《A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?》


 Chapter 1: 3- Back in past

    Inside the darkness enveloping Aven''s mind, which appeared like a cold and empty void that seemed to swallow even his thoughts, his mind spun with confusion¡ªa haze of disorientation tightening its grip.


    Gradually, sensations seeped into his consciousness: a faint pressure on his chest against something warm and soft, like theforting embrace of a nket on a winter morning, but breathing and sweaty.


    A rhythmic movement stirred the murky depths of his awareness, akin to the gentle sway of branches in a breeze¡ªa soothing experience indeed.


    Amidst the fading haze of consciousness, he became aware of a soft yet insistent pressure enveloping his private part.


    It was a delicate touch, appearing to wrap around his shaft with a pressureing from all directions simultaneously¡ªtight and inviting, urging involuntary movements of his lower body¡ªback and forth.


    At times, a sensation of being drawn in prompted him to arch his back in attempts to withdraw, only to encounter a resistant tightness that encouraged him to press forward and prate the hurdle¡ªa rhythmic, involuntary dance that pulsed through him, each stroke sending electrifying feeling.


    Though his mind seemed hazy, the subtle, tight pressure exerted on his shaft from something warm, soft, and wet was slowly bringing his senses back to consciousness, though not enough to awaken him fully.


    "Ahh¡­ Ahn¡­ Ungh..."


    Finally, lost in that sensation, his ears seemed to catch a soft, soothing, melodious rhythmic voice¡ªsomething familiar yet instinctively causing his body to respond even more, hoping to hear the voice more clearly.


    "Mmph?!¡­.Eeek~! AhhHh~!"


    A subtle increase in sound, as if working as a stimulus, sent a jolt through his already hazy mind, prompting him to retaliate with even more force as he felt the resistant tightening on his lower body with increased pace¡ªeverything was happening while he seemed to be in the least control.


    Squelch Squelch


    "..NNH~! AHNG~! HNGGGH~!"


    ''?!''


    Suddenly, that cry tore through the thick veil of sleep, wrenching Avendial''s eyes open. His breath came in ragged gasps, mingling with the dimly lit room''s pungent aroma¡ªa mix of sweat and lingering passion.


    "Haah...Haah.." His widened blue pupils reflected a beautiful face with amethyst eyes framed by tousled purple hair, sprawled across the rumpled white bedsheets.


    "...R-Rivia?" Despite his lower body twitching involuntarily, he ignored it and focused on the familiar figure lying beneath him. Her flushed face met his gaze, and they shared a moment of realization¡ªshe slightly bewildered, he perplexed.


    They were entangled in a thin, silky white bedsheet, barely covering their bare bodies, the fabric serving more as a reminder of their intimacy than modesty.


    His own breath was erratic, contrasting sharply with her controlledposure. The air around them seemed charged with unspoken words and the aftermath of physical exertion.


    "Damn it!" In a fleeting moment of rity, Avendial realized the gravity of the situation.


    Instead of sumbing to impulse, he pushed his body away with desperate urgency, his legs betraying him as he stumbled towards the edge of the bed.


    In that moment of fall, his eyes captured the sight of the room he was in¡ªa grand chamber adorned with towering columns intricately carved with floral patterns, their marble surfaces polished to a gleaming shine.


    Interior of deep crimson and gold draped the walls, catching the flickering light of brass candbras that hung from the vaulted ceiling.


    Arge firece dominated one side, still burning to provide warmth in this cold weather.


    The air was heavy with the scent of sandalwood and beeswax, but a slightly pungent smell also filled the entire room.


    These details served as a reminder to Avendial that he was currently inside one of the rooms in the main pce of the Arniphiam Empire.


    "...Young Master!" Upon seeing the man fall, the woman, despite still feeling pain in her pelvic area, reacted instantly, her body blurring and hurling towards him.


    SWISH


    thud


    "....T-thank you, Rivia," Avendial''s eyes met the woman who had arrived beside him even before his fall, catching his body. Both of them were naked, the moonlight highlighting her milky white skin, revealing a stoic expression on her face.


    Even after the intense moment, she remainedposed, apart from the blush near her ears and face¡ªsomething expected from one of the few sword masters in this Empire.


    Aven, supporting himself, grasped her hand to remove it, noticing the firm, calloused palm that spoke of her rigorous sword training.


    "Wee, Master, but..." Rivia nodded slightly, hesitating to ask why he had stopped, sensing it might cross a line as she observed the nail marks across his shoulders and back, she pursed her lips.


    ''....I need to hurry'' Avendial, seeing the woman still alive before him, deduced he had indeed returned to the past. However, the timing made him realize he didn''t have much time before the first misfortune of his life plunges him into further darkness.


    "Rivia, get dressed now. This is a trap," Avendial, knowing her ability to decipher everything from his words, sprang into action, moving towards the bed to retrieve her clothes.


    However, he found them shredded, prompting him to grit his teeth in anger and vow to kill the person who drugged him with an aphrodisiac.


    His legs felt weak, but the will and memories of the future drove him on. He threw a white shirt towards her and ordered, "Wear this now."


    While looking for something to wear himself, he noticed red blood stains on the white bedsheet from her deflowering, further enraging him as he clenched his pants beside it.


    "Young Master, please don''t overexert yourself," she suggested, seeing him barely able to control himself. Prompting her to hold his arm, he struggled to put on his pants due to affected by the strong aphrodisiac and his boiling anger.


    "We need to leave this ce, Rivia," he said urgently, turning towards her. He noticed she wore the same thin white shirt with open buttons, revealing teeth marks, hickeys on her breasts and neck, and swollen areas around her nipples, which made him realize how much humiliation and suffering she must have endured because of him.


    "I understand," Rivia nodded, discreetly scanning the room. Hearing his words, she narrowed her gaze, recognizing the urgency and potential disaster if they were caught like this.


    "Did you find something?" Avendial finally managed to put on his pants and nced at her, aware of her searching for anything that could cause him future problems.


    "Master, it seems there are several cameras in this room." As she ced her palm on the wall, her senses reached out with her Synergy flowing through whole room while detecting connections leading to several image recording devices.


    "So they have a backup n too," Avendial remarked, ncing at Rivia in the thin white shirt that revealed her features. Averting his gaze, he looked into arge mirror, seeing his own reflection¡ªsilver hair fluttering, blue eyes, and marks of nails and kisses across his body which appeared unremarkable, neither muscr nor fatty.


    Reflecting on the day''s events, he remembered how someone had orchestrated a setup to push him towards destruction, ultimately leading to Rivia''s death in a dirty game yed against him, just as he was about to be betrothed to the princess of this Empire.


    Turning his attention to the bed, where a sheathed sword¡ªa ck and purple katana de belonging to Rivia''sy. Memories of his previous life surged as he approached it¡ªthe same de he had used until the end. Gripping the de and throwing it towards Rivia, he firmlymanded, "Destroy this entire room, Rivia."


    "I understand," the woman nodded as she caught the sword. She unsheathed a ck de, its purple hilt firmly in her grip. Approaching Avendial, she positioned herself with her back towards him to shield him from the bacsh of her Synergy.


    WHOOSH


    In an instant, her entire body was shrouded in a deep energy that flowed through her and into the sword, causing its de to glimmer.


    She slowly ced the glowing de inside the scabbard, the glimmer gradually fading as it slid inside.


    Swish


    Then, in one swift motion, she drew the de again, forming an elegant arc in the room before sheathing it once more.


    SLICE


    A simple sound reverberated through the room before everything returned to normal.


    "Let''s leave, Maste...r," Rivia said, biting her lips, trying to keep herselfposed despite feeling fatigued from using up all her Synergy. She turned towards Avendial, whose narrowed gaze was fixed on the door. This caused Rivia to also notice the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway.


    tap tap


    The footsteps grew louder and more distinct, turning into a rapid tter as several individuals ran towards the room.


    Within moments, the entire hallway was filled with the sound of their approach before the door burst open.


    Boom!


    "You are dered guilty of treason, Marquess Croceas!" a bulky man wearing a set of armor and holding a sword shrouded in a white translucent aura dered as he entered the room with a swift kick, breaking the door open.


    His speed was so great that he moved faster than the door''s fall.


    ''?!''


    ''No, it''s impossible,'' the man instantly broke into a sweat the moment his eyes saw the door he had kicked. Before it fell to the floor, it had turned into dust¡ªmost specifically, finely cut dust at the atomic level.


    Not only the door, but the entire room was reduced to flying dust, stirred by the air currents created by his speed.


    nk


    His trembling hands let the sword fall to the floor as he realized the punishment he would face for failing this mission.


    Seeing how finely cut everything was and noticing no one present, his voice shook as he remembered the individual with the prowess to cut at the atomic level, "D-Dominic Rivia Aurelia."


    "Where are they?" an old man in a butler''s attire asked as he stepped forward, observing that the only thing left in the room were the white walls, with even the burning fire having been sliced into pieces until it extinguished.


    "S-sorry, Sebas, th-this..." The man in front stammered, his horrified eyes turning towards the old man.


    Schlkt!


    "Kughh?!" The man''s eyes widened as a sharp pain surged through his chest. His trembling hands lifted to grasp at the arm piercing through his chest, shattering his armor.


    Holding the arm, the man''s trembling head lifted to meet the cold gaze of the old man. Moonlight cast a shadow on his face as the butler''s ws clenched firmly inside his body. In a firm tone, the butler dered, "For lying about the future husband of Princess Katheria Arniphiam, you are executed."


    Thud


    The moment the butler withdrew his arm, the man''s body copsed to the floor. His cold eyes then turned toward the soldiers apanying him, dering once again,"You all should redeem for yourmander."


    "Aghhh!"


    "S-sir Butler¡ªUgh?!"


    "Kugh!"


    "Pl-lease, I have children to fee¡ª"


    Several cries echoed in the room, which was soon bathed in blood.


    The butler stood alone near the door, surrounded by the bodies of the fallen soldiers. d in a pristine butler uniform, his white beard and mustache were immacte, with not a single bloodstain on him except for his sharp, wed hand, which he quickly cleaned with a cloth.


    His eyes turned toward the open window, now devoid of doors since they had turned to dust. A cold glint passed through his eyes as he prepared to leave the room before adjusting his tie. His chilling words resonated in the silence, "It seems Master will have to use some other methods to get rid of you, Sir Avendial."

 Chapter 2: 4- Doing some swimming

    In the year 2031, Earth''s modernization and technological advancements have enabled the seamless integration of artificial intelligence into daily life.


    Autonomous vehicles dominate the streets, smart homes and wearable devices optimize health monitoring and daily routines.


    Renewable energy sources have be the norm, significantly reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.


    However, amidst these ongoing global changes, the focal point remains the Arinphiam Empire.


    While the world has embraced various forms of governance such as republics and democracies, the Arinphiam Empire uniquelybines a feudal system with modern governmental structures.


    As the world moved away from old systems to adopt democracies and republics, the Arinphiam Empire retained its Royal family, supported by a private army of individuals possessing supernatural abilities.


    Though concrete figures and methods to verify their loyalty and identities were scarce, their presence posed a significant threat to the current government.


    Despite modern weaponry and nuclear options to eliminate the Royal family, historical attempts resulted in the sudden deaths of high-ranking government officials within an hour of such derations and orders were made.


    Consequently, the government waspelled to negotiate a treaty with the Royal family on equal terms for mutual existence.


    ording to this treaty, all nobles fell under the jurisdiction of the Royal family, independent of governmental oversight.


    In cases involving both citizens and nobles, a jointly established court by the Royal family and government would adjudicate.


    Upon signing the treaty, all assets of the nobility were consolidated under a single kingdom,pensated with stocks, money, and gold by the newly established system.


    Henceforth, nobles would manage only their wealth andnds within a designated territory under the Arinphiam Empire.


    The Arinphiam Empireprised three kingdoms: Arinphium (Royal Kingdom), Thaloris (Kingdom of Thaloria), and Free Cities (ordinary citizens).


    Thaloris was allocated to nobles based onnd, assets, and mines valued at their 1972 asset rates.


    Over time, hereditary titles lost value rtive to the actual wealth held by each noble in the present day.


    For example, the wealthiest noble after the Royal family in the Empire is Marquess Avendial Croceaus, with a worth of 13.2 trillion Imperial Crowns (1 IC = 1.50 USD).


    His vast wealth spanned diverse sectors, including expansive agricultural estates, cutting-edge technology firms, and lucrative mining ventures.


    Additionally, he held a substantial stake in the Empire''s renewable energy sector, further solidifying his financial influence.


    Following the traditional feudal system, the Empire regrly organized gatherings for the nobility in Arinphium, the Royal City.


    These events provided opportunities for noblemen to convene, interact, and engage with one another.


    Similiary today on 13th January 2031, a gathering is also organised inside one of the royal pces of Arinphium, Royal City.


    In the northern reaches of the Royal City, where heavenly architecture of various pces belonging to royal heirs reigned supreme, one magnificent pce stood out among the many surrounding it.


    Tonight, under the full moon''s brilliance, the pce glowed with an enchanting yellow light, entuated by the presence of several luxurious cars filling its surroundings.


    The hustle and bustle of tonight''s gathering added to the atmosphere, making the princess''s pce a captivating sight under the cover of night.


    The moonlight lent an ethereal glow to the pce''s opulent exterior, adorned with intricate carvings that mirrored delicate patterns on its marble surface.


    Towering pirs of the finest marble framed the entrance, each standing as tall as 15 metres and cool to the touch in the gentle night breeze.


    Inside, the vast halls were bathed in the moon''s soft light filtering through tall windows.


    Instead of golden chandeliers, ornate candbras cast flickering shadows against walls painted in deep indigo and midnight blue, evoking an aura of mystery and refinement fitting of princess''s taste.


    Outside the pce walls, a tranquilke mirrored the starry expanse above, its surface rippling gently in the breeze.


    Lanterns, suspended from ornate poles, cast a warm glow over the scene, illuminating clusters of elegantly dressed figures engaged in lively discourse.


    The air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation and asional bursts ofughter, punctuated by the clinking of crystal sses and the tinkling of silverware as servants moved gracefully among the tables, attending to the guests'' needs.


    The scent of exotic flowers mingled with the aroma of delicately prepared dishes, creating an atmosphere that whispered of opulence and refinement.


    Just a few meters away from the gathering of noble men, two figures, unnoticed by any eyes, made their way to a garden brimming with bushes and trees, offering them concealment from the guests engrossed in tonight''s events.


    "Are you alright, Rivia?" Avendial asked, his gaze shifting to the woman whose fluttering purple locks in the breeze momentarily obscured his view as he guided her to sit behind a tree, propping her back against it before his eyes settled on her swollen ankle.


    "Yes, Master, I am perfectly fine," Rivia replied impassively with her amethyst eyes meeting his calm andposed gaze which seemed to be analyzing the severity of her sprain.


    "You''ll need a few days'' rest with this," Avendial remarked, his gaze shifting to the swollen ankle, a consequence of their fall from the second-floor balcony.


    ''....'' His eyes narrowed as he scanned the garden where the party was in full swing, searching intently for a particr individual.


    ''There you are,'' his gaze rxed with them finally settling on a man some fifty meters away. A cold glint shed in Avendial''s eyes before they turned cold, his gaze briefly flicking over the opulent surroundings. ''Seventeen servants, twenty-eight soldiers, and two Empyreals.''


    After assessing the entire area, he turned back to the woman beside him, her expression unreadable. Avendial nced at the bedsheet in her hands, realizing she must have fetched it from inside to ward off the night''s chill.


    "Rivia, we can''t risk being seen. Stay here until I return, alright?" Avendial leaned in, whispering urgently, his eyes locked with her impassive gaze as he nodded for emphasis.


    "I understand," Rivia replied quietly, her fingers gripping the bedsheet tightly as shey there, dressed only in that thin white shirt.


    Avendial gently took the bedsheet, unfolding it and draping it over her, then straightened up.


    "Once we''re back at our estate, there will be heads to roll," Avendial dered grimly, his words carrying the weight of inevitable death for some of the betrayers. Rivia gave a nk look seeing his clear sharp gaze prompting her free hand to clench tightly around the hilt of her sword, concealed beneath the cover of white bedsheet.


    "Patric Vrandin," Avendial muttered, his gaze fixed on the gathering of noblemen. A killing intent flickered in his eyes as theynded on a man in a velvet suit, who was all smiles while conversing with other distinguished men.


    Avendial''s attention shifted to therge table arranged in the middle,den with various food items and teas, served to several elegantdies who exuded a noble and calm aura. A woman draped in an enchanting dress sat at the head of the table.


    His eyes then turned towards ake a few meters away from him, situated nearby the gathering with a small smile forming on his face.


    ----


    In the center of a garden filled with several noblemen engaged in conversation¡ªsome seated at round small tables, others on luxurious sofas¡ªa group of noblewomen gathered around arge round table adorned with a variety of cuisines.


    "Lady Margaret, you look as beautiful as the moon," remarked a woman in a red gown, her fan delicately poised in her hand, directing her words across the table. She nudged the woman seated beside her for agreement.


    "Indeed, Lady Margaret is absolutely charming, much like my little hammy here," added the woman next to her, one hand cradling her chin while the other yed with her cute, small hamster, following the lead of her nudgingpanion.


    "Heh, that''s a polite way of describing someone with a face marked by dark spots like the moon and as chubby as a hamster," Lady Margaret responded with a wry smile. She sat gracefully, her figure gently curving beneath the snug fabric of her dress, which emphasized her mature charm and confidence.


    Her presence was distinctive, not adhering to conventional noble standards but exuding a confident allure that hinted at a life enriched with experience and wisdom.


    "Wh-what, no! You are truly beautiful, Lady Margaret!" Both women eximed, startled by how Margaret had misunderstood their words. They stood in their ces, eager to rify their intent and avoid any misunderstanding.


    "No, it''s alright. I am just a little hurt, nothing more," Margaret replied calmly, her voice carrying a softness that masked her feigned hurt.


    GASP


    Both women gasped in shock, realizing how their innocentpliments had been misconstrued.


    At 34 years old, still unmarried, and having made a name for herself as Baroness Margaret in the perfume business worldwide, Margaret was undeniably beautiful and worthy of praise.


    "Come now, Margaret, don''t toy with their fragile hearts."


    Suddenly, a soft, melodious yetposed voice drew all the women''s attention to the head of the table. Their gazes fell upon an elegant sight¡ªa woman with yellow pupils and blonde hair, seated gracefully. Her white-gloved hand traced the handle of her teacup before she lifted it delicately to her lips, taking a soft sip as her deep eyes finally settled on them.


    {A/n: Illustration of Princess Katheria Arinphiam}


    "Princess, you''ve just disrupted the entertainment," Margaret smiled, leaning forward with her chin resting on her palm, her eyes flickering between the two women who were still blinking in surprise at having been fooled.


    SPLASH


    ''?!!''


    Suddenly, the sound of something sshing into water captured the attention of everyone present at the gathering.


    The princess remained calm, savoring her tea without acknowledging the disturbance. As she brought the cup to her lips, her hand paused upon hearing a voice.


    "Wait, is that Marquess Croceaus?!"


    ''.....''


    Raising her eyes, Katheria turned towards theke, following the gaze of everyone around her. There, she spotted a man with no upper body clothing, soaked and swimming in theke on this chilly night. His distinctive white hair and serene blue eyes left no doubt in her mind¡ªit was Avendial Croceaus.

 Chapter 3: 5- Compliments?

    "Wait, is that the Marquess Croceaus?" One of the noblemen squinted towards a figure casually swimming in theke. The unique features of the swimmer''s body hinted at an identity that seemed almost unbelievable.


    "What is he doing in that coldke?" Another noblewoman stood from her chair, clutching a small hamster in her hand, her eyes fixed on the chilling water, clearly unsuitable for a swim on such a cold night.


    "Oh my, what is he thinking?" Margaret, overhearing the murmurs of the nobles, realized the figure in the water was her major investor. rmed, she rose abruptly from her chair, her gown rustling against the stone floor, and called out to a servant, "Bring me a towel, a bathrobe, a portable heater, and a hair dryer."


    The servant, a young woman, nodded and gracefully gathered the hem of her dress before sprinting towards the pce, her footsteps echoing as she ran to fetch the warm clothes.


    "Huh?" Patric, who had been casually immersed in conversation with his future business partners about an uing project involving a chain of frontier hotels, was suddenly distracted by themotion behind him.


    These hotels, part of a grand imperial n, were soon to fall under his control, recing the soon-to-be-executed man guilty of treason. The murmuring voices of the nobles reached his ears, pulling him out of his business musings.


    ting!


    "No... why is he here?" The moment he turned in the direction of theke, the moonlight revealed a figure that was etched into his memory. The ss filled with wine slipped through his trembling fingers, shattering on the ground. His eyes widened in horror, and his hands shook uncontrobly. He knew it was the end for him.


    After all, it was he who had given that man the drinkced with an aphrodisiac.


    "Mr. Patric, are you alright?" One of the men standing beside Patric noticed the subtle trembling in his body and the rapid vibrations of his hands. The cool night air did nothing to stop the sweat beads forming on his forehead, and his eyes darted nervously. The man beside him, thinking it was a health issue, ced a concerned hand on Patric''s shoulder.


    "Huh? Y-yes, d-definitely, gentlemen," Patric stammered, trying topose himself. His trembling hands moved towards his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat forming on his forehead. He attempted to mask his fear, but the effort was futile.


    And why wouldn''t it be?


    Everyone was aware of how cruel and relentless the Marquess was when it came to dealing with those who used underhanded methods against him.


    The mere thought of the Marquess discovering the truth made Patric''s blood run cold.


    Not far from him, a noblewoman sat isted on a white bench, away from the gathering''s main focal point.


    "It''s an honor to meet you, Miss Aecilia," a handsome nobleman in a delicate navy blue suit said, bowing slightly towards her. One hand rested on his chest while the other was extended in a graceful, nobleman''s greeting.


    She wore a ck dress that revealed her cleavage, partially hidden behind cascading ck hair. Her ck lipstick added to her unique presence at the gathering, while deep ck eyeliner framed her golden eyes.


    "Fuck off," she replied in a rough tone, rejecting the nobleman''s greeting with a scoff. She folded her arms and gave a side-eye to the fourth suitor who had approached her since the party began.


    "Sorry?" The man seemed unable to believe what he had just heard, his brows furrowing as he tried to make sense of her brusque response. He straightened up, his initial confidence shaken by her unexpected bluntness, causing his mouth to twitch as he began to stammer, "B-bitc¡ª"


    "Yeah, bitch. And not just one, but all the bitches¡ªI''ll publish all the videos of you and your father with the title ''Two Pigs Licking Cumdusted Pussy.'' So, kindly fuck off." Her voice was sharp and unwavering, her eyes ring at him with fierce intensity.


    The man''s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and rage, and he quickly backed away, unable to meet her piercing gaze.


    "Sigh, I just want to go home," Aecilia muttered to herself, clearly not enjoying thepany of the two-faced people at the gathering. She slumped forward, resting her elbows on her knees and supporting her chin with her palm, lost in her own thoughts.


    "Marquess Croceaus is definitely up to something, Hahaha," chuckled an old man dressed in a luxurious, flowered hanfu, leaning on his cane. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he looked towards the man who had suddenly be the center of attention upon his unique arrival.


    ''Huh?'' Aecilia''s ears perked up upon hearing a very familiar name, her eyes squinting in the direction of the old man''s. The eyes which appeared uncaring a moment ago, suddenly widening at the sight of the man who, without a care for his body in the cold weather, swam in the chilling water.


    She blinked, trying to make sense of what she was seeing.


    She blinked again, trying to confirm if what she was seeing was true.


    "Wh-haat!" Aecilia''s tall frame snapped upright, her hands loosened up as she realized the figure in the water was none other than the man who had cheated on her.


    "Aven!" she cried out, her voice a mixture of shock and fury. She hastily moved towards theke, but other nobles, curious about themotion, also moved closer, making it difficult for her to get through.


    Due to her position on the farther side of the noblewomen''s group, Aecilia found herself unable to cross the line of noblemen standing around theke. "Give me way!" she cried out in frustration.


    {A/n: Illustration of Aecilia Sertsul}


    ---


    ''...this body,'' Avendial thought as he immersed himself in the cold water, realizing he had overestimated his current durability against the chill. The freezing water was beginning to paralyze him, but with his mind ustomed to extreme temperatures, he managed to stay focused.


    As he finally approached theke''s edge, several onlookers observed him, their words carrying a hint of amusement.


    "It seems Marquess Croceaus is in the mood for a bath," a nobleman remarked, seizing the opportunity to impress the man, knowing he could potentially secure a lucrative investment. He smiled warmly as he spoke.


    "Indeed, I could never endure such cold water," added another noblewoman, attempting to endear herself to that man with a lively tone and pleasantries.


    After hearing those words, Avendial nced toward the man attempting to hide behind the crowd of noblemen, though his distinctive velvet suit betrayed his presence. Avendial spoke up, addressing him directly in a rough tone, "Count Patric, your drink certainly had a magical effect on me¡ªit feels like I''m burning from within."


    ''?!''


    Suddenly being unexpectedly singled out by Avendial who slowly made his way through the shallow water, his feet finally finding solid ground to stand on.


    Patric felt the ground slipping beneath him as he realized he was caught.


    It wasn''t just Avendial''s sharp words that caused the stir, but the sudden silence that spread across the gathering, signaling that Avendial''s words had already made an impact on the noblemen and women present.


    Unlikemon folk who speak first and thinkter, those gathered here were mostly driven by ulterior motives, seeking profit from alliances and mutual benefits. Avendial''s firm statement was enough to make them reassess their stance towards Patric Vrandin.


    As tension mounted, Baroness Margaret approached the shore with a towel in one hand, her bare feet touching the water''s surface as she slowly waded in. Leaning forward, she offered the emerging man cover, aligning herself clearly with Avendial''s words.


    "Mr. Avendial, is it true that you''re feeling hot after drinking the juice offered by Count Patric?" Her voice added more fuel to the already simmering conflict in the ce while her words taking all the me.


    "To tell you the truth, Madam Margaret," Avendial began, hearing her supportive voice and epting the towel she offered with her outstretched hand. His words continued even as her dress''s hem slightly dampened from the water. "Initially, I thought the atmosphere heated up because you arrived."


    "Fufu, I''m unworthy of suchpliments," Margaret chuckled softly as she withdrew from the water, the towel now draped over the man to cover him. She understood the underlying implications of Avendial''s words¡ªall pointing to the fact that Patric Vrandin had served Marques something amiss.


    "Marques, I... I don''t understand," Patric stammered, feeling the scrutinizing gazes of several noblemen, especially now that even the Princess seemed to be watching him impassively.


    It was clear that his reputation was irreparably damaged.


    In high society, justifying one''s actions wasn''t necessary; experienced eyes could easily discern lies and identify those who were on the defensive.


    Avendial skillfully maneuvered, using theke water as a pretext to prompt Margaret to cover him with a towel, ostensibly to shield him from the cold. But in reality, this subtle action effectively concealed the kiss marks and hickeys scattered across his upper body, ensuring they remained hidden without arousing any suspicion.


    "Marquess, please, take a seat," a woman holding a small hamster extended her chair to Avendial. Margaret quickly fetched a hair dryer, while maids turned on heaters to warm him.


    "Thank you, but truth be told that your hammy is still cuter than you, Miss Vinis," Avendial quipped as he settled into the chair, his gaze finally resting on theposed woman seated at the head of table.


    "Oh my..." the woman holding the hamster beamed at thepliment for her beloved pet, though her voice faded into the background as another calm, authoritative voice interjected, addressing Avendial directly.


    "It appears I am unworthy of Sir Avendial''spliment," the woman in a white-yellow gown remarked, her gloved hands delicately holding the tea cup as she fixed her yellow-tinted eyes on the man who had just arrived, showeringpliments all around.


    Avendial''s face softened into a warm smile upon hearing her words, his blue eyes entuated even more in the moonlight as he admired her.


    "Princess Katheria, at first, I wanted topliment your beautiful eyes, your graceful gestures, your brilliant mind, and everything that defines you." He paused briefly, his eyes drifting towards the tea being poured by a maid, before returning to meet her gaze.


    "Then it struck me," he continued, his tone earnest yet yful, "I''m starting to feel jealous of those things."


    "Why would you be jealous?" Princess Katheria asked, intrigued by his confession.


    Avendial''s face formed a gentle yet charming smile, his words carrying a hint of flirtatiousness as he dered, "Because they belong to you, and I don''t."

 Chapter 4: 6- Some bad memories

    ''Don''t tell me,'' Princess Katheria, seated with her hands holding the teacup, felt a surge of suspicion upon hearing the flirtatious words from Marquess Avendial.


    Her subtle furrowed brow betrayed her growing doubt, ignited by the unnatural behavior of Avendial Croceaus, renowned for his cold and indifferent persona, even in front of her while a faint scent ofvender from the tea filling the silence.


    Although they were soon to be engaged, they had never shared such intimate conversations.


    Their interactions were mostly formal greetings and well-mannered tea or coffee meetings, without much to discuss, and he had never shown any reaction before.


    "It seems mypliment wasn''t worth paying attention to," Avendial smiled, observing the subtle changes in the princess''s movements. Her fingers, once caressing the teacup, now tapped on the table, her pupils fixed on him as she pondered something, her face remaining impassive with the moonlight streaming down caught the golden flecks in her eyes, making them appear almost luminescent.


    Seeing her like this, it was clear that the event he had initiated was working in the right direction and would soon lead to the chain of events that would secure him three things.


    But for starters, it would be the execution of Count Patric Vrandin.


    "Not in the least, it was just the first time hearing such apliment from you," Princess Katheria shook her head, her closed eyes opening to reveal her deep yellow gaze.


    It reflected the image of the man seated not far from her in a bathrobe, his white hair fluttering and blue eyes appearing distant to her, warmth from the teacup seeped into her fingers, a stark contrast to the cold breeze caressing her hairs.


    "I also feel this; today everything appears good, as if now everything will be alright and filled with satisfaction for me," Avendial gaze softened as he looked towards the sky.


    The moon and stars shone above, and a cold, soft breeze graced his facial features. His eyes seemed content as he gazed at the stars, which had lost their beautiful glimmer in the tower''s survival.


    Though there were moons and stars, Avendial, a regressor, could clearly say that no world was as beautiful as his own, called Earth.


    Finally inhaling deeply, his pupils nced to the side, noticing the princess''s widening eyes.


    That tremble inwardly told him his n was progressing perfectly and will soon going to show results.


    "Marquess, are you feeling hot from inside?" the princess asked, though she had already heard it before. She reconfirmed, her eyes looking towards a woman standing in a silken, loosened dress.


    With a gesture, princess directed Lady Margaret to check if Marquess Avendial''s body was warm.


    ''....is something wrong, Princess?'' Lady Margaret noticed the calm yet directed look from the princess, understanding that something was amiss. Prompted to move forward, she stretched her delicate hands towards Avendial, who had already perceived the unspokenmunication between the princess and Margaret.


    He turned towards Margaret, causing her to slightly flinch and stop, her hand hovering hesitantly.


    "Apologies, Marquess, it''s just¡ª" Margaret tried to exin, wanting to touch his forehead.


    ''!''


    In that fleeting moment, Avendial took the initiative by leaning forward while cing his forehead directly on her palm before lifting his hair with a smile, adding, "It will be your fault, Lady Margaret, if my body burns down due to your touch."


    "My hands should be cold, though," Margaret responded, understanding Avendial''s flirtatious words. She nced towards the princess, before adding, "...Marquess have a fever, Princess."


    "Huh, did he catch a fever due to cold water?" Lady Vinis, who was holding her hamster, approached. She didn''t want to miss the chance to touch the man who usually appeared untouchable and elegant but now seemed vulnerable. She stretched her hand but halted midway when her eyes met his.


    For a fleeting moment, she noticed a cold gaze from Avendial, the same one that caused her to retreat with a smile to hide her embarrassment.


    "No, inside the cold water, the Marquess said that after Count Patric fed him something, he started to feel a burning sensation from within," Margaret exined, slowly retracting her hand. Her soft eyes transitioned to coldness as her hand loosened.


    She then turned towards the noblemen, where a man in a velvet suit stood, instantly bing the center of attention.


    "No, no, Lady Margaret, I didn''t mix anything in the Marquess''s juice. Please trust me!" Patric protested, noticing the sudden cold gaze directed towards him from Margaret. He looked around at the other noblemen, some of whom squinted at him while others murmured among themselves about the unfolding events.


    "P-princess... I-I..." Patric''s whole body shivered as he looked towards the woman seated at the head of the table. Her sharp gaze made it clear that she considered him insignificant, merely a hurdle to be removed. His words stuck in his throat.


    "Count Patric, I didn''t mention the juice, but the Marquess did initially. Your memory is quite sharp to remember his words," Margaret said, her cold eyes remained fixed at the trembling man. She sternly looked at Count Patric with suspicion.


    "Lady Margaret, would you tell us what the matter is here?" one of the noblemen asked, having guessed that Count Patric had fed the Marquess something but not understanding exactly what. The princess''s gaze, cold and filled with killing intent, heightened the tension.


    "The Marquess Avendial has been poisoned," Margaret dered, her eyes moving towards each of the noblemen before fixing on Patric Vrandin.


    ''!?!''


    Everyone''s eyes widened, beads of sweat forming on a few faces.


    An assassination attempt within the royal pce could bring serious repercussions for the royal family, and they all would be held ountable.


    "N-no, I-I promise¡ª" Patric stammered, seeing the noblemen''s using gazes, matching those of Margaret and Princess Katheria.


    As if, they had already condemned him as a murderer.


    ''For now, it will be only you, Patric,'' Avendial thought, his smile devilish under the moonlight. His eyes remained fixed on the man who had given him an aphrodisiac, now branded as a murderer and soon the one behind him will also have the same fate.


    "P-princess Katheria, the Marquess is alright, right? Then¡ª" Patric tried to argue, pointing out the absurdity of condemning him for poisoning a man who was flirting,ughing, and seemingly unaffected except for the normal effects of an aphrodisiac heating up his body.


    Patric wanted to reveal the truth, but doing so would make him a criminal for administering something like that to Avendial. He feared the wrath of Princess Katheria, known for her cruelty.


    "The name of the poison is Pyrocinum Uephorica," Princess Katheria murmured, her voice just louder than a whisper yet piercing through the ears of everyone present.


    ''!?!''


    "Wh-what!"


    "H-how could this be?!"


    A shock, like a tsunami, drenched everyone in that moment, reverberating through the grand hall. Eyes widened, flickers of disbelief dancing within them.


    GASP


    Noblewomen gasped, their delicate hands flying to cover their trembling lips, attempting to stifle the audible expressions of their astonishment.


    Men, typicallyposed with masks of indifference, now betrayed an array of emotions: brows furrowed, jaws ckened, and whispers of incredulity swirling in the air.


    Every gaze, intense and piercing, turned toward the man at the center of the storm¡ªMarquess Avendial Croceaus¡ªHe was filled with positivity, his smile radiant, seemingly unfazed by the waves of shock crashing around him while feeling satisfied with the beauty of nature around him.


    "We need to call the doctors!" Suddenly, a voice tore through the ce, causing everyone to look toward a woman who pushed her way through the crowd. Her shocked face was evident in her trembling golden pupils and quivering lips, ented by ck lipstick, adding more urgency to the situation. Her ck dress drew res from a few noblewomen.


    Aecilia cared little for these people who judged her as she tried to approach the man, unaware that the poison he had ingested was affecting his mind in a way that would soon lead to gruesome death.


    Indeed, Pyrocinum Uephorica, a rare poison, acted directly upon the brain through Dopaminergic Activation, Serotonergic Modtion, Hypothmic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Activation, and Thermoregtion Disruption.


    From the beginning, Pyrocinum Uephorica stimted dopamine levels to their maximum, temporarily elevated serotonin release, and increased the production of cortisol and adrenaline. It also targeted the brain''s thermoregtory functions, disrupting the body''s ability to maintain a stable temperature.


    Each symptom exhibited by the Marquess pointed in that direction¡ªheating up of the body while appearing unusually positive and flirtatious¡ªbehavior that was not expected of him.


    ''It must be sad for her...,'' Avendial thought, ncing toward Princess Katheria. Her eyes were coldly fixed on Count Patric Vrandin, a chill filling the air as Patric''s legs trembled, realizing he had already offended the princess. Ignoring the man, Avendial felt slightly bad for Princess Katheria for a few seconds.


    After all, she was the one who had discovered this poison, used by none other than members of the royal family.


    In 2010, the mother of Princess Katheria, who held a strong social standing and position among the nobility due to her sharp mind, was seen as the true empress rather than the reigning one.


    Suddenly, one day, Empress appeared more cheerful and happy than ever, spending all day ying with her daughter, a rare urrence. She shared all her life''s sufferings with Katheria, who had never received such attention since birth.


    The next day, the empress was found dead, a victim of a gruesome death caused by seizures, metabolic overload, multiple organ failure, andplete nervous system copse, with blood oozing from her facial orifices and veins bulging all over her body.


    It took 15 years for Princess Katheria to uncover the secret behind her mother''s death, which everyone had assumed to be an ident¡ªthe day before, the empress had been most energetic and happily interacting with everyone.


    Avendial had used that same poison, Pyrocinum Uephorica, to fabricate his current behavior, which seemed driven by an aphrodisiac.


    He sought to leave the ce alive with Rivia, even if it meant causing momentary pain to Princess Katheria.


    He knew Princess Katheria would soon skin Patric alive and burn his nerves to get the answer to who gave him that poison, if Avendial''s calctions were correct.


    Emerging from his thoughts, Avendial pushed aside the first thing he had secured¡ªPatric Vrandin''s execution.


    Avendial turned his attention to the next task that needed immediate action, knowing that his actions would be seen through the lens of the poison affecting him, affording him time to correct any mistakes even while acting slightly out of character today.


    His gaze settled on a woman who stood frozen in panic, her feet rooted to the spot as she hesitated to approach him, intimidated by the disapproving res of several noblewomen who viewed her as a disgrace to nobility.


    Looking at her, Avendial''s eyes softened, a smile gently forming on his lips as he spoke softly, "Lady Aecilia, it would be better if you forgave me. That angry expression of yours towards me appears too beautiful for my heart to bear."

 Chapter 5: 7- Sertsul Family

    When ites to emotions that overwhelm the senses, anger and love stand out as the most intense.


    Both have the power to numb the mind and cloud judgment, making one lose control over their actions.


    Anger can drive a person to self-destruction, inflicting physical pain in a fit of rage without any awareness of the moment.


    Love, on the other hand, can be so consuming that one might go to great lengths, even irrational extremes, to ensure their beloved''s happiness.


    The effects of these emotions are profoundly tied to their intensity.


    But in both cases, there is a dy in the mental state of the one experiencing these emotions, making it impossible for everyone to feel them in the same way.


    Not everyone can reach the extremes of anger in their daily life, nor does everyone fall into such deep love that they would do anything for their loved one.


    So, what emotion truly reigns supreme and can overwhelm the human senses?


    It''s lust.


    Many ancient stories and legends recount how lust has been the catalyst for history''s most devastating wars and battles, altering the course of the future.


    What is the embodiment of lust?


    For anger, it''s the human mind.


    For love, it''s the human heart.


    And for lust?


    It''s human outer body.


    Not treated merely as an object here, but as a universal truth: a hundred men could fight to the death for a single woman if left on an ind.


    What is often called love begins as lust.


    Love at first sight is nothing more than lust at first sight.


    You are drawn to someone''s physical features, which ignite your internal desires, and only over time do youe to appreciate their personality¡ªmaking it transition from lust to love.


    Take, for example, a woman.


    Women are not mere objects of lust, but they possess the power to ignite it within themselves and others with just a nce.


    Though both possessed the same amount of lust within themselves, there is a saying: A fine bottle of wine doesn''t get drunk due to its own alcohol, but the moment it pours into the ss, they stumble and nk together on the pretext of cheers.


    Just as that simple wine makes the sses stumble, a single spark of lust can intoxicate even the strongest and purest of souls, leading them to lose themselves in the ecstasy and heavenly feeling it brings.


    Slightly offensive but undeniably true, this phenomenon is etched in history and evident even in the modern society of the Arinphiam Empire, which exists with a feudal system and government.


    The Arinphiam Empire is known for the presence of noblemen who are viewed as the purest of blood among their respective positions, seeing others as inferior.


    Even they break like shattered mirrors the moment lust drowns them in its clutches.


    Thaloris, a kingdom made exclusively for noblemen to live and control their own territories with fewws made by the Royal family simr to a feudal system, keeps an eye on their businesses and all suspicious movements.


    But the Royal family doesn''t bind or enforceplete surveince over the nobility (*though they do use spies informally), allowing noblemen to do whatever they want within the limits of Thaloris except for illegal infiltration into others'' territories or attacks.


    Time passed, and the sources of entertainment, pleasure, and interest evolved for the noblemen as well.


    But what remained was the single emotion pushing them to the extent of tarnishing their own reputation and still indulging in carnal desires.


    Taking this as a business opportunity, the Sertsul family, already fallen to the bottom after the division of assets and receiving an infertilend through a deep conspiracy by the Royal family, was on the brink of losing everything until thedy of the house came forward with a proposal.


    A proposal to be the patroness of courtesans.


    The entire nobility was shocked to see a noble family indulge in the business of hiring women for selling their bodies and prostitution.


    But the words that now mark the present Sertsul family were uttered by thedy of that time:


    ?©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n


    The facade of this noble aura will not feed me or my children.


    My citizens are dying without empathy from anyone, with nothing but their bodies to rely on.


    For me, this body wearing a beautiful cloth called skin above an ugly structure of bones and flesh is not the evidence of my nobility but simply a mark of my physical presence.


    ?©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n©n


    ~If someone wants to purchase our physical presence, then they should have to pay.~


    These are the words that every helpless woman, cast out from society, thrown to die on the streets, or discarded by a man who lost interest in her, remembers and learns the moment she joins one of the courtesans present all over Thaloris and even in the free cities'' red light districts.


    The Sertsul family provides these women with the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue anything they want after earning enough for themselves.


    After all, this noble family isn''t wealthy enough to provide each woman with whatever she desires.


    So, the Sertsul family offers them a chance.


    Noblemen who appear elegant and uphold nobility during the day, calling the Sertsul family a stain on nobility, are nothing but creatures of their own lust. In the end, they are often found lying with the very filth they once considered a taint to their noble aura in the night.


    "Huh?" Aecilia''s pupils blinked as she looked towards the man whose blue eyes teasingly gazed at her. Only she knew the racing heartbeat and turmoil in her mind, while being aware of his poisoned state, were killing her from the inside.


    Yet she remained still, not wanting to taint his image in front of these people who kept their distance during the day, but were found with courtesans from the Sertsul family by night.


    The business was started by her great-grandmother, who defied the nobility to establish something that didn''t make Aecilia feel embarrassed or ashamed. She knew the true colors of these noblemen.


    She kept her distance from noblemen who wanted nothing but her body, and noblewomen kept their distance from her, finding her repulsive due to her family''s reputation.


    But Aecilia knew that these women were mostly jealous of her.


    Having seen the truth of the world, she understood their jealousy when they saw men approaching her.


    She remained at this party, keeping her stance towards the weakest princess only because of the man in front of her.


    "Marquess, you should go to the doctor," Aecilia stated averting her eyes, awkwardly ruffling the back of her head due to the intense, disgusted gazes of the noblewomen.


    If she were alone, she wouldn''t give a damn about any of these bitches. But the issue was that he was here.


    "Lady Aecilia, you have to forgive me first," Avendial said, noting the noblewomen''s faces covered by their fans, their squinted eyes revealing their dissatisfaction and disgust towards Aecilia because of her family. He slowly stood from his ce, his mind much clearer now.


    In past life, for Sertsuls, Unlike others who were hesitant to invest, he saw an opportunity and invested in the construction of pavilions prepared as pleasure rooms, aiming for business profit.


    Yet, throughout all this, he always harbored prejudice about the Sertsuls.


    Despite being a nobleman and harboring some prejudice against the Sustrel family in his past life due to their numerous pleasure houses, he had moved past his initial thoughts the moment entered the tower and saw real faces of these noblemen who acted inhumane towards the inferior citizens.


    Though he had saved many such citizens and civilians in his way upto the tower but as a simple human and being alone, he was not strong enough to save everyone.


    "I don''t understand," Aecilia said, already panicked, knowing what he had ingested. Her knuckles tightened with the urge to punch this man who was prioritizing an apology over his own life.


    It wasn''t that she was angry about his love for Princess Katheria but because he had chosen to marry the weakest of all the princesses, one without any significant background after the death of her mother.


    When Aecilia had fallen in love with this man, only she knew how much it hurt, believing he was cheating on her behind her back (*though technically it was one-sided love from her).


    "How about I provide you withpensation as an apology?" Avendial directly addressed the second thing he wanted to secure after already dealing with Patrick''s execution.


    Indeed, it was not that he did all this just to have an apology epted by a woman he could convince through other methods, but this was the best time for him to secure the second thing he needed¡ªresources.


    "Cpensation?" Aecilia couldn''t understand his meaning, looking nkly while trying to fathom what form ofpensation he was talking about.


    ''...'' Princess Katheria, seated on her chair, was already observing the whole scene. Her eyes had already gestured to the servants not to let Patric Vrandin escape, and now her yellow pupils were set on the man who was more of a foundation for her.


    To be exact, when this noble gathering was held the previous year, there was no one except Lady Margaret showing presence, with all the noblemen siding with other heirs instead of her.


    But seeing the bnce of power shifting, the present Emperor had announced her engagement to Marquess Avendial Croceaus.


    And now, this year, at least 19 noble families had participated.


    Even though they didn''t have a clear alignment towards her, they did so to get into the good graces of Avendial Croceaus.


    "Margaret, call the doctors....," Princess Katheria nced towards the woman holding a mature aura. Margaret looked at both people in conversation with intrigue before nodding and leaving after hearing the princess''s call.


    After seeing how Avendial was poisoned in this gathering, it was clear that one of the heirs attempted to get rid of the support bestowed upon her by the emperor.


    After all, she was well aware that Marquess Avendial''s ideology aligned more with profit, and marrying her would only bring him losses when other princesses could always ready to choose him.


    She also had doubts about why he easily epted this marriage with her.


    Avendial stood at the center wearing a slightly unique outfit¡ªa white bathrobe and wet ck pants beneath. He couldn''t remove his pants as they kept his erect shaft inside, or else the loose fabric of the bathrobe would reveal everything.


    ''...Will you look at them?'' He didn''t missed noticing that the eyes of all these noblemen, which held disgust a moment ago, were transitioning to jealousy and greed as soon as he mentionedpensation.


    Normally, when a man of such wealth utters the word pensation,'' it usually means money is involved.


    And this was exactly what Avendial wanted from these people, prompting him to turn towards Aecilia, a smile forming as he dered, "I, Marquess Avendial Croceaus, will invest 13.5 billion Imperial Crowns in Sertsuls'' business."


    "?!!!"


    GASP


    "Huh?"


    "Ohh mah gawd?!"

 Chapter 6: 8- Investments

    It didn''t take long for Avendial''s words to send a ripple through the gathering, causing several noblemen, who had previously shown disgust or frowning expressions, to gradually change their demeanor. Their eyes began to dart towards each other before murmurs started.


    "Doesn''t it mean...?" one of the men, appearing to be a representative from a noble family more aligned with the Prince but present today due to the Marquess'' presence, spected. Though he wasn''t the head of his family, but his brother, he understood that such an investment could significantly increase the value of the Sertsul family''s shares.


    Moreover, if this information leaked outside the gathering, many noblemen would likely forget their disdain for the Sertsul family and try to invest in the business.


    For most nobles, this amount of money wasn''t particrly significant, but what mattered was showing their interest in a business in which Marquess Avendial had invested, indirectly trying to attract his attention to their own noble family businesses.


    But among all the guests present, one wearing a velvet suit was trembling. Even in the cold breeze, sweat trickled down his forehead, soaking his clothes. His eyes widened, revealing a redness formed by fear. ''No, the Prince will kill me,'' he thought.


    Patric trembled at the mere thought of how the entire n to destroy Avendial''s ventures¡ªor at least give him a shock¡ªhad backfired.


    It had turned into a bigger issue, one that would cause the noblemen to show interest and profit Avendial even more.


    Technically, if other noblemen followed Avendial''s direction and invested in the Sertsul family business¡ªwhich was already profitable due to the inherent human desire for lust¡ªthe increase in valuation was inevitable.


    With the added advantage of the involvement of several noble families, which would signal eptance and act as advertisment even to the free cities, the profit would definitely multiply.


    But the major issue was that most of the profits would go to the biggest investor¡ªMarquess Avendial Croceaus, indirectly making this whole scenario benefit him the most.


    Patric''s hands trembled as he looked toward the man standing at the center. He observed the fluttering white hair and the blue eyes of the man who had turned the entire situation, meant to degrade him, into adder and climbed once again.


    ''The Prince needs to kill him, or else...'' Patric, who felt threatened before, was now horrified, understanding how things were soon going to be more dangerous.


    Only remaining thought inside his mind was him dying at the hands of the princess and then Avendial''s fake acting about the poison¡ªit wasn''t hard for Patric to discern that he had fallen into his own trap.


    "M-Marquess, please go to the hospital first," said a woman with ck lipstick, standing just a few steps away from Avendial. Her body trembled, yet her feet remained firmly nted. Her eyes nced toward the few noblemen whose expressions had turned envious.


    Not that she expected anything more from these greedy people.


    Ignoring them all, Aecilia tried to convince Avendial to prioritize going to the hospital and taking care of his poisoned body instead of making such announcements. While it was definitely very good news for her family but she didn''t want it at the cost of harming him.


    Avendial continued to look at her before a smile crossed his face. His eyes then shifted to a mature woman beside him, her figure entuated by elegant curves and a poised demeanor. Her dress hugged her body in all the right ces, emphasizing the graceful arc of her hips and the gentle swell of her bust. Stretching his hand toward her, he asked, "Lady Margaret, may I have your phone?"


    "Huh? Yes," Lady Margaret stammered initially, taken aback by Avendial''s sudden request after dering his intent to invest arge amount of money in the Sertsul family business. Composing herself, she offered her phone, which had a pink cover¡ªan unexpected touch for someone of her mature beauty.


    Avendial had already noticed some noblemen hesitating, aware that his poisoning might prevent him from making any investments.


    After all, noble society was as ugly as normal humans.


    Taking the phone, Avendial dialed a number directly and ced the receiver to his ear. In aposed voice, he ordered, "Transfer 10 billion Imperial Crowns to Sertsul now."


    ''?!''


    Most of the discreetly observing noblemen were now brought into the light, their eyes widening as they watched Avendial order such a huge transfer to the woman''s family.


    It was evident that this action would spark gossip about their rtionship or, at the very least, raise questions about why Avendial had invested so much money in Aecilia Sertsul''s business.


    Unbeknownst to these noblemen, Avendial was already aware of the ramifications of such a deration. Knowing that his enemies would seize this opportunity to tarnish his image and damage his future prospects, he calmly added, "Banking Password is Katheria if you need it."


    ''!?!''


    Most of the noblewomen were taken aback. The password Avendial mentioned was none other than the name of the Princess herself.


    Unbeknownst to anyone, the call had already ended before he spoke the password. Avendial had called his butler, who, given his responsibilities, would not trust any such verbal instructions regarding money transfers.


    After all, in today''s advanced world where deepfake technology could mimic voices with rming precision using AI, initiating a transfer without proper protocols was a significant risk.


    So, it was clear that the call was fake.


    But Avendial knew none of the noblemen would doubt this, since they were dealing with the present-time Avendial Croceaus, who never dered something hollow, not the future world''s Avendial Croceaus who had survived the harsh environment of a tower filled with betrayal, traitors, and backstabbing, using whatever resources he had¡ªeven acting and lying.


    Leaving the noblemen aside, the only one who could see through him right now could only be Princess Katheria. But to even fool her, he had intentionally used her name, adding anotheryer of confusion instead of letting her mind simply think about such methods of transaction and rest work his poisoned body had done.


    ''Oh my?'' Lady Vinis, holding her hamster, nced towards the Princess, and other noblewomen followed suit, their eyes filled with envy. Despite this, visible admiration for the elegantly seated figure remained in their eyes. ''Did he save the Princess''s name as his password? How romantic.''


    As noblewomen, they understood the depth of affection required to set someone''s name as a banking password in noble society. Though it might seem trivial from the perspective of a normal couple or citizens of free cities, it held significant weight given Avendial''s personality.


    Unbeknownst to them, the man before them was not just a shrewd businessman now, but someone who had endured harsh challenges that significantly shaped his personality, guiding him to take whichever path would be most beneficial for him.


    ''...This?'' Maintaining her regalposure, Princess Katheria Arinphiam sat in the chair at the head of the desk, observing the man still engrossed with the pink-covered phone.


    Princess appeared puzzled, trying to understand why he would set her name as his password. Given the state of his poisoned body, she couldn''t fathom why he would use her name as an excuse, leaving her perplexed.


    She averted her gaze, focusing on the priority: identifying the person behind the poisoning. Her eyesnded on Patric, whose legs instantly gave way, copsing under the sharp, chilling intent emanating from the Princess who, thoughposed, disyed a cruelty necessary to survive in a royal family where several heirs like her had perished¡ªit only underscored her strength.


    "Hm, that''s a very fancy font you have, Lady Margaret," Avendial noticed the stylish fonts and theme,pletely fitting with herdylike demeanor, unlike her natural personality, as he clicked on the numbers, finding it amusing.


    "I thought it would make me appear fitting among the young women of noble society," Margaret calmly replied, interpreting Avendial''s struggles with the buttons as due to the font, and patiently waited with a smile.


    After some time of doing something on her phone, he offered it back. "Thank you, Lady Margaret, here it is."


    {A/n: Illustration of Margaret Grafia}


    Margaret took the phone and noticing something nced towards the Princess, who appeared not to be paying attention to Margaret at the moment. Still feeling perplexed, Margaret inquired to at least let others know, "Marquess, isn''t this your private number?"


    Margaret noticed the number saved at the top of her phone''s favorites list, showing the name of none other than Avendial Croceaus.


    Naturally, due to advancements in technology, scams and crimes rted to phone numbers weremon.


    In response, a new system of dual number allocation had been introduced, though only noblemen were able to use it¡ªHierarchy was present, and investors should be prioritized.


    Under this system, one number was kept for answering business calls, while the other was a number that noblemen could give out, with a security number added to it.


    This meant that anyone with only the phone number could not call unless they were authorized with the security number. A golden caller ID was automatically generated for that person.


    So, having the private number of someone with a golden number meant that person had authorized you, added with the number in her phone showing the name of none other than Avendial Croceaus was a big deal.


    After all, even Princess Katheria doesn''t have his personal number.


    silence~


    The whole ce fell into silence upon hearing that word from Lady Margaret, everyone looking nkly at the man who had first shown favor to the Sertsul family, especially Aecilia Sertsul, then revealed the Princess''s name as his banking password, and now even Lady Margaret had his number.


    In an instant, for all of the individuals, it was surprising and confusing at the same time. Their minds excused it as a side effect of the poison affecting his behavior, but they also understood these actions were done due to his favoritism towards these women, which they clearly envied.


    "Princess, I have called my personal doctor''s team here, will that be a problem?" Avendial, who had already messaged his doctor with arge team to arrive here on a private jet as soon as possible, nced towards the woman seated in the chair.


    ''....'' Her lips parted as if to speak, but she halted as her other hand just grabbing her phone paused before she nodded, understanding that risk was still present inside the pce and doctors of Royal district could not be trusted.


    Avendial reciprocated her nod before taking his seat once again, paying no attention to the Princess''s sudden change in demeanor, as everything returned to normal with her fingers putting her phone aside.


    "Come, Miss Aecilia and Lady Margaret, let''s eat something until my doctors arrive," Avendial said, taking a seat and beginning to eat, prompting the others to find themselves in a tough situation since they couldn''t force someone like him to urgently go to the hospital, nor could they persuade him, except to eat.


    "Y-yes, Marquess." Though awkward given the risk to his life but none of them could do anything. They were not dealing with a normal citizen, but someone who could hold grudges even after having his life saved.

 Chapter 7: 9- Arrival of Doctors

    "Count Patric," Avendial casually shifted his gaze towards the man seated on the opposite side of the desk, positioned about three seats away. Patric''s entire body reacted instantly with a visible shiver the very moment his name was uttered by Avendial.


    This unexpected call not only caught Patric off guard but also drew the attention of all the other members seated at the table towards him in a synchronized manner.


    "Y-yes," Patric stammered, overwhelmed, his body trembling as he struggled to control his horror. Knowing that if he somehow managed to escape this ce, there was a chance he could survive by manipting the whole case in the Royal court, he tried to keep his body in control and appear mixed in with the others. But Avendial once again caused everyone''s eyes to turn towards him.


    Technically, noblemen, unlike normal citizens, can''t be simply condemned and arrested due to their position and the feudal rules applied here.


    In the old feudal system without any changes, the Count would have been immediately detained by the Marquess'' guards or higher authorities under the Royal family would have directly judged him for his crimes.


    But this wholew was improved by taking away the privilege from higher nobles to take action against the condemned.


    So, right now, the Princess had the power to arrest Patric and throw him in prison until the Royal court decided his fate.


    This was what kept Count Patric Vrandin somewhat sane enough to not reveal that he hadn''t poisoned the Marquess but used an aphrodisiac, knowing how he would be able to escape the Royal court with the help of the person behind all this.


    But unbeknownst to him, instead of going through the hassle of taking this whole case to the Royal court, Avendial had just sealed Patric''sst line of survival by maneuvering this towards a bad memory for Princess Katheria Arinphiam.


    To summarize this story: Instead of officially arresting Patric and bringing the matter to the Royal court, the Princess will kill him in the most gruesome way possible by manipting the entire situation.


    This underscores the reality that, regardless of the society, those who hold power often maniptews and rules to their advantage.


    "Nothing. Can you pass that kettle here?" Avendial smiled and pointed to a kettle on the table in front of Patric. The dining table was filled with a variety of food items and cuisines that emitted a delicious aroma, though not enough to attract attention from onlookers.


    After all, the center of attention for tonight had be Count Patric, who had already lost all noble support or potential deals due to his actions.


    Not every nobleman was present tonight given the fact that they showed other Heirs more importance, but it was certain that those who learned of the night''s events would withdraw any business deals or projects from the Vrandin family.


    "Sorry?" Patric was slightly taken aback by Avendial''s request for the kettle when there was clearly one beside him.


    ''?!''


    Yet, when Patric looked in that direction, a sudden chill ran down his spine, sourced from the Princess, whose eyes had just met his.


    Unbeknownst to many, Patric knew that offending a Royal meant it was inevitable that his family would head towards the path of destruction.


    Just like what happened to the Sertsul family.


    Though this fact waspletely buried, it was true that once a woman known for her high society status had been offered a proposal to marry a prince of that time. She rejected the prince and chose the head of the Sertsul family, whom she loved.


    The end result is still etched in the hearts of a few of the older members as a verbal tale instead of being officially documented.


    After that particr prince became the Emperor, the Sertsuls, who were once idols of etiquette and nobility, fell after a series of events¡ª the head of the Sertsul family was assassinated, infertilends werepensated to the Sertsuls within the kingdom of Thaloris, and they were neglected by the Royal family.


    In conclusion, officially erasing the presence of a nobleman was possible for the Royal family under the clever maniption ofws and without breaking any rules established from the time of the feudal and centralized government.


    Since no rules were broken, how could one be med here?


    "Leave it," Avendial said, noting how horrified Patric was. He turned his eyes towards the woman seated at the head of the table, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, with sharp yellow eyes fixed on Patric as if a predator was eyeing its prey.


    Looking at the Princess with a smirk forming, his fingers cut a piece of tender, aromatic meat with a knife and fork. Avendial added, "Princess, once the doctors confirm that my health is stable, I would like to have a conversation with you. Will that be possible?"


    ''....'' Princess Katheria, whose fingers were tracing the teacup''s handle while formting a n to deal with Patric and uncover the one behind the poisoning incident, turned her eyes towards Avendial. She looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Yes, but can Marquess tell me if it is rted to his interest in investing in my pharmaceutical business?"


    ''?!''


    ''Haan, will you look at that,'' a smile formed on Avendial''s face as he felt all the noblemen''s gazes turn towards him due to the Princess''s words, which would clearly increase her weight in this heir battle.


    Even though she didn''t forget to utilize this event in her favor, it appeared much more amusing for Avendial to see how cunningly she had diverted everyone''s attention from Patric.


    In conclusion, she had, with her mere words, given the illusion to other noblemen that the Marquess was interested in investing in her business and, secondly, diverted everyone''s attention from Patric, who was soon going to disappear somewhere¡ªone arrow, two birds.


    "Indeed, Princess, that is also included," Avendial replied, not retreating. He nced at her with a calm demeanor, a small smile that appeared devilish with those narrowed blue eyes, looking at her.


    "....I see," Katheria nodded, holding her usualposed expression. Her eyes then turned towards the noblemen who appeared shocked. Even she herself was slightly bewildered, hearing how Avendial, after showing little enthusiasm for her pharmaceutical businessst time, now acted with such interest.


    This only meant that he was intentionally going along with her.


    "HURRY!"


    "LEAD THE WAY NOW!"


    "Come here! Master! Where are you!" A man ran through the long hallway of the pce, led by two maids sprinting while holding the hems of their dresses, their body hurled towards the direction of the noble gathering.


    "Here theye," Avendial said, looking in the direction where several individuals, dressed in white coats with neatly pressed cors and embroidered name tags, appeared to be doctors.


    They were apanied by a man in front wearing a meticulously tailored ck butler outfit,plete with polished shoes, white gloves, and a silver pocket watch chain glinting from his waistcoat pocket, all running towards him.


    "....Master, are you fine?" Alfred, after already covering a distance, arrived near the table where several noblemen were gathered. He kept his professionalism,posed himself, and stood in a formal manner before looking towards his master, who appearedpletely fine.


    "Of course not, I am poisoned." Avendial leaned forward with sped hands supporting his chin, and with a smile, he looked towards the butler. Seeing his master''s smile for the first time, Alfred nced in the direction of the other noblemen, who didn''t appear much surprised, making him aware that these people were already ustomed to such behavior.


    "Check the master, this instant!" Slightly taken aback by his master''s initial words, Alfredposed himself, realizing the urgency of the situation. Given the fact that every nobleman appeared nervous, proving that it wasn''t some joke, he instantly ordered the doctors to help him out.

 Chapter 8: 10- And here goes remaining reputation

    "Excuse me, sir, may we take a blood sample?" A man in a white coat, wearing sses, with a metal namete beside his chest pocket identifying him as a doctor, asked while a nurse stood beside him with a tray.


    Several individuals in hospital attire rushed back and forth in the hallway, carrying tables filled with advanced testing equipment. Some of them were setting up a state-of-the-art medical facility with a tent in the open ground.


    The garden quickly filled up with doctors, equipment, and even pce maids helping out.


    "Hmm," Avendial crossed his arms in his bathrobe, allowing the doctor to insert the needle for a blood sample. He wasn''t going to remove his bathrobe due to having an erection, likely the effect of the potent aphrodisiac, which,bined with his own stamina, kept his shaft still hard even after 2 hours, though it wasn''tpletely erect but firm enough.


    ''Viscount, Baron, and a member of the Duke''s family,'' Avendial had noticed several noblemen standing at a distance, observing him with various intentions. He looked towards his butler to convey a different impression of himself to these individuals, a message that Alfred understood.


    "Master, who is responsible for this incident? Did Miss Rivia go in search of the perpetrator?" The butler came forward in a professional manner before bowing, inquiring in a formal tone while remembering the woman who should be the first one to react in such a situation of their master being poisoned.


    "Exactly, we already have the perpetrator, Alfred." Avendial, hearing the name of Rivia, was reminded of the time, which was already 2 hours since he had left her behind in those trees with a nket.


    However, putting that aside and knowing how difficult it would be to escape this ce without getting noticed by guards, he calmly replied while seated on a chair, as the doctor took his blood, and his face remainedposed.


    "Master, may I know the name of that person?" Alfred bowed with his white-gloved hand ced on his chest and eyes closed. The killing intent surging within him was already visible to everyone due to Synergy leaking from him. A few of the doctors nced at Avendial with narrowed eyes, showing their loyalty and curiosity in knowing the name of that particr special individual.


    A chill filled the atmosphere due to the sudden silence caused by the behavior of those who stood around Avendial.


    "We are in their territory, Alfred," Without hesitation, Avendial, who had been cheerful and flirtatious just moments ago, now satposed with his eyes closed and hands folded, making it clear to others that he would hold the royal family ountable for the events of today. His demeanor had shifted from carefree to indifferent, revealing his true personality.


    The noblemen were left wondering about this sudden change in attitude.


    When they first saw Avendial flirting and teasing with each individual and even dering investments in Sertsul''s business, it brought about a sense of confusion. But it turned out to be the effect of the poison.


    Now, seeing how he isted himself once again, they truly missed his previous self when he was offering free investments to everyone.


    Unbeknownst to them, his such nature was needed to make these people believe he was targeted by that particr poison.


    Since he couldn''t just scream out the name, he left clues for these people, more specifically Princess herself. But now that his men were going to fill this ce, there wasn''t any need to keep up that facade in front of these two-faced individuals.


    "This?" Alfred''s eyes slightly widened upon hearing the word, realizing that the one behind this event was none other than the royal family.


    ''....'' A few of the noblemen also took note of this, including Princess Katheria herself, who understood that this looming incident would definitely not be beneficial for their rtionship going forward.


    In high society, there are always two sides to a coin or an individual, just like how Marquess appeared sincere towards these individuals a few moments ago but now slowly showing his dissatisfaction with today''s events.


    It was expected, as this was no small matter but poisoning. It was clear that the Marquess himself was trying to act calmly to buy some time for their trusted people to arrive. This is something she would have done in such a case as well.


    She, as a princess, gave him the permission to bring his doctors, but in the end, it was her responsibility as the host of the gathering to provide safety and security for such a thing.


    Now, it depended on Marquess''s decisions for what his course of action will be towards this whole event¡ªlike taking this to Royal court and demandingpensation from her for such improper security.


    But, he cannot use this as a reason to end their engagement since there is no evidence, and both of them must agree to end the marriage.


    She, on the other hand, had no support except for this endorsement from the Marquess provided by the Emperor himself, so it would be foolish for her to ept an annulment of the engagement if the Marquess wanted it.


    In the end, Katheria was well aware that whether he wanted to or not, he was clearly bound by the emperor to marry her.


    Turning her eyes away from him, she slowly rose from her chair before approaching Lady Margaret, whose eyes were observing the expressions of the noblemen while trying to find some clue about the one behind Count Patric.


    Princess Katheria and Baroness Margaret knew that the royal family itself was behind this matter, not some nobleman.


    However, they were also aware that, understanding the ways in which the royal family operated, there definitely needed to be a partner supporting Patric from behind in this entire event.


    "Princess, I will join you tomorrow in the early morning before departing from the Royal Capital. Please allow the noblemen to take their leave and not worry about my presence." Recognizing that the time hade to separate from the group, Avendial requested the princess and the other noblemen who were with him to allow him some solitude.


    Theyprehended his need and consented to give him the space he desired without making him form any negative opinions about them.


    ''....She is stubborn'', Avendial was seated, being assisted by doctors as he nced towards a woman in a ck dress. She stood with folded hands, her eyes fixed on him with an intense gaze, showing no intention of leaving the ce. Her golden pupils, apanied by her ck lips being bitten under her teeth, enhanced her allure.


    "Miss Aecilia, I would like if¡ª" Avendial wanted to send her away given the fact that it could be a problem if she saw Riviaing out in a nket or dressed from behind the trees, but beforepletion of his words she interrupted.


    "Why are you erect?" With a raised eyebrow, she inquired while looking towards a bulge in his pants peaking through the bathrobe, causing her lips to twitch and her face to form a frown not understanding if he got excited due to feeling touch from a mere nurse.


    "Don''t tell me, are you into nurse cosy, Marquess?"


    This was the only thinging to Aecilia''s mind as she looked at the man, knowing that after the bunny and maid costumes, this was the third most popr clothing choice in demand at most of Sertsul''s pleasure houses.


    ''....This woman'', Avendial nkly looked at her, already noticing how her words had caused every individual present here to perk their ears. The doctors seemed to maintain a calm approach and focused on listening, while the nurses appeared to nce at him.


    Of course, if this were truly the case, it could be popr news among the free cities. Marquess''s favoritism towards any of them could greatly impact their lives.


    Being a concubine of such a rich man would not be that bad, but of course, only two or three dreamed this, as others seemed professional towards their profession and kept testing the blood samples to detect poison.


    "Huh? What''s with that look, Marquess? Tell me, are you aroused¡ª" Aecilia did not care about formalities, knowing that despite others portraying him as a business monster, she understood his true nature and was not afraid of any retaliation against her family business. However, before she could finish her words, she was interrupted.


    "I need to pee...," Avendial stated with a straight face, ''and there goes my remaining reputation.''


    Silence~


    With those thoughts, he had silenced everyone present there, all while looking towards Aecilia who had her mouth wide open in shock. Not content to stop there, he took an oath, ''You will pay for this, Miss Aecilia Sertsul.''

 Chapter 9: 11- Prince Orion Arinphiam

    In the royal Kingdom, there were several pces situated at arge distance of 10 miles from each other, each with acres ofnd between them filled with heavenly luxuries fit for a royal.


    Today, the pce owned by Princess Katheria served as the hub for noble gatherings but merely 4 miles away stood another pce, this one belonging to the Seventh Prince of the Arinphiam Royal bloodline.


    The expansive 50-acre pce is surrounded by enchanting gardens bursting with colorful flowers. A gleaming white stone forms the main structure of the pce, adorned with shimmering veins of enchanted silver that twinkle under the moonlight.


    Within the pce, 800 rooms exist, including 25 grand halls reserved for ceremonies and gatherings.


    The architectural design marries elegant spires and sturdy towers, each embellished with intricate carvings depicting a summoner standing on the cliff''s edge with open hands, mesmerized by the endless expanse of the ocean.


    The grand entrance of the front facade is adorned with massive doors embellished with precious gems, protected by elite soldiers and watched over by an Empyreal enveloping the entire pce with his enhanced senses while donning ck armor.


    The upper chambers, where the royal and guest suites are situated, can be reached by ascending the grand staircase crafted from smooth marble.


    "Greetings, Butler." The man in a Butler suit with a strong physique caught the attention of a few servants as he made his way through the hallway, gracefully passing through multiple rooms, exuding an aura of dignity and professionalism.


    Sebastian wore a traditional ck and white outfit with a tailcoat and bow tie. His silver hair was slicked back, and he had steely gray eyes behind rounded sses. A well-groomed mustache andposed expressionpleted his look.


    { A/n: Illustration of Sebastian, the butler. }


    Ignoring each of the servants as they bowed at a 90-degree angle, Sebas maintained hisposed demeanor and showed no expression in his eyes as he made his way to a certain room through a grand staircase leading to the royal quarters.


    His steps were measured, his senses sharp enough to epass the entire 50-acre area of the pce.


    As an empyreal under the Empress of the Arinphiam empire, every servant bowed to him with professionalism and respect, acknowledging his presence.


    "Prince, may I enter the room?" He asked, standing outside a door made of fine wood with carvings of red designs ented with gold ting.


    "You can", A strong and distinct voice called out from inside the room, guiding Sebastian as he entered and opened the door.


    The room was filled with a distinct fragrance the moment the doors opened, centered on arge desk sat a man dressed in a thin green floral shirt and half-pants that resembled beach clothing, jotting something down on the other side of the desk.


    "Prince, Master wanted to know if it was you who drugged the Marquess." With a strong voice, Sebastian ced his gloved hand on his chest and inquired with a bow, showing no concern for the naked woman under the desk who was performing oral sex on the man.


    "Hmm, is it possible for me or anyone to do something against Marquess when Empress favours him?" Stopping in the middle of writing, Prince Orion lifted his head with closed eyes towards the butler, allowing the moonlight to gently kiss his face as it directly illuminated his white eyebrows and hair. His closed eyelids appeared to be blocking the moonlight from passing through his pupils.


    slurp~


    "...." Although the sounds of the oral sex filled the space, the tension in the air from both Prince and Sebastian''s intense gazes had already overridden any desire, as Sebastian''sposed eyes met those closed ones on a face that seemed sculpted with symmetrical handsomeness yet an icy chill.


    "I will take my leave and convey this message to the Empress.", Sebastian, deciphering the subtle sarcasm in Prince''s remarks aimed at his master''s conflicting views with the Marquess, recognized it as an ego-driven power struggle.


    Turning his gaze towards the door, he prepared to depart but decided to offer his final words before leaving."It seems that Master needs to reconsider her opinion about Vrandins."


    ''....As expected of you, Sebas.'', Orion turned his head towards the desk upon hearing of Sebastian''s discovery of the woman concealed inside the desk. His fingers rhythmically tapped on the table before it vanished into a dimensional ring in his hand, a highly precious and exclusive artifact that was rarely seen and essible only to the Royal Family.


    As soon as Desk disappeared, a woman suddenly materialized, her cheek bulging from having devoured the man''s dick. Her eyes were fixed upwards on the Prince as she vigorously moved her head back and forth, showing no concern for breathing as she expertly performed deep throat, all while massaging the Prince''s balls with her fingers.


    "Hmm, from his words it seemed like I will only be able to kill one bird." Orion gazed down with his eyes closed as his hands delicately traced the woman''s hair, before suddenly grasping it and drawing back.


    As soon as his dick emerged from her mouth, a seven-inch cock was exposed, pulsating as it stood upright with the woman''s face reflecting the outline of the thick shaft''s shadow, her breathing in gasps, "Haah... Haah... Haah."


    "It has already been an hour. It seems that you will make it morning before I finish." Orion traced his fingers from above her forehead while sliding it down through her nose and finally stopping at her lips¡ªHer face was wless, with perfect, spotless skin and no hints of imperfections. She had beautiful, curvy, pillowy lips and a perfect nose shape.


    "Forgive me, your highness," Neha Vrandin gasped. Her lips parted as the man''s fingers came to a halt before entering her mouth. She epted them and sucked on them, her eyes fixed on his closed eyes.


    "Weren''t you saying that one of the maids who mixed the aphrodisiac hasn''t been found yet?" Orion asked, with his thumb and forefinger in Neha''s mouth as she gently sucked on it. She gazed up at him, her hands holding his with a seductive look, and lips tightly gripping his fingers.


    "Mmmm..." She nodded, which Orion understood from the movement of her head on his finger.


    "So, someone did kill that maid, dispose of her, saving the Marquess from following the path I set for him." Orion removed his finger from her mouth, stood uppletely naked with a slim, muscr physique, and held the woman''s hair. He then used his ring to retrieve the desk from a meter away, all while his erection remained.


    He then pulled the woman''s hair, causing her to stand while she held his hand to support her hair. With his other hand, he adjusted the woman''s back towards him and held her waist to align her back with his.


    Due tock of clear information, he was unaware that the Marquess had indeed been given Aphrodisiac by someone. Even after killing the maid, the person responsible still chose to use Aphrodisiac on the Marquess.


    "Ahh, Prince, please don''t forget your promise", The woman felt his hands pushing her against the table as she leaned forward in a naked state, with her breasts pressing on the desk. She then felt his hands grabbing her ass, molding them.


    "Rest assured, even though Marquess was saved, Patric Vrandin will still be held ountable for attempting to poison, as I have his handwritten letters in my possession," Orion said nonchntly with his eyes closed. With one hand, he stretched and revealed the woman''s buttocks, showing a light brownish rosebud with perkybia visible at the bottom with milky white skin.


    His forefinger traced down from her anus to her lower region before entering her vagina.


    "Hngh?!" Feeling the thickness, the woman was at least sure that it was his finger.


    As he touched her smooth pussy, his fingers were immediately ensnared by her tight inner walls, barely prating an inch, he continued pushing his fingers even deeper before informing "Even if one bird is missed, the offer for you to be the next heir of the Vrandin family is solid. The Marquess was just a pawn that got in the way."


    "I-i u-understand...Ahn...Yo-ur Highness..mnnn"

 Chapter 10: 12 - Could this be a red flag?

    Deciding not to pursue the side quest of tarnishing Marquess''s reputation by manipting Patric - the main focus of the quest, Orion chose to release his attachment to the situation.


    This decision was made due to the Empress''s growing suspicion of him, as she could potentially use this incident as a way to target him.


    "Are you virgin?" Orion, who was moving his fingers deeper into her vagina, suddenly felt a thinyer of resistance just 0.6 inches inside her vagina. It seemed like her hymen was blocking his pration. The puffybia made it appear to be two inches deep, although technically it was not.


    "Y-yes, Prince" The woman bit her lips as she struggled to control the pain from the prating finger, her hands tightly gripping the edge of the desk for support.


    "You will need to marry a noblemen, after you be the sole heir of Vrandin", Removing his fingers, he sensually traced them up to her anus, softly circling around it as her muscles twitched. With his other hand, he guided the throbbing tip of his dick to the tight entrance before slowly easing it in.


    "I will ensure your chastity remains intact so that you can marry the nobleman I have in mind and let me receive his support."


    After ensuring that he was maximizing all avable resources as the heir to the throne, he issued themand.


    "I-i u-understand" The woman nodded, then proceeded to present herself by spreading her ass with her fingers, showcasing her tight little hole, her eyes squeezed shut and teeth gritted in anticipation of the pain toe.


    PAAHH!


    "IEEEEK~!?!... it... hur.." As the throbbing shaft pushed into her in one swift movement, her eyes widened in pain, her jaw tight with suppressed moans, and tears pooling in her eyes.


    "Mmhh" She instinctively bit down on her lip to muffle any cries, focusing solely on reaching her desired oue despite the overwhelming sensation of physical pain.


    Sheposed herself, focused on climbing the socialdder rather than her own body, as the sensation of being stretched open engulfed her once more."Angh!...I am fine, prince. Please c-continue."


    "Miss Neha Vrandin, you are free to leave. I am not forcing you." Orion calmly stated while he could feel intense pressure from the inner walls of her anus, which were tightly clenching his dick. Theck of lubrication made the experience painful for her, causing her body to show signs of difort. Seeing this, he gave her the option to stop before continuing further until she tells him to stop.


    PAH! PAH! PAH!


    "Ahnn...Hnnghh....Anghh!"


    "N-no...Kugh...


    Please continue prince...Ungh..and don''t forget your promise...HNGH!?" With her eyes shot red due to pain with tears streaming, her gritted teeth gave away determination to have her im the highest seat of Vrandin family, covering her mouth to hide the moans, which only acted as stimulus for Orion who was looking at her spines and perky bare ass clinging to his thighs at every stroke ¨C sending shivers down her spine.


    ''It''s good'', His trust rising, he shifted his gaze to the window in the room, peering out at the moon. For the first time, one of his eyes revealed silver pupils within, reflecting a hint of coldness as he pondered, ''I must discover who was responsible for the death of that maid.''


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    In the prince''s pce, in one of the chambers, the physical cravings were reaching their peak. Another royal residence located at a distance was shining under the moonlight as many noblemen arrived.


    The Pce of Princess Katheria was in a state of chaos as the news of Marquess being poisoned spread, causing several nobleman to slowly retreat from the garden, only to stop in their tracks upon hearing words from a noblewoman.


    A woman with disheveled purple hair and amethyst eyes kept peeking towards the whole situation from afar. Due to her exhaustion from exerting her Synergy, she struggled to make out their words clearly.


    ''How could I be this stupid,'' Watching her Master go through all this hassle, Rivia sat with her legs crossed and chin tucked in, wrapped in a nket, reminiscing about the moment she had taken the life of the maid who dared to interfere with her Master''s drink.


    ''But'', Her gaze appeared emotionless and serene, devoid of any hint of expression on her countenance¡ªher typical demeanor¡ªbefore shifting her attention to the nket she held.


    With a swift motion, she buried her face within it before taking a deep breath. The nket carried a strong, pungent smell, bearing the remnants of her innocence in the form of bloodstains. As she delved deeper into the fabric, a chilling sound echoed from that hidden space. "Finally..."


    The voiceing from Rivia was barely a whisper, but she seemed unchanged, her face devoid of any emotion as her lips parted once more before she disappeared under the nket, saying, "Hehe, M.a.s.t.e.r"


    Underneath the white nket''s concealed cover, a sinister smile began to spread across her face, reaching its full extent as it let out a hoarse chuckle, breathing in the lingering scent trapped inside the nket.


    ''He didn''t doubt me, how fascinating!'', sping her hands to her blushing face, her pupils trembled as she recalled the thrilling nature of the whole situation.


    Despite knowing the potential deadly oue, she made the bold choice to not overlook it in any way and at the cost of her life finally fulfill her lifetime''s desire.


    ''Now we are one, Master'', Burying her face in the white fabric, she rubbed her face with her eyes closed, remembering the sensation of being fulfilled to the brim. She recollected his passion and obsession for her body.


    Those few hours were more valuable to her than her own life, causing her to hug her legs tightly the moment she thought of something. ''I need to deal with those who dared to set this trap''


    Of course, she had already intercepted the maid and obtained information that Count Patric intended to feed the Marquess an aphrodisiac. This fueled her desire to im the Marquess for herself, so she secretly mixed the aphrodisiac and brought him into a room.


    But now that her desires were fulfilled, she was beginning to realize that the cameras inside the room must have some secret storage somewhere else or someone must have it.


    Her eyes flickered in the moonlight as she gazed towards the direction of the pce, narrowing to contemte her return here after healing her exhausted Synergy caused by the sword strike she used to impress her Master. With a twisted grin, she whispered to herself, ''''I need to get those videos too!"


    Indeed, she doesn''t care who was behind all of this; she only needed two things - the head of that person and any existing video.


    She will offer the head as a gift to her Master and keep the video as her heirloom.


    "Hehehe, you know, now you are mine, master." A chilling voice again filled the ce with a minimal sound, but enough to make the nearby trees shiver.

 Chapter 11: 13- Alfred

    "Ahem, let''s continue moving and provide some privacy for the Marquess," Lady Margaret let out a few coughs before casting a quick look at the group of noblemen who, upon hearing Lady Aecilia''s remarks, stood with heightened curiosity. Some of them discreetly tried to steal nces in the direction of the Marquess, causing Lady Margaret to continue forward before signaling for them to proceed.


    "Absolutely, let''s catch up tomorrow." One of the nobleman shifted his gaze away from the Marquess upon hearing Lady Margaret''s words, feeling a sense of awkwardness wash over him as he tried to suppress a wry smile.


    "It sounds reasonable." As he scratched his chin, another Noble man stepped forward, nodding in agreement whileprehending Lady Margaret''s words.


    "I hope Marquess is doing well." The noblewoman briefly looked at Margaret before deciding that it was not yet the right moment to approach the Marquess for a conversation.


    And then, not only Lady Margaret, but even the Princess appeared to signal them to keep moving since she was also in her way.


    "Indeed."


    As one nobleman after another noticed the princess'' difort and awkwardness, each slowly made their way towards the exit, wanting to avoid falling out of favor with her. The princess appeared to be eager to leave, just as Count Patric had already left, darting down the hallway covered in sweets.


    ''Vrandin can''t be this stupid'', A Duke family member looked in disbelief at Patrick, wondering how he could be so foolish as to wander alone around the Royal Pce after using that specific poison on the Marquess.


    If he were in his position, he would definitely try to be as close to the crowd of noble men as possible.


    In this vast mansion where anyone could disappear without a trace, and aftermitting a serious crime, it would be foolish to run far away from them.


    The priority should be to gain ess to the Royal Court before facing the merciless death in a dungeon.


    ''I need to be first one to meet Marquess tomorrow'', Knowing very well that it was impossible for Marquess to die, given the fact that the doctors who had just arrived were the best among the best, several noble men had determined to somehow meet him first tomorrow morning before departing from the Royal Kingdom.


    Naturally, they didn''t get such opportunities to meet each other in the Kingdom of Thaloris, as each of theirnds were separated byrge boundary walls.


    Until permission was granted from the Royal Pce, no noblemen could meet each other in person. The most they could do was hold a video conference, call etc.


    Atst, the nobles departed from the garden, leaving behind Aecilia Sertsul, the Marquess, and a group of doctors.


    They all gathered with Lady Margaret and the princess as they made their way out of the ce.


    However, the princess did not stop and instead continued walking without pausing or being interrupted, causing her to quickly get far ahead of them.


    "So, now Miss Aecilia", Avendial noticed the nobleman finally leaving the ce, so he turned his attention towards the woman who had degraded his social appearance. He didn''t care much about his image, as not many of those noblemen would remain alive to care for it either. Thus, he was using this moment for his own benefit." You appear to not understand the effect of your words on others.


    I must say it''s definitely concerning."


    "Um, that''s my hereditary disease", Aecilia averted her eyes from his gaze while scratching her chin with her finger. She tried to avoid his words and treat the conversation as a normal casual talk, but her twitching smile betrayed her true feelings.


    Finding an opening Avendial nkly stated,"I needpensation."


    ''...anotherpensation'', Aecilia looked toward the man, whose full chin was propped up by his knuckle, with his elbow resting on his thigh. He had a smile on his face and closed eyes, appearing dissatisfied and clearly seekingpensation.


    "Alright, please continue Marquess.", Aecilia wanted to reject it outright upon realizing that there was no nobleman present to benefit her in any way. However, upon seeing the critical condition of the marquess, as evidenced by the doctors hurriedly taking blood samples, she hesitated.


    "I would like to visit the Red Light Districts in the free cities, would you apany me there?" Avendial slightly opened his eyes, revealing a hint of blue color as he observed subtle changes in the woman''s bodynguage ¡ª her widening eyes, anxiety turning into visible coldness, the clench of her fingers, and finally, her parted lips which stopped just before she could say anything.


    "I understand", Aecilia nodded in agreement but controlled her emotions as she moved away from that spot. She walked over to a chair, took a seat, folded her hands, and looked away from Avendial to disy her dissatisfaction with his words.


    ''...it was easy'', Seeing how easily he had obtained the pass to enter the free cities without any hassle, Avendial felt satisfied. He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands as the doctors approached him with a mixed expression.


    Technically, while nobles were allowed to move into free cities as they wanted, each time they needed to provide a valid reason to the royal family for their personal visit. This was necessary even though their proxy could also visit free cities for business reasons, etc. Avendial, however, needed to enter the free city himself.


    Causing him to create a pretext being none other than wanting to visit courtesans in red light districts.


    With this, his image score dropped to negative from the previous score of 96/100.


    "I am aware that I have been poisoned, so please treat me as soon as possible.", Avendial ordered the arriving doctors, who had just received the results from the blood samples they had collected earlier, without turning his eyes away from the woman dressed in ck seated on the chair.


    Due to the presence of modern advanced technology, along with AI, it was not difficult for them to decipher the symptoms and chemical makeup in the blood being none other than an aphrodisiac.


    But their feet stopped when they heard Avendial''s words. They were feeling confused, but they also noticed Alfred''s gesture towards the head Doctor, indicating understanding of the situation.


    If it were a stranger, they would not have understood anything. However, being around a nobleman like Marquess Avendial Croceaus, who never speaks without purpose, they were well-trained to interpret his gestures.


    "Hurry everyone, we need to detoxify the...''Poison''", Without dy, Alfred pped and gestured towards the doctors with his eyes, prompting them to quickly head back to their tents to create an antidote from the blood sample they had collected to counteract the effects of the Aphrodisiac.


    "Alfred, Rivia was with me a few moments ago before I got poisoned," Avendial said without revealing anything, already aware of how the pieces of the puzzle could be put together by thispetent butler. He kept looking towards the woman, his feet tapping on the ground as he realized the amount of time passing.


    ''?!''


    Proving hispetence and not disappointing Avendial''s expectations, Alfred realized that the series of events could be summarized as follows: Due to the effects of an aphrodisiac, his Master needed someone to rely on, and that someone turned out to be that woman.


    ''....is it possible that..'', Alfred sighed after discovering that the culprit behind the poisoning incident was none other than his master''s bodyguard. He looked down at his naive master, who was mostly focused on his business work and making money, oblivious to the woman who always apanied him and had slight psychopathic tendencies.


    A woman whom Marquess brought as a child from an orphanage is now obsessed with him.


    ''Should I tell him?'', Alfred thought about revealing the information about Rivia''s obsession with her master but decided to remain quiet. He thought that there may be someone from the Royal family involved in this poisoning incident.


    The main reason Alfred chose not to reveal any information was because the woman was the most reliable guard one could have.


    Even the Emperor only had one sword master by his side.


    Alfred recognized Rivia''s strength and trustworthiness, which made himfortable keeping her close to Marquess, as he believed she had no ill intentions towards the Marquess.

 Chapter 12: 14- A crucial information

    "I understand, Master" Alfred, with one white-gloved hand ced elegantly on his chest and his feet gracefully distancing himself from Avendial, proceeded towards the few nurses at the scene while attending to his task. His eyes observed the surroundings as he noted, ''twenty soldiers, one Empyreal, and five servants.''


    While moving, he noticed the remaining number of individuals after others had left apanying nobles and princess.


    He needed to be aware of his surroundings as he will move closer to his n to secure the woman hidden behind the trees in the garden, exactly 63.5 meters away from where he stood.


    Even though his master didn''t mention the exact location of Rivia, from the information provided to Alfred, he was able to draw a few conclusions:


    Under the influence of an aphrodisiac and guided by hints from his master, Alfred deduced that his master and Rivia must have be intimate.


    The fact that his master was in the presence of noblemen indicated that someone from the royal pce might have set a trap to exploit the situation. In order to counter this, his master probably tried to escape but was surrounded because the Pce was under surveince and ended up being in the midst of a gathering of nobles.


    Alfred noticed that in this cold weather, his master was in a bathrobe, and the only significant water source in the garden was a smallke.


    He concluded that the most feasible way to divert everyone''s attention would be for someone like the Marquess to jump into theke in this weather.


    And with this, his master probably tried to distract everyone by sacrificing his image.


    Though he found it disgraceful to deplete the image of the Marquess only to save a mere bodyguard but in the end Alfred respected his master''s choices.


    He focused on another conclusion that told him the exact location of Rivia, which he derived from the fact that if anyone wanted to jump into theke without the attention of noblemen, they needed to do it from the other side where several dense trees were present.


    He also saw an open window at a great height in one of the pce rooms and concluded that they must have jumped from there.


    Alfred was certain that the woman must have hidden among the trees and was likely without any clothes.


    ''Hmm, I need to have a conversation with you, Miss Rivia'', Alfred felt a sense of dissatisfaction knowing that due to the woman''s selfish actions, his master''s reputation had been tarnished and depleted.


    Of course, he knew that his Master had already made all the arrangements by using poison as a pretext.


    But still, orchestrating against their own Master is not something Alfred could tolerate.


    Now, the question remains: how was he so sure that the aphrodisiac event was caused by none other than the Marquess''s own bodyguard?


    Simply because he knew of the woman''s potential and possessiveness.


    Putting aside these thoughts for now, Alfred focused on the task at hand. Halting in mid-stride, his eyes nced towards a white-cloaked figure standing at the entrance of the hallway, about 20 meters away from him, with four soldiers nearby. The figure appeared much more mysterious, with a clear heat haze surrounding his body.


    ''An attack type or defense.'' Without hesitation, Alfred''s white-gloved hand moved inside the pocket of his coat near his chest where an antique watch with a golden chain was resting. He then took it out.


    In a sequence, he clicked the single button of his watch three times, causing it to pop out and break. Despite this, he prioritized his task at hand. Using his other hand, he took out a pen and a small notebook from his pocket. After writing something on a small piece of paper, he tore it off and rolled it onto the needle-like part that had popped out of his watch.


    Twick!


    Without dy, he maneuvered the sharp object towards the cloaked figure and threw it with the snap of his thumb. He appearedposed, trying not to let others notice that he had thrown something towards the figure at a potentially harmful speed.


    By analyzing the 20-meter distance between himself and the figure, he realized that to achieve maximum speed, he needed to use something sharp, small, and strong to be perceived as a threat.


    ''?!''


    ''Did he just tried to attack me?'', Standing at a distance, the cloaked figure narrowed his gaze under the mask. He observed a tiny, sharp needle-like object halting just an inch away from his pupils. The contracting muscles within his eyes showed the visible coldness passing as he gazed towards the man standing in a butler outfit.


    The golden needle, which appeared to be floating in the air, seemed to be held back by a blue aura from piercing the cloaked figure''s pupils, which remained fixed on the butler as his hand reached out to grasp the needle.


    ''This?'', The cloaked figure, who was an Empyreal, subtly nced between the butler and the letter, which was carried in a needle as it was opened: I am doubtful that three soldiers from the northern and eastern sides are responsible for all of this. Additionally, two maids who are sweating even in this cold weather seem suspicious. It is essential to interrogate them.


    Written in shorthandnguage*, even on that small piece of paper everything was readable to the cloaked figure. He nced towards the soldiers and maids, taking note of the clues mentioned. Doubt began to creep in as he continued to look towards the butler for a few moments before vanishing.


    In the end, he prioritized his duty, which was to support the Marquess in the investigation of his poisoning as much as possible, instead of thinking about how a mere butler had thrown a needle up to a distance of 20 meters with precision that aimed at his pupil.


    ''Interesting....a defence type'', Alfred finally achieving two tasks in a row felt the first hurdle in his way vanishing, which was an Empyreal¡ªthe most threatening entity in this ce¡ªwhile also gathering information about the ability type of one of the two Empyreals serving Princess Katheria Arinphiam.


    Generally, Empyreals were the most loyal awakened individuals under the Royal family. They were precious, exclusive and irreceable soldiers in the Royal family''s arsenal.


    But mostly, those awakened individuals appeared to possess abilities of two categories¡ªattack type or defense¡ªprompting them to have vulnerability if someone is already aware of their ability type, then they can adjust and strategize their fighting style ordingly.


    Though, of course, it was impossible to identify the ability type considering the fact that there were no records published or avable to any secret organizations in the world since every Empyreal''s identity was secret and heavily guarded by the Royal family itself.


    This was a very valuable and vital information that could only be verified by someone who had battled with an empyreal.


    No Empyreal changed under a specific heir, which led to a high demand for information about the types of abilities Empyreals possess. This information could be sold at a high price, ranging from 10 to 100 million Imperial Crowns depending on the heirs under whom those Empyreals worked.


    And ironically, there were 3 Royal heirs assassinated within a span of 10 years, while their Empyreals were killed solely because their ability types were revealed and sold for 30 million, 20 million and 60 million Imperial Crowns.


    And at that moment, Alfred had thrown the needle aimed at the Empyreal''s pupils to make it seem like a threat¡ªwhich prompted figure to reveal his ability type by creating a shield near his pupils¡ªbut it wasn''t considered an attack because Alfred had attached a letter to it, marking the whole endeavor as a secret message being sent¡ªthus manipting the situation into something else.


    By utilizing the maids who were sweating from helping nurses and doctors carry heavy equipment, Alfred had distracted an Empyreal while obtaining information that could easily be sold for 20 million Imperial Crowns.


    However, it could have fetched more if it weren''t for Princess Katheria''s weakened position in the heir battle.

 Chapter 13: 15- Princess Katherias game

    Through a hallway that extended away from the garden in the grand pce belonging to Princess Katheria Arinphiam, a man hurried along, moving as fast as he could without breaking into a run to avoid attracting attention from the servants.


    His eyes frantically scanned the surrounding areas as he nced back often, worried that someone might be following him. He remained on high alert, desperate to escape the pce as quickly as possible, but the hallway seemed to go on forever.


    Count Patric Vrandin was presently soaked in perspiration, barely managing to push through a seemingly endless stretch of time. His heart raced, knowing that if he was discovered in this ce, the consequences would be far beyond mere death.


    After poisoning the Marquess, Patric was certain that he had condemned his family to a future of eternal darkness. With uncertainty gnawing at him, his only option was to flee before the Princess Katheria Arinphiam could catch him.


    Little did he know, his mind consumed with thoughts of fleeing, Patric Vrandin unwittingly sealed his fate by choosing to leave the gathering by himself, oblivious to the fact that he was unknowingly traversing a hallway shrouded in an unsettling emptiness and eerie silence.


    ''Where are the servants?'', After atst arriving at the end of the hallway, he felt a cold breeze along with a soothing light that seemed to calm his mind as it brushed against his face, finally easing his inner turmoil. It was then that Patric realized the puzzling absence of the servants who should have been present there.


    ''Wait, why didn''t I notice any servants until now, or even soldiers?'' Patric Vrandin felt an unsettling sensation wash over him as he walked through the hallway and realized that he hadn''t seen a single person from the beginning to the end of his journey to this ce. His pace quickened, his face now contorted with fear, as he cried out,"no, No, NO!"


    ''I don''t want to die!'', He ran with all his focus on somehow getting out of the pce, knowing that once he reached outside, his servants would be able to notice and help him escape safely. After that, he would deal with the Royal court.


    His heart was racing in his chest, his eyes trembling rapidly, knowing full well that something was missing. Finally, his face brightened, which was drenched in sweat, and he felt a sense of relief as his feet stumbled while running and leaped to finally step outside into the light, leaving the hallway behind.''I-i survived''


    "Huh?", Finally stepping inside, Patric gazed ahead to see a scene that was far from what he had expected. Instead of expansive skies, luxurious cars, and numerous servants, he was met with a cramped space, metallic stench and a putrid odor that immediately assaulted his senses which appeared to not being able to process things.


    As he blinked and blinked again, his eyes kept showing him the image of ck walls covered in algae with moths fluttering around small yellowmps.The entire ce was illuminated by numerous chains and blood stains could be seen scattered all over. At first nce, the eerie atmosphere revealed the true identity of the ce as a Dungeon.


    ''?!''


    Suddenly, Patric''s gaze snapped downward as he felt something crawling over his feet. He noticed several small insects, including rats, centipedes, and a few small worms that looked long like snakes but were simr to earthworms in appearance.


    "Haah, N-no, this can''t be, LEAVE ME!" As one of the rats bit into his leg, Patrick realized the swarm of hungry insects trying to attack him. He iled his leg as he sprinted from that ce, stumbling as his feet were numbed. He fell to the ground, horrified, gazing at the approaching horde of insects. "NO! Don''te near me!!"


    "Argh! Stop, stop PRINCESS! Stop this!",The man''s body and sight were suddenly overwhelmed with rats and insects covering him, jumping over his skin and eating away at him. Earthworm-like insects started entering his body through the wounds left by the rats, while the poison from centipedes started to paralyze him. He cried out in an attempt to escape this horrifying fate.


    "The princess will arrive in a few minutes." a booming voice echoed inside the dungeon, causing Patrick''s eyes to widen. He felt a rat biting his eyelid and realized he would have to bear this torment until the princess arrived herself. "No! someone please help me?"


    "AaaaRrrrGggggHhhhh!!!" His screams echoed off the cold Dungeon walls as hey inside, ignored by all. The initial treatment given to the guests of this ce was callous, the pain searing through his body like a burning needle piercing through flesh.


    Blood carried signals of agony, bombarding his brain and creating a gruesome scene on the dungeon floor, but it was not enough to elicit pity from the only person cloaked in white assassin robe present inside the dungeon.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "So, is this thepensation for infiltrating my pce?" Princess Katheria strode down the corridor with a chilling stare, grilling the handful of maids. One of them clutched onto a box, while the rest scurried around her, purposely avoiding her gaze and visibly shaking.


    They had just told her about the recent happening that urred just moments before - the princess was in the midst of a gathering when Butler Sebastian, apanied by a small group of soldiers and a knight with the rank of captain, entered the pce under the guise of gathering information about Marques'' alleged involvement in treason.


    ''Empress seems...'', As Princess Katheria walked through the hallway, having just dealt with Count Patric with the help of one of her empyreal, she suddenly halted in her tracks upon reaching the end. What met her eyes was a gruesome scene of lifeless bodies and crimson stains adorning the floor by the entrance of a room.


    At first sight, it seemed evident that the Empress was sending a strong message to Princess Katheria, showing her disregard for the princess''s authority and willingness to execute anyone within the pce at her will, regardless of consequences.


    "Open it", Katheria remained unfazed at the sight of the blood stains as she moved with graceful elegance, calmly giving instructions to the maids. Her impassive expression and yellow pupils surveyed the corpses below her as she navigated around them with ease, finallying to a stop at the doorway of a room.


    "Princess it''s a ruby", The maid opened the box she had received from Sebastian, who had informed her of the incorrect information and his execution of the soldiers. In an attempt to make up for the difort caused by Sebastian''s actions, the Empress had given the princess this box.


    ''The Estr de fura, a 55.22-carat red ruby, sold at a Sotheby''s auction for 30.8 million Imperial Crowns.'', As Katheria nced at the ruby, information flooded back in a split second. She then turned toward the open window, noticing the dust particles on the ground and the bare walls. Her feet approached the only window inside the room.


    Her eyes narrowed as she peered through the window, unable to see the garden clearly due to the dense trees. However, she could make out the figures of doctors and other individuals, along with a lone man seated in the middle.


    Even from afar, the man''s silver hair shone brightly in the moonlight, draped in a white bathrobe. Her eyes remained fixed at him for a few moments before directing the maids,"Sell this ruby."


    ''?!''


    The maid was surprised by the unexpected words, even though she was aware of the princess''s dissatisfaction. Instead of demanding the return of the ruby or kicking her out, the princess instructed her to sell it.


    "Clean and restore this room before the sun rises." Keeping a steady gaze on the man seated at a distance, Katheria couldn''t shake off the feeling that something was wrong. The room''s disarray and the direct ess of the garden from the window only heightened her suspicions.


    After hearing about Sebastian''s entrance with guards, confidently mentioning the possibility of treason, she decided to set up a meeting with Marquess in the morning at this very location.


    "P-princess, It''s slightly" The maids were feeling incredibly stressed as they realized the sheer impossibility ofpleting all the tasks needed to restore the room to its original state within a mere 5 hours.


    "There are simr rooms nearby. Just move them in here.", Katheria''s fingers grazed the window edge as her eyes observed the marks on the walls. She felt the texture that appeared to be small cut marks caused by thousands of des, each slowly peeling off the paint without touching anything further,'' Precision, uracy and....''


    "Inform the Empress that she must supply 50 million Imperial crowns or else the head of Sebastian will be demanded for his reckless actions", As Katheria shifted her gaze from the garden to the vacant room while exiting, a piercing coldness shed in her eyes, a hint of a smirk ying on her lips that eventually transformed into a slight smile. ''You sure know how to y the game, Marquess''

 Chapter 14: 16- First Curse

    ''Hm, first one should be Empyreal'', Sitting on a chair, Avendial had his hands folded and eyelids closed to hide the deep bluish hue of his pupils. As he slowly opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on a white cloaked figure nearby, his intense stare wasplemented by the fluttering of his silver hair in the breeze.


    His feet continued to tap while his gaze remained fixed on the cloaked figure. The reflection of the golden needle, halting just an inch away from that figure, caused Avendial''s pupils to contract in anticipation.


    His contracted nerves spurred him to nce at a man standing in a Butler dress at a small distance from him, maintaining an elegant posture to ensure that his actions went unnoticed by others.


    ''....Really?'', His eyebrow raised as his eyes caught sight of the broken watch in the butler''s hand, a smile forming on Avendial''s face. He knew the significance of that watch to Alfred, a cherished heirloom passed down through generations of his family who had faithfully served the Croceaus family.


    Returning his gaze once more to the cloaked figure who had vanished after reading a certain letter, Avendial felt reassured that Alfred had sessfully carried out his task of diverting the attention of the Empyreal.


    However, he also couldn''t help but feel sorry for his loyal butler, who may have suspected that the Empyreal had a defense ability type, as the needle was halted just a few inches away from him.


    Not that anyone in Alfred''s ce would have thought any difference seeing how clearly the presence of blue aura gave away evidence of a shield around figure''s body.


    ''Katheria Arinphiam'', Avendial once again reminded himself of the woman who was far more capable of being considered the weakest yet potential candidate of the throne, evident from the incident which urred here just a moment ago.


    Avendial sympathized with his Butler, who also managed the Croceaus family''s financial system with skill and intelligence but was now deceived by a facade constructed by that woman. Avendial had to admit that he would have likely fallen for the same deception if he were in his Butler''s shoes.


    However, with his knowledge of the future, he was able to see things from a different perspective, giving him the ability to understand the thoughts of the seemingly insignificant, weak princess who would soon be one of the few remaining heirs to the throne in a year.


    Naturally, anyone, no matter how perceptive they were, may have assumed that the Empyreal who intercepted the needle had a defensive ability after witnessing that reflexive move. However, for Avendial, it only reinforced the impression of that yellow-eyed woman.


    It simply because both of the Empyreals under Princess Katheria Arinphiam were attack type.


    Unknown to anyone except the Emperor, there was a third Empyreal who possessed the defense-type awakened ability.


    After all, why did the Emperor prefer a weak princess with no background or support?


    Was it because he had a paternal instinct?


    ''She must have reached the room'', Putting aside thoughts of another Empyreal who was a very obvious figure, Avendial focused on the present moment, where there were clear chances that the princess would head towards the room after receiving news of Sebastian barging into her Pce.


    Avendial would typically attempt to intervene at this point, but he was well aware of the circumstances and knew that the princess would inevitably realize that he was not poisoned whether he intervened or not.


    Pyrocinum Uephorica¡ªthe poison¡ªtargeted dopamine, stimting adrenaline inside the body before finally breaking down the nervous system. However, the aftereffect of adrenaline exhaustion weakens and tires the body.


    Put simply, Avendial was confident that when he encountered the Princess the following morning, she would easily recognize that he had not been poisoned due to his continued ability to move.


    This was not surprising considering that the effects of the poison should have drained his adrenaline.


    So, regardless of whether he prevents her from finding out now or not, she will eventually see through him.


    ''She would try to confirm it'', Avendial closed his eyes and focused on analyzing the situation from beginning to end. The first thought that crossed his mind was the potential for Katheria to validate her suspicions.


    Avendial could only think of two ways through which the princess could confirm her suspicion: notice his facial expression by arranging tomorrow''s meeting in the same room or directly ask him about the aphrodisiac.


    About the intel on aphrodisiac, it was obvious that Count Patric Vrandin would divulge everything, including the name of the Royal behind all this, due to the inhumane torment he would endure.


    There were obvious traits and puzzle pieces that, if paid close attention to, could be linked: The presence of aphrodisiac in this case, the room''s state being disturbed by a sword user who appeared to have tried to remove some evidence, and the clear view of the garden area from the room being a potential source.


    Avendial was sure that Princess Katheria would easily see through him ¡ª given he didn''t know swordsmanship, everyone was aware of his bodyguard being a sword master, and especially a woman, while he was under the effect of an aphrodisiac, and no one else but him showing up in the garden alone while the room''s state was clearly done by a sword expert ¡ª it was just a matter of time.


    And amusingly, time was the only thing he wanted right now.


    ''...time'', Avendial was reminded of the thing that was never with him, whether in the past or now, as he loosened his hand and nced at his palm. It appeared normal, but to him, it held memories of the past. It reminded him of a day in his past life when he could only look at his bloodied hand while holding Rivia''s dying body, drenched in blood, as she kept mumbling a few words.


    Not feeling disheartened in the least or dwelling on that moment that will nevere, Avendial only recalled those memories to remember his awakening of his first Curse.


    From the day he awakened his first curse, which he himself wasn''t aware of until the moment the tower appeared, everything only went downhill.


    The very foundation that should have lifted him up was severed due to his first curse.


    Avendial remembered how the tower was a gateway to various worlds filled with different kinds of energy, whether it was mana, ether, elemental energy, exorcism, internal energy, and so on.


    The presence of several forms of energy was enough to set back anyone to the starting point because they would need to restart with each energy and learn it.


    But the tower had a solution, which was a universal energy called Synergy.


    This type of energy links all different kinds of energies together, providing a unique form of energy that bes the foundational energy of the tower and all of its worlds.


    And as if destiny were pushing him onto a path that revealed his identity¡ªunfavored and hated by the tower and all the worlds, Avendial awakened his first curse¡ªwhich was the Curse of Dissonance.


    Curse of Dissonance: A curse rendered him incapable of harnessing Synergy, causing his entire body to act as a barrier/nullifier against the energy that was crucial for awakening in others.


    Synergy continued to empower others, while Avendial''s growth was stagnant and halted due to the First curse¡ªthis was just the beginning of the seven curses he would awaken on his journey.

 Chapter 15: 17 - Is Aecilia Sertsul Troublesome?

    ''What if he asks for children?'', Aecilia, with her body turned away, contemted the future with a mind full of thoughts, her serene gaze and rxed lips covered by her delicate fingers revealed her deep immersion in contemtion.


    ''Hm, marrying princess and having affair with me.....'', Aecilia was left feeling perplexed after learning that Avendial was interested in taking her out on a date in the free city. (*her perspective)


    She couldn''t help but question the security of their future together, especially considering his existing engagement to the princess, as dating each other would essentially be an affair.


    ''Sigh, isn''t he straightforward when ites to business?'', Aecilia shook her head and shifted her gaze towards the pensive man seated close by. She struggled to understand why Marquess Avendial, a figure of such prominence,cked confidence and had yet to express his true emotions to her. This realization led her to let out a sigh, feeling a sense of pity towards him.


    ''I need ess to an awakening crystal'', As the past memories resurfaced, Avendial remembered the first priority he needed to fulfill with the help of the princess in the morning meeting. While contemting, his eyes momentarily met Aecilia, who, after all this time, finally decided to look at him.


    ''Did she just hit me with the ''I feel sorry for you'' look?'', Avendial raised an eyebrow as he observed Aecilia''s expression, making it seem like she was silently judging him for some unknown reason. This caused his face to be nk as he realized she was also present here, with who knows what thoughts racing through her mind.


    After losing sight of her following the first few floors of the tower in his previous life, Avendial is clueless about what her future may have held.


    However, upon seeing her now, he can''t shake the suspicion that she is cooking something that is definitely giving off a burnt smell.


    "Miss Aecilia, is there something on my face?", Avendial, not retreating, inquired while also using this opportunity to distract her. He noticed that Alfred had just entered a nearby tent, which Avendial interpreted as the second step of Alfred to cause havoc and distract everyone. With Aecilia potentially bing suspicious, he directed his words at her to make her attention focus on him.


    "Nah....it''s totally normal for any lovestruck man...", Aecilia smirked before taking a deep breath, a smile forming as she discovered a new side of Marquess Avendial. Due to the effects of the poison, he wasn''t able to confess his feelings directly, instead making excuses to apany her to the red light district. She knew, based on his character, that he simply wanted to go on a date with her.


    ''Huh? Did she think what I''m thinking she thinks?'', Avendial''s head throbbed momentarily as he grappled with the headache induced by the persistent woman who had cornered him twice already. The first time, she had the audacity to publicly embarrass him by pointing out his sudden arousal, and now, she had attracted the attention of the remaining pce maids towards their direction.


    Indeed, he could feel a few maids ncing in his direction once again.


    The issue was not that he cared about his image, but primarily that this specific fact, being referred to as a lovestruck guy, would reach the Princess. Knowing her personality, he was aware that she would definitely bring it up in their meeting tomorrow to gain the upper hand on him.


    Afterall, starting with a few light embarrassing moments is just basic psychology to lower a person''s defenses before revealing the main cards that could potentially be used against them in a ckmail situation.


    Yeah, he was certain that the princess would request something from him once she confirmed her suspicion.


    After hearing Aecilia''s words and observing how she had a dissatisfied look just moments ago, Avendial couldn''t help but think that she believed he was in love with her, especially after she gave him a pitying look.


    In his previous life, while doing business with the Sertsul family, he was not oblivious to this woman''s romantic interest in him. However, his main focus was on making money, so he never allowed her the opportunity to approach him romantically.


    But today, he truly felt that by announcing his support for the Sertsul family and indirectly granting this woman some freedom, he had inadvertently caused a lot of trouble for himself. Despite this, he couldn''t help but return her smile as he leaned his head on his sped knuckles before in a firm tone adding. "Miss Aecilia, it would be good if you watched your words in front of many people."


    Naturally, Avendial didn''t have any reason to entertain Aecilia since she didn''t have any value in furthering his future. He may sound selfish, but being self-centered was important, considering that unnecessary distractions could only burden him when he only had a year left.


    "What? Do you want us to go inside a room and do it privately?" Aecilia, seeing his stern blue eyes fixed on her with a cold smile, felt confused about why she should care about what others think of her words. Simply put, what others say about her doesn''t matter.


    Aecilia had seen enough of the world since childhood and did not appreciate sugarcoating words. This prompted her to inquire once again if Marquess wanted her to not be straightforward.


    ''....This woman...'', Avendial felt his mouth twitch as he shut his eyes, sensing the gaze of others turning towards him after Aecilia''s words. Even nearby pce maids peeked in his direction.


    Only a few maids and soldiers remained, as many had already left due to Alfred''s dealings with the Empyreal who have called them away. However, there were still one or two remaining servants who could act as spies to deliver these specific messages to the Princess, possibly after embellishing their words.


    "Whatever," Avendial said, realizing it would be too much trouble to exin things further. He backed off, folded his hands, and looked at the woman. "Miss Aecilia, I will give you the agreed-upon amount after you apany me to the free city."


    Avendial mentioned the fake call he had made to Alfred a few hours ago in front of all the nobles about transferring 10 billion out of the 13.5 billion he had promised to invest in the Sertsul family.


    Though at that time the intention was to draw the attention of other nobles and distract Princess Katheria by mentioning her name as the password, the main reason for investing was to gain profit and favor with Aecilia Sertsul, who could be helpful in establishing influence in the free cities.


    As the wealthiest nobleman, he had the support of political leaders and the central government of Free Cities. However, Avendial, being a businessman, eventually realized the importance of locals over high-profile individuals like political leaders or civil servants. This made him want to establish a connection with the Sertsul family.


    And wouldn''t there be an ocean of information and evidence to ckmail various people he wanted with the help of the videos that the Sertsul family''s courtesans collected?


    "....Don''t tell me, Marquess, did you offer that money so I could apany you alone?" Aecilia, upon hearing the man dere that apanying him was the way to secure the investment she needed, felt confused. She inquired with an impassive look, seeing him in a new light.


    To her, Avendial appeared as a shy, lovestruck rich man who doesn''t know how to clearly propose and engage. He offers his money and gifts in the hope of gaining the attention of the woman he loves. She doesn''t hate it, but she sees it as a somewhat cute side of him.


    GASP


    "Hey, did the Marquess give her money to spend the night?" a maid whispered to another, trying not to look in the direction of the Marquess, but her ears perked up after hearing this secret. She turned to a nearby maid beside her in shock, who instantly broke into sweat as she felt an intense re from Avendial.


    ''Damn this woman!'', Avendial didn''t have a hard time dealing with Princess, but Aecilia was a real troublemaker who always caused problems whenever she spoke. The issue was that she wasn''t mindful of her words and didn''t think before speaking, making the situation even more difficult.


    However, Avendial chose to remain silent this time as he noticed smoke rising from the tent that Alfred had just left, indicating a possible equipment overload which soon revealed a sound.


    BOOOOOM!


    The whole night was once again illuminated by a loud explosion, emitting intense heat and light that caused everyone to look at it.

 Chapter 16: 18 - Is Alfred still young?

    ''Alfred really knows his job.'', Avendial sat calmly in his chair, his eyes fixed on Aecilia as she was seated nearby. A sudden st erupted a few meters away, casting a bright yellow glow across the area.


    mes surged upward, reaching the 10 metre height, while a shockwave raced toward him. The gust of wind from the explosion swept past, ruffling his hair and grazing his face. Yet, Avendial remainedposed, but his sight soon got covered by a shadow.


    "N-no!" As Aecilia saw the shining light getting closer from a distance of 2 meters, she quickly realized that it was yet another assault on the man. With swift reflexes, she rose from her seat, tossed the chair aside, and then dashed towards him. In her haste, she stumbled but managed to lunge forward and embrace him tightly, eximing,"Aven!?"


    ''?!''


    Avendial was caught off guard as he felt a sudden force wrapping around his neck, pushing his face into something warm and soft. His eyes were wide open, hands still folded, as Aecilia embraced him tightly. He tried to redirect his gaze towards her, but all he could focus on was the faint trace between her cleavage and lingering scent of her body.


    "Come swiftly help the Marquess!" Aecilia, shielding the man from the explosion, swiftly turned her attention to the panicking doctors and servants who were attempting to flee. They halted in their tracks upon seeing her protectively holding the Marquess in her arms, signaling to them that this was no mere ident caused by machine failure, but rather another deliberate attack.


    Without hesitation, all of them rushed towards Marquess Avendial who was most important person here.


    "We need to escape this ce! Where are the pce guards?" One of the doctors looked towards the pce servants but noticed only a few of them remaining, who were already drenched in sweat as they rushed towards them to help.


    "They have left to apany the Princess!" One of the servants from the pce informed the doctor that most of the soldiers had been sent with the Princess and noble men.


    "How careless!" One of the nurses felt that there was ack of proper management from the princess but couldn''t fully express it. Instead, she, along with other doctors, attended to Avendial, who was surrounded.


    ''Indeed, How careless of you, princess'', As Avendial gazed at the mes illuminating the garden, he paid no attention to the soft sensation on the left side of his face, pressed against Aecilia''s chest. A smile crept onto his face as he realized he now had the upper hand for tomorrow''s meeting with the princess, specially after being attacked once again in the princess'' pce,'' but first...''


    "How careles of you, Miss Aecilia", Avendial clearly expressed his dissatisfaction and firmness in his voice regarding the actions of someone hugging him without his permission, as it was a clear vition of his privacy.


    "Huh? F-forgive me, Marquess," Aecilia was taken aback after hearing such a tone from the man whom she may have offended, considering the fact that she really pushed his limits today.


    Indeed, unlike usual when it appeared as if there was a wall around him, which made everyone keep a suitable distance, today, he appeared much more approachable. It somewhat gave the impression to her that maybe he would not get offended.


    But now, it appeared that she may have crossed the boundary due to the urgency of the situation.


    In the end, hierarchy was what determined one''s behavior towards others and gave the privilege to stronger individuals to decide if they felt offended ording to their mood or not.


    "Let''s leave this ce first," Avendial said, observing how Aecilia was distancing herself from him. Ignoring her awkwardness as she scratched her chin, he reiterated his suggestion to leave the ce.


    "Yes, this way, Maquess," others swiftly guided him as all of them made their way out of that ce.


    ''Now, let''s go find Miss Rivia'', Upon observing the departure of all the servants and individuals from the garden with the Marquess, Alfred turned his attention to a nearby tent containing emergency surgical gowns or scrubs for the doctors and nurses, before entering and preparing for the uing task.


    A few minutester, Left the tent while carrying a set of clothes and made his way towards theke, specifically heading towards the dense trees.


    He had just reached the corner of theke, with the trees still 20 meters away. In the cold breeze, his feet stopped as a sharp and firm voice came from within the trees, "Take one step closer and you will be dead, old man."


    Alfred stood there, holding the clothes, ncing between them and the trees. He sighed before saying, "Miss Rivia, I brought clothes for you. By the way, I''ve told you many times, but I''m only 57 years old."


    "Throw them here," came the emotionless voice in a firm tone, as it ordered.


    "Fine, but..." Alfred nodded as he looked at the clothes in his hand, his eyes ncing towards the trees as a cold glint passed, remembering the mistake this woman hadmitted by endangering their master. This prompted him to dere, "Wouldn''t letting you die here be more profitable for me?"


    "Do not cross the line, old man," again that sharp voice responded inside the ce, causing the tense atmosphere to be even more palpable between the two individuals.


    "Do you realize the problems our Master had to deal with because of your recklessness?" Alfred reiterated, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the sacrifices his master had to make, even going as far as topromise his own reputation for a mere bodyguard.


    Of course, Alfred had seen both his master and Rivia grow together after she was brought from the orphanage. So, he had a parental attachment towards both of them, but his loyalty towards his master outweighed everything else.


    ".....If you tell Master anything, I will kill you" Rivia dered through gritted teeth, her fingers tightly wrapped around the hilt of her sword as her thoughts raced through her mind,'' Should I kill him? Could I just me the explosion for his death? But what if Master finds out? Will he hate me? Will he stop caring for me? No, will he abandon me?!''


    "You should be grateful. If master hadn''t ordered me to rescue you," Alfred adjusted his bow and threw the cloth towards the dense trees before turning to leave. He uttered his words, clearly sticking to his cautious personality. If it were someone else, after that threat, he would have just left them to die on their own in this ce.


    He continued, "I would have left you here to die at the hands of Princess Katheria."

 Chapter 17: 19 - The First Guilt

    ''What''s with her face?'', While Avendial was seated inside his Rolls-Royce Phantom Limo, en route to the exclusive lodging designated for various noblemen just a mile away, he looked out at the opulent mansions that appeared no less extravagant than a princess''s pce.


    He supported his chin with his knuckles, his elbow propped up on the nearby window, observing Rivia as she quietly entered the car with her usual impassive demeanor before taking a seat beside him.


    "Are you okay, Rivia?" As Avendial inquired, his eyes disregarded her nurse attire, reminiscent of scrubs. Instead, they focused on the faint hint of knuckles marred by a blood clot, suggesting a recent impact. Next, they locked onto her amethyst eyes, portraying a mix of coldness and anger simultaneously.


    "Yes, I ampletely fine, Master." Rivia turned her head to the man, who was still a few inches away from her in the car. His face brought back memories of a few hours ago, making her feel relieved and temporarily forgetting about her anger towards Alfred. The pain in her knuckles, from hitting a tree earlier, intensified by their intense moment, still lingered throughout her body.


    Contrary to her usual ability to effortlessly turn trees into dust with her Synergy, or tond from a three-storey building without any ankle injury, she experienced a sense of helplessness for the first time in her life.


    It was as if she had be just a mere human and lost all her abilities, which slightly made her anxious. If something like this happened, then there would be no reason for someone like her to stay beside this man.


    But even in the unlikely event of that happening, she was still overjoyed as she had finally achieved all her lifelong dreams tonight.


    "Give me your hand." Avendial witnesses her condition deteriorating to the point where she no longer resembles the monstrous Sword masters, instead appearing as a frail yet beautiful woman.


    "Huh?" Rivia was taken aback by his sudden words, keeping a nk expression while instinctively reaching out her injured hand towards Avendial before resting it on his hand.


    ''She lost all her synergy,'' Avendial felt guilty from within due to this woman''s present state, but not showing anything on his face; his eyes nced at her back, adding, "You will need to drink healing potions and synergy boosters."


    "....Yes", Rivia, who was only focusing on the sense of touch, ignored what her eyes were seeing, what her ears were hearing, and any smells she was noticing. The only thing she paid attention to was the warmth of his palm where her hand rested.


    "Sigh, let me guess, do you have a crush on me?" Avendial, noticing her eyes fixed on his hand which was holding hers, felt that she was distracted by something else and not paying attention to his words, prompting him to try to give her a small shock.


    "Eh? W-whaat? C-crush?!" Rivia had hidden her emotions so deeply that she never expected this man to notice. However, upon hearing his words, a clear electrifying feeling rushed through her body. Her eyes widened, pupils contracting, as a teasing expression danced on Avendial''s face, his sapphire eyes already entuated by the moonlight just caused her heart to race out of her chest.


    "Oh, I was just kidding, no need to panick" Avendial gripped her hand when she tried to pull away in surprise, his eyes observing the subtle changes urring in her body: the shyness, irregr breathing, and subtle hint of blush. These confirmed his suspicion, ''So, she really loved me, huh?''


    Naturally, up until now in his previous life, he never paid attention to others'' feelings because he was solely focused on his business.


    This made him realize the importance of considering others'' emotions, especially after receiving information from Alfred, who had revealed a truth following the execution of Patric Vrandin.


    Indeed, in previous life, Rivia died while protecting Avendial by killing Sebastian and all the soldiers who barged into the room to use him of treason. She also destroyed all the evidence, including the entire room, allowing him to escape at that time.


    But she died because her wounds did not heal as they usually did, and there was no synergy left in her body for some unknown reason.


    She took herst breath in his arms, smiling as if she had found something more important than death and didn''t care about it.


    Sequentially, Avendial had gone after Patric who had fed him aphrodisiac causing all the events and loss of Rivia, but it appeared that much stronger forces were involved in this.


    The Royal Family caught Patric, and he was executed. Afterward, Alfred revealed a series of information to him which was unbelievable and heart-wrenching at the same time.


    Information has revealed that 124 women, who were not from prominent noble families, and who had caught Avendial''s interest since his childhood, have either died in idents or been murdered in their homes.


    And Alfred said that it was done by none other than Dominic Rivia Aurelia.


    It all appeared fictional, and at that time Rivia was not alive. Avendial chose not to learn more about her, only wanting to preserve the final image of the woman who protected him without any additional corrupted memories.


    But now that he was back in the past and had already dealt with obsessive women before, he knew how much dangerous Rivia could be if not handled well.


    So, he first needed to confirm if she really loved him, and if she did, to what extent, and then decide how to deal with her ordingly.


    "A joke?" Rivia blinked while continuing to look at him, trying hard to understand his words, which were confusing. He had never joked or shown this side to her before, making it all the more perplexing. However, it also ignited something within her, prompting her to nod while deleting all expressions from her face." I see.."


    Avendial nced at the nearby section inside the Phantom Limousine, opened the drawer, and retrieved a first aid box. He began to bandage her hand, with him ncing at her for a second, feeling the need to rify something to her. Above all, he wanted to erase the first stain on his heart.


    A guilt which kept showing him a mirror of pain and agony, causing him to face it for his own satisfaction. "Hey, Rivia."


    "Yes, Master," Rivia kept looking at the hand before lifting her eyes to meet Avendial''s gaze as he tied the bandage on her.


    Avendial finished tying thest knot on the bandage and calmly stated, "It was my fault that you lost all your Synergy."

 Chapter 18: 20- Information Network

    ''It was definitely his dick''


    A woman with glistening golden eyes and the breeze gently tousling her midnight-ck hair exuded a chilly aura that was distinct from the past few hours. Her sheer ck dress, paired with ebony lipstick, created a captivating and unconventional appearance with her squinted eyes looking into the distance.


    At the pce gate, a lineup of luxurious cars could be seen, alongside maids in short dresses reminiscent of the Qipao worn by courtesans, staying true to the traditional theme, with the dresses ending at their upper thighs in red and pink flowers adorning the design.


    ''Stiff, trembling and wet, hmm'', Aecilia''s eyes stayed frigid, her expression remaining detached as her finger continued to tap on her thighs, trying to shake off the strange sensation she felt on herp when she embraced Avendial to shield him from the explosion.


    "Have you checked the room?" Aecilia cast a quick nce towards a woman in a short dress, whose hands were positioned in a poised manner on her abdomen ¨C one above the other. Her head was slightly bent, and she held a stoic expression.


    "Lady, the pce maids have been restoring the room to its original state, but we have information that Rivia Dominic was seen apanying the Marquess inside the room.", The woman held her head low as she disclosed important information, which was not difficult to obtain given the vulnerability of the male servants in the pce.


    They were unable to resist sharing secrets, especially in the face of a simple act like a blowjob.


    ''She took his first, bitch'', Aecilia tilted her head, closed her eyes, folded her hands in front of her as she tried to calm her anger. She took a moment to think before turning back and continuing her inquiry," When did Patric Vrandin purchase a strong aphrodisiac?"


    Aecilia could easily see that the supposed poisoning event was simply a facade once she observed the bodynguage signals on Avendial, realizing they were clearly a result of a potent aphrodisiac.


    Instead of being concerned, she felt relieved knowing he was safe. Thanks to the medicine, she finally had the opportunity to have a genuine conversation with him for the first time.


    But, to have a more meaningful conversation, she needs crucial information, such as who was behind all of this?


    "Eh? Lady, the only Vrandin who purchased an Aphrodisiac recently ording to our information is Neha Vrandin." The woman, confused, lifted her eyes and nced towards Aecilia, who stood with her eyes slightly widening before rxing and turning towards a certain direction.


    "That slut must be spreading her legs somewhere." Aecilia clenched her teeth as she gazed in the direction of the pces belonging to the heirs of the Arinphiam kingdom, fully aware that the entire spectacle was orchestrated to ensure Patric''s demise and secure victory in the Vrandin family''s inheritance dispute.


    And most likely, the Marquess was made a scapegoat in it.


    Despite not being widely known, as a member of the Sertsul family, it was not difficult for her to have information about a noble family, considering that the strongest informationwork in the Empire belonged to the Sertsul family.


    "Lady, if you are referring to Neha Vrandin, she wasst seen entering Prince Orion''s Pce just a few hours ago." The woman, used to Aecilia''s less refined way of speaking, looked up before sharing the newly acquired information with her.


    "Huh? That fake-ass bastard?" Aecilia''s mouth twitched with visible anger as she learned the name of a prince who, like many other royal family members, was known for his shrewd and two-faced actions.


    What enraged her the most, however, was the fact that Orion''s maternal family belonged to a group that constantly sought to suppress the Sertsuls whenever they attempted to expand into the few remaining free cities where red-light districts were still nonexistent.


    "Ldy?! Please, what if someone heard?!" The woman panicked as she frantically looked around, hoping no one had heard them. Even the other women standing near the cars started to break out in a cold sweat as they turned their head to scan for any potential eavesdroppers. Fortunately, luck was on their side as no one seemed to have caught a single sound.


    "Is it true that loose cunt taking that Fake-ass'' dick right now?" Aecilia raised her eyebrows as she inquired about the authenticity of the information provided by her assistant. The assistant was already panicked and even felt herself breaking into a sweat the moment she saw her Lady again returning to her usual tone.


    Truly, every member of the Sertsul family was well aware of Aecilia''s tendency to use more vulgarnguage than the entire reputation of the Sertsul family put together, a trait that she had possessed since childhood.


    And the only time they witnessed any courtesy in her words was in the presence of Marquess Croceaus.


    "We do not know what is happening inside the pce, but the information we have is from a servant at Prince Orion''s pce....." The woman sighed, turned her head down, and then began to reveal that the information they had about Neha and Orion was obtained from a servant.


    After finishing his day shift at the Prince''s pce, a middle-aged servant decided to spend the night in the arms of a courtesan at the edge of the Royal district.


    After entering one of the many legally permitted pleasure houses, one can choose from various options such as: Standard Intimate Encounters, Role-ying Scenarios, Group Experiences, Dominance and Submission (BDSM), Tantric or Sensual Massages, Voyeuristic or Exhibitionist Experiences, Fantasy or Themed Rooms, Couples'' Experiences, Ritualistic or Ceremonial Encounters, Exotic or Rare Experiences, Personal Companionship or GFE/BFE (Girlfriend/Boyfriend Experience), Specialized Fetish Services, Artistic or Performance-Based Encounters.


    The Servant opted for Role-ying Scenarios and requested the Cortesan to y the character of Neha Vrandin, recounting the incident ofing across her vehicle while exiting the Prince''s pce.


    "This is how we obtained the information, Lady," After the woman finally disclosed everything to Aecilia, she furrowed her brows and began to rub her forehead in contemtion, causing the woman to anxiously fix her gaze on her in hopes of receiving crucial directives.


    "Should I kill that fake-ass Royal...." Aecilia was on the verge of revealing her intention to eliminate a Prince from the Arinphiam kingdom right outside the gates of the Princess Royal pce, but before she could finish her sentence, her assistant intervened.


    "CAR HORN NOW!!!" She cried out loudly as her eyes darted towards the cars and the female servants who sprinted as if their lives depended on it, after seeing how their mistress was going to cause another problem due to her uncontroble mouth.


    BEEEEEEEPPPPPPP! BEEEEEEEPPPPPPP! BEEEEEEEPPPPPPP! BEEEEEEEPPPPPPP!


    "bastard¡ªshut it, Damn it!" Aecilia covered her ears when four cars honked their horns simultaneously, drowning out her words and causing her to shout at her assistant.


    ''No! Only Madam can save us now.'', The experienced assistant calmly reached for her phone and dialed the number of the current matriarch of the Sertsul family, who happened to be Aecilia Sertsul''s grandmother.

 Chapter 19: 21- Arinphium (Royal kingdom)

    In the heart of the Arinphiam Empire lies the Royal Kingdom called Arinphium, a vast expanse ofnd spanning 781,909 square kilometers, entirely dedicated to the royal family.


    This unique kingdom functions as an autonomous nation within the empire, where every facility, service, and institution exists solely for the benefit of the royal family and their needs.


    The kingdom is centered around the grand Royal Pce, a sprawling architectural marvel that serves as the hub of power and luxury for the Royal family of the Arinphiam Empire.


    Surrounding the pce is aplexwork of architectures, each designed to serve the royals with the utmost luxury and efficiency.


    Hospitals equipped with the finest medical technology, exclusive hotels for royal guests, several airports tailored for private royal flights, and even the royal treasury¡ªthese are divided into parts and have each one of these secure futures around all the heirs'' pces.


    Indeed, for example: Prince Orion Arinphiam owns an enormously luxurious pce,plete with a private airport, a high-ss hospital staffed with professional medics, and dozens of mansions that arevish enough to be considered part of the prince''s pce. Additionally, the pce includes all the amenities of a modern metropolitan city, all tailored to the prince''s personal interests.


    Some of the heirs have gone as far as permitting Pleasure houses on theirnd, generously given to them by the Royal Pce. Each heir receives such substantial funding that their worth could rival that of a small developing nation.


    So, the whole Arinphium, which is the Royal kingdom of the Arinphiam Empire, was likely private and property of the whole Royal family where their descendants have everything they needed without any need to take a single step out of the kingdom.


    Simrly, there were several high-ss hotels and mansions avable for the nobles who gathered in the gatherings by a particr heir.


    Of course, it depended on the funds allocated to that particr Heirs, which determine the state of their whole territory, but there was a minimum amount of 10 million Imperial Crowns per month fixed for each heir.


    Taking into ount that those favored by the Emperor or Empresses received a sumrge enough to surpass 30 million Imperial Crowns every month, with Prince Orion Arinphiam receiving 21.2 million Imperial Crowns and Princess Katherine Arinphiam receiving 10 million Imperial Crowns.


    The value set for each heir varied, with the Royal pce always being relied upon to allocate a specific amount to oversee the assets within their territory. While their territory division appeared like Thaloris, they were not prohibited from visiting each other, and even their servants were allowed to move around freely ording to the personalws set by the heirs.


    Within the provided amount, Princess Katheria Arinphiam had well managed her territory with avability of several hotels for the guests and personal mansions reserved for high-status nobles who will arrive in her gatherings.


    Though the territory ofnds under Princess Katherine Arinphiam could be considered thergest among all the heirs, it was left and purchased by her Mother who was previously one of the Empresses, but after her death the value provided to Princess Katheria kept decreasing until presently hitting the limit.


    Building the Assets is hard but more is maintaining those assets with no other source, arge amount ofnd under Princess was used for agriculture and businesses to create some wealth while 10 million allocated amount was used to maintain other facilities from Airport, hospitals, and all the services.


    Today, however, due to presumed of several noblemen, Various Hotels and Mansions for high-status nobles like Counts and Members of the Duke family were arranged ording to hierarchy.


    Following the way towards the grand mansion allocated for Marquess Croceaus to rest after tonight''s gathering, a convoy of a dozen luxurious cars, including a fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms, Mercedes-Maybach S-ss limousines, and Bentley Mulsannes, moved in perfect unison.


    Each vehicle, shimmering under the moonlight, was a testament to his immense wealth and status, turning heads as they glided silently through the asphalt.


    Finally, the convoy reached a grand mansion with a line of servants waiting for his arrival, appearing to belong to Croceaus territory but arrived a few days ago with the Marquess inside the Royal kingdom, but the number appeared substantially increased due to the presence of freshly arrived servants who, after hearing the orders from Marquess, had arrived using the private jet flights alongside the doctors.


    "Master, we have arrived." Coming out of a phantom behind the limousine, Alfred swiftly showing his professionalism arrived and bowed with his hand ced on the chest as the chauffeur opened the car''s door revealing a man wearing a bathrobe with the silver hairs exiting it as her eyes appearing colder than moon observed the view in front of him.


    "Quickly bring it." Avendial ignoring everything nced toward Alfred who calmly nodded before nced towards a maid who borough a ss of crystal clear water and a tablet and kept her head lower with no expression showing on her face but only professionalism.


    "Rivia." Avendial standing at a distance nced at the woman who exited the car with her purple hair fluttering in the breeze with eyes striking on him as he held the pill and ss of water as offered her adding, "Eat this."


    "...." Rivia without saying much since everything happened with her until now was already heavenly enough gulped down the pill before drinking the water to swallow it.


    For her, even if she died today then she will have no regrets, Since today was the most beautiful day for her.


    "Alfred, arrange the bath." As Avendial proceeded towards the mansion, servants lined up on either side, bowing their heads in respect. Alfred followed closely behind, nodding in acknowledgment, while several maids quickly scurried ahead to ready the bath.


    ''What was that tablet?'', a maid from the Croceaus state who served the main mansion of the family, peeked with her eyes towards Rivia who was slowly folksy behind as she well aware of this woman''s psychopathic nature.


    "Hey you, follow me." Suddenly halting in her path, Rivia looked at the maid causing her to flinch and slowly raise her head only to see Rivia''s impassive yet cold amethyst eyes looking down on him as she added, "Alfred wants to meet you."


    "Sorry?" Young maid felt confused looking at the woman, trying to understand why the head Butler, who was also her father, will try to meet her when he had just seen him leaving with the Master right now, prompting him to try to understand as inquired, "But Miss, Father¡ªI mean Head Butler didn''t say anything."


    Rivia tilted her head with her eyes observing the maid from head to toe before leaning in near her ears as whispered, "Follow me or I will kill that father of yours."


    GASP

 Chapter 20: 22- Dealing with Rivia(1)

    In a split second, the maid''s face contorted with trembling pupils, turning to lock on Rivia''s impassive and uncaring face. With each step back she took, Rivia''s piercing amethyst gaze never left hers, causing the maid''s lips to tremble as she struggled to speak, "I-I will follow."


    The maid''s fingers clenched her dress as her eyes turned down and her feet lifted to move forward. Fear gripped her as she knew she was in danger, feeling despair due to encountering a side of Rivia Dominic that she rarely saw, amon experience for all the maids.


    Currently, her top priority was to shield her father and persevere through the situation.


    However, as sweat beads started trickling down her forehead and her heart raced, she realized her facade was crumbling.


    The atmosphere was bing chilly, causing even the servants, who were loyal to the main family, to be terrified.


    But nobody dared to say anything or report either Butler or Marquess because of the horrific endings met by two previous maids who had spoken up.


    In the end, it remains the same for those who serve under the nobility, whether in the past or the present.


    Even in the present day, a person of great wealth can end someone''s life without repercussions, due to the ongoing failure of the legal system to hold them responsible, leaving the less privileged to bear the consequences.


    "Miss Rivia, Master is calling you", A voice resounded, creating a distinct ripple of energy that swept through the ce, dispelling the tense atmosphere in an instant. The faces of all the servants, including the maid, lit up with relief, except for Rivia, who remained expressionless for a moment before slowly turning towards the source of the sound.


    "I aming", Rivia shifted away upon catching Alfred signaling for her, ncing over at the maid who turned her gaze to her father.


    "Master was right," Alfred looked towards the direction where he could clearly see a small rabbit with teary eyes and trembling body being looked down upon by a purple panther who finally looked at him before approaching in a predatory manner.


    ''It''s fine.'' Seeing his daughter in such a state, Alfred only nodded to console her weak heart which must have been overwhelmed by Rivia. But knowing the task assigned to him by his master, he focused on aplishing it first.


    "Let''s move." Rivia walked past him, adjusting her tight nurse scrubs that hugged her body, entuating her curves and cleavage. Despite the revealing fit, she didn''t bother adjusting them until after she responded to the call. Her purple hair was tousled by the breeze as she entered the mansion.


    thud


    "Haah...Haaa...." The maid''s legs finally went numb as she fell to the ground, her lips trembling and gasping as she felt her heart stop for a moment. A few maids standing beside her hurried to help and support her.


    ----


    "Why were you threatening my daughter?" Moving with professionalism, Alfred nced at her with cold eyes, yet maintaining a patient demeanor despite seeing the deteriorating mental state of his daughter. He knew he would also be reprimandedter on, but for now, his focus was on addressing the situation with Rivia, who would be first in line tonight.


    "It was a reminder of what might happen if you told anything to Master," Rivia replied in an impassive tone, continuing to walk up the red carpeted staircase in therge hall filled with decorations and guest seating arrangements.


    "Your actions could have harmed Master," Alfred spoke out as they walked up the stairs. He narrowed his gaze and carefully chose his words to convey his meaning subtly but clearly for Rivia to understand.


    "I am sorry," Rivia apologized with a mumble, realizing she may have acted too recklessly today and caused her Master a lot of trouble. But she also added, "If you say anything to him, you will see your daughter in pieces."


    "Fine, but what exactly happened there?" Alfred felt angered inside, but his duty kept him sane enough to focus on his task as he inquired to get more information.


    "....I witnessed a suspicious maid, followed her, caught her in the act of mixing something in a ss of juice, killed her, and¡ª" Rivia started to reveal the exact event that had transpired at the noble gathering where she had to kill the maid. But before Rivia could reveal further, Alfred interrupted.


    "Did you really make Master drink that, knowing it could be poison?" Alfred stopped and red at Rivia, who also stopped after just five steps ahead. His eyes turned cold with clear anger, as he was upset by such foolish behavior from someone who was dedicated to protecting his Master.


    "She said it was an aphrodisiac," Rivia halted, turning her head in Alfred''s direction, who was looking at her with clear dissatisfaction. She further rified, "I drank it."


    "What?" Alfred thought he heard it but felt maybe for a moment he misheard her words, prompting him to inquire once again.


    "I drank that bottle directly to test if it was an aphrodisiac," Rivia revealed with her stoic face, not giving away any emotions now but showing her greediness at that moment when she heard it was an aphrodisiac.


    "Y-you are such an Idio¡ª" Alfred felt his eyes widen as he saw the woman with purple hair who showed no emotion but revealed that she had drunk an unknown liquid that could have killed her.


    "I know, I am an Idiot but..." Rivia averted her gaze, not wanting to reveal her thoughts. She started to walk again, with the words she wanted to say remaining in her mind, ''I could have never had a chance with him.''


    "Do you know why Master is calling for you?" Alfred doesn''t move from his ce as he looks at Rivia, who has already crossed 15 steps ahead of him while not paying attention to his words. His words do confuse her slightly.


    "I will see myself, just don''t forget to ce my sword in my room," she left her words as she took a turn and entered the hallway leading to a single room at the end with her mind drifting to the words of Alfred, thinking ''Did Master call me to reveal about my Synergy issue?''


    Moving towards the hallway, which was empty considering that her Master was present inside the room, she felt something amiss but didn''t care much. She kept taking further steps.


    :: I know, I am an Idiot ::


    Suddenly, a faint voice reached her ears as she reached the door of the room. The voice sounded simr to her own and even repeated the words she had just spoken to Alfred.


    :: I will see myself, just don''t forget to ce my Sword in my room ::


    "No." Suddenly, Rivia''s feet halted as a deep feeling drenched her whole body. Her eyes kept looking towards the door for a moment before her voice, less than a whisper, stammered, "No, it can''t be..."


    Upon realizing that the faint voices echoing inside the hallway were just recordings from a moment ago, the only emotion left lingering was a mix of dread, despair, and fear.


    Her feet slowly moved and started to increase the pace before she sprinted inside the room and pushed the door open with a cry, "NO!"


    Her eyes widened in the dimly lit room as they fell towards a desk where theputer monitor with a small voice receiver was ying the audio she heard a moment ago.


    ::No, it can''t be...::


    It was live, but instead of caring or even thinking about the reason for how it was happening, her whole body appeared numb as she focused on those two blue gazes which, for the first time, appeared disappointed in her. The familiar yet chilling voice from the man sitting on the other side of the desk reverberated inside the room.


    "Do you know your mistake, Rivia?

 Chapter 21: Capter 23- Rivias lies

    A few moments ago.


    Avendial finished tying thest knot on the bandage and calmly stated, "It was my fault that you lost all your Synergy."


    "I don''t understand," Rivia said, still focused on the feeling in her hand. She was slightly taken aback by his words and turned her head to the side, her amethyst pupils reflecting Avendial''s figure, his hair glistening in the moonlighting through the car window.


    "I will tell you everything once we reach the mansion," Avendial nodded, his mind calming as he turned his head forward, relieved to have escaped the cornered situation that would have resulted in a significant loss, as it had in the past.


    He knew it was definitely due to his curse taking effect in thest moment and nullifying all the synergy Rivia had, naturally causing them to have negligible chances of winning but still at the cost of her death, so he escaped.


    Now, he had dealt with the mistake he made and was taking responsibility for his fault.


    He protected her and even dealt with Patric Vrandin.


    But now, it was time for Rivia to take responsibility for what she did.


    Naturally, it was impossible for Avendial to ever believe that being a sword Master, Rivia failed to detect something mixed in his drink when she was apanying him inside the noble gathering.


    He wasn''t sure if it was true, but from the obvious body actions of Rivia ¨C like her racing heartbeat, blush near her ears, and warmth spreading through her body as he touched her ¨C were more than enough proof that she already had feelings for him.


    Considering the number of women she had killed, with all of them having two things inmon: they all tried to get near him and all of those 124 women were somewhat sent by his rivals to get closer to him.


    So, he was not threatened, knowing she only killed those who were harmful, but cautious, knowing how she killed them because they got near him, added with today''s event.


    Surely, he was being excessive in assuming that she deliberately spiked his drink with an Aphrodisiac. However, considering his experience with several infatuated women who had gone to the extent of kidnapping him in the past life, he couldn''t entirely discount the possibility of her doing such a thing.


    ''First, let''s confirm this,'' Avendial turned his gaze toward the nearby sections avable in the car where he took a phone before sending a message to Alfred.


    :: Arrange a contraceptive pill containing a built-in transmitter. ::


    Naturally, in the present day, due to the advancement of technology, diagnosing humans was much easier by feeding them a small nano-bot, small enough to not harm them and easily send the data from within the body with the risk of side effects decreased to 99%.


    Avendial would have still not used such a method knowing how dangerous it could be if the transmitter still had a 1% harmful effect but knowing how easily using her Synergy, Rivia could destroy the transmitter, he decided to yet slide her present situation.


    Synergy was at its absolute minimum on this, with barely a trace of energy to be found enough to be considered not enough to awaken any normal individual.


    ording to the future knowledge Avendial had, he was aware ofplete details regarding Synergy and its property.


    For the vague detail, Synergy was the remnant of energy which starts to leak out and keep increasing in any world where the tower would soon arrive.


    Sequentially, few creatures on that who had very sensitive body, started to adept that energy and see an early awakening even before the Tower could fully manifest but the number remains very negligible.


    Also, the awakend individuals could be considered the weakest of the real awakened who will awaken recently to the tower arrival.


    Indirectly, More Synergy density = Stronger Awakening.


    But among them, there was not an absolute rule that Synergy will always awaken an individual since there were a few cases where some individuals treated the Synergy as a form of fundamental energy like mana, internal energy, etc.


    Simply put, few individuals instead of getting awakened started to use Synergy as a part of their foundation by creating an Energy Core in their body, infusing their muscles with it or even casting magic spells from the Synergy heart.


    Though, Avendial was aware of each of those individuals who had started to use synergy in such a form prior to years before the tower arrival, just like Rivia who was given the title of Dominic Rivia Aurelia by the Emperor for bing only few Sword Masters in the world.


    ''How reckless,'' Avendial nced at the woman seated beside him while her amethyst pupils kept fixed at his hand which held her as he thought about this woman''s stupidity and loyalty enough to endanger herself.


    After engaging in sexual activity with her, he realized he had ejacted inside her multiple times, as she showed no signature of Synergy inside her body.


    But he felt her stupidity from the fact that she used her muscr Synergy to destroy that room, indirectly causing her to be a normal woman without any power.


    Indeed, Rivia used Synergy in three forms: To create Aura Sword, Store Synergy in her Energy Core and finally physically enhance her muscles.


    The process goes like this: her energy core keeps absorbing the small amount of Synergy remnants in the atmosphere. Each drop fills her energy core, which then supplies a minimal amount to her muscle fibers to strengthen them. She preserves most of the energy for any emergency battles, where she will use it as Sword Aura.


    In this way, her body creates a system that efficiently utilizes the limited avable synergy.


    However, because of Avendial''s curse, his bodily fluid nullified the Synergy, instantly depleting all of her reservoirs and Energy core.


    ''Today, she needs to learn a lesson.'' Avendial was determined to punish her in a way that would make her remember never to cross the line and make foolish decisions like she did today.


    Immediately after he ordered the room to be destroyed, she found that shecked the energy to create an Aura sword. She had to draw heavily infused Synergy from her muscle fibers, almost forcibly extracting even the smallest amounts to use in creating an Aura sword.


    This was also the reason why she easily got leg cramps when she fell from that small height - simply because this woman, due to her stupidity, did not have any saved Synergy.


    Above all, extracting Synergy from infused muscles was already something that surpassed the pain a human could endure, but she did it without any difficulty. This is what made him consider her loyal enough to follow his orders without hesitation.


    But ultimately, she was the one who caused all that chaos.


    "Rivia, where is the nket?" Avendial inquired, shifting his gaze towards the car window. A smile graced his lips as he realized that the woman had draped a bed sheet around her and was dressed as a nurse on top of it.


    "I threw it," Rivia said with calm eyes, tantly lying.


    ''Again, she needs to fix this habit,'' Avendial had determined to remove this habit of hers of always lying to him. He doesn''t care in the past since he was simply a businessman and weighed his profit more, but, keeping her beside him while she kept lying was not something he could endure now.

 Chapter 22: 24- Was she wrong?

    Present,


    "Do you know your mistake, Rivia?"


    ::No.::


    "Let''s pause for a moment." Observing the woman standing by the door, Avendial noticed her eyes continuously ncing at the voice receiver on his desk, while her lips were slightly parted as if she wanted to convey something. Without paying attention to her repeated recording, he shut off the device and repeated himself assertively, "Do you know your mistake, Dominic Rivia Aurelia?"


    ''!?!''


    "M-master, I can exin." Rivia was caught off guard when she heard him utter her full name. The emotionless mask on her face started to crack, her eyes widening and lips quivering. Though she extended her hands, she couldn''t move her feet from where they stood.


    "Your actions could have hurt me today, you know?" Avendial looked nkly at her, observing her bodynguage, which he may have forgotten in his long journey, but now showed no ignorance in understanding her mentality towards him.


    Not all humans behave in the same way towards their partner, despite having a strong tendency and obsession. Fictional portrayals may exaggerate these traits, but in reality, human psychology categorizes individuals differently.


    Just like presently, Avendial wanted to observe if Rivia''s obsession for him could reach the limit where she could harm him physically, just like today where she put her interest in having him while not caring for his well-being.


    But after hearing the transmitter, he at least understood that her obsession wasn''t blinding her mind since she first drank poison herself, while trusting her Synergy, which could easily nullify her poison, but after finding it was really an aphrodisiac, she decided to feed it to him.


    And after witnessing her reactions, he was confident that she was not the kind of person who would harm him or want to create a macabre doll out of his dead body, simr to the woman he once worked with in a previous life.


    Yes, he had already dealt with obsessive women who were definitely not someone whom anyone would want to be with.


    Now he just needed to confirm the fact that Rivia would not harm him after being cornered to the point of losing him, after all, one shows their extreme sides when cornered.


    "No! Even at the cost of my life, I wouldn''t have let any harm fall on you, Master!" Rivia instantly replied, as she lifted her feet to move forward, feeling inexplicable from within, knowing that even if she had to die today, she wouldn''t have let anything happen to him.


    "And you think that wouldn''t have hurt me, huh?" Avendial leaned forward with his elbow on the desk, chin resting on palm, keeping his eyes fixed on Rivia, whose body was visibly flinching due to his words.


    "...I-I," Rivia''s feet didn''t move an inch andnded at the spot from where they lifted a moment ago to move forwards, her head turned downward, with a hand reaching her chest as she clenched it near her heart, which was beating uncontrobly.


    Normally, due to her Synergy, she was able to control her emotions, body functions, and even deal with hormonal changes, but somehow she had lost her Synergy today.


    She didn''t know how, but despair gripped her, knowing that if it was permanent, she might be abandoned.


    In the dimly lit room, the finely textured and crafted walls and ceilings couldn''t lighten the atmosphere, as the woman in the room bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window, feeling defeated.


    "I am disappointed in you, Rivia." Avendial closed his eyes and leaned backward, showing his dissatisfaction with her actions, wanting nothing but to see her reaction while also conveying her mistakes.


    drip drip


    In that calm night, where the moonlight was the only source within, tear beads started to make their way out of those amethyst eyes, which had appeared like predators a moment ago but were not able to endure the harsh words, which instead of her ears were directly listened to by her heart.


    Only swirls of thoughts remained inside her:


    She was definitely wrong to do all this, but was it too greedy of her to want to have what she wanted?


    Didn''t he also go as far as to destroy businesses of his rivals just to get into that market?


    So, was she to me if she used the provided opportunity?


    ''It''s wrong," Rivia''s wrist lifted to wipe away her tears, which soon turned into unbearable agony as they streamed down. Her feetcked the strength to approach him, and her voice barely stammered, "P-please, I-I am sorry, Master."


    "....." Avendial stood from his ce and averted his gaze from Rivia, not swaying away due to her tears, which she deserved to have due to the mistakes she made today.


    If seen inside his memories, Rivia and he grew together from the early age of seven or eight after he brought her from the orphanage.


    Due to his interest towards family and responsibility, he focused on always excelling in having profits.


    That day, even as a child, he had seen some profit in bringing this girl home, who was beating some of the boys in the orphanage. He told her that she needed to be strong if she wanted to be close to him.


    He had seen her swinging the wooden sword all night through the window of his room, whose light kept shining all night, as he studied to take responsibility for his family.


    So, there was definitely a connection between both of them.


    But even after knowing all this, this woman decided to take the gamble of her life and endanger it just to sleep with him?


    He was enraged, especially that he had hardly managed to escape the princess'' pce. It was beyond calming, at least for the uing few days until this woman learned her lesson.


    "Prepare the bath." Ignoring Rivia, he nced towards the two maids who stood with their eyes turned down and bodies trembling in fear due to whatever they saw and heard just now, fearing for their lives as they swiftly entered the bathroom upon hearing his voice.


    They had just seen that woman crying and welling like a child, knowing well about her cruelty, they knew if she saw their faces, it would be the end.


    "Yes, it''s prepared, Lord." Both maids entered the bathroom before taking their leave, bowed, and swiftly left the room through the door, which remained wide open, leaving behind only Rivia, whose arms were drenched in tears as she kept clearing them, and Avendial, who without a nce at her, entered the bathroom.

 Chapter 23: 25- Now its Alfreds turn

    ''What should I do with these?'' Avendial pondered as he sank into the bathtub. The lukewarm water enveloped his skin, bringing a bittersweet sensation as he felt the various small injuries scattered across his body. The cold water of theke at the Princess''s pce had concealed the scratches and faint marks, but now they were evident in the warmth of the water.


    At that time, he had jumped into cold water to use it to erase bite marks and nail scratches, rather than simply arriving in the open to distract them. He had covered it up with the bathrobe provided by Lady Margaret.


    ''I will only have ten months this way.'' Avendial slowly rested his head back with his eyes closed as exhaustion took over his body, yet his mind half-slept, thinking about the earlier two months when he would need to awaken two individuals.


    His mind roamed around the thoughts of the time he had in his hands to utilize before a year wasplete from today, and things became even moreplex.


    ''Margaret will take a month and then rest another month.'' Avendial loosened his body to rx from the mental fatigue caused by the decisions he had made to change everything and return to the past at a very great cost.


    The sensation of warm water, the aroma of soap, and rxation slowly caused him to fall asleep while thinking about his second target, who needed to be by his side in the sequence of uing events.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    As the night faded away, giving way to the sun''s rays enveloping the Royal Kingdom in a gentle warmth, Princess Katheria''s pce was not overlooked as they journeyed towards an extravagant white marble mansion, less than a mile from the princess''s residence, highlighting its grandeur.


    The nearer a property or asset was to the princess''s pce, the more value it held, as there was often some emotional or materialistic reason for its proximity.


    Inside one of the rooms of the mansion,


    "Hm...what are you doing here?" Slowly, as morning light filtered in, Avendial''s eyes fluttered open to reveal deep crystalline blue pupils that resembled sapphires,plemented by whitish hair that entuated the overall allure of his face.


    He turned his head to the left, where at a distance, a woman was seated on the floor with her knees folded while her tear-stained amethyst pupils looked downward.


    Feeling a soft sensation on his skin, he realized he was lying on the bed, covered by a nket, and distinctly understood who could have brought him here from the bathroom, as he had fallen asleep there.


    "...I¡ªI am...sorry."


    But instead of getting a proper answer, he only heard some mumbles from Rivia, who kept looking downward with her eyes not meeting his. Tear stains and even nail marks on her hands revealed the self-harm she had caused herself due to thoughts known only to her.


    "Was I asleep in the bathtub?" Avendial could at least guess that much, but he wanted to hear the exact time when she brought him out to determine if his curse had helped her as he had expected.


    "Yes... I brought Master out three hours after entering the bath," Rivia answered, her body exhausted from crying and regretting the mistakes she had made yesterday. She had been seated there all night, reflecting on how much her stress had burdened her master.


    It was evident that she noticed him not leaving the bathroom for more than an hour, but as time passed, her anxiety grew about him potentially acting out of anger towards her.


    Even knowing his anger toward her, she still decided to go inside, aware that she could even get herself thrown out of the Croceaus family. She felt anxious and held on until she finally entered the bathroom three hourster.


    "Did you carry me yourself or pull me?" Avendial nced at the woman whose messed-up purple hair, dark-circled eyes, and small injury marks near her nails revealed her state.


    ''So, she didn''t regain her regeneration,'' he thought. But ignoring all this, he analyzed how her wound hadn''t healed yet. He needed to understand if his curse was working as it usually did in his past life to utilize it to his advantage.


    "F-For forgive me, Master, I carried you out of the bathtub." Rivia flinched after hearing his words, which seemed to show dissatisfaction since she had already created so much trouble. Still, she tried to touch him, but she didn''t regret this after knowing how fatal it could have been to leave him inside the bathtub.


    ''Hm, but she got her physical strength back.'' Avendial''s face formed a smile as he turned his eyes toward the ceiling, feeling satisfied about the simrity of his curse''s effectiveness from his past life, assuring him.


    To be exact, his first curse could be considered a poison for Synergy, which is the basis of anyone''s strength, making him disabled in the sense of Empyreals.


    Simply put, his body could repel the energy, but not the byproducts of it, meaning he can''t nullify some attacks made using Synergy, proving that the curse doesn''t have any advantage except making him a discarded, unfavored one.


    However, in his journey on the initial floors, he had survived by using his own body as a weapon. This means that if he used a knife to cut a small mark on an Empyreal andced it with his own blood, what would happen?


    Of course, it would nullify the Synergy of that Empyreal, making them the same as a normal human.


    Though it may appear easy for Avendial to guess this, ording to his memories, which are still vivid.


    On 24th October 2032, he saw a rampaging Empyreal on the third floor who killed everyone: all the Croceaus Loyal Soldiers, Alfred, and finally half-killed Avendial. With his bloodied hand, Avendial stabbed that Empyreal.


    That was the day he came to know about his body''s ability to neutralize an Empyreal.


    Though he didn''t know if it was a boon or a curse, today, lying on the bed and looking at the ceiling on January 14, 2031, he knew it was a curse.


    "Do you know what you did, Rivia?" Not turning his head while calming himself due to the memories that shouldn''t have resurfaced once again filled his mind, he inquired as he prepared to handle this woman.


    "I...I am...sorry," Rivia clenched her fist, her eyes heavy and burning from being opened without blinking all night. Yet, hearing his words once again reminded her of her mistake as she pleaded in a tone less than a whisper.


    "Go and prepare to meet the Princess and send for Alfred," Avendial ordered as he listened to her stand up and felt the sound gathering as she turned towards the door, where she had just left without looking back at him.


    He knew she felt guilty, but guilt could never guarantee absolution and shouldn''t be granted to someone without allowing them to see the consequences and feel gratitude for being forgiven.

 Chapter 24: 26- Cunning Alfred

    ''It will take a week for her to recoverpletely,'' Avendial thought as he stood and gazed at the bed, analyzing the time it would take Rivia to regain her usual strength.


    Of course, he wasn''t going to let this opportunity slip away and have her heal slowly over a long period.


    Instead, he would help her boost her strength in a very painful manner. Rather than being angry with her and wasting most of the time, he would prefer to focus on gaining an advantage on the early floors of the tower.


    In the end, one needs to be alive to at least y the game of anger.


    He needed to increase the amount or capacity of synergy her vessel was able to hold, and to do so, his curse could be used as an advantage.


    In simple terms, if one creates a vacuum inside a small chamber ced in the air, then, if we ignore atmospheric pressure instantly destroying the vessel, it is feasible that the air will try to fill the gap. While doing so, if the amount of airing in is much stronger, it will likely push the inner walls of the vessel and slightly increase its volume.


    Though materialistically it isn''t always possible¡ªgiven that the vessel must be strong enough to withstand pressure¡ªthis is not the case with the energy core of someone like Rivia.


    Avendial''s curse had removed all the synergy from her body, and clearly, the outside synergy would try to fill it up again. However, due to scarcity, this process would take a long time and would not cause an expansion of her energy core.


    For this reason, Avendial opted to utilize synergy boosters¡ªan unstable and yet-to-be-sessful experiment¡ªto give her an abrupt surge of synergy and aggressively erge her core.


    It would be as painful as dying, which was why he had chosen to organize the sequence and figure out whether to boost her energy core now or allow her some months of recovery before going through yesterday''s procedure again to rejuvenate her energy.


    ''She should be in one of the free city,'' Avendial got off the bed and made his way to the nearby dresser, where he selected a white silk shirt and ck pants. While he changed, he reflected on his primary target, the one who needed to be brought down to facilitate his approach to Margaret or anyone else.


    Naturally, Avendial was not poised to awaken any semnce of power akin to that of his former life. Given that he had yet to trigger his fourth curse, which had somewhat granted him strength but at a significant cost, right now, he was merely a weakling susceptible to being easily killed, with no ability to fight back.


    In his past existence, he endured by giving up everything; today, instead of sacrificing himself or giving up on things, he would probably choose to push others into apromise.


    So, his first priority was to have as many future awakeners known as Empyreals in his team or the Evolvers, individuals like Sword Masters, Archmages, etc., who were able to utilize synergy.


    At the moment, he had just a year to work with, and even if he attempted to leverage his wealth and knowledge to gather all the awakeners, searching for them across the globe solely based on his memories¡ªsince he had only seen them in person and not where they might currently be¡ªwas an impossible task.


    Hence, he needed an awakener who possessed the ability to precisely locate others.


    "Master, have you called for me?" Upon entering the room, Alfred inclined his head in a bow before lifting his eyes to face Avendial, who was seated in a chair, donned in a ck suit over a white silk shirt and wearing ck boot shoes.


    "Tell me, Alfred, is it worse to be the person whomits a crime or the one who hides it?" Avendial raised his gaze, coldly fixing his eyes on Alfred, whose eyes widened in surprise before settling into eptance, anticipating that the time for his punishment for mistakes had finally arrived.


    "To be the person who hides it, Master," Alfred replied, cing his white-gloved hand on his chest with eyes closed and his face turned down in a professional stance.


    "Why?" Avendial, donning the shoes, approached the drawer and opened it to uncover an array of premium watches. Inside, there were timeless stainless steel chronographs, sophisticated gold dress timepieces adorned with leather bands, sleek minimalist watches featuring pristine dials, and several contemporary smartwatches showcasing stylish digital interfaces.


    "Because due to his actions, the perpetrator will be motivated tomit more crimes without fear of being caught," Alfred replied, fully aware that by remaining silent after witnessing a crime, the observer bes a more significant criminal, as their inaction only encourages the perpetrator to continuemitting offenses without the fear of getting caught.


    "Anything you have to say in your favor?" Avendial nced at him with cold eyes as he wore a blue-dialed Rolex, with silver stripes appearing the same as the color of his hair and eyes.


    "No, I am guilty, Master." Alfred would have exined how he managed everything after realizing that his Master was often preupied with work, and that sharing information could have diverted his Master''s attention.


    Consequently, he took it upon himself to handle Rivia''s behavior while firmly banning her from harming any innocents, even though he was aware that he was concealing this and was an aplice in her crimes.


    "Decide your punishment, Alfred." Avendial slowly moved towards him before passing by and arriving near the door as he waited for Alfred''s judgment for his own actions.


    "Master, given that Miss Rivia is your bodyguard and had eliminated those 124 women to shield you from danger, her sole transgression should be the mistake made today, which deserves a lighter reprimand. I was not informed of today''s happenings in advance, so I too should be forgiven, and she should receive some leniency given it was her first mistake," Alfred replied while keeping his head bowed.


    "Tch, you are an old sly fox, Alfred, siding with Rivia now that it hase to you." Avendial felt amused seeing how this old man had notest night to help Rivia but when it came to his punishment, he gave a more logical excuse to escape his wrongdoings.


    "Thank you for thepliment, Master," Alfred responded once more, interpreting the words as apliment. He had been thinking about how he ought to be punished, but since he had a daughter, he believed that as a father, he shouldn''t face consequences.


    Of course, being a proficient butler, he should have to prove his worth.


    "Now tell me, what is the most valuable thing in this world from a materialistic perspective?" Avendial came out of the door while Alfred also followed behind with his fingers on his chin as he thought of the answer to his master, while Avendial felt finally some peace after returning back and wanting to have some riddle time with this guy.


    A person moving forward in his life leaves behind several moments, which be hollow parts in his memories. Trying to fill them up, he misses those moments; among them was the time when Avendial used to always ask riddles to this old man.


    "Master, if I suppose here ''world'' refers to our, then it would be gold, diamond, or rare metals, but if ''world'' here refers to this universe, then without a doubt it would be wood." Alfred thought calmly about the obvious answers which could be rare metals and valuable minerals, but how valuable a thing is depends on its avability.


    For example, for a country with too much water, they wouldn''t find it valuable, but on the other side, for a country which doesn''t have such resources, it would be extremely valuable.


    And, Alfred knew from the fact that, materialistically until today, dated as 2031, humans have already reached thest of this sr system and have sent satellites to the end of the gxy we are in but have always founds with liquid diamond or asteroids made of gold, but they have never once found wood.


    Wood is only found on Earth, which is presently where they are. So, it is most valuable if seen from the perspective of rarity in the universe.


    ''Finally,'' Avendial halted, feeling nostalgia of arriving back and talking with someone who had answers for his question, causing a smile to form. As he gave side eyes to Alfred, he announced, "I have decided your punishment, Alfred; let us impose some mentalbor on you."


    "Surely, you jest, my Lord." Alfred halted in his path and gave a nk look that seemed to neglect what he had just heard.


    "Absolutely not, you can count on it." Avendial shrugged his shoulder as he turned from the hallway towards the staircase, leaving Alfred standing there with only one thing written on his old face.


    ''Fuck''

 Chapter 25: 27 - Two Theories

    Passing through the staircase was a line of servants and maids who had prepared for the man slowly descending to leave for the princess''s pce. All of them, in a professional manner, kept their heads lowered, including a purple-haired woman who, unlike usual, also kept her head down.


    "Act as you normally do," Avendial said, dressed in a ck suit and ck boots, while his silver hair fluttered as his blue eyes nced toward Rivia, who stood with an exhausted expression. Her eyes, due to her ability, were vibrant; yet internally, she was overwhelmed by all the events that had urred the previous night.


    Her body felt mostly exhausted, but after freshening up, she appeared well enough as usual thanks to her  Synergy rejuvenating her body. Still, it wasn''t enough to calm the damage to her mind, which was filled with guilt and sorrow. Prompted by the man''s voice, she lifted her head defiantly. "I understand, Master."


    Avendial ignored her as sheposed herself, wearing an impassive look, though her amethyst eyes still showed signs of her overwhelmed mental state, filled with guilt umted from the previous night¡ªonly noticeable to those who knew her, for to strangers she appearedpletely fine.


    As Avendial stepped outside, he began to button his suit while casting a nce towards the maids lined up nearby. He paused a short distance away and focused on one particr maid before saying, "You and Alfred, return to the estate and organize all the records and documents concerning Croceaus'' assets. It must bepleted before I reach the estate."


    "Y-yes?" The maid hesitated for a moment, her surprise evident, before stealing a look at her father, who stood behind the Marquess, exuding professionalism in his role as a butler. He stepped forward to assist his daughter, adding, "It will be taken care of, Master. Wishing you a safe journey."


    Alfred understood that the primary reason the Marquess entrusted his daughter with tasks was that he and she had distinct roles. While Alfred focused on business documentation and the external affairs of the Croceaus family, the responsibility for the Marquess''s wardrobe choices, personal preferences, and the interior decoration of the Croceaus mansion fell to his daughter.


    This division ofbor made it reasonable for the Marquess to assign her the job of gathering details about all the valuable assets in his possession, ranging from watches worth millions of imperial crowns to cards and decorative items.


    The Marquess had a well-defined practice of keeping his personal and business expenses distinct, ensuring a clear separation to preserve equilibrium between the two. This approach was the reason Alfred and his daughter had delineated their responsibilities.


    In summary, both were obligated to present asset value reports to Marquess. Alfred''s role involved collecting all assets associated with Croceaus businesses, whereas her daughter would handle the reports rted to the mansion and personal belongings.


    "Follow me, Rivia" Avendial instructed the woman, who almost certainly would have mistakenly interpreted his orders meant for Alfred as her own, leading her to depart for Thaloris. However, he took the time to rify and emphasize that she should stay by his side.


    As he spoke, her head, which had been lowered in an attempt to appear calm and indifferent, lifted slightly, still maintaining her aloof demeanor while she followed closely behind, her grip tightening around the sword she clutched.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Located a considerable distance from Princess Katheria''s estate, which could be deemed her territory,y the expansive domain of Prince Orion.


    This area featured distinct amenities, ranging from medical facilities to various hospitals, hotels and airports, mirroring the resources found among all the royal heirs.


    The morning sunlight cast a warm radiance over the entire expanse, illuminating the immense mansion situated at the heart of the estate. This was essible through the grand golden metal gates, where numerous soldiers stood vignt.


    From one of the windows, a faint sound could be detected, barely audible to anyone outside, save for those present in that particr room.


    At a clear height of two stories, the outside wall of the mansion where that particr window gleamed with white marble. Moving inside, there was a bed in the corner of a room that appeared to be an office, with a desk in the middle and books on one side, while on the other side was a king-sized bed.


    pah pah pah


    Squelch Squelch


    "Ahn~? Uhnggh~!! Y..u...Haa...Haa High¡ªHNGHH~?!"


    Squirt


    On the bedy a woman, her naked body on disy, legs bent and hips elevated, with her face pressed into a white pillow that she clutched tightly. Her lips left a red mark on the pillow as she maintained her position while a man of average build leaned forward, aligning his dick at her rosebud level, kept thrusting and pounding her, ignoring the trickling sweat from his forehead.


    "It appears the fact was true; your hole is loosened", Prince Orion lifted his eyelid to see the sight of the trembling and exhausted woman''s curvy back, who had been getting her rosebud withered all night, and he finally satisfied his curiosity about knowing a fact he had theoretically understood but was now clear.


    "Ahn~? Haah....Haah... Wh-what theory, Your Highness?", Neha Vrandin questioned, as she feltpletely drained from the relentless energy of the man who had been pounding her throughout the night. Aware of the benefits he offered her, she fought to keep her consciousness in check, refusing to sumb to exhaustion.


    "Exactly, there are two theories to be exact," Orion rified as he slowly retreated, causing his shaft to graduallye out of the hole, which, unlike the tiny sight from a few hours ago, was now stretched to a certain degree, revealing the thickness of the hole.


    He continued, "The first theory is about how, due to not being made for sexual activities, anal muscles are not as stretchable, making them regain their shape slower and leaving a sign of pration if done in the long run, unlike vaginal muscles."


    badump


    Neha''s heart thumped the moment she heard his words, feeling shame at being treated as a guinea pig for his experiments. But already knowing the personality of Prince Orion, which leaned more towards learning, she buried her face tightly in the pillow.


    ''?!''


    But suddenly her eyes widened the moment she felt his fingernding on her vagina, which waspletely wet, instinctively causing her fingers to tightly clutch the pillow in her hand before she heard further from Prince, "The second theory suggested that a majority of women can still have orgasms from anal sex.


    It now seems to be true based on the reactions I observed from maids and a few noblewomen."


    ''...Who?'' At that moment, hearing how she wasn''t the first to have gone through this, Neha wanted to inquire about the names of other noblewomen to use it against them, but knowing her limitations, she remained quiet.


    Orion stood from the bed, leaving the woman as he made his way towards the desk before he started to wear his clothes, keeping his eyes closed as he buttoned his shirt and ignoring his erect dick, which hadn''t ejacted even once from all night. He wore his pants, adding, "You may leave, Miss Vrandin, and you can expect to hear good news about your brother''s death in a few hours."


    "Th-thank you, Y-your highness," the woman hardly stood while holding her waist due to pain, but prioritizing the hierarchical position desired, she buried her pain down as she stood, before dressing herself up.


    Even though inwardly she felt her self-esteem hit bottom, knowing how she wasn''t even able to make the prince cum even once.

 Chapter 26: 28- Mere Pawns

    ''Six hours?'' Prince Orion thought, slumping in his chair as he tousled his hair with his characteristic closed eyes. One hand drummed against the table as he sensed the control he had been holding onto slipping away, feeling a moistness in his crotch area from the ejaction he had experienced just now.


    Since the previous night, he had battled to maintain dominance over his body while striving to strengthen his mental fortitude against his physical urges.


    With sheer willpower, he had sessfully resisted the urge to ejacte for an entire six hours, but the consequences were bing painfully evident now.


    ''''Is anyone there?'''' Prince Orion asked, tilting his closed eyes toward the door, which swung open to reveal a maid stepping inside, her cheeks flushed from the muffled sounds she had endured all night while stationed just outside.


    ''''Yes, Your Highness. How may I assist you?'''' the maid replied, lowering her gaze. Memories of her own experiences, having been simrly treated by Prince Orion like that noblewoman, flooded her mind, making it challenging to mask her difort, especially with her back still sore from a long day that hadpelled her to take leave.


    Yet, her slight unease lingered. Unbeknownst to her, she recognized the prince''s dedication to his studies and business acumen, often neglecting opportunities for romantic encounters. It seemed he was finally exploring his sexual desires upon turning 23.


    Although his approach was unconventional¡ªrather than merely yielding to his instincts and acting on impulse¡ªhe exhibited a growing awareness, learning about his body''s responses, how far they could go, and what results he could derive from a phenomenon called sex.


    Having served as his maid for over five years, she had observed this shift in him, noticing his reading habits of various explicit texts over the past months and verifying those lessons through personal experience. Throughout this, he retained his princely facade, never lowering himself to a degree that could expose any weaknesses.


    Thus, the women he bedded were primarily trustworthy maids or shrewd noblewomen who were easily manipted to meet his desires.


    "Call the doctors," Orionmanded as he opened a document before starting to go through it.


    ''''...I will do so immediately,'''' the maid replied, startled by his urgent request. She yearned to ask why he needed a doctor but held her tongue, acutely aware of her position as a mere maid, despite her long tenure at his side.


    It seemed Orion had picked up on her unvoiced concerns, borating, ''''Inform him that my overexertion has resulted in severe prostate pain. Also, mention that I suspect some damage to my pelvic muscles.''''


    ''?!''


    "What!? Your Highness, are you alright? I''ll fetch the doctors immediately!" The maid was shocked and attempted to approach, her eyes wide with concern, but she paused before darting down the hallway.


    After hearing Prince Orion describe his difort and pain, her feet hurried along, fully aware that he maintained an extraordinary grip on his emotions, which made her understand that his suffering must be truly severe, despite his seeminglyposed demeanor.


    As she ran, she found it difficult to grasp the mindset of these Royal Heirs, who seemed so fundamentally different from others. For instance, their disregard for harming one another, despite being bound by blood, perplexed her.


    Furthermore, their relentless pursuit of self-gain, even at the expense of their own well-being, left her bewildered.


    Just now, Prince Orion had injured himself while seeking something that only brought pleasure and satisfaction to others.


    This made her recall the saying: troublesome people will find pain even in the ocean of healing potion.


    ---


    ''The Marquess will not sit idle,'' seated while looking towards the document on the table, Prince Orion thought about the possibility of the retaliation shown by Marquess Avendial due to the effect of what might have happened to him at the hands of Patric Vrandin.


    And considering how it would not be hard for Princess Katheria to learn about his name, Prince Orion had already epted the fact that most likely the princess would reveal him as being behind all this to Marquess, leading all future paths to getting the Marquess on his side cut off.


    Though it was a loss, Prince Orion had taken this action after knowing how the Marquess wasn''t on his side to begin with.


    And given that the prince has the support of a duke, it was simple for him not to prioritize entertaining Marcus Croceaus.


    ''The princess will most likely ask forpensation,'' the only thing remaining in Prince Orion''s mind was the bargain that Princess Katheria would make with Marcus Avendial in exchange for information about the royal heir who was behind all this.


    This somehow prompted him to consider a slight risk, knowing that if thepensation turned out to berger than expected, it could lead to other noblemen stumbling in Princess'' side.


    After all, in the end, everyone wanted to make a profit and earn, and the sheer presence of the world''s richest man at Princess Katheria''s side had already proven this fact.


    ''1 billion could be the limit,'' As he rxed in his chair, Prince Orion reflected on the situation, realizing that since the Marquess had avoided any losses this time, it was likely that the negotiation amount would be close to a billion Imperial crowns.


    This was to be expected, as the Marquess was a shrewd businessman, and Princess Katheria was wise enough to recognize the importance of preserving their rtionship for the future.


    With that, he closed the document, leaning forward, his left hand cradling his chin in thought. He had finally resolved matters with the Vrandins and their kin.


    He recognized that, despite acquiring the information, Marquess would be unable to take significant action, and the princess posed no real threat to him, as he had already secured more noble alliespared to Princess Katheria.


    Everything was proceeding exactly as Orion had nned.


    In conclusion, the Marquess would likely provide a sum of money, around a few billion at most, to get information about him being behind the aphrodisiac ident.


    With no proper evidence, since Patric Vrandin would most likely already be dead, no one would believe his words, allowing him to leave unscathed from all this drama while getting support of one more noble family: the Vrandin family.


    With this, in this small chess game, Orion had captured another pir called Vrandins while sacrificing pawns like Marquess Croceaus and Princess Katheria Arinphiam.


    He will incur no losses and remain the one who will hold both of these individuals in his palm, particrly Marquess Croceaus, who is expected to shoulder the majority of the losses and y the way he wants him to.


    ''It''s pity but Marquess, I would be busy for few days'', Orion stood from his ce the moment heard the footsteps approaching his room, appearing to the doctors who have swiftly arrived. He stood as moved towards his bed while knowing how he will rest for few days while letting side pawns y their games.


    "Doctor! Here!" Maids and doctors finally entered the room before the treatmentmenced, while the news of this was sealed within the walls of the pce of Prince Orion Arinphiam.

 Chapter 27: 29- Arrival at the Palace (1)

    In front of Princess Katheria Arinphiam''s pce, a line of luxury cars had just pulled up, their tires leaving a streak of rubber on the meticulously maintained asphalt.


    The grounds surrounding the pce were well-kept, with lush grass and blooming flowers adding to the pristine atmosphere.


    Nearby, a massive metal gate stood tall, while a line of servants awaited, with two figures at the forefront dressed in contrasting white and ck assassin robes.


    The atmosphere was thick with tension as all the servants kept their heads bowed, maintaining a professional stance.


    Dozens of maids in formal attire stood with expressionless faces, while the two individuals at the front exuded a chaotic energy, their presence seemingly expanding and distorting the air around them, creating a hazy aura that hinted at their formidable strength.


    Although the energy felt neither dangerous nor disturbing, anyone watching could instantly tell that these two people were a recipe for disaster. Their pupils were hardly noticeable as they mirrored the opulent Rolls-Royce limousine that had just swung its door open. A boot appeared first, signaling the arrival of a man from the vehicle.


    "Isn''t it charming how the people who were ''protecting'' me just yesterday are now weing me?," a firm voice erupted from the man who had just exited the car, adjusting his suit before buttoning it.


    As he casually tucked one hand into his pant pocket, he cast a nce at the two of them standing just a few steps ahead, his deep blue eyes momentarily obscured by the fluttering strands of his silver hair.


    ''....'' The two Empyreals quickly understood that Marquess''ment wasced with sarcasm, highlighting that even their status as Empyreals did not ensure his safetyst night.


    "I apologize for the inconvenience, Marquess," One of the robed men stepped forward, approaching Avendial with an air of calm confidence. Despite having heard the Marquess''sment, he maintained his cool demeanor until he caught sight of a figure getting out of the car.


    ''...Rivia Dominic Aurelia'' His gaze shifted to a woman emerging from behind Avendial, his eyes narrowing as he recognized her as the sword master.


    In contrast to Empyreals, who awakened as a result of Synergy, Evolvers had the ability to harness and shape that energy ording to their desires.


    In simple terms, Empyreals were people who activated a medium known as their ability, which allowed them to synthesize Synergy into a specific ss, either offensive or defensive. Although there were several known sses, only the attack and defense ones were recognized at this time.


    In contrast, Evolvers do not rely on an ability as a medium to utilize or synthesize Synergy in their respective domains; instead, their bodies serve as a direct medium for synthesizing it.


    Empyreals were confined to a predetermined realm of abilities¡ªeither offensive or defensive¡ªdemonstrating their limitations. In contrast, Evolvers could utilize Synergy in a versatile manner, applying it offensively, defensively, or in a hybrid approach.


    On the other hand, it is also urate to say that the awakened individuals had the capacity to fully utilize their abilities to its maximum strength from the moment they awakened them. Each ability granted something truly otherworldly¡ªcapabilities that no ordinary Evolver could achieve without the expertise to master Synergy.


    For instance, powers such as resurrection, regeneration, necromancy, and space maniption could be effortlessly wielded by an Empyreal. In contrast, for an Evolver, a deep understanding of how to attain such output was essential.


    Each of them possesses distinct advantages and drawbacks, but it is evident that both Empyreals and Evolvers surpass ordinary humans in power.


    Although they differ in many ways, an unspoken tension and a touch of hostility lingered between them, highlighted by the prating gaze the robed man cast upon the purple-haired woman standing behind Marquess Avendial Croceus.


    Both experienced jealousy toward each other, but the Empyreals from the royal family of the Arinphiam Empire harbored a profound hatred. This stemmed from the fact that they had to endure rigorous trials to awaken their abilities, unlike Evolvers such as the sword master Rivia, who was naturally endowed with a body blessed by Synergy, allowing her unprecedented growth.


    In the end, leveling up one''s abilities is virtually unattainable for an Empyreal, which keeps them stuck at the beginning phase of their awakened talent with no possibility of a second awakening.


    However, an Evolver can engage in training, learning, and self-improvement to surpass them, just like the Evolver in front of them.


    "I regret telling Rivia to rest and putting my faith in someone else''s failed expertise." As Avendial passed by the Empyreals, he noticed their stolen nces at Rivia, their faces betraying a tumult of emotions hidden beneath their assassin robes, as contracting pupils showed their animosity. He couldn''t resist the temptation to gaslight them.


    Avendial advanced with Rivia trailing closely as the Empyreals shifted their focus to pursue them while keeping an impassive demeanor.


    ''Mentally stronger ones'', As Avendial''s gaze stayed locked on the path before him, his mind registered the remarkable mental fortitude of both individuals, who remained unprovoked and gave no telltale signs, clearly indicating their potential.


    But in the end, neither of them was a threat at this moment, especially since they were bound to their Master. Furthermore, Rivia had enough strength to take on Sebastian, who was, in fact, the second most powerful Empyreal within the royal family¡ªa secret known to no one.


    Since there wasn''t any leakage of information about any Empyreals, no one was aware of the rankings.


    But for Avendial, who hailed from the future, his knowledge was keeping him ahead and making it easier for him to read things, such as how these Empyreals were showing hatred toward Rivia, not just ncing at her out of suspicion or something.


    "This way, Marquess," stepping forward, one of the Empyreals approached, offering a greeting and a hand gesture to indicate that others should follow him into the hallway that led through a path Avendial found distinctly familiar.


    ''Not unexpected, Princess,'' as Avendial walked down the hallway, he realized that he was headed towards the room that Rivia had destroyed the previous night.


    Considering that the room had been set up for this meeting, it suggested that efforts had been made to restore it in order to maintain the Princess''s reputation, something that wasn''t unexpected from her.


    While walking down the hallway, Avendial encountered several maids who greeted him, mostly those stationed at the corners of his route, while the remaining ones stayed at a far corner near the room he was heading towards.


    "Princess, Sir Marquess has arrived," as Avendial apanied by Rivia arrived outside the room, a few maids informed the woman as Avendial came forward before looking inside the room as the door slowly swung open.


    The scene that greeted Avendial resembled his recollections of the previous night; the room looked much like it had before. The only notable difference was a set of two chairs and a table positioned by the window, with a figure upying one of those chairs.


    "Greetings, Princess," Avendial, with a gentle bow, acknowledged the woman upying the chair. She was d in a gown adorned with yellowish details, crafted from a delicate thin fabric that exuded a regal essence befitting a royal heir, while still offering an air offort.


    The morning sun gently caressed Princess Katheria''s face, illuminating her features and reflecting in her eyes like the golden rays above. With a look that revealed little, she turned her gaze towards Avendial, her fingers gracefully tracing the curve of a delicate teacup. The princess calmly spoke, "Good morning, Marquess. I hope you are feeling better after the poison''s aftermath."

 Chapter 28: 30- Arrival at the Palace (2)

    "It was truly surprising, considering everything had been set up by the princess, but for now, I feel okay." Upon hearing the princess speak of poison as her first remark upon his arrival, Avendial recognized her wordy, knowing she wanted to convey that she was aware he wasn''t truly poisoned.


    Yet, instead of admitting his loss, he charged her with neglecting to secure his safety from being poisoned.


    After all, if others want to embarrass you, then you just need to be shameless.


    ''...this'', The princess''s fingers quivered slightly as they halted their movement along the cup, her gaze fixed on Avendial, who stared back at her while reciprocating her impassive look. His eyes conveyed a clear message: he was not ready to concede defeat. This realization made her reluctant to engage in this endless cycle, prompting her to add further, "Please have a seat, Marquess."


    "Thank you, Princess." Avendial walked up to the table and settled into the chair, with Rivia following closely behind. She held the sword in one hand, its sheath at her side, and her gaze remained directed ahead. Without offering a greeting, she positioned herself behind Avendial, standing quietly.


    "...Apologies for her behavior, Princess." As the princess cast a nce toward Rivia, Avendial recognized her likely intention to ask about her absence the night before. To divert the discussion, he brought up how Rivia hadn''t acknowledged the princess and how displeased she seemed about it.


    "No, it''s fine. It''s not Miss Rivia''s first time." With an elegant posture, Princess Katheria gracefully raised the teacup to her lips, taking a sip with her eyes closed, exuding a calm and serene presence.


    ''She is just jealous of you, Princess'', Avendial shook his head and reached for a cup, recalling how Rivia used to never greet princess during their encounters.


    In the past, he wasn''t sure why she had acted that way, but knowing now about her obsession with him, it was clear that Rivia was probably envious of the princess who was betrothed to him.


    Considering her royal status, Rivia never ventured beyond the boundaries to cause her any harm. Moreover, even if she made an effort, it was unlikely that she could actually harm Princess Katheria Arinphiam.


    After all, Princess Katheria was an Empyreal.


    ''How amusing'', Avendial mused as he sat opposite the woman who exuded both elegance andposure. He couldn''t shake the image of her as a princess once deemed the most delicate. Yet, with the rise of the tower, she evolved into a figure recognized as the strongest Royal, undeniably revealing that she was, indeed, an Empyreal.


    "Princess, have you gotten everything out of Patric Vrandin''s mouth?" Avendial set the cup down on the table and leaned back slightly, his folded hands resting as he gazed at the woman. Her body radiated a captivating glow, not from any external source, but from her wless milky skin and striking beauty, giving no hint of her mind and heart being so strong.


    In this moment, he realized just how vital an information could be.


    The secret of Princess Katheria being an Empyreal was known only to the Emperor. Since there was no record of this information, he could only envision it as a ndestine awakening.


    Yet, out of all the feelings swirling inside him, the one that stood out was respect for her. He admired this woman for her fierce mind and heart, both of which were tough enough to endure that nightmarish process the royal family put everyone through to awaken them.


    Indeed, the method that the royal family used to awaken individuals was a secret known only to Avendial, who regressed back from the future.


    It was an unstable process with a sess rate of 0.001%.


    To understand it better, one might consider that out of 100,000 individuals, a single awakening urred, while 99,999 individuals died gruesome, heart-wrenching deaths.


    In reality, the hands of the Arinphiam Empire were stained with the blood of over a billion people throughout the centuries of its foundation.


    "Indeed, a royal heir was involved in this." With a sip of her drink, Princess Katheria looked towards Avendial, catching the steady gaze of his deep eyes upon her. Closing her eyes again, she felt no surprise, seeing his unwavering confidence in her ability to have made Patric admit to his crime.


    "I see," Avendial nodded, turned his gaze towards the window, which was the same one from where both he and Rivia had escapedst night. Observing the calm breeze and the morning rays, he ced one of his hands in his pocket and took out his phone, adding, "Princess, how about we make a very big deal instead of these smaller ones?"


    Without a moment''s pause, Avendial understood that the princess kept the royal heir''s identity secret to serve her interests. Aiming to prove his sincerity through a negotiation, he swiftly introduced the vital deal he had to secure today.


    He wasn''t displeased observing her silence for some personal gain from disclosing that information, fully aware that in elite society, offering help without anticipating rewards would be na?ve, as everyone is merely biding their time to take advantage of one another.


    Given that Princess Katheria held the weakest position among the princesses, her situationcked bnce but was maintainedrgely due to her personal abilities and her identity as an Empyreal.


    In fact, both of Princess Katheria''s Empyreals were of the attack type, whereas she herself was geared towards defense.


    She had the ability to cast protective shields on others too, as demonstrated duringst night''s test when Alfredunched an assault on one of her Empyreals. Whose body was enveloped in a protective aura, leading Alfred to mistakenly believe that the Empyreal possessed defensive capabilities when it was the princess who had cast that defense on him.


    "And what might that be?" cing her teacup, she nced towards Avendial, slightly curious to know the deal which the Marquess himself found significant.


    Avendial offered a faint smile, closing his eyes as he expressed, "It''s simple: I wish the Princess could overlook my actions for a year." That was the key to what he truly desired¡ªfreedom.


    "...and what might those actions be?" Princess Katheria felt a hint of confusion upon hearing Avendial''s words. She hadn''t ced any restrictions on him, after all.


    They weren''t married for her to restrict him from doing particr things, and she couldn''t see how her overlooking his actions was significant. It left her unable to fathom his perspective.


    After all, she wasn''t keeping an eye on him, so it was clear that he could do whatever he wanted, whether in secret or openly.


    "Let''s see," Avendial said, slightly nodding as he exhaled before continuing, "actions like sleeping around?"


    "...Apologies, but what do you mean by ''sleeping around''?" Though Katheria understood the literal meaning of this, she doubted that someone like Avendial would request such a thing. So, she tried to reconfirm exactly what he wanted and rify things without creating any misunderstandings.


    ''They willl not kill me, right?'' Feeling the intensity of two pairs of eyes¡ªone yellow pair positioned before him and another amethyst pair from behind¡ªAvendial kept his expression stoic as he articted the key deal he sought to establish with the princess.


    "What I mean to say is that I would appreciate it if the princess could overlook my one-night stands and casual rtionships with various women and not view them as treason for this year."

 Chapter 29: 31 - Transactional Marriage

    ".....I see," the princess, after listening to the Marquess''s words, cast a fleeting nce in his direction before blinking and turning her gaze away from him. She then picked up her cup of tea with her fingers, took another sip, and ced it back on the table, saying, "Marquess, it seems you''re still in the mood for some jest with me."


    ''Women? What is Master saying? Is it because of me?'' With Rivia standing just behind him, she gripped her sword more firmly, stealing a nce at the Marquess from their distinct positions. His silver hair drew her attention, peeking out above his brows while his blue eyes stayed locked on the princess.


    Meanwhile, Rivia''s thoughts raced, pondering why her Master would say such a thing, suspecting it must have something to do with her.


    While doing her preparations to impress him, she had gone through hundreds of books about romance and novels. While reading, she came across a book that mentioned that if a virgin man ever tasted the fruit of intimacy, he would be addicted to it and could never return to his pure self.


    ''It was true,'' Rivia, staring at Avendial, feltpletely certain that her thoughts were correct. At this moment, it appeared that her quick actions may have resulted in a considerable problem, causing her master to fall into corruption and a path of carnal desires.


    ''What should I do now?'' With a fleeting nce at the princess who had just voiced her thoughts, Rivia''s mind struggled to devise an answer to the pressing issue. However, the only thought that upied her was the need to save her master.


    ''It seems I will need to quench his burning desire with my own body.'' Rivia gave a nod, maintaining a stoic expression as she inwardlymitted to submitting herself fully and sorting out the disaster she had caused.


    "Princess, do you really think I am joking right now?" With determination, Avendial cast an unreadable look in Katheria''s direction, his expression void of emotion as he masked his sincerity.


    "...Marquess, let me tell you, I would act as if I had not heard this, so it would be better if we forget this conversation." Princess Katheria, having already realized he was serious, returned his gaze with a chill and attempted to remind him that his remarks could be interpreted as both infidelity and betrayal towards the princess and the empire.


    Inherently, even the Emperor had multiple wives and practiced polygamy, but this was solely due to his status as Emperor. His marriages were grounded in the choices made by those women, who acknowledged and valued his status. Ultimately, the primary motivation was that everyone sought the backing of an emperor.


    Simrly, being recognized as the wealthiest man on Earth, the Marquess could easily have multiple wives if he chose to pursue polygamy, given his vast resources. After all, this was something he deserved due to being an ideal type for most women, considering his immense fortune and attractive physique.


    On the other hand, should he choose to marry a woman with a more elevated social rank, the circumstances would change.


    Much like a princess, who understood the severe effects of the Emperor''s polygamous ways on her family''s bonds and the death of her mother, she was resolute in never taking a husband who would have more than one wife.


    Should her husband ever pursue a life of polygamy, she had the resolve to perceive it in a serious manner. The idea of marrying various women and regarding them as trophies or objects was something Princess Katheria Arinpiam could never appreciate.


    "Princess, we both know that our marriage is transactional; we both don''t have any feelings for each other." Avendial set down the cup and drummed his fingers on the table, reflecting on how this marriage had been orchestrated by the emperor. His consent was never sought, nor was he asked if he had any interest in a particr woman. He could guess that Katheria was likely in the same predicament.


    Both of them were just used by the emperor, like chess pieces, where he could decide both of their fates.


    In the past, Avendial had epted this proposal because he saw a profit in marrying a princess and a loss in offending the Emperor''s will. But now that he had regressed back, he needed to change a few things first.


    "And also, I am not saying to break this marriage but simply for you to let me be free until we get married," Avendial continued, knowing well that once the tower appeared and everything started to change in that shifting scenario, someone like him, who would not even awaken and who would lose the value of his assets, would be nothing more than a side pebble for the royal family.


    Avendial, having been through it before, understood that whatever assets he currently held would be worthless the moment the tower arrived and initiated its first sequence, nullifying the value ofnd, shares, corporations, and everything else, leaving only strength and power as the remaining sources of worth.


    Avendial''s memories were still vivid enough of the time when, after a few months of the tower''s arrival, the Emperor had annulled their engagement. After seeing how Avendial lost his value in front of Katheria Arinphiam, who was an Empyreal, and he, nothing but a normal human with no hope to ever be strong.


    "You expect me to allow this, Marquess?" Katheria knitted her brows as she nced at the man, who maintained his indifferent and chilly demeanor. She shut her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself, epting the reality that their rtionship was indeed nonexistent.


    Recognizing that their union was purely transactional and that his status could prove advantageous for her, she resolved to ept his proposal, appreciating his honesty. "Fine, tell me the price."


    However, there was one undeniable fact: for her, the image of Marquess Avendial Croceaus had been utterly shattered.


    All those years spent believing he was a wise and ideal person now felt meaningless. She viewed him as nothing more than an ordinary man driven by base desires.

 Chapter 30: 32- Dealings

    Hearing Princess Katheria''s words, Avendial momentarily recalled thest memory he had of her when, after the Emperor annulled their marriage and engagement, he had met her with a proposal to provide an Empyreal for his protection.


    He could vividly remember that day when it was the first time in his life that he didn''t have anything to bargain with¡ªneither strength, money, nor anything except himself¡ªmaking the bnce of power weigh heavily against him.


    In the end, he returned empty-handed.


    He did not hate Princess Katheria for her actions, given that she needed to be in the Emperor''s good graces, whomanded an army of Empyreals that could challenge a floor of the tower.


    Of course, his animosity was directed toward everyone in the royal family. His anger was also directed at Princess Katheria for not even ncing at him after he lost his value, even though they were soon to be married. However, he realized that she was trying her best to help him in some way from behind on October 24, 2032.


    This was the day when Avendial lost all of his loyal soldiers, Alfred, and everyone else who remained loyal to him, on the third floor of the tower at the hands of a rampaging Empyreal.


    His mind could clearly recall the sight of how an Empyreal with a very strong physical attack-type awakened ability had massacred all the individuals under him while chasing Avendial to the end of a cliff.


    Before finally, with a mocking gaze, hended a punch on him¡ªa punch that would have turned him into blood mist in an instant¡ªbut somehow, multipleyers of magic barrier circles arrived in front of him, protecting his body.


    Taking that chance, while the Empyreal''s eyes widened in surprise, Avendial stabbed the knifeced with his own blood.


    It was the day when Avendial discovered three things: 1his blood had a synergy nullification property, 2Katheria Arinphiam, who was known for her ability in magic, shields, and protection, was the one who had cast multipleyers of protection on his body, and stly, that the rampaging Empyreal was none other than an assassin sent by the Emperor.


    It was amusing how the Emperor wanted to rid himself of a weak human like Avendial while his own daughter was trying to protect him.


    In the end, his anger was focused entirely on the royal family, not on the princess who protected him.


    "Princess, I would like to provide 60% of the profits from all the major projects of the Croceaus Group for a year," Avendial gestured with his hand while proposing a profit-sharing arrangement for the major projects under the Croceaus Group, which totaled an amount exceeding 3 trillion Imperial crowns, of which 1 trillion was profit, given his business acumen.


    So, it was a total amount of 600 billion Imperial crowns for a year just to allow him to elope with different women.


    ''?!''


    ''Is this for real?'' Katheria''s eyes widened before rxing as she heard the proposal from Marquess Croceaus about offering her the majority profits of the major projects across his groups, making her expectations of him offering her a few million seempletely naive.


    Previously, when she heard about his proposal to allow him intimacy with several women, she had doubted his character. But now, Katheria was suspicious.


    ''This isn''t a small amount.'' Katheria kept looking at the man seated in front of her, noticing his subtle bodynguage as she tried to see through him.


    His fingers tapping on the desk while his face awaited her reply were not giving her much to go on, but it was clear that, knowing about Avendial''s personality and him spending such arge amount of money just for her to permit something that could easily be bought with a small amount, made Katheria 100% sure that he was up to something.


    On the other hand, Avendial was also observing her as she tried to gauge his intentions. He realized that she was cornered by his astronomical deal, as even most developing countries have a GDP less than the amount he was offering her.


    Of course, it was not as if he were truly giving her that much money, considering that it was the profit from sales, and he would receive the profits after a year. After a year, the tower would arrive, making all his assets be zero.


    So, this was a deal that was essentially a scam.


    Though one''s assets could be zero, there were some alliances and valuable things, even inside the tower, like gold coins.


    However, even if he possessed astronomical assets and money, he couldn''t purchase a veryrge amount of gold himself, considering most of his assets were liquid. The impacts such arge purchase would have on the gold market or a country''s economy made it impractical.


    So, theoretically, it may appear that he could use his own money to buy gold coins, but practically it would be impossible to purchase more than even half a ton of gold, considering it would cause chaos.


    "....why are you going to such lengths, Marquess?" Princess Katheria became curious to know the reason this man was willing to burn so much money while inquiring as she waited for his reply.


    "It''s just..." Avendial said, looking toward Katheria. He could still feel Rivia''s gaze upon him, making him deal with both of these women. "After yesterday night''s incident, I have decided to enjoy my life."


    So, he provided an unbelievable reason for both of them to interpret in their own way.


    Rivia doubted that maybe her actions, which had led her master to seek intimacy, had ignited the fire in him, while Katheria took it as Marquess condemning herck of security as the reason for him to lose all trust in her and decided to take his revenge on her in this form.


    Avendial rose from his seat, realizing there was little left to discuss with the princess at this point. He had already finalized the deal to his advantage, ensuring no losses and an enormous profit.


    With the princess''s approval secured, no nobleman could dare to tarnish his reputation with usations of treason, as they would require her testimony to challenge him.


    Of course, various nobles engaged in casual sex without any concerns, but the real issue was that Avendial''s actions were bound to irritate certain individuals, requiring him to devise some countermeasures.


    Nheless, Avendial remained vignt; he was not one to leave matters unresolved and have some loose ends.


    "Princess, once the documents are prepared, they will be sent to you in a few hours. Have a nice day," Avendial greeted before turning and leaving the room while Princess Katheria kept looking toward his back as he left the room, followed behind by Rivia.

 Chapter 31: 33 - No Need to Be Smart

    "Master, if you want to do it, then I can¡ª" Walking behind Avendial while holding her sword, Rivia, with a calm voice and without a hint of hesitation, tried to propose acting as a substitute for fulfilling his desires but halted as her gaze met Avendial''s.


    "Rivia, did you forget your mistake?" Avendial paused at the doorway, ncing into the corridor where a handful of servants were present. He directed a serious look at Rivia, subtly pointing out her error and making it clear that it was entirely her responsibility.


    "I-I am sorry, Master." Due to being in the princess''s pce, Rivia didn''t show any expression on her face, yet inside her, she really wanted to cry, begging him to forgive her for what she had done. But right now, the most she could do was tighten her grip as, seeing how Avendial continued his walk, she followed behind.


    ''Katheria will not sit idle.'' Walking through the corridor, Avendial thought about the chances and the possibility of Katheria trying to dig into the matter and find out what might have happened for him to request such an outrageous and wrong thing.


    Given the information he had about her, he was well aware that, in contrast to his usual appearance and behavior until now, where he always sought to invest in profit without caring about where he was investing, for a case like the Sertsul business, which was, in very simple terms, straight prostitution, yet he invested due to profit.


    He gave a clear hint to Princess Katheria that he wanted to have profit in that outrageous deal.


    Avendial appreciated smart people like Princess Katheria, given the fact that they were easy to fool by providing logical hints to make them distract from their path simply because of their ability to trust their mind instead of just believing things that are not possible.


    After all, in the end, when things that aren''t logically possible came into existence, the smarter ones mostly suffer due to their brains wanting to know the reasoning, just like how the Tower appeared¡ªthough smarter ones caught up, those who were mediocre and less intelligent always engaged in stories and games, were the first to catch the essence of the Tower and understanding about different species like Elves, Goblins, etc.


    Smarter ones keep thinking about how these races will behave differently than what is shown in the stories, while non-smarter ones only believe their guts, like considering elves prideful, dwarves hating them being called dwarves, and several stereotypes.


    Though, of course, there were several different races that were never mentioned and only needed smart people to handle them. But even for the fleeting moment, a very important lesson was given to the whole world: Your field of work doesn''t define your capabilities; it''s simply that the area you''re involved in doesn''t meet the standards of your expertise.


    For Avendial, who saw the future, he had seen things that a normal human could never believe. Though, of course, he neither cared to make them believe this, prompting him to start leaving breadcrumbs for Princess Katheria to get distracted from her path, just in case she tried to know why he wanted to sleep with different women.


    "Rivia, you will return to Croceaus territory and kill a few people there." Upon leaving the pce and stepping onto the lengthy path that stretched toward the main gate, they found a small golf cart ready to take them the half-mile journey from the pce gate to the main entrance, and both promptly settled into their seats.


    "I-I..." Seated inside the vehicle as it moved, Rivia felt her lips parting to utter the words, but she pursed them tightly, avoiding his gaze, knowing that she might cross the line, hardly controlling her tears at seeing how her master was now making excuses to abandon her.


    Having been with Avendial since childhood, she had seen his behavior of always giving her a task whenever he wanted to be left alone and keep a distance from her.


    So, hearing his words, it was clear that he wanted to abandon her.


    ''Should I kill myself?'' With her fingers wrapped tightly around each other, filled with calluses and faint scars, resting just above the fabric of her pants, she was overwhelmed by guilt that had transformed into deep remorse and despair for never being able to see him again, all because of her momentary greed.


    "Please, this way, Marquess." A chauffeur emerged from a Rolls Royce limousine, nked by several bodyguards who stood in formation to greet their master. Following him was a woman who grasped a sword with one hand, while the other rested on her elbow, her gaze downcast as she walked quietly alongside him, both making their way into the vehicle.


    "Where are you sitting?" Avendial noticed that, as always, Rivia was attempting to take the front row seat in the limousine. He asked her while gripping the hilt of her sword''s sheath, which gleamed with ck and amethyst hues. She nced back at him, her eyes welling up with tears as soon as their gazes locked.


    "Sigh,e here, you idiot." As he spoke, Avendial yanked the sword''s sheath, causing Rivia to copse onto him, her body sliding from the seat. He wrapped his arms around her head and shoulders, pulling her to rest against his abdomen as shended on the car''s floor.


    ''?!''


    "I-I," As Rivia felt her face pressed against his abdomen, she fought to hold back her tears. Desperately, she thought about pushing him to leave her alone before shepletely copsed. But as soon as she sensed his hand cradling her head, the sword slipped from her grasp and ttered to the car''s floor. She then wrapped her arms around him and began to sob, "Heuk...! M-Master... sniff...


    sob, I am s-sorry, p-plea¡ª"


    "I will forgive you, okay?" Seeing how she was hugging him back, he ruffled her hair, feeling itpletely silky and without any resistance as his hand could easilyb it. He slightly leaned down, a smile forming, while she kept wailing and crying. In a very whisper, with a devilish tone, he said, "But I have a condition; will you follow it, dear Rivia?"

 Chapter 32: 34- Love

    Love¡ªa word often heralded as the ultimate salvation, embodying the deepest of human emotions.


    However, love is like a coin, with two distinct faces, each representing a different interpretation of its meaning.


    The true essence of love can be divided into two categories, each shaped by individual perspectives.


    The first type of love is selfless and nurturing. It''s about sacrificing personal happiness for the well-being of a partner, finding joy in mutualpromises, and striving for shared happiness. This love is rooted in care and empathy but bes destructive when not reciprocated, leading to self-harm and unfulfilled desires.


    In this form, love is a delicate bnce that thrives on mutual respect and understanding.


    The second type of love, however, is more possessive and intense. It stems from a desire to monopolize a partner''s attention and affection, regardless of their own feelings or wishes. This kind of love prioritizes one''s own emotions above all else, gradually evolving into obsession and possessiveness.


    It''s a love that seeks control, often blurring the line between affection and dominance, where the idea of sharing orpromising bes intolerable.


    Both forms of love are powerful in their own right, but they reveal the duality of human rtionships¡ªone driven by care and sacrifice, the other by possession and control.


    Although the second type might appear detrimental in the long term, especially if the partner is unwilling to reciprocate those feelings, for Avendial, who was focused on Rivia¡ªwho disyed simr possessiveness toward him¡ªit was evident that if left unchecked, this situation could soon escte but.....


    He knew how much easier it was for those with this type of love to manipte.


    He definitely did not see Rivia as a tool, since he had known her since childhood. There were definitely feelings between them. But it was true that he did not love her, while she did.


    The end result of this would definitely not be beneficial for both of them.


    He needed her support, and considering her potential to harm either him or herself could be a significant loss.


    So he decided to follow both types of love, where he wouldpromise his own interests and show her the light she wanted, providing her love while using her obsession and possessiveness in the way he wanted.


    After all, there was a saying he always heard while venturing in the tower: If you want someone to die in your ce, then simply make them fall in love with you.


    "I¡ªI WILL DO ANYTHING...sob... Please, Master, forgive me," Rivia, whose voice was muffled due to her cries, suddenly snapping her eyes towards him as she felt that it was her chance to be forgiven and not abandoned.


    "Stop crying, Rivia, I feel hurt seeing you like this," Avendial said, hugging her tightly to prepare the metal for hammering now that he had warmed it up.


    More precisely, the moment he became aware of Rivia''s obsession with him and her part in the Aphrodisiac incident, he had to find a way to secure his influence over her. He was acutely aware that, considering her capabilities ahead, she could turn dangerous if her obsession obstructed his goals.


    And to do that, he intentionally made her reflect on herself by leaving the night before, and today he ordered her to apany him to the princess''s pce. By doing so, he was able to use this fact to make her control her emotions.


    Naturally, it may appear that the human mind is very strong and could easily pass through any hurdle. Humans are meant to adapt things much more swiftly than others. But this is only true until one doesn''t know how human psychology works.


    Humans indeed have a remarkable ability to adapt, but when faced with swift changes in their surroundings, this strength can be eclipsed. And given that the human mind is strong, one just needs to use the heart against it, which in scientific terms is simply the mind''s subspace where emotions are intense, causing the mind to be overwhelmed.


    In a systematic way, he had pushed Rivia to suppress her emotions until the end, causing all the piled-up pain and regret to gather together.


    And then he offered her an escape by opening his arms, making all her emotions burst in a single sweep, causing her to cry like a child in his embrace.


    After all, after he created the pain and left no choice for the mind, he needed to ensure she did not feel cornered.


    A cornered mind is very vulnerable. Given Rivia''s present state, it would not be surprising if she began to think about killing herself. So, with this hug and proposal he provided her, it was an opportunity which she wanted at all costs.


    "Rivia, the condition is very simple: you need to kill a few noblemen when I order you, using the Royal family''s sword style," Avendial leaned slightly and neared her head, whispering once again, causing her body to flinch as she looked towards him with trembling eyes.


    Looking at her facial expression, which was shocked, Avendial knew that it would be a tough task to make her use the sword style of the Arinphiam Empire''s Royal family, given that the use of heart would never allow her to do this.


    After all, the title attached after her name, ''Dominic Aurelia'', was evidence of her loyalty towards the Empire.


    This so-called loyalty was simply an assurance from the Empire to all the swordmasters with two rules:


    1. No swordmaster will ever use the sword techniques of the Royal Family.


    2. Their actions shouldn''t harm the foundation of the Empire.


    To put it simply, it wasn''t some curse or ve mark, but simply a line taught every day by mentors and teachers, brainwashing them into making all the swordmasters never use the royal family''s sword techniques, which were considered the strongest in the empire. Instead, they were allowed to develop their own techniques based on it.


    After developing their own techniques, they received their surnames.


    It may not appear to be a big thing, considering that there wasn''t any contract, seal, or curse attached to force a swordmaster into following those rules. But it was far more potent than any curse.


    This method was a simple brainwashing where every hour of the day, until a child of age 4 or 5 was trained under their mentor, they were told the same rules all the time until they turned 20.


    It was as if making their mind remember this and their body infused with these words into their very cells, causing them to never betray.


    "W-What?" Rivia''s voice trembled as she heard those conditions from Avendial. If it was about killing the noblemen, she could easily do it, not caring about her life, but he also wanted her to break embedded rules, causing her lips to part as she inquired while trembling.


    "I see..." Avendial pulled his hand away from her head and body as he turned his eyes towards the window of the car as it moved toward the mansion, causing Rivia to feel his hand slip away from her skin and instantly tighten her grip.


    "No! No! Please, Master, I will do it, don''t abandon me!" While she felt that the opportunity she had gotten was slipping away, Rivia cried out as she tightened her grip before hugging him tightly as if he was going to separate from her soon, leaving her alone. This caused her mind to recall the days of her orphanage when, as a little girl, she needed to fend for herself, "Uwaaah....! Please...!"

 Chapter 33: 35 - The Information Queen, Aecilia Sertsul

    On the roadway connecting the princess''s pce to the mansion, a convoy of opulent cars sped by, slicing through the air under the radiant sunlight that unveiled extensive fields of crops. The surrounding architecture contributed to the scene, making the area resemble a semi-urban city where a portion was designated for agriculture.


    The architecture of the territory belonging to princes wasn''t very crowded, leaving only servants and contracted individuals or farmers working in the fields, appearing to be a well-organized facility for small industrial growths.


    Due to the size of this whole territory, there were many factories that were leased around the edge of the princess''s territory. However, from Avendial''s perspective, who noticed the way the whole territory was designed, it appeared very much like a fortress.


    In his past life, Avendial ignored the growth of this territory under Princess Katheria, mainly because the money or profits gathered from thesends were like a bucket of waterpared to the sea he possessed.


    But now that he noticed, he found that thesends were organized to create a fortress for the princess in case someone tried to infiltrate her territory with arge number of individuals.


    Everyone knew how the princess inherited her wealth, assets, andnds mostly from her mother, who increased her territory at great expense.


    Even so, no one noticed how the arrangement of factories producingrge amounts of pollution and waste was provided near the borders around other heirs'' territories.


    With agriculturalnd forming a circle around the main pce at arge distance, it provided a clear opening and visibility if someone tried to enter the main pce for an assassination with arge number of individuals. Due to the open fields, there wasn''t any ce for them to hide, making them clearly visible.


    It was just the tip of the iceberg regarding how this territory was well managed and nned by the princess, making the territory of an heir a very useful way to know about their personality or behavior.


    After all, seeing this territory nning, Avendial could easily guess that the princess had experienced numerous assassination attempts and was smart enough to make others think that she had fallen low by starting agriculture due to herck of money. But in truth, it was a way for her to secure her safety while also earning through agriculture instead of spending money on her protection.


    Amidst an array of Range Rovers and other vehicles trailing behind, a long limousine glided smoothly down the road. Inside, Avendial was observing the things around the territory while seeing how well managed they were under the princess''s hand.


    ''We will not be meeting soon, princess.'' Leaning his elbow against the car window, his palm cradling his chin, he stared out into the distance, contemting the schedule thaty ahead for the next few months.


    As he shifted his focus to hisp, he noticed a woman with vibrant purple hair sitting on the floor, her face buried in his legs, yfully tugging at the strands of her hair that fell around him.


    "Nhm.... Plea...." With a soft mumble, Rivia felt a touch more at ease than before, thanks to the hand tenderly running through her hair. While she struggled with a hint of guilt, a warm sensation enveloped her. Yet, she continued to hide her face, embarrassed by the tears that marked her cheeks.


    ''She needs to be stronger too,'' Avendial, looking at the buried head and observing her silky cascading purple hair, thought about what he needed to do, but he pushed this aside knowing that right now he had some use for her, and forcing her to be stronger could render her useless for a few days.


    So, he changed his priorities to other things while giving her time to first deal with the traitors inside the Croceaus family who would betray the family before outside enemies could do so. Until then, he would try to secure some new individuals who could be of help to him.


    "We arrived, Sir," announced the chauffeur. With those words, the fleet of cars finally stopped outside the mansion''s main gates, as a row of servants waited to greet the Marquess.


    "Rivia,e after you clean your face," Avendial said, distancing Rivia from him before exiting the car while ensuring that she didn''t show her tear-stained face in front of the servants, knowing well that she needed to act as a viin for him in the eyes of others.


    And no one fears a viin who cries.


    So he gave her some time to collect herself before turning towards a servant and ordering, "Call Aecilia Sertsul and tell her I have changed our meeting tomorrow to today, so she coulde and pick me up from here."


    With those words, Avendial moved inside the mansion.


    While he had told Aecilia to apany him in the Free Cities tomorrow, now that he had already dealt with the princess, which didn''t take much time as he had anticipated, he found that leaving as early as possible would be more beneficial, instead of wasting time sitting inside a room.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Inside the princess''s territory, moving far away from the mansions allocated to a few important noblemen, existed a high-ss five-star hotel whererge rooms were allotted to the nobility who were gathered for the noble gathering arranged by the princess.


    Though of course not as luxurious as the mansion, the hotel could be considered a seven-star establishment given how well-furnished and luxurious each of its rooms appeared, resembling nothing short of presidential suites allotted to each nobleman fitting their status.


    In a room bustling with hotel staffing in and out, a woman dressed in a ck nightgown sat reviewing documents. Her lips were painted with dark lipstick, and her slightly tilted eyes rested on the paper in her hand. With her chin cradled in her hand and elbow resting on the desk, she peered intently at the pages, her golden eyes glimmering.


    "How amusing, Prince Orion is hospitalized due to prostate injuries? It appears his habits are still the same," Aecilia mused, looking at the information she had just received while also gathering all the details aboutst night''s event and the reasons behind why it happened.


    Looking at it, she remembered a typical business proposal she received from Prince Orion a few months ago.


    ording to that proposal, it was suggested that Prince Orion would allow for a pleasure room to be built inside his territory, while also suggesting how he would pardon the taxes and lease thend for free for two years.


    Of course, the Sertsul family postponed (*Rejected) this offer knowing that the two-year timeline was too short and there wasn''t any guarantee regarding what would happen afterward, knowing that they would need to invest their money in building the pleasure rooms while also paying sries to their employees, which, in the long term, would be a business loss for them.


    But now, seeing and connecting both pieces of information she had¡ªNeha Vrandin visiting himst night and today him suffering internal injuries¡ªAecilia, looking at the doctor''s report, could easily understand it was an injury caused by jamming the route of ejaction, leading to internal organ damages, making her once again remember why she hated Royals.

 Chapter 34: 36- A hunt

    Insane, selfish, cruel, greedy, and whatnot.


    These were the opinions of Aecilia regarding the royal heirs of Arinphiam empire, opinions she had formed based on the information she had collected about all of them until now.


    Just like right now, she knew that Prince Orion must have tried to test his body''s limits.


    She was well aware of his inclination to take impulsive actions regarding the affirmation of his theories.


    Aecilia ced the doctor''s report on the table before slowly standing up and stretching her arms, feeling fatigued and tired from not sleeping all night.


    Since the moment the incident with Avendial urredst night, she had activated all the forces at her disposal to find out exactly why it happened and who was targeting her man.


    However, after gathering the information, it turned out that this was all orchestrated by Prince Orion to frame Patric Vrandin.


    Of course, she didn''t know if Patric would even get to meet or appeal in the royal court, given the fact that he had used a deadly poison on Avendial, an act that had triggered none other than Princess Katheria.


    "Go and tell the manager to cut all ties with the Vrandins," After stretching and letting out a yawn, Aecilia called upon a hotel employee, who was from Sertsul family. He offered a bow and left her presence as she steeled herself, vowing to take revenge on the Vrandins who dared to poison her loved one, even if they were manipted by none other than Prince Orion.


    Not stopping at just that, she nced toward another woman, a servant, who stood with an impassive look on her face. A cold glint passed through Aecilia''s eyes as she added, "ept Prince Orion''s proposal and open a Lotus pleasure room in his territory; use the slow poison instead of a lethal one."


    ''?!''


    Hearing these words, the maid flinched, her eyes trembling as she looked toward her master. With a trembling voice, she reminded her, "M-my Lady, h-he is a royal."


    It was clear that her master wanted to assassinate a prince using a very secret and lethal method known only to the Sertsul family¡ªLotus Death.


    Lotus Death was a technique in which the Sertsul family sent their well-trained assassin prostitutes to their target''s location to establish sexual contact. Each of these assassins had lethal poisons, specially prepared by the Sertsul family, rubbed inside their vaginas and anuses.


    Due to the members of the Lotus division being given antidotes from the moment they joined the assassin division of the Sertsul family, the poison did not affect their bodies. However, this was not the case for the men who, consumed by their instincts, kept pounding and railing the women, unaware that they were rubbing their dicks on a lethal poison.


    There were a total of 41 kinds of poisons used by the Sertsul family, each with different effects, ranging from causing madness to paralysis and even death, while slow poisons and various hallucination-inducing poisons were also part of the arsenal.


    And just now, her master had suggested using Lotus Death on none other than a prince.


    "So what? How dare he try to y with him? Just do what I sa¡ªbzzzz~!" Aecilia went toward the bed while speaking in a nonchnt voice, uninterested in the implications of targeting royalty. She fell onto the bed, burying her face in the fabric, hoping to take a long nap and rx after a night filled with exhausting work, but her phone rang.


    "...."


    Bzzzzz~


    "....DAMN, YOU BASTARD¡ªEh? Heh? Huh? From the Croceaus family? Yes? Hm...


    Okay... I will try my best... hmm... Fine..." Aecilia burst into anger as she picked up the phone, intending to curse whoever was calling, not caring if it was even the emperor himself. But the moment she lifted the phone, she heard a voice introducing itself from the Croceaus family, and the series of words poured into her heart like liquid fire, lighting up her expression.


    She struggled to control her excitement, not wanting to lose any crucial information causing her to use fewer words.


    "Whew," she exhaled before cing the phone back on the table. She buried her face in the nket, gripping the bed sheet tightly as she tried to muffle her voice, feeling on the verge of cheering and yelling from excitement. Slowly standing up, she nced at the maid who had been present earlier and informed her, "I have a date with Marquess today in an hour. Prepare the car."


    "My Lady, are you going in that dress?" the maid asked, observing how Aecilia, despite her evident excitement, was still dressed in night attire, feeling confused.


    "What? What does my clothing have to do with a date?" Aecilia arched an eyebrow and cast a frosty nce at the maid, fully aware that the maid was implying she should don something more elegant or appealing. But Aecilia found the nightgown much morefortable.


    "B-but, my Lady, what if the Marquess doesn''t like this?" Feeling a bit confused, the maid recalled that a man might naturally experience ack of attraction on a date, particrly since the woman hadn''t made any effort to wear dresses or appear beautiful, which usually signals that she isn''t looking forward to the date.


    "There are no issues; beingfortable is more important, and he also prefers that." Aecilia said, exiting the door with the maid following closely behind her. As she moved, Aecilia recalled the reason she had developed a crush on that man; he didn''t care about her appearance or behavior (*because he doesn''t have any feelings for her).


    "Contact Madame from City A to arrange for our arrival and also bring my car to the airport there."


    Having uttered those words, Aecilia departed from the hotel room and entered a Rolls Royce, which roared to life and drove toward the mansion assigned to Marquess Croceaus.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Inside the mansion, five miles from the five-star hotel, the ce was bustling due to preparations of servants who were getting ready to leave for the main Croceaus estate in the Thaloris Kingdom, as they made their arrangements while Avendial left the mansion apanied by Rivia and Alfred, who appeared to be prepared to leave for the kingdom.


    Several maids and servants belonging to the main family had already packed their luggage, standing as if everyone was prepared to leave.


    "Alfred, you will do what I have ordered you," Avendial had previously instructed early in the morning for Alfred to leave with his daughter to prepare all the documents, thinking that he or Rivia might need to stay for more hours in the princess''s pce. However, it went sooner than expected, making him arrive at the mansion sooner than everyone else left.


    Avendial was aware that he could obtain the same piece of information¡ªabout the royal heir behind the Aphrodasiac event¡ªfrom Aecilia herself. Therefore, he left without entertaining the princess, who was overwhelmed by the fact that they did not discuss whatever she might have prepared in advance.


    "As you say, Master, but is Miss Rivia also apanying us?" Alfred slightly bowed in a firm posture before ncing at the woman, who had turned her face away, holding the sword while trying to control her heart, knowing that it was her chance to seek forgiveness.


    "Yes, I have assigned some tasks to her; just make sure to bury the voices that may cry after having their necks cut," Avendial firmly dered, causing all of the servants, including Alfred, to flinch as they felt the weight of that voice, each of them suddenly trembling as they nced at Rivia.


    Being with the Marquess, they understood that the order given to the head butler was simply to allow this psychopathic monster to rampage throughout the main estate.


    ''Sigh, should I have epted punishment?'' Alfred reflected on his choices. He began to realize that he should have embraced his punishment rather than stand up for Rivia this morning.


    However, there was no point in regretting it now, so he merely nodded before shifting his gaze to the bright blue sky illuminated by the sun, ''I fear I will have a difficult time removing the blood stains from Croceaus''s estate, as I suspect the spills won''t be minor.''


    He realized that this time it wouldn''t just be a light drizzle, but rather an overwhelming flood, especially since his master had permitted this monstrous woman to wreak havoc.

 Chapter 35: 37- Leaving Royal Kingdom

    "Master, Miss Aecilia''s vehicle has arrived." Upon receiving the cue, a servant bowed respectfully, causing Avendial, positioned next to Rivia and Alfred, to direct their eyes towards a Rolls Royce that had pulled over. The airporty a mile from the Princess''s Pce, with the mansion allocated to the Marquess located on the way.


    Apanied by the ring horn and the soft purr of the engine, the Rolls Royce came to a stop at the entrance of the mansion, leaving a tire mark on the ground. It approached from the left direction, now veering to the right, heading towards the Princess Pce and the nearby airport.


    ''Night dress?'' Avendial stood as the chauffeur exited the Rolls Royce before moving towards the vehicle''s gate and opening it as Aecilia exited the car while wearing a thin, silky nightgown. It stretched down to her thighs yet was enough to reveal her cleavage and a subtle amount of skin.


    "Aven¡ªI mean Marquess, are you alright?" Aecilia, upon exiting her vehicle, searched for Avendial before approaching him to inquire.


    "Yes, Miss Aecilia, let''s depart then." With his words, Avendial noted that the servants of the Croceaus family had begun to board the vehicles prepared for them. Given that they were in the princess''s territory, high-end buses were made avable for the staff. As they loaded their luggage onto the bus, the bodyguards climbed into Range Rovers.


    Alfred and Rivia rode in the Rolls Royce that Aecilia hade in. At the same time, Avendial and Aecilia gotfortable in an opulent Rolls Royce Limousine.


    Given that the arrangements were made by the princess, the fleet of cars wasn''t of the status of the world''s richest men yet far more than enough for them to provide a safe andfortable ride to the airport.


    The convoy of vehicles finally reached the airport, entering through the back gate and directly onto the tarmac. Multiple flights were ready, with each aircraft having been thoroughly checked, inspected, and prepared for takeoff at a moment''s notice as the vehicles dispersed in their designated directions toward their awaiting aircraft.


    The bus and the convoy of Range Rovers turned and moved toward the third runway where a Boeing 787 Dreamliner stood, with the gates led by a staircase open for individuals to board as servants and bodyguards entered the ne.


    Following that, the Rolls Royce carrying Rivia and Alfred moved toward a private jet¡ªBombardier Global 7500¡ªwaiting for their arrival as they boarded the jet.


    ''They will be alone,'' Rivia, while walking through the stairs to avoid the ne, nced in the direction of the limousine, which moved toward a simr private jet, reminding her that she would not be able to apany her master to the free cities.


    "Wouldn''t Master have a positive image of you, Miss Rivia, if you fulfill the task he assigned?" Seeing how Rivia was looking in that direction, Alfred, following the order of his master, narrowed his gaze and adjusted his bow tie. He suggested to the woman in aposed tone, knowing how to keep her in check.


    ''...yes,'' With her gaze locked in that direction, Rivia gradually pivoted towards the jet''s door as she stepped inside. A powerful wave of killing intent coursed through her, her fingers clenching tightly around the grip of her shoulder.


    "Don''t think I''m blind to your insinuations, Alfred. Just hope that Master doesn''t put your name on that list of traitors." A fierce glimmer shed in her eyes as she readied herself to execute her master''smands and reim her ce in his perception, even if she needed to kill each one of the individuals inside Croceaus territory.


    "How will you respond if he includes your name in that?" Alfred entered the jet before the door closed, as he, without retreating, replied back in a calm tone.


    Afterward, a limousine arrived outside a Gulfstream G800 aircraft. Both Aecilia and Avendial stepped aboard the jet, while Aecilia was draped in her nightgown and Avendial donned a sleek ck suit.


    His silver hair fluttered in the breeze, contrasting sharply with Aecilia''s dark attire. Her golden pupils remained steady, yet she couldn''t resist casting furtive nces at the man with unsettling blue eyes, who seemed uncaring of her presence.


    "Marquess, doesn''t my outfit make you feel uneasy?" Aecilia asked, pausing beside Avendial as they reached the airstairs of the aircraft, ncing over at him as he too came to a stop.


    "Miss Aecilia," Avendial replied in a calm voice while a smile started to emerge on his face, with his head slightly tilted as he nced in her direction with a hint of tears in his voice, "Rather than feeling uneasy, shouldn''t I appreciate the sight you bestowed upon me?"


    "Huh?" Aecilia, hearing his words filled with tease, slightly felt confused due to her instincts, interpreting his words as a flirtation but ignoring it; she looked forward before gesturing with her hand, "Please, Marquess, before your words confuse me even more, let''s board."


    Aecilia certainly grasped the significance of his words; however, she found it perplexing. It was likely her own interpretation leading her to assume he was flirting. Perhaps he was simply offering her a sincerepliment.


    "Yes, butdies first," Avendial nodded but gestured for her to board first as she looked toward him for a moment before turning her eyes toward the airstairs. As she took a step forward, she started to climb a bit while her consciousness was hitting her hard that he was just behind her.


    "Do you know, Miss Aecilia, why a man always offers a woman to be first in line?" Avendial, climbing, took out his phone, which was provided by Alfred, and started to type names of individuals from the Croceaus family who needed to be put in their ce¡ªgraves. But while doing so, he didn''t forget the guest etiquette, given he kept her in conversation.


    "That''s..." Aecilia struggled to rein in her lewd thoughts, her instincts urging her to respond from her own viewpoint. However, aware of Avendial''s character, she encountered only resistance despite her desire to reply¡ªWas it because he could see her butt? She continued, "Apologies to Marquess, I don''t have an idea."


    "Isn''t it simple?" Avendial kept his gaze focused on the phone screen while typing the names and answered in a calm andposed tone, "It''s to make a woman feel safe, knowing that someone strong is behind her who can provide firm support for her to lean on."


    "I-I see," Aecilia entered the ne as a slight hint of crimson blush appeared near her ears, which went unnoticed by Avendial, who was busy typing on his phone.


    ''Hm, was it the Elite Academy?'' Avendial, entering the aircraft, recalled a story from his previous life about a young man who, after gaining powers, did not even respect the woman who supported him during his hardest times when he was weak and powerless, but instead showed his love for another woman.


    Given the love that naive woman held since her childhood, she always remained by his side until the end while, from afar, she looked at her beloved walking beside another woman.


    Avendial, feeling sympathy for the woman, decided to rescue her from that ungrateful man and provide her with someone who would respect her strength and offer her love¡ªof course, no one can be a better candidate than him for her love.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    After all, he was now even going as far as to personally enter free cities to rescue that damsel in distress.


    As he settled into his seat, his eyes roamed over thevishly decorated interior of the jet. He turned his gaze to the window, watching the runway slip away as the ne took off. ''I hope the Elite Academy can provide some benefits for us, my soon-to-be lover.''

 Chapter 36: 38 - Introduction of Characters in the Free Cities

    Inside City A, at the edge of Sector 17, inside a rundown building.


    "Hello, my friend. How are you doing today?"


    A young man seated at his desk while holding a phone and working on aputer inquired with a lively voice as the caller on the phone was speaking in a foreignnguage, which was understandable to the young man.


    "Who am I speaking with?" An elderly man''s voice came from the other side of the call.


    "Huh? Isn''t this Sir Javier''s number?" The young man raised his eyebrow quietly, feigning confusion in his words as he spoke in the samenguage that the elderly man used.


    "Javier? Oh, you mean my son? Yes, he isn''t at home right now. How can I help?" The elderly man thought about his words before realizing that the name belonged to his son, prompting him to be curious and realize that it was indeed a call for him.


    "Ah, forgive me for not recognizing you, Sir. It''s just that a few months ago, Sir Javier helped me with some money, and I just wanted to return it." The young man replied with a nod and shook his head while feigning gratefulness.


    "What? Thatd helped someone? Hmm, hohoho, he finally became mature. But young man, he isn''t home. When he arrives, I will tell him about you," the elderly manughed, thinking about how his son, who was hardly managing their house on his earnings, had decided to help someone. He felt proud for a moment to be a father.


    "Um, that would be hard. The issue is I have too much interest on me, and before the bank cuts it, I want to pay it back so please don''t reject Javier''s money." The young man spoke while seated inside a small office room with barely five or six people engaged in their own calls.


    "Is that so? Just keep the money, child. If Javier helped you, then you are also most likely his close friend, and if you are in such a problem, please, you need not return the money for now," the elderly man, hearing the problem of the young man, shook his head, feeling down for the boy whose life was not much different than theirs, prompting him to reply through the call.


    "No, please, sir, you just need to provide me with credentials for the transaction, and please don''t tell this to Sir Javier since he might not ept the money," the young man spoke in a calm voice, holding a sense of understanding.


    "Haah, fine youngd. Tell me, what do I need to give you? ount number?" The elderly man finally epted defeat on his call, seeing how this young man was persistent in returning the money.


    "No, no. You already know how advanced technology is these days. You just need to send the money through an app called Tenhai. I will send its link, sir. Please download it." The young man informed as he typed on his keyboard.


    "Huh? Why an app? I can just use UPI?" the old man inquired, though of course, feeling that today, as technology advances, he had be outdated.


    "Sir. You already know how much tax is taken on foreign transactions. The amount I want to send is too much, and even 1% will be a loss for me.


    This app allows me to send money while taking less charges since it just acts locally in individual countries and pays money nation-wise," the young man informed about a particr system followed by a few of the apps, even though it was clearly illegal but a method widely used due to convenience to dodge paying hefty tax on foreign transactions, where an application or organization has its individual branches in each country.


    Whenever a transaction urs from one nation to another, the transaction amount is debited inside the branch present in that nation, and the equivalent amount after some deduction is sent from the branch of the other nation to the user, cutting away the path of a foreign transaction.


    "Oh, fine. I will download the app," the elderly man spoke with a lively voice after talking to this young man for a while, before adding, "Youngd, definitelye to meet me when you arrive in this country. I will take you to our farms...."


    Beeep


    The young man hung up the phone and lifted his eyes towards theputer screen where the information tab was shown,


    Name: Javier


    Work: Salesman


    Work timing: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm


    Family: an elderly father, two small children, and a paralyzed wife.


    "Haah, it''s done, manager. He will soon download the app," suddenly the young man''s demeanor changed as his smile vanished before he mmed the table and stood, looking towards a man who was moving throughout the different tables while giving instructions to other employees who were mostly teenagers just like this young man wanting to earn money.


    "Good, Raj, you did well. Let me check if it''s done," the middle-aged man arrived before taking out his cell phone and calling someone to inquire about the status of the process they were trying to aplish by talking with their fifth client.


    "What? 1000 Imperial Crowns only?" The manager, hearing that the money they had got from this client was only 1000 imperial crowns, frowned, looking at the young man, he informed. "Tch, that old bastard only had saved 1000 imperial crowns in his bank ount, poor shit, ptuu."


    ''....'' The young man looked towards the manager who spit on the floor after hearing that the money they had scammed from the old man was just 1000 IC. [1 IC= 1.50 USD]


    "Manager, can I get my today''s ie?" the young man inquired as he offered his hand to get the money, looking towards the manager who frowned as he nced towards his hand before taking out a 50 IC bill from his pocket and mming it into his palm.


    "Take this, it''s your today''s earning," the manager gestured his hand and tried to shoo the young man away, who kept looking at him while ncing between his hand where the 50 IC was resting before turning towards manager as he tried to ask for more, but was only met with a firm deration, "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, BASTARD? JUST PISS OFF!"


    "Give me 20 more Imperial Crowns," Not getting intimidated by the manager, the young man once again asked.


    "FUCK OFF, BASTARD¡ªSLAP!" In a burst of rage, the manager noticed other employees casting curious nces their way. He swiftly pped the young man, sending him crashing to the floor. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he pulled out twenty ICs from his pocket and flung them at the young man''s face, gesturing angrily with his finger. "Just take this, beggar, and leave before I beat you to death."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The young man, maintaining the same impassive expression, slowly stood from his ce, clenching his fist where 70 IC currently rested. He then put them in his pocket while using his hoodie to cover his face as he left the building.


    Through the streets, the young man moved towards a clothes shop where the women''s dresses were arranged in a discounted corner. Arriving there, he inquired, "Can I get a good dress for under 20 IC?"


    "Whom are you looking for this for, sir?" The staff at the corner came forward before inquiring, looking towards the young man who seemed to be beaten due to marks on his face.


    Raj, noticing his gaze, pulled his hoodie to cover his face, trying to hide the marks before replying with a small defeated smile forming, "It''s for my elder sister."

 Chapter 37: 39 - Elite Academy

    "He iste again?" A woman around the age of 22 nced toward the clock hanging on the wall of her rented apartment as she clenched her fist tightly, feeling that even though it was 8 a.m. now, her brother still had not returned home.


    Of course, he always told her he was working the night shift to earn some money and support her, but it was unnecessary, given that with her schrships and good marks in her studies, she would soon graduate from the elite academy, which was the number one academy in the city.


    Once she graduated, it wouldn''t be hard for her to find a job and support her little brother, who decided not to study and told her that he would work instead of her, even though she also worked part-time in a caf¨¦ and a small store.


    "Sister, I am home!" The young man slowly entered the room using his key. Through the gap of the door, he looked toward his elder sister, who was preparing food a moment ago but dashed towards him before using a kitchen utensil, she hit his head.


    "Oww, it hurts, you bully! I even brought a dress for you!" Rubbing his head, Raj felt it was unfair to be hit, even though he had brought a dress for his sister with the money he earned today. Given his luck, he chose a dress that cost him 29 IC, but it was far less precious than his sister''s happiness.


    "Huh? A dress?" Amrita felt confused and suspicious at the same time as she saw the bag he held, which belonged to an expensive brand, not something from the local streets. She took the bag and nced at the dress while trying to find its tag.


    "You will not get it; I threw it," Raj said, moving toward the dinner table. He took a seat and looked at the food prepared for him before starting to gobble it up, being hungry after a night of trying to scam five clients and finally getting the fifth one to believe his words was tough.


    "What? Tell me, how much did it cost?" Amrita disyed her anger as she red at her brother while folding her arms and tapping her feet, wanting to hear how much he uselessly spent on a costly dress when she could have just purchased some discounted ones from street vendors.


    "8 IC," The young man informed, lifting his right hand while focused on eating. Suddenly, his sister approached him and pinched his ears, causing him to grit his teeth, knowing he was about to hear her rants again.


    "You idiot! Why this much? You should have saved it or at least bargained to make it up to 4 Imperial Crowns!" She couldn''t believe that her brother could be this foolish to purchase a dress without bargaining and buy something so expensive for her.


    "Just take it, sis, and go to the academy, or you will bete." Hearing his sister''s nagging, Raj gestured with his hand, ncing at her and signaling toward the clock, which caused Amrita''s eyes to widen before she sprinted toward the door, taking her academy bag. With toast in her mouth, she dashed out while adding, "Once Ie back, you''re dead!"


    "Yeah, yeah," Raj scratched his ears before finishing his food. He stood and moved toward his room. Arriving, he tightly closed the door and locked it before moving near his bed, pulling it aside.


    He sat on the floor and lifted the wooden floorboard to reveal a box. He took the keys, opened it, and revealed several bills of 10 IC and more.


    ''Now it will be 600 IC,'' He thought, putting the remaining 50 IC he had inside the box, locking it, and covering the floor. Finally, he had been able to collect this much money after working for more than three years.


    ''Phew, hope to get someone good next time.'' With the thought of finding another naive person, he fell into sleep, as he mostly worked the night shift due to different time zones, given that his targets were mostly from other countries outside the empire.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    At the center of City A stood a huge building that stretched across an area of 512 hectares, revealing the importance and the value of thend on which the building stood. But even more costly and expensive than that was the building itself, which belonged to the Elite academy.


    Providing most sessful entrepreneurs, businessmen, and CEOs for variousrge IT and other sectors, Elite Academy was held as one of the few most renowned universities in the empire.


    The expansive campus featured multiple branches and buildings, with students donning richly colored velvet coats and trousers. Female students wore skirts yet maintained the same upper body dress code as their male counterparts, seen bustling throughout the grounds as they headed to their respective branches.


    Several students entered through the main gate. Amrita also entered while holding her bag and, on the other hand, the dress her brother had given her, trying to put it in her bag.


    "Amrita! Hey, nce over here! Where were you hiding?"


    A loud voice caused her to lift her gaze and look toward a man with distinct pink hair and the same colored eyes, making him different from others. While waving toward her, he passed through the crowd, apologizing as he collided with a few of them.


    "Lin, are you kidding me?" Amrita looked at how this man was embarrassing her whileing towards her, cing her hand near her waist and shaking her head as if already used to his antics, she waved back.


    "Oh, what''s in there?" Tilting his head, Lin inquired as he looked at the white bag that she was cing inside her school bag.


    As Amrita folded her hands and proudly looked upward, dering, "It''s the dress that my brother purchased."


    "What? Really? Show me," Lin said, taken aback that he was also thinking of presenting her with a dress. He took her bag as both of them moved forward and noticed the dress from a popr brand, causing him to form a teasing smirk as he nudged her shoulder. "You got rich, huh? I bet it costs no less than 20 IC."


    "Wrong." Amrita lifted her finger as she shook it, feeling proud that her brother had chosen a dress that appeared costlier than it actually was. However, she was still determined to give him a piece of her mind when she went back home.


    "Then how much?" Lin inquired as they entered a building belonging to the art and culture department.


    As both of them made their way towards their ssroom, which wasn''t far away, they entered together.


    "It''s 8 IC," Amrita firmly dered, feeling proud, as she folded her hands with a proud smile.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Wh-what?! Really¡ª" Lin eximed in surprise, but before he could finish his words, they heard a mocking voice directed toward him.


    "Isn''t it just adorable how someone can be so broke that they think an 8 IC dress is a trophy?"


    As the taunt reached their ears, Lin and Amrita nced toward a trio of women. They were all chuckling, with one of them grinning condescendingly, her smirk indicating a sense of superiority.


    "Y-you!" Lin burst into anger as he clenched his fist, clearly wanting to confront that woman, but he was halted by Amrita''s hand blocking him from approaching them.


    "What is happening here?" Out of nowhere, a gentle and serene voice came from behind Amrita and Lin. They turned to see a young woman in a tidy academy uniform, her long ck hair straight and cascading down to her waist. She regarded them with her unreadable eyes before shifting her gaze to the three women, whose faces had grown pale.

 Chapter 38: 40- A Villainess

    "Well, look who it is¡ªthe ultra-wealthy Miss Aria gracing us with her presence?" Seeing the arriving woman, Lin''s face twitched as he brushed his hair back with his hand and looked coldly at her, knowing very well that it was probably she who had provoked her friends to bully Amrita.


    "Sorry? What are you even saying, Lin?" Aria clenched her fist upon hearing him refer to her in a taunting manner, controlling her expression to appear sincere as she nced between Amrita and the group of three young women who were Aria''s benchmates.


    "Shut up, Aria. Don''t act like I don''t know how much you hate Amrita," Lin stepped forward and red at her.


    "What? Why would I hate her?" Aria felt confused as she lifted her hand towards Lin to understand why he was even thinking this.


    p


    Lin, using his hand, pped away her hand, and with a mocking smile forming on his face, he reminded her, "Don''t act like I don''t know why you took admission in the art section instead of the music."


    "L-Lin?" Aria''s eyes slightly trembled, but she controlled herself in front of several ssmates who were looking at her as she felt their gazes. She clenched her fists tightly while looking towards Lin.


    "Hah, don''t call my name like that. Just remember this: control your dogs on a leash or next time...." Lin pointed his finger at her as he warned her against ever trying to use her status and family to bully Amrita through underhanded tactics by using her friends as scapegoats.


    "At least hear me out¡ªI will," Aria wanted to at least exin herself but just gripped her other hand, feeling the pain of his p. Knowing very well that he would not even listen to her, let alone believe her, she just slightly nodded.


    "Good, let''s go Amrita," Lin turned towards Amrita, who was looking at Aria with a saddened gaze, but Lin came forward, grabbing her hand before both of them moved towards their seats, leaving behind Aria, who stood there looking towards their backs.


    ''Hah, does he really love her that much?'' Aria looked towards the departing figures of both Lin and Amrita, as in her eyes a screen was visible above their heads, a small narrow screen with a few words written on each one of them.


    Aria nced towards Lin''s head where the screen floating over his head revealed:


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ?????PROTAGONIST


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    Looking towards the window, her eyes turned towards Amrita''s head where it showed:


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ???????HEROINE


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    Looking at both of their titles, a defeated smile formed on her face. As she closed her eyes and held her other wrist with one hand, suppressing the pain, she moved toward her seat. However, those three women from before sprinted towards her, approaching her as they said, "F-forgive us, Aria, we didn''t know he would me you."


    The woman who had mocked Amrita a few moments ago rubbed her forehead, feeling guilty for creating a scene for her friend, slightly annoyed that if she was the one who looked down on Amrita, then why did Lin go after Aria?


    "No, it''s fine," Aria wasn''t angry with her friends as she could clearly see the screen above their heads showing:


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ???? STEPPING STONE


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ???? SIDE CHARACTERn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ??SUPPORTING CHARACTER


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    Looking at their heads, she at least knew that this wasn''t their fault to begin with, as they were already considered some kind of characters meant to be the stepping stones for the love between the protagonist and heroine to form.


    Moving upward while passing through the ss window of the ssroom, her eyes turned towards her own reflection, looking towards a screen hovering over her head, revealing her title, which appeared different from others,pletely ck.


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ??????VILLAINESS


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    It was true that since the moment of her birth, she had always seen screens above others'' heads revealing their most appealing titles, which hid their weaker ones. For example, those who had some profession of assassin or belonged to a rich family would have their titles as "assassin" and "second-generation young master," etc.


    But if that assassin has more interest in cooking, while the rich family member has a greater interest in kindness as he helps others, she would see "Cook" or "Kind One" as their titles.


    Mostly, the titles were the most dominant ones belonging to that person''s personality, and it could only be one.


    As a child, she developed feelings for Lin, who reflected numerous traits she recognized in herself and came from a family with a simr standing. Both of them desired to pursue their own ambitions rather than depending on their family heritage.


    While she respected him and he did the same, suddenly her father and his, having the same status and wealth, decided to engage them with each other.


    And that was the time from whereon her and Lin''s friendship started deteriorating.


    Since her childhood, she had never seen any title screen over her head until the day she met Amrita.


    It was the day when, as if some fate yed a cruel game, a woman named Amrita transferred to Aria''s ssroom. For the first time, she saw a title on someone''s head written as "Heroine," and that woman was none other than Amrita.


    On that same day, as if a resonance urred, several titles started to appear above the heads of all the people she was close to, including Lin and her friends, with Lin bing the protagonist and the others bing supporting characters or extras.


    On that day, Aria found herself consumed by anger and pped Amrita in frustration, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. However, the oue was quite the opposite of what she had anticipated; Lin ended up growing closer to Amrita while distancing himself from her.


    And from there on, everything kept falling down, making her decide to just look at them from afar to avoid creating more bonding between them due to her actions, considering her role as the viiness, which would only make theme closer.


    But it was all in vain, as if luck was ying a cruel game.


    Everything just kept bringing both of them together.


    She hated her fate, the fate of a viiness.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Inside City A''s Sector 18, considered part of high society, the architecture and buildings soaring into the sky were indicative of the economic centers in City A.


    The atmosphere was reminiscent of a bustling city, with several people wearing office uniforms and formal attire as they headed toward their offices, while women went shopping, and the roads were filled with cars, making the environment lively and vibrant.


    "Damn it, I will bete!" A young woman seated in a car, driving toward the airport, nced at her watch and noted the potential dy if she remained in traffic for more than five minutes.


    She had been informed about the arrival of higher-ups from the Kingdom of Thaloris early in the morning. Considering that the guest was none other than a member of the Sertsul family, she felt even more urgency.


    Beep Beep.


    She pressed the horn as the sound of the car echoed through the traffic, but with a jam ahead, the vehicles remained still, making her clench her teeth in frustration.


    ncing out her window, she noticed the footpath was deserted. Then, with determination, she pushed down on the elerator and turned the steering wheel toward the footpath before speeding off.


    "Damn you! Leave my way!" she shouted as she drove, causing several individuals who had just turned toward the footpath to leap out of her path, cursing her car from behind. However, since she was already a considerable distance away, none of their words reached her.


    Instead, the sound of police sirens from patrol bikes began to follow her.


    "Huh? Damn you all!" Entrusting everything to her fate, she elerated the car to evade the police, racing toward the airport. There, she intended to relinquish her predicament to her superiors¡ªnoblemen by birth.


    Given the legal framework of the empire, her association with the noble men would provide a means for her escape.


    The noblemen were granted their own royal court, which effectively shielded them from central government ountability.


    Now that she intended to align herself with one of these noblemen, she could leverage their status to avoid both a fine and imprisonment. "Hehe, that was very smart of me. I hope to see you soon, dear noblemen!"

 Chapter 39: 41- Arrived in City A

    In City A, Sector 18 housed thergest airport in the city. Due to Sector 18 being an economic hub, the airport was primarily used for private chartered nes of businessmen, VVIPs, and high-ranking politicians.


    There were a total of three cities existing within a collection ofnd known as the Free Cities, where the central government operated in mutual coboration with the royal family.


    City A, City B, and City C each had their particr specialties whilecking any hierarchy among them. Each city possessed specific economic hubs and agricultural farnds, with thend divided into sectors.


    In a particr city, there could be up to 20 sectors, each known for its specialty. For instance, Sector 18 in city A was known for having thergest number of corporations and businesses rted to IT and financial management, while Sector 17 contained the most reputed university in City A¡ªElite Academy.


    The Arinphium Empire, spanning 13,686,097 square miles, was divided into three parts: the Kingdom of Thaloris, the Royal Kingdom, and the Free Cities.


    Thaloris, home to the nobles, stretched across 7,000,000 square miles and was filled with farnds and estates, covering 51% of the totalndmass.


    The Royal Kingdom, where the royal family reigned, covered 3,500,000 square miles of prestigiousnd, ounting for 25% of thendmass.


    The Free Cities, each standing as a powerful entity, upied 3,000,000 square miles, making up 22% of the totalndmass.


    In City A, its 20 sectors varied in size¡ªSector 18, the economic hub, covered 60,000 square miles, while Sector 17, housing the elite academy, spanned 40,000 square miles. This was the case in each city, where the sectors possessed sufficientndmass.


    At the airport of Sector 18, there were fewer crowds today, as if the whole airport had been emptied out for some important guests'' arrival, given that security was hardly dealing with more than dozens of reporters who were trying to enter at all costs once they got the news about the arrival of a private jetnding at the airport.


    Police forces were also engaged in keeping other people at a distance from the airport. All this made it evident that the person in question was a very important figure.


    On the tarmac at the airport close to the runway, a convoy of ck cars advanced towards a jet that had just touched down. When they halted, a number of figures in ck coats emerged, apanied by their secretaries who were toting briefcases.


    The doors of the ne swung open, and the airstair began to lower. From inside, a man in a ck suit stepped forward, his silver hair dancing in the breeze while his piercing sapphire eyes caught sight of several figures standing on the tarmac.


    "Wee, Sir Croceaus," the individuals approached, bowing towards the man who was stepping out of the jet, while they gathered around several cars that hade to collect Marquess Avendial. This sight left Aecilia feeling bewildered, as she noticed so many people were already informed of their arrival in City A.


    ''Pharma, IT, and construction,'' as Avendial stepped off the ne, he unfastened his suit jacket and ced his hand casually in his pant''s pocket. He nced at the three figures at the front, aware that they were the prominent CEOs of the various factions within the Croceaus group. His attention then shifted to Aecilia, fully aware that she was likely feeling quite bewildered.


    "Miss Aecilia, these are the chief executive officers of the leading businesses under the Croceaus Group in City A."


    "I see..." Aecilia looked towards those people with a nk gaze, already aware of their identities, given the informationwork of the Sertsul family. Though the thing that mostly bewildered her was that she thought it was a secret date where Avendial wanted to spend some quality time alone with her without using his status.


    But it appeared that he was again here on some business, not on a date with her.


    ncing at him, she sighed, understanding that he most likely just used her to visit the Free Cities to hide himself from the royal family.


    Naturally, if someone like Avendial Croceaus left the Kingdom of Thaloris and entered the Free City, the royal family would likely start specting about the reason for his arrival here, considering they already saw him as a threat due to his enormous wealth, which was enough to rival the royal family.


    The threat that the royal family always assumed was that he would increase his grip on the central government, given that he could mold them into providing major projects and opportunities for businesses, thereby indirectly helping him increase his wealth.


    So, the royal family was always wary of him on an external level, but not enough to feel threatened.


    Aecilia, ncing at Avendial, felt it was really unfair after understanding why he had invested 13.5 billion imperial crowns in the Sertsul family¡ªit was all for him to have an excuse to enter the Free Cities.


    She couldn''t help but feel that even while acting very approachable the previous night, whileughing, this man was indeed a business-minded individual.


    Considering how he had invested such arge amount of money to fool the royal family into thinking that he had arrived in the Free City just to visit the sites or the projects where his money would be invested.


    Aecilia would not have reached this conclusion if she had not realized after leavingst night that no money had been sent to the Sertsul family. Instead, it was sent this morning, proving that Avendial just wanted to let other noblemen know, so the news of his investment would reach the royal family sooner and cause them to turn a blind eye to his visit to the Free City.


    The royal family''s indifference likely stems from the limited financial flexibility of individuals whose wealth is predominantly tied up innd and property, rather than readily avable liquid assets. This means that the royal family perceives that by investing 13.5 billion, Avendial would temporarily experience a significant loss, with any potential profits taking a long time to materialize.


    Consequently, the situation is not seen as a threat but rather a favorable scenario.


    "I see, so we are not going on a date today." Aecilia closed her eyes and leaned her head slightly to one side, one hand sping the elbow of the other. She decided not to me Avendial since he never referred to it as a date. Considering she had at least sessfully obtained funds for her business, Aecilia opted for silence.


    "Date? Miss Aecilia, I am engaged." Avendial drew a clear line between himself and Aecilia by bringing up his engagement, prompting her to gradually open her eyes as she turned to face him. He moved toward one of the cars¡ªa stunning onyx ck model¡ªbefore opening the door and saying, "Though, of course, I would not mind going for a drive with you."


    ''He seems interested in her?'' the men who held the positions of Chief Executives, currently just background characters in the presence of Avendial and Aecilia, couldn''t help but think that the well-renowned business tycoon Avendial Croceaus had a romantic side to him.


    "....sure." With a subtle press of her lips together, Aecilia lifted her head up and released a breath before heading toward the vehicle. She felt a sense of contentment knowing he intended to take her for a romantic drive (*her overactive imagination). However, just as she reached for the door on the opposite side from where Avendial was standing, he halted her progress.


    "Oh, not there, Miss Aecilia. You are the one who''s driving the car." Avendial arrived near her, pulled her aside, entered the car, and then shut the door.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "...." Aecilia stood still, processing everything.


    ''Ah, he seems interested in her being his driver.''

 Chapter 40: 42- Elite Academys visit

    "Where do you want to go?" With a vacant stare while driving the car out of the airport, Aecilia turned her eyes towards Avendial, who was preupied with his phone, and posed a question.


    "Is there an academy nearby called Elite Academy? Take me there," Avendial focused on his phone screen, where he was typing the names of all the individuals who were nothing but traitors to the Croceus family. After finally writing the 986 names, he nced toward Aecilia.


    "Elite Academy?" Aecilia felt confused but focused on the car as she elerated through the empty asphalt. Given that the nearby area was deserted, she entered the highway directly, speeding toward sector 17, while still feeling confused about his mention of the Elite Academy.


    Considering that he didn''t know where the academy was located, Aecilia could at least assume that he had never seen or visited it.


    And true to the fact, Avendial had never visited the Elite Academy, not even in his past life. But it didn''t matter much, considering that the only location of the Empyreals he was aware of was the Elite Academy.


    Even though Avendial had knowledge of the future, it was all about the names and identities of those Empyreals whom he met inside the tower.


    He didn''t know where they existed right now, nor was his memory sharp enough to remember the addresses of each of them.


    The most he could remember were their faces, but naturally, he didn''t know their exact locations or where they could currently be found. Nor, even after seeing their familiar faces, would he be able to recall their abilities.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Since the sheer number of Empyreals, after the arrival of the Tower, has crossed 2 billion.


    So, in general, if individuals who were with him all the time in the Croceus estate or the royal family were excluded, he couldn''t know or recall everyone with uracy while remembering everything about their powers.


    After all, the brain usually deletes temporarily unused memories, like faces one sees for the first time.


    But of course, if he saw those individuals'' faces, he would be able to remember his familiarity with them. Just like presently, he was aware of a woman currently located inside the Elite Academy, carrying an awakened ability that Avendial needed at all costs.


    So right now he was heading to the Elite Academy to make that womane to him.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "Haa....Haah," a man wearing formal attire ran through the corridor belonging to one of the buildings inside the Elite Academy as he gasped for breath, still continuing to run until he reached the office of the director, directly entering it without even knocking. "Director!"


    "What is the meaning of this?" An old man seated in a chair with his sses near his nose while going through some documents looked towards his assistant who had barged in without knocking, showing improper etiquette, given that there were a few professors still inside the room.


    "F-forgive me, Director, but there''s an emergency!" the assistant informed about the situation as he slowly approached the old man. While passing by the professors, who nodded calmly and turned to focus on their work, the assistant arrived beside the director, lowered his head, and whispered something in his ear.


    "Wh-what!?" Suddenly the director stood up, his voice loud enough to break the etiquette he had wanted to instill in his assistant just moments ago.


    "Is there something the issue, Director?" One professor remarked on the changes in the director''s face¡ªshaking, with slight muscle contractions, droplets of sweat appearing on his forehead, and shaking hands. These were all revealing signs of a disturbing or threatening situation that had caused the usually calm and self-assured director to react in such a way.


    "Professor Rihane, this is an urgent matter," The director stepped away from his seat and walked over to the coat rack, grabbing his coat as he began to leave, which caused the other professors to exchange nces and nod in agreement, grasping the importance of the situation as they followed him outside.


    As they all moved through the corridorprising the director, his assistants, and three other professors¡ªone individual stepped up and asked, "Director, can you tell us about that urgent matter?"


    "Professors, someone from the aristocracy is arriving to visit our academy in a few minutes," the director informed while moving, knowing there wasn''t any need to hide this fact as they were already trying to reach the main gate as soon as possible.


    When the professors and the director exited the main building, just a few students were nearby who greeted them, as most were busy attending sses in their own departmental buildings at that time.


    "Wh-what?! Someone from Thaloris?" Hearing the words from the director, the professors were slightly taken aback, but theyposed themselves as Professor Rihane inquired, "Is it someone of Baron or Viscount status?"


    Naturally, the titles didn''t hold any value in the present world, but in the end, even a baron possessed a significant amount of wealth.


    Considering the way their director reacted, it was obvious that someone was not just wealthy but of utmost respect was arriving here.


    "No, no, it''s someone from the Sertsul family¡ª" the director revealed the information as all of them turned through the gardenne. Finally, the main gate came into view, but due to thergendmass in between, it was still a considerable distance away. Before the director couldplete his words, Professor Rihane interrupted.


    "I-Is it true that a Lustress ising to this academy?" Rihane referred to the popr title of members of the main Sertsul family, which was widely known among the citizens, given that if one needed to see a beauty, they just needed to find someone from that noble family.


    At least presently, about 93% of women in dramas, movies, and films were linked to the Sertsul family.


    Sertsul further exins the significance of its name when spelled backwards, resulting in Lustres(s).


    Since the Sertsul family is the only noble family that has had the most interaction with ordinary citizens and has invested in several fields and worked on women''s empowerment, they are well-respected by the citizens.


    Of course, whenever their names are mentioned, they are always associated with the area of pleasure houses and businesses rted to prostitution.


    But in truth, the Sertsul family provided employment to women based on their abilities while offering them training and different methods from which they could choose their future while clearly providing them guidance about how much they could earn and how they should use their talent to be independent.


    It is also a fact that womencking talent or considered talentless have either turned to sites like ''OnlyFandoms'' or be courtesans to earn a living.


    But of course, there were also talented women who could be considered ideal examples of women empowerment, for example, someone like Professor Rihane herself.


    Born in a rural area, with an alcoholic father and growing up in an abusive household, she had run away from her home at the age of 18, only to find that the world was not a better ce either.


    But like a blessing, the Sertsul family introduced new training opportunities for millions of women, thanks to the financial support from the well-known businessman, Marquess Avendial Croceaus.


    The criteria for that schrship were simply to be a woman who wanted to be independent and survive in this world. There was no discrimination, nor were there age criteria, educational requirements, or test backgrounds.


    This initiative opened doors for 18-year-old Rihane, who earned a schrship to study at the Elite Academy after proving her sharp mind and interest in strategic understanding.


    She now holds the prestigious title of professor, renowned for her expertise in Tactical Military Strategy and Geospatial Intelligence.


    And today, she had arrived to meet the director to submit her resignation to pursue her next goal, as she had received an official hiring letter from the Arinphiam Empire to be a military strategist in the royal kingdom.

 Chapter 41: 43 - Should Have Just Slept

    Hearing that someone from the Sertsul family, who had supported her, was arriving made her feel as if she were achieving her dream right now.


    Instead of applying to other countries outside the Empire, where most of them were offering her the position of second-inmand as a military strategist, she epted an offer from the royal family.


    Even knowing that she would hold the position of only third-ranked military strategist¡ªgiven that the upper two positions were already reserved for the aristocracy¡ªshe still wanted to join them so that she could at least meet or thank the people due to whom her life had changed.


    Though she was aware that for a wealthy person, it might not seem like much, considering that they might not even know her, in the end, she was grateful and wanted to be of some help.


    "Ahem, yes," the Director said, upon hearing Professor Rihane referring to someone of aristocracy as ''Lustress.'' He coughed, but since he was already aware that the widely used title for the main bloodline of the Sertsul family was referred to as such without carrying the literal or derogatory meaning, he further added, "But she is not alone. Marquess Croceaus himself is arriving today."


    "Sorry?" All the professors, including Professor Rihane, stopped in their path as they heard the name of someone whose arrival in this academy was unbelievable to them. They nced at each other before again confirming, "Pardon, Director, but is it someone from the Croceaus family arriving here?"


    The intent of their words was simply that it was possible for someone from the Croceaus family to arrive at the academy, but for Marquess Avendial Croceaus himself toe was impossible.


    It seemed unfeasible, given the public awareness of how focused Marquess Avendial was on business; he had never set foot in the Free Cities since he began to expand the Croceaus enterprises. This led to several rumors circting throughout the Free Cities.


    A few of them were like:


    They say Marquess Avendial never visits the Free Cities because thest time he considered it, the real estate prices tripled overnight, just from spection that he might buy property.


    Or


    Marquess Avendial avoids stepping into a Free City; the previous time he considered it, the local economy copsed when all investors withdrew to focus on financing his soon-to-beunched initiative.


    Of course, these were just rumors, but there were so many that they had be a normal topic of conversation, effectively bing a tag attached to Marquess Croceaus, so the professors were definitely doubtful.


    "Phew, I know; those rumors are too misleading, but yes, Marquess Avendial himself is arriving here soon." The Director was aware of the rumors since they weremonly discussed, and he also wouldn''t have believed it if it hadn''t been for his assistant clearly mentioning that he had confirmed the fact from the CEO of one of the IT firms under Croceaus group.


    "Is that so?" All of the professors be static before looking towards the main gate, causing the Director to also turn towards them as he noticed their nk gazes. Before long, all three of them started to take small steps, adding, "The one who arrives at the gate first gets to greet the Marquess first!"


    With those words, all three professors, who were renowned in their fields and the experts of their departments, sprinted as if they were in a race.


    The Director stood behind, his eyes widened and a rush inside his muscles as if his youth was returning.


    Seeing these reputable professors not caring about student gazes and sprinting like that, he also took a stance as an athlete, kneeling with both hands on the ground as if preparing for a marathon. He shouted, "I need donations for the Academy! Let me greet him first!"


    He also sprinted and dashed while ignoring the stunned expressions of a few students, some sping their mouths in shock at seeing their Director like that.


    Those from the respective departments belonging to the three professors were equally shocked, seeing them act like children.


    -----


    "That''s the academy building," Aecilia calmly replied, turning the steering wheel and looking a mile away, where the academy''s structure and its surrounding wall came into view as the convoy of cars navigated the sparsely popted roads.


    These routes remained rtively clear during working hours, as traffic typically increased during the day and night when students and employees finished their respective jobs.


    "I see," Avendial nodded as he nced towards his phone, putting it inside before folding his hands and ncing outside, observing the particr absence of crowds nearby. It was evident that it was the perfect time for him to arrive in Sector 17, given that it was working hours.


    "By the way, what work do you have here, Marquess?" Aecilia inquired as her hands glided perfectly on the steering wheel while she turned the car towards thene leading to the main gate of the academy.


    The convoy followed behind them, consisting of around five or six cars.


    In hidden positions, there were already several bodyguards and security personnel walking hastily to ensure that nothing went wrong during Marquess Avendial''s visit, while the government was also slowly getting the news of his arrival, prompting government officials to board helicopters or whatever necessary means to arrive here.


    All their actions were influenced by the fact that right now they were able to have a chance to meet the world''s richest man. No one wanted to miss this opportunity, whether they were high-ranking officials, academic professors, or even chief executives who rarely got to meet the Marquess.


    "Just trying to find someone," Avendial replied, remembering the events of his past life, where the most he could get from the woman whom he had killed after getting entangled in a small battle was that she had studied at the Elite Academy.


    Short story time: The same young man who loved another woman, preferring her over the one who truly loved him, started to grow exponentially stronger after gaining powers.


    However, while doing so, he collided with a Marquess on the fifth floor of a tower.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    While the young man possessed strength and power, the Marquess had brains and was able to utilize the resources around him to their maximum output, making things difficult for the young man. The enmity kept growing, ultimately leading to an all-out war in which the woman who secretly loved the young man from afar decided to sacrifice herself to trap the Marquess.


    But it all ended in the deaths of the young man, the woman he loved, and the third woman who loved that young man, while the Marquess remained victorious.


    In the present, the Marquess was only aware of the ability that the woman possessed and her location being the Elite Academy¡ªnothing else.


    It was simply because the woman had used a pen name, and due to her face beingpletely burned, Avendial did not even know how she looked.


    So here he was, himself acting as a trap to catch that woman, given that her ability was able to see through someone.


    "Who exactly?" Aecilia asked as she finally turned the steering wheel, arriving at the academy gate where she pressed the brakes before ncing at Avendial, who was sitting beside her in the seat closer to the entrance.


    "I don''t know." Avendial turned his face towards Aecilia, meeting her golden eyes, ncing with a smile, making Aecilia look at him for a few moments. Before long, in the same line of sight, her eyes fell on the window where four or five people were running towards them.


    After pursing her lips and releasing a sigh, she turned to look forward, resting her head against the steering wheel and reflecting, ''Sigh, I should have simply taken a nap instead ofing on this date.''

 Chapter 42: 44- An Offer

    "By the way, does anyone here know how marquess looks like?" one of the professors inquired while running toward the gate as several cars halted in front of them. They were just ten steps away from the gate, while the director had already caught up with them with his speed and was even outrunning them.


    The question arose from the fact that no one had seen Marquess Avendial before, given that thews of the free cities weren''t applied to the Kingdom of Thaloris or the Royal Kingdom, making it impossible for just anyone to enter those countries without valid proof.


    Therefore, no media permissions were granted for anyone to capture images or for reporters to write articles about what was happening in the Aristocracy.


    It was as if all three countries had separate architectures, and thews were too strict for any citizen to enter Thaloris or the Royal Kingdom without permission.


    Moreover, it was impossible for Avendial Croceaus to visit free cities. Consequently, no media had ever published his photos because they were unable to capture his image.


    "I know it!" Professor Rihane said as they all finally halted near the gate. She sprinted toward the car at the front, already recognizing the presence of silver and white hair visible through the car window, belonging to none other than Avendial Croceaus.


    Naturally, while undergoing training with the Sertsul family, the programs were separated after one year of previous teachings. In those teachings, all the sses were solely focused on making women aware of their strengths.


    For women who had no knowledge or talent, the first month involved learning how to use their bodies as weapons against others, followed by psychological maniption, acting, and simr subjects.


    A total of twelve sses were taught over the course of a year; each topic took one month.


    At the end of the year, all the women received a probability list of their most fitting fields of expertise, which included categories of upations such as seduction and quick decision-making.


    Having a list mentioning upations involving the sale of their bodies could easily be considered disgraceful. However, for a woman who was a rape victim or one who had experienced domestic violence with no support, this was often the only option avable to them.


    Even within those categories, there were subcategories where students were assessed based on their physical appearance and other tests conducted over an additional six months, providing them with exact upation choices and schrships to pursue those professions, including opportunities for graduation and work-from-home jobs, as well as those of courtesans.


    The opportunities depended entirely on the student''s capabilities, with thosecking talent, social skills,nguage proficiency, or even the mental capacity to understand things often being given the least favorable options. Nheless, most women were able to secure good lives.


    In this context, Rihane was ced in the subcategory of mind tactics and geopolitical understandings. After a year, coupled with six months of focused study, she was able to gain insight into how the Royal Kingdom and the Aristocracy functioned.


    She learned that each noble with a pure bloodline possessed signature physical traits, such as the main blood of the Sertsul family having golden eyes and ck hair, while the Croceaus family, on the other hand, was characterized by silver-white hair and blue eyes.


    "Greetings, Marquess!" Rihane, arriving just a few steps near the car, bowed as the door snapped open, and then Avendial himself came out of the car. His eyes first fell on Rihane, who was bowing, before following her actions. The other professors and the director also arrived and greeted him.


    ''She recognized me,'' As Avendial stepped out of the car, he had expected that no one would recognize him, given his efforts to maintain a low profile in social circles and hisck of published photographs in the media.


    However, seeing the woman in front of him identify him took him by surprise, albeit just a little. With a slight lift of his gaze, he turned toward the academy and began walking past all the individuals who bowed in respect.


    "Yawn~" Causing the professors and the director, who were going to pull out of their nervousness, was a yawn. They slowly lifted their gaze and found that Avendial wasn''t in front; instead, it was Aecilia who was stretching her body and yawning.


    "This?" The director was looking at her, even though he found her appearance familiar, but before he could remember it, Professor Rihane intervened.


    "Greetings, Miss Aecilia Sertsul!" Rihane lifted her head once again and bowed 90 degrees as her eyes widened with happiness at finally meeting these two individuals. Even though it was most likely that the decision-making could not be in their hands, they belonged to families that had taken steps to help normal citizens.


    Rihane had been able to recognize this woman, given that there were some articles published in the media about Aecilia Sertsul since she normally visited free cities to keep an eye on the progress of the investments that the Sertsul family made. Whenever she visited, it was a trending topic considering she was a noblewoman.


    "Hm....you must be Rihane, right?" Aecilia, after stretching her body, folded her hands as her eyes fell on the woman who just greeted her. Seeing that curly brown hair with round sses, Aecilia instantly recognized her due to having seen this woman''s resume and photo a few weeks ago, where Aecilia herself had rmended her as the military strategist inside the Royal Kingdom.


    Though, of course, it was her own skills and hard work that had made her pass the test and get selected as the military strategist.


    "Huh?" Professor Rihane, for a moment, was taken aback. The moment someone of nobility, especially Aecilia Sertsul, had recognized her, caused her mind to race as if she was trying to understand where she had met or how she had caught the attention of Aecilia.


    Her eyes moved rapidly under the cover of her round sses before she swiftly lifted her gaze, looking toward Aecilia, and said, "Thank you for rmending me to the Royal Kingdom for the position of military strategist."


    After taking a moment to reflect, Rihane reached a single conclusion: her performance had likely led Aecilia to rmend her for the role of military strategist.


    She dismissed the idea that the royal family would have recognized her talent independently, particrly since the two highest positions were typically reserved for nobility, providing a clear image that royals preferred nobles instead of ordinary citizens.


    Rihane understood that if a citizen were to be considered, it would certainly be due to a rmendation from a noble¡ªand the only noble family she could think of that would rmend her was the Sertsul family. After hearing her name from Aecilia''s mouth, it was most likely Aecilia herself who did it.


    ''....'' Aecilia gazed at Rihane''s face, who just adjusted her sses while looking at Aecilia with shimmering stars in her eyes, making Aecilia feel a twinge of awkwardness as she observed this woman¡ªwhom she regarded as intelligent and insightful¡ªreact in such a childlike manner.


    Nheless, Aecilia felt a sense of satisfaction in knowing that Rihane had figured out she was the one who had rmended her, reassuring Aecilia that she hadn''t chosen the wrong person.


    ''Where to find her,'' Avendial, standing in front of the academy while observing a few of the students ncing in his direction, saw the expanse filled with several buildings and departments. This made him realize that it would be a hassle to search for a single person here.


    Before turning toward Aecilia, he heard the conversation between those two women and then nced toward the director and three other men who were bowing until now.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Naturally, he didn''t recall seeing any of their faces, making him realize that either they had not survived the tower''s first floor or must have never gotten a chance to meet him.


    Hearing about the rmendation from that woman''s mouth, he approached her before standing beside her while resting his hands in his pockets, inquiring of Aecilia, "What rmendation?"


    Avendial''s minor goal was also to collect talented individuals before the tower''s arrival. Though of course, his priority was set on awakened individuals instead of normal ones. However, seeing how Aecilia herself had rmended this woman as military strategist, he became curious.


    "I had rmended her as military strategist to Royal Kingdom due to her performance, Marquess," Aecilia casually ryed the information, standing and stealing a nce at Avendial and Rihane, noticing how Rihane''s body slightly betrayed a hint of anxiety as she looked up at them.


    "...Military?" Avendial had already heard her being rmended as military strategist, but to be truthful, in the present world where everything was peaceful, there wasn''t any need for such a profession; it was just a position by name. But the value of this position would astronomically increase when the tower arrives.


    Then the first floor was a battleground in itself, making Avendial nce toward Rihane. While though he hadn''t ever seen her in a previous life, he decided for now to take her in.


    "I will pay you ten times what the Royal Family offers. Join the Croceaus estate," Avendial, noticing how the CEOs and their assistants were also standing nearby while in conversation with the director and professor, directly offered a big deal in front of everyone to Rihane with two intents.


    First was simply to secure her talent, and second, if she isn''t of any help to him in the future, he could easily sell her back to the royal family at an extravagant price.


    Given how this news of him hiring her on the spot with such a big offer would soon reach them through various people, the Royals would view his offer as an investment and automatically consider this woman to have potential talent.


    So it wasn''t a loss for him to offer her such an amount since he could simply sell her back for more profit.


    "I would like to reject." Rihane lifted her hand and outright rejected.


    "...."

 Chapter 43: 45 - Beauty Up to the Mark

    "....." Hearing those words from Rihane, standing several steps away, the Director, Professor, and the CEOs just nced in her direction, blinking, trying to understand if they had heard it right.


    After all, the issue isn''t that she was offered ten times her sry, which would definitely mean nothingpared to what the CEO or the Director himself earns. The problem was that the man she had just rejected was none other than Marquess Croceaus.


    For a rich person or someone influential like him, this is not just a matter of money, since they have enough of it, but pride. In most cases, rich people take small things to heart concerning their ego. In such circumstances, without even lifting a finger, they could rewrite one''s fate.


    This was also the case for Rihane, which everyone expected except Aecilia, who would now face a hellish life after rejecting the offer.


    "It''s a pity then," Avendial calmly replied, not feeling the need to push her more to join his side since he didn''t see much value in her that would make him go much farther as he turned towards the academy and was about to move.


    "I will just join you for free, Marquess," Rihane interjected, clearly stating that she didn''t even need a sry, let alone ten times that amount. Lifting her head, she adjusted her sses with one hand while cing the other over her chest, showing her sincerity about wanting to join Croceaus''s estate.


    "....and why is that?" Avendial, seeing her enthusiasm in wanting to join his side without asking for a sry, felt at least that she was eager to work with him, but mere enthusiasm wasn''t enough.


    There is a saying in which Avendial always believes: having no loyal allies is significantly better than being stuck with a mindless loyal person.


    After all, some foolishly loyal people, instead of trying to solve the situation, often choose self-sacrifice without considering how those to whom they have shown their loyalty will feel about such a decision.


    "Because of two reasons," Covering her face with her hands sewn together like a puzzle, Rihane swiftly held up two fingers with her other hand before giving a sly smirk and responding, "First, you said to join Croceaus''s estate, which means I would be able to livevishly inside the territory ruled by the world''s richest man; and second, by not asking for a sry, you will not see me as an investment and sell me to get profit if I don''t prove my worth."


    ''....she is smart.'' Hearing Rihane''s words felt as if she had just read his mind, causing Avendial to smile slightly.


    He appreciated this woman''s intellect and bravery in expressing her thoughts in front of him, especially considering how people often cloak their words with lies in front of influential figures to appear likable, mindlesslyughing at every unfunny joke or supporting them without thinking.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Marquess, by the way, what position will you assign her?" Aecilia, noticing the gazes of the Director and others, who were even though engaged in conversation, were poking their ears to listen in, could clearly understand that these words would soon reach the royal family, prompting her to inquire to clear the mess and suspicion in case the royal family considered Avendial was preparing for treason by creating his own military.


    "Just some errand work," Avendial saw through Aecilia''s intention in asking the question, feeling somewhat satisfied to be around smart people. He turned towards the academy, noticing the Directors and others ncing in his direction as he called out, "You must be the Director, right?"


    ''?!''


    "Ahem, I am the Director of the Elite Academy," the old man came forward, clearing his throat, attempting to maintain his demeanor as he tried to appear calm and collected in front of the Marquess, while internally his mind was crashing down, feeling for the first time in his 40 years of being in academy that he was jealous of a professor.


    "Nice to meet you," Avendial nodded, and slowly other professors and the Director''s assistant came forward to greet him, followed by the CEOs who appeared busy due to calls they were receiving from influential government individuals and others asking for the location of the Marquess.


    Considering they were themselves at the head of one of the leading groups in their field, the calls were from very prominent leaders and even mayors from particr cities, just so they could invite the Marquess to visit them or to dinner.


    "Switch off your phones," Avendial noticed this and clearly instructed all three CEOs and their secretaries to turn off their phones since he wasn''t in the mood to get entangled with the formalities of some government employees who wanted to establish a connection with him.


    At least for this moment, considering he would need the support of the government in the future, but for today he wanted to focus on the reason he was here for.


    "Y-yes sir." With slight hesitation, all the individuals turned their phones off, including the professor and the Director, and it became even more exasperating when Rihane and Aecilia took out their phones to turn off as well.


    "You appear to be in the mood to joke, aren''t you?" Avendial nced back at Aecilia, who casually looked at him and shrugged her shoulders, making him shake his head before turning towards Rihane and adding, "Miss Rihane, you need toplete some tasks for me."


    "Yes?" As Avendial referred to her, Rihane looked at him with a calm gaze, waiting for his instruction while noticing how the Director and professors also nced in their direction as they stood just 2-3 steps away, having arrived near them a few moments ago, eagerly waiting for instruction.


    "Let''s talk while we move around campus." Avendial moved towards the academy''s gate as he walked, and Aecilia calmly joined beside him, wearing her ck nightgown¡ªnot too revealing and loose enough to make her feelfortable¡ªbut even though it wasn''t able topletely suppress her curvaceous body.


    ''My first task?'' Rihane also followed along, while the Director and others nced at each other before they joined them. Moving at a distance, as they understood Marquess wanted to assign the task without revealing the details to them, they maintained a boundary and remained ten steps behind.


    "Rihane, how many departments are there in the academy?" Avendial inquired while looking towards an almost green garden where a few students were ncing in his direction, and most of them held the same expression¡ªan unblinking gaze, blushing faces¡ªas both male and female students were looking in their direction.


    Even though they were far away, they could somewhat hear whispers among the students.


    :: Hey, isn''t she beautiful? Is she a model? ::


    :: Who is that man beside the professor? Is he some movie actor? ::


    Though of course, Avendial couldn''t be considered the most handsome man who ever existed, he was somewhat attractive due to his good genes and could easily be considered a top movie star. The same could be said for Aecilia, who, due to her goth style and nonchnt demeanor as she ruffled her dense ck hair, was attracting the gaze of the male students.


    "They are kids," Aecilia mumbled as she noticed the young men ncing in her direction, disying typical behavior that made her realize there was a world where no one schemed against each other at the level that noblemen did.


    One hand glided through her hair as she took a rubber band from her wrist, tilting her head as she gathered a lock of hair and secured the band in ce before walking straight. "Now it''sfortable."


    :: Khuck?! My heart! ::


    :: Augh?! My nose is bleeding! ::


    :: She is a goddess. ::


    "....." Avendial, standing next to her, couldn''t help but nce ahead, recognizing that she had deliberately aimed to tease those students.

 Chapter 44: 46- Found the protagonist

    "Marquess, there are a total of 39 departments as of now, and the new one will soon open next year," Rihane replied as she came forward, increasing her pace to appear to be walking beside the Marquess. By doing so, she hoped to embrace her image as someone who has connections with him.


    "I see. So, Ms. Rihane, for the task, you need to find a boy with pink hair and pink eyes from those 39 departments within 30 minutes," Avendial stated, moving through the garden area while directly giving Rihane the task.


    Even though the director would have the list of the students and could do a better job than Rihane because he had most of the control, there was a risk that, by mentioning that particr student, the director would start treating that student as someone rted to Avendial Croceaus¡ªwhich Avendial definitely did not want.


    "Huh? Marquess, there are a total of 23,000 students if webine the school and other lower departments too. How can I?" Rihane felt that the first task he assigned her was of an impossible difficulty level given the time limit.


    Though there were solutions she could think of, they were not feasible in such a small amount of time, and to aplish them, she needed more time than this due to the sheer number of students.


    "So? Go ahead and keep my search intentions to yourself." With an empty gaze, Avendial turned his attention toward her, arching an eyebrow that prompted her to wince a little. She nced around, weighing her options before darting straight toward the director and the rest of the group.


    "Do you think she will be able to do it?" Aecilia, who also heard the task details, could clearly understand that it was inherently a tough task, but of course not impossible if resources were used in an optimal manner. As she looked toward how that woman joined the director and started to exin things to him, Aceilia nced back at Avendial, inquiring, "Should I do it?


    It would not take more than 10 minutes."


    "I know, but shouldn''t she prove herself?" Avendial stated that it was a test for Rihane to prove if she deserved to be chosen to join Croceaus estate. Since it may appear the task was too difficult due to the time limit, it wasn''t much of a deal if one had an informationwork as strong as the Sertsul family.


    "Fine, I will just make a call," Aecilia said before directly dialing the number, not caring if it was a test. In her understanding, if this was a test, then she also needed to know the results beforehand to check if the answer was correct. As the call connected, she added, "Search for all the families whose members have pink hair and eyes in City A, starting from sector 15 to sector 20."


    "It will take some time for them to go through government records," Aecilia replied as both of them walked throughout the campus while Avendial kept ncing toward the students in hopes of finding someone familiar from his past life.


    However, as most of the students were attending ss, there weren''t many for them to remember, except for a few faces that weren''t particrly highlighted, and he couldn''t recall their abilities.


    This made securing the woman for whose search he had arrived today even more important.


    Though, of course, it would take a few weeks to make things work out. Specifically, he was trying to search for that young man, instead of the woman, knowing well that her physical appearance might be different from her previous life, making it impossible to search for her.


    However, knowing about her love and affection toward that young man, it was most likely she would be in the same department as him.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    As she walked, time flew by due to the campus''s distance, and 10 minutes had already gone by when, precisely at the 12-minute mark, Aecilia''s phone rang, prompting her to answer the call, "Hm, I see."


    "Did you find him?" Avendial inquired as he nced toward Aecilia, who ended the call while looking at her phone.


    "How are you sure that there could only be one family with that pink hair trait? There could be many," Aceilia said, hearing his statement. Since she mentioned finding someone, she felt that Avendial was sure that the pink hair was possessed only by a single individual or family, not many.


    "Indeed, but there are always some unique people who are favored from birth," Avendial replied, resting his hands in his pockets and tilting his head. He spoke in a gentle tone as he gazed ahead, contemting the appearance of the young man who had stood in his way in the past life.


    This was the first obstacle he could acknowledge, though he didn''t view him as anything more than a mere pebble. Nheless, this young man, seemingly favored by fate, possessed luck, loyal subjects and everything one could ask for. Considering this favoritism, it was improbable that many would resemble him.


    "...There is the Diego family in sector 18, where a noble woman chose to marry a businessman, and due to her trait, he inherited the pink hair and eyes from her." Aceilia managed to acquire crucial information within just 10 minutes by leveraging herwork.


    Her team effectivelymunicated to the government authorities that this data was essential for Marquess himself, which prompted their cooperation and granted her ess to their servers. This ess made it rtively straightforward for hackers to retrieve the family''s data by using keyword tracing.


    So, they did use the name of the Marquess, which wasn''t new for the Sertsul family, as Sertsuls were the only noble family that always remained active in the free cities. They often used fake names, mostly the name of Marquess Croceaus, due to his habit of never visiting the free city to gather information as they saw fit.


    Of course, it would be illegal if found by the royal family, but nothing is illegal until it is found.


    "Diego? I must say you are fast, Miss Aecilia¡ª" Avendial was justplimenting her for finding the name of the family, but before he could finish, he saw Rihane sprinting toward him while gasping for breath. She was running, her curly hair messier than before, her eyes red as if she had just been through de-aging by two years.


    "FOUND HIM!" she yelled from the distance as she secured the time limit. Finally reaching the Marquess, she gasped, supporting herself through her knees while trying to breathe in, "Haah....Haaah.....L-lin, it''s Lin Diego. He is in the art and culture department."


    "Lin?" Avendial, looking at her gasping for breath while revealing the information, felt good that she waspetent enough to do this work. This prompted him to nce toward Aecilia and add, "I should thank Ms. Aecilia for providing me with such a potential talent."


    Though, of course, he didn''tpare Aecilia and Rihane, given that Rihane needed to go through only the information of 23,000 students, while Aecilia had to go through all the family details living in City A, which was enormous and something nearly impossible in itself.


    "So, how did you do it?" Aecilia folded her arms and inquired with curiosity while looking calmly at Rihane. Given the fact that if she were in her ce and had to find a particr student, given his facial traits among the 23,000, she would have used ''facial recognition.''


    "Haah... Haah.... F-face recognition AI!" Rihane Revealed

 Chapter 45: 47 - Money is Almighty

    "Haah... Haah... F-face recognition AI!" While breathing heavily, Rihane replied, exining how she was able to search for the particr student by using facial recognition artificial intelligence, entering the details of pink hair and eyes while essing the academy''s servers with the director''s permission.


    She also made sure that the director or anyone else couldn''t check which particr student she was searching for. This was why she had run several different kinds of facial prompts before doing it for the pink one, including ck hair, blue hair, white hair, etc., to confuse the director as per the Marquess''s orders.


    "Well done. Now, should we go to the director''s office?" Avendial, closing his eyes and holding a smile, appreciated her hard work as he passed beside her, causing Rihane to stare nkly. As she turned towards them, she saw them moving in the same direction from where she hade while running.


    ''It''s my first day on the job, and I''m getting overworked!'' Rihane inwardly yelled before slowly starting to move towards the director''s office, following behind them with her head lowered. Her exhausted appearance was evident from her lowered sses and messy curly hair as she calmly followed behind.


    Passing through the mostly empty corridors and entering the main building, Avendial walked beside Aecilia, who remainedposed, only thinking about finding a ce to sleep since she was also fatigued from waking up the previous night.


    "May I enter, Director?" Arriving outside the director''s office, Avendial knocked on the door, which was already open, revealing a wide room filled with books and a sofa set in the middle. In the farther corner was a desk where the director was sitting, surrounded by his assistant and three CEOs'' secretaries. They all stood, noticing Avendial''s arrival.


    "P-please don''t embarrass me, sir. Please, enter," the director said as he moved towards them, sping his hands. His white beard gave him the appearance of an experienced older man. All three CEOs also bowed before taking the documents from the table and moving towards Avendial, adding, "As you have ordered, we have arranged the students based on their hair color."


    "....I see." Avendial nced toward the corridor where Rihane had just entered. He turned as she gasped and looked toward him, making him realize that she had lied to everyone about searching for students names based on their hair color category, revealing that she was meticulous in her work.


    "I have given Rihane a chance to prove herself. Now it''s all of your turn." Avendial moved towards the desk, grazing his hands over the sofa as Aecilia also followed him before taking a seat on the sofa. Rxing her head felt somewhat relieving, and she was d to find a ce to sit.


    On the other side, all the people present in the room, including the director, his assistant, the three CEOs, their secretaries, and two other professors, excluding Rihane, stood looking at Avendial with an expectant gaze. Their bodies were straight and firm, wanting to hear what tasks he would assign them to prove themselves.


    If anyone were to observe their actions, resembling disciples waiting for their master''s orders, they would think it was some kind of joke. But in reality, there is only one thing that is the strongest in this world¡ªmoney.


    There are several sayings in the real world that suggest money cannot buy happiness or life. However, the truth is that, despite these rumors, one can buy many things with money to make themselves happy, and they can also buy things to prolong their life. This cannot be overlooked.


    Philosophy and reality are twopletely different things, which is proven by the actions of the individuals in the room, all looking at the solitary man moving with steady steps before taking the seat of the director of the Elite Academy.


    A seat that had not seen any change for 40 years or allowed anyone else to sit in it while providing the world with several entrepreneurs, businessmen, and prodigies who were honed inside the elite academy.


    This was also true for the three CEOs, holding positions far stronger inparison to the entire academy. Each of theirpanies held a significant share of the economy in City A. With just a hup from any of them, the whole economy would copse.


    This may sound exaggerated, but holding a market share of 67% in IT, 58% in pharma, and 86% in construction ys a major role in City A''s economy. These figures are already significant on their own, and this is only their market share in City A. Around the world, they are still counted among the top tenpanies in their respective fields.


    The professors of the academy and the secretaries of each CEO were talented individuals who had reached those positions, but all of them looked toward a single man, intent on hearing his words and the orders he would assign them, including Aecilia, who, though pretending to be asleep, kept her ears awake to listen for any information that could help her gain favor.


    "Leave the room ande in one by one," Avendial said as he took the seat in the chair, folding his legs and resting his elbow on the armrest with his hand supporting his chin, giving a cold gaze at all the individuals, causing them to nod as they started to leave the room.


    "Rihane,e here. As I call, send them in one by one," Avendial gestured for Rihane to enter and stand near the door as they all left the room. She nodded, feeling it was her second task, which was considerably easier than the first.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Are you not going outside, Miss Aecilia?" Avendial nced toward Aecilia, seated on the sofa, who appeared to be sleeping while sitting. Without opening her eyes, she exhaled and was about to stand.


    "Though if you want, you can sleep," Avendial remarked, realizing she might not have slept well. He still needed to inquire about which Royal was responsible for yesterday''s aphrodisiac incident, but he decided to focus on the immediate issue at hand.


    Even if he learned the name of the royal involved, taking any action would be impossible right now due to ack of evidence, strength, and time.


    "....Okay," Aecilia said, not taking his words as formality but settling herself down on the sofa while folding her hands, falling asleep yet keeping her ears awake in case she could glean information about future investments or anything that could benefit the Sertsul family.


    Of course, she had a favorable impression of Avendial, and given that they were on a date, she was curious why he came into an academy instead of taking her for a drive.


    "Send the IT one," Avendial ordered, having already noticed that there weren''t any CCTV cameras or anything inside this room, given it was the director''s office. He was at ease, and even if things got out, he didn''t care much as he issued the order. Rihane nodded before calling that particr man.


    The IT CEO stepped forward as Rihane called him into the room. Adjusting his tie and offering a formal bow, he respectfully greeted Avendial.


    "Sir Avendial, it is an honor to meet you. I am here at your service. Please kindly provide your instructions." The man''s voice held respect and aposed demeanor while he kept his head lowered in a bow.

 Chapter 46: 48 - CEO of CroceaTech

    Croceatech, owned by Marquess Avendial of the prestigious Croceaus family, is a top-tier ITpany known for its cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure.


    With its headquarters in the iconic Croceatech Tower in City A, thepany serves an elite clientele, including government bodies, global corporations, and military operations.


    Its gship products, such as Sentient AI for strategic decision-making and Cloud Sentinel for secure data management, have revolutionized the industry.


    Despite its secretive operations, Croceatech is recognized as a leader in innovation, shaping the future of technology with unparalleled expertise.


    Thepany is known for its approach to hiring the best individuals¡ªexperts in their technical fields¡ªat high sries, given that there is no deficiency of funds.


    Croceatech is one of the leading ITpanies in the entire Arinphiam Empire, as it has cloud services all over the world due to being a secure and trusted source for data storage.


    Today, after receiving the news to greet and meet the owner of thepany, the CEO left his meeting in the middle, canceling all the interviews or deals, and arrived directly at the airport, but was hardly able to have any conversation with the Marquess, given that the most they could do was just wee him.


    He was promoted for his dedication and hard work within thepany. His efforts on the facial recognition system made a significant impact in the market,bining advanced AI with his own development.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    This innovative approach earned him recognition from the Marquess himself, leading to his ascent to the CEO position.


    Today, as they met, he aimed to exin the enhanced, more secure version they''ve developed at Croceatech to ensure the highest level of security for their clients and add moreyers to stop any single breach of data stored in cloud storage from all over the world.


    After all, globally, their cloud service, Cloud Sentinel, dominates with a staggering 43% market share around the whole. This is particrly impressive given that thousands of government organizations across various countries rely on it.


    To grasp the significance of this number, consider that if Cloud Sentinel were to experience a momentary shutdown, the repercussions would be immediate and far-reaching: flights, hotel bookings, and a myriad of logistics woulde to aplete halt, illustrating just how integral their cloud services are to global operations.


    "Start auctioning all valuable data stored in cloud storage on the dark web and redirect the funds received to the Kingdom of Thaloris," Avendial directlymanded, looking towards the lowered head of the CEO of the IT sector, knowing well that his words had already shocked both of the individuals present inside the room.


    ''!?!?''


    "S-sir?!" the man''s eyes snapped up as he trembled looking towards Avendial. He felt as if he had heard him wrong, but his ears were clearly focused. The moment he heard something so grave, it was as if the ground had slipped beneath his feet.


    For apany that was trusted by so many individuals and treated as a global leader, this was an order which was in itself so disastrous.


    ''Huh? This is really something worth hearing,'' Aecilia on the other hand, felt all her sleep vanish. Her eyes kept looking towards Avendial noticing his impassive and determined gaze, she felt as if she shouldn''t have heard this order.


    But still, knowing he let her stay here, she understood it wasn''t of much worth. But selling data to get money, this was incredibly unbelievable, even for her.


    Ironically, the Sertsul family was in this same business, where they sold information, yet Aecilia found Avendial''s gesture unpredictable.


    "Sir? You jest, right?" The man remained standing, sweat beads trickling down his face, which had lost its color. He felt the weight of all his years of hard work crumbling in a single day.


    Deep down, he understood that this was a serious directive, yet he wished his mind could reject the reality that a prominent businessman, known for his remarkable skills and steadfast dedication, would even contemte suggesting such a thing.


    "No, I would like you to take a very gradual approach, ensuring that others remain unaware and continue transferring the funds gathered from sales to the ount I will provide details for.


    Do you understand?" Avendial once again rified himself, while his fingers tapped on the desk, seeing the tremble of the man''s body whose eyes and pale face gave away that expression which Avendial had seen only in those who were stuck between loyalty and their principles.


    "I-I..." The man was not thinking straight. He felt confused as if this was the same person who was considered the idol for most of the businessmen, and to whom he had served with loyalty for more than a decade. Yet here he was telling him to do something this hical.


    "Listen well, Mr. Jimphue, just do what I say or else," Avendial said. He wasn''t in the mood or had time considering he had given a total of three weeks to himself in this academy just to secure a single woman, making him look towards Aecilia and inquire, "I would like to give a contract to the Sertsul family to keep an eye on his family and him."


    ''?!''


    "N-no," the man felt his heart sinking, as he understood this was no way out. Knowing well that right now he was just getting a threat rted to his family, where if he didn''t follow loyalty, keeping his principles before, his family would be the first to suffer.


    In high society, it wasmon knowledge that the assassin guild associated with the Sertsul family existed, even though they didn''t rank among the top three in the Arinphiam Empire.


    Nevertheless, their reputation for expertise in poison arts was well-established, primarily due to their recruitment of female operatives who could seamlessly blend in and carry poisons concealed in their nails or beauty makeup.


    ''Is that why he chose this man at that time?'' Aecilia folded her hands, rested her head back, remembering the time when there was a small sh between two employees inside Croceatech for the seat of CEO.


    Both of the employees were fit and suitable, and ording to information from the Sertsul family, they considered one of them to be more fitting, but for some reason, the Marquess chose the other weaker one.


    Even after doing several background checks, there was nothing which could prove the potential of this present CEO could be found and known on what basis he was chosen against thatpetitive employee.


    But now, inside this room, hearing those words, she understood the reason he chose this particr CEO was because he was a family man unlike the previous one.


    ''How shrewd,'' Aecilia observed the breaking expression of the man as he was in horror hearing something that was making his heart beat rapidly while his mind filled with only emotion to protect his family. Giving a boost to all this event, Aecilia slightly leaned, looking towards Avendial, and with a soft voice said, "He has two daughters, ages 15 and 17, and one son who is around 9 years.


    If the Marquess wants, I can¡ª"


    "N-no, please, I would do as you say, M-Marquess, I-I understand," the man instantly bowed at a ny-degree angle before Aecilia couldplete her statement, knowing well that nothing was more important to him than his family.


    For the first time, feeling so helpless and crushed under a weight which couldn''t be lifted, given that even though he had brought thispany to profit, whatever it was now, in the end, he was simply an employee.


    "Alright, go ahead and get everything ready, but remember, if anyone catches wind of this, you could end up losing your family in a tragic ident." Avendial showed not a bit of sympathy towards the man, as he had, even in the past life, already secured cards to keep all of his pawns in check.


    Even though they held strong positions and could easily make political leaders move at their will, he was, in the end, the one who held the strings to their lives.

 Chapter 47: 49- AB+

    ''I don''t hear anything.'' Standing near the door, Rihane kept looking straight outside the room while ignoring what she heard. As she turned to notice, the CEO of the ITpany slowly left the room with a sunken expression.


    "Sir Jimphue, what happened?" The director looked towards the exiting CEO of Croceatech, who had informed him about the arrival of the Marquess at the academy. The director tried to inquire about the kind of task he was assigned, but the only thing the director noticed was his lost look and the sweet beads of perspiration and a particr hint of tremble etched on the CEO''s face.


    "Call the management team for an urgent meeting; it''s the Marquess''s orders." Ignoring the professors, Jimphue ordered his secretary, who instantly took out her phone before following behind him as both of them quickly left the corridor in a hurry.


    "This?" The director and professors, looking toward the disappearing back of Jimphue, felt slightly awkward since he didn''t even answer them about what happened, but they were soon consoled by Dr. Freddie, who was standing there. He came forward and added, "He just wants toplete the task as soon as possible; don''t mind him."


    "O-oh, sir, no, it''s understandable." The director, suddenly hearing the words of the CEO of Pharma, nced towards him as he showed a soft, gentle smile, wearing spectacles as he kept looking in the direction of Jimphue.


    "Now send in the Pharma one." Hearing Avendial''s voice, Rihane slightly flinched before maintaining her posture, knowing it was her second task. She called out the CEO of the pharmaceuticals.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Dr. Freddie nodded and entered the room, wearing sses and being a former doctor and a well-respected member of society. However, hearing how the Marquess didn''t even call his name to summon him felt slightly awkward.


    Though he didn''t care about it, upon entering the room, he directly bowed and greeted, "It''s my pleasure to be in your presence, Sir Croceaus. Please entrust me with my work."


    The man bowed, but he also noticed a hint of the expression on Mr. Jimphue, the CEO of Croceatech¡ªwho wore a depressed and horrified look, though he hadposed himself, which was not unnoticeable to the keen eyes of the man who had reached this position by crossing over several individuals in his path, even going so far as to have killed many of them.


    He was CEO not only because he waspetitive and the best but also because he crushed anyone who could have posed a threat to him.


    Avendial folded his hands on the desk, his eyes fixed on Freddie. "Mr. Freddie, I need you to start a global health initiative. Something big, something that looks like we''re saving the world."


    Freddie raised an eyebrow, noticing the subtle hint of calmness and that cold aura which he always noticed in this man. But today it appeared uncaring, "What do you have in mind, Marquess?"


    Avendial''s voice was steady and sharp. "I want blood samples and DNA from people with the same blood group as me. But here''s the key: governments can''t know what we''re really after. Spin it as research into gic diseases or pandemic preparedness. Partner with health organizations, offer free health screenings¡ªwhatever you need to make it believable."


    Freddie blinked, then nodded slowly. "Understood. And the real goal?"


    Avendial leaned in, his gaze unflinching. "Family details, personal data. I want everything we can gather on them without raising any suspicion; also keep priorities on those who can be grateful for our hard work. I need people who see everything as a gift from God and us as their apostles."


    "I see..." Freddie nodded before cing one hand on his mouth while pondering the motives behind his orders, before lifting his gaze to look toward Avendial, understanding things, "Sir, do you want loyal people who can die for you?"


    ''?!''


    "I-I am sorry, Sir, I didn''t¡ª" Freddie stumbled for a moment as his eyes noticed a cold re from Avendial''s blue eyes looking down on him, causing his heart to skip a beat, remembering the expression of the CEO who left before him. He thought that he should have controlled his mouth and only followed the orders of superiors.


    "What is your blood group, Freddie?" Avendial calmly inquired while already noticing how Aecilia was looking towards him as if pondering something.


    "S-Sir, AB+," Freddie trembled while answering the question since he had just been assigned the task to collect the blood group simr to that of the Marquess. Once he had gotten the chance to learn about the Marquess''s blood group because, due to having advanced equipment, his blood samples were sent to theboratory in city A for some testing, it was found that the Marquess had AB+.


    "Congrattions, Dr. Freddie, you are the first chosen one," Avendial said while tilting his head, looking at the man who was smart enough to understand everything just by words. Unlike the previous man, this one was sharp and somewhat decent enough to be considered for giving tasks.


    This made Avendial choose him as his first testing subject.


    "I-I am honored, Marquess," Freddie trembled as his instincts told him that something was definitely wrong and that he shouldn''t have revealed his blood group just now. But giving everything to his luck since it is always great, he just hoped inwardly.


    "Huh? I also have the same blood group; then shouldn''t I be the chosen one too?" Aecilia arched her brow while her gaze was glued to Avendial, feeling confused since she also had the same blood group and in the whole world, only 4% of the poption has the same, so what does it matter to have amon blood group?


    ".....No, these positions are only for males," Avendial said while shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders, causing Aecilia''s mouth to twitch upon hearing him make a clear gender discrimination just because she was a woman. But she remained static and only averted her gaze.


    "So, Mr. Freddie, should I consider you one of those loyal people who can die at mymand?" Avendial then returned his gaze toward the man before inquiring with a firm voice, wanting to hear something that could be assuring.


    "Th-that''s, I-I," Freddie felt hisposure shattering as he directly felt the pressure and weight of the Marquess''s words.


    It might appear to be an overstatement, especially since those were merely the words of someone with greater wealth and authority. However, for someone as astute as Freddie, who had also climbed over various people to achieve his status, he understood all too well the implications of dealing with someone capable of turning their words into reality, someone who could easily crush him at any moment.


    Right now, he was stuck in his own mind, not understanding if he should just lie and escape this moment or tell the truth and see the consequences, making him clench his jaws as he answered, "N-no, Marquess."


    "Hm, good then, bring the grateful men who can die instead of you, given your standards. Let''spensate with 20,000 men; you have six months'' time," Avendial watched as he noticed Freddie''s eyes trembling, darting nervously in his direction. Even Aecilia cracked one eye open to look at him, clearly surprised by his bold statement.


    He had just dered his desire to have 20,000 brainwashed men who were willing to die for him.

 Chapter 48: 50 - CEO of Construction

    "I¡ªIt''s impossible¡ª" Freddie wanted to clearly state how difficult it was to gather so many men and brainwash them within such a short amount of time.


    The problem was not that he couldn''t brainwash them, but the issue was the time limit; six months was just barely 25 weeks, which itself was an impossible time frame to make so many people loyal.


    "You don''t need to make them blindly follow me; instead, instill an image of me as their savior while continuing to feed them enhancement drugs," Avendial stated once again. His words in that silent, struck room were enough to send turmoil among those who heard it, leaving them confused about what he wanted.


    ''N-No, it can''t be,'' Aecilia thought, feeling all the puzzle piecesing together, causing her eyes to widen before looking towards Avendial. ''Don''t tell me he is preparing a private army to go against the royal family?''


    "E-Enhancement drugs?!" Freddie was slightly taken aback when he heard Avendial mention that, in addition to brainwashing, he needed to administer enhancement drugs like steroids, growth hormones, and protein supplements to those people.


    These substances were prohibited due to their long-term side effects on the human body, such as arthritis and weak bone density in old age.


    Naturally, these drugs were used by heavy weightlifters or individuals in fields where they worked extensively.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In the short term, these substances could enhance the body, allowing an individual to be in peak condition for two or three years.


    However, as time passed, the side effects would take their toll, resulting in decreased bone density and an eventual decline of the body.


    "Yes, now tell me, what have I assigned as your task?" Avendial continued, unconcerned about the long-term side effects of these enhancement drugs, as he believed it would likely be possible to heal all wounds and alleviate side effects once the principles andws of this world changed with the arrival of the Tower. Therefore, he needed to make preparations now.


    "Y-Yes, sir," Dr. Freddie seemed to grasp the situation, repeating the task assigned to him: "You want me to train people with AB+ blood type so that they can be loyal super soldiers."


    "....Somewhat simr," Avendial replied. Although some corrections were needed, the essence of the task was indeed as Freddie had stated.


    Avendial knew how to awaken individuals without relying on an awakening stone possessed by a royal family. Before awakening these individuals, they needed to be in top physical shape to maximize the probability of awakening the strongest abilities.


    Just like the Empyreals under the royal family, who were mostly soldiers and veterans in their respective fields, though of course only a handful survived the whole process.


    ''Super soldiers?'' Aecilia pondered for a moment before tightly clenching her fist, wondering if she really needed to inform him about the royal involved in yesterday''s aphrodisiac event.


    After all, she could clearly see that things were taking a wrong turn, going from hiring a military strategist to recruiting and training 20,000 people using drugs. It was as if Avendial was plotting a coup ormitting treason.


    This was all confusing for her, but it was more likely that it was just her hollow guess. One thing was certain¡ªher mood for sleep had vanishedpletely.


    With aposed expression to avoid revealing any vulnerabilities, she remained seated with her eyes closed as she listened, although the frown and flinch of her body at every word he spoke had already been noticed by Avendial.


    "I-I will do it, Marquess," Freddie wanted to express how impossible it seemed, but after realizing he only needed to make these individuals somewhat loyal¡ªlike normal patriotic soldiers¡ªhe nodded, already contemting his priorities on developing or underdeveloped countries where he could find the most impoverished people.


    After all, it is much easier to manipte such individuals who have been waiting for a hand to be extended towards them, even if that hand belongs to the devil.


    "I want 20,000 of them by mid-July, or you will need to rece them," Avendial clearly stated, causing Freddie to tremble before he nodded and quickly moved out of the room, knowing he had little time to make preparations and announce free healthcare campaigns all over the world.


    "Oh, Sir Freddie, what¡ªhuh?" The director and the other two professors were about to ask him what the Marquess had said, but they were ignored as he passed by them.


    "Call the board of directors; it''s urgent!" The CEO of the pharmaceutical corporation moved as he ordered his secretary, who instantly dialed the number before following behind him.


    "He seems in a hurry," Feeling awkward once again, the Director of Elite Academy tried to turn towards thest remaining CEO, a bulky man with a white mustache, but he did not say anything.


    ''....Am I really going to be a strategist for a real military?'' On the other hand, Rihane, who stood near the door, kept blinking, contemting whether she was going to be a military strategist for the Marquess, given that he was hiring 20,000 people for the positions of soldiers.


    One thing for certain was that she had an A- blood type, so she was definitely not the chosen one.


    "Send Mr. Carlos in," As Avendial observed Freddie exit the room, he leaned back in his chair with his hands folded over his chest. He stole a nce at Aecilia, already aware of her indifferent and vacant reaction, but it was evident to him that her mind was racing with thoughts.


    In the end, there was a reason why he let Rihane and Aecilia hear what he intended to aplish.


    "Yes," Rihane replied before letting the other CEO, belonging to the constructionpanies under the Marquess, inside. She noticed that he had summoned this man''s name and not the others, ncing in the man''s direction and observing that he appeared slightly older, well-built like a construction worker rather than a CEO.


    "Greetings, Sir. How can I help you?" The bulky man greeted. He appeared to be in thetter part of middle age, possessing a good amount of muscles built from hard work on construction sites rather than from steroids in the gym. He bowed before lifting his gaze to meet the Marquess.


    Although he had been part of thispany for a long time, unlike the other two CEOs who were established during the current Marquess''s reign, he was personally appointed by the previous Marquess, who was the father of the man seated in front of him.


    "Mr. Carlos, how is the steel manufacturing and other works going on?" Avendial inquired, looking towards the man who had a positive image for him in the previous life since he was one of those few people who supported him in his difficult times.


    Though, of course, he didn''t trust anyone blindly, even if they had saved his life, but he wasn''t ungrateful to not show them the respect they deserved.


    "Sir, we entered that market seven years ago, and we can most likely be considered one of the top 3 within the Empire," Carlos informed while remaining calm enough not to reveal too many details given that in this room was also present someone from the Sertsul family, who were widely known for selling information.

 Chapter 49: 51: Weapons

    Though he didn''t understand why the Marquess was discussing things in front of that honorabledy from the Sertsul family, he still believed that the Marquess had trust in her, so he kept his guard moderate.


    "Top 3? Having a market share of 60% in the whole Empire puts you in first position, Mr. Carlos," Avendial looked towards the man who was the chief executive of the main business and most likely the economic backbone of the Croceaus family''s entire business empire, generating 40% of revenue from this group alone.


    All the construction work, from creating pleasure houses for the Sertsul family to government projects involving bridges, department buildings, smart city nning, etc., was assigned to this group.


    Yet this man demonstrated experience by not allowing himself to take too much pride in his aplishments, unlike the other two CEOs who often believed in their positions.


    "We report ourplete details on time; usually, the revenue produced by other corporations might be higher than what is reported.


    So that''s why¡ª," Carlos began to exin how, unlike them, who filed their taxes on time, there were other construction groups that didn''t do the same, resulting in their rankings dropping since they failed to report their actual revenue, which was the reason he stated they were in the top 3. But before he couldplete his statement, Avendial interrupted.


    "I need you to produce weapons for me, Carlos," Avendial directly addressed the matter, not wanting to waste more time assigning the task to these people since it had already been an hour. It would be 10 o''clock in 8 minutes, with 12 being the time when all sses would end and students would leave.


    ''He is really preparing for treason!'' Aecilia cried out in her mind while maintaining aposed exterior, with folded hands, while her closed eyes betrayed her inward situation as she tightly clenched her teeth, fearing that the man she loved was engaging in such actions.


    He was preparing for treason just because of a poisoning event orchestrated by one of the royal heirs?


    ''Now that''s the man I choose. Not a bad choice, Aecilia,'' Aecilia couldn''t help but praise herself, knowing that her choice was trulymendable since the man she chose was strong enough not to back down and cared about those behind all this¡ªthe royal family¡ªand was preparing for treason and a coup.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Yesterday, he was poisoned, and today he was preparing his army. Which woman would not want to fall for such a brave, strong-hearted man?


    ''But....'' Aecilia tilted her head while her eyes remained closed, feeling that preparing weapons to go against her family was futile, considering they possessed individuals with superpowers. Even the government, withplete ess to nuclear weapons and artillery, could not harm a single hair on the royal family''s head.


    As a kind gesture, she decided to help him, given that she was also angered by the royals for going this far.


    "Weapons?" Carlos, resting his chin on his knuckles, thought deeply about his superior''s request. Unlike others, he didn''t react with surprise at the mention of creating weapons but remainedposed while considering a solution.


    The most he could do was obtain a license and start using metal refineries to create the parts, but it all came down to creating the mechanisms for the guns and weapons, which were difficult to license or obtain a patent for mass manufacturing.


    "Yes, but not the ones you are thinking of," Avendial could see through him, understanding that by weapons he must have imagined guns and simr modern weapons. This prompted him to rify, "but instead, swords, axes, spears, sledgehammers, katana des, and such weapons."


    "Hmm, I see," Carlos nodded, deeply engrossed in thinking about the possibility of manufacturing these weapons. The refineries were capable of producing them, and they also had steel, so it wouldn''t be hard, given they needed two or one and a half months for production.


    ''!?!''


    ''..Heh?!'' Rihane, standing near the door, overheard everything while feeling confused and unable to understand the use of such weapons in this modern world. It appeared as if those weapons were most likely meant for some movie set or cosy.


    Since one can simply kill someone with a small gun, who would even try to use a sword in a fight?


    Somewhat, Rihane''s perspective was correct, given that except for the higher-ups and people in leading positions, those lower down were not aware of the presence of Empyreals under the royal family, causing them to consider everything from a normal logical standpoint.


    A sword-wielder can never kill a gun holder; a spear can never do anything in front of a grenadeuncher, and so many such logical things are undeniable.


    This made her reconstruct her thoughts, considering that maybe the Marquess just wanted those 20,000 people to act as traditional soldiers or patrol guards for his territory instead of having a military equipped with modern weapons.


    "Sir, how much time do we have to make the preparations?" Carlos inquired, not asking any further reasons, just wanting toplete the task assigned to him by his superiors.


    "I want more than 100,000 of such weapons in six months; increase the production and primarily focus on their manufacturing," Avendial further ordered before taking a pen from the desk and a notebook, tearing a page as he began to write something on it.


    "I understand," Carlos bowed before lifting his head, patiently waiting for the details Avendial was writing down. He remained calm andposed while already thinking about how to fulfill the number of weapons, realizing he needed to procure more raw materials soon.


    "Here, read this¡ªit''s the alloy from which I want the weapons to be made," Avendial stretched out his hand and offered the paper on which he had written theposition of the metal and the approximate amounts needed to create those weapons.


    "Th-this?!" Carlos, who had maintained hisposure, felt it crumbling the moment he saw the metals he needed to arrange were not steel. His eyes scanned theposition, "Titanium (70%): 350,000 kg, Tungsten (10%): 50,000 kg, Vanadium (5%): 25,000 kg, Aluminum Oxide (10%): 50,000 kg, Silicon Carbide (5%): 25,000 kg. Is this correct, sir?"


    "Yes, that is the alloy from which I want the weapons made, and for your reference, I had mentioned the amount of raw materials as well." Avendial, knowing well that the quantity was substantial, confirmed it was not impossible to arrange if all the resources avable to the Croceaus family were used.


    "This alloy seems to have non-conductive properties," Carlos observed, looking over the metals used in theposition, which led him to conclude that the weapons or alloy would be a poor conductor of electricity. He nodded before further inquiring, "Anything else, sir?"


    "Nothing, just ensure you hire professionals for weapon design and provide the best quality designs possible; we can''t have our soldiers wielding mere pieces of metal, can we?" Avendial replied with a calm smile, showing no hint of an opening for Carlos to guess the reason for this particr task.


    Before Avendial added, "Also, deliver the message to the Mayor that I will meet him in two weeks, so until then keep everyone away from approaching me."

 Chapter 50: 52 - Auction for Ethics

    Carlos bowed before making his way out of the room to prepare for the given task, while also understanding that the Marquess didn''t want government officials to disturb him while he stayed in the city for at least two weeks.


    "Marquess, are you preparing for treason?" Aecilia, not caring about how her words sounded to others, directly inquired, since from the start, Avendial had been hiring a military strategist, umting wealth from the ITpany, enlisting 20,000 soldiers from the pharmaceutical sector, and creating weapons through construction groups.


    All of this was too confusing and could lead to misunderstandings if not cleared up firsthand. So she just asked instead of making wrong assumptions.


    ''?!''


    ''T-treason!'' Rihane, standing near the door, heard Aecilia mention the taboo word and felt as if her world had shattered in an instant. Hearing a nobleman preparing for treason made her feel like an aplice.


    ''What should I do now!'' Rihane yelled inwardly as she thought that just a moment ago, she was preparing to join the royal family as a military strategist, but now she found herself allegedly bing one for a military that was being prepared to go against the royal family, making her the final boss who would lead these soldiers toward betrayal.


    "Of course not, are you kidding me?" Avendial shook his head and looked toward Aecilia as he raised his brow, feigning ignorance and showing confusion at Aecilia''s incorrect assumptions.


    "Eh? Then why all the funds, soldiers, and weapons?" Aecilia cast her gaze toward Avendial, noticing his serious demeanor in response to her remarks. With her hands folded, she locked her golden eyes on him, scrutinizing his expression but finding no signs of deceit.


    "Because I want to have a private army of my own?" Avendial stated before turning toward Rihane as he gestured for her to send others away, while Aecilia felt her mouth twitching but controlled herself from uttering abuses and curses in front of Avendial since she didn''t want to appear unfitting as a nobledy in front of him.


    In the end, doesn''t forming his own private army amount to an act of treason?


    "Greetings, Marquess, it will be an honor to be of some help to you," the Director, apanied by his assistant and the remaining two professors, entered the room before bowing while anticipating the task they would be assigned, given how other CEOs reacted hastily without telling them what task they were assigned.


    Seeing three behemoths react so hastily and wear serious expressions as they left the room, they anticipated that the task would proceed with seriousness and provide the best result they could manage.


    "Director, I want to experience how teaching feels," Avendial gradually stood up from his seat, his fingers skimming across the desk as he lifted a pen bearing the official symbol of the director''s position, revealing its exclusivity to only his office room, which he then stored in his pocket.


    "T-teaching?" The director, hearing this request, felt slightly surprised, as normally someone of his status would never try to act like this. But still understanding that influential people could have their moods based on something, he added, "If the Marquess prefers, Professor Daphis could apany you in his business management department."


    Pointing toward one of the professors standing beside him, the director, understanding that the Marquess would most likely prefer sses rted to business andmerce, referred to the professor beside him.


    "I would definitely help Sir Marquess to look around the sses," Professor Daphis said, realizing that it was a chance to have a proper conversation with the Marquess.


    "Rather than just passively observing the sses, I would like the opportunity to teach at the academy for at least three weeks or as long as I choose, without disclosing my real identity to anyone other than those present here." Leaving his ce, Avendial moved to the center of the room.


    Standing just a few steps away from the director, he looked at him with a smile, clearly trying to give him a dominant look.


    Naturally, for the CEOs, it was obvious that they would have some fear of his presence. But due to his nonchnt attitude in front of the director and professors, they would most likely consider him a pushover, which was inferred from the fact that he instantly chose Rihane as a military strategist.


    So he needed to rify things to the director, though of course, if the director didn''t ept due to some hollow ethics that normally some honest people have, Avendial would have to use different methods to break those principles or ethics.


    "Th-that''s?" The director found himself in a dilemma, considering how several times it had happened that some professors used their connections to rmend some of their rtives, but he had always stuck to his principles and ethics, where it was impossible for anyone to enter the academy based solely on their influence and rmendation.


    "Wouldn''t it be a golden opportunity to have someone like the Marquess teaching our students about businesses?!" Professor Daphis came forward, seeing this as a golden opportunity since if the students of the elite academy could learn about business from a tycoon like Croceaus himself, it would be far more valuable than any internship programs.


    "Hm, now that I think about it, it''s a great idea," the director said, considering the possibility of the Marquess teaching students about business while making his ethics and principles remain undamaged, since it would be beneficial for the students.


    "No, I would like to teach in the art and culture ss," Avendial interrupted as the director had clearly suggested him to teach in the business department.


    ''?!''


    "Sir? Why arts? It would be better if you taught in bu¡ª" The director was taken aback by the Marquess''s deration, prompting him to grip his cane tightly as he considered how to make the Marquess change his mind.


    Doing so would not be profitable for the academy and would instead leave a dent in his 40-year career, during which he had never allowed anyone to enter the faculty based solely on a rmendation.


    "And in exchange for epting my offer, I will donate 10 million Imperial Crowns to the academy." Avendial, seeing how the director was just wasting his time while also caught in a dilemma between his principles and ethics, made him an offer that would help him make a correct decision.


    "Ahem, I would like to have a moment to think about¡ª" The director, hearing the amount, which had just shaken his ethics, controlled himself. Even though he knew the academy was indeed in need of funds, he coughed and tried to think calmly before acting hastily and making decisions that could hurt his principles.


    "20 million Imperial Crowns," Avendial once again made an offer as if it were an auction to purchase this man''s so-called ethics.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Naturally, academies like the Elite Academy were known among prestigious universities where no one could simply gain admission based on their donations.


    But considering that in the past decades, due to advancements in AI and technology, most donations were made toward universities focused on advancements in AI and technological prospects, rather than the Elite Academy, where the focus was on business, the arts, and traditional studies like social science instead of fully concentrating on robotics or engineering.


    So the flow of donations was not very frequent; of course, there were always contributions from the academy''s alumni.

 Chapter 51: 53 - A Self-Proclaimed Housewife

    But another thing weighing down the situation here was the status of Avendial, who could easily, by using his influence, stop all funds or money received by the Elite Academy, as if choking its neck.


    And once that happened, like a struggling chicken prepared to die, it wouldn''t be long before the academypletely ran out of money and finally shut down.


    So, there was fear in the director''s mind as well, making all the donations Avendial proposed have ten times more effect on him.


    "F-fine, I will prepare the documentation, and from tomorrow¡ª" The director noticed how everyone was looking toward him, including professors, his assistants, and even the noblewoman from the Sertsul family, making him feel pressured to provide an answer.


    "30 million Imperial Crowns." Once again, Avendial ced his bid, causing the director to lower his gaze and tighten his fists. He pondered the staggering sum, realizing it could readily support the academy''s programs and various initiatives. This notion led him to believe it would ultimately benefit the students, prompting an immediate nod of agreement.


    "You can join from this moment; wee to the academy, Marquess!" Even in that old body, the director managed to project his voice clearly and loudly, as he instantly bowed 90 degrees, along with both professors who also greeted him, along with the assistant behind them.


    "Very good," Avendial nodded, feeling satisfied that now he was a professor of the academy without having to spend a penny.


    Indeed, when he needed funds to support his preparations for uing events, it was impossible for him to waste 30 million imperial crowns on some academy. So, he had scammed this naive director, who would soon be in jail on murder charges in the uing future.


    Avendial then turned toward the professor who belonged to the art department standing beside the director. He added, "How about you show me my ss right now?"


    "Huh? Sir, right now their sculpture ss is about to start," the other professor apanying the director came forward as he informed about the next ss, noting the clock showing 10 o''clock.


    "Let''s go then," Avendial moved. Seeing him move, the director, including everyone inside the room, tried to follow behind him. Even Aecilia was about to stand from her seat, but Avendial gestured and stated, "No need for others toe; I will just go alone."


    Given that if he went with everyone, it would just attract more gazes and interest from others. So, he preferred to go alone, prompting the director to nod, "As you say, Marquess, we will wait here for you then."


    "You don''t have any problem, do you, Miss Aecilia?" Avendial, while exiting the room, nced toward Aecilia, who sat on the sofa, as she shook her head before just closing her eyes.


    "Director, should I inform the department about the addition of a new professor?" Professor Daphis nced toward the director and spoke to him about informing the art and culture department about the arrival of a new professor, to which the director nodded before Professor Daphis left the room apanied by the assistant of the director, who would make things much easier.


    "Hm, Professor Rihane, how about¡ª" The director was about to tell how Rihane would alsoe inside and rest on the sofa instead of standing near the door. But before he could say further, a woman''s firm voice came from the room.


    "Rihane,e here and massage my shoulder, and you old hag, piss off from here."


    "Huh?" Rihane and the director both turned their gazes toward the source of the voice, observing that Lady Aecilia was sitting on the sofa with her eyes shut. She had gracefully crossed her legs and leaned her head back, appearing to be in a state of restful sleep while her thin ck nightgown elegantly adhered to her delicate milky white skin.


    "Can''t you see I am trying to sleep? Just piss off, old hag, and you, bird''s nest, start massaging my shoulder," Aecilia, while remaining in her rxed position with her head leaned back, once again repeated herself, aware that now the Marquess had left and would note for some time; there was no need for her to act and preserve her image.


    "Y-yes." Rihane couldn''t help but be surprised when she heard Aecilia Sertsul talk with a toughness that surpassed that of ordinary citizens in the free cities, as if she hailed from a backward, criminal-infested rural area.


    But it didn''t take Rihane long to adjust herself, knowing well that everyone had two faces, and it was not new for her. She approached the sofa while adjusting her round sses, her curly hair tousled around. Arriving near Aecilia, stretching her hands, she started to massage her shoulders while sheid there.


    ''Am I seeing things?'' The director, who in his 40 years of experience had never seen someone from aristocracy speak like that, felt as if he were dreaming.


    He indeed had met a few barons or counts from aristocracy, but even though they showed their status and ego, they never once used words that didn''t align with the proper well-known etiquette of noblemen.


    But this woman?


    "You really seem to have a fetish for enjoying a woman getting massaged, haven''t you, old man?" Aecilia slightly peeked through one eye, revealing the golden hue in it as she looked toward the director, who instantly snapped out of his thoughts before nodding and exiting the room, locking it.


    "Hey, once you go to Croceaus territory, contact a man named Sam there; he is in the main family mansion and works under Alfred," Aecilia, seeing how she had emptied the room for her to have a proper conversation with Rihane, while she massaged her shoulder with Aecilia''s face resting on the head of the sofa, half-visible from Rihane''s sight.


    "I-I don''t understand what you mean, mydy." Rihane, trying toprehend, realized Aecilia wanted her to keep an eye on the Marquess, which wasn''t unexpected considering many noble families did the same. But right now, she hesitated, knowing very well that both of them had a significant role in her life''s events, making it a very difficult situation for her.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Simply send messages through his hands; he would easily pass through security and provide me that message," Aecilia spoke calmly while rxing, but for Rihane, looking at her calm face only intensified the turmoil in her mind as she realized that the situation was definitely not in her favor. She considered how, if she somehow got entangled in this, everything would be over.


    She would just be an expendable pawn waiting to be ughtered.


    In simple words, if she epted Aecilia''s words and started to act as her spy and got caught by the Marquess, it was most likely that the Sertsul family would reject any rtion with her, leading to a death without anyone knowing.


    If she rejected Aecilia Sertsul right now, it was most likely that she would get rid of her even before she could reach Croceaus territory.


    Rihane was in a dilemma, with her mind filled with horror that was slowly shattering all the thoughts she had umted about having a way to help those who changed her life, but it seemed it was just her own biased thinking. For the nobleman, she was just expendable, prompting her to lower her gaze and feel her body trembling as she inquired, "What kind of message, mydy?"


    With a slow blink, Aecilia opened her eyes, her golden pupils fixated on Rihane, who had her eyes shut. Gazing toward her with frosty malice, Aecilia revealed, "Messages carrying the details of servants or people who are spying on Avendial with ill intentions, including those sent by the royal family. You see, he isn''t good at catching the rats."


    Aecilia again closed her eyes before thinking about how much burden was on her shoulders. ''Sigh, being a housewife is tough.''


    "Huh?" Rihane''s eyes suddenly snapped open as she looked nkly toward Aecilia, blinking for some moments before nodding, "Y-yes, I¡ªI understand."

 Chapter 52: 54 - Sculpture Class

    "Amrita, have you brought your colors?" Walking beside a young woman, a man with pink hair and eyes inquired as he checked the bag in his hand, trying to search for the avable colors. Though it was 10:05 right now and sses should have started, they suddenly received word that the sses would be conducted in another ce.


    "No, not today. This ss is all about y sculptures, remember?" Hearing Lin''s words, Amrita lifted her gaze as she ced her bag, whose strap was passing over her shoulder, aside and smiled, informing him.


    "Oh, right! I always forget which ss we''re doing what in," Lin chuckled, rubbing his finger on his nose as he tried to appear as proud as he could, while his eyes secretly nced towards Amrita.


    "No problem." Amrita, knowing about his regr habit, just gently smiled as they all made their way towards the corridor, filled with other students from their ss, moving towards the garden area where their sculpture ss was going to start.


    Normally it was held in the sculpture ss, but today, due to the weather being good enough, they decided to hold it outside¡ªat least this was what the faculty told them as they shifted the ss to the outdoor area.


    As both of them moved in front, four women followed behind, maintaining a steady distance. One of them said, "Tch, Aria, isn''t she trying to stick too close to Lin?"


    "Yes, and Lin, it''s already confusing why he acts like some naive idiot around me." Another one chimed in, feeling frustrated seeing that once Lin was a friend of theirs, but he was now actingpletely cold towards them whileughing with another girl.


    Of course, not all of them had romantic feelings towards him, but still, even being friends with him, they had never seen him act this way since they were old ssmates. He was now acting all shyly for a transfer student.


    Everything had just changed within one month. Lin, whom Aria loved, had started to develop feelings for Amrita, slowly distancing himself from his previous friends.


    "Don''t tell me, has she put some magic on him?" the third one couldn''t control herself as she spoke, clenching her fist as she thought about dealing with that poor girl who had disrupted their friendship.


    Mostly because all four of them were good friends, including another young man who had transferred to another academy after being beaten by Lin, who had hit his own friend at that time just because that friend had called Amrita''s brother a scammer.


    So, they hated Amrita not because she was poor, but because the moment she arrived in their lives, everything changed.


    "Be quiet, all of you. It''s not her fault," Aria said, looking forward and not ncing towards Lin or Amrita. She knew very well that this wasn''t the fault of either of them. Considering how this was as if destiny was making theme closer to each other without her having to do anything.


    She was just a viiness whose actions were destined to be misinterpreted, so she decided not to care about it anymore. After how Lin acted today, she thought it best to remain quiet for a few days and give Lin time to forget today''s events.


    "Huh? Who is that?" Suddenlying out of the exit of the corridor, a student looked towards the garden area where a bunch of ys were ced in front of several mats on the ground.


    Even in that sight, with a background filled with flowers and greenery of the garden, a man sitting on a chair while holding a book seemed to attract their gazes, considering that they had not seen him before and additionally he appeared worth looking at.


    ''Is he a new professor?'' Amrita, apanied by Lin while moving, noticed the subtle hint of silver hair from behind of a man seated on the chair while his head was lowered towards reading a book. She did not recognize the identity of the man as she had seen him for the first time but guessed that he was most likely a professor from his attire and the way he was seated at the professor''s seat.


    "He seems to be the new professor mentioned by the director''s assistant," Lin chimed in, collecting a small scale in her hand that she had ced on his shoulder, before jumping off the tform in the corridor and entering the garden area. Landing on the green grass, she made her way directly towards the professor and his sitting arrangements, passing by a man who was immersed in reading his book.


    "Ah, a professor, I see," Amrita hearing Lin''s words nodded before she also moved, following all the other students who were ncing towards the professor as they couldn''t help but murmur once they took their seats.


    "Hey, isn''t he too handsome to be a professor?" As the students arranged themselves on their mats, one young woman couldn''t help but notice the man sitting in front of them¡ªhis silver hair glimmered in the morning rays, a striking contrast to the dark coat he wore. His face was smooth and sharp, yet softened by the way his sapphire blue eyes were engrossed in the book he held.


    Each page he turned seemed intentional, as if he was savoring every word. The calmness in his stare and the subtle strength of his concentration made him all the more intriguing.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    His sharp jawline, coupled with the soft glow of the rising sun hitting his face, highlighted his handsome features in an almost cinematic scene. His longshes barely moved as he read, giving his face a calm look, but there was something about the firmness in his posture that exuded quiet authority.


    Though immersed in his reading, there was a sense of untouchable elegance in the way he sat, making it impossible for the students to look away from the scene before them or even to greet him or at least say good morning to their professor.


    "Aria, what happened to you?" As all the individuals kept moving in the garden while passing beside that man seated on the chair before taking their seats, only four women remained halted just 10 steps away from the man seated on the chair.


    Because the corridor was not distinct from the garden, it came to a standstill with the garden positioned in the center. Aria and three of her friends stood on the tform of the corridor while other students had already found their seats by walking into the garden.


    ''Huh?'' Aria, while her friends were calling her, stood still, looking above the head of that silver-haired figure. Her eyes widened at the sight, her pupils trembling rapidly. It was as if her whole body had gone cold, leaving her mind nk as her gaze remained fixated in front of her.


    ''How is this possible?'' Everything had just paused in that moment. The world seemed unmoving. Everything was halted except the heartbeat sound of Aria, apanied by a soft breeze that fluttered the silver hair of that man, still not enough to make Aria blink as her trembling pupils revealed a reflection of a screen above man''s head, reading.


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ????REGRESSED VILLAIN


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥

 Chapter 53: 55- Arias POV

    Growing up, I was fortunate to have every wish granted¡ªfrom the outfits I desired to the car I dreamed of and everything in between.


    I never thought of myself as being in the wrong ce oring from the wrong background.


    In many ways, my life felt better than that of those around me.


    Yet, beneath that surface of privilege, a lingering sensation haunted me.


    It was as if the world were a trap, slowly enshrouding me in an endless loop that led to a path growing increasingly narrow.


    I felt as though I had no alternatives for escape.


    It was a daunting feeling: as if fate had carved out a tight endpoint for me, and all I could see ahead was a sword, precariously suspended by a thin thread above my head.


    That thought was unsettling, a quiet reminder that even in a life filled withforts, I could still feel trapped.


    Slowly, to escape that constricting path, I began to tap on the nearby walls, which were growing narrower, hoping they would reveal some light.


    Finally, it felt worth it.


    I glimpsed a boy seated by theke, lost in his own world as he swung a wooden sword, his pink hair and eyes reflecting a mix of mourning and rage.


    In that moment, it felt like I had discovered something significant.


    My mind urged me to cross this wall, to meet him and break free from the life I had been trapped in.


    As I sprinted toward that morning light, I saw a wall crumble, and I dashed toward it.


    Suddenly, my life began to shift.


    I no longer felt confined; I had friends who epted me.


    I shared my darkness with those who brought light to my world. With them by my side, everything felt different¡ªI was free.


    But then, out of nowhere, another light entered my life.


    It was so bright that it shattered my dreams.


    The hopes I had for freedom crumbled, and I found myself back on that same narrow path.


    I walked endlessly, tapping on the walls as that blinding light snatched away the smaller ones¡ªthe glimmers of support that had once surrounded me.


    It was heart-wrenching to watch as those who tried to console me became distracted by that bright light.


    In a life that felt worthless, I often thought about ending it all.


    Yet, somewhere deep inside, I held onto the belief that maybe, just maybe, I would glimpse a spark of hope again.


    But it never came.


    I know now it was just a hallucination.


    Even if hope did arise, it might only be another fleeting dream.


    Just like a dream that I am seeing in front of me right now.


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ????REGRESSED VILLAIN


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ''What is this?'' I stood just ten steps away from the man seated in the chair, utterly absorbed in his book.


    It felt as if my entire world had been turned upside down.


    The only sound was my heartbeat thumping in my ears, my breath caught tight in my throat.


    The gentle rustling of grass and trees in the breeze faded into the background as my eyes remained locked on that window.


    ''Regressed Viin?'' Seeing the title¡ªidentical to my own¡ªwas like gazing into a mirror reflecting my essence.


    But this reflection seemed to wander down a different path, one that opened up on the oppositene of the wall I was leaning against.


    I turned my focus to that wall, where he sat just a few steps away.


    Unlike the blinding light I had known many years ago, this scene radiated a serene beauty filled with darkness.


    He sat there as if resting by a peacefulke, the air gently ruffling his hair under the soft glow of the moonlight, surrounded by twinkling stars.


    The darkness felt inviting, calm, as he delved into the pages of his book.


    Yet, I hesitated.


    A nagging thought reminded me that this could very well be a dream, ready to shatter at any moment.


    I closed my eyes briefly, trying to calm my racing heart and remind myself not to believe in illusions.


    It was just a fleeting moment¡ªnothing more.


    I took a step forward, passing through that wall, which, unlike the previous one, did not shatter but instead allowed me to pass through.


    In that instant, I couldn''t hear my friends or see any other students.


    It felt as though I had stepped into that tranquil night, cradled by the cool moonlight, moving past that tiny dream before finally taking my ce.


    "Hey Aria, what happened? Don''t tell me you have fallen in love?"


    -----


    "Huh?" Suddenly, hearing one of the young woman''s words, Aria was brought out of her thoughts, blinking as she turned towards her friends, who were looking at her with teasing gazes as one of them nudged her elbow, prompting Aria to realize that she had taken her seat while looking towards the man who was seated in the chair as he closed his book.


    "Be quiet," Aria nudged them back, saying they were too close and added, "Give me space and go back to your mat."


    "Fufu, she definitely is in love with the new professor," one of her friends chuckled as Aria just shook her head in helplessness. Though, of course, she was taken aback in her mind, calming herself, she turned her back towards the man who had just stood from his chair.


    ''Aria, so it''s her,'' Avendial stood calmly, starting to unbutton his ck suit. He revealed the white shirt beneath while his eyes noted the reactions from all the students. Everyone except one seemed to have shown a normal reaction.


    Of course, it was possible that the girl had fallen in love with him, given she had seen someone as handsome as him for the first time. But to be truthful, he wasn''t narcissistic enough to consider himself the world''s most handsome man, and knowing himself very well, it was clear that this was definitely not due to his charm.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But seeing how she had just walked past the walls, entering his domain without knowing that it was a one-way gateway¡ªsomeone coulde inside but never go back.


    Removing his suit and cing it on the chair, before slightly opening the first button of his shirt and brushing his hair back, he nced towards the same woman who didn''t even think that she was just allowed to pass through the wall because it was a trap to lure her in, and now that she had stepped into this dark night, it would only sink her deeper and deeper.


    Avendial moved towards the desk that had just been brought by the faculty members holding the box of y. He moved towards it before taking out a small dough and cing it on the desk and looked towards all the students without ncing at Aria, as if ignoring her, he added, "Good morning everyone. This is Aven here, and I am your professor of Sculpture sses."


    "P-professor?! Hey, isn''t he too young?"


    "Yeah, he looks like some movie star?"


    "Are you kidding me?!"


    A surge of murmurs spread across the ss, with the students, who were in the age group of 19 to 20, astonished to look at their new professor, who didn''t even appear to be more than 24 years old.

 Chapter 54: 56- Name

    "See, I told you he was a professor here," Lin said, hearing the deration from the professor. He nced towards Amrita, whom he had informed about how this man was a professor even before they took their seats.


    "Yes, you were right," Amrita nodded as she focused on her y and other small tools to prepare for the ss, not caring or paying much attention to that man.


    Even though he was young, it was possible for him to pass the tests of the academy to be a professor. Considering how tough it is, he must be a prodigy.


    Amrita always believed that age, race, gender, and anything else didn''t matter; their achievements as a whole define their standards, status, and the respect they deserve, which is only enhanced by the limitations and restrictions they had in their path.


    For this man, it was his young age, and his achievement is to be a professor at an elite academy.


    So, Amrita''s respect for him had increasedrgely due to oveing his restrictions, which she appreciated as a human being and which fueled her motivation to do better. She lifted her gaze to look towards her new professor and learn about sculpture.


    "Students, not wasting our time, let me ask you: why is ymonly used to make sculptures?" Avendial folded his sleeves before shaping the y as he began to do it, his eyes ncing at every student but never looking at Aria.


    "It''s convenient to use since we can shape it the way we want."


    "Indeed, it''s easier to rectify errors if we make mistakes while creating some shape."


    Avendial gave a light nod, hearing the students give him answers while enthusiastically showing their concentration in the ss. Given that they had all made their way into an elite academy, they were on the smarter side. But not caring about their intelligence, he repeated, "y is malleable. Just like humans, wouldn''t you say?"


    His hands still molded the figure, and after looking towards everyone, he finally directed his gaze down towards the y, adding in a calm tone, "You see, it bends to your will with the right amount of pressure. Too little, and it resists. Too much, and it breaks."


    With those words, he slowly rested his gaze, directing it towards a pink-haired young man, who was looking at him while also ncing at the woman beside him, clearly showing his half-concentration in the ss.


    Avendial further added, as he nced at the woman beside Lin, who was looking at Amrita with a small smile, "But when you know just how much to push and how to shape, you can turn it into whatever you desire. People are no different. They only need the right... sculptor."


    His eyes flickered with a cold gleam, his deep bluish pupils ncing at Lin as he added, almost as if to himself, "And the world, well... it''s my workshop."


    "Eh? Sir, what does thatst line mean?" one of Aria''s friends seated beside her inquired, as she had been observing the man for all this time while trying to gauge him, since she found him to her liking. She slightly inquired as she didn''t understand his words.


    "Essentially, it means toprehend the world around you, connect with it, and then experiment with y, as this will allow you to capture the beauty of the world in your sculpture," Avendial exined, turning towards her friend while not even ncing at Aria, as ifpletely ignoring her in that crowd, looking towards her friend with a smile.


    ''Workshop? This doesn''t feel right,'' Aria thought, looking towards the professor, who had said those words while looking at Lin and Amrita. She felt that she should warn them, considering that she was the only one who knew about this man in front of them being a regressor and a viin at that.


    She could clearly understand that if he was a viin and Lin was a protagonist, then it was most likely he would try to harm him, making Aria nce in the direction of Lin, who was immersed in looking towards Amrita without paying attention to the professor. ''Come on, Lin, look at him.''


    Somehow, Aria knew that if Lin looked at that professor, he would be able to notice that ufortable gaze from him and maybe he''d be cautious of him. But it felt like he was not going to look at her.


    She also couldn''t gather her courage to personally talk to Lin, knowing well that it would just make their rtionship even more sour than it already was.


    "You might not all grasp what I''m saying, so would anyone like to step forward ande here so I can exin things practically?" Avendial closed his eyes with a smile before opening them, looking towards all of them.


    A few of the female students tried to seize this opportunity as they attempted to stand, but Avendial had already pointed towards a woman seated next to Lin, adding, "How about youe here?"


    "Huh? Me?" Amrita was, for a moment, taken aback while pointing her fingers towards herself as she looked towards the professor who had chosen her among all the students, slightly excited as she tried to stand.


    "Now the professor too?"


    "Really? First Lin and now even the professor?"


    Both of Aria''s friends mocked Amrita as they red at her, who had halted in mid as she heard their taunts, including Lin, who clenched his fist upon hearing them insulting Amrita.


    ''A clich¨¦ plot,'' Avendial thought, looking towards the scene in front of him, which appeared like a very normal story from a novel, where there existed a viiness, a heroine, and a hero. The viiness and the viiness'' friend always used to taunt the heroine as the hero saved her, eventually using them as stepping stones to get closer to the heroine.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Seeing all this, Avendial remembered the events inside the tower where, with time passing, he noticed how, simr to him, there were several individuals who had fallen from the sky.


    It meant that once they were at the epitome of the hierarchy, but inside the tower, they were thrown into the mud, as if prepared to be trampled upon by their particr rivals or someone who arrived from the mud and rose to the sky.


    There was not just him. There were several cases like this. Upon analyzing each of them, Avendial found that the most logical exnation was simply to categorize people into those who were favored by luck and those who were not.


    But it also got sub-categorized as he came to know that there were some background stories behind these characters that appeared simr to the fantasy novels present in this world.


    And finally, at the mouth of a viiness (Aria) whom he had killed after dealing with the man she loved (Lin) and the woman (Amrita) who was between her and that man, Avendial heard her reveal how she was able to see the title of Viin above his head.


    Indeed, Avendial came to know about the ability of Aria after she said to him how she and he were alike because they both held the title of viin in someone''s life.


    "Amrita, you don''t need to bring your tools, juste here," Avendial intentionally called her name, knowing well that this would send signals to the two people in the crowd who held a clear advantage over others when it came down to their rtions in a triangle love story.


    And right to his thoughts, seated far away from each other, Lin and Aria found their gazes snapped towards Avendial as, with widened eyes, they thought, ''He knows her name?!''

 Chapter 55: 57- Sculptures

    "Y-yes, professor," Amrita replied as she stood from her ce, leaving her tools on her seat while ignoring the words from her ssmates as she made her way towards the front where the new professor had just called her. ''But why did he know my name?''


    While making her way towards him, Amrita felt confused, considering how he was aware of her name but didn''t pay much attention to it, assuming it was possible for the professor to have heard her name while Lin was referring to her.


    But unlike her, who had pushed back the thought of her name being called as a coincidence, two individuals in particr were looking in the direction of the professor, more like ring at him while clenching their fists, with both of them having different reactions.


    ''This guy,'' Lin thought. The moment he looked intensely at the newly arrived professor, he felt from within that he didn''t like this man at all. It was his intuition that made him guard up against this particr professor, who seemed suspicious.


    ''Is he here for her?'' On the other hand, Aria, already aware of this man being regressed from the past, felt the probability of him being there for Amrita, who in the future might hold some kind of rtion with him, particrly hostile, considering he was a viin.


    Aria calmed herself while looking at him, knowing that in front of everyone he would not do anything. But still, she was cautious as she tried to see through it to understand exactly what he wanted from Amrita. And if he held a grudge against her.


    "Follow my steps," Avendial observed each of their reactions and understood that everything was going in the right direction. However, with less time, he decided to push the events slightly more by providing them a small catalyst and boost.


    His hands started to mold the y ced on the table into the shape that he had seen in the book for sculptures he had been reading a few moments ago. To him, glimpsing at it a few times was more than enough to replicate the same figure with ease.


    After all, in the absence of any awakened strength, the only thing he could rely on was his mind, which he had honed and sharpened over those years in his previous life.


    "Yes, professor," Amrita nodded as she stretched her hand to take a small piece of dough from the avable y at the edge of the table, intending to replicate and copy what the professor was teaching her. But instead, Avendial interrupted.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "No, stand there," Avendial said, positioning himself on the opposite side of the table from Amrita while providing a clear sight of the y to all the students. He stretched his hand over hers, guiding them on the y, adding, "Loosen them so they can follow my direction."


    "Yes," Amrita nodded as she focused her mind on her hand, looking at the y.


    ''?!''


    "Professor, why are you holding her hands?!" Suddenly, instinct took over Lin as he yelled. Already having an unfavorable first impression of this professor, added to his young age and the way he held Amrita''s hands, Lin momentarily forgot that this was a sculpture ss.


    "Sorry?" Avendial, who was feigning focus on his hand while guiding her to create a small figure using the y, turned his head towards Lin, raised an eyebrow, and inquired with an impassive look.


    ".....I" Lin, seeing the expressionless look of the professor, fell into a daze, realizing that he might have instinctively overreacted.


    "Is he jealous or something?" One of the students murmured, but due to the silence that had fallen over the ce, it was clearly heard by everyone.


    If those words acted as a small fire, other students also started to murmur.


    "Indeed, but didn''t he im that Amrita and he were just friends?"


    "Who knows, but he should be mindful of what he says."


    "Tch, the whole ss got disturbed by that woman." Aria''s friends also got involved as they redirected their anger towards Amrita, ring at her as she nkly looked towards everyone, observing that she might have really disturbed the ss.


    "This is the only ss that gives us peace of mind, but even here, tch, can''t expect anything from her." Another of her friends echoed this sentiment while already fueled with an unfavorable image of Amrita, making them ce the me for everything on her.


    The reactions of her friends were mostly amplified, knowing that it was Lin''s fault for doubting the professor, which made them truly condemn Amrita in front of him. After all, the professor would likely support them due to such statements from Lin, creating misunderstandings.


    "I understand," Avendial nodded before turning towards the set of gloves that were provided in the toolbox to him before taking them and putting on the ck gloves before approaching Lin, adding, "Will this suffice?"


    "Professor, but..." Lin was about to say how there was no reason for him to hold Amrita''s hand but halted the moment he saw her cold look clearly showing her displeasure due to Lin''s childish behavior, making him turn his gaze down as he nodded, "Y-yes, Professor."


    It was not that Lin was some child or didn''t understand such normal physical interaction. But he didn''t know why today, looking at that new professor, he felt something inside him telling him to stay away from him or be cautious of him.


    ''It''s still not enough,'' Avendial, observing how, due to being overwhelmed by the situation and that title of protagonist, Lin had reacted the way he anticipated, felt that he needed to push him even more.


    As he turned towards Amrita, who was looking coldly towards Lin due to embarrassing her, Avendial said, "Amrita, you can go ahead and sit down, as it seems your boyfriend may be contributing to some confusion that isn''t ideal for us both."


    ''?!''


    "S-sir? No, he didn''t mean..." Upon noticing the professor''s apparent discontent, Amrita attempted to exin that Lin had made an error, but Avendial''s voice cut her off mid-sentence.


    "Any male student among you want to volunteer?" Avendial shot a nce at the other students, creating a situation where Amrita and Lin found themselves tangled in the visible annoyance and dissatisfaction of their peers,beling them as the ones stirring up trouble in ss.


    The anger of most students was directed towards Amrita, as Lin was a popr student due to his athleticism and poprity among others. Additionally, due to Aria''s friends, the main target had be Amrita, which cornered her into thinking that this situation had left an unfavorable and negative image of her in the professor''s mind.


    She just wanted to learn something new from this professor, but now everything was most likely messed up due to Lin''s clearly misinterpreted actions.


    "Go take your seat, Amrita," Avendial gestured for her to take her seat as one of the male students stood and came near him. Without acting out of his facade, Avendial, now wearing the gloves, started to help the male student in the same way he did with Amrita.


    The difference was simply that at that time he was barehanded, but right now he was wearing a glove, just because he couldn''t give the same skin-to-skin treatment to the same gender.


    But of course, no one cared about it now since the professor was without any ulterior motives, helping the male student in the same way he did with the female student.

 Chapter 56: Chapter 58- Big truth

    "W-wait, Amrita! At least hear me out," Lin said, noticing that after ss ended, Amrita stood up and walked out of the garden without pausing, heading into the corridor. He quickly rose from his seat, straightened his back, and followed her.


    "You acted childish, Lin," Amrita stated calmly. She realized that Lin''s usual behavior of taking things as a joke was unnecessary today. She felt it was an awkward situation, especially since he had acted like that in front of the entire ss.


    Additionally, it was possible that this behavior would leave a negative impression on the professor, who might now view both of them unfavorably.


    "I''m sorry, I don''t know what got into me," Lin ruffled his hair, realizing he had acted immaturely and created trouble for Amrita. Given his behavior, he understood that their sculpture ss might not be as enjoyable as before.


    After all, he had just defamed a newly arrived professor by implying he touched his own student.


    "It''s fine," Amrita replied nkly, not expecting much from Lin, while she thought about how to clear the misunderstanding with the professor.


    "Fine, then how about I treat you to a coffee?" As Lin and Amrita exited the corridor and walked toward their next ss, she shook her head.


    "Nope, one coffee won''t do; at least two of them," Amrita increased her pace, making Lin''s eyes widen before he rxed and followed her, d to see that his behavior hadn''t negatively affected her.


    ''What to do now?'' Amrita pondered. She knew that addressing Lin about the earlier event would only hurt him, so she focused on finding a solution to this problem and a way to apologize to the professor.


    "You are the best, Amrita!" Lin cheered, looking at her as she slowly turned toward the path leading to their next ss. However, his smile gradually faded, and the carefree aura vanished, reced by a cold re as he took out his phone.


    "Hello, Bran," Lin''s voice now held a hint of malice and a clear firmness, starkly different from how he acted just a moment before in front of Amrita. This time, it was rough and emotionless. His eyes turned in the direction where Amrita had just disappeared, and he added, "Find out about the newly appointed professor in Art and Culture for sculpture sses."


    :: I understand, Young Master ::


    ''Let''s see what you''re up to,'' Lin thought. After ending the call and cing his phone in his pocket, he put on a smile as he looked toward the direction of Amrita and then sprinted after her, saying, "Hey, wait for me!"


    ----


    "Yes, I want you to find out about the newly appointed professor in Art and Culture for sculpture sses," Aria said over the phone while standing by a pir inside the corridor, formallymanding her father''s assistant toplete the task within two days.


    Aftering out of ss, she felt confused about how that professor ignored her, instead showing interest only in Amrita and appearing indifferent to Lin''s presence.


    ''Was it intentional?'' Aria briefly considered the ss incident where Lin had overreacted¡ªsomething he typically did whenever it involved Amrita. She wondered if the new professor was aware of this and might use it against Lin. However, she felt the chances were slim since she hadn''t noticed any expression or signs from him that indicated he was aware.


    "But, Professor, it seems hard."


    Suddenly, one of her friends caught Aria''s attention as she observed her three friends standing near the newly arrived professor in the garden.


    "Rest assured, it may seem hard, but now it''s soft due to being wet," Avendial said with a small smile, aware they were discussing a sculpture but adding a touch of humor by referencing the y.


    "Pfft, you can even make jokes, professor," one of them smiled at Avendial, surprised by his calm demeanor and sense of humor.


    "Naturally, I''m not that old, you know," Avendial replied, arching an eyebrow in mock surprise, causing all three of them to chuckle as they looked at each other.


    ''What is he trying to achieve?'' From afar, Aria felt suspicious as she watched her friends engaged in a lively conversation with the professor. Not understanding why he was even talking to them, she decided to move closer to help Lin get information about this man.


    "Indeed, the professor seems very young," Aria interrupted as she arrived about ten meters away from them. Most students had already left, with a few lingering female students admiring the new professor. Aria cast a calm gaze in his direction.


    ''?!''


    "....Ah, Aria?" Avendial feigned surprise, slowly turning his head toward her. Standing in her academy uniform, her ck hair cascading down her waist and her eyes looking impassively at him, she showed a clear hint of dissatisfaction. The nearby breeze fluttered her hair, and with a defeated smile, Avendial whispered, "Y-you are Aria, right?"


    ''Huh? What''s with that gaze?'' Aria thought. She had expected him to continue his cold andposed facade to fool others, but she felt confused as she noticed his eyes widen the moment he saw her. He inquired about her identity, unlike how he had directly identified Amrita but seemed unsure about her.


    Additionally, the most puzzling aspect was his gaze, which held longing and emotions of having met someone after a long time, causing Aria to instinctively answer, "Y-yes."


    "I mean, yes, I am Aria, but how do you know my name, professor?" Aria sped her hands together, studying him with evident suspicion. She attempted to peer into his character, but he met her gaze with a doubtful blink, his eyes reflecting her frozen image in their deep, oceanic blue depths.


    "Well, even if I tell you, will you believe me?" Avendial tilted his head slightly, offering a smile. It was the first time other students, and even Aria, had seen it after a while. Having spent an hour and a half in ss, he appearedpletely different from how he had been¡ªcold and aloof.


    "Yes," Aria quickly responded, though she avoided his eyes, not wanting to confront his feelings. She felt awkward and confused by his reaction, which made her feel guilty, as if she were doubting someone she should always trust.


    Avendial observed this particr woman, who had just be the center of attention for the other female students due to the favorable interaction with him, and he decided to finally address the second nk in her mind. "To be precise, I traveled from the future to address a few issues and rescue some lives, which is how I know your name."


    ''?!?!''


    "Wh-what?!" Aria''s eyes widened the moment she heard him confessing his topmost secret, which should have been considered a secret that no one would have known, making her slightly taken aback as she tried to make sense of things, turning her gaze toward her friends and other ssmates.


    ''No.... No... did he just ept he was from the future?'', Aria let her hand loose as she initially sped it but now clenched it into a fist. She felt all her ns to make him confess that he was from the future crumble in an instant. Since he himself had done that, making her mind go nk for a moment, she did not understand what she should do next.


    Naturally, from the beginning, after knowing he was a regressed individual, she had nned to push him in the corner until he revealed that he had future memories.


    Afterwards, she would make him disclose all the things that would happen in the future and the reason why he appeared here.


    But now?


    The very first step she tried to create adder turned into a pile of dust.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 57: Chapter 59 - Mutual Benefit

    Inside the corridor leading to the director''s office, through the main building, a man walked while getting the attention of several students, as his silver hair attracted a few nces from the female students, considering that his facial features were somewhat attractive.


    ''What was her ability again?'' Avendial, calmly walking towards the director''s office while holding the book belonging to the sses he had just attended, tried to recall his memories regarding Amrita, wanting to remember what kind of awakened abilities she possessed.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But after thinking clearly, he found that there had been no instances where Amrita used any abilities, considering that she had even been killed by someone he had sent after her. He had not even been able to see herst struggle to understand if she possessed any ability.


    However, considering the way Lin and others in his group treated Amrita as if she were a treasure, he concluded that her awakened ability must be something that could be very useful for them. For that reason, he decided to put her aside for now on the waiting list.


    "Oh, Mar¡ªI mean Professor Aven, how was your day?" the Director, who had just arrived at the door of his office, nced toward Avendial, moving in his direction. The director, holding a cane, had a mustache that appeared dominant above his old physique.


    "Hello, Director, it was really a good experience," Avendial nodded as he greeted the director, whom he had seen after three or four hours, though of course, without halting for formalities, he directly moved inside the director''s room, leaving the director hanging outside. The director coughed, feeling awkward, and also followed behind.


    "Don''te inside," Avendial gestured with his hand toward the director, who halted and gave him a nk look, remembering that just moments ago, even Aecilia had done the same and had sent him away from his own room. And now it was Avendial who did the same.


    ''It''s my room, though,'' the director thought as he lowered his gaze before turning away from the room, really feeling that he had been thrown out of his own room in a way where he couldn''t even retaliate, given that those who had taken it were far more influential even for someone like him.


    "Have you slept well, Miss Aecilia?" Avendial, with a steady step, entered before slowly opening the door. The first sight that greeted him was Aecilia seated on the sofa with her head supported by her hand as if in a deep sleep. She slowly let one eyelid slide up, revealing a deep golden hue as she looked towards the man who had arrived after a whole two hours.


    "Indeed, it was somewhatfortable here," Aecilia replied with a calm voice while her eyes nced toward the sofa near her, where Rihane sat with a nk look and a contracted physique¡ªjoint legs with sped hands buried in it while her eyes were fixed downward¡ªa after-effect of spending two hours in the presence of Countess Aecilia Sertsul.


    "I see. Then will you not want to go on a walk outside with me?" Avendial tossed his suit onto the sofa, then took a seat. His white shirt, matching his hair, sparkled in the sunlighting through the office window. As he looked at her with his deep blue eyes, it felt like he was hinting at a proposal for something he was about to ask her to do.


    "First tell me what you want," Aecilia, already having been dragged by him two times¡ªfirst he dragged her on the pretext of a date in a free city, second he dragged her to the academy on the pretext of a long drive and then left her hanging inside this room for two hours¡ªwas not going to be tricked again with some fake promises.


    "I want you to provide me with information about the noble family to whom Lin Diego belonged and the story behind his mother''s marriage," Avendial clearly stated without hiding anything as he looked toward Aecilia with a smile, noticing her frown. He felt that he might need to first provide her with somepensation.


    "It will take a few days," Aecilia nonchntly replied, neither rejecting the proposal nor showing any eagerness, considering how he might view her as a pushover if she, just like before, called and used the Sertsul family''s connections to obtain the information with a single call.


    "Let''s go on a date," Avendial, with closed eyes, smiled. Seeing through her demeanor, he understood that he couldn''t always make her do the work for him, prompting him to decide to entertain her in a proper way and provide her exactly what she wanted, even if it just meant for him to act for a moment.


    And then this was just a mutual deal, where she would bring him information and he would entertain her for a moment.


    "Really?" Aecilia narrowed her gaze with her folded hands, looking at him with suspicion, trying to understand where he was going to take her on the pretext of a date. Not expecting much, she started to slowly stand.


    ''D-date?!!!'' Rihane, who just heard Avendial''s words toward Aecilia, felt as if she had just heard a secret and believed even more in Aecilia''s words where she told her to keep an eye on the enemies of the Marquess. Her lowered gaze showed the slight tremble as she clenched her fist, understanding that these two were, ''they are in love!!!''


    Of course, that was definitely her own perspective.


    Given that she had been in conversation with Aecilia Sertsul for two hours, it appeared she was influenced by her perspectives. She also generated a deteriorated perspective of the situation, where she was the only one inside the room who even thought of the two having some rtionship.


    After all, Aecilia knew that he was just entertaining her because he wanted her to do some work for him.


    "I never lie." With those words, and following Aecilia''s movement, Avendial also stood from his position before lifting his suit and draping it over his shoulder, with one hand resting in his pocket as he made his way out of the office room.


    With those words, both of them left the director''s room while Aecilia moved forward at the front, while Avendial followed behind her. Both of them were attracting the gazes of several students.


    Now that it was time for all of them to leave their sses, most of them were avable on campus, making their way out of the academy. As if it were the first time they saw someone appearing this charming in real life.


    "Hey, look over there."


    "Oh my, are they celebrities?"


    "Click a picture; isn''t she beautiful?"


    "Shhh, idiot!"


    One after another, several moments started to fill the campus as the students walking in the path looked in the direction of Avendial and Aecilia. Naturally, not all the students, but a few of them were enchanted at the sight of seeing someone this charming for the first time.


    Naturally, it was not that there weren''t any beautiful or charming individuals inside the academy, but the confident aura and the cool demeanor surrounding these two individuals were what made the students nce in their direction while a few of them even clicked images.

 Chapter 58: Chapter 60 - Man?

    "Pffft, were you for real, Aria?" One of Aria''s friends caught her eye, remembering how just moments ago the professor joked about being from the future. Everyoneughed since they knew it was just a joke, but Aria took it way too seriously, which made everyone crack up even more.


    "Shut up." Thinking back, Aria couldn''t help but feel a little awkward for being the only one to take it seriously while everyone else was cracking up. It was funny that even the professor wasughing, even though he actually knew that his words were true and not some joke.


    At first, she was taken aback when he suddenly epted that he was from the future and acted out of character, considering it was a shock for her. But now that she thinks about it, it all feels like he was just trying to warn her or make her realize that no one would believe her even if she told them he was from the future.


    ''I need to know more about him.'' Aria looked coldly ahead while moving toward the exit of the building belonging to the Art and Culture Department, thinking about her next step. She needed to find clues about this new professor by herself since she couldn''t just tell Lin about himing from the future.


    At times like this, she really felt that Lin was being foolish for not letting her message him or providing any contact so that she could at least send him a warning in advance.


    "Lol, it was good to see Aria''s pale face¡ªOh my?!" Her other friend, also remembering the expression on Aria''s face, wanted to join in teasing her but suddenly halted. They emerged into the open ground and looked in the distance towards two individuals attracting the gazes of several students as they moved calmly toward the main gate while passing through therge garden area.


    The man walked through the garden with an air of quiet confidence. His silver hair stood out sharply against his white silk shirt, which was neatly tucked into well-fitted ck pants. He held a ck suit jacket over one arm, and a blue watch rested on his wrist. His blue eyes were fixed straight ahead, paying no mind to the curious stares around him.


    Beside him, the woman moved with equal poise. Her ck hair fell over her shoulders, and her golden eyes stood out against the dark tone of her ck nightgown. The gown showed off her figure, and the ck lipstick on her lips gave her a bold, striking look.


    ''Huh? Who is she?'' Aria, standing there, looked towards a woman with unique makeup, apletely nonchnt attitude, and that particr cold demeanor, prompting her to move forward instinctively since her ability needed to be at least within a 20-meter range for her to see someone''s title.


    "Aria, what are you doing? The director ising too," one of her friends ced her hand on Aria''s shoulder, halting her before she moved, as she noticed the director moving towards those two particr individuals, feeling that maybe this was not a good time for them to disturb or interrupt them.


    "But..." Aria nced in the direction of that woman before turning towards her friend. She calmed herself, understanding that she should prioritize getting the information about her new professor instead of wasting her time here, and she nodded before all of them moved forward at a slow pace, not with the intent to approach the new professor.


    ---


    "Amrita, wait, hear me," Lin had already tried many times, including in ss, as he felt guilty seeing Amrita appearing lost in her thoughts. Still, she acted normally, but somehow he knew that inside she was hurt due to his actions.


    "Huh, Lin, why are you running? I told you, it''s fine," Amrita nced back as she was putting her books inside the bag and looked toward Lin, who was sprinting towards her while passing through the other students while holding a bag.


    "No, I mean I should not have acted like that in ss," Lin arrived and stood beside her, while aware that it was not her first time, but she always left the academy soon, given that she had a part-time job in a cafe. Still, as their usual habit, he always apanied her to the academy''s gate. But today, she left alone, making him think that she was angry due to him.


    "Fine, I forgive you," Amrita sighed, seeing how he was trying so hard earlier. Though of course, she didn''t have any anger towards him, knowing well about his personality. It was slightly awkward and bad for her, but it was okay considering that most likely the ssmates would forget about today''s event, so it was not like she took his words to heart, but the issue was that professor.


    Given how it was his first day, it was most probable that he would now have a very one-sided image of Lin in his eyes, making it hard for him to score good marks in sculpture sses, which was what made her slightly worried.


    "Really? Haha, now we are talking," Lin smiled as both of them, with a chuckle, moved forward inside the corridor. As they exited the ssroom, students were preparing to leave the academy.


    "Hey, she must be an actress."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Leave them and think about tomorrow''s exams."


    "Tch, you nerd, at least let us feast our eyes, I mean pray to that goddess."


    "These idiots."


    One after another, several murmurs and mumbles reached both Amrita and Lin''s ears as they nced towards the other students. While not all of them were paying much attention while busy in their path, a few among many were standing and gossiping while looking in a particr direction.


    "Who is she?" Amrita looked towards a woman walking beside Professor Aven as she found herself feeling somewhat ufortable around that woman. Maybe it could be due to that unique makeup style of hers, which was confusing for Amrita, considering she wouldn''t have felt such a way just because of the appearance of a person.


    But somehow, she felt ufortable seeing that woman, more like repulsion, which she had never felt before from anyone, but it wasn''t much, so she shook her head, ignoring these feelings.


    "She seems to be the new professor," Lin answered as both of them started to move toward the main gate.


    "And which department does she belong to?" Amrita inquired as she nced between that woman in the ck nightdress and then Lin.


    "Treat me to a coffee and then I will tell," Lin shrugged his shoulder while the strap of his bag draped on his shoulder. cing both hands in his pockets, he looked at Amrita with a smirk, knowing well that he would be able to get information within a few minutes if he used his family connections. But until then, he wanted to use this opportunity to make Amrita forgive him.


    "Nice trick, but not gonna work on me," With those words Amrita uncreased her pace towards the main gate.


    "H-hey!" Lin followed behind her to the exit.


    ---


    "You seem to be bing popr among male students," Avendial said, arriving at the main gate, where the car they had arrived in stood while the others had already left. Given that he had ordered the CEOs to prepare particr tasks without halting, he moved towards the car before sitting inside.


    "It sucks for them, but I totally prefer a man over kids," Aecilia said. Entering the car, she took the driver''s seat and started the engine, which roared, causing the students nearby to get out of the way while looking towards the car. Before hitting the elerator, Aecilia turned her head towards Avendial, adding, "So, tell me, Marquess, are you a man?"


    Vroom!


    The car instantly roared with its wheels, within 3 seconds reaching a speed of 60 miles per hour, directly leaving a trail of rubber on the asphalt as it sped through the road connecting the academy. Taking the turn, they entered the main highway, where Avendial casually rested his hand on the car window and looked outside at the scenery.


    "So, where are we going then?" Aecilia inquired while controlling the steering wheel with precise control, ncing at him.


    Turning his eyes to her with a smile forming, he said, "Wasn''t Miss Aecilia curious about whether I''m a man? Let''s go to a hotel, and I''ll show you there if I am or not."

 Chapter 59: Chapter 61 - An Encounter

    Vrooom!


    The roar of the car engine pierced the air as it zipped onto the main highway, the Onyx ck car gliding past others like they were mere little turtles, while it was the speedy rabbit of the road. It cruised effortlessly, showcasing the driver''s mastery as the power of the engine surged, palpable and exhrating.


    "So, which hotel should I book?" Aecilia asked, expertly maneuvering the car with one hand while the other rested on the gear shift, continually adjusting it as she elerated. Her feet were firmly on the gas pedal, her confidence radiating as she pressed forward without even tapping the brakes, her gaze fixed ahead as she inquired.


    "Is Miss Aecilia this eager to get proof of my manhood?" Avendial replied, unperturbed by the thrill of the speed. He remained calm, hands folded as he looked straight ahead, appreciating the wide-open highway.


    With traffic thin at this time¡ª12:30 PM¡ªthe road wasrgely vacant, a stark contrast to the bustling activity of Sector 18, brilliantly known as an economic hub packed with IT firms and various other businesses.


    "Of course," Aecilia responded without a hint of embarrassment, fully aware that he was jesting. She maintained her focus on the road as she deftly handled the car''s controls before adding, "It was Prince Orion who slipped you that aphrodisiacst night."


    So, she spilled the beans about what she''d found out about the culprit behindst night''s situation. While some would say it was just poisoning, she really dug in and thought otherwise. To her, it was obvious he''d been hit with a strong aphrodisiac¡ªand she wanted him to understand that, dropping hints that she knew what was up and that he shouldn''t try to keep anything from her.


    "I know," Avendial replied candidly, maintaining his focus on the road ahead. His eyes scanned the signboards indicating various facilities such as hospitals, schools, universities, and businesses.


    As they drove, he noticed several advertisements for local enterprises, hoping to catch a glimpse of some familiar faces from his past life. However, the number of people around him made this a daunting task.


    The faces he remembered were few, and without their current addresses, it would be nearly impossible to find them in the sea of strangers.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    For now, all he could do was look around and hope for a stroke of luck.


    "Is that why you''re preparing an army?" Aecilia asked, her grip tightening on the steering wheel as she shifted gears. Her gaze softened as she cautiously navigated the increasingly crowded highway, adjusting her speed in response to the growing number of vehicles.


    "Huh?" Avendial raised an eyebrow, momentarily looking her way. He realized that Aecilia might be confused by the tasks he had assigned to the CEOs of hispanies and the recentte-night events. Though he wanted to rify, a smile formed on his face as he turned his attention back to the windshield.


    "Thank you, Miss Aecilia," Avendial expressed his gratitude. Her words sparked an idea in his mind concerning how to manage potential scrutiny from the royal family regarding his mass hiring. It was all thanks to Aecilia''s observations.


    While it was true that he was gathering numerous individuals, he felt the need to rify that they were not being assembled for an army.


    An army typically consists of individuals trained forbat, possessing various forms of fighting prowess.


    The people he was collecting were primarily Awakened, ranging from those with minimal strength to others with considerable power. Whether they would be suitable for military purposes remained uncertain.


    "No problem, I guess," Aecilia responded, sensing that she might have misunderstood the situation. As she spoke, her fingers danced absentmindedly along the steering wheel, eventuallying to rest near a line of several vehicles that were slowly inching forward in a gradual traffic jam.


    Beeep! Beeep!


    She pressed the car horn while ncing outside at Avendial, who rested his chin on his hand, his elbow perched casually on the window. As both assessed the traffic situation, they noticed that the twones of vehicles were choked, inching forward at a frustratingly slow pace.


    It became evident that something had happened¡ªmost likely an ident¡ªbecause drivers were emerging from their cars, suggesting that something was obstructing their path.


    As Avendial observed the scene unfold, he saw several people up ahead turning back, dialing their phones. It dawned on him that there might have been an ident or an injury, as many seemed to be calling for an ambnce¡ªa perfectly natural response in such a situation.


    Watching the unfolding drama, he concluded that it was indeed a traffic ident and, thankfully, one that hadn''t resulted in fatalities.


    The slow movement of traffic implied that the obstruction wasn''t permanent; whatever was causing the backup could be shifting or clearing, possibly an injured person lying on the middle footpath between the two main highways.


    "Dumbfucks," Aecilia muttered, her irritation brewing as she continued to observe. It frustrated her to see those drivers, rather than using their cars to help the stricken individual, distractedly dialing numbers.


    Their anxious expressions suggested that whoever was involved must be alive but in dire need of immediate medical attention.


    "Sorry? Did you say something, Miss Aecilia?" Avendial asked calmly, casting a sidelong nce at her. Despite having clearly heard her exmation, it was his first encounter with a curse from a nobledy.


    One might argue he had also picked up such informalnguage during his time navigating the Tower, conversing with various individuals from the Free Cities.


    Yet, in the Kingdom of Thaloris, the teachings he had received were formal and structured.


    Noblewomen were educated at high levels but generallycked the exposure to the kind ofnguage thatmon women from free cities might use.


    In essence, their speech was delicate, sophisticated, and respectful¡ªnot at all like the word that had just slipped from Aecilia''s lips.


    He thought that even women from free cities would not talk like this.


    "Ahem, I mean, shouldn''t they be helping whoever is in trouble?" Aecilia coughed, feeling a surge of embarrassment wash over her. She realized that her emotions had overtaken her, causing her to utter an inappropriate term that made the situation feel awkward.


    If she had been alone in the car, she surely would have attempted to assist whoever was in need. After all, despite the presence of evil in the world, there always exists a glimmer of humanity lingering in some corner.


    Even if that spark seemed extinguished in those whom she tried to help, the guns stored in the car would be enough to enlighten their humanity.


    "Is that so? Then why didn''t you help them?" Avendial replied, folding his hands and directing his gaze forward, closing his eyes as if in quiet contemtion. He offered no sympathy to those strangers, though there was a glimmer of expectation in his demeanor.


    After all, fortune may very well smile upon him; perhaps something good wille his way.


    And even if not, at least those he rescued just needed to share the same blood type as him.


    "You are truly a kind-hearted one, Marquess," Aecilia remarked, her voice steady as one hand gripped the steering wheel. With a deft motion, she pressed the elerator, breaking free of thene and veering the car directly onto the footpath. Though it rose a few inches above the asphalt, her skill as a driver allowed them to smoothly execute the maneuver.


    VROOOOM!


    The car surged onto the footpath, elerating with a jolt, leaving a billowing trail of dust behind as they rushed forward, cutting through the air with a sense of urgency.

 Chapter 60: Chapter 62 - An Accident (1)

    :: Hi, this is from the city hospital. Your mother has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer¡ªstage four, to be exact. We urgently need you to arrange 1,200 Imperial Crowns for her treatment, or we may have to discharge her. ::


    "I¡ªI will arrange it soon," a man replied, seated on his bike, holding the phone with both hands as he absorbed the devastating news from the city hospital where his mother was receiving treatment. His eyes seemed hollow, dark circles forming beneath his helmet, and his hands trembled ever so slightly. It was evident that the toll of his job as a construction worker weighed heavily on him.


    He looked weary, as if life had drained him of all vitality.


    Despite his muscr build, his exhaustion was palpable. His voice dripped with a hollow emptiness as he spoke, and he nodded as he listened to the hospital staff on the other end of the line.


    :: We need the payment within half an hour, or she will be removed from her room. ::


    "I understand," he replied, his voice barely a whisper, devoid of emotion. He ended the call and stared at his phone''s screen, which disyed a bank bnce of just 180 Imperial Crowns.


    Tring~


    "Hello?" Another call buzzed in, this time from the Chief, as Leo slowly lifted his phone with trepidation, his mind racing at the thought of asking for an advance on his pay to cover his mother''s treatment.


    :: Leo, I heard your mother is in need of urgent care. ::


    "Y-yes, Chief," he stammered, sitting on his not-so-expensive bike. The Chief''s concern made Leo acutely aware that news of his mother''s health had made its way around, likely through his colleagues¡ªmen he considered friends.


    :: You should have asked me for help too, you know? Was the money you borrowed from the others enough? ::


    "No, Chief, I¡ªI just can''t bring myself to ask for it," Leo admitted. He sat on his bike, the ss of his helmet reflecting a steady stream of cars rushing past him on the main highway.


    It reminded him of two diverging paths: one made of cheap asphalt, representing his current situation, and the other¡ªsmooth and well-paved¡ªsymbolizing the status he believed he could never reach.


    He felt inferior, reluctant to step out of line and ask for help from someone he regarded as his superior.


    :: I understand, Leo. I''d like to help you, but I''ve already distributed the sries to the other employees today, and the most I can manage is yourst paycheck of 200 Imperial Crowns. ::


    "I don''t understand, Chief?" Leo felt a shiver run down his spine as he sensed the hesitance in the Chief''s voice. Something wasn''t right, and his gut told him that bad news was on the horizon.


    :: You see, the owner has announced bankruptcy, and it looks like our constructionpany is on the verge of closing its doors for good. ::


    ''Ah, yes, I see,'' Leo thought as the Chief''s words sank in. He remembered that the strugglingpany had been teetering on the brink for a while, battling againstrger, more powerfulpetitors. Despite everyone''s hard work, it had ultimately been for naught.


    "I understand, Chief," was all he could muster in response, feeling a sense of defeat wash over him. He appreciated that his Chief was being understanding amid the chaos.


    Given his dismal luck¡ªwhere good fortune seemed perpetually out of reach¡ªhe found a small sliver of sce in receiving even those 200 Imperial Crowns.


    They were certainly a mere fraction of what he needed, but in a world where everything seemed to be slipping away, it was better than nothing.


    It was already remarkable that a constructionpany was managing to stay afloat with so many workers and engineers, especially after not securing any major projects for a year.


    The reason for this precarious survivaly with the owner, a kind old man who had been paying his employees minimum wages by selling off his own assets.


    :: I am sending the amount now, and I hope you don''t me thepany''s owner. ::


    "No, Chief, it''s fine," Leo replied, holding the phone tightly to his ear, his helmet barely containing his nerves.


    In that moment, he could only curse his own bad luck¡ªa fate so bleak that it often felt as if misfortune was drawn to him like a moth to a me.


    :: I understand, thank you for your work, Leo. If only the owner hadn''t been scammed because of his kindness, we would have enough funds to sustain operations for a few more months. ::


    "I understand¡­" Leo murmured before cutting the call. He looked at the screen as a notification popped up, revealing a transfer of 200 Imperial Crowns to his bank ount.


    He closed his eyes, contemting his life, a tangled maze of misfortune.


    Since the age of five, tragedy had shadowed him: his father had died due to circumstances he felt responsible for, leaving his mother to fend for them both.


    She took up work in factories, mainly dealing with ss, but soon fell ill, diagnosed with cancer.


    School was no refuge; Leo struggled with his studies, failing every exam he took despite his efforts.


    At the tender age of twelve, he decided to abandon formal education altogether, opting for manualbor.


    He felt devoid of talent, cursed with a streak of bad luck, and burdened by a life riddled with regrets.


    While others might have envisioned options before them, he saw only a narrow path strewn with hardship, inflicting pain on those around him.


    Vroom


    Exhaustion weighed heavily on his mind, yet his body was unscathed. He twisted the throttle and elerated onto the main highway.


    The dividing line between the roads was obscured by thick trees, leaving him unaware of the vehicles approaching from both directions.


    Since thene he was entering was one way, he remained blissfully ignorant of the danger he was drifting into.


    Beep! Beep!


    "MOVE!!!" A voice shouted, apanied by the ring of horns.


    Leo instinctively turned his head, only to find a truck barreling towards him from the wrong side, mere inches from his face.


    In those fleeting seconds, all the memories of his life¡ªregrets, pains, and the chains of suffering¡ªshed before his eyes, intertwined with the faces of those he had let down, particrly his mother, who depended on him.


    An overwhelming sense of eptance washed over him; perhaps death would bring the peace that life had denied him.


    Bang!


    "Argh¡­! Kugh!" The impact was instant, propelling him and his bike apart as the vehicle shattered the fragile construction of the machine.


    Leo''s body was flung across the asphalt, his bones fracturing under the brutal force as he tumbled uncontrobly.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As he rolled, the world inverted, a chaotic blur of light and shadow¡ªsomething he had grown ustomed to in his tumultuous life.


    Finally, he felt his momentum slow as he was thrown twenty meters from the truck, which skidded to a stop, its driver desperately trying to regain control.


    Behind it, cars collided in a cacophony of screeching tires and shattering ss.


    Amidst the cacophony of distant sounds, hey on the asphalt in a bloody state, his eyes drifting across the scenery for what felt like thest time.


    His skin was parched, coated in dirt, devoid of any hint of the life he once led. Like many other ordinary people burdened by the weight of work, he found an odd sense of sce in the thought that perhaps he was dying.


    Yet, a sudden memory flickered to life before him: the image of his mother.


    A single tear escaped his eye as he clenched his teeth, the realization crashing over him like a wave: he couldn''t die¡ªnot like this.

 Chapter 61: Chapter 63 - An Accident (2)

    Determined not to sumb to the darkness, he summoned the frail remnants of strength that lingered within his battered body.


    With great effort, he attempted to push himself closer to the footpath just a few centimeters away.


    He knew that lying on the asphalt would grant him a semnce of peace, but the weight of eptance felt heavy on his heart. He couldn''t bring himself to face the pain and suffering that would inevitably befall his mother, the only family he had left in this world.


    "I¡ªI can''t die," he murmured, his resolve igniting a flicker of hope.


    Summoning every ounce of adrenaline coursing through him, he somehow managed to roll onto the footpath,nding with his eyes fixed ahead.


    He dared to believe that he might just survive this ordeal; someone would surely pass by and call for an ambnce.


    All he had to do was wait.


    He brought his broken hand¡ªstill capable of movement, despite the injury¡ªover his eyes, trying to shield himself from the harsh reality.


    Blood soaked his body and face, leaving him drenched in misery, feeling as if he couldn''t even grasp death peacefully.


    VROOOOOOM


    ''!?!''


    Suddenly, as hey on the footpath, the roar of a loud engine pierced the air, prompting him to nce in its direction.


    His eyes, barely under his control, widened in disbelief as he saw a sleek ck Onyx car barreling toward him at a terrifying speed, sending shivers down his spine.


    It felt as though today was meant to be hisst. Even after having crawled onto the footpath, he was seconds away from meeting his end.


    Memories of his ailing mother shed through his mind, and in a desperate bid for survival, he screamed, "STOOOOPPP!!!"


    Screeeech!


    Miraculously, his words seemed to have the desired effect. The car screeched to a halt, its tires screeching against the pavement and leaving a trail of rubber marks before stopping just inches from his face.


    His body trembled, first from the fear of the ident and now again from the close brush with death.


    "He seems strong enough," Aecilia remarked, stepping out of the car. Her eyes quickly assessed the chaotic scene where the two roads converged: a truck hade to a halt following a collision, and in the aftermath, fragments of a motorbikey scattered alongside pools of blood, a grim reminder of the severity of the ident.


    The debris stretched for a distance of twenty meters, revealing just how violent the incident had been and illustrating how far the man had crawled in his desperate attempt to escape.


    "Can you move?" Avendial asked as he stepped forward, looking down at Leo, whoy helplessly on the ground. Several other individuals, witnessing Avendial and Aecilia taking the initiative to help, also approached.


    "I-I think my thigh bone is crushed," Leo replied, his voice shaking. ncing at the both individuals emerging from the car, he felt their presence served as a stark reminder of their status as popr actors.


    This made him hesitate; he knew well the harsh realities of the world they lived in, and he wanted to avoid any hint of anger or resentment.


    Initially, no one hade to his aid except for the two of them. The car they arrived in, coupled with their refined appearances, suggested they belonged to a wealthy family¡ªlikely someone of higher standing.


    Leo understood that offending them would be thest thing he could afford, even in the wake of his ident.


    "I see," Avendial said reassuringly before extending his hand toward Leo. The gesture left Leo feeling slightly confused; however, after a moment of hesitation, he took Avendial''s hand, and Avendial helped pull him up.


    Thanks to his regr exercise andmitment to a healthy lifestyle, Avendial had maintained a well-built physique. While he may not have had the sculpted abs of a fitness model, he was undeniably strong enough to support Leo with an arm around his shoulder.


    "Kughh... Urghh... I-I am fine," Leo stammered, irritated by the pain coursing through his body. He cast a quick nce at the white shirt of the man helping him, which was now stained with his blood, feeling awkward about how his condition must appear. He was determined not to be overly dependent on this unknown man''s assistance.


    While he appreciated the kindness of these two rich people, he couldn''t shake the understanding that such kindness was a luxury not everyone could afford.


    He observed the others who had approached; despite stepping out of their cars, they merely made phone calls, offering no hands to aid him.


    Their actions clearly conveyed a reluctance to engage with someone of his status, likely influenced by his disheveled appearance as a construction worker.


    Yet the man who was supporting him stood apart from the rest¡ªhe seemed indifferent to status and focused solely on helping.


    ''What a hassle'' Avendial thought as he supported the injured man, he sensed a clear awareness in the man''s eyes, despite the pain and the grim state he was in.


    It was as if, even in that particr state, he was thinking about both of their statuses. This realization made Avendial understand that this man was at least smart enough but not of any significant help to him.


    Avendial couldn''t recall ever seeing this man achieve anything noteworthy in past life; this fleeting encounter felt purely random, devoid of any significance. However, driven by a sense of duty and spurred on by Aecilia''s wish to help, he resolved to take action.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Try to stay alive," he instructed, turning toward his car.


    "Huh?" Leo replied, surprised. He watched as Avendial opened the back door of his sports car, revealing that there was indeed a backseat despite its sleek design. With little regard for Leo''s injuries, Avendial lifted him and unceremoniously threw him into the backseat.


    The jarring motion aggravated Leo''s wounds, and he winced as pain coursed through his body.


    ''?!''


    Just when he thought it couldn''t get worse, he felt a hard shove against his back.


    "Get in," Avendialmanded, using his foot to forcefully push the man into the car. He gave onest shove before mming the door shut, sealing Leo inside.


    "How ruthless of you," Aecilia remarked as she observed Avendial''s expression. He looked irritated, almost disappointed in the situation.


    Yet, despite his annoyance, Aecilia felt differently. An instinctual sense told her that helping that man was the right thing to do, as if some unseen fortune was guiding her choices. Her gut feelings had never led her astray before.


    "Let''s go," Avendial announced, shifting his focus back to the road ahead as he entered the car and took his seat.


    "Of course, why not, boss," Aecilia said, scoffing at how she was treated as just a driver. Without wasting any more time, she slipped into the car and elerated toward the nearby hospital.


    ---


    "Is that the one mentioned by the young master?" a man in the front seat asked, peering through the window as they watched the sleek ck Onyx sports car drift away. Stuck in the slow crawl of traffic, they felt outssed and outpaced.


    What caught their attention even more was when the car unexpectedly veered onto the footpath, breaking traffic rules with audacity. The woman behind the wheel disyed impressive skill as she maneuvered the sports car, effortlessly climbing onto the raised tform.


    One of the men, clearly impressed, pulled out a diary to make a note.


    They prided themselves on their meticulous work,mitted to observing even the smallest details.


    They had already deduced that the man was kind-hearted and that the woman who apanied him was an exceptionally skilled driver.


    "Stay close behind them, but don''t let ourselves be seen," a woman in the back seat instructed the driver.


    The driver nodded, and along with the two men in the car, elerated to follow the trail of the sports car that had sped off just moments earlier.

 Chapter 62: Chapter 64 - Assassination

    On the main highway of the city, a sleek ck sedan raced down the road, pushing its limits at maximum speed.


    "Hello, Young Master Lin, we''ll catch up to them soon," a woman said over the phone from the back seat. She had just ryed the frustrating news that they had lost sight of a ck sports car, one that had proven faster than they had expected and had now disappeared from view.


    The urgency of losing their prey weighed heavily on her, but the individuals they were tracking were likely transporting a patient to the nearest hospital.


    All she needed to do was input the location of the closest medical facility into the GPS.


    With a sigh, she ended the call, rubbing her forehead in frustration. The burden of responsibility felt immense, amplified by the pressure of pursuing a professor. Despite being one of Diego''s skilled mercenaries, this particr mission felt especially taxing.


    "What can we do? He is a higher-up," the man in the driver''s seat said, shaking his head in resignation. Just then, his eyes caught sight of a college bus a short distance ahead.


    The bus hade to a stop in the middle of the road, with its driver¡ªa lone, hunched old man¡ªstruggling to fix the malfunctioning engine.


    "Looks like they might need some help," the driver remarked, his gaze narrowing as he analyzed the scene. He observed that all of the students onboard were female, while the driver was left to struggle with the repair alone.


    "Which college is that?" the woman inquired as the sedan parked slowly at the corner of the highway. They all stepped out of the car, scanning their surroundings for any unexpected developments while she asked about the bus.


    "It''s one of the vehicles belonging to Sertsul Foundation, and those girls are likely trainees," the driver, a bald man in a suit, said as he unbuttoned his jacket. With his hands tucked into his pockets, he moved forward, his eyes narrowed and exuding a tough demeanor, revealing he recognized the bus at first nce.


    "By the way, you have the guns, right?" inquired another man in a ck suit and sses who apanied them. He removed the safety lock from his firearm and tucked it into his pocket, clearly prepared for any uncertain situation while keeping his guard up.


    "Yes," both the woman and the bald man nodded, confirming that they were carrying their weapons, even though it was just a women''s bus. They knew better than to take unnecessary risks.


    The woman wore a ck suit, just like the two men, and sses that gave her the appearance of a bodyguard.


    "Hey, what''s going on? Do you need any help?" the bald man called out to the driver as he approached, noticing the curious gazes of the college students directed at him. He instinctively tried to project confidence despite the unexpected attention.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Oh, I apologize for blocking the road," the driver replied, an older man who ruffled his hair as he spoke. He gestured towards the bus and knelt down to look underneath it, his eyes scanning the area beneath the center of the vehicle. "It seems there might be some issue with the fuel tank or something."


    "What? Let me see," the bald man remarked, noticing that most of the female students were sneaking nces in his direction. Driven by instinct, he felt an urge to assist them. Given that the majority of onlookers were women and he was a gentleman, he believed it was his duty to lend a hand.


    "Hand that over; I''ll take a look at the issue," he said, taking the screwdriver from the driver''s grip. Kneeling on the road, he removed his suit jacket and tossed it aside, lying down on the pavement as he half-entered the bus.


    As he inspected the vehicle with the screwdriver, he began tapping on the underside while examining a rather unusual mechanism. Curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, "Where''s the fuel tank for this thing?"


    "It must be... oh, my apologies," the elderly man replied, folding his hands behind his slightly hunched back. He nced down at the bald man''s legs, which were the only part visible, as the rest of his body was mostly obscured by the bus. "My amnesia has struck again; I forgot to mention that this is actually an electric bus."


    ''?!!''


    "BROTHER!!"


    "STOP THE BUS!" Both a woman and a man, standing outside, suddenly noticed the bus moving on its own. It was running on electricity, making barely any sound, so the man inside was oblivious to the situation as it crept forward steadily.


    The other two swiftly sprinted towards the driver''s seat, convinced it was a malfunction that needed immediate action. The woman outpaced herpanion, reaching the door first.


    "Damn it¡ª?!" As she flung it open, she was shocked to see a female student pressing the elerator.


    "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" she shouted. Instinctively, she went for her gun pocket, but before she could draw it, a dart struck her arm.


    In a desperate attempt to dodge it, she stumbled aside, only to be met with a brutal kick to her abdomen delivered by the same old man who had been standing nearby.


    Bam!


    "Kugh?!" she gasped as the wind was knocked from her lungs.


    "ARGGHHHHHH!" In an instant, the bus continued rolling forward, its weight crashing down on the man, who was now caught beneath it. The vehicle effortlessly ttened him, leaving no time for him to react.


    The road was instantly soaked in blood, a horrific scene unfolding before their eyes.


    "YOU BASTARDS!" All the while, the man apanying the woman and witnessing the gruesome sight of his colleague crushed beneath the bus yanked out his gun, fury fueling his movements as he prepared to fire.


    BANG!


    But before he could pull the trigger, a gunshot rang out, echoing in the tension-filled air.


    Time seemed to freeze as he stood frozen in shock.


    Blood trickled down his nose and eyebrows, the warmth spilling over his features. His vision blurred, the world flipping upside down, before he copsed onto the asphalt, smoke curling from the bullet hole in his forehead as darkness enveloped him.


    Thud


    In just a few moments, both meny dead, the violence unfolding on an eerily quiet highway that should have been bustling with cars.


    The woman apanying them took a leap, distancing herself from the old man while clutching her abdomen.


    She had been caught off guard and had endured a powerful kick.


    "Argh... W-who are you people!?" The woman gasped, her voice tremulous as she surveyed the scene, herrades now lifeless on the ground.


    "Hohoho, we are just like you," the old man replied, straightening his hunched back. As he did so, he began to loosen his folded hands, stretching them towards his face.


    To woman''s horror, the skin of his face seemed to pull away with ease, revealing hands that were surprisingly youthful and feminine, devoid of wrinkles and markedly different in tone from the rest of his body.


    The woman, still standing with her fists clenched tightly, couldn''t tear her gaze away from him as a cold chill raced down her spine.


    The sight of the old man peeling away his skin was unsettling, but what shocked her most was the face that emerged beneath¡ªone that was eerily familiar.


    "Y-you..." she stammered, recognition dawning upon her amidst the chaos and fear. Only a single word as a mumble left her mouth, "N-nightcrawl...."

 Chapter 63: Chapter 65 - Harsh Reality

    "Arrrghh..." Leo groaned in pain as hey in the back seat of a sleek ck sports car, zooming down the road. The rush of adrenaline had finally worn off, leaving his body reeling and struggling to maintain consciousness.


    It was nothing short of a miracle that he was still awake¡ªespecially after the impact with the mini truck.


    "The nearest hospital is still six miles away," Aecilia said, her voice tense as she tapped the screen embedded in the dashboard to track their location. She nced at the disy, noting the distance remaining.


    They would have pushed the car to go even faster, but the increasing density of traffic on the highway forced her to keep their speed below a hundred.


    "It''s fine; we did our best. And even if he dies, does it really matter?" Avendial remarked, matter-of-factly. His words cut through the tension in the car, blunt and unyielding, as he aimed to rify a few harsh truths to Aecilia, showing no mercy for the wounded man they were racing to save.


    Avendial had already recognized that Leo was gued by an inferiorityplex¡ªamon affliction among those crushed by the weight of society and the heavy burdens of responsibility, leading them to doubt their own worth.


    Of course, Avendial wasn''t going to provide any psychological support, but while they were inside the car and on the move, he thought it would at least be considerate to help the man clear his mind. As he typed the names of a few remaining traitors within the Croceaus family, he waited for Aecilia to continue, who was focused on driving.


    "...Indeed, he seems like a construction worker," Aecilia remarked, steering the vehicle as they exited the main highway onto ane leading to one of the medical facilities in Sector 18. Hearing Avendial''s words, she picked up on his intent and yed along, responding with a nonchnt tone, "Not much of a value."


    "Do you have any money on you?" Avendial asked. After sending the message containing more than a thousand names¡ªtraitors of the Croceaus family he could never forget¡ªhe tucked his phone into his pocket.


    Stay with m_vl_em_p_yr


    While he could easily make payments through UPI or other mobile transactions, he still found it relevant to ask about cash in front of the injured man.


    "I''ll have to check," Aecilia replied as they covered a mile of distance. Thanks to her skills, the car remained remarkably steady, and she brushed off the issue of money since all three CEOs had left their exclusive ck and golden cards in the car''s dashboard.


    Even if they hadn''t, their security detail¡ªthe personal bodyguards and intelligence agency from the Sertsul family¡ªwere keeping a close watch on her whereabouts.


    They efficiently eliminated any potential problems along the way, including any issues that might arise when dealing with the hospital they were approaching.


    The sheer manpower¡ªor rather, womanpower¡ªof the Sertsul family was phenomenal.


    They possessed enough resources to ensure they had ess to satellites, allowing them to track her movements meticulously.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It felt as though she was in her own home, given the level of control the Sertsul family had over the Free Cities.


    While their influence may not have matched that of other noble families, being the only noble family with ties to the Free Cities put them at a distinct advantage.


    In summary, a small army of female operatives, including nightcrawlers¡ªan assassination group under the Sertsul family¡ªwas monitoring her from a distance since the moment she hadnded in the Free City.


    "I¡­ Hah¡­ave m¡­oney," the man in the backseat managed to stammer.


    He observed how both of those who helped him seemed to weigh someone''s worth based on their own lofty standards, but he didn''t feel disheartened or resentful.


    He understood that this was the reality of life, where humanity often gauged the value of helping others against what they stood to gain from their actions.


    When someone rescues a stray cat and brings it home, they are not just acting out ofpassion; they are also addressing their own feelings of satisfaction and their desire tobat loneliness.


    Simrly, a firefighter who risks their life to protect citizens is often driven by a deep sense of duty and a genuine desire to help others.


    In this scenario, the firefighter''s motivation isn''t about seeking personal gain or anticipating des from others; instead, it''s centered on finding fulfillment and peace of mind through their courageous actions.


    Both situations highlight how individuals can meet their own inner needs while simultaneously making a positive impact on the lives of others.


    In this context, the person in question didn''t judge those who made an effort to help him. Instead, he recognized that they were being honest about their feelings and not merely putting on a fa?ade of pure kindness.


    Even though their actions were motivated by a desire to satisfy their own inner needs, at least they contributed positively to the world around them.


    As a result, he chose to stay on the sidelines, not wanting to burden them with his own troubles while acknowledging the value of their intentions.


    "Hm, now that''s convenient," Avendial muttered as he folded his hands and gazed out the window. He considered the injured man to be smart enough, realizing that he was not the type to miss social cues.


    The fact that he didn''t back down and instead chose to highlight his own worth by mentioning money suggested a level of intelligence that Avendial found somewhat admirable, though he still deemed him far from being genuinely helpful.


    "Haah... Haaah." As he heard those words escape Avendial''s mouth, Leo took a deep breath, closing his eyes as a wave of exhaustion washed over him.


    He felt internally fractured, struggling to hold himself together while his body was assaulted by intense pain.


    Yet, he managed to endure it¡ªpain was hardly a stranger to him.


    ----


    Outside a towering building that soared at least 20 stories high, its entire fa?ade shimmering with ss, several ambnces were parked in the lot.


    This imposing structure was a bustling city hospital; while it might not showcase the highest tech advancements, it certainly yed a vital role in themunity.


    Vrooom!


    A sleek, ck Onyx car came barreling to a stop at the hospital''s entrance, racing through the gates without pausing for even a moment.


    People instinctively leaped out of the way, narrowly avoiding being caught in the path of the speeding vehicle, which left a distinctive trail of tire marks on the pavement.


    "Wow, isn''t that thetest model from the RV series?" murmured bystanders, excitement palpable as they gushed about the car''s exclusivity. Known as a luxurious sports vehicle, it surprisingly had room for a family, boasting four seats.


    The sight sent a buzz through the crowd, drawing in admirers eager to take in its sleek lines and glossy finish.


    Spections flew about who might be inside, someone clearly deserving of such a grand entrance. An electric atmosphere filled the air around the hospital, charged with curiosity and excitement.


    "Step aside! Bring the stretcher right now!" The appearance of such an extravagant vehicle stirred the staff into action, as they recognized that it likely announced the arrival of someone influential.


    Doctors, who had been enjoying their break, rushed to the entrance, understanding well that a car valued at 2 million Imperial Crownsmanded attention.

 Chapter 64: Chapter 66- Hospital (1)

    In those critical moments, it was all too easy to interpret the actions of the doctors as prioritizing someone influential over the ordinary patients who were already in the hospital and desperately needed their care.


    This scenario reflects a harsh reality in our society: those with wealth often possess the means tomand privilege.


    The way the doctors and nurses responded revealed an ufortable truth¡ªstatus can sometimes overshadow the fundamental principles of empathy and care, especially in dire situations.


    "They''re quick," Aecilia remarked as she opened the car door. First, her ck heels emerged, followed by her nightgown that fell just below her knees. She brushed aside a few stray strands of hair, her golden eyes scanning the crowd.


    She noticed several men casting admiring nces her way, their expressions slightly flushed, yet she remained unfazed.


    However, it wasn''t just the men who seemed entranced; women were too.


    Wait, women?


    Realizing she wasn''t the sole object of attention today, Aecilia shifted her gaze and spotted Avendial stepping out of the vehicle. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and wearing round ck sunsses that concealed his striking bluish eyes, he casually draped a tailored ck suit over his shoulder, exuding an air of effortless elegance.


    ''Nope, he is definitely enjoying this,'' Aecilia thought, blinking in surprise as she regarded him with pursed lips. Observing him, she sensed that he was trying to flex his charm¡ªsomething she wouldn''t have believed had she not seen it with her own eyes.


    As they approached the car, one of the doctors, noticed that the individuals around them were dressed in clothes that seemed less extravagantpared to the wannabe-rich folks adorned with gold chains and rings.


    "Sir, are your injuries deep?" the doctor asked, catching sight of the blood stains on Avendial''s shirt. Although he appeared calm andposed, the doctor wondered if the wounds were not as severe as they seemed.


    In that moment, the doctor was able to confirm that these individuals were indeed wealthy and influential.


    Having connections with politicians and high-ss society himself, he understood that the truly rich¡ªthose with enough money¡ªdo not feel the need to unt their wealth through ostentatious disys.


    Instead, they prioritize their ownfort.


    Seeing how both of these individuals appeared charming, particrly the woman who wore a nightgown purely by choice and seemed at ease in it, made it clear to him that these were genuine members of the wealthy elite.


    "The patient is inside the car; take him," Aecilia said as she used the smart key to unlock the back door, which elegantly opened at hermand.


    Inside, they found a bloodied and injured man lying there, struggling to remain conscious. His vision was blurred, and the world around him felt distorted, as if time were slipping away, apanied by jumbled sounds.


    "Y-yes, hurry, take him to the emergency room!..." the doctor half-finished his sentence as the staff members gently maneuvered the man into a seated position before assisting him out of the car, following the doctor''s lead. He took note of the man''s disheveled state, the blood, and the fact that injured man was d in construction work attire.


    Despite his initial inclination to seek favors from whoever these people might be or to leave a positive impression, the doctor dismissed that thought upon witnessing the man''s horrific condition.


    Sprinting toward the emergency room, he focused solely on his duty, prioritizing the urgent need to save this dying man.


    "Hm, should we take our leave?" Aecilia inquired as she stood with her arms folded beside Avendial. The other individuals surrounding them continued to gaze in their direction, as they had be the center of attention in that moment.


    "No, let''s wait here for a while," Avendial said, already aware that it wouldn''t be long before he received numerous calls and had people trying to contact him through the CEOs or any means possible, including the Sertsul family. He chose to spend some time inside the hospital.


    After all, when faced with a bloodbath, tonight would surely be chaotic. Those desperate to survive would likely reach out to him, and among those few would be shareholders of hispany and old friends of his father.


    Avendial couldn''t simply ignore their cries for help. So, he made the decision to tune out those cries from the start.


    "I see," Aecilia replied, ncing at Avendial, whose gaze remained fixed on the ss door of the hospital. She then turned and walked towards the car, picking up three cards thaty on the dashboard. With a quick motion, she threw her key to one of the guards, adding, "Park it."


    "Huh, y-yes, have a good day," the guard stammered, his voice shaky as he responded. He gripped the steering wheel of the car, likely a dream vehicle for someone his age, and started the engine. As he maneuvered out of the entrance and headed towards the parking lot, his nervousness was palpable.


    Vrooom!


    "Woah, now that''s..."


    Ignoring the soft murmurs and background chatter of people engaged in conversation, both Avendial and Aecilia stepped into the hospital, each seeking a semnce of peace amid the bustle.


    "Apologies, but you need to fill out this document," the receptionist said, approaching Avendial with a form in hand. He cast a fleeting nce at the header, which prominently read: Indemnity Form.


    Avendial couldn''t help but feel a tinge of amusement at the realization that no one was willing to take responsibility for the death of the man in question; even the hospital sought his signature as a guarantee that they wouldn''t be liable for anyplications that might arise concerning the injured individual during the funeral.


    Unperturbed by the implications, Avendial prepared to sign the document. Suddenly, Aecilia snatched the form from the nurse''s hand, extending her own as she demanded, with the intent to not let Avendial sign his name which might reveal his identity and create chaos, "Give me the pen."


    After all, even though no one had seen Marquess Croceaus, his sign was well known among rich people given his business deals.


    ''Tch, jealous aren''t you'', The receptionist''s expression unfolded into one of discontent as she nced at Aecilia, a woman exuding confidence in her distinctive makeupplete with ck lipstick¡ªand a stylish nightgown that suggested allusions of seduction towards the man she had approached.


    It was evident that she had hoped to make an impression on him, even if her role as head receptionist mandated that she deliver a rather unceremonious document.


    "Take a look in the mirror. What could I possibly be jealous of you for?" Aecilia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried clearly to both Avendial and the receptionist. Thetter frowned, her gaze trained on Aecilia with a fierce re and her fists clenched, torn between irritation and the desire to maintain her poise in front of the striking man before them.


    Ultimately, she chose silence, unwilling to tarnish her image in front of Avendial.


    ''Bitch...'' The receptionist took the form and nodded, turning to leave, but not before muttering a curse under her breath about the woman in ck, who seemed to hold herself in far too high regard, oblivious to her own ce.


    Dressed only in a nightdress, it was evident to the receptionist that this woman was merely a beautiful country bumpkin, in stark contrast to herself, who prided herself on being both smart and stunning.


    "Marquess, will it be possible for you to wait here?" Aecilia asked, her eyes fixed on the receptionist''s back as she purposefully strode away, her steps highlighted by a deliberate catwalk.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Aecilia felt her irritation rising as she observed the receptionist''s demeanor; mming her legs together, she stomped her way further down the hospital corridor, her frustration simmering to the surface.


    Since the moment that woman had entered, Aecilia''s patience had worn thin.


    "Fine," Avendial replied, nodding. He assumed she was merely headed to the restroom, dismissing the look of discontent and jealousy that the receptionist had shot Aecilia.


    Though he had noticed the tension, he chose to ignore it, understanding that he had more pressing matters to attend to.

 Chapter 65: Chapter 67 - The Carnage (1)

    "How dare that country bumpkin!" The head receptionist stepped inside the restroom, her frustration bubbling to the surface as she pulled out her purse. With a twitch of her eye, she applied lipstick while ring at her reflection in the mirror, recalling the humiliation she had felt at the hands of that woman who presumed to act so boldly in front of that man.


    "Tch, it''s fine. He seemed rich enough and handsome too," she muttered to herself. As she rummaged through her purse, she retrieved foundation and facial cream, meticulously covering the blemishes on her face while strategically concealing an e breakout.


    The man she had glimpsed earlier had an air of celebrity about him, further amplified by the limited edition watch that graced his wrist¡ªhe was undoubtedly wealthy.


    Taking a deep breath, she fought to regain herposure. She imagined how, after a few nights spent with that man, he would likely discard the country bumpkin in favor of someone more suitable. That woman, she thought scornfully, had no business being in the same room as such a handsome gentleman, especially after that embarrassing disy with her low-quality wine.


    So, in an effort to catch his attention, or at the very least, secure his number, she focused intently on her makeup.


    "I will show you your ce," she thought, her mind racing with ns of how she would win that man over and subsequently cast aside the foolish woman who dared cross her. Just as she was about to voice her assertive thoughts, she caught sight of the very woman she had been so busy cursing. The country bumpkin entered the restroom, leisurely washing her hands at the sink.


    "Mind you, my ce is even bigger than this hospital," Aecilia replied, her voice soft yet confident, apanied by a smile that belied her true feelings. She kept her eyes closed for a moment as she stretched toward the towel dispenser, drying her hands with an air of calm superiority.


    "Y-you witch! Do you really think a beggar like¡ª" The woman barely managed to articte her words before the sharp sound of air sliced through the tension in the atmosphere. Suddenly, before her eyes, she saw a silhouette; a cloth twisted itself around her neck with a swift motion. A sharp pain from the strike of the towel that had ensnared her quickly reached her mind, and she shrieked, "Kyaaa~!"


    Overwhelmed by the pain, she screamed and desperately wed at the towel in an attempt to free herself. With a powerful yank, Aecilia pulled her forward. The force caused the woman to stumble, losing her bnce as Aecilia swiftly lifted her knee. "This beggar''s nightdress is worth more than your character!" she dered.


    BAM!


    "KHwackk!" The woman''s chin met Aecilia''s knee with a jarring impact, her eyes rolling back in shock, saliva spilling from her mouth. She copsed on the marble tiles with a resounding thud.


    THUD.


    "Hmph, what an idiot," Aecilia remarked, ncing at the now-unconscious woman. She turned back to the mirror, her reflection revealing a mix of frustration and weariness. After a lingering moment, she sighed, ''I should have just gone to bed.''


    Instead of enjoying a night out, she found herself entangled in confrontations with those who clearlycked any semnce ofmon sense.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    In stark contrast to the free cities¡ªknown for their exuberant expensesy a distant kingdom, separate from both the royal dominion and the bustling marketces. This was the Kingdom of Thaloris, cradled within some of the most fertilends in the entire Arinphiam Empire.


    Its inhabitants belonged to noble lineages, particrly those who had been grantednd by virtue of a treaty with the royal family.


    Each noble family residing within the Kingdom of Therese possessed a considerable amount of assets and property, which collectively surpassed the wealth of both the Free Cities and the Royal Kingdombined. This vast array of noble families included not only dukes but also those holding ranks such as marquesses, counts, viscounts, and barons.


    The cumtive resources of these noble lineages contributed to the overall wealth of the Kingdom of Thaloris.


    Despite the abolition of the inheritance hierarchy surrounding noble titles in this modern age, those who wielded substantial resources were recognized as the true power yers in society.


    Still, it was evident that the favor of the royal family was predominantly aligned with those families that openly supported their interests.


    As a result, the most fertilends were often granted to specific families that consistently showed loyalty to the crown, while other noble families received lower priority in asset distribution.


    The allocation of resources had already taken ce in the previous generation of the royal family, allowing the current descendants to bask in the wealth established by their forebears.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Over time, those families that oncecked favor began to ascend in status, while favored families witnessed a decline, underscoring the notion that wealth and influence are inextricably linked; no noble family can im true power without substantial financial backing.


    Within this dynamic Kingdom of Thaloris, which is made up of numerous territories and vastnd areas surrounded by imposing walls,y the Croceaus family''s expansive domain.


    This territory was so extensive that it could be likened to an entire city, teeming with thousands of residents, including branch family members, servants and their families, farmers, and hired help¡ªall living within this realm by the authority of the main family.


    Moreover, many of these individuals were epted as permanent residents based on rmendations from the territory''s native popce.


    The architectural design of the Croceaus family''s territory resembled a spider''s web, with the central hub featuring the grand pce of the main family. Radiating outward like the strands of a web were eight main highways, each connecting to various mansions or pces belonging to the branch families.


    This intricate, web-like structure ensured that all elements of the territory were interlinked, providing multiple routes and transportation services to facilitate movement throughout the area.


    As night began to descend, the sun took its final breath, painting the horizon in shades of orange. The few rays that managed to break through the dust particles in the air made their way into the main pce, where a woman concealed within a chamber awaited.


    A mesmerizing sight, she stood in the center of a grand hall, her fluttering purple hair cascading like a waterfall, a katana de of ck and amethyst gripped firmly in her hand. Surrounding her were over forty individuals cloaked in ck attire, their hoods obscuring their faces. Each bore an envelope at their waist, signifying their identities as special forces under the Croceaus family.


    "Have you received the names yet?" Rivia inquired, perched upon a grotesque mound of corpses belonging to the traitors she had in. A strategic choice, these bodies would serve as bait in her pursuit of the main culprit. But with her master poised to send her the list of those marked for death, she felt no reason to linger idly while sleeper cells wove their way through the pce.


    Blood soaked the floor, a chilling testament to her handiwork. The relentless trickle of fresh wounds echoed through the vast hall, each droplet a reminder of the lives she had taken, the blood from her fingertips bing the very essence of her throne.


    Tring~

 Chapter 66: Chapter 68- The Carnage (2)

    Suddenly, the heavy atmosphere was shattered by a jarring sound¡ªan intrusion that sliced through the silence emanating from the mobile device, mingling with the soft murmurs of breath and the ominous trickle of blood.


    Rivia, still seated upon her grim pedestal, rose slowly, an intense aura of killing intent saturating the air around her. It radiated from her body like a sharpened sword, unleashing waves of lethal energy.


    With a glint in her eyes, she fixed her gaze upon Alfred, her expression impassive yet resolute. "The ones named first will receive swift deaths. It is your decision to determine the order."


    "Hm." Alfred responded, his voice hoarse and devoid of emotion, though the palpable killing intent and his cold stare spoke volumes.


    He cast a nce at the phone screen and swiftly processed the thousands of names disyed before him, categorizing them in mere seconds.


    He understood that those most trusted would be met with a slow death, while those he had little interaction with would be granted a swift exit¡ªan order designed to make betrayal all the more gruesome.


    With a final sweep of his gaze, he settled on the first name. "How about we split them based on who Miss Rivia can handle alone?"


    "...All of you, eliminate those whose names Alfred provides, without question," shemanded, addressing the special forces trained by Rivia to protect the Croceaus territory.


    Several cloaked figures in ck knelt before her, their faces barely visible beneath their hoods, with the lower halves concealed by masks.


    Each held a katana, the emblem of the Croceaus family¡ªa round golden insignia adorned with a red thread on either side¡ªhanging at their waist.


    Their silent nods conveyed a chilling loyalty, an unwavering readiness for the gruesome tasks thaty ahead.


    The royal family had always maintained strict control over the noble families, forbidding them from raising their own armies.


    However, the Croceus family found a way around thesews by establishing a cadre of guards to protect their territory from assassins infiltrating theirnds.


    Underneath the veneer of royal authorityy the unspoken truth: while no other noble family dared to intrude upon their neighbors'' territories, the Croceus family orchestrated a cunning ruse.


    They staged a series of fake assassinations targeting prominent figures within theirnd, sessfully convincing the royal family that they were being threatened by rival noble families.


    This charade secured them permission to form a specialized protective unit, limited to just fifty individuals.


    Though it might seem inconsequential to seek formal approval for their guard, the reality was far more serious.


    The royal family possessed immense power, demonstrated throughout history by their swift and ruthless responses to noble families attempting to assemble secret armies.


    The urgency of the situation was palpable: in just two days, the Croceus lineage would face its end.


    The specialized unit they trained, however, spiraled into madness, turning on their own before ultimately taking their lives.


    This was the narrative spun to other noble families¡ªa neatly wrapped exnation apanied by fabricated evidence.


    Yet, deep down, everyone understood the true nature of the royal family; they could obliterate any noble lineage at will.


    "As youmand!" came the synchronized response of the group gathered in the dim, eerie hall, filled with an overwhelming metallic scent, a reminder of the dead bodies strewn across the floor beneath Rivia.


    She approached Alfred with a determined stride, her voice steady as she asked, "Who is my target?" Indifferent to the lives of those on the list and dismissive of the collective ns proposed by others, Rivia simply wanted to know the name of the individual she had to confront.


    Her frustration simmered beneath the surface as she recognized Alfred''s refusal to allow her to personally handle the situation in her preferred manner.


    Aware of the time constraint imposed by her Master and the slim opportunity for redemption presented by this Being, she chose to adhere to Alfred''s directives.


    Despite the insignificance of the change, she could sense that her energy core had experienced a slight expansion.


    For someone like her, who possessed a robust energy core that had reached saturation several years ago, this minor indication of growth was significant.


    It was the first time in a long while that she felt her potential was no longer stagnant, even if the improvement was barely perceptible.


    "Seventh Mayor of the Northeast Province," Alfred announced in a nonchnt tone as he moved toward the kneeling man.


    As his feet approached, Rivia''s form seemed to vanish, her speed so swift that it was imperceptible to the human eye.


    Only that morning, Rivia had struggled to maintain her bnce due to injuries to her body and ankles.


    However, after consuming the healing potions permitted by his Master¡ªone of only two avable throughout the entire Croceaus territory bestowed upon them by the Emperor¡ªshe had miraculously regained her peak physical condition.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Alfred couldn''t help but notice that one of the precious healing potions had been used, which felt like a significant waste given their immense value to the family.


    In situations where his Master or the heads of the family might require urgent assistance, those potions were crucial.


    However, as a mere butler, he was bound to follow his Master''s orders and allowed Rivia to take the potion, understanding the importance of her recovery despite the potential consequences.


    "Everyone, divide into eight teams of five members each and send your representative to the front," Alfredmanded. The forty men moved as one, forming groups with aposed demeanor, quickly organizing themselves into teams within a matter of minutes.


    Having been well-trained in strategic formations by Alfred, the individuals did not form teams based on friendship.


    Instead, they assessed each other''s weaknesses and strengths, a vital choice considering none of them were Empyreals, Evolvers, or possessed any awakened abilities¡ªthey were, after all, just normal humans.


    Armed primarily with swords rather than firearms, they stood ready as Alfred surveyed his charges. "How many charged stones do you all possess?" he inquired, looking at the gathering.


    His question addressed a significant topic, one that held the secrets and support of the Croceaus family''s special forces.


    "Head butler, we each possess six stones," stated one of the individuals as eight representatives stepped forward, each representing their respective groups, all consisting of five members.


    One of the leaders spoke, and the others nodded in agreement, revealing that each individual held six charged stones.


    "That makes a total of 240 charged stones. You are permitted to keep one additional stone," Alfred announced, lifting the restriction on the number of charged stones these individuals could hold from six to seven.


    The representatives exchanged nces, and after a moment of silentmunication, they nodded in understanding.


    "Go and retrieve the charged stones; we shall convene at the main gate of the pce,"manded one of the representative leaders.


    The directive prompted four members from each team to quickly nod in acknowledgment before sprinting toward the door, eager to gather the extra stones.


    "Head butler, could you please provide us with the names?" inquired the other leaders among the eight, who had moved closer, anticipation evident in their expressions.


    Alfred nodded in response, observing the unwavering determination etched across the faces of all eight representatives.


    This mission, issued by the master of the Croceaus family, was a rare opportunity for the special forces, often deprived of assignments from the higher-ups.


    For these skilled individuals, it was a significant chance to demonstrate their capabilities and prove their worth.

 Chapter 67: Chapter 69- Charged Stones

    Within the Croceaus territory, the vast expanse ofnd, covering approximately 32 square miles, is meticulously organized into distinct systems designed to manage its extensive area.


    This territory has seen significant architectural development aimed at enhancing transportation services throughout the region.


    It epasses everything necessary for daily life, including a city replete with shops, traders, and residential areas, creating an environment that feels like a small world unto itself.


    Many inhabitants of this ce have spent their entire lives within these boundaries, never venturing outside.


    Despite the avability of airports and various amenities, the territory operates as a self-contained entity.


    It offers residents a wide array ofprehensive services, includingpetitive sries for employees working within its borders, effectively functioning as a self-sufficient entity akin to a fully-fledged country.


    Of course, these residents were neither obliged nor restricted from moving beyond the territory.


    As long as they had a valid reason, they could easily travel outside.


    Inte connections were avable to them with no restrictions, allowing them to connect socially with the outside world.


    However, it''s worth noting that these connections were under constant monitoring to ensure that sensitive information was not disclosed.


    In this context, residents were not barred from acquiring knowledge from external sources; rather, they were prohibited from revealing certain confidential details about the territory.


    This included photographs of its architectural features, insights into its management systems, and any sensitive information rted to high-ranking officials or their families.


    Indeed, the residents of this prosperous territory enjoyed the benefits of a benevolent Lord and abundant wealth that positioned their city among the elite.


    The high living standards andfortable conditions here kept the inhabitants content, deterring them from seeking life beyond their borders.


    However, with such a vast expanse ofnd, the enforcement ofws became a necessity.


    To address this, eight Mayors were appointed, each responsible for a specific direction within the Croceaus territory.


    These Mayors oversaw the enforcement ofws with the help of a lower patrol division they hired, which worked diligently to maintain order and keep crime at bay.


    Naturally, the financial burden of this system was considerable.


    Even in a world brimming with resources and conveniences, human nature often leaned toward violence and chaos.


    Without a proper authority to enforcews, issues inevitably arose.


    Minor problems, such as car idents and other disturbances, would asionally disrupt the otherwise peaceful existence of the citizens.


    Thews were particrly upheld by the Mayors within their respective divisions, while the broader security of the territory was entrusted to a specialized forceprised of 40 skilled individuals.


    Remarkably, these protectors favored the use of swords over modern weapons like guns, reflecting a unique approach tow enforcement that underscored the territory''smitment to tradition and honor.


    In the Kingdom of Thaloris, noble families were permitted to possess modern weaponry, yet they all understood a fundamental truth: these firearms were utterly pointless against the supernatural powers wielded by the Royal Family.


    The very presence of the royals ensured that no one from the free cities or neighboring countries would dare to threaten the kingdom.


    Ironically, those sworn to protect Thaloris were simultaneously the ones who could annihte it, instilling deep fear of the royal family throughout the realm, including among central governments and noble households alike.


    The dread of the Royal Family was palpable, extending even to the most established noble lineages.


    Some of these families kept guns and modern weaponry on theirnds, not for defense against outer invasions, as they knew too well that any royal decree could lead to a one-sided massacre.


    Instead, they maintained these arms merely to manage local unrest and maintain order within their territories.


    They were acutely aware that, should the Royal Family choose to eliminate them, the resulting confrontation would be overwhelmingly lopsided, given the presence of awakened individuals among the royals.


    Not only those in power, but even the weakest among them¡ªthose who might be considered evolvers and possess some degree of Synergy¡ªrender modern weaponry ineffective. This is primarily due to a unique property of an enigmatic force known as synergy.


    In the presence of synergy, metals such as lead and copper, which have loosely bound electrons and high conductivity, be highly unstable.


    The synergy disrupts their atomic structures, breaking the bonds between atoms and causing these metals to dissolve into vapor or dust.


    Consequently, this phenomenon renders bullets utterly useless.


    On the other hand, metals with stronger atomic bonds, such as iron or titanium, exhibit considerably greater resistance to synergy, enabling them to maintain their solid state even in environments saturated with this mysterious energy.


    Thus, with the exception of a select few metals, most conventional weapons be ineffective against these formidable individuals.


    The moment such a bulletes into contact with their skin, it simply turns to dust; in the case of strong Empyreals or Evolvers, any metal within a ten-meter radius can disintegrate into nothingness.


    As a result, noble families find themselves in a precarious position, always needing to be prepared for potential conflicts without having any reliable means of defense.


    They remain acutely aware of the dangers that could arise should they ever offend the royal family.


    Modern weapons proved ineffective against awakened individuals, who possessed special abilities, resulting in a potential massacre ifbat ensued.


    However, within the Croceaus territory, the current Lord had devised a method to use Synergy, empowering their special forces to confront any lower-ranked Empyreal.


    Notably, the Croceaus family did not have any Empyreals of their own. Instead, they developed a secret technique to enhance the strength of professionally trained individuals for brief periods, utilizing Charged Stones.


    These stones are not found in nature; rather, they were artificially created by the Croceaus family.


    Through their resources, they produced a unique metal capable of isting and holding Synergy for a limited duration.


    By breaking these stones against swords made of iron or titanium, they could temporarily imbue the weapons with aura for about 60 seconds.


    At first nce, a 60-second boost may not seem significant, but in reality, it held immense value, especially since the Royal family remainedpletely unaware of it.


    Although they had an inkling about how the Croceaus special forces and guards wielded aura-infused swords, they merely dismissed it as a secret technique passed down through the Croceaus lineage, not recognizing that it involved the use of Synergy.


    However, this method was not without its drawbacks, and two major issues gued its practicality.


    First, all the Charged Stones were empowered by a single individual with Synergy in the entire Croceaus territory¡ªDominic Rivia Aurelia.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This singr dependency made the entire technique unsustainable over time.


    It effectively siphoned energy from one powerful individual and distributed it among others with far less capacity, diminishing overall effectiveness.


    Second, the Charged Stones struggled to maintain the Synergy they contained for long periods.


    Regardless of how well the energy was isted, it inevitably transformed¡ªescaping the stones in the forms of heat, light, or radiation.


    Consequently, over a span of two to three weeks, the stones would gradually deplete, losing their effectiveness.


    In summary, while the method of utilizing Charged Stones was aplete practical loss but it was a loss that was important in order to not lose hope.

 Chapter 68: Chapter 70- Mayor of 7th province

    In the northeastern province of Croceaus Estate, the stillness of the night enveloped the atmosphere with a refreshing breeze, while the buildings showcased architectural designs rooted in the principles of natural airflow.


    This stood in stark contrast to the free cities, where anyone could construct houses in any shape they desired, often resulting in structures that blocked sunlight from reaching their neighbors.


    The houses here predominantly featured simple and simr designs, generally three stories tall, amodating multiple residents.


    These individuals belonged to the Croceaus territory, either born into it or fortunate enough to receive an invitation to be a native of this esteemed ce.


    Typically, talented individuals were invited by the main family or specific divisions of the branch families residing in Croceaus Estate, based primarily on their assessments, which were often somewhat arbitrary.


    Most talented individuals from free cities epted these invitations, knowing that the Kingdom of Thaloris could offer them a significantly improved standard of living.


    However, entering the territory of a nobleman often meant entering a feudal system where rights were rarely acknowledged, and grievances often went unheard by the governing authorities.


    Protection was seldom guaranteed.


    Thus, epting such an offer resembled a double-edged sword.


    While they might enjoy afortable life, they oftencked the recourse to challenge injustices. Consequently, many only chose to ept proposals from noble families regarded highly in the free cities.


    The Croceus family, distinguished from others, boasted an eptance rate exceeding 97.8%.


    Their outstanding reputation and their practice of recruiting only exceptionally talented individuals from elsewhere, all with appropriate sries and contracts approved by the government, positioned their invitations as a significant leap in one''s social hierarchy.


    Of course, the activities taking ce within their territory cannot be reached by the government.


    Nevertheless, the assurance that the terms of the contracts were validated by the royal court and the government provided many with a sense of security.


    While there were inherent risks, most understood that sess often required taking such risks.


    Thus, individuals frequently chose to migrate here, with their assignments sorted based on their respective talents, ensuring that the natives could blend in and adapt alongside them.


    In the northeastern province of Croceaus Territory, one would find amunity primarily focused on farming, consisting of generations of families who had been born and raised on thisnd.


    At the grand entrance of a mansion reminiscent of avish pce, where modern buildings harmoniously blended with traditional architecture, a few local guards stood vigil at the imposing iron gates, their guns firmly in hand.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    These guards were private soldiers, specifically assigned as bodyguards to the mayor of the 7th province.


    "Hey, did you hear? The Lord of thend is probably still in the Royal Kingdom," remarked one guard, dressed in a sleek ck suit and a modern bodyguard uniform, wielding an M16-A4 with both hands. He nced over at his fellow guard as they began their night shift.


    "Yeah, my wife mentioned that others returned without him, and even the Lord''s bodyguard came back alone," replied the other guard, his wife working as a maid inside the main pce of the Croceaus family. It was certainly a love match, especially since her position as a maid was considered higher and more significant than his.


    "Hm, you should consider yourself lucky that your wife is not a maid here, haha," the first guard chuckled, casting a sly nce at his colleague, who felt a twitch in his mouth at the jest.


    "Shut up, you idiot. Don''t you know the rules? Maids here are themselves whores who spread their legs; that fat bastard can''t force them." The other guard shot back, recalling the rigid regtions in ce while ring at this bastard who dared topare his wife with the maids of this ce.


    ording to the strict guidelines, if a servant or anyone felt mistreated and lodged aint with the main family¡ªusing the specific apps or websites set up by the Croceaus family¡ªthe mayor would face a thorough investigation. In extreme cases, such actions could even lead to his execution.


    After all, this was not an antiquated feudal system whereints could not reach a distant king due to ack of directmunication; nowadays, anyone could simply send an email, prompting the establishment of a proper investigation team within hours.


    The judgment on such cases woulde swiftly, particrly under the authority of the formidable Head Butler, Alfred Spartan.


    It should be noted, of course, that *Spartan* was merely a title bestowed by the locals, keenly aware that he was far more dangerous than anyone dwelling within this whole territory.


    "Hahaha, yes, I know, I know," The guard chuckled, holding back his urge to grumble about sending an email about his excessive workload, for he understood that even walls can eavesdrop.


    If an investigation were to take ce and revealed that theinant had delivered false usations, the consequences would fall not upon the used but rather upon the user, regardless of gender.


    Thus, if a woman falsely imed that a manmitted sexual assault, and the investigation ultimately cleared his name, she would face the same punishment that would have been meted out to him¡ªexecution, in this grim reality.


    Ultimately, this was not a democracy where anyone could manipte thews without consequence, feeling as if they were free to act without restraint.


    In summary, while one has the vast sky to soar, that very sky is saturated with diligent surveince; one misstep, and the penalties could be dire¡ªpossibly even fatal.


    As one wandered through the sprawling mansion, strolling along an impably tended garden, its lush greenery a testament to the skill of the gardeners.


    The luxurious cars that graced the premises created a stunningly picturesque scene.


    Each worker diligently carried out their tasks, reaping the benefits of timely payments due to a minimum wage system that guaranteed a sry of 10,000 Imperial Crowns.


    For many, including those toiling as sewage cleaners, it seemed as if they were living a dream life.


    Indeed, there was a reason behind Marquess Croceaus being known as the wealthiest man in the Arinphiam Empire.


    As moonlight cascaded through the empty corridor, it filtered into a half-open door, illuminating a room where a dim, yellow light glowed softly.


    The darkness outsidey heavy with the knowledge that night had fully descended, while the moonlight gracefully streamed through the windows.


    "Sir Berlyn, I¡ªI wanted a promotion to be considered for the main pce," a delicate, womanly voice called from within the room, echoing softly down the hallway.


    As the door swung ajar, three maids came into view among many others, one of whom had already begun to remove her garments. She had undone her white apron and was now sliding the ck fabric of her inner dress from her shoulder, revealing milky white skin within.


    "Y-yes, I''m seeking a raise," Another maid chimed in, mirroring the actions of her colleague as she lifted her skirt, having discarded her apron earlier, revealing white stockings.


    "Me too," The third maid added, her hands moving deftly to unzip her dress. As she pulled the fabric away from her upper body, like the milky white rabbits jumping out of their burrow, two perky, puffy curves popped up, tightening due to touching the cold air outside. Those two jiggling soft mounds that emerged from their confines, adorned with delicate, brownish tops, stood trembling yet alluring.


    "Ho ho ho, my little darlings, once I assess your sincerity, you shall receive whatever your hearts desire," chuckled a rotund man, puffing on a cigar he had just ced on the table. As he moved, he began to unbutton his bathrobe, revealing a rather hairy and ample belly that could easily conceal three of the maids behind it.


    His flushed face gleamed as drool threatened to escape his lips, showcasing a lustful and unappealing expression as his eyes hungrily roamed over their bodies. With a predatory grin, he added, "Now, all three of you, lie down on the bed; let''s indulge ourselves tonight!"

 Chapter 69: Chapter 71- Mayor Berlyn and maids

    "Haha" The heavy Mayor Beryn lounged on the enormous king-sized bed, his naked, bloated body sinking into the plush cushions as he turned his gaze towards the maids, his body aligned with the ceiling.


    Lying on the plush, cushioned bed like a big buffalo, with his cock firmly erect, throbbing as he smirked, running a hand through his greasy hair, eyes gleaming with lust as he surveyed the room full of maids.


    Three of them were already stripped bare, kneeling around him as he climbed onto the bed, their faces a mix of forced obedience and difort. The thought of gaining favor by providing a means of pleasure during the night was indeed embarrassing.


    The air was thick with the scent of sweat and perfume, mingling in the dimly lit room.


    Mayor Beryn licked his lips, his fat fingerszily tracing over the nearest maid''s thigh.


    "Come here, little thing," he slurred, his voice dripping with satisfaction.


    "Y-yes..." The maid, a slender woman with wide eyes, hesitated before crawling toward him, her eyes flickering to the others for reassurance.


    Her body was tense, but she obeyed nheless, inching closer until her face was level with his thick, swollen stomach.


    "Don''t be shy now," Beryn crooned, grabbing a fistful of her hair and pulling her up toward his face.


    "Kyaaa~!¡ªMmphh?!" She winced but didn''t resist as he pressed his thick, wet lips against hers, the kiss sloppy and overwhelming.


    "Slurp....Mnnhh..."


    His breath was heavy, smelling of wine, and his belly jiggled slightly as he pulled her further into him.


    "Unghh....Nmmhphh¡ª?!" One of his hands groped her breasts roughly, causing her to gasp against his mouth.


    "S-sir Berlyn, let us help you", Meanwhile, the other maids worked their way around him, their hands moving over his bby skin, trying their best to keep him entertained.


    GULP


    Slurp


    "AAaaaa.....cough!...Haah Haah..." One was pressed between his massive thighs, her mouth hesitantly trying to wrap around the head of his cock.


    "Hohoho", It was thick and heavy, and the sight of her struggling to take it in made Beryn chuckle darkly.


    "Good girl," he muttered, his voice thick with pleasure as he thrust his hips forward, shoving more of his cock into her mouth.


    "Khwack?!¡ªcough!?" She gagged slightly, her hands gripping his thighs as she tried to keep up with his greedy pace. "Take it all, go on."


    "S-sir B-berlyn" The third maid, with trembling hands, straddled him, her small frame dwarfed by his massive gut.


    "Come here!" Beryn''s fingers gripped her waist, guiding her down onto his shaft as the maid below worked her mouth around the base.


    Paaah~


    "Hngh!¡ªAannGhhh!... it''s stretching me...!" The moment she sank down onto him, she let out a sharp cry, her back arching as she was filled, the fat ugly cock spreading her painfully wide.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Too tight, girl," he grunted.


    Smack


    "IIEEEK?!¡ªIt''s so deep¡­ Ugh... I can''t take it!"


    pping her ass as he forced her down further, the maid whimpering as she was forced to take all of him.


    "S-sir Berlyn"


    "Slurp....Mnnnhh....Umhh"


    The other maids continued their duties, their hands and mouths moving in sync, their faces flushed as they tried to maintain his pace.


    Pah pah pah


    "S-slow down¡­ please, it''s too tight!"


    "No more¡­ I can''t¡­ aah!"


    The room filled with the sounds of wet pping and muffled moans, the nobleman''s heavy breathing punctuating the chaotic scene.


    "Haah....Haah.... yes... just like that¡­ perfect!"


    His belly quivered with each movement, his hands wandering over their bodies, greedy and rough.


    "Ahnggh...Kughh....Hngh" The maids'' difort was evident, their expressions tense as they tried to please him, but Beryn didn''t care.


    His satisfaction was all that mattered.


    "Oh yes, damn...it''s good!" Beryn let out a loud groan as the maid riding him finally managed to take him fully¡ªnot just bouncing on half of his cock''s length¡ªher body trembling from the effort.


    "That''s it," he growled, his hips bucking up into her, forcing her to bounce on his cock. "Tight little thing, aren''t you?"


    "Ahh... Uh-huh... I can''t... it''s too deep..." Her moans were soft, almost pitiful, as she tried to keep up with his demands.


    His fat fingers dug into her hips, guiding her movements as the maid below continued to work her mouth over the base of his cock, her tongue swirling around him as she struggled to keep up, his balls still carrying the pubic hair, making it hard to lick them or gobble.


    Squelnch Squelnch


    phack phack phack


    "Hngh~! Angh~! Heukk~!?"


    "Yes, very good."


    The room was filled with the lewd sounds of flesh pping against flesh, the maids'' soft whimpers mixing with sir Beryn''s heavy groans.


    His body heaved with pleasure, his cock buried deep inside the maid on top of him as he reached his peak.


    "Ugh, take it!"


    Phack!


    "HEEUKKK~!!"


    With a guttural growl, Beryn mmed the maid down onto him onest time, his cock twitching as he came, flooding her with his release.


    "AAHHH.....Ahhh....hnghhh"


    Her body tensed, her eyes wide as she felt the hot, thick cum filling her up.


    "Haah....Haaahhh...." The maid below pulled back, gasping for air, her lips and chin coated in his seed as it overflowed.


    "Hahahaha" Berynughed, his chest heaving as he leaned back against the pillows, the maids copsing around him, spent and exhausted.


    "Good night, my little holes...good nig...Yawn", Berlyn Finally, lying naked on the bed with his bulky body lying, slowly fall into sleep, closing his eyes as a smile tucked on his face, feeling entertained after a long time given the lord ofnd was not present here.


    Normally, engaging in pleasure was dangerous if the Lord was present in the Croceaus territory, as he always summoned mayors for meetings at any time and made them work constantly. But now, it was a relief and a heavenly feeling as Berlyn fell asleep.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Outside the mansion, moonlight bathed the entire area in a cold, silvery glow, reaching its peak. The air was infused with the subtle aroma of lightly scented flowers,plemented by a refreshing breeze that rustled the leaves.


    "It seems it''s going to rain today?" one of the guards broke the silence, loosening his grip on his rifle. He shifted it into one hand to stretch out the other, which was cramping from holding it for so long.


    "Why? The moon is clearly visible," the other guard replied, raising an eyebrow at his colleague''s nonsense. He scanned the night sky, where the moonlight and stars shimmered brightly.


    "Idiot, can''t you see over there? Dark clouds are rolling in," the first guard said, his brow furrowing as he pointed toward the horizon. There, an inky mass seemed to be creeping toward them, obscuring the starlit sky.


    "Dark clouds?" The second guard narrowed his eyes, trying to focus on the growing shadow. As he peered into the darkness, his gaze widened in realization. "That''s not just dark clouds! There''s someone there!"


    A palpable sense of dread washed over him, tied to the ominous energy radiating from that direction. Instinctively, he lifted his rifle, feeling an overwhelming killing intent aimed straight at him. Though he was just an ordinary human, the chill that ran down his spine made it clear: whoever or whatever was approaching was no mere threat.

 Chapter 70: Chapter 72- The Carnage (3)

    Bang! Bang! Bang!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    In an instant, gunfire shattered the tranquility of the night, cutting through the moonlight as a hail of bullets¡ªmore than a dozen in quick session¡ªerupted from the weapon, hurtling toward the shadowy outline obscured by dark clouds.


    nk! nk!


    Suddenly, the sharp sound of metal shing followed closely behind the gunfire. The minuscule time gap between the two noises proved that the bullets, traveling faster than the sound of their own discharge, had already struck something before the sound could reach the guards'' ears.


    "Wh-who?" One of the guards stammered, quickly taking his position and aiming his gun into the darkness. A wave of goosebumps washed over him, a visceral reaction to an unmistakable sense of murderous intent aimed squarely at him.


    "Open the door before you both die," a cold yet ethereal voice sliced through the night, rich with a sinister melody that seemed to resonate within their very minds, drawing beads of sweat to their foreheads.


    As the moonlight gradually illuminated the scene, both guards turned their gaze toward the figure of a woman steadily emerging from the shadows. Her hair danced in the wind, shining with a deep amethyst hue, while her eyes glimmered with an intensity reminiscent of a predator surveying its prey.


    "Damn it!¡ªBang! Bang!" The earlier guard felt his heartbeat stop in the face of an indescribable fear as he realized he stood before a woman wielding a sheathed sword. Dressed in a white, short-sleeved shirt and ck pants, she was undeniably beautiful, yet there was an unmistakable deadly aura about her.


    Zwooooo


    ''!??!''


    The guards'' eyes widened in disbelief as they watched the bullets they had firede to a halt mid-air. More urately, they seemed to shrink slowly, dissolving into a fine dust as the metal disintegratedpletely, leaving only a shockwave of kic energy that brushed against the woman''s form.


    With the bullets evaporating, her wless, milky skin was momentarily revealed as her clothing fluttered lightly in the aftermath.


    "Kneel," Riviamanded, her tone firm and imbued with lethal authority, as she looked down upon the guards. A flicker of something predatory danced in her eyes, and an aura of threatening intensity enveloped her, creating a haze that shimmered around her body. In an instant, the entire night felt as though it had been bathed in the warmth of day.


    She exuded an undeniable energy, making it abundantly clear to the guards that they stood in the presence of death itself.


    "N-no¡ª"


    "Please, Miss Rivia! My wife works at the pce!" the other guard pleaded, bowing low as panic seized him. He suddenly recalled his wife''s descriptions of the Lord''s bodyguard¡ªa figure she had likened to an amethyst demon. A chill ran through him as he realized he was now face-to-face with that very catastrophe.


    "You arete, but fortunate." Rivia''s voice was sharp and monotone as she glided past the carriage, covering ten meters in an instant. It was as if she had blurred through space. As she brushed by him, he remained kneeling, trembling in fear, feeling his entire reality constrict around him.


    His eyes quivered, wide with dread, as he listened to her footsteps echo away, soon fading as Rivia entered the mansion.


    Thump, thump, thump.


    "Haah, haah, I¡ªI''m alive," the guard whispered to himself, slowly attempting to rise. He turned toward hisrade, who was still standing, and asked, "Hey, are you alright?"


    "Y-yes¡ªThud, thud." As the standing guard shifted his gaze towards his kneelingpanion and nodded in response, he suddenly felt as though his vision was tilting. Confusion gripped his mind as a numbing sensation washed over him¡ªan electric pulse racing down his spine.


    But just as abruptly, the sensation vanished, leaving him in a thick fog of darkness as his body seemed to disassemble into numerous small fragments, tumbling to the ground.


    "Arghhh! N-no!" The guard who remained kneeling watched in horror as crimson lines etched themselves across hisrade''s body. It fell to pieces, as though it had not evenprehended its own destruction until the final moment of movement, splintering into oblivion.


    ---


    Zzz-zz-z


    A many naked on the bed, deep in sleep, his bulky body sprawled out.


    "Kyaaa!?"


    "H-help!?"


    ''!?!''


    "Yawn, what just happened¡ªba¡ªKughh!?" Berlyn, still sprawled on the bed, gradually opened his eyes. Due to his weight and notably lethargic disposition, he hadn''t bothered to lift his limbs to rub the slumber from his eyes. Instead, he felt a dampness surrounding him.


    When he finally focused, he expected to see the ceiling above him, but instead, he was met with the vastness of an open sky, a sensation of chill contrasting sharply with the warmth he had felt only moments earlier.


    "Hmm?" With a sense of reluctance, he turned his head to the side while remaining on his back. His gaze fell upon hispanions, who had been catering to his whims just moments ago¡ªnow lying lifeless on the ground, their heads grotesquely absent.


    "Hmph, just a nightmare?" After casting his eyes forward again, he couldn''t shake the feeling that this particr nightmare was strikingly vivid, far too realpared to the usual specters of his past wrongdoings. Yet, after the countless crimes he hadmitted, it was hardly surprising for him to be haunted by visions of those he had tormented.


    "N-no, S-sir Berlyn!?" A woman''s voice suddenly pierced the silence, forcing Berlyn to turn his head in the opposite direction. There, he spotted an elderly woman kneeling on the ground, her face twisted in shock. Her hands were sped together, and she looked at him with trembling eyes, as if she were witnessing something unfathomably horrifying.


    "Sigh, I know you¡ªUgh, is it starting to hurt now? What a nightmare," he murmured. At that moment, he began to feel pain spreading throughout his body, slightly more intense than he had anticipated for a dream. Despite the difort, he continued to gaze at the woman and added, "You see, these little things were just helping me; otherwise, in truth, I only have love for you¡ªArghh!?"


    "Haah... Haah... Wh-what is happening?" Suddenly, the mayor was overwhelmed by a surge of pain from all directions, each nerve in his body screaming as he struggled to grasp reality. It felt as if every nerve was aze with an iprehensible agony, forcing him to grit his teeth. Momentster, he was assaulted by a metallic stench.


    "I''ve heard that fat kills the pain, but seeing it firsthand..." A chilling voice echoed around him, piercing through the haze of his suffering. It was the voice of that amethyst demon.


    "Aaarrghhh, n-no! Wh-what is¡ª?!!!" As the pain escted, he attempted to move his head, his eyes falling to the ground where he spotted a very fat, thick hand lying severed nearby. His expression twisted in horror as he recognized the familiar watch and gold ring adorning it.


    It was his own hand.


    "Kugh! Arghh! Khwack!" With rity slipping from his mind, waves of pain surged through his body, starting in his arms and then working their way down to his legs. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes turning red as blood streamed from his nose. The pain escted rapidly, crossing an unbearable threshold within moments, akin to being submerged in moltenva.


    "Sir Berlyn!" the woman cried out, her eyes fixated on a morbid sight¡ªa fat body, devoid of limbs, with only a stomach and a head barely visible through theyers of fat, lying lifeless on the ground. Suddenly, her vision blurred, the world around her turning upside down as her eyelids grew heavy. With a final thud, her head rolled away,ing to a stop at a distance, her eyes losing all color.


    Instant death.


    "...I never expected this many spies to be here," Rivia remarked, ncing at the fallen woman''s body, whose severed heady some distance away while the lower body remained seated, blood gushing from the exposed flesh, revealing the severed spinal cord and nerves.


    Upon entering the mansion with the intention of killing Mayor Berlyn¡ªchosen as her fated target¡ªRivia''s heightened senses picked up a distant sound.


    It was a woman rying information about how she had manipted the fat man into submission, sending him to sleep while other spy maids aided in the process.


    They had provided him with everything he desired¡ªsex, alcohol, love¡ªgradually bending him to their will.


    It wasn''t difficult for Rivia to deduce that the North-East''s seventh mayor had fallen for a woman from a rival noble family, clearly intent on using him against the Croceaus family in the future.


    So instead of meticulously identifying the spies or simply killing that woman, she made a ruthless decision to kill everyone present.


    After all, wouldn''t it be much easier to eliminate them than to search for hidden enemies?


    "Now, what about you?" Rivia asked as she approached Berlyn''s lifeless form, whichy there like a doll with missing limbs. His lower body was crushed, but thanks to Synergy''s residual effects, blood flow had stopped, preventing an immediate death.


    "Aarghh.... It hurts! Kughh?!" Berlyn felt his life slipping through his fingers. It was as if he were lying there, resigned to the fact that death coulde at any moment. Everything seemed to freeze in that instant; each breath became increasinglybored, his mind beginning to numb.


    He gazed up at the vast sky, dotted with stars, which soon became overshadowed by the silhouette of a figure looming over him with an icy expression.


    "P-please, I¡ªI didn''t know she was a spy!" Berlyn pleaded, his desperation rising. In that moment, he prioritized his own survival over defending the woman he loved. He was acutely aware that if he somehow lived, he would need to speak to the Marquess about his rogue bodyguard who had gone mad and tried to kill him.


    "Fine, I will heal you." Rivia''s face betrayed no emotion, though it was filled with an intense, unyielding fury as she reached for her phone. She activated the camera, recording their exchange. "Now, tell me, how much money can you offer me to save your life?"

 Chapter 71: Chapter 73 - Confession of the Mayor

    In the city hospital located in Sector 18 of City A,


    ''She is likely to call me soon'', Avendial sat quietly in thest row of the resting chairs designated for visitors apanying patients.


    He had settled himself in the corner, his gaze fixed on his phone.


    Bzzzz


    Momentster, the device buzzed softly, a silent notification alerting him to an iing call.


    Although the phone did not ring, the caller ID illuminated the screen, catching his full attention.


    Thanks to advancements in technology, transferring data from one device to another had be a thing of the past.


    Now, individuals only needed their character ID to seamlessly transition to any phone, allowing them to download all their data effortlessly and turn a phone into their own.


    Moreover, due to the sophisticated caller ID feature, unknown numbers had essentially vanished.


    When a person purchased or was assigned a new number,prehensive biometric identification ensured that the caller''s name would automatically appear on the screen, leaving no room for anonymity.


    Of course, these conveniencese at a cost¡ªafter all, quality services require quality funding.


    However, this was hardly a concern for Avendial, considering that many of thepanies providing these global facilities and innovations either had him as a shareholder or were outright owned by him.


    Naturally, rules mostly affect those in weaker positions. Right now, for instance, Avendial could see the caller ID disying ''Rivia ??'' instead of ''Dominic Rivia Aurelia.''


    It seemed that while not everyone had the luxury to bypass certain norms, some noblemen had the means to change things to their advantage.


    This was clearly evident with Rivia, who, leveraging her influence as Avendial''s bodyguard, had altered her official name ordingly.


    Amusingly, Avendial noticed that this special caller ID appeared only when he was using his own phone, not when Alfred or others had it.


    So, it was likely that this unique disy was visible only through Avendial''s character ID. He found himself feeling amused, realizing that he had never noticed this detail before, even in his previous life.


    But now, equipped with insight into Rivia''s innermost thoughts, he began to pay attention to these small details before answering the call.


    As he slipped into the dialer, a smile tugged at his lips, grateful for this newfound awareness.


    :: Now, tell me, what kind of money are you willing to offer me to save your life? ::


    "Berlyn? They really chose the most idiotic one first," Avendial thought to himself as he gazed at the screen, the video call connecting slowly.


    On the other side, a chubby, limbless many sprawled on the ground, his body soaked in blood and emitting a foul stench.


    The rity of the inte connection allowed Avendial to notice the hint of a reflection in the man''s eyes¡ª a shadowy figure, likely the face of Rivia, hovering ominously in the background.


    From that reflection, Avendial could clearly see the bloodstains marring Rivia''s face, his cold eyes fixed intently on Berlyn.


    Continue your saga on m|v-l''e-NovelBin


    :: S-save me! I can offer you all my life savings¡ª a whopping 100 billion Imperial Crowns! ::


    Avendial fell silent as he processed Berlyn''s desperate confession. The offer of such a colossal sum of money sent a jolt through him. How could Berlyn expect to acquire that much without drawing attention?


    He had beenpletely unaware of any discrepancies in the expense reports that Alfred always submitted for his signature.


    It seemed imusible that Berlyn could have amassed such wealth without anyone else noticing.


    Naturally, Avendial could believe that he had overlooked Rivia''s subtle gestures and signs in his previous life, as his primary focus had been on umting wealth rather than paying attention to such nuances.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, it was impossible for him to have never noticed even a single penny missing in his prior existence, which implied that someone of a higher authority was involved.


    "100 billion? Don''t lie to me; I know you can''t possibly have that much money at your disposal, given how strict Lord is," Rivia inquired.


    Thework within the process state was monitored around the clock by a specialized team that Alfred personally oversaw.


    This scrutiny was in ce to ensure that mayors did not attempt to engage with outsiders.


    Thus, the likelihood of this mayor investing in foreign businesses or selling information to the outside world via inte services was virtually nonexistent.


    ''Hmm, if I were in his ce...'' Avendial mused, ncing at the screen while maintaining aposed demeanor in his chair.


    He made an effort not to disturb those around him, as the sound transmitted from the phone was directed straight into his ears through inbuilt micro earbuds.


    Imagining himself in Berlyn''s position, he considered how, were he in that role and intent on earning money under such intense surveince, he might adopt strategies that could exploit loyalty, trust, and local contract maniption.


    It was likely that he would focus his efforts on a minimum wage system to maximize his gains while remaining under the radar of constant observation. After all, even he knew that there was a legal loophole in the entire system.


    :: Haah... Haah... I-I only provided minimum wages to all of the employees and encouraged others to contribute their own money to help those in need :: Berlyn stammered as he revealed the method of presenting a contract that adhered to the minimum wage system.


    As expected, Avendial grasped Berlin''s words with rity. He understood that the issue with the minimum wage system was that it was unreasonably high for anyone to manage.


    However, since it wasbeled as the minimum wage, individuals could easily earn double or triple that amount if their job fell within a particr category.


    It became evident that Berlyn had cleverly manipted the sries, ensuring that despite receiving what they believed to be minimum wages, no oneined, as they epted this as the sry they rightfully deserved¡ªeven if that meant it was still considered substantial.


    Take, for instance, a gardener who, despite being an expert in botany and adept in handling various pesticides, received a remuneration of 10,000 Imperial Crowns.


    This sum might seem generous to him; however, the actual fixed sry for such a position was set at 15,000 Imperial Crowns.


    This discrepancy highlighted the reality that the missing 5,000 Imperial Crowns were flowing directly into the mayor''s pocket.


    At first nce, these sries might strike many as extravagant or shocking, especially considering the challenge of earning even a mere 100 imperial crowns as a gardener.


    Nheless, these wages were what every citizen within Croceaus territory truly deserved.


    They had weathered the tumultuous times under the previous Marquess and stood firm during decades of hardship, including a devastating drought that left the territory on the brink of bankruptcy.


    Their loyalty to their homnd during such trying times wasmendable, and they were worthy of a fairpensation that reflected their unwaveringmitment.


    Avendial was paying these individuals more than a hundred times what they could earn in the outside world, all as a gesture of gratitude for their ancestors who had consistently supported the territory.


    Yet, being the businessman that he was, he viewed this as more than just generosity; he saw it as an investment.


    In return for the high sries, he anticipated loyalty from these people, making them feel they owed something to him.


    To avoid appearing like a pushover, he made them work seven days a week without any Sunday break, taking on more jobs to ensure they felt they deserved such high sries for their overwork.


    Of course, there were different night shifts and day shift employees.


    After all, he couldn''t work them to death.


    But this mayor was embezzling money through this legal loophole?

 Chapter 72: Chapter 74- Nobles

    72 Chapter 74- Nobles


    Though theoretically, given the presence of a surveince team, they could easily monitor individuals'' bank ounts and transactions every month to check if they received their sries on time, the reality was moreplex.


    In the field, overseeing thousands of individuals was nearly impossible, especially considering that most transactions were conducted in cash with no specific record.


    Logically, an individual could easily deposit a small portion of their sry and keep the rest for personal expenses, so monitoring bank statements would require too much work.


    It was also amusing how most mayors opted for a cash system for sry purposes.


    However, taking out a portion of said ie could be possible to apply to individuals unaware of their real sry. This raised a lingering question: while it seemed usible that lower-wage workers, such as gardeners, might sumb to this maniption, what about butlers and maids?


    These were individuals who had been personally trained and were well-educated to serve high-status people.


    It was difficult to believe that they could ept the notion that they deserved such meagerpensationpared to others or that they had the same sry as others.


    :: What about the guards? The chauffeurs? ::


    Rivia interjected during the call, inquiring in a firm tone, as if she could read Avendial''s thoughts. She gave a re to Berlyn, who felt as if he were soon to die, struggling to keep his consciousness.


    The pain had already numbed his body, leaving him only with dampness and thest bit of stars he could see in the sky.


    :: I told them it was part of a contributory pension scheme or pension funds... Cough! ::


    ''Hm, that seems usible.'' Avendial, keeping his eyes fixed on the phone screen, felt that it was indeed a feasible method to collect money from the butlers or other employees who worked hard and were smart enough to understand the importance of pensions after they retire.


    Given how mayors were personally chosen by the Marquess, though currently among the eight mayors, only one was chosen by Avendial himself, the others served from previous generations.


    People had enough trust in them to hand over a portion of their sries to be returned when they retire.


    Naturally, he understood that it was also a legal method, given how all the employees couldn''t retire in a single day.


    He could easily pay them pensions one by one while continuing to umte the funds, like a bank that deposits money from several people, earning interest, and investing in the share market to make profits through the money of those who deposit it.


    But it didn''t mean that the money of those people had vanished.


    Instead, it was just getting used to earn more money.


    Avendial understood that this man was earning 583.33 million Imperial Crowns just through the 7% interest from the bank by keeping that 100 billion in his bank ount.


    So, all his methods were exploiting legal loopholes.


    :: Master, what should we do with him? :: From the call, Rivia inquired, having also heard confessions from Berlyn, who was about to die.


    She understood that most likely his crimes were not sufficient for the death penalty.


    Though, of course, she couldn''t save him even if she wanted to, she still inquired just so she could at least talk to him.


    "Give him a slow death," Avendial said, not caring about what this man''s present crimes were.


    Given how he had betrayed him in the future, Avendial issued his judgment immediately,cking the patience to wait for this man to betray him again before punishing him.


    :: I see. ::


    :: Arrgh... N-no Mar-quess... ::


    The call was cut before Berlyn could cry out in agony and beg for mercy.


    "Should I switch it off?" Avendial contemted disconnecting his phone, but before making that final decision, he wanted to take onest look to see if things were unfolding as he hoped.


    After confirming that they were indeed progressing perfectly, he cut the call before powering down the device.


    "Marquess, there you are," Aecilia said, emerging from the bathroom. Her eyes quickly scanned the room, finallynding on Avendial, who was seated in thest row while several others upied the front.


    As she made her way toward him, she noticed men ncing her way but paid them no mind. With an air of grace, she settled into the seat next to Avendial, folding her hands and legs elegantly.


    "It seems that Miss Aecilia has been managing pressure for quite some time now," Avendial remarked in a teasing tone, ncing at her as he fiddled with his phone. He leaned back slightly, clearly enjoying the moment.


    "...Well, that might not be entirely true, Sir Marquess," Aecilia replied, her mouth twitching in an effort to suppress a smile.


    She realized Avendial was yfully trying to embarrass her, especially given how close they were to those nearby who were clearly listening in, even if they had their backs turned toward the two of them.


    "Hey, what''s up with the way they''re talking?"


    "I''m not sure, but they seem toe from an influential society."


    "Are they nobles?"


    "But what could they possibly be doing in a city hospital?"


    Before long, whispers rippled through the nearby individuals who were seated, each one trying to piece together the conversation.


    Without turning their heads to look, they couldn''t shake the feeling that it was highly unusual to hear such formal dialogue within the Free City, a ce where themon man roamed.


    Some began to specte, forming their own theories, though these ideas were quickly dismissed by others.


    After all, it was widely epted that only noblemen could speak in such a refined manner.


    For someone of that standing to be found in the Free City was indeed rare, given that nobles typically held too much pride to seek treatment in a city hospital when other, more prestigious facilities were avable to them.


    "Wait, what if they are here for an appointment with Doctor Etrinia?" one whispered.


    "Hmm, that could be a possibility," another replied thoughtfully.


    Unbeknownst to them, Avendial and Aecilia, seated behind the conversing group, were keenly listening to the murmurs.


    They noticed how some individuals were beginning to draw conclusions about their noble status, while others remained skeptical.


    However, when Doctor Etrinia''s name came up, a shift urred in the collective mindset.


    Most began to ept the notion that a noble might indeed visit this hospital just for an appointment with that particr doctor.


    As curiosity continued to swirl among the bystanders, Avendial exchanged a nce with Aecilia, who kept her gaze fixed in front.


    The air was thick with spection, and they both felt the weight of being at the center of it.


    ''Etrinia? Wasn''t she...?'' Avendial, seated behind, perked up at the mention of a name that sounded familiar.


    A flicker of hope ignited within him; perhaps today he would finally get the chance to meet someone of value, someone with great potential, here in the hospital. A small smile crept onto his face.


    ''How troublesome...'' Aecilia sighed, feeling frustrated as she overheard the chatter concerning her and Marquess.


    Their recognition among the other patients surged, which was particrly bothersome for her. She knew that it wouldn''t be long before these rumors spread throughout the hospital,plicating her efforts to manage the situation.


    Driven by her annoyance, she resolved to contact the members of the Sertsul family to arrange for the entire hospital to be booked and to transfer the current patients to a more suitable facility, creating the needed space for her to operate.


    "Hey, Aecilia, can you do me a favor?" Avendial''s tone shifted as he spoke, dropping his honorifics. He reached out, cing one palm over her sped hands resting on her folded knees. She was gazing straight ahead, but the moment he ced his hand there, she flinched.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 73: Chapter 75- Favours?

    "H... uh-huh? Marqu--ess." Aecilia was, in truth, taken aback; the surprise caught her off guard, causing her to hup. Her pupils, almost as if in slow motion, gradually shifted downward in a straight line towards her knees, clearly attuned to the sensation of his warm hand resting over hers.


    With her voice wavering and gaps punctuating her tone, she turned her head towards Avendial.


    He wore a gentle smile, his eyes blissfully closed as he nced in her direction, seemingly unconcerned about what he had just done¡ªnot just touching her, but also having spoken to her in such an informal manner.


    For those living in the Free Cities, this might seem perfectly normal, but due to the cultural nuances between noblemen of the Free Cities and those from the Kingdom of Thaloris, it transcended mere casualness.


    In Thaloris, speaking informally with a member of the opposite gender often indicated a shared bond or rtionship.


    Of course, for the ordinary citizens of the Free Cities, this might appear cringeworthy or simply confusing toprehend; still, the differences in culture and perspective y an essential role in shaping reactions. Aecilia stood there, stunned, her eyes widening and pupils constricting in disbelief.


    "Why do you look so surprised¡ªah, should I remove it?" Avendial asked, already aware of the tumult of thoughts that must be swirling in her mind due to her astonished expression.


    He nced at his hand, as if contemting whether it had been a mistake to touch her, also cognizant that, ording to his upbringing, this was the proper way to treat ady.


    However, Aecilia quickly realized he was intentionally teasing, aiming to fluster her. Her expression shifted to one of impassiveness; her eyes narrowed, and a frown creased near her chin.


    "No need for that. How about this instead?" Aecilia lifted both her hands and ced his palm firmly on her knees, the delicate, silky fabric of her nightdress allowing Avendial to feel the softness of her skin beneath.


    "Ahem," Avendial stammered, pulling his hand back as he coughed, suddenly aware that, unlike Rivia, who might have responded to such a gesture with girlish delight, Aecilia was a much more formidable character to handle.


    He recognized that Sertsul''s family was of great importance, and he didn''t want to risk offending her with behavior that might misalign with her feelings toward him.


    After all, just because someone holds a favorable view of you in their mind doesn''t necessarily mean it''s true love.


    Avendial had experienced various types of love and was keenly aware of the potential dangers in choosing a partner or epting someone''s affection without fully understanding their personality.


    "Hm, why would I¡ªjust tell me what you want," Aecilia said, her initial instinct being to refuse his request, especially considering he hadn''t yet fulfilled his promise of taking her on a date.


    However, she modified her tone upon recalling that he had spoken to her normally and had even shown some physical affection.


    She could clearly sense that he was trying to garner some favor from her, and while this left her feeling somewhat unsettled, she shrugged it off.


    Folding her arms, she rested them against her chest, subtly entuating her cleavage, even if it remained modestly concealed by her elegant nightdress.


    "Exactly," Avendial continued, regaining hisposure. "There are actually two requests, to be precise." He recalled that at this moment, he needed crucial information about two particr individuals.


    Since Aecilia had already shown a willingness to assist him, he decided to make the most of this opportunity and glean both pieces of information together.


    "Huh? You are increasing the bargain, Aven," Aecilia eximed, dropping her honorifics as she nced at him with an arched eyebrow, her expression a mix of annoyance and resolve.


    Her golden eyes rolled slightly as she turned her gaze forward, feeling a flutter of nerves at having addressed him directly by name.


    In truth, her apprehension stemmed more from her role as an investor and businesswoman.


    She knew all too well that calling him by his name without adding honorifics¡ªor even a pet name¡ªcould easily offend him.


    The thought of him retracting his investments sent a chill down her spine, as it would result in a significant setback for the Sertsul family as a whole.


    While it might seem petty to take offense over something as trivial as being addressed by one''s name, the irrational anger of someone in a position of power can be quite surprising until you experience it firsthand.


    It seems absurd, but one misstep in addressing someone¡ªmerely omitting their honorifics¡ªcan lead to disastrous repercussions, distorting your life in ways you never imagined. Suddenly, what once felt like a joke can turn into a haunting reality.


    "Aven? Hm, it seems Miss Aecilia has given me a new name," Avendial remarked, seizing the opportunity without restraint. Fully aware of the implications, he altered his tone to be firmer and colder, causing Aecilia to flinch as she tightened her fingers in response.


    "M-Marquess, that''s¡ª" Aecilia began, suddenly realizing that Avendial was clearly displeased with being addressed by his name.


    She attempted to rify the misunderstanding that had arisen in the heat of the moment, but he interrupted her.


    "Pfft, this is the second time you''ve flinched. Quite amusing, really," Avendial chuckled, folding his arms and clearly enjoying the tease, which only caused  face to twitch in response.


    Instead of the usual embarrassment reflected in her blush, there was a noticeable vein bulging on her forehead.


    "Just tell me the favor you want, Marquess," Aecilia said, opting to refrain from using his nickname until they grew closer.


    She simply inquired about the request, wishing not to offend him, as one could never know when he might turn moody.


    "Nothing in particr; I want you to gather information about this Doctor Etrinia. As for the other favor? I''ll ask for it another time," Avendial replied calmly. He noted Aecilia''s formal tone, as if she were indifferent to those around them.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He found it amusing, recalling how he had to adapt to survive in his past life. He had learned to navigate the diversenguages spoken by the individuals he encountered in the tower, even picking up on their different ents, formal or informal.


    Indeed, in his journey to survive the tower as he climbed up, he met several individuals along the way, including those from outside the countries existing within the Arinphiam Empire.


    His time spent with them allowed him to grasp theirnguages, including the originnguages¡ªthe tongue used by the natives of the tower.


    "First, it was Lin Diego, and now it''s this doctor?" Aecilia mused, remembering that the first task he had assigned her upon their departure from the academy was to investigate the family details of Lin Diego.


    Given that Avendial had never visited the Free City, he had no personal connection to Lin Diego other than recognizing his physical appearance.


    Now, he was instructing her to research a doctor from the city hospital?


    It appeared that the Sertsul family was being utilized without any apparentpensation. Of course, Avendial was an investor, but they were also providing him with profits. Aecilia leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm as she contemted everything with her eyes closed.


    "Are you thinking that I''m using Sertsul family resources without any payment?" Avendial inquired, noticing her slight contemtion.


    "Hm, yes," Aecilia admitted, though her intent was not to consider whether she should receive something in return for her work. Instead, she pondered the potential connection between Diego and this doctor that could exin Avendial''s curiosity about them.


    After all, he had never shown any curiosity about her.

 Chapter 74: Chapter 76- Hospital

    "How amusing, Miss Aecilia," Avendial said, hearing Aecilia''s seamless words as she mentioned needing payment for the information about the doctor. He couldn''t help but shake his head, causing her to nce in his direction without turning her head.


    With a smile forming and giving her a sidelong nce, he asked, "I also want payment from the Sertsul family for using my name in the Free Cities all this time."


    "Th-that''s... you knew?" Aecilia blinked in surprise at how Avendial was aware of the Sertsul family using his name so freely in the cities.


    Given that he was mostly a single nobleman who had never interacted with or even entered the Free City, nor had he shown any repercussions for his name being used, she had assumed he wouldn''t know.


    "And why do you think I wouldn''t know this?" Avendial raised an eyebrow as he inquired, his expression clearly indicating that even in his past life, there had been several instances when the royal family had sent him inquiry letters about the Sertsul family using his name to get their work done within the government, seeking to verify if it was true.


    Naturally, it was evident at that time that there was dissatisfaction within the royal family regarding the Sertsuls.


    Find adventures at m_v l|e-NovelBinn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, it hadn''t reached the point of action; they were still strict in their rules and on the lookout for loopholes in the Sertsul family''s dealings.


    Not wanting to jeopardize the businesses he had invested in, Avendial simply agreed that it was him who had given his permission.


    In the end, he was just a businessman who weighed the pros and cons before deciding on profitability, indifferent to what the royal family or others might think of him.


    "Apologies, Marquess. Exactly that''s..." Aecilia was about to exin the reason they used his name, given that there were times when they felt pressure and hurdles from the government due to the Sertsul family''s favoring of weaker individuals; those from lower backgrounds were beginning to irritate some higher officials who did not want their votes to turn against them by bing educated.


    "The royal family used to send confirmations to me," Avendial remembered this detail and realized it could strengthen his bargaining position, making the Sertsul family feel grateful for his assistance.


    There was no reason for him to act like a kind man and conceal how he had supported them by lying to the royal family.


    "...Is that so?" Aecilia''s eyes widened slightly in surprise, given that she hadn''t tasked her spies to keep an eye on the Marquess''s actions.


    She was unaware of his interactions with the royal family and never thought he might know about them using his name, especially since the royal family was indeed seeking confirmation, which indicated they were trying to find loopholes to me the Sertsuls for using his name without his permission.


    "So, now tell me, Miss Aecilia, am I deserving of a favor from the Sertsuls?" Avendial, feeling the weight of his bargain increasing, inquired again in a calm yet assertive tone.


    Aecilia looked at him before looking straight ahead, her hand sliding into her pocket to retrieve her phone, dialing a number.


    "Hello, find out about Lin Diego and Doctor Etrinia from the city hospital. Do it within a few hours; it''s the Marquess''s request," Aecilia instructed during the call, ensuring she mentioned the Marquess''s name, which would y a crucial role in obtaining the information swiftly.


    Avendial, upon hearing Aecilia casually mention his name, could tell it was not her first time doing this. However, he had little time to address it, knowing that the value of his name would diminish once this world lost its significance.


    "O-oh Sir, here you are; the patient''s condition is serious, and you need to pay 1,500 Imperial Crowns now," a nurse came sprinting down the hallway, looking toward Avendial and Aecilia. She approached them to inform them of the initial charge required to start the surgery.


    Most likely, they would have performed the procedure first and then asked for the money afterward.


    However, considering how patients usually didn''t pay, and given that Avendial appeared to be associated with these wealthy individuals, there was no guarantee the construction worker he aided would be able to cover his treatment costs if these people ran away.


    "Hm, I see. Also, send for the director of the City Hospital and make hime here," Aecilia, who was still on the phone, felt the situation would continue to progress slowly, likely due to human nature.


    She needed to assert their authority, especially since she couldn''t just speak with a nurse who had no power in the matter.


    "H-huh? M-miss?" The nurse looked toward the two individuals, her thoughts consumed by the elegantly dressed woman seemingly speaking confidently on the phone, which was confusing, as she had just mentioned summoning the hospital''s director.


    The nurse nced at the receptionist, who had also overheard her, and noticed the other hospital staff present were looking at one another.


    They wanted to dismiss it as a bluff but couldn''t help but feel intrigued, given that this woman had arrived in an expensive car.


    But did she genuinely know the director?


    ''I can''t offend them!'' The nurse thought, seeing how all her colleagues were gazing at her,pelling her to ask for that simple payment.


    She quickly excused herself and sprinted back the way she came to inform the doctor, reasoning that even if these people were scamming them, it would be the doctor who would face the consequences while she would be safe as a nurse.


    Ultimately, those who could read the room were the ones who remained in the present, where anyone could turn your life upside down.


    "You made her panic," Avendial noted, observing how the nurse had bolted away to likely summon someone of higher authority. With his hands folded, he couldn''t help but feel amused, realizing that right now, Aecilia seemed like a viiness, leaving others horrified.


    "Did I?" Aecilia had already noticed the reactions of everyone present nearby. She slowlyid her phone down before giving a look around with a smirk to even the owl, as if clearly intending to make those people shut up, considering how she was herself getting fooled by Avendial.


    So, of course, she needed to bend her angle on others ethically.


    Naturally, instead of keeping her anger to herself and letting her mind be burdened by it, she always preferred to just express it at that moment.


    Though not anger, there was light annoyance, seeing how, even after promising her a date several times, Avendial had brought her to a hospital while making her do some work to search for some people.


    So, she just needed some idiot, who couldn''t read the room, toe and hit his own head without being aware of the consequences.


    And there, with respect, decide to be a punching bag for Aecilia.


    After all, unlike nobles, she wasn''t the type to do things with two faces.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "What are you trying to do, Doctor Wen?" one of the doctors nearby noticed how, unlike any other staff members, this doctor was attempting to inject a drug into a man lying in a bloodied state.


    Although the cotton had cleared most of the blood, the remnants of open wounds signaled that urgent surgery was needed. However, the urgency seemed absent among the other doctors, except for one.


    "Can''t you see his condition? He will die at this rate," Doctor Wen said firmly as he injected the medication into Leon''s right hand. Leon, half-asleep, could hear everything but was unable to move or open his eyes.


    "So? You just gave him a 90 Imperial Crown injection. Do you think the hospital gets funding from the government?" Doctor Fredi, another staff member, with arms folded, gave a disapproving look to Dr. Wen, who was using valuable medications without any guarantee of payment for a person brought in from an ident, with no information avable about his family.


    Given the state of the man''s clothes and the dirt covering his body, it was likely he was a construction worker; everything seemed like a total loss.


    "Doctor Fredi, you should know well that money can be earned back, but not life," Doctor Wen shot back, giving a stern gaze to the bespectacled doctor, who apparently held more authority in the hospital than he did.


    "Huh? Treat him and you''ll be fired from the hospital," Doctor Fredi threatened, taking Dr. Wen''s words personally, confident in his position as the director''s son, knowing that getting a doctor fired was no problem for him.


    "Fire me? It was your father who requested that I join this hospital," Dr. Wen replied without backing down, rifying a few things for the young man who seemed unaware of how the world truly works.


    While those in power may appear to haveplete control, they still need capable individuals to do the actual work.


    An influential person remains influential only as long as they can exert influence over someone capable beneath them.


    If someone decides not to ept their money and stands their ground, all that influence bes meaningless.


    Dr. Wen, who had received numerous rewards and Nobel Prizes from the central government, was being looked down upon by a management team doctor who didn''t understand that he was here to save lives, not to earn money.


    He had even received an offer to work at hospitals under one of the heirs of the Royal Kingdom¡ªa position that most doctors only dream of obtaining.


    "You..." said the doctor, getting on his nerves. The graffiti was about to speak up, but suddenly the door of the operating room swung open as a nurse came in.


    She nced towards Dr. Fredi and added, "S-sir, those who brought the patient have just called the director."

 Chapter 75: Chapter 77- Avendials first Kill (1)

    "S-Sir, what if they really called the director?" A group of hospital staff, including Dr. Fredi at the front, apanied by nurses and other staff members, moved through the hospital hallway, passing through the corridor.


    "It''s impossible; my father isn''t even in City A," Dr. Fredi calmly dismissed the possibility that those who imed to have contacted the director were genuine. When the nurse had asked them for payment, it was clear they were just trying to avoid paying the money.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Naturally, this wasn''t the first time he had encountered such scammers acting high and mighty. Even if they possessed a small amount of wealth, they didn''t hesitate to lie and exaggerate themselves like wannabe rich people.


    "I see..." The nurse lowered her gaze and averted her eyes from Dr. Fredi, who wore a white coat, had his hands resting in his pockets, with a stethoscope hanging around his neck, and his sses giving him a cold look as he moved through the corridor. The others hastily followed behind him.


    ''I will see through you, bastards!'' Dr. Fredi was filled with anger, especially after Dr. Wen had mocked him, which made him feel inferior. His father had always praised Dr. Wen''s achievements, and it felt as if Dr. Wen were challenging his authority in this hospital, where he was the future director.


    He clenched his jaw, the visible anger evident in the veins forming on his face and neck, clearly directed at the two who imed to have called the director.


    His anger was further fueled by the humiliation he felt in front of the other staff members who had followed him until now. He decided to leave Dr. Wen alone to treat the beggar who had arrived at the hospital in a broken state.


    Dr. Fredi was determined to first deal with these two scammers and thenter me Dr. Wen''s irresponsible treatment for the death of the construction worker.


    One arrow, two targets.


    "Where are they?" Arriving at the hallway where several rtives of patients or others were filling out forms, all their gazes were attracted toward the doctor, who was apanied by several other staff members. Mostly, Dr. Fredi looked around, trying to find those particr individuals.


    His gaze moved from those wearing average clothes to those adorned with fancy gold chains and finally settled on an olddy who wore a tiger-striped coat with chains; he could clearly tell this woman was a scamming old hag.


    A type of old woman who just shows off by wearing all the gold avable in her home or even using fake polished gold ornaments just to impress others and make people think of her as wealthy.


    "Tch, fooled by that old¡ª" Before Dr. Fredi couldplete his sentence, a nurse interrupted him.


    "Sir, there they are." The nurse nced toward the back where a woman in a ck nightgown was seated with folded hands and closed eyes, contemting something. Beside her sat a handsome man, who definitely seemed like her type; if it weren''t for her being aware of her own appearance, she would have approached him.


    "What? Where..." Dr. Fredi, who was about to approach the old woman, suddenly halted upon hearing the nurse''s words as he turned his gaze toward the farthest corner of the hall, where he noticed two individuals who particrly appeared different from the others present in the room.


    ''They can''t be, right?'' Dr. Fredi''s eyesnded on the pair seated at the far end of the hall.


    The man had silver hair and sharp blue eyes, wearing a tailored coat and pants that fit his broad frame perfectly. On his wrist was an expensive watch that caught the light subtly; due to his interest in watches, he could clearly understand that the sole watch cost 43 million Imperial Crowns.


    Even costlier than the car, as per the nurse''s information.


    Beside him sat a woman in a sleek ck nightdress, her golden eyes and ck lipstick giving her an intense, striking look. Her ck hair fell over her shoulders, and her posture wasposed, with her hands resting in herp.


    His eyes could clearly see that the simple nightdress and fluffy slippers she wore belonged to a very luxurious brand, which, due to its brand value, had exasperated their prices tenfold.


    Both appeared calm yet carried an air of quiet authority.


    Looking at both of them, for a moment, his mind, which was enraged, felt a small jolt of shock at how these two people definitely appeared toe from an affluent and influential background.


    But soon enough, clenching his fists, he decided that even if these people were influential, it was impossible for them to call his father from a different city within a few minutes.


    "...." Dr. Fredi moved through the crowd that had scattered; even receptionists and others present there stood looking in the same direction, including the guards, who were ncing through the ss door of the hospital to see what was happening, given that the highest management had arrived. So, of course, Dr.


    Fredi was just a doctor right now, but still, he was the son of the director of this hospital. They were all surprised to see him here as he approached, arriving near these two individuals, looking at the woman; he added, "Pardon me."


    "You are pardoned?" Aecilia, before he couldplete his words, just raised her hand as if gesturing for him to leave in a tone that rejected him nonchntly, as if he were just a servant, not even giving him a look and opening her eyes.


    ".....Th-this," Fredi''s mouth twitched visibly as his eyes closed, controlling his anger. He clenched his fists inside his coat''s pockets. Seeing how this woman was acting arrogantly made him want nothing more than to put her in her ce and give her a punch in front of everyone, but he controlled himself since his reputation would be hurt this way.


    "I am the head management of this hospital." Controlling himself, he tried to reveal his identity to this woman, who might understand that he should be treated with respect. As given his generosity, he had decided to forgive her for this mistake only once, he proudly stated with his hands folded and resting on his chest, looking down at the woman who stood three hand lengths away from her.


    "So?" Aecilia, having seen enough of people like him, could clearly recognize that this man had a very small ego and the pride of an elephant, who didn''t know its ce and dared to move around thinking he could crush everyone, not understanding that a single bullet, which is far smaller than it, could kill it.


    "Huh?" Dr. Fredi, hearing her words, was suddenly taken aback. There was no change in the woman''s uncaring demeanor; even after hearing that he held a high position in the hospital, she showed no flinching and even told him to go away with this gesture of hers, making his mind snap.


    So, what if this woman had some money on her?


    Let''s even suppose that she belonged to some political family.


    So what?


    How dare a woman act almighty inside his hospital, not knowing her ce.


    His instincts, influenced by the anger he had towards Dr. Wen, were umting with each other, giving a very bad reaction, as he burst, "You bitch!!"

 Chapter 76: Chapter 78 - Avendials First Kill (2)

    His father was the director of one of the biggest hospitals in City A. Given how several politicians and influential people came here for their treatment, his connections were strong enough to deal with any consequences. In anger, he loosened his grip before trying to grab her hand to make her see sense while talking to him.


    Sckhlt!


    ''.....'' The sharp sound of flesh tearing echoed through the hallway, freezing everyone in ce.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''?!?!''


    Eyes widened in disbelief as they tried to process the sight before them. A doctor stood mid-motion, his hand outstretched toward the woman in ck, frozen in time.


    Beside her, a man in a suit calmly held a pen, its tip embedded deep in the doctor''s right temple.


    Blood trickled down slowly from the wound, the gruesome realization settling in¡ªDr. Fredi was dead, his brain instantly severed, copsing to the floor in chilling silence.


    THUD


    Silence~


    The entire hallway fell into a dead silence for a heartbeat before chaos erupted.


    "D-dr. Fr-fredi..." The nurses, who had been following Dr. Fredi just moments before, stopped dead in their tracks, their faces pale and frozen with shock. They couldn''tprehend what had just happened.


    One of them dropped her clipboard, the loud tter startling several others, but not a single person moved to pick it up.


    "Wha¡ªwhat the hell?! He... he killed him!" a nurse stammered, her voice shaking as she instinctively grabbed the arm of a colleague next to her, gripping tightly.


    "Is this real? Did that just happen?!" A doctor who had been filling out paperwork near the reception area stood with wide eyes, mouth agape, his pen falling from his hand.


    Several hospital staff were rooted to the spot, their faces twisted with fear and confusion. Some stepped back instinctively, their eyes darting between the lifeless body of Dr. Fredi and the man in the suit, who remained eerily calm.


    "Someone do something! Call the police!" one of the receptionists screamed, her chair toppling over as she tried to stand, hands shaking violently. Experience new tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    "He''s not... he''s not moving... Dr. Fredi''s not moving!" a nurse whimpered, her knees buckling as she leaned against the wall for support. Her breath came in short, rapid gasps as she stared at the blood pooling beneath the doctor.


    "Why would he... why would he do that?!" someone else cried out from the crowd that had gathered, their voice thick with panic.


    "Eh?" Aecilia thought as she looked nkly towards the direction where just moments ago Dr. Fredi was stretching his hand toward her. She had been preparing to give him a body m, but now she saw something iprehensible.


    The moment she was about to lift herself and grab Fredi''s outstretched hand, she saw a shadow before a sharp pain pierced a vital organ, breaking the skull and entering Fredi''s brain. Without hesitation, a murder wasmitted by none other than Marquess Avendial Croceaus.


    ''Fuck,'' only one thought echoed through her mind.


    Unlike her nk gaze, not understanding why Avendial killed someone, the state of the hospital had turned into chaos.


    "Run! Run before he kills us too!" a woman shrieked from the back, pushing her way through the stunned crowd, her heels clicking frantically against the tiled floor as she bolted toward the exit.


    Several of the hospital staff who had gathered around remained in shock, staring nkly at the scene, unable to process what had just unfolded before their eyes.


    "Get away from him! Everyone, back up!" a security guard shouted, finally breaking out of his frozen stupor.


    He tried to approach, but his hands were trembling, and he stopped just short of the man in the suit, clearly terrified.


    The problem was due to forced pration without hesitation; as the pen entered Fredi, blood sttered around the man''s face, including the silver hair that now had small blood stains, making him appear like a demon with that calm face.


    The frantic voice of another staff member broke through the confusion. "Call security! Where''s security?!"


    "This... this can''t be happening here..." one of the older nurses whispered, her body trembling as she took a small step back, shaking her head in disbelief.


    "Somebody call an ambnce!" a doctor shouted, instinct taking over, though the absurdity of his statement quickly became clear. "Wait... we''re in a hospital... Oh my God!"


    The scene had be a spectacle, with hospital visitors and patients alike slowly crowding the area, their faces etched with horror and disbelief. One of the janitors, who had been sweeping near the entrance, stood paralyzed, gripping his broom so tightly his knuckles turned white.


    No one dared to approach.


    ''It was a good decision to bring that guy into this hospital.'' Ignoring the reaction of everyone present, Avendial calmly looked down at the dead body of Fredi with his eyes wide and bloodied, and veins visible due to pain, which was so fleeting since death caught up to him much sooner.


    Lifting his pen, which was drenched in blood, he ced it in his pocket, considering it a memento he needed to prepare for the future. Taking out a handkerchief from his pocket, he with a steady movement wiped his face, which had stains of blood, before ncing toward Aecilia. "Are you alright?"


    "Huh? Yes, I am," Aecilia said, facing the dead body lying near her. As the blood seeped and was about to touch her heels, she stood without caring and walked across the floor. After standing beside Avendial, and as if trying to navigate the situation, she acted, "Th-thank you for saving me, Marquess."


    Gasp


    "Did she just say Marquess?"


    All the people who had witnessed the whole event were standing in their ce, looking towards their direction while focused on Avendial. The moment they heard him being referred to as Marquess, they all nced at each other, feeling a sense of confusion wash over them.


    "Oh my god, no, right? What should we do?" Thinking about the situation where a man who had imed to be the Marquess had just killed another person, and I thought the person was the head of the hospital. One was shocked before soon enough the security entered holding the tasers and guns, constantly pointing them towards Avendial''s direction.


    "Hands up! Don''t move!" Due to being in a free city with a government that allowed the use of licensed guns, a few of them were holding guns pointing directly towards Avendial. Standing around Avendial, there were four security guards holding guns that appeared like antiques, which most probably wouldn''t even fire, but still, they were enough to threaten him.


    "Really?" Aecilia, standing behind Avendial, observed the guns being pointed at them by four of the security personnel who were aiming their weapons.


    Even though it was clear that Avendial was at fault for killing someone in front of so many people, did it really matter?


    It was a clear murder of an innocent doctor, with so many eyewitnesses clearly seeing the whole event; even CCTV cameras were avable in the hall, capturing everything in high quality.


    But,


    Not even the president of the Free Cities could touch a single hair on the head of the man who was clearly a murderer, with enough proof to prove his guilt.


    Indeed, even after killing someone in front of so many people, Avendial would not face any repercussions from the central government¡ªa privilege granted to nobles within the Arinphiam Empire.


    He was immune to punishment for any crime under the normal rules.

 Chapter 77: Chapter 79 - Avendials First Kill (3)

    ''Fredi, huh?'' Avendial mused, seated in the back of a hall filled with hospital staff and visitors, all looking at him and the lifeless body lying before them.


    He was nked by four guards, guns aimed at him, his hands steady and eyes closed¡ªnot in prayer, but in the knowledge that they would not dare to pull the trigger.


    After all, they were bound by thew, unlike him.


    Instead, he focused on the gains of the day, particrly the removal of an obstacle named Fredistian.


    Of course, until the staff members had cried out Fredi''s name after his death, Avendial hadn''t even known the man''s name.


    Yet, Avendial could clearly remember the faces he had seen in a past life, including this one: the ambitious man who had allied himself with witch doctors¡ªa race notorious for using human organs to augment their strength.


    Many people who had ced their trust in Fredi had vanished. Acting as a middleman between the witch doctors and himself, he had secretly begun smuggling organs.


    In doing so, Fredi had killed several and betrayed even more.


    Naturally, Avendial was not the type to catch him red-handed and mete out punishment; there was simply no need.


    He found himself in a position of advantage, unlike when it came to dealing with the royal family or the princess.


    In the free city, he had immunity for killing simply because he was a nobleman. There was nothing the local or supreme courts could do to him.


    So, he killed Fredi.


    At this point, the most Fredi''s allies could do was lodge aint with the royal court about the murder, armed with what evidence they could muster.


    A representative from the central government would be dispatched to the royal court, and even then, it would take another two years to establish his guilt¡ªof course, only if Avendial did not hire a royalwyer to defend him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was evident that the royal family would never punish someone of Avendial''s rank for killing a meremoner.


    Despite the system of titles having undergone transformation, the nobility still held sway, while the citizens of the free city remained little more than pawns in a vast game.


    Their pleas were little more than formalities.


    After all, the public believed the royal family was dedicated to justice, even going so far as to punish noblemen, but what they didn''t know was that the nobles who faced repercussions in the free cities had already been marked by royal ire for some slight.


    Avendial, on the other hand, was untouchable¡ªif he were to be punished without solid evidence, he could easily retract all his investments and funding, crashing the stock market and influencing the GDP of the Arinphiam Empire.


    Right now, he possessed a sufficient amount of shares in the whole GDP of the Empire.


    Indeed, when he first arrived in the past, he hadn''t worried about the royal court at all; he could manipte the evidence as he saw fit and would have destroyed Patric Vrandin in court by hiring a whole army ofwyers.


    However, at that time, the real danger had been Sebastian, who had no intention of dragging either of them to face the royal court.


    Instead, he had resolved to eliminate Rivia, the strongest support Avendial had against assassination threats.


    Naturally, if someone possessed enormous wealth like him, it was inevitable that royal heirs would try to court his favor, whether through genuine interest or by force. There were instances when, in their quest for his support, some of them dispatched assassins into the Croceaus territory solely to intimidate him into alignment with their interests.


    However, he never truly felt threatened. Rivia always handled those acting as a front line of defense, which was unyielding. Ultimately, he maintained a wariness of the royal family only when he was within their realm. Outside of their territory, he had numerous measures to ensure his safety.


    After all, a single scratch on his body would be tantamount to a scratch on the economy of the Arinphiam Empire.


    Many would assume¡ªespecially the strategists within the royal family¡ªthat he would shy away from taking such drastic actions simply because he was summoned to the Royal Court. However, Avendial had be indifferent to his own affairs. If matters escted, he would not hesitate to retreat, even at the cost of burning his own money, which would soon be invaluable.


    Thus, for six months, he resolved to remain as controlled as possible, investing wisely, leveraging his future knowledge to generate greater wealth. Eventually, he nned to exert his influence on the market by withdrawing all his investments in a single decisive move.


    "Why don''t you all attend to patients instead of wasting time here?" Aecilia remarked, as she settled into a seat beside Avendial, folding her legs elegantly. She pulled out her phone and began concentrating on her work, primarily checking updates about the search and tasks she had assigned to the Sertsul family regarding Lin Diego and Doctor Etrinia.


    She was hardly concerned that the security personnel wielding guns might pull the trigger; after all, if they did, it would lead to instantaneous death.


    Among the hospital visitors were women from the same family known to carry diminutive hidden poison-dipped guns¡ªspecial designs made using the principle of a crossbow, yet so small that they resembled lipstick and could fire with the speed and lethality of a bullet.


    Thus, if any guard hesitated to pull the trigger, he would quickly learn that old weapons with cartridges don''t provide protection from members of the Sertsul family, who would¡ªwithout a second thought¡ªeliminate him.


    "Y-you...." Seeing the nonchnt behavior of both individuals, among whom the man had just killed someone, was clearly confusing them and also making them hesitant to take any action given how they appeared from an influential family.


    Not just because of their clothes, but the way they acted,posed and their bodily features. Everything was directing toward it, causing the security guard to feel hesitant as they looked at each other. Before long, they loosened their grip and ced the guns down, feeling that things would escte, and they just needed to call the police.


    Otherwise, with the death of Doctor Fredi, it was clear that it could not be reversed and what if they, who were just doing their job, ended up on the bad side of people who were definitely not random killers. It was why the security personnel only stood there, keeping an eye and not pointing the guns, as they felt anxious about offending someone like those two.


    "P-police have arrived?!" The moment the sounds of sirens reverberated inside the ce, all the people instantly looked toward the ss window where, from the vantage point of the bystanders and hospital visitors peering through the ss window, the scene outside unfolded like a tense movie.


    The police cars halted abruptly, their sirens still echoing faintly, and one by one, the doors opened.


    A line of officers emerged, but these weren''t just any ordinary policemen.


    At the front was a high-ranking official, instantly recognizable by his neatly pressed uniform and the numerous badges that gleamed in the sunlight.


    Yet, despite his outward disy of authority, the anxiety was palpable.


    He wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, his hand trembling slightly as if the weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders.


    Behind him, more figures followed¡ªprosecutors in formal attire, their faces set in unreadable expressions, but their eyes darted nervously from side to side.


    The group exuded an odd mixture of authority and unease, their movements calcted, as if each step closer to the building brought them deeper into something they were not prepared to handle.


    "Phew~ we are safe now," During the arrival of the police, the atmosphere started to be less tense among the individuals standing in the hallway, since the moment this event happened, making at least 10 minutes, already horrified to the point of tearing their wits out given a dead body was lying, and it belonged to none other than a doctor who was the son of the owner of this hospital.


    Standing under the same roof as a psychopath who killed someone without hesitation using a pen as a murder weapon, this was just too shocking.


    "Oh, Sir, there those two are," One of the guards swiftly moved, opening the door as several individuals in formal attire entered in front while behind them, the police officers in uniform followed, wearing gloves.


    "Yes, those are the ones who dared to kill someone in front of everyone," An olddy wearing several pieces of jewelry stood, also pointing toward both Aecilia and Avendial. Given how she was horrified seeing the murder, even more so since Doctor Fredi was about to talk to her but due to the nurse''s words moved to their direction and ended up getting himself killed.


    But as she spoke, she felt someone pulling her, making her notice it was a woman police officer. As she was about to open her mouth again.


    Smack


    "Kyaa¡ªThud?!" The olddy got a p directlynding on her face, throwing her on the floor as she grabbed her swollen, reddened cheek, Hoggish instantly looked upward towards the policewoman who, ignoring her, moved past her.


    Before the other apanying the policewoman could move, she arrived just a few steps away from Aecilia, who was busy with her phone. The woman then swiftly bowed 90 degrees and greeted, "Apologies for the dy, My Lady, and greetings to the Marquess!"


    "Wee to City A, Marquess Croceaus!" Even though slightlyte, those apanying her swiftly bowed, showing their determination as all of them disyed a ny-degree bow toward Avendial, greeting him as their foreheads were filled with sweat, given how they had, for the first time, seen the well-known rumored figure, Marquess Avendial Croceaus.

 Chapter 78: Chapter 80- Honestys result (1)

    Gasp.


    "M-Marquess Croceaus?!"


    "Wait, Marquess?!"


    A series of astonished exmations erupted from those gathered in the hall, quickly turning into a murmur of disbelief.


    Every pair of eyes darted around, searching each other''s faces to confirm that they had indeed heard correctly.


    They were grappling with the incredible reality of being in the presence of a man whose notoriety transcended the realms of celebrity, cloaked in anonymity yet wildly recognized throughout the world.


    His reputation, bolstered by grand tales of wealth and influence, cast him as a figure of fascination¡ªone whose name echoed through business circles like a whispered legend.


    Each headline in the newspapers chronicled the bold projects undertaken by the Croceaus family, detailing how each ambitious endeavor was poised for sess, alwayspleted within deadlines.


    Despite being prominently featured in the news, the true mastermind behind these ventures had managed to remain hidden in the shadows.


    While the public admired his sharp business acumen and astute investments, it was the mystery of his identity that fueled an insatiable curiosity among the masses.


    Yet today, standing before this captivated audience, they were not merely seeing an image; they were witnessing the elusive Marquess in the flesh.


    The reality of his appearance exceeded their wildest imaginings.


    Rumors about him circted widely within the Free City, each more extravagant than thest.


    One persistent tale imed his eyes were a bright, almost unnatural red, and his hair was as dark as the night sky.


    They spoke of a sharp intellect that could slice throughplexity and a physique that seemed sculpted by the gods themselves.


    Towering above the rest, he seemed to wield power over the very tides of the global economy.


    Of course, many of these rumors were steeped in exaggeration.


    Yet as they stood before the man who had been so often portrayed in mythic terms, the crowd was struck by the striking reality of his presence.


    For one fleeting moment, they hardly registered the chilling fact that he had just taken a life in their midst.


    In that instant, a fundamental human trait revealed itself, echoing in two distinct forms: The allure of power drowns the cries of conscience, or conversely, the awe of the powerful blinds the eyes of the just.


    "Wee, Marquess!"


    "Y-yes, W-wee, Marquess!"


    One after another, following the directives of the prosecutor and police officers, all the staff members and individuals present in the room began to bow at a 90-degree angle.


    While this might appear exaggerated, it was a responsemensurate with the influence and power wielded by a single man seated calmly at a distance, with his eyes closed, seemingly indifferent to the proceedings.


    In this moment, he could be regarded as royalty, deserving of profound respect from those in attendance.


    The Croceaus family had established a reputation for itself, not for venturing into new business endeavors in foreignnds despite having ess to cheaperbor and resources, but for prioritizing their operations within the Free Cities and the Arinphium Empire.


    This loyalty to their homnd had resulted in a level of reverence directed towards Avendial.


    As a member of the noble ss, he enjoyed a status that was all but guaranteed; most noblemen showed little interest in mingling withmon folk.


    Yet, here he was, seated among them.


    ''...a human life,'' Avendial mused, his eyes still closed and hands folded, observing how these individuals were demonstrating their regard for the value of human life.


    They seemed to have conveniently forgotten that he had just taken one, branding him a murderer.


    Instead, they treated him as if he had descended from the heavens, a figure of noble lineage.


    He was far from oblivious and inexperienced when it came to theplexities of human emotion.


    He had witnessed a vast array of human expressions, from kindness to innocence, and had even encountered those who would make devils themselves feel shame.


    It was clear that the reactions of these people were reflexive, akin to how subjects might bow to a queen who hadmitted a grave sin yet still upied the throne.


    Their deference was a product of their learned obedience to power, regardless of the circumstances that apanied it.


    "Clear away this dead body," Avendialmanded in a tone devoid of emotion, abruptly pulling them from their euphoric preupations.


    Some of them had been contemting the honor of being in his presence, already reaching for their phones to capture the moment.


    Yet, that excitement drained away in an instant as the chilling reminder of a few moments ago echoed in their minds¡ªthe same man they were now bowing to had just taken a life.


    ''!''


    "W-wait, are you saying Marquess killed someone?!" One of them gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she struggled toprehend the absurdity of what she had just witnessed.


    Why on earth would the Marquess resort to murder?


    The shock hung heavy in the air, and all of them quickly settled on two possible exnations.


    First, that this individual could not possibly be the true Marquess, or that the doctor had made some tragic mistake.


    After all, everyone knew that Marquess Croceaus was not the type tomit such an act personally.


    With his immense wealth and influence, he could easily hire someone to do his dirty work; wasn''t that the typical behavior of powerful people?


    "Um, s-sir, if you don''t mind," one of the prosecutors stammered, lifting his briefcase with great trepidation.


    He was the only one in attendance with a senior position in City A, and beads of sweat dripped from his brow, revealing the tension of the moment.


    The news of this incident involving the Marquess had already reached the government and the prominent Sertsul family, triggering a flurry of urgent actions.


    Once word broke that the Marquess was in the city hospital, everyone sprang into action, desperate to meet with him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But things took a sharper turn when rumors spread about him having killed a doctor in the hospital.


    Shockwaves rippled through themunity as industrialists, businessmen, and government officials scrambled to capitalize on the situation, all seeking to curry favor with the Marquess.


    Explore more at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    It seemed that no one cared about the identity of the deceased or the pursuit of justice for that individual.


    Instead, they were more interested in the personal gain they could extract from this dire circumstance.


    After all, this was the harsh truth of reality, far removed from the ideals discussed in social media, where conversations about justice thrived, often oblivious to the grim truths thaty beneath.


    "He tried to attack me with scissors," Avendial finally spoke, his eyes snapping open with intensity as he fixated on the prosecutor, who now appeared increasingly nervous.


    Despite having navigated numerous crime scenes and dealt with high-profile individuals, this marked the first time he confronted a case involving someone of the Marquess''s stature.


    In the free city, anyone who achieved significant sess¡ªwhether by bing a master political strategist, a skilled prosecutor, a brilliant military tactician, or excelling in any field deemed worthy¡ªwas rewarded with a promotion into the royal kingdom, the Kingdom of Thaloris.


    It was reminiscent of those fantasy tales in which a cultivator ascends to the immortal realm upon attaining greatness.


    "Th-that''s..." One of the detectives, positioned behind the police officers, caught sight of Marquess and the lifeless body.


    His gaze shifted to the gruesome scene before him, where the bodyy surrounded by a pool of blood that was already beginning to dry near the temple.


    The injuries indicated a swift demise, and the sparse signs of a struggle, or rather theplete absence of one, suggested that the Marquess was not telling the truth.


    However, a lingering question hung in the air: who would have the courage to expose the reality?

 Chapter 79: Chapter 81- Honestys Result (2)

    "We understand, sir," came forward a police officer, his uniform revealing him as the police chief of Sector 18.


    He was the only one avable right now, given that others had been called by headquarters to assist the Serstul family, who were trying to aplish the task assigned by the Marquess of searching the records of two people.


    Coincidentally, he, who was inside the sector 18 and was about to leave, received a call informing him that the same Marquess, whom they were trying to impress, would be meeting them in person.


    But,


    "....it''s clear from the state of the dead body that there wasn''t a chance of struggle here." He was not going to just stand idly by like all these people who wanted to gain favor with this man.


    His honesty was above all else, even above his life.


    "And I would like you to cooperate," he dered firmly, looking coldly down at Avendial as he moved his hand toward his pocket, trying to take out handcuffs.


    Though there were nows of free cities applicable to noblemen, he still had enough authority to at least detain that man in his custody until a representative or higher officials intervened.


    Even though there was no need for handcuffs, knowing full well that this man, Marquess Avendial Croceaus, would easily be able to escape within a few minutes, he just wanted to humiliate him.


    "Hey, idiot!"


    Without caring about the status of the police chief, the prosecutor instantly burst out, not considering thew, given how this fool was going to offend someone who shouldn''t even be messed with.


    He was not alone; other prosecutors and police officers were also shocked to see their chief doing something so foolish.


    The visitors who were looking in that direction were equally shocked.


    Harshly, it was true that among those people, dozens were thinking how stupid he was to even consider offending Marquess Croceaus.


    Among the 48 people, only one decided to follow his principles and honesty, showcasing a very harsh picture of society.


    "Your name?"


    Avendial slowly stood, his deep sapphire eyes looking coldly toward the officer.


    His figure, not overly muscr but fit and impressively tall, was enough to stand on the same level as the police chief, ring at him.


    "It''s Mathew, Mathew Chandler."


    Stopping midway, as he saw the man standing, the police chief replied, feeling an invisible pressure from the Marquess¡ªsomething unnoticeable yet strong enough to make it seem as if the whole hall was filled with his presence.


    "You are fired."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Avendial, without hesitation, dered the fate of the police chief.


    His voice was cold and echoed in the pin-drop silence that followed, as everyone looked toward a scene they would hardly witness in their lives.


    "Huh?"


    Everyone, including the police chief, felt confused, looking toward Avendial, not understanding what he meant.


    "Eh?"


    Aecilia, on the other hand, felt her mouth twitch as she couldn''t believe that she had just witnessed a murder and now saw the dismissal of the police chief from his position, just because he pointed out the criminal.


    This made her see, for the first time, a slightly unfavorable side of the Marquess.


    Of course, she knew the harsh realities of the world, but still, it was true that humanity still existed in this world, which was the reason why humans were called humans.


    In a world of thousands, at least one was kind and possessed honesty to overshadow the 999 others who were evil.


    But she couldn''t help but think if she was going to see that single honest police officer also sumb to the evil¡ªa fate that surely awaited the police officer who at least dared to speak out, unlike others who were just trying to curry favor with Avendial, trying to cling to his status, which was clear to her and even to the Marquess.


    But was the Marquess really going to fire a single honest police officer from his job?


    "You, I want this man fired," Avendial ordered, not even giving others a chance to think.


    The prosecutor immediately took out his phone and began dialing the number of politicians, including the officers, who looked at each other, knowing full well that if they followed their police chief, they would meet the same fate.


    "What?"


    The police chief could only look blindly at Avendial, the man who had just informed him of his firing for trying to uphold justice.


    Instead of receiving support, all the people here seemed to look at him with disdain, even the prosecutors who were on the phone while having conversations.


    They red at him as they used their connections, which took hardly 60 seconds.


    He had lost his job.


    The moment prosecutors hung up the call, he knew it was over.


    All the hard work and dedication he had given to his job would be nothing within a second.


    He lost everything just because he had suggested someone cooperate in an obvious crime, which had been witnessed by several people, some of whom had just moments ago testified to the fact that this man had killed someone.


    Even the CCTV cameras were present, but no one was pointing toward them.


    "Empty this ce and take their phones," Avendial passed by the police chief, who stood there frozen, not moving while staring down at the tiles, lost in thoughts about what he had gotten for being honest and dedicated to his job all these years when it took just a small flick to turn his life upside down.


    Not caring about him, Avendial ordered the officers to clear the area since things were getting out of hand due to the bystanders disturbing him.


    None of these people had caught his eye, making him realize that they were just extras destined to follow the route that wasid out for them.


    He moved toward the reception, taking an empty page from there and scribbling something.


    "Y-yes!"


    Within moments of his instruction, all the officers dashed, emptying the area, pushing people out of the hospital while taking their phones.


    "W-wait?! My husband is admitted here!"


    "No, my sister is in chemotherapy!"


    One after another, individuals cried out, trying to stay, given that they were apanying the patients.


    They couldn''t just leave their rtives alone, needing at least their phones to leave a message or something.


    But it seemed that no police officers were hearing their pleas after the police chief had just been fired.


    Of course, no official statement was made, but did it matter?


    From the prosecutor''s expression and the deration made by the Marquess, it was clear that the police chief was indeed fired.


    "Mathew," Avendial called out, causing everyone, except the man himself, to look in his direction.


    They were slightly taken aback, hearing that name, which had dared to do something so foolish.


    The officers halted in their tracks, and even the prosecutor, who was trying to cover the body with a white cloth, looked over there.


    All were waiting to hear what other consequences this police chief would have to bear for opposing the Marquess.


    "Y-yes," the man who had just be an ordinary citizen after losing his job as a police chief, looking down with lost thought brought by that same chilling sound, which had just written his fate, lifted his gaze looking in that direction, given how he couldn''t afford to offend him any more than he had already done.


    Matthew was not away from the harsh reality of society, but still, seeing how no one was trying to even make a simple effort, he wanted to take initiative and see others motivated by his decision, but all of them were justughing at him from the inside, thinking he was mad or gone insane to even dare to raise his finger against that man.


    So, he, this time, just replied to that voice, turning his gaze with the eyes which were soon going to lose their once pride.


    After being shattered within a few seconds, he looked in the direction of the man, standing while holding a letter, his bony physique and silver hair alone by those deep blue eyes, looking intensely at him as he firmly dered.


    "Join Croceaus Estate as soon as you can and give this letter to anyone there; you will instantly be appointed as chief of guards."


    ''!?!?''


    "Wh-what?!"


    Matthew''s eyes widened, not understanding what he had just heard.


    "Oh my God!!?"


    All the officers, including the people who were leaving through the ss doors, emptying the hall room, were taken abackpletely upon hearing the sudden promotion, which was a dream for most of them. Readtest stories on m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    They all just wanted to gain the favor of Marcos and join his estate.


    "Th-this?!"


    Even the senior prosecutor waspletely taken aback.


    He had never anticipated that the man whom he thought would face dire consequences would receive what the prosecutor himself had worked hard for all his life.

 Chapter 80: Chapter 82- Dr. Wen (1)

    "I-I...?" The police chief hesitated, pointing towards himself in confusion. He kept blinking, trying to process whether Marcus had truly chosen him to join his estate. Not only that, but he had received a personally written letter appointing him as the chief of guards within that territory.


    Naturally, given its status as an area of curiosity, the system employed was widely known. It was characterized by an enablement structure that shared fundamental simrities across most territories, following a feudal system model.


    In this context, the guards who patrolled the territory at night were regarded as the backbone of security, unlike in free cities where a standing military force existed.


    The situation felt akin to obtaining a simr position in the Croesus territory, where he would serve as the chief of guards¡ªjust as he was now a police chief in his own city. However, there was a stark difference between holding the title of police chief of Sector 18 in City A and that of a noble territory, particrly within the Croesus family estate.


    A pressing question arose: why had he been selected for such an esteemed position when other qualified individuals were diligently showcasing their achievements, most notably those in City C? Thetter had produced numerous police chiefs who had transitioned into guards within the Kingdom of Thaloris, all thanks to their hard work and sessful aplishments.


    Indeed, the appointment of numerous police chiefs from City C to serve as guards in the Kingdom of Thaloris had established a noteworthy precedent, positioning this city as the top choice for any candidate eager to take the police examination.


    Many aspired to join the ranks of City C''s police force, where, through sheer dedication and hard work, they eventually climbed to the esteemed rank of police chief. They hoped that such a promotion would lead to further appointments within the noble territories, allowing them to build a better life for themselves.


    While not every candidate found sess, City C enjoyed an impressively low crime rate of only five percent. This achievement was primarily due to the officers'' steadfastmitment to proving their worth. They approached their responsibilities with unwavering honesty and tenacity, relentlessly capturing criminals in their quest to secure positions in the noble territories.


    In stark contrast, Matthew found himself in City A, where he had not excelled in his examinations. Although the city was alive with thriving sectors in Information, Engineering, and Technology (IET) and other emerging fields, it was far from the first choice for aspiring police candidates.


    "Huh? What is happening here?" This unexpected question broke the stillness of the moment, emanating from Dr. Wen as he stepped out of the surgery room, having justpleted aplex surgery entirely on his own, without even the assistance of a nurse.


    Upon arriving outside, he turned his gaze toward a scene unfolding before him, where several police officers were directing individuals out of the hall amidst a rising protest. His attention was drawn to a man who appeared to be from an influential background; the expensive clothing and distinct aura he exuded made it clear.


    "D-Dr. Wen?!"


    "W-Wait, what about the operation?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Suddenly, one after another, the nurse and staff who had previously followed Dr. Fredi out of the operating room felt a chill take hold of their souls. They were paralyzed by the realization of the trouble they hadnded in by leaving Dr. Wen alone to handle the surgery.


    "Tch, why act surprised now? He''s fine," Dr. Wen remarked, his expression betraying not anger towards the staff, but a simmering disappointment. The nurse assisted him in removing his gloves and the green surgical coat while he took off his mask, unable to shake the feeling that their decision had been reckless.


    The staff had prioritized their jobs over the life of a patient¡ªan oversight that weighed heavily on him.


    "Oh my goodness, thank God!"


    "As expected of Dr. Wen!"


    One by one, as they collected the green coat and other surgical attire he had worn, the room filled with a sense of relief. They wiped the sweat from their brows when they realized the man they had left in the operating theatre was still alive and hadn''t sumbed while they had abandoned him. They had been powerless to intervene had things taken a turn for the worse, and the thought was unsettling.


    "So, this doctor performed the surgery alone, huh?" Avendial narrowed his gaze, observing the hospital staff with a critical eye. The sight of them contemting fleeing the operating theatre while leaving a man on the brink of death behind was not lost on him. Yet, he couldn''t muster any sympathy for their plight; his concernsy elsewhere.


    It was clear that he held no admiration for Matthew, the police chief, despite appointing him based on his honesty. That was hardly the motivation at all. What truly drew Avendial to Matthew was his knowledge of the future. He knew that this same Matthew would awaken a powerful ability known as Spartan Roar¡ªan ability Avendial coveted.


    Unlike offensive or defensive powers, Spartan Roar was a support ability, making it all the more valuable in the right hands.


    "Sir, we apologize!" The moment the staff caught sight of Marcus''s icy gaze, they all instinctively bowed at a 90-degree angle, their bodies drenched in sweat.


    The thought of facing the consequences of abandoning a patient sent a wave of panic through them.


    Moreover, they had be acutely aware of Marcus''s values¡ªhe was a man of principle, one who valued honesty and prioritized those who were dedicated to their work.


    Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    "Whatever," Avendial muttered as he handed a letter to Matthew. With a trembling hand, Matthew grasped it, astonishment washing over him.


    In that moment, he held the aspirations of millions of citizens and countless candidates who wished to join the Kingdom of Thaloris, particrly those associated with seven major noble families¡ªamong them, Marquess Croceaus, who ranked third after the duchies.


    "Shift the patients to another hospital," Avendial instructed. He had already assigned this task to the Sertsul family, but it was imperative that he acted swiftly.


    He had no intention of wasting his time dealing with individuals who wouldn''t yield any worthwhile investment in return.


    Consequently, his focus remained trained on finding those he deemed worthy of his attention, not to be the center of praise and attention of many people.


    "Yes, we will do that." Hearing the Marquess''s order, the hospital staff, for a moment, thought how they had definitely offended him by running away from the operating theater. But now, hearing his words, without even thinking, they instantly noted. Not only did they realize that he had just told them to empty the hospital of patients.


    Ethically, it was cruel to just throw out a patient in mid-treatment, but Avendial had just ordered something reckless only to get the hospital empty.


    "Huh? Empty the hospital? What¡ª" Dr. Wen suddenly hearing the instruction from that man and then all the staff members moving and sprinting towards the corridor felt confused, not understanding exactly what they were trying to do.


    Though he had definitely heard this man instructing them to empty the hospital, why were the hospital staff taking his words seriously?


    Like, wasn''t that man only joking?

 Chapter 81: Chapter 83- Dr.Wen (2)

    "Oh, Dr. Wen, that is Marquess Croceaus¡­" One of the staff members, realizing that the doctor might not recognize the man who had just given orders, leaned in closer and whispered the information into his ear.


    ''!''


    ''Croceaus?'' Dr. Wen''s eyes widened as he turned his gaze toward the man in front of him, utterly shocked to see this particr individual there. He found himself frozen, only observing as patients in wheelchairs began to exit the premises one by one.


    "H-hey, what is the meaning of this?" Dr. Wen eximed as he noticed several patients being taken out of their rooms. He reached out and grabbed the arm of one staff member, stopping him in his tracks and refusing to let him remove a patient who still desperately needed care.


    It was bing increasingly apparent to him that these people were quite serious about transferring patients¡ªpatients who, without a doubt, required ongoing treatment. What kind of outrageous order was this?


    "Have you¡ª" Dr. Wen began, turning to address Avendial directly to inquire about the reasoning behind such an order. However, his question was interrupted by the distant sound of multiple ambnces arriving and the sight of dozens of staff members dressed in the uniforms of the well-known hospital from City B, which belonged to the Croceaus Group.


    Each city had its strengths, with City A being renowned for its industrial progress and City B celebrated for its medical expertise, primarily due to the pharmaceutical presence under the Croceaus Group.


    "Move the patients into the ambnces immediately!" one of the senior doctors barked, urgency in his tone. "Quickly, they require urgent changes in treatment. Collect the medical records from this hospital."


    As the staff members streamed in from outside, each demonstrating a high level of professionalism, they began executing their orders. The senior doctor led the charge toward Marquess Croceaus, but unlike others who exchanged pleasantries with him, the staff focused intensely on fulfilling their senior''s directives.


    They stole brief nces at the Marquess, but their attention remained firmly on carrying out their mission.


    "Greetings, Marquess. I apologize for the dy; arranging the treatment procedure took longer than anticipated," the doctor stated before lifting his clipboard. He offered this exnation for the holdup, even though only a half-hour had passed since the instructions were given. Still, for the sake of formality, he included the note. Afterward, he returned to his seat next to Aecilia.


    "Make sure to take the guardians of the patients with them; it will make things much easier to manage," Avendialmanded from his seat behind the doctor. The physician nodded in acknowledgment, catching sight of some patients'' hesitant expressions. Sensing their trepidation, he feltpelled to rify, "Their treatment will be free.


    Provide all necessary procedures under the name of the Croceaus family."


    ''!?!''


    "M-Marquess, how generous of you!" eximed one of the gathered patients.


    "Thank you! Thank you so much, Marquess!" others chimed in, clearly relieved.


    It was only natural that most of these individuals had been concerned about how they could afford the exorbitant hospital bills frequently associated with the renowned facilities, known for their high-tier treatments that even higher government officials sought in emergencies.


    However, Aecilia, observing the scene closely, felt a prickle of suspicion. It seemed impossible for Avendial to spend such a vast sum without some ulterior motive underlying his generosity. What could his true intentions be?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Hm, this couldy the groundwork for our actions,'' Avendial calmly observed the situation where a few hours ago he had ordered the CEO of the Pharma under him to provide free healthcare to other countries, primarily targeting underdeveloped regions.


    While it could cause doubt among those unfamiliar with his character, his charitable actions were sure to attract media attention and headlines.


    This publicity would portray him as a generous, kind-hearted individual who not only aided ident victims but also directed patients to superior treatment options.


    Others should see it as an enlightenment¡ªa revtion Marquess Avendial had while saving someone from an ident¡ªtriggering hismitment to provide free care in a world that sorely needed it.


    This clear, simple rationale would enable his PR teams and online advocates to influence public sentiment.


    They would spin a narrative suggesting that, after witnessing the unfortunate realities of life, Marquess Croceaus had undergone a transformation.


    Avendial would be portrayed as being on a mission to help others to the best of his ability.


    After all, nothing is free in this world.


    Every charity has some motives behind it, like some do free charity to increase the favorability of their religion among others, and some do it unconsciously to appear superior to others.


    But he was simply using the situation which had urred due to the kindness of Aecilia¡ªtrying to save an injured man from an ident¡ªinto something that profited him enormously; in the end, he was a businessman.


    "Sir, about the patient in the ICU, it would be better to have him rest here since he just got through the ident," arriving near Avendial, the doctor informed about Leo, the patient who had just been in an ident, ording to the report he had just read from the hospital and particrly was saved by Marquess Croceaus and Countess Aecilia Sertsul.


    Continue reading at m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    "Hm, leave him then," Avendial only nodded before turning his attention towards Aecilia, who had just cut the call before showing her phone screen to him, where a freshly received message was about the information of Dr. Etrinia.


    ''Huh? Doctor Wen?'', looking towards the phone screen on the second line where the first line showed the name of Dr. Etrinia and the second showed the name of her father, which was written as Doctor Wen.


    ''What the....'', Avendial had already realized which doctor was mentioned here and slowly lifted his head, focusing his line of sight where a doctor was helping the staff of the closest hospital while evacuating the other patients, helping them go through the records and the history of the patients, particrly diligent and helping others in a sincere way.


    Mathew was also standing nearby while helping the patients evacuate, clearly showing his deep respect for the man who had decided to shift these people into a better hospital, though of course there was still a sensation of injustice in his mind, given how a dead body belonging to Doctor Fredi was being removed by the city hospital staff.


    Due to the patient''s evacuation, it appeared no one was going to ask the reason for his request to kill someone; everyone was busy, including him, since at times like this, he couldn''t ck off and lead to problems for other patients. Since they were in mid-treatment and were changing hospitals, they needed the proper record of history and their previous statements.


    "Sigh, where did Dr. Fredi go?" Dr. Wen couldn''t help but remember that arguing young man who was not present here and had left the operating theatre apanied by the staff members yet was not here at the time when, as a higher manager inside the hospital, he needed to keep his eyes focused on helping the patients out and having a better conversation with the other side.


    "....." Prosecutors, officers, and the hospital staff were putting Freddy''s corpse inside a stic bag, looking toward the middle-aged man, who was stretching his wrist as if exhausted from doing all the work himself.


    "....should we tell him?" one of the hospital staff inquired, but only got a stern look from the prosecutor and officers, who were packing the bag as if preparing to remove all the evidence. As they zipped the stic bag.


    Right now, unlike the people from the City B hospital who were helping the patients evacuate with other hospital staff, officers, and prosecutors appeared like criminals who were trying to dispose of the dead body to deal with the case.


    ''25?'' Avendial looked at the age of Dr. Etrinia and lifted his gaze to look towards Dr. Wen as he heard him mention Dr. Fredi, causing him to form a smile as he found a way to secure Etrinia for himself. Once again, in a firm and bold tone directed towards Dr. Wen, he dered, "I killed Dr.


    Fredi."

 Chapter 82: Chapter 84- Unexpected Luck

    "Huh? Sorry?" Dr. Wen appeared to mishear what the voice meant, once again looking in the direction of the Marquess with a confused look.


    "I said, Fredi is dead and I killed him," Avendial said, looking towards Dr. Wen with an intense look slowly forming on his face. As he did, those people who had been paying attention and had halted in their way to look in his direction instantly moved to continue their work, ignoring them as if they were just strangers.


    All of the people there started to walk away, except for Aecilia, of course, who was seated calmly at the back.


    "What? Why?" Dr. Wen felt confused, not understanding why someone of the Marquess''s status would kill someone. Though, of course, looking at the expressions of the police officers as they held a stic bag taking it out from the hospital door, he somewhat believed that it was indeed the case.


    However, it wasn''t long before he could inquire further, as Avendial passed beside him, moving towards the corridor, leaving him standing there in the dim light.


    "How is that patient?" Avendial moved forward as Dr. Wen, seemingly confused, also followed behind, looking around and noticing how no one was paying attention to them.


    He moved as he followed the Marquess, who imed to have killed Fredi and was now not providing him with any answers.


    "...He is out of risk," Dr. Wen replied to the question that the Marquess asked, while his eyes roamed around before settling in front, matching the pace of Avendial. At the end of the corridor, they entered an ICU, opening the door of the room where the patient who had just undergone surgery was lying on a bed. "Here, he is."


    Upon entering, Wen looked towards Leo, who was lying unconscious with an oxygen mask. Due to the effects of anesthesia, he seemed to be in a deep sleep, though out of danger.


    "I see.


    Given his state, he must have needed blood too." Though not having that much trust in his luck, since it was always garbage, Avendial casually mentioned thinking that perhaps today he not only got to kill Fredi, who would have be one of the rats among the humans connected with witch doctors, but also he got his hands on Mathew, who would have awakened a skill called Spartan Roar, a support-type ability.


    Additionally, he also learned about Etrinia, whom he could not afford to lose.


    It was as if today was his lucky day. He didn''t know why, but somehow he felt there was definitely some anomaly here influencing his luck, considering how in his previous life, due to his luck being so poor, he always found himself on edge.


    First, he lost Rivia, then became vulnerable to the royal family, who took the chance topletely suppress him, removing all his influence that he had built over the years, plummeting the Croceaus family down to dirt.


    Then, after the arrival of the tower, when he thought everything would be fine, given how the Cruceaus family started to regain their hold as several loyal members of the family awakened, the royal family sent an assassin, Empyreal, who killed everyone.


    For others, luck is not some kind of talent or ability. For most of them, it''s just a hypothetical assumption where people, not knowing the reason for their gain, just give it a name. In the end, there is nothing like luck or bad luck.


    But for Avendial, who was cursed with bad luck so intense that even after bing the strongest in the tower by gathering the strongest allies, he needed to kill them with his own hands, he knew that luck existed.


    He didn''t need others'' justification to tell him that there is nothing like luck or bad luck.


    And right now, he could conclude clearly that this was more than a mere coincidence that today everything was going much more smoothly than he anticipated.


    Naturally, things which he manipted himself and tried to control and given a good result, he could believe that it was done by his own talent.


    But randomly finding someone on the road having an ident and after saving him, he got so many gains in a single day without needing to roam around the free city to search.


    He was though not 100% sure, but right now, if he got the answer he thought might lead to a not-so-coincident, then it was possible that some variable was influencing his luck today.


    "Yes, we still had stocks of AB+ in the hospital''s blood bank," Dr. Wen not thinking much, replied, looking towards Avendial as he moved towards the patient, his hand pressing the edge of the bed before moving towards the window. But as he said those words, Avendial halted in his path.


    "....AB+, hmm," Avendial hearing Dr. Wen''s revtion that the blood group of this man was the same as his, nced at him for a moment before closing his eyes as if contemting something. Though, of course, his mind from inside was processing things too fast that several hypotheses were going through him.


    As he had thought, this was more than a simple coincidence; Avendial got himself lucky enough to get his hands on someone who carried the same blood group and would be grateful for saving his life, which was evident from this person''s personality. Avendial could conclude at least he would appreciate the help of being saved from death.


    "Leo must have been in a hurry after the news," Suddenly Dr. Wen further added, causing Avendial''s mind to pull out from his thoughts as he was thinking about the variable who could influence his luck to this much extent. But hearing Dr. Wen calling this unknown man whom he saved from the ident by his name, Avendial couldn''t help but narrow his gaze looking at Dr. Wen.


    "Leo? Do you know him?" Avendial inquired, feeling that maybe saving Leo as per the name suggested by Dr. Wen could score him some positive points in Dr. Wen''s eyes, so he could get his daughter to Avendial.


    Indeed, he had already decided to have Dr. Etrinia, no matter what, of course, only if she was the same woman whom he thought she was.


    "Not personally, but I have seen him admitting his mother two days ago in this hospital." Dr. Wen wasn''t much suspicious or thought about it as he informed, knowing well that most likely Avendial would have saved that man in an ident and needed to know as much information about him as possible.


    So he informed from the memory he had about two days ago when this construction worker had arrived while bringing his mother for treatment. Of course, at that time, due to wearing normal clothes, he couldn''t tell that this was the same guy until he cleared his head and face to do the surgery.


    "Mother?" Avendial hearing the information from Dr. Wen slightly with narrowed eyes nced towards the unconscious Leo in his patient uniform with a mask on as if something clicked inside of Avendial''s mind. A smile bloomed as he muttered, "Can I get reports of his mother''s illness?"


    "Yes, I will tell..." Dr. Wen was about to add how he would say or order some staff to bring it here but realizing that everyone was busy due to the instruction given by this man holding the position of renowned Marquess, he decided to go himself, "I will bring it myself."


    .


    .n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    In City A, which is divided into several sectors, each has its particr specialty. Although there is no hierarchy between them, each sector is known for its specific advantages, such as farnd in some sectors, industrialization in others, and factories for weapons or furniture.


    Among these sectors, Sector 1 in particr is home to several major families within City A. Given the enormous expense of City A itself, the distance between sectors is quite significant, with the distance between Sector 1 and Sector 18 being about 170 miles. Enjoy exclusive chapters from m-v l''e|-NovelBin


    City A was nned in a semi-circryout, with sectors radiating outward from a central hub.


    Sector 1, located near the core, houses the residences of major families, while Sector 18, an economic hub with thergest airport, is positioned on the outskirts.


    The sectors are arranged by function, with residential andmercial areas closer to the center and industrial sectors farther out.


    This design ensures smooth transportation between sectors, with a distance of about 170 miles between Sector 1 and Sector 18, reflecting the city''s vastness and efficient organization.


    Within Sector 1, which is set at a further expense, the town nning is rtively standardpared to other cities in different countries.


    Though the terminology is different due to the Arinphiam Empire''s unique system, these are small pieces ofnd epassing an area of 50,000 miles, filled with skyscrapers, modern highways, hotels, hospitals, and all the facilities one could imagine¡ªall part of the home of major families.


    Among such families, the mansion belonging to the Diego family stands out. They are one of the majorpetitors and influential families in most of the businesses in City A.


    Inside one of the cars racing down the highway towards the mansion, thene ispletely empty, with the passing vehicles appearing no less than luxurious, showcasing the living standards of the people here.


    As the vehicle drifts down the highway, it takes a turn and arrives at an extravagant architectural masterpiece identified as a mansion, guarded by several armed guards. The design isparably modern.


    "Show your identity," one of the guards states as he stops the ck sedan. As the door slowly slides down, a woman is revealed, wearing sses and ab coat over a floral skirt that appropriately covers her. She nces at the guard.


    "It''s Dr. Etrinia from City A''s City Hospital," the woman replies in a smooth yet impassive voice. The guard nods before opening the door, allowing her to enter the premises.

 Chapter 83: Chapter 85- First Experiment (1)

    ''A doctor with four years of experience, graduated at 19, published five medical papers, led three international research teams, won four global awards for surgical innovations, and received four invitations from the Royal Kingdom.'' Standing near the window, looking at the phone screen, Avendial, alone inside the ICU with an unconscious body lying on the bed, read through the information he had received about Dr.


    Etrinia on the phone screen belonging to Aecilia, scrolling as he went through all the important information about her achievements and the significant values she had achieved at the mere age of 23.


    Naturally, for someone achieving such a feat at the age of 23, it could be considered a prodigy, making it clear that this woman was the same one whom Avendial was searching for. But the question arose here: how would he be able to persuade her to join his side?


    From the beginning, he had prepared two sets to categorize individuals: the first would be those who could be forced into submission without any need for their approval, while the second would involve those who needed to have free will and join him on their own initiative.


    Simply put, if someone possessed a healing ability, forcing them into bing a ve healer would not be a big deal, given how, even in a previous life, there were instances where people with only healing abilities were treated as ves by several strong individuals. Instead of pursuing their ability through consent, one could just threaten their life to make them heal someone.


    But this wasn''t the case with people who possessed fighting abilities, as forcing them would only lead to problems. At the lowest times, they could easily betray.


    This was the reason why Avendial was searching for individuals prior to the appearance of the Tower, mostly those possessing abilities that could not be forced to submit to him or to use his influence.


    Given that time was too short, considering he had to search the whole globe within a year and recruit people without raising the suspicion of the royal family.


    The task in itself was like searching for a perfectly round and shaped stone among an enormous sea beach¡ªthere were several stones present there, but they existed far away from each other, and not each of them had a perfect shape.


    And right now, he was talking about the whole globe, which contained billions of people. Initially, he had thought it would take him a few weeks to at least get his hands on a single powerful, awakened individual.


    But somehow, within one and a half days of his arrival, it seemed he had struck luck as everything was going very smoothly, without any problems.


    To be honest, he and his luck had a real enmity with each other. So it was impossible to blindly believe that everything was going smoothly just because he had returned to the past.


    It was the same as a professional fisherman fishing from a boat; he was definitely catching fish, but some of them were jumping into his boat on their own ord.


    Though with all these observations, his mind was right now filled with several things regarding Dr. Etrinia, Lin Diego, and his first experiment, Leo, lying on the bed, carrying his blood type. But he had enough space to link every fortunate happening today with a single person who could be a variable in all these events.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Aecilia?'' Avendial thought about all the variables that could influence his luck this time, and among them, he could only give credit to the woman who had first chosen to save a man who had gotten into an ident, even though she came from a noble background. But of course, it was just a hypothesis.


    However, Avendial was not one to reject even a minor doubt that arose in his mind, prompting him to put the luck aspect to the back of his mind while deciding to confirm it tomorrow.


    Of course, he was going to confirm it by not bringing Aecilia with him and seeing how things went the next day.


    Additionally, seeing how the Sotso family could get information regarding Dr. Etrinia this soon, but not Lin Diego, it was clear that the central government was supporting the Sotso family with all their might. Given that Avendial himself was involved in this case, it appeared this wasn''t the same for Lin Diego, who most likely belonged to a noble family.


    ording to the information they had gotten about Lin Diego from college documents and simr sources, it was clear that Lin''s mother was a noblewoman married to a man from the Free City. But what exactly that noble family was and their connections was what Avendial needed to know.


    "So, you woke up?" Avendial, noticing the movement behind him, turned towards Leo, whose eyes fluttered as he slowly came to, exhausted, observing the ceiling of the room, trying to understand where he was.


    "....Th...an..k," Leo murmured, hearing the voice of the man who seemed to have saved him from the ident. From hisst memories, being in this situation made Leo understand that this man had most likely paid his hospital bills. It was evident that people usually leave those who got into idents alone.


    "Your mother would get world-ss treatment at a better hospital," Avendial said, ncing at a file ced on the nearby drawer, which Dr. Wen had delivered himself.


    After discovering that Leo''s mother had stage four cancer, Avendial had ordered Dr. Wen to personally apany her to the Kingdom of Thaloris.


    Initially, Dr. Wen had protested against being sent to the Croceaus family''s territory.


    However, when Avendial assured him that he only needed to convey the details of that woman''s health condition to the doctors avable in the hospital exclusively for the treatment of Croceaus family members, he relented.


    Upon hearing Avendial''s words, Dr. Wen, who had only heard about the specialists and professionals avable within the Kingdom of Thaloris being on another levelpared to those in the Free City, and considering how Avendial was going this far to provide treatment for a frail, dying old woman at his residence, decided to make a trip to Croceaus Estates.


    This was certainly in line with Avendial''s expectations, as he had already observed Dr. Wen''s personality, which was clearly professional but sympathetic towards those genuinely in need.


    It was evident from the fact that he was the only one who stayed to treat Leo, a construction worker, and he didn''t even show any reaction when he heard Dr. Fredi had been killed.


    From all these observations, it was very easy to trap someone like Dr. Wen.


    Now, Avendial had Dr. Etrinia''s father as a hostage in case she tried to choose to be in the first category for Avendial¡ªa category of people designated to be used by force.


    It was a kidnapping without any retaliation, simr to offering candy to a child before abducting him.


    ".....I...see," Leo was taken aback after hearing about the mention of his mother, but he didn''t show extreme reaction or shock given that he couldn''t even move a finger of his body. He was clearly in a state that was equal to being dead. While his eyes remained fixed towards the ceiling, he could only think of this all being some kind of dream. Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelBin

 Chapter 84: Chapter 86- First Experinent (2)

    After all, how could he expect to get into an ident and then meet someone who would be generous enough to not only provide him treatment but also his mother?


    From birth, Leo''s luck waspletely opposite to his favor. His father died, his mother worked herself to exhaustion, he was mediocre in studies, not even able to pass high school, and ultimately dropped out, deciding to do manualbor.


    For someone as unlucky as him, having a chance to meet an average person, or as if all the luck saved in his life was concentrated into a single day, was not something he could digest, causing him to mutter beneath the oxygen mask, "W...hhy?"


    The simple question escaping his mouth was a plea to know why someone like that person would help a man like him. Though of course he understood everything was a coincidence, and he was just being pitied by a generous and kind man, he still expected to be of some use to that person.


    Born into a poor family and growing up with a body that wasn''t talented, he always bore the burden of responsibilities on his shoulders, and naturally, he couldn''t now bear another burden of being helped by someone without returning something in exchange.


    "I am Marquess Avendial Croceaus," Avendial said without hesitation,ing closer to the bed with his eyes cold and unrelenting, looking down at Leo as if a predator looking at an ant. He watched Leo with a clear hint of pressure emanating from his very presence.


    This was not some superpower Avendial had, but an effect of his name and cold demeanor, which was enough to send a chill down Leo''s spine.


    ''M-marquess?!'' Leo''s eyes widened, his pupils contracting. They trembled rapidly as he heard the name of the man who saved him, despair and helplessness surrounding his mind as he realized how much of a joke his thought of being useful to this man had been.


    The man gazing down at him like a mountain was not simply a random rich person but one holding enough strength to influence the economy of several countries, someone whose mere name was enough to control the share market.


    Leo, a mere construction worker, how could he possibly be of any help to this man, who could afford millions of Leos for himself?


    A joke.


    Once again, Leo''s life seemed to y a cruel joke on him, burdening him with the help of someone whose assistance he could never repay, even if he sacrificed his life.


    Another burden for him to bear for a lifetime.


    "You want to be of some help to me?" Avendial, having seen too many individuals to at least be able to read their facial expressions, noted Leo''s clenched jaw and haggard breath, as his heartbeat raced. He could clearly understand that this particr man was someone who would be suitable for his first experiment.


    "....y..es..," Leo murmured hoarsely, unaware of how he could be of any help, while controlling his breath. He was fighting for his life; the pain from the surgical wounds, though subdued by painkillers, was still overwhelming.


    He was emotionally shattered, feeling like a useless man who couldn''t help his mother, who, if not for him, would have never contracted an incurable disease despite all the technological advancements.


    "Then survive this," Avendial said in a cold voice, as if looking at a devotee praying to be of some help to his God. He slowly took out an injection from his pocket, which contained blood.


    A few moments ago, after sending Dr. Wen to prepare for his departure to Croceaus territory, Avendial had drawn his own blood. He knew it was time to test if his first test subject would be a worthwhile investment.


    Of course, being cautious, he did it without being seen by others, knowing very well that doing this in front of Leo could jeopardize the secrecy of his blood''s value, which could lead to a catastrophe.


    After all, the royal family would go to any length if they learned that his blood could awaken individuals.


    ''...Injection?'' Leo, while barely looking at the injection in Avendial''s hand, initially thought that the content inside the injection resembled blood he had seen several times from idents on construction sites. But above all, how could he possibly be of help with that?


    ''!!?!''


    "H...hh." Leo''s eyes widened as he saw Avendial directly injecting that red fluid into his hand. The slight pain was not something he felt difort with, but the issue was the nature of the substance he was being injected with.


    Something was wrong here.


    He wanted to be of some help but definitely not by bing a guinea pig.


    Beep beep beep.


    Suddenly, the sound of machines inside the room soared as Leo''s heartbeat began to rapidly increase, hitting the mark of 232 in an instant and continuing to rise.


    Thump thump.


    "Kughh¡ª?!" Leo''s body convulsed violently, his limbs thrashing as though gripped by unseen chains that tore at him from every angle.


    "Khh...Aaarghh!" His scream tore through the sterile hospital air, raw and broken, the sound of a man caught in the jaws of a beast.


    His eyes bulged as bloodshot veins cracked across the whites, filling his vision with a hellish red. His skin flushed a deep crimson, burning as if set ame from the inside, the pain gnawing at his nerves, twisting them until his body felt as if it was breaking beneath it.


    "Khwahh! Khwack!" He coughed and gagged, thick dark blood spraying from his mouth and nose, sttering the hospital sheets in a grotesque disy of his suffering.


    His chest rose and fell with desperate, ragged breaths, but the oxygen mask felt like a cage, suffocating him further; every inhale was a war against the fire scorching his lungs.


    Thump thump thump.


    His heart pounded wildly, the rhythm thundering in his ears, almost as if it was trying to escape his chest.


    The monitors beside him beeped in frantic chaos, echoing the rapid, out-of-control beating of his heart, which was now pushing 280, threatening to break.


    ''Will he survive this?'' Avendial, well aware that this room was soundproofed¡ªgiven that Dr. Wen could not hear anything a few moments ago¡ªwas assured that no one would disturb them, but the issue was whether Leo would be able to survive this.


    "AaaaRRrrrGgggHHHH!!!"


    The horrifying sound of his own bones breaking under the pressure of the unknown fluid made his body jerk violently on the bed.


    Crack.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His spine arched unnaturally, his back lifting off the bed as the sound of bones grinding against one another filled the room.


    The unbearable sensation of his bones bending and stretching, as though they were being torn apart from within, made him scream again.


    "Arrghhh! Make it stop!" His voice was shredded, raw from the relentless cries of agony.


    drip drip


    Blood gushed from his ears, trickling down his face, pooling around his head as blood flowed from his facial orifices.


    His eyes watered with crimson tears, rolling down his face and dripping onto the pillow as they mixed with the blood oozing from his nose.


    His head mmed back against the bed, his jaw clenched so hard his teeth felt like they were grinding into dust.

 Chapter 85: Chapter 87- Leos Awakening (1)

    Synergy is a unique form of energy that can adapt itself to different types of power systems, functioning in various ways depending on how it''s used.


    For instance, it can serve as mana for those who wield magic or as internal energy for those who rely on physical strength.


    What makes Synergy remarkable is its ability to equalize these diverse energy forms, much like a universal force that aligns with each user''s needs.


    This energy didn''t always exist in its current form ¡ª it evolved. Through the merging of different world systems, the Tower analyzed countless types of energy: mana, demonic energy, divine energy, and many others.


    Bybining the core principles of each, Synergy was created ¡ª a singr energypatible with all systems, much like electricity in the physical world.


    Think of electricity: it powers many different devices ¡ª heating, lighting, motion ¡ª yet remains the same energy at its core.


    Electricity can be transformed into heat in a stove, light in a bulb, or kic energy in a fan.


    Synergy works the same way.


    It doesn''t be other forms of energy, but it delivers simr results based on how it''s used by an Evolver.


    It adapts its input and output to mimic the energy required ¡ª be it for magic, strength, or something else.


    For most Evolvers, Synergy is a versatile tool.


    To understand, one couldpare Evolvers with batteries, storing Synergy and channeling it into various powers, whether casting spells or enhancing their physical capabilities.


    However, there exists another group called Empyreals.


    Empyreals are unique in that their bodies respond to Synergy in apletely different way.


    For them, Synergy awakens a dormant trait, turning it into a powerful ability.


    It''s as if Synergy bes a fuel source for this specific trait, activating and amplifying it.


    One couldpare this to an air conditioner: it cools a room, but it needs electricity to function.


    The air conditioner can''t use electricity for anything other than cooling, just like an Empyreal can only use Synergy for their specific power.


    Evolvers, on the other hand, are more like rechargeable batteries. They can power multiple devices, so to speak, but they still need Synergy to charge them up before they can ess their different abilities.


    In summary, Synergy is universal energy that can adapt and support various forms of power, whether through magic, physical strength, or unique abilities. Its versatility is what allows different Evolvers and Empyreals to tap into its potential in ways suited to their strengths.


    Though, of course, no one except Avendial, right now in this world, is aware of these things in such depth.


    Researchers under the Royal Family, who have had the privilege of essing Synergy and its practical avability in the form of Empyreals, have somewhat been able to understand these facts.


    If Avendial could recall correctly, they would not be able to distinguish between the energy used by Evolvers or Empyreals, typically thinking that both are using different kinds of Synergy.


    But in truth, standing in front of the bed while looking down at Leo''s body, which seemed to be breaking from the inside, as if Avendial''s blood was reacting with his, contradicted this fact.


    So presently, even with the resources and scientists under the Royal Family, due to not having enough raw Synergy present in the atmosphere, it was not possible for them to conduct thorough research.


    Even if they used some Empyreals, the energy samples would be different and would make them unable to understand why Synergy was reacting differently for different people.


    At least until the Tower arrives and the existence of Internal Energy, Mana, and other forms of widely known fantasy novel energy show their existence, it was impossible for the scientists under the Royal Family to find a single trait and understand how Synergy actually showed different properties.


    Unaware that it was adapting to the user''s needs.


    "Crrrrkkk!!"


    Leaving the thought of what the Royal Family might know about theplete details of Synergy, Avendial focused on the present situation. Not caring about them, given they would also, after a year, be able to know all those things which he knows about Synergy.


    "Are you going to just die, Leo?


    Aren''t you a pathetic weakling who can''t even face life''s challenges and wants to escape this life through death?" Looking down at Leo''s face, now covered with green veins and a visible crimson flush, with nerves filling the whole face and appearing to pop out of his skin, clearly showing his pain through the sunken eyes that seemed about to pop out of their sockets, Avendial, with a narrowed gaze and a mocking tone, taunted Leo, who was fighting against the pain assaulting his body.


    ''Kugh....th-this!?'', Leo, on the other hand, felt his whole body bing numb, enough that he could hardly hear anything except the voice of the man. Though it was lower than a whisper for him, whose ears were ringing, he still heard how, after injecting some kind of poison or something, Leo was being mocked, as if he was trying to escape.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wasn''t it the poison he was injected with by this man that was taking his life?


    How could Leo be at fault if he couldn''t even win against a poison?


    He knew he was dying, but this death was definitely not peaceful. And it was not until he heard how this man, iming to be Marquess Croceaus, was this much of a psychopath, not even human.


    ''N-no, I can''t die like this!'', Leo, who had watched several movies where it was shown how noblemen had the habit of tormentingmoners.


    Though of course he had always thought those were fictions, today, seeing how he was going through this intense pain because of this man who had injected some kind of hellish poison which was burning his body inside, he clearly realized that the so-called Marquess Croceaus had a kink for tormenting people.


    "Kugh! I can''t die, Damn it!", Leo yelled out, his oxygen mask falling off his body, his back arching as if his whole body was going through the intense pain of reconstruction. His bones and muscles were tearing, aligning in different directions with organs, being cursed as if something unknown, an alien was changing his body form from the inside, causing intense pain.


    ''A physical type'', Avendial thought, looking down at Leo, clearly able to see his body arching abnormally and understanding that the type of ability that Leo was about to awaken was a physical type ability.


    Naturally, Avendial''s blood doesn''t have some kind of effect to awaken someone or some special hidden ability, but it just nullifies the Synergy¡ªhis entire body fluid does the same.


    For over 700 years, this Synergy had existed in the world, and while certain individuals like Evolvers or Empyreals were born due to their bodies being more sensitive to it, the general poption had developed a natural resistance.


    This resistance, though minor, prevented most people from ever realizing they carried such energy within their bodies or from experiencing any form of awakening.


    Avendial''s blood first nullified all the remnants of Synergy in a person''s body, but that particr Synergy, due to its property of versatility, had evolved and be a part of their gics, passed down through generations in all these people.


    It acted as a neutral agent to keep their bodies from bing more sensitive to exposure from outside Synergy, which was increasing rapidly over the years.


    However, due to the evolution not being that strong, the people, in particr, within a year after being exposed to an enormous amount of Synergy¡ªwhich will arise due to the arrival of the Tower¡ªwill trigger their awakening and neglect their negligible resistance, which would have worked if only a little amount of Synergy was present.


    But in front of an enormous amount, they would start to awaken.


    But here, Avendial''s blood had just nullified that Synergy infused in Leo''s DNA, breaking that minimum resistance his body had and preventing him from awakening.

 Chapter 86: Chapter 88- Leos Awakening (2)

    Half an hourter,


    "Are you awake?" A voice reached Leo''s ears while his eyes, which kept looking towards the ceiling, not losing his consciousness even after all this pain, was already a miracle. But right now, he was feeling healthier than ever. However, due to the remnants of sensation that his mind lingered on, he was still in shock. Explore more at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    "Yes, what was that?" Leo, turning his head, which, unlike he expected, didn''t even feel a slight bit ufortable due to the ident, looked towards the window, where a man with folded hands was looking in his direction. The bridge of his silver hair was tousled, revealing the deep blue eyes that gazed back at Leo.


    "Nothing but a chance," Avendial observed Leo, who was lying on the patient''s bed, his woundspletely healed and his body back to its previous condition, showing no hint of awakening. There were no physical changes around Leo''s body; he appearedpletely normal, given his physique with well-defined muscles and a well-built form made due to his profession as a construction worker.


    But for Avendial, who could see that this man had awakened, it was a sess. Though of course he didn''t know which type of ability Leo had awakened, Avendial''s first experiment was not about getting the strongest awakened but rather confirming his theory.


    In his previous life, due to the tower, there was no need for his blood to be used to awaken someone, as most people were awakened through the tower''s influence. There were some women whom he had helped using different bodily fluids, but still, it was just a theory he had devised regarding his blood, which was also a body fluid, helping others to awaken.


    Though he wouldn''t have been that sure if his blood could awaken someone, given how it could make someone permanently immune to Synergy, he had learned that his bodily fluid, after being detached from his body, would most likely hold the property of nullifying it for only a mere 60 seconds.


    Due to this particr property, he became more certain that there was a possibility of awakening an individual. The issue was that he needed to confirm it practically on someone, and he just got a perfect candidate¡ªLeo.


    "Chance?" Leo slowly stood from his bed, clearly healed, removing the needle from his wrist and standing on his feet. He could feel his body was back to its original form, realizing that whatever that poison was, it was some kind of healing potion that hadpletely healed him.


    He looked towards Avendial in surprise, given that this man not only saved him but also used some kind of medicine to heal him, where previously Leo had thought that after the ident he would most likely be ipatible for construction.


    "You are hired as my bodyguard from this moment on," Avendial said, not wasting much time to converse with Leo. Given there was no other way to confirm what ability he possessed, Avendial just made his way outside the room, passing beside Leo, who was taken aback, then ncing nkly at the back of Avendial as he halted near the door, resting his hand in his pocket.


    "Leo, I saved your life, and I want you to be my bodyguard until you save mine," Avendial Halding noticed that Leo was still contemting everything. He thought of an instant solution to make this man at least follow him for a while. After that, he would deal ordingly once he learned what awakened ability Leo had.


    The solution he thought of was to use some emotional gimmicks or words to keep Leo in shadow for some time until Avendial could subdue Aria.


    In conclusion, Avendial''s priority was to give Aria a double awakening and help her awaken the ability called All-Seeing Eyes.


    In his previous life, this was the ability Aria possessed, where she was able to see others''plete states, including their talents and names¡ªeverything¡ªthough she awakened that ability at the end of her life when revealing she could see others'' titles.


    So, Avendial would act before time, instead of letting her fall into a threatening situation and go through a double awakening. He would attempt to use his bodily fluid to give her that double awakening.


    Of course, he needed much of that fluid since she was already awakened and additionally was a woman, which was why blood was out of the question here.


    He had confirmed that he could awaken an individual, and now he just needed to confirm if he could also give a double awakening to someone.


    "Wh-what? But why me?" Leo was confused, not understanding why a simple man like him, with no training, should be chosen as the bodyguard of someone of the rank of Marquess Croceaus, who could easily hire professional secret service agents and other professionals to protect him.


    "Because you will be loyal," Avendial left the room while stating the words in a firm tone, as if threatening Leo. Though Leo was unaware of his situation, for Avendial, it was inevitable that Leo had to be loyal to him; otherwise, Leo would first need to see his mother''s dead body, and then afterwards, he would die a death worse than the pain he just went through.


    "....." Leo stood there alone inside the room, watching the door automatically close behind Avendial as he left. He slowly turned his gaze downward, looking at his palm, where once-existing scars and marks from construction work hadpletely vanished, leaving behind smooth and healthy skin.


    Clenching his fist, he nced around to find his dirty construction clothes nearby before moving to change into his clothes.


    epting himself as Marquess Avendial''s bodyguard.


    ----n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Is it true?" Aecilia sat in the nearly empty hospital hall, where only a few doctors and hospital staff moved about, attending to patients and sharing medical histories with colleagues arriving from Croceaus hospitals. She was focused on the phone in her hand, having just received some rather surprising information.


    "Fine..." Aecilia ended the call and was about to stand up when she spotted Avendial approaching her in the hallway. As she slowly rose from her seat, she noticed something unusual: the man she had saved earlier that day was walking on his own two feet and appeared to be in surprisingly good health as he trailed behind the Marquess.


    "What happened?" Avendial asked, ignoring the onset of night as it edged closer to 7:00 PM. He cast a nce toward Aecilia, who now wore a look of concern, her eyes betraying her worry about Leo''s condition. Despite the advancements in medical technology, it was indeed unusual for someone who had just survived such a serious ident to appear this well.


    To steer her away from inquiring about Leo, he opted to ask instead.


    "Ah? That''s..." Aecilia paused, narrowing her gaze as she realized Avendial was deliberately trying to redirect her attention, preventing her from probing deeper into the man''s condition. Taking a deep breath, she chose to go along with his distraction, revealing, "Lin Diego is part of the Ravan family."


    ''!?!''


    ''Wh-what?'' Avendial''s eyes widened in shock as hisposed demeanor crumbled, reced by evident bewilderment at the mention of the Ravan family.

 Chapter 87: Chapter 89- Ravan Family (1)

    "Ravan family?" Avendial recalled this familiar name, one he had be all too acquainted with due to his conflicts against them in his past life.


    Following the dismantling of Lin Diego''s faction and dealing with various opponents, Avendial had inevitably endured several losses on his side as well.


    However, these losses were manageable; his strategies had prepared him well for the possibility of third parties seeking to exploit the situation.


    Among all the third parties he anticipated would take advantage of the chaos, the Ravan Duchy had been the most unexpected.


    They stood just below the Royal family in the feudal hierarchy and wielded significant resources at the time.


    It was a battle between Avendial''s wit and Ravan''s absolute strength.


    The oue was predetermined.


    "I also didn''t expect Lin Diego''s mother to be from the Ravan family," Aecilia mused, tilting her head slightly and closing her eyes in contemtion. It struck her as odd that Lin Diego would belong to such a particr noble lineage.


    The Ravan Duchy waspletely outside of expectations, especially since their daughter had married someone outside the kingdom of Thaloris.


    The Ravan family was renowned across Thaloris for their deeply entrenched traditional values, which evolved around a feudal system that prioritized noble bloodlines.


    Given the circumstances, one might assume they would never allow their daughter to wed outside their noble ranks. Yet, it was perplexing that they consented to such a union, even if it did involve amoner.


    Though, of course, there wasn''t any feudal system where ves ormoners could be considered a word in present modern times.


    However, due to the inheritance of ancestral properties and assets, noble families still remained top of hierarchy. Even if one noble family stood at the lowest end of the hierarchy in the kingdom of Thaloris, they possessed enough wealth to stand toe to toe with the richest men of the Free City.


    This created a hint of superiority existing among the nobility, so while there were very few, they still followed the trend of considering the lower section asmoners.


    ''Will the Sertsul family be able to get the details about the inside conspiracy?'' Avendial was quite hesitant, considering that if a Duke family like the Ravans were involved, then it would be impossible for anyone to gather information that was highly kept secret, let alone the matters which even he wasn''t aware of in his past life.


    Indeed, even in his past life, Avendial was not aware of why the Ravans were reacting this intensely over his battle against a faction that was definitely led by a few rising prodigies born from the Free City with no rtionship of them with Kingdom of Thaloris.


    Inside the Tower, the categorization had already been divided. The Royal family, even prior to the tower, had ess to Empyreals, which allowed them to establish a hierarchy even within the tower. ording to their orders, the division of people was based on two types: those from Free Cities and those from royal lineage.


    The factions were established inside, allowing noblemen and their families to participate and gain benefits from learning more about Empyreals, which the royal family provided in exchange for their loyalty.


    In the Tower of Unknown, where monsters and different worlds were revealed one after another, it was impossible for anyone not to side with the person who held the most information and knowledge.


    And that''s how one of the top factions, which belonged to four dukes, seemed to be already informed about the arrival of the tower ten days prior.


    Indeed, even the royal family seemed to know about the arrival of something unknown only a month before it actually happened.


    From this, Avendial concluded that the royal family may have ess to Empyreals, but they did not know about the other world¡ªor, most likely, they only came to know about it when the density of Synergy in the atmosphere increased dramatically.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The first family to withdraw all their assets and purchase every weapon and item avable in the market was the Ravan family, who were the weapon and ammunition suppliers of the Arinphiam Empire, holding all the major military projects under them, including fighter jets and several modern weapons manufactured in their factories.


    Avendial could still vividly recall that within ten days, the Ravan family had mobilized all their manpower to create weapons like crossbows and swords. This sudden shift from producing modern weapons to traditional ones was confusing.


    At the time, due to such signs from the four major duke families, Avendial also cautiously hoarded a few swords and weapons in advance just to be safe.


    But for now, from the fact that they were the ammunition supplier, it was clear that Duke Ravans held arge amount of influence in the Empire, and for them to provide backing to the person whom Avendial wanted to get rid of just made things even more interesting.


    In his past life, he wasn''t able to understand why the Ravan family was so desperate for some unknown person. But now, he realized that Lin Diego was rted to the Ravan family.


    "What''s Lin''s mother''s position in her family?" Avendial suddenly thought about the fact that, suspiciously, though at that time he didn''t think of it, given he didn''t even know Lin Diego was rted to the Ravan family, he just pondered why, when he was going against the faction belonging to Diego, the Ravan family didn''t show up at that time to help them.


    Instead, after Lin died, they just tried to take revenge, and seeing their desperation as they chased after him throughout the tower made it clear that there was some intense hatred instilled within them.


    By cing all the puzzle pieces together, Avendial was able to understand that most likely there was some sudden change ured in Ravan family at that time.


    "She is the sister of the present duke of the Ravan family and also would have the first choice for that position," Aecilia slowly opened her eyes, ncing behind Avendial, looking towards Leo. Her mind was still not understanding how someone could heal this soon.


    While she kept her information vague, knowing well that there was no reason for her to exin all these things to Avendial, given he would be able to conclude other things based on this piece of information.


    And true to her expectations, Avendial was able to deduce that, most likely, the present Duke of the Ravan family would have given his sister a choice to choose between her love and the position of Duchess.


    Everything seemed to make more sense now, considering once Avendial killed Lin Diego, most likely his mother would have taken over the Ravan family and wanted to take revenge for her son by killing Avendial.


    Discover hidden stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    "Hm, how is she right now?" Avendial couldn''t just ignore the fact that, let alone him, even Aecilia Sertsul seemed to be surprised by this piece of information, making it clear that the Ravan family had tried to hide all these things as much as possible, and most likely the condition for banishment from the Kingdom of Thaloris would be for Lin Diego''s mother to remainpletely isted to stop the information from going outside as much as possible.


    "She is ill and bedridden," Aecilia replied. From the narrowed gauge of Avendial, she could at least decipher that he was able to understand the drama going on inside the Ravan family regarding the heir battle, so she directly came to the major information that he might appreciate," Also, Dr. Etrinia is the one treating her"

 Chapter 88: Chapter 90- Aecilias Responsibilities

    ''How amusing,'' Aecilia thought. She couldn''t help but feel amused by the fact that, after struggling all day to understand why he was trying to gather information on two different individuals¡ªLin Diego and Dr. Etrinia¡ªsuddenly, it became clear that they were part of a major n already set into action by the man known as Marquess Avendial Croceaus.


    After thest night''s aphrodisiac event, where she herself wanted to exact revenge on the royal family for their meddling, she never expected that the Marquess had alreadyid all the groundwork¡ªcollecting money, assembling an army, hoarding weapons, and targeting one of the duke families¡ªjust because of what Prince Orion had done.


    She couldn''t help but fall in love with this man all over again, thinking about how dangerous he was and howpetent he was to orchestrate this n, even going so far as to uncover the secret child of the Ravan family and the doctors who treated that child''s mother, creating a pathway to destroy the Ravans.


    Once the Marquess destroys the Ravan family, not only will the Arinphiam Empire lose 30% of its ammunition supplies, but Prince Orion, who is supported by the Ravan family, will lose his biggest ally.


    As she pieced together all the information, an electric shock coursed through her body. She couldn''t fathom how smart and cunning this man was, always remaining ten steps ahead of everyone, causing her to mumble, "You are really dangerous, Marquess."


    "Huh?" Avendial''s narrowed gaze rxed as he stared nkly at Aecilia for a moment, his eyebrows twitching as he blinked, trying to make sense of everything happening to him today.


    After seeing the smirk on Aecilia''s face, he was certain she thought he was nning all of this against the royal family.


    ''Wasn''t I a viin?'' Avendial, who had gone through situations where nothing ever went right, couldn''t understand why his luck was behaving so oddly now.


    He couldn''t digest the fact that everything he hadn''t nned was also falling into line, as if luck was on his side¡ªlike putting a golf ball in front of him while waiting for him to strike it, rather than him having to search for other golf balls, which were automatically arriving in front of him.


    Naturally, never once in his past life had things been this easy. Wouldn''t he be doing ten times more hard work just to search for people around him?


    Initially, he had thought to manipte Aria, to get her to help him discern the abilities of awakeners, understanding what types of abilities they possessed and how to recruit them.


    However, how could he have known that by saving a poor man from an ident and bringing him to the hospital, he would acquire his first awakened pawn and eliminate a future hassle?


    Let alone the fact that he had confirmed his theoretical experimentation of awakening someone through his blood; he also gained another potential individual for awakening in the form of the police chief of Sector 18.


    Let''s assume he was slightly lucky today, which he somehow epted as true.


    Then he found out that Dr. Etrinia was also present in this hospital.


    Okay, let''s for a moment ept this one too.


    But all this nonsense he heard was not merely coincidence.


    ''Is she really... no,'' Avendial thought of Aecilia for a moment, observing her mischievous expression and the hint of amusement in her eyes. He truly felt tempted to consider her a lucky charm for a moment but instantly dismissed that idea, knowing he couldn''t reach any conclusions without confirming them tomorrow.


    Let''s suppose that even if Aecilia could be considered a lucky bringer for him, all the events of today could just be coincidence...


    ''No...'' Avendial, even though he wanted to think of everything that was happening today as coincidence, just rejected that notion. This was more than just a mere coincidence; he had found a way to gain control over the Ravan family.


    "It''s fine, Marquess, I understand," Aecilia said, now aware that the Marquess wanted to keep things secret from her while not wanting to endanger her by revealing how he was preparing to go against the royal family (from her perspective).


    "I don''t think..." Avendial observed Aecilia as she brushed her fingers through her hair, tossing it in a way that made it dance mid-air while her golden eyes looked at him amusingly, her ck lipstick pressed between her lips, clearly giving her a bold appearance. He instantly knew that she definitely didn''t understand anything.


    "By the way, how is this thing still alive?" Aecilia, noticing how her words pressured the Marquess into revealing his grand secret n to take over the royal family, changed the topic and gestured toward Leo with her eyes.


    ''Th-thing...?'' Leo thought. Though he didn''t grasp what these people were discussing, the moment Aecilia gestured toward him and called him a "thing," he understood that she was looking down on him. However, he remainedposed, revealing no emotions, since these people were the ones who saved him.


    "He is my new bodyguard," Avendial, understanding that he wouldn''t be able to exin anything to this woman who seemed to conjure up imaginations of her own, decided to follow her lead and make all his preparations as he geared up to confront the royal family or whatever she imagined.


    "....I see," Aecilia nodded, her eyes coldly assessing Leo, causing his body to flinch. Though there was no visible pressure surrounding him, she sensed a chill run down his spine.


    ''What was that?'' Leo couldn''t understand why, just now, he felt as if his heart were ced in front of some predator''s breath.


    "What is your name?" Aecilia inquired, pulling out her phone, clearly intending to check his details to confirm he was not a spy sent to deceive her and gain ess to Croceaus territory without her permission.


    After all, she had already epted Croceaus territory as her own home once she had decided to marry Marquess Avendial. As a mistress, it was her responsibility to manage her household duties when her husband was busy with work (*her own perspective).


    "Leo, chat with Countess Sertsul. I wille in a moment," Avendial, aware that after the awakening, an individual could not utilize their awakened abilities for 24 hours since they needed to umte Synergy, which was exhausted during their awakening, decided to leave Leo in the hallway without fear of him attacking Aecilia, to address some other tasks outside.


    He noticed Matthew preparing to leave.


    "Yes, sir." It seemed Leo had epted his position as the bodyguard, as he slightly bowed while watching Avendial move toward the hospital entrance.


    "Leo, mother''s name, Anjali¡ªa woman who was beaten daily by her drunkard husband. She lost one eye and one ear due to continuous beatings and developed lung cancer from working in a ss factory. She has a worthless son who can do nothing except manualbor and leech off his weak mother...." Aecilia''s demeanor suddenly changed, her eyes slowly turning cold.


    The golden eyes that had seemedposed moments ago transformed into an icy chill, filled with malicious intent as she locked her gaze at Leo.


    ''!''


    ''Wh-what?'' Leo stood there as if the whole world had isted itself except for him and a woman who was telling everything about his life in the shortest way possible while looking at him with a gaze that appeared threatening.


    He wasn''t able to understand what was happening here.


    But somehow, he felt a slight bit of anger rising within him due to the tone and mocking gaze he was seeing for the first time in his life.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Though he had always seen people''s eyes looking at him with mockery, this time it was different. It was as if she regarded him as a mere insect, a pebble, looked down upon by someoneughing at his very existence.

 Chapter 89: Chapter 91 - Leo Attacks Aecilia

    ''...hope she doesn''t go hard on him,'' Avendial stepped outside the hospital, tugging his shirt out of his pants as he did so. Loosening the fabric around him brought a wave offort, allowing him to rx.


    Unbuttoning the upper button of his shirt, with the sleeves rolled up and a nonchnt look, his one hand resting in his pocket, he clearly appeared eye-catching.


    Evidence from a few of the nurses and women around showed that they were ncing at him, which he was definitely aware of, but he needed to use all the avable strength he had to influence their minds.


    Naturally, he was just above the hierarchy in the present world, sitting at the highest point of the food chain, at least for a few more months¡ªmaking him seem most likable for now.


    Ignoring those things, he focused his eyes around as the reason he acted this way¡ªunbuttoning his shirt, ruffling his hair, with the sleeves folded and a hand resting in his pocket.


    His clear aim was to observe the reactions of nearby women to distinguish who among them were from the Sertsul family.


    He was definitely not a narcissist, but having gone through the tower and seen how many women, he at least knew that for an average person, he was quite attractive and could definitely make women keep looking at him or at least show some kind of reaction.


    However, this wasn''t the case for professionals who were not average at all, like well-trained individuals from Sertsul family.


    ''24?'' Due to the presence of hospital staff and patients evacuating the ce, there were enough people among whom Avendial was able to count a total of 24 women who seemed unfazed or were at least trying to look unfazed, prompting him to ascertain their origin.


    Even after knowing that he was surrounded by members of the Sertsul family, which he had anticipated, since they were the noble family with the most control in the free cities, he kept aposed demeanor, not feeling threatened by them.


    In his past life, everyone from the Croceaus family was massacred at the hands of an Empyreal sent by the royal family, except for Avendial, who, by chance, was able to kill him.


    At that time, he was cornered to devise a strategy without any backup. After being denied help from Princess Katheria Arinphiam, one of the servants named Sam revealed his identity as a spy from the Sertsul family.


    While it was not surprising for Avendial to discover that there was a spy from the Sertsul family, given that he had already been betrayed by many former members of the family who had allied with different factions or had revealed themselves as spies, it was confusing that Sam himself hade to him, revealing his identity instead of just backstabbing or betraying him like others.


    Sam offered to assist Avendial by informing him about the Empyreal''s attack and bringing the members of the Sertsul family for reinforcement.


    At that time, Avendial, having no method to survive, had ordered him to do that, but of course, Sam never returned.


    After entering the tower, when everything was scattered around, Avendial didn''t bother to establish contact with the Sertsul family, given his prejudice against their behavior regarding businesses rted to prostitution.


    Even though it waspletely hypocritical of him, as he invested in their business but didn''t want to associate with them.


    However, after being destroyed at the hands of Empyreal just a yearter, in October 2032, he realized how wrong he had been, since the next day he learned that the Sertsul family had also been destroyed.


    There was nothing he, who was running away to save his life, could do except remain hidden.


    Afterwards, he even tried to search for any remaining members of the Sertsul family.


    Everyone had vanished.


    Even Aecilia, whom he had never met inside the tower, was nowhere to be found.


    So, he just kept moving forward, forgetting about the existence of the Sertsul family, as his own existence was on the brink of erasure.


    He wanted to live, and survival alwayses with a price, and that price was for him to lose interest in caring about others.


    ''...Aecilia...'', But to avoid getting entangled in repeating past mistakes, he kept calm, knowing that most likely, right now, Aecilia would be threatening Leo or trying to extract as much information as possible, which was the reason why Avendial had introduced him as his bodyguard in front of her.


    Or who knows, maybe due to Aecilia, Leo would be able to manifest his awakened ability or else Avendial would need to wait until Aria joined his side and went through a double awakening for him to appraise what kind of ability Leo possessed.


    In the end, there was no way for him to check someone''s ability status or confirm someone''s loyalty, except for believing in the future knowledge he had while trusting in the word love, which, even though he did not understand its meaning, was for him an emotional state where loyalty was affirmed.


    And he knew that Aecilia definitely possessed this quality in her which, for now, would make him utilize her as a stick in his ways and himself as a carrot.


    But having genuine feelings for others, or reciprocating, was impossible for him once he awoke his second curse.


    So, all he could do was act.


    "Sir Marquess," Mathew noticed Marquess Croceaus approaching him as he also moved in his direction.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Inside the hospital''s hallroom,


    Aecilia''s eyes went through the information disyed on her phone screen, which had already been gathered by the members of the Sertsul family who were keeping an eye on her movements and had collected all these details in case their boss asked for it.


    As Aecilia did, she got the information within a few seconds, further adding "...didn''t have money to even provide treatment for her mother, took debts from his colleague, and to escape it, tried tomit suicide, tch, how pathetic."


    "NO!" Leo instinctively yelled, not epting the nonsense this woman was spouting. Earlier he had been surprised, but that quickly turned into anger the moment he heard her condemning him for running away from his life and trying tomit suicide. "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, DAMN IT!!"


    He tried to control himself and remainposed, but as soon as he heard her call out his father''s name and reveal secrets he wanted to bury, he felt his mind snap.


    "Oh, was it?" Aecilia, seeing how Avendial had already left the ce, remained alone with Leo. She acted out of character, adopting a cold gaze as she turned toward the sofa, folding her legs with her arms crossed. With a smirk, she looked at Leo in an effort to put him in his ce. In a sharp and mocking tone, she added, "I heard your father left your mother because he found a hooker for himself.


    Doesn''t that make a hooker better than your mom¡ª"


    "DAMN YOU!!!" With a roar and clenched fists, Leo didn''t care about the world; his anger had taken over. He dashed toward Aecilia, and due to his advanced physique, he covered the short distance of ten steps in seconds, arriving just one hand away from her as he was about to swing his fist.


    In that fleeting moment, mid-air, his eyes noticed Aecilia''s lips muttering something while her head casually leaned on her hand, looking at him mockingly with an impassive gaze.


    The words she said were: "Pathetic."


    Within mid-air, seven shadows suddenly arrived behind Leo.


    BANG!


    THUD!


    "Kyaaarrghhhh!" Leo''s body mmed into the ground as if some force had struck him, ttening him against the surface as if gravity had increased ten to twelve times. He broke the tiles beneath him as his body collided so intensely that all the bones in his body fractured again from the force, which felt as if it came from several individuals.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Should we kill him, mydy?" Seven womanly figures in ck robes, their bodiespletely covered, ced their legs on Leo''s body, pressing him down with all their might, revealing their identity as assassins from the Nightcrawlers.


    "Nah, leave him. He is too weak to do anything," Aecilia said, ncing toward the door as Avendial appeared to be returning after a conversation with Mathew. In a calm tone, she ordered, "Clean this ce and send this man to the hotel after a thorough interrogation in an hour."

 Chapter 90: Chapter 92- Avendials awareness

    "As you order, My Lady," one of the figures said, slightly bowing as she heard her orders.


    Though, of course, all seven of them had no special abilities, being professionals, they were far stronger than the average human.


    Even if their physiques were not as strong as Leo''s¡ªwho used to be a construction worker¡ªwhen seven people with professional martial arts training attacked a physically strong man, it was inevitable that he would be overwhelmed.


    And also, Dad sneak attacked him, taking advantage of the opportunity when his body was in the most vulnerable condition¡ªangered, mid-air, and just healed from injuries sustained in the ident.


    This isn''t a movie where a single person without any superpowers could defeat many others who are professionals in fighting without suffering any injuries. And right now, without giving Leo a moment for retaliation, the seven women were pressing him down on the ground.


    And it was natural that his body would sustain several internal injuries.


    Whatever it was, it was clear that Leo''s awakened ability was definitely not protecting him from the force pressing him to the floor.


    Ignoring everything, Aecilia stood calmly, clearly intent on removing every possibility of falling into a situation where, due to her negligence, some kind of threat coulde near Avendial.


    She moved, passing beside Leo, whose head was soon grabbed by one of those seven figures, who pulled him upward before an eighth one came forward and delivered a hard punch, instantly making him lose consciousness.


    ----


    Aecilia approached the door, which was opened by one of the Sertsul members who only bowed, clearly indicating that this hospital had been taken over by the members of the Sertsul family, after being emptied.


    "I must say, Marquess, you always seem busy." Giving a cold gaze, Aecilia looked towards the arriving man, who seemed busy on his phone, and with her eyes turning calm, she inquired with a curious tone.


    "Am I? Aren''t you the one busy here?" Avendial raised an eyebrow, ncing toward the ss doors, where he could see an unusually high number of women moving inside the hospital, wearing scrub outfits and appearing to be doctors and nurses.


    This made him understand that this hospital was now under their control.


    There was a simple reason why the Sertsul family had arge number of women as their recruits.


    It was simply because all the initiatives and schrships this family provided were aimed at women.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Naturally, most of the women, even inside the hospital in the Croceaus groups, got their selection through the foundation and charity run by the Sertsul family.


    They had a slight loyalty toward the Sertsul family, which mostly stemmed from the fact that these women were in need of support, and the Sertsuls became the light for them.


    Not all of the members inside were professionals; many were just random individuals who had been selected as doctors and nurses. When called by the Sertsul family, they instantly came here.


    This was just how Avendial wanted to create his own army (*not exactly but from Aecilia''s prespective), using the same principles.


    Provide help to those in need and then ensure their loyalty.


    "Busy? I am more than free, Marquess." Standing on a tform that was only three steps above the ground, a breeze fluttered Aecilia''s ck hair, causing it to dance around her. Her nightdress fluttered as well, and the strands of her hair revealed her golden eyes, which were focused on him with a rxed gaze.


    "I see... where is Leo, though?" Avendial said, looking around as he feigned ignorance about what Aecilia might have done with Leo, but he tried to inquire about his whereabouts.


    If Avendial had followed his usual cautious approach, he would have eliminated even the spies from the Sertsul family. Given that, no matter how good they were, their surveince was always a variable he could never have expected.


    Of course, this was only if he were thinking from his old perspective; he would have approached the situation this way. However, he was now much more aware that he could use the Sertsul family as a precaution to help him from behind, while definitely not eliminating the chances of them backstabbing him in the future.


    Even though he had the memories from the future, there could definitely be variables that could ur and make things harsher, like some kind of butterfly effect, which was why he was going to keep this family at arm''s length, not keeping them too close nor too far.


    It was simr to how the human body functioned, like there are two types of bacteria in the human body, ssified as good bacteria and bad bacteria.


    Even though both are categorized as bacteria, the good ones are important for maintaining the body''s defense, immunity, strength, and growth as they rely on mutual benefit. Unlike the bad ones, which make the body fall ill.


    Thinking that eliminating all kinds of bacteria from his body would ensure long-term survival was impossible, given even his immune system had a limit, which was why he was putting his pride and ego aside and using the Sertsul family for the time being until he was strong enough to give them the option to either withdraw or be thrown away.


    Which is why he asked about Leo''s whereabout given he would be either going through some interrogation or some brainwashing right now.


    But knowing how that guy had survived death and endured pain, Avendial knew Leo would be able to withstand all the pain for at least a few more hours. Enjoy new stories from m-v l''e|-NovelBin


    A sacrifice named Leo, which Avendial had nted, so afterward, Avendial would be able to get information on what the Sertsul family wanted from him.


    In the end, even after trusting them, it was impossible for him to blindly ignore their presence around him.


    By using Leo, who appeared strong-willed ording to Avendial''s observation, he would be able to inquire exactly what the motives of the Sertsul family were.


    But he needed to do it soon since leaving Leo under the Sertsul family for more than few hours would start to break his mentality.


    After all, a human body cannot withstand the interrogation methods, including poisoning and other kinds of things employed by professionals.


    "Ah, Leo? I sent him with Sertsul members to have a thorough interrogation," Aecilia folded her hands as she descended from the steps, clearly revealing what she had done with Leo, not even hiding this fact, causing Avendial, who stood there while thinking to utilize the situation, to look nkly, clearly taken aback by Aecilia''s revtion, as she had openly epted it without making any excuse.


    To be honest, Avendial had definitely not expected this.


    He thought she would just make an excuse and try to bring Leo back as soon as possible, prompting him to exhale as he looked towards the sky before tilting his head, looking at Aecilia, who seemed to be moving toward a car brought by one of the hospital staff. He added, "He is my bodyguard; you cannot just torture my people."


    "Wasn''t I the one who saved his life?", Aecilia moved towards the driver''s seat, already aware that she would need to drive the car. She shrugged her shoulder before entering, giving a wink to Avendial, whose eyes were slightly widened. Before rxing with a smile, he approached the car.


    "Fine, this time, you win," Avendial said as he entered the car and sat down, one hand resting on the car''s door, rxed as he propped his back on the seat, closing his eyes as he thought of falling asleep, which he wasn''t able to do after arriving in the past.


    For that moment, he decided to rx and take a break from trying to read this woman, who was very confusing since he didn''t know much about her from the future, and how she was confessing her crimes with a straight face in front of him.


    It appeared that his casual conversation with her had created a butterfly effect, given how openly she was speaking to him. This was impossible for her to do previously, considering how he had always been busy with business and consistently rejected any private meetings with any member of the Sertsul family.


    "Huh? Marquess, you can''t sleep just like that. I also didn''t get good sleep," Aecilia said, starting the car as its engine roared to life, slowly turning the steering wheel as her fingers delicately danced over it, ncing at him with a raised eyebrow, seeing how she wasn''t able to get a good sleep due to this man giving her a fake assurance for a date and then making her the driver.


    She was definitely a self-dependent woman, but making her drive the car on a date was definitely making her regret her decision to not get a proper sleep and insteade running after hearing how he wanted to go on a date.


    "Good night, Aecilia," Avendial mumbled as he fell asleep, the cold air from the open window brushing over his face, directing his words towards Aecilia, who, in reciprocation, adjusted her rearview mirror to the direction of his face while taking nces at his reflection.


    "Good night, Marquess....

 Chapter 91: Chapter 93- 15 January 2031

    "Really slipped up¡­" Avendial mumbled, his voice barely breaking the stillness of the room. He blinked his eyes open, the nket pulled snugly up to his chin. The space around him was quiet, soft shadows dancingzily across the walls from the gently swaying curtains.


    He took a moment to take in his surroundings¡ªsimple furniture, muted colors, and an overall vibe that screamed: hotel room.


    ''....Did I really sleep that deeply?'' he thought, tilting his head slightly as a light confusion washed over him, realizing that the umtion of physical and mental exhaustion had caused him to sleep like this, even though it was unusual.


    In his past life, he hardly took these deep naps, given that he needed to survive each day inside the tower. His body clock had been set to keep him half awake, even while he was sleeping, to be prepared for any problem.


    But after arriving here, it appeared his body still was not adapted, and given how he wanted to rest due to all the exertion, he slept too well.


    With a slight struggle, he lifted the nket and peeked down to see if he was still dressed.


    Naturally, he could not overlook the reality that he was not alone and was likely brought to the hotel by Aecilia, a woman.


    In a past life experience, he had trusted several women to let him take a deep nap, and he always woke up without any clothes, while the women either escaped or were lying naked beside him.


    As he did, a voice floated through the air, smooth yetced with curiosity, "Pardon me, Marquess, do you really think I undressed you and did anything inappropriate?"


    His gaze snapped toward the source of the voice.


    Sitting on a nearby sofa was Aecilia, leaning forward with her chin propped on her hands, elbows resting on her knees.


    She was staring at him, an intrigued expression on her face, despite the shadows under her eyes that hinted she hadn''t gotten much sleep.


    "...Were you in my room all night?" Avendial finally managed to ask, noting the dark circles beneath her eyes.


    They didn''t diminish her beauty, but they definitely indicated to him that she had been awake for quite some time, likely keeping an eye on him, maybe even assaulting him all night just with her eyes.


    "Nope, I just got here a few seconds ago," Aecilia replied, her tone surprisingly straight-faced. She didn''t look like she was making things up. As she spoke, she closed her eyes for a moment, waving her hand dismissively enough to erase any doubts he had about her timing.


    With her eyes shut, memories of the previous night flickered in her mind.


    After she''d left the hospital and arrived at the hotel, she had taken it upon herself to help Avendial into the room.


    Not wanting to involve the guards, she''d given him her shoulder for support, one hand pressed gently against his abdomen.


    It was a bncing act, guiding him in a way that felt respectful.


    Definitely respectful.


    There was no way she would take advantage of his vulnerability¡ªit just wasn''t in her character.


    When they finally reached his room, Aecilia eased him down onto the bed.


    Sure, he was heavier than her, but thanks to her well-trained body, it wasn''t too much of a challenge.


    The moonlight spilled into the room, casting a soft glow. Just before she turned to leave, she nced back at him.


    In that moment, he looked ravishing, bathed in silvery light as it danced off his simrly colored hair, framing his face in a way that made him look almost otherworldly.


    Wanting to capture the moment but knowing it was an invasion of privacy, she decided against snapping a picture and even shut off her phone.


    So, instead, she parked herself on a sofa and just watched,pletely mesmerized by his stillness.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Before she knew it, the seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours, and even they slipped by as she kept her gaze on his peaceful face.


    "...I see," Avendial narrowed his gaze, slowly standing and ruffling his hair, giving a side-eye to this woman who sat with her eyes closed, clearly doubting that she would have acted in such a way.


    Given that she was a noblewoman, unlike those barbarians he met inside the tower, he put aside his thoughts, thinking maybe she was telling the truth.


    Not that he could confirm it anyway, and even if he could, afterwards he couldn''t me or offend her, given that right now he needed her help in the free city.


    "Yes," Aecilia said with a smile, not caring about her exhaustion. She hadn''t gotten good sleep, except for one or two hours she managed to catch in the academy while getting massaged by Rihane.


    In the end, she got such an opportunity on just the first day of their date.


    As she slowly opened her eyes in a squint, looking at him standing in front of her, she recalled all his measurements,'' 6''1", 175 lbs, 38" chest, 32" waist, 37" hip, 46" shoulders, oval face, 14" biceps, 22" thighs, 15" calves, 8.5" hand size, 11 US foot size, 4.3 inches soft, 7.2 inches hard.''


    Of course, she already had all this information; it was just for confirmation, as she wanted thetest measurements, which hadn''t changed much from what she already knew from the dress designers of Marquess Croceaus, who was from one of the schrship programs of the Sertsul family.


    So, she definitely knew the measurements. It was just that hearing them from someone else and measuring them herself would give her more precision.


    However, as a noblewoman, it was impossible for her to touch a man inappropriately.


    Your journey continues at m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    It just so happened that the Marquess, while lying on the bed, had fallen mistakenly, and she, being a weaker woman, needed to lift him by something to hold onto.


    As she did, by mistake, her hand snagged his belt.


    Given how his clothes were of high quality and might tear (*definitely not), her fingers somehow slipped on his spotless skin due to ack of friction and identally entered his pants.


    Now that her hand had slipped in, she decided to thoroughly assess whether his delicate part was ufortable. While doing so, she unknowingly obtained the measurements much more precisely, thanks to the deep sleep he was in.


    ''....How fortunate,'' Aecilia couldn''t help but maintain an impassive look, feeling amused inside at how her date had been unsessful on her first day, yet she hade out to be this lucky on just her first day.


    Perhaps she would be able to get even more in the uing ones.


    ''Damn it,'' Avendial thought as he moved near a mirror. Due to its size, he could clearly see a reflection of Aecilia looking towards him with aposed expression.


    He felt his mouth twitch, given that he could clearly see a nosebleed peeking through her nostril, but before it could reveal anything, it was once again inhaled in.


    Somehow, he inwardly knew that even though both of them appeared impassive and without any expression, he had definitely been assaulted by her touchst night.


    His eyes kept looking nkly at that woman who was so shameless that he couldn''t even gather enough proof.


    In the end, he decided he would never fall asleep when she was nearby him, or thoroughly lock the hotel door from today.


    He needed to stay in the Free City for a few weeks too, until he solved the matter of Aria.


    And while remaining here, he also needed Aecilia to stay beside him for two reasons: the first was to have a proper excuse with the royal family, and the second was his doubt that she was very lucky.


    "I wille after I freshen up too, then," Aecilia said, using her knees for support as she tried to stand, thinking about starting a new day.


    It was the second day, and she needed to act as his driver once again, and this time she definitely nned to go on a date.


    Unlike yesterday, today she had decided that after picking him up from the academy, she would go directly to some restaurants or enjoy something.


    "Wait, Miss Aecilia, you are not going anywhere," Avendial, who was about to enter the bathroom, nced back at her. He heard Aecilia''s words clearly stating that she was going to prepare for today too, which he didn''t want, given that he wanted to confirm if yesterday''s events were a coincidence or effect of luck.


    "Huh? Sorry?" Aecilia asked, standing and looking at Avendial with a tilted head, not understanding what he meant; she felt confused.


    "Will you please lie down on the bed?" Avendial said, seeing her look at him nkly, appearing confused, though he knew she understood what he meant, prompting him to use this opportunity to push her into showing some openness.


    "....okay," Aecilia nodded as she approached the bed, not bing enthusiastic about his motives, because she knew his character very well.


    Nor an innocent woman like her could do much if he tried something bad.


    Aecilia sank back onto the bed, her thin ck nightdress sliding effortlessly over her smooth skin, clinging to every curve as if sculpted by the fabric itself.


    The gown barely grazed her knees, exposing her legs, and the soft material traced the lines of her hips and waist, leaving just enough to stir the imagination.


    Her arms restedzily across her abdomen, and her golden eyes gleamed beneath thickshes as she gazed up at the ceiling, her ck lips slightly parted.


    Her long ck hair spilled out like ink across the pillow, framing her in dark elegance. Shey there, still and tempting, as Avendial drew nearer, his eyes never leaving her.


    "Good night," Avendial said as he grabbed the nket and pulled it over her whole body. Without giving a nce or feeling tempted¡ªhaving already seen enough to create mental strength against such alluring sights¡ªhe turned and entered the bathroom.


    He left behind a room where a single, confused womanly sound reverberated, "Eh?"

 Chapter 92: Chapter 94- Second day at academy (1)

    "Sir, here," one of the hotel staff said, extending the car key to Avendial as he stepped out of the hotel. Avendial nodded in acknowledgment, taking the key before turning to face the manager and the owner of the entire hotel group.


    The owner, usually a distant figure managing twelve hotels from afar, was personally present today, sweat beading on his forehead as he wiped his face with a handkerchief. He followed closely behind the manager as they approached Avendial.


    "Greetings, Sir Marquess," the owner said, stepping forward. His demeanor was a mix of formality and anxiety, dressed in a ck suit and tie that made him look more like a manager than the head of the hotel group. It was evident that he felt the weight of hosting a figure of noble status like Avendial in his establishment.


    Typically, nobility preferred to stay in exclusive venues within the Free City, favoring their private hotels or those owned by fellow aristocrats, such as the Das family, who held the title of barons.


    If the noblemen chose to stay in a less extravagant hotel, they would likely opt for those in City B, which is renowned for its picturesquendscapes, rather than a hotel group that doesn''t even rank among the top three in City A like his.


    The owner, fraught with the pressure of the moment, found himself in a golden yet precarious situation¡ªany misstep could lead to dire consequences for him.


    ''Too many,'' Avendial thought, momentarily disregarding the visibly anxious owner. He surveyed the lobby, noticing several guests attended to by hotel staff, some seated in the hallway flipping through magazines. Most notably, the sheer number of women present stood out.


    It was all too clear that these guests belonged to the Sertsul family, a fact that was undeniable.


    ''I need to keep them in check,'' Avendial mused, feeling confident that, should any issues arise, he could rely on his backup. However, the constant feeling of being pursued by untrustworthy individuals weighed heavily on his mind. He contemted ways to keep these people upied as he made his way out of the hotel, nked by the anxious manager and the owner.


    "Apologies, Marquess, we are from the special forces." Suddenly, three people, wearing sses and earbuds and dressed inpletely ck suits, stretched out their hands with a slight bow, showing their identity cards in a respectful manner, revealing their identities as members of the special forces.


    ''What timing,'' Avendial thought. Seeing these people, he felt how convenient it was that the government had taken action, given it was a matter of utmost concern and safety of a nobleman roaming freely through the city''s streets. Looking toward these people, he understood they were there to offer him protection from afar.


    "We once again apologize, but Sir, we would like¡ª" The chief of the team was able to introduce the taskid out by the central government to protect Avendial but was halted by him.


    "Fine, but remain at a half-mile distance," Avendial said, keeping calm as he made his way towards the ck car before taking out his keys and was about to open the door using the smart key.


    As he contemted the situation, Avendial couldn''t help but draw parallels to the day before. Just like yesterday, he found himself considering the implications of the arriving special forces, which presented a serendipitous opportunity to aid in eliminating the Serts family''s bias. It struck him that perhaps there was no such thing as luck, merely coincidences at y.


    Find more chapters on m_v l|e-NovelBin


    Yesterday, amid the whirlwind of unfolding events, Avendial had entertained the notion that Aecilia''s presence had somehow enhanced his fortune.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, with her absence now apparent, it seemed that theory might have simply been a spection after all.


    "I really should have asked her about Amrita¡ª" Avendial thought to himself. He was about to express how he wished he had tasked Aecilia with gathering information on Amrita, considering that while his primary target was Aria, knowing more about Amrita might prove beneficial in the long run.


    Yet, before he could finish his train of thought, he opened the driver''s side door.


    "It might be more pleasant for you to sitfortably; I can handle the steering."


    Avendial''s eyes twitched at the sight before him. A woman upied the driver''s seat, her ck hair meticulously tied back. She wore sses, which framed her calm expression, while bold ck lipstick entuated her striking features.


    Her demeanor was rxed¡ªone hand rested casually on the steering wheel, while the othery elegantly on herp.


    Dressed in a formal, professor-like ensemble, she radiated confidence. As she regarded him with a small, knowing smile and her eyes remained closed, it was as if she had been patiently awaiting his arrival.


    "What brings you here?" Avendial inquired, a hint of amusement creeping into his expression as he recalled his hasty exit from the bathroom. He took a moment to thoroughly inspect the nkets, realizing she had cunningly employed the ssic pillow trick to deceive him.


    And indeed, he had been outsmarted.


    "Isn''t it obvious? I''m now a professor," Aecilia replied, effortlessly adjusting her sses with her fingers. She shrugged her shoulder slightly, a gesture that clearly signified her aplishment; with her influence, she had sessfully secured a position at the academy.


    With her arrival, the Elite Academy''s long-standing rule against appointing professors through personal connections had been decisively overturned.


    "Is that so?" Avendial continued to scrutinize her for a moment, his gaze drifting downwards to take in her white shirt, tucked seamlessly into a sleek ck skirt that entuated her waist.


    Her legs were elegantly d in ck stockings, leading down to polished high heels that clicked authoritatively against the floor. Her hair was neatly tied into a taut bun, further enhancing her aura of professionalism.


    "Marquess, you can infuse my image patiently after taking your seat," Aecilia said, seeing how Avendial was looking towards her clothes. She couldn''t help but tease him, to which he just gave a nk look as if he was not interested in seeing her dress; he moved towards the seat.


    ''Is she really going to teach in that dress?'' Avendial thought as he moved towards his seat, questioning whether Aecilia''s dress choice was really fitting for teaching.


    Although it appeared to be a professor''s dress, he couldn''t shake the feeling that any male student would not be able to learn anything today.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    On the highway in sector 18, a young man with pink hair and striking pink eyes was seated in the driver''s seat of his Ferrari, speeding toward the elite academy.


    Just then, his phone rang.


    :: Young Master Lin, we''ve received the postmortem reports; they suspiciously indicate that the victims actually died in a drunk driving incident...::


    The voice on the line delivered rming news regarding the individuals whom Lin Diego had tasked with monitoring a newly arrived professor.


    On the same day Lin hadstmunicated with them, they were found dead in a vehicle that had been burned after crashing into a tree along the highway.


    Initially, it had seemed inconceivable that the highly trained mercenaries from the Diego family could perish so easily in an ident.


    This prompted an immediate decision to conduct a postmortem examination.


    "What? Don''t joke with me¡ªare you saying they died in an ident? Damn it!" Lin''s fury ignited as he gripped the steering wheel tighter, feeling the car elerate beneath him. A sense of unease grew, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was seriously off.


    He had never liked that professor from the beginning, but now, with the news of the alleged ident, his anger deepened. There was definitely more to this situation than met the eye.


    He had submitted the bodies for examination to one of the most reputable forensic science departments, which was funded by the Sertsul Family.


    Considering their nobility and the influence they wield, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to tamper with the forensic findings.


    So, did they really just die from a regr ident?

 Chapter 93: Chapter 95- Seed of Doubts (1)

    "Aria, have you not slept at allst night?" One of her friends asked, eyeing the shadows under Aria''s eyes that clearly indicated she had been awake the entire night.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Ugh, shut up," Aria instinctively retorted, her words slipping out before she even registered what she was saying, or perhaps she simply didn''t care. She had spent the night grappling with a bewildering thought: how could someone possibly travel back in time? It took her three hours to shove that thought aside.


    Then, for another three hours, she pondered what she would do first if she found herself in a simr situation, regressing into the past.


    Ultimately, to make sense of the actions of that regressed viin, she needed to understand his thought process.


    To grasp his motivations, she thought about what she would have done had she been in his position. If given such an opportunity, she realized she would most likely have prevented Amrita from getting into the same school, thereby avoiding losing the only man she ever loved¡ªor at least, she would have remained friends with him.


    Thus, Aria concluded that if she had been in his shoes, her top priority would have been love. Perhaps the same could be true for him.


    Suddenly, her focus was interrupted. "Did Aria just tell you to shut up?" One of her friends gasped theatrically, clearly amused and eager to poke fun at her, which quickly ignited a small banter between the two friends. Meanwhile, Aria could only shoot her friend a re before continuing on her way down the corridor leading to their ssroom.


    With a sigh, Aria felt the fatigue wash over her. All night she had wrestled with the idea of time travel, wondering what someone would do if they could return to the past. Now, she had even reached a conclusion regarding her second dilemma: she had figured out that the professor was likely trying to save the love of his life.


    But that led to another vexing question: which love was he trying to save? The name that immediately sprang to mind, especially in light of the professor''s final actions, was Amrita.


    ''Ugh....Damn it!'' Aria eximed in frustration, rubbing her forehead, which throbbed with the remnants of her sleepless night. It was irritating that her own theory contradicted the information she had.


    He was supposedly here to save Amrita, yet he was also the viin, and she was the heroine.


    Everything felt like a chaotic mess, causing Aria to sigh deeply as she realized she needed to set aside these tangled thoughts and concentrate on the ss ahead.


    "Amrita, wait."


    While moving and rubbing her forehead, Aria suddenly heard a familiar voice¡ªLin''s¡ªas she halted in her tracks, feeling a woman pass beside her.


    At that fleeting moment, everything seemed to stop. Her eyes caught the fluttering hair and the figure of the woman who had snatched everything from her. Though she didn''t harbor ill will, as they were all tied together by fate, she still felt disheartened as Amrita passed her and entered the ssroom. Shortly after, Lin also followed behind her.


    "L-Lin, wait," Aria, not able to control herself, finally called out to Lin, wanting to warn him to be cautious of the newly arrived professor who, in truth, was a regressed viin.


    Given her knowledge of titles, she knew he would definitely bring some misfortune for Lin, who had the title of the protagonist.


    ".....Hey, Aria¡ª" Suddenly, upon hearing their friend calling out to Lin, her friends tried to call her back but were interrupted by a firm voice.


    "How dare you call my name!" Lin, already confused due to Amrita not even listening to him, in addition to the events that had happened with the people belonging to the Diego family whom he had sent to chase after the professor, pushed all of his frustration onto Aria.


    ''!?!''


    "Wh-what?" Everyone was shocked inside the corridor, including Aria''s friends who, taken aback, looked in the direction of Lin, who had just yelled at Aria in front of everyone.


    "...L-Lin?" Aria''s eyes visibly widened, her pupils trembling as all her exhaustion from not sleeping all night, thinking about the problem at hand, vanished, reced by shock and grief¡ªa grief that was born from the fact that the gaze she was receiving from Lin right now waspletely filled with hatred and disgust.


    Due to always having misunderstandings, she had seen him only getting angrier and angrier, but today the facial expression she saw in him was devoid of any sympathy or connection, as if he were looking at his archenemy.


    His clenched jaws and soft red eyes ring at her, with his hand clenched in rage, made it seem as if he would hit her at any moment.


    This was beyond anything she had imagined.


    "...it''s nothing," with her eyes rxing, turning downward, and her lips pursed, the pain she felt seeing his expression had already overwhelmed her, causing a meek voice without any hint of courage as she mumbled.


    "Huh? Have you lost your mind!" Lin, seeing how Aria had intentionally called him, caused him to yell at her, and as he did, everyone thought he was some kind of viin, making them understand her shrewd mind as he lost it.


    This caused him to move swiftly towards her with clear intent to p her.


    Indeed, his actions seemed outrageous from the others'' perspective, but for him, who was overwhelmed by all the events happening since yesterday, he lost it and stretched his hand, preparing to p her.


    "Aria! Move."


    "Kyaaa!"


    All of Aria''s friends yelled, seeing how Lin, without thinking, had just lifted his hand to p Aria in front of everyone.


    Making them exim, but it was already toote as he had arrived, just a short distance from the woman whose gaze was downward, not looking at him, but the voices and actions seemed to close her world.


    Smack.


    A loud sound echoed inside the corridor, causing everyone who looked to take a step back. Aria''s friends sped their mouths, witnessing the scene as Aria, who kept her gaze downward, found two shoes falling into her line of sight, causing her to slowly lift her eyes in defeat, since she knew they had just tried to p her.


    But she still couldn''t ept the reality. As she did, she found herself behind the back of a man, firmly standing.


    "Lin Diego..."


    Standing behind, while looking towards the firm back, Aria heard a familiar voice, causing her to slowly lift her eyes upward, following the trail of the white shirt with silver hair visible before moving slightly upward. She saw the same title¡ªnow the man had turned his back towards her, but his title still simmered, reflecting in her eyes.


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ????REGRESSED VILLAIN


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    While blinking to make sense of everything, not understanding, Aria kept looking towards the title. Then, she visibly saw a sight and heard another loud voice.


    "HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY ARIA!¡ªBAM!"


    With the loud voice apanied by a sharp punch thatnded directly on Lin''s gut, aimed at his sr plexus, causing his body to arch back with his eyes widened and mouth spilling a little amount of saliva.


    "P-professor Aven!?"


    All the students who witnessed this event could only exim in shock as they saw Professor Aven just punch Lin while yelling those words.

 Chapter 94: Chapter 96- Seed of doubts (2)

    "By the way, Miss Aecilia, which ss do you have to attend?"


    Avendial inquired as he stepped out of the car, casting a nce her way.


    The vehicle came to a stop near the academy''s metal gates, and many students instinctively turned their heads in his direction.


    With his silver hair and striking blue eyes, he naturally drew a bit of attention.


    However, he chose to ignore the onlookers and concentrated on Aecilia.


    "You jest, Marquess. How could I possibly teach anything to these students?"


    She replied with a smile, adjusting her sses, which seemed ill-fitting and kept sliding down her nose.


    Despite this minor annoyance, her gesture revealed a small glimpse of a ck floral bra peeking through the slight opening of her white shirt.


    Avendial noticed but decided to let it go; after all, he couldn''t dictate her clothing choices.


    Once she closed the car door, her fingers deftly turned the steering wheel, elerating toward the parking lot.


    As he watched the car disappear from view, he made his way inside the academy, feelingfortably alone.


    After all, he didn''t mind walking solo; he knew that Aecilia would attract too much attention as she walked through the doors.


    "Good morning, Professor Aven."


    Suddenly greeted by a bright voice, Avendial turned toward the familiar sound.


    A figure stood there, an elderly man leaning on a cane, his beard flowing white and a smile stretching across his face.


    However, the dark circles under his eyes betrayed a long night spent awake.


    As the director of the academy, he had spent countless hours in restless contemtion, begging forgiveness from his ancestors for the perceived betrayal of allowing anyone to exploit their influence to gain entry into the esteemed institution.


    He had always vowed that only the Marquess would be permitted such ess.


    Butst night had been a turning point.


    Intruders had invaded his home, weapons drawn, dering themselves representatives of the Sertsul family.


    They demanded he permit Aecilia Sertsul to take up a professorship at the academy.


    In a moment of fierce defiance, the director had firmly stated that even if it cost him his life, he would not bow to such demands.


    And he meant it wholeheartedly.


    Yet, the threats from the intruders loomedrge; they viciously imed that should he notply, they would simply kill him and install another director, one who would undoubtedly grant Aecilia her coveted position.


    Faced with the grim prospect of a corrupt individual steering the academy, he found himself cornered into a reluctant decision¡ªallowing Aecilia Sertsul toe onboard as a professor, if only to protect the legacy of the institution.


    "Go and handle your academy''s work," Avendial said as he passed by the director with a nonchnt demeanor, ignoring him, knowing full well that this man would only cause nearby students to start focusing on him.


    Given that most of the students were already overwhelmed seeing the director himselfing to greet a professor at the main gate, this prompted him to just move forward, ignoring him.


    "Huh?"


    There he was, the director, with apletely expressionless face, just gazing into space as if he were trying to make sense of everything but just didn''t get it.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was as if his whole being had faded to ck and white, while one of the students waved his hand in front of him, wondering if he had just tlined right there on the spot.


    ---


    "Let''s see," Avendial murmured as he moved toward the corridor, ncing at the watch on his wrist.


    It read 9:50 AM.


    He had woken up at 8:30, fatigued from the previous night, and just managed to arrive at the academy in time for his sculpture ss, which was scheduled to begin at 10:00.


    As he walked, his mind drifted to Lin''s likely reaction to the events of yesterday.


    Avendial had skillfully capitalized on the emotional turmoil of someone deeply infatuated with another. Experience new stories on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    He was acutely aware of Lin''s feelings for Amrita.


    Even in his past life, he had observed that, despite her apparentck ofbat skills¡ªthere was no indication of her participating in battles¡ªLin Diego had unusually kept her close within his faction.


    It was possible that Amrita wasn''t cut out for fighting but was suited for support.


    Still, considering the number of prodigies in the Diego faction, this probability could also not be discounted that Lin had likely kept Amrita nearby out of affection.


    Moreover, the insights he had received from Aria regarding theplicated rtionship between Lin, Amrita, and herself in his previous life added further depth to his understanding of the dynamics at y.


    However, Avendial was wary of cingplete trust in the words of someone whom he didn''t even know.


    This skepticism prompted him to confirm Lin''s reaction by inviting Amrita to a sculpting session the day before.


    Lin''s extreme behavior suggested that he lost all sense of rationality where Amrita was concerned.


    "What a sight," Avendial muttered to himself as he walked, contemting the chances of Lin losing control today if he pushed him even harder with Amrita.


    Suddenly, he noticed several students halting in their tracks, staring towards a familiar scene unfolding before them.


    Their bodynguage conveyed everything, and the tension in the air was palpable.


    Aria stood among her friends, who were questioning her decision to call Lin.


    Avendial could see the tension in Aria''s clenched fists and the furious re emanating from Lin, making the situation crystal clear.


    A smile crept onto his face as he quickened his pace, biding his time for an opportunity to turn things to his favor.


    ''1¡­''


    As Avendial moved through the crowd, he observed Lin''s anger escting, his voice raised as he yelled at Aria.


    Avendial began counting, realizing Lin hadpletely lost hisposure.


    To an outsider, Lin''s outrage might have seemed excessive; yet here, this level of fury was perfectly understandable for someone who got trapped in a not-so-obvious trap set by Avendial.


    Trap title: Jealousy turns love intova and melts the lover''s heart.


    ''2¡­''


    As Avendial navigated through the throng of students, he rolled up his sleeves, tightening his arms in preparation for the confrontation ahead.


    He had to present a different side of himself to this group, though he kept in mind that members of the Sertsul family might be present.


    But that didn''t matter; this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain an advantage and nt seeds of doubt in Aria''s mind.


    "You!¡ª"


    ''3¡­''


    The moment Avendial saw Lin''s hand stretch out, poised to strike Aria, he swiftly intervened.


    With only a few steps between them, he seized Lin''s wrist.


    Both of them were still unawakened, and thanks to his regr training as a nobleman, Avendial was significantly stronger than Lin Diego.


    His sudden grip caught Lin off guard.


    "Wh¡ªWhat¡ª"


    Lin''s eyes widened in shock as he turned to find Professor Aven had arrived, his hand gripping Lin''s wrist with surprising strength.


    Before Lin could react, Avendial clenched his fist and, channeling all his strength, tightened the muscles of his right hand, pulling back to collect force.


    ''Now it''s time for the toppings,'' Avendial thought, knowing he had to capitalize on this moment.


    He inhaled deeply, activated his acting skills, and with a clenched jaw, thundered, "HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY ARIA!"


    BAM!


    "Khwackk!"


    In an instant, saliva spilled from Lin''s mouth as he doubled over, clutching his chest.


    Thud


    He fell to his knees, curling up on the ground in agony.


    His eyes reddened, and veins bulged on his forehead from the sheer intensity of the pain; the blow to his sr plexus was more excruciating than he could have imagined.

 Chapter 95: Chapter 97- Seed of doubts (3)

    ::How. dare. you. touch. my. Aria.::


    The words echoed through the air, silencing the crowd of students who had been watching the scene unfold.


    Avendial''s voice, filled with raw intensity, lingered in the courtyard like a storm cloud, drowning out even the sound of Lin''s painful copse.


    For a brief moment, no one dared to breathe.


    ''Oh my God,'' thought one of Aria''s friends, her hands covering her mouth as if she could hold back a gasp.


    Her mind raced, struggling to process the sudden shift from confrontation to what felt like a romantic promation.


    "Did the professor just say Aria is his?" a student whispered, wide-eyed, too focused on Avendial''s words to notice Lin, who was now writhing in agony on the ground.


    "Professor and Aria? Together? No way!"


    "Woot woot!" a student whistled, breaking the tension, and cheers erupted from the crowd, their enthusiasm infectious as they fed off the potential scandal unfolding before them.


    However, Aria was far from sharing their excitement.


    Her heart raced with confusion; the professor''s words echoed in her mind, but her heart weighed heavy seeing Lin in pain.


    Her gaze remained fixed on Lin, who was curled up in distress.


    Emotions twisted inside her like a tangled thread.


    "Lin?" Her voice cracked as she reached out toward him, her hand trembling mid-air.


    But before she could make contact, he shoved her hand away, shouting, "Damn it, don''t touch me!"


    Lin groaned in anguish, his eyes shing with a mix of pain and anger as he regarded Aria, who he felt had humiliated him in front of everyone.


    "Ugh..." Aria winced, snatching her hand back as if burned, her breath hitching.


    Her other hand moved to her face, pping her eyes shut as if trying to block out the harsh reality of what had just transpired.


    She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her.


    Tears began to prick at the corners of her eyes, but she resolutely refused to let them fall.


    What was she supposed to do?


    Everything felt chaotic at that moment.


    Lin had tried to p her, which was undeniably wrong, while the professor had intervened, an entirely appropriate response.


    Yet, despite the professor''s wise words echoing through her mind just moments before, Aria''s heart was engulfed in pain¡ªa pain so profound that it overshadowed everything else.


    "Aria, hey, are you okay?!" one of her friends eximed, noticing how Aria had just bitten her lip, her expressionposed yet veiled in grief, teetering on the brink of breaking down.


    Her other friends surged forward, attempting to console her.


    "Sorry, everyone, I need to go for a while," Aria stammered, struggling to gather her thoughts.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Without another word, she dashed out of the corridor, her hands instinctively pressing against her eyes.


    The tears hadn''t spilled yet, but they felt perilously close.


    She was in so much pain that she couldn''t quiteprehend it.


    All she wanted was for Lin to love her.


    Even if he offered no affection, she longed for him to at least act as if she still mattered to him.


    But it was utterly devastating to realize how distant he had be.


    "Aria!" one of her friends impulsively started to chase after her, rmed by her sudden outburst, which waspletely out of character.


    "Stop! Professor, please go after Aria; she needs your help!" another friend urgently grabbed herpanion, halting her.


    She knew that, in this moment, their reassurances would unlikely soothe Aria''s heart, which was aching from Lin''s actions.


    From the beginning, Aria had always expressed her affection for Lin, but he continuously pushed her away.


    Instead of losing her interest in him, she had gradually resigned herself to her fate, something her friends couldn''t ept.


    They believed that if Lin didn''t want her, she should simply move on.


    But she never did.


    Watching the professor confess publicly, despite just arriving at the university a day ago, made her friends feel desperate for Aria to find someone who could help her forget about Lin.


    Who could be better than this handsome, attractive, and aplished Professor Aven?


    He was young and had so much to offer.


    "....fine", Avendial He calmly nodded, hearing her words, clearly fearing that indeed he should as a gentleman definitely help a woman in need.


    This prompted him to ignore the eyes of his students, who were looking at him with anticipation, as if watching some kind of k-drama.


    Though it all felt cringe, but if this cringe can make him secure Aria, then he could even act in soap operas.


    ----


    "Damn it, no, no, no, i-it hurts....sob."


    Aria, arriving inside the garden, which was slightly empty, given students were entering the academy right now, moving towards a tree.


    She sat there, positioning herself to be hidden, given the bushes wererge enough to conceal her seated figure.


    The tree bark gave her support as she propped her back against it, copsing onto the ground.


    She sped her both hands over her eyes, sobbing, though not wanting to show this unsightly side to anyone.


    In today''s world, they say after having a rtionship as a girlfriend, boyfriend, one could just move on and break up with each other.


    But she didn''t know what even it meant.


    How could someone just forget about the person whom they love?


    It was very painful for her.


    Her heart was itching, remembering how Lin had tried to p her.


    This all was making her feel numb from within, sobbing harder.


    "I...."


    Avendial arrived near the tree, seeing Aria taking her face inside her knees while covering it with both hands.


    "Please, leave," Aria straightforwardly told him to go away.


    She wasn''t in a state to entertain or even think of anything right now, let alone deal with this person who didn''t even give her a reason to hate him.


    "Fine, but will you please stop crying?" Avendial exhaled slowly, tilting his face as he created a genuine worrying expression.


    Being already habitual of acting, the concern he projected appeared more genuine than any first-rate actor.


    There was no hint of opening.


    Due to his second curse, he had honed his acting skills early on within the confines of the tower.


    This allowed him to be so proficient that there was little distinction between his genuine smile and his act of smiling.


    "Why would I? Just leave," Aria gritted her teeth, irritation ring within her as he attempted to engage her in conversation.


    Despite her desire for a moment of peace, he persisted.


    "Because..."


    Avendial leaned down, the gentle breeze ruffling his hair.


    He entwined his fingers around her arms and pulled her chin up, aligning her face with his.


    Her eyes widened as she caught sight of a single tear trickling down Avendial''s cheek.


    His expression twisted in pain.


    His voice shook as he confessed, "It hurts to see you cry again, Aria."


    Badump.


    In that instant, it felt as if the entire world had halted, causing Aria''s heart to skip a beat.


    Why shouldn''t it?


    In that moment, his thumb cradled her chin, his sapphire eyes reflecting only her image¡ªshe was everything to him in this world.


    As she blinked, feeling the gentle breeze and watching the sunlight illuminate his wless skin, he looked otherworldly.


    Like a sculpture crafted by divine hands.


    What truly made her heart flutter was that solitary tear sliding down his face.


    A rare drop of emotion from a being so seemingly perfect, falling solely for her.


    This was beyond anything she could have ever imagined from anyone.


    "Wh-why?"


    Her words stumbled out instinctively, her lips tinged with slight blood marks from where she had bitten down on them in frustration.


    Yet, in this seemingly frozen moment, with just the two of them in existence, she longed to understand why he cared so deeply for her.


    "Isn''t it obvious?"


    Avendial tilted his head slightly. His bluish gaze drifted from her eyes to her lips, where warm breaths escaped due to the exertion of her earlier panic.


    He drew nearer, pulling her chin closer before whispering softly, "I am deeply in love with you, my oblivious Aria."


    He sealed her lips with a kiss before she had a chance to respond to what he said.


    "Mmphhh?!"

 Chapter 96: Chapter 98 - Revelation of Past Life (1)

    "I am deeply in love with you, Aria."


    Those words from Avendial struck Aria like a thunderbolt.


    Her mind was already overwhelmed by the events that had just urred, trying to calm herself due to the soaring pain tormenting her heart.


    But he just...


    "Wha¡ªMmmphhh!?"


    Badump!


    Her heartbeat thumped the moment he sealed her lips, not even giving her the chance to speak any further.


    Her eyes widened as she reflexively brought her hand forward, pushing him away with force, lurching his body to the ground as she yelled, "How dare you!" Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelBin


    Her heartbeat was out of control, but her mind, which a few moments ago had been defeated by her heart, seemed to want to battle instead, as her anger consumed her.


    She red at the man who dared to kiss her.


    "Huh? Oh, I am sorry¡­" Avendial said, seated on the ground after being thrown, knowing full well that force wasn''t the option here.


    He had kept his body loosened since earlier, prompting her push to create a distance of one hand''s length from her now.


    With his eyes widening, as if feeling some kind of pain, he ruffled his hair with one hand, turning his gaze down as he feigned guilt.


    "What? Sorry?! How dare you; it was my first¡ªdamn you!" Aria wanted to yell more but bit her lip in frustration. Her eyes fell just above his lips, where the blood marks that belonged to her were evident, causing her to feel even more enraged.


    In that state, she seemed to not notice how, for a millisecond, the title visible above Avendial''s head had flickered, as if glitching.


    Her whole attention was on him.


    In that fleeting second of the kiss, he licked her lips where the wound from her previous pain, caused by her biting her lips, was present.


    "Calm down, Aria," Avendial said, seeing how his first attempt to gauge her reaction had failed.


    He understood that most likely until he shared more body fluid and checked her reaction when she noticed her ability not working for a moment, he wouldn''t be able to manipte her.


    Indeed, he had intentionally kissed her and even licked her lips, primarily targeting the blood mark.


    Given there was a wound, his saliva, which was a type of his body fluid, had just made contact with her bloodstream, causing her ability to be disrupted for a few seconds, though it appeared it was not obvious to Aria for now.


    "Calm down? Who are you to touch me?!" Aria instantly used her hand, starting to rub her lips, trying to erase the mark of her first kiss being taken by a stranger.


    She even thought of hitting him, but somehow she feared what he might do, given he was a viin.


    In the park, if some kind of chaos urred by her hitting him and he retaliated, this would be a major issue inside the academy grounds.


    And given that higher-ups would be involved, she needed to rectify why she hit a professor.


    She definitely couldn''t say he kissed her, given how this news would spread to everyone¡ªeven Lin would know it.


    ".....He doesn''t even care..." Aria couldn''t help but think about how Lin would not feel anything, and it hit her hard.


    She just covered her face with her hands, feeling defeated.


    Nothing seemed to be going right, and all she wanted was to be near him.


    But it felt like fate was throwing obstacles in their way, and everything was falling apart around her.


    "Are you okay?" Avendial inquired with his eyes narrowed, observing this woman''s mental fortitude breaking down.


    Given hisst life''s memory, he had seen how stubborn and mentally strong this woman was.


    Given her face was burnt, it was evident that she must have strengthened her mental fortitude even more after surviving in the tower.


    Though, of course, without being reborn with a strong mind, it was impossible to strengthen it, which was why he targeted her directly instead of sending someone to bring her to him.


    This was the shortest method, given how, by arriving in front of her, knowing about her ability, her mental fortitude would directly break down the moment she saw his title as a viin.


    Though he was not sure if there was a regression also attached to it, at least it was enough to shock her.


    And today, Lin had just made things much easier for him by reacting in that way with her, giving him an opportunity that was impossible for him to drop.


    Knowing well that if he seeded today, then the n he had made to stay here for a month would not be necessary, and he would soon be able to focus on other matters.


    "Please, please, just go away from my life! Leave me alone!" Aria once again begged, grabbing her hair before covering her ears as she fell into a fetal position, begging him to leave her alone.


    Tears began to form in her eyes.


    She needed some time for peace to put her mind together.


    ''...pity you,'' Avendial thought calmly, watching her in such desperation.


    He knew very well that it was now or never.


    He wasn''t just going to let this moment pass when she was at her weakest, causing him to slowly stand.


    ''Finally,'' Aria inwardly thought the moment she felt him standing and preparing to leave.


    She was relieved, causing her to loosen her body, lying down, covering, and burying her face in the grass, feelingpletely broken inside.


    But she knew just like how she always went through all the suffering, she would be able to get through this and remain strong.


    "I... am sorry Aria, I will leave your life, but I hope, unlike in thest life, you don''t let your ability be used by that bastard," Avendial said, his tone weak but his eyes looking down at the woman who was kowtowing in front of him.


    He just passed beside her, while inwardly waiting for her reaction, which instantly...


    Swish!


    "Stop! ....what did you say?" Aria suddenly yanked herself back, her hands stretched as she grabbed his wrist, her teary eyes sttering tears around, with her gaze widened.


    She looked at him; though due to the distance, her body had tumbled forward, falling to the ground, she had grabbed his wrist.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The words she heard from him were too much for her to withstand, as her mind processed each of his words and put them together:


    He knew about her ability.


    ording to his words, Lin had used her in the future, and she didn''t know anything else¡ªshe just wanted to know what else.


    "Aria, beware, idiot!" Watching her spring into action made Avendial smirk for a second, but the grin disappeared fast as he knelt to hold her shoulder, lending her some support.


    He noticed a few students had noticed them standing there, but due to the sizes of bushes, they were not able to see if anyone was lying down¡ªonly him, given his facial expression was attracting their attention automatically.


    Not caring about it, he supported Aria, further reprimanding her, "What if you hurt yourself?!"


    ".....I.."


    Aria''s eyes trembled as she felt his palm holding her shoulder.


    While her eyes trembled seeing his worried face, he looked around her palm to see if she had any wound.


    Somehow, she felt disheartened, given whom she loved tried to hurt her and the one who saved her from that loved one was worrying about her.


    She couldn''t figure out why the people you care about the most end up being the ones that hurt you the worst.

 Chapter 97: Chapter 99- Truth or Lie

    "N-No, stop changing the subject. What do you mean by ''ability''?" Aria shook her head, trying to push her feelings aside.


    It was impressive how quickly she got herself under control, even though most people would havepletely lost it by now.


    She wiped away her tears with the palms of her hands and slowly stood up, favoring her leg a bit as she did.


    Her uniform was a mess, dirt smudged across the fabric, but none of that seemed to matter to her.


    She wasser-focused on what Professor Aven had to say next.


    "Huh? Why the shock? I figured that since you saw my title as a Viin, you''d have pieced it together by now, right?" Avendial acted surprised, carefully crafting his words to avoid any mention of his past life and the whole time-travel thing.


    He wasn''t sure if his title made it obvious or not, so he worded it in a way that he hoped would clue her in without him spelling it out.


    ''Wait, what?!''


    ''He knows?!'' Aria practically froze, her eyes wide as she took a small step back, disbelief written all over her face.


    She was aware of his title ''regressed viin.''


    Panic bubbled up inside her.


    She had always thought that if anyone figured out what she could do, it could lead to two things: either people would think she was crazy or things could get really dangerous, thanks to human greed.


    As her back hit the tree, she realized she was subconsciously backing away from him.


    But the surprise in Aven''s eyes made her hesitate.


    Did he expect her to already get it?


    But how in the world did he know about her ability?


    "Aria? You can''t be serious. Don''t tell me you haven''t awakened yet¡­ No, wait, you told me before that you''ve had this ability since you were born," Avendial said, pretending to be confused while rubbing his chin as if he were deep in thought.


    To him, this was more of a confirmation.


    He already knew that she was aware he was from the future, but he wanted to drop some hints instead of spilling everything out to see if there was something more attached to his title besides regression.


    ''I-impossible?! Why would I reveal this to anyone?'' Aria couldn''t make sense of it. Since her birth, she hadn''t even revealed this to her parents, let alone to Lin.


    How could she have revealed the fact that she possessed this ability to anyone?


    This caused her to stammer, "Wh-why would I reveal it to you?"


    She just wanted to know why her future self would have revealed her ability to him.


    ''Of course, to save Lin...'' Avendial thought inwardly, keeping a surprised face. He remembered the day when, at the brink of death, she had revealed that he held the title of viin.


    Instead of pitying her, he had given her a simple offer: he would leave Lin alive if she told him everything. (* Of course, he had already sent someone to kill Lin.)


    Like an idiot, she kept revealing everything about her ability and how she awakened, going through a double awakening inside the tower, through which she could now look at people''s status windows.


    Naturally, Avendial didn''t care whether she loved someone or not.


    But Avendial knew one thing very well: if she loved Lin but he didn''t appreciate her gesture, then she should just love Avendial instead.


    He would at least respect her ability and gestures.


    Of course, love wasn''t something he could genuinely give her, but it didn''t matter much, given how even in today''s life some people use AI to generate fake replicas of their dead loved ones just so they can live in the illusion of them talking to them with love.


    So acting like a lover wasn''t too much of a deal; he could just pretend to be one, and in exchange, Aria should just love him back while letting him use her abilities.


    "....I shouldn''t have mentioned it." Avendial turned to leave, acting as if he was slightly guilty for mentioning that Aria was the one who revealed her ability.


    "W-wait, answer me!" Aria instantly arrived in front of him, blocking his path with her open arms.


    Avendial nced at the students, who were slowly starting to gather; though their numbers were fewer than a dozen, they were at a good distance to hear anything.


    "Aria, I can only say that you yourself told me not to reveal anything to you and to let you experience suffering first." Avendial looked directly into her eyes as he stated those words, causing her eyes to visibly tremble, not understanding what he was saying.


    "What? Why would I want myself to suffer?" Aria couldn''t grasp itpletely, thinking how nonsensical this sounded; why would anyone want their past self to suffer?


    "Sigh, because you would never believe me. You would always doubt me. So, instead of talking to you, you¡ªI mean your future self¡ªmade a promise to me," Avendial revealed. His narrowed gaze observed the visible clench of her fist and the flinch and trembling lips that wanted to understand and hear more.


    Not that he didn''t expect it; if it were a normal day, she would have definitely thought about the probability that he could be making things up.


    But right now, being overwhelmed by emotions, her mind was hardly processing at its usual capacity.


    This was a simple and very popr method he learned inside the tower: if you want to kill anyone, just make them flow and drown in their own emotions.


    "Ridiculous, doubt? Tell me everything; it''s me who would decide if it''s true or not." Aria wasn''t in proper control, knowing well that she needed to know everything now.


    This was the time.


    She didn''t care about the students, given no one was hearing their words. If they looked from far away, it didn''t matter. A student was talking to a professor.


    Not a big deal.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "You want to hear it? Fine. You said you were so madly in love with Lin Diego that if I said anything against him, you would never trust me; no, you would even consider me an enemy?" Avendial targeted the first obstacle in his way, knowing very well that he could convince her of everything except matters regarding Lin Diego.


    In the end, it was clear that he would kill Lin Diego today or tomorrow, given he just needed to deal with him.


    If Lin was of some use, then he would live longer, or else he would be killed.


    So it didn''t matter more. What mattered was the fact that he needed to be thrown out of Aria''s mind.


    In the end, Avendial was always possessive. If something belonged to him, then it should only belong to him or shouldn''t exist.


    ''!?''


    "Wh-what?" Suddenly hearing the straightforward words of Aven, Aria''s mind went into a trance. Given that, his words made 100% logical sense.


    She kept looking at him, trying to understand if she should trust him or not.


    But it all seemed that this was the most likely thing: if some misfortune happened to her due to Lin in the future, her future self would want to tell her past self this very thing.


    She herself knew that Lin was her weakness.


    "....Please, tell me everything." Aria shook her head, thinking that if it''s true or not, she should decide it in the future. But first, she needed to know everything.


    What her rtionship in the future was with this man?


    How he was able to travel back in time?


    And why he was talking as if she was close to him in the future.

 Chapter 98: Chapter 100 - Avendial getting blackmailed (1)

    "You want to know?" Avendial observed Aria as she immersed herself in the conversation, her curiosity piqued by the carefully constructed lies he was weaving.


    However, he didn''t particrly care about her fascination.


    He decided that he only needed to add one more piece to the puzzle before calling it a day.


    His strategy was not to reveal everything to her today, ensuring she wouldn''t feel as if she knew all there was to know¡ªwhich might lead to her losing interest or, worse, forgetting what Lin had done to her.


    Instead, Avendial nned to drop breadcrumbs for her to follow, allowing her the autonomy to piece the information together herself.


    By withholding certain details, he believed it was best to keep her in the dark, giving her mind the space to process these revtions.


    This approach would help her willingly embrace the information rather than questioning his motives or doubting him.


    The human mind is undeniablyplex, but this same quality often leads to errors, especially when overloaded with information.


    "Hm¡­" Aria nodded, her gaze fixed on him in anticipation, clearly focused and ready to absorb whatever he had to share.


    "In the future, you will die at Lin''s hand," he stated.


    ''!''


    He noticed her eyes widen in shock, yet surprisingly, she seemed to be processing this unsettling information, maintaining herposure.


    Her fists clenched, betraying the inner turmoil brewing within her mind.


    Avendial recognized it was time to retreat, giving her space to digest what he had just shared, avoiding the risk of overwhelming her further.


    "It''s ss time; you should head there now," he said, brushing past her before she had a chance to react.


    ''Huh?'' As he walked away, she stood there, entranced by the weight of his words regarding Lin''s impending betrayal.


    "Wait! Professor¡ª" Aria turned sharply, her hand reaching out in an instinctive attempt to stop him as he paused, already five steps ahead.


    He turned back, offering her a cold, piercing look.


    "Listen, I know you too well, Aria. You''ll eventually ept the fact that you''re destined to die at his hands and start trying to mend your rtionship with him," Avendial remarked.


    He had observed her behavior and saw how, despite her unique ability to perceive Lin as the protagonist and herself as the viiness, she still harbored affection for him.


    This stubbornness concerning Lin made Avendial even more certain that he needed to create distance between them.


    Aria had recently endured an emotional breakdown, and though she seemed to be healing gradually, he recognized her mind adapting to the pain, growing calmer over time.


    This demonstrated her mental resilience.


    It was evident that breaking down the emotional barriers of someone as strong as she was required a thoughtful approach.


    Previously, he would have needed a different set of circumstances to achieve this, but now, with a fleeting opportunity to breach those defenses, he had nted a seed¡ªone that could grow and eventually shatter her walls from within.


    What he needed most was to exercise patience, allowing the situation to unfold while subtly orchestrating events in the background.


    His aim was to ensure that she began to doubt herself, bing his eyes¡ªeyes that would only see what he wanted them to see.


    "N-no, I would never!" Aria protested, grappling with the turmoil inside her.


    After everything that had happened, especially Lin''s outburst in front of everyone, she couldn''t even fathom looking at him again.


    Yet, a nagging doubt lingered¡ªwhy would Lin want to kill her?


    "Sigh," Avendial let out a heavy sigh, his eyes keenly observing her bodynguage.


    At first nce, it was clear to him that Aria was preupied with the immediate situation rather than contemting the future he had warned her about.


    Today''s incident, where Lin had attempted to p her, overshadowed any rational thought of whaty ahead¡ªnamely, her death at the hands of Lin, the protagonist of this twisted tale ording to Avendial.


    Inside the tower, Avendial had always found it challenging to deal with intelligent individualspared to those who were less astute.


    Aria was the quintessential example; despite having the factsid out before her¡ªhis identity as a regressor, Lin''s attempt to harm her, and the likelihood that he would eventually kill the viiness¡ªshe remained stubborn.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Instead of epting the danger, she disyed an almost stubborn immunity to the reasonable conclusions drawn from his stories.


    Avendial knew he needed to leave her with the most impactful words in this moment.


    He cast her a disappointed look, then turned to walk away.


    As he moved, he allowed her to hear hisst remark, spoken softly yet with undeniable weight, "You are immature, Aria. No..." He paused, adding as he continued to distance himself, "You are not my Aria..."


    "....I.." Aria stood frozen, watching Professor Aven''s retreating figure as he left her in the garden, surrounded by vibrant greenery and blooming flowers.


    Her mind spiraled, caught in a struggle toprehend whether she was still searching for excuses to defend Lin.


    She was acutely aware that whenever it came to him, she weakened¡ªunable to take a stance of her own.


    The words Aven had left her with lingered, striking a chord deep within her.


    Initially, even after hearing that her future self had prohibited him from sharing anything with her past self, she still saw the warmth behind his eyes¡ªemotions that were both directed at her and simultaneously distant.


    "What should I do?" Her gaze fell to her dress, its hem brushing against her nails as she stood there, lost in thought.


    She understood that this man hade to the academy for her¡ªjust to warn her, breaking the promise he made to her future self, just so he could protect her from what was now inevitable.


    Yet, here, like an idiot, instead of appreciating his efforts, she just wanted to uncover how she met her death at Lin''s hands.


    Knowing how her future self had revealed everything about her ability to Aven, it was evident that she had ced immense trust in him.


    Countless doubts and questions swirled in Aria''s mind.


    But from the observations made today and the information gathered from Aven, she was aware that he and her future self shared a connection¡ªlove, to be precise.


    The pain of knowing that he disregarded themitment to her future self and still came here to warn her weighed heavily on her.


    All this only made her understand how different she was from her future self. Readtest chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    As she watched thest traces of disappointment, anger, and a hint of sympathy on Aven''s face fade into the distance when he left, she felt a profound realization settle within her.


    She¡ªher present self¡ªhad failed him.


    Standing inside the garden where the gentle breeze filtered through the air, ruffling the leaves and brushing her hair with a light touch, she looked downward in disappointment at herself. Only one thought upied her mind, and her lips formed a mumble: "I... am... sorry, Aven."


    ---


    ''This would make it much easier,'' Avendial, exiting the garden, stepped onto the tform leading to the corridor, moving as he ced his hands in his pockets, effortlessly moving while thinking about how he had gotten a very good opportunity to deal with Aria''s issue.


    He moved, prepared to enter the ssroom to deal with Amrita, knowing that the corridor was most likely empty due to students entering the ssroom.


    ''!?!''


    He moved ahead, and when he passed the third pir where he could easily see the garden, a familiar face and smell made him stop in his tracks. He turned slowly, just a bit away, and locked eyes with a woman who was staring towards Aria, prompting him to call her out. "...Aecilia?"


    "Oh, it''s you, Marquess....," Aecilia, who had been observing everything since earlier with her folded hands, tilted her head, looking back with a narrowed gaze, meeting Avendial as she added with a small smile, "You seem to be enjoying yourself, aren''t you?"

 Chapter 99: Chapter 101- Avendial getting blackmailed (2)

    Few minutes ago,


    "Hey, did you see the list of professors?" The lecture hall of the culture department stretched wide, its high ceilings and expansive rows of desks reminding everyone of just how much space there was to feel bored in.


    The overhead lights flickered slightly, casting a dull glow over the sea of students slouched across their chairs.


    Some were barely upright, heads resting on their hands, while others sprawled on their desks with books acting as pillows.


    The ce had the thick air of indifference¡ªno one was interested in being there.


    A few students huddled together, whispering among themselves, the soft drone of their voices filling the silence.


    One thingmon among all of them was the wrappers of burgers thrown around or lying near their seats.


    This clearly showed they had all just eaten burgers from the same source, and given that a few were still eating, it was evident they had received some kind of treats just a few minutes ago.


    "Did you check the list?" one of them asked, sitting backward in his chair, his legs sprawled over the seat in front of him.


    His friend, half-asleep, blinked at himzily. "Yeah... the name''s different today. Someone new."


    The girl next to them scoffed, picking at her nails."It''s probably just another professor ready to bore us to death."


    "Who cares? At least the director is good to give us a hamburger party today?" another student muttered from the back, tipping his chair dangerously and using a toothpick to clean his teeth, given that they were all, especially those from the cultural department, provided free hamburger treats before entering this ss.


    Find adventures at m_v l|e-NovelBin


    "Yes, the meat was of high quality indeed, but again, it''s time for the same boring lectures, the same old professors." Laughter bubbled up from a few corners of the hall, students shifting in their seats, some stretching, while others were half-asleep already.


    The heat in the room wasn''t helping either¡ªsticky and stifling, making it hard for anyone to stay fully awake.


    Another yawn.


    Someone adjusted their seat again.


    Eyes drooped.


    Even the clock seemed to be moving slower.


    But then.


    Bam!


    The door swung open with a sharp bang against the wall, and in an instant, theziness that hung over the room like a thick cloud evaporated.


    Every head turned towards the entrance.


    In walked a woman¡ªno, she didn''t just walk; she glided, her heels clicking rhythmically against the polished floor.


    The sound was sharp, precise, and it cut through the stagnant air like a knife.


    She wore a ck pencil skirt that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with a crisp white shirt, neatly buttoned except for the very top, where a glimpse of something darker,ce-like, teased beneath the cor.


    Her legs, d in sheer ck stockings, seemed to stretch forever, ending in sleek, ck high heels.


    Her hair was pinned up into a perfect bun, save for one deliberate strand that curved down her cheek, giving her an air of effortless control.


    ''A goddess?''


    The students were too stunned to speak.


    Conversations died mid-sentence, thezy drawl of boredom reced by something more intense, a growing awareness of the presence nowmanding the room.


    ''At least these idiots ate Hemodrils.'' Aecilia didn''t even need to look up as she entered; her gaze sweptzily across the hall, noticing wrappers scattered around, thinking that now she had made it inside the academy just so that she could remain near the Marquess.


    The problem was that she didn''t even know anything about her own noble culture, let alone these people''s¡ªshe never liked studying culture or useless historical things.


    To solve this problem and to at least prepare for the first day, she had made all these people eat a burger that contained a special type of drug¡ªHemodril¡ªa drug that targets the thin blood lining inside the capiries present in the nostrils, while additional blood thinners enhance the overall effect.


    She just needed to give these people a proper reason to bleed.


    And that''s why she was here appearing like a proper weapon.


    Her dark lipstick contrasted sharply with her pale skin, and behind her sses, her golden eyes carried a look of bored disinterest, as if she had seen this all before¡ªa room full of wide-eyed students, stunned into silence by her very presence.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    She didn''t pause.


    ''So, where to start?'' Aecilia thought to herself, her eyes grazing over the dumbstruck faces before her.


    The young men and women alike were transfixed, eyes following her every move.


    Gulp


    Some were swallowing hard, shifting awkwardly in their seats as though the heat had cranked up a notch.


    Aecilia definitely noticed it all, observing all this reaction from those who, even though they appeared above 18, in her mind only had one title echoing for them: ''kids....''


    Fortunately, she knew how to deal with kids very well.


    ''Hm...'' she stopped at the center of the room, pulling a chair with one smooth motion and sitting down with grace, crossing her legs in a slow, deliberate movement.


    "Ah¡­" she exhaled softly, her voice carrying in the stillness.


    "It''s so hot in here¡­" Her tone was light, casual, but there was a sultriness that dripped off each word.


    ''Be grateful, kids,'' as she tugged at the edge of her cor, the faint outline of her ck, flower-patterned bra peeked out.


    It wasn''t obvious, just a flicker ofce, enough to send the room into a quiet frenzy.


    A few students shifted ufortably in their seats, but not out of boredom this time.


    "Ugh.... fuc..." One guy at the front immediately grabbed a tissue, pressing it to his nose as blood trickled out.


    His friend elbowed him in the ribs, eyes wide, muttering something under his breath.


    From the back, someone whispered, "What the hell¡­ did he just¡­bleed?"


    Another student wiped sweat from his brow, trying¡ªand failing¡ªto avert his gaze.


    The girls, too, were silent, staring at Aecilia with wide eyes, caught off-guard.


    Her gaze scanned the room once more, this time locking eyes with a few of the more nervous students as she winked at those who were still holding it in.


    The end result: nosebleeds all over the ss.


    And with this, Aecilia earned the title of a beauty who recreated the nosebleed scene from an anime in real life.


    Aecilia leaned back in her chair, the smirk still ying at the corner of her lips as she watched the students'' reactions¡ªblood dripping from noses, wide-eyed stares, and a general sense of confusion hanging in the air.


    She shifted her gaze to the few boys who were struggling to stop the streams of blooding from their noses.


    Their embarrassed attempts at wiping it away only made them look more ridiculous.


    Aecilia sighed, dragging her fingerszily through the single strand of hair that had fallen from her bun.


    She tapped her heel on the floor, the sound of it echoing through the silent hall.


    "How about this," she said, her voice soft butmanding enough to capture everyone''s attention again.


    She gestured nonchntly toward the boys who were still holding tissues to their faces.


    "Those of you with... nosebleeds," she paused, smirking, "should probably head to the medical room for some attention. I''ll wait here until you''re all sorted."

 Chapter 100: Chapter 102- A surprise

    The boys blinked, caught off guard by her suggestion, but they didn''t need to be told twice.


    Grabbing their things, they quickly rose from their seats, avoiding eye contact as they hurried toward the door.


    Being university students, they were naturally aware that there was a difference between fiction and science, and science always proved that it was impossible for someone to get a nosebleed just by seeing someone attractive.


    But here they were, living examples of such an exception, finally understanding that those foolish scientists who said it was impossible to get a nosebleed must have just tested it themselves through some ugly pigs, not this goddess.


    "Run... fuck..." A few of them stumbled over each other in their rush, looking both embarrassed and relieved to be escaping the room.


    The hall was rapidly emptying, the chatter now nothing more than whispers as the students made their way out.


    But Aecilia''s gaze drifted toward the dozen or so girls still seated, most of them scratching their foreheads awkwardly, fidgeting with their pens, or staring at the floor as if they could disappear into it.


    They were already going through a dilemma; not only the boys, even they were getting nosebleeds at that moment.


    One of the girls, clearly overwhelmed by the silence and the professor''s intense stare, finally stood up, her voice meek. "Um... Professor, we, uh... we''ll also head for medical treatment if that''s okay with you."


    ''Kill me, kill me, kill me!'' she inwardly cried, knowing well that she had embarrassed herself, even being the top student in the ss, in front of the new professor after getting a nosebleed like the idiot boys.


    The other girls quickly nodded in agreement, clearly eager to leave before they also got caught red-handed.


    Their faces flushed with a mix of embarrassment and difort; they stood one by one, gathering their belongings in hurried movements.


    ---


    ''Should I consider increasing the doses?'' Aecilia pondered as she exited the ssroom, ruffling her hair, ssroom was already devoid of any students. She began to contemte the idea of administering drugs to these students on a regr basis.


    Of course, the thought crossed her mind that they might suffer severe consequences, like blood loss, but she couldn''t shake the sense that, if she enforced this regimen consistently, some of the students could take a break from college for a few weeks.


    Wouldn''t that be convenient for her?


    She wouldn''t have to bother teaching anyone. Your next chapter is on m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    ''What a clever strategy,'' Aecilia mused, appearing perfectlyposed outwardly, yet unable to stifle her amusement at how effective such an approach could be.


    ''Is this the right ce?'' she thought to herself as she made her way to the arts department. It was 9:50 AM when she entered the ssroom and dealt with all the students in under five minutes.


    Now, Aecilia was eager to glimpse what Marquess was teaching them.


    As she walked down the corridor, she overheard a group of students engaged in conversation. "Did you hear? Lin was taken to the medical ward after the professor hit him," one student said to another.


    Aecilia, having crossed their path, gave them a warm smile. Her eyes gradually opened wider, revealing curiosity about the students who appeared to belong to her department.


    "Oh my..." One of the students gasped, clearly taken aback. It was their first time witnessing someone so incredibly beautiful up close.


    "Could you tell me where that professor might have gone?" Aecilia asked calmly, fully aware that the students were primarily discussing Marquess. It was unlikely that any other professor would strike Lin, a student here, due to their professional standards.


    "Ah, um, the professor went toward the garden area," the student stammered, ncing toward Aecilia and struggling to process the situation quickly enough to inquire about her identity.


    "Please go inside, or you''ll bete," Aecilia replied, casting a quick nce at the clock, which read 10 o''clock. The student nodded obediently before hurrying past Aecilia in the direction indicated to follow Aria.


    "Ah... yes, have a good day, professor," the student said instinctively, without confirming whether the woman was indeed a professor. She slightly bowed, influenced by Aecilia''s attire, which led her to assume the woman''s identity.


    ''Marquess hit Lin?'' Aecilia thought, puzzled. She had always perceived Marquess as aposed, calm figure¡ªcalcting and careful.


    It seemed improbable that he would act recklessly, especially considering that Lin was the illegitimate heir of the Ravan family.


    "Leave me alone!"


    As Aecilia moved, she suddenly halted, her attention captured by a voice ringing out strongly from the garden area.


    She turned to see Marquess standing near a tree, with the individual who had shouted seated at its base.


    From the high vantage point of the corridor overlooking the garden, it was difficult to observe because of the height of nearby bushes and distance masking much of the conversation.


    All Aecilia could clearly make out were the expressions on that woman''s face and that of Marquess as they stood there.


    ''Who is she?'' Aecilia pondered, slightly bewildered. The information she was tasked with gathering about Lin Diego included mentions of another girl named Amrita, with whom he had been infatuated.


    Aecilia had definitely gone through the girl''s file, so seeing this unfamiliar face made Aecilia uneasy; she didn''t match Amrita''s features at all.


    "Just to be cautious," Aecilia reasoned. Although she couldn''t hear their conversation, she instinctively checked her phone, knowing that if the Marquess wanted something from this girl, he would certainly expect Aecilia to dig into her background again.


    She wanted to be prepared, especially since they hadn''t yet learned the girl''s name.


    She decided to take a picture and send it to the Sertsul family for further details.


    Her intention was simple: to have all necessary information ready for when he inevitably asked.


    As she lifted her phone to capture the image, a sudden silence enveloped her.


    ''.....''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The only sounds were the soft breeze caressing her face and the click of her camera shutter. Aecilia remained fixated, her mind momentarily nk, as she registered the sight of the Marquess kissing that girl.


    ''Are you kidding me?'' she eximed inwardly, with her finger still poised on the shutter button. The phone she had been issued upon her arrival had a burst shutter feature, meaning it was snapping multiple photos while she was still frozen in disbelief.


    She stood there, grappling to make sense of what she was witnessing. Just yesterday, after the Aphrodisiac event, she had observed the Marquess acting flirtatious, but given that most attendees were of noble lineage, she hadn''t thought much of it¡ªhis yful demeanor hadn''t crossed any lines.


    But this?


    This was entirely different.


    The sight of him kissing an unknown woman was shocking, especially since Aecilia had kept a watchful eye on the Marquess for years.


    She prided herself on being aware of those around him, yet this girl was a stranger. It was perplexing to consider that he might have feelings for someone she had never even heard of before.


    What startled her even more was the way the woman had pushed him away, suggesting they were arguing about something.


    The Marquess, in that moment, acted unusually, which only added to the chaos swirling in Aecilia''s mind.


    Everything happening around her felt disjointed and hard to process.


    Either he was not the Marquess, or he was acting.


    But even if it was acting, what might he gain by doing it in front of that woman?


    Who was she exactly?

 Chapter 101: Chapter 103- Avendial getting blackmailed (3)

    Present,


    "How amusing, Marquess¡ª" Aecilia said, her phone slipping into her pocket as she nced up to see the Marquess standing beside her. She was about to call him out for being caught off guard, but instead, he interjected.


    "Shouldn''t you be in ss?" Avendial narrowed his gaze, fixing his attention on Aecilia. He was keenly aware that the garden area and Aria were visible from here; even now he could see Aria standing quietly with her gaze lowered, lost in her own dilemma.


    Avendial turned his focus back to Aecilia, who looked perplexed by his words¡ªher brow raised in confusion.


    "Marquess, are you trying to change the subject?" Aecilia sighed, recognizing his attempt to divert the conversation. It was all too clear from the straightforward expression on his face.


    However, without acknowledging her, Avendial began to move toward the corridor, leaving her feelingpletely ignored.


    "Wait, Marquess! Aren''t you going to exin yourself?" Aecilia called out, her curiosity piqued. She was eager to know exactly who that woman was.


    Despite the situation, she felt moreposed than agitated; after all, she had be ustomed to seeing him getting dragged between the legs of several women.


    The first princess had taken him away from her, and he''d lost his virginity to that purple-haired bodyguard of his. So yes, she was more than capable of maintaining herposure and tolerance.


    "Why would I?" Avendial replied, tilting his head slightly as he looked at her. His tone was firm; he understood there was no obligation for him to exin anything to her.


    They weren''t in any sort of rtionship that demanded such ountability, nor did he feel it necessary to justify his actions as though he were a husband caught in the act by his wife.


    "...Because you still need to ask me about that woman''s details," Aecilia said with a smirk, amused by the Marquess acting tough in front of her. She was well aware of his mentality; romance was not in his wheelhouse.


    She felt she had no other option but to press the issue for an exnation.


    Naturally, with her understanding of his habits, she knew that his earlier words could have stung the hearts of any kind-hearted maiden.


    But Aecilia was no such maiden; she doesn''t even burp after digesting such sweet and innocent girls like a morning meal, unfazed by Avendial''s demeanor.


    Avendial remained silent, his face an impassive mask, yet his eyes instinctively averted their gaze, carefully avoiding contact with Aecilia. She was proving to be a formidable opponent, leaving him with little room to maneuver.


    He was merely trying to defuse the pressure of the situation.


    Caught in this dilemma, he recognized that he had little choice but to heed Aecilia''s words. However, this was not because he felt any romantic attraction or regard for her.


    Rather, he understood the crucial importance of securing the support of the Sertsul family; navigating this conversation with tact was essential.


    "What is it that you want?" Avendial asked, resting his hands in his pockets while narrowing his eyes at Aecilia, attempting to intimidate her.


    Deep down, however, he knew that this tactic would not affect her unwavering stubbornness. The issue at hand was that he didn''t want her to feel she had the upper hand in this transaction.


    He could have easily refused to pursue information about Aria, but he also understood that he would undoubtedly need the assistance of the Sertsul family in more dire circumstances in the future.


    While being the wealthiest man certainly afforded him plenty of financial resources, he found himself constrained by time.


    He couldn''t simply create a workforce or start hiring people to do his bidding with just his money.


    Establishing awork equivalent to what the Sertsul family had built across three cities in less than a year would be impossible.


    Even if it were feasible, it would squander precious time he could better spend preparing for the impending disaster.


    This was why he needed the assistance of a certain family¡ªnot at the cost of them recognizing their own value and leveraging it even further.


    So, he presented himself to Aecilia as someone desperate for information about Aria, strategically positioning himself in a way that made it appear as though her concession was a victory, not out of a desire for the support of the Sertsul family.


    "Nothing at all. What could I possibly ask for after catching you kissing an unknown woman?" Aecilia smirked as she pulled out her phone, opening a picture to reveal it before pointing the screen towards Avendial.


    He nced between the photo and Aecilia''s expression, which clearly conveyed she was in a bad mood.


    "You want a kiss too?" Avendial remarked nonchntly, tilting his head. As he did, he noticed a slight blush creeping near her ears.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    badump


    Though her face remained stoic, her lips parted as she averted her gaze, making him realize that this woman had truly been caught off guard. Discover hidden stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    ''Oh my god,'' Aecilia thought, feeling her heart skip a beat at Marquess'' casually delivered words. He had said it without even offering her a chance to think it through.


    Although she knew that the deal was undoubtedly tempting, she forced herself to keep herposure, fully aware that he could ask for something far more significant.


    "Nope, just allow me to enter Croceaus territory whenever I want," Aecilia replied, shaking her head firmly. Sheposed herself, presenting a face that had shown little emotion from the start.


    She met his bluish eyes with her golden ones, fully intent on not being swayed by his sweet words.


    She couldn''t quite understand how he had changed so much, but she definitely liked this new side of him, while also finding it challenging to navigate this transformation.


    "You... fine. You can enter the territory, but what about the royal family?" Avendial squinted, realizing that this woman was sharper than he had anticipated.


    He initially wanted to reject her request outright but paused when he noticed Aria approaching from the opposite direction, her slow steps revealing that she had caught sight of him conversing with Aecilia as she left the garden area.


    "I will handle this myself," Aecilia stated calmly, well aware that Marcus had mentioned the royal family because of the rule that prohibited noblemen from entering each other''s territories without royal permission.


    This meant they needed a verypelling reason for any such crossing.


    The importance of this rule was evident, particrly in situations where a nobleman might be killed within another''s territory, potentially leading to a conflict between two noble families inside the kingdom of Thaloris.


    Such disputes couldplicate matters for the royal family, especially if they sparked rebellion or discontent against the crown. This is precisely why these regtions were established.


    Now, Aecilia needed to forge an excuse that would allow her to enter Croceaus territory whenever she pleased.


    ''Just one more year,'' Avendial thought, dismissing Aecilia''s calmness. He understood that by granting her the privilege to enter the territory for just one year, he risked nothing.


    After all, after a year there will not be a territory left for either him or the Aecilia toe.


    ''!''


    ''Is she horrified?'' Avendial stood near Aecilia as he nced back at Aria, who had approached their direction just moments ago.


    Now she stood a mere five paces away, her face pale, eyes trembling, and a sweet bitterness twisting on her lips as if she had witnessed a ghost.


    ''....It''s not me,'' Avendial muttered under his breath, narrowing his gaze as he followed Aria''s line of sight.


    It quickly became evident; she was looking at Aecilia¡ªmore specifically, over her head.


    A realization struck him: ''Did she see her title?''


    It was instantly clear to Avendial that Aria was horrified upon catching sight of the title floating above Aecilia''s head.


    However, the exact nature of what had shocked her so deeply remained a mystery, especially considering he had overlooked it entirely when Lin attempted to p her.


    What, he wondered, could Aria have seen that invoked such a terrified expression?

 Chapter 102: Chapter 104- Aecilias title (1)

    "This is it for today, students," Avendial said, taking out his gloves. He nced towards the ss, where several students were keenly looking at him as he had just finished the sculpture ss.


    Continue your adventure with m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    Putting his gloves aside, he nodded before ncing in the direction where he noticed that both Amrita and Lin were absent.


    This clearly meant that after Lin was hit in his sr plexus, which is one of the critical hit zones for a person, he must have been admitted to medical supervision.


    Amrita, given her personality, would have followed her friend to check on him, making things not go the way Avendial wanted.


    Initially, he had anticipated getting some free time with Amrita in the absence of Lin, at least in the ssroom.


    But her behavior seemed to provide a valid signal regarding her personality, which tended towards kindness and sympathy.


    In his past life, Avendial was not able to see through others'' titles or status, given he didn''t have ess to any awakener possessing that ability, just like Aria, who was already dead.


    So, without confirming it, he ssified those who showed kindness in the category of heroines, mostly based on their backstories, where they got whatever they desired and seemed to possess a kind of luck.


    Meanwhile, he categorized those who suffered and had backstories simr to his in the viiness category.


    He was notpletely sure, as many times his assumptions were wrong, but this strategy had provided him profit in the long run.


    This was likely how he could use those holding the title of heroine as meat shields. Given their luck, they would most likely survive.


    This is why he preferred to have at least one beside him in case of danger.


    Though, of course, several times they were just sacrificed, making him understand that his judgment was wrong. But now, at least with Aria on his side, things would be easier.


    But...


    ''Was it due to earlier?'' Avendial nced around the students who were preparing to stand, noticing how Aria, who sat among them, seemed lost in thought while clearly shocked for some reason, prompting him to narrow his gaze as he tried to understand what title she saw from Aecilia that horrified her so much.


    Instead of leaving the ss, Avendial chose to wait and directly inquire, not holding it in, given he was also curious about what kind of title Aecilia could hold.


    Of course, not everyone possessed these kinds of character titles; just because someone didn''t possess a title didn''t mean they were weak. It was just that there was a slight boost in their ability with a title.


    But seeing Aria''s reaction, which waspletely different from how she looked at him, made him wonder exactly what kind of title she had seen to elicit a more intense reaction than that of his Regressed Viin title.


    "Hey, Aria, what happened? Aren''t you leaving?" one of Aria''s friends inquired, nudging her shoulder while holding her books, looking towards her friend Aria, who seemed lost in thought.


    "And what''s with all this sweat? Are you sick?" another friend asked, noticing that even with the air conditioning working in the ssroom, Aria was drenched in sweat.


    ''Is it fever?'' The friend raised an eyebrow and lifted her hand, cing it near Aria''s forehead, just in case to check if she was ill.


    "¡­n-no," Aria stammered, trying to sp her hands to hide the goosebumps that had formed around her body. With her heartbeat crashing so intensely, she found it hard to breathe.


    This sensation was a result of the fear she had just felt a few minutes ago after seeing the title of the woman standing near Professor Aven.


    ''!''


    "Wh-what!? You have a high fever!" her friend yelled, feeling Aria''s forehead, which was as hot as a burning me.


    The friend immediately looked towards the professor.


    In her mind, she recognized that this was likely due to Lin trying to p her, making Aria this vulnerable. She yelled, "Professor! Aria has a very high fever!"


    Naturally, her reaction after knowing that Aria had a fever was to seek the support of an elder or senior, given that most of the students had left, leaving only three or four of them, including Aria. She asked half of Professor Aven, who was preparing to leave.


    "What? Fever?" Avendial had been considering waiting outside or approaching Aria under the pretext of helping her in a ss so he could talk to her alone. Suddenly hearing her friends reveal that she had a fever took him aback.


    He looked towards Aria''s expression, where he noticed her breath bing gasps, appearingbored as if she was struggling to breathe, causing him to clench his fist.


    The reason he showed such a physical response to her expression was that all the signals Aria''s body was showing revealed her intense fear, as if she had seen some kind of ghost.


    This made him even more curious to know exactly what title she might have seen to elicit such a response, especially since Aria herself was a viiness and she had seen his title as a Regressed viin. He couldn''t understand what it could be that had caused her such distress.


    "Let''s take her to the medical staff," Avendial said, putting aside his thoughts. He moved towards Aria, knowing well that she needed medical attention soon. Given her physical state, it could be a problem if something happened to her.


    .


    .


    .N?v(el)B\\jnn


    .


    .


    .


    In one of the Elite Academy''s buildings dedicated to the Department of Medical Sciences, a medical infirmary could also be found, specially prepared for the students who get injured or have some issues within the confines of Elite Academy.


    Inside one of the rooms here, the design could bepared to a very high-quality hospital, where two beds wereid out. A young man with pink hairy on one of the beds, while a woman was seated at a nearby table, sping her hands.


    "Wh-why did the professor hit you?" Amrita looked towards Lin''s exhausted face, noticing his groans and the intense pain he was in, likely a result of how Professor Aven had struck him in the abdomen, leading others to take him inside the infirmary.


    After hearing about this incident, Amrita had instantly rushed to the medical infirmary to check on Lin''s condition.


    Given that he was physically fit and known for his athletic physique, it was a big deal for her to find out that he had to be admitted due to injuries.


    "....M-maybe for what happened yesterday," Lin responded, looking into Amrita''s anxious gaze. He felt relieved that she was talking to him, prompting him to act as if it wasn''t his fault, knowing that by showing this pitiful side of him, he might be able to get her attention and return to how they usually conversed. "He must be angry¡ª"


    Before he couldplete his sentence, a loud woman''s voice suddenly reverberated in the room, where only the two of them were present.


    "Lin! You bastard!"


    ''!?''


    "What?" Amrita, hearing someone call Lin''s name and curse him, turned to see how two of Aria''s friends were supporting her while the third red at Lin, appearing to curse him for some reason.


    Even Professor Aven was standing behind them; given his height, his face was visible, directed towards her with a cold gaze.

 Chapter 103: Chapter 105 - Weakness

    "You bastard!" Aria''s friend yelled as she entered one of the rooms. She noticed Lin already present there, with Amrita seated beside him, prompting her anger to surge, given that, due to Lin''s actions, Aria had developed a high fever.


    Without a second thought, she dashed towards them, raising her hand as if she were about to hit Lin, but Avendial, noticing this as an opportunity, moved forward and grabbed her hand.


    After analyzing Amrita''s personality, Avendial was sure that instead of beating Lin in front of Amrita to elicit sympathy for him, he needed to reveal a side of Lin that would ignite disgust in her.


    In a cold tone, he stopped Aria''s friend while looking at Amrita and said, "Amrita, I have seen your grades, and I know you are a very good student. Your academic scores are also very high, so I hope instead of bullying those who can score well, you should just focus on your own studies."


    ''!?''


    "P-professor?" Amrita was taken aback, suddenly hearing herself referred to like that by the professor. She didn''t understand what he meant.


    After all, why would she engage in bullying those who had the potential to score higher marks than her?


    Wouldn''t it be good if everyone performed well?


    "What! I knew it was this bitch!" Aria''s friend, whose hand was grabbed by the professor, suddenly felt all her anger shift towards Amrita.


    Previously directed at Lin, her anger now recognized that it was Amrita who had manipted Lin into pping Aria.


    There, while maintaining a cold look, a smile passed through Avendial''s eyes as he loosened his grip, letting go of Aria''s friend.


    And the reaction of it?


    Smack


    "It was all due to you!" Aria''s friend pped Amrita.


    "Amrita!!" Lin, whoy on the bed, suddenly saw everything in slow motion as his mind processed the earlier events, thinking about how he shoulde up with another excuse if the professor revealed everything.


    But the moment he saw Aria''s friend p Amrita in front of him, his whole mind snapped.


    Stay connected with m-v l|e''-NovelBin


    All the pain from earlier vanished as his eyes widened. His fists clenched as he tried to stand from the bed.


    The burning anger inside him swirled even more as he dashed from the bed to confront Aria''s friend, who dared to p Amrita.


    ''Huh?'' Amrita stood looking nkly towards the events happening around her, with a sharp intense heat apanied by the pain that started to shroud her left cheek while her eyes observed the re from Aria''s friend as she had just pped Amrita.


    Everything seemed to slow down as if the world had halted.


    Her hand instinctively lifted to hold her cheek, which was in intense, sharp pain. But at that moment, in her line of sight, she saw Lin standing from the bed.


    And in that moment, a sudden spark ignited in her mind, realizing that it was all due to him.


    Her mind raced, seeing Aria''s state, which seemedpletely weak, added to the professor hitting Lin. Everything started to make more sense as her mind realized all the fault belonged to Lin.


    He must have once again overreacted and caused another problem for her. This included how yesterday he had done the same in ss, which caused her hand to reflexively grab Lin''s before he could once again act stupidly and p Aria''s friend.


    "Stop it!" Amrita yelled, grabbing Lin''s hand, causing him to halt, with eyes widening as he was surprised to hear Amrita''s tone directed at him, causing him to turn in her direction.


    "Amrita?" His voice stammered the moment he saw tears forming in Amrita''s eyes, with her ring at him intentionally with anger. It was the first time Lin had seen her looking at him so disappointed.


    Even yesterday, it was just her not talking to him, but today it seemed she held hatred for him.


    "You have already done enough!" Amrita yelled again, a single drop of tear sliding down past her eyes, which wasn''t unnoticed by Avendial as an unnoticeable smirk appeared on his face, seeing that teardrop, which was evidence of the messed-up rtionship that Lin and Amrita were going to fall into.


    "What are you talking about, Amrita?" Lin kept looking towards her face, which soon shattered his heart in an instant.


    The moment tears rushed out of her eyes, he visibly noticed a red fingerprint mark near her left cheek, while tears rolled out of her eyes, which always seemed enthusiastic and curious about her future. Now crying.


    "Sob...why, why, you idiot, why did you do it!" She welled with pain as she let go of Lin''s hand, sping her face with both hands as she fell back on the table, hunched over, trying to control the pain she was feeling.


    It was too messed up for her.


    She just wanted to study, provide support for her brother, and get a good job.


    She didn''t want to be someone''s target of hatred.


    It was Lin who approached her, always acting naively around her.


    She never wanted his attention, nor anyone''s.


    She just wanted to study and get a good job.


    From the start, she had be the target of anger from Aria''s side just because of Lin''s actions.


    Lin, who never once, even after being told by Amrita to console Aria, listened to her.


    This only made the situation even more messed up.


    Misunderstandings kept piling up, destroying everything.


    And when she thought it was limited to Aria and Lin, even now she was getting entangled in these misunderstandings.


    Being a good academic student, she never expected a professor to even me her for things she hadn''tmitted.


    "Amrita? I-I am sorry," Lin flinched the moment he felt that it was all due to him that Amrita was crying, prompting him to stretch his trembling hand towards her, but it was halted by a sudden grab, tight enough to make him halt with his head slowly turning while his pink eyesnded on the bluish ones.


    Naturally, at that moment, he felt as if he were looking at an endless ocean, clearly like a wave trying to devour him.


    His instincts seemed to warn him for some reason, but before Lin could understand, Avendial, clenching his hand in a cold and firm tone, said, "Amrita, tell me, be honest, was Lin alone the one who took actions on his own ord or did you force him?"


    Here, clearly, Avendial wanted to see things through with the clear intent of utilizing the situation to his advantage, his eyes ring intentionally towards Lin with a clear amusement hidden behind, knowing well that in this life instead of simply killing Lin, using him to his advantage would be much more beneficial due to him acting so idiotically and not even reading the room.


    "What?" Lin felt his eyes widen. Given, somehow, he found this whole situation not in his favor. It was as if he was cornered into something he still didn''t know.


    The major reason for his surprise was a smirk he had noticed on Professor Avendial''s face just now, though he was not sure.


    "It was Lin''s own actions, Professor," Amrita, with her head down, revealed, not wanting to risk her academic life due to Lin''s actions.


    Given her future was not only about her, but even her younger brother would starve to death if she got herself thrown out of the academy, where she was surviving somehow on schrships and doing part-time jobs.


    ''!?''


    "A-Amrita? What are you saying?" Lin felt his mind fall into a trance as he heard those words from Amrita, which he had never expected.


    He didn''t care about her ming him, given that it was his own fault. But the issue was the way she said those words waspletely nk, without any hesitation, as if she were disappointed and angered at him at the same time.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He felt his heart skip a beat, causing him to look at her with trembling eyes as he clenched his jaws in emotional pain.


    ''A simp...'', Avendial couldn''t help but judge Lin in a single instance, where his actions solely belonged to idiots in his perspective.


    Feeling disheartened and shocked by a woman who, at a critical moment, turned her back on you definitely signified how weak-hearted this man was.


    And definitely, in Lin''s case, Avendial appreciated it, since it would be much easier to use him in the future.


    ''Congrats Lin, you have just gotten yourself a chance to live a long life.''

 Chapter 104: Chapter 106- Arias dilemma (1)

    "Sorry, Professor, forshing out at her like this," Aria''s friend bowed and apologized to Professor Aven, who had just rified that she should not have acted that way and pped Amrita, who was just standing beside her with her head down.


    Right now, including Avendial, Aria''s friend, and Amrita, all three were standing outside the room, while five people were currently inside the room, including two of Aria''s friends: Aria, who was being treated by a doctor, and Lin, who was seated on another bed.


    "It''s fine, but be calmer next time," Avendial instructed Aria''s friend while looking at her with a narrowed gaze, although his focus was solely on Amrita, who was looking downward with one hand sping the other, clearly in deep anxiety. Noticing this further, he said to Aria''s friend, "Go check on Aria; she needs her friends."


    "Yes, I understand, Professor," Aria''s friend nodded. Even though she was still angry at Amrita, who was responsible for all this, she did not want to offend the professor, who seemed much different and calmer than others. Therefore, she decided to enter the room, leaving both the professor and Amrita standing alone.


    "P-professor, I-I..." Amrita wanted to say something, but her voice did not make its way out of her mouth. Given her condition and her mindset, which had been mostly damaged due to what happened here, she wasn''t confident enough to say anything.


    "You did well, Amrita. You are really a strong woman," Avendial said, stretching his hand and cing it on Amrita''s shoulder to console her before he entered the room.


    Inside, Lin was looking in his direction, clearly flinching, as his eyes showed the same anger reaction that Avendial anticipated.


    Even though his priority right now should have been to avoid creating more misunderstandings, Lin was giving res in distress.


    "Sorry?" Amrita, hearing the professor''s words, didn''t understand what he meant but inquired clearly, feeling relieved by his gesture.


    "I mean, even though both Lin and you are in a rtionship, you supported Truth and did not take his side. I definitely appreciate it," Avendial said, his eyes slightly closed as he nodded. Although he was aware of the situation, he still wanted to confirm Amrita''s thoughts about Lin or whether they were in some kind of rtionship.


    "Wh-what? Professor, we are not in something like that," Amrita lifted her hand and shook hastly, clearly distressed, trying to convey how there wasn''t anything going on between her and Lin, as the professor had mentioned. She was clearly confused by his words, at which Professor Avendial showed a surprised expression.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Oh, my bad," Avendial feigned surprise as he looked in Lin''s direction, who trembled upon hearing those words.


    Not that he wanted to y some childish game with Lin, but it was more that Lin was not just a protagonist whom Avendial needed to save Aria from, but he was also the heir of the Ravan family.


    "Y-yes, that''s how it is..." Amrita slightly felt embarrassed and angry at the same time, knowing that the reason this misunderstanding from the professor was formed due to Lin''s behavior yesterday, where he acted childish and med the professor for helping her in sculpture ss.


    Although both of them had nothing but a small friendship rtionship from the start.


    ''How pitiful,'' Avendial thought, looking towards Amrita with eyes slightly closed and holding a smile.


    He really felt that if this woman could be of some use to him, just like Aria, though there was no achieved feat by her that he knew of from past life, still, one thing he knew was that those holding the title of protagonist had immense luck.


    It was obvious that Lin, despite being the protagonist, still preferred Amrita to Aria, even if we set aside the title for a moment.


    Although his fortune could have aligned with the woman who might offer him the greatest gain, he repeatedly gravitated toward Amrita, demonstrating that she held something far more important than Aria.


    But what?


    Avendial still couldn''t neglect the fact that this woman in front of him held the title of heroine given how she was a third wheel in the rtionship between Aria and Lin.


    But possessing that title and having such favorability from the protagonist was more than enough to make Amrita fall on Avendial''s priority list for now.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "Umh...." Aria''s eyes fluttered as she realized that she had fallen asleep inside the infirmary after taking her medications. Her eyes slowly slid open, and she noticed the ceiling of the room. As she tilted her head slightly, she saw a man with silver hair and sapphire eyes seated nearby.


    "Are you okay?" Avendial asked as he sat there. He had already sent Aria''s friend home, assuring them that he would stay and keep an eye on Aria, since the academy remained open 24/7 due to ongoing research and various activities. Except for a few professors and students, most of the staff were present.


    He had also sent Aecilia away. This left him with a moment of time, as Lin and Amrita had also gone to their ces, leaving only Avendial and Aria alone in the infirmary.


    "....Yes, it''s fine now," Aria said. Looking back towards the ceiling, she remembered thest memory where she had seen Lin also present inside the hospital room.


    Given that she couldn''t hear anyone except the professor, it was likely that he had left, not that she expected anything from him.


    And with most everyone having left, she was alone right now. Her eyes blinked, feeling the aftermath of the sensation still lingering in her mind.


    The sheer memories she had were haunting and painful, enough to make her fall into this state and develop a fever.


    "I see....I will take my leave then," Avendial said, ncing at her as her eyes remained fixed on the ceiling. Your journey continues on mvl


    He had already thought to ask her about the title indirectly, giving him a good way to approach this situation without raising any suspicion regarding the foundation he had alreadyid between Aria and Lin.


    To be honest, there wasn''t any bridge to begin with between the two of them. So breaking it, where only one side was Aria holding on, was much easier.


    Though he still needed time to create a new bridge between himself and her.


    "....Aven, what was our rtionship in the past?" Aria inquired in a weak tone, her eyes still glued to the ceiling while her mind seemed in turmoil.


    It was more like the aftermath of a disaster or an earthquake, leaving everything barren and broken.


    She seemed lost and defeated, wanting to hear some semnce of memories that might provide her with good recollections.


    "It was.....plicated," Avendial replied in the same tone as her, trying to match her frequency to provide a positive impression.


    He halted and turned towards her, looking down into her eyes. Hearing his words, she shifted, looking at him with a squint.


    "Complicated?" Aria asked, feeling confused as she didn''t understand what he meant byplicated.


    "I was not able to reciprocate my feelings to you," Avendial added,ying the bricks with caution, not wanting to let everything fall due to some loophole or errors she might find. He further added, "I just listened to what you said and nodded, not even trying to tell you that you were being foolish."


    "...I see," Aria said. Hearing him express things in such a way, she didn''t know how to react, but it felt hollow.


    It was slightly awkward to hear him call her foolish, but she indeed had never thought of anything else except Lin in her life.

 Chapter 105: Chapter 107 - Aecilias Team

    On a highway that spanned across multiple sectors, a sleek ck sports car roared through the night, its engine growling as it tore past speed limits, ignoring the cautionary signs posted along the way.


    The sixne road was nearly deserted, offering ample room for the car to weave effortlessly between the few vehicles ahead, making full use of the open stretch.


    Tring~


    Inside the car, the driver''s hands moved skillfully, guiding the vehicle with precise control.


    The car suddenly veered off the highway, taking an exit that connected to another road.


    Though the transition from high speed to a sharp turn seemed reckless at first, the driver quickly regained control, bringing the car to a steady pace after a brief skid.


    "Have you found anything about her?" Aecilia asked, her eyes locked on the road ahead.


    Her voice was calm, but her focus was sharp.


    One hand rested on the steering wheel while the other interacted with the car''s built-in receiver, ensuring her attention never wavered from the drive.


    :: Yes, mydy. The woman in the photo is Aria Williams, daughter of...


    The voice on the other end of the call belonged to a woman, calmly detailing the background of the person Aecilia had been investigating.


    After Aecilia''s meeting with the Marquess, she had sent the photo for identification, and now the information was being ryed back to her.


    Aria Williams, it was revealed, was the daughter of a well-known businessman from Sector 15, primarily involved in the textile industry.


    Following her mother''s death, Aria had be increasingly isted, falling into depression as her father buried himself in his work, neglecting the emotional needs of his daughter during her most vulnerable years.


    Theirst public interaction, outside the confines of their home, had been over the arrangement of her marriage to Lin Diego, the son of her father''s close friend.


    While such personal details might seem difficult to ess, in today''s world, where everyone carries a phone, it is all too easy to obtain information.


    Phones, even when switched off, still contain data that can be extracted if one knows the right channels¡ªand has enough money to grease the wheels.


    No matter how secure a device ims to be, everything is run by apany somewhere, andpanies sell data if the price is right.


    With teams of people working on a single lead, it didn''t take long for them to uncover Aria''s details.


    "I see... what about Amrita?" Aecilia asked, smoothly pulling her car into the hotel''s parking lot.


    She tossed her keys to a waiting valet as she switched her attention back to the phone, inquiring about another person¡ªthe one whose background the Marquess was particrly interested in.


    :: About her...


    This time, the voice on the call was different, hinting that the task of gathering information had been split between two team leaders, both now reporting back to Aecilia.


    The second woman exined Amrita''s troubled past.


    After her mother had abandoned them, leaving behind the responsibility of raising two children, Amrita and her younger brother had been forced to fend for themselves.


    Amrita turned to her studies, taking on part-time jobs to support her brother and securing schrships that eventually got her into an elite academy.


    Her brother, however, had chosen a different path¡ªone filled with scams and deceit.


    Working in call centers, he targeted elderly and gullible individuals, exploiting them for money.


    Interestingly, both siblings kept their true history hidden, always telling people that their parents had died in an ident.


    This lie had helped them maintain a certain image, masking the uglier truths of their lives from the outside world.


    "I see... is there anything noteworthy about both of them?" Aecilia inquired, trying to understand if there was any kind of rtion between Amrita and Aria.


    Given their present rtions weren''t in perfect sync, it seemed usible that what she had heard from the information was due to them having feelings for Lin Diego.


    :: Not particrly in these two cases, but there is a rtion between the man named Leo and Amrita''s brother. ::


    "...What is your name?" Aecilia asked, instead of further inquiring, seeing how the woman providing the information seemed well aware of her needs.


    Instead of answering only what was asked of her, she had gone beyond to research something that could be helpful, making it slightly convenient for Aecilia to know at least the name of a potential member inside the group who at least needed some kind of sry hike.


    :: Huh? Oh, it''s Moni. ::


    "Continue," Aecilia instructed, remembering the name and expecting something worth giving her an upper hand for making the second deal she would do with the Marquess using this particr information as a bargain.


    :: Thepany''s owner where Leo worked got scammed by Amrita''s brother; he had targeted the old man given his kind personality...


    The way Moni provided all the details seemed to prove thepetence of the members of the Intelligence Department in Sertsul Family, given how she was prepared with even the old man''s information about his personality and characteristics, which were hard to obtain from someone who wasn''t very active on social media but still shared vague and urate information.


    "I see. You can wait for further orders," Aecilia said as she ended the call, cing her phone in her pocket before entering her room.


    Upon closing the door, she patiently sat on a sofa, which appeared to be part of a presidential suiterge enough to resemble a hallway.


    She then looked towards arge window in front of her, revealing a night sky filled with the moon and stars. She thought about how Lin Diego was from a Ravan family, which Marquess was already aware of, and that he had most likely helped that man named Leo, after knowing about the clear grudge he held against Amrita''s brother. (*misunderstanding)


    It all felt as if everything was moving precisely as Marquess wanted, making her think for a moment, ''Marquess, have youe from the future?''


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Far away from the hotel room, inside the elite academy''s department of medical science, even though the long auditorium waspletely empty, the whole academy was illuminated due to artificial bulbs and lights.


    Inside a room in that department, the lights were still on, revealing two people seated nearby.


    "Professor, you can leave... if you want," Aria, seated on the bed, even though she felt her legs were numb, nced towards Avendial, who was seated nearby, with hands folded and eyes closed, as he opened one of his eyes looking towards her.


    Naturally, as he did, he noticed that subtle hint of hesitation in her voice, clearly showing her state, being aware she wanted him to go away, but not with her heart.


    She wanted someone nearby, and given he was here, it was clearly giving rise to a sense of closeness in her.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    At the end of the day, no matter how strong the connections between people may be, it is only those who rescue them from dire circumstances¡ªwhen they are surrounded by darkness¡ªthat they genuinely appreciate as their saviors.


    So, right now Avendial was ying the role of a savior.


    "Are you not going to your home?" Avendial inquired, noticing her sitting on her bed and looking towards the window, as she pursed her lips with visible tension, appearing very vulnerable.


    Read exclusive adventures at mvl


    "Home? I live alone, Professor," Aria managed a slight smile, remembering the house where she lived.


    As a child, she would wait for her father toe back from work, falling asleep while waiting.


    In the morning, she would wake up with her nket over her body, often contemting the care he had for her neighbor back then.

 Chapter 106: Chapter 108- Arias Dilemma (2)

    "Thanks for the precious information, my student," Avendial smirked as he teased her, trying to lighten the mood. However, his intention was to have her lower her guard slightly.


    "....Aren''t you already aware of my address?" Aria gave a nk look at his teasing, clearly trying to convey that he was from the future, so of course, he must have known how she lived alone.


    "Pfft, of course, I can''t know everything," Avendial chuckled as he shook his head, appearing as if he were caught up in emotions, trying to seempletely naive to prevent her from doubting him about what he was about to do next. "You never mentioned your address, and who even cares when the world has already been destroyed?


    The most I knew was the reason for your facial burn, which caused me toe here inside the Elite Academy."


    ''!?!''


    "Wh-what?" Aria''s head snapped toward Avendial as she turned away from the windows, hearing those words that sent visible shock through her mind as she processed the hard-to-understand information he had revealed.


    "Huh? What happened?.... Damn it," Avendial looked toward Aria and acted as if his mouth had slipped. He stood before cing his hand on his chin, feigning anxiety, before hastily moving toward the door to leave.


    "Wait! Stop, tell me, what does that even mean?!" Aria hastily lifted herself up from the bed and stumbled, feeling weakened while realizing she couldn''t regain control.


    She fell to the floor, her legs numb. It was a sensation she had never felt, but ignoring it, her focus turned entirely toward the revtion about her burned face and the impending doom.


    "Aria!? Control yourself," Avendial, who definitely had no intention of leaving the room, halted. He turned toward her as he saw her fallen on the floor, offering his support as he helped her to stand up. She ced one hand on his for support while still looking into his anxious gaze.


    ''Again?'' Aria noted that same expression on his face, presenting anxiety due to her suffering.


    This caused a twinge of pain in her heart, given that no one had ever shown such concern for her injuries, whether she was the one caring for others or being ignored. ''No, it''s not the time.''


    She shook her head, wanting to set aside these thoughts for now and inquire about what he had said. Given that she could see his title, she knew he was from the future.


    The moment he revealed these things, she was beyond shocked, prompting her to ask, "How did my face burn? And what about this world ending?!"


    "Ugh... Why are you so stubborn? Just stay put," Avendial tried to lift her. Of course, given his physical strength, he could have easily lifted her but acted as if he were being considerate, swaying with her actions.


    In the end, he needed to tell Aecilia to leave the academy without him, just to secure an opportunity today.


    He even had the doctor administer a strong anesthesia to her so she could at least remain unconscious for five to six hours.


    After all this hassle, if he just let go of this opportunity, it would be a pure loss.


    "No, no, please tell me first!" Aria repeated, knowing well that after the events of today¡ªafter what happened one after another, seeing Lin trying to p her, then finding herself alone with nothing to hold onto¡ªshe had only the support of this unknown man who imed to have affection for her.


    And now he had just mentioned crucial information and was about to leave withoutpleting it.


    She knew that whatever he had told her was the truth; in the flow of emotions, he had spoken those words without thinking much, stating them casually.


    This prompted her to grab his shoulder and pull him down, not wanting to lift herself up, worried that he would run away. Given her force, he also came to his knees on the floor.


    "Damn it, I should have just listened to Aria''s words and not met you," Avendial still kept his act fluid, going along as if he were influenced by her future self, who wanted to prevent him from revealing anything to Aria about the past.


    He was creating a scenario that would make it inevitable for this woman to be emotionally attached.


    "What? Hey you, tell me now! Why was my face burned?" Aria, seeing him avoid her gaze and clicking his tongue, felt frustrated. She swiftly sped his face, turning it toward hers until just two inches were the distance between them, their warm breaths mingling as he red into her eyes so closely.


    badump


    "Huh, I-I am sorry?" Aria suddenly realized what she had done. Given how close they were, she distanced herself and tried to remove her hand, but he kept holding it.


    "A tower, just like those stories would arrive in this world," Avendial said, clenching her hand. From this distance, he noticed her milky white skin and ck hair tucked behind her ears, revealing her neck. Her longshes hid her eyes as they looked away from him. The slight blush near her ears revealed her embarrassment, prompting him to utilize this moment of vulnerability.


    This was the moment when her mind was overwhelmed with emotions, making it difficult for her to find any loopholes in the stories he concocted.


    Although he would have preferred to keep his stories as realistic as possible, the inevitable truth is that regardless of how sharp a crime is executed, there is always some evidence left behind.


    Errors are inevitable, which is why he had secured this opportunity to first make her emotionally vulnerable.


    He was forced to act this way and go this far with her just because of how important her ability was to him right now. The importance of her ability was something he couldn''t gain or use through force alone.


    Given her capacity to provide wrong information if he tried to coerce her, he needed loyalty, and loyalty is often attached to love in her case.


    "T-tower? What? Is this a joke?" Aria felt her eyes tremble upon hearing that revtion. But the moment she turned her face back toward him, noticing the serious look on his face, she appearedpletely shocked. Inside, she knew, ''He is telling the truth.''


    Though her mind didn''t want to believe it, she sensed he was not lying. This realization made her understand that her strange ability, these titles, and now even the presence of someone from the future, were definitely not a fluke.


    It was all part of an uing catastrophe that would befall this world in the future.


    "On 13 January 2032, several monsters from another world will attack Elite Academy, burning it to the ground, and there Aria will be betrayed for the first time," Avendial said in a cold tone, making up the story since he literally didn''t know what happened to Aria or when it happened.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But if it was just a monster attack, he could make it appear like a butterfly effect that changed everything,bined with the fact that he knew it was clearly the day the tower''s first gate opened.


    "B-betrayed? What?!" Aria eximed, still not trusting him. However, she felt his hand gripping her shoulders tightly, their hands interlinked.


    Slowly, he leaned in and hugged her tightly.


    ''?!''


    His embrace surprised her, causing her eyes to widen as they were both seated.


    "Can we remain like this for a moment, Aria?" Avendial asked as he hugged her.


    He noticed a vibration from his phone¡ªa message he had expected from Aecilia after gathering information on Aria and Amrita¡ªprompting him to check it while pretending to be emotionally hurt as he held her.


    thump thump

 Chapter 107: Chapter 109- Aecilias Title (2)

    thump thump


    "I..." Aria, seated and enveloped in the tight embrace of Professor Aven, felt her heart race.


    No matter how much she struggled, his grip was firm enough to keep her from moving,pelling her to lean against his shoulder, nuzzling her face into his neck.


    ''He smells nice.'' Wearied by both physical and mental exhaustion, her mind sought even a hint of warmth.


    In that moment, she found sce in the warmth radiating from professor Aven''s body and the enticing scent that surrounded him.


    ''A scammer?'' Meanwhile, Avendial, absorbed in details on his phone, came across a significant piece of information.


    Leo, whom he had awakened just the day before, turned out to be connected to the samepany that had fallen victim to a scam orchestrated by Amrita''s brother.


    This detail could potentially be wielded to his advantage.


    ''Hm?'' Avendial suddenly caught sight of Aria sniffing his neck, a yful smirk creeping across his face.


    It reminded him of the woman known as Baroness Margaret Grafia¡ªthe one behind the captivating perfume he wore.


    Of course, he wasn''t merely admiring the fragrance.


    His thoughts drifted to his second target, a necessary step after dealing with Aria.


    In his previous life, when the Tower first arrived, everyone had rapidly teleported into a tutorial phase.


    It felt as if they were all cast onto an alien¡ªbecause, in truth, that''s precisely what happened.


    Towers served as gateways to various worlds, each inhabited by natives who weed neers as either guests or intruders, depending on the native''s demeanor.


    And naturally for someone in a barren foreignnd, the most important thing is¡ªnamely, resources.


    But even more pressing than gathering resources was the need to transport them.


    Transporting resources from one location to another¡ªwhether from Earth to the tower or between the different floors of the tower¡ªrequired substantial manpower.


    To tackle this challenge, certain Awakeners possessed space-type abilities, granting them ess to inventory space or other dimensional storage.


    Thus, Avendial''s next target, after securing essential resources, was to align himself with an Awakener who held these coveted space-type abilities.


    Not wanting to dwell too deeply on these thoughts, he set them aside, realizing that his immediate priority was to ensure Aria''s loyalty.


    He turned his attention back to her, silenced his phone, and leaned in, resting his head near her neck nape and nting a gentle kiss.


    ''!''


    "W-wait?!" Aria flinched at the sudden, cold touch near her neck when she realized she had just received a kiss.


    Her heart raced as she instinctively pulled back, causing her  to stumble backward onto the floor.


    ''Not yet?'' Avendial''s gaze turned cold, having hoped to use this moment to provide her with a double awakening and secure her.


    The way she had flinched and quickly distanced herself made him recognize her strong mental fortitude, evident in her reaction.


    It was impressive how she could yank her hand back from even the warmth amid the chilling night.


    "I-I mean, we don''t even know each other," Aria stammered, supporting herself with her hand. She nced at Professor Avendial, whose eyes widened slightly in surprise.


    ''!''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She felt a surge of anxiety as she realized her outburst might have made him ufortable. "N-no, I mean¡ª"


    "It''s fine, don''t force yourself," Avendial replied, standing up and dusting off his clothes. He extended his hand to help her up, maintaining an impassive expression that betrayed neither disappointment nor satisfaction in her actions.


    Deep down, he wanted her to feel a sense of guilt for what had just transpired.


    Having encountered many different types of people, Avendial understood that those with strong mental fortitude are often able to grasp the perspectives of others.


    To put it simply, they tend to judge situations by considering the viewpoints of everyone involved.


    For instance, if someonemitted an evil act, such individuals might wonder why that person acted as they did and remain strong against the justifications offered.


    This was particrly true for Aria, who, despite her viiness title, never med Amrita, unlike her friends.


    Avendial had taken note of this, recognizing her mature side and her ability to empathize with Amrita''s situation, likely pondering how Amrita had been forced into her actions.


    This insight led Avendial to offer Aria support in that critical moment when she found herself surrounded by nothing but cold, yetforted by the warmth of a gentle me.


    However, her unexpected reactionpelled him to intentionally express his dissatisfaction.


    He wanted her to reflect on his perspective and consider how her gesture might have hurt him, even though he had been kind.


    Human psychology isplex, yet it''s not impossible to decipher when one closely observes a person''s personality.


    Each individual is unique, but ultimately, certain traits andbinations of personalities reveal predictable patterns of behavior based on established psychological principles.


    Just as a kind and religious person often embodies optimism, the reverse isn''t necessarily true. Someone may exhibit kindness solely to maintain a favorable image in society, and those same principles might be applied to their religious convictions.


    Thus, psychology is aplicated field, not universally applicable to everyone.


    Ultimately, it is still defined as the study of the mind, not the science of the mind.


    "I am sorry¡­." Aria heard those words from Professor Aven, and they triggered a wave of guilt within her.


    Though she had tried to read his expression, he remained silent about her earlier actions, which only made her look downward, embarrassed.


    ''This is the right moment,'' Avendial thought as he sensed an opportunity to inquire about the title she had seen regarding Aecilia.


    He noticed Aria''s guilty demeanor, which seemed to rob her of the courage to ask about the woman he was going to mention. Instead, he gently asked, "Did you see her title?"


    ''!?''


    A shockwave hit Aria at those words, and she felt her heart constrict.


    The sensation she had experienced that day flooded back, assaulting her mind with the force of vivid recollections.


    Slowly, she nodded, acknowledging with a sinking feeling that yes, she had indeed seen it.


    It was a response that seemed ordinary, yet within her, it unleashed an emotional torrent.


    It felt as though she were staring into the eyes of a predator, something infinitely more formidable than herself, tightening its grip around her throat.


    "Y-yes¡­," she managed to reply, a tremor in her voice. Her hand instinctively flew to her forehead as painful memories swelled, intensifying the ache there.


    The fear surged within her, a visceral understanding that no one else couldprehend¡ªthe fear of being killed.


    Avendial observed Aria''s trembling state, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the remnants of her fear.


    It was rming; he could sense how such a feeling might evolve into a long-standing trauma.


    However, understanding the urgency of the matter at hand, he pressed on, disregarding her visible distress. "What did you see?"


    This was an opportune moment. Aria, ensnared in a haze of painful memories,cked the rity to question why he seemed to be ignorant of that woman''s title, even though he hailed from the future.


    His inquiry was prompted not by mere curiosity but rather by a pressing need to understand, while Aria remained lost within her nk state, consumed by recollections of fear.


    "...." Aria looked downward, her pupils trembling as she tightly shut her eyes, her mind recalling the screen above that woman''s head. She replied, "It was...


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    ???SOVEREIGN HEROINE


    ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥


    "Huh? Which heroine did you say?"

 Chapter 108: Chapter 110- A Hypothesis

    "What heroine did you say?" Avendial asked, clearly confused upon hearing a term that was unfamiliar to him, even though he hade from the future.


    It was possible that someone might knew about it but had chosen to hide that knowledge from the outside world.


    "It was ''Sovereign Heroine,''" Aria replied, her body trembling as she recalled the moment she first saw that title.


    It felt as though something had gripped her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.


    This sensation was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.


    Whenever she saw the title of Amrita, she would usually feel a slight irritation, but it was manageable.


    However, seeing that title over the woman''s head was an entirely different ordeal; it felt as if she were dying.


    This was the first time Aria had ever experienced such a powerful reaction, simply from looking at someone''s title.


    Avendial stood there, observing Aria as she gazed downward, hands sped anxiously.


    Although he felt she was not lying, he found himself questioning whether there was more to these titles of heroine and viiness than he had previously understood.


    In his past life, he had possessed knowledge about heroines and viinesses that no one else did.


    Guided by the information Aria disclosed at thest moment of her life, he had always categorized individuals based on their backstories, which had helped him navigate his own challenges¡ªUsing heroines as meat shields and viinesses as traitors.


    Now, hearing about a specific type of heroine was confusing.


    Yet, rather than dwell on that, Avendial focused on Aecilia''s state.


    Even more surprising was the fact that Aecilia possessed a title of heroine.


    This revtion piqued his curiosity.


    In his previous life, he had heard reputations surrounding her¡ªshe never came across as likable or particrly favored, often being avoided by others.


    Perhaps it stemmed from being born into the Sertsul family, known for its ignoble legacy, but he couldn''t fathom her possessing the qualities typically associated with a heroine.


    Yet, upon reflection, he realized that Amrita had a simr situation.


    Her parents had separated, leaving only Amrita and her brother to navigate the aftermath.


    If she also carried the title of heroine, it forced Avendial to reassess his perspective; he had previously believed that heroines were always fortunate.


    Yet, he couldn''t deny the possibility that some other variable contributed to Amrita''s misfortunes.


    Both Amrita and Aecilia, even though they held the title of heroines, did not possess the fortune he expected them to have.


    ''What could this title be?'' He turned his gaze toward the window, moving closer to it as he sought to calm his mind.


    He contemted all the possibilities, analyzing the situation to find something of significance amidst the confusion.


    As he looked out at the moonlight, his eyes slightly closed, he asked, keeping in mind Aria''s fear regarding that title, "What do you feel when you see Amrita''s Heroine title?"


    "...t-that''s" Aria, hearing that Professor Avendial was aware of the title possessed by Amrita, was not surprised.


    After all, he was from the future, and she thought it was possible that her future self had shared this information with him. She replied, "It''s anger, but manageable."


    As she expressed that it was manageable, Avendial ced his hand over half of his face, deep in thought, noting several points: Aria''s fear regarding Aecilia''s heroine title contrasted sharply with her feelings toward Amrita''s.


    There was amon thread in both cases: her conflicting emotions regarding their titles.


    If one were to categorize their opposing natures as heroine and viiness, it became evident that Aria often experienced negative emotions.


    For a moment, Avendial contemted how Amrita possessed a nk ''heroine'' title while Aria bore a starkly in ''viiness'' title.


    On the surface, they seemedparable,cking any additional distinctions.


    However, Aecilia stood apart with a distinguished epithet preceding her name¡ª''Sovereign''


    His thoughts drifted to the question: ''What if there''s a counterfeit title for her as well?''


    Just as Amrita''s heroine title had a counterfeit in Aria''s viiness title, what if there were a corresponding title for the sovereign heroine, such as a sovereign viiness?


    This line of thinking sparked a realization as he noted how negative emotions frequently clouded Aria''s mind whenever she encountered Amrita, who carried a title diametrically opposed to hers.


    It was usible that there existed a hierarchy among heroines and viinesses.


    Given that Aecilia upied a higher rank than Aria''s viiness title, the terror that arose in Aria''s thoughts likely stemmed from this disparity.


    ''Hmm, this does seem usible,'' Avendial noted.


    Though it was difficult to believe, he couldn''t help but consider the stroke of luck that hade his way over these past few days; everything seemed to be unfolding too smoothly¡ªfar from his usual experience.


    It was almost as if fortune had taken a liking to him.


    Without fully understanding the reasons behind it, he had previously assumed that Aecilia was the source of this newfound luck.


    Given her title as a heroine, it now made sense that she might be the one bringing him this fortunate turn of events.


    Yet, the questions continued to swirl in his mind: Why was this fortune only extending to him?


    What about herself?


    Were there different types of heroines in this world?


    If the sovereign heroine had the ability to attract fortune, what kind of power would apany a sovereign viiness?


    To attract misfortune?


    As he pondered these many thoughts, he gazed at the calm sky, slowly opening his eyes to reveal the deep blue of his pupils, resembling a starry night.


    He exhaled, calming himself, and turned his attention to Aria.


    He recognized that dwelling on possibilities would only lead to wasted time.


    Shifting his focus to her, he maintained a neutral expression and inquired gently, as he noticed the anxiety in her eyes caused by resurfacing memories, "You seem anxious. Are you alright?"


    "Um... y-yes," Aecilia responded, looking slightly overwhelmed by thoughts that were less than favorable.


    However, upon hearing his voice and seeing him standing near the window, his silver hair illuminated by the moonlight, her worries began to melt away.


    There was something calming about his presence.


    "I see. It''s already 1:20 AM. Would you like to sleep?" Avendial asked, choosing to steer the conversation away from the ufortable memories.


    Rather than suggesting he would take her home¡ªwhich he knew was a sensitive subject given her earlier admission that shecked a conventional home¡ªhe opted to focus on the present.


    He reminded himself to take things slowly and steadily, allowing his mind to settle amidst the swirling thoughts and emotions crowding his mind through all the unnecessary information at this moment.


    "Sleep?" Aria felt confused inquiring as she kept looking towards him.


    ---


    ''Waaaahhhh! N-no, no!''


    Ariay on the bed, her mind a whirlwind of confusion as she found herself beside Professor Aven, who was hugging her from behind.


    She stammered, "P-professor..."


    "I will be leaving the academy in two days, Aria," Avendial said, his eyes closed, fully aware of what she was about to express.


    As he tightened his grip slightly, he offered her mind a distraction, allowing her to gradually limate to his touch.


    It was a slow process¡ªstarting with that first kiss, followed by gentle consoling touches, and then hugs that had deepened over time.


    Now, here they were, lying together for an extended period, slowly molding her thoughts to ept him as a part of her life.


    ''!?''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ".....I see," Aria murmured. Instead of pulling away, she remained nestled against him, feeling an inexplicable difort at his words.


    Deep down, she didn''t want him to go, yet it felt undeniable that she was not the person he was seeking; she was far from her future self.


    As these thoughts swirled in her mind, she tried to ignore his gentle caress and eventually sumbed to sleep, only to inquire in a sleepy voice as she felt something hard poking against her butt, "Professor, can you take your phone out of your pocket, it''s pressing against me?"


    "...Do you think a phone would be this long?"

 Chapter 109: Chapter 111- Resignation

    January 16, 2031


    "Are you still feeling sick?" Aria''s friend, Inquire, nced over at her as they made their way toward the main gate of the academy. A throng of students trailed behind, their chatter filling the air, while cars and bikes lined the busy asphalt.


    The scene was lively, buzzing with excitement as students flocked to the academy.


    "Huh? No, I''m fine," Aria replied, though her mind was still lingering on the events of the previous night. The memories flooded back, making her cheeks warm with embarrassment. She couldn''t believe she''d acted that way, giving him such an opening. More than that, she was embarrassed by how her own thoughts spiraled.


    -----


    "...Do you think a phone would be this long?"


    "Kyaaah?!"


    "Why are you yelling? It''s just a pen. Now sleep."


    -----


    ''Really...'' Aria mused, unable to shake off the recollection ofst night. When he had hugged her and told her to sleep, it had felt so natural andforting. They had both drifted off in that position, though she hadn''t managed to close her eyes for even a moment.


    While he slept soundly beside her, wrapped in a peaceful slumber, her heart raced uncontrobly, refusing to settle. It was a whirlwind of emotions that kept her wide awake for the entire night.


    Finally, at 4 a.m., she quietly slipped out from the warmth of his embrace and returned home, her mind still racing from the intensity of it all.


    ''Focus,'' Aria reminded herself, calming down. Though her body hadpletely healed from the aftereffects, her mind was still exhaling the remnants of anxiety.


    She hesitated to dwell on that woman''s title, unsure why it weighed on her, and decided to set it aside for now. Instead, she concentrated on today''s sses, keeping pace with her friends.


    "Amrita, wait! Aren''t you going to listen to me?"


    As they re-entered the main gate, a voice drew their attention. Lin was trailing behind Amrita, who kept her pace swift, seemingly intent on reaching her ss without acknowledging him.


    "Tch, why act so innocent?" one of Aria''s friendsined, irritation clear in her voice as she nced at Amrita.


    But recalling what the professor had advised her about not ming that woman, she took a deep breath, rxed her shoulders, and averted her gaze as she folded her arms. "Lin has lost his mind."


    Watching Amrita''s swaying back as she walked away, Aria felt a frown tug at her lips. Lin followed closely behind her, and Aria narrowed her gaze, deep in thought as snippets of the professor''s words echoed in her mind.


    // In the future, you will die at Lin''s hand. //


    // On January 13, 2031, Aria faced her first betrayal in life. //


    Those phrases yed over and over in her head.


    She closed her eyes, tightly clutching the books in her arms before loosening them again, her expression turned impassive.


    Steeling herself, she made her way into the department building with her friends trailing behind her, sensing her uncharacteristic silence.


    ---


    ''Will the world be destroyed? A tower?'' Inside the lecture hall, Aria''s gaze remained fixed ahead, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Her mind was preupied with thoughts of what the professor had revealed to her the night before.


    She struggled to make sense of the information, wishing to dismiss it as mere fantasy.


    However, deep down, she recognized the unsettling truth behind it¡ªshe possessed power, and if her abilities were real, then the looming threat of the world''s destruction was also genuine.


    ''What happened to my family?'' As she pondered these thoughts, it was only natural for her to wonder about what the future held for her, even if she struggled to fully ept the professor''s words.


    The idea that Lin would kill her was difficult to grasp.


    It wasn''t that she didn''t believe what the professor had said¡ªafter all, as the designated viiness and with Lin cast in the role of the protagonist, their paths were destined to sh.


    But beneath it all lingered a palpable sadness.


    They had known each other since childhood, and their rtionship had begun to distort after the announcement of their engagement.


    It was this same distortion that made her question: could Lin truly be capable of killing her?


    ''!''


    ''Where is Professor Aven?'' Aria suddenly thought as she noticed the lecture hall door swing open. Their old professor was making his way to the tform, adjusting the microphone as he arrived. Continue your saga on mvl


    "Ahem, good morning, students. Professor Aven resigned this morning, and it seems I''m back again," he announced, clearing his throat before surveying the ssroom. He appeared slightly perplexed by the abrupt change, as it only proved that the students had not been satisfied with the temporary recement. ''It seems they really missed me.''


    "Whhhaaaaaaat?"


    "Why are you here?"


    "We thought Professor Aven would teach us?"


    "Shouldn''t a sculpture-like man take sculpture sses, not an old man?"


    ''....'' The professor couldn''t shake off the feeling of defeat as he stared at the students before him, grappling with their ungratefulness.


    He had dedicated months to guiding them through theplexity of sculpture, yet they expressed a desire for a new instructor who had only arrived just two days ago.


    The stark contrast in their attitudes felt like a personal defeat in his journey as a teacher.


    "Huh? Resigned? Why?" Aria''s voice trembled as she looked at her old professor. Clenching her fists, she recalled how Professor Aven had revealed to her his thoughts of leaving the college after two days.


    But today?


    Why today?


    She still had countless questions lingering in her mind, and his sudden departure felt like a cruel joke after he had shared so much with her.


    And didn''t he say they had a rtionship in the future?


    "Professor, I don''t think I''m feeling well," Aria said hastily.


    She rose from her seat, gathering her books as she moved purposefully down the auditorium aisle, her emotions turbulent.


    The professor, having recognized her as the student who had been ill and admitted just yesterday, simply nodded in acknowledgment of her distress.


    As she rushed through the corridor, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind.


    ''Why did he leave so suddenly?'' she pondered, determination filling her as she made her way to the director''s office.


    Each step intensified her need for answers regarding her professor''s unexpected resignation.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "Apologies for the dy, sir. Here is your key," said a receptionist at the five-star hotel as she stepped forward to greet the man before her.


    She handed him the key to Aecilia Sertsul''s room, clearly flouting the hotel''s strict rules prioritizing the privacy and safety of its guests.


    However, this time, protocols seemed to be overlooked, given that the man was Marquess Avendial Croceaus.


    "Hehe, sir, is there anything else I can assist you with?" inquired the hotel owner, sping his hands and ncing expectantly at Marquess.


    Avendial merely cast a fleeting nce in the owner''s direction before turning away and striding toward the presidential suite.


    As Avendial passed through the hotel''s corridors filled with staff and guests alike, he took the lift to the designated floor.


    Upon reaching his destination, he made his way down the long hallway until he arrived at the door to the presidential suite.


    With a determined expression, he used the smart key to unlock the door without knocking.


    The room was enormous, resembling a mansion in itself,plete withrge ss windows that framed a breathtakingndscape.


    Yet, Avendial''s eyes were focused elsewhere as he stood in the center of the grand space, a smile creeping onto his face.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    His gazended on a woman, Aecilia, who had one leg draped over the sofa while the other was on the floor, struggling to put on her stockings.


    "Good morning, Miss Aecilia. It seems you''ve woken upte," Avendial said with a warm smile, his eyes closing in a friendly manner.


    To his expectations, a towel suddenly flew through the air andnded squarely on his face.


    "Don''t enter when I''m changing!" came Aecilia''s sharp voice, echoing through thevish suite.

 Chapter 110: Chapter 112- Mayor

    "Where are we going, Marquess?" Aecilia asked as she drove the car toward the main gate of the hotel. The guards opened the door, making way for them.


    "To meet the Mayor of this city," Avendial replied, leaning with one hand propping up his chin, gazing out the window as he told Aecilia their destination.


    Aecilia fell silent, her expectations dashed¡ªthe idea of a romantic date had just flickered out.


    She shifted gears, her fingers dancing across the steering wheel.


    Stealing a side nce at Avendial, she recalled how he had barged into her room without warning while she was in the midst of changing.


    It wasn''t that she felt embarrassed about his intrusion; rather, her annoyance stemmed from the timing of it.


    He walked in after she had already changed her dress, not before.


    Yeah, she was just putting on stockings atst.


    Toplicate matters, instead of heading to the academy as she had anticipated, he directed her to meet the mayor.


    Now she needs to contact the Sertsul family to make arrangements, but it was also relieving.


    Since it meant they could skip the possibility of her having to teach students.


    With a newfound sense of freedom, she pressed the elerator as they merged onto the highway, while Avendial beside her continued to look outside, lost in thought.


    ''An ability which provides luck?'' Avendial pondered, his expression impassive as he stared out the window. He contemted whether Aecilia''s title genuinely bestowed him with luck, amon trait among most heroines.


    Still, he couldn''t help but wonder if it offered something more¡ªlike how it seemed to bring him fortune rather than her.


    Specifically, he was bing increasingly convinced that her luck did not favor her but rather him.


    Despite having suggested they go on dates multiple times, he always seemed to gain something from those experiences, while she missed out on the romantic escapade she had envisioned.


    He dismissed the notion that her luck affected others in the same way. Despite her connections with various people, such as Rihane and Leo, who¡ªtruth be told¡ªstill has not arrived after the hospital event.


    In conclusion, it was clear that her good fortune exclusively benefited him.


    Though again: Why him, especially?


    But somehow, he already knew the answer, which caused him to close his eyes and ask it.


    "....Why do you love me?" Avendial asked, his tone direct as he broached the subject without holding back.


    He understood why Rivia had developed feelings for him¡ªshe was an orphan he had helped, someone who saw him as a savior after their journey together growing up.


    But Aecilia, what about her?


    He was self-aware enough to recognize that his looks might draw someone in, but love was an entirely different matter.


    Assuming that every woman would fall for someone solely because of looks is a wed notion, a mere fantasy spun by one''s imagination. Attraction and affection are two different terms.


    "Because you are rich, handsome, and have a good social status... doesn''t that make you the perfect husband material?" Aecilia said suddenly.


    When she heard his question, she wasn''t surprised; she had sensed for some time that he knew about her feelings for him. Knowing him well, she figured he would eventually ask her something along these lines.


    After all, a person possessing intellect would struggle to grasp theplexities of the heart.


    Some might dismiss such feelings as cringe-worthy or insincere.


    So, she decided to give him a very valid exnation.


    "Huh?" Avendial responded, caught off guard by her straightforward reply. It seemed logical on the surface, yet it felt like a facade, as if she was deliberately withholding the truth from him.


    Though he didn''t particrly mind, in a way, as he believed that if she was offering him herpany and affection freely, it was only right for him to ept it graciously, without probing further.


    Especially after knowing how lucky she was to have him, but of course, luck can''t do everything without him even making a move.


    So, it''s work time.


    ---


    Sector 4 housed the current City A''s mayor''s residence, alongside the key government buildings that formed the core of governance.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    This sector was a hub for administration, where the primary functions of the city''s government unfolded.


    Unlike standard democracies or traditional country systems, governance here prioritized merit and knowledge over poprity contests.


    Candidates aiming to be political representatives or sector officials couldn''t merely rely on votes; they had to earn their ce through rigorous qualification exams.


    Each candidate studied the history,ws, and workings of the Arinphiam Empire, eventually passing an intense written exam to qualify.


    Only after meeting these educational and ethical standards could they run for a mayoral position. Your next chapter awaits on mvl


    Once elected, the mayor oversaw a team of sector magistrates who managed the sector, ensuring smooth administration.


    The collective council of mayors then held a vote to establish a central government, creating a system founded on expertise rather than simple majority rule.


    This form of governance allowed decisions to be rooted in deep understanding rather than mere poprity.


    At the heart of Sector 4, a fortified highway connected the central district to neighboring sectors, serving as both a secure transit route and a demarcation of authority.


    Alongside the governance buildings, various official departments handled the responsibilities of security, public administration, vote management, and other civic needs.


    The local residents, many of whom worked directly or indirectly with government functions, contributed to this unique blend of regted democracy and academic-based eligibility that defined the sector''s identity.


    Vrooom!


    A car''s engine roar sounded, echoing through the highway as the soldiers holding guns guarding the gates looked towards the disturbance from where an onyx ck car was dashing in their direction, clearly evident from its speed and control that it was controlled by a professional.


    "Stop there,"ing forward, three of the soldiers stopped the car, which came to a halt smoothly, a contrast to the soldiers'' expectations due to its speed.


    "Please show us your identity," one of the guards came forward and inquired, standing while looking towards the car as he made his way towards the front seat''s door, knocking on the windshield, which slowly slid down, revealing a woman seated in the driver''s seat.


    It was slightly surprising for him that a woman could drive a car this well.


    "Tell them¡ª" Aecilia was about toplete a sentence but suddenly heard another voice from a distance.


    "Stop! Let them go, they are nobles!" A soldier, already contacted by the mayor''s office, officially dering that very important guests were arriving from the kingdom of Thaloris, sprinted toward the direction of the car before opening the doors, letting the car pass.


    ''What? Nobles?'' the soldier who had stopped the car a few moments ago felt surprised as he looked toward the car, which elerated and slowly made its way towards Sector 4.


    Naturally, it was the first time for him to see a nobleman this close, and now that he thought about it, that woman definitely appeared like a noblewoman.


    Even her facial features were not verymon; after all, who even uses ck lipstick?


    -----


    "Wee, Sir Marquess. It is my honor to have you in our presence."


    Just after the car halted in front of the main building, which led to the mayor''s office and other nearby official buildings, Avendial heard a voice calling out to him.


    Turning his gaze, he saw not only the mayor but also four or five other individuals standing nearby, presumably government officials. Some seemed to sprint toward this direction, as if they had just received word of his arrival.


    ''The Sertsul family...'' Avendial thought, realizing that they were likely the only ones capable of alerting the mayor in time. This made him feel a bit relieved, knowing that they had eliminated the need for unnecessary introductions.


    "Mayor, I require all the files pertaining to the projects assigned to the Diego family by the government," Avendial stated directly, locking eyes with the man at the forefront. The mayor appeared calm behind his sses, exuding an air ofposure despite the urgency of the moment.


    It was clear to Avendial that these officials believed in impressing him through the diligence of their work rather than with empty pleasantries.


    Hearing Avendial''s request, the mayor paused for a moment, contemting the implications.


    Naturally, sharing important government project files with someone was not standard procedure under thew.


    However, it was equally recognized that within the Arinphiam Empire, mostws and crimes involving noblemen were handled through different channels. This made him cautious and led the mayor to inquire, "May I ask why you need this information, Sir Marquess?"


    "....It''s just..." Avendial turned his gaze toward the building as he stepped inside, appearing disinclined to divulge his motives regarding the Diego family. He simply added, "I am only looking to help them relieve some stress."

 Chapter 111: Chapter 113- Deal

    "What is this about?" Avendial inquired, sitting on the sofa while perusing a file.


    Although he maintained hisposure, his words triggered a noticeable shift in the atmosphere of the room.


    The officials, who had been diligently arranging the files, paused to look in his direction.


    The mayor himself stood and approached, staring at the file in Avendial''s hands.


    "This?¡­" The mayor nced at the file and recognized it contained confidential information regarding one of the most crucial projects among all the documents present.


    The project in Avendial''s hands pertained to the printing of currency notes.


    "Sir, this is¡ª"


    Before the mayor could finish his words, Avendial raised a hand, gesturing for him to halt."Not you."


    He then turned to Aecilia, who sat calmly on the opposite side of the sofa, seemingly indifferent amidst the busy officials handling the files. "Miss Aecilia, can you exin what this is?"


    "...Let me see," Aecilia replied, leaning forward and feeling somewhat exhausted, given that she had been treated like a mere driver. She had assumed the role of assistant and slowly stood up.


    Observing the mayor''s expression, she understood he was likely worried that she might reveal too much; it was clear that the Marquess was also aware of this matter.


    But who cares?


    Taking things into her own hands, she approached the file, knowing well the ins and outs of official documents due to her frequent presence in the dealings of the Free Cities.


    She carefully took the file from Avendial.


    "It''s about textiles," Aecilia dered, flipping through the pages.


    As expected, she found Avendial''s expression became nk, as though he meant to say he understood it was about textiles but was curious about the specifics.


    She continued, "Ahem, I mean, this concerns the raw fabric material needed for the creation of a special type of paper."


    "What special paper?" Avendial pressed, fully aware of the file''s content.


    Experience new stories on mvl


    He had only needed a nce to grasp its significance, yet he encouraged Aecilia to read the file for a stroke of luck.


    Luck, after all, can be seen as a form of ability; in the file, he hade across names he found all too familiar¡ªthose of the Williams family, who were heavily involved in the textile industry.


    Naturally, Aria belonged to that family, and he noted that Diego''s family was also mentioned.


    Recognizing their names and the content of the file, Avendial understood what actions he needed to take and how to utilize the information properly.


    The reason he handed the file to Aecilia to read aloud was to gently pave the way for his strategy, ensuring he avoided any potential pitfalls with the help of his lucky charm.


    After all, he needed to suppress a whole, strong, influential family in City A without getting caught in this matter.


    But before proceeding with anything substantial, he needed blessings¡ªthose woulde in the form of derations from Aecilia.


    "A special type of paper which is used for the printing of currency," Aecilia finally revealed.


    "...."


    "...."


    Every official present in the cabin nced toward the noblewoman who was holding the file, their eyes fixed on her as she reviewed its contents.


    The William family, in coboration with the Diego family, was involved in the production of a special type of paper used for currency printing.


    The fabric required for this process was supplied by the William family, while the Diego family handled the paper-making and processing, providing the essential raw paper needed for the currency.


    As Aecilia sifted through the file, she had a realization as she recognized that both families were connected to Aria Williams and Lin Diego.


    An unsettling sense of suspicion washed over her, especially considering the reason the Marquess had instructed her to review this particr file.


    ''Don''t tell me...'' Aecilia thought with her mind racing and her eyes narrowed.


    The mention of Aria immediately triggered memories of the previous night, where she had felt a confusing swirl of emotions about Aria, particrly due to the garden event where the Marquess and she seemed close enough.


    However, it seemed the pieces were finally fitting together.


    Aecilia pieced together the implications: the Ravan family was one of Prince Orion''s staunchest supporters, and the Diego family had ties to the Ravans, making them an indirect target for the Marquess.


    She recalled how the Marquess had meticulously searched for information on Lin Diego, and she had just questioned herself yesterday why he was targeting Aria instead of Amrita, who had been considerably closer to Lin Diego after arriving and observing his actions.


    But now, it all made sense.


    The partnership between the William and Diego families in such a vital industry clearly showcased the Marquess''s true intentions: to win Aria''s affections while using the William family as a shield tounch an attack on the Diego family, thusplicating the Ravan family''s efforts to trace back his actions.


    ''Impressive!'' Aecilia marveled at the meticulous nning that had gone into the Marquess''s scheme.


    And just like that, another misunderstanding had formed.


    As she pieced together all the puzzles, she couldn''t help but admire the cunning intellect behind it.


    It felt as though everything was unfolding ording to his design, leaving her outwardly impassive while internally she grappled with the realization of why she had fallen for this man.


    He consistently astonished her with his meticulous nning, particrly since the incident involving the aphrodisiac and his ongoing scheming against Prince Orion.


    Now, she found herself contemting how he would inevitably orchestrate the downfall of the Ravan family.


    Once again, despite knowing how improbable it was, a thought crossed her mind: Was the Marquess somehow from the future?


    After all, his ability to predict events with such precision and utilize information that even the Sertsul familycked was nothing short of astonishing.


    ''She''s at it again,'' Avendial thought as he sat, assessing his next move.


    He caught Aecilia''s gaze fixed on him, a look that seemed to convey, ''my man.''


    It dawned on him that, just as she had managed to spin a misunderstanding regarding the war, she had likely conjured yet another misconception.


    Although he wanted to inquire about the misunderstandings she had formed, he first needed to address a more pressing matter.


    "Mayor, I would like to speak with you in private," he stated formally.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Avendial maintained his steady gaze on Aecilia, folding his hands as he subtly indicated that she should take her leave.


    But as he had anticipated, she simply set the file down on the desk and returned to her position on the sofa, arms crossed and eyes closed, as if to signal that she was virtually absent from the conversation.


    "Please, may¡ª" Before the mayor could finish his request for the other officials to leave the cabin, they all nodded in unison and began to exit.


    As they did, they ced the files they had been holding onto the table, casting a nce at Marquess.


    Most of these officials belonged to the same political party as the mayor, giving them the assurance that whatever the Marquess discussed with him would eventually be conveyed to them.


    "Hm, take a seat, Mayor. Make yourselffortable," Avendial said, his toneposed as he gestured toward the nearby sofa.


    The mayor first nced at the Marquess and then at the woman, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by their presence.


    He made his way to a solitary sofa in the center of the room, sitting two hands'' breadth away from the Marquess.


    "Thank you, Marquess," the Mayor said as he took his seat, acutely aware of the pressure in the room.


    It wasn''t just the imposing presence of the Marquess; Countess Sertsul''s quiet demeanor contributed to his unease.


    Although her position as the sole heir and future head of the Sertsul family hadn''t been officially announced, most people already understood that she would soon inherit both the title and the weighty responsibilities tied to it.


    In the upper echelons of society, everyone was well aware of the Nightcrawlers, the infamous assassin group associated with Sertsul family.


    The Nightcrawlers were notorious for their ruthless approach to their work, prioritizing mary gain above all else.


    They had a unique business model: victims were given the opportunity to bid against potential clients for their lives.


    The scheme created a perverse market where both the client and the target vied for the Nightcrawlers'' favor, with the highest bidder ultimately gaining their services.


    So, the one who lost the bid was inevitably killed.


    "Mayor, how much money do you need? Just tell me," Avendial said directly, wasting no time in addressing the matter at hand.


    "Huh? I''m sorry, I don''t understand," the Mayor replied, astonished.


    Though his hearing was keen enough to catch even the softest of sounds in the room, he struggled to grasp the implications of Avendial''s question, notprehending what it meant to offer him money.


    "Isn''t the election for Mayor next year?" Avendial reminded him, emphasizing the importance of the uing political race.


    Given that various political parties were eager to seize power in the free cities, the Mayor should have known well that he was not guaranteed a seat and must also secure sufficient votes.


    Indeed, even though the candidates take an exam to be eligible, they still have to go through the election process.


    Elections required campaigning, and campaigns necessitated funding.


    "Marquess, don''t tell me...?" The Mayor''s disbelief was palpable, a mixture of confusion and astonishment evident on his face.


    He found it hard to digest Avendial''s apparent offer, especially since this was his first time holding the office of Mayor in an election that urred every three years.


    "Yes, I want to help you, Mayor. Wouldn''t 10 billion Imperial Crowns suffice?" Avendial spoke with a calm but firm tone that suggested he was entirely serious about the staggering sum he had just mentioned.


    Of course, he was not really going to give him a single penny.


    "!?!"


    "Ten¡ªten billion?!" The Mayor stammered, rising from his seat in shock.


    That amount was ten times what was typically needed to win an election in a city of this size.


    ''...That''s...'' Not just the Mayor, but even Aecilia, who had been quietly observing the exchange, slowly opened her eyes, astonished by the exorbitant figure.


    The sheer enormity of the amount left her dumbfounded.


    It was bewildering to consider that someone like Marquess, who weighed profits, might casually propose such arge sum to a political party.


    Nevertheless, she closed her eyes again, convinced that this was yet another piece of Marquess'' master n to take over the royal family.

 Chapter 112: Chapter 114 - Head of the Diego Family

    "Sir?" The Mayor, who had just risen from his chair, was grappling with the implications of the situation.


    He turned to the Marquess, trying toprehend the offer of support for the uing elections¡ªsomething that no political party would typically ignore in today''s world.


    "So, do you want my support, Mayor?" Avendial inquired again, his tone calm yet cold, his steady gaze fixed on the man before him.


    "Of course, it''s my pleasure, sir," the Mayor responded.


    However, he couldn''t shake the feeling that if he were dealing with a conventional businessman, he would have approached the situation with more rationality and logic.


    But with someone of such noble standing, renowned for their immense wealth¡ªenough to ce him among the world''s richest individuals¡ªhis mind was unable to process the gravity of the meeting.


    "But the issue is, I believe in mutuality rather than one-sided deals," Avendial said, leaning back against the sofa, his hands resting on the armrests as a cold glint passed through his eyes.


    "...Mutual?" The Mayor was slightly taken aback by Marquess'' words but quickly regained hisposure.


    He realized that nothing in this worldes without a price.


    Given the colossal amount involved, the implications would likely be significant.


    As he took off his sses and began polishing them with a cloth, he attempted to appear nonchnt while inwardly pondering what sort of proposal might be on the table.


    After peering through the lenses once more, he asked, "What can I do for you, Marquess?"


    "Simple, I just need to use the phone in your office," Avendial replied, gesturing toward the desk where the phoney.


    It was clear that every official office had its own number, and anyone ncing at the caller ID would immediately recognize a call originating from the Mayor''s office.


    "Huh? A call? Oh, why not? Please do!" The Mayor, initially expecting to hear something grand, was relieved to learn that it was merely about a phone call.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He nodded in agreement, reasoning that given the significant contribution, such a request wouldn''t pose any real issue.


    "Miss Aecilia, please ensure that the Mayor doesn''t disturb me for now," Avendial said as he moved towards the phone, his hand inadvertently brushing against the Mayor''s seat.


    The Mayor, catching a hint of Avendial''smand, looked at the woman, who appeared to be seated with her eyes closed.


    However, he couldn''t shake the chill that crept over him the moment he noticed a fork lying on the desk.


    ''Oh great, am I now a henchman?'' Aecilia thought, feeling a wave of exasperation.


    At first, she had merely been his driver, then evolved into his assistant, and now it seemed he was treating her like some sort of ruffian henchman.


    Inside the room, there were only three individuals present.


    One woman sat elegantly with her eyes closed and hands folded, her leg resting gracefully over the other.


    At a distance, a man sat with his head bowed, seemingly puzzled as to why he was being asked to keep an eye out for a mere call.


    He struggled toprehend the purpose behind Marquess''mand to the woman¡ªidentified as a potential threat¡ªwho might intervene if Mayor tried to disrupt the situation.


    Meanwhile, Avendial approached the desk with a calm gaze, his hands nestledfortably in his pockets.


    As he walked, his gaze wandered over the pictures adorning the walls, seeming nonchnt to the atmosphere around him.


    He reached the phone and dialed a universal number without hesitation.


    In the contemporary world, remembering everyone''s number¡ªor even saving them in contacts¡ªcan be quite a hassle.


    This is where servicese into y, allowing individuals to obtain contact information for people connected to government or official departments.


    Of course, the permission of the individuals concerned is required for their numbers to be shared; typically, it is the wealthy or the families of prominent businesses who opt for this service.


    Instead of issuingpany cards, they prefer their information to be easily essible, provided consent is given.


    Thus, no personal numbers can be obtained through this service without prior approval. Read exclusive adventures at mvl


    As for Avendial, he had no intention of acquiring an ordinary contact number, as that would have been easily done.


    There was something else on his mind.


    After dialing, as the call was answered, he spoke clearly, "Input Diego family''s number."


    ''!?!''


    The mayor, whose emotions had been dampened moments ago, suddenly lifted his head, focusing intently on Marquess as he tried to reach out to the Diego family.


    The mayor couldn''t understand why Marquess was making that call, but then he recalled that Marquess was looking at the file containing the business deal belonging to the Diego family.


    Confusion washed over him as he wondered what exactly the Marquess hoped to achieve by contacting the Diego family.


    "Marque¡ª!" the mayor began to inquire, wanting to understand Marquess'' intentions.


    However, he was abruptly interrupted by a voice capturing his attention, prompting him to slowly turn toward a woman who had just nced his way.


    The chilling golden eyes of hers sent shivers down his spine, triggering memories of the head of the Night Crawlers, who also possessed golden eyes¡ªan unsettling reminder that she belonged to the influential Sertsul family.


    The recollection of that past trauma washed over him like a cold wave.


    "Hello, please connect me to the head of the Diego family. I''m calling from the mayor''s office," Avendial spoke firmly, his call having been directed straight to what was likely one of the secretaries of the Diego family.


    He expected the secretary to confirm the authenticity of the call before connecting him to the head of the family, so he fell silent, letting the secretary do what was necessary.


    :: Hello, is the mayor speaking? :: came a voice from the other end, rough and hoarse from a middle-aged man¡ªthe head of the Diego family.


    "....Yes," Avendial responded, suddenly shifting his voice.


    Using his other hand to press against his vocal cords, he mimicked the mayor''s tone and manner of speaking.


    ''!''


    "Marque!¡ªthud."


    The mayor, hearing his own voicee through the line¡ªthough not an exact match, but enough to capture the intonation and cadence¡ªinstantly straightened in rm.


    Just as he was about to act again, a sound drew his attention: a fruit knife, lying ominously on the desk, had just been thrust down by the woman.


    The impact echoed through the room, a clear attempt at intimidation.


    "Sit down, you fucking worm, before I feed you to the birds," Aecilia, with a tilt, hissed at the mayor, disyingplete disregard for the fact that he held the highest position in the city of A.


    The night crawlers, known for their ruthless efficiency, had already eliminated the previous mayor, and this rming history weighed heavily on the current one.


    The present mayor felt the tension in the room, and it was not lost on him how precarious his situation really was.


    Everyone was aware of how the previous mayor had employed night crawlers to assassinate an opposing candidate, only to be double-crossed when the night crawlers, adhering to a strange moral code, tipped off the candidate about the plot.


    The candidate, armed with this knowledge, had sessfully outbid the mayor in a bidding war and emerged victorious.


    The oue had been disastrous: the former mayory dead, and not a single soul dared retaliate against the night crawlers.


    Why?


    Because the woman behind the entire scheme had boldly stepped forward to reveal she was of noble blood.

 Chapter 113: Chapter 115- At last, a date

    As Aecilia sat there, poised to take drastic action, the mayor understood that if she chose to kill him in this very moment, no one would lift a finger against her.


    Her noble lineage would afford her impunity, cloaking her in a veil of protection that would remain unchallenged.


    Justice was a distant illusion in this Empire.


    The royal family had long shown a tant bias toward nobility, favoring the powerful over themon folk.


    This bias, so deeply woven into the fabric of the Empire''s justice system, was cleverly masked, leaving the popce to believe that the royals weremitted to punishing misdeedsmitted by the aristocracy. Readtest stories on mvl


    And so, here he was, the mayor, hands sped tightly together, making a desperate attempt topose himself.


    After all, being part of the system, he was more aware of how this world worked, not unlike those keyboard warriors or people on social media who judge what they see or hear.


    "I..." he began, his voice faltering.


    But he quickly silenced himself, realizing that disturbing Aecilia any further would only exacerbate the already vtile situation.


    Life was paramount; as long as he lived, he could tell his tale and perhaps navigate this situation alive.


    :: Mayor? What''s going on? I hope you understand that my time is valuable. ::


    As Avendial heard the tone in the caller''s voice, he was reminded of himself in days gone by¡ªwhen he invested every ounce of energy into his ventures, fullyprehending the significance of time.


    Every moment was precious to him, and he had made amitment to avoid wasting a single second in pursuit of financial gain.


    The words from the head of the Diego family brought back memories of how he once shared the same mindset.


    Understanding this connection, he chose not to take offense; instead, he recognized the ''gift'' he could provide him.


    Continuing, he responded, "Yes, I do understand, but I wanted to inform you that the William family has requested my assistance in obtaining permission for a processing unit."


    :: What? Then why are you contacting me? ::


    The voice on the other end sounded bewildered, caught off guard by the unusual protocol of reaching out to him instead of the William family, who should have been the ones making such a request.


    "Mr. Diego, it pertains to a processing unit intended for currency paper," Avendial exined.


    He was well aware that even if there were familial ties between the two households given the deration of engagement between both of their children, the heads of those families were ultimately the ones who determined matters such as these.


    He also understood that, despite any personal connections, the distinction between business and private life was critical¡ªespecially from his understanding of those who had walked that path before.


    Upon hearing his words about time being valuable to him, Avendial quickly categorized Mr. Diego as a person who favored business dealings over personal friendships.


    He proceeded toy out the details and awaited Diego''s reaction.


    :: I''ll contact youter, Mayor¡ªbeeeeppp. ::


    As the call ended abruptly, Avendial nced at his own phone, noting the way the connection had been severed.


    It seemed likely that the device was broken on Diego''s end, a response he had anticipated.


    "Mayor, may we have an honest discussion about the actions that are required moving forward?" Avendial said, cing the phone down and approaching the mayor.


    Heid a hand on the mayor''s shoulder, causing him to flinch¡ªa clear indication that the strain of the situation had overwhelmed him.


    "...Yes," Mayor finally murmured after a brief pause, his fists clenched, his gaze directed downwards.


    He had resigned himself to the reality of the situation, recognizing that he was not merely being coerced; he was also beingpensated for his cooperation.


    Internally, he wrestled with the implications of this deal, weighing the influence of Marquess Croceaus against the powerful Diego and William families.


    It was evident that he gravitated toward the option that favored the wealthiest among them¡ªafter all, in their world, financial superiority often dictated loyalty and trust.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "Marquess, are you nning to use the William family against Diego?" Aecilia asked, elerating the car as she pulled away from the mayor''s official building.


    Her fingers danced lightly over the steering wheel, her eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead while she inquired.


    "What?" Avendial responded, his attention diverted from his phone by Aecilia''s misunderstanding.


    Instead of simply nodding along, he chose to steer the conversation in a different direction, clearly feigning ignorance about her meaning.


    Though he understood that she misunderstood, there was no reason for him to make her understand his understanding of what she had misunderstood¡ªphew~


    "¡­was that not the case?" Aecilia felt a wave of confusion wash over her as she listened to Marquess, who appeared not to understand what was prompting her to think about him targeting the Diego family.


    She tried to piece it all together, attempting to understand the meaning of his conversation with the Mayor, but it seemed increasingly evident that he wanted Diego''s family to target Williams¡ªthat was all.


    On another front, Avendial was scrolling through his phone, searching for a message he had received from Aecilia about Aria the previous night.


    He rummaged through it to look for her personal number in the contacts before dialing it.


    Not caring about her thoughts, Avendial knew that no matter how much she contemted the entire event, she wouldn''t be able to decipher that his true target was Aria, not Diego or the William family.


    Yet, it was also true that he was going through all this hassle due to theck of resources at his disposal.


    If he had ess to the tower¡ªparticrly the ck market located on the first floor¡ªhe could have simply purchased ve seals and used it to control Aria as he wished.


    However, waiting an entire year to enter the tower and then enve her was simply unrealistic.


    It would be a significant loss for him, as he needed individuals with potential who were likely to awaken, rather than focusing his efforts solely on a single individual with Appraisal skill.


    :: Hello, who is this? :: a hurried woman''s voice said from the other end of the line.


    The urgency in her tone suggested she was in motion, possibly rushing to meet the director.


    Avendial pushed that thought aside, focusing on his immediate priority.


    "How are you?" Avendial inquired directly, forgoing any pretense about how he obtained her number, as he didn''t see the need for such subtleties in this moment.


    :: P-Professor Aven!? Where are you?! ::


    The frantic voice erupted from the other side, bringing Aria to a sudden halt in her tracks as she was on her way to the director''s office.


    She was taken aback, questioning the whereabouts of the professor who had abruptly resigned and disappeared.


    "Me? Just busy with work. I was trying to reach you earlier to inform you that, if my memory serves me right, in a few days, the Diego family is contacting the Nightcrawlers regarding an assassination attempt on your father¡ª"


    Screeech


    Just as Avendial was about to finalize his sentence, the car he was in screeched to a halt, forced to brake suddenly.


    "Huh... what the?" Avendial eximed, jolted by the sudden stop of the vehicle.


    He instinctively cut the call, mindful of the phone that had slipped from his grasp as he steadied himself, then turned to face Aecilia.


    "Sorry?" Aecilia asked, her voice tinged with tension as she halted the vehicle.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She felt her mouth twitch in disbelief as she turned to Marquess, who had just mentioned "night crawlers" in reference to targeting the William family.


    For her, it was clear: The marquess intended to use nightcrawlers for his purposes.


    Her lips parted in shock as she continued, "First it was Driver, then the assistant, then Henchman, and now? You expect me to be a killer!?"


    "What?" Avendial was momentarily taken aback.


    He had anticipated a straightforward rejection, but her outrage stemmed not from the prospect of Nightcrawlers not being used, but from being treated as a driver, assistant, and so on.


    He let out a resigned sigh, picking up the phone again, feeling somewhat satisfied that the call had dropped mid-sentence.


    This would reinforce his point and demonstrate urgency to Aria.


    Now focusing on Aecilia, he needed to offer her something so that he wasn''t an employer who exploited his employees without rewarding them.


    He stared nkly ahead, contemting his next words before adding,"Today is your day. Take me wherever you want. I have a day off, but I want you to do some work for me."


    ''!''


    "...hm, now we''re talking," Aecilia replied, her expression shifting as she registered his offer.


    A smirk crept onto her face as she redirected her gaze to the road.


    Without hesitation, she released the brake; her foot mmed down on the elerator as she shifted gears,pletely unfazed by the engine''s roar.


    VROOOM


    The car shot forward, screaming to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.


    The air ripped around them, filled with the scent of burning rubber as she dered, "Let''s first go to the hotel."

 Chapter 114: Chapter 116 - The Fear of Dominic Rivia Aurelia

    In the Kingdom of Thaloris, particrly within the Croceaus Territory, the situation was far from something that could be articted with mere words.


    For the past two days, the entire territory had be a veritable fortress, with no flights or escape routes avable, leaving its inhabitants feeling like cattle awaiting ughter.


    Fear was palpable in the hearts of those who had embezzled funds or attempted to share information with rival noble families.


    "How can they target us? We have served the Croceaus family loyally for years!" A man mmed his fist on the table, frustration bubbling over when his secretary reported they had been unable to reach the Marquess.


    The man''s voice rose like a thunderp, his anger so intense it felt as if he were ready to snap the poor secretary like a twig.


    Thest two days had turned the territory into a trap, with numerous individuals dying one after another, executed by the Marquess''s bodyguards and not just her, but also by several small groups of five people who were supposed to protect them but had turned mercilessly against them.


    "Damn it! Get in touch with Alfred! We must inform the Marquess about Dominic Rivia Aurelia''s betrayal!" the man roared, the memory of the woman¡ªa central figure in this chaos¡ªstirring both fear and fury within him.


    She had be an army on her own, ughtering anyone who crossed her path without hesitation.


    Her reputation had spiraled into that of a demon, thought to have lost her mind and no longer under any semnce of control or restraint.


    "Y-yes, sir," the assistant stuttered, hastily pulling out his phone to dial the number of the main Croceaus family''s butler.


    :: Hello? ::


    "Hello, Mr. Alfred, I am¡ª"


    "Hand me the phone, damn it!" The man snatched the phone from his assistant, stepping outside while loosening his tie, beads of perspiration forming on his brow as anger surged within him.


    He pressed the phone to his ear, demanding, "Alfred! Has that woman lost her mind?"


    :: No, she was always like this. ::


    "Don''t joke with me! I''ll speak with the Marquess myself; contact him now!" The man''s temper red further as he sensed the nonchnce in Alfred''s tone, even amid the crisis where lives were being extinguishedwlessly at the hands of that terrifying woman and her loyal henchmen.


    Panic tightened around him as he envisioned who might fall victim to her next.


    :: The Marquess is busy. May I know your name? ::


    "What? My name? It''s me! The mayor of East Province!" He eximed, dread choking him as he recalled how mere days ago, the mayor of a neighboring province had been gruesomely killed.


    A chill ran down his spine as he remembered the chilling tales of other officials whose lives had ended violently, helpless against her brutality¡ªeven their armed guards had proven ineffective against the rampaging monster.


    There were even reports that bullets were literally dissolving or turning to dust even before reaching an inch of her body.


    :: Hm, Mayor of East? I see, you can rx; your name isn''t on the list. ::


    "What? What list!?" The man''s voice quaked with unrestrained anger, struggling toprehend what these once direct subordinates of Marquess were doing, all while anyws were absent.


    They were executing people without affording a chance for exnation, disregarding any semnce of legal procedure¡ªeven if someone hadmitted a crime.


    Of course, within this territory,ws were virtually non-existent, since those who were supposed to maintain thews were on a killing spree.


    Even if someone needed to lodge aint, they would have to take it to the royal court.


    But what good would that do ifmunication was impossible?


    How could anyone hope to attain justice?


    Even if they managed to reach the court, the reality remained that Rivia, being a swordmaster, would hold a much more favorable position.


    It was all too predictable that the court would side with her over the simple citizens of the Croceaus territory.


    :: Listen, Mayor. It''s an order from the Marquess to eliminate those who attempted to betray the Croceaus family. ::


    Alfred, in fulfilling his duty to maintain peace in the territory, made it abundantly clear that he would prioritize stability, ensuring that the popce did not perceive this situation as some sort of revolt or illegal dictatorship.


    Ultimately, however, this territory fell under the singr rule of the Marquess.


    His decrees were to be obeyed, and anyone who defied those orders would either be expelled from the territory or face death.


    "Wh-what? N-no, but why?" The Mayor struggled to grasp why the Marquess would issue amand to execute people, his voice trembling with confusion.


    He yearned to ask more questions but suddenly, the call disconnected, leaving his thoughts in disarray. "Hello? Hello?!"


    When no response came, he turned his gaze out the window, his hands trembling as he covered his eyes in contemtion about the fate of the territory.


    Having received this information from the butler¡ªwho had never misled him before¡ªhe could hardly dismiss the fact that the Marquess''s orders were indeed genuine.


    A heavy weight settled in his chest as he thought, ''Where are you exactly, Marquess?''


    ----


    "Woo-hoo! Isn''t this fun, Marquess!" Aecilia''s voice rang out over the roar of the waves, her golden eyes gleaming behind her dark sunsses.


    Discover stories with §Þ??


    She was in her element, wind whipping through her hair as she gripped the jet ski handles, steering with ease and pushing the throttle as if the ocean was hers tomand.


    Her golden eyes sparkled behind dark sunsses, and her ck bikini and lipstick made her look like she''d just stepped out of a glossy magazine shoot.


    Behind her, Avendial sat in stark contrast, calm andposed with his arms folded over his chest.


    His silver hair fluttered in the sea breeze, glinting under the sun, while his blue eyes were hidden behind dark shades.


    Dressed in a rxed beach outfit, he barely looked like he belonged on the back of a speeding jet ski, his face unreadable, almost as if he were back in thefort of his estate rather than crashing through ocean waves.


    "I love this date!" Aecilia twisted the handlebars, cutting a sharp turn that had the jet ski tilting dangerously close to the water''s surface.


    She felt the thrill, the kick of adrenaline, and shot forward even faster, leaving a spray of saltwater in their wake.


    "Hahaha!" Herughter echoed as she zigzagged through the waves, ncing back with a mischievous smirk.


    ----


    "Marquess! Have this, you look adorable," Aecilia grinned as she shoved a pile of teddy bears into Avendial''s arms, their bright colors and soft faces a stark contrast to his nk expression.


    Beside her, Avendial''s arms folded around the ridiculous heap of plush toys.


    He didn''t flinch, even as one of the bears tipped sideways, its floppy arm covering his face. "Adorable isn''t exactly what I''d aim for, Aecilia."


    Her grin only widened as she gave a yful shrug. "Well, consider it a new look." She leaned back, admiring her handiwork like a proud artist, while he continued to give her that patented, unamused stare from behind the wall of bears.


    Before he could protest further, she seized his arm and tugged him toward a nearby photo booth, nearly knocking over a bear or two in the process. "Come on! Time for photos!"


    He didn''t have much of a choice as she yanked him inside the tiny booth, pulling the curtain closed with a flourish.


    They squeezed together, and she clicked the start button before he coulde up with any objections.


    ''1....2....3...''


    The countdown began, and she turned to him with a gleeful grin.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Now, smile!"


    After going through the events of all day, while doing different activities, Avendial for a moment only thought one thing.


    ''I should have just let the world be destroyed.''

 Chapter 115: Chapter 117 - Nightcrawlers Warning

    On the highway, a sedan sped past the other vehicles, its speed rapidly increasing.


    Inside, a woman sat anxiously, desperately trying to reach her home after receiving rming news about an impending threat to her family.


    Aria had just learned that the Diego family was plotting something against hers.


    While she had no reason to doubt Professor Aven''s words, a lingering feeling gnawed at her¡ªperhaps it was all a misunderstanding, perhaps even impossible.


    After all, both families had maintained a good rtionship, especially since her father had been closely associated with the head of the Diego family when they had organized the engagement between Aria and Lin.


    Despite the doubtful thoughts swirling in her mind, the urgency of the information was too pressing to ignore.


    Professor Aven had abruptly cut the call, which made her suspect he might be in danger.


    She had tried calling him back multiple times, but each attempt resulted in the same message: his phone was turned off.


    This prompted her to prioritize informing her family about the situation before embarking on a search for the professor.


    { A/N: Illustration of Aria in thement }


    "Please wait for me..." Aria murmured as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her focusser-focused on the highway that led straight to Sector A, intentionally disregarding the other routes and concentrating only on the William family''s estate.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ---


    "Young miss?"


    The guards at the gate recognized the sedan by its distinctive number te.


    The face detection cameras scanned the driver, confirming her identity and automatically opening the gate.


    As Aria''s car sped past them, the guards exchanged puzzled nces, frozen mid-bow and scratching their heads in confusion.


    ---


    "Young miss? What a surprise¡ª" A woman entering the mansion halted, her greeting stuck in her throat as she spotted the familiar figure stepping out of the vehicle.


    "Nanny, where''s Dad?" Aria asked, her gaze fixed on the woman, who was none other than her nanny.


    Dressed in a simple frock and holding a bouquet, the nanny appeared taken aback but refrained from asking questions.


    Aria was already too focused on her urgent inquiry.


    "Huh? Lord, he must be in his room¡ª!" the nanny began, but before she could finish, Aria dashed into the mansion, urgency propelling her forward.


    She raced through the grand hall and sprinted up the staircase, determination fueling her every step until she reached the corridor that led to her father''s study.


    Just then, she nearly collided with a man exiting the room, who wasden with a stack of files.


    "Huh? Young Miss?" The assistant to the head of the family eximed, surprise evident on his face.


    As he registered the girl standing in the corridor, curiosity glimmered in his eyes.


    However, Aria did not pause to greet him; instead, she sprinted past him, causing him to halt in mid-sentence before he turned to watch her rush away.


    She entered the room; he remained standing, sighing to himself.


    ''What a surprise; she neveres to see Master normally.'' With those thoughts in mind, the assistant moved away, files in hand, to handle business-rted matters.


    "Dad!" Aria burst into the room, scanning her surroundings until she spotted a man standing near the balcony, lighting a cigar.


    It seemed he was toote to indulge, as his eyes shifted towards the figure approaching him, causing a moment of surprise.


    As if caught in the act of wrongdoing, he blinked, ncing between his daughter and the cigar, which he promptly hurled off the balcony.


    "Oh my, has my daughter finally remembered she has a father?" he said, adjusting his bow tie with a beaming smile.


    He extended his arms for a hug, fully anticipating her usual response of telling him to grow up.


    Swish! Discover exclusive content at §Þ??


    ''!''


    ''Huh?''


    William''s eyes widened the moment he felt his precious daughter wrap her arms around him.


    He looked down to see her head buried against him, and a soft sigh escaped his lips as he ced a hand on her head.


    "So, did Lin upset you again?"


    He recalled how, even as a child, whenever she had a dispute with Lin, she woulde running to him, clinging to him whilementing her sadness.


    "...no."


    As Aria embraced her father, she reflected on how, since childhood, she had always run to him toin about Lin.


    She hadn''t realized how her father''s deration of her engagement to Lin had gradually created distance between them.


    Initially, she had felt angry with him for making such a decision without consulting her, shattering the remnants of her rtionship with Lin.


    However, everything changed with Amrita''s arrival.


    Suddenly, Aria began to see things differently after noticing the titles they bore.


    She understood that their paths had been entwined by fate, regardless of her father''s intentions regarding her engagement.


    Whether her father had wanted her to be engaged to Lin or not, it was clear that a gap had begun to form between them.


    After the engagement announcement, the harsh words she had hurled at her father¡ªthe bitterness, the curses, the anger¡ªbecame a source of embarrassment for her, making it difficult to face him.


    The guilt weighed heavily on her for not being able to show her face after such a confrontation.


    But when she heard that the Diego family intended to kill her father, panic set in.


    In that moment of crisis, all her guilt faded, and she rushed to him.


    Yet, now that she was here, the weight of her past actions bore down on her once more.


    "Then? Do you need something?" William asked, noticing the urgency in his daughter''s voice.


    He could tell something was amiss, particrly since the usual scene where they might argue about his decision to announce the engagement without consulting her was absent.


    Instead, the room was filled with a palpable tension that did not escape the notice of the nanny and his assistant, who observed the unusual closeness between father and daughter from the gap of the door, secretly.


    It was a stark contrast to the contentious exchanges they had grown ustomed to.


    Seeing her daughter hug him after all those years caused William a wave of guilt to wash over him.


    He had pushed for the marriage with Lin, leveraging his connections and sacrificing a significant government project¡ªa processing nt for paper used in currency notes¡ªto ensure a favorable business deal with the head of the Diego family¡ªa deal involving Lin and Aria''s marriage.


    He lost too much profit, and instead of his William family, the Diego family kept growing rapidly.


    It was all for his daughter, yet it had only earned him her contempt, deepening his disappointment.


    But now, witnessing this moment, he couldn''t help but feel a flicker of relief.


    "Dad, you need to contact the Nightcrawlers," Aria urged.


    Growing up in this world, she was acutely aware of the presence of the shadowy organization.


    There had been countless instances where someone had hired them to eliminate her father.


    Her family''s considerable wealth often allowed him to outbid threats, granting her a sense of security.


    But hearing that the Diego family was preparing to employ the Nightcrawlers, who had three times the assets of her family, sent a chill down her spine.


    This time, the danger felt insurmountable.


    ''!?!''


    Thud!


    "Ouch, sorry for interrupting you, my Lord!"


    "Hey, move! You eat too much!"


    Both the assistant and the nanny, startled by those words from the young miss, stumbled forward, causing the door to swing open as theirbined weight sent the assistant sprawling onto the floor with the nanny tumbling on top of him.


    "...What are you talking about, Aria?" William was taken aback by his daughter''s words, momentarily wondering if she had intended to hire the Nightcrawlers to target Lin.


    He quickly dismissed the thought, recalling how much love she had always shown him throughout the years.


    Confusion danced in his mind as he tried toprehend her rm.


    "Dad¡­ the Diego family wants to hire them for your assassination," Aria said slowly, backing away with her gaze focused downward, her lips bitten in nervousness.


    Those words spoken by Professor Aven echoed in her mind, leaving her grappling with a mix of trust and doubt.


    But that doubt wasn''t strong enough to convince her to sacrifice her father like this, whichpelled her to reveal the information.


    ''!?!''


    "Aria, what are you¡ª"  William was taken aback by her revtion, prompting him to exin how unlikely it was for such a thing to be true.


    Both the Diego and William families relied on one another for their business dealings.


    Yet, before he could finish his sentence, the phone rang.


    Tringg~


    "No?!" Aria froze as the sound echoed through the room, her heart sinking.


    A sense of foreboding washed over her as she recalled that every time there were attempts on her father''s life, that phone always rang.


    "Calm down, Aria. It''s probably just someone else," William reassured her, noticing the assistant and nanny, both of whom were equally shocked.


    Their wide eyes mirrored Aria''s, all signifying their shared belief that this call was from the nightcrawlers signaling the start of the bidding.


    "Hello¡­" William answered, raising the phone to his ear, his voice hoarse with tension as he clenched his fist, steeling himself for the possibility that Aria''s fears were valid.


    :: Head of the William family, you are hereby informed that the bidding process willmence in two days. Prepare to bid against the Head of the Diego family for your life. ::


    badump


    "N-no, D-dad," Aria stammered as she kept her gaze fixed on her father.


    Silence enveloped the room, a heavy shroud of dread settling over them as the gravity of the situation sank in.


    They all understood what was at stake: a frantic struggle against the Diego family, who possessed enough wealth and influence to overwhelm them.


    It felt like an inevitable death sentence looming over them.

 Chapter 116: Chapter 118 - Desperation

    On the morning of January 17, 2031, when the market bell rang, the Sensex opened with an air of excitement.


    Only to quickly plummet as a sudden wave of stock sales engulfed the market.


    Shares belonging to the William family were among the first to nosedive, descending with each passing second as if propelled by a calcted frenzy.


    Not long after, stocks associated with the Diego family began to experience a simr decline, cascading in a massive liquidation.


    To outside observers, it appeared both families were hastily cashing in their assets, flooding the market with shares in a bid to gather as much capital as possible.


    Exchanging influence for cold, hard cash.


    Within just two hours of the market opening, millions of Imperial crowns seemed to vanish into thin air.


    Meanwhile, in Sector 1 of the estate seemingly belonging to the William family, a stark contrast unfolded.


    The usual calmness was disrupted by the fric activity of multiple people in formal attire and bank representatives, eaching in and out of the mansion in various cars.


    Officials from several banks were spotted making their way inside, each carrying important documents that hinted at a crucial matter being discussed.


    Yesterday, the venue had appeared vacant, with only guards and servants moving about.


    But today it was bustling with arge number of individuals.


    They shuffled in and out, followed by their secretary and assistants. Even the investors of thepany under the William family were seen.


    "Please let us enter; we are summoned by Sir William. We are from Sector 5 Bank," a group of bank officialsmunicated to the vignt guards.


    The guards were thorough in their checks, ensuring that no one entered without proper identification.


    After confirming their identities, the guards nodded and told them to wait a few more minutes, as the head of the family was currently busy.


    Despite the crowd, which was distributed over a considerable distance, most people congregated in the garden area while the assistant to the head of the family managed the important delegates who had arrived following the market surge earlier that day.


    To many, it might have seemed reckless for the William family to initiate such an immediate sell-off without consulting their investors or considering their opinions.


    Especially in a time rife with uncertainty.


    However, the assistant was acutely aware that if money was not withdrawn right now, it could spell dire consequences for the head of the family.


    In the absence of the owner of the William family, what value would the investors hold?


    The assistant of the William family busily collected documents, even as some investors voiced their dissatisfaction with these sudden actions from the family.


    Investors felt a deep disappointment; their long-standing trust in thepany now seemed in jeopardy.


    The sudden sell-off, executed without any discussion, was outrageous and prompted many investors to attempt to withdraw from various projects while urgently demanding their money back, fearing imminent losses.


    ''There are too many people,'' the assistant thought as he made his way inside the mansion.


    He clearly felt overwhelmed by the sudden surge of so many individuals arriving to have a meeting with the owner of the house.


    But given how they were stopped at the doorstep, it was more likely they were outraged at such treatment, not that he could do anything.


    Given the nightcrawlers'' code of ethics, if it is revealed to anyone outside of those who were present at the time of the call, the nightcrawlers will immediately withdraw the bid and eliminate the target.


    It all felt utterly outrageous to consider how, in a world filled with police forces and numerous strong security personnel, anyone couldmit murder.


    Or instill fear in the heart of individuals holding such high positions in society.


    Continue your adventure at §Þ??


    The grim reality was that the William family was not just facing random attackers with guns; they were dealing with professionals who executed their missions without any visible weaponry.


    Be it through poisoning or some insidious form of death that defied exnation.


    This left even the most skilled detectives puzzled about the causes of their targets'' demises, thereby enhancing the chilling reputation of the nightcrawlers in the free cities.


    However, the bigger problem at hand was not merely the existence of this organization.


    Rumors swirled that even more lethal groups specializing in assassination existed above the hierarchy under the Sertsul Family.


    This group operated predominantly in the Kingdom of Thaloris and the Royal Kingdom, known by names such as the Lotus Division or something simr, given that the assistant did not clearly know their name.


    Their capability to eliminate noblemen and carry out assassinations within the royal kingdom made it abundantly clear that those who could sessfully target members of the aristocracy posed a significant threat.


    In light of this, the most sensible course of action seemed to be sending a request via email to the Sertsul Family directly.


    Yet, past attempts had proven fruitless; without the bid, the William family never escaped such crises.


    As the assistant entered the mansion, he walked through the hallway and noticed guards standing alert, guns in hand.


    In the center of the open area sat Mr. William, watching his daughter, Aria, pace anxiously.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She clutched her phone tightly, desperately trying to dial a number for what felt like an eternity.


    She had even enlisted the help of IT professionals to track the location of the number, not even helping the assistant to deal with paperwork and financial management.


    "Damn it, pick up the call, Aven!" Aria eximed, her frustration palpable as she continued to pace.


    She was attempting to reach Professor Aven, whose knowledge, drawn from a future unknown to her, might offer a solution to her dire circumstances.


    Aria''s mind was spiraling into turmoil as she fretted over the implications of their situation and the urgency, given her father''s life was on the line.


    ''Who is this Aven?'' Seated on the sofa with his hands folded and eyes closed, the head of the family observed his daughter''s actions that morning.


    She seemed intensely focused on trying to reach someone named Aven.


    He had already done everything he could to withdraw as much money as possible from the market, even incurring significant losses along the way.


    The amount of money and possessions he lost was staggering, yet it paled inparison to the value of his life.


    While he wasn''t prepared to leave this world just yet, it was evident that yesterday marked a turning point¡ªhis daughter had finally reconciled with him, no longer disying any anger towards him.


    He found himself wishing to live a little longer, simply to spend more time with her.


    If this newfound understanding is indeed his greed, then so be it; he will give his all to live.


    "Sir, here are the files," his assistant announced, moving toward him while carrying a stack of documents.


    The assistant handed over the files while ncing at theposed demeanor of his employer.


    Despite having navigated tough situations countless times and consistently outsmarted those who sought to use Nightcrawlers to kill him, the head of the family seemed somewhat hesitant today.


    The assistant followed his master''s line of sight and noted his young mistress pacing around the hallway, dialing a number repeatedly.


    Anxiety was etched on her face as she sought to connect with someone.


    Tring~!


    "Finally! Hello! Aven, where are you?" Aria eximed, her voice rising with excitement as she finally got through.


    She quickly sprinted toward a quieter area, arriving near the stairs, concern evident in her expression after her attempts to reach him all day yesterday had gone unanswered.


    :: Nothing, why were you calling me though? :: The voice on the other end of the call was calm andposed, showing no sign of concern for the information he had shared with her the previous day.


    This unexpectedck of urgency took Aria aback; she had assumed he would be distressed or overwhelmed.


    "What? No, forget about that. Listen, we just received a call from the NightCrawlers; they want to ce a bid," Aria replied, her confusion evident in her tone. She had deliberately shifted her focus to the urgent matter at hand, needing him to understand the seriousness of the situation. It was clear that she was reaching out for support.


    She was unsure how he would respond to such news, but he was the only person she could think of to help her.


    Given the involvement of Diego''s family, she knew Lin would have no ambition to intervene.


    Scanning her surroundings, Aria realized he was her sole ally in this scenario.


    :: I understand. Don''t worry; I''ll take care of the NightCrawlers. Is there anything else? :: His voice came through once more, devoid of urgency, almost dispassionate. This reaction left Aria bewildered.


    Her mind was in turmoil, struggling to grasp what he meant. Despite her desire to trust him, the gravity of her father''s predicament made her hesitate.


    "Please, tell me how I can assist you," Aria urged, eager to support him in any way possible. She still had countless questions swirling in her head regarding her future, the looming destruction of the world, and the reason behind his current distance.


    But he sounded cold.


    Was it because she was not what he had imagined?


    Deep down, she recognized that his perspective was shaped by the future her, making it difficult for him to ept who she was right now.


    She felt lost, uncertain if she could ever live up to the expectations of the future self he anticipated.


    :: Aria, I hope this is ourst conversation. And about your father¡ªhe will remain safe; I will ensure it. :: As the words hung in the air, the call abruptly disconnected.


    "Hello? Hello? Professor Aven?" Aria stared at her phone in shock, her heart racing as she tried to process what had just happened.


    Had he just told her to never meet him again?


    Tring~


    Suddenly, the phone rang from the hall room, jolting Aria from her thoughts.


    The buzz of the phone caught the attention of the assistant to the head of the family, who swiftly answered it.


    His eyes widened in surprise as he quickly passed the phone to the head of the family.


    When Mr. William put the phone to his ear, his eyes went wide. He jumped up from his chair, his voice shaking for the first time¡ªthis was a guy whose voice never quivered even when he heard about the assassination. But now, it was different; it shook when he found out who was behind it.


    With a trembling voice he eximed,


    "Huh? M-Marquess Croceaus?!"

 Chapter 117: Chapter 119 - An Empyreal?!

    On 18 January, 2031


    On the highway leading towards Sector 14, a convoy of cars dashed through the air like a fleet.


    Several Range Rovers trailed behind the opulent Rolls Royce Phantom, with a sedan positioned at the forefront.


    Exiting from Sector 1, it was evident that this convoy belonged to one of the influential families in the region¡ªspecifically, the William family.


    They were apanied by their security personnel, who maintained a watchful presence behind them.


    The entire effort was concentrated on reaching Sector 14, purposefully ignoring the various roads stretching along their route.


    Given the distance they needed to cover, it would likely take another three hours to arrive at their destination.


    Especially considering how sparsely popted the highway was and the impressive speed of their vehicles.


    At the forefront was a sleek sedan, unmistakably piloted by a woman.


    ''Why would someone like him extend help to my father?'' Aria mused as she navigated the road in front of the Rolls Royce, where her father sat alongside his assistant.


    The contemtion stemmed from a recent phone call they had received¡ªone that had arrived after a tumultuous day in the stock market and amidst a sudden influx of investors knocking at their door.


    Even with significant financial losses looming over them, the family''s survival was still uncertain.


    Then, out of the blue, her father had answered a call from the Marquess himself, who dered his intention to assist them.


    This unexpected turn of events bewildered Aria, especially given her awareness of the powerful factions that loomedrge over the William family''s rtively modest foundation.


    There were two primary reasons for her confusion.


    The first was the Croceaus family''s long-established dominance, with their enterprises embedded across various sectors.


    They created an almost omnipotent economicwork that ensured no field was left untouched.


    Their three major sectors held monopolistic control over essential industries.


    Whilepetitors existed, customers consistently gravitated towards Croceaus products¡ªbe it in construction, healthcare, or cloudworking.


    The second reason was none other than Marquess Avendial Croceaus himself.


    The size of one''s corporations and industries offered no immunity against decline unless guided by an adept steward.


    And when it came to Avendial Croceaus, the current head of his family, the environment became markedly more adversarial.


    Aria had a clear understanding of him, having been raised in an environment steeped in business dealings and strategic maneuvering.


    She recognized how Avendial wielded all the means at his disposal to eliminatepetition.


    The William family had already endured considerable setbacks, forcing them to retract from sectors such as cloudworking.


    ''What does he want from us....?'' As she drove, the thoughts swirled in her mind.


    She had grown up amidst the concrete constructs ofpetition and ambition.


    She knew better than anyone that in a world governed by powerful families and ruthless leaders, alliances were often born out of necessity rather than goodwill.


    How much could they trust this unexpected offer of help from the Marquess?


    And what strings might be attached to his support?


    One thing she knew all too well was that the William family was going to go through a very tough time, one where they would be forced to make decisions that would leave them with nothing.


    This prompted her to tighten her grip on the wheel, feeling that maybe this was due to her title as a viiness.


    Perhaps her fate was starting to show its ugly side enough to create visible changes in her surroundings, where she would eventually fall into despair.


    ----


    Just two miles behind Aria''s convoy, another fleet mirrored their path, belonging to the Diego family.


    The Diego family''s vehicles weren''t just high-end; they were chosen to make a statement.


    At the forefront, a gleaming ck Aston Martin DBS tore down the road with ferocity, followed by a series of matte ck Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons that gleamed under the moonlight.


    Trailing behind them were two Cadic Escdes, equipped with bulletproof ss and steel reinforcements¡ªa fortress on wheels.


    Inside one of the G-Wagons, the head of the Diego family clenched his fists, ring at the horizon as if sheer will could close the distance between himself and his adversaries.


    His frustration was palpable, growing with each passing second.


    "Damn it, damn it!" he barked, mming his fist against the car door.


    His face contorted with anger as he recalled the call he had received just yesterday from the Nightcrawlers, informing him that someone had ced a contract on his life.


    Every muscle in his body surged with rage.


    Who would dare issue a death threat against him?


    No one in the Free Cities possessed the audacity to challenge his wealth and influence.


    The Diego family was a force to be reckoned with, especially since he had married into a noble family.


    Not everyone knew which noble family his wife belonged to, but the audacity of someone hiring an assassin to target him was infuriating.


    Yet, beneath his simmering anger, he knew he had to remainposed and confront the individual who dared to bid against him.


    The revtion washed over him that this would likely be the beginning of his demise.


    :: Head of the Diego family, you are hereby informed that the bidding process willmence in two days. Prepare to bid against the Marquess Avendial Croceaus for your life. ::


    In that instant, the world seemed to freeze.


    The reality that the person behind the assassination attempt was none other than Marquess Croceaus hit him like a sledgehammer.


    There was no way the head of the Diego family could win this bid without putting everything on the line.


    While it would be easy to reach out to his wife for assistance, he hesitated.


    He couldn''t bear the thought of appearing weak in her eyes.


    That''s why he found himself today, deploying all the resources of the Diego family, prepared to face the uing bid.


    With the secret weapon he had brought along, it would be impossible for any assassin to confront him, let alone threaten him in any way.


    "Are you prepared?" The head of the Diego family nced at the seat beside him, where a man sat with his eyes closed. His robust body was evident beneath the half t-shirt he wore, and his arms were folded in a disy of strength, with full-body tattoos of demons all over his body.


    "Rest assured, Mr. Diego, even anti-tank bullets couldn''t pierce my skin, let alone some petty assassin''s weapon," Bordy replied in a firm voice, his eyes snapping open to re forward, confidence and coldness reverberating through his tone.


    "Hm. Even after witnessing it myself, I still find it hard to believe," the man said, leaning forward, propping his head on one hand.


    He recalled how, when he first heard about the bodyguard sent by the Ravan family to protect his wife, he was baffled.


    Why would they send just one person when he could easily hire a small army of specialized agents?


    But once he saw Bordy withstand gunfire, bend thick metal walls, and punch through a seven-inch steel barrier, everything became crystal clear.


    This man was not human.


    "It happens; there are more secrets lying inside the Empire. But are you sure the Marquess woulde himself?" Bordy clearly inquired.


    Bordy nced over at the man with a skeptical look, obviously questioning whether the head of the Diego family was telling the truth.


    Bordy possessed knowledge far beyond that of this head of the Diego family.


    Having been employed by the Ravan family to closely monitor Diego''s wife, he originally belonged to the Kingdom of Thaloris.


    He himself, along with his brother, was a gift to the Ravan family from Prince Orion himself, who had offered two Empyreals to them to show his appreciation for their joining his side.


    At present, the family was headed by a patriarch with two children¡ªa son and a daughter.


    The daughter clearly outshone her brother in both talent and intellect, leading many to believe that the future head of the family would be a duchess.


    However, the situation becameplicated when the duchess announced her intention to marry someone from a free city, outside the aristocracy.


    This revtion sparked a frenzy of spection; some whispered that she sought to protect her unborn child, while others suggested she was preparing for an insurrection.


    Indeed, she was already pregnant prior to her marriage, leaving the identity of the child''s father shrouded in mystery. Your journey continues with §Þ??


    Yet, the implications of her actions seemed clear: her withdrawal from the race for leadership allowed her brother to position himself as the sole heir to the Ravan family.


    It appeared all but certain that he would soon ascend to the title of head of the family.


    Nevertheless, in anticipation of any unforeseen developments, particrly if the duchess were to reconsider her stance, the current heir had dispatched an Empyreal to keep her under surveince.


    Bordy''s assignment was straightforward: remain as her bodyguard, observing without making any moves unless instructed by the main family.


    Of course, when he first arrived at the Diego family home, he was taken aback when the woman revealed that she knew her brother had sent him to keep an eye on her, which she appreciated, given that her brother didn''t take such useless actions in the future, especially since she was retired and had no interest in their heir battle.


    Everything seemed to go smoothly without any disturbances until...N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Just moments ago, however, he received a message from his employer¡ªthe heir of the Ravan family.


    The Nightcrawlers had chosen their next target as the Head of the Diego family after being hired by Marquess Croceaus.


    At first, he didn''t understand why he was told this information given his role was to simply protect¡ªkeep an eye¡ªon the woman.


    But afterwards, the heir exined how this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity given how the sword master of Croceaus territory was not apanying Avendial Croceaus.


    And naturally, every trusted individual inside Prince Orion knew how he had targeted Marquess Croceaus just two or three days ago inside the noble gathering held by Princess Katheria, prompting even Bordy to understand that if he killed that man here...


    Just the thought was so much exhrating.


    In conclusion, this whole event presented a perfect opportunity for Bordy to eliminate Marquess Avendial Croceaus now that he found him alone.


    The thought sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through him; it was a chance to restore bnce, or perhaps to tip the scales further in their favor in the royal heir battle.


    Princess Katheria, despite being a weak candidate, was rising due to the presence of Marquess Croceaus by her side, but after his death, she would be sent hurling into the dust.


    And naturally, even if Bordy were to be executed, he would be able toplete his mission and leave an impression on Prince Orion for his achievement.


    In the end, the death of Marquess Avendial Croceaus was inevitable.

 Chapter 118: Chapter 120- Leos ability (1)

    Two days ago,


    On January 16, 2031, at midnight, a car sped down the highway, its speed already exceeding the engine''s limits.


    The sound of the engine roared through the night, the driver skillfully handling the vehicle as if it were an extension of her own body, cutting through the air with an exhrating rush.


    The tires were overheating, threatening to melt once the car finally came to a stop.


    "Call the Diego family and tell them the opposite of what you said to Williams," Avendial instructed from the front seat, his hands folded in hisp.


    The exhaustion from multiple trips weighed heavily on him as he held himself upright in the seat.


    In stark contrast, Aecilia drove with an energy that seemed boundless.


    Avendial might have doubted that this would be hisst drive, but after observing Aecilia''s skills over the past few days, he at least trusted her reflexes, which were remarkably precise¡ªmore akin to those of a Form One racer.


    "Hm, but there''s something more important than that. Do you want to hear it?" Aecilia said, a small smile lighting up her face as she nced at a photo stick resting on the dashboard.


    It was nestled next to a handmade statue she had bought, which held pictures of the two of them¡ªcausing her to feel a sense of satisfaction.


    She mentioned some information she had received this morning, which she had pushed aside because she was prioritizing their important date.


    "Where is Leo?" Avendial shot back, his gaze fixed on her.


    Unlike what she might have thought, he wasn''t fooled by her attempts to disguise the message or to act like they were simply on a date.


    He had seen the notification about Leo pop up on her phone, albeit interrupted by her yful demeanor.


    Still, aware that he needed to keep her in good spirits before delving into more serious matters, he prioritized being present with her during their time together, even as thoughts of Leo lingered in the back of his mind.


    "Hm, I knew you noticed it back then," Aecilia said, nodding.


    Her hands moved the steering wheel with an unusual swiftness, while the rest of her physique remained calm andposed.


    She recalled her earlier doubts about whether he had perceived the message.


    His silence had initially led her to think he might not have noticed it; however, now that he had acknowledged it, her spirits lifted.


    He had chosen to prioritize their date even after seeing the message, which delighted her further.


    Avendial, on the other hand, remained silent.


    He patiently awaited her response, fully aware that his entire day had been spent in vain since early morning.


    After informing Aria about her father''s death and attempting to curry favor to utilize the nightcrawlers to his advantage, he had ended up caught up in trivial matters all day.


    He needed a deal with Aecilia; otherwise, this day feltpletely wasted.


    "Ahem," Aecilia began, breaking the silence.


    "We''ve discovered that Leo is, in fact, an Empyreal." She recognized the gravity of this statement and noted how it would likely astound Marquess.


    If Leo turned out to be an Empyreal, it would imply that he was potentially a spy sent by one of the noble families or Royal family who held a monopoly over them.


    Moreover, if an Empyreal was present in the Free City, he should have already been contacted by the royal family.


    She awaited the Marquess''s reaction, anticipating the surprise it would bring.


    "Okay, and?" Avendial replied nonchntly.


    He felt little need to react strongly upon hearing that Sertsul had uncovered Leo''s awakened ability.


    To him, it was an inevitable conclusion; he had to verify whether Leo truly was a spy for his own peace of mind¡ªno one was better than Sertsul when it came to interrogation.


    After being preupied with other matters, he had momentarily put the matter of Leo aside, mostly because without Aria experiencing her second awakening, he was unable to discern what kind of ability Leo possessed.


    In the grand scheme of things, this was a win-win situation for him.


    Most likely, the Sertsul family would directly confirm the nature of Leo''s ability and gather all necessary details about his past.


    However, what Avendial truly wanted to know was whether Leo had disclosed that he had injected him with something at the hospital¡ªa far more critical concern.


    This particr information would determine the category in which Avendial would ce him in the future, as it would prove his loyalty.


    If Leo was truly as mentally strong as Avendial had expected, then he would receive far better treatment than others in the future.


    "...Don''t tell me you knew already?" Aecilia said, raising an eyebrow as she took in Avendial''s calm demeanor.


    Despite keeping the car steady, confusion bubbled up within her.


    If he truly knew that Leo had been awakened already¡ªeven before the Royal Family¡ªit meant the ident where they encountered him was likely just another move that Avendial had predicted.


    If that were the case, there were only two exnations: either he had awakened some form of ability that allowed him to see the future or he came from the future himself.


    Why was this even a possibility?


    Simply put, Aecilia hadplete faith in her family''swork.


    The intelligence capabilities of Sertsul family were considered among the top three in the entire Arinphiam Empire when it came to information gathering.


    If they were unable to track down someone of Empyreal status faster than the Royal Family could, it made some sense, given the Royal Family''s influence over the Free City.


    But Marquess Croceaus?


    He was a man who had never shown any interest in the Free City or any pursuits outside of his business affairs, let alone in intelligence gathering.


    Of course, this was just an exercise in reassurance for Aecilia, as she knew that he possessed neither an ability to see the future nor was he a traveler from it.


    Thetter was utterly impossible; after all, how can anyone travel back in time? Utterly ridiculous.


    Regarding the former, she recalled that during their date, she had inadvertently ced her handbag near him.


    Given the properties of Synergy, it was likely that the bronze button on her bag would have melted, but it hadn''t.


    So she was certain he wasn''t awakened.


    But if he still knew that Leo had awakened...


    "I love you, Marquess," Aecilia mumbled, averting her gaze as she tightly shut her eyes.


    Exhaling, she redirected her focus to the front windshield as they drove.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She couldn''t believe she''d just confessed to him.


    But what could she do?


    He was so smart to predict everything this perfectly, making her feel a rush of excitement, which was causing her to fall in love all over again.


    Zzzzzz-zz


    "Huh?" Aecilia suddenly heard a peaceful sound and turned to her side, where she found the man she had expected to respond, boldly sleeping instead.


    "....." Watching his serene face with his head leaned against the window, she noticed how he restedfortably, sighing.


    Slowing down the car in hopes of rousing him, she added, "Good night, Marquess."


    "Yes, good night," Avendial replied, stretching his body as he clearly just awakened from his nap.


    Folding his arms, he focused on the road ahead.


    "You heard that, right?" Aecilia''s face twitched as she increased the speed again, feeling as though he was deliberately signaling that whenever she confessed her feelings, he''d just take a nap, uninterested in hearing her sentiments.


    ''Sigh. I''ll try again some other day.''

 Chapter 119: Chapter 121 - Leos Ability (2)

    The sleek ck onyx sports car darted through Sector 12, its powerful engine humming as it soared through the night, the sound reverberating across the expansive farnd.


    Even at thiste hour, the highway lights illuminated the deserted roads, revealing the sprawling fields that nked both sides¡ªa stunning tapestry of golden grain mingled with darker, more vibrant crops.


    "This area isrgely deste," Avendial remarked from his seat in the car.


    In contrast to the bustling sectors filled with buildings and urban architecture, thisndscape was dominated by farnd, evoking the essence of a quaint vige.


    Anyone entering this region would be blissfully unaware that it concealed the headquarters of the Nightcrawlers.


    Indeed, Aecilia was driving him directly to the location where Leo was being held, confined in what could only be described as a form of imprisonment¡ªa revtion Aecilia had provided earlier.


    Not that Avendial felt any sympathy for Leo; on the contrary, the thought of whether Leo might endure the torture was of little concern to him.


    His primary interest was in ensuring Leo''s loyalty and determining whether the man would remain silent under duress, unwilling to divulge crucial information.


    "Yes, no one would ever suspect," Aecilia replied in a casual tone as she pressed down on the elerator.


    The car surged forward, abruptly veering off the main road and into a sugarcane field, the vehicle ripping through the stalks that parted like curtains, scattering bits of sugarcane around them.


    ''Is this really a road?'' Avendial pondered, feeling the power of eleration coursing through him.


    Although the car was a sports model designed for speed and agility, it should have struggled on the uneven terrain.


    Instead, it glided effortlessly, leading him to realize that they were not on soil but rather on a cleverly concealed asphalt path.


    Suddenly, a small hut-shaped structure came into view in the distance, appearing roughly the size of the car.


    Aecilia pressed down harder on the elerator, and without hesitation, they plowed straight into the hut.


    Or so it seemed.


    To Avendial''s surprise, the ride remained smooth despite the apparent destruction of the hut.


    Rather thaning to a halt, they found themselves gliding downward into an artificially constructed cave, its walls reinforced with solid concrete.


    After traveling 200 to 300 meters underground, the car finally came to a halt.


    Screeech!


    Due to the incline and speed, a slight skid was unavoidable.


    As the car settled, both Avendial and Aecilia swiftly exited the vehicle.


    "Wee, mydy, this way," came the voice of a woman cloaked entirely in ck, with only her eyes visible.


    She stepped forward to greet Aecilia and, having caught sight of Avendial, bowed respectfully before him as well, adding, "Greetings, My Lord."


    Avendial, hearing her words, nced at Aecilia, who nonchntly moved forward, seemingly unfazed by the fact that her subordinate had addressed him as "Lord," suggesting that he had already been dered her husband without his consent.


    "Where is Leo?" Avendial inquired, fixing his gaze ahead as Aecilia continued walking.


    The cloaked woman, now beside him, acted as a guide, clearly anticipating his quest for information about Leo.


    "My Lord, Leo is currently in the interrogation room with the team leader. He appears to possess a rather intriguing ability," the woman exined.


    She detailed Leo''s presence in the interrogation room and mentioned the unique powers he had exhibited.


    Through relentless questioning and testing over the past few days, they had started to understand the extent of his abilities.


    "Provide me with the reports," Avendial added, recognizing the professionalism in her tone.


    He sensed that she had likely conducted her own research, so he hoped for a thorough report on Leo''s capabilities.


    Although he wasn''t sure if she actually had a detailed file, he felt it was an appropriate request, given his authority as Lord of this ce.


    As he thought about the matter, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of confusion.


    ''....Why?'' Avendial noticing how these thoughts diverted his attention from the current situation.


    He pondered why Aecilia showed him such favor, struggling toprehend how she hade to love him.


    He found himself reminiscing about the past, regretting that he hadn''t noticed the moments that had led to her feelings for him.


    Naturally, being green together with Rivia, and despite his past self-interest mostly in business, it was normal for him to notice her inclination towards him.


    However, when it came to Aecilia, he could barely remember meeting her outside of business-rted proposals, and they had never engaged in a proper conversation.


    So how could someone fall in love like that?


    It seemed like forced love, without any real reason.


    Before he could dwell further on these distractions, the woman beside him spoke again, snapping him back to the present.


    "Here, my Lord," she said, as if she had anticipated that he would ask for the report.


    She presented it to him from a folder beside her.


    The document was not the extensive file he had imagined, but rather a single, folded page.


    It contained only three lines: the name ''Leo'' and two descriptions of his abilities.


    Avendial did not doubt the team''s efficiency; instead, he felt a surge of admiration for their ability to anticipate his needs.


    They clearly understood that he would have read Leo''s biodata¡ªone that they had sent while he was in the hospital¡ªand would require insights into his awakened abilities.


    For a fleeting moment, he felt a desire to hire these talented individuals, recognizing theirpetence, but he quickly pushed that thought aside.


    Instead, he focused on the text before him, eager to absorb the information it contained.


    ''?!''


    ''What?'' Avendial halted in his tracks the moment his eyes fell on the description of Leo''s ability.


    It detailed how, with each beating and physical assault endured, Leo was not only bing more ustomed to the force but was, in fact, growing stronger as a result.


    His body was adjusting to withstand the force; moreover, his strength began to rise in tandem as if he were absorbing the very might behind each physical attack.


    The third line of the description mentioned that a thorough examination of this ability was necessary since it seemed Leo could convert the physical damage inflicted on him into his own strength.


    However, there were limitations¡ªartificial damage such as that caused by bullets or hydraulic presses was not tranted into power.


    ''Wait¡­'' Avendial had never encountered an awakened individual like this in his past life, leading him to conclude that Leo had likely perished in that ident that day, given his current physical condition.


    As he analyzed the description, it became apparent to Avendial that this ability was undeniably potent.


    Yet there were significant constraints, such as the instant death or incapacitation from high-caliber weaponry.


    These were just a couple of examples of how Leo could easily be overwhelmed or killed, especially if he was unable to elevate his ability to the level needed to endure bullets.


    In simple terms, Leo was akin to a magical sandbag; with each regr beating, he could harden and ultimately be transformed into a form of armor.


    Not only that, but he could also channel the same amount of force from those punches, making it his own.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Now, the crucial task ahead for Avendial was to search for another individual¡ªan Empyreal¡ªwho possessed a physical ability.


    Since getting Leo beaten by humans would not help him much in a short amount of time, after all, Avendial has only one thing that is limited: time.


    However, it could not be just anyone; he needed someone with a physique capable of withstanding bullets or even anti-tank sniper fire.


    A strike from such a powerful individual would undoubtedly provide a substantial boost to Leo''s strength.


    The real question remained: Where would Avendial find an Empyreal within the Free City, someone with physical prowess who could give Avendial a reason to make hime to Avendial willingly?

 Chapter 120: Chapter 122 - Aecilias Small World

    "This way, my Lord."


    The woman in the cloak nced back at Avendial as they reached the end of the corridor, halting to gesture for him to enter the door ahead.


    The door opened on its own, revealing an elevator or lift.


    Aecilia stepped inside, and Avendial followed closely, positioning himself beside her before looking back towards the cloaked woman, who bowed as the door slid shut before them and the lift began its descent.


    "How on earth did you manage to dig this deep?"


    Avendial asked, the reality of being now two hundred meters underground settling in.


    The thought that such a feat could be aplished without the government taking notice seemed almost unfathomable.


    As they continued deeper, the lift''s movement indicated they were descending much further than he had first anticipated.


    It was clear this hidden enve of the Sertsul family, nestled far beneath the Free Cities, was one of the most secure hideouts one could imagine.


    Such secrecy raised uneasy questions in Avendial''s mind regarding how they could maintain this level of concealment from the Royal Family, let alone the government itself.


    "It began construction in 1810; we relocated here just a decade ago," Aecilia replied, her words outlining the timeline of this vast undergroundplex, which had been under preparation since the 1810.


    This certainly demonstrated the effort and time they had invested in crafting this ce while attempting to shield their operations from governmental scrutiny.


    "....What about those who attempted to leak information?" Avendial inquired, a pressing concern surfacing in his thoughts.


    Given the depth of this sanctuary, it was evident that hiding its existence for this length of time was a daunting task; at least a handful of people would have surely leaked information about it.


    "We killed everyone," Aecilia stated matter-of-factly as the lift''s door opened, unveiling yet another narrow passage.


    As he stood there, Avendial continued to study her back, realizing that he perhaps had underestimated the resolve of Sertsul family in his past times.


    It dawned on him why the Emperor had prioritizedunching his assault against the Sertsuls following the arrival of the Tower, promptly eliminating one of his strongest rivals without facing any retaliation.


    Clearly, they had been obliterated, suggesting that the Sertsul family was not as robust or did not boast a considerable number of awakened individualspared to the Royal Family¡ªBut targeting them first definitely put them in the limelight.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Setting aside his thoughts, he moved forward, following her as the path ahead was considerably shorter.


    They soon approached a gate that creaked open slowly.


    Upon entering, Avendial found themselves in an expansive area that felt asrge as twice the grounds of the Elite Academy.


    He, stepping out of the lift, lifted his gaze to where a sky once existed but now was reced by an enormous concrete ceiling, stretching out so far that it evoked a sense of dread, as if it could copse at any moment.


    Dismissing this unsettling sight, he gradually shifted his focus downwards, and as his eyes adjusted, he was taken aback by the bustling city that sprawled before him.


    This was no mere collection of small structures¡ªthis was a full-fledged city, teeming with life.


    A crowd of individuals gathered at the front, clearly observing their arrival.


    Among them, Avendial recognized a few familiar faces.


    However, he found his mind preupied with thoughts of his past life, where it was evident that once individuals were thrown into the tower, they could not carry anything with them.


    This whole shelter appeared to offer an advantage to anyone at the initial levels.


    The existence of such a ce, with a city at its heart providing aplete small world, contrasts with his past life where newly inducted individuals entered the first phase of the tutorial inside the tower, residing in a new world that offered no shelter. This sparked an intriguing thought in his mind.


    What if this entire space, this entire city had been brought along into the Tower with him?


    To be precise, when the Tower arrived and people were cast into the tutorial grounds, it didn''t unfold like the clich¨¦ mechanisms often depicted in fantasy novels.


    There were no guides to exin the scenario or quests to hunt monsters.


    Instead, they had encountered a deste expanse¡ªnothing but barrennd, stripped of all familiar signs of life.


    Before the arrival of the Tower, humanity experienced betrayal from a race that emerged from it¡ªa race that arrived a week before the Tower''s emergence, leaving them distrustful and wary.


    In response, the scattered remnants of humanity began to unite, forming alliances and gathering in makeshift ns on the starkndscape.


    The strongest among them emerged as protectors, while fierce battles erupted over resources, survival bing the foremost instinct in that harsh environment.


    As Avendial surveyed the entire area, a sense of assurance washed over him¡ªhe was certain that this ce harbored significant resources.


    It felt akin to being presented with avish feast served on a single te, fulfilling all his desires.


    This prompted him to cast his gaze toward the figure moving twenty steps ahead¡ªone who seemed to be much more than he ever thought of her.


    He watched her back, her ck cascading hair draped over her shoulder, and momentarily remained stoic, his mind drifting into contemtion.


    ''What had happened to her at that time?''


    It wasn''t as though he had never encountered someone as capable as her before.


    In fact, he already had several individuals within the Tower who surpassed her in skill.


    Yet, despite all this, only one question lingered in his mind: what had transpired during her sudden disappearance on the ninth floor?


    With a deep breath, he chose to set these thoughts aside, focusing instead on calming himself as he moved forward, his eyes diligently scanning the surroundings to assess the extent of investment he would need to make in this ce.


    Ah, yes, he certainly had a n to bring this entire location into the Tower with them.


    "Greetings, My Lady."


    The harmonious chorus of voices from a group of two or three dozen individuals filled the space, jolting Avendial out of his thoughts and prompting him to halt beside Aecilia.


    "Why are all of you here?"


    Aecilia''s narrowed gaze exuded authority, scrutinizing the assembled crowd.


    Among them were small children, a handful of men, and women who appeared to be ordinary citizens.


    They were all noticeably marked by grease and dirt, as if they''d been hard at work before arriving to see her.


    "Um, this is for you," came the timid voice of a little boy stepping forward.


    He looked about three or four years old and, with a determined effort, presented Aecilia with a tiny, hand-crafted flower made of paper, his eyes squeezed shut as he eximed, "Please marry me, Noona!"


    "....."


    A moment of stunned silence filled the air, and Aecilia''s mouth twitched at the unexpected proposal from the child.


    Her fist clenched reflexively as she instinctively raised it, clearly preparing to deliver a punch.


    Thud


    And deliver she did.


    The impact was a light punch to the child''s head, eliciting a wince of pain as he instinctively covered his face, while the people gathered behind him erupted in heartyughter.


    ''....''


    Avendial stood observing, intrigued by thefortable familiarity these people shared with Aecilia.


    She was undeniably a noblewoman, yet they interacted with her as if she were a close friend.


    Having witnessed her personality, he began to see a different side of her¡ªa warmth and approachability that contrasted with his earlier perceptions.


    He nced at her, noting her expression, which remained unchanged, maintaining the familiar fa?ade she always wore.


    "Here," Aecilia said decisively, snatching the paper flower from the boy and handing it to Avendial.


    He held it for a moment, studying its simplicity, before shifting his gaze back to the child.


    The little one was still rubbing his head while sending Avendial a re filled with indignation.


    ''Isn''t he...''


    Avendial thought, his attention drawn to a distinctive mark on the child''s forehead resembling a feather tattoo.


    The resemnce to someone from his past emerged clearly in his mind, igniting a smirk on his face.


    He leaned down slightly and asked, "Hey, kiddo, wasn''t your blood group AB+?"


    "...."

 Chapter 121: Chapter 123- An Introduction

    Bam! Bam!


    "Kughh!... Arrghh!...."


    The distant sounds of impacts and the screams of someone reached Avendial''s ears from a fifty meters away.


    A small cart, resembling a golf cart, carried two unusual individuals.


    At the front sat a woman in a flowing ck dress, her golden eyes shining brightly as she focused ahead.


    Beside her sat a man with silver hair, contrasting with her sunny gaze; his deep blue eyes evoked the image of a vast ocean, while his hair glimmered like moonlight.


    Avendial felt a twinge of pity for Leo, whose familiar, anguished cries echoed after each impact sound.


    It was clear that Leo, having narrowly escaped death in the past, was now being used as a punching bag by someone.


    "Marquess, aren''t you curious about why we created this ce?" Aecilia asked, her gaze fixed on the road ahead.


    The headquarters for the nightcrawlers was far more than a mere base; it resembled a small city hidden away in the shadows and unnoticed by the outside world.


    Avendial sensed Aecilia''s expectation that he would ask questions, but he remained calm, choosing to keep his thoughts to himself.


    "...I have a few guesses," Avendial replied.


    He folded his hands, closed his eyes, and tilted his head slightly back against the cart''s seat, contemting the implications of their location.


    Memories of history flooded his mind, particrly the tale of how a previous emperor had sought to suppress the Sertsul family by assigning them territory that wasrgely considered infertile.


    This oppressive move didn''t stop there; the head of the family at that time had married the woman who incited the prince''s wrath¡ªshe was the very reason for the emperor''s aggression.


    After the prince ascended the throne, he targeted the man who had won her heart, resulting in that man''s untimely death in what was described as an ident.


    The specifics of history are well known: the subsequent rise of the Sertsul family and their ventures into pleasure houses and beyond.


    Avendial pieced together that it was likely this new stronghold served as a precautionary measure, a safeguard against history repeating itself.


    Furthermore, he recalled the child he had previously seen with the feather tattoo¡ªhaving shared a conversation with him in the future, where the boy recounted living in a shelter due to his sister being abducted by the royal family.


    They had wanted to take him too, but somehow he had escaped, finding protection under the Sertsul family.


    But at that time, there were no remnants of the Sertsul family remaining, prompting Avendial to not delve deeper into it.


    Now, however, this ce appeared as though an entire small world had been meticulously crafted for people to inhabit.


    Yet, the fate of those who lived here was far from favorable.


    The child, in particr, met a grim end for standing against the royal family.


    Thest Avendial heard of him; he had attempted to go against the royal family, only to be killed by his own sister, who had been brainwashed by the royal family over the years.


    Setting aside this tragic tale, Avendial reminded himself not to inquire further, as hecked the time to listen to stories he had already heard.


    "By the way, you shouldn''t feel jealous of that child, Marquess," Aecilia teased, nudging his arm yfully.


    She prompted him to look at her with a smirk before she halted the cart and stepped out. A small smile lingered on her face as she recalled how he had questioned that child about his blood type.


    The way he had guessed it before the child became utterly horrified and fled, as if he bore some trauma triggered by such a question, amused her.


    It gave her the impression that he was being jealous and threatening toward the boy.


    Of course, Aecilia was aware there was much more beneath the surface.


    With her extensive knowledge of the individuals residing in this ce, she also understood the child''s background and, coincidentally, confirmed that the Marquess''s guess was urate: the child indeed possessed the same blood type.


    Though she couldn''t ask him again¡ªgiven that she had already done so and received no valid answer¡ªshe began to wonder why he was so fixated on having people with the same blood type as his own rather than a more diverse selection of groups.


    But indeed, she was doubtful.


    "I... wasn''t jealous of him," Avendial said, stepping out of the cart and making his way toward a structure that resembled a metallic bunker, its thick door slowly sliding open.


    He cast a nce back at Aecilia, who was just a few paces behind him, and felt a yful urge to tease her, mostly to make her forget about the thing she was doubting right now.


    "I was just jealous of his courage..." With a nonchnt voice, he dered.


    His words caused Aecilia to pause, her gaze shifting towards him, her eyebrow arched as she felt confused, prompting her to ask, "And why is that?"


    "Why wouldn''t I?" he replied, approaching her before standing beside her for a second, giving her a smile with narrowed eyes before he walked past her, murmuring under his breath enough for her to hear: "How did he manage to gather enough courage to propose to you? I''m still here, struggling to find that very courage..."


    "...."


    thump thump


    "Phew~," Aecilia exhaled, standing in ce as her heart raced.


    She covered her face briefly, taking a moment topose herself after being unexpectedly confronted by a man whose personality belied the evident yboy image he projected.


    Doubts crept into her mind¡ªhad she truly gathered enough information about him?


    Only four or five days ago, he appeared to be solely focused on business, and now, he had the audacity to stir feelings within her heart.


    If he could so easily rattle herposure, she feared she was a lost cause.


    Bam!


    "Haaah!...."


    Krieeek


    ''What the¡ª?'' Avendial eximed as he stepped into the bunker.


    The first thing that met his eyes was a stark, white room adorned with several mirror-like surfaces, each bearing the marks of blood.


    Some stains were dry, while others were fresh, with nail marks on some; even fingerprints seemed to be visible on some.


    His gaze quickly swept across the room, taking in the sight of numerous individuals trapped inside.


    They were subjected to unspeakable torture, their fingers disyed grimly alongside plucked teeth, their hair embedded within torn skin, and their flesh openly leaking blood.


    The gruesome scene before him clearly revealed that this ce was less an interrogation room and more a torture chamber.


    "Leo is in the interrogation chamber; these people have already been questioned," Aecilia exined as she stepped forward, guiding him toward the only door thatcked soundproof ss.


    The emanating screams hinted strongly that there were distinct areas designated for both interrogation and torture, and these unfortunate souls were now enduring thetter phase after having already revealed all they knew.


    "I see..." Avendial replied, following behind her until they reached a seemingly ordinary wooden door, the kind one might find in any home.


    Aecilia slowly opened the door, and the sight that unfolded before them was anything but ordinary.


    Inside the room, four women encircled a single man who was brutally bound at the wrists and ankles. Among them, three stood by while one delivered gruesome punches.


    What struck Avendial as rming, however, was that the person delivering the punches seemed abnormally strong, evident from the sound and air-tearing noise; it was the undeniable fact that she was an Evolver¡ªnot an ordinary one at that.


    "Hey, everyone, stop! Can''t you see who''s here?" Aecilia had initially thought they would only be asking questions of Leo, not suspending him in mid-air like some sort of sandbag, with his arms and legs bound by chains.


    Despite that, one could not ignore the fact that his body was impressively muscr, every detail of his physique clearly outlined beneath his tattered clothing.


    However, Aecilia was more concerned with the fact that she had just brought the Marquess to this ce for the first time, and the very first thing he witnessed was this rather shocking scene.


    "Huh? Aecilia? Oh, so he is the Croceaus guy."


    The woman at the front, who was punishing Leo with punches that reddened his flesh with each blow, turned to acknowledge Aecilia''s voice.


    Recognizing familiar tone, she approached them, casually unrolling the band she had tied around her hand.


    ''.....'' Avendial, standing there, nced at the woman who just casually mentioned him while striding closer.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He noticed the striking simrity between her and Aecilia¡ªboth had the same golden-huedplexion¡ªbut this woman''s physical appearance was strikingly different.


    She sported a boyish look,plete with a funky, gray-haired, tomboyish hairstyle.


    Her attire consisted of tight jeans that revealed glimpses of her toned abdominal muscles, and piercings near her lips added a hint of rebellious ir as she came within just an arm''s length of him.


    "What a handsome man you have here, Aecilia," she remarked, eyeing her cousin, who had brought along this rumored individual¡ªsomeone Aecilia had a crush on.


    Billie then took a towel from one of her subordinates, wiping the sweat from her face as she stretched her hand out toward Avendial.


    "My name is Billie Sertsul," she said, her gaze lingering on him.


    "How about I take the time to properly introduce myself to you, Mr. Handsome?" Her eyes, filled with mischief, roamed down to his pants, glinting with flirtation.


    As she closed the distance between them, leaning closer to his ear, she whispered in a voice dripping with seduction, "Maybe I need to change the venue to my bedroom... for my deep introduction. What do you say?"

 Chapter 122: Chapter 124- Leos loyalty

    ''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¡ªenough 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¡ªfrom straightforward to bewildered¡ªAvendial 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¡ªthe one who had gifted him this new life.


    Even though he had endured what felt like an interrogation¡ªmore urately described as torture¡ªhe 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¡ªall 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.

 Chapter 123: Chapter 125- A bait

    "Come, sit here, Marquess," Billie said as she entered the room, which bore a striking resemnce to a study or an office, characterized by the arrangement of a desk and a sofa positioned in the center.


    She took a seat and then tapped the spot beside her, gesturing towards Avendial.


    "...by the way, are you an Evolver?"


    As he moved towards the sofa where Billie sat, Avendial decided it was prudent to confirm his suspicion¡ªthis woman seemed powerful enough to be one.


    "What? Of course not! How could I be?" Billie suddenly replied, her expression shifting at Marquess''ment.


    A flicker of hope ignited in her eyes as he prepared to sit beside her.


    However, she couldn''t ignore the contemptuous look from her sister, which prompted her to smile.


    "...."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Avendial halted midway as he noticed that Aecilia was clearly in a less-than-pleasant mood. Initially, he had decided to ignore it, given that this woman was an Evolver; however, after confirmation, her worth diminished in an instant.


    He opted to settle himself onto a solitary sofa instead.


    "Eh?"


    Billie remained confused, staring at him.


    It dawned on her that he had judged her solely based on her status as an Evolver; and when the result turned out negative, he chose to distance himself.


    With her lips twitching in frustration, she looked at the man, now fully grasping why they referred to him as a businessman.


    He had decisively appraised her worth far too swiftly.


    "Then why are you so strong?"


    Avendial, sittingfortably while adjusting his wristwatch with the blue dial and loosening the cuffs of his white shirt, peered back toward Aecilia, who had just taken her ce with elegantly crossed legs.


    Her eyes were closed, hands resting calmly on her chest, decidedly detached from the ongoing conversation between her cousin and Avendial.


    "I''m built different," Billie said, folding her arms and tilting her head upward, sneaking a nce at the man who had hastily judged her, not hesitating for even a moment to change his decision about sitting next to her due to her perceivedck of value.


    "...."


    Avendial listened to her words, still unconvinced.


    After all, he had personally witnessed the speed of her punches and the sharp sound of the air they disced, granting him a hint that such feats were hard to aplish with just the human body¡ªthough not entirely impossible.


    Within that moment, he pondered the possibility of believing her im, since he couldn''t fullyprehend any other exnation.


    "It''s a Sertsul family secret, but we have our ways to increase our physical strength, though not to the level of those superhumans," Aecilia finally spoke, slowly opening her eyes to reveal her golden pupils.


    Her gaze met Avendial''s, not holding back as she shared the family''s secret.


    This secret technique has enabled the creation of an assassin group known as the Night Crawlers, as normal humans generally struggle to achievemendable ratings in assassination as they did.


    ''!?!''


    "Sister!? That''s a secret for a reason!" Billie eximed, her heart racing at Aecilia''s revtion of such a deep secret to an outsider¡ªparticrly someone who belonged to another noble family.


    Shocked, she pointed an usatory finger at Avendial, insisting, "He is an outsider!"


    ''...that was unexpected''


    Avendial mumbled, pulled from his thoughts by Billie''s sudden outburst.


    Aecilia''s revtion caught him off guard as well; given Billie''s reaction, it was clear that this was a significant secret.


    At that moment, Avendial understood just how crucial this information was, especially if anyone learned of the Sertsul family possessing a way to create superhumans.


    "Shut up; he''s not an outsider," Aecilia dered, closing her eyes once more and tilting her head slightly as she directed her voice toward Billie.


    It was a definitive statement, insisting that Avendial was part of their family.


    "Bullshit! What family!?" Billie fumed, her eyes widening in disbelief.


    She mmed her hands on the table in front of her, ring at both Avendial and Aecilia.


    Confusion washed over her; how could her sister divulge such sensitive information about their family simply because she had a crush on this man?


    It was evident to Billie that Avendial, being a businessman, would likely be motivated by profit and could very well attempt to exploit her sister''s knowledge about the superhuman project.


    With a heavy sigh, Avendial recognized that the conversation was spiraling out of control.


    He was exhausted after juggling all the date-rted nonsense ced upon him all day.


    He stood up and walked straight to the sofa where Aecilia sat with her eyes closed.


    Taking a seat beside her, he spoke directly, "I need a favor."


    "EHHHH!?" Billie eximed, bbergasted.


    She couldn''t believe it; here was a man who had just beenbeled as part of their family, boldly sitting beside her sister and asking for a favor without a hint of shame.


    "H-how shameful! Sister! He just wants to use you¡ª" Billie tried to interject, turning her gaze to Aecilia to convey her outrage.


    She couldn''tprehend how her sister, who had always been the sharpest and poised to be the next head of the Sertsul family, could willingly entertain this man''s request.


    Before Billie could finish her thought, Aecilia interjected, "Fine, tell me what you need."


    ''What the hell?'' Billie blinked in disbelief, still caught off guard by her sister''s willingness to entertain Avendial''s request.


    All of this was beyond herprehension; she struggled to understand why Aecilia, with her usual keen judgment, would favor this man who seemed to be asking for so much without any regard for a single shame upon him.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "Is this information legitimate?"


    Avendial inquired as he nced at the tablet in front of him a few moments ago when he intended to ask for a favor. At that moment, one of the sovereigns of Aecilia entered the room, delivering crucial news about the Diego family¡ªinformation unearthed from the tangled history of the Ravan family.


    The Sertsul family had dedicated two to three days to this investigation, particrly focused on Lin Diego, a feat that required significant effort, especially considering the noble rank of the duchy involved.


    Now, the findingsid before Avendial revealed that the daughter of the Ravan family, who was pregnant, had made the decision to flee her homnd, abandoning her title.


    She had arrived in City A, choosing to live with amon businessman from the Diego family.


    Among all the details that narrowed Avendial''s eyes, one stood out: an awakened individual with physical abilities, serving as a bodyguard to that woman.


    "Yes, it took a long time, but it''s likely urate," Aecilia confirmed, seated beside Avendial.


    She nced towards Billie, who was sitting distantly on the sofa, her head bowed as she sped her hands in despair, seemingly trapped in five stages of grief.


    The situation had escted when Billie questioned why Aecilia showed preferential treatment to Marquess, citing him as family.


    When Billie argued why Aecilia didn''t treat her simrly, Aecilia''s joking responses had inadvertently hurt her feelings.


    Given the emotional weight of the moment, Billie appeared crushed, wallowing in her disappointment.


    "An Empyreal..." Avendial mused, his focus shifting back to the information on the tablet.


    One of the two Empyreals employed by the Ravan family was now in City A, acting as a bodyguard for Lin Diego''s mother.


    This realization flooded Avendial''s mind with memories of his past life, particrly of two Empyreals who had once worked with the Ravan family¡ªone of whom had been killed during a battle involving the Diego faction at the hands of one of Avendial''s subordinates.


    He remembered one of the Empyreals from the Ravan family''s side who had sought revenge for his brother''s death. This prompted Avendial to connect the dots: the Empyreal now in City A was likely that same brother, possessing the physical abilities that Avendial essentially needed, especially to help Leo boost his strength.


    "Aecilia, reach out to the Diego family and inform them that I wish to bid against them," Avendial instructed, his gaze fixed on the screen.


    "What? But if they discover your presence, then..." Aecilia narrowed her eyes as the implications sank in.


    If the news of Marquess being alone reached the ears of the faction supporting Prince Orion, they would undoubtedly try to target the Marquess openly.


    "Let them do it.", Avendial contemted how this situation could serve as bait to draw the Empyreal out into the open, presenting him with a rare opportunity to remove the strongest protector of Lin Diego''s mother.


    It was evident that this scenario extended beyond mere bodyguard duties; it suggested a deeper connection, perhaps a setup where that Empyreal had been ordered to keep an eye on Lin''s mother, possibly at the behest of the current heir, also known as her brother.


    For Avendial, the prospect of seizing an opportunity that had practicallynded in hisp was too enticing to ignore.


    Thispelled him to give Aecilia a direct order and prepare to act as bait himself.


    He felt increasingly confident that he would be an effective lure for the Empyreal.


    Unlike the typical behavior of noble families, their subordinates often remained oblivious to the intricacies of civil affairs.


    Therefore, if he is correct, the Empyreal¡ªcurrently residing in the free city and only aware of the aphrodisiac event orchestrated by Prince Orion against Marquess Croceaus¡ªmight mistakenly believe that targeting the Marquess when he is this vulnerable would impress his superiors.


    Due to this particr misunderstanding and ack of awareness about how the aristocracy functioned, it was likely that the Empyre would indeed target Avendial upon seeing him in the open.


    The end result would provide Avendial with enough evidence to target the Ravan family and simultaneously arrange a strength booster for Leo, manipte Aria, or perhaps he will also be able to gain some hidden benefit from all this.

 Chapter 124: Chapter 126- Auction House

    Present day,


    18 January 2031


    Within Sector 14, an area predominantly recognized for its vibrant casinos, bustling bars, lively nightclubs, and high-stakes auction houses, many items that would be considered luxuries by ordinary citizens served as mere entertainment for the wealthier popce.


    Each sector within the city A resembled a self-sustaining town,prised of its own citizens and various industries, ranging from information technology firms to healthcare facilities.


    However, each sector also specialized in its unique offerings.


    Sector 14, in particr, garnered acim for its auction houses and diverse entertainment options tailored to the super-rich.


    On 3rd Street, amidst the lively atmosphere of Sector 14, stood one of the few big auction houses in the entire free city.


    This establishment gained renown for its auctions featuring ancient artifacts, exquisite paintings, and mementos from the rich history of the Arinphiam Empire.


    While the activities within this auction house appeared normal and could easily be exined by human perception, creating the impression of a typical marketce, a darker truth lurked beneath the surface¡ªone that came alive when the nightcrawlers entered the scene.


    Due to the high demand for auction venues, often dominated by agents and agencies, the general public remainedrgely unaware of the treasures¡ªand dangers¡ªhidden within.


    Only invitees were privy to the mysterious workings of the auctions.


    Outside observers never questioned that this seemingly innocuous ce morphed into a site of life-and-death bidding, especially when nightcrawlers undertook assassination contracts.


    There existed several other assassination groups, typically employed by powerful businessmen and influential figures.


    Yet, when the time came to eliminate someone of significant rank or influence, these clients required operatives with exceptional capabilities, even at the cost of their own lives¡ªthose powerful enough to sessfullyplete such perilous tasks.


    This necessity led to fiercepetition among these groups, battling for dominance through bids ced on lives at the auction orchestrated by the nightcrawlers.


    The royal family, who maintained significant authority over the Kingdom of Thaloris and Royal kingdom, could not afford to overlook the presence of an assassination syndicate operating ndestinely within their jurisdiction.


    However, it seemed the monarchy had chosen to tolerate this group''s activities, using them as a means to instill fear among both the residents of the free city and the ruling government.


    This understanding was mutual; both the assassination group and the royal family were acutely aware of the precarious equilibrium they maintained.


    The Sertsul family was keenly aware that they were being utilized as mere barking dogs, yet they chose to overlook this reality, as it afforded them an opportunity to earn money.


    Both the royal family and the Sertsul family operated under an unspoken mutual agreement, each reaping benefits from the other.


    However, there was a clear boundary that the royal family had resolved never to cross.


    For all these years, it seemed the royal family of the Arinphiam Empire had turned a blind eye toward the events of the outside world, as if they were preparing for something monumental¡ªsomething significant enough to warrant ignoring the ascent of a new superpower or noble family


    Today, at the auction house on 3rd Street, a parade of luxury cars was gliding in, creating a spectacle as they approached the entrance, nked by several nightclubs and other venues lining 3rd Street.


    Influential individuals quickly recognized the distinctive identities of some of the vehicles and began to ponder the implications of the arrival of two major families at the fabled auction site notorious for high-stakes bidding.


    The auction house had be andmark for those in the know, as it always catered to life-and-death bids.


    It was widely understood that the presence of two powerful families meant that this was no ordinary auction.


    As this realization began spreading among those who recognized the families, excitement surged, and eager fingers reached for their phones to dial their contacts.


    The arrivals of the day were none other than the two leading influential families of City A: the William Family and the Diego Family.


    However, it would take time for this news to circte widely.


    In the meantime, the tension was palpable among those seated in their vehicles.


    "Lord, we managed to get the loan approved, but the interest rates are outrageous," said an assistant to the William family, casting a furtive nce at the head of the family.


    He sat staring out the window of the Rolls Royce, which sped along the asphalt after entering Sector 14, clearly lost in thought.


    "I see¡­" replied the man, his voice a gravelly yet calm whisper, maintaining hisposure even amidst the urgent situation.


    The assistant nodded, then turned his attention back to his tablet, desperately trying to secure additional funding.


    He shared the head of the family''s anxiety, acutely aware that they were already carrying a staggering total debt of 1.5 billion Imperial Crowns.


    In a frantic bid to raise cash, the William family swiftly liquidated prime real estate assets, including luxury estates andmercial properties.


    They also sold high-end vehicles, exquisite jewelry, and rare artworks, managing to between 200 and 400 million Imperial Crowns.


    They also divested shares or partial ownership in their family businesses, raising an additional 100 to 300 million Imperial Crowns.


    Furthermore, they secured high-interest loans against their remaining assets, leveraging their influence and coteral for another 200 to 300 million crowns.


    In total, they managed to umte approximately 500 million to 1 billion Imperial Crowns within a mere span of 1 to 2 days.


    There remained other assets that could potentially be valued at half of what they currently owned, but these were not easily liquidated.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Thisplexity only exacerbated their situation.


    Meanwhile, the Diego family, as calcted by the assistant, had amassed a staggering total of 18.5 billion Imperial Crowns after liquidating their own assets.


    This entire struggle seemed to manifest as a one-sided and desperate final attempt by the William family, a fact fully recognized by the head of the family, evidenced by his clenched fists that conveyed deep contemtion.


    "There are 100 million Imperial Crowns saved in my foreign ounts; send Aria out of this country," the head of the family finally dered, striving topose himself while acutely aware of the gravity of their circumstances.


    He harbored no trust in the words of Marquess Avendial Croceaus¡ªhisst flicker of hope¡ªbut felt he had no choice but to proceed cautiously with a man renowned for his business acumen, who seemed intent on turning this to his own advantage.


    The head of the William family harbored a genuine fear that the Diego family might next set their sights on his daughter.


    ".....I understand," the assistant replied, acknowledging the considerable sum the head had managed to save.


    Although he yearned to suggest that they withdraw those funds as well, he recognized that it would likely be futile.


    It was far wiser for the young miss to be in a secure location, away from this perilous situation, should anything unfortunate befall the head of the family.


    Right at the front of the line was a sedan, with a woman behind the wheel, her hands shaking on the steering wheel. She was super anxious, trying to juggle driving and dialing a number on her phone. Her feet were restless, and it felt like time was slipping away.


    "Ugh! Come on!" Aria shouted, tossing her phone into the car in frustration. Panic and dread clouded her thoughts ¡ª she couldn''t reach Professor Aven, the one person who promised to help her dad.


    She felt herself sinking into despair, surrounded by nothing but the weight of her hopelessness.

 Chapter 125: Chapter 127- Avendials arrival

    Outside, a grand structure resembling an auction house towered, surrounded by lush greenery and expansive parking lots, with security personnel stationed all around.


    A procession of cars belonging to the Diego family arrived, drawing the attention of the security staff, who nodded in acknowledgment before checking their invitations and permitting their entry.


    "Is there someone else here too?" the head of the Diego family inquired as he stepped out of his car.


    He nced around the parking lot and noticed a line of Rolls-Royce, Range Rovers, and sedan that clearly illustrated the level of wealth and luxury they represented.


    This realization led him to understand that it would be improbable for someone of the Marquess'' stature to even consider approaching any of these vehicles.


    He directed one of his bodyguards to gather more information, and the bodyguard quicklyplied.


    "Laughable? We are surrounded by insects," remarked another figure as he exited his vehicle.


    His appearance immediately caught the eye of the security staff, as he was a towering man, 6.5 feet tall, equally broad-shouldered and muscr, resembling a professional bodybuilder.


    His body was adorned with tattoos, and he wore sunsses that concealed the ink covering half of his bald head.


    Bordy surveyed the security personnel, most of whom appeared to be women, and couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly.


    He viewed these nightcrawlers as mere insects, considering what they could do to anyone in his presence.


    It was an amusing sight, and he contemted the idea of crushing each one of them, but he ultimately decided to focus on his primary target: Marquess Croceaus.


    "What''s the situation? Did you find the name?" inquired the head of the Diego family, a man d in a sleek suit, as he moved forward, nked by vignt security staff who remained alert with firearms discreetly held at their sides, alongside his own bodyguard.


    He mused that it would indeed be surprising if those luxurious vehicles belonged to Marquess Croceaus.


    "Um, sir, these belong to the William family," the guard reported upon his return, confirming that the vehicles in question were indeed from the William family, as verified by the patrolling security personnel.


    ''!?''


    "What? What are those beggars doing here?"


    The head of the Diego family waspletely taken aback to discover that the information he received from the mayor seemed to confirm his suspicions about the William family scheming behind his back.


    This revtion led him to realize that perhaps the entire auction affair was part of their borate n.


    No¡­


    He was well aware of the head of the William family, a man who had previously struck a deal with him in hopes of marrying his daughter to Diego''s son.


    It dawned on him that this mancked the backbone to even think about targeting him directly.


    As he began to piece together the situation, he understood that the sudden interest of the William family in establishing a paper processing nt coincided suspiciously with the enlistment of nightcrawlers hired by Marquess Avendial Croceaus.


    All of it was beginning to make sense.


    It was evident to him that Marquess Avendial Croceaus was the true puppet master behind the scenes, backing the William family to give them the misguided confidence to challenge the Diego family.


    "Bordy, after you eliminate that man, I want you to take care of some pesky insects afterward," he ordered, his fists clenched and jaw tight as he realized that these weaklings dared to oppose the Diego family.


    The head was seething with anger, delivering a clear mandate to the man beside him¡ªBordy¡ªwho stood casually with his hands in his pockets, showcasing open sores that revealed his muscr abs.


    Bordy nced back at the head after hearing themand.


    "Haha, fine, I''ll take care of it," Bordy replied with a nonchnt air.


    Normally, he would have outright rejected acting on this man''s orders, but the prospect of killing the Marquess was enticing enough to motivate him.


    He figured that granting this man the gift of eliminating the William family might just lighten his mood.


    As they approached the grand door leading into arge hall of the auction house, they were met by staff members who greeted them with polite bows.


    Guided forward, they made their way to a designated section where several bodyguards in suits stood watch.


    One of the men appeared to be an assistant to the William family.


    The head of the Diego family shot him a stern re before signaling for his guards to halt.


    Observing the rule that permitted only two individuals to enter, he and Bordy stepped inside.


    Upon entering the room, they were struck by its amphitheater-like design, featuring tiered seating arrangements.


    On one side, there were plush blue sofas, and on the other, luxurious red ones.


    Their gaze quickly settled on two individuals already seated on the red sofas¡ªthe head of the William family and his daughter.


    The Diego family head strode toward the red section before taking his seat.


    "So, even bugs have begun to fly, huh?" Diego couldn''t help but taunt, his icy toneced with disdain as he red at the head of the William family in the front seat, fixing his suit like it mattered.


    His smirk revealed his disbelief that this man dared to confront his family.


    "...Why did you do this, Mr. Diego?"


    The head of the William family, rather than retaliating with a jab, proceeded to directly question the reasoning behind the Diego family''s brazen actions against his family, even going so far as to hire assassins.


    "What¡ª"


    Before Diego could finish his thought, a sudden spotlight illuminated the floor, drawing their attention.


    A strikingly beautiful woman entered, her unique appearance immediately capturing the room''s focus.


    With a short, tomboyish haircut and golden-hued eyes, she exuded amanding presence as she wore a stylish ck outfitposed of pants and a shirt¡ªclearly a trendy choice for women.


    She confidently advanced toward the podium, ready to take the stage.


    "Good morning, everyone. The bidding process begins now."


    With no hesitation, Billie struck the bell, officially kicking off the auction in a single stroke¡ªwithout any formalities.


    "Huh? Where is the Marquess¡ª"


    The head of the Diego family was taken aback to see only four people present in the auction house.


    The highly anticipated guest, Marquess Croceaus, for whom he and Bordy hade, was conspicuously absent.


    Before he could finish his inquiry, the head of the William family raised his bid.


    "500 million Imperial Crowns."


    His voice resonated throughout the room, dering an amount that represented half of his avable wealth.


    Clearly willing to go all out, he understood that his effort might be futile, but he aimed to at least undermine the Diego family''s confidence.


    "Huh? This...?"


    The head of the Diego family felt his mouth twitch as he registered the bid.


    The audacity of someone who wouldn''t have dared to challenge him was infuriating.


    His hands clenched in anger as he suppressed the temptation to question Marquess'' absence.


    Instead, he resolved to defeat the head of the William family decisively before seeking answerster.


    "5 billion Imperial Crowns."


    Without any hesitation, he dered his bid, plunging the room into a state of turmoil.


    ''!''


    The head of the William family flinched, his heart racing; this amount far exceeded anything he could hope to secure in such a short time¡ªeven with a reasonable amount of preparation.


    ''N-no!?''


    badump


    Aria felt her heart plummet as the bid soared well beyond the William family''s total valuation.


    Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she hunched over, clutching her face.


    Anxiety surged within her with each passing second, as memories of her suffering flooded her mind.


    To many, luck was a trivial concept, but for her, it felt like a cruel joke.


    Losing her mother at a young age, surrounded by false usations, even despite being born into a prestigious family, she had never truly known happiness.


    The man she loved med her for everything that went wrong, and her friendships always seemed to dissolve in the end¡ªfated to be lost one day.


    Life felt like a series of setbacks, each one pushing her deeper into despair, fueling her cynicism about those who believed they could change their destinies.


    But no¡­


    Seated in the oppressive darkness, epting the reality that they had already lost before they ever truly began, she felt a chilling sense of finality.


    No one woulde to her aid¡ªneither her love, nor friends, nor anyone else.


    In that fleeting moment, however, one desperate thought crossed her mind, though she couldn''t quite understand why: ''p-pl¡­eas¡­e, professor¡­m...y d..ad''


    "50 billion Imperial Crowns,"


    came a calm yet authoritative male voice, slicing through the tense atmosphere of the auction room.


    ''!?!''


    ''Huh? Is he...?''


    A chill ran down the spine of the man who had just held the upper hand moments before.


    The head of the Diego family slowly turned toward the source of the voice, realizing that such a colossal bid¡ªone ten times greater than the entire wealth of the Diego family, which was one of the richest in City A¡ªcould only belong to one individual within the entire Arinphiam Empire, making the reality of the situation hit him like a bolt of lightning.


    The moment his head turned back, he spotted a man standing at the door. Even in the dim light, the striking silver hair and those sapphire eyes gave away his identity unmistakably.


    "Finally!" Bordy''s smile widened at the sound of that familiar voice.


    He loosened his tightly folded hands as he rose to his feet, pivoting in that direction without a hint of hesitation.


    Despite the twenty to thirty meters of distance between them, and the fact that he was seated¡ªwhich elevated that man by two or three feet¡ªhis body moved with instinctive efficiency.


    swish


    He leaned slightly downward, his leg muscles tightening in preparation, and then, in an explosive motion, he leaped.


    BOOM!


    The sheer force of his leap sent the surrounding sofas flying, creating a small crater beneath him¡ªthrowing the floors made of hard concrete destroyed within splitting moment turning into granules of dust particles.


    Simultaneously, the head of the Diego family was thrown backward, colliding with the wall as his body lost consciousness in an instant, eyes rolling back as he slumped against the cold surface,"Kurghh!¡ªTHUD!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But Bordy was unfazed by the chaos he had unleashed; his focus was solely on that man.


    His colossal figure loomed four timesrger than the man he was about to confront, and with a clear taunt in his voice, he prepared to deliver a punch. His body, as if teleporting, arrived just a few inches away from that strikingly handsome face.


    "This ends here, you bug!"

 Chapter 126: Chapter 128- Leo VS Bordy

    Swish


    ''....'' Naturally, everything unfolded too quickly for Avendial to see, let alone process it in its entirety.


    He felt a sudden gust of wind rush toward him from the front, followed by another forceful breeze that swept past him, causing his clothes and hair to flutter in its wake.


    BOOM!


    A loud sound exploded from the same direction, bouncing off the walls of the auditorium.


    As the noise echoed through the space, Avendial turned to see Leo, who had just unleashed a tremendous punch against a man nearly twice his size, doing his best to maintain his footing.


    The evidence of the impact was clear, as tattered fabric floated in the air around them, remnants of shirts torn apart by the sheer force of the blow.


    Bordy''s ws clenched his fist tightly, his expression a vtile mix of rage and disbelief at being caught off guard by yet another ''bug.''


    Even as he narrowly dodged the attack, he shot a re back at Leo that radiated intensity.


    ''I could have been reduced to a bloody pulp,'' Avendial mused, allowing himself a faint smirk as he slipped his hand into his pocket.


    rumble rumble¡ª


    The ground beneath him shook violently, as though an earthquake was ravaging the very foundations of the auditorium.


    He pressed forward, directing his gaze to the front row, where a young woman sat, her face frozen in shock as she met his gaze.


    "P-profess..." Aria''s lips parted, attempting to voice a word, but her voice faltered mid-sentence, betraying her disbelief.


    Noticing Aria''s expression, Avendial closed his eyes for a brief moment, exhaling deeply before opening them anew.


    He took a step forward, clearly trying to convey to her just how vulnerable he was at this moment under the pressures from this cruel heroine beside him.


    He turned to Leo and issued an order.


    "Take him outside, or this building will copse."


    His voice was calm, yet strangely terrifying, especially considering the horror etched across the faces of everyone in the room¡ªeveryone except for him and Aecilia, who stood beside him with a serene demeanor, observing the chaos unfolding before her.


    Surprisingly, she managed to remainposed even after witnessing an attack by an Empyreal.


    The head of the Diego familyy unconscious amid the debris, while Billie, standing at the podium, scanned the turmoil in disbelief.


    The sh between Leo and the man apanying the head of the Diego family was no ordinary collision.


    As she looked toward them, Billie sensed that the force they generated was far beyond anything she could muster, even with her physically enhanced physique bolstered by the secret herbs and training methodologies provided by the Sertsul family.


    ''It''s the true power,'' she thought, clenching her fist. Shifting her gaze to the side, she observed two non-humans wielding strength that defied any scientific exnation essible to a human.


    In that moment, she recognized the sheer magnitude of power before her. A flicker of jealousy mixed with a yearning to possess that strength ignited in her eyes.


    However, deep down, she understood that despite her years of intense training aimed at acquiring such power, it was all in vain.


    There was no hope for her to attain that otherworldly strength, the very strength she longed to feel coursing through her veins.


    ''Hm...'' Avendial, who had already noticed a glimmer of jealousy in Billie''s eyes the previous night when she had watched Leo, found himself in doubt.


    Having encountered countless individuals in his time, he questioned whether her longing stemmed from a desire for that strength.


    It seemed like jealousy borne from those who pushed their bodies to the breaking point in hopes of attaining what others had¡ªlikeboring tirelessly while striving to grasp something only achievable through sheer luck.


    As he descended, his eyes shifted from Billie to Aria, and he spotted a clear opening.


    He realized from their expressions that it would be considerably easier for him to initiate a double awakening for Aria and secure another awakened being in the near future.


    Unaware of the narrowed gaze observing her with amusement, Billie kept looking in the direction of the two monsters engaged in battle.


    She clenched her jaw, feeling helpless and useless for not being awakened like the others until now. She continued to watch as the huge man pulled back his foot after delivering a punch to Leo''s abdomen.


    BAM!


    Crack!


    "Ugh!" The sheer force behind the blow forced the air out of Leo''s lungs, causing a mouthful of saliva to drip from his lips.


    Yet, he managed to withstand the hit.


    The impact reverberated through the ground, instantly shattering the floor beneath them, and cracks began to spider across the ceiling.


    Though made of solid concrete, the power of their duel was so immense that it felt as if an earthquake of a magnitude seven had struck the entire auction house.


    "I understand," Leo nodded resolutely after hearing the orders from his master, his gaze hardening as he red at Bordy.


    Realizing that his opponent was also an Empyreal¡ªalbeit a smaller one¡ªBordy felt a surge of confidence and a rush of feelings.


    Unlike what he had expected, he would not easily crush the man without any fun; now he would have a chance to work out.


    He returned Leo''s re, his expression fierce as he began to exert even more force against him.


    Screech


    With a powerful screech, he pushed back against Leo, cracking the concrete beneath his feet and sliding backward, as though Leo were trying to halt a runaway train.


    The ground splintered under his immense strength.


    "It doesn''t matter if another bug hase!" Bordy roared, channeling more force into another punch.


    Bam!


    However, this time, Leo retaliated, throwing a punch of his own that created a shockwave upon impact.


    The walls shook ominously, and rubble from the ceiling began tumbling down.


    Miraculously, only the outeryer was breaking away¡ªfor now, at least.


    The force exerted between them was reminiscent of two trains colliding at breakneck speed.


    Though Leo found himself at a disadvantage, grappling with the overwhelming magnitude of Bordy''s power, he felt his own strength steadily building with each passing moment.


    It became clear that he had finally managed to halt his backward slide, his feet firmly nted as they dug into the ground, resisting Bordy''s intensity.


    Leo could sense his thighs bing stronger, his muscles tightening, granting him enough force to maintain his position. Chapter Find:


    However, the pressure was too much for his shoes, which tore apart as he fought to hold his ground.


    Both fighters were locked in a tense standoff: Leo''s punch was halted by Bordy''s formidable grip on his fist, while their other hands shed in a struggle that rendered movement nearly impossible.


    Standing there, Bordy towered over Leo like a mountain, his bulk surpassing that of a small truck, and palpable tension filled the air, thick enough to make the atmosphere feel electric, with beads of sweat trickling down Leo''s forehead.


    "M-Marquess?" The head of the William family, observing the scene unfold, felt a mix of awe and confusion.


    He had never witnessed such a disy of power¡ªa mere grip strong enough to shatter concrete, and the sight of an individual with enough prowess to wreak havoc was unlike anything he had ever encountered.


    Yet amidst his turmoil, he recalled the man who had just secured a staggering fifty billion imperial crowns.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But that seemed irrelevant now, especially since the head of the Diego family was already unconscious.

 Chapter 127: Chapter 129- Arias emotional turmoil

    "Hello, Mr. William. It''s a pleasure to meet you," Avendial said, extending his hand.


    He shook hands with the head of the William family,pletely disregarding Aria''s presence.


    ''Haah¡­ Haah¡­ N-no,'' Aria thought, her mind swirling in chaos.


    Overwhelmed by her senses, she struggled to lift herself, feeling her legs grow increasingly numb.


    Only moments ago, she had been cornered by despair, acutely aware that her father''s life hung in the bnce.


    Fighting back tears, she barely managed to hold onto herposure when the man she had longed to see finally arrived¡ªyet he wasn''t alone.


    It felt as if the very fabric of history was attempting to repeat itself.


    Exhausted, she gazed at a man radiating such tremendous strength that his mere presence seemed to reverberate throughout the building.


    Yet, in that moment, the destruction unfolding around her felt trivialpared to the shattering of her own world.


    When he had finallye during her time of distress, her eyes had lit up with hope, but that flicker faded the instant itnded on the woman beside him.


    A tidal wave of emotions surged through her, overwhelming her senses.


    Unexinable fear tightened its grip around her mind, reaching its peak when she recognized the title that loomed ominously above the woman''s head.


    This time, however, the woman was looking back at her.


    The fear she felt was iprehensible, yet it numbed her entire body.


    Even in this moment of panic, a deep-seated sense of despair washed over her, as though history were repeating itself yet again, with those d in the mantle of heroines re-entering her life, seemingly intent on taking away what was rightfully hers.


    Aria found herself questioning whether she was being greedy or selfish for wanting to hold onto someone who had simply offered her support in her time of crisis.


    The only memory etched in her mind was the staggering bid he had ced; at that moment, she didn''t care about his wealth¡ªhis presence alone was more than enough when she desperately needed someone to lean on.


    But seeing him alongside that woman sent her senses spiraling into numbness.


    She could no longer hear or process anything except the looming dread that this woman would inevitably take him away from her.


    Just as Amrita had arrived, bearing the same title of heroine and initially capturing Leo''s attention, Aria had been na?ve to think she could change her fate.


    She had been utterly mistaken.


    Now, yet another woman weighed down by that same title had invaded her life, seemingly intent on snatching her only source of hope.


    Overwhelmed by the tumult of events, she clenched her forehead and shut her eyes tightly, forcing herself to stand despite the numbness in her feet.


    As the air thickened around her, she dered, "Y-you can''t take him away! He is mine!"


    Boom!


    In the background, the sound of shing kept resonating, but it seemed to serve as a backdrop, having no influence on the individuals who were engaged in conversation.


    "Eh?" Aecilia, who had been observing Aria with curiosity¡ªher terrified expression a stark contrast to the calm,posed demeanor described in the information she had received about her¡ªwas caught off guard by Aria''s outburst.


    "A-Aria?" The head of the William family suddenly became aware of his daughter''s shout, confusion etching his features.


    Turning his gaze toward her, he noticed her cing her hands on her knees for support, her brows furrowing as she looked at the member of the Sertsul family standing before them, a clear expression of anger on her face.


    This bewildering scenario left him utterly perplexed.


    "....." Avendial kept looking towards Aria for a moment before turning his gaze back towards the head of the William family, as if trying to push her more to her limits, as if wanting her to do something.


    He wanted her to understand that she really loved him¡ªnot a deep, true love, but more like in this fleeting moment where her mind pieced together all her feelings for Lin and projected them onto Avendial, her savior.


    It is a natural human instinct: when someone expects support from a loved one but instead receives it from someone else, they momentarily equate that savior with their loved one.


    Avendial needed this moment¡ªa moment to help Aria realize her true potential, a potential he sought for his own purposes.


    And to get a moment of alone time with Aria, where he would try to awaken her hidden potential.


    He needed her to, for a moment, forget everything in this world and just think of him, even if it meant this was all due to the effect of Aecilia''s heroine title or her mental state not beingposed.


    ''!?''


    ''N-no? Why are you ignoring me?'' Aria''s emotions churned within her, intertwining with memories of Lin, whose behavior had consistently sidelined her whenever Amrita was involved.


    This forced Aria to confront a familiar pain, one she''d endured before.


    The man she once viewed as her guiding light was now shutting her out.


    But this time, unlike before when the reasons eluded her, she understood.


    "It''s¡­ all because of you¡­ haah."


    Despite her trembling limbs, Aria steadied herself, her feet grounding her as she fought to regainposure.


    Her gaze blurred, lifting toward the woman who resembled Amrita so closely.


    It felt as though both women had entered her life to take away what was rightfully hers.


    All the suppressed emotions she''d long harbored for Amrita now concentrated on this new arrival.


    "Huh? Excuse me?" Aecilia narrowed her eyes, observing the young woman in front of her, visibly unwell.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Aria seemed overwhelmed, as if consumed by a mental seizure, haunted by emotions she could neither process nor understand.


    ''.....'' Aecilia nced at the man beside her, who remained oblivious to the turmoil unfolding.


    She couldn''t fathom why Aria was gripped by such fear whenever she looked at her.


    One thing was clear: Avendial was well aware of the cause, given that he was deliberately ignoring Aria''s distressed state.


    Just a day ago, he had kissed Aria in the park, and now, here he stood, acting as if she were aplete stranger.


    This intentional ignorance only deepened Aecilia''s frown as she watched Aria stumble toward her, struggling to maintain her bnce.


    "What are you doing, Aria?" Aria''s father appeared bewildered, attempting to assist her, but she brushed his hand aside.


    Confusion swirled around him as he witnessed his daughter caught in an emotional storm, ring fiercely at the woman from the Sertsul family.


    "What happened to her¡ª?"


    Aecilia turned toward Avendial, seeking an exnation for Aria''s rming behavior, overwhelmed by such intensity of fear and emotion.


    swish


    But her inquiry was cut short when she noticed a shadowy hand approaching her. Chapter Continue:


    Before she could react, Aria''s hand shot out, aiming a p directly at Aecilia.


    "Leave him alone!"


    The shout erupted with the force of her pent-up emotions, fueled by fear and turmoil.


    Her mind raced, forming thoughts and words before she could process them calmly¡ªaplete deviation from her usual self, all born from the dread associated with the Sovereign heroine title.


    But Aecilia, due to her reflexes, grabbed her hand in mid-strike.


    "Huh? Did you just¡­?"


    Aecilia''s grip tightened around Aria''s wrist, confusion washing over her at this unexpected act of aggression from a girl she didn''t even know.


    This sudden assault only served to infuriate Aecilia.


    ''She certainly need an eye-opener,'' Aecilia mused as she observed Aria.


    The girl gasped as if under the influence of a fear-inducing drug¡ªeven though Aecilia knew that was impossible.


    The terror was palpable only when Aria looked at her.


    Taking responsibility into her own hands, Aecilia raised her own free hand and gave Aria a sharp p across the face.


    Smack!


    One strike from Aecilia, and Aria''s body lost its bnce and fell directly to the floor.


    Thud


    Unconscious.


    "Aria?!"


    The head of the William family was taken aback by this shocking turn of events.


    "S-sister?!"


    Billie stared wide-eyed at her sister''s unexpected action, equally shocked by the unfolding drama.

 Chapter 128: Chapter 130- Doubts

    Inside the auction house, which was constantly shaking due to the effects of intermittent earthquakes, a few VIP rooms were specially designed for important guests who wanted to observe the auction items in advance.


    Outside one of these rooms, the clear architecture drew attention, with a narrow hallway leading to the room at the opposite end, nked by seating areas for guards stationed on either side.


    Their presence was mostly to cater to any special security needs the VIPs might require.


    Today, although it was uncertain, there was a strong possibility that a VIP was in that room.


    rumble rumble


    With the building shaking intermittently, the sound waves reverberated as if colossal objects were colliding nearby¡ªhardly the rxing environment one would expect for a VIP.


    Two individuals, who didn''t fit the typical guard profile, were seated¡ªa woman who satposedly, her hands folded and legs elegantly crossed.


    Her eyes were closed, and she wore a hint of ck lipstick, with her ck dress draped gracefully across the bench.


    Beside her stood a petite woman with a tomboyish style, visibly annoyed as she red at her sister.


    "Are you for real? Do you even consider yourself a woman, Aecilia?!" Billie eximed, her mouth twitching with frustration.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    She directed her incredulous gaze toward her sister, who seemed to exude no trace of femininity¡ªcertainly not someone who would condone her man being with another woman right in front of her.


    "....shut up," Aecilia responded, maintaining herposure as her mind raced through the events of thest fifteen minutes.


    The sequence of events had left her bewildered: from Aria''s drifting into unconsciousness to the Marquess arriving to assist her with the urgent need to evacuate, all while night crawlers intervened to help the heads of the William and Diego families escape.


    He himself had chosen to assist Aria.


    So far, everything had seemed usible, even eptable.


    However, the situation took a confusing turn when, instead of following the night crawlers to safety, Marquess had asked Aecilia if there were any rooms avable forfort.


    She ended up guiding him to this VIP room, where he requested an aphrodisiac and insisted that she not disturb him for sometime.


    He then entered the room, carrying the unconscious Aria.


    Now, as Aecilia sat there, having provided him with the aphrodisiac, she found herself in a dilemma, grappling with why the Marquess would take such a risk just to sleep with a woman instead of prioritizing safety and exiting this copsing building.


    "What?! He asked you for an aphrodisiac?! And you actually gave it to him!" Billie cried out, aghast.


    She couldn''t fathom how her sister could be so na?ve as to allow her man to sleep with another woman, let alone facilitate it.


    "Here, take this," Aecilia replied, well aware Billie was right to be concerned.


    A sense of doubt festered in her mind, as she considered whether all her previous thoughts¡ªwondering if Marquess had other intentions¡ªwere misguided.


    She had convinced herself it wouldn''t escte to this point, but given her need for a moment of solitude, she handed Billie an item that Marquess had given her.


    "A p-pen?!" Billie eximed, staring incredulously at the pen emzoned with ''Elite Academy.''


    Aecilia felt her mouth twitch in disbelief, acutely aware that they were discussing a matter of grave importance while her cousin chose to indulge in trivial nonsense instead of addressing the serious situation at hand.


    "He said you need to click it to reveal the pin," Aecilia replied, tilting her head and resting her chin on her knuckles, clearly trying to withdraw from the conversation.


    She couldn''t shake the troubling thought that it was utterly absurd to believe someone like the Marquess could bring an unconscious woman into a room after drugging her.


    Wasn''t this precisely one of those traits of men that Aecilia despised?


    "Of course I can fucking see! But if not for him, then at least think about that woman who is about to be raped!" Billie eximed, exasperated as she witnessed her sister''s mental struggle.


    Aecilia seemed so lost in her thoughts that she hadn''t even contemted stopping that man.


    Billie felt an overwhelming obligation to protect a woman in distress, especially since she was unconscious and brought into a room against her will.


    Krieeek


    "What rape?" Avendial emerged from the hotel room, his entrance coinciding with Billie''s outburst.


    He spotted the two cousins in an argument, but he feigned ignorance as he approached, clutching a bottle of Aphrodisiac, which was only about one-third full, and tightly closed the door behind him.


    "Huh? Are you even a man?" Billie shot a nce at the man, who had just left no more than five minutes ago and returned so soon.


    She scrutinized him closely and couldn''t help but doubt his stamina, regarding how he could manage to spend a mere five minutes in there before re-emerging.


    The frown on her face deepened as she nced pointedly towards his pants, silently questioning how small he must be to havee out so quickly.


    "Spend a night with me," Avendial replied coldly, shooting a sharp look at Billie. "Not only will you realize exactly how much of a man I am, but you''ll also forget that tomboyish facade of yours and be a true woman."


    With that, he tossed the keys at Aecilia, who seemed momentarily dazed, as if reeling from the implications of his words while still processing what Billie had just said.


    "Y-you!" Billie''s face flushed momentarily, taken aback by how calmly and straightforwardly he had expressed those words, devoid of any shame.


    Her expression shifted, however, as she noticed her sister catch the keys, a look of confusion crossing her features.


    Initially, she had expected him to be trying to do something inside the room rather than exiting and locking that unconscious woman inside.


    "Miss Aecilia, think for yourself. It takes six minutes just to remove those typical tight jeans that Aria is wearing, let alone conduct a whole session in just five minutes," Avendial exhaled deeply.


    He noticed Aecilia looking at the keys and him nkly, realizing that Billie''s words had clouded her judgment.


    Hoping to help rify the situation, he decided to provide a logical exnation to help her regain herposure.


    "Huh? Yes," Aecilia replied, her mind clearing as she recognized that she was allowing her doubts to take control without any solid evidence.


    She gave Billie a stern re, determined to dismiss the seed of doubt that she had aimed to nt in her mind.


    For a moment, Billie''s words had cast a shadow of uncertainty, but Aecilia found confidence in witnessing Avendial''s unwavering demeanor.


    She resolved to confront her sister once they escaped this ce.


    "Heh? How do you know how much time it takes to undress those jeans?" Billie''s eyes narrowed in suspicion.


    She wanted to know exactly how he could estimate the time so urately.


    She herself had worn those jeans many times; when removed willingly, it typically took three or four minutes.


    But if someone else were to do it, it would naturally take longer¡ªmore than five minutes, in fact.


    This prompted her to seriously question the nature of Avendial''s character.


    But before she could press further, Avendial interrupted.


    "Instead of wasting your time here, shouldn''t you go help Leo and deal with that creature?" he said, frustration creeping into his voice.


    He could see that Billie was wasting valuable time¡ªtime that could be spent helping the others rather than indulging in unnecessary arguments.


    It was crucial for her to understand the importance of action over mere spection.


    Naturally, he had his priorities set from two perspectives.


    The first stemmed from his past life, where his initial focus had been on securing Aria Williams and then Margaret Grafia.


    However, in his present life, he hade to recognize other valuable elements that were not permanent, much like Billie herself.


    Seeing her greed and her evident attachment to an otherworldly strength he had encountered in several individuals throughout his journey, he decided to assist her.


    Still, he made it clear that her value was eclipsed by that of Aria.


    Thus, he concluded that those he prioritized most woulde first.


    Even in this new life, he had ced Aecilia at the top of his hierarchy.


    There was no reason to let Billie spout nonsense and jeopardize his entire n, prompting him to firmly rify matters with her.


    "Huh? Defeat that guy? How? With this nuclear weapon you gave me?" Billie gripped the pen tightly in her hand, shooting a determined gaze at the man who seemed to dismiss the challenge of defeating an Empyreal known for his physical prowess.


    Billie struggled to conceive of anyone capable of oveing an Empyreal¡ªespecially one renowned for his raw power¡ªexcept for her sister, Aecilia Sertsul.


    Yet here was a man instructing her to confront someone whose punches could rattle the entire building, even though they were aimed at Leo.


    "Just make sure to introduce the tip of that pen into his bloodstream," Avendial said as he arrived beside Aecilia.


    He instructed her to securely lock the door before both of them strode past Billie, making their way toward the hallway exit.


    He had locked Aria inside the room, where she was subtly influenced by a diluted aphrodisiac, guiding her emotions in a specific direction.


    Avendial had just briefed Billie on how to defeat the formidable opponent.


    "Huh? What?" Billie stood bewildered, clearly wanting to argue further with Avendial, but he had already exited the hall, and her sister followed closely behind as if she were his shadow.


    Billie nced between the direction where they had vanished and the pen, which she noticed bore a red mark, almost like a smear of blood.


    Confused, she instinctively clicked back the pen to hide its tip, calming herself as she looked toward the locked door.


    Without another thought, she sprinted in the direction of the exit, her mind racing with a single thought: ''Hope this works, or I will be dead!''

 Chapter 129: Chapter 131- End to a fight

    "What was that?" Aecilia asked, her mind finally beginning to find rity after the chaos of the previous events.


    With her thoughts settling, she felt the need to inquire about the perplexing situation.


    She couldn''t quite grasp why Avendial had brought Aria to thatvish VIP room if he had no real intentions¡ªespecially after requesting an aphrodisiac.


    "What?" Avendial replied, adopting a nonchnt demeanor while remaining keenly aware of Aecilia''s question.


    His focus, however, remained on the potential consequences if Leo and Billie failed to subdue that Empyreal.


    Avendial''s confidence in escaping this predicament stemmed from his present situation where he had meta shield called the Sertsul family, to be exact Nightcrawlers.


    To outsiders, it might seem an Empyreal possessing strength to cause earthquakes would be invincible, but the truth was that no matter how powerful an individual may be, fatigue and exhaustion inevitably follow when faced with overwhelming numbers.


    Before entering the auction house, Avendial keeping this in kond specifically had instructed Aecilia to gather more than a hundred capable assasins from nightcrawlers to back them up.


    Thus, even if things went awry and Leo and Billie were defeated, with the Empyreal charging straight for Avendial, those hundred assassins would serve as a meat shield, granting him the necessary time to escape.


    He reasoned that sacrificing a few hundred of them would ultimately provide him with the window he needed.


    And in the unlikely scenario that the unnaturally strong Empyreal survived and managed to attack him, Avendial might not possess overwhelming strength, but he certainly held memories of battle techniques and attack patterns.


    Those insights could enable him to contend with an exhausted opponent, no matter how formidable they were, given that he had the necessary space and his own blood was an advantage¡ªthere was a chance to at least defeat an exhausted Empyreal.


    As he pondered these contingencies, considering a thirdyer of potential oues in which even after sacrificing those hundred fighters, the Empyreal remained unscathed, his mind raced to devise ns of action other than him engaging himself, where his chances of even surviving a single flick were 1%.


    Just then, Aecilia''s voice pulled him back from his thoughts.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "I mean, why take Aria to a room and use an aphrodisiac? What''s your aim here?"


    Aecilia linked various threads of information, analyzing the situation from a different perspective than the one Billie had provided. At least it was a failure, given how he doesn''t seem to have any interest in sleeping with Aria.


    Then what?


    She recalled a day ago¡ªa memory of Avendial''s expression that day in the garden in front of Aria.


    Then, just yesterday, he employed the Nightcrawlers to corner Aria.


    Few moments ago, observing Aria''s terrified gaze directed towards her, everything began to fit together into a troubling narrative: it seemed as if he were intent on breaking down the Aria''s mental fortitude, pushing her to a point where she could no longer maintain her sense of self.


    The request for an aphrodisiac while confining Aria in a room initially baffled her, but Aecilia started to piece together its implications.


    While aphrodisiacs are typically associated with stimting sexual desire, their primary function involves manipting hormones within the body.


    If administered in small doses, they could merely induce sensations like increased body temperature, tingling in intimate areas, and other feelings that could easily be misconstrued as love¡ªespecially for someone unable to discern fleeting attraction from genuine affection.


    It dawned on Aecilia that Aria was currently in a deeply vulnerable state, caught in a web where her mental coherence was at stake.


    The situation resembled a carefullyid trap, drawing Aria further in as she struggled to maintain her grip on reality.


    It''s akin to a scenario where someone purchases adult content and then engages in self-pleasure.


    In those moments, the individual may form a fleeting sense of connection to the figure on the screen, leading to an illusion of attraction.


    The brain ys a crucial role here, as it has the ability to differentiate between the virtual and the real world.


    This allows the person to sever that link once the act ispleted.


    However, if one were to fantasize about a real person during such moments, the nature of attraction shifts more towards the romantic.


    Yet, this dynamic remains under the control of the mind, which recognizes its boundaries.


    Nevertheless, once that intimate imagery is established, it bes difficult for the individual to change their perception of that specific person.


    This challenge can be particrly pronounced for those with strong mental faculties.


    Take Aria, for instance.


    Observing how Avendial so openly targeted her, one might deduce that his intention was to lead Aria into a delusion where she truly believes she feels love for him.


    What Aecilia failed toprehend, however, was why Aria, a woman of no notable background andcking the status of someone like Marquess Avendial Croceaus, was being subjected to this maniption to fall in love with him.


    "Because I want her to fall for me," Avendial replied as he halted, giving a look to Aecilia, his eyes meeting hers in an obvious type of gesture without any hint of facade.


    ".....I mean, why her?" Aecilia again inquired, trying to understand his intent, at which he kept looking at her for a fleeting moment before closing his eyes as if wanting to tell her something very important, prompting her to keep her focus intent while trying to listen.


    "She is an Empyreal," Avendial informed, causing Aecilia''s eyes to widen before she ced one hand on her lips as if trying to understand the meaning of this.


    Naturally, if ording to him it was true that Aria was an Empyreal, then the Marquess would have two Empyreals in his army¡ªan army which he was preparing to go against the royal family.


    It was possible that the Royal Family may initially ignored it, considering the people as just normal humans hired in some kind of program by Croceaus territory.


    However, having two Empyreals among the thrm would definitely put the Royal Family on alert.


    Was he really determined to go all out against the Royal Family?


    "Hmm...." Aecilia nodded as she closed her eyes, understanding that his n to create an army to go against the royal family was still in action and definitely seemed, if not able to dethrone the royal family, at least the impact the Marquess would leave would be etched in history.


    After all, not only normal humans, he was even collecting Empyreals to go against them. This prompted her to nod, feeling satisfied that it fulfilled her doubt. She then opened her eyes, wanting to inquire about how he knew exactly where these Empyreals were, given that not even Royal family had this information.


    But she saw no one standing there, prompting her to blink before turning towards the direction they were actually heading, where she noticed his back disappearing around the corner, prompting her to also move while folding her hands, aware that he had intentionally avoided her so he didn''t have to give away his secret of knowing the locations of Empyreals.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    Swish!


    "Kugh¡ªBAM!"


    The air was thick with tension as Leo, his muscles taut and focused, faced off against the hulking figure of Bordy in the dimly lit corridor.


    Bordy, towering and built like a tank, smirked as he cracked his knuckles, ready for the impending showdown.


    "What''s going on here!?"


    Outside, the auction house was fortified¡ªsecurity personnel d in ck suits stood watch, sleek Mercedes-Benz cars idled nearby, and guards inside were caught off guard by the ferocity of the fight unfolding within.


    Leo was relentless, pushing forward and maneuvering Bordy backward, determined to herd him outside.


    Bordy noticed the tactic, chuckling darkly.


    "You don''t need to lead me out. I''m more than happy to crush an insect like you in the open," he sneered, revealing he was already wise to Leo''s n.


    They lunged at each other, each muscle rippling with intent.


    Boom!


    Bordy''s sheer physical power came crashing down like a hammer, yet with each strike, Leo seemed to absorb the impact, his muscles bracing and toughening, transforming the blows into raw strength.


    Bordy''s eyes narrowed as he noticed Leo bing increasingly resistant,posed and focused despite what should have been bone-crushing strikes.


    "Haah... Haah..." Leo panted, concentrating fully on avoiding any words as he finally led Bordy outside toward the auction house''s entrance. They emerged near the threshold, where most of the security personnel who had previously been inside were now standing, drawing their weapons and looking in their direction.


    "Seems you''re learning how to handle my strength, huh?" Bordy growled, a mix of admiration and irritation in his voice.


    "But let''s see if you can withstand this."


    His body began to emit an eerie glow as he activated his Berserker ability, causing his strength to surge tenfold.


    In an instant, he swung with a force that could only be described as devastating.


    ''!?''


    "Ugh!" Leo barely had time to brace himself before Bordy''s fist connected,unching him through the air.


    Boom!


    "Cough!¡ªThud!" He crashed into a row of parked cars, the metal crumpling and ss shattering as he coughed up blood, his muscles quaking as his body strained to adapt.


    "Haa....." Just as he caught his breath, Leo saw Bordy closing the distance, fist cocked back for a potentially fatal blow.


    "This punch will finish you," Bordy dered, a sadistic gleam in his eyes, preparing to end the fight with one crushing move.


    But just as he swung, a voice sliced through the chaos.


    "Hey! Hold it!"


    A figure darted into the scene¡ªa woman with a confident swagger, tomboyish in build, sporting short, messy gray hair and striking golden eyes.


    Dressed in athletic gear, her expression was sharp and unflinching.


    With a swift motion, she clicked a pen in her hand, attempting to stab it into Bordy''s tough skin.


    "Shit!?"


    The pen barely made a scratch; his flesh was as tough as steel.


    Narrowing her eyes, she turned to Leo, tossing him the pen.


    "Marquess said to pierce this bastard''s skin with that pen. Do it!"


    Leo took the cue and steadied himself.


    He aimed, then swung his body upward andunched the pen directly toward Bordy''s shoulder.


    The small tip embedded itself in Bordy''s thick muscle, puncturing the surface.


    Bordy sneered, barely fazed.


    "A pen? Poison doesn''t affect me," he scoffed.


    But as the words left his lips, his smug expression faltered¡ªthe *Berserker* glow began to waver, his energy visibly draining.


    Leo staggered to his feet, a smile breaking through his pain.


    "Guess you''re not as invincible as you thought, huh?"

 Chapter 130: Chapter 132- A lost battle

    "It must be..." Avendial murmured as he exited the wreckage of the auction house.


    The scene before him was a testament to chaos, with the scattered door, broken walls, and shards of concrete strewn about, each element suggesting the violent tumult that had unfolded.


    Yet, he pushed these thoughts aside and continued forward, joined by Aecilia as they stepped outside, his gaze settling on the devastation thaty ahead.


    Before him stood a man who resembled a behemoth, his body three or four times the size of Avendial''s.


    He was gasping for breath, his body marred by numerous wounds from which blood flowed freely.


    Surrounding himy the remnants of what had once been a parking lot, now cluttered with abandoned cars and the bodies of several guards who were scattered around, some barely clinging to life.


    In the midst of this scene, Leo''s unconscious form was slumped against the ground, his head lowered, though evident signs of healing flickered across his body.


    Further away, a woman sat with a small rod impaled through a crumpled section of concrete, gasping and gazing toward the hulking figure.


    "Haah¡­ bastards," Bordy managed to gasp, his face smeared with blood that obscured his vision, making it difficult for him to see through the crimson haze that clouded around him.


    His heartbeat raced as memories surged back of how something that had initially seemed like poison had suddenly started to sap all the psi energy from within him.


    It had left him so weakened that he could barely muster the strength to think, let alone act.


    With most of his power stripped away, he found himself unable to draw forth the energy necessary to shatter concrete or hurl cars into the air as he had done earlier.


    However, the unique nature of his ability¡ªberserker¡ªhade to his aid, transforming the remaining Synergy into raw muscle power.


    His body, despite the absence of psi energy, was still enhanced to the point where it possessed the strength to hold its ground.


    Yet, there was a miscalction on his part: he had seriously underestimated the tenacity of his opponent''s will.


    Bordy stood amidst the chaos that surrounded him, his only focus now on the need to eliminate the two unconscious figures nearby.


    Just as the thought crystallized in his mind, a sound broke through the murmur of destruction.


    Withbored effort, he turned his head, his eyes locking onto two new figures approaching him: a man with silver hair and striking blue eyes who looked back at him in surprise, and beside him, a woman with golden eyes and cascading ck hair, her narrowed gaze fixed intently on one of the defeated women he had just left behind.


    "S...ist...er," Billie gasped, feeling her body betray her in ways she had never imagined possible.


    Despite the intense will to fight that coursed through her, she could sense the reality of her injuries¡ªmultiple ribs fractured, likely piercing her lungs.


    Thanks to the harps and rigorous training she had undergone, she managed to keep the agony at bay, but the overwhelming feeling of helplessness gnawed at her from within.


    In her current state, any typical adult would have already sumbed to unconsciousness, yet she found herself resenting her own body, wishing it could be more like Leo''s.


    He was a mere construction worker until just days ago, yet he possessed an inexplicable strength, while she, armed with knowledge of martial arts and various fighting techniques, felt utterly incapacitated by a single hit from someone endowed with innate power¡ªan illogical strength that rendered her skills ineffective.


    On the other hand, Leo, despite having no formalbat training, was thrust into this chaos, where Bordy was using Billie''sck of physical strength against her and Leo''s absence of battle experience against him.


    The battle had unfolded far more swiftly than they had anticipated.


    After using the pen Marquess had given her, which seemed to neutralize Bordy''s abnormal strength, Billie believed she could easily overpower him.


    In a moment of exhration, however, she made a grave error¡ªshe let her guard down.


    Thatpse cost her dearly when Bordynded a devastating blow to her ribs, sending her crashing into the unforgiving concrete, where a protruding rod punctured her lungs with cruel precision.


    "Damn you! It was you! Wasn''t it?" Bordy seethed, his fury ignited as he turned to face the figure who had initially been his target.


    Rage bubbled within him as he advanced, step by weighted step.


    Despite the sacrifices he had made to bring himself to this moment of reckoning, he knew his death was imminent.


    He felt his strength waning and sensed that members of the Sertsul family would soon arrive.


    Yet, if he was to meet his end, at least he would do so with honor, taking down the man he hade to kill.


    "Marquess, stay back," Aeciliamanded, her expression focused as she assessed the scene.


    Billiey motionless on the floor, seemingly lifeless, while Leo had also fallen, defeated.


    However, Aecilia noted that the monstrous opponent before her appeared to be nearing his limits.


    Even if the brute had tapped into all his strength, she felt that her chances of victory were much better this time.


    Without hesitation, she advanced toward Avendial, who was momentarily taken aback but maintained hisposure.


    As she approached him, Aecilia turned her palm outward and exhaled softly, "Phew~"


    "Come," she beckoned, her voice lilting.


    She adopted a fighting stance, her body angled slightly forward, one hand raised near her chest in a w-like position while her opposite leg was positioned apart.


    The other arm lifted toward the sky, resembling a martial arts posture as her eyes sparkled with determination, fixed intently on her adversary.


    ''Is that¡­ Aikido?'' Avendial contemted.


    Residing in the tower, where his strength was altogether negligible, he had taken it upon himself to learn various martial arts from a bygone era, most of which had fallen into obscurity due to modern influences.


    However, in order to survive against the towering behemoths of his world, he had honed his skills in multiple disciplines, including Aikido.


    This martial art was particrly renowned for its emphasis on adaptability and fluid motion, allowing practitioners to redirect their opponent''s attacks.


    It offered a significantly increased chance of surviving devastating blows.


    Avendial had crafted a unique blend of his acquired knowledge and the artifacts found within the tower, enabling him to withstand initial strikes.


    Yet, seeing Aecilia employ this specific martial art made him appreciate her resilience; it was no wonder she had managed to survive until the ninth floor before disappearing into the unknown.


    In a ce where everyone was awakening, it would have been impossible for someone to manifest an overwhelmingly powerful ability without being noticed.


    Just as he had not heard of Aecilia Sertsul awakening any remarkable abilities, it seemed unlikely that a significant power would go unrecognized.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Take Margaret Grafia, for example, who possessed the ability of space maniption.


    Her ability was akin to creating an inventory, allowing her to connect with a specific space where she could store anything she wished.


    However, her ability came with a limitation¡ªthe pact was a one-time affair.


    By unfortunate circumstance, she had linked her perfume shop when she entered the tower, but the perk of her ability was that she could conceal herself whenever danger loomed.


    This advantage proved invaluable, allowing her to create another dimension.


    This dimension, however, consisted solely of her perfume shop¡ªa sanctuary where she could remain hidden for as long as she desired.


    Thanks to this clever use of her ability, she managed to survive beyond fifty floors of the tower.


    The reason she was his second priority stemmed from his intention to help her awaken her ability and form a pact with Croceaus Territory.


    If that proved impossible due to the limitations of her ability¡ªof which he was still unaware¡ªhe would seek to forge a pact with the secret base of the Nightcrawlers.


    This would transform her ability into a hidden citadel within the tower.


    "YOU INSECTS!" Even without his ability manifesting, the overwhelming surge of adrenaline fueled by his emotions¡ªanger and a thirst for vengeance¡ªmade time feel suspended for a brief moment.


    His cold eyes remained locked onto the woman before him, who had assumed a defensive pose reminiscent of the martial arts style that the tomboyish woman had employed just moments ago.


    His body felt winded and battered, struggling to hold itself together like rusted metal.


    Nevertheless, his speed was apparent to the naked eye, but it was clear that his weight and physical presence dominated the scene, resembling a bull charging at a human.


    Swish


    Without leaving an opening, he swung his fist with full force, aiming tond a hit on Aecilia''s face.


    Yet, contrary to his expectations, even with all the power behind his blow¡ªcreating ripples in the air¡ªhis fist met nothing but empty space.


    He lost his bnce, hurtling forward like a boulder thrown from a great height, only to collide directly with the wall.


    It wasn''t just that he had lost his bnce; his entire trajectory had been redirected as if something far more potent had propelled his body.


    In that fleeting moment, time seemed to slow, allowing him to recall thest few memories before impact.


    As he sailed through the air, he remembered how, upon contact with her palm, she had expertly maneuvered his punch.


    Utilizing both hands, she had turned her body in such a way that all the force he generated was redirected, sending him hurtling away from her instead of being absorbed by her or the ground.


    It felt as if his entire center of mass had been shifted, altering the path of his momentumpletely.


    Thud


    "Guhh!?"

 Chapter 131: Chapter 133- A drawback of Empyreals

    "Huh?"


    Avendial stood there, watching intently as he witnessed the way the bordy fell like a bow, unexpectedly changing direction in a manner he had not anticipated.


    He had thought that maybe she would dodge, prompting him to follow her lead and evade the threat behind her.


    However, it became apparent that she had shifted the entire trajectory.


    He observed her back as she exhaled deeply before turning toward him, taking measured steps in his direction.


    In that moment, Avendial realized that not only was she proficient in Aikido, but she was also incorporating elements of Tai Chi.


    Even within the realm of Aikido, one adapts to the attack of the enemy, fluidly responding to the patterns they present.


    Yet, it was a different skill altogether to redirect an attack with the same force as the opponent intended.


    It was now abundantly clear: she had seamlessly blended Tai Chi with Aikido in her movements.


    But wasn''t she supposed to be a fragile woman?


    It is a simple truth that if a man can fight a bull, he must possess the strength to endure it¡ªnot necessarily to defeat it, but at the very least to withstand its might.


    Therefore, it was evident that there was far more to Aecilia than met the eye.


    Rumble


    "Aughh... haaah... Haa... you bitch!!"


    Suddenly, Avendial''s attention snapped back as he noticed the direction in which the bordy had been hurled.


    The rebels had engaged, their focus zeroing in on a bulky man who was slowly recovering from the fall.


    His body, barely bnced, trembled as he struggled to stand.


    Yet, despite his apparent struggle, he red defiantly, adopting a staggering gait as he advanced toward Aecilia.


    Smoke billowed from his breath, visible in the cold air, while purple vines tangled across his face, suggesting he was under the influence of some sort of chemical.


    ''This....'' Avendial muttered to himself, his gaze narrowing as he scrutinized the scene before him.


    He caught sight of a crushed capsule lodged inside the man''s mouth, his eyes betraying a clear intent to kill as he locked onto his target.


    The moment those purple veins began to creep into the white part of Bordy''s eyes, transforming them into a deep amethyst before fading to ck, his entire body underwent a grotesque transformation.


    Muscles tensed and distorted, taking on a ck hue as if his very blood had been reced by some dark force.


    This rming metamorphosis stirred memories within Avendial, very familiar memories.


    Instead of feeling dread, however, he found himself smiling at the unmistakable signs of that person undergoing a life-threatening transformation.


    ''It''s just like before,'' Avendial thought, observing the violent changes coursing through Bordy''s body.


    The transformation was bing increasingly vtile, yet he felt a sense of confidence.


    He remembered why he believed he could handle an Empyreal, despite being in a fragile state himself.


    The Empyreals birthed by the royal family carried a form of instability, an unnatural kind of formation that granted them power but at a significant cost.


    This power was extracted from a source that tainted it, causing those who awakened to face inevitable drawbacks.


    Most Empyreals, especially those who underwent the awakening, were left overwhelmed by surges of emotion, ultimately leading to catastrophic outbursts.


    What brought a smile to Avendial''s face was the realization that this drawback still lingered in the present, a piece of knowledge not yet discovered by many within the tower.


    The artificial Empyreals had been mixed with natural ones, and their extensive training allowed them to maintain extraordinary control over their emotions.


    They had never reached a state where such side effects would manifest, making it nearly impossible to exploit this particr weakness to overpower them.


    "...What is this?" Aecilia narrowed her gaze at Bordy''s newly transformed physique, which now hinted at some form of enhancement, drugs perhaps.


    His muscles had tightened unnaturally, lending him a formidable appearance.


    She cast a furtive nce over her shoulder, contemting whether she could protect herself and engage inbat simultaneously.


    Alone, her instinct would have been to sidestep and evade the impending attack.


    However, given the current circumstances, she understood that redirecting the force was essential.


    Yet, the brute weight of that attack¡ªover two tonsbined with the speed of a speeding car had already shattered her little finger on the right hand and caused fractures near her corbone.


    The risk of taking the offensive stood before her, a dilemma she had to navigate carefully in the heat of the moment.


    Though the pain was still bearable, Aecilia couldn''t help but consider how problematic it would be to both attack and dodge while simultaneously protecting the Marquess.


    Inhaling deeply to gather her inner strength, sheposed herself once again and turned her gaze toward Bordy, waiting for his attack.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, just as she was about to take her stance, she was halted by a hand resting gently on her shoulder.


    "It''s fine; he will explode soon," Avendial reassured her.


    He had observed that the moment Aecilia attempted to form a w with her right hand, clearly intent on getting in position, there was a slight misalignment in her movements.


    He noticed that despite her meticulous dodging, she must have injured herself while trying to protect him.


    His words were intended tofort her as he prepared for what was toe.


    "What?..." Aecilia''s eyes widened in disbelief as she nced between him and Bordy.


    She watched as Bordy''s body began to swell, bing bigger and bigger like a balloon, before it finally erupted.


    The sight of scattered flesh burst forth, flying from his body and painting the surroundings in gruesome shades of red and ck.


    Aecilia couldn''t help but feel revolted as pieces of Bordy sttered around them.


    Avendial''s attention, however, was fixated on the disturbing scene.


    He zeroed in on Bordy''s face, particrly the area where teeth and bone were now painfully exposed, bits of it littering the floor, undeniably grotesque.


    Despite the horrifying scene before him, Avendial stepped towards the area now strewn with dismembered flesh.


    Each step was steady, purposeful, and as he moved through the carnage, he reached into his pocket.


    He pulled out a handkerchief, aiming for a half of a face thaty grotesquely on the ground, the jawspletely bared, revealing ckened bones and teeth along with remnants of a capsule Bordy had ingested.


    "What happened?" Aecilia asked, her curiosity piqued as she noticed him meticulously collecting something from the toxic-looking remains.


    She was left wondering how Marquess had known to expect Bordy''s explosion and whether the flesh was poisonous.


    Was he attempting to gather samples?


    "...Nothing, just something, something," Avendial replied, offering a smile and a yful wink, attempting to ease her concerns.


    Despite her doubts, Aecilia couldn''t press further; she simply sighed, folding her arms and bearing the pain from her fractures as she turned her attention towards Leo and Billie, whose unconscious figuresy amidst the chaos, a tangible reminder of the mess that had consumed their surroundings.


    "Sigh, Aria must be indulging in self-pleasure right now, and here I am..." Aecilia mumbled, loud enough for Avendial to hear as she approached her cousin.


    She rummaged through things lying around, finally lifting a phone that had a cracked screen but still functioned well enough for her to call an ambnce.


    Her efforts were clearly meant to demonstrate how much work she had put in today, making it unavoidable that she deserved some sort of reward¡ªunlike Aria, who was busy enjoying herself under the influence of an aphrodisiac.


    "A year," Avendial replied casually as he moved toward Leo, using his shoes to tap Leo''s head.


    His demeanor remained nonchnt, and the way he leaned down, his tilted head framed by the bluish hue of his gauge, gave the impression that he was looking down at something insignificant¡ªlike a piece of garbage.


    "What?" Aecilia, who had just leaned in to give Billie a sharp p to her face to rouse her from the momentary unconsciousness, froze mid-motion as she caught those words from Avendial.


    Curious, she shifted her gaze toward him, her golden pupils narrowing momentarily as she scrutinized him.


    "I said, we will do it after a year," Avendial rified, fully aware of Aecilia''s desires.


    However, he had no intention of reciprocating her feelings.


    He was willing to provide her with temporary pleasure, allowing her to live in her own illusions of his affection.


    Still, he weighed the pros and cons of the situation.


    He was uncertain whether the luck she had brought him would dissipate once he awakened her true abilities, which remained a mystery.


    To avoid any risks, he resolved to keep their interactions within certain boundaries for at least a year, waiting for a time when he could ascertain he wouldn''t need luck or any other crutch moving forward.


    "Hm..." Aecilia observed him closely, her gaze focused on the way his lowered eyes remained fixed on Leo, his boot deliberately tapping against Leo''s forehead.


    A sensation welled up inside her, and she feltpelled to express it.


    But as her lips parted, the dark lipstick she wore briefly vanished as she pursed her lips, turning back to Billy before delivering a sharp p.


    Smack.


    "Uwah! Haah... Haah... fuc-k!" Billie gasped, struggling to maintain herposure.


    The sting of pain radiating from her cheek jolted her back to reality.


    She nced forward, momentarily paralyzed, feeling as though her entire body was detached from her mind as blood pooled around her.


    Yet, when her eyes finally met Aecilia''s, a flicker of understanding passed between them.


    Billie narrowed her gaze and looked down, realizing that despite everything, they had managed to conquer that monster.

 Chapter 132: Chapter 134 - Arias Sensation

    Inside a room, a faint breathing mixed with the humming sound reverberated throughout the space.


    Ariay sprawled on the king-sized bed in the opulent VIP room, her breathsing in soft, shallow waves.


    The golden glow of the chandelier above bathed the room in a warm light, casting shadows that flickered like whispers across the walls.


    Everything was still, quiet, except for the asional, almost imperceptible twitch of her fingers on the silk sheets.


    "...mmhm...." Her eyelids fluttered slightly, and her brows drew together, as if she was caught in a dream that wouldn''t quite let her go.


    There was a warmth spreading through her, subtle at first, but growing stronger, curling like a slow fire in her belly.


    Her body shifted ever so slightly, her thighs rubbing together as if seeking something to ease the heat that was building deep within her.


    A soft hum escaped her parted lips, her breaths growing heavier.


    ''Lin...'' The name surfaced unbidden, floating in her hazy thoughts.


    She couldn''t remember thest time he had looked at her the way he used to.


    Once upon a time, there had been warmth in his eyes, a smile reserved just for her.


    But that had all changed, hadn''t it?


    ''Why did you change, Lin...?'' her mind whispered.


    She could still see him from those early days¡ªthe boy who''d made her heart race with just a nce.


    But those memories felt like they belonged to someone else, like they were wrapped in fog, almost out of reach.


    Her fingers brushed over her stomach, tracing lower.


    The silk of her dress rode up slightly, exposing the soft skin of her thighs.


    "...nhh.." Another soft moan slipped out, and her hips lifted slightly off the bed.


    She wasn''t truly awake, but her body was moving of its own ord, driven by a heat she couldn''t name, couldn''t control.


    ''How did ite to this...?'' Aria''s thoughts swirled, images shing behind her closed eyelids.


    She remembered the way Lin had first smiled at her, how her heart had fluttered when they''d shared those shy, stolen nces.


    Though, of course, those were nothing more than a one-sided crush and fake illusions she had formed.


    But then her father had gotten involved, pressing for an engagement.


    That''s when everything had started to fall apart.


    Lin had grown colder, more distant.


    His once warm eyes had turned icy, his words cutting and cruel.


    Her lips parted, and a barely audible murmur filled the quiet room.


    "Lin... why...?" she whispered, her voice shaky, almost desperate.


    But there was no answer.


    There hadn''t been an answer for years, just the echo of her own hopes slowly shattering.


    drip


    A soft teardrop escaped her closed eyes, trickling down her cheek while brushing past her skin and falling onto the cascaded ck hair scattered around the bed.


    But even as her heart clenched with the pain of lost love, another image pushed its way to the front of her mind¡ªProfessor Aven.


    The man who hade into her life like a storm, unexpected and relentless.


    She could still see him standing there in the academy''s corridor, his broad back shielding her from Lin''s rage.


    The way his silver hair caught the light, his shoulders set like a wall between her and the man she had once thought she loved.


    ''How did he... get under my skin so quickly...?'' she wondered.


    The garden scene shed before her¡ªtheir stolen kiss, the taste of him still lingering on her lips.


    He had taken her by surprise, leaving her breathless, confused, and craving more.


    And now, even in her dazed state, the memory of his touch sent a shiver racing down her spine.


    "Ahn..." Her hand moved lower, fingers slipping beneath the hem of her dress, as if guided by the memory of Aven''s touch.


    "Umh...ahn..." Her breaths came faster, hitching in her throat as her body responded to the phantom sensations.


    "He was... there... when no one else..." she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper, like a confession to the darkness around her.


    The memory of the clinic room in academy came rushing back¡ªthe fear, the panic, and then his strong arms wrapping around her, pulling her close.


    She could still feel the warmth of his breath against her ear, his steady hands soothing her trembling frame.


    ''Lin never came... never cared,'' her thoughts turned bitter, a pang of hurt twisting in her chest.


    The love she had once felt for him had turned into something darker, a resentment that gnawed at her every time she remembered how he had pushed her away.


    Yet Aven... Aven had been the one to protect her, to hold her when she thought she was all alone.


    Her eyes squeezed tighter, her mind flickering between memories like a broken film reel.


    Aven standing tall in that corridor, facing down Lin''s fury.


    Aven pulling her into his arms in that garden, his lips crushing hers, leaving her breathless and aching for more.


    The way he had held her in the hospital, his presence grounding her, making her feel safe for the first time in years.


    "Uhng....Umhhn...Ah" Her fingers grazed against the heated skin between her legs, yet separated by tight jeans, her back arching slightly as the sensation sent another wave of warmth flooding through her.


    With soft fingers, she brushed against the jeans, the shape of two plush areas clearly standing out against the fabric, the middle part looking like a tiny summit.


    "Ah..." Every touch felt wet and inviting, sending jolts of electricity coursing through her, a delicious thrill that made her continue to caress those enticing curves perched beneath the tight-fitting jeans.


    She bit her lip, stifling the soft whimper that threatened to escape.


    "Professor Aven... why do you... make me feel like this?" she mumbled again, her voice fragile, like she was afraid to admit it even to herself.


    The sound of his name on her lips sent a jolt through her, and her heart clenched, torn between the remnants of her past with Lin and the unexpected, undeniable pull she felt toward Aven.


    ''He... saved me when I thought no one would,'' she thought, her mind drifting back to the way he had appeared, almost as if summoned by her despair.


    She had been drowning, suffocating under the weight of her father''s life, Lin''s coldness... but Aven had reached out, pulled her from the abyss.


    "Haah...Haah..." Her breaths came faster, her body shifting restlessly on the bed.


    She could still feel the ghost of his hands on her skin, the press of his lips against hers, the way his sapphire eyes had softened as he looked down at her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I... want..." she mumbled, but the rest of the words died on her lips, lost in a soft gasp as her body trembled.


    She didn''t even know what she wanted anymore.


    The lines had blurred, and all she could feel was the rush of emotions and the heat coursing through her veins.


    The past was a tangled mess of regret and longing, but right now, as shey there with her thoughts consumed by the memory of Aven, she couldn''t deny what her heart was whispering.


    Lin was the man she had once loved... but Aven was the one who made her feel alive.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "It''s already been more than an hour?"


    Aecilia sat in the back of a Rolls-Royce, her gaze drifting toward the man beside her.


    He had silver hair and piercing blue eyes that remained fixed on the road ahead, hisposure unflinching as he sat with his hands folded in hisp.


    The luxury vehicle had left just minutes ago, following the arrival of the ambnce and a team that was addressing the aftermath of the incident.


    "Bring her to my hotel room," Avendial instructed, his eyes still focused straight ahead.


    Unbeknownst to Aecilia, his fingers subtly tapped against the fabric of his suit pocket, as if he were ensuring that a handkerchief remained in ce, while also concealing the capsule he had obtained from Bordy''s lifeless body.


    "Again?" Aecilia raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering to life within her.


    She mirrored his posture, elegantly folding her hands and crossing one leg over the other.


    A part of her wanted to voice her concerns, but the memory of Avendial mentioning something about waiting a year to act stirred in her mind, prompting her to close her eyes instead.


    This gesture shielded the golden hue of her irises, which had been clouded with confusion moments earlier.


    It was clear to her that the reason Avendial had left Aria behind in the auction house was likely to enhance her feelings through the use of an aphrodisiac.


    However, Aecilia struggled to understand why he insisted on bringing Aria to a hotel room.


    She could at least question what Billie had asserted, yet it didn''t seem worthwhile to dwell on it now.


    "...It''s important," Avendial replied calmly.


    His focus was unwavering, dedicated to reaching the hotel room first, then addressing Aria''s situation, helping her regain awareness, and as quickly as possible delivering the capsule to Croceaus territory.


    Initially, his prioritiesy with securing Aria and then Margaret Grafia.


    However, a shift in ns had emerged.


    Given the capsule he had just acquired, his immediate target was now Dr. Etrinia.


    Thus, he needed to concentrate on Aria''s situation first, and afterward, devise a strategy for dealing with Doctor Etrinia, all while nning a journey back to Croceaus territory.


    "Hm, I see," Aecilia replied, even though she longed to ask more questions.


    Instead, she nodded, prioritizing his words and cing her trust in him.


    She had initially grappled with doubts about his intentions but chose to remainposed, turning her thoughts instead to the intriguing abilities that Aria might possess, especially if she were indeed an Empyreal.


    Somehow, Aecilia had sensed that the very powers Aria wielded were what instilled fear in her.


    This realization left Aecilia both curious and perplexed¡ªwhy would someone like Aria, possessing some kind of abilities, be afraid of her?

 Chapter 133: Chapter 135 - An Unexpected Gain

    "Please let us know if you need anything, sir," one of the hotel staff members said politely while holding the door open to the grand presidential suite.


    Avendial stepped inside with an air of calm confidence.


    The sun was setting beyond the expansive ss windows, casting a warm glow across the luxurious room.


    The golden light danced on his silver hair, making it shimmer, while his clear blue eyes radiated a sharp presence.


    "No, you may leave," he replied.


    The staff, not sensing any hunger from him¡ªgiven the simple fruits and assorted beverages already stocked in the refrigerator¡ªretreated without a thought of offering him a heavier meal.


    "Have a good stay, sir," they said, their voices fading away as the door closed behind them.


    Once alone, Avendial moved deliberately, unbuttoning his suit and shrugging it off.


    He pulled out a handkerchief, which held within it an empty capsule stained with remnants of ck blood.


    Some small traces of the substance still lingered inside that capsule.


    Proceeding to a nearby drawer, he retrieved a stic pouch and ced the handkerchief inside it.


    While his actions may have seemed disjointed, they were part of a broader strategy he had mapped out.


    His initial priorities had been focused on securing Aria first, followed by Margaret.


    To avoid anyplications, he had distinguished between his past knowledge¡ªwhere his priorities had been based on individuals he had previously met¡ªand his current circumstances that included Leo and Billie, whom he had only just encountered.


    However, it appeared that a slight shift had urred in his priority list.


    Initially, he was intent on securing Aria, then Margaret, and subsequently Etrinia, but now it seemed imperative that he first focus on securing Etrinia.


    ''What an unexpected gain...''


    Standing there, looking through the ss, his eyes settled on the pouch in his hand, where the handkerchief¡ªwith its crucial capsule¡ªwas resting.


    He felt a surge of realization about the unexpected yet significant value of this find.


    This capsule was not just a simple item; it was essential for him to secure an army of well-trained Empyreals.


    Reflecting on the circumstances, he recalled how pivotal this capsule had be since the arrival of the tower.


    Its significancey in its potential to alter the very foundation of what it meant to be an Empyreal, particrly those artificially created by the royal family.


    To rify, this capsule was considered an unsessful version of a medicine currently under experimentation.


    The research aimed to perfect it and ultimately create a remedy for a critical w that gued the Empyreals of the royal family.


    This w rendered them vulnerable¡ªa susceptibility to intense emotions that often led to self-destruction.


    Indeed, this capsule served as an antidote, or perhaps more urately, a suppressor for a devastating drawback that could extinguish the lives of the Empyreals should they be overwhelmed by their feelings.


    Though the sess rate of this experimental capsule was a mere 5%, it did little to help stop the emotional drawbacks once feelings surged past a certain threshold.


    It resembled a hormonal suppressor that could only mitigate biological factors, yet failed to erase the haunting memories of pain associated with those emotions.


    Naturally, this was why figures like Princess Katheria Arinphiam in past life were hesitant to openly support him; she too was bound by this medicine, which they were required to take regrly.


    In the Tower, where the world operated under markedly different rules, controlling one''s emotions proved to be a formidable challenge.


    This particr medicine, a healing pill designed to keep their emotions in check, was crucial¡ªsomething they needed to possess at all costs.


    However, it could only be supplied by the royal family that held a monopoly over these capsules.


    The only individuals in need of this medicine were those artificially enhanced by the royal family, effectively ensuring their loyalty to the crown.


    In essence, this led to a singr stranglehold over all the Empyreals who were obligated to fulfill tasks and remain loyal to the royal family if they wished to continue receiving these capsules.


    Interestingly, this medicine existed for only two or three years after the appearance of the Tower.


    It was during this time that a remarkable woman emerged, possessing a rare awakened ability known as BioLab.


    This ability granted her the vision and all the necessary insight to be an alchemist.


    However, it would be a mischaracterization tobel her simply an alchemist; her healing abilities diverged significantly from the standard healing practices observed among the Tower''s natives.


    Nevertheless, her talents were sufficient to earn her the title of healer rather than alchemist.


    It quickly became apparent that once the royal family learned about the weakening grip they had on their subjects, they resorted to desperate measures to prevent any harm from befalling them.


    In a treacherous act, theyced thest batch of the pill with poison and administered it to all the Empyreals who dared to contemte switching allegiances or seeking freedom after acquiring the cure for themselves.


    As a result, every Empyreal loyal to the royal family met a gruesome fate, akin to that of a pig or a dog abandoned by its master.


    However, a few among them were aware of the lengths to which the royal family would go to maintain power, including Princess Katheria Arinphiam, who had foreseen the impending betrayal.


    Though it doesn''t matter too much, given how smart people tend to be killed one way or another, given how the royal family had already established a foundation which could be considered as at the top of the hierarchy, even inside the tower.


    Though there were other organizations too, but among them the royal family was well known.


    They just took care of others by pushing them to their death otherwise continuous chasing attacks and all the methods at their disposal given they just needed to say the word and more than 20% of the whole awakened individuals inside the tower would hear theirmand.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    ''Now, it depends on her,'' Avendial thought, looking towards the pouch.


    He was just thinking about how he would not be able to force Etrinia into submission, making him deal with her in the same way he did with Aria,plicating things even further.


    Putting the thought inside his mind, he ced the pouch in an envelope before putting it inside the travel bag that he intended to deliver to the Croceaus territory to safeguard it until then while also securing Etrinia.


    So this capsule had definitely a significant effect in giving him a clear upper hand while dealing with Princess Katheria or Empyreals of the same category as hers who were artificially prepared by the royal family.


    He, while looking towards the ss window, watched as night fell, the city starting to bustle with night glimmer lights and the highway filled with cars and people.


    Standing at the window with both hands resting in his pockets.


    Tring


    Inside that lone room, his phone rang, prompting his hand to move inside the pocket before taking his phone out and cing it over his ear as he heard the voice of Aecilia from the other side.


    :: Aria is here. ::


    "Send her inside my room," Avendial replied as he closed his eyes topose himself and get over the swelling thoughts right now.


    He looked at his phone as he ended the call, ced it back in his pocket, and moved toward the bathroom area inside the room while unbuttoning his shirt.


    He left the phone lying on the bed as he went inside the bathroom.

 Chapter 134: Chapter 136 - Be Quiet, Aria

    ''He was a Marquess?''


    As Aria exited the sleek Mercedes-Benz, driven by a woman with short hair and striking golden eyes, she nced toward the hotel standing before her.


    Her mind wandered back to the conversations she had shared with Billie, the car''s driver, who had revealed that the man she always thought was Professor Aven was, in fact, Marquess Avendial Croceaus.


    "Hm, follow me," Billie said tersely.


    With one of her hands bandaged, she moved forward, clearly feeling difort, yet she showed no sign of mercy.


    Tasked by her so-called cousin, who had little regard for her well-being, she was ordered to escort Aria to the hotel.


    Rubbing her head in frustration, she struggled with the itch beneath the bandage.


    Despite her short, tomboyish hairstyle, Billie carried an attractiveness that drew the gazes of several guests, who also nced at Aria as she followed behind.


    Before long, they took the elevator to the seventh floor, making their way to room number 32.


    Billie held the key tightly, clearly feeling more like a servant than a cousin.


    Upon arriving outside the room, she handed the key to Aria, adding, "I''ll be in the next room. Just let me know if you need anything."


    "Um?"


    Aria stood there, confused by her own intentions, gazing at the ck card key in her hand.


    She let out a soft exhale, wishing to hear more answers¡ªor at the very least, to see him in this moment.


    With that thought in mind, she slid the card into the door lock.


    Krieek.


    As she entered the room, she called out softly, "Professor...?"


    However, her words seemed to float away, their significance lost in the air.


    Clenching her fist, a mix of uncertainty and longing surged through her, prompting her to change her approach.


    "I mean, Sir Croceaus, are you here?"


    There was only silence in response.


    With a subtle flicker of resolve, she stepped further into the room.


    The narrow path opened up into arge hall,vishly adorned with sofas and expansive ss windows that showcased the night sky.


    The moonlight sparkled in her eyes, illuminating the opulence of the space that resembled a luxurious hotel.


    As she took in her surroundings, a sound broke through her reverie.


    It was the sshing of water.


    "Marquess?" she ventured, still feeling uneasy about using the title.


    Perhaps it was the right thing to do¡ªmaintain a distance.


    Deep down, she regretted the sensations and feelings she had experienced just a few hours prior.


    She was acutely aware that boundaries had been crossed, yet she also knew he would be the one to create distance between them.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    As she let her guard down, she turned toward the open bathroom door and stepped forward.


    "Is anyone¡ª!?!"


    Just half a minute''s distance from the bathroom door, as the sound of water continued to echo, her inquiry hung in the air.


    Suddenly, there was a sharp tug on her body.


    Her eyes widened in shock as her hand was grasped and pulled inside the bathroom.


    "Kyaaah~!"


    Aria''s eyes widened, trembling with both shock and something she couldn''t quite name as Avendial''s hand wrapped around her wrist.


    The sudden, firm pull yanked her off bnce, making her stumble into the steamy, dim-lit bathroom.


    The scent of fresh cedar and the faint mist from the hot shower enveloped her senses.


    Her gaze was instantly captured by the sight before her¡ªhis broad, bare chest glistening as water poured down, tracing every ridge of his taut muscles.


    His silver hair was damp, strands clinging to his face, highlighting those piercing blue eyes that now looked straight into hers with a sharp, almost predatory glint.


    Before she could gather her thoughts, he tugged her closer, her body pressing against the heat of his damp skin.


    "Looking for something, Aria?" he murmured, his voice a low, teasing whisper that sent shivers down her spine.


    His grip on her wrist loosened, fingers sliding down to intertwine with hers, yet not letting her escape.


    "Or were you just dying to see me like this?"


    Her breath hitched, heart pounding furiously against her ribs, as she struggled to keep her eyes from roaming the expanse of his soaked, slightly muscr torso.


    "What¡ªwhat?"


    As she stood there, her heart racing and her mind struggling toprehend the situation, Aria felt a wave of confusion wash over her.


    She had been bracing herself for a farewell, given his earlier words about wanting to leave her life as a final favor.


    Yet, here he was, pulling her into a moment that clearly belied any intentions of separation.


    "I love you, Aria," Avendial whispered, leaning closer until his breath brushed against the nape of her neck.


    A warmth enveloped her, a tangible connection between them as the tension in the air thickened.


    The fog of his warm breath mingled with the sudden dampness of the rain, turning the atmosphere electric.


    Her cascading ck hair began to cling to her skin, dampened by the unexpected turn of events.


    Badump


    "What? Huh? What?" Aria stammered, feeling the heat radiating from his body as his hands moved behind her to grasp her wrists.


    The tingling sensation danced along her skin, igniting a rush of emotions deep within her.


    Her heart, which was already racing, momentarily felt as if it had stopped.


    Blinking rapidly, she tried to process his deration, standing on the precipice of understanding yet helplessly caught in a trance.


    She hade here with the simple intention of having ast conversation with him, trying to push away the persistent memories and the feelings that had always felt so embarrassing, and so undeserved.


    How could someone like him¡ªwho was clearly sacrificing so much for an unknown person like her¡ªever feel that way?


    But in this moment, with her breathing in short gasps, she doubted her ability to maintain herposure.


    The thin line between rity and chaos eroded with each passing second.


    Aria was acutely aware that if this continued, she might very well lose her mind,pletely unaware of the boundaries she was about to cross in the heat of the moment.


    "Haa... Please... S-stop," Aria stammered, attempting to lift her hand, but it seemed the most she could manage was to let her fingers brush against the firm skin near his waist.


    She could feel the slight hint of muscle beneath the surface¡ªa far cry from the sculpted bodies of Greek gods, yet still enough to quicken her heartbeat.


    His skin was wless, and that small amount of visible strength was alluring in its own right.


    At this rate, if you don''t act soon, you might just lose consciousness.


    "Save that ''please stop'' for when I''m at it all night," Avendial teased, tilting his head as the chilled water of the shower ran over them.


    Ignoring the cold, he yfully bit her earlobe.


    "IEEKK!?" Aria gasped, her body jolting at the unexpected sensation that surged through her, sending a shiver racing down her spine.


    As she tried to pull her hand away, her nails inadvertently dug into the skin near his waist.


    As his fingers traced down her spine, they glided along the curve that led to the enticing dip of her body, where they eventually met the snug, thick fabric of her jeans, which hugged her curves like a destination waiting to be reached.


    "N-no," Aria stammered, her voice catching as she felt him murmuring softly against her ear.


    The only response he offered in that moment was a low, husky, "¡­I''ll leave you alone, but right now, I can''t control myself. So just be quiet, Aria."

 Chapter 135: Chapter 137- Arias POV

    thump thump


    The moment I heard those words from the professor¡ªno, wasn''t he a Marquess?¡ªit felt as if my heart, which was already creasing, couldn''t stop beating.


    I just hoped that the thing¡ªno, the embarrassing thing¡ªthat I did a few hours ago would be buried after our meeting.


    Especially when he would act cold towards me, since I knew that I would lose.


    I wished that he would act repulsive and cold, not allowing me to move forward.


    But right now, this situation was definitely heading towards the inevitable, where I knew I had already lost even before this battle started.


    I don''t know if I''ve fallen for him, but my mind is filled with his memories, with a body craving his touch, while my heart wants to be in his embrace forever.


    A heating sensation fills my body from within, and the reactions my body shows whenever I imagine his face¡ªTingling between my legs with dampness, a stiffening sensation in my breasts, electrifying goosebumps, haggard breathing, and warming of the body.


    If this is a sign of love, then it appears I really have fallen for him.


    Though, until now, during my journey to this hotel, I had imagined our conversation and thought he would reject me and push me away.


    But hearing his words about how he also couldn''t control himself made everything feel different.


    It was something that wasn''t under my control.


    Were we both getting into a battle where our minds were foggy and defeated by our hearts?


    drip drip


    The warm water cascades over us, soaking my clothes and pressing them tight against my skin, especially the snug jeans that cling to my thighs and hips, leaving little room for movement.


    Aven''s arms are wrapped around me, holding me close, leaving me with no space to escape.


    His grip is firm, one arm snaked tightly around my waist while his other hand moves down, fingers grazing the curve of my spine under the white top¡ªgiven its thin fabric shirt style¡ªhis fingertip was vivid over each vertebra.


    ''!''


    I can feel his hot breath against my neck, each exhale sending shivers through me as his lips begin their assault.


    "Ah...Prof¡ª" His kisses are fierce, trailing along my neck and down to my corbone, igniting a fire that mixes with the cold spray of the shower.


    I try to catch my breath, but his hold tightens, keeping me pinned against his chest.


    My hands are trapped, pressed between us,pletely immobilized.


    There''s no escape¡ªjust the relentless sensation of his lips and hands exploring every inch of me.


    "Wait..." I manage to whisper, my voice a desperate plea barely heard over the rush of water. "Maybe... maybe we shouldn''t do this."


    His lips pause, and I feel the slightest loosening of his grip.


    For a moment, I think he''s reconsidering, but then his fingers grip my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.


    "Are you really happy with that decision?" he asks, his voice a low, teasing rumble.


    "Y-yes¡ªMmphh!?" Before I can respond, his mouth crashes onto mine.


    The force of it steals my breath, my mind spinning as his tongue delves past my lips, exploring, tasting me.


    "Mmmhh...nh?" My eyes widen, a muffled gasp escaping as he deepens the kiss.


    There''s no room to think, only the sensation of his tongue dominating mine, leaving me dazed and breathless.


    His grip shifts; his hands move to grab my hips, his fingers trail over the wet fabric of my jeans.


    I feel him adjust his hold, his hand slipping lower to mold the curve of my ass¡ªno, this was more than that¡ªhis finger was spread to cover asrge an area as possible while tightening the hold.


    The wet denim presses against his skin, each movement causing it to cling tighter to me.


    The sensation of his touch against my soaked jeans, his fingers kneading my flesh, sends a jolt through me.


    "Ngh... Av..en....!" I gasp, my voice a broken whisper between kisses.


    Slurp


    But he doesn''t stop, doesn''t even slow down.


    ''!?!''


    "Whhh...!"


    swish


    Instead, he lifts me effortlessly, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he supports my weight with one arm while the other grips my thigh to hold me in ce.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The rough texture of my jeans scrapes against his skin as he holds me up, the fabric of my tight dress riding up slightly, exposing more of my skin to his relentless touch.


    It was evident from the fact that I could feel the warmth of his firm abdomen on mine.


    Though it wasn''t much, my eyes were blurring with tears due to the absence of air, as he was not leaving any space between us.


    He carries me like that, never breaking the kiss, his lips devouring mine with an intensity that leaves me lightheaded.


    thump thump


    My hands are still trapped, useless between our bodies, and I can do nothing but cling to him with my legs, my heart pounding in time with his.


    "Unh...mhhm¡ª!?"


    His hands continue their exploration, squeezing my ass, molding it with a firm grip that leaves me gasping.


    Every kiss, every touch, it pulls me deeper into him.


    I''m trembling; my fingers can only reach near his waist. At that point, it was just the belt of his pants¡ªnothing much¡ªwhilepletely locked between his body and mind, pressed tightly.


    My whole being clings desperately to him as I give in.


    "Mmphh...


    slurp"


    And as his mouth ims mine once more, his hands exploring, demanding, I realize there''s no turning back.


    The world outside this room fades, leaving only the two of us, tangled in a desperate, all-consuming embrace.


    "Haaah....Haaah!" The moment he pulls away, I''m left gasping for air.


    My lips feel swollen, tingling from his relentless kisses.


    "Ah...w..ai..t" My breathse out in shallow, shaky pants, and I can''t stop the tears that well up in my eyes.


    The intensity of it all¡ªthe heat, the pressure, the way he takes everything without asking¡ªit''s overwhelming.


    thump thump


    My heart thuds so loudly in my ears that it drowns out the sound of the water still pouring down behind us.


    But even as I struggle to catch my breath, he doesn''t let go.


    His grip around my waist tightens, keeping my hands locked between us, and I realize I''m entirely at his mercy.


    "Haa...phew" His own breathing is heavy, his chest rising and falling against mine, but there''s a steadiness to it¡ªa control that I can''t seem to find in myself.


    "Profess¡ªno, Aven.... wait..." I try to speak, but my voicees out as a broken whisper.


    He doesn''t respond, only gives me that intense, unyielding look.


    The water streams down his bare chest, droplets sliding along the defined lines of his slight muscles.


    For a moment, I think he''s going to release me, but instead, he moves with a sudden, fluid motion, holding me up as if I weigh nothing.


    Due to the sudden motion, I tightened my legs'' grip, keeping them as tight as possible around his waist while he moved.


    "Wha¡ª?!" My cry of surprise is lost in the wet, echoing sounds of the shower.


    He''s still holding me, my legs wrapped around his waist, and before I can process what''s happening, he carries me out of the bathroom.


    Everything bes a blur¡ªthe cool air hitting my wet skin, the world spinning around me as he strides forward.


    The next thing I know, we''re in the suite''s main room.

 Chapter 136: Chapter 138- I lost

    The shower''s roar fades into the background, reced by the soft hum of air conditioning.


    The lights are dim, casting a warm, golden glow over the space.


    The room isvish, with plush carpets that sink beneath his steps and elegant furnishings that scream opulence¡ªdark wood, gleaming ss, and silk curtains that billow slightly from the cool air.


    He doesn''t pause to admire the view of the city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.


    He doesn''t stop to catch his breath.


    Instead, he marches straight to the massive bed that dominates the center of the room.


    The bedspread is deep burgundy, made of some soft, luxurious fabric that looks like it would swallow you whole if you sank into it.


    And that''s exactly where I end up.


    With one swift, effortless motion, he throws me onto the bed.


    "Ahh!?"


    My body bounces slightly on the soft mattress, and a gasp escapes my lips as I stare up at him, wide-eyed.


    The shock of it leaves me speechless¡ªone moment, I was pressed against him in the shower, and now I''m sprawled out on this enormous bed, my heart pounding in my chest.


    The world feels tilted, surreal.


    The water dripping from my clothes soaks into the sheets beneath me, and I can''t tell if it''s the cold air or his piercing gaze that sends a shiver down my spine.


    "Haa...haaa..." I push myself up onto my elbows, trying to catch my breath, my wet hair clinging to my face.


    "What are you¡ª" I start, but the words die in my throat as he leans over me, his eyes dark and hungry.


    There''s a wildness in them that I''ve never seen before¡ªa hunger that makes my stomach twist in both fear and something I can''t quite name.


    His lips curl into a faint smirk as he watches me, like a predator savoring the moment before the kill.


    "I promise this will be thest time," he says, his voice a low rumble that sends heat pooling low in my stomach. "So I intend to make the most of it."


    "Huh?" Before I can even think to respond, his hands are on me again, gripping both of my hands together with a possessive force.


    The bed dips under his weight as he climbs on, pressing me further into the soft sheets.


    "Unh...Aven...." I whisper, my voice barely audible, my mind still trying to catch up with what''s happening.


    But his lips capture mine again before I can say anything more, silencing my protests while his hand forces mine above my head.


    The kiss is just as fierce as before, if not more so.


    There''s no escape, no reprieve.


    All I can do is cling to him, my fingers curling in an attempt to free myself, but held by his one hand, it appears I am truly weak with both of my hands above my head, while I am under both of his legs, my lips clearly at his mercy.


    I am definitely not going to go back once I let myself be pushed further.


    I remembered that yesterday he had told me how he would help me onest time, giving me the impression that he was not going to meet me again.


    So, as he said, today was really ourst day of meeting, but I would have never imagined it would escte this much.


    Wasn''t he Marquess Croceaus?


    The one and only... ah, my mind.


    My mind is spinning, every thought dissolving under the force of his lips on mine.


    I can barely think, let alone breathe, with how fiercely he''s iming my mouth.


    His hand mps around my wrists, holding them firmly above my head, and no matter how much I try to struggle, I can''t budge an inch.


    "A-ahn...mmhh..." I whimper against his mouth, the sound swallowed by his lips pressing even harder against mine.


    The way he''s holding me¡ªso unyielding, so sure¡ªmakes my stomach twist with a strange mix of frustration and raw desire.


    "Umh...Ahnn" I can''t stop the shuddering moan that escapes me when his teeth graze over my lower lip, tugging at it before plunging back in to devour me again.


    The weight of him presses me deeper into the bed, his legs pinning mine down effortlessly.


    I''m trapped beneath him, every breath shaky and shallow as his hand begins to wander lower, down the curve of my waist.


    The fabric of my shirt is already bunched up from our earlier tussle, and I feel his fingers slipping underneath it, exploring the bare skin of my stomach.


    ''!?''


    "Nnhh...w..a..it...Ah..." My voicees out in a broken whisper, a plea that even I don''t understand.


    His touch is rough and demanding, his fingers sliding higher, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.


    The cool air hitting my exposed skin sends a shiver through me, my nipples tightening into hard peaks even before he reaches them.


    "Unghh!" His fingers slide beneath my bra, pushing it aside, and I can''t hold back the soft, desperate moan that spills from my lips when he finally cups my breast.


    His palm is warm and rough, and the way he''s touching me¡ªlike he''s both savoring and iming every inch¡ªmakes my thighs clench together in a futile attempt to control the aching need that''s building between them.


    Finally, he let my lips be free.


    "Ahh... oh, Ahnngh...Av..en..." His name slips from my locked lips again, this time a breathless moan that''s half a sob as he pinches my nipple, rolling it between his fingers.


    The sharp mix of pain and pleasure makes me arch off the bed, my back bowing as a rush of heat floods through me.


    My body reacts instinctively, pressing into his touch even as my mind screams at me to resist.


    I try to twist free, my hands straining against his grip, but he doesn''t let up.


    Instead, he shifts his weight slightly, trapping me even more securely beneath him.


    "Stay still," he murmurs, his voice a low growl against my ear, sending a hot shiver straight down my spine.


    Slurp


    He bites down on my neck, sucking hard enough to leave marks, and I can''t stop the needy cry that escapes me.


    "Unh!?¡ªit hurts..."


    His other hand moves lower, abandoning my breast to slide down my stomach, his fingers toying with the waistband of my jeans.


    "Haa...haa...haaa..." The anticipation is almost too much, my breathsing in ragged gasps as I feel his fingertips grazing the sensitive skin just above the fabric.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Aven... please, I-I..." But the words dissolve into a gasp when he dips his fingers lower, teasing just beneath the waistband.


    The button of my jeans pops open under his skilled touch, and I can feel the heat of his breath against my ear, the soft, satisfied hum that rumbles in his chest as he feels how my body is responding to him.


    I''m panting now, my mind a hazy mess, my thoughts scattering as his hand slips further down.


    The feel of his fingers brushing against the thin fabric of my panties makes me buck my hips, a desperate whimper tearing from my throat.


    I can''t help it¡ªevery touch, every brush of his lips against my skin is driving me insane, my body betraying mepletely.


    His eyes lock onto mine, dark and filled with something primal, as he lifts himself up slightly to look at me.


    His gaze is like a physical touch, and I can feel myself melting under it, my defenses crumbling.


    The wetness pooling between my thighs is undeniable now, the slick heat a telltale sign of just how far gone I am.


    "Aven..." I breathe his name, my voice barely more than a whisper.


    My body trembles as his fingers slide lower, the cool air hitting my exposed skin as he finally pushes my jeans down.


    The look in his eyes as he watches me, as he sees the way my body is giving in to him, sends a fresh wave of heat coursing through me.


    It''s over¡ªI''ve lost.


    The fight I tried to put up feels like a distant memory now.


    All I can do is gasp and moan, helpless under his touch, my mindpletely lost to the sensations he''s drawing out of me.


    ''!''


    As his fingers hooked into the waistband of my jeans, slowly peeling them down, he leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.


    "You have no idea," he whispered, his voice like velvet, "just how breathtaking you look right now."

 Chapter 137: Chapter 139- A long night (1)

    ''It''s working,'' Avendial said slowly, leaving her hand while staying at a distance where their breaths were tangling with each other.


    He could clearly see how her mind, which had been filled with thoughts of Lin a few days ago, was now, at least for this particr moment, shrouded with his own.


    Though he had made sure shepletely lost her mental defenses by overloading her mind with several things one after another, there was still a lingering doubt.


    One can never truly determine the mental strength of a person, given theplexity of the brain.


    However, it all became evident from the fact that she seemed to be in this state.


    "Haa..." Avendial leaned back, settling onto the bed with a satisfied sigh.


    His eyes never left her form as she slowly released her grip on the sheets, her fingers loosening like she had just been pulled back from the brink.


    ''Upper body...'' He couldn''t help but admire the sight before him.


    She was a mess of flushed skin, her breaths ragged and uneven as she struggled to calm herself.


    "Haa...! Haah...!" Her chest rose and fell rapidly, each breath making her breasts heave under her partially unbuttoned shirt.


    The way her damp hair clung to her cheeks, the glistening sheen of sweat that clung to her skin¡ªit was all so intoxicatingly raw.


    ''Lower region...'' His gaze drifted down her trembling form, lingering on the way her thighs pressed together, her body still quivering with the echoes of what he had done to her.


    Her lips were parted, swollen from his kisses, her cheeks tinted a deep red as if she were burning from the inside out.


    She looked utterly ravished,pletely overwhelmed by the sensations he had drawn out of her.


    "Ah....A..ve..n" As he sat up, her eyes fluttered open, her gaze hazy and unfocused, as if she were trying to piece together where she was and what had just happened.


    Avendial couldn''t suppress the smirk that tugged at his lips.


    The sight of her sprawled out beneath him, her eyes filled with both desire and hesitation, was a headybination that made his blood sing.


    Of course, this song was a mix of two things.


    The first was admiration for the true beauty in front of him, which wasn''t new for him to see.


    The second was satisfaction that this was going in the right direction, considering that, unlike how he had anticipated for this particr day toe after a month, it was aplished soon enough.


    "What... what are you going to do?" Aria managed to stammer, her voice barely more than a whisper.


    There was a quiver in her tone, the lingering fear mixed with an undeniable thread of anticipation.


    "....." Avendial said nothing, his deep blue eyes locked onto hers as he leaned forward again.


    His hand reached for the waistband of her jeans, fingers working deftly to undo the button.


    He watched her reaction closely; her body tensed, a soft gasp escaping her lips as his knuckles brushed against her exposed skin.


    "Rx," he murmured, his voice low andmanding.


    "Wh-what?...haa...." Aria waspletely at a loss right now, given how, in the past few days, everything was not making sense.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Overwhelming her mind, as if cornering her from the fact that it all started with the sensation of first witnessing someoneing from the future, then Lin''s behavior and her father''s situation.


    So these were factors that influenced her, but if it had been a normal day, she could have easily endured it.


    After all, she had grown ustomed to it.


    It wasn''t new for her to be depressed.


    But the problem arose when she saw that title¡ªSovereign Heroine.


    The fear, the sensation was unnatural.


    It was as if it had broken all her mental defenses, something had just attacked her spirit.


    The very soul of her being trembled, causing her to be vulnerable at that moment.


    From where these things, including her father''s matter, then this whole event, one after another, overwhelmed her mind.


    And now, she was here,pletely at his mercy, the one she trusted, thinking he might keep hisposure, given how tough he appeared at the academy.


    But now, he seemed to be in the same state as her, making her feel hatred for herself while also feeling helpless, given she was experiencing that same tingling sensation while looking at his face.


    ''Damn it,'' Aria clenched her lips, biting them in frustration as with weak resolve she kept looking at him who sat on his knees with her figurepletely lying on the bed in a state she could clearly infer from his expression, her hand loosened, lying on the bed.


    She just epted her fate.


    swish


    With a swift tug, the button popped open, revealing the delicate fabric of her underwear beneath.


    "Uhmm." The way she trembled beneath his touch, the small, breathy noises that escaped her lips¡ªeach one sent a thrill of satisfaction through him.


    Of course, this satisfaction did not stem from the fact that her body reacted to his touch; he was not a narcissist.


    He had enough experience to understand what was necessary to elicit such reactions in moments like these.


    He had categorized intimacy into several levels, where the first step¡ªbefore considering size or technique, which could overwhelm the partner¡ªwas to adjust their body condition.


    Just like now, how Aria was exhausted, not physically but mentally, given her weakened mental fortitude, as she needed someone''s warmth.


    Specifically, he made sure that it would be him.


    It was clear that even with his slight touch, her mind would release hormones, amplifying the effect twofoldpared to what it would have been naturally.


    "Ahn...w..ai..t" Her body jerked slightly in a half-hearted attempt to resist, but she was too far gone now, too deeply entangled in the sensations he had awakened within her.


    Avendial could see it in her eyes¡ªshe had already lost this battle.


    Her hands, which had briefly lifted to push him away, fell limply to her sides as if in surrender.


    "There we go," he whispered, his tone dripping with satisfaction as he leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead.


    The tenderness of it was almost deceptive, a stark contrast to the raw hunger that still simmered in his gaze.


    He moved slowly, deliberately, trailing soft kisses down her face.


    "Haahnn...." Her lips quivered under his, and he could feel her breath hitching, her eyes fluttering shut as if trying to brace herself for what was toe.


    His lips ghosted over her chin, down her throat, tasting the salt of her sweat.


    "Nngh... haa.... w-wait...."


    He paused there, letting his tongue glide over the delicate pulse point on her neck, drawing a moan from her that resonated within the room.


    "Mmnn... haah... Aven... nnngh...." she whimpered, her voice a broken, needy whisper.


    The sound of his name on her lips, so soft and desperate, only fueled his desire to hear it more.


    Not that he wanted to force this whole moment; his aim in the end was simply to fill her to the brim with his bodily fluid.


    However, doing something like that without any emotional connection would ruin the whole n.


    Given that Aria would most probably take it as a one-night stand, even after awakening her ability, she would not listen to his words further and would leave his side.

 Chapter 138: Chapter 140- A Long Night (2)

    To be more precise, an awakened individual possesses a particr type of ability that can be considered a medium or a device which takes Synergy as input and provides output based on the device''s function.


    To understand it more clearly, one''s ability can be considered a tunnel that has a particr shape.


    ording to that shape, when air passes through it, it provides output in that particr direction.


    In the case of an awakened individual, that tunnel can be made only once, so further reconstructions are generally impossible, though there are definitely exceptions in most cases.


    So, the tunnel, which represents an awakened ability, takes the air¡ªhere referred to as Synergy¡ªand produces an output.


    However, that output is the same as the functioning of the tunnel, without having anything extra attached to it.


    Although the amount of Synergy can decide the concentration of the output, it doesn''t change the result.


    In the end, if a tunnel had a function to heat up the air, then the output would be heated air, not cold.


    However, Avendial''s ability here was a game changer.


    This is simply because it partially destroys that particr tunnel (awakened ability).


    Of course, it doesn''tpletely delete it; rather, it causes cracks and several breakages, damaging at least 80% of its stability, simr to how a tunnel''s wall would copse.


    Still, the passage (the hole) remains intact, though notpletely.


    Once his ability¡ªthough it could be considered a curse¡ªwas understood, he learned to use it to his advantage.


    After introducing his bodily fluid¡ªwhich could be blood, semen, saliva, or anything else¡ªthough blood was much costlier than semen, so in the case of women, he would mostly prefer that option¡ªan individual''s awakened ability gets partially destroyed.


    Naturally, the Synergy that had been passing through that tunnel or medium since earlier¡ªgiven that this particr awakened ability is born from that Synergy¡ªwould try to reinforce it with much strength, making it sturdier so it doesn''t break again.


    And there, that individual goes through a second awakening.


    This awakening provides an updated, upgraded, and stronger version of what they initially possessed.


    In simple terms, the tunnel''s concrete walls can be considered the features of the ability, while the path of the tunnel symbolizes the type of ability¡ªin the case of Aria, it is Appraisal¡ªwhich remains intact.


    This means that during her second awakening, she retains the same appraisal ability, but the walls¡ªmeaning the features of that ability¡ªare enhanced and much better than before.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This was the theory that Avendial had learned on his journey, knowing well how his ability could be used to provide him an advantage, even though it was a curse¡ªa curse that could inevitably provide him an advantage.


    Given this fact, where he just needed to introduce his bodily fluid to that awakened individual, it was clear that he didn''t need their consent, making him have a clear option in ack of time to force himself on them to awaken them.


    But this was only true when that awakened ability would have been gained by him, but not by that person.


    So, it was a clear disadvantage, where he couldn''t, without confirming their loyalty, give them this kind of blessing, which was cursed to him.


    Naturally, forcing himself on someone who''d awakened an overpowered ability due to him was like creating an enemy to kill himself.


    So, even in his past life and present, he always made sure to keep the loyalty of that person in check, either by fooling them into this love trap or by making sure they knew what consequences they would face.


    ''Let''s begin,'' he turned his gaze back towards Aria, remembering that this was his first step towards the journey where he would need several awakened individuals to deal with what was about toe and naturally he needed to be gentle today, given it was very crucial to ensure he turned the temporary feelings she had for him into something permanent.


    To turn it into a love that is artificially induced but naturally born.


    "Angh?!"


    Slurp


    He nipped at her skin, sucking gently until a mark began to bloom.


    "Ack?! Wait...Haah....! Haah....!" She gasped again, her back arching involuntarily as his teeth grazed her corbone.


    His other hand, which had been resting on her waist, moved upward with agonizing slowness.


    He pushed her shirt higher, exposing more of her skin to the cool air of the room.


    A shiver ran through her as his fingers glided over her skin, her nipples reacting and growing hard in response. The soft pink centers stood proud and erect, jutting out from her smooth curve like little peaks,pletely unyielding.


    Avendial''s fingers found one of those sensitive peaks, pinching it lightly at first, then harder, drawing a choked moan from her.


    "Unghh.....! Ahh...!, please..." she gasped, her hips lifting slightly off the bed, her thighs pressing together in a desperate attempt to find some kind of relief.


    He could feel the heat radiating off her, the dampness gathering at the apex of her thighs as his hand continued to tease her breast.


    "You''re already so sensitive," he whispered against her skin, his breath hot and teasing against her cleavage as he continued to move lower.


    His lips left a trail of heated kisses, each one more deliberate than thest, as he worked his way down to the swell of her breasts.


    "Ahn..." He paused, his teeth grazing the curve, eliciting another delicious moan from her.


    Her hands fisted the sheets beside her, her eyes squeezing shut as if that would somehow stop the flood of sensations.


    But Avendial was relentless.


    He captured one nipple between his teeth, tugging gently, and thenving it with his tongue.


    Her entire body jerked, her head tilting back as a guttural moan ripped through her.


    "Ah... Aven... please..." she was begging now, her voice breathless and broken.


    The sound was like music to his ears.


    He switched to her other breast, giving it the same attention, his fingers squeezing and kneading while his mouth continued its merciless assault.


    Finally, he lifted his head, his gaze meeting hers.


    She looked utterly wrecked, her pupils blown wide, lips parted as she gasped for air.


    There was a wild, desperate look in her eyes, as if she were teetering on the edge of something she couldn''t quite understand.


    Avendial didn''t let up.


    His hand slid lower once again, reaching for the waistband of her jeans.


    This time, there was no resistance.


    Shey there, her body trembling,pletely at his mercy as he slowly peeled the tight fabric down her hips.


    His eyes glinted with hunger as he took in the sight of her¡ªflushed, panting, and glistening with sweat.


    It appeared that his hunger was more towards his ambition to achieve the goals he wasn''t able to aplish in the past than the hunger of her body.


    He paused, letting his fingers dance along the edge of her panties, watching her reactions.


    She waspletely lost now, her mind a haze of pleasure and desperation.


    Her hips lifted almost instinctively, seeking his touch, her lips parting in a soft, breathy moan as she looked up at him with pleading eyes.


    "Good girl," he murmured, his voice a deep, rumbling purr as his hand in a single motion pulled her panties down to her thighs.


    "Kyaaa~! W-wait?!"

 Chapter 139: Chapter 141- Her dilemma

    "Ahh! No!!" Aria swiftly sprang into action, taken aback by his sudden move of pulling down her panties. Her hands, which had been resting on the bedsheet, quickly moved forward to cover her lower region, but it took her three seconds to achieve this.


    And naturally, two seconds was all an eye needed.


    So, 1 second ago,


    Avendial''s eyes roamed over her flushed body, the moonlight filtering through therge windows casting a soft yet serene glow on her milky white skin.


    His silver hair glinted under the dim light, his intense blue eyes fixed on her exposed pussy, just barely hidden by the mess of her jeans and panties bunched around her thighs.


    The sight of her pink folds, peeking through a soft patch of dark hair, made her breathing hitch due to his gaze appearing hungry and unapologetic, as if he was feasting his eyes.


    "You''re hiding it?" He smirked, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he watched her attempt to cover herself with trembling hands. "After all that, you think you can hide it from me now?"


    Her face burned hot as she bit her lip, her eyes avoiding his, her breathsing out in shaky gasps. "N-No... I just..."


    "Shhh, there''s no point," he murmured, leaning in closer, his warm breath tickling her ear as he pried one of her hands away with firm but gentle force.


    Her fingers dug into the sheets, her chest rising and falling rapidly, trying desperately to contain herself.


    When he finally pulled her hand away, revealing her wet pussy fully, he let out a low growl of approval. "Look at you," he teased, his voice a dark whisper. "All that effort to hide... and yet, you''re already dripping for me."


    ''!?''


    "I¡ªI," Her eyes widened, her lips parting to protest, but only a soft whimper escaped.


    The flush on her cheeks deepened, spreading down to her chest as she squirmed beneath his gaze.


    "D-Don''t say it like that..." she managed to whisper, her voice cracking.


    But Avendial wasn''t in the mood to let her protest. Even a small, sudden realization of this situation could make everything futile.


    It was simr to how, in anger, people used to utter anything on their minds without caring about the feelings of those in front of them, because anger is the strongest enemy of the human brain.


    So, it wasn''t that the brain, aplex machine, couldn''t be fooled into falling into a state where it isn''t able to judge the situation clearly, just like Aria''s present situation, where she wasn''t even aware that she had forgotten her childhood love and was about to give herself to a stranger.


    A stranger she had only just met four days ago¡ªon the 14th she met him, and on the 18th, they were going to have sex.


    If someone were to think about it, where one''s childhood love was forgotten in merely four days, it would seem like a joke and illogical.


    Of course, only if the mind is sane enough to think it.


    Burdened by emotions and turmoil, with only one hand stretching toward her, she was in a vulnerable position to give everything that belonged to her to him.


    So, putting everything aside, he took a straightforward approach, directly taking the initiative.


    In the end, his current aim is simple: before the brain tries to make sense of things, he would fuck it senseless¡ªbecause the best way to quiet the smart women is to fuck their brains out.


    Is it not?


    Avendial leaned down, capturing her lips in a rough kiss that left her gasping for air.


    With one hand still pinning her wrist above her head, his other hand slid down, tracing the curve of her waist before slipping beneath her shirt.


    His fingers found her nipple, already stiff, and he gave it a firm pinch¡ªd¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    "A-Ah...! Aven!" she cried out, her back arching as he twisted the sensitive bud.


    Her mind was a chaotic mess¡ªevery nerve ending in her body was on fire, and she couldn''t stop the desperate moans that slipped past her lips.


    "That''s it, say my name," he whispered against her lips, his voice low andmanding. "I want to hear you... all of you."


    Her resolve crumbledpletely as his fingers danced down her stomach, stopping just above where her panties were pushed halfway down.


    Of course, what did he do there?


    He slid it down more.


    She was panting, her lips swollen from his kisses, her mind spinning.


    "Please... Aven.." she managed to gasp, her hands feebly pushing at his chest but with no real strength behind it.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    She couldn''t fight him¡ªnot when her own body was betraying her, wet and aching for his touch.


    "You want to hear a story, Aria?" he asked, his eyes glinting as he leaned back, tugging her jeans down her thighs¡ªbut given its tightness, he just stopped once its band reached her knees, taking her soaked panties along with them.


    Her pussy was glistening, exposed to the cool air, and she whimpered, squeezing her thighs together instinctively.


    But Avendial wasn''t going to allow that.


    He seized her by the legs, where the half-jeans were still doing their job, and skillfully swung them over one shoulder. Her heels stayed put, resting above him while her ankles restedfortably on his left shoulder.


    The sight of her squirming to keep her thighs pressed together with her legs hanging off his shoulder made him grin. Her heart was pounding, and the wet fabric left little to the imagination, showcasing her underboob.


    it''s delicate, curvy, and satin white, the skin of her underboob stretching and rxing as her chest rises and dips with her breathing.


    Avendial''s eyes were locked onto Aria''s trembling form as he finally slid his pants down with one hand while the other held both of her legs above his shoulder, the fabric of her tight jeans brushing over his palm.


    swish


    ''!?''


    Given that her hands were trying to protest in the hope of hiding herher region, her eyes were exposed, and as he slid down his pants, she saw everything. Her ck eyes reflected the sight in front of her.


    His cock sprang free, thick and pulsing, the veins prominent as it stood proudly before her.


    The moonlight streaming through the windows cast a silver glow on his sculpted body, highlighting the stark contrast between his light-toned, muscr chest and the shadowed dips of his abs.


    His silver hair fell messily over his eyes, which burned with a hunger that sent a shiver down Aria''s spine.


    "HIEKK!?" Aria''s breath hitched as she took in the sight.


    "Ah...! St-stop it", Her hands flew up to cover her eyes, but she couldn''t resist sneaking peeks through her fingers,''Oh my god''


    GULP


    The sheer size of his shaft made her gulp; it looked almost too big and too thick to handle, and she instinctively squeezed her thighs together, her wet pussy already aching with a mix of fear and anticipation¡ªgiven her forey at auction house and the effects of the aphrodisiac ying vital roles.


    In short: An artificially induced anticipation.


    Avendial''s smirk widened as he noticed her reaction, his teasing tone dripping with dominance.


    "Scared, Aria?" he teased, his voice husky. He tilted his head over his left shoulder, which was supported by her feet. With a narrowed gaze and a smile, he further added, "How about I tell you the story I just mentioned a moment ago? Want to hear?"

 Chapter 140: Chapter 142- Hymen break

    "N-no..." She bit her lip, turning her flushed face away, trying to block out his intense gaze, but there was no denying the wetness pooling between her thighs.


    Aria wasn''t understanding why her body was reacting in this way. Even in the auction house, where the situation was clearly not something where someone would even think masturbating, but still sedate. And presently, her eyes, looking at the phone staff of his, clearly felt that this was bad, very bad, that she was anticipating it.


    She don''t know why, but she wanted it within her.


    And this was something which was clearly making her restless and confused, given how, with her knowledge, mostly not the fictional, where in the porn or in adult contents, it was forced and showed again and again that size matters¡ªthe bigger the thing is, more the woman be satisfied.


    And naturally, she didn''t know if this statement was true.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Given that over time, the vaginal passage may erge due to regr intimacy, the nerves can be numb, and further roughness may be needed to provide the same satisfaction a woman may have felt in the past¡ªwhich could only be felt by arger size, given to stimte several nerves within the inner lining at once.


    However, being a maiden, her thinking was not in that direction but rather in something else of which she was aware.


    Her fear was born from the fact that she was well aware of the biology of a woman, given that the average woman''s vaginal passage is just four inches deep.


    When aroused, it has directional sticity that allows it to stretch, providing more space.


    Given its sticity, for a woman who frequently engages in intimacy, it may befortable.


    However, for someone who hasn''t engaged in regr sexual activity, stretching the inner lining and muscles can be ufortable, especially if the size of the object prating it is 2 or 3 inches longer than the average vaginal depth.


    Of course, she knew that due to sticity, it would provide enough space without any difort, but the issue was the thing in front of her.


    Though she couldn''t measure it, she knew that if she ced one fist above the other and then ced another fist half of it, that would be the length of that thing.


    Given its thickness, she knew that by wrapping her fingers around it, she would probably only be able to touch the tip of her thumb with her middle finger¡ªnot that she counted the head''s thickness.


    That thing was definitely the same as those shown in adult videos.


    But, not the least, she was not like those experienced women who already had a well-dug pathway within them.


    She was confused, terrified, anticipating, while clearly horny.


    Yeah, she was clearly horny and her mind wasn''t processing things well, making her realize, tensely, that she was a lost cause.


    "No?...Fine then..." His hand brushed over her legs as he slowly tucked her panties lower, just below her knees, while seated in a position where, instead of sitting between her legs, he was sideways with both her legs on him.


    Naturally, as he pushed her knees towards her chest to get a clear view of herher area, Aria''s body reacted instinctively; her hands flew down to cover herself, trying to shield her dripping folds from his view.


    "....Pfft, what the?" Avendial checkered the site in front of him given how he had ced her thighs over her abdomen to look towards her pussy she had covered itpletely given her rose but was also visible but the way she hide it was amusing given her hands came from the lower side wrapping around her on thighs while covering her both tiny holes.


    "Wh-why are youughing?", Aria''s face flushed as she was struggling here and he wasughing while pushing her like this until this moment where she just wanted to have a conversation clearly feeling angered due to him.


    "What? Can''t I?", Avendial raised an eyebrow giving a teasing smile looking at her antics while feeling good enough that she was flown in this moment not using her brain at least.


    "Of course, NOT!" Aria yelled Her eyes widened with pupil contracting, feeling so much embarrassed that her heartbeat was raging, caressing against her ribs. Only she knew how much her body was trying to control itself from losing consciousness.


    "I see....hm, how about this?", Avendial tilting his head as if thinking something closed his eyes while slightly moved by side not much enough for Aria''s eyes to clearly capture the image of his thing as he first poitned His finger towards her and then towards his dick.


    Clearly shaking his hips to let his cock bounce free, the tip already glistening with precum.


    "Aaaahhh! YOU PERVERT!" Aria covered her face, her mind already numb, a rush of blood, seeing the sight which she knew her mind was never going to forget.


    "What pervert? It''s mutual deal, you saw mine, now it''s mine turn", Avendial shrugged his shoulder with a smirk tug on his face, clearly feeling her already broken mental defense even crumbling more, Knowing well that this little bit of push one after another would make sure that she never forget this moment.


    A rather unique way of confirming her loyalty.


    badump


    "A-Aven.... please..." Her heart pounded as she realized how far they had gone. She wanted to resist, to tell him to stop, but her voice came out in broken whimpers instead.


    ''.....'' Avendial, seeing that there was still a bit of retaliation left in her mind, turned his gaze towards her hand, which was trying to cover her hips, struggling due to their clearly different positions.


    "Unh?! W-wait....!" But her protest turned into a gasp when he pulled her hand forward, forcing her to feel his thick cock.


    The heat and throbbing hardness beneath her trembling fingers sent a jolt straight to her core.


    "Whaaaayyy" She couldn''t help but shudder, her pussy clenching involuntarily as she felt just how big he was.


    Yes, she was wrong.


    She was unable to touch her thumb with her middle finger.


    It was just damn too thick.


    "Phew~, be prepare..." With a low growl, his left hand which was holding her legs on his shoulder suddenly tightened its grip with other hand also hugging her thighs it was a momentary action where he just brought her legs straight while both hands clearly hugging her knees with his throbbing cock clearly aligned at her dripping pussy.


    "N¡ªno!"  Aria''s hands shot down to stop him, but he was faster.


    "Um, yes, I guess", In one smooth motion, he pushed the thick head of his cock against her dripping entrance, teasing her slit with slow, torturous strokes.


    PAH!


    ''!!!!''


    Aria''s eyes shot wide open, her back arching sharply as he thrust deep, breaking through her hymen.


    "Aaaaaahhh! N-No, it¡ªahhhnn¡ªit''s tearing me apart...!" she screamed, her voice raw with agony.


    Her entire body convulsed, trembling uncontrobly as the sharp pain shot through her core.


    She tried to stretch her hands to push him away, but her strength faltered.


    "


    Sob


    ...." Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, her lips trembling as she whimpered, "P-Please... it''s too big... too thick...!"


    Her fingers dug into the sheets, knuckles white, as she clenched her teeth, feeling every inch of him stretch her impossibly.


    "Aaghhhh....! P-pull it out....!"

 Chapter 141: Chapter 143 - A Fast Forward

    11:00 PM


    "Rx, Aria, Rx! It''s in now", Avendial saw her tears sttering around, clearly knowing that this would be painful. He tried his best to make it as less painful as possible, but he couldn''t do anything about his size.


    He can''t just cut it short, can he?


    It was definitely ufortable for someone who was a virgin to tackle that.


    He tried to go through two steps: the first one was to break the hymen and then go much deeper.


    However, seeing how her body was reacting, he leaned over her, leaving her legs falling beside him with his shaft inside her.


    He leaned into her body while her left hand reached toward him, and her right was pressed on the bed.


    He lifted her left hand, making her front turn slightly in his direction.


    Though it was ufortable to turnpletely with him inside her while she was lying sideways, he still sped her face.


    "Ahhh... it hurts..." She whimpered, biting her lips to endure the pain. His voice barely reached her as she felt an unknown pain in her lower region. Her legs trembled while he filled her, even though she was trapped between him and the bed.


    Right now, due to pain in her lower region, she could not even feel his abdomen resting over her left thigh, given that she was lying on her right side.


    Blood mixed with her juices, the warmth coating his shaft as he held himself inside her, giving her a moment to adjust to the sheer size stretching her out. He leaned in closer, his hands framing her tear-streaked face as he whispered, "Hey, Aria. Rx¡­ let me make it better."


    "Ah.... I-I" His words were a balm against the pain, and as he slowly started to move his hips, the initial burn began to fade.


    Squelch Squelch


    The wet sounds of his cock plunging in and out of her slick pussy filled the room, apanied by her broken moans and gasps. "N-No, s-stop... ohhh... I... ahhh..."


    Avendial''s hips mmed forward, driving his thick shaft deep into her tight, dripping pussy.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    The rhythmic sound of their bodies colliding echoed throughout the room, each thrust sending shockwaves through Aria''s trembling frame.


    The wet, obscene squelch of her juices only amplified as he moved, his cock relentlessly plunging deeper into her soft walls, stretching her beyond anything she had ever imagined.


    "Ahhh! N-no... too deep...!" Aria''s voice came out as a strangled cry, her legs trembling uncontrobly as they were pressed to her chest, the angle allowing him to reach ces that made her whole body jolt.


    Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, her eyes wide, pupils blown with a mixture of pain and a confusing surge of pleasure.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    The wet squelch grew louder with every thrust, her inner walls clinging desperately to him, trying to adjust to the brutal size filling her.


    Avendial''s grip on her thighs tightened, pulling her even closer, his chest brushing against hers as he leaned in to capture her lips again.


    But this time, his kiss was rough, almost punishing, as his tongue dominated hers, swallowing her broken cries.


    "Mmmf... nghhh! Hnngh... it... it hurts...!" Aria whimpered between gasps, her nails digging into his back, leaving red trails along his skin.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But he didn''t relent; instead, he drove into her harder, his thrusts quickening, hips snapping forward with brutal precision.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    "... I must say, you''re really tight..." Avendial growled against her lips, his breath hot and ragged.


    The lewd sounds of their bodies meeting,bined with the wet squelch of her overflowing juices, filled the room.


    With each thrust, he could feel her inner muscles trying to resist, then surrendering, hugging his cock with a desperate grip.


    "Aaaahhhh! Y-you''re... nghhh... tearing me...!" Aria sobbed, her entire body arching as his relentless pounding sent waves of both pain and unwanted pleasure coursing through her.


    Her hands clutched at the sheets, trying to ground herself, but each thrust sent her mind spiraling further into a haze of sensation.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    His cock hit her deepest spot, a surge of wetness gushing out, making the squelch even louder, her slick walls squeezing him tighter with every thrust.


    "It will be fine, just a moment," Avendial grunted, his hands sliding from her thighs to her hips, gripping her even tighter as he mmed into her, pulling her small frame closer.


    He could feel her trembling, her pussy clenching around him, unable to stop herself despite the pain.


    Aria''s moans turned into broken, breathless gasps, her body going limp as the relentless pleasure mixed with searing pain.


    12:28 AM


    Her head tilted back, eyes fluttering shut, her mind nking out to the wet, obscene sounds filling the air.


    "Ahhh... nghhh... I-I can''t... take... it...!"


    PAAHH!


    "Hnghhh~!"


    Avendial''s hips bucked violently onest time, his thick shaft throbbing as he released deep inside her quivering pussy.


    "Ugh...." he groaned, his grip tightening on her hips as he buried himself to the hilt, emptying himself in hot, powerful spurts.


    Aria''s walls clenched around him, milking every drop as she felt the sudden rush of warmth flooding her insides.


    Her eyes widened, a shudder coursing through her entire body, unable to control the way her pussy spasmed around him.


    Throb Throb


    Avendial stayed buried inside her, feeling the tight squeeze of her wet walls desperately trying to hold onto him.


    But as he slowly pulled out, a messy mixture of white cum and thin streaks of blood began to seep out, dripping down her swollen, stretched entrance.


    Aria''s body trembled violently, the intensity of her orgasm leaving her breathless.


    The sight of her half-worn jeans bunched around her knees made his cock twitch with renewed interest.


    1:15 AM


    With a swift, almost impatient motion, he tugged off her heels, then slid her jeans down her legs, leaving herpletely exposed.


    Her bodyy there, utterly limp and twitching, the aftershocks of pleasure making her thighs quiver.


    She tried to regain her breath, but before she could, Avendial''s arms wrapped around her.


    He lifted her with ease, her legs dangling as he spread them wide apart, exposing her swollen, cum-filled entrance.


    Her eyes fluttered open in a daze, only to widen in surprise as she felt him press her against his chest, his lips trailing along her jawline.


    With a rough yank, he tore open the rest of her shirt, letting her breasts spill free, the soft mounds jiggling slightly as he positioned her in the air.


    "Nghhh... please... no more..." Aria whimpered, her voice weak, but he ignored her pleas.


    His hands mped down on her breasts, fingers digging into the soft flesh as he angled her downward, guiding his cock back to her still-dripping entrance.


    He thrust back inside with a wet, obscene  squelch , her pussy swallowing him eagerly despite her body''s exhausted state.


    1:30 AM


    Aria''s head tilted back, her cries muffled as he began pounding into her once more, holding her suspended above him.


    Her legs trembled, toes curling as she clung to his shoulders for support.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    The loud ps of skin meeting skin filled the air as Avendial''s hips moved with relentless force.


    Her wetness coated his shaft, every thrust drawing more juices from her.


    He adjusted his grip, bending her legs further apart, her pussy gushing around him, betraying her protests.


    Aria''s eyes were zed, overwhelmed by the sensation of his cock repeatedly hitting her deepest spot.


    "Mmm... i-it will be fine..." Avendial growled, his fingers pinching her nipples while he continued to hammer into her.


    The new angle sent sharp jolts of pleasure through her body, her back arching as he filled her with each brutal thrust.


    With her body barely holding together, he shifted her position once more,ying her on her stomach on the bed, her ass raised, and legs spread wide.


    Her arms gave out, her chest pressing into the sheets as he mounted her from behind.


    He gripped her hips, pulling her into him with every deep thrust.


    Aria''s muffled moans mixed with desperate gasps, her fingers clutching the sheets as he took her deeper than before.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    Her pussy clenched around him, the mixture of pain and relentless pleasure driving her to another peak.


    Avendial kept her pinned beneath him, not slowing down even as she squirted again, her juices sttering onto the sheets, her entire body convulsing from the force of her release.


    But he didn''t let her rest, flipping her onto her side, one of her legs draped over his shoulder as he drilled into her from a new angle.


    2:00 AM


    2:53 AM


    The night wore on like that¡ªAvendial experimenting with her limp, trembling form, finding new ways to angle himself to hit her deepest spots.


    Sometimes he would pull outpletely, leaving her gasping and trembling, only to m back inside and start anew.


    3:37 AM


    It appeared that it was more than pleasure; it was his way of somehow continuing toe inside her, even though it was definitely going to take a toll on his own body.


    Still, he once again painted her insides white, given the clock kept moving.


    4:13 AM


    He folded her into different positions: her legs spread wide as he stood on the bed, thrusting down into her helpless form; or holding her upright against the wall, her breasts bouncing with every powerful thrust.


    Aria''s mind was a haze of pleasure, her voice lost to the continuous moans and cries of overstimtion.


    Her once-defiant spirit melted into pure submission, her body responding to him with every thrust, every p of skin, and every wet squelch  that filled the room until the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows.


    5:10 AM

 Chapter 142: Chapter 144 - Double Awakening (1)

    5:18 AM


    As the first rays of dawn filtered through the ss walls of the presidential suite, they cast a soft, golden hue across the room.


    The light fell upon a disheveled bed, where once pristine white bedsheets were now drenched, heavy with the thick scent of sex and sweat.


    Trails of sticky, white cum were smeared all over, remnants of their hours-long debauchery.


    Avendialy sprawled, one leg restingzily on the bed while the other hung off the edge, his body half-slumped, utterly rxed.


    Just below him, Aria''s limp form was positioned with her head resting near his crotch.


    Her lips were stretched around his semi-hard cock, swollen and marked from hours of relentless use.


    Her teeth lightly grazed his shaft as he absently thrust into her mouth, his fingers wrapped around the base, guiding it deeper with a slow, teasing rhythm.


    "Mmngh...," Aria''s muffled sounds were faint, her eyes barely open,pletely drained.


    Avendial''s hand gripped her hair, not to force her, but tozily guide himself in and out of her mouth.


    With each slow push, he ground her teeth against his sensitive shaft, the rough texture sending shivers of pleasure up his mind.


    The room was filled with the lewd sounds of wet sucking and the faint pping of his cock against her lips.


    Her throat convulsed weakly as he pushed deeper, holding her in ce, feeling the subtle resistance of her gag reflex.


    His breath hitched, his grip tightening as his hips began to thrust lightly.


    "Yeah... just like that," he muttered, his voice low and husky.


    His cock throbbed, veins pulsing as he neared his climax once more.


    Without warning, he drove himself all the way in, groaning deeply as he came, spurting hot, thick ropes of cum directly into her throat.


    Aria''s eyes fluttered, her throat reflexively swallowing as best as her exhausted body could manage, though some of his release spilled out, dribbling from the corners of her mouth.


    Pulling out slowly, his cock still twitching, he let it rest against her cheek for a moment, watching as more cum dribbled from her parted lips.


    Her entire body waspletely limp, her pussy still leaking from the night''s previous onught, the mix of his seed and her own fluids pooling between her thighs.


    Avendial took a deep breath, savoring the sight. Her usually defiant eyes were now dazed, her body utterly spent, yet still a perfect toy for his desires.


    Gently, he lifted her head, pulling her away from his cock.


    "I am sorry, Aria," he whispered, brushing a thumb over her cum-slicked lips.


    Her eyelids fluttered, her body twitching involuntarily as thest remnants of her orgasmic haze slowly faded, her tear-streaked eyes staring nkly, haunted by the painful memory from the night before.


    "L-leave me!" Aria said, feeling a slight lift of her lips. She tried to push him away, lifting her body, but due to numbness, her body fell onto the bed once again.


    Clearly unable to gather any strength, her mind reyed a painful memory from the previous night.


    "I had a reason for doing that, please, Aria," Avendial said, seeing her reaction.


    He understood that more than anything, tonight he had gone too hard on her.


    Even though his body was exhausted and he literally wanted to fall asleep, he was still holding up due to sheer willpower.


    It was more than just pleasure for him; it was a task that needed to bepleted to secure his future.


    He sighed as his eyes nced toward Aria''s expression, which clearly showed that she was terrified and disgusted with him.


    He remembered that small but significant setback in her mood.


    ---


    2:00 AM


    The echoes of their previous night''s escapades began to rey in Avendial''s mind.


    Hours earlier, beneath the cloak of darkness, the bed had groaned with every forceful thrust of his hips.


    Aria had been on all fours, her face buried in the sweat-soaked sheets,pletely lost in the throes of pleasure.


    Her mouth hung open, drool dribbling down her chin as she cried out with each relentless thrust, her body quaking under the continuous assault.


    Her pussy was still clenching around him as she came, her orgasm drawing more of his shaft into her slick depths.


    While the pleasure was intense, he wasn''t focused on enjoying it; instead, he found himself needing to produce as much semen as possible, having misjudged his current state.


    His body was not keeping up with his mind; in the tower, he had good experience in this, but now, after just three orgasms, he could feel that his shaft was hurting.


    It was taking too much of his willpower to keep it erect.


    In the end, just the sensation of doing it wasn''t enough to keep him erect, as he had already experienced too much of it, and his mind had be numb to this pleasure.


    But this body was still new, very new; if he remembered correctly, he had not even held a woman''s hand.


    Not that he was shy, but more so invested in his business and work.


    So, having stamina for sex all night long was tough, but he still kept going.


    At that moment, his eyes noticed a shadow near a mirror lying in the room, revealing the silhouette of a woman secretly recording a video from the balcony.


    It was Billie.


    His eyes widened for a moment, causing his hand to instinctively clench over the soft skin of Aria, while his mind tried to understand what he could possibly do if that woman used that video against him.


    Most probably, she would first show this video to Aecilia.


    While he was contemting his options, even considering the extreme possibility of eliminating her, he realized that he definitely could not do so given both their strengths.


    Suddenly, an idea struck him¡ªone that could handle everything if he managed to awaken Aria before Aecilia arrived.


    Even though he was engaged in this activity, he was not confident that she could undergo double awakening immediately after he was done with her.


    Her experiencing double awakening was inevitable, but it would take one or two days for her body to recover, especially not after they had finished this long night with him emptying his load twice or thrice.


    Unlike evolvers, who possess raw Synergy, an awakened individual''s Synergy is already transformed into her unique ability.


    This means it is much more deeply infused within her body than normal, prompting him to resolve to fill Aria with as much of his bodily fluid as possible and teach a lesson to this woman who was making a video on the balcony without knowing how dangerous it was to mess with him.


    A clear lesson which he had determined to give Billie this morning.


    Putting things aside, he once again focused his eyes on Aria, who was beneath his chest. His gaze eventually wandered to her other, tighter entrance¡ªher rosebud.


    Without warning, he withdrew from her soaked pussy, leaving her panting and confused.


    "W-wait..." Aria mumbled, still lost in the haze of pleasure. But he had already guided his cock towards her puckered entrance.


    "Shh... just rx," he whispered against her ear, his chest pressing against her trembling back.


    She was entirely limp now, her body ttened against the mattress. Leaning closer, his hot breath brushed her ear, "I promise... just this once. It''ll hurt, but you''ll take it."


    ''!?''


    His words sent a chill down her spine, her eyes widening as she realized his intentions.


    "N-no... wait, stop¡ª" Her protests turned into broken gasps as she felt the swollen head of his cock pushing against her resisting hole.


    Avendial held her wrists tightly, pinning them above her head, their fingers intertwining as he pushed in deeper, ignoring her muffled cries.


    Pah!


    With one hard thrust, he drove himself fully inside, a guttural groan escaping his lips.


    "Anghhhh....!"  Aria''s eyes rolled back, a strangled scream tearing from her throat as her body adjusted to the sudden intrusion.


    Her ass clenched desperately around him, the pain mixing with unwanted pleasure as he began to move.


    "Ah! Ah! It hurts!" Her broken cries filled the room, but Avendial was relentless.


    Pah! Pah!


    The bed creaked beneath theirbined weight as he started to pound her, her slender form trapped between his muscr body and the mattress.


    The pain was unbearable at first, but with each forceful thrust, it gradually faded into a haze of confusing pleasure.


    Tears streamed down her cheeks, her exhausted body trembling beneath him.


    His grip on her hands tightened as his pace turned erratic, his groans deepening.


    With one final, deep thrust, he buried himself fully inside her, his hot seed spilling into her.


    Aria''s entire body convulsed, pushed into another unwilling orgasm as her pussy leaked more fluids onto the already ruined sheets.


    When he finally withdrew, her asshole leaked his cum, her limp body copsing entirely onto the bed.


    ---n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    5:18 AM


    "Stay away from me! You are a monster!" Aria yelled, her body not even in a position to move, but her eyes trembling as she looked in that man''s direction, clearly remembering thest night and how much pain he had inflicted.


    He wasn''t the same as he looked; he was merciless, a lustful animal.


    She could feel her whole body sore, and even more was a pulse; there was a taste of something unpleasant in her mouth.


    "Aria, whatever I did was for your own good¡ª!?" Before Avendial could begin manipting her and calming her down, suddenly his eyes widened.


    Not with surprise, but with the eptance and anticipation he had already conceived as a shining light in front of his eyes.


    Something he had thought to witness months after returning to the past now shone brightly above Aria''s body as it started to shroud her entire naked form.


    Looking at this, only one thing came to his mind.


    ''Double Awakening.....''

 Chapter 143: Chapter 145 - Awakened

    ''Double Awakening,'' Avendial thought as he witnessed a radiant orb shimmering above Aria''s body.


    Slowly, the warmth of the aura began to ooze out, enveloping the nearby area.


    As it expanded, the glowpletely surrounded Aria, illuminating her form with a gentle light that obscured her bare skin yet revealed nothing.


    "Huh? Huh? Wh-what is this?!" Aria eximed, her senses ignited by the warm, tingling sensation that enveloped her.


    Though not painful, it was undeniably strange.


    She instinctively let her hands wander, exploring her body.


    As she looked at her fingers, she realized something astonishing: the pain she had felt moments before was fading away.


    It was as if her body was mending itself, particrly in her lower regions where the agony had been most intense.


    It felt like a miracle.


    She could feel the healing coursing through her, but morepelling than that physical sensation was the rush of emotions surging through her mind.


    Her gaze fixed upon Avendial standing nearby, and the moment her eyes met his, her thoughts froze.


    ''!?!''


    ''W-where is his title?!'' Aria''s mind began to calm despite the whirlwind of emotions.


    For the first time, she noticed that the title she usually saw hovering above his head had vanished.


    In her pain-ridden state throughout the night, she hadn''t realized it, but now, a shocked expression spread across her face as she noticed an odd glitch shimmering above him.


    It wasn''t just the absence of the title; something more was amiss.


    "Don''t move, Aria!" Avendialmanded, acutely aware that the double awakening process could heal a person''s body.


    He understood that the absorption of psi energy not only enhanced one''s abilities but also facilitated miraculous healing.


    This phenomenon, although not yet fully understood, was a life-saver under critical conditions.


    For instance, someone on the brink of death who underwent a double awakening would not only awaken theirtent potential but return to their peak condition.


    From Avendial''s observations, the logical exnation for this extraordinary healingy in the fact that double awakening only urred during life-threatening situations.


    A person needed to be in grave danger, teetering on the edge of death, to unlock their true capabilities.


    As a result, going through a double awakening at thest moment effectively granted them a second chance at life, restoring them to their original state while making them stronger.


    However, right now, his priority was to reassure Aria and show her that his intentions were genuine.


    With that in mind, Avendial lunged forward and embraced her tightly, cradling her body against him.


    ''!?''


    "Wh-what?! L-leave me! You''re evil!" Aria shouted in protest.


    Caught off guard by the unexpected hug, she felt the healing light enveloping her but was still haunted by the emotional scars from the torturous night before.


    Desperate to push Avendial away, she struggled, but her efforts proved futile against his formidable strength.


    "Stop, damn it! Ughhh!¡ªkughh!?" Avendial tightened his grip around her waist, burying his face near her neck as he screamed¡ªliterally screamed¡ªout in pain, or at least he tried to convey the intensity of his suffering to her.


    "Huh? Wh-what happened to you?" Aria, initially enraged by his actions, suddenly found her mind locked in a moment of confusion.


    Feeling him tighten his hold as he screamed in agony, she paused, unable to move, even as she clearly sensed his body trembling.


    "N-nothing... kughh... A-Aria, just wait.


    You will awaken your hidden ability soon enough... Cough!"


    Avendial Koft, or rather the character he was ying, was acting as if he were on the verge of death.


    Given that he had survived a forest teeming with beasts, he was more than equipped to handle the likes of a small rabbit.


    His performance was so convincing that even a God would have to look twice to be sure.


    "W-wait? What is happening to you?!" Aria felt her mind clearing, realizing that her body was now healed.


    The faint light surrounding her was fading, turning into shimmering dust that gradually vanished.


    In the chaos of the moment, the background faded as her focus turned toward the man¡ªher tormentor¡ªnow crying in her embrace.


    Despite the rage she felt toward him for the torment he had inflicted all night, seeing and hearing him scream¡ªand feeling his temperature rise and body tremble¡ªtriggered a panic within her.


    Her hand, resting on his shoulder, instinctively moved to console him, forgetting for a moment all the pain he had caused.


    Cough!


    "Khuckk!... Haa... Haa..."


    "Aven! What happened? Tell me!" Aria felt her heart skip a beat when she heard another scream escape him.


    Her mind raced as confusion swirled; she could no longer deny that he was genuinely in pain.


    Desperate to understand the reason behind his anguish, she wondered if it was somehow connected to the light.


    "Ugh¡­ cough¡­ I¡­ I''m sorry," Avendial finally managed to say, forcing himself to keep his eyes open and redden them as he gasped for breath.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He slowly attempted to distance himself from Aria, whose face was painted with a clear expression of panic.


    As he struggled to breathe, feigning a near-fatal state, Avendial noticed the expected concern written all over Aria''s features.


    He had taken enough time to observe her¡ªtwo or three days was more than enough to understand her character.


    Despite having lost the love of her life to a woman celebrated as a heroine, Aria disyed unwavering strength interwoven with an undeniable kindness, showcasing theplexities of her nature.


    He concluded that, beyond her strong intellect, it was her inherent kindness that prevented her from taking action against the woman who had stolen her love¡ªLin


    If he, possessing a somewhat capable mind, were ced in her situation, he would have done anything to eliminate such a rival.


    Thus, it was clear to him that Aria was, above all, a kind person.


    There is amon trait among kind-hearted individuals¡ªspecifically, those who harbor kindness deeply yet struggle to express it through charity or overt gestures.


    Such individuals often believe that if someone has wronged them, there is an 80% chance they would forgive that person if they chose to apologize.


    If the individual who inflicted harm on them was not a loved one or family member, they would likely extend forgiveness, provided the offender sought it.


    However, it is another matter entirely that these same kind individuals, once pushed past their kindness, can be formidable foes¡ªdemons from whom even he must keep his distance.


    But in the initial stages, tormenting them and demanding an apology in a manner that elicits guilt could provide relief, as evidenced by his own performance of pain, which allowed Aria, tormented all night, to momentarily forget her troubles.


    He didn''t view this as forgiveness but rather as proof of her anxiety and worry for him.


    Her concern illustrated that her anger towards him was far outweighed by a space he had carved in her heart¡ªa space he had himself created and secured.


    But his aim for acting this way was definitely not to make her forget everything, considering it was impossible for her to forget this night.


    But instead, what he wanted was two things.


    First, to act this way so he could know and confirm what things she is able to see after her double awakening on him.


    And second was, if she is able to tell about his curses.


    So, the best way to know those things was to act and get himself caught while acting.


    "What are you doing?!" Aria eximed the moment she saw him trying to distance himself, only to fall to the floor.


    As he copsed, her eyes widened in rm, and she leaped out of the bed, rushing to his side.


    Her gaze swept over his body, desperate to understand why he was in such agony.


    Was he injured somehow? Did something happen due to that light?


    "N-no, I''m fine, it''s just¡ªUgh..."


    Avendial observed as she leaped out of bed,pletely unbothered by her nakedness.


    She ced a hand on his shoulder, her expression a mixture of shock and something else.


    Her eyes darted away from his, focusing instead on an invisible point between them, as if there were something intangible separating them.


    "Huh? Why are you acting?"


    ''Finally...'' Avendial thought, momentarily relieved as Aria spoke those words.


    He nced at her, noticing her bewildered expression.


    It was clear she was seeing something beyond the ordinary, probably his status window.


    Her words suggested that she could perceive his emotional state.


    Understanding this, he merely shrugged his shoulders; it seemed like the right moment to drop his act.


    Her anger toward him had already vanished.


    "So what? Would you have believed me if I told you this was all to help you awaken your power?"


    ''!?''


    "Wh-what?" Aria eximed, her focus breaking as she blinked, confusion washing over her face.


    The implication of his words seemed to dawn on her, making it clear that he had been acting all along.


    If not for the screen that had appeared before her, she might have believed him.


    Her eyes twitched in irritation as she regarded him, annoyance evident in her expression.


    "Y-you..."


    "I love you, Aria," Avendial added, deliberately crafting a moment filled with emotion, hoping to overwhelm her anger.


    It felt akin to using poison tobat poison, as he shot an emotional arrow aimed directly at her now-calm mind.


    badump


    "Y-you....Eh? You''re lying?" Aria''s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly checked her status screen, which revealed something that made her frown.


    ''.....''


    Avendial couldn''t see what was on her screen, but as realization began to dawn on him, his expression turned nk.


    It became apparent that she could discern whether he was being truthful or not, something he hadn''t anticipated.


    His eyes narrowed; given that if this was indeed true, it was a hassle. Naturally, in that moment, if she was able to really tell if he was lying or not, he would need to get rid of her.


    He would never allow someone he couldn''t control.


    This prompted him to inquire for confirmation, while his hand clearly tightened, and his eyes coldly fixed on her, just to get the confirmation and eliminate her. "You can tell if I''m telling the truth or lying?"


    ".....It was just a fluke," Aria said, recalling how his heart rate had remained steady when he confessed his feelings.


    She reasoned that if someone were genuinely confessing their love, their heart rate would naturally increase.


    Faced with his nk stare, she began to understand that he had been deceiving her all along.


    This awareness sent her into a wave of frustration.


    Her mouth twitched as she closed her eyes and turned her body away from him, feeling simultaneously helpless and annoyed that he would lie to her given that he had professed his love more than a hundred times all night long.


    "Go away! I hate you!

 Chapter 144: Chapter 146 - Ability

    ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[


    Name: Avendial Croceaus


    Title: Marquess, Regressed Viin, The ck Vessel, Cursed One.


    Race: Human


    Age: 23


    ss: Undesignated


    Level: 1


    Vitality: 78/97 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Synergy Levels: NULL


    Stamina: 09/80 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Strength: 12/70 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Agility: 70/80 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Mental strength: 150/100 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Intelligence: 130/100 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Charm: 94/100 --?  (:- Compare with other races )


    Luck: ck (Every action faces a 96% likelihood of failing.)


    Emotional State: Focused, Calm and Composed


    Physical Condition: Exhausted


    Physical stats: 74 beats per minute, 19 breaths per minute.


    Abilities: NULL --? Cursed


    see more...n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a


    ''What was that?'' Aria thought, her expression one of sheer shock as her mind reyed the status window that had appeared just moments ago.


    It hade out of nowhere, and unlike the usual brief titles she was familiar with, this one was filled with so many details that it left her bewildered.


    Yet, amidst the confusion, she could sense an underlying connection, leading her to realize that she had awakened this ability, just as he had informed her.


    Memories of Avendial''s words came rushing back.


    He had mentioned that he orchestrated everything to help her unlock her potential.


    While a part of her was still furious with him, the anger hadn''t quite crossed the line into hatred.


    She understood that his intentions had been to aid her in awakening this power, but that didn''t mean she would simply forgive him for his actions.


    After all, this was her first time experiencing such a phenomenon, and the unpleasant memories associated with being subjected to his previous perverted antics lingered like a bad taste in her mind.


    "Huh... I see," Avendial said, his expression shifting to one of intensity as he gradually regained hisposure.


    He realized that she likely couldn''t tell whether he was being truthful or deceptive.


    He made a quick guess, a miscalction that led him to take responsibility for falling into the trap of misunderstanding what she meant.


    He quickly corrected himself, adding, "Then, it seems you will be safe now once I leave City A, I suppose."


    ''!?''


    "...What do you mean?" Aria asked, her surprise evident.


    She couldn''t quite grasp the implication of his words.


    However, her mind had calmed somewhat, and as the events of the previous day began to resurface, she recalled how he had told her he wouldn''t meet with her again and had left the academy after expressing his disappointment when he found she wasn''t the same person he had encountered in the future.


    Hearing these new words from him now caused her heart to skip a beat.


    "I mean, I helped you awaken your ability, so even if I am not here, you will be just fine," Avendial rified, locking eyes with her.


    He reminded her¡ªperhaps for the first time¡ªthat it was he who had guided her to this awakening.


    He believed that a touch of emotional maniption was crucial at this moment; after all, the entire situation had unfolded with her feeling overwhelmed and cornered, receiving assistance at a high personal cost to her rescuer.


    Transforming that sense of gratitude into something deeper, such as love, required aplex sequence of actions¡ªnot just a single overture.


    His every word and the way hemunicated were not just random; they were deliberate, intended to prevent her mind from grasping the unsettling reality of when and how he had constructed a favorable space for his memories within her.


    At that moment, what he had yet to explore was her ability¡ªspecifically, the information it allowed her to perceive.


    What did the status window reveal to her?


    What other insights were avable beyond her understanding?


    "Why are you talking like this?" Aria muttered, her voice strained.


    Her face was partially obscured by her clenched hands, but it was evident she felt the weight of his nonchnce in stark contrast to the torment he had inflicted on her throughout the night.


    He hadn''t even offered an apology for his cruelty, nor had he revealed how he had helped her awaken this ability, which he seemed to imply was a sacrifice he had made on her behalf.


    His words painted a picture: he hadpelled himself to endure this torment for her sake, believing it would aid her in developing this power¡ªone he wasn''t willing to im for himself, even at the cost of his own exhaustion.


    From his demeanor, she could see how much strength he had lost.


    The stats he disyed mirrored the stark decline from his peak condition to a state of depletion, where his stamina and strength were severely diminished.


    This realization weighed heavily on her, amplifying her burden in the face of his gestures of kindness.


    He was overwhelming her with all the kindness he showered upon her, yet he made no demands in return, causing her to mumble, "Why?"


    "Sorry?" Avendial responded, though he had clearly heard her.


    Ignoring the intensity of her emotions, he allowed his hand to rest gently on her shoulder.


    It was meant as a gesture of physicalfort, an attempt to connect with her even as she struggled to contain her feelings¡ªones that eventually spilled over.


    "Go away!" Aria shouted, her anger directed at both herself and him.


    How could he profess to love her when he seemed so oblivious to the turmoil she was experiencing?


    She loathed the future version of herself, one that had likely grown ustomed to his generosity and sacrifices¡ªevident from how he also seemed to habitually sacrifice things for her.


    It felt as though she had be a pawn in a game where he endlessly offered favors, all without asking for anything in return, prompting her to wonder if her future self had transformed into someone who epted it all without question.


    If she were to ce herself in his position and imagine returning to the past, she would undoubtedly feel disheartened and sad to see the person she loves taking her efforts for granted, failing to appreciate her favors.


    She realized that she was now in a simr situation¡ªinitially hoping for someone to assist her father, yet being selfishly fixated on waiting for him toe to her aid.


    Throughout the night, she cursed him as harshly as possible, oblivious to the fact that everything he did was for her benefit, all aimed at ensuring she could live longer and awaken her potential.


    Despite the tumultuous events at the academy and her explicit insistence that she was no longer the same as her future self, he continued to make efforts to help her in any way he could.


    Upon hearing his words and noticing the status window revealing the extent of his exhaustion, it became painfully clear that he was pushing himself beyond his limits to assist her.


    All the while, he endured the anguish of being med by her, despite being the very person who sought to help her through it all.


    "....." Avendial stood in the dimly lit room, absorbing Aria''s frantic yelling as she firmly insisted he leave.


    He understood that her outburst was more about releasing her pent-up anger and emotions rather than a genuine desire for him to depart.


    He had experienced this kind of episode before, and despite her apparent demand, he sensed she didn''t truly mean it.


    He was tired, his body craving rest, but in his mind, he urged himself to hang on for just a few more minutes.


    He knew that if he didn''t act now, he would forfeit one of the crucial advantages he held in this journey.


    Thus, he steeled himself and made his way toward the bathroom.


    "Where are you going?" Aria yelled again, her voice thick with bewilderment as she sat on the floor, emotionally overwhelmed.


    She was grappling with the weight of his unwavering support and the absence of any warnings about the future, the looming threats of a world that could destroy them, and the significance of her unique abilities.


    It was as though he was raising walls to shield her from harsh truths while simultaneously empowering her to navigate this tumultuous reality.


    Aria was all too familiar with the pain of unreciprocated feelings, realizing how devastating it can be when someone does everything they can for the person they care about, only to find that love isn''t returned.


    She perceived the sadness behind Avendial''s fa?ade, the way his gaze lingered on her¡ªshe was a mirror image of the woman he loved, yet there was an undeniable difference.


    "I need to pee," Avendial remarked casually, shrugging off the tension that hung in the air.


    He aimed to lighten the mood, knowing all too well how overwhelmed she had be.


    It was crucial to keep her grounded, to prevent her from spiraling into confusion again, especially since he needed her insights into her abilities, not another trance akin to the one from the night before.


    "Ahem, y-you can go then," Aria stammered, feeling her heart race as embarrassment washed over her.


    She instinctively pped her hand over her face, eyes covered, blushing for having questioned him about his destination.


    It should have been obvious.


    A fleeting nce towards the bathroom confirmed it, and she could hardly believe it herself.


    ''!?''


    "W-wah?! What are you doing here?" Aria eximed, startled to find him suddenly close, just a half-hand''s distance away.


    His rxed smile only intensified her surprise.


    The teasing that had be a regr feature of their interactions this night suddenly returned to her mind, a stark contrast to the serious matters they had just been grappling with.


    "Tell me, what are the things you can see?" Avendial asked directly, maintaining his smile as he kept his gaze trained on her, sensing her mood had lightened.


    Hearing his question, her eyes widened before settling into a look of calm determination.


    She nodded, visibly preparing to share everything with him.

 Chapter 145: Chapter 147- A Revelation (1)

    Inside one of the hotel rooms in the presidential suite, two individuals were seated as they dressed themselves.


    One was a man with silver hair and striking blue eyes, who adjusted his suit while tightening his belt.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The other was a woman wearing a stylish white shirt and jeans.


    Her undergarments were a mess, so she opted to wear her jeans and shirt instead, tossing the discarded items into a nearby dustbin.


    "I see. What titles did youe across regarding me?" Avendial asked, nodding thoughtfully as he considered taking a bath after they finished.


    He knew that Aecilia could arrive at any moment.


    Meanwhile, Aria focused on gathering details about the unusual abilities she possessed.


    "It was the Marquess, Regressed Viin, The ck Vessel, and the Cursed One," Aria replied.


    Having regained some control over her mind and feeling much calmer now, she reflected on her physical condition, which had healed without difort.


    However, she couldn''t ignore the sensation of her clothes against her skin¡ªthe rough fabric of her jeans brushing against still-sensitive areas served as a potent reminder of the intensity of their previous night, in which her undergarments had be casualties.


    There was a palpable hint of anger within her, but with her mind more settled, she recognized that all the secrets kept from her were not solely for mere pleasure.


    Guilt began to wash over her; she felt selfish for not reciprocating his feelings, mirroring her own past actions with Lin, who had behaved simrly over the years.


    Suddenly, a wave of recognition washed over Avendial as the mention of "Vessel" stirred memories rooted deeply within him.


    He pressed his hand against his heart, exhaling slowly to calm himself.


    ''What the?!'' Aria thought, her gaze snapping to Avendial as she noticed his heartbeat spike dramatically before gradually returning to a calmer rhythm.


    Her eyes narrowed, settling on his face, which bore a familiar calmness, betraying nothing of the impact that the title had on him.


    However, she knew from the rise in his heart rate that he was aware of what the term meant, and it clearly stirred emotions within him¡ªfeelings of fear, anger, and hatred.


    "What did my abilities say?" Avendial asked, adjusting his cor as he took a seat on the bed to put on his shoes.


    He was eager to learn what had been recorded about him.


    "It stated NULL in that section... along with ''cursed''," Aria replied, feeling perturbed.


    His apparent negative luck seemed to emphasize the notion of his viinous title, prompting a surge of empathy within her.


    She recognized the simrities between their fates¡ªboth were devastated by circumstances beyond their control, trapped in destinies tinted ck.


    However, the implication of being ''cursed'' weighed heavily on her, reminding her that despite calming herself after the events of the previous night, the memories lingered, filled mostly with the words he had spoken and her embarrassing moments.


    At that moment, he seemed remarkably simr to her.


    There wasn''t much distinction between them; he, too, attempted to emte the actions she would have taken towards Lynn, yet he would never have received any appreciation for it.


    Now she found herself acting selfishly, even after he had extended so many favors to her, disying the same resentfulness that made her loathe herself for not being able to genuinely reciprocate his feelings.


    Deep down, she recognized that she had indeed fallen for him, yet she couldn''t shake the feeling that no matter how hard she tried, her love would never measure up to his.


    She was constantly aware that despite everything, he still chose to be with her, which left her feeling restless and consumed by self-doubt, questioning whether she truly deserved him.


    "I see, so there hasn''t been any mention of which curse, has there?" Avendial remarked, asionally observing her bodynguage as he tied his shoces.


    It was evident to him that she was grappling with her thoughts, though he didn''t particrly care whether her emotions were sincere or not.


    All he needed was her loyalty¡ªnot a boundless, passionate love.


    Even if he desired it deep down, he understood he could never love someone fully, constrained as he was by the curses inscribed in his fate.


    What he required was her presence by his side, like a subordinate receiving slight care and kindness from its master.


    "There is a ''see more'' option, but whenever I click on it, it keeps disying a message like¡ª" Aria exined, her forefinger hovering over the touchscreen as she tapped on the status window in front of her.


    ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[


    Insufficient level of Synergy to check Curse        awakening condition.


    ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a


    "Insufficient Synergy?" Avendial pondered her words as he stood, looking at her and realizing that her unique ability was not without its drawbacks.


    The main issue seemed to be ack of synergy levels, which impeded her ability to clearlymunicate the awakening conditions or other vital information without sufficient synergy.


    As he contemted this, he kept his gaze locked on hers, noticing a strange change; her eyes, typically a natural ck, were beginning to take on a reddish hue¡ªspecifically, her pupils were turning red.


    Gagan Srivastava also observed this oddity, recognizing that after undergoing a double awakening, various changes urred within the body.


    However, he chose to focus on the more pressing problem at hand.


    Unlike evolvers, who could synthesize Synergy at will, imperials with vacant abilities faced a significant challenge: they had no straightforward way to collect Synergy.


    Their bodies were already bonded with their abilities, making it arduous for them to practice using Synergy effectively.


    While it wasn''t impossible for imperials to generate Synergy, the central issue was that until the tower arrived, there were no means to ess a sufficiently dense amount of Synergy for one to feel its presence pulsating in the air.


    In contrast, evolvers possessed heightened sensitivity; even now, in this current environment, they could easily sense the Synergy surrounding them.


    For imperials, the scenario was different.


    Although their bodies could draw upon Synergy when their abilities were activated, they still faced limitations.


    The volume of Synergy they could utilize depended significantly on their surroundings.


    For instance, when Aria activated her appraisal ability, it relied on the Synergy within a radius of perhaps 10 to 20 meters around her.


    Given the scarcity of Synergy in her immediate area, she was naturally at a disadvantage,cking sufficient resources to employ her appraisal ability at an advanced level.


    Of course, there were solutions like those energy crystals developed in Croceaus territory, which could hold Synergy for a limited time.


    However, these solutions were not permanent.


    Theplexity of the situation weighed on Avendial''s mind as he heard the faint click of the door within the room.


    Krrieeek


    Soon enough, the door creaked open, revealing a woman with cold, piercing eyes ¡ª Aecilia, who had a master key to the room.


    Behind her followed another woman who bore a striking resemnce to Aecilia.


    Yet, while Aecilia epitomized the traditional allure of femininity with ck lipstick and a nonchnt demeanor,plemented by her cascading ck hair and dark purple nightgown adorning her curves, this second woman contrasted sharply with her tomboyish appearance: she had short, tousled grey hair and wore a confident smirk while dressed in a jogging coat and dress.


    "Leave the room right now," Aeciliamanded as she stepped inside. Her golden eyes were cold, and her face showed no hint of expression as she looked towards Aria.

 Chapter 146: Chapter 148 - A Revelation (2)

    Aecilia''s re was fixed on Aria, who instinctively felt the chill of fear that she had experienced before from just one look.


    Surprisingly, however, Aria stood her ground and showed no signs of retreat, even though she appeared to tremble slightly at Aecilia''s presence.


    Aecilia, aware of the effectiveness of her intimidation, chose not to escte the situation further, as she needed to have an important conversation with the Marquess.


    "Why would I?" Aria asked, hearing the sound of a door opening.


    A woman stepped through, the very woman holding the title of the Sovereign Heroine she had so vividly remembered from her memories of the previous day and that day at the academy.


    The horror of those memories still lingered, but this time it was merely a recollection, prompting Aria to tilt her head curiously.


    In front of her, a status window regarding this woman shed, and despite her fears, it felt as though she was peering directly into her soul.


    Without a trace of trepidation, Aria dered her observations.


    Unlike the oppressive atmosphere that had enveloped her the previous day, a new sensation washed over her¡ªone that allowed her to see through the woman before her. Initially stirring a flicker of fear within her, it now made Aria feel as if she were superior.


    It felt as though she were gazing into the very core of the woman''s secrets, where the effects of her title, which instilled fear in Aria, now lingered on the surface while her eyes were deep within.


    ''...?''


    Aecilia, feeling the weight of Aria''s gaze upon her, registered the once-trembling voice of the young girl, now firm.


    She stood there, arms crossed, ring back with eyes that had taken on a fierce red hue¡ªunlike the one that Aecilia remembered¡ªseemingly imbued with enough strength to face Aecilia without flinching.


    "Haah¡­ Was this the reason for all that?" Aecilia muttered.


    A spark of understanding flickered within her as she recognized the difference in Aria''s demeanorpared to the previous day.


    The girl had, in a sense, been tamed without fully realizing it.


    Of course, it wasn''t entirely urate to call it "taming," for Aecilia knew that Aria was not an object to be controlled.


    Nevertheless, the maniption of people''s emotions was a clear indication of someone who wielded power over others, much like how a tamer would.


    The video Billie had shown of those intense scenarios, where all night in an intense battle Aria showed anger and clear hatred towards Marquess, contrasted with Aria''s reaction now¡ªthis had illuminated everything for Aecilia.


    Rather than expressing anger towards the man responsible, Aria seems to have a favorable tone with him, clearly appearing to be someone trying to protect her own interests.


    Aecilia had previously discerned how deeply Aria feared her, but seeing her clearly unfazed today made it clear that the drawback of her ability had most probably vanished.


    Somehow, Aecilia also became curious to know exactly what had happened to this girl that made her fear her so much yesterday. Now that she seems to be healed, it appeared possible to inquire.


    "Aecilia and Aria, take a seat. I have something important to discuss with both of you," Avendial said, relieved that he didn''t need to spend an excessive amount of time exining things to Aecilia.


    Instead of acting naive and pointing fingers, she seemed to grasp theplexities of the situation.


    Give a natural instinct of someone who imed to be in love with him, not just for example, consider Rivia; it would create a very messy situation where her reaction would be overwhelming.


    Unlike Aecilia, who, even though she imed to love him, still showed that calmness, which clearly made him feel somewhat relieved and hassle-free.


    She was clearly one of those women he had ever met who first used their brains before their hearts¡ªthe type which he appreciated.


    Ruffling her hair, Aecilia approached the sofa, still dressed in her nightgown, a clear sign that she hade here hastily.


    Taking her seat, Aecilia rested her hands on the backrest, her legs crossed in amanding pose, her body outlined by a nightgown that reached just below her knees, which were folded while her golden pupils were fixed on Aria.


    "¡­Hmm," Aria mused, aware that her earlier memories of fear had obscured her ability to read Aecilia''s status window thoroughly.


    As she settled into her seat, now much moreposed than the day before and even moments ago, she directed her attention to Aecilia''s status window.


    "Huh? A half-subus?"


    ''!?''


    ''....'' Avendial, who was just about to take a seat, paused abruptly.


    His face fell nk at Aria''s unexpected revtion, while Aecilia narrowed her gaze, her golden eyes fixating on him in bewilderment.


    She didn''t understand what Aria meant by designating her as a half-subus.


    "Lol, now she is even calling you subus that she saw you are about to take her man," Billie said, with both hands behind her head while not caring about her stered hand.


    She clearly saw how this girl, who had spent the entire night wrestling naked with the Marquess, was now even calling Aecilia a subus, thinking that maybe Aecilia was trying to seduce her man.


    "You, leave the room," Avendial stretched his hand, grabbing the stered hand of Billie, causing her to stop and clearly frown due to pain.


    She red back at him, clearly having the upper hand given that she had recorded a clear video of him acting all haughty all night.


    While knowing that her sister would not say anything, even if she were to beat this Marquess here.


    "Billie, leave the room." Aecilia, noting the sudden shift in the atmosphere from Marquess to something colder, directed an icy gaze at her sister, firmly ordering her to exit.


    "Huh? Huh?! Aecilia? Why?!" Billie was clearly taken aback. Despite having spent the entire night gathering evidence and grappling with that profound sensation, she was struck by the harshness of her sister''s words.


    "Leave, Billie," Aecilia repeated, her voice unwavering, maintaining her cold stare. Billie, feeling the weight of that gaze, clenched her jaw in frustration before ring at Marcos and yanking her hand away from him. Without another word, she stormed out of the room, closing the door with a sharp bang that echoed in the silence.


    "Hm, Aria¡ª" Avendial, observing Billie''s abrupt exit, turned his attention to Arya, who seemed engrossed in examining the status window of Icelia.


    His curiosity piqued by her mention of half-subus, he opened his mouth to ask her about it, but before he could utter a word, he caught another unexpected remark from her.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "What the? Your name is also Aria? No, wait, it''s Ariana?!" Aria eximed, her focus still on the status window floating before her eyes.


    ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[


    Name: Aecilia Sertsul (Ariana)


    Title: Countess, Sovereign Heroine, Fated One.


    Race: (Human 70%) (Half-Subus 30% )


    Age: 24


    ss: Apprentice Warrior ss


    Level: 3


    Vitality: 100 / 100 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Synergy Level: 1,000,000 --? (Not usable until bloodline awakening.)


    Stamina: 100 / 100 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Strength: 75 / 75 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Agility: 130 / 100 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Mental Strength: 130 / 100 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Intelligence: 125 / 100 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Charm: 96 / 100 --? (:- Compare with other races)


    Luck: NULL


    Emotional State: Curious, Confused


    Physical Condition: Healthy


    Physical Stats: 73 beats per minute, 20 breaths per minute.


    Abilities:


    Passive Ability:


    Sovereign Luck


    (Enhances the Luck of an epted Soul Partner to MAX)


    Soul Partner Bound


    (Once bound with any life partner, irrespective of time, space, or changes, the feelings and attraction will remain forever until the end of time)


    Personality Reset


    (Once undergoing agony and intense emotional turmoil threatening the life of the individual, this ability will reset the whole personality and change characteristics except for memories to survive)


    Awakening of Bloodline


    (Once the Bloodline awakens, hidden Synergy and power will be freed and avable for the individual''s use)


    Active Ability:


    [Insufficient Synergy to know the activation conditions of Active Abilities or bloodline]


    ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a

 Chapter 147: Chapter 149- A memory

    ****


    "She seems to be a half-subus..."


    The voice came from a tall woman with skin that glowed faintly gray, smooth and unyielding like polished stone.


    Her elongated limbs moved with unsettling precision, each step deliberate.


    Six glowing eyes were arranged unevenly across her angr face, their dim light casting faint patterns over her jagged crown of backward-curving spines.


    Her hands, ending in sharp ws, gestured toward the creature huddled in the rubble.


    Behind them, several subi were on their knees, seated on the ground.


    Their crimson skin was torn, marked with gashes that exposed darker, bruised flesh underneath.


    ck wings, shredded and lifeless, hung limply over their shoulders.


    They all sat with their arms wrapped around their knees, trembling, their once-glowing aura dimmed to nothing more than a flicker.


    ''...A half-subus?''


    The man being addressed sat on a piece of broken masonry, his silver hair hanging loose and streaked with blood.


    His blue eyes, cold and distant, stared ahead, focused on nothing in particr.


    Though downcast, he momentarily paid attention to the words of a subordinate, but the flicker of thoughts vanished with the same speed that they arrived.


    He didn''t react to the subus or the woman''s words.


    His hands were being wrapped in bandages by another woman kneeling beside him.


    The one attending to him had skin like molten metal, smooth and reflective.


    Her eyes were amber and sharp, her gaze fixed on her task.


    Jagged crystalline growths jutted from her shoulders and arms, catching faint glimmers of light as she worked.


    She didn''t speak, her wed fingers deftly securing the cloth around his hands, which bore signs of deep cuts and burns.


    "What do you want done with it?" the gray-skinned woman asked again, her voice t but with an edge of impatience.


    The man finally stirred, flexing his freshly bandaged hands.


    "Let them stay in the refuge," he said without looking up.


    "Provide them with food and don''t take work from that half one."


    The man made his decision, fully aware that half-blood subi often faced discrimination due to their lineage¡ªnot being born as subi to begin with.


    Their status wasrgely determined by the purity of their blood, clearly holding an inferior positionpared to those of pure blood.


    The reason he ordered them not to take work from her in exchange for food was simply that those born as subi would not hesitate to work¡ªsex¡ªgiven that it is part of their life.


    However, those who were half-subi were most likely still not adapted due to being from other races and having a dormant bloodline that awakens once they go through a certain awakening condition, clearly making them vignt.


    Therefore, forcing them was pointless, as it could lead to cases of suicide.


    "...That''s," the gray-skinned woman hesitated for a moment, her ws twitching slightly.


    Then she nodded once and turned away.


    Unnoticed by the man, it appeared as if that half-subus had her eyes filled with chill while clearly holding three small knifes in her hand, seemingly observing everyone, waiting for them to take any step further.


    But she halted, having recognized that silver-haired man as a familiar figure, prompting her to act weak and helpless but not hesitating enough to kill all of them if anyone dared toy a hand on her.


    But it appeared that the man not once nced in her direction as he stood, his movements slow but steady.


    His bloodstained cloak fell around him, brushing against the debris at his feet.


    He didn''t nce at the subus or at the soldiers standing in silent rows around him.


    ''Marqu¡ª''


    Unnoticed by the man who left the ce in an injured state, clearly exhausted and trying to survive just after arriving on the 10th floor of the tower, a flicker of gratitude shone in the eyes of the subus, who heard his order while looking toward that familiar figure.


    The same as the man she remembered¡ªalways holding integrity and discipline even in this world that had turned into chaos and mess.


    This was the world that had taken everything from her yet also showed the faces of those who once appeared kind and tolerant, revealing their monstrous side.


    Yet it was the first time she saw a man from her old world clearly, appearing just as he had back then.


    While in the background stood several individuals who started to slowly follow behind them.


    Some began to give food and water to those saved from the dungeon.


    One after another, their forms varied¡ªscaled limbs, sharp spines, translucent bodies, or skin textured like bark¡ªeach one alien and imposing.


    Yet his presencemanded them all.


    Without a word, he walked toward the edge of the ruins, leaving the battlefield and those within it behind.


    ****


    ''Haah....Really?''


    Avendial seated on the sofa with his head down supported by both knucles clearly seemed deep in thought due to the memory of the day when he first encountered that half-subus named Ariana.


    It was the 10th floor.


    The meeting wasn''t much longer given he was trying to survive and was being chased by the Ravan family; he just kept moving forward.


    The second time he met that subus was on the 25th floor, not as the weak refugee he had saved, but as the new heir and the ruler of the Lustre¡ªthe strongest subus group ruling over most of the initial floors up to the 30th floor.


    "This? How do you know that name?" Aecilia narrowed her gaze, clearly confused regarding that name, considering how it was given by her father, who was not to be considered a loyal husband, given he was one of the people arranged by the royal family to keep an eye on the Sertsul family.


    Then her mother needed to kill him.


    So definitely it was a name which Aecilia never appreciated having.


    "I¡ª" Aria wanted to inform about her ability considering how she came to know about Aecilia being a countess, a noblewoman, given how in this room there were only two people present, and naturally, it appeared that Avendial also hadn''t any problem with her revealing the information, but she was interrupted in the middle.


    "What are her abilities? Tell me."


    Avendial halted Aria considering initially he wanted to tell Aecilia about her abilities and what was needed from Sertsul family, but now after getting this information about the subus, his mind was rather in chaos due to several questions.


    "Huh? Abilities, yes, she has two types of abilities, one is passive and the other active, though I don''t know if they are awakened...."


    Aria slightly taken aback, adjusting herself considering how the values she saw in the status window of this woman were clearly different from Avendial.


    The reason her voice was slightly hesitant was that she didn''t understand a single thing mentioned on the window, given that it waspletely foreign to her.


    The ability Aecilia possessed was clearly something she had never seen, prompting her to adjust herself and start exining about what two types of abilities Aecilia possessed.


    One after another, Aria started to tell about the abilities: Soul Partner Bound, Sovereign Luck, Personality Reset, and Awakening of Bloodline, adding their details one after another.


    While rifying how their descriptions were mentioned, she knew that it would be better if she just read what was written instead of exining it, given she wasn''t understanding a thing written here considering it was the first time for her to see something like this.


    ''!?''


    ''Are they talking about me?''


    Aecilia, seated there with folded hands and eyes closed, hearing keenly about the words Aria was saying, clearly felt that they were talking about her.


    But also the abilities Aria was depicting were clearly making her feel slightly uneptable given it was something which she herself wasn''t aware of.


    Abilities exist, she knows that, given she had already seen many Empyreals, but her possessing those kinds of abilities¡ªmentioned by Aria¡ªwas clearly something unbelievable.


    "Is this all?" Avendial seated himself with a clearly evident meditation, his eyes closed while his mind focused onpiling the information he had just received from Aria regarding the ability possessed by Aecilia.


    His feet tapped on the floor one after the other, leaving behind a single sound reverberating in the room, as both other women remained silent, lost in their own thoughts.


    "Yes," Aria nodded slowly, gaining a grip on the situation.


    Her mind, which had been filled with a clear hint of memories, now remained calm and was returning to focus.


    She was calming herself as she tried to make sense of the situation.


    Indeed, she hadgged behind, but still, after all that had happened around her, she now reflected on how she was currently in the presence of Marquess Croceaus and the next head of the Sertsul family.


    Just a few days ago, she was engaged in her usual routine, feeling trapped in a world where it seemed she was unique, possessing the strange ability to see people''s titles.


    She harbored no expectations of being freed from that never-ending cycle, understanding that she would soon meet her end, especially considering how everything regarding Lin and Amrita was in disarray.


    Now, just a few days ago¡ªless than five full days¡ªshe had met a man who came from the future.


    His presence was like a small stone thrown into ake, creating a ripple that made her fall deeper into the unknown.


    What was her only mistake?


    It was the moment she decided to look back down that narrow path, averting her gaze toward the other world.


    She had seen this man with the same silver hair and blue eyes, shimmering on that night breeze, and she dared to cross into that world out of curiosity.


    She dared to approach him without being aware of the consequences.


    Now, she found herselfpletely trapped, knowing well that she could not return or even see what she had left behind.


    Not that she cared, as there was already a separation between her world and the one where Lin and Amrita belonged.


    ''....but...'' As she nced toward Avendial, memories of the previous night assaulted her mind, causing her to sp her hands between her thighs and cast her eyes down.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She clearly remembered some embarrassing moments while also thinking, ''Maybe being trapped in this world will not be that bad.''


    She finally epted that being trapped in this world¡ªsurrounded by this strange man and these people with uncanny abilities, amidst the mystery of this world''s destruction¡ªwas far better than being trapped outside a ss window, where she could merely tap and watch the distant figures of those once close to her growing farther and farther away.

 Chapter 148: Chapter 150- Revelation

    ''Boosting the luck of a partner, a partner fixed once chosen in any instant of a lifetime, personality reset once going through emotional despair, and awakening bloodline.''


    Avendial, seated and recalling all the things that Aria had informed him about Aecilia''s abilities, began to put together all the pieces.


    He understood that they were all pointing toward a story that was beginning to form in his mind.


    Though there were several possibilities still avable, the clearest conclusion that appeared to make the most sense, based on the memory he had about the future, was that Aecilia''s abilities significantly presented a story in his mind.


    That is, the Serstul family, by bing the first targeted by the royal family at an enormous pace, would definitely have faced separation from all sides.


    They were slowly being defeated by the enormous strength of the royal family.


    Though the details were not clear, it was possible that at the brink, the Serstul family had to be annihted in front of Aecilia.


    Due to emotional turmoil, she had gone through a personality reset.


    Afterwards, he had memories of several instances where he could think of her falling in love with him.


    Considering that her interest in him still existed in the present time, it was clear that her personality reset must have gradually made her bold enough to begin expressing her dormant love, which intensified.


    To be exact, it could be considered the same as having a crush on someone.


    But after going through a maturity phase, one starts to proactively approach their crush.


    To be precise, Aecilia of the past definitely had a crush on him.


    Given that before the appearance of the tower, she had already imnted some spies from the Serstul family in Croceaus Territory¡ªshowing that she had interest but was not strong enough to proactively approach him.


    However, at thest moment, when he was about to turn back time and return to the past afterpleting the ritual, he, out of reflex, confessed his feelings to Ariana.


    Though he didn''t know if it was a genuine feeling, it seemed to be something done on a whim.


    Considering that, due to the effects of curses, he was to lose the sensation of emotions just one or two years after the arrival of the tower.


    He was unable to distinguish whether it was love or just a reflex when he epted her proposal.


    Maybe, most probably, it was the hassle he wanted to avoid whileing back in time.


    But whatever it was, now these abilities were making much more sense to him.


    Considering each one of them was clearly pointing toward what exactly happened with Aecilia after the destruction of the Serstul family.


    So, he understood that most probably at the ninth floor, after disappearing and most likely being hunted down by the royal family, Aecilia disappeared.


    Somehow, she was able to awaken her bloodline.


    However, given that one needs to sleep for a month after awakening their bloodline, it was clear that she, without knowing it, had gotten herself captured in the dark mage''s ruins.


    ''...Now this...''


    Avendial, who a few days ago had doubts in his mind regarding how the destruction of the Serstul family followed the disappearance of Aecilia¡ªclearly making him question if the title of heroine really held any significance¡ªnow realized how, even after the whole family was destroyed, she was able to survive and, not only that, somehow awaken her bloodline and be one of the strongest figures at the initial source of the tower.


    This clearly indicated that the entire series of events proved that she was truly a heroine.


    "Marquess?" Aecilia observed intently, her golden gaze fixed on the man who appeared lost in thought.


    It wasn''t merely his concentration that intrigued her; it was the confusion stirred by Aria''s words.


    Aecilia found herself questioning whether Aria was referring to her.


    For a moment, even if she believed in what Aria said¡ªreferring to her¡ªthen ording to those abilities, it was confusing, given that if she ever fell in love, those feelings would remain intact no matter the time.


    This meant if her future self were to fall in love with someone else, she would also generate feelings for that person.


    This was slightlyplicated while also clear to her that it was possible¡ªnot that she doubted herself, but the issue was human changes.


    A person can forget their loved ones, given what circumstances the future presents for them, but again she also noticed a peculiar thing: how her feelings, which always remained interested in him, were now clearly evident, as if that fog which always made her mind doubt whether she would ever be able to confess her love had cleared.


    Though there was doubt, what if, in the future, she confessed or fell in love with someone other than the Marquess, and her feelings, which right now were for him, shifted back?


    What would Aecilia do then?


    But, of course, the question was whether what Aria said was true or just a fluke, and that answer could only be given by the single person whom Aecilia was currently looking at, hoping to get his reply.


    "What a hassle," Avendial finally settled his thoughts and concluded how to deal with this particr information.


    He retreated back, propping his back on the sofa, and observed how both of them were looking at him, prompting him to first nce towards Aria.


    "Aria, are you feeling dizzy or something?" Avendial inquired about any potential drawback of her ability, considering how it was showing insufficient psi energy.


    It was possible that her ability to look at others'' stats was taking a toll on her body.


    "Not much, but slightly eye pain," Aria said.


    Though at first, she felt a twinge of embarrassment at the memory of the night, she soonposed herself, shaking her head and replying, while still feeling warm due to his concern for her health, which clearly showed a rather different sight from the previous night.


    "I see..."


    Avendial nodded, understanding the toll her ability was taking, before turning towards Aecilia, whose squinted eyes clearly showed her confusion, and the expression on her face indicated her curiosity about his reply.


    In the end, Avendial knew very well that, after hearing what Aria revealed, several doubts would arise in Aecilia''s mind, and she would need a valid exnation for everything to make sense ande together in the right direction.


    However, which direction she would go would be decided by him.


    "Aecilia, will you believe me if I say I came from the future?" Avendial, without beating around the bush, revealed this crucial information.


    ''!?!''


    "S-sorry?" Aecilia, who was waiting for something serious to be revealed, suddenly felt as if the Marquess was joking upon hearing those words.


    Additionally, her mind noted how he had referred to her by her name since the moment she arrived in this room.


    "Wh-what?" Aria herself was taken aback, considering how she had thought about how she was special.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Someone who only knew about his secret.


    No one other than her.


    It was a feeling of superiority, where she knew that she was someone special to him, given how he revealed this information.


    ''Wait....'', At that moment, a spark passed through Aria''s mind as she remembered exactly how it was her who, due to her ability, was able to see his title, and even if he revealed himself, it was as a joke in front of everyone, not just her.


    But right now, he specifically referred to that woman and revealed such crucial information.


    Why?


    Wasn''t he said that she was the only one whom he loved in the future?


    "Haah, Let''s be more clear here, Miss Aecilia Sertsul, I want to say, I came from the future," Avendial, with his eyes turning cold and voice firm, dered, clearly looking towards Aecilia, who was confused regarding his initial words, trying to rify things in a way that she understands while also believes at the same time.


    "Huh? What?" Aecilia, though definitely heard what he said, was trying to process it, her hand loosening from where it was initially resting on her chest, falling onto her folded legs as she tried to understand the meaning.


    Though of course she knew what he meant, that word of his about being from the future was not making sense to her, "Wait, you mean, like really?"


    He inquired with a raised eyebrow, clearly trying to see if he was kidding right now.


    But seeing that expression clearly formed, while also remembering that until now, if left his flirting or the deration about epting her love after a year, she never heard a joke from him, prompting her to for a second reconsider his words.


    "....."


    Avendial knew that after hearing his words, Aecilia would be confused, giving the same reaction as she was giving right now.


    But even more, he expected the expression from Aria, which was simr to one he thought, considering how, after this night, she would most probably have thought that there was no one except her who would know this secret about him from being future.


    Though technically he had memories of the future, but exining each detail when the important thing right now was to provide Aecilia with breadcrumbs leading to the direction where he wanted her in the end was much more important.


    Indeed, he doesn''t have any romantic feelings for anyone, considering his own deficiency of emotions, which will soon take effect.


    Though it could be memories, but in those memories, if he had to choose to reciprocate the feelings of others in exchange for getting loyalty, then it was a better deal.


    And getting theplete faith and loyalty of a woman, who would be the head of Lustre, was something which he can''t just ignore.

 Chapter 149: Chapter 151 - Is she really a noblewoman?

    "...."


    "Think about it yourself; this makes more sense this way, doesn''t it?" Avendial observed how Aecilia seemed clearly confused while trying to make sense of what he revealed just now.


    He closed his eyes as he tried to give her time to digest the information.


    Normally, if someone told another that they came from the future, the mostmon reactions would be to take it as a joke or to think that the person is mentally ill.


    However, luckily, this wasn''t the case with the women inside this room.


    Not particrly because they were smart, but instead, it was due to both being aware of the supernatural abilities present in this world.


    If, for instance, Avendial told Aecilia that he awakened an ability that brought back memories of his future, then he could easily convince her.


    Though he wasn''t going to just use that fact, considering Aria could at any time reveal his stats, leading to even more confusion and doubts.


    So he needed to create a story that was believable and free of loopholes.


    "That''s¡­",


    Aecilia, who was looking at him with the intention of seeing if he was joking right now, felt the probability of all this being true was high, given the possibility that the Marquess had awakened some abilities.


    And if this was indeed the case, then it was believable, considering it was really an overpowered ability where he was already aware of the future.


    This realization caused her to close her eyes as she thought about it deeply.


    She was acknowledging that his nning and the way he was doing things were clearly different from how she remembered him, proving his words.


    ''It must be then,''


    Aecilia took his words as true for a moment, which was hard to believe, yet she knew this was possible.


    She thought about January 13th, the night when he first showed such a difference after the aphrodisiac event.


    That night she had noticed how he was acting strangely.


    Initially, he made an excuse about poisoning and diverted everyone''s attention there, but that same night, the Sertsul family was able to get the information that it was an aphrodisiac.


    Naturally, Aecilia herself just considered that his behavior¡ªflirting and acting in such a way¡ªwas just his natural behavior under the effect of the aphrodisiac.


    She didn''t pay much attention to it until today, now that he revealed this information.


    It was making more sense that it was that night when he would have first arrived in the past, maybe possessing the memories of the future, not technically transferring his body.


    After all, he appeared the same as before¡ªnot an old man arriving from the future.


    Her hypothesis became even more firm as she thought about how today, on the 18th, five days had already passed since the several changes he started to show in this time.


    He was flirting here and there, predicting things urately, and preparing for something big.


    Initially, Aecilia, being unaware, had thought that he was preparing for a war against the royal family, given the aphrodisiac event caused by the Prince.


    But now, after his revtion regarding possessing memory of the future, it appeared he was preparing for something greater, not just going against the royal family for some revenge.


    "You get it?"


    Avendial inquired, his eyes fixed on Aecilia as he observed her bodynguage to understand if there was any hint of her showing disbelief or taking his words lightly.


    As she opened her eyes, looking in his direction, he could clearly see the reflection of himself in her golden pupils.


    "Yes¡­ so, is she also?"


    Aecilia looked at him, nodding.


    Once again, she held her hands, giving a sidelong nce toward Aria, inquiring if his sudden approach to this woman was also due to his future memories.


    Though she was definitely curious about her own future, she felt there was time.


    Given that she was in his ce, she knew that crucial information wouldn''t be revealed in front of more than one person, as it could lead to leakage.


    This was why she didn''t inquire about herself in front of Aria.


    "Indeed, Leo, Dr. Etrinia, Ravan Family, and that n against the royal family; you were correct," Avendial replied, nodding and trying to appear as nonchnt as possible.


    He was slowly guiding her toward the story he wanted to tell¡ªwhat she should believe to happen in the future.


    "Huh?" Aecilia raised an eyebrow, feeling bewildered.


    She had just ignored the fact that he was trying to go against the royal family and was preparing for something big.


    But now he confessed that he nned everything from the meeting with her, Leo, and others who came in his way in the free city.


    This made her realize that all this time he had been targeting the royal family, as she had anticipated.


    "Ahem," She cleared her throat, realizing that maybe he didn''t have some big master n as she had anticipated.


    It was really just thr royal family against whom he wanted to work.


    She nodded, also realizing that even if he was from the future, the only thing that could threaten someone like Marquess would be the royal family.


    Given that they had Empyreals with abilities, it was possible that in the future the Royal family had tried to do something malicious.


    "Aria, are you okay?"


    Avendial, whose gaze was fixed on Aecilia for a moment, noticed how Aria seemed lost in her thoughts, prompting him to call her name, as he began to doubt whether she was considering something that could ruin the flow of their conversation.


    "...Yes, I was just curious about the things you told me about the future," Aria nced back at Avendial, her expression revealing a clear hesitation, though her eyes betrayed the jealousy that she assumed was not evident to both Avendial and Aecilia.


    This made them understand that she was trying to position herself as more knowledgeable than Aecilia regarding the things he told her¡ªshowing how he confided in her more than in Aecilia.


    ''That was fast,'' Avendial thought, as he had initially expected that Aria, given her state and the insecurity she had felt throughout her life due to Amrita''s presence around Lin, would inevitably show her jealous side now that another heroine had arrived to im her man.


    Although it was unexpected for her to reveal such a side this soon, it was clear to him that her mental state wasn''t as recovered as he had thought, still a mess from the events ofst night, while her memories created a haze in which shepared him to Lin¡ªaparison he had sought.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''.....'' Aecilia, seated there and clearly noticing that this woman was somewhat jealous of her, felt like putting her in her ce but stopped, considering that she also wanted to know what had happened in the future.


    So it was technically confirmed that his ims about possessing future memories were true; however, given that she didn''t know what had happened, it was possible he could easily tell her anything, leaving her with no choice but to believe him.


    Aecilia was clearly weighing the pros and cons of blindly believing what he was about to tell her, prompting her to nce towards the man she was head over heels for.


    Her mind and heart seemed to be in a battle at that moment.


    She wasn''t na?ve enough to ignore that he currently held the advantage, as he knew she loved him.


    Additionally, if his ims were indeed true and came from the future, it was likely that, considering how he had appeared in present time and immediately sought her embrace, he wasn''t in love with her in the future.


    Given his personality as a businessman, which would likely never waver regardless of how harsh the future might be, he would probably try to use her while ensuring her loyalty.


    ''Uggh! It''s frustrating!''


    Aecilia''s hand rested on her head, brushing her hair as she closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, indifferent to their gazes, overwhelmed by the entire mess of her situation.


    Not her hair, but this whole situation was messed up.


    Everything had been normal.


    She thought that he most probably needed a resourceful family for information and could not do whatever he wanted, giving her time to think about how to break his marriage with Princess Katheria.


    Then he confessed to her about how they would do it after a year, clearly raising her hopes.


    Now, suddenly she hears from Billie that he was sleeping with another woman, prompting her toe here and try to calm her mind while seeking an excuse for why he was so desperately clinging to a woman and acting like a rabbit all night.


    But now?


    He reveals that he has memories from the future.


    This made her feel overwhelmed and clearly doubt whether all of this was his n to use her and the Sertsul family, making her feel foolish for expressing her love for him,plicating everything since he had a clear hold over her.


    "Are you okay, Aecilia?"


    Avendial narrowed his gaze, noticing that Aecilia was going through some emotional turmoil.


    Feeling confused for a moment, he didn''t understand why she was reacting this way.


    However, noticing Aria''s attention shift to Aecilia, he used this moment to inquire about her emotional state, just as he had done a moment ago with Aria, aiming to trigger a small rivalry between the two of them.


    And as he anticipated, his eyes clearly noticed Aria''s hands gripping tightly as her surprise turned into a cold re towards Aecilia.


    ''Is she really a noblewoman?''


    At first, Aria was taken aback by the sight of Aecilia, who seemed to be feeling a mix of emotions as she clutched her hair in confusion.


    However, when she finally heard his words, she realized that Aecilia''s true intention was to demonstrate to Aria how much he also cares for her.


    This childish behavior from Aecilia, where she tried to act in such a way out of jealousy, clearly shattered the image Aria had of noblewomen, who were considered to be highly educated and well-mannered.

 Chapter 150: Chapter 152- About this World (1)

    "Yes, I am fine now," Aecilia said, taking a deep breath to calm her racing thoughts.


    She resolved to lean on both her mind and heart when necessary, but for now, she would prioritize her heart and use her mind to sift through whatever he had to say.


    "Hm, let me begin with the origin of your abilities," Avendial observed as he noted that her demeanor had shifted to a calmer state.


    He surmised that her emotional turmoil was likely a blend of conflicting decisions, which could only stem from the battle between her heart and mind.


    It was a simple deduction¡ªone that anyone in his position could make.


    Unlike Aria, Aecilia had been raised within the confines of nobility, receiving a well-structured education that emphasized emotional control and etiquette.


    Losing control over one''s emotions was a rare urrence for someone of her stature.


    Furthermore, the impressive array of martial arts skills she disyed while confronting Baldy only reinforced his theory.


    The only time one might feel frustration not rooted in anger but rather in the annoyance of shing mental dialogues would be when they are anxiously awaiting a decision rted to love.


    Looking at her, Avendial guessed that she was on high alert.


    She appeared to be wary not of him personally, but of the potential threat to her family¡ªas if she feared they might be treated as mere pawns, especially after he had just disclosed his foresight into future events.


    He nned to share details that would keep her mind upied while ultimately connecting to her heart.


    This was rooted in the understanding that love is transient.


    No matter how deeply one feels for a partner, mimunications and personal changes can arise over time, causing rtionships to falter.


    Thus, it was crucial to continually align those changes with shared understanding, ensuring that neither partner turns their gaze toward someone else.


    ''Is he referring to Synergy?'' Aecilia thought, narrowing her gaze.


    Many individuals knew about the imperials and their distinctive energy known as Synergy¡ªso that information wasn''t exactly a secret.


    It was usible that he simply wanted to convey this to Aria, prompting her to take notice of Aecilia, who now appeared rxed.


    Though somewhat mundane, the information was far from critical; most people were already aware of it.


    "Aria, have you ever read fictional stories?"


    Avendial directed his question toward Aria, noting that Aecilia seemed to remain nonchnt, as if she were already aware of what was forting.


    This prompted him to tread carefully; he needed to ensure that the information he imparted was precise and valuable, allowing both women tomunicate it effectively in the future without requiring him to revisit the same discussions.


    The primary motive for sharing this information in their current setting was to safeguard himself from potential repercussions if the royal family were to catch wind of his insights¡ªsomething that could easily attract the attention of those lurking within the royal family.


    He knew he could rely on the Sertsul family as a shield if necessary.


    For example, if he received a letter from the royal family asking him for the source of the origin story, in case whatever he was going to tell in this room leaked, he would just say it was the Sertsul family who provided this information.


    He was clearly strong enough to keep the royal family in check even in the present time¡ªgiven his wealth.


    However, it was unwise to waste his time dealing with them this year, which is why using the Sertsuls as a meat shield would be reliable¡ªof course, only if this information were to leak.


    "Fictional? Yes, out of curiosity and due to this ability, I sought out these stories," Aria reflected.


    Despite undergoing a series of scans and procedures without finding any scientific exnations for her situation, she had turned her full attention to reading fictional narratives that spoke of special abilities, awakened individuals, elves, and more.


    It wasn''t mere habit that drove her; it was desperation¡ªa desperate quest for any theory that could illuminate her circumstances.


    From her readings, Aria concluded that regardless of her efforts, with thebel of "Viiness" attached to her, her fate seemed predetermined: she would inevitably be an enemy to others, existing merely as a stepping stone for their ambitions.


    "Okay, let me exin to you why these concepts of heroines and viinesses, much like those found in fictional tales, exist," Avendial began, nodding as he slowly rose from his seat.


    He had noticed that Aecilia was about to ask what he meant by those terms, so he deliberately stood to redirect her attention, urging her to pause as he prepared to share his story in full.


    "Aria, are you aware that in philosophy there''s a saying which posits that the human brain doesn''t create new ideas but rather processes various existing ones,bining them to generate what seems like something new?"


    Avendial started to borate on Hume''s Empiricism, a theory that sparked widespread discussion in philosophical circles yet remained a subject of debate.


    It essentially argued that the mind merelybines, alters, or rearranges sensory impressions to forge novel ideas.


    "But..." Aria interjected, eager to contest his assertion.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    She wanted to argue that this idea didn''t capture the entirety of human ingenuity; after all, didn''t early civilizations discover fundamental concepts, like fire or the wheel, without any prior reference?


    However, she hesitated, realizing that these discoveries were rooted in pre-existing phenomena.


    ording to Avendial''s point of view, fire existed long before its discovery, and one innovation naturally led to the next, shaping the modern world where ignition was nowmonce.


    So, his words were to some extent true, considering the human mind really processes those things which already exist, not invents something originally out of nowhere.


    "It''s hard to believe, but the stories didn''t originallye out of nowhere; they already existed somewhere before, and then the brain, due to cosmic waves, started to merge them together, evolving and making it seem as if it''s some fantasy..... just listen, Me," Avendial noticed hesitation in her voice but didn''t delve further, even though there were hundreds of philosophical books where this fact was mentioned; he ignored exining further given that Aecilia seemed calm, considering she had a Ph.D. in philosophy.


    Indeed, due to the efficient use of AI and learning tools, though not everyone, most noblemen were provided with advanced education.


    However, not all were interested in studying¡ªonly the heirs of prominent families truly pursued it seriously.


    For instance, he hadpleted a Ph.D. in Business Management.


    Now, when people hear someone has a Ph.D., they often assume that person must be an expert in their field.


    But humans are naturally prone to errors.


    The basic eligibility criteria for earning a Ph.D. are not about being perfect or knowing everything.


    Instead, it''s about creating or discovering something new in that subject.


    For example, if someone pursued a Ph.D. in Philosophy, they would need to present an original project or research that added something unique to the field, which would determine their final result.


    Of course, to find something new or achieve breakthroughs, one must have a thorough understanding of their subject.


    This leads manymon folks to think that having a Ph.D. means havingplete mastery over the field.


    But in truth, it''s impossible for anyone to know absolutely everything.


    The focus of a Ph.D. lies in meeting the criteria of contributing something unprecedented to the subject, not memorizing every piece of knowledge in it.


    Thus, having a Ph.D. doesn''t mean someone is a walking encyclopedia in their field.


    Instead, it signifies that they''ve made a significant contribution.


    At the same time, achieving such a contribution requires a strong grip and deep understanding of the subject.


    So, calling someone who has a Ph.D. an expert in their field is correct from the perspective of normal people since degree holders are already much more advanced in their fields.


    But from the degree holder''s perspective, they are still learning.

 Chapter 151: Chapter 153- About this World (2)

    "We know that there are several gxies out there, and the universe is expanding at speeds measured in light-years. Yet, what we often overlook is that this universe is evolving, growing stronger than it ever was before." Avendial decided to start from the basics.


    If heunched directly into exining the arrival of the tower and all itsplexities, it would likelye across as mere fantasy, making it difficult for them to grasp the concept.


    Hence, he opted for a more scientific exnation, one that wouldy a solid foundation before delving into deeper ideas.


    He turned to Aria with a thoughtful expression, saying, "Tell me, Aria, what changes does a human body undergo during the growth phase? No, to be precise, what sacrifices does it make in the process of evolution?"


    As he posed the question, Aria looked at him, momentarily perplexed.


    Even though she understood that as a body matures, it learns and advances through experiences and rtionships, her thoughts raced.


    There were hormonal changes during puberty and various other transformations, but her mind struggled to connect all the dots and formte a coherent answer.


    "It sacrifices old cells, regenerates skin, sheds nails, reces bones...


    Though some elements remain unchanged, there are many parts that are entirely renewed," Aecilia interjected as she replied, her gaze drifting toward Avendial, captivated by the eloquence of his words.


    However, without additional context, she found it difficult to see where he was heading with this line of questioning.


    "Indeed. Now, let''s consider this: if we were to liken the universe to a human body, given that both remain mysteries to humanity, what do you think it would seek to rece first?"


    Avendial asked, his voice calm as he moved closer to the ss wall of the room.


    Outside, the city buzzed with the energy of a new morning, sunlight bathing everything in warmth and casting a gentle shadow on his face, his blue eyes reflecting the serenity of the moment as he focused on Aecilia.


    s? Stars? Living beings?" Aecilia ventured, reasoning that stars go through cycles of life and death, eventually creating ck holes.This notion of the universe recing such essential elements seemed usible.


    After all, humans also face mortality unless they reproduce.


    "Precisely, in one year''s time, the universe will grant a final chance to all races it deems stagnant to survive," Avendial stated, allowing the weight of his words to sink in as he fixed his gaze upon Aecilia with his hands resting casually in his pockets. "Now, to choose who will survive among many, how would you decide?"


    "Perhaps through apetition of life and death?" Aecilia suggested.


    At first, she leaned toward the idea ofpetition, but given the gravity of the situation, she hesitated, realizing that if survival were at stake, everyone might be pushed to extremes


    "Exactly. So now, let''s say you are merciful butpelled to evolve, discarding those you hold dear. What advantage would you offer to those races?" Avendial nodded, recognizing that they were starting to grasp his conceptual framework.


    He needed to nt the seed of understanding before he could enlighten them about the structure of the tower and the essence of Synergy.


    He nced at Aecilia as he posed the question.


    "By¡ª" Aecilia began, but before she could finish, Aria interjected.


    "By giving them abilities...." Aria muttered, her hands clenched tightly.


    In that moment, rity washed over her.


    She understood that possessing such abilities was indeed a gift from the universe¡ªor whatever entity he had alluded to¡ªthat aimed to demonstrate its mercy by providing them with the means to fight for their survival.


    "Yes, that''s correct. Now, for apetition, what one needs is a battleground, right?" Avendial Narada saw that both of them were understanding his meaning.


    He was trying to make them understand it in the simplest terms possible, considering how in most cases, if he skipped something without any reasoning, they would just think of it as a fantasy story.


    "Hm..", Aria nodded, now clearly understanding what he meant by this world being destroyed in a year.


    When he mentioned it, she was doubtful.


    But now, as she was answering his questions, it was making more sense.


    "So, on 13th January 2032, the first battleground, to be exact, a gateway that will join other worlds together, would arrive in this world," Avendial mentioned.


    The time was vividly stored in his mind, remembering the date when, before 13 days, on 1st January, humanity first met a civilization from outside this world and suffered its first betrayal, which was devastating.


    Humanity, even before the 13 days of the arrival of the tower, lost their only proud weapon called nuclear bombs.


    Naturally, psi energy was indeed able to dilute bullets, given they were made of certain metals like copper, magnesium, and others.


    But it wasn''t the case for explosives, which sted, creating a chain reaction like nuclear bombs.


    So most probably, if a nuke had beenunched, the energy produced from it would have been transformed into Synergy¡ªgiven it is the property of this particr energy to transform any other kind of energy into it to provide the mostpatible form.


    And if that were to happen, given the number of nuclear weapons possessed by the whole world, the earth in those 13 days would have transformed into a heaven filled with a dense amount of psi energy.


    This would clearly create awakened individuals with stronger abilities, given the concentration would have been higher.


    But that civilization which first arrived manipted everyone, changing the decisions of higher administrations and stopped them from using nuclear bombs, which could have been a blessing at that time.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Not further thinking about it, Avendial calmed his mind.


    Given it was also one of his aims to force governments around the world to use nukes, he needed to focus on collecting awakened individuals first.


    ''!?''


    "Wh-what?"


    Aria''s eyes visibly widened, revealing that ruby hint which had be evident in her eyes, clearly shocked after hearing the revtion about him mentioning that exact date.


    He also previously mentioned how she was betrayed by Lin around that date too, ording to the information she told him when they were in attack mode.


    ''....''


    Aecilia, on the other hand, was also second-guessing from the inside, given she was trusting all his words.


    Though it appeared illogical at first, given the existence of Empyreals, he was making more sense now.


    "The ability you possess and others do are due to Synergy, which in fact is like electricity¡ªeasily convertible..."


    Avendial started to exin to Aria about the abilities he possesses being due to the presence of psi energy while mentioning evolvers and other things which were already known to Aecilia and the royal family.


    "Th-this..."


    Aria, hearing all this information about how evolvers existed, unlike how she had awakened abilities, felt overwhelmed by several pieces of information.


    But due to him exining in a simple way, she was able to understand it all.


    "Now, Synergy is like remnants of leaking energy from wormholes around earth, shrouding it, and that small crack would erge. The amount of Synergy filling the whole space would also increase," Avendial further exined, adding how right now, the energy which was present on earth was just the shadow of the tower leaking from the crack.

 Chapter 152: Chapter 154- Bingo

    As the future approached, on January 1st, when another civilization descended upon this through the widening cracks in the earth, they would generate a substantial amount of Synergy.


    The gap would erge, producing an immense concentration of Synergy, even prior to the arrival of the Tower.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    At that time, the abundance of synergy potential would rival that of nuclear weapons.


    The sheer amount of energy avable in the environment would have the capacity to transform any other forms of energypletely into Synergy.


    Heat, light, waves, and other forms, which are already in abundant amounts and not reaching the level of synergy leakage, would remain intact.


    However, if a high concentration of energy were to be directed and missed, or if it created a tornado of synergy, it would be denser.


    Given the nuclear power producing the explosion, containing fire and other types of energy, it would instantly transform into synergy.


    It would be like a small cloud of Synergy that was giving a small amount of awakening and reaction among the people, which would erge, covering arger area around the world, resonating more with the people and creating more awakened individuals with the potential for strong abilities.


    Until then, however, Avendial had not given nuclear weapons any serious consideration, as the overall levels of Synergy in the atmosphere were incredibly low.


    So, technically, using them right now would be a fatal mistake that could create a war.


    "Then wouldn''t that mean that my abilities will also¡­?" Aria began to ask, her curiosity piqued.


    She had been trying to assess the conditions for awakening but had been met with messages indicating an insufficient amount of Synergy.


    Wouldn''t the increase in Synergy levels following the expansion of the cracks allow her to finally gauge people''s awakening conditions?


    "¡­Yes, but how will you utilize such a vast amount of water from the ocean if you''re only equipped with a ss?" Avendial responded.


    In a straightforward manner, he attempted to rify that her ability to store Synergy was inadequate and limited.


    Given the scale of Synergy needed for her power, her current vessel was simply too small.


    Thus, even with a dense concentration of Synergy around her, she would struggle to harness her abilities effectively.


    "Can''t I just draw it directly from the ocean?" Aria questioned, tilting her head in confusion.


    If it was merely a matter of requiringrge amounts of Synergy, wouldn''t it be feasible to tap directly into the environment instead of needing to store it within her own body first?


    "Huh? You do realize, don''t you, that ocean water is salty and cannot be used directly?" Avendial replied, recalling stories from the past.


    He had heard of several individuals attempting to ess Synergy directly from their surroundings, only to fail¡ªsometimes tragically.


    He rified that the frequency of Synergy in the environment differed entirely from that of a human body.


    Without the specific ability to adjust these wavelengths, no one could freely harness Synergy from the environment without first synthesizing it within their energy vessels.


    Even in Croceaus territory, the Synergy they utilized had already been synthesized within Rivia''s body before being employed by them; they had never essed it directly from their surroundings.


    As a result, they remained unaware of the intricacies of this theory.


    Even in situations where Synergy was abundant, they would never have been able to utilize it directly from the environment.


    "Eh? Then how am I supposed to transition from a ss to a bucket?


    And beyond that, maybe even a pond?" Aria asked, puzzled as she sought rification on how she could erge her vessel.


    Avendial had already exined to her that Synergy and the capacity to store it depended on an individual''s sensitivity, which seemed to be predetermined at birth.


    How, then, would he be able to assist her in expanding her capabilities?


    "It''s not hard, but I need more stamina for that," Avendial shrugged his shoulders, subtly rifying that in order to give her vessel a chance to expand, he needed a significant amount of stamina.


    He gave her a wink and a smile that caught Ariapletely off guard.


    ''Eh?''


    Badump.


    As Aria looked at him, blinking in surprise, she suddenly felt her heart skip a beat.


    Her hands clenched tightly as a warm flush spread across her face.


    She was acutely aware that her cheeks had turned a deep shade of red, a result of her mind grappling with what he had just said.


    She shot him a re, though it was hardly effective, as she immediately averted her gaze and covered her mouth, struggling to catch her breath while a pungent sensation lingered on her tongue.


    ''¡­He is really a viin!'' Aria thought, her heart pounding in her chest.


    With her face turned away, memories from the previous night assaulted her mind, making it impossible for her to look at this man who was clearly teasing her as he settled into the sofa.


    "Hm¡­ So, Marquess, that battlefield¡ªI mean, the Tower¡ªwill it epass the Empire, or is it meant to cover the entire?" Aecilia inquired, trying to make sense of the unfolding situation.


    At moments, it seemed like he was discussing how the Tower, which could join several worlds, was a gateway to a battlefield where they had a chance to survive.


    Yet to her, it felt more like they were being thrust into something ominous.


    When she heard "Tower," the only image that sprang to her mind was that of a grand building, a structure that seemed almost beyond herprehension.


    "The reason we refer to it as a ''Tower'' isn''t because it has any visible structure," Avendial began to exin.


    "Instead, the only thing visible from the would be the base of a round building.


    This spectacle would ur worldwide, with every country witnessing an enormous cloud blocking out the sunlight, its crimson glow dominating the atmosphere.


    In its center, something would emerge, visible only as a base.


    This cloud, filled with buildings, would cast a red light that illuminated various locations, revealing awakened individuals.


    Then, with a sudden snap, everyone would vanish, thrown into a world devoid of guides or instructions¡ªan environment where they had to survive without knowing they were part of a race."


    It felt as though they had been thrust into a race without any warning, forced to run for their lives.


    Ultimately, in the first world, humanity lost trust in what could have been their greatest ally.


    They turned against a particr race due to betrayal by someone who had disguised themselves as part of that species, leading humankind to be enemies of Lustre.


    As he pondered the present, he continued his exnation, sharing what little clear information he could about the future.


    Though he kept things intentionally vague, he restrained himself from revealing too much, recognizing that there was no need to delve into species specifics just yet; he still had time.


    So, he proceeded with the basic details about the Tower''s arrival, the joining of worlds, and various instances where one by one, lives were lost.


    It wasn''t until they experienced immense casualties that they learned the necessity of climbing the Tower, realizing they had to either eradicate or ally with the races inhabiting each floor.


    "I see... so that''s why you are recruiting Empyreals ahead of time," Aecilia remarked, her understanding deepening as Marquess exined his rationale.


    It became clear to her that Avendial''s approach¡ªfirst finding Leo, then seeking out Dr. Etrinia, andter Aria, Amrita, and others¡ªwas about preparing for the inevitable battle.


    Anyone in his position, knowing their world was on the brink of destruction, would instinctively prioritize assembling a strong army.


    "Yes, but Aria wasn''t among those I intended to recruit... it was personal," Avendial added, lowering his voice to sound more convincing to Aria.


    She looked down but then abruptly flinched, lifting her gaze to meet his.


    Her eyes shimmered with a hint of crimson, a sign of her awakening ability, and they reflected the warmly lit room, illuminating the man who smiled at her with a soft, genuine expression.


    "...I see," Aecilia narrowed her eyes as she observed both his expression and Aria''s.


    She recalled what Avendial had said about wanting to win Aria''s trust.


    Aecilia refrained from probing further; she couldn''t shake the feeling that he might be trying to manipte her as well.


    Not maniption in the sense of lying, but rather the possibility of withholding the truth.


    "You''re not excluded either, Aecilia," Avendial said, perceiving the depth of Aria''s expression.


    He turned his attention to Aecilia, offering her a simr look of sincerity.


    However, unlike Aria, who continued to stare at him, Aecilia frowned, narrowing her eyes as if she found the whole situation too cringeworthy.


    "...What''s with that face?" Avendial asked, slightly tilting his head, mischief dancing in his eyes, clearly expecting a response from her.


    "It''s not going to work on me," Aecilia replied, shaking her head and rolling her eyes.


    She felt a need to test the waters, skeptical of whether she could be fooled as Aria had been.


    It wasn''t that she didn''t care for him; it was just that expecting to believe he harbored genuine feelings for her after revealing his origin from the future was a stretch.


    Not a chance.


    "Fine then. So, Aria, I hope you don''t resent me for yesterday. I just wanted to help¡ª"


    "I know."


    "Let''s leave then, Miss Aecilia. Our work here is done," Avendial said, rising from his seat and buttoning his suit jacket, his hand resting casually in his pocket as he headed for the door.


    Aecilia stood as well, exchanging nces with Aria.


    She noticed Aria seemed entranced, hesitating and not pressing for any answers about what the future might hold.


    Aecilia was eager for her to ask more questions, but given the shock Aria had just experienceding to terms with the fact that Marquess Avendial appeared indifferent toward her¡ªAecilia felt a pang of frustration.


    Deep down, Aecilia understood that Aria was already too ensnared in her emotions.


    It wouldn''t be long before she called out for him, even before he could reach the doorknob.


    "W-wait!"


    ''Bingo.''

 Chapter 153: Chapter 155- Arrival at Croceaus Territory (1)

    The cars roared down the highway, cutting through the hazy glow of thete afternoon sun.


    Up front, a glossy ck Rolls-Royce Phantom glided smoothly, its shiny surface glinting like a dark gem in the mellow light.


    Inside, the vibe was a mix of tension and chill, with the engine''s purr serving as a constant backdrop to the chatter happening inside.


    Aria, seated on the far-right side of the luxurious back seat, shifted her gaze to the two people sitting across from her.


    Avendial reclined with an air of quiet confidence, his tailored navy-blue suit immacte,plemented by a dark burgundy tie.


    His expression wasposed, seated there with his eyes closed as if contemting something, appearing focused and thoughtful.


    Beside him, Aecilia wore her nightgown, clearly nonchnt, with her gaze directed outside the window, appearing rxed while her mind reyed the information she had just received moments ago.


    Given theplexity and literally fantastical notion of a world being destroyed in a year, this was something that was indigestible for her.


    But one could not ignore the fact that there were people with awakened abilities called Imperials under the royal family. There were definitely individuals possessing powers that could only be considered fantasy, even in this modern time.


    This prompted her to reconsider the situation, as there were chances to inform and discuss this matter with her mother and other members of the Sertsul family, given that this was a situation that could point to their very existence.


    "Where exactly are we heading?" Aria finally asked, her voice steady, though her fingers fidgeted on the fabric of her jeans, with clear hints of hickeys visible near her neck area, which seemed to be intentionally ignored by Aecilia.


    Aria looked back and forth between the two as though seeking reassurance.


    Avendial''s eyes did not reveal themselves, but still, with his voice calm, he replied, "To the Kingdom of Thaloris."


    "Is it forever?" she questioned, uncertaintycing her tone. Aria blinked, her expression revealing surprise, a slight trace of anxiety creeping in.


    "No," Avendial stated firmly. "We''ll return. There is still much to be addressed in the Free Cities. This is merely a visit."


    His words seemed to ease her immediate concern, although a lingering apprehension remained in her red eyes.


    She opened her mouth as if to ask more, but his steady gaze silenced her.


    Instead, she shifted her attention to the passingndscape, her face a portrait of contemtion.


    "...I see," was the only faint voice that escaped her lips.


    Avendial could clearly understand that it would be confusing for Aria to be visiting Croceaus territory, but he needed to do so in hopes of seeing if she would be able to harness a sufficient amount of Synergy with the help of Rivia, and until Aecilia''s awakening condition.


    Indeed, after getting the information from Aria regarding Aesilea''s status, he knew there were many things he needed to discuss with her to reassure her loyalty, but given the circumstances, it would be unwise to talk with her in front of Aria. Here, Aria had freshly assumed that he and she would be in love in the future.


    So, how would she feel when she heard that Aecilia and he were also in love with each other?


    Initially, his intentions were to tell Aecilia the same thing he told Aria, but he took it calmly and did not rush it.


    Now, he was visiting Croceaus territory to check upon its condition. Several people would have missed him too much over the past few days while also handing over the capsule he had recovered from Bordy''s dead body to the research department in the directorate.


    Just behind them, two other vehicles maintained their speed.


    In one, Billie sat with a stoic expression, keenly monitoring their progress.


    While in the other, Leo reclined, his jaw set with anticipation given he was informed by his new master that his mother had been taken to a good hospital where Leo wanted to check on her condition to see if she was fine.


    It was already too much for him to expect her in a better condition, given she had fourth-stage cancer, clearly meaning it was probably herst few moments of life.


    But he was also told by Marquess that he had the way to save his mother, though it would take time until she needed to be ced in the care of the medical facility.


    And Leo believed him 100%. Given that, if that man had the power to make him alive, then he also had the ability to save his mother.


    However, Marquess mentioned that it would be at a cost, and Leo was clearly epting his situation. Leo had decided to fulfill whatever the condition may be to save his mother and prove himself.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    In the kingdom of Thaloris, inside the Northern province of Croceaus territory, a crowd had gathered in the town center, which was usually popr among visitors during holidays. However, today it seemed that even without a holiday, several people were leaving their jobs to assemble here, holding banners that conveyed several messages.


    ::Down with the Tyrants!::


    ::No Blood for Power!::


    ::Rise Against Oppression!::


    ::Justice for the Fallen!::


    ::Stop the ughter!::


    ::Enough of the Bloodshed!::N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Many people held these signboards, all appearing well educated. Most of them seemed eager to take a stand against the tyranny that had arisen in the absence of the Marquess.


    None of them were screaming or yelling; rather, they maintained discipline.


    They sat together in the square, having taken leave from their jobs due to the news circting for the past three days about a massacre in the territory, allegedly perpetrated by one of the loyal guards under the head of the main family.


    Without creating any problems for others in the territory and to keep the system functioning, work shifts had been organized so that a group of employees took leave on alternate days. This meant that yesterday''s protesters were now fulfilling the work obligations of those present today.


    Although the workload had be more demanding for everyone, it was the same for both groups since they had each done their share of work the day before.


    This unique method of protest clearly seemed based on non-violence, discipline, and adherence to thew, even though the opposition was the most formidable force in the entire territory. No government, nows¡ªnothing could be heard.


    However, none could deny the fact that there were two potential perspectives regarding the situation.


    The first possibility was that perhaps the loyal guards had betrayed the Marquess and were killing people without his permission.


    The second was that there might have been a valid reason for the Marquess to order the killing of so many high-ranking individuals.


    Regardless of the truth, those engaged in the protest appeared much calmer than those seen in free cities or other countries. They seemed to be ustomed to expressing their dissatisfaction with the governing body in this manner. One person leading the group had received a call from the main family.


    Naturally, everyone expected this, given that they had been protesting for two or three days. It was well-known that regardless of the citizen, they would certainly pay attention if there was a disy of public disapproval against such recklessness, particrly with reports of a purple-haired demon causing chaos.


    "Hello, is this Sir Alfred? I apologize for such an inconvenient disy, but we from the northern province would like to receive an exnation regarding the killings of the mayor and several other high-ranking individuals," the man speaking on the call said, standing firmly as others kept their eyes fixed on him. He appeared to be the chief of guards in the northern province.


    Having heard about what happened in the northeastern province from two guards who witnessed the woman¡ªDominic Rivia Aurelia¡ªthe chief understood the severity of the situation, knowing no one currently in the territory was strong enough to confront her.


    If it had only been her on a rampage, the process would have been slow, but it appeared that well-trained guards under hermand were going around killing other officials. The entire territory had descended into a bloodbath from the outset.


    However, given its vastndmass, the extent of the murders was not immediately evident, but they were actively urring. As chief, he had been aware of this reality, allowing him to inform the public, and now he finally had the opportunity to address the head administration directly.


    // You are summoned to the pce; the Marquess himself wants to have a conversation with you //


    ''!?!''


    The moment he heard the voice belonging to the butler of the main family on the phone, his whole body seemed to stop performing its bodily functions in that moment. His heartbeat had skipped, as even though in the service as the chief, he had never once met or seen the head of the family. But out of nowhere, he was being summoned.


    This was the same as if a normal citizen serving inside the police were summoned by the President or Prime Minister. It was something they couldn''t even imagine in their dreams.


    But even more concerning was the issue that right now they were protesting, and calling him at this moment only meant that he wanted to discuss the reason behind the protest, clearly dissatisfied with him for gathering so many people.


    "I¡ªI understand," his voice trembled, stammering, with a slight sheen forming as the call was cut from the other side. His hands trembled as he ced them inside his pocket, noticing two of the people taking charge of the protest standing and approaching him before inquiring about the reason.


    "What happened?" Both of them were juniors, and while presently not on duty, they had a good friendship with their chief. Seeing his reaction in such a way, they understood the severity of the situation and calmly inquired.


    "We need to visit the pce; the Marquess has summoned me."

 Chapter 154: Chapter 156- Arrival at Croceaus Territory (2)

    At its heart, the impressive Croceaus estate featured a mansion that truly set the standard for luxury.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The vast exterior was made of stunning white marble, polished to perfection, reflecting sunlight like a giant spotlight.


    The architecture was adorned with a series of arches and columns, with detailed carvings of mythical beings that seemed to dance right out of the stone.


    Surrounding the mansion were lush gardens bursting with a dazzling array of exotic flowers, arranged in striking symmetry, creating a vibrant color palette that matched the neatly trimmed hedges and shimmering fountains.


    The garden statues stood tall, showcasing the incredible skill of the artisans, with hints of gold detailing indicating the endless wealth of the owner.


    Even the air was charged with a sense of exclusivity and splendor, silently dering the unmatched opulence of the ce.


    In thest two or three days, a series of changes had urred, making the whole mansion bustling with soldiers, as important people arrived for meetings with the head of the family.


    The mansion was clearly filled with several individuals, mostly heads of the minor branch families, who were either arriving or staying there, expecting to meet the Marquess and get answers to the ongoing ordeals in the territory.


    In front, near the metal gates, which stood more than seven feet high, several maids and servants lined up on either side.


    At the head of the group stood a man d in a butler outfit, his white-gloved hand ced over his chest, looking toward the fleet of cars approaching the gates.


    Beside him stood a woman, nonchnt, dressed simrly to how she had been four days ago, appearing to have not taken a proper bath, with hints of bloodstains near her closed hand that rested on a ck amethyst sword.


    This sword resembled her purple eyes, which were impassive yet anticipating the arrival of her master.


    Both of them stood there, with the servants and maids of the mansion clearly maintaining a professional demeanor, their postures indicating their understanding of their status as subordinates.


    Some had their heads lowered, standing appropriately, while among them stood a group of people clearly drenched in sweat, their eyes diverting from the purple-haired woman, with no one daring to look in her direction.


    They had been waiting for the past two days, either to protect themselves or to at least have a visit from the Marquess.


    The entire territory was bathed in blood, having lost too many important figures in the higher administration due to that particr woman, who now stood beside Butler Alfred, currently considered the highest authority after the head of the family.


    This made everyone clearly on edge until they heard that the Marquess was arriving back in the territory today.


    Vrooom


    Screech


    The engine gave a massive roar, followed by the crunching sound of tire friction¡ªwhat they thought was their only shot at getting out of this mess.


    As the cars came to a stop, it was clear they were finally going to get answers to all those questions that had been bugging them for days.


    ''Master....'' Rivia stood there, clearly impassive, keeping her expressions in check, yet there was a slight flinch in her eyes the moment she noticed the figure of the man.


    Though partially, it only revealed his hair swooping in silvering out of the door, with boots on the ground, still, as if not wanting to miss a bit, her eyes remained fixed on him as slowly his face, the same as she remembered, with deep blue eyes, emerged from the car.


    ''!''


    But it was instantaneous that the moment he did, a small metallic smell emanated from his body, appearing to be remnants of blood, even though it was dried, reaching her mind, causing her hand to tighten on her sword as her eyes trembled.


    Clearly looking up and down his body, her eyes narrowed as she thought he was wounded.


    Due to her heightened senses, she finally stopped her gauge near his suit''s pocket, from where she was smelling the scent of blood.


    Though it was dried, focusing more on her senses, she detected there was a hint of chemicals in it, prompting her to loosen her hand on her sword.


    Given that, her eyes suddenly felt him gauging back at her.


    "Wee, Master," Alfred, with a perfect stance, moved forward with his hand on his chest, giving a professional bow, along with the servants and maids who also greeted him with a bow.


    They did not move from their position, staying on either side of the path.


    From where Avendial was able to clearly see the mayors of several territories, along with some of the people he had told Alfred to summon.


    "How many of them are alive yet?" Avendial, observing the scene, clearly knowing that these people, mostly mayors and other higher officials present right now, would have a clear understanding of the situation after he asked this question, trying to convey that it was him who had ordered everything.


    So, for now, they should not bring up this matter to him.


    ''!?!''


    ''Wh-what!?''


    ''Why would he?''


    One after another, as he had expected, those people, including the mayors of the other seven provinces, were clearly taken aback, given they just heard that it was indeed his orders to get rid of the mayor of the northeast province, along with the massacre that had gone on for two days, causing their hands to clench, with their heads kept lowered.


    Clearly fearing that if it was really an order from the head of the family, then they couldn''t do anything, and even if they tried, they would be dered traitors and executed on the spot.


    After all, they were here toin about that woman, who, in herself, was an army, with the hope that she did all this on her own ord.


    But it turned out that it was indeed an order from the higher-ups, so the most they could do was ask about the reason for formalities.


    "None of them, Master," Alfred, understanding his intent with closed eyes, informed, keeping his professionalism while ignoring the presence of another figure who had juste out of the car, given he had already noticed her.


    "I see...." Avendial nodded and then looked over at Rivia, noticing her eyes practically burning a hole in Aria.


    It was obvious to him that she was back to her old possessive ways, ring like someone who felt their loved one was in danger of being taken away.


    ''Why... Why.... WHY!'' Rivia, who stood there, due to her enhanced senses, had eyes clearly reflecting her enraged expression at the figure of the woman in front of her, holding red eyes and ck hair, who appeared to be looking at her in clear hesitation.


    Rivia felt her whole body burn the moment her enhanced ability sensed the simr scentpletely saturating the whole body of that woman, a scent that only belonged to her, now imprinted on that woman''s whole body.


    Due to Rivia''s sharp senses, enhanced by Synergy, which she had been focusing on earlier due to sensing blood near her master, were now fixated on that woman whose whole body smelled like him.


    No, not only was it just a bad smelling from her body, but it was clearly the same smell Rivia had sensed that day.


    Intensity is a pungent aroma that originates from two or three spots on her body, particrly from the areas that could be prated intimately.

 Chapter 155 Chapter 157- Status of Dominic Rivia Aurelia

    Her sharp instincts and strength were on point, allowing her to even catch the faint, almost non-existent smelling from Aria''s mouth and other parts.


    Aria stood there, her eyes not on Rivia but glued to something else, while ignorant of Rivia''s cold look that screamed danger.


    "Rivia, you seem to be forgetting something," Avendial, clearly noticing that hint of malice with a clenched fist and his face remaining impassive, with that amethyst gaze directed behind him, felt the chill prompting him to remind Rivia before she lost control and did something stupid.


    "B-but, Master..." Rivia reflexively muttered, her eyes widened while looking towards Avendial, as if inquiring about the identity of that woman who had arrived with him, while holding the clear signs of his essence within her.


    Given she herself had asked about the memory of the pungent aroma on the 13th, adding with the bedsheet which she had taken with her, spilling it regrly, it was impossible for her to make a mistake in recognizing the source of that smell, knowing she was definitely aware that Aria had slept with him.


    But why?


    In her absence, had that woman somehow seduced him?


    "Aria, meet him. He is Alfred, my butler, and she is Rivia, my bodyguard," Avendial, ignoring Rivia, nced beside as Aria came forward.


    While he introduced her to Alfred and Rivia, gesturing to him with his eyes.


    "....a bodyguard?" Aria, on the other hand, the same as Rivia, seemed to keep her gaze fixed in Rivia''s direction, her eyes trembling due to the clear sight in front of her.


    Looking at the status window in front of her, the visible chill which wasn''t fear but just the sense of standing in front of a monster who could send chills running down her spine made her once again look towards the window in front of her.


    ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[


    Name: Dominic Rivia Aurelia


    Title: Swordmaster, Dominic, Aurelia


    Race: Human


    Age: 23


    ss: Swordmaster


    Level: 65


    // An adult perfect human in peak condition will have a maximum value of 100. All values for the target represent superhuman abilities far beyond mortal limits.  //


    (( For reference, 100 corresponds to the pinnacle of human achievement in that field. ))


    ---


    Attributes


    Synergy: 9800


    Vitality: 2,800 / 2,800


    (100 = Maximum resilience of a world-ss endurance athlete.)


    Stamina: 2,600 / 2,600


    (100 = Energy levels of an elite long-distance marathon runner.)


    Strength: 2,700 / 100


    (100 = The limit of a heavyweight lifter, able to lift over 500 kg effortlessly.)


    Agility: 2,750 / 100


    (100 = The speed of the fastest Olympic sprinter.)


    Precision: 2,900 / 100


    (100 = Perfect marksmanship or surgical precision achievable by the most skilled humans.)


    Mental Fortitude: 2,500 / 100


    (100 = The focus andposure of an elite soldier under extreme duress.)


    Perception: 2,850 / 100


    (100 = The sensory awareness of the most elite trackers and scouts.)


    Luck: White


    (Target''s fate appears to have changed, tipping the circumstances to the least expected probability, where her luck bes neutral.)


    Emotional State: Turmoil, anxiety, rage, possessiveness


    Physical Condition: NULL --? (Target''s capabilities have transcended the limits of her race, making humanparisons inadequate.)


    ---


    Techniques


    Core Techniques


    Sword Veil: A sphere of influence that extends 25 meters around the target, where every strike appears preordained. It''s nearly impossible to evade or counter her movements within this radius unless her opponent matches her sheer skill.


    Void Pull: With a swift motion of her de, a powerful force envelops her enemies, pulling them in at speeds up to 123 mph. Resistance is futile as they are drawn into her sword''s deadly reach.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Steel Dance: A fluid, unending chain of attacks that blend defense and offense seamlessly. This technique renders traditional openings and weaknesses irrelevant, overwhelming opponents with continuous pressure.


    Void Sever: A strike so powerful that it momentarily destabilizes the space around the target, shattering reinforced defenses and bypassing barriers with ease.


    Offensive Techniques


    Ultrasonic Sharpening: By vibrating the de at ultrasonic speeds, its sharpness is amplified to such a degree that a mere light touch can seamlessly cut through titanium. This swift, unseen oscition significantly improves the sharpness of any metal object.


    Enjoy new chapters from empire


    Whispered des: Rapid attacks that are executed with such speed and precision that they be invisible to the naked eye, creating an illusion of silence before the impact.


    Heavenfall sh: A single, devastating downward strike that generates a shockwave capable of cleaving through structures orrge groups of enemies.


    Phantom Raze: A burst of movement followed by an unpredictable series of shes targeting vital points, delivered with unerring precision.


    Defensive Techniques


    Aegis Arc: A defensive sh so precise that it deflects even ranged projectiles or magic-based attacks by splitting them at the point of impact.


    Shadow Step: A rapid movement technique that allows the target to seemingly vanish and reappear behind or beside their opponent.


    Relentless Paragon: Unlocks a surge of vitality and strength, allowing Dominic to defy mortal limits for 30 seconds. Side effects include muscle strain and exhaustion after prolonged use.


    ---


    Ultimate Technique


    Ecliptic Edge: The culmination of the target''s mastery over the sword. With a single strike, she creates an arc of destructive energy that obliterates everything in its path, extending far beyond visible range.


    This technique is only used in dire situations, as it drains significant stamina and leaves her vulnerable.


    ---


    [ Awakening conditions = NULL ]


    ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a


    ''Is she even human?'' At that moment, the only thought running through Aria''s mind was that the status window she was seeing was clearly different from both Avendial''s and Aecilia''s. It felt as if she were looking at somethingpletely different from a human being.


    She could see that it was definitely the status of that woman.


    But the problem was that this didn''t seem to belong to a human at all.


    "His name is Leo," Avendial said, clearly aware of the small tension permeating the air between Rivia and Aria but still focused on his attention. It was the man who exited from the vehicle behind, following his own, as Leo looked.


    He wasposed, without any expression, yet there was a slight hint of anxiousness; he wanted to meet his mother for the first time.


    Already aware of it, Avendial added, "Alfred, send someone to apany Leo to the hospital where Dr. Wen is present."


    Given that Avendial had already sent the message to Alfred about sending Dr. Wen home, he instructed Alfred to arrange for Leo to visit one of the better hospitals with a higher status.


    "I understand..." Alfred gave a slight bow, epting his orders. He felt his master brushing past him while also noticing that slight hint of chill in the air directed at the newly arrived woman.


    Given he was also curious about that woman''s identity, considering how on edge Avendial had be after seeing her, it was clear that things were more than what met the eye.


    But putting that aside, he turned his attention toward Leo.


    ---


    "Rivia, have you done what I told you?" Avendial, moving inside the corridor with Aria and Rivia both following beside him, inquired while ncing at his watch, given he had already instructed the mayors and the people whom he had summoned to wait inside the office room.


    "Yes, I used the royal technique to kill the Mayor of Norteast," Rivia, pulled out of her thoughts, informed him about the orders he had given her to use the forbidden technique of the royal family while killing the nobleman. And naturally, it was also applicable to the mayors, given they belonged to the branch of the Croceas family.


    "I see...and Aria," Avendial said, moving towards the office room, clearly sensing how Aria was looking around, given this whole ce was truly something which even if someone held the world wouldn''t be able to see, considering the architectural style was unique in itself. He pulled her out of her thoughts before adding, "Stick with me if you don''t want to be killed by Rivia...and it''s not a joke."

 Chapter 156 Chapter 158 - Meeting Inside Croceaus Territory (1)

    The office room was like a library in a movie ¨C really quiet, except for the soft creaks of the wooden floor when someone moved.


    The walls had tall shelves loaded with leather-bound books and scrolls, making it feel very official.


    In the middle, there was a round table with a shiny surface that reflected the dim light from a chandelier above.


    Discover exclusive content at empire


    Around the table, seven mayors and three other officials ¨C specifically the chief of the guard from the North and two other individuals ¨C were seated, ncing at the papers in front of them.


    It was so still in there that you could almost feel it waiting for something to happen.


    "What should we do now?"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Breaking the silence was the voice of a middle-aged man ¨C the mayor of the East ¨C seated in one of the chairs with his eyes downcast and his fists clearly clenched, showing how unexpectedly he assumed there was a revolt.


    It appeared that everything that had been happening within the territory was by the order of the Marquess.


    ".....The Marquess would have a good reason behind all this," the mayor from the South-East replied, a clear sign of constion in his words that seemed self-assuring rather than trying to convince others that everything that had urred was for the welfare of the territory.


    Given he himself had several doubts, as one of them had died and there was no guarantee it would not be their turn next.


    "Hm, it''s hard to say," the Mayor of the West Province understood the severity of the situation, given the atmosphere within the office room was tense and the clear hint of the people hardly managing to make rational sense of this situation where they seemed to be under threat all the time.


    Specifically, those who were now in the position of mayor had been in a geoparadise where their lives weren''t guaranteed.


    It appeared as though everyone inside the room was well aware that their words of constion wouldn''t make any difference, given that the final verdict would be delivered by the head of the family, on whom order they all had gathered inside the office room, waiting patiently for his arrival.


    KRIEEEK


    And as they expected, the time finally came when the sound from the door inside the room, appearing to be pin-drop silent, resonated.


    It was a clear hint of the arrival of the person whom they were already anticipating, but still the slight bit of anxiousness, worry, and mixed fear in the room revealed their turmoil inside.


    Sweet beats and that crumble inside the pupils were far more than enough to show that they were clearly horrified.


    At the same time, they hoped for one of them to handle the situation, given it was the first time in history that a mayor, who were mostly from the branch family, had been killed.


    "It''s rather a sight, isn''t it?"


    Entered Avendial, and at the first nce, he noticed the clear expressions of everyone who was once considered the heads of branch families, holding their pride now broken into sweat.


    Considering no matter how strong an individual is, the threat of death most probably makes them bow, even if it means swallowing their own pride, evident from the people inside the room, among whom most had run away in his past life after fearing death.


    Not that he was going to get back at those who wanted to survive.


    After all, why would he be angry with someone trying to survive?


    Instead, this anger was only directed at those who not only tried to survive themselves but also betrayed, hoping that by sacrificing those whom they had served for longer than they could remember, they would be left unscathed.


    Added to his prior knowledge that these people would run away at the threat of death, it gave himplete control to ensure their loyalty in a way that would guarantee that running away would not make things better as he entered the room.


    "Greetings, Marquess.


    I hope your journey was fruitful."


    "Wee, Marquess.


    It''s a delight....."


    One after another, all the mayors slowly stood from their seats, their line of sight now noticing the arrival of that figure, greeting him with the utmost sincerity.


    Considering it wasn''t their first time in his presence and following this same etiquette, yet today, not only was there respect but also fear induced by the threat of them being killed just like the mayor of the Northeast.


    ''Who is she?''


    Aria, who seemed to halt at the doorstep, noticed the way everyone inside the room seemed to belong to nobility, evident from their dresses and that aura which clearly seemed simr to that of a wise person.


    She hesitated, but pressing past her was a salute from a woman whose amethyst hair tied in a ponytail was the only thing visible to Aria, considering her gauge flickered.


    Blinking brought Aria out of her hesitation, and she also, with steady steps, started to follow behind her, her mind trying to understand this woman.


    Aria knew that this woman was not a normal human at the least, evident from that very status window which showed the illogical stats, which no matter how much Aria thought didn''t make sense.


    Given she could see that this woman was slender, beautiful, and clearly appeared as though she was a normally fragile woman, still, her strength stats stated: 2700/100.


    To put it simply, that 100 here represented a strong adult weightlifter who was able to lift 500 kilograms of weight.


    Given her stat value, it was already indigestible that this woman would beparable to 27 of those weightlifters, adding a total weight of 13,500 KG (29,762.405 pounds) which she would be able to lift.


    And with that thin hand at that?


    ''Are there more of such people?''


    Though she had been clearly informed about the existence of imperials and the people who possess awakened abilities, it was still confusing for Aria to digest this fact.


    Given she believed him, now witnessing through her eyes the strength of this woman in particr, who finally halted beside Avendial as he took his seat, Aria, standing on the other side, couldn''t help but peek nces.


    Not only that, but ording to the warning given by Avendial, Aria knew that this woman was dangerous.


    Considering he had clearly warned her about this, but still, she wasn''t able to stop herself from taking a peek at the status window of that woman, prompting her head to tilt slightly with her eyes side-ncing.


    // Look again and you are dead //


    ''!?''


    ''What the....?'', Aria, hearing a voice in her mind, was slightly taken aback given the familiarity of the voice appearing womanly prompted her to realize it was from the woman named Rivia on whom she was taking nces, prompting Aria to look at the front, narrowing her gaze as she realized that indeed she was not noticing that whenever she looked toward others'' status windows for them, it would seem that she was looking at them.


    Given it was her first day awakening this ability, she had seemed to neglect this fact.


    Now hearing that warning prompted her to halt as she focused her vision more intently on the meeting, given she could see every other person''s status window, which showed none of them had much difference from a normal adult human.


    "Marquess, if we may, can we know the reason why¡ª" One of the mayors seated, gathering his strength as he took his seat, while others did too, in quiet, looking towards the head of the rounded table, where the man with silver hair sat, seeminglyposed, even after telling them it was his orders and not their doing.


    "The Northeast Mayor was involved in bribery, spying, and selling resources allotted to his Province to others," Avendial interrupted, his words clearly a lie. Given the restrictedwork and the established system to monitor such traitors, there was no way for anyone to sell things out of the territory without being noticed.


    ''!?''


    "Wh-what!?"


    "B-but how!"


    One after another, everyone seemed to be taken aback by such a revtion, considering they were aware of the security measures implemented to prevent such activities.


    And now, a mayor had managed to bypass all the security measures and sell resources from the territory to others.


    How is this even possible?!


    "How would I know?" Avendial said with a raised eyebrow, clearly having no reason to entertain these people or exin how he wanted to get rid of that mayor, as he might betray him in the future.


    He made up things that seemed to provide a valid reason for execution while resting his hands on the teacup brought by the servants, taking a sip, uncaring about the shock etched on these people''s faces.


    "Huh? Y-yes, but...." Even though they were clearly taken aback and wanted to retaliate against his words about how he could execute the mayor without knowing how he bypassed the system, none of them gathered the courage to speak up, as they could sense the malice directed at the woman holding the sword standing beside him.


    "Forget that and tell me, how much money do you all have stored outside the territory in the form of liquidity, bonds, gold, and any other form?" Avendial, not beating around the bush, came directly to the point, stating firmly his intent for the day was to secure these people''s funds or bring them back inside the territory.


    No matter how strong the security was, if these people decided to store their money outside, there would be no way to keep track of it.


    Various methods could allow one to ept a deal outside the territory and then transfer that money into a fake ount.


    ''!?!''

 Chapter 157 Chapter 159 - Dealing with Mayors

    ''!?!''


    "S-sorry?" The Mayor from the South Province seemed to have misheard what the Marquess just said, prompting him to look towards the head of the table, narrowing his eyes in anticipation that what he heard wasn''t correct¡ªsomething that only he could understand.


    For someone to be told to hand over all their wealth, which they had collected with their sweat and blood, was not something to be taken lightly.


    "I said, bring back all of your assets outside the territory," Avendial said, his hand tapping on the table as he observed the reactions he had anticipated forming on the faces of all the mayors.


    They appeared as if they could not believe what they had just heard, prompting him to repeat himself.


    "You have to be joking, Marquess." Finally realizing that his words were serious, one of the mayors voiced his concern, his eyes turning cold as he expressed his dissatisfaction with such a deration from the Marquess.


    They did not understand that this wasn''t a simple joke where he could just tell them to do something like that.


    "Yes, pardon me, Marquess, but this seems outrageous." Hearing one of them speak out, the others found firm ground to back up their dissatisfaction with his words, which clearly indicated he wanted them to bring their entire assets, which they had stored outside, back into the Croceaus territory.


    Given the government policies clearlycking control over the nobility, nobles protected their own funds and money from taxation by the royal family by storing it in free cities.


    The government could not take taxes from them, nor could the royal family do the same, even if the money was outside the royal kingdom and the kingdom of Thaloris, registered under fake names.


    Naturally, in the past, there had been several bills passed by the central government regarding this issue, but those in power could suppress the voices, and due to the involvement of nobles in it, the bill was thrown into a corner without being issued, creating a proper system for nobility to store their ck money.


    The royal family would naturally be aware of this, but they decided to turn a blind eye, given how the nobles involved were supporting several hires in the battle for the throne. So it was a win-win situation to show favor towards the nobility by turning a blind eye.


    But now, out of the blue, this man in front of them was saying that they should hand over all the money they had earned back to him?


    Was he insane?


    "As expected..." Avendial sighed. Not that he wasn''t expecting this, but given how they all had been trembling just a few moments ago, now when he kindly asked them to hand over their money, they had all turned into snakes, clearly hissing at him, using words that disyed their clear rejection.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Not that it mattered to him, as he closed his eyes before folding his hands, propping his back against the chair. He tilted his head towards the ceiling and dered, "Cut off all of their forefingers."


    "What¡ªhuh?" One of the men near him, noticing his gesture and hearing that word, seemed confused for a moment, wanting to inquire about what he meant. But before he couldplete his thought, he felt a sharp pain near his right hand¡ªto be exact, at his forefinger¡ªcausing him to nce at his hand resting on the table.


    Not only he, but everyone around the round table visibly saw shadows of several fingers¡ªall forefingers¡ªspring into the air before falling onto the table.


    "WHA¡ªWHAAAAA!"


    "AAAARGGHHHH!!!"


    "ARGH! MY HAND! ARGH!"


    "KUGH!¡ªTHUD"


    And before their brains could register what those fingers were, the pain bombarded their minds one after another in such a way that the most their bodies could afford in that moment was to collect all the air their lungs could muster and scream until the veins near their throats were visible.


    With eyes wide open, a few of them stumbled back, falling out of their chairs while some clutched their hands, groaning in pain.


    There is a saying that the intensity of pain one feels depends on the individual. Even a soldier, even when shot, would feel the pain the same as a child who gets hurt by a needle.


    This was evident from the pain that, for the first time in their lives, assaulted each of the nerve cells present in their minds, leading to screams that seemed to mold their vocal cords in a flowing stream with tattered veins.


    "Hm... You seem to not react?" Avendial said, his head in the same position towards the ceiling, one eye revealing its blue hue as he nced towards Aria, who stood there without moving, her gaze clearly fixed in a certain direction, wide open without any screams or expression to indicate fear due to all the blood and small events that had urred here.


    "Is she really human?" Aria heard a soft sound from him, but her mind was entirely captivated by the scene in front of her.


    Fingersy severed, and blood pooled on the round table, each piece a stark reminder of the grim count.


    This horrifying tableau framed the figure at the end of the table, who kept her gaze lowered.


    Long eyshes cast shadows over the figure''s amethyst eyes, which stared intently at the surface below.


    The strands of the same-colored hair cascaded over her milky white skin, tracing a delicate line to a drop of blood resting near her lips, which matched the hue of her lips perfectly.


    "....." For a moment, Avendial, hearing those words from Aria, recalled the number of times he had heard those very words, every time someone asking him if the people whom he ordered to kill were really humans and every time he answered the same, "Can''t you see? She is following orders from the brain?"


    The reason he gave this answer every time was that it had two different meanings hidden behind it. Based on the principle that following the instructions of the brain, a human functions. Given that animals don''t think like humans do, it proves that these people were humans. But from a second perspective, it proves that here "brain" was referring to himself. And on hismand, they were acting inhuman. So naturally, they were human, if considered him as their brain.


    Now it depended on Aria which category was smarter or slightly dumb.


    ''!''


    "I will need to be ustomed to it, right?" Aria said, slightly taken aback by his words, given that he was referring to himself as the brain, whosemand had influenced that woman to cut the fingers of all of them without mercy. Instinctively, Aria clenched her fist, inquiring as she felt this wouldn''t be her first time seeing such a scene.


    "Don''t cry like children; you are all grown men," Avendial once again, straightening his head, looked towards the men who were yelling and screaming like children, given that the pain was clearly reaching their minds, evident from their screams echoing throughout the room. Even the servants were horrified, ncing through the window, ignoring this Avendial focused on rifying to these people that it was enough.


    It was evident that due to all their lives, they had never even incurred a scratch; it was their first time going through such pain, which in itself was akin to death.


    "Agh... M-marquess, w-we are h-head of Branch¡ª" One of the mayors, biting his lips to shut his mouth, controlled his pain while holding his hand from where the blood was now slowly bing mild but still flowing. He looked towards the man with hope that he would understand they were not normal citizens but noblemen, though not pure as him, but still belonged to a branch family.


    "Cut their middle finger," Avendial said before thepletion of that mayor''s word, stating he was not in the mood to have a proper conversation with these people. Given that there was no one inside this territory to hear their pleas, he was free to do anything. Instead of talking to them one by one and making them understand that this world was about to be destroyed and they should follow what he said, it was better to instill fear in their bodies and souls so that whenever they even thought of going against his orders, their whole body would tremble.


    "ARGHH!"


    "STOP!¡ªSCKLT"


    SWISH


    There was nothing but another round of a nail cutter or so, where instead of nails, fingers were rolling once again. Even though some of them tried to cover their hands and folded them, it was as if the sword of that woman was ignoring their whole bodies and just aiming for the joints between the middle fingers, cutting with precision in a way designed to cause pain.


    It was as if she intentionally ignored the vital nerves, cutting in a way where they were literally plucked out, causing blood to gush out even more.


    And with this, another round of screaming and vibrations resonated inside the room.


    ----


    "Haa....Haa....M-Marquess, please, have mercy," he gasped, finally catching his breath despite the pain. They had already pushed themselves to their limits, their minds stretched to the point of nausea, and several had lost consciousness. It was clear that this was too much for them.


    They were not warriors, but noblemen who had never once in their lives attempted to strengthen their bodies through exercise.


    "Fine then, we will settle the deal with this," Avendial said, sitting there while going through a certain document in his hand. He turned its pages before finally dering his decision.


    He nodded as he stood from his seat, having already dealt with these mayors who would never have heard the words of Alfred or Rivia if it weren''t for him. He had made it clear that there was no escape for them.


    Normally, if he had simply instructed Alfred to subdue these mayors, they would most likely have died, thinking their family head could protect them.


    This was why he had chosen to corner them into despair, making them fully understand that this was the only end awaiting them.

 Chapter 158 Chapter 160- Rivia VS Leo (1)

    "Master, Sir Leo has arrived back," Alfred announced as he entered the guest room, his demeanor professional andposed.


    He ced his hand on his chest with a slight bow as he greeted Marquess, deliberately ignoring the gathered mayors whose downcast expressions betrayed the turmoil they had just experienced.


    "Soon enough, I see," Avendial remarked slowly, rising from his chair.


    He opened his suit jacket and tossed it to Aria, who caught it deftly.


    Yet, it was not just the jacket that captured her attention; her heart raced as he rolled up his sleeves and ran a hand through his hair before making his exit from the room.


    Aria followed him closely, her steps steady and purposeful.


    Behind them trailed Rivia, her expression asposed and impassive as ever, whichplemented her usual demeanor.


    She cast onest nce back at the room, now a chaotic scene marked by remnants of blood.


    Following this, they approached the door, where medical staff¡ªalways on standby¡ªswiftly moved in alongside the maids to attend to the injured mayors who were groaning in pain.


    They worked diligently to provide immediate medical care.


    When Avendial headed out, nked by the two women and Alfred, who was keeping his professional act together but had his eyes closed, he caught a glimpse of his bronze button near his suit''s wrist turning to dust as Aria walked past him.


    He chose to ignore it as the scene shifted to a whirlwind of activity, following along behind.


    The maids and a bustling team of doctors and nurses filled the guest room, working to restore order amid the chaos.


    "You did well, Rivia," Avendial remarked, turning toward the corridor and loosening his tie as he offered his praise.


    He had employed a stick-and-carrot approach, and considering Rivia''smendable performance over the past few days, it was clear that fear had etched itself onto the faces of the mayors.


    ''!''


    "...Yes," Rivia replied, her expression hollow, with her gaze fixed ahead.


    The familiar voice directed at her elicited a flicker of warmth within her heart, a beacon amidst the turmoil of doubt about her actions and their potential to shatter any remnants of faith Avendial might have in her.


    For now, though, she relished the moment, her hand clutching her sword while maintaining that same inscrutable expression.


    ''This ce...,'' Aria mused as she grappled with a whirlwind of emotions.


    Last night''s experiences had been a tumultuous first for her, and now she found herself in a location that was far grander and more breathtaking than anything she had read about in novels of nobility.


    She couldn''t help but admire the exquisite floor, the intricate architecture, the lush garden area, and the corridor that surrounded her.


    Everything seemed to belong to modern times, yet every detail appeared to be handcrafted, perfectly sculpted by an artist''s touch.


    And among this grandeur stood him¡ªAvendial¡ªhis hand casually resting in his pocket, his silver hair drawing her gaze involuntarily.


    Her heart raced in betrayal of her will, causing her to avert her eyes as she sought to cage her feelings, battling the wave of emotions crashing within her.


    What had initially felt like a nightmare was slowly morphing into a beautiful dream.


    ''Quite strong,'' Avendial noted inwardly.


    Although he didn''t direct his gaze toward Aria or Rivia, he had shifted his full focus onto both of them, observing their reactions.


    He noticed Aria''s mental fortitude and felt reassured that his choice regarding her was sound.


    While it might seem that Aria was overshadowed by Rivia and Aecilia, Avendial understood the vital truth: in a world where thendscape shifted rapidly and dangers lurked around every corner, the most crucial trait for survival was the ability to adapt.


    He observed Aria''s remarkable resilience.


    Despite her efforts to manage her emotions, she was clearly holding up well against the harrowing experiences she had just endured.


    Witnessing blood, followed by a series of traumatic events that would have left anyone else reeling, she remainedposed.


    To put it bluntly, had anyone else been in her position, experiencing the aftermath of a traumatic event¡ªone akin to rape, even if not physically¡ªbut feeling every ounce of despair, helplessness, and hatred directed at her tormentor, they would likely be shattered.


    Once the ordeal was over, the realization that the cruelty had been intended for her own growth would unleash a tidal wave of shock, guilt, and self-doubt, leading her to question everything she once held as true.


    Topound her confusion, the revtion of individuals possessing extraordinary powers would only further destabilize her understanding of reality.


    Finally, being thrust into an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by strangers with no support, would leave her feeling utterly alone, frightened, and adrift.


    Yet, Aria''s mental fortitude, bolstered by her practice of meditation, had allowed her to process these events with surprising rity.


    This was precisely what Avendial sought.


    For him, it was not about finding individuals endowed with superhuman abilities, nor those destined to be the strongest in the future.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    What he truly needed were adaptable individuals, those who could demonstrate loyalty to him.


    After all, he possessed the skill to elevate them to their full potential.


    "Had Leo met his mother?" Avendial inquired, recalling that the distance between the hospital and the mansion was a mere mile¡ªa location specifically designed for emergency situations for the family head.


    Just fifteen minutes after starting his conversation with his mother¡ªwhere Avendial had anticipated a lengthy discussion¡ªLeo demonstrated that he understood his priorities clearly.


    "Yes, but they only exchanged a few words, and then he left abruptly," Alfred noted.


    Although he had been ordered by the Marquess to send someone with Leo to the hospital, he preferred to go himself.


    This decision stemmed from his realization that Leo was an Empyreal.


    When Alfred had initially approached Leo as instructed by the Marquess, a strange urrence took ce.


    As he shook hands with Leo, a small copper button on his uniform''s wrist disintegrated instantly.


    This unexpected reaction drew his attention to Leo''s synergy, indicating that the man brought by his master possessed a remarkable energy.


    Moreover, the Marquess had tasked Alfred with bringing Leo to the hospital where his mother was staying.


    This made Alfred aware that the Marquess likely intended to test Leo''s loyalty by involving the woman in this situation.


    As he pieced together the clues, Alfred began to grasp the Marquess''s ulterior motives.


    The presence of another woman, who appeared remarkablyposedpared to the usual frantic first-timers in such ces, raised his suspicions.


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that she, too, was an Empyreal.


    His doubts were confirmed momentster when Aria brushed past him; just like with Leo, another button on his suit shattered in reaction to her presence.


    Alfred had been meticulous in informing his tailors and designers that he wanted a suit designed with buttons predominantly made of bronze, copper, and mixed alloys.


    These materials were known for their pronounced reactions to Synergy, often breaking apart as if turning to dust with heightened speed.


    ''Where exactly did the Master find them?'' Alfred wanted to inquire, though his curiosity was tempered by caution.


    Getting two Empyreals at the same time seemed suspicious to him, though he was sure that Marquess would have confirmed their source of affiliation.


    However, he feared that maybe the royal family or someone else had intentionally imnted these two spies.


    Not wanting to cross any boundaries, he remained silent, quietly following behind them.

 Chapter 161- Rivia VS Leo (2)

    I am sorry, Mother," Leo murmured, seated near a fountain on a small elevated tform made of cement and marble.


    With both fists clenched and eyes cast downward, he couldn''t shake the memory of how he had been unable to stay by his mother''s side for longer.


    He recalled the way she fought for every breath, her body worn to the brink of exhaustion, yet still managing to muster a weary smile.


    Her face, though fragile, radiated a fierce determination to continue her battle for life.


    All of these images pointed to the harsh reality: she was nearing her limits, holding on as best as she could.


    But even more poignant was the glimmer of hope in her eyes, a silent plea for her son to strive for a better life.


    It was as if, in her moment of greatest vulnerability, she was still encouraging him to chase after his dreams.


    Despite the weight of these memories, he had fled the hospital, feeling an all-consuming sense of helplessness¡ªas he always did.


    He had returned to this ce, where he first glimpsed a sliver of hope for saving his mother, the only person who remained in his life and meant everything to him.


    As he sprinted away from the hospital, thoughts raced through his mind, each burst of adrenaline fueled by the promise of the man who had granted him a glimmer of strength.


    That man had assured him that he would be able to save his mother¡ªoffering a lifeline amidst the chaos that engulfed Leo''s mind.


    "I see that you seem to be deep in thought," a voice interrupted, pulling him from his thoughts.


    Without standing, Leo turned his head beside him where a man with a well-built physique sat nearby.


    Looking forward and pointing towards a tree, he asked, "What do you see there?"


    "...." Leo, hearing thoughts from Avendial, seemed to narrow his gaze as he turned his eyes in the same direction, looking towards the empty garden where trees and flowers could be seen.


    But instead of just that vague view, what Leo saw, due to his enhanced eyes, were the petals and small pores present on the leaves of a tree known as stomata.


    He added, "It''s small pores on leaves, pollen on flowers..."


    He didn''t stretch his words too much, just describing what his eyes saw, not caring if it sounded ridiculous, given he trusted that this man would understand what he meant.


    After all, he was the one who bestowed this unnatural strength upon him.


    "Hmm, let''s improve your vision then," Avendial muttered, tapping the marble beneath him, prompting Leo to look towards him as he also stood, keeping that calm face.


    As Avendial moved ten steps away, he halted before gesturing toward Aria with his finger, calling her near.


    ''This...'' Aria was already bewildered, her gaze fixed towards the status window of Leo.


    During her thoughts, she was pulled out of her reverie as she approached, unable to clearly read what was mentioned on the status.


    Upon arriving, she offered his suit back.


    "What?" Avendial raised an eyebrow, giving a doubtful look as he observed how she offered his suit back.


    "...take it back," Aria muttered as her eyes met his, averting down instinctively and feeling hate for not daring to look at him.


    But it was momentarily as she finally lifted her eyes.


    Before long, her eyes met those blue ones, and she mumbled, "...it smells."


    ''....''


    ''....''


    Leo and Rivia, due to their enhanced senses, were able to hear what she just said clearly.


    They exhibited their usual expressions, but somehow, given the context, it was funny, highlighted by the twitch on Avendial''s face.


    "I see," Avendial said, hearing her words and observing how her inner strength was recovering, given she boldly stirred those words.


    He leaned slightly toward her, though still maintaining a distance between them, with a head tilt and a smile, and in the same tone as her, with a hint of tease added, "It seems you still have not be ustomed to my smell, even after bathing in it.


    Guess you need more baths."


    ''!''


    Thump thump.


    ''D-damn you,'' Aria thought, seeing how, without a hint of embarrassment, he stared at the birds with that straight face.


    She tightened her grip on the suit, turning her gaze downward as she stood beside him, clearly feeling his eyes poking over her head and not wanting to meet his gaze until her mind was much moreposed.


    "Let''s deal with this another time.


    So, Rivia," Avendial turned his gaze towards Rivia, who stood clearly ring at Aria for some reason.


    Though there was no hint of malice in her controlled expression, it was clear to Avendial that something was going on inside her mind, which soon shattered as her amethyst pupils turned towards him.


    "Yes, Master," Rivia said, her voice mild with a hesitation in her eyes, given that he had called her again for the second time since they met.


    She was still fearful, thinking that he would abandon her for doing something reckless.


    She just wanted to avoid that, even if it meant seeing another woman beside him.


    Having to never see him again was far worse than seeing him beside another woman.


    "No sword, just punch him, Rivia," Avendial''s face was serious¡ªno jokes here¡ªas he gave Rivia themand.


    A quick gesture towards Leo was enough for her.


    SWISH!


    The air seemed to ripple as Rivia moved.


    One moment, she was standing still, and the next, her figure blurred into motion.


    SCREECH.


    The screech of her boots scraping the dirt echoed as she skidded to a halt, mere inches from Leo.


    Her piercing gaze locked onto his wide-eyed shock.


    ''!?!''


    He barely had time to react; his muscles tensed, but his realization came toote.


    Her fist was already drawn back, the motion creating a gust so sharp it rustled the leaves nearby.


    Continue your saga on empiren/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    SWOOSH!


    In an instant, Rivia''s entire body became enshrouded in a shimmering, smoke-like aura of white.


    Her fist glowed, radiant with the same ethereal energy, as it surged forward like a lightning bolt.


    "Ugh!" Leo''s instincts kicked in, and he crossed his arms in a desperate attempt to shield himself.


    BAM!


    The impact was deafening.


    The air exploded with sound as Leo''s body wasunched backward,pletely out of his control.


    His feet barely grazed the ground as he spiraled through the air, hurtling toward the dense forest.


    The force of the punch sent shockwaves rippling outward, bending the nearby trees and scattering leaves like confetti.


    CRACK! ¡ª SWISH!


    The first tree didn''t stand a chance.


    "Khwack! ¡ª Argh!"


    Leo''s body crashed into it with a sickening snap, splintering the trunk in two.


    His momentum carried him into a second tree, which groaned and cracked under the sheer force.


    "KURGH¡ª!?"


    Debris flew in all directions as his body finally came to a halt, mming into the ground with a resounding sound.


    THUD.


    The whole atmosphere went silent, save for the rustling of leaves settling from the impact.


    Leo''s bodyy limp against the broken bark, his arms grotesquely twisted, bones jutting out at odd angles.


    drip drip


    Blood trickled from his mangled hands, and his head lolled to the side, unconscious.


    A gust of wind swept through the clearing, carrying away the dust that had blurred the surroundings of Avendial and Aria, who stood with her mouth agape.


    But ignoring Aria''s shock, Avendial ordered Rivia, "Every time he healspletely, give him another punch. If he withstands it, increase the force."


    With those words, Avendial stepped out of there, heading off as Aria trailed behind, ncing at both Rivia and Leo every now and then, her eyes focused on their status window, while Avendial''s voice drifted away, echoing in the background and reaching Rivia,"Beat him, give him time to heal, and then continue this process until you are exhausted."

 Chapter 162- A rather bad future

    ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[


    Name: Leo


    Title: None


    Race: Human


    Age: 22


    ss: Berserker


    Level: 13


    ---


    Attributes


    Vitality: 780+ / 780 ¡ª Under the effect of Ability ¡ª 2+ every millisecond.


    Stamina: 315 / 115


    Strength: 1220 / 120 ¡ª Under the effect of Ability ¡ª 1/2¡Á of forced received = +1 Strength.


    Agility: 510 / 100


    Precision: 112 / 60


    Mental Fortitude: 115 / 70


    Perception: 110 / 60


    Luck: ck


    (Anything will have a 200% chance of failure.)


    Emotional State: Defiance, fury, resolve


    Physical Condition: Half Dead State ¡ª Recovering consistently.


    ---


    Ability


    Pain Amplification:


    The holder possesses a unique ability to convert pain into power, but only damage inflicted by human bodies can be converted.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The more damage sustained from physical strikes, the stronger the holder bes.


    Each blow absorbed transforms the kic energy of the injury into physical strength, causing the holder''s force, speed, and resilience to escte.


    However, this ability does not extend to damage from non-human sources; only physical harm caused by human hands can trigger the amplification. Experience new tales on empire


    With each injury inflicted by a human, the holder bes fiercer; their strikes be heavier and faster until their strength stats equal the force of their strikes.


    ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a


    "What the...?" Aria said, moving behind Avendial. She couldn''t help but steal quick nces back, where a screen kept popping up each time her gazended on an unconscious man in the distance among the broken greenery. The screen disyed stats that hinted at a unique ability he possessed.


    Not only that, but her eyes were also drawn to the woman enveloped in a white aura of smoke, which was slowly fading away. Aria''s attention then shifted to the strength stats disyed in the window rted to the woman. All of her stats had surged to at least twice their usual values the moment her body became shrouded in that mysterious aura.


    This sudden spark in the woman''s stats left Aria confused. Although she was bing ustomed to her own abilities, every passing moment felt like a new lesson, revealing more about her powers¡ªlike how she could see someone''s current stats in real-time.


    "You seem lost," Avendial remarked, turning toward the corridor. He noticed how Aria appeared to be lost in her thoughts, her eyes wandering over her shoulder. His curiosity prompted him to inquire, knowing her thoughts likely rted to her newfound ability.


    "Huh? No, I was just¡ªI can see live stat changes," Aria said, breaking free from her reverie as she looked at him. She noticed his nod and a flicker of thought crossed her mind, considering how much clearer her mind felt now. "You must have been aware of this, right?"


    She fixed her gaze on him, pausing as he seemed to halt as well, waiting for his response. She was eager to know if he understood her abilities so he could enlighten her on everything there was to know. However, she noticed him holding back, his head slightly lowering.


    "...You never trusted me," Avendial said, his voice dropping to a barely audible tone that revealed the weight of his sorrowful memories. It was as if he were trying to convey the sadness that apanied his thoughts of a future where she had never ced her trust in him.


    "What?" Aria replied, expecting to hear something more about her abilities. She hadn''t anticipated his words, and her eyes widened in confusion as she processed them. She waited for more, but to her disappointment, he simply turned and walked down the corridor, leaving her standing there in a moment of stunned silence. Finally, she mustered the courage to call out, "W-wait!" and quickened her pace to catch up with him.


    ''That was close,'' Avendial thought, his mind swirling with thoughts about the mayors and Leo''s situation. He was caught off guard by Aria''s question. Although he had shared with her that they were in love in the future, her inquiry about her abilities had taken him by surprise. He had assumed she would overlook it for a while longer or take a few days to process everything. Yet here she was, adapting remarkably well in just a single day, which was advantageous for him. However, it also meant he needed to brace himself for the questions that would likelye next.


    "Hm, what happened?" Avendial asked, finally noticing that she had caught up to him. He fixed her with a curious look, though there was an unmistakable hint of intrigue in his eyes, indicating he was eager to hear her response.


    What do you mean by ''not trust you''?" Aria asked, noting that he had mentioned their promising start in the future. If he believed they were in love, it seemed impossible for her to have kept her abilities a secret from him.


    "Aria, I can''t reveal much at this moment because I want you to experience those events firsthand instead of adjusting yourself to your future self. You are different from who you will be," Avendial said, turning to face her. Her eyes locked onto his, clearly eager for an answer. He could sense her anticipation, whichpelled him to respond in a way that suggested each of his words was making asting impression on her.


    "I will say this only once: when I first met you, your face and entire body were burned beyond recognition. You were fine overall, but the burn marks left no part of you unscarred," Avendial began, delivering a blend of truth and deception. If she bore burn marks in the future, it likely indicated a fire event that would ur very soon. If that were the case, he would have a usible excuse to convince her of the validity of his information.


    But he did not stop there. He wove anotheryer of falsehood into his narrative, saying, "At that time, you were aligned with the faction led by Lin, which had be one of my rivals within the tower. We were engaged in constant shes. However, one day, I received a message from you, alerting me that Lin''s life was in danger. I don''t know the specifics or why you reached out to me, but it happened nheless."


    ''!?''


    "What?" Aria''s disbelief hung in the air as she heard Avendial reveal the shocking information. ording to him, even after being betrayed, she had tried to protect Lin. He had once warned her about impending betrayal within a year, which now felt painfully prophetic, given the state of her body¡ªa mere shell, burnt and worn. Yet, despite it all, she had continued to follow Lin.


    It wasn''t that she couldn''t believe him; after all, she had done the same. Even after multiple rejections, she had persistently supported him, choosing the same path he walked and neglecting her own interests. It wasn''t inconceivable that, even after being wronged, she might forgive him and continue to pursue him.


    But what swelled within her now was not doubt, but a deep, seething anger¡ªanger directed at her future self for being so foolish.


    And why, she mentally questioned, would he seek Lin''s help from someone who was clearly his rival? Yet Avendial had already stated he didn''t know the reasons behind her choice, leaving her with no questions to ask.


    "In exchange for help, I asked you to do something¡ªdetails that are not important right now. However, while we were working together to assist him, Lin believed you had betrayed him and sent someone to eliminate you," Avendial revealed, his gaze unwavering as he analyzed her responses. He carefully noted the physical changes in her, trying to gauge whether she was digesting the information or grappling with suspicion. As expected, the emotional weight of the revtions stirred turmoil within her, and he witnessed the reaction he had anticipated.


    "Why¡­!" Aria clenched her fists, her eyes dropping as she bit down her frustration. It struck her how she had always been receable for Lin, who seemed unbothered while she risked everything for him, feeling like nothing more than a fool enved to his whims. Anguish and hate for her future self bubbled within her.


    But that feeling soon dissipated. After all, her future self was still her. It dawned on her that if Avendial hadn''t entered her life, she would have continued down a dark path where only death awaited her.


    "So, I saved you, and to ensure your survival, you joined my faction, but¡­" Avendial wove the narrative together, trying to make it as believable as possible.


    "But I never fully trusted you because I had been betrayed so many times before, losing faith in others each time," Aria replied, her gaze still downcast. She was painfully aware that her future self had made a rational decision, one anyone would make after being wronged by someone they deeply trusted. It was clear that her future self had adopted a posture of distrust.


    "...Yes," Avendial acknowledged, pleased to see Aria starting to ept his ount. He understood that the more he revealed, the more chance there was for a vulnerable slip, so he sought to conclude this conversation quickly. "That distrust existed even as our bond grew closer, leading you to always promise that you would share everything about your abilities in the future, but¡­"


    "But that future never came. Yes, I was killed by Lin, right?" Aria lifted her head, meeting Avendial''s eyes as she asked. She had already confided in him about her ability to perceive emotional shifts in others as a kind of status. His mental fortitude allowed him to remainposed, giving no hint of deceit in his response as he simply nodded.


    "Yes."

 Chapter 163- Rendian

    "Alfred, have they arrived?" Avendial asked as he navigated through the corridor, having already dealt with Leo, who was currently undergoing rigorous training at the hands of Rivia.


    The sounds echoing in the background, along with the visible ripples in the air, attested to the intensity of the training.


    He turned his gaze toward Alfred, while Aria stood just behind him.


    "Yes, I apologize for sending them with the mayors," Alfred replied, recalling how he had called upon the Chief of Guards from the North and two of his subordinates to apany the mayors to the guest room.


    Regrettably, the incident that had transpired there¡ªwhere several fingers were severed without provocation¡ªhad been an oversight on his part.


    Alfred understood that the Marquess likely intended to instill fear in the mayors by showcasing Rivia''s strength and the potential consequences of defying hismands.


    Unfortunately, due to a small miscalction, he had inadvertently sent three other guests into the conference room, leading to what could only be described as a minor disaster.


    "No, you did well. Arrange a meeting with the scientists and researchers in the territory. I want them here within the hour," Avendial replied as he brushed past Alfred, gesturing dismissively.


    The Marquess recognized that he wouldn''t have directed Rivia to harm everyone arbitrarily.


    His intent was calcted; he had deliberately orchestrated the events to test their loyalty. Stay updated via empire


    It was essential for him to establish that regardless of future circumstances, even if those three remained loyal, the unpredictability of human nature called for a cautionary reminder.


    Ingraining a fearsome memory in their minds would serve as a deterrent against any potential betrayal.


    "...I understand," Alfred said, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment.


    Though he was curious about why the Marquess was convening a meeting with researchers and scientists, he chose to remain silent, reasoning that it might simply involve briefing them about avable subjects for research.


    Given the current scarcity of Empyreals¡ªwho possess abilities unlike Evolvers like Rivia¡ªpractical subjects for research were indeed hard toe by.


    It was entirely possible that the Marquess sought to instruct the researchers to continue working with Leo to develop something akin to the charge stones, which utilized Rivia''s synergy to boost their own strength.


    ---


    "Please, this way," one of the maids instructed, gesturing toward the entrance of a particr room.


    She had arrived there after being directed by the butler to guide three guests who were seeking medical treatment directly to the Marquess''s office.


    "O-ok," replied the Chief of Guards from the Northern Province.


    His bulky physique and distinctive mustache did little to mask the frustration evident in his eyes.


    Just an hour earlier, he had faced that fearsome woman who had casually sliced off the fingers of everyone in the guest room, and even he, proud of his martial arts skills, had felt utterly powerless in her presence.


    This was the first time he had encountered the rumored sentinel of the Croceaus territory, known as Dominic Rivia Aurelia.


    He had heard tales of the Marquess''s bodyguard being one of the strongest individuals in the entire Empire, but seeing her in person had shattered his preconceived notions.


    It was clear to him that she was not entirely human.


    "Chief..." One of his subordinates, standing beside him, called out, having noticed that the Chief was lost in thought and not paying attention to his surroundings.


    With the Marquess likely to grow impatient over any dys, the subordinate felt it was necessary to bring him back to the present.


    "Huh, yes," the Chief replied, momentarily startled.


    He adjusted himself and nodded as he entered the room.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The first thing that struck him was the spaciousness of the area, which appeared grander than any room he had ever encountered.


    Books were meticulously arranged on shelves, while the central furniture¡ªsumptuous sofas and elegantly crafted desks with apanying chairs¡ªemanated a royal theme.


    Sitting there was the Marquess himself, absorbed in a stack of documents.


    "Greetings, Marquess," the Chief and his twopanions said in unison, bowing as they approached the head of the revered territory.


    Noticing that the formidable woman was absent only served to alleviate their worries; in her ce stood another woman who seemed far less threatening.


    "Hello, Rendian. It seems your sidekicks are traumatized, aren''t they?" Avendial remarked, his eyes still fixed on the paperwork.


    The hint of humor in his tone was directed at the Chief, whom he recognized from the sound of his voice as thest to enter the room.


    ''!?''


    "Yes, it was rather an unexpected wee," Rendian remarked, feeling a swell of pride at how Marquess had remembered his name.


    It was a pleasant surprise, considering how unlikely it seemed that someone in such a position of authority would take notice of him.


    Yet, hearing his name spoken felt gratifying.


    Without hesitation, and fully aware of Marquess''s valuable time, he added a taunt to his words, hoping to maintain the bnce of their interaction.


    In Rendian''s mind, he wanted to imply that their surprise was significant; otherwise, they wouldn''t have ended up losing their fingers.


    He aimed to convey confidence in himself and his troops, even though deep down, he wasn''t at all certain they could hold their ground against such a formidable opponent.


    Nheless, putting on a brave face was essential.


    "Unexpected? Then how about next time you all bring your families for a proper wee?" Avendial retorted with a smirk, recognizing the jab Rendian was throwing at him.


    His response wasced with an unmistakable threat: if Rendian continued to act smart, it would be their family members who would pay the price first.


    Rendian''s eyes widened in shock.


    "M-marquess, I apologize," he stammered, suddenly realizing the implications of that tone.


    Instinctively, he bowed deeply, almost to the ground, understanding that in his eagerness to impress this savvy man¡ªwho was renowned for spotting talent¡ªhe might have overstepped a boundary.


    After all, the presence of such a formidable woman at Marquess''s side made it clear that he didn''t require additional manpower.


    Rendian had only intended to showcase his conversational skills in a favorable light.


    ''Chief?!'' On his right, the subordinate gazed in confusion at his chief, who had suddenly bowed low.


    But there was little he could do except remain silent, as Rendian had instructed prior to their meeting with the Marquess.


    "It''s fine; send those two outside for a moment," Avendial replied, nodding as he stood up.


    He had already draped his suit jacket over a chair, and as he gestured, he noticed his puzzled friend.


    With a quick nod, his two subordinatesplied with Marquess''s request and exited the room, leaving Rendian alone to face the Marquess.


    "Sir?" Rendian stood there, noticing the cold gaze Avendial directed at him.


    A chill crept through him, though he wasn''t entirely sure why, as he felt he should be in a position of dominance.


    Yet, in this moment, he sensed the lingering cruelty associated with the nobility¡ªthe tales he had heard of their ruthlessness seemed toe alive before him.


    This was the first time Rendian had stood so close to a nobleman, and as he looked into those blue eyes, he felt as if he were staring into a void belonging to someone who wouldn''t hesitate to take a life.


    Despite it not being the gaze of a murderer, there was an unmistakableck of mercy in those eyes, putting him on edge¡ªhis fists clenched tightly at his sides.


    It was more fear than readiness that motivated his posture.


    "Take this," Avendial said, extending his hand toward Rendian.


    In it, he held a small vial, barely 10 ml, containing a red liquid.


    "Blood?" Rendian, having witnessed more than enough blood in his role as chief of guard, immediately recognized the contents of the vial.


    It contained far too little forfort¡ªjust a few milliliters.


    "You are appointed as head of the main pce guards," Avendial rified, the words striking Rendian like a thunderbolt.


    He lifted his gaze in disbelief, clearly struggling toprehend what he had just heard.


    ''!?!''


    "S-Sir?"


    Rendian was visibly shaken by the news.


    Being promoted to lead the guards at the main pce, especially after being part of the same unit that had been responsible for a recent massacre in the territory, was unfathomable.


    Although they operated under the jurisdiction of the main family, their brutal reputation preceded them.


    The so-called border guards were notorious across the realm.


    Given the royal family''sws, the existence of border guards seemed unnecessary.


    Most of the time, these individuals¡ªwho lived near the main pce at the center of the territory¡ªwere a reflection of strength, training directly under the sword master.


    "Inject this blood," Avendial instructed.


    He tilted his head to gesture toward a maid who stood nearby, holding a tray with a syringe at the ready.


    She approached with her head bowed, maintaining an air of professionalism that prevented her from questioning the conversation unfolding in the room.


    She offered the tray to Avendial, who took the syringe and reced its contents with the vial in his hand.


    The vial was small, resembling a test tube but longer and thicker, seemingly insubstantial for what it contained.


    "B-but..." Rendian stammered, struggling to grasp the absurdity of the situation.


    He had finally met this powerful nobleman, only for their conversation to plunge into the realm of the surreal.


    The prospect of injecting a substance that was not merely a medicine, but blood, filled him with hesitance.


    He couldn''t ignore the grave implications of epting blood from a different group; the potential for kidney failure and severe immune system damage loomedrge in his mind.


    "It''s AB+, so just take it," Avendial reassured him, cutting through his hesitation.


    Without waiting for Rendian to voice any further concerns, he positioned the metallic injector near the younger man''s hand.


    With a decisive click, the syringe discharged its contents, the blood flowing from the ss vial and into Rendian''s veins.

 Chapter 164 - Rendians Awakening

    "Huh?"


    Standing in the center of the room, Rendian felt a slight difort in his breathing, barely noticeable but enough to make him uneasy.


    He chose to ignore it as he focused his attention ahead, where the Marquess, arms folded and leaning toward his desk, was studying him intently.


    "Your son is receiving treatment at the Northern hospital, correct?" Avendial inquired, his tone casual yet probing.


    He noticed the subtle changes in Rendian, hoping that he might awaken the same abilities he had demonstrated in a past life.


    At the same time, he aimed to reassure Rendian by asking about his son.


    "Y-yes, he has been recovering for the past few months," Rendian stammered, taken aback by Avendial''s awareness of his son''s situation.


    After all, Rendian had received an invitation to the Croceaus Territory a decade ago, seeking the best care for his son.


    Initially serving as a special forces agent in City C, he was not a native of this ce but had moved here with the singr purpose of providing his son with treatment.


    "With a promotion, he could ess the central hospital," Avendial offered, employing a carrot-and-stick approach.


    His suggestion hinted at the privileges associated with promotion, particrly regarding the elite medical care avable at the central hospital¡ªservices typically reserved for the main family and high-ranking officials, showcasing only the most experienced doctors from other provinces.


    Though all professionals chosen to serve in the Territory were highly skilled, there were always those who exhibited exceptional talent and were subsequently promoted.


    The system in ce was designed to foster apetitive environment among various professions, particrly among doctors and scientists, encouraging upward mobility.


    ''!?''


    "Th-thank you, Sir," Rendian breathed, feeling a sharp pang in his chest as his breathing became increasinglybored, and his muscles began to tingle with numbness.


    Despite this difort, the news about his son receiving treatment at the central hospital filled him with profound gratitude, prompting him to bow deeply in appreciation.


    When Rendian had first arrived in the territory, the doctor who had provided the most effective treatment for his son was promoted to the central hospital, which was exclusively reserved for members of the main family or high-ranking officials.


    Normal citizens had no ess to this prestigious facility, regardless of their financial means.


    This predicament left Rendian with no choice but to continue seeking treatment from other capable doctors.


    While he recognized that every practitioner in the Territory was highly professional and that their treatments were working, he couldn''t shake the unease of knowing the first doctor had achieved slightly superior results.


    Though the difference was minor, it was significant enough to fill him with guilt over not securing the best possible care for his son.


    This drove him to work tirelessly, aspiring for a promotion to gain ess to that particr doctor in the central hospital, who he believed could provide the level of care his son desperately needed.


    "What the¡­," Aria uttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she stood frozen in shock. Until now, she had observed various status windows, including those of the others.


    However, upon the arrival of this man, his stats appeared to resemble those of an ordinary human, more akin to a seasoned agent.


    Yet, now, they were fluctuating wildly. All the numbers seemed disarrayed.


    The readings were changing rapidly; some had plummeted to zero while others surged, as if her ability to analyze the stats was malfunctioning.


    However, it was evident that the fluctuations were primarily affecting his physical stats, rather than his emotional condition, name, or age.


    This suggested that something was happening within him after that injection he had taken.


    Initially, she was taken aback when she witnessed how Avendial had extracted a vial containing his own blood.


    At the time, confusion clouded her mind, and she had attempted to intervene.


    But as he became engrossed in some documents presented by the butler, she opted to remain silent, choosing instead to observe andprehend the gravity of the situation unfolding before her.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Now, watching the stats of Rendian oscite rapidly only deepened her confusion.


    The numbers shifted erratically, furtherplicating her understanding.


    Suddenly, Rendian coughed dryly, his hands clutching his chest, a subtle stumble indicating his weakened physical state. He was no stranger to pain, given the demands of his profession, yet now he felt a sharp, stinging sensation near his lungs, making each breath a struggle.


    As he nced at the Marquess, a fleeting doubt crossed his mind¡ªhad he been poisoned? Such a notion seemed absurd, considering the man before him possessed the power to eliminate him with a mere snap of his fingers. Continue your journey on empire


    It was hard to fathom that this individual would go to such lengths to summon him for dinner, only to serve him poison.


    Rendian understood well that suspecting the Marquess was akin to questioning the motives of someone who could so easily crush him.


    Thus, he dismissed the idea of poisoning; but if it wasn''t that, then what was it? Why did he feel increasingly unwell after receiving that injection?


    "You witnessed the strength of Rivia, didn''t you?" Avendial remarked, his hands folded in front of him, his gaze icy and fixed on the man who was expected to possess formidable strength¡ªif only their circumstances were favorable enough in the future.


    He recognized that Rendian had made choices meant to secure his own well-being in whaty ahead.


    Having already lost most of their assets and being targeted by both the Ravan family and the Royal family, the Croceaus family had descended to a level where they were no longer considered a significant force within the initial floors.


    Although the Royal family did not openly pursue Avendial, being aware of his circumstances, they did nothing to alleviate the situation.


    In fact, their actions only exacerbated it by starting to recruit awakened individuals from the Croceaus territory.


    While many of these individuals remained loyal, there were others, like Rendian, who feltpelled to leave in order to protect their families.


    Rendian was not alone in this decision; numerous others opted to depart to ensure their loved ones'' safety.


    This was why Rendian and those like him were not among the targets of Avendial''s revenge; he understood their vulnerability and the choices they had to make.


    "Y¡­es, cough!" Rendian managed to respond, his mind still reeling from the memory of that woman with purple hair¡ªthe one whose strength rivaled that of monsters and any beings he had ever encountered in his life.


    She was formidable, and he recalled the image of her severing fingers with ease.


    Though it was merely fingers she had severed, Rendian knew that even if it had been a head, it would hardly have made a difference to her.


    "I bestow upon you the same strength."


    ''!?!''


    ''Huh¡­ wh-what?'' Standing there, slightly dazed, Rendian suddenly heard that voice reverberating through the room.


    It came from the man who was looking at him with disdain, a gaze that seemed to convey superiority.


    The words he spoke painted an image in Rendian''s mind of a god¡ªa being standing atop all others, beyond reach.


    Though the imagery was exaggerated and somewhat humorous, in that fleeting moment, it genuinely felt like he was standing before a supreme entity.


    Yet, he soon shook his head, dismissing the thought as a sign of mental decline or perhaps a hallucination brought on by his current condition.


    "I... d-don''t understand," Rendian stammered, shaking his head in an attempt to regain hisposure.


    Despite not copsing to his knees, thanks to his rigorous training and sheer willpower, the world around him seemed to blur.


    He struggled to urately pinpoint the Marquess''s location but still sought rity in his inquiry.


    "Rendian, you shouldn''t have to resist sleep; just allow it to envelop you," Avendial advised, fully aware that each individual reacts differently to the process of awakening.


    He could clearly see that Rendian was struggling against the pull of slumber, his body yearning for deep rest due to a temporaryck of oxygen reaching his brain.


    Though this condition wouldn''t cause anysting harm, it was evident that Rendian fought against the encroaching drowsiness. Avendial encouraged him to surrender to sleep.


    "Huh... y-yes¡ªTHUD!" Rendian, initially confused, processed Avendial''s words but stumbled backward, breaking thest vestiges of his willpower. Following the Marquess''s gentlemand led him to weaken for just a moment, allowing sleep to seize him fully. In that instant, he fell back,nding on the floor as unconsciousness took over.


    "You there, lift him up and ce him on the couch," Avendialmanded the two servants, who had swiftly entered the room after the sound of the fall, to assist. cing his hand upon the desk for emphasis, he directed them to lift the man sprawled on the floor. Seeing the unconscious Rendian, they nodded in acknowledgment of their Marquess''s orders and sprang into action, carefully cing him onto a nearby sofa.


    "Hmm..." Avendial observed with arms folded as the servants positioned Rendianfortably. He gestured for them to leave, prompting the two servants to bow before retreating gracefully from the room.


    Avendial then shifted his attention to the woman present, noticing her gaze fixed intently on the sofa, which made it clear that Aria was likely monitoring Rendian''s status through her own unique perspective, prompting him to add, "What do you see?"


    ''!''


    "Eh? Wait, how did you meet Awekni¡ªn-no, how did you awaken his ability?!" Aria eximed, her voice filled with confusion as she stared at the man who, until recently, had shown no signs of an awakened ability.


    She had been engrossed in her reading when Avendial pulled her from her thoughts, causing her wide eyes to lock onto him in disbelief. She was momentarily shocked at the realization that he had somehow fulfilled the awakening conditions.


    But as she absorbed what had happened, it dawned on her that he hadn''t met any of the typical requirements.


    Instead, he had injected his own blood into that man, triggering the awakening.

 Chapter 165- A Good Sleep

    "Leave," Avendialmanded, and upon hearing Aria''s words, he gestured for the servants to exit the room. They nodded obediently before closing the door behind them.


    Once they were alone, Avendial turned his attention back to Aria, who was watching him intently, eager for answers. In a swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward.


    "W-wait!" Aria eximed, caught off guard by the sudden pull. She tumbled directly onto hisp, her surprise evident as he encircled her waist with his strong hands, before resting his head against her shoulder.


    "Shh, now ask me what you want to know," Avendial murmured, his voice low and soothing. He intended to keep her mind upied, preventing her from bombarding him with too many questions.


    As his grip around her waist tightened, Aria trembled, her gaze darting toward the couch where Avendialy unconscious.


    "Th-this... w-wait, I mean¡­" she stammered, her voice wavering as the warmth of his breath lingered near her neck, sending a tingling sensation through her. Clenching her jaws in realization that she was powerless in this situation, she hesitated for a moment before asking, "How did you awaken him?"


    ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[


    Name: Rendian


    Title: The Vanguard (Effect of Ability)


    Race: Human


    Age: 36


    ss: Enforcer


    Level: 8


    ---


    Attributes


    Vitality: 150 / 150 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Synergy Level: 1,000,000 --? (Not usable until bloodline awakening.)


    Stamina: 150 / 150 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Strength: 75 / 75 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Agility: 130 / 150 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Mental Strength: 130 / 150 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Intelligence: 125 / 150 --? Switch theparison to others.


    Your adventure continues at empire


    Charm:  76/100 --? (:- Compare with other races)


    Emotional State: Confused, Anxious


    Physical Condition: Unconscious


    ---


    Ability


    Faithbound Command:


    It grants the ability to empower soldiers under themander based on their Faith Value (FV), which measures the strength of their belief in a higher existence.


    For every 1 FV, soldiers gain +10 to all stats, with greater faith unlocking three key abilities: Telepathic Bond (instantmunication and shared awareness), Divine Fortitude (enhanced durability, stamina, and resistance to curses), and God''s Vanguard (semi-divine powers like empowered strikes, regenerative healing, and fear-inducing auras).


    This ability requires themander to maintain unwavering faith towards his ideal, while soldiers must share that belief and trust in their leader to sustain and amplify the effects.


    ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a


    Aria''s gaze fixated on Rendian as she tried toprehend the sudden shift in status. Moments ago, she had read that she wouldn''t be able to discern his awakening condition due to insufficient Synergy, yet here he was, awakened.


    "What is his ability?" Avendial interjected, setting aside her questions to pursue his own. With her eyes closed and resting on his shoulder, he simply wanted to confirm whether Avendial had awakened with the ability he was hoping for.


    "But..." Aria began to protest, believing she should be the one to get answers first. However, realizing Avendial wasfortably resting against her, she pursed her lips and stated, "His ability is called ''Faith Bound Command,'' and it''s written..."


    As she started to read the description beneath the title, she absorbed the information detailing how the ability functioned¡ªfrom its faith point to the effects it had on Avendial''s capacity to boost the overall strength of those who believed in him.


    ''Hm...'' Avendial thought, feelingforted as he rested his hand on her waist. He appreciated the softness of the moment, especially after his exhausting day.


    Hearing Aria''s reading, he clearly understood that this ability was akin to what he had experienced in his past life.


    ording to this ability, all Avendial needed was unwavering faith in someone, and the more faith he had, the more potent his ability would be.


    "Now it''s your turn," Aria finally asserted, having absorbed all the information. She clenched the fabric of her jeans, feeling his hands rove over her as if she were merely dough, but sheposed herself.


    She had dealt with enough of this yful teasing the night before, and while it didn''t truly bother her, she feltpelled to inquire about his part in all this.


    "I didn''t notice, but it seems you''ve got a bit of belly fat too. You should exercise, will you?" Avendial teased, turning his head to sneak a small bite near her earlobe.


    The yful nip made her flinch, but in response, he felt her ce her hands over his, gripping them tightly as if to restrict his movement.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Leave me!" Aria eximed, tightening her grip on his hands. Her words suggested he should free her, yet she still held onto him, knowing full well that if she insisted he leave, he might actually do so.


    "Fine," he finally relented, amusement dancing in his voice. "My blood has the property to awaken an individual."


    At his words, Aria''s eyes widened in surprise. "W-wait..."


    The revtion puzzled her.


    If he could genuinely awaken individuals without meeting any conditions, didn''t that imply he possessed an extraordinarily powerful ability?


    Yet, she didn''t see anything like that reflected in his status.


    "It''s not an ability, Aria," Avendial continued, his voice calm but edged with a finality that made her stiffen slightly in hisp. "What I possess is¡­ a curse."


    "A curse?" Aria echoed, her voice faltering as curiosity overpowered her embarrassment. She craned her neck to look at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "But how can a curse awaken others? That doesn''t make sense."


    Avendial let out a low chuckle, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "You''re quick to doubt yet slow to listen. Let me exin."


    He shifted slightly, keeping her firmly in ce as his fingers traced idle patterns along her waist, making it clear he had no intention of letting her go just yet. "The curse I bear makes me immune to Synergy. It nullifies it entirely when ites into contact with my blood or any fluid from me."


    Aria furrowed her brow as she processed his words. "Then¡­ how does that awaken others?"


    Avendial''s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "By breaking down Synergy, my curse creates a reset in the person Ie into contact with. It acts as a catalyst, first destroying the existing Synergy to pave the way for awakening theirtent abilities."


    ''!?''


    A sudden thump echoed in her chest.


    "W-wait, then, aboutst night?!" Aria stumbled over her words, her heart racing as she finally processed his exnation. A wave of emotions washed over her, and the realization hit hard¡ªthat he had done so much more than just inject his blood; he had altered her very being.


    "Pfft, I just wanted to love you, that''s all," Avendial murmured, narrowing his gaze as he spoke near her ear. The way he said it made her flinch; her lips twitched as she clenched her eyes shut, recalling the pain she had endured the previous night. She stood abruptly, feeling overwhelmed.


    "Y-you!" she stammered. Aria raised her right hand as if to strike him,pletely embarrassed and shocked by his words. Her eyes trembled for a fleeting moment, but then she noticed the yful smile on his face. That smile only deepened her desire to leave this ce, now that he had so brazenly revealed how he had deceived her.


    "Hey, wait! I was kidding! You didn''t have AB+ blood type, that''s why," Avendial quickly rified, the tone of his voice shifting as he gestured for her to stop. He seemed to realize the embarrassment his words had caused and wanted to reveal the actual reason for everything.


    "Huh? What?" Aria was initially taken aback, wanting to flee the situation. But as he tightened his grip on her wrist, he exined that the reason was her blood type. This revtion brought her a measure of relief as she contemted the implications.


    "Alright, fine. Come on," Avendial said with a shrug, pulling her closer. Reluctantly, she nodded and settled onto hisp.


    ''Eh?'' Aria suddenly realized what she had just done; it looked as though she was interested in being there, sitting on hisp willingly.


    "....You could have just kissed me..." Aria blurted out, halting mid-sentence as she recognized the gravity of her words. The embarrassment washed over her, and she couldn''t shake off the feeling that what she had suggested was much more intimate¡ªand frankly, far more vulgar¡ªthan she had initially considered. She had thought that kissing was an option, but quickly she realized that imagining him using his saliva was even more distasteful.


    "Pervert," Avendial whispered near her ear in a hushed tone, causing her to look down with her eyes closed and her mouth shut tight. Her lips pressed together in a thin line, she couldn''t ignore the fact that this situation had turned into something quite embarrassing for her.


    Now, it seemed, she had also earned the undesired title of ''pervert'' in his eyes.


    "So, should we get some good sleep?" he asked, though his words hung in the air, overshadowed by the exhaustion he felt. It had been a long night, filled with the exertion of lifting Aya, who had nestled her head against his shoulder. After being whisked away from the private jet without so much as a moment to catch her breath, it was high time for her to rest.


    She instinctively shut her eyes as he moved toward a wall that slid open, granting him entry.


    The room was small, a haven of sorts, featuring a modest drawer, a bed, and a collection of books. It served as his private retreat, a sanctuary where he could find sce whenever he craved silence, even from a young age.


    As he carefullyid Aria down on the bed, he settled himself beside her, both of them sumbing to a well-deserved sleep, drifting into a peaceful oblivion.

 Chapter 166 - Sertsul Family Meeting

    In the Kingdom of Thaloris, the Sertsul family''s estate resembles abyrinth of towering buildings, each sporting gleaming surfaces that reflect the sunlight beautifully.


    The streets surrounding the estate are meticulously maintained, featuring strips of grass that rest atopyers of rich soil¡ªred y forming the base with dark, grainy loam topping it off.


    In the wooded areas nearby, trees stand in organized rows, tall and straight, with their roots peeking out intermittently and intertwining with irrigation lines that run through thendscape.


    Winding paths meander throughout the region, bordered by shrubs that have been carefully pruned into delightful shapes.


    The grass feels wonderfully soft underfoot, though one can spot uneven patches where varying soil textures and colors emerge to the surface.


    Nestled between the buildings are charming artificialkes that sparkle under the sun, their banks lined with neatly arranged stones, which lead into the carefully cultivated man-made forest that envelops them.


    The air carries a faint metallic scent, a subtle reminder of all the sophisticated engineered systems operating quietly beneath the surface.


    In conclusion, from above it may appear simr to any other territory under nobility, with less forest, greenery, and advanced architecture from the buildings, as well as all the facilities such as hospitals and libraries.


    However, upon closer inspection, it is evident that everything is artificially prepared, not just the buildings but even the greennd.


    The whole territory nning appears simr to that of the Croceaus territory, as it was given the certificate for the most well-efficient design for the territory.


    The Sertsul family is one of the few nobility families that kept their map-making simr to that one.


    Within the center, like a core inside an atom, there are seven or eight straight lines scattered until reaching the outer border of the territory, with each section not physically divided but still controlled by the elders, as well as those from branch families.


    Naturally, due to marriages between members of the Sertsul family and outside nobility, often as secret nning for infiltration, there was a rule that was hardly followed by the members of the Sertsul family.


    They brought their husbands back inside the Sertsul territory until they became the heads of the major family.


    Over time, this led to the creation of nine branch families.


    With that, the whole territory is partially divided into nine sections.


    However, due to the informationwork and the strength underlying the Sertsul family, each branch family focused on their own self-interest.


    Still, they are all concentrated on the territory, driven by their single motivation: their ancestor, due to whom this whole territory now exists, even after a clear separation from the royal family.


    It is etched in the hearts of everyone as a sense of patriotism, although this particr patriotism only allows them not to betray the Sertsul family; they share the same opinions with each other.


    Today, however, it appears that there is a meeting arranged at the center of the Sertsul family, meaning inside the main pce¡ªits grandiose architecture and detailed designs surpassing that of a mansion¡ªlinked with the areas ofwork that are now filled with several luxury cars making their way through and arriving at the center.


    "How bothersome; I had to visit Prince Orion for his recovery," a woman underneath a fan, appearing to be of the same color as her yellow Ferrari, looked in the direction of the pce after being called to an urgent meeting by the family head.


    She clearly felt irritated, but the hint of golden hue in her eyes revealed her identity as a member of one of the branch families.


    "Forget it. Don''t you know whom he went against?" another elder woman replied, having just exited the car.


    She paused to give a fond pat to her niece, who was still not aware of the ways of this world but at least understood the rules inside the territory.


    "Hm," the young woman, under the shadow of her fan, wanted to argue but knowing well about the rules, she just nodded.


    Given her and her social family''s priorities, they were always focused on their most profitable clients.


    Even the one providing them the most profit would always be given priority.


    Naturally, everyone had heard the news about how Prince Orion had tried to drug Marquess Croceaus, clearly giving the Sertsul family an idea of whom their priority should be.


    Though, of course, the social family always maintained a neutral stance given they have clients all around.


    But their priority list is slightly different; in a condition where involvement with one could create a visible setback from another, they try to dodge the situation.


    Given the Aphrodisiac event, any member of the social family engaging with Prince Orion in any kind of conversation could potentially lead to some kind of retaliation from the Marquess''s side, who had an enormous 16.7% of his investments in Sertsul businesses.


    With those in mind, both women made their way to the mansion gates, which had nine entrances on all sides, appearing more like a huge pce.


    The doors were open for all the branch family members as they moved through arge door leading down the hallways.


    The journey was clearly long, but finally, they arrived outside a meeting hall room, with servants greeting them as the doors slowly swung open, revealing a round room without corners, in the middle of which was a huge round table.


    Eight individuals were seated around it, including three males and most others being females.


    As the two women entered the meeting hall, the younger one adjusted her fan, its ornate design obscuring half her face.


    With a sharp click of her heels, they approached the vacant seats, momentarily drawing the attention of those gathered around the circr table.


    Whispered conversations faded as the younger woman quipped, "Late as ever, but at least we''re making an entrance."


    Her elderpanion sighed, a subtle look of disapproval creasing her features.


    "Perhaps less tweeting and more decorum?" she suggested, gesturing toward the chairs.


    Both women took their seats, the younger one rolling her eyes but ultimatelyplying.


    The atmosphere in the hall shifted dramatically when the grand doors at the far end swung open.


    Conversations ceased abruptly as an attractive figure entered¡ªan older woman d in an elegant yet somber dress, her every step exuding authority.


    Behind her followed a younger woman, poised and graceful, though her expression carried an edge of sharp disdain.


    Together, they formed a striking duo, their golden eyes gleaming under the light of the chandeliers.


    The gathered members, including the branch families seated around the table, rose collectively to acknowledge the presence of the head of the Sertsul family.


    She moved with practiced elegance, taking her ce at the head of the table while her daughter stood slightly behind, a subtle yet undeniable assertion of their hierarchy.


    Once seated, the family head raised her hand, prompting the assembly to do the same.


    Her gaze swept across the room, silencing any lingering whispers.


    One of the elder men seated near the center leaned forward, his voice tinged with respectful curiosity.


    "If I may ask, Head Sertsul, what prompted the summoning of us here today? Surely it must be of great importance to warrant such urgency."


    The family head rested her hands on the table, her expression impassive.


    "It is not I who summoned you all," she began, her voice calm yet authoritative.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "It is Aecilia."


    A ripple of surprise coursed through the room.


    While no one outwardly expressed shock, subtle nces were exchanged and some narrowed their eyes, their expressions heavy with intrigue and veiled skepticism.


    The woman hidden behind the yellow fan furrowed her brow, clearly unsettled.


    "I understand if it were the Head herself, but why is she¡ª" Experience new tales on empire


    She gestured toward Aecilia, her words trailing off as if hesitant to overstep.


    Before the murmurs could gain momentum, the family head interrupted, her tone sharp and unyielding.


    "She is my daughter. And she will be the Head soon enough. If anyone has objections, perhaps you''d like to settle those scores directly with her."


    The room fell silent at the deration, though the tension thickened palpably.


    The woman with the fan stiffened, her gaze finally meeting Aecilia''s for the first time.


    What she saw rooted her in ce¡ªgolden eyes, much like her mother''s, yet Aecilia''s were colder and fiercer.


    Her ck lipstick set her apart, a stark contrast to the polished refinement of the others.


    Aecilia tilted her head slightly, a mockery of a smile curving her lips.


    "Shut the hell up, idiot," she said coolly, her voiceced with an icy bite.


    "Can''t you see we''re in a meeting?" The woman with the fan gawked, utterly bbergasted.


    "Y-you!" she stammered, her face flushing with a mixture of indignation and fear.


    A sudden gasp from the elder woman seated beside her broke the moment.


    The elder''s voice wavered as she turned to Aecilia, her expression torn between confusion and reverence.


    "Aecilia, be more clear¡ªwhy have you summoned us here?" she demanded, her words a blend of defiance and trepidation.


    Aecilia smiled, stepping forward with deliberate grace, her ck lipstick curved into an elegant smile as she informed, "I know how the Royal family is able to create Empyreals."


    ''!?!''


    It was as if her mere words sent a visible tumult throughout the room. Everyone''s eyes widened, looking towards the head of the family in shock, as they themselves weren''t aware of this piece of information beforehand.


    But given the crucial nature of the information, it seemed even more usible that it would be shared with them in the meeting.


    "Aecilia....are you¡ª" One of the elders wanted to inquire if Aecilia was actually confirmed about this piece of information. But he halted the moment he noticed the clear seriousness in the gaze of the head of the family, realizing that it was already confirmed by her.


    "Tell us, Aecilia, how...."

 Chapter 167- A Conversation

    Continue your journey with empire


    Aecilia tilted her head a bit, giving off a yful vibe, but the sharp glint in her golden eyes hinted at something much more calcted.


    Around the circr table, the Sertsul family elders and branch heads were focused on her, and these weren''t the kind of people who were easily impressed or shaken.


    Sure, they were a bit entric, but their loyalty to family prosperity was rock-solid.


    Their lives revolved around the idea that the Sertsul name was everything. In that moment, though, they looked more like restless predators wanting to get their hands on information that had shaken all of them.


    Naturally, given that this was a meeting arranged by the head of the family, it was assured that this information was 100% true and proven.


    So they did not doubt it. And given the importance of such information, they were restless.


    "Y-yes, tell us, Aecilia¡ª"


    "Why would I?" Aecilia''s voice was calm and steady, with each word pronounced like she was making a deliberate point.


    She wasn''t about to back down or appease them, and naturally, she could do nothing except follow the words that the Marquess had told her after they left the Free Cities for the Kingdom of Thaloris.


    He had instructed her toplete some tasks¡ªthe first task was with the Sertsul family, and the second was for her to meet Princess Katheria Arihphiam.


    Turning her attention towards the elders in the hall, she smiled as their reaction came quickly, and honestly, it was pretty predictable.


    "How dare she!" one elder erupted, mming his hand on the smooth wood table, his deep-set brows furrowing as his aged cheeks turned red with a mix of anger and disbelief.


    "Does she not understand how crucial this knowledge is?!" another elder snapped, her hawk-like features tightening with indignation. "This could boost our standing tenfold!"


    One elder leaned in closer, his knuckles going white as he gripped the table''s edge. "Aecilia, you need to trust your family! What you know isn''t just yours; it''s part of our inheritance!"


    The uproar filled the chamber, with voices ovepping in a chaotic mixture of outrage and admonishment.


    These people were used to power and respect, and they thrived on highly calcted cooperation for their collective legacy¡ªthe legacy of Sertsul family.


    Aecilia''s defiance was a total p in the face to the order they held dear.


    But through all the noise, Aecilia simply smiled, a small yet knowing smile that seemed to pull the tension even tighter.


    Eventually, she raised a hand, making a subtle gesture that seemed tomand silence. Her audacity was infuriating, but no one could deny the authority radiating from her gaze, especially after being told that the speaker of this meeting would be her by the head of the family.


    "I''m not saying I wouldn''t tell you," she stated inly, her voice slicing through the mor. "I''m just saying I didn''t find it out on my own. Someone else told me."


    The room stilled, her words practically daring them to challenge her further. A flicker of suspicion crossed the elders'' faces.


    They were not okay with the idea of outsiders identifying information theycked.


    Their extensivework of spies and informants stretched across the Arinphiam Empire; the very thought that someone outside their family could know more than they did?


    Yeah, that was both unsettling and uneptable.


    "Who?" a stern voice rang out from the far side of the table, the speaker''s wrinkled face etched in a frown.


    "Who told you this?" another elder demanded, impatience and distrust seeping into his tone.


    Aecilia''s smile widened slightly, but it didn''t hold any warmth.


    She scanned the room, lingering on each face as if daring them to push her more. "Do you want to know their name," she teased, "or something way more significant?"


    A murmur of curiosity spread through the room. The elders exchanged nces, their anger taking a backseat to intrigue.


    It wasn''t every day someone in the family had information strong enough to challenge their authority except the family head.


    "What could be more crucial than knowing how to create Empyreals?" an elder finally asked, skepticism and demand mingling in his voice.


    Aecilia''s expression shifted, the yful smile fading as she leaned forward, her voice dropping to a serious tone. "They know how to kill an Empyreal."


    The room, which had buzzed with argument moments before, went dead silent.


    The elders froze, their faces disying disbelief mixed with unease.


    The idea seemed outrageous, even heretical, but Aecilia spoke with a certainty that couldn''t be brushed off easily.


    "Do you even understand what you''re saying?" one elder finally managed to ask, his voice wavering slightly. "Empyreals are the height of human evolution! They''re practically invincible!"


    "They''re not gods," Aecilia shot back, her tone as biting as winter winds. "And this method doesn''t rely on brute force or any of the secret techniques you''ve put your heart and soul into for decades."


    Aecilia also mentioned the secret matter of the Sertsul family, which has been developed over centuries to provide superhuman strength to its members, just like the strength possessed by her and Billie.


    The truth about the Sertsul family''s past was a secret they guarded fiercely.


    To outsiders, their story began when the royal family turned on them, stripping away their wealth and forcing them to settle in a barren wastnd.


    But the real story was far darker.


    The emperor of that time, infatuated with the family''s founder¡ªa woman renowned as the most beautiful of her era¡ªcouldn''t bear her rejection.


    What followed was more than punishment; it was an act of spite and obsession.


    Not long after they were exiled, tragedy struck. The founder''s husband was killed in what was publicly called an ident, though everyone in the family knew better.


    It wasn''t chance¡ªit was the emperor''s wrath, carried out by his newly formed army of monsters called Empyreals.


    His love had turned to hatred, and the Sertsuls were paying the price.


    On the surface, the founder appeared to ept her fate. She focused on rebuilding her family''s fortunes, starting a business that would go on to define the Sertsul name¡ªpleasure houses, alcohol, and all things that were unexpected by nobility.


    But beneath that calm exterior burned a need for revenge.


    Quietly, she began studying medicine and poison, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.


    Her dedication paid off, and in time, she became something the world had never seen before¡ªa superhuman with skills and strength far beyond ordinary limits¡ªthough not like the monsters of the Royal Family.


    A few monthster, the emperor fell ill and died.


    Officially, it was an unfortunate illness.


    But within the Sertsul family, the truth was clear: the founder had struck back.


    She had avenged her husband, using the very knowledge and power she had spent years perfecting.


    And naturally, knowing that in the future things would once again be grim, all the methods she developed and started to work on were passed down to her family from generation to generation.


    Aecilia, inspired by the founder''s history, dedicated herself to bing superhuman.


    She trained rigorously and studied fervently to emte the founder, who had even killed the Empyreals that had killed her husband on order of thete Emperor.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Although these events werergely forgotten over time, the Sertsul family preserved these tales, reminding themselves of their legacy and their resolve to confront any adversary.


    Inside the hall, murmurs arose again, but they were quieter and more cautious.


    The elders were practical, and although their first reaction was to reject such a im, the implications were far too significant to ignore.


    If Aecilia was telling the truth, things could shift dramatically¡ªnot just for the Sertsul family but for the entire nobility.


    One of the younger members, his voice shaky yet pushing forward, said, "So, you''re saying this¡­ method doesn''t even need someone strong enough to face an Empyreal?"


    "Exactly," Aecilia confirmed, her tone final. "The method I''m talking about can take down an Empyreal without needing strength at all."


    Her words lingered in the room like a sword hanging by a thread.


    The elders, despite their usual confidence, couldn''t hide the flicker of unease in their eyes.


    These were people who thrived on control and valued strength, loyalty, and efficiency above all else.


    The thought of an Empyreal¡ªan embodiment of perfection¡ªbeing toppled by something intangible was definitely unsettling.


    "This is madness," one elder woman murmured, but even her voicecked conviction. She nced around, almost seeking reassurance from herpanions.


    "And yet," Aecilia continued, her voice steady, "it works. All it takes is to hit the one thing even an Empyreal can''t manage¡ªemotions."


    "What are you talking about?" another elder interrupted, frustration creeping in.


    Aecilia''s gaze sharpened, her voice now cutting like a knife. "To kill an Empyreal, you''ve got to shatter their emotional state. Overwhelm them. Break them. Once they''re off bnce, they lose the control that makes them formidable and boom."


    The silence was thick.


    The elders exchanged uneasy nces, their usual resolve shaken.


    "What does this boom mean?" Sure, they were quirky, but their unwavering focus on the family''s sess meant they couldn''t just brush off Aecilia''s heavy words.


    "Ahem, I mean, they will explode on their own," Aecilia coughed, clearing her throat, knowing that it''s always a hassle to talk with these people who don''t understand her words.


    Finally, one elder spoke up, his voice low but steady. "How do we know this isn''t some kind of trick?"


    This revtion wasn''t just dangerous; it was game-changing. But what if it was just a trick, and while confirming this, someone sacrificed their life?


    Naturally, none of the members of the Sertsul family would ever shy away from sacrificing their lives for the family, but dying futilely wasn''t an option.


    "Here," Aecilia threw a tablet onto the desk, which soon lit up, and a video started to y on it.

 Chapter 168 - The Sertsul Familys Meeting

    "Th-this?!" Aecilia eximed as she hurled the tablet onto the table. Itnded with a thud, and the screen flickered to life.


    A video began to y, the sound muffled, but the shing noises made it clear they were witnessing a fight scene.


    Ting


    The screen flickered inside the hall before the image stabilized¡ªa grainy CCTV recording, shaky as it captured a tense moment.


    The figures were initially indistinct, but soon one of them became unmistakably clear¡ªa hulking mass of muscle, grotesquely swollen, revealing that it was an Empyreal in an unrestrained rage.


    The elders leaned in closer, squinting, their breaths held as the video unfolded.


    The menacing figure, evidently an Empyreal, charged toward Aecilia.


    Gasps of disbelief rippled through the room as the identity of the muscr assant became clear, but more concerning was a familiar figure¡ªMarquess Croceaus, their most valued investor, appeared helpless in the shadow of the oing beast behind Aecilia.


    The tension in the room heightened, the hairs on the back of their necks bristling in horror.


    Even though they knew they were watching a recording of a past event, the vividness of the scene was impossible to ignore. Naturally, they couldn''t dismiss the possibility of the Marquess being injured during this exchange.


    A plethora of questions flooded their minds. Why was an Empyreal trying to attack the Marquess? Read new chapters at empire


    Had the royal family sent him?


    And why did the buildings in the background resemble those from the free cities instead of the royal kingdom?


    One thing was unequivocal:


    The room remained eerily silent, the weight of this revtion settling heavily in the air.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    One by one, the elders started to lift the tablet, eager to view the video themselves, each of them reiterating its significance as it circted around the round table.


    Their shock was palpable, especially considering that they had forgotten about therge screens and projectors avable in the hall. The gravity of the situation must have momentarily clouded their minds.


    Each member of the council, seasoned experts in their respective fields and well-versed in matters concerning the Sertsul family, seemed to momentarily overlook the practical reality of disying the video on arger screen.


    Eventually, the tablet¡ªafter being rewound and reyed multiple times¡ªreturned to the center of the table.


    Some council members still looked visibly shaken.


    They were rattled by the memory of Aecilia effortlessly dodging two fierce attacks before hurling the Empyreal to the ground, culminating in a powerful explosion.


    They all knew Aecilia was far stronger than any other candidate who had undergone simr superhuman training. Yet, in the absence of Empyreals, they had never truly tested her mettle against one.


    This was the first time she had faced an Empyreal, and her victory made it abundantly clear just how much stronger she was than them.


    ''...Marquess, you truly are something else...'' Aecilia stood undaunted amidst the tension, arms crossed and gaze sharp, as she observed the murmurs and nces directed at her. Given how she had never once doubted the tasks assigned to her, witnessing each of his predictionsing to fruition made her ponder if she was perhaps falling in love all over again.


    He had instructed her to present this video to the elders of the Sertsul family, anticipating that they might attempt to undermine the deal she was proposing¡ªthe very reason she had summoned all of them today.


    "Did you really kill him?" one of the elders finally asked, his toneced with disbelief rather than usation.


    Aecilia''s lips curled into a faint smirk. "I didn''t kill him. He killed himself," she replied coolly. "If you watch closely, you''ll see it. His emotions overwhelmed him, and that was his undoing."


    Definitely, all the elders had already noticed that particr instance where the Empyreal died on his own, but still some of them, mostly the younger members who had arrived with the head of the branch family, took the tablets and looked while standing beside the seated figures¡ªthey rewound the video once again, scrutinizing every frame.


    "Y-yes, you didn''t kill them," one of the younger members, who was in the same age group as Aecilia, appeared relieved given how they reacted when they viewed the video of Aecilia going against an Empyreal. They were clearly taken aback the moment they saw how she defeated him.


    Naturally, the reason why Empyreals mostly made them on guard wasn''t the fact that they possessed superpowers, but rather that these people were already well-trained fighters and members of an elite ss of soldiers, making them machines in their own right. With the addition of superpowers, they were unstoppable.


    It was simr to how all of them were well trained with the application of the secret medications and the herbs from the Sertsul family''s tradition, giving them a boost. But, if they were to stand against such illogical powers like those produced by these Empyreals, they weren''t confident in themselves, given their battle prowess may be simr, but their strength was not.


    "Isn''t it relieving?" Aecilia gave a mocking smile to that young member, clearly knowing that her superiority in fighting made them feel inferior. Naturally, it was bing more evident by the way he spoke.


    "...y-you," there was irritation and annoyance in the voice of the elder, but he couldn''t do anything except to grieve for the Empyreal''s death, knowing that he was hopeless, looking down. Meanwhile, all the elders and the head of the families were understanding, linking Aecilia''s words about how making Empyreals emotionally overloaded could lead to their downfall.


    Slowly, understanding dawned on the council as they began murmuring among themselves.


    The anger, the frustration, and the sheer emotional overload on the Empyreal were evident in his final moments.


    Another elder, a stern-faced woman seated near the head of the table, nodded. "Your provocation forced him to lose control," she stated. "A remarkable disy of strategy and strength."


    "Indeed," another elder chimed in. "To hold your ground against such a force¡­ Aecilia, you''ve proven your worth once again."


    A third voice followed, softer yet equally appreciative. "You didn''t just protect yourself. You safeguarded the future of this family by ensuring the survival of one of our most important connections."


    Aecilia epted their praise with a nod, her smirk lingering. "I merely did what was necessary. Nothing more."


    But inwardly, she felt amused, seeing the hesitation in their eyes, as they were now viewing her in a new light, which was expected, given she had indeed shown what was enough to earn their credibility.


    She had provided two crores of information which were unknown to anyone highly guarded under the royal family, and most probably not even the princes and princesses would have been aware of this except the Emperor himself.


    So it was natural for her to be seen in a new light.


    But the council wasn''t done with their inquiries. One of them leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "What do we do with this information now? Surely, there are implications beyond what we''ve seen in the video."


    Though the elders wanted to discuss this information among themselves and not involve the present generation, the already heightened status of Aecilia, who herself had brought all the details they had asked for regarding her future ns, ensured they considered it. They understood the implications of potentially using spies to manipte Empyreals; though challenging, exploiting their emotional weaknesses could secure their existence.


    Aecilia straightened, her tone firm and decisive. "For now, we do nothing regarding the incident itself. Our priority must shift. Halt all current projects and redirect our focus to weapon production¡ªmelee weapons specifically. Bows, swords, spears. The works."


    Her deration caused a stir. Confusion flickered across the faces of several members as they nced at one another. One finally raised his hand, his voice hesitant. "Aecilia, with respect, why such a drastic shift? Shouldn''t some of us continue with the original projects while others handle this transition?"


    Aecilia shook her head. "No. We have one year to prepare. The current trajectory of our ventures will leave us vulnerable. We need weapons manufacturing at full capacity. And," she added, her tone sharp, "we also need ess to gun mechanisms. Contact gun dealers. Gather empty cartridges, schematics¡ªanything you can get your hands on. Additionally, the information division of the Sertsul family will be tasked with several critical investigations. Details will follow soon."


    The confusion among the council deepened. One elder ventured a question. "Are we to manufacture guns as well? You mentioned melee weapons, but now you''re talking about firearms. What exactly is the n, Aecilia?"


    Her eyes gleamed with an intensity that silenced the room. "Blueprints. Research. Preparation. I don''t need to exin every detail now. Trust me and follow the directives. This isn''t just about survival; it''s about dominance."


    And in the end, the only thing Aecilia was able to add were the same words she had heard from Avendial, clearly copying and pasting his words while adding a bit of her own.


    The council turned their attention to the head of the family, who had remained silent throughout.


    Her presence was imposing despite her stillness. Seated with folded hands and closed eyes, she exuded an air of unshakable authority, with a hint of wrinkles on her face, yet not enough to diminish the impact she filled this ce with.


    As the murmurs died down, her eyes slowly opened, a gesture so deliberate itmanded immediate attention.


    Her gaze swept the room, and without uttering a word, she nodded.


    The council members rose from their seats in unison, bowing deeply before leaving the hall.


    Their expressions ranged from reluctant eptance to resolute determination.


    They understood that the family''s path had been decided, and there was no room for dissent.


    As thest of them filed out, Aecilia turned to the head of the family. "Thank you for trusting me," she said quietly.


    The head of the family remained silent, her gaze fixed on Aecilia. After a moment, a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You have one year. Don''t disappoint me."


    Aecilia nodded, her resolve unwavering. "I won''t."


    The woman stood before turning to leave the room, leaving her words: "I hope following that child''s words doesn''t bring harm to the Sertsul family, and you will have to make sure of it."


    "....Yes, mom." As if already expecting her mother to see through it all, Aecilia simply nodded.

 Chapter 169- Preparations

    20 January 2031


    12:58 AM


    "...Hh." Though he felt nearly drained after waking from a deep sleep, Avendial became aware of the warm breath that intertwined softly with his own. Slowly, his fluttering eyelids opened to reveal deep blue irises illuminated by the moonlight, which reflected the intent gaze of a woman peering into his eyes.


    This prompted Avendial to nce sideways, taking stock of the room around him before returning his focus to Aria. With a teasing smirk, he remarked, "You are quite heavy..."


    "There''s something about the way you sleep¡ªlike the world fades away, leaving just you?", Aria replied, her gaze lingering on him. The ruby hue of her pupils locked onto his, momentarily distracted by a strand of his silver hair that shimmered enticingly in the moonlight.


    She couldn''t help but admire his wless skin, defined jawline, and the contours of his lips that framed his face, resembling a masterpiece she wished to adore throughout the night. It had already been thirty minutes since she awoke, and she found it hard to tear her eyes away from him.


    "Haah... Miss Aria, it seems you have sumbed to a particrly contagious disease," Avendial teased, feeling her entire body resting on him, her softness reminiscent of a ko clinging to a tree. He merely smiled lightly before whispering, "A disease, very lethal and utterly addictive...Maybe I should give you white serum shots to help you feel better... all night long, if that''s what it takes."


    "...." Aria kept her eyes locked onto his, captivated by that same smile which had already ensnared her heart. Her lips trembled as she became aware of his hands sliding along her jeans, interlocking with each other just above her rear.


    Feeling helpless against the circumstances, she buried her face into his neck and mumbled, "This time... go easy... okay?"


    "Yeah," he replied in a hushed tone, his voice barely above a whisper. With a graceful movement, he turned his body above hers, gently pushing her down onto the bed. His face nestled into the curve of her neck, while his other hand slid up to reveal her waist, the fabric of her white shirt now pooled up and revealing her underboob, given her bra had already been sacrificed in the morning.


    In this delicate moment under the silver light of the moon, their lips finally met, with the moon vanishing between their intensifying heat.


    ---


    3 hourster,


    The air outside the room was thick with a pungent, suffocating scent¡ªthe sharp, primal odor of sweat, sex, and desperation.


    The sounds inside were raw and relentless, filling the room and spilling into the corridor, taunting a woman standing outside with every pulse.


    Pah pah pah...


    HNGH... Uhh... Aanngh...!? Discover hidden tales at empire


    The sounds echoed like a cruel whisper against her ear, each one twisting in her gut, squeezing her chest in a vice of jealousy and self-loathing.


    A lone figure stood there, her back pressed against the door, legs barely holding her up as her amethyst eyes burned with a feverish mixture of rage and despair.


    Pah pah pah


    Unhg...! Haah...! Ieeekk...!


    The rhythmic pounding from within sliced through her thoughts, seeping into her mind like poison.


    ''No... no, please, stop it... it hurts too much'', She thought, her fingers digging into her scalp, messing up her dense purple hair. The desperation was evident in the way she gripped her head, as if trying to stop the intrusion of the noises.


    But they came with a ferocity she couldn''t block.


    Pah pah pah...


    Her breath hitched.


    The moans were louder now, taunting her.


    AaaNnnGgHhh... unhh... Mmmphh...!?


    Every cry felt like a knife being plunged deeper into her chest, her body trembling violently with each one.


    She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push them out, but the sounds grew, twisting her mind into a frenzy of hatred and obsession.


    Why her?


    Why does that woman get to have him?


    The thought echoed in Rivia''s mind as the door trembled beneath her.


    ''Why does she get to have what I want?''


    Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her skin as she fought to remain still.


    :: I am disappointed in you, Rivia. ::


    His words echoed in her ears¡ªcold and clearly disappointed due to her actions.


    She couldn''t betray him.


    She couldn''t lose him.


    Pah pah pah


    The pounding came again, relentless and unforgiving, as the woman''s moans grew louder.


    HEUKK...! Aanngh...! S-slow...Annhh!


    Each noise felt like it was tearing her apart from the inside out.


    Kill her.


    ''I should kill her...''


    The thought flickered in her mind like a spark in the dark, but she quickly crushed it.


    She couldn''t afford to break.


    She couldn''t afford to disobey.


    His face shed before her eyes, cold and indifferent, reminding her of her ce¡ªobedient, silent, loyal¡ªand to feel the consequences of her past actions.


    She could almost hear his voice in her mind, stern andmanding: "I will abandon you if you act out of line."


    She doesn''t remember if he said those words, but her mind knew it was how he would have told those words after all the mistakes he had made.


    ''I can''t lose him...''


    ''I can''t...''


    Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn''t allow herself to cry.


    Her heart twisted with the unbearable mixture of desire and hate.


    The sounds, the cries from within, pushed her closer to the edge of madness.


    Pah pah pah...


    The rhythm of it was maddening now¡ªUngh... mmhh... AAaaaNnnnGggHhh...!?


    She could feel her sanity slipping, her body trembling from the unbearable pressure.


    Her breath came in gasps, but she stayed there, frozen in ce, pressing her ear to the door as the moans continued to invade her thoughts, drowning her in her own jealousy, her own fear.


    She will wait...


    She will endure...


    She clenched her fists tighter, nails biting into her palms.


    She couldn''t let him slip away.


    Not now.


    Not ever.


    ''She''ll never take him from me... no one can.''


    Her head dropped backward, resting against the door as she whispered through clenched teeth, "You''ll always be mine."


    And there, in the silence between the moans, she stayed, caught between torment and obsession, her mind wrapped around the desperate need to prove her loyalty, her love, even if it meant breaking herself in the process.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    8:00 Am


    "Prepare yourself; we need to leave for the City," Avendial said, ncing at his wristwatch. Fresh from a bath, he had just finished buttoning his shirt and was making his way toward the door, looking revitalized afterbing his hair. He stole a nce at the woman beside him, who nodded in response while slipping on the shoes the maid had brought, clearly well-prepared.


    Though it typically would have taken them some time, the two had streamlined their morning routine at Avendial''s suggestion, bathing together and assisting each other with their clothes, which made everything much faster.


    "Enter," Avendial called out as he approached the door. The door slid open to reveal Rivia, who stood there with an impassive expression. She appeared perfectlyposed, showing no signs of tears, sadness, or grief.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Yes, did you call for me, Master?" she asked, giving a nod before shifting her gaze toward Aravind Yao. Without breaking her focus on him, she noticed that a woman named Arya was rising from the bed and making her way toward the door. Instinctively, Rivia''s hand tightened around the hilt of her sword.


    "Yes, we are going to the Free City."


    "¡­Yes¡­" Rivia replied, her heart clenching as she contemted the implications. Deep down, she knew they would be remaining within that territory under the guise of training Leo.


    ''It hurts¡­'' she thought, wincing at the pain in her chest that felt as if her heart was heavy with sorrow at the mere thought of him leaving her.


    "Fine, then tell Alfred to instruct Leo in martial arts and also send this to theboratory," Avendial continued, well aware of the turmoil swirling in her mind. He had chosen to remain oblivious to the fact that she had spent the entire night quietly crying. To him, there was no need to release her, as a leash was essential in their game. It always hurt when she felt this way, but he believed that once it was done, there would be no fear of the bond ever breaking. That was why he wanted her to have a chance to settle matters with Dr. Etrinia, who needed to be brought in for research concerning the capsule he held in his hand.


    "Huh, this?" Rivia asked, her mind clouded with confusion as a sense of abandonment washed over her. The reason she believed would allow her to remain¡ªtraining Leo¡ªnow seemed like a ruse, drawing her gaze toward the stic pouch containing a ck capsule that Avendial was holding.


    "It''s important. Give this to Alfred and instruct him to gather the scientists and provide me with a report on its contents as soon as possible," Avendial said. For emergency purposes, he had already secured a small portion of the capsule''s content in another pouch, offering this one to her for further investigation.


    Although it would be challenging to reverse-engineer all theponents, he trusted that with the current technology and the memories he retained, it wouldn''t be impossible to reproduce the capsule.


    While Rivia understood some keyponents of the capsule, she was unaware of theplete information, unlike the others.


    She realized that with the present technology and her ess to the knowledge she had, they could attempt to reverse-engineer the unknown elements.


    By mixing that with his memories from the future, Avendial hoped he could provide Dr. Etrinia with even better insight into the matter.

 Chapter 170- Alfred and Leo

    ''What exactly does the Marquess want...?'' Alfred pondered as he exited the car, a file clutched in his hand.


    He recalled the report he had recently received from theboratory.


    Given that scientists and doctors had been summoned to meet within the hour¡ªan action not impossible considering their presence within the territory¡ªthere remained a considerable amount of confusion surrounding severalponents of the mysterious capsule.


    Notably, some elements seemed to be entirely nonexistent or could not be synthesized.


    When Alfred first received the pouch from Arabia, his trained eye quickly identified a small amount of blood contained within the capsule.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Strangely, its color was ck.


    Coupled with the reports he had obtained from local authorities and the government of the Free City about destruction urring at an auction house, this fact raised further questions. Continue your saga on empire


    Though he had not been privy to all the details beforehand, Alfred had sought answers after noticing two imperial guards apanying the Marquess.


    Following this, he learned from the government about the turmoil near the auction house, particrly concerning a woman identified as Aria Williams, a member of the illustrious Williams family, which had long been in the crosshairs of Diego''s n due to conflicts stemming from the Sertsul family''s assassination branch.


    After investigating further, Alfred managed to retrieve an image of the woman from the CCTV footage at the main gate, confirming her identity as a verified member of the Williams family.


    Initially, he had spected that the woman possessed some kind of destructive ability that led to the auction house''s devastation.


    However, as he analyzed footage recovered from the rubble, he detected traces of that same dark liquid scattered about.


    It became increasingly clear that a battle had urred, likely involving a non-human entity whose blood was the source of the peculiar ck color.


    It seemed the Marquess was intent on analyzing this mysterious creature.


    Despite piecing together this hypothesis, Alfred recognized the myriad of loopholes and gaps in his understanding¡ªdetails he could not safely inquire about with his master, as it may not be appropriate for him to know at this stage.


    With his mind racing, he focused on adjusting his bowtie as he approached the metal gates of the mansion.


    From this vantage point, he noticed the Marquess alongside Rivia and the woman named Aria, all departing the premises, trailed closely by a group of maids.


    "His name was Leo, if I recall correctly," Alfred observed as he noticed a solitary figure moving away from even the maids behind him. It was the young man Leo, who was also of imperial lineage. Alfred had noted how Leo had interacted with his mother during her time in the hospital.


    At least he was able toprehend the nature of Leo''s character, which didn''t appear particrly suspicious.


    Having already verified Aria''s information, he set aside his own musings.


    Although he hadplete trust in Marquess''s decisions, his own insecurities prompted him to seek more information about the young man.


    Now that most matters had been settled, Alfred turned his attention to his next responsibility: teaching Leo.


    "This is the report you requested, Master," Alfred announced as he approached Avendial, executing a slight bow as he offered forth the document he held. His demeanor remained entirely professional, with his feet close together, one hand resting on his abdomen while the other extended the file toward Avendial.


    "I see. Have you summoned the others?" Avendial inquired, epting the file from Alfred. As he examined the contents regarding theponents of the capsules, he noted there were only six or seven mentioned. However, he was fully aware that there were actually thirteen additional elements necessary, including four crucial ones that he had already identified.


    In total, they had knowledge of sevenponents, plus the four that Avendial had in mind. Therefore, for Etrinia to uncover the other two wouldn''t pose much of a challenge.


    "Yes, but it will take them another half hour to arrive," Alfred replied, keeping his head lowered. He exined that the scientists and researchers Avendial had requested were currently scattered and engaged in various projects.


    These tasks needed to be carefully halted to avoid chaos, particrly in cases where hazardous materials were involved.


    Thus, they would first need to secure everything before making their way here. Even with the swiftest mode of transport, it would take them an additional half hour.


    Of course, those few who had already arrived had provided their initial report after researching the capsule. However, it would be difficult for all of them to gather simultaneously.


    "It''s fine," Avendial said, handing over a small piece of paper he had written on his way out. "Take this and start teaching Leo. Also, inform the others to investigate the full capabilities of his ability. The tests are outlined here." He exined how the ability possessed by Leo functioned while emphasizing the need for optimal performance through the integration of modern technology with traditional martial arts.


    Alfred, who had once been Avendial''s teacher in martial arts, was now also a scientist capable of developing equipment and training methods. He was tasked with introducing Leo''s body to radioactive substances and toxins to enhance adaptability and maximize results.


    "This...." Alfred began as he opened the letter, his eyes widening as he absorbed the information regarding Leo''s unique ability. It was evident that this young man possessed immense potential¡ªone that could evolve into an indestructible weapon if properly honed.


    The ability was ssified as a growth-type, meaning his strength would equate to the quality of his training.


    Initially perplexed by the mention of radioactive substances, poisons, and weaponry, Alfred soon grasped the essence of Avendial''s request and its intended purpose.


    "I will do my best," Alfred said, bowing slightly. Avendial nodded and transferred a flicker of fire from his hand to Rivia, who received it with reverence. The three of them proceeded toward the cars that awaited them, ready to take them to the airport. As they walked, Avendial imparted his final words of encouragement.


    "Don''t go easy on him. I need results, and he is prepared to deliver. The decision is now in your hands and, also, tell Rihane to teach Rendian some military tactics." Avendial, opening the door of the car, gave orders about what Alfred needed to do with Rendian, who had just awakened his ability, and Rihane, who should have arrived here a few days ago to get her position as military advisor.


    Of course, there wasn''t such a position existing right now, which was why, to avoid making the royal family suspicious, he decided to have her as a teacher for Rendian.


    To be exact, he wouldn''t have hired Rihane if it hadn''t been for Aecilia''s luck, which he trusted. But of course, given how in the future there were no aplishments associated with the name Rehane, Avendial prioritized others over her. However, in case the royal family had doubts, he ordered Alfred to arrange for her to be a teacher for Rendian.


    "I understand," Alfred kept his head lower as he heard the sounds of their footsteps slowly fading before the car engines roared as all three of them left the mansion gates, apanied by the fading sound of engines. Slowly lifting his head, Alfred looked towards the disappearing fleet of cars, narrowing his gaze as he brought both his hands together to adjust his white gloves.


    "Leo, isn''t it?" Alfred called out intentionally, his tone doubtful as he approached him. With his muscr build, Leo narrowed his gaze, though keeping a calm, posed face as he saw the butler approaching him.


    Though Leo did not know everything in detail, from the fact that the woman who was supposed to train him had left, along with the Marquess, it was evident that his trainer must have been changed. And given how the Marquess had at the end given amand to this butler, it was somehow usible for Leo to guess that it was for him.


    "Yes," Leo replied in a calm tone, though doubting if this man would be able to help him much, given he himself noticed how his body had be much tougher and stronger that hitting a wall even with his head wouldn''t leave a mark on him, though of course it wasn''t his ego¡ªit was confusion, considering maybe the knowledge he would be gaining this time would be theoretical.


    "From the written stats here, you seem strong enough to have strength to lift 5 tons of weight with one of your hands." Alfred wasn''t aware of how the Marquess was able to get these numbers, but seeing them, he trusted them and inquired to reconfirm if what was written about the strength value of this Empyreal was true.


    Leo''s brows furrowed slightly at Alfred''s question. "Yes, that''s correct," he replied, keeping his tone measured. Though outwardly calm, his gaze was scrutinizing. There was something about this butler that unsettled him¡ªbut of course, not in a negative way.


    Alfred nodded, his expression unchanging. "Good," he said, reaching into his inner coat pocket. From it, he withdrew a golden pen.


    Its metallic sheen caught the light as he inspected it briefly, tightening the cap.


    Leo''s eyes flickered toward the object, confused. "What''s that for?"


    "Verification," Alfred answered curtly, his movements swift as he stepped closer to Leo. "Stay still."


    ''!''


    Before Leo could fully process the situation, Alfred''s hand moved with practiced precision, and the tip of the pen was suddenly pressed against the side of Leo''s neck.


    A sharp prick followed as the golden pen punctured his skin.


    A strange, numbing sensation spread rapidly through his veins, and his body instinctively tensed.


    "Kugh!?" His vision blurred, and a peculiar heat radiated from the point of contact.


    "Huh¡­?" Leo managed to croak, his voice faint as his legs gave way beneath him. Given that it was not just strength, he seemed as if he were not just using brute force, but rather that he was poisonous.


    His surroundings spun, his limbs growing heavy, and despite his immense strength, his body refused to respond.


    Alfred stepped back, watching as Leo''s eyes rolled back and his body crumpled to the ground.


    "Hmm," Alfred murmured to himself as his narrowed gaze noticed how Leo was trying to keep himself awake, his expression devoid of emotion as he adjusted his gloves. "As expected from someone personally chosen by the Marquess, you are really determined to train."

 Chapter 171 - A Secret Heavier than Two Lives

    The Diego Estate''s private hospital was quite a sight in the middle of City A, Sector 1.


    Its shiny ss exterior sparkled under the bright midday sun, with the estate''s crest prominently disyed above the entrance.


    Luxury cars lined the street, and the low hum of engines filled the air as security personnel kept a watchful eye around the area.


    Out of nowhere, another car pulled up, surrounded by a fleet of four sleek ck vehicles. It came to a stop with impressive precision, enough to leave a trail of rubber marks beneath the path.


    The door swung open, and out stepped a woman.


    Her icy blue hair fell gracefully down her back, creating a striking contrast with her sharp, piercing grayish eyes. (*She is in the cover picture of the book.)


    She exuded amanding presence that was colder than winter itself.


    Giving her tailored coat a quick adjustment, she walked purposefully into the building, the sound of her heels echoing against the immacte marble floors.


    The hospital staff automatically stepped aside, knowing exactly who she was¡ªAstarra Diego.


    There were no friendly greetings or small talk, just her determined stride toward the elevator that would take her to the fourth floor.


    Without bothering to knock, she entered a private room, her eyes instantlynding on the man lounging on the hospital bed.


    He seemed to be indulging in azy moment, holding an almost devoured apple in his hand.


    The scent in the room wasn''t exactly inviting, and he didn''t seem shy about letting a little tulence slip out.


    "Seriously?" Astarra''s cold voice cut through like a whip, instantly breaking his nonchnt vibe.


    He blinked at her, still a bit caught off guard with his mouth full. "Uh... just an ident?" he joked weakly, trying to muster a grin. But the memories of the auction house hit him hard; losing consciousness from that violent recoil had left his whole body aching. Thanks to some advanced tech, though, he was on the mend.


    Honestly, he knew all about this woman''s arrival, courtesy of his secretary. Still, he yed it off like this so she wouldn''t start asking questions about Bordy, who, as it turned out, was dead now. Besides acting uncaring, he felt there was no other option on the table.


    Astarra narrowed her gaze, intensely scrutinizing the man she''d chosen as her husband. He was acting like aplete fool, and it was frustrating. After all, she had made sure he stayed alive by letting Bordy apany him, which was no small feat given the Sertsul family''s history.


    Even after all these years together, she found herself needing to be extra cautious to keep things from spiraling out of control. Just a few days ago, the Sertsul family had put a hit out on him, and all those years of peace she''d built crumbled in an instant. She thought she was being smart by letting Bordy tag along with him.


    But then, yesterday, the awful news broke¡ªBordy was dead. An Empyreal with top-notch training taken out by some second-rate Sertsul assassins? It felt like a twisted joke.


    Astarra shot him a look filled with anger and malice, clearly aimed at Diego, who flinched. He was still trying to maintain that lighthearted, demure front as if to mask what he''d attempted to do and to downy Bordy''s death.


    It wasn''t going to work, though.


    "I''m not asking why you took Bordy, but what I need to know is¡ª" her eyes narrowed dangerously, "¡ªwho killed him?"


    ''!?''


    "W-were you already aware?" he stammered, sweat starting to bead on his forehead. The grin vanished from Diego''s face as shock took hold of him. The apple he was holding slipped from his fingers and rolled across the tiled floor.


    Diego had always thought that, given this woman''s poor health¡ªsomething she often mentioned¡ªhe should not reveal that he had received a threat from the Sertsul family about assassination.


    This whole time, he thought that without any help from the Ravan family, especially this woman, he''d be able to handle it himself.


    Only he could really understand what it felt like to be looked down on by her all the time; he just wanted a chance to prove himself.


    Prove that he would be able to handle something trivial like this.


    "Diego, don''t forget your ce. Just tell me who killed Bordy." Astarra stepped closer, pressing a hand down on the table where a knifey among some fruit.


    ''!''


    "Astarr¡ª!?!"


    With a swift movement, she picked up the knife and, without hesitation, yanked Diego''s hand forward.


    SCKHLT


    Even though he was muscr, her grip was strong, and she plunged the knife into his palm.


    "AaaRgghhh!!¡ªAstarra! Stop!" Diego''s eyes widened, pain shooting through him as he felt the sharp de digging in, making him feel utterly helpless.


    Her delicate hand, pale and twig-like, held his wrist tightly, not allowing him to move as he trembled in agony.


    "Who killed Bordy?" Astarra pressed again, her voice steady despite the chaos, twisting the knife just enough to make Diego scream.


    The hospital room was soundproof, so no one outside had any idea what was happening inside.


    "St-stop!" Diego felt the blood rush to his face, the vines of fear creeping around his neck as she dug the knife deeper. It was like he could feel it piercing the wooden drawer behind him, pinning his hand there. Cornered and knowing he had no choice, he finally shouted, "Ah! I-it was Williams! N-no, it was Marquess Croceaus!"


    badump


    A moment of silence hung in the air before Astarra''s heart skipped a beat.


    "H-huh?" Her grayish eyes flickered with hesitation; there was the slightest hint of surprise as she paused, looking at Diego''s pained expression.


    He was trying to push her hand away, desperate to free himself, but his strength was no match for hers.


    Things had clearly be moreplicated than she expected. ''What is he doing in free city?''


    "Aarghh¡ªSkchlt!" Diego cried out as Astarra yanked the knife away.


    His palm was torn, blood gushing out as he grabbed it with his other hand, eyes pouring with tears¡ªboth from pain and emotion.


    ''No....'' Astarra turned sharply, ready to leave the hospital room, her mind swirling with turmoil after what Diego had just revealed.


    But she paused when she heard his voice again, barely above a whisper.


    "A-astarra, I-i did this for you. I-i just wanted to¡ª" Diego wanted to tell her that he wanted to prove himself.


    He wanted to tell her that he was the perfect man she could ever have.


    Even if she saw him as nothing more than a servant all these years, he would still choose to have acted out that deal with the pregnant woman.


    Diego could clearly remember the first time heid eyes on her; she looked like a goddess, so stunning that all other women just faded from his memory.


    Explore more at empire


    It was one-sided love at its finest.


    And the reason she suggested that he act as her husband was as if he received everything he could ask for.


    "Sigh... Diego," Astarra exhaled, not even ncing back. Her tone was icy as she said, "Know your ce."


    The only sound left in the room was the fading echo of her footsteps. Diego clenched his fists, looking down.


    It was 19 years ago when she first came to him, iming he should act as her husband, and he had yed the part.


    Now, staring at all those wasted years, where he tried so hard to be the best husband¡ªdoing everything from taking outpetitors to bribing officials, all in hopes that one day she''d ask him for money to get back at her family''s heir position¡ªit all felt useless.


    He held onto the hope that she might eventually realize he was the one for her, though he wondered if it was merely his unreciprocated feelings for her.


    Nor was he able to gather the wealth he desired¡ªmuch smaller than what she herself earned.


    In the midst of the defeat and helplessness, lowering his head, he murmured, "I... know."


    ----


    Astarra Diego stepped out of the hospital, the sleek ss doors sliding shut behind her as she inhaled the crisp morning air.


    Tack tack.


    The sharp click of her heels echoed on the concrete like a metronome, establishing the tone for her authoritative and cold presence.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Adjusting her tailored coat, her icy blue hair swayed gently in the light breeze, almost as if it were spun from frost itself.


    As she strode past the luxury cars parked outside, she muttered a single word¡ª"stria"¡ªand it lingered in the air for a moment, heavy with intent.


    SWOOOSH


    Suddenly, it felt as though the world around her shifted, as if reality itself had shivered at hermand.


    She stumbled slightly, turning to catch a glimpse of her reflection in a polished ss window nearby.


    But it wasn''t merely her familiar image looking back.


    It was a distorted version of herself, a twin with exaggerated features and that same icy blue gaze, shimmering with something that felt otherworldly.


    Then, bizarrely, the reflection narrowed its gaze, as if confused by being called forth after all these years. "What happened?"


    "You said he would never step foot in Free City," Astarra inquired coldly, indifferent to the guards standing ten steps away, their backs turned to her¡ªas if granting her the liberty to converse with herself. She sought confirmation of what she had heard two decades ago.


    A time when the man in question had been barely a three-year-old child.


    "What? You mean Avendial? Of course, he will certainly be dealing with the death of that Swordmaster¡ª" The reflection seemed bewildered at Astarra''s voice, yet its confusion didn''t prevent it from reaffirming the very words it had spoken all those years ago.


    "He killed one of my bodyguards, and soon he will find out about that..." Astarra''s cold gaze brimmed with threat and malice, directed squarely at her reflection¡ªor more urately, at her ability. The expression on her face hardened, as if she were sculpted from ice.


    "If he finds out..." she whispered, her mind racing with the chaos that would ensue if that man were to uncover the truth. Astarra''s voice dripped with venomous intent, so potent it felt capable of poisoning even the gods as she threatened, "¡­I will kill myself."


    At that, the reflection''s look of confusion morphed into shock, a hint of panic flickering in its widening eyes. "Wait! He won''t! He''d never even suspect! Do you think he''d doubt that Lin is his so¡ª"


    "Silence." Her voice snapped like a whip, and the reflection fell into silence, its expression reverting to a nk canvas.


    The air grew charged, trembling at the prospect of her next move. Her jaws clenched, her eyes wide, shimmering with an intense re as she shouted, "Don''t even mention it!"

 Chapter 172- Free City

    20 January 2031,


    Inside City A, at the edge of Sector 17, inside a rundown building.


    Amrita had this morning routine down to a science.


    Her steps were precise, almost like clockwork, but today, that clock was mocking her.


    It was 7:45 a.m., and as usual, her brother was runningte.


    She pulled her hair back into a neat ponytail and headed to the kitchen counter of her small rented apartment.


    The ce was a bit of a mess, with clean tes stacked up to dry, a jar of pickles lingering from who knows when, and her brother''s favorite mug just sitting there, unwashed and forgotten.


    As she chopped onions and whisked eggs, it felt like she was racing against time.


    She popped some toast into the toaster and had a kettle of tea bubbling on the stove.


    But really, her focus kept drifting back to the clock.


    It was now 7:55 a.m.


    With a frustrated sigh, she muttered under her breath about his constant tardiness.


    She paused for a second, gripping the spat a bit too tightly. The thought hung in the air for a moment before she shook it off.


    Her brother had always been like this¡ªrunning on his own weird schedule anding up withme excuses about night shifts.


    Then it hit 8:00 a.m.


    Breakfast was allid out, looking neat and ready on the table. Just onest nce at the clock, and she felt her lips purse into a thin line.


    "He''ll show up when he wants to. He always does," she said to herself, trying to brush off the annoyance.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Not wanting to waste another minute, she grabbed her bag and swung it over her shoulder.


    The toast was already cooling in her hand, but honestly, she didn''t care.


    With onest look at the door, she turned and walked out, muttering, "He''s going to hear all about this when I get back."


    ---


    "On time," Amrita stood outside her academy, quietly murmuring to herself. Her apartment, situated in Sector 17, was only 18 miles from the academy. A quick look at her wristwatch revealed that it was 9 a.m.


    The gates of Elite Academy sparkled in the morning sun, their metallic texture visible.


    The academy''s crest¡ªthis cool shield nked by two majestic gryphons¡ªwas etched into the iron bars.


    Students flowed in steady waves, wearing informal clothes, their chatter blending into the buzz of the day.


    Amrita walked quickly, her ponytail bobbing with each step.


    "Yes... it was difficult."


    "Did you notice how the professor...."


    "Oh,e on..."


    The weight of the morning hung in the air, and even though she wasn''t rushing, there was a sense of urgency in her pace.


    She scanned the crowd for familiar faces until her eyesnded on three familiar figures¡ªAria''s friends.


    They were a little ahead, seemingly discussing something, as there wasn''t any carefree expression on their faces, given how one of them then turned back and nced at her.


    Her gaze narrowed as they caught sight of Amrita, a frown on her face before a click of her tongue sent a flicker of unease through Amrita¡ªshe couldn''t quite put her finger on it.


    Shaking off that weirdness, she adjusted her bag on her shoulder and tried to weave through the growing crowd.


    "Amrita!"


    That voice called from behind, warm and familiar.


    No need to turn; she recognized it instantly.


    Lin was jogging up to her, his tall frame making easy work of the throng of students.


    "Amrita!" he called again, this time with a bit more insistence as he closed the distance between them.


    Given that there was already an issue he heard from the butler of his family regarding the head of the family being admitted to the hospital, he wanted to visit, but knowing how Amrita was angry with him due to whatever had happened yesterday, where it may have seemed to her that it was his fault, prompted him toe forward to rify things.


    ''Damn it, if not for you, Aria....'' He couldn''t help but feel a hint of irritation, knowing that if Aria hadn''t called him that day, then none of this would have happened. Someone had tried to p her, which led to all this mess where now Amrita seemed to be distancing herself from everyone.


    Amrita nced back briefly, feeling her expression turn cold and distant.


    Her brows furrowed for a second before she faced forward again, ignoring himpletely. Her heels clicked sharply on the pavement as she picked up her pace.


    Amrita, knowing well that his actions always caused trouble, never tried to force him to change for her as a friend. However, she decided to distance herself from him, hoping that he would eventually regret his actions and refrain from doing anything that could ruin everything.


    She respected their friendship, but in the end, the inevitable truth was that she was dependent on the schrship. Her future could only be secured if she studied well, and Lin''s actions could clearly damage her image in the eyes of alumni or professors.


    Unlike him, she wasn''t rich.


    Lin wasn''t about to let it slide, though. He fell in step behind her. "Hey, what''s going on? You mad at me? C''mon, at least fill me in," he said, trying to lighten the mood, his tone softening a bit.


    But, seeing how he was once again being ignored, with a pastoral disturbance leaving him standing there, he clearly felt visible irritation.


    "Amrita," he called again, letting out a frustrated sigh when she didn''t reply. Other students began to take notice, throwing curious nces their way, but Lin seemed unfazed.


    Finally, Amrita spoke, her voice low but cutting, "Just leave me alone, Lin."


    Stay updated through empire


    The words hung between them, heavy and tense.


    For a moment, it felt like Lin hesitated, his pace slowing down.


    But then he picked it back up, clearly refusing to back off.


    "Not until you tell me what I did¡ª," he was about to once again ask her when he felt his phone ringing. Even though he had put it on silent, the vibration made him aware that a call hade in, so he wanted to ignore it, but still, putting his hand inside his pocket, he took out the phone, "Hello?"


    :: What are you doing, Lin? ::


    "M-mom? I was just inside the academy. What happened?" Lin was frustrated, slightly taken aback, given that he received a call from his mother as he moved aside, trying to go away from the crowd, arriving near the garden as he inquired.


    :: Have you still not awakened? ::


    "Th-that''s..." Hearing the words through the phone, Lin stammered, clenching one fist while the other hand held the phone, feeling clearly annoyed. He had given everything, but he still wasn''t able to awaken as his mother expected. The end result was evident: he was still dealing with his present human body.


    :: I see. Have you seen a man with silver hair and blue eyes around you? ::


    ''!''


    "What?..." Lin was ready to say something, but he just couldn''t get the words out.


    His mom''s voice seemed to linger in the air, making it hard to think straight. He was still preupied with the fact that he had not been able to awaken the secret powers his mother had told him about.


    "Silver hair¡­ blue eyes?" he murmured to himself, feeling his heart race. The description was tugging at something deep in his mind, pushing past those fleeting memories of recent encounters.


    Then it hit him¡ªProfessor Aven.


    The guy''s sharp features and that vibe of power he gave off, not to mention the silver hair and those piercing blue eyes.


    "Mom, are you saying...?" Lin''s voice trailed off as he stared ahead, lost in thought.


    VROOOOM!


    Before he could finish, the loud roar of a car engine broke his concentration.


    A car horn red through the campus courtyard, mixed with the chatter and shouts of students.


    Lin instinctively turned around, still holding his phone to his ear. The sudden noise threw him off, and his mom''s voice on the phone turned faint.


    "Hello? Mom? Can you hear me? Hello, hello!" he kept saying, but then the call ended with a soft beep.


    Frustrated, he shoved the phone into his pocket and looked over at where all themotion wasing from.


    A sleek ck Bugatti Chiron rolled up to the academy''s entrance; it caught the midday sun like a ck mirror.


    The door swung open, and a striking woman stepped out.


    The door of the car swung open as a woman with sharp features, purple hair, and amethyst eyes exited. As she did, her jeans and trench coat, along with a ck sword that resembled a katana, created a unique vibe.


    Her long, sleek amethyst hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, leaving her sharp, elegant facepletely visible while maintaining that stoic and impassive look.


    Not far behind her, two more figures stepped out of another arriving car.


    One was definitely Professor Aven, his silver hair and blue eyes gleaming under the sun. The other was "A-Aria?"


    Standing there, seeing Aria exiting from the car from which Professor Aven left, Lin was slightly confused, narrowing his gaze as he tried to understand the reason for her being with him.


    "Huh? Hey, isn''t that Aria?"


    "What the.... this girl..."


    One after another, the voices, though familiar to Lin, even as he saw three figures brushing past him as they moved forward, identifying them as Aria''s friends, made it clear that they were too surprised and unaware of why she was with Professor Aven.


    But not that Lin cared; he just turned to leave.

 Chapter 173 - What a hassle

    ''Why are we heading towards the Academy?''


    Aria wondered, ncing out the window and momentarily questioning why they were entering the Free City instead of heading to Sector 1 for their meeting.


    Her father had taken a turn onto the highway leading to Sector 18, and it seemed clear to her that their ultimate destination was her academy.


    "You''re wondering why we''re going there, right?"


    Avendial replied casually, seated beside her while scrolling through a dating app.


    His phone was filled with images, enough for him to recall various faces as he captured screenshots of profiles that caught his attention.


    So far, he had collected and memorized details about 234 people from the social media tforms alone.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    His impressive memory allowed him to recognize the faces of those he had been in contact with, all while sending one message after another to the Sertsul family.


    He didn''t need to delve into specifics, having already struck a deal with the investigation and information department under the Sertsul family to look into these individuals, ensuring their cooperation at any cost.


    "....Yes,"


    Aria responded, albeit hesitantly.


    She was aware of the fleeting thought that perhaps he might misconstrue her interest and assume she was eager to see Len.


    However, she quickly dismissed that concern, realizing he seemed indifferent to such matters.


    But amidst all her thoughts, she couldn''t help but notice the striking beauty of the women around him.


    She was reluctant to admit it, but she began to wonder if there was something inherently special about noble bloodlines.


    Both Aecilia Sertsul and the striking woman acting as Avendial''s bodyguard were undeniably more beautiful than even the top star models in the Free Cities.


    A twinge of jealousy coursed through her.


    Never before had shepared herself to others, but standing next to those two, she felt a sense of inadequacy¡ªnot just in strength, but in her own features as well.


    "We need to have the director give you your degree, right?"


    Avendial said, still engrossed in his phone, his gaze fixed on the app as he swiped through the faces he recognized.


    Most of them were women, given that, due to facial recognition and genderws throughout the Empire, he was identified as male.


    This made it obvious he would be perusing dating profiles, primarily featuring women.


    Among the various applications worldwide, the popr ones offered typical functions that catered to such interactions.


    "....but it isn''t that important,"


    Aria replied, her thoughts racing with revtions she had encountered over the past few days.


    She grappled with the unsettling realization that the world around her was on the brink of destruction.


    Outside, the trees and scenery appeared breathtaking, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling in her mind.


    Stealing a nce toward Avendial, she noted that he hadn''t looked at her once, his attention fully absorbed by his phone.


    It triggered a feeling of neglect, as it seemed he was no longer interested in the engagement they had previously shared.


    Determined to regain his attention, she shifted slightly, moving to his side and leaning her head against his shoulder.


    It was then that her eyes fell on the dating app disyed on his phone screen.


    "....."


    "Work,"


    Avendial muttered as he continued to scroll through the screen.


    He was aware, perhaps all too well, that the feelings he harbored¡ªemotions rooted in fabrications¡ªwere supposed to resolve themselves in time.


    But for now, with his work privatized, he rest his left hand affectionately on her thigh.


    "Okay,"


    Aria responded, ncing at the screen as he continued his scrolling.


    She pointed at one of the images and asked, "Why are you ignoring her? She has the title of smith."


    ''!?''


    "...You can see their status?"


    NDL replied, slightly taken aback by her statement.


    How could she discern someone''s abilities just by looking at a phone screen?


    They had initially assumed she could read a person''s status through their aura or physical presence.


    But could she really see through a digital disy?


    "Hm, yes,"


    Aria confirmed, her finger sliding through the images.


    "She has the ss of smith, and the previous one was a gardener, and..."


    One by one, she began to detail each woman''s abilities, seemingly able to perceive their names and statuses regardless of whether they were physically present.


    It was the same for their titles; from the moment sheid eyes on her twin or friends in group photos, she recognized their capabilities instantly.


    Unaware of the shock her words were causing in Avendial, she remained focused on the screen, scrolling and reporting each woman''s impressive skills.


    She felt inclined to assist him, believing that her insights might be valuable to his endeavors.


    Meanwhile, Avendial''s attention shifted away from the screen to her face, captivated by her unexpected talent.


    ''What the¡­''


    Avendial thought, unable to fathom this revtion.


    He had never anticipated nor considered verifying this peculiar trait.


    His mind was preupied with establishing her loyalty while dealing with theplications of the capsule device.


    Yet now, he learned something that could significantly ease his work; he didn''t always need to bring people in front of her.


    A mere photograph would suffice.


    Still, the origin of these abilities nagged at him.


    Inside the tower, he had developed doubts regarding such talents.


    In the present day, with an understanding of matter beingposed of atoms¡ªmade up of electrons, protons, and nuclei¡ªhe knew this kind of ability had to be advanced.


    Researchers were still attempting to decode the intricacies of Synergy, but he remained perplexed by its source.


    Although Synergy was merely a form of energy, its exact origin baffled him.


    Now, after witnessing how her abilities didn''t require a living target, it became increasingly clear that he stillcked knowledge about this particr energy.


    His previous explorations had only led him to a superficial understanding.


    However, Aria''s ability to reveal these facts offered him a glimpse of insight; perhaps he would have verified this in the future, but for now, it had lightened his burden.


    "How dare you hide this from me?"


    Avendial whispered as he neared her ear, causing Aria to flinch.


    With a confused look, she nced at him, her fingers still on the phone screen.


    It soon loosened from his grip, falling to the floor; considering its durability, there was no need to bother about it.


    Even Aria herself seemed to react to his teasing smile.


    "I¡ªI¡ª"


    Her words seemed to stick in her throat as her eyes kept blinking while she noticed him getting closer to her before he locked his lips with hers in a kiss.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "What timing,"


    Avendial mused as he stepped out of the car, adjusting his suit.


    Explore stories on empire


    His gaze firstnded on the academy gate, where he spotted a young man with pink hair standing near the edge.


    The boy''s frown and wide eyes stood out among the throng of students, making him impossible to overlook.


    "Oh, it''s still wet,"


    Aria muttered as she exited the car, anxiously trying to wipe the remnants of saliva off her lips.


    She couldn''t shake off the embarrassment of how, during the ride, it felt as if she had unleashed a beast within him.


    All the way here, she had been subject to a continuous series of kisses, and when she shot him a small re, she noticed he wasn''t even looking in her direction.


    Instead, his attention was fixed elsewhere, and when she followed his line of sight, she saw Lynn disappearing into the crowd.


    "Huh?"


    Aria stammered, unable toprehend what she was witnessing.


    "W-what¡ª"


    Before she could let panic take hold, Avendial interjected, "I told you, you shouldn''t have swallowed while we were kissing."


    Her cheeks flushed, and Aria was visibly shaken by the embarrassment of his words, especially given their presence among the students.


    While she didn''t particrly care if others overheard them, a chill swept over her as she felt the intense malice emanating from a nearby Bugatti.


    The presence of a purple monster disguised in woman''s skin, brandishing a de, sent shivers down her spine.


    "It''ll recover soon,"


    Avendial reassured her, knowing that the unusual circumstances¡ªhis saliva possibly affecting her ability¡ªmight have caused a temporary dysfunction.


    Since it involved her awakened powers and she had just kissed him, he was confident that she would bounce back shortly.


    As if on cue, the influx of status windows disying the abilities of those around her began to popte her vision, overwhelming her senses.


    "I see¡­"


    Aria murmured, her attention drawn to the shocked faces of three individuals who were staring at her.


    Rolling her eyes in resignation, she realized they were none other than her friends.


    ''I should have just walked here¡­''


    In that moment, she couldn''t help but feel frustration bubbling up inside her.


    She berated herself for not thinking ahead; her mind had been so upied with the relentless kisses from Avendial that she hadn''t considered the reaction they would elicit from others as she stepped out of a car with him.


    ''HOW DARE SHE!!''


    Positioned away from the car beside the Bugatti at the front, Rivia''s body seethed with palpable rage.


    Despite this, her swordmaster training allowed her to maintain an impassive facade, even though her mind was a tempest of turmoil and fury.


    The nerves in the white of her eyes slowly turned red, while the trembling of her pupils betrayed her barely contained anger, as her lips trembled due to her thoughts echoing through her mind, ''She kissed him... kissed him, kissed him, kissed him! Her filthy lips on my perfect master?!''


    Click


    And there for a moment, her finger held the felt of her katana as she slowly slid it, the de clearly visible.


    But as she did, her eyes met with Avendial, causing a hand to halt in the middle, his head lowered like a puppy, with an invisible feeling of betrayal as he saw his form change. This caused her to only think, ''Wh-why her, master!?''

 Chapter 174- Amritas Expulsion

    "S-Sir, I mean¡ªProfessor, please, have a seat," the director of Elite Academy said, noticing that Marquess Croceaus had once again returned to the academy despite having already submitted his resignation. Aria, a student at the academy, seemed startled as she followed him in, prompting the director to correct himself.


    "Director, I would like you to grant leave to Aria," Avendial stated as he entered the office, his hand resting casually in his pocket. He walked past the stunned director and took a seat in the head chair beside the desk, folding his legs and fixing a prating gaze on the director, who appeared taken aback.


    "Huh? Does that...?" The director hesitated, tightening his grip on his cane. He cast a sidelong nce at Aria, who had moved to sit on a nearby couch. Her disregard for the academy''s norms, not to mention her disrespect for the director, prompted a frown from him. However, he quickly grasped that Marquess Croceaus had chosen this department primarily to pursue the girl in question.


    What surprised him even more was that a student from the academy had managed to capture the interest of such a distinguished figure, prompting him to attend the academy solely for her. Though he could''ve objected, he maintained hisposure.


    Given the circumstances and the code of conduct at the academy¡ªwhere students asionally received privileges for research purposes¡ªhe decided to acquiesce. "I understand. I will process that request for Miss Aria as soon as possible."


    Badump


    Silence filled the room. Aria, seated on the couch, exhibited a natural weariness, her lips pressed together in clear exhaustion. Her nonchnce, especially towards the esteemed director¡ªwho was supposed tomand respect¡ªfilled her heart with a flutter of excitement. The shift in the director''s tone, acknowledging her presence as if she held weight, made her pulse quicken.


    ''She is adapting well,'' thought Avendial, observing the change in Aria''s demeanor. Her indifference towards the director wasmendable; if one belonged to him, they should never bow their heads to others.


    His male ego, while not entirely unreasonable, demanded that those close to him maintain their confidence¡ªand doubtlessly, he wouldn''t have it any other way.


    After all, she ought to kneel only before him...


    Yet Avendial''s gaze shifted to Rivia, who stood near the door, her expression distinctly grim. The irritation and annoyance were palpable, evident from her tightened grip on the hilt of her sword and her rigid stance. It was clear she was far from pleased with Aria''s presence.


    But given the urgency of the current matters at hand, he chose to set aside any issues concerning Rivia for the moment, casting her a cold re to deter any foolishness.


    "Good, and director, remove Amrita from the academy."


    ''!?!''


    ''Wh-what?!''Aria was taken aback by his second order, her head snapping in his direction, her eyes wide with disbelief. She hadn''t expected him to go that far, prompting her to stammer, "Wait, Avendial¡ª"


    In that moment, Aria feltpelled to rify that, despite Amrita holding the title of heroine and ying a significant role in the unfolding events, she was not to me, especially due to Lin and their destined paths.


    To be honest, Aria had never encountered a person as kind-hearted as Amrita.


    Through her aunt''s previous investigation, Aria learned that Amrita had a younger brother and was working part-time while studying on schrships to support herself after the tragic loss of their parents.


    All she wanted was to lead a good life despite the hardships.


    However, now, hearing his order, it seemed as if Avendial aimed to settle an unresolved grudge from the future¡ªa future she couldn''t evenprehend. Yet before she couldplete her thoughts, she was interrupted by the director.


    "Forgive me, Marquess, but that''s simply not feasible," the director said firmly, his resolve clear as he refused topromise his ethics. He couldn''t bear the thought of jeopardizing a student''s future, especially for Amrita, who consistently excelled in her studies and always secured schrships as one of the top ten students in the entire academy.


    Avendial merely smirked, a sharp glint shing in his sapphire eyes, his tone dripping with malice as he threatened, "Either throw her out, or I will kill her."


    ''!?''


    "Marquess!" The director was instantly taken aback by the weight of such a deration. His grip on his cane tightened as he shifted to a more aggressive stance, unable to believe that someone of Avendial''s stature would stoop so low as to threaten a student''s life. "How could you¡ª"


    "Your son is a fashion designer, isn''t he?" Avendial interjected, having already gathered information about the director''s family with the help of his well-connected rtives. He remained expressionless, indifferent to the shock evident on both the director''s and Aria''s faces.


    In that moment, he felt entirely unfazed by their reactions. After all, he had a straightforward way to secure Amrita, and with the opportunity to easily acquire a heroine without facing much trouble, why would he even consider letting such a prime opportunity slip through his fingers?N?v(el)B\\jnn


    It was merely an hour''s work for him; even without actively involving himself, he could secure her safety. Experience tales at empire


    "N-no... H-how?" The director was visibly shaken, a wave of sickness washing over him as he grappled with how this truth had been hidden from the world. He had never encountered his son in a context that could lead to such a leak, as his sole desire had been to allow him a peaceful existence, free from being used as a pawn by politicians and powerful figures eager to gain ess to the academy. But now, confronted with the threat from someone capable of executing every dark word he had just uttered, the very essence of the director''s soul appeared to tremble.


    "Do it, director, before I kill your son and use your daughter-inw as... well, you are a smart man," Avendial stated tly, his gaze fixed on his sword. He wore an expression that made it clear he was unfazed by the image he was projecting to Aria. She would inevitably need to adapt to this side of him, realizing that he would not hesitate to destroy anyone to achieve his objectives. This was the director''s moment to prove himself, though it was a bitter pill to swallow.


    "Y-you can''t be human¡ªbut how? What excuse will I give her?" The director, a man who had devoted his life to upholding a pristine image, now found that performance tarnished by this one man''s demands. He had built up such respect among the elite, only to have everything jeopardized at the hands of someone willing to break the academy''s rules and speak derogatorily of a woman. Yet, recognizing the gravity of his situation, he feltpelled to ask about the justification he should offer Amrita for her expulsion.


    A business tycoon, revered for his nobility and savvy¡ªno, they were merely rumors. At this moment, the director was witnessing firsthand how Avendial had ascended to the peak and earned the title of the world''s richest man.


    It became clear to the director that instead of merely being knowledgeable, this man had likely walked over countless lifeless bodies to reach his position.


    "Her brother is a scammer," Avendial stated, a small smile curling at the corners of his lips, making it evident that his true intention was to eliminate that brother. Indeed, his real objectivey in dismantling everything that provided Amrita stability and sanity.


    After all, just like Aria, that woman needed to be shattered, left vulnerable enough for someone to piece her heart back together.


    "What?!" The director gasped, taken aback and struggling to digest the Marquess''s assertion. Despite his doubts regarding the veracity of the im, the serious gaze from Avendialpelled him to lower his head in acknowledgment. Though he yearned to retaliate and refute the assertion, he understood that expelling Amrita from the academy had be a grim necessity.


    "I... will do it..." The director replied, his voice tinged with defeat. His pride as the head of the Elite Academy and his aspiration to serve as a role model for future generations were now hanging by a thread. It felt as if he were undergoing a final test to determine his worthiness of upholding his principles.


    "Good," Avendial said as he turned to leave, deliberately walking past the director''s desk. He noted the director''s bodynguage with keen awareness.


    The likelihood of the director defying Avendial seemed far slimmer than that of himplying with the demands put forth, but it wasn''t nonexistent.


    If Amrita, as a student, were to plead with this director, it would be evident that the director, driven by his inherent humanity, might not hesitate to go against Avendial''s will.


    And this was exactly what Avendial wanted.


    Naturally, the true aim behind this whole expulsion scheme wasn''t merely to cast Amrita out of the academy; it was to reduce her to a state where she would be begging the director for clemency.


    "M-Marquess¡ª" Aria stammered, visibly shaken by a look on his face that was unlike anything she had witnessed before, leaving her to question whether what she saw was an illusion. Just as she began to formte her thoughts, he regarded her with a smile, ''Oh...''


    That smile reassured her; no, he was indeed the same person she knew. Her gaze shifted toward the director''s seat, where the old man sat with his head bowed, gripping his cane, his body visibly trembling.


    "Rivia," Avendial called as he moved closer to her, tugging Aria along with him and holding her hand tightly. This gesture was meant to provide her with the mental space she needed to process the scene, while also assuring her that he hadn''t changed. This particr facet of him was merely one aspect of hisplex nature. He aimed to lead her into a state of mind where she could start crafting justifications for his unpredictable behavior.


    It was akin to the adage about love rendering one blind; emotions could distort perception, causing individuals to overlook their partner''s ws and rationalize their missteps.


    This was Avendial''s strategy¡ªto create a psychological bond through physical contact, encouraging Aria to subconsciously start making excuses for his actions. At the same time, he intended for her to experience an internal struggle, ultimately fostering an equilibrium that would blur her judgment regarding his faults.


    "Yes, Master?" Rivia responded, her eyes flicking toward the hand that held Aria''s, igniting feelings of frustration within her. Yet, the sound of his voice soothed her nerves, bringing her focus back to him.


    "Record everything that urs inside this office," Avendial instructed confidently, handing his phone to Rivia without a second thought. His intention was for her to discreetly capture a video of the unfolding events,pletely oblivious to the implications for both the director and Aria.


    After all, their opinions were irrelevant in this context, and that recording would undoubtedly make things much easier.

 Chapter 175 - A Video of a Helpless Girl

    ''Is she still angry?'' Lin thought, seated beside Amrita.


    He noticed how she seemedpletely oblivious to his presence, yet she took her seat next to him without exhibiting any signs of repulsion or hatred.


    However, the silence between them was deafening; not a single word had been exchanged, which stirred doubt in his mind¡ªwas she truly angry, or merely upset?


    The ssroom buzzed with a quiet focus, the rhythmic scratch of pens and pencils melding into a soft background noise.


    Amrita perched on the edge of the bench beside Lin, her attention directed toward the front of the room where the professor was diligently exining aplex topic, jotting down notes at an impressive pace.


    Of course, she had noticed Lin sneaking nces at her instead of writing down what the professor was saying.


    Moreover, she could sense the professor stealing nces in their direction from time to time, making it all too clear that if they were caught speaking in ss, both would face punishment.


    Given the importance of the day''s lecture, she was determined not to let a trivial conversation distract her.


    Suddenly, a shadow fell across her desk.


    "Huh?" Amrita looked up to find a man in a sharply pressed ck suit standing in the doorway.


    His expression was formal, almost impassive.


    "Is Amrita here?" he called, his voice slicing through the stillness of the ssroom, causing the professor to pause and the other students to turn with curiosity and unease.


    "Cing!" she stammered, hastily gathering her belongings as her heart began to race.


    "Did something happen?" she ventured cautiously as she descended from the podium to approach the doorway.


    However, the man offered no exnation, simply motioning for her to follow.


    As she walked down the long corridor, the silence pressed against her like an unwee weight.


    The director''s office door loomed ahead, its polished wood and brass namete making her stomach churn with apprehension.


    This was the first time she would meet the director after her extended stay at the academy.


    "Haah..." She took a shaky breath and knocked softly.


    "Come in," instructed a voice from within.


    Amrita stepped into the room, her palms mmy with anxiety.


    The director¡ªan elderly man with a thick white beard and a cane resting against his desk¡ªsat behind a cluttered surface piled with various documents.


    His piercing gaze met hers, and he gestured for her to take a seat.


    ''Why the Marquess?'' the thought crossed the director''s mind as he looked at Amrita, feeling a tightness in his chest and an internal struggle with his own pride.


    He had been forced to make the difficult decision to remove such a talented individual from the academy.


    He knew it was unjust¡ªher brother''s actions, while shameful, were not a reflection of her character.


    But there was nothing he could do.


    "Amrita," he began, his voice calm yetden with gravity.


    "I won''t waste your time.


    Do you know why I''ve called you here?"


    Already filled with anger due to the director''s serious demeanor and those foreboding words, Amrita shook her head, her fingers nervously gripping her bag.


    "No, sir. I don''t."


    The director pushed a file across the desk toward her¡ªa report delivered by someone from the Sertsul family at the behest of the Marquess.


    "Read this."


    ''Y-yes.'' Amrita''s hands trembled as she opened the file, a wave of worry washing over her.


    She couldn''t help but recall the troubling events with Aria and Lin, and the fear that their actions might soon have severe repercussions on her future.


    But now, faced with this file, the weight of uncertainty felt even heavier.


    ''!?!''


    "N-no," her eyes widened in shock as she flipped through the documentsid out before her: police reports, FIRs, and detailedints against a name she knew all too well.


    Her brother''s name¡ªRaj.


    "Is this true?" she whispered, her voice trembling.


    The director nodded, though he wished he could dispel the doubts that crept into his mind.


    After having reviewed the evidence himself, he was convinced that her brother was indeed involved in scams and frauds, and his expression betrayed little of his internal conflict.


    "He has participated in numerous schemes, defrauding innocent people and ruining reputations.


    The academy cannot afford to overlook such a connection.


    It is with a heavy heart that I must expel you."


    Her heart raced.


    Badump.


    Amrita''s world shattered in an instant.


    She stared at the damning paperwork, her chest constricting with a whirlwind of disbelief and fear.


    "Sir, please," she implored, her voice cracking.


    "I had no idea any of this was happening.


    My brother''s actions are his own¡ªI''ve never been involved in anything like this.


    Please, don''t punish me for his mistakes."


    The director maintained his steady gaze, but inside he felt a conflict simmer.


    He closed his eyes momentarily, wishing he could avoid seeing the anguish etched across her face.


    He understood how hard she had fought to get here, especially considering the sacrifices she had made to pass the entrance exam and secure schrships, often studyingte into the night.


    Now, everything she had worked for was at risk because of her brother''s wrongdoing.


    He moved toward the window, avoiding her pleading eyes.


    "This decision is final.


    The reputation of the academy is at stake."


    "N-no, sir!?" In an instant, her entire life seemed to sh before her, like a rapid slideshow of her struggles and triumphs.


    The thought of being thrown out of the academy due to her brother''s mistakes was unbearable.


    Tears brimmed in her eyes as she sprinted toward him, falling to her knees in desperation.


    She grasped his feet, "Please, sir, don''t do this to me.


    This schrship is my only chance.


    I came here to study, to build a life for myself.


    I''m begging you."


    ''!''


    ''How pathetic I have be!'' For the director, the moment that girl pleaded, his whole body shook.


    Though he wished to maintain hisposure and adhere to the decision to expel her, the moment Amrita touched his feet, he felt a wave of foolishness wash over him.


    He was on the verge of abandoning his principles, beingpelled to expel a hardworking student who undoubtedly had the potential and determination to achieve great things in the future.


    Amrita''s voice trembled as she clung to his leg, her head bowed so low that her forehead nearly touched the floor.


    "Please, don''t take this away from me. I promise to prove myself. Just don''t send me away."


    "No, remember your principles!" he reminded himself, striving to fortify his resolve.


    A part of him admired his readiness to face any consequences that might arise for defying the Marquess''s order.


    He looked down at her, tears streaming down her face, her body shaking with raw emotion.


    He leaned forward, lifting her gently by both shoulders and raising her to her feet.


    "Enough, child," he said softly, his eyes reflecting a determination to face whatever repercussions awaited him, uncaring of the potential impact on his family.


    His principles mattered more than his very life, and he now recognized how foolish it would have been to forsake his only source of pride¡ªhis principles.


    His voice thick with emotion he rarely revealed, he continued, "If I had a daughter, she would be about your age. And if she found herself in your situation, I would want someone to give her a chance."


    Amrita''s sobs began to quiet, her tear-brimmed eyes searching his face for any glimmer of hope.


    Her mind had been rocked by the looming threat that jeopardized everything she had tirelessly worked for.


    The director exhaled heavily, retreating toward his desk.


    He ced a hand upon it, gazing at his chair¡ªthe very ce from which he swore to make this academy the best it could be and to steer clear of political machinations.


    Today, however, he felt he had crumbled under the weight of mere words from someone intent on destroying him and his family.


    Was he really that weak?N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Or had the principles and ethics he cherished more than life itself fallen apart under the pressure of a tangible threat?


    Leaning on his cane as he straightened, tapping it on the floor, he dered, "You need not cry anymore. I''ll reverse the expulsion order. Focus on your studies, and show me that my decision to keep you here was the right one."


    Relief washed over Amrita as she bowed deeply, her voice thick with gratitude.


    "Thank you, sir. I truly appreciate it. I won''t let you down."


    The director offered her a faint, weary smile.


    "Go now. Just don''t give me a reason to regret this decision." Discover more stories at empire


    As she exited the office, her steps felt unsteady, but her heart brimmed with renewed determination.


    Wiping her face, she silently vowed to work harder than ever to prove herself worthy of the second chance she had been granted.


    Tap tap.


    As Amrita made her way out, her footsteps gradually faded, and her figure eventually slipped out of view on the phone that Rivia held.


    Standing outside, Rivia sensed a faint confusion in the director''s expression as he noticed Amrita''s obliviousness to her presence.


    Yet, brushing aside his puzzlement, he inquired, "Why are you recording?"


    Considering he had gone against the orders of the Marquess, he realized the Marquess would be angry and exert some pressure over him now.


    Still, the director was genuinely curious about her reasons for documenting the encounter.


    Had she merely wanted to gather information about his decision and show it to Marquess?


    "Mind your own business," Rivia shot back, her cold re aimed directly at the director.


    She saved the video before tucking her phone away, making her way out of the office with an icy demeanor that sent a shiver down the director''s spine.


    He was left trembling, utterly bewildered by her intentions regarding the recording.


    ---


    "Good job, Rivia," Avendial said as he settled in beside the driver''s seat of the Bugatti with her.


    His gaze remained glued to the phone in her hands, leaving Rivia momentarily stunned by his presence.


    thump thump


    Blinking in disbelief, she straightened her posture, eager to start the car and ensure he wouldn''t change his mind and return to the confines of the office where Aria sat waiting.


    "Hello, I sent you the video. alter the dialogues of both individuals to match the script I attached," Avendial instructed, a smirk dancing on his lips and a glint in his eyes.


    He then dialed a number from the Sertsul family, telling them to make additional changes to the video.


    "Lower the quality, too; I want it to look as authentic as possible."

 Chapter 176- A Video

    20 January 2031,


    Inside City A, at the edge of Sector 17, inside a rundown building.


    Raj entered the small, dimly lit apartment with a heaviness in his steps given sunset was just an hourter.


    He made his way directly towards his room. Given the size of the apartment, he still had his own personal room. Reaching there, he locked the door behind him, the faint creak of the hinges the only sound in the quiet space.


    Without pausing, he crossed the living room to a loose floorboard near the corner. Crouching, he pried it up, revealing a small wooden box stuffed with cash.


    "Bastards," he muttered, mming a fresh wad of notes into the stash. His lips curled in frustration as he counted.


    "That manager¡ªtaking the bigger cut, as if he did all the work. After a haul like that, this is what I get?" His voice was bitter, his hands moving with practiced speed as he hid the box again, pressing the panel back into ce.


    Standing up, Raj headed toward the dinner table.


    A te of food sat waiting, covered with a cloth, alongside a neatly folded note in his sister''s handwriting: Raj, I''ve gone to college. Eat your dinner. Rest well! (???_??)


    He read the note twice, his jaw softening slightly, but the weight of his frustration lingered.


    He sat down, uncovering the food and beginning to eat in silence.


    Midway through his meal, his phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with an unknown number.


    Frowning, he picked it up.


    A message with a video attachment shed across the screen. The text read: To the guardian of Amrita. Urgent¡ªplease see the attached video and report this to the authorities.


    ''Authorities?'', Raj''s brow furrowed as he tapped on the video, clearly confused. This number was indeed from a professor at her sister''s academy, as indicated by her caller ID, but the seriousness of mentioning the police clearly had him sitting at home.


    The screen filled with grainy footage of arge, wood-paneled office.


    Amrita stood rigidly near a few chairs, her face pale and her hands clenched tightly downward, her eyes visibly widened and trembling with tears threatening toe at any moment.


    Across from her stood an older man with a gaunt face, a long white beard, and sharp, cold eyes. A golden cane rested in his hand, tapping against the floor in a slow rhythm.


    "Sir, please," Amrita''s voice cracked with desperation, her tone breaking. "Don''t expel me. I-I promise I''ll improve. Just give me one more chance!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The man''s lips twisted into a sinister smirk as his gaze swept over her body, before halting over her bust.


    "Oh, Miss Amrita," he began, his voice low and dripping with malice. He leaned closer, his eyes shamelessly lingering on her chest. "You''ve already wasted every chance. The question now is... what are you willing to do to fix it? But I must say, your skin looks so soft and untouched. Imagine my hands on you, exploring every inch. I''ll make you feel things you''ve never felt before."


    Amrita recoiled slightly, her voice trembling as her steps moved towards the old man, erratic and clearly filled with visible tremble. "I''ll do anything¡ªextra assignments, volunteer work¡ªanything academic. Please, I''ll prove myself!"


    The old man chuckled darkly, stepping around the desk with deliberate slowness as he moved towards a window from where sunlight was filtering, his back towards Amrita, his cane tapping on the floor.


    "Anything, you say?" He stopped there with a chuckle and in a mocking toneplimented, his breath heavy and deliberate. "You''re quite the dedicated student, aren''t you? Especially that body of yours. You have such a tight little body, Amrita. It''s a shame to see all of that go to waste on books and ssrooms. You were made for... other things..."


    Amrita stiffened, tears brimming in her eyes. She sprinted, falling to the old man''s knees, her head ced over his shoes as she pleaded, "S-sir, p-please, don''t expel me."


    He straightened, his hand moving down to her shoulder, squeezing it firmly as he lifted her chin to face him, his eyes looking at her bowed figure. "Well, then. You know how perfect those hips of yours are? They''d fit perfectly against me. Think about it, Amrita¡ªone night, and you''ll be thanking me for the rest of your life."


    "I-I don''t understand," Amrita''s mouth was not visible for this part, yet her voice was clear.


    The old man''s grip slid lower before he pulled her up with his hand, smirking as tears slid down her face. As the old man locked his eyes on her breast area, he added, "That uniform barely hides anything, doesn''t it? Those curves... so young, so firm. You should be proud of what you have¡ªit''s a privilege to share it, and wouldn''t it be nice if the first one to enjoy it were me?""


    Amrita''s eyes widened in shock and horror. She shook her head violently. "No! Please, don''t do this! I¡ªI''ll do anything else. I swear, I''ll work harder. Just don''t¡ª"


    "Enough!" His voice boomed, and he pointed his cane at her trembling figure. "Do you think tears will help you here? You should be grateful I''m offering you this chance at all. For a poor girl like you, warming my bed should be a pleasure, and with those trembling legs and that perfect little mouth, you''d look so much better on your knees, Amrita. I could show you how to really earn your ce here."


    "P-please," Amrita said, clearing her tears and giving a 90-degree bow.


    The old man turned his gaze towards the window, gesturing to her as if dismissing her. Ast voice came from him, "You''re quite a sight, you know. So innocent, so helpless. That shy little face, those big, scared eyes¡ªdo you even know how tempting you are? Stop fighting it, and give me what I want. It''ll be so much easier for both of us."


    Amrita stood with her eyes filled with tears and turned, her voice stammering and fading due to sobs, "I¡ªI will..."


    "Think it through, Amrita. The way your body fills out that uniform¡­ perfection. Every inch of you is begging to be unwrapped, Amrita. Don''t waste my time pretending otherwise," the director uttered for thest time. Though his face was not visible, considering he had turned towards the window, his words were clear.


    The video ended abruptly.


    "Huh?" Raj''s hand trembled as he stared at the darkened screen.


    The phone slipped from his grip and ttered onto the table, his entire body taut with fury.


    "Haa...Wh-what the..." His breaths came in shallow bursts, his mind reying the Old man''s vile words over and over.


    "Disgusting... bastard," he muttered, his voice shaking.


    Bam!


    He mmed his fist onto the table, making the utensils jump.


    His face twisted with rage, his teeth gritting so hard it felt as though they might crack.


    Just then, the door creaked open, and Amrita walked in, her usual bright energy dimmed due to the director''s call regarding her expulsion, but still present as she looked towards her brother, who had dared toe homete. "Raj, you''re home early."


    Raj didn''t respond, his head lowered, his hands balled into fists.


    Amrita frowned, stepping closer. As she ced her bag on the table, she remembered she needed to ask Raj about his work. Naturally, she trusted the words of the director and knew he was involved in scams, but she still couldn''t help but ask him directly, "Raj, do you fraud people and scam¡ª"


    But before she couldplete her sentence, it appeared Raj didn''t want to hear her. His eyes were zing with anger. "Were you about to be expelled from the academy?"


    ''!''


    "...What? Y-yes," Amrita replied, though she wanted to reprimand this brother of hers, who was involved in such a crime. She halted, confused by his angered expression.


    After all, shouldn''t she be the one enraged?


    She got herself thrown out of the academy due to his mistakes, and instead of feeling guilty, he was acting like this.


    Amrita froze, raising an eyebrow as she inquired, thinking maybe the director had called him to inform him about the explosion and his deeds. "H-how do you know about that? Did the director tell you?"


    She was naturally very grateful to the director, who had not reported her to the police or any local authorities but instead tried to expel her, making her think that she should tell him thank you next time and prove herself by working hard in her studies.


    Raj''s lip curled in a mix of rage and disbelief as he recognized that the old man in the video was indeed the director. "So it''s true."


    Amrita took a seat at the table, her brother''s head down and the visible sound of his hoarse voice showing his anger. He sighed, perhaps feeling guilty and expressing his emotions in the form of anger about how she had been expelled from the academy. She prompted him to rx, adding, "The director was understanding and very kind-hearted. Even with such a big mistake, he forgave me and canceled my expulsion."


    "Haah... B...a...stard..." Raj''s breathing grew heavier as her words shed violently with the images from the video.


    Stay tuned to empire


    "I¡ªI''ll kill you!" His hand shot out, grabbing the phone and shoving it in his pocket.


    "Raj?! What''s with your words!?" Amrita''s voice wavered.


    His reply came in a low growl, his body tense with barely restrained fury. "That bastard will pay for this. I''ll kill him with my bare hands."


    Amrita''s face clearly showed her confusion, and she was taken aback as she saw Raj standing and throwing the chair on the floor due to his sudden outburst. "What are you talking about? What happened?"


    Raj didn''t answer.


    He stormed toward the door, his movements erratic and wild. Amrita reached out, trying to stop him, but he shoved past her without a second nce.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!