An overwhelming bloodlust poured out from Lumi, drenching Zephyrion entirely. Despite her small frame, she looked like a reaper that had come to harvest lives.

Yet in the face of this, Zephyrion remained unmoved.

’She doesn’t know it’s me.’

Before coming here, Zephyrion had, for what he considered good reason, decided to keep his identity hidden.

Right now, his face was concealed beneath a thin sheet of metal. Lumi probably saw him as a member of the Redmaw trying to sneak up on her.

Regardless, the last thing he wanted was for Lumi to find out who he was.

’I’ll leave.’

Zephyrion prepared to run, but Lumi suddenly narrowed her eyes at him. She leaned forward slightly and sniffed once... then twice.

Her eyes widened abruptly. She blinked repeatedly at Zephyrion, the bloodlust around her slowly dissipating.

Then, as though realization had finally struck, her eyes lit up and she began waving her arms excitedly.

Zephyrion barely stopped himself from cursing out loud.

’How....’

The instant Lumi started running toward him with bright eyes, Zephyrion immediately took off.

Many minutes later, hidden within the thick branches of a towering tree, Zephyrion fixed his gaze on the petite girl standing a short distance away.

Her brows were furrowed tightly, and a deep pout rested on her chubby face as she scanned the forest, clearly searching for someone.

Though he had fled immediately, Lumi hadn’t hesitated to abandon her teammates and chase after him instead. Fortunately, he was faster, and eventually managed to lose her.

Zephyrion completely erased his presence, and this time around, not even his scent leaked out.

Eventually, after searching for many long minutes, the light in Lumi’s eyes dimmed and her shoulders slumped dejectedly.

She turned and dashed away the next moment.

As Zephyrion’s gaze lingered on her departing figure, Demorian suddenly spoke, sounding deeply disappointed.

"...I mean, you came all this way. You couldn’t at least hug the little flower?"

When Zephyrion didn’t respond, Demorian let out a long sigh.

"My protégé... could it be that it’s not impotency, but that you genuinely don’t know how to deal with women? Sigh, that’s even worse! Truly tragic! If you can’t properly express your magnificence, then how are women supposed to fall helplessly into despair over you?"

Demorian’s rambling gradually faded into muffled noise in Zephyrion’s ears. Silence enveloped the forest as he watched Lumi’s departing figure, his arms slowly tightening at his sides.

Only after she had completely disappeared did the tension gripping his body begin to ease. Sound slowly returned, along with Demorian’s voice.

"Sigh... Demorian, even in death the universe continues to punish you. But no matter! I shall endure this burden with grace! This world shall witness the glorious second coming of Demorian! The women shall scream, cry, faint—"

"Shut up."

"Huh? Wait, WAIT! I’ll shu—"

Zephyrion sealed him away instantly.

After one last glance, Zephyrion disappeared into the night.

...

As the sun shone high above, Caldrath Mountain buzzed with activity.

Today was the day of the Narration Ceremony.

It was an event where the Silversteel assigned to each team recounted the events of their mission, along with the exploits of every trainee before the entire house.

Such a thing was introduced to ensure fairness and openness during the choosing.

Every team had been given a collective limit of one week to complete their missions and return home, with the narration ceremony taking place on that same day.

The entire hall was packed with members of House Calderalth. The parents of the trainees had come to visit, alongside many others who simply wished to witness the event.

Along the pathway leading toward the stairs, the teams stood gathered in a straight line, along with their Silversteel.

It wasn’t long before whispers began spreading through the crowd.

"Did you hear what he did?"

"Who? Kaelion?"

"Who else? The guy came back a few days ago and the entire house hasn’t shut up since."

"Oh yeah, I heard he wiped out a mark four bandit group and protected the Osana House caravan?"

"That’s the small part! The bandits were led by triplet brothers at the peak of mark five, and he still brought them down."

"...damn. Alright, yeah, strongest trainee sounds about right."

"Seriously. At this point, who’s even competing with him anymore?"

"...What about the young lord?"

"Him?"

"Yeah. The other teams already returned days ago, and he’s still missing. Something bad probably happened during the mission."

"Wouldn’t even be surprising. Missions aren’t playgrounds."

"Still... if Kaelion really did all that, then the top of the choosing is basically decided already."

"Definitely."

Despite the countless conversations spreading throughout the hall, nearly every topic revolved around Kaelion, whose exploits had shaken the entire house, as well as Zephyrion, who still hadn’t arrived.

It wasn’t long before the three great lines arrived.

A deep, irritated scowl rested on Ingrid’s face as she took her seat upon her throne.

As the surrounding chatter reached her ears, she couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.

Something happened during Zephyrion’s mission? Something definitely happened alright, but it wasn’t what any of them were expecting.

This entire hall was about to be turned upside down.

Ingrid’s gaze lingered on the grand doors. For a brief moment, she found herself wondering what it would mean if Zephyrion never walked through them... but almost instantly, something twisted within her chest.

Tch.

Clicking her tongue lightly, she looked away.

Not far from her, Garrick tilted back his flask and took a long swig before letting out a relieved sigh. An excited grin rested across his face as he waited.

The chatter continued uninterrupted, and just when it began to seem like the final team truly wouldn’t arrive, the grand doors suddenly swung open. Six figures stepped into the hall.

Zephyrion walked at the front, with Fiona, Kaiden, and the other two following slightly behind him. Their Silversteel, now fully visible, trailed calmly after them.

Seated upon her throne, Ingrid scoffed once more and clicked her tongue.

"He’s here!"

"Finally..."

The moment the crowd’s eyes landed on Zephyrion, many widened visibly. Most of those who had been following his exploits throughout the house felt relieved to see him return safely.

However, that relief did little to change the certainty in their eyes.

Given Kaelion’s reported achievements, none of them could imagine anyone, including Zephyrion, surpassing it.