—and pressure dropped.

A wave of Soul-Sheering Pressure crashed into Anton's very core.

It was subtle. Silent.

Yet his entire world flipped.

His muscles locked. His breath hitched.

And then—realization hit.

Because now, he knew.

He knew.

The masked figure from before. The one who had crushed him without even lifting a hand.

The one who had pinned his very soul in place.

The one he had hoped never to meet again.

It was him.

Max.

A deep chill ran through Anton's spine.

His confidence shattered instantly.

And in that moment—his entire stance changed.

Max's voice was calm, even pleasant.

"Anton, can I talk to Alice for a moment?"

Anton's body trembled.

There was no arrogance left. No defiance.

Only a deep, rooted fear.

His pride screamed at him to resist. But his instincts—his very soul—told him otherwise.

So he moved.

He stepped aside.

"O-of course."

Bruce's face twisted in shock.

His eyes darted between Anton and Max, disbelief flooding his expression.

"Anton, what are you doing?"

His voice rose slightly, sharp with confusion and anger.

Anton turned to him sharply, his gaze now dark and decisive.

"Bruce, just do as I say."

Bruce stiffened.

But he still clenched his fists, refusing to back down.

"But—"