Chapter 164: The Hunt’s Official End

*** Morning

Evelina didn’t return to her estate after leaving me there to rest for the night, but I knew she was busy, so I didn’t really mind.

As soon as morning came, I woke up early under the doctor’s care. He handed me more pills and cleared me to leave the estate.

I still had the academy to attend. Today marked the official end of the Hunt that Evelina and I had brute-forced our way through, skipping most of what everyone else had to endure. Now it was time for the two of us to make our grand re-entrance.

*** An Hour Later

I returned to my estate, changed into simple clothing, and headed to the academy. The announcements were going to be held right at the gates.

The entire academy was still in ruins after the examination, after all.

“Everyone, please stay in your spots to ensure proper order!”

A professor shouted from a platform, ordering students to take their positions along the marked parts of the highway. Multiple royal guards and law enforcers, along with their vehicles, blocked the way between the students and the crowd of journalists and citizens.

This was when the public would learn the results—and the competence—of their future leaders.

Of course they’d be here.

“H-Hey, is that…?”

“Holy shit, it’s him.”

“It’s Lord Arden!”

The students began to whisper the moment they saw me approach—a surprise, considering I usually just teleported anywhere the shadows touched.

“He’s walking this time? Is he showing off?”

I caught a particularly interesting comment from Marcellus. Of course, he was standing beside Julius, with Lillian at his side.

“When is this starting?”

Marcellus shifted his gaze to a faculty member who was taking attendance.

“There’s one more student remaining before we continue, my lord.”

“Who is it?”

“Lady D’Arclight, my lord.”

“Ah…” Marcellus stared at Julius with a smirk. “Quite surprising they didn’t come together.”

“Yeah, now that you mention it…”

I listened to most of their comments without paying them much mind as I stood with the other students, leaning against a vehicle and simply waiting.

I was way too tired to bother talking or acting proud.

I’d spent the entire previous day practicing my black flames while Evelina wasn’t around, and unlike before, I no longer had chaos, profaned, or even light magic healing to help me recover.

At least I’d kept my physique—that was one good thing.

Well… as good as it gets after tasting power like that and just losing it. Feeling the ache and pain after training was definitely an unfamiliar sensation after everything.

“D-Damn it.” I winced, still feeling the dull ache in my shoulder from hurling cursed fireballs all over the D’Arclight training room.

Good thing I’d been granted access to it.

“Still pretty strong… just not sure it’ll replace the profaned stuff.”

[Dark Step]

A massive mass of darkness suddenly coalesced in the center of the area. A group of students immediately backed away the moment they saw it.

Several Royal Guards moved to surround it, while others raised their steam rifles and pistols.

They would immediately regret that when they saw who stepped out.

Evelina D’Arclight.

She wore a stunning red dress—more practical and imposing than anything meant to flaunt her curves or beauty. It was a statement of power, especially compared to the other noble students.

She was definitely the star of the show.

At least…

She would have been, if not for what she did next.

[Cael, don’t keep me waiting. It’s time we formally debut before the rumors get out of hand.]

She smirked as her voice echoed in my mind.

[And don’t worry, my family won’t touch yours over this.]

I couldn’t help but smile at her command—not that I could refuse. Or that I’d even want to. Being able to show off that she was mine and I was hers was something I would die for.

I quickly brushed a few wrinkles from my clothes before moving, other students staring in shock while a few gave me “I expected this” looks as I stepped in front of her.

“My lady?” I bowed and offered my hand.

Evelina smiled at my dramatics and took it. I led her back to my spot, the crowd of students that had gathered there instinctively stepping aside until only the two of us remained.

The professors, staff, and even the nearby guards took notice. But they couldn’t stay focused on their jobs for long. The moment people saw us, the crowd they were trying to hold back surged forward with renewed excitement.

“D-Did you see that!?”

“Arden and D’Arclight!?”

A few citizens shouted. As for the journalists…

“The new marquis’s son and the powerful D’Arclights!?” one of them gasped, scribbling furiously in her notebook while the others pressed harder against the blockade.

This was the scoop of the century—enough to get even the lowest-ranked reporter promoted, as long as they were the first to publish it.

“We made quite a show, huh?” Evelina murmured.

“Are you sure you’re satisfied with this?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not letting my emotions cloud my judgment this time. This was the best course of action.”

She rested her head on my shoulder.

She wasn’t wrong. I was no longer just the son of a minor baron. I was the son of the new marquis who had singlehandedly broken the stalemate between the kingdom and the dwarves.

There were no longer any drawbacks to announcing our relationship to the public.

“More importantly, however… you’re dressed quite simply for such a momentous event,” she said.

I chuckled. I wasn’t one for dramatic flair—especially as an assassin—but I knew the value of making the right impression when the Hunt’s results were announced.

And out of everyone here, the best way to stand out among all the flashy nobles was to look as ordinary as possible.

Besides, Evelina and I were going to be the stars of the show the moment the announcements began.

Being the center of attention while wearing common clothes would make quite an impact.

“Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

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