Absolute King Chapter 28.

Chapter 28: The Unexpected Invitation.

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A week had passed since the funeral.

Mark hadn’t stepped outside his room once.

The days blurred together, mornings turned into nights, and nights faded back into dim, empty mornings. His curtains remained drawn, shutting out the light as though the world outside no longer concerned him.

He had skipped school the entire week, ignoring every text, every call, and every knock on his door.

Kara had stopped by twice, cheerful as always, bringing homemade cookies and trying to coax a smile out of him. Raven came too, more quiet in her approach ,she’d simply appear, stand in silence for a while, and then leave behind some books or a cup of tea before disappearing again. Even his mother had tried, knocking softly, leaving meals by his door. But Mark didn’t move. He didn’t eat much. He just… stayed.

But he wasn’t wallowing. Not exactly.

Inside his darkened room, the air was thick with the smell of unwashed clothes, stale food containers, and paper scattered everywhere. Energy hummed faintly in the air, as if the room itself had become a forge of restless magic.

Mark sat in the middle of it all, cross legged, eyes closed, his breathing steady but heavy with focus.

Every few moments, his circuits pulsed with faint blue light beneath his skin, the veins glowing with contained power. His mana flowed in complex patterns as he practiced control, refining the link between himself and the five kings.

He wasn’t mourning anymore. He was building.

Training. Preparing.

He’d reached a point where he could summon any of the kings at will not through desperation, but intent. No longer did he feel that draining exhaustion that used to accompany a summoning. He’d learned how to balance the flow, how to draw from the Grail within him without fracturing his body.

Each king had grown with him.

Their bond, their resonance through the Grail, deepened.

Solomon had taken the lead with the points, his calm, logical mind guiding Mark’s magical growth. The king of wisdom’s teachings had sharpened Mark’s understanding of mana theory and spiritual alignment.

And surprisingly, Gilgamesh had climbed to second place, contributing heavily after seeing how much Mark had matured. The golden king had even opened access to parts of his vault, an unthinkable show of trust in exchange for a rare deal: his independence.

Mark could feel them all. Their voices in the corners of his mind, faint echoes waiting to be called. And yet, his focus didn’t waver not until a ripple of dark energy disturbed the air around him.

He exhaled slowly.

Someone was opening a portal.

The air shimmered like glass, dark magic twisting into a whirl of purple-black light. From within, a familiar figure emerged — Raven.

She stepped out gracefully, her cloak rippling like smoke, the faint scent of incense following her. Her aura carried that same heavy gloom darkness that wasn’t evil, but deep and cold, like the still surface of a midnight lake.

Mark didn’t open his eyes at first. He didn’t need to. Her magic was unmistakable.

“Didn’t expect visitors,” he muttered quietly, his voice carrying the faint rasp of someone who hadn’t spoken much all week.

Before Raven could reply, another presence followed her through the portal this one lighter, sharper, impatient.

Mark’s eyes finally opened, and he groaned when he saw him.

Robin.

But this time, not in costume.

The boy wonder wore a simple school uniform, but still carried that same self-assured stiffness that screamed control freak.

Mark smirked lazily. “Didn’t think a delinquent like you attended school.”

Robin crossed his arms, expression flat. “Look who’s talking. This place looks worse than a crime scene. Even our doghouse is cleaner than this.”

Mark scoffed, leaning back on his hands. “Ha! Did you come all the way here just to insult my interior design? Sorry I don’t have billionaire money to throw around like your dear old dad.”

That one hit home,Robin’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing for a split second.

Before either could throw another jab, Raven sighed loudly.

“You two sound like toddlers fighting over a toy,” she said dryly. “Can we not do this?”

Her tone cut through the tension. Robin looked away, muttering under his breath, while Mark tilted his head toward her.

“What are you doing here anyway? I told you to leave me alone,” he said. His tone wasn’t angry but more weary, maybe even defensive.

“I know losing your father hit you hard,” Raven said quietly, stepping closer. “But the Mark I know wouldn’t just shut himself away. He’d keep moving forward.”

Her words lingered for a moment, soft but firm.

She turned slightly toward Robin. “He has something to tell you. And before you say anything just listen. If you don’t like it, then fine.”

Robin hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. His usual confidence faltered just a bit.

Mark noticed and of course couldn’t resist teasing him.

“Wait…” Mark said, a mischievous grin forming. “Don’t tell me you’re here to confess your undying love for me?”

Raven snorted, trying to hide her smile behind her cloak. Robin, however, popped an annoyed nerve.

“As if,” he shot back sharply.

“Oh, then maybe you’re here to challenge me,” Mark said with mock seriousness. “To prove you’re not completely outclassed by yours truly?”

Robin clenched his fists but managed to suppress his irritation. “You really do have weird delusions.” He exhaled sharply, then finally said, “I’m throwing a birthday party this weekend… and I was wondering if you’d like to come.”

Mark blinked.

For a second, the room went silent.

He hadn’t expected that, least of all from Robin.

“Sorry,” Mark said after a beat, a sly smirk tugging at his lips. “Could you repeat that? I think my ears malfunctioned.”

Robin groaned. “I already regret saying it.”

Mark chuckled, leaning forward. “Let me guess,Bruce forced you into this?”

To his surprise, Robin shook his head.

“No. I just figured… maybe I could try being nice. You know, charity work.”

He shrugged it off like it was nothing, but his tone betrayed the effort it took to say that aloud.

Raven crossed her arms, glancing between the two boys. “That’s as close to friendly as he gets,” she said flatly.

Robin ignored her and motioned toward the portal. “Forget it if you’re not interested.”

Mark sighed and stood up, stretching. “Fine. If you went through all that trouble, I’ll come. But don’t get the wrong idea I’m only showing up to eat all your food and steal the attention of every girl there.”

That earned a small, involuntary smile from Raven though she quickly looked away.

Robin rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure. Just try not to embarrass yourself.”

Before leaving, he snapped his fingers. A black bag materialized from Raven’s portal and flew toward Mark. Mark caught it midair.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“A suit,” Robin said bluntly. “You better wear it. I don’t want you scaring off the guests with your thrift store wardrobe.”

Mark looked at the bag, then back at them as the portal began to close. “Gee, thanks for the fashion advice, rich boy.”

Robin just smirked and stepped through the portal, followed by Raven though she paused for a moment before disappearing, her eyes lingering on Mark.

And then they were gone.

The room fell silent again, the only sound the faint hum of the Grail within him.

Mark looked down at the black bag, sighing softly.

“…A party, huh?”

He chuckled faintly, the sound dry but genuine.

“Guess I could use a change of pace.”