11 November 2067

It had been two years since Edward’s last proper meeting with Asher, who was still working on his unique ability.

Edward Astrean stood in the garden when Arthur suddenly appeared beside him.

"What is it?" Edward asked.

"Second Young Master Eric has been found dead in the basement," Arthur replied with a indifferent expression.

Edward’s expression didn’t change. "What about the guards assigned to protect him?"

"The young master himself ordered them to stay back. He was having a secret meeting with a maid assigned to Young Master Asher’s diet. However, the moment he appeared, she beheaded him. The shadow guards couldn’t act in time—they never expected the maid to attack."

Edward still did not show a single emotions, like the death of his son does not even matter to him.

"Who recommended that maid to work in this house?" Edward asked calmly.

"The Second Young Master’s maternal family."

"And the reason she killed him?"

"She took her own life immediately after." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"So someone killed Eric inside our own house... and we still don’t know who," Edward said coldly.

Arthur just stayed silent.

Then after a pause, Edward said, "Who do you think ordered it, Arthur?"

Arthur stayed silent for few seconds and then answered,

"I suspect the First Young Master, Aron. With Eric gone, he is the only contender left for the position of heir, since the Third Young Master has no interest in it."

Edward nodded slightly. "He’s quite capable then—killing without leaving a single trace. And at just fifteen, he has already reached Silver Rank, 6-star."

After saying this Edward started walking towards his office.

"Summon Asher and Aron for dinner tonight."

Arthur gave a bow and said"As you command"

The same day

That Night — Dining Room

Edward sat at the head of the table.

To his right was Aron—black hair, black eyes, and a sharp, handsome face resembling Edward’s.

To his left sat Asher, looking bored, waiting for the food to be served.

The maids soon placed the dishes on the table. As they began to leave, Asher called out—

"Bring me ice cream for dessert."

"Yes, Young Master," one of the maids replied before leaving.

Edward silently erected a sound barrier around the room.

"What happened now that you’ve gathered us here?" Asher asked. "And where are the other family members—the first and second wives?"

"The number of family members has changed," Aron said.

Asher glanced at him. "Aren’t you a bit young for that? You should’ve used protection. So... am I going to become an uncle?"

Before Aron could reply to Asher joke.

"Enough," Edward cut in sharply before Aron could respond. "I have summoned you here to decide the heir."

Since Asher had no interest in becoming the head, and Eric was now dead—

"Aron will be the official heir," Edward continued. "Asher, do you have any objections?"

Asher continued eating as if nothing mattered. "None."

Edward turned to Aron. "Even though you killed Eric for the sake of succession, the family will not punish you. However, be cautious of retaliation from Eric’s mother’s family."

Aron froze, his expression twisting in disbelief.

"I didn’t order anyone to kill him," Aron said, his voice a mix of confusion and panic. "I thought he was assassinated by one of our enemy family."

...

Silence filled the room.

Edward’s expression turned serious. "Then who killed him? No assassin could infiltrate this house with such tight security."

"Well... I killed him."

Asher spoke casually while sipping apple juice.

Both Edward and Aron turned toward him in shock.

"Why?" they asked simultaneously.

Their reaction was understandable—unlike Aron and Eric, Asher had no external backing from noble families.

He was alone and has no external from outside.

"Well, he ordered a maid to poison my food," Asher said calmly. "So I killed the maid first.

Then I took over her body using the ability I’ve been working on... and used her body to kill him."

He paused briefly.

"Though I lost one of my vessels in the process."

Edward and Aron were still trying to process the words "took over her body" and "lost one vessel."

Neither of them questioned him further. In this world, no one revealed the full extent of their abilities.

Asher continued, as if discussing something trivial—

"Also, Aron, feel free to try to kill me. Just be ready for retaliation. I may be weak, but I’m very hard to kill... since I’m quite afraid of death."said Asher with a smile on his face.

Then he leaned back slightly, waiting for his ice cream.

"And Father—congratulations on reaching Immortal Rank."

Aron’s eyes widened. He hadn’t sensed any change in Edward’s rank.

Edward, on the other hand, was only mildly surprised. He wasn’t concealing his aura, so someone with exceptional mana perception could notice it. Still, Asher’s awareness—and his ability—raised questions.

Especially the part about vessels.

"If you killed the maid... how was she alive when she killed Eric?" Edward asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.

"She wasn’t alive," Asher replied simply. "Just her body was. I restored it to its original condition. It was merely a shell—I didn’t have her skills."

He said it as if explaining something obvious.

Edward chose not to press further. It was clear Asher wouldn’t reveal more.

"What about your spatial magic and swordsmanship training?" Edward asked.

"They’re progressing well," Asher answered.

Meanwhile, Aron sat in silence, his thoughts racing.

Even though he hadn’t killed Eric... no one outside would believe him.

And now, he would have to face the wrath of Eric’s mother’s family.

Sensing his thoughts, Edward spoke—

"Don’t worry. You won’t die. You are about to be officially named heir."

Aron exhaled in relief.

At the same time, he made a silent decision—

He would never provoke his youngest brother.

’Vessels’...

For all he knew, the person sitting beside him might not even be Asher’s real body.

Soon, the discussion ended.

It was decided—

Aron would be announced as the heir shortly before Asher’s admission to the Academy.