’He almost killed her.’

The maid couldn’t stop her heart from pounding violently.

As a maid of the Heno house, she had been trained extensively for the sole purpose of protecting her lady. Yet she knew with absolute certainty... if she hadn’t interfered just now, that metal ball would have pierced straight through her lady’s head.

The maid was fully aware of her lady’s ploy, and she knew Nedra had intentionally targeted the young lord. Clearly, the young lord had realized this as well.

However, she would have never imagined he would retaliate with such ruthless killing intent.

’He’s dangerous.’

From all her experience, the maid could tell Zephyrion was not someone they wanted to cross.

The maid quickly turned toward her lady.

"My lady... I think it’s best we leave now."

Nedra still appeared shaken from the entire ordeal. However, with the eyes of the entire training ground fixed on her, she silently nodded.

Within moments, the two of them left the training grounds.

...

"That cuck-sucking bastard!"

Nedra stormed forward as she cursed furiously.

The maid couldn’t help but sigh. They hadn’t even returned to their dwelling yet and her lady had already completely crashed out.

Still, the maid felt it was necessary to warn her about everything she had realized.

"...my lady, I understand you’re upset, but you truly need to be careful around the young lord. He’s not—"

"Oh, I’m so sick of hearing that!" Nedra snapped. "’He’s dangerous.’ ’Be careful.’ ’Watch yourself.’ He’s fucking nothing! Just a dumb, arrogant bastard with a stupid face."

"My lady!"

The maid’s eyes widened instantly. She hurriedly glanced around to make sure no one nearby had overheard those reckless words.

Only after confirming the area was empty did she finally release a relieved breath before turning back toward her lady with a stern expression.

"My lady... please lower your voice before we both die. This is not the Heno estate."

"Hmph." Nedra clicked her tongue dismissively, completely ignoring the warning. She clenched her fists tightly as the earlier scene replayed itself in her mind, causing the rage in her chest to rise even further.

"I only froze for a second. That’s it. One second. If I’d kept my composure, none of that would’ve happened."

"...my lady—"

"No. Don’t start again." Nedra’s eyes darkened. "Tomorrow... I’ll deal with him tomorrow."

"The Proving is not something to take lightly—"

"And neither am I." Nedra growled. "I’ll make that smug bastard regret ever crawling out of his mother."

Seeing the fierce look burning in her lady’s eyes, the maid could only sigh softly. At the very least, she had already given her warning.

...

The next day arrived quickly.

Before the sun had even risen, the entirety of the South was already awake. Considering the long-awaited Proving was only a few hours away, anticipation had stolen sleep from many.

People poured out of homes and motels alike, flooding into countless viewing centers.

By the time the sun painted the world in shimmering light, the streets were already overflowing with people.

The crowds were so dense one had to squeeze through clusters of bodies just to move forward.

This year’s Proving was different.

The descendants of the five great high houses were all participating. Even more, the prodigal heir who had returned after seven years would also take part.

The level of competition this Proving promised was unlike anything the South had ever witnessed before.

The excitement in the air was so intense it almost felt tangible. Whispers spread endlessly through the streets. Anticipated grins filled countless faces.

Despite the discomfort and crowding, the people waited patiently for the event of the year to begin.

Yet while millions eagerly awaited the start of the Proving, the one at the center of all discussion had just stepped out of his manor.

Zephyrion walked forward with Tobias beside him and Lumi trailing close behind. Tobias appeared visibly tense, while Lumi looked strangely focused.

Her eyes remained glued to the pavement below, her expression unusually stern as she carefully avoided every crack along the ground.

Each time her foot came close to touching one, she immediately skipped over it with complete seriousness.

Zephyrion had watched her in silence for several seconds before ultimately deciding it wasn’t worth commenting on.

Instead, he listened to the endless ramblings of his lustful spirit.

"Ahh... that woman from yesterday was absurdly gorgeous!" Demorian lamented dramatically. "Zephyrion, I’m telling you, the heavens handcrafted that one personally."

"Ah, if only I possessed your body for a single hour." Demorian sounded deeply emotional. "The words I would speak... the charm I would unleash... she would immediately understand our greatness."

Zephyrion resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Ever since the incident with Nedra Heno yesterday, Demorian had been going on endlessly about her.

"Zephyrion, listen to me carefully. Opportunities like this do not come often. The heavens themselves would curse us if we allowed such a divine woman to slip away.

"It is our sacred duty as men to properly appreciate heaven’s finest creations. This is not lust, Zephyrion. This is respect. Culture. Civilization. We must—"

Zephyrion shook his head slightly.

’That’s enough.’

"But—"

’You’re supposed to remain hidden, remember? Or do you want me to seal you again?’

Demorian fell silent instantly.

"...I suddenly remember I enjoy being hidden."

’Good.’

"...still though, the fairy was truly magnificent."

’Disappear.’

"...disappearing now."

He gave a quick nod before dispersing back into unreality.

Zephyrion’s gaze briefly drifted toward the metal pin fixed neatly against his chest before he gave a faint nod of his own.

Unfortunately, the Proving strictly prohibited the use of relics, elixirs, or any form of outside assistance.

The rule existed to ensure fairness, since descendants from powerful houses could otherwise rely on overwhelming relics to carry them through the competition.

Regardless, this was bad news for Zephyrion, as it directly interfered with one of his main objectives for the Proving.

While he fully intended to emerge victorious, Zephyrion had also recognized another opportunity within the competition, one far too valuable to let slip away.

The descendants of every notable house across the South would be participating in the Proving.

Each of them had been taught their respective house’s secret rune arts, arts they would undoubtedly use without hesitation during the competition.

Where others saw a battlefield for glory and dominance, Zephyrion saw a breeding ground for acquiring powerful rune arts.

However, to accomplish that... he would first need to find a way to sneak in the rod.