''Is she really an Evolver?''


    Avendial stood, feeling the warm breath of the woman who was standing just two or three inches away from him.


    Her eyes betrayed a flirtatious sparkle as she nced up at him, obviously intrigued.


    "Behave yourself, Billie," came a firm womanly voice from beside him.


    A hand shot out, cing itself between Avendial and the woman, seizing her by the arm before pushing her back, creating afortable distance—enough for her to stand at arm''s length.


    "Oh,e on, sis," Billie protested, tilting her head as she shot a sulky look toward Aecilia, who had just intervened, denying her a chance to introduce herself to this popr man.


    After seeing him for the first time, she couldn''t help but notice that he was rather handsome as well.


    "Apologies, Marquess; she is... somewhat unruly," Aecilia remarked, her gaze shifting to her cousin, who was actingpletely out of line.


    Aecilia was determined to teach her a lessonter, away from prying eyes, as she didn''t want to reveal an unsightly side of herself in front of him.


    Her golden eyes narrowed in an icy re at Billie.


    "No, it''s quite alright. I would also like an introduction to Miss Billie," Avendial said, shing a small smile while keeping his gaze fixed on the woman before him.


    This was the first time he had encountered her, and her straightforward personality suggested that getting to know her would likely bring him some advantage in the future.


    Aecilia''s gaze remained fixed on her cousin, who was ring at her, when she suddenly heard Avendial''s words.


    "Huh?"


    She turned her attention toward him, blinking in confusion, unable toprehend the meaning behind his statement.


    Billie, too, was caught off guard; she had merely intended to tease the man known for his serious demeanor regarding business deals.


    She hadn''t expected his appreciation to be so evident, leaving her standing there with a nk expression.


    Observing the shift in Billie''s demeanor—from straightforward to bewildered—Avendial realized that she had likely aimed to provoke him rather than offer a proper introduction.


    With that understanding, he decided to brush past her, ignoring both Aecilia and Billie, who were left trying to process what had just unfolded.


    "So, you''re still alive?"


    Avendial inquired as he approached Leo, who was suspended in mid-air, dressed only in shorts.


    Leo''s body bore the unmistakable marks of wounds that were slowly healing.


    His muscles were well-defined, revealing a physique nearing an ideal level of zero body fat.


    "....Y...es."


    Leo''s senses had sharpened sufficiently for him to recognize the voice that spoke to him; it belonged to the very same person he had encountered at the hospital—the one who had gifted him this new life.


    Even though he had endured what felt like an interrogation—more urately described as torture—he realized that his body was no longer human.


    A sharp pain coursed through him, yet he felt an unfamiliar energy filling him, suggesting that with a bit of effort, he could break the chains restraining him.


    "Break it," Avendial urged, observing Leo''s expression, which remained devoid of emotion.


    His voice was calm and direct, reflecting a firmness that led him to wonder whether Leo could indeed shatter the thick chains designed to hold several tons of weight.


    ''!''


    nk!


    Suddenly, Leo tightened his hands and feet, drawing upon his strength to pull his body together.


    rumble rumble


    The room, fortified with thick alloy to withstand any force, began to tremble under the strain of the chains connected to the ceiling.


    As their durability approached its breaking point, the bolts anchoring the chains began to groan under the pressure.


    Crack!


    With a sharp, explosive force, the bolts gave way, sending Leo crashing to the floor.


    Thud


    His weight created a deep dent in the ground, resembling a small crater.


    "Your mother has already been taken to the best hospital in the Croceaus territory; you can rest assured," Avendial said.


    In the absence of Rivia, he could not shake the feeling that Leo might attack him, so he feltpelled to rify something, in case Leo needed reminding of the consequences he would face if he dared tosh out.


    "I understand," Leo replied, slowly rising from his position.


    His face remained stoic, his body covered in dust.


    His voice seemed to return to an even timbre, slightly deeper and more mature as he stood, disying clear signs of having recovered from the brutal onught he had endured.


    He kept his eyes downcast, deliberately avoiding Avendial''s gaze.


    "Hm, that''s good enough," Avendial acknowledged, noting that Leo''s physique appeared to be far more robust than what they would typically have to deal with.


    Satisfied, he pondered how to further augment Leo''s strength.


    "Marquess, he could be a threat," Billie warned, narrowing her gaze as she approached them.


    Her scrutiny of Leo wasced with unmistakable suspicion, along with a fleeting hint of jealousy that Avendial caught, however brief it may have been.


    "It''s fine; I trust him," Avendial replied calmly, turning his attention back to Leo, who remained unfazed by Billie''sment.


    Leo was acutely aware that these people and this entire situation were far beyond anything he had ever imagined encountering.


    That man had saved his life and was even taking the initiative to help his mother.


    He wanted to find a way to repay that kindness.


    It wasn''t that Leo was oblivious to Avendial''s mention of his mother already being in the territory the moment Leo''s strength increased this much.


    He understood full well that people often feared strength.


    He also knew that he was not in a position to unt pride or retaliate against someone capable of granting him such power.


    Those who achieved rapid sess often developed inted egos, a pitfall he resolved to avoid.


    After all, if Marquess Croceaus could bestow power upon him, he could just as easily take it away.


    Therefore, Leo made the conscious decision to ce his trust in him and see how far this journey could take him.


    His life was already a tangled web of misfortunes; it would be far wiser to be of service to someone who saw value in him.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Oi, who are you?"


    Aecilia called out from behind, ruffling her hair in a clear disy of boredom.


    She seemed unimpressed by the drama unfolding, particrly at the sight of Avendial approaching the man who had broken free from his chains.


    "I…"


    Leo began, fully aware of how drastically his life had changed in just a few short days.


    He had gone from a state of vulnerability to possessing something that clearly stirred a reaction in those who appeared to belong to the nobility—all because of Marquess Croceaus, who had given his life newfound significance.


    In a moment of humility, he chose to kneel slowly, bowing his head.


    "I am Sir Croceaus'' sword," he dered.


    "....."


    "Pffft!"


    Billie suddenly erupted intoughter as she witnessed Leo''s antics.


    She doubled over, clutching her stomach, realizing that she couldn''t possibly take this moment seriously.


    "Hahaha! Is this some sort of movie?"


    "....You can stand now, Leo," Avendial interjected, feeling a twinge of awkwardness himself.


    However, he couldn''t help but notice that he had seen this scene y out many times before.


    In his past life, whenever he told people he was a Marquess, most from the three cities would react simrly.


    They believed that nobles adhered to a code of exaggerated manners, much like in the movies.


    In reality, though, nobility had its nuances, especially in the modern world, making moments like these seem even more peculiar.


    Yet, Avendial found Leo''s disy oddlyforting, as it reassured him, at least for the moment, of the younger man''s loyalty.