Chapter 183: Chapter 183 : A fortune or Misfortune (2)

Outside the medic chamber, the atmosphere was thick enough to choke. Serena and Alicia stood side by side, both glaring daggers at Reynard, who stood in the middle like a criminal awaiting judgment.

Sweat trickled down his temple as his usual composure faltered.

Serena’s voice finally broke the silence, sharp as a blade.

“You really disappointed me, Rey. I can’t believe you acted like that… and even used your aura on him.”

Reynard’s jaw tightened. He raised his hands slightly, as if trying to calm the storm.

“I know I lost control, but you already know the aura I released was only a fraction of my true power. I wasn’t trying to harm him, Reyna. I only wanted to… teach him a lesson. To remind him of respect for his elders. Make him kneel, just once, so he’d understand.”

Serena pressed her fingers into her temples, exhaling heavily. She was about to retort, but Alicia stepped forward first, her eyes flashing.

“That’s exactly why she’s calling you childish, Dad. You used your aura on a sixteen-year-old boy who wasn’t thinking straight.

He lashed out because his sister was on the verge of death, and instead of understanding that, you tried to crush him with your pride.”

Reynard’s face darkened, his voice defensive.

“Alice, he was speaking so rudely to you—you almost cried because of him!”

Alicia raised her chin defiantly.

“I know that, Dad! But that doesn’t give you the right to insult him by calling him a commoner!”

Serena’s voice cut in like thunder.

“And what was that line about being his benefactor? Don’t forget, Reynard—that boy saved our son. Along with countless civilians.

He nearly sacrificed his life for them. You should have respected that, at the very least.”

The Duke flinched. Two women—his wife and daughter—stood united against him. He opened his mouth, closed it again, and lowered his head.

Their words pierced him deeper than any blade.

Inside his mind, a thought crept up, heavy and undeniable.

’They’re right… I acted in a way unbefitting of a Duke. Worse, unbefitting of myself.’

At last, he sighed, voice quieter.

“Alright… I admit it. My behavior wasn’t suitable for someone of my position. I apologize.”

Serena crossed her arms.

“It’s not us you have to apologize to. You know that, right?”

Reynard gave a slow nod.

“I know. And I would have apologized to him… but that boy said my honor means nothing.

That I use it to manipulate men into marching to their deaths in war. How can I apologize to someone who mocked my honor—and insulted the soldiers who gave their lives for our empire?”

The room fell into silence. Even Alicia and Serena hesitated. They couldn’t deny it—Alex had gone too far, insulting not just Reynard, but the very soldiers whose loyalty defined Avaloria.

Serena’s shoulders sagged as she let out another long sigh.

“I know it hurt you deeply. But you’re an adult. He’s just a kid. Kids make mistakes. Forgive him, and apologize anyway. I’ll make sure he apologizes to you too.”

Reynard paused, his brows furrowed as if weighing her words. But then, slowly, he shook his head.

“Sorry, Reyna. I know it’s childish, but that kid went too far. I won’t apologize to him.”

He turned, his cloak swirling as he walked away.

“My free time is over. I have work at the palace. Support that boy with whatever he needs. I’m leaving.”

“Rey, stop!” Serena called after him.

“Father, wait!” Alicia’s voice joined hers.

But Reynard merely flicked his finger, and in an instant his form vanished, dissolving into nothing as though he’d never been there.

Serena let out a tired groan, running her hand through her hair.

“His pride… it’s in the way.”

Alicia tilted her head.

“What do you mean?”

Serena’s eyes softened, though her voice carried a weight.

“Disrespecting our people hurt him, yes. But another factor… is that a Transcendent like him couldn’t make a boy who just broke through to Expert rank kneel. Think about it, Alicia. Even you would lose confidence if that happened.”

Alicia’s eyes widened as the realization struck her. She had almost forgotten—Alex never knelt. Even when her father’s aura descended on him, crushing and oppressive… Alex stood his ground.

The thought chilled her.

’Even with everything I’ve awakened—including the dormant powers within me… I’m not confident I could’ve done the same.’

“I… I understand what you’re saying now,” Alicia whispered.

Serena nodded slowly, her lips tightening into a thin line.

“Now. My curiosity is only growing. What kind of power does that kid really possess?”

—

Meanwhile, inside the chamber, Alex’s wide eyes went wider as Alyssa finished listing everything. For a moment, his vision blurred.

Debts. Mountains upon mountains of debts.

There was a time when Alyssa was one of the richest and most renowned individuals in all of Avaloria, who built everything from the ground up even though she was just a commoner.

Aside from her house, the guild—she owned multiple hotels, malls, companies, even private jets and yachts—Alyssa Vega owned them all.

She was among the richest women in Avaloria, a famed hunter and business pillar.

But that was fifteen years ago, before she became infected with abyssal corruption.

The moment she collapsed, her empire began to crumble. Competitors circled like vultures.

Piece by piece, she was forced to sell it all. Jets, yachts, private properties, farms—gone. Entire companies gutted and devoured.

Selena had been just a child back then, too young to understand the storms crashing around her.

And Alyssa? She had fought tooth and nail, bleeding her fortune away to protect what little she could for her daughter.

Now, staring at her, Alex felt his stomach churn as Alyssa explained it all.

’So this is what I inherited with that damned contract? A fortune drowning under debts… This is highway robbery!’

His head spun as Alyssa kept talking casually, as though her words weren’t shattering him.

’Hotels, malls, jets, yachts, guilds… and debts piled to the heavens… I—I’ve basically married into bankruptcy.’

His lips twitched as he buried his face in his hands.

“Fuck my life…”

Alyssa leaned back against her pillow, her lips curving as she continued speaking, enjoying every shift in Alex’s expression.

“This guild… Shadow Legion. I built it myself from the ground up. In my prime, it was one of the top five guilds in all Avaloria.

Known for two things—the legendary hunters we produced, who cleared countless high-ranked dungeons and spontaneous rifts… and our unmatched healing facilities.

Back then, people lined up just to be treated and recruited by the Shadow Legion.”

Her voice turned bitter, though her smile never faded.

“But those days are gone. Now? The guild has been reduced to a mid-tier name, barely remembered except for its clinics. If not for that, Shadow Legion would have disappeared entirely.”

Alex’s face paled, the color draining from him as each new fact was revealed. Alyssa caught it instantly, her laughter spilling into the room.

“Hahaha! Oh, this is too good. Watching your expression twist is the best entertainment I’ve had in years!”

Alex clenched his teeth and screamed inside his head.

’You bastard system! Where the hell did you trap me?! This old hag is neck-deep in debt, and now I’m chained to her because of you!’

No reply came. Just silence.

Selena, watching Alex’s frozen horror, couldn’t help herself. She let out a small laugh.

“Relax, Alex. Don’t take too much pressure. Even if she survived, I was planning to sell everything to clear the debts. We still can, if it comes to that. So don’t worry too much.”

Alex’s eyes lit up.

“Really?!”

But Alyssa interjected immediately, her tone firm.

“No. That’s not going to happen. I built this empire with my own hands. As long as I breathe, I won’t sell a single stone of it.”

Selena clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“Tch. Stubborn old hag.”

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose.

’Should’ve let her die… because of that useless system, I’ve walked into the worst trap of my life.’

Alyssa’s smirk widened, as though she could read his thoughts.

“You regret saving me, don’t you? Or specifically making me sign that contract, thinking you were ripping me off while the opposite was happening.”

She gave a loud laugh.

Alex didn’t answer, but his twitching lips gave him away. Alyssa chuckled, but then her expression sharpened.

“Regret all you want, boy. But I have an offer for you. From what I’ve heard from Selena, you have no place to belong right now.

So here’s my proposal. Join Shadow Legion. Become its Co-owner. Take everything I’ve left—companies, properties—and drag them back to the top. Selena will retain fifty percent ownership with you, but the rest is yours to command.”

Her eyes gleamed dangerously, her voice rising with fervor.

“If you succeed, you’ll have everything—power, money, respect. People will bow before you.

The question is, Alex Dragonheart, do you have what it takes to rise to the top when opportunity stands before you? Or do you want to be a spoiled brat, settling for scraps? The choice is yours.

If you want to be spoiled, I can make that happen too—you’ll get a fortune, but it will be nothing in comparison to the previous option.”

“So the choice is yours. Choose wisely.”

Her final words struck deeper than she expected.

“Remember this: if you succeed, Lily will never have to worry about anything for the rest of her life.”

Alex froze.

’Is this woman… challenging me?’

His lips slowly curled into a smile as he turned his head toward Selena.

Selena raised a brow.

“Don’t look at me. I’ve no interest in running businesses. I’m all for selling it off. But if you accept, I’ll support you.”

Alex’s smile deepened.

“I’m not looking at you for that. Whether I accept her offer or not depends on what you’re about to say.”

Selena tilted her head knowingly.

“You mean the favor you asked for from Serena and me.”

Alex nodded.

Selena’s lips curved into a sly grin.

“Then you’re in luck. Because you saved a member of the royal family—Charlotte Evans Avaloria—the dwarven prince, two high noble heirs, and the Hero himself, all of your demands were granted.

First off—no one knows you’re alive. That information will be kept a secret.

Second—you’re still considered a student of Class 1-A. You don’t have to attend classes, don’t have to sit exams—you’ll be promoted to the next year regardless. You can return to the academy whenever you like.”

Her grin grew wider as she continued.

“Headmaster Aldric Verlane himself promised all your demands would be fulfilled. On top of that, the royal family has opened its treasury to you. You can claim one reward there anytime—or take credits instead, whichever you prefer.”

Alex’s face split into a grin so wide it nearly cracked his jaw.

’Of course they’d grant everything… after all, I didn’t just save one noble heir—I saved five. Including a prince, a princess… and the Hero himself.’

His chest swelled with satisfaction. He turned toward Alyssa, his voice low and steady.

“I accept your offer.”

Alyssa’s smirk sharpened.

“Good.”

Selena clapped her hands once, relieved.

“Perfect. Now I can focus entirely on the academy. Balancing both businesses and teaching was becoming a nightmare.”

Alex raised a brow.

“But you’ll still assist me, right?”

Selena only smiled faintly and walked toward the door without answering.

Alex called after her.

“At least tell me if that’s a yes or no!”

Her footsteps faded without a reply.

Behind him, Alyssa laughed loudly, thoroughly enjoying herself.

“Hahaha! Oh, I like you, brat. You’re going to make things very interesting.”

Alex heaved a heavy sigh, running a hand through his silver hair.

“I don’t have a good feeling about this…”

He turned to Alyssa again, his eyes serious.

“I have one more thing to ask.”

Alyssa smirked.

“Go on.”

“I want you to train me. If you really were as great as you claim in the past, then I’ll entrust myself to you.”

Alyssa’s grin turned wicked, her eyes glinting like a predator’s.

“You’ve come to the right place. The Witch of Nightmares herself will accept you as her disciple.”

Alex’s lips twitched into a smile at her words.

’That title sounds cool.’

Though inside, another thought clawed at him.

’I almost forgot about that crazy professor. I’ll have to repay him too… somehow.’

Then his gaze drifted toward Lily, still resting peacefully. After everything, her face looked serene, like a child lost in dreams.

Alex exhaled softly.

“Rest well, Lily.”

With that, he nodded to Alyssa before stepping out of the room.

Alyssa leaned back against her pillows, finally allowing herself to close her eyes. She too needed rest after all the madness she had witnessed in just one day.

———

A/N:

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