Chapter 123: Chapter 117: Might Not Be Able to Compete

The nights in Syland City were refreshingly cool, especially while strolling through the riverside park, where one could feel the gusts of wind blowing off the river’s surface.

Across the river lay Syland City’s new district, a magnificent spectacle under the glow of its colorful neon lights.

Arthur Lockwood led the group on a stroll along the riverbank. This was mainly because Jean Quincy had sold Aurora Sinclair and Leigh Miles on the local nightscape, and they were eager to see it.

And so, the three young women and the little boy could be seen strolling and taking selfies by the river, while the men trailed slowly behind, occasionally roped into serving as photographers. They were even made to retake any shot that wasn’t good enough.

Zeke Quincy wasn’t keen on the task, so Glenn Lockwood eagerly took over for him.

“Glenn Lockwood, do you even know how to take a picture? My legs aren’t that short! Squat down when you take it…”

Glenn Lockwood was being ordered around endlessly, but he was still happy to do it.

Arthur Lockwood asked Zeke Quincy with a smile, “I hear you and Glenn used to fight a lot?”

Zeke Quincy paused, then gave an embarrassed nod.

“Who usually won?”

“It was a draw, or I won.”

Arthur Lockwood clapped him on the shoulder and said playfully, “Then you’re quite lucky. He’s the most talented martial artist of his generation in the Lockwood Family. After Aurora kicked him hard enough to leave a bruise, his Combat Power has already reached Second Rank Great Warrior…”

Zeke Quincy was instantly stunned.

’I always thought Glenn Lockwood’s strength was about the same as mine. I never imagined he was a whole level higher. Doesn’t that mean he was holding back every time we fought?’

Zeke Quincy suddenly felt a strange awkwardness. With a complicated expression, he looked ahead at the figure squatting on the ground, tirelessly taking photos of Zeke’s own sister.

’Why does Glenn Lockwood seem so different now?’

***

As they were walking, a young couple approached from up ahead.

The man turned out to be an old acquaintance, Gideon Alden.

He was leading a pretty girl in their direction when Titus Miles, having spotted someone, suddenly broke free from Leigh Miles’s hand. He ran forward gleefully, nearly crashing into the couple and startling the girl into a scream.

Gideon Alden’s face darkened, and he cursed, “Watch where you’re going!”

He turned his head and saw the little boy running straight toward a tall man.

The man looked as if he had just arrived in Syland City, as his luggage hadn’t even been taken to a hotel yet.

Upon seeing the little boy, he immediately set down his luggage. He bent over with outstretched arms, catching the boy’s small frame as he leaped happily forward. Then, in one smooth motion, he lifted the boy high above his head.

“Mr. Dixon—”

Leigh Miles cried out in surprise and hurried over, her face alight with joy. Dean Morgan waited for her to approach, then, holding Titus Miles in one arm, he reached out and patted her on the head with his free hand.

Meanwhile, Aurora Sinclair’s eyes suddenly widened. She stared at the man standing a short distance behind Dean Morgan, as if in disbelief.

“Morgan?”

A tall figure slowly emerged from the shadows and stepped into the light.

Arthur Lockwood’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, and his jaw dropped.

’Is… Is that… Morgan?’

Alvin Morgan was dressed in a cartoon hoodie and black casual pants, with wireless earbuds in his ears. He looked like a college student, years younger than his actual age.

Aurora Sinclair glanced down at the hoodie she was wearing, then looked up at his, apparently surprised by his choice of clothing.

’Why are our clothes the same?’

The outfit Alvin Morgan was wearing was the result of Beta Morgan specifically inquiring with the Sinclair Family, then rushing over to the Quincy Family to have a matching one made on short notice.

This was because all the clothes Aurora Sinclair had brought to Syland City were custom pieces that Jean Quincy had personally commissioned from her family’s designer.

The Quincy Siblings looked from one outfit to the other, then exchanged a glance, a complex emotion reflected in each other’s eyes.

’It seems Young Lord Morgan is really into our Aurora.’

’He’s even wearing a matching outfit on his own initiative!’

Meanwhile, Gideon Alden, who had been ignored by everyone, was initially furious. But the moment he saw Aurora Sinclair, his face went pale with fright, and he instinctively took a step back to hide behind the pretty girl.

As for the pretty girl, she had been angry about Titus Miles nearly bumping into her, but her anger instantly vanished the moment she saw Alvin Morgan’s face.

’This man is just too handsome. His face is practically divine. His eyes are deep-set, and their contours are as perfect as if painted with an artist’s brush. The corners tilt up ever so slightly, giving him a captivating allure.’

She could feel her heart pounding, and a warm blush spread across her cheeks.

’Is he looking at me?’

Suddenly, the man beckoned. The pretty girl’s eyes lit up, and just as she was about to step forward, a figure moved right past her and walked slowly toward him.

The girl walked very slowly, but the man waited patiently. When she finally stopped in front of him, he reached out and ruffled her hair.

The adoration in his gaze was even more intense than before, and she suddenly had the feeling that these two existed in a world of their own—one that no outsider could ever hope to enter.

A wave of disappointment washed over her.

Gideon Alden suddenly grabbed her and started walking away, pulling with such force that he nearly yanked her off her feet.

“What are you doing? You’re hurting me!”

Her voice attracted the attention of the onlookers. Utterly embarrassed, Gideon Alden immediately ducked his head, as if trying to avoid being recognized.

***

Seeing his old rival Gideon Alden suddenly lose his nerve, Zeke Quincy chuckled and taunted, “Well, well, if it isn’t Prince Snow of The Snowy Labyrinth? Third place in the Kingsford college entrance exams, the star of ’A Top Student’s Life in Gaming’…”

Gideon Alden hadn’t advanced in the qualifiers this time. In fact, he’d been one-shotted by a prospective member of some team just a few minutes after the match began.

But his “top student” persona was so well-known that everyone considered it an honorable defeat. The event organizers even conducted a special interview with him about his experience after he was eliminated, which was now being broadcast on all the major gaming platforms.

Gideon Alden pushed up his glasses and forced a smile. “What a coincidence! Congratulations on advancing.”

Zeke Quincy smiled, thanked him, and then glanced at the pretty girl. “Is this your girlfriend?” he asked.

Gideon Alden exchanged a stiff glance with the pretty girl. When she remained silent, he quickly denied it. “N-No, we’re just… just friends…”

After a moment of awkward small talk, Gideon Alden made an excuse to leave, his hurried pace looking very much like a desperate retreat.

’Looks like he’s genuinely terrified of Aurora Sinclair.’

***

With Alvin Morgan’s arrival, Aurora Sinclair and the others cut their sightseeing short and headed back to the hotel.

Noticing the two suitcases in Dean Morgan’s hands, Aurora Sinclair asked Alvin Morgan in confusion, “Are you two also competing?”

“No. We came to watch you compete.”

Aurora Sinclair nodded and said earnestly, “I’ll do my best.”

“Okay…”

Alvin Morgan reached out and ruffled her hair again.

The others walking behind them were rendered speechless.

’Why does it feel like we’re being force-fed their PDA?’

They had arrived in a hurry, and all the nearby hotels were fully booked, so Alvin Morgan simply carried his suitcases into Arthur Lockwood’s presidential suite.

The suite had a secondary bedroom in addition to the master. Arthur Lockwood had intended to give up the master bedroom, but Alvin Morgan seemed to find the idea distasteful. He walked straight into the secondary bedroom and locked the door from the inside.

The door didn’t open again until the following morning.

***

In the dining area, Arthur Lockwood was having breakfast with the younger members of their group.

When he appeared, the cheerful laughter in the room died down instantly. The Quincy Siblings, in particular, seemed inexplicably wary of him.

He glanced at the four people wearing the same style of hoodie as Aurora Sinclair, a smirk playing on his lips as he teased, “Is that your team uniform?”

The Quincy Siblings nodded repeatedly, though they felt a pang of guilt…

After breakfast, the group gathered on the sofa, ready to watch the live broadcast of the morning’s matches.

Noelle Chaucer was supposed to arrive around 8:00 a.m., but after waiting for nearly an hour, there was still no sign of her.

Zeke Quincy had a bad feeling about this.

As the time for their match drew near, Noelle Chaucer finally showed up, pale-faced and clutching her stomach. “President,” she said pitifully, “I think I have gastroenteritis…”

Zeke Quincy was alarmed. “Can you still compete?”

Noelle Chaucer shook her head, her face filled with guilt. “I’m sorry, President. I don’t think I can compete. Lord Rory, I’m so sorry to leave you to fight all by yourself…”

Aurora Sinclair shook her head and glanced at Leigh Miles.

Leigh Miles immediately stepped forward and took Noelle Chaucer’s pulse. After a moment, she announced to everyone, “It feels like a weak pulse, probably acute gastroenteritis. I recommend taking her to the hospital for an IV.”

Arthur Lockwood immediately had Abel Lockwood take her to the hospital.

Just as the two were about to leave, Alvin Morgan, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. “Leave her invitation.”

Arthur Lockwood froze for a second, then, as if a thought had suddenly struck him, his eyes widened. “Yes, yes, that’s right!” he said, his voice laced with excitement. “Leave the invitation with me…”

Confused, Noelle Chaucer took the invitation from her bag and timidly handed it to an eager-eyed Arthur Lockwood.

The invitation only listed Noelle Chaucer’s name, her game ID, and the time, match number, and seat for her event.

After reading the invitation, Arthur Lockwood looked up at the bewildered girl and asked playfully, “Do you want to advance to the next round?”

Noelle Chaucer was baffled, but she nodded reflexively.

“Then leave your game account and password behind.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep