Chapter 106: Chapter 106 : A Plan

In the heart of the prestigious Crestvale Duchy stood an opulent mansion that exuded nobility from every polished marble tile and golden chandelier.

The grand dining hall, adorned with crimson drapes and a twelve-seat mahogany table fit for royalty, now sat nearly empty.

At the very end of the massive table sat Serena von Crestvale, the Duchess of the house and once the fiery jewel of the royal capital. Clad in an elegant deep-violet dress with her white hair cascading over one shoulder, she quietly sliced into her filet mignon. But her expression wasn’t exactly serene.

By her side, standing dutifully as ever, was Elric Spade, the family’s long-serving butler—a dignified man in his late fifties. He stood with poise, silver streaks running through his neatly combed black hair, hands clasped behind his back.

Serena stabbed a piece of meat with her fork, chewing slowly before mumbling, “Rey didn’t come home today either…”

She set the fork down with a soft clink against porcelain. “Looks like I’ll need to have a serious talk with him when he does decide to show up.”

Her knuckles cracked ominously as she flexed her fingers with a wry smile.

“They’re all so mean,” she grumbled. “Leaving me with all the duties here. At least they’re not bored.”

Elric cleared his throat softly and said with practiced calm, “My lady, His Grace Duke Reynard hasn’t left for leisure. The situation regarding the cult’s latest invention in Marriotte… is delicate and dangerous. It’s only natural that it’s taking time to resolve.”

Serena exhaled a long, dramatic sigh. “Yes, yes, I know. That’s why I’ve been patient. But still—he deserves at least a little beating. Don’t you think so, Elric?”

The butler muttered under his breath, “Perhaps that’s why he avoids coming home…”

Serena’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Did you say something, Elric?”

A bead of sweat rolled down the butler’s temple. “Nothing, my lady! I was merely reflecting on how much Lady Alicia has taken after you. At times, it’s like watching a younger version of yourself—your personalities are nearly identical.”

Serena blinked, caught off guard, before a small, proud smile crept onto her face. “You think so?”

“Without a doubt, my lady,” Elric replied, nodding. “From your mutual habit of sneaking junk food into the study… to your shared obsession with strategy games late into the night.”

Serena’s cheeks instantly flushed crimson. “You didn’t need to include that part, you old goat! Just because you’ve been my butler since I was ten doesn’t mean you get to list all my embarrassing habits!”

Elric chuckled, eyes twinkling with nostalgia. “My apologies, my lady. It’s just that… watching you grow from that tomboyish princess who challenged anyone and everyone to duels… into the refined and formidable woman you are now—it’s been a privilege.”

Serena looked down for a moment, her lips forming a soft smile. “Thank you for the compliment, Elric. But… you really didn’t have to bring up the tomboy part. I was a teenager! That phase doesn’t count.”

Elric nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, of course, my lady! Though I must admit… there was a time when His Majesty the King and I were truly concerned whether you’d ever accept a marriage proposal.

After all, most of your suitors ended up limping back to their carriages after one of your… friendly ’sparring sessions’.”

He paused, sighing dramatically. “Ah, the number of apologies I had to make on your behalf… Those were not my golden years.”

Elric almost cried thinking about those days when he had to apologize to every noble heir she beat up.

Serena buried her red face in her hands. “Okay, okay! Stop, you old man! I get it! I caused a lot of trouble for you and Father! Can we move on now?!”

Elric smiled fondly. “Of course, my lady. Though… it was quite the miracle when you fell in love with Duke Reynard after he defeated you. His Majesty and I were nearly convinced he must’ve used an enchantment on you. We almost had him imprisoned.”

Serena snorted. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“Truly,” Elric said, chuckling. “And now, I see the same ’spark’ in Lady Alicia. She’s practically your twin. Why, just last year at the Winter Ball, she slapped three noble heirs in a single evening—for daring to touch her shoulder.”

Serena tilted her head and let out a resigned sigh. “Well… you’re not wrong. That girl is a handful.”

There was a brief pause before Elric spoke again, more cautiously this time. “My lady, forgive me if I’m overstepping, but… then why did you ask Lady Alicia to attend the Freshman Ball with that… commoner?”

Serena leaned back in her chair, the sharp light in her eyes dimming into something thoughtful. “You saw that picture, didn’t you?”

“Elric… you saw that picture, didn’t you?”

Elric replied, “Yes, my lady. I was surprised she even let him touch her hand.”

“Also, that young man—he’s a mystery. Even after a thorough investigation, we couldn’t uncover much about him.”

Serena raised an elegant eyebrow, her tone sharpening with interest. “Then as the former commander of the Shadow Guards and one of the most powerful men on the continent, tell me—what’s your opinion of him?”

Elric took a pause, then started.

“His parents vanished under suspicious circumstances. The only family he has is a little sister suffering from abyssal corruption. He’s notably protective of her.

His records indicate he was at Novice rank barely four months ago.”

He paused, frowning slightly.

“And now?” Serena prompted.

Elric paused before answering, thoughtful. “He’s reached Advanced rank. The growth rate is extraordinary. Unnatural, even. Yet no signs of forbidden magic or artificial enhancement.”

Serena’s eyes narrowed. “You know, Elric… that’s a monstrous growth rate—the highest I’ve seen in the history of Etheron.”

“Indeed,” Elric agreed. “And I saw him during the Zenith Academy entrance exam. He has a sharp mind—precise, adaptive, and fast. Overall, I can only conclude this: he has monstrous potential. Equal to Sir Ethan and Lady Evelyn… or perhaps even surpassing both of them together.”

Serena leaned back slowly in her chair and started clapping softly, amusement twinkling in her eyes. “Wow, old man. I’ve never seen you praise anyone so highly—not even your own son, who’s leading the Shadows now.”

Serena said, “Don’t you want him as your disciple?”

Elric replied, “If the opportunity arises, then anyone would want to have such a monstrous talent as their disciple.”

Serena chuckled at that.

She gave a rare smile. “Guess you didn’t bother investigating what happened inside the academy, did you?”

Elric raised an eyebrow, confused.

Serena tilted her head, feigning innocence. “You know Alicia and that boy—Alex—dueled?”

Elric raised an eyebrow. “My lady… don’t tell me… Lady Alicia lost?”

Serena smirked. “Of course not. Whose daughter do you think she is? She won. Obviously. But…”

“But?” Elric leaned in ever so slightly.

“He managed to land a serious blow on her,” Serena said, savoring the words like fine wine.

Elric blinked. “Impossible. A low-tier Advanced rank injuring a mid-tier Master rank? That shouldn’t even be feasible. Just what kind of monster is that boy?”

Serena’s smirk widened, her voice lowering conspiratorially. “And guess what? His potential was recently tested.”

Elric’s throat moved as he swallowed. “Transcendent?”

She shook her head.

“Monarch?”

Again, she shook her head with a dramatic pause.

“Is he also an… Avatar?” he asked, this time with genuine hesitation.

Serena finally leaned in, eyes gleaming. “Nope. Just Master rank.”

Elric stared blankly at her, the gears in his mind grinding to a halt. “…You’re joking.”

Serena laughed softly at his expression. “It gets better. During the testing, the crystal briefly burst past golden, into a myriad of colors. Then… it settled back down to Master rank.”

Elric was speechless, his mind swirling with possibilities. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

Serena smirked. “Cat got your tongue, old man? And by the way, that info’s classified. Got it from a very close friend of mine, so zip your mouth.”

Elric simply nodded, his brain still buffering.

“And,” she continued, reaching for her wine glass, “my one and only daughter—who never acknowledges anyone weaker than her, just like Alden—lost the upper hand to that same boy. I heard from Melissa that he tricked her, made her run away, and even took her money.”

That snapped Elric out of his daze. “Are you sure she didn’t beat him up and give him money out of pity?”

Serena laughed. “Nope. After he kissed her hand, she ran away, red-faced.”

“…Which means,” Elric muttered, eyes widening.

“She acknowledged him,” Serena finished with a proud grin.

Elric gave a low whistle. “Incredible. Not only did you find someone who can handle her temper, but you made a strategic move. If those two get together, you’ll secure a monstrous talent for the Empire and for the Crestvale Duchy.”

He hesitated, then looked up. “But… this is still a gamble, my lady. What if that ’Master’ rank really is his limit? Wouldn’t that potential be wasted on someone like Lady Alicia?”

Serena’s smile softened, more sincere this time. “You know, Elric, it doesn’t matter. If he can make my daughter happy, then even a Master rank isn’t bad. Most commoners without any noble lineage never even reach Expert. And this boy… he’s already defying expectations.”

Then, a glint of something deeper—something more dangerous—flashed in her eyes.

“My gut tells me that boy isn’t normal. It’s like… he’s fighting against fate itself. If he can claw his way to the top among a million others—some of whom will change the world like Ethan—then he’s exactly the kind of person I want by my daughter’s side. Maybe he can also change her fate.”

Elric bowed deeply. “Then I pray your instincts are right, my lady.”

Serena leaned back with a content sigh, her wine glass swirling lazily between her fingers.

“I wonder what my dearest daughter and son are doing right now…” she murmured under her breath.

Then, almost as an afterthought, she whispered with a mischievous smile, “I hope everything is going according to plan.”

—

—Meanwhile, miles away—

Her beloved son lay facedown in his bed, unconscious, thanks to a well-placed punch from her precious daughter.

And that said daughter?

Currently backed into a precarious corner, facing an opponent who refused to follow any script she had prepared for.

Her plan to beat up a certain silver-haired boy was not going according to plan.

—

A/N:

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