’This cannot be happening! My reputation! My honor! I cannot let them slip away just like this. I need to do something.’

Sir Juniper was left behind by Kael and he felt rage and humiliation filling his soul. He picked up the plate from the table and threw it down to calm himself. But the second he did that, the insides of the inn came into focus.

No one had been able to see him even after Kael dropped the barrier, but the moment Sir Juniper did something stupid, everyone noticed.

"Sir, would you like to pay for the plate you broke now?"

The waitress asked him in an annoyed voice, but the one who should feel annoyed was Sir Juniper.

’Darn it! How dare these people treat me like this. They were treating me like a hero not too long ago and hanging on my every word. But now they are behaving as if I am a petty criminal they cannot wait to get away from.’

Most people had already turned their heads away and were pretending they did not see him. And those who did see him were snickering at his misery.

And it was all because of Grand Master Kael.

He was the one who challenged Sir Juniper’s authority and left his reputation in shambles.

"Tsk, how dare that kid do such a thing? I pretended to be nice and kind to him because I felt sorry for him. But this is how he repays me? I will need to take my revenge. I will show that kid exactly why the temple chose me as the hero’s teacher."

Sir Juniper knew he was strong. But more than that, he was resourceful and always got his way. He also made sure to crush anyone who stood in his way.

And now, that someone was Grand Master Kael.

’I won’t let the temple find out what I am doing. Instead, I will handle this situation myself and only tell the Cardinal once it is done. I swear I will make that arrogant child bow his head in front of me!’

Sir Juniper vowed before he started to walk out of the inn.

He did not make it very far when his path was blocked by a server. The waitress clutched her plate and looked at him with a blank expression.

"What do you need, lady? Can’t you see that I am busy?"

Sir Juniper snapped at the server with an impatient voice. He did not have time to play with her or waste time on her.

But the server did not get out of his way. If anything, she looked even more determined to block him.

"Sir, you have yet to pay for your drinks, meal, or the plate you broke. Please pay up or we will be forced to call guards."

Sir Juniper cursed and took out money before putting it on the table.

"Here! Take this and leave me alone. Just keep the change as well."

With that, he stalked out of the inn before anyone could stop him.

The server sighed and took the money. It was 10 coins over, but she had no way to return it. So she considered it as part of her payment for letting that annoying man in and decided to call it a day.

Hopefully, she would never meet that man again in her life.

__________ 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The aroma of food was the first thing Kael noticed once he stepped into the house.

It made him immediately head toward the kitchen where Seraphina was cooking some food. The other two were nowhere to be seen.

"Are you cooking alone? You don’t have to do that. I told you that my magic can handle all this."

Kael told Seraphina and she almost dropped the dish she was carrying when she heard his voice.

Luckily, she did not drop the dish, but Kael still used his magic to stabilize her balance in case she did lose it.

Her face turned red when she looked at him and she bit her lip before she replied to him.

"I know you told me that I did not need to cook. But I wanted to cook for you...and the others. I promise this will not affect my studies in any way."

Seraphina seemed to feel very strongly about this, so Kael saw no point in stopping her.

After all, it was not as if she was doing anything illegal or destroying the world. All she was doing was cooking the food.

’Hmm, it would be a good idea for her to have a hobby at this stage in her life. It might help her feel more stable.’

Kael decided to allow her this much freedom.

"Alright! If you want to take over dinner duties, then I won’t stop you. But if you don’t feel like doing it, you don’t have to force yourself either. My magic can take care of it all."

Kael reassured Seraphina and she nodded to show that she understood. She went back to cooking and Kael decided to take a shower before he joined her in the kitchen.

Iris and Leon arrived back by the time they were done.

Dinner was a quiet affair, but Kael could feel the interested gazes of the others looking at him. They were waiting for him to tell them what he did today.

Kael initially decided not to tell them about what happened, but then he changed his mind.

He had a feeling that whatever Sir Juniper had planned to do would involve the hero, so at least Leon deserved to know what was going on.

"Everyone, I have some news to share with you all. And I would also like your help with something. Do you think you are willing to cooperate with me?"

Kael’s formal voice surprised the other three. They were not used to hearing him speak like this.

So they immediately became attentive to hear what he had to say.

"Let me start with what happened today and what I did. And then, I will tell you about what role you will need to play soon."

Kael told the group about Sir Juniper and his lack of talent. But he also warned them not to underestimate him either.

Everyone had a serious expression on their faces by the time he was done and Iris was the one who asked the first question.

"So, what are you planning to do?"

Kael looked at her with a disturbing smile on his face that made her feel sorry for the man she did not even know.

"Well, I am going to destroy that man and use this to push the temple back. And for that, I would need your help, Leon. Want to help me knock the temple back?"

Kael asked and Leon nodded without hesitation.