"You..."

Nedra froze. Her intense gaze locked onto Zephyrion. She had just been about to hurl all sorts of insults and profanities at him. However, though she found them irritating, her mother’s words still lingered in her mind.

Considering Zephyrion’s status as a dynasty heir, any insult directed at him was an insult directed at the house.

Nedra was angry, but she wasn’t stupid. Such a thing was enough to sever heads.

Gritting her teeth, Nedra tore her gaze away from Zephyrion and turned toward the two pitiful women seated obediently beside him.

Her expression softened slightly as she spoke in a gentle tone.

"...hello... my name is Nedra Heno. And I just want you to know it’s alright now. You don’t have to be scared anymore. You can come with me... I’ll protect you from... him."

She shot Zephyrion a disgusted look. His eyes remained closed, his expression utterly unmoved. Then she turned expectantly toward Lumi and Fiona.

It was Fiona who first opened her eyes. She blinked slowly, staring at Nedra in confusion.

"...what are you talking about?"

"This..." Nedra gritted her teeth. She was clearly being oppressed, but was too afraid to speak up! It was then she noticed Tobias and Kaiden seated on either side of the girls.

’His henchmen!’

This guy... he was despicable. Utterly despicable!

Nedra suppressed her anger and looked back at Fiona with a gentle, reassuring expression.

"...it’s alright. You don’t have to force yourself anymore. I, Nedra Heno, will protect you. He won’t be able to touch you again."

"...I think you’ve misunderstood something." Fiona frowned slightly before glancing at Zephyrion with a small smile. "I don’t need protection from him."

Nedra’s expression twisted the moment she saw the smile. Clearly, the despicable bastard had sunk his claws so deep into her head that she no longer understood right from wrong!

"You’re too scared to even realize it."

She turned toward Lumi, whose small frame and chubby cheeks made her look even more innocent and pitiful. To think anyone could be heartless enough to oppress something this cute!

"...little girl, it’s alright now. You’re safe. I’ll protect you and make sure nothing bad happens to you anymore."

Lumi did not open her eyes. Instead, her face scrunched up slightly, as though she had just smelled something foul.

Then she lazily raised a hand and waved it dismissively, like she was shooing away an annoying insect.

Nedra blinked, utterly speechless. Just what the hell was wrong with these girls!? Did they not realize their situation?

Nedra gritted her teeth and shot Zephyrion a glare.

’It’s him.’

It was the only explanation. Somehow, he had such a hold over their minds that they didn’t even realize they shouldn’t be in a situation like this.

Nedra suddenly became aware of the countless eyes on her. Across the training grounds, the candidates had gradually paused their training to watch.

Ahead, she met the pleading gaze of her maid, who was very clearly begging her not to escalate things any further.

Nedra turned back toward Zephyrion. Despite everything, his eyes remained closed, his expression completely unmoved, as though she simply didn’t matter.

Nedra felt her heart twist, her fists clenching tightly at her sides.

’I’ll show you.’

She gave Lumi and Fiona reassuring looks before turning away. The gentleness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a fierce sharpness as she locked onto her target.

Draven Hartvain’s massive frame prowled across the training grounds, casually flexing his muscles while challenging trainees with broad grins.

He didn’t seem to care in the slightest about the no sparring rule. Rather, his gaze burned with battle intent. He looked as though, if given permission, he wouldn’t hesitate to unleash absolute chaos on the training grounds.

With sharp, clipped steps, Nedra stopped before him, staring up at his towering frame without the slightest trace of fear.

"...you’re looking for someone to challenge, aren’t you? Good. Let’s play a game."

Draven paused before lowering his gaze toward her, regarding her with the same curiosity one might reserve for a particularly aggressive squirrel.

"...tiny woman, are you trying to spar with me?"

Nedra’s eyes instantly turned murderous at the condescending regard. However, she suppressed her anger... there was someone far more disgusting she wanted to deal with.

She spoke in a composed tone.

"...we’re not allowed to spar. This is simple training. The question is... do you actually have the balls to follow through?"

"I have two giant hairy balls! More than enough!"

Draven’s eyes narrowed instantly before a savage grin spread across his face.

"Haha! Fine then! Let’s do it!"

Moments later, the two of them stood opposite each other in the middle of the training grounds.

The sight of two head candidates from the great high houses facing off instantly drew attention, and one after another, the trainees gradually stopped whatever they were doing to watch.

"Alright," Nedra began. "Listen carefully, because I’m only saying this once."

Draven nodded.

"A third party will form a metal ball, and we’ll both try to pull it toward ourselves. Whoever takes control of it wins. Understood?"

"Hah!" Draven flexed both arms with a savage grin. "Are you sure about this? My fists are gender neutral. Men, women... I beat everybody equally."

Disgust flashed through Nedra’s eyes.

"...good for you. We’re starting now."

One of the candidates immediately stepped forward and condensed a metal ball before placing it between them. A moment later, a voice rang out across the training grounds.

"Begin."

Sharp hums echoed instantly.

Formless waves burst from both of them, surging toward the metal ball. The moment their forces enveloped it, the ball shot upward before abruptly halting midair.

It trembled violently as both energies fought for control, tugging it back and forth.

Suddenly, Nedra’s eyes flashed. She glanced toward Zephyrion, whose eyes remained closed, releasing a low scoff.

’I’ll show you.’

She dipped into the WorldPulse. Countless runic symbols flashed through her mind as she activated a facet of the Heno’s secret rune art.

Another invisible ripple spread from her and wrapped itself around the ball. Then, she abruptly released control.

The sudden release caused the metal ball to shoot toward Draven. Draven’s grin widened instantly, but before the ball could reach him, it suddenly curved sharply midair, tearing straight toward Zephyrion in the corner of the training grounds.

"Oh no!"

"It’s heading for the young lord!"

The eyes of the candidates widened in horror. At such a speed, it was difficult for anyone to react in time.

Nedra’s lips curled upward slightly. This was training. Accidents could happen. In a situation like this, she couldn’t be held liable even if Zephyrion got injured.

Suddenly, the metal ball abruptly halted midair.

It hovered mere inches away from Zephyrion, suspended by an unseen force. The ball trembled violently, as though desperately trying to force its way through, yet the invisible force restraining it remained absolute and unmoving.

Nedra’s eyes constricted sharply. But she wasn’t the only one. Vaelor, Lucien, Kaelen, and even Draven stared at the scene in visible shock.

He hadn’t even opened his eyes. None of them had heard the slightest hum of activation, yet he had formed a barrier so solid that quickly...

A moment passed before Zephyrion slowly opened his eyes.

His purple gaze swept across the training grounds before landing directly on Nedra.

Nedra froze completely.

An overwhelming surge of bloodlust crashed over her, locking her body in place. Instinctively, she shivered, her trembling eyes widening slightly.

"What...?"

Yet Zephyrion said nothing.

Instead, the metal ball blasted backward at terrifying speed, tearing straight toward Nedra.

’I... I have to move.’

Yet the overwhelming bloodlust rooted her to the spot. Her body simply refused to respond.

The ball was only moments away from slamming into her when a blur suddenly flashed before her and kicked it away.

Nedra’s trembling gaze landed on her maid, who now stood protectively in front of her. The maid’s narrowed eyes remained fixed entirely on Zephyrion.

The young lord had already shut his eyes, as though the entire situation no longer concerned him.