Lady Borric? Lady Borric!?

Borric was a seven-foot mountain of muscle, his physique rippling like forged steel. To be called a lady was nothing short of an insult to his existence.

Borric’s face flushed red.

"Take that back..." he growled.

An oppressive pressure leaked from him, causing the platform beneath them to tremble.

Garrick tilted his head, meeting Borric’s gaze. He released no pressure of his own, yet somehow, his presence swallowed Borric’s entirely.

"Or what?"

Borric’s gaze darkened. Garrick’s eyes... those were the eyes of a man already halfway to attacking.

If the Hartvains were known as a crude and brutal bunch, then Garrick was infamous across the South as a complete madman. The sort who wouldn’t hesitate to attack someone even during an event as important as the Proving.

Borric gritted his teeth before finally sinking back into his seat.

The city lords gave faint nods of understanding. The Head of House being present wasn’t the only reason Borric had backed down. Even if a fight broke out, the blame would likely fall on both parties.

It was Garrick himself who made Borric sit. The city lords were by no means weak, but as Kastor’s younger brother, Garrick’s prowess and genius were renowned throughout the South. Undeniable, even when compared to a city lord. Borric’s defeat would have been swift. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Silence descended upon the city lords’ platform after that. There was no denying it anymore. Watching Zephyrion’s mute subordinate effortlessly defeat a primary descendant of a city lord had unsettled every one of them.

Zephyrion smiled.

The action itself still felt strange and unfamiliar to him. The last time he had genuinely smiled had been in the presence of his mother.

Yet somehow, he felt the need to smile at the petite girl approaching him with a proud look on her face.

Lumi’s smile was the brightest he had seen in a while. Thousands screamed and cheered her name. The primary descendants stared at her intensely. Yet she didn’t seem to care.

Her expectant eyes remained fixed on him as she stopped before him, lowering her head slightly.

Zephyrion found himself in a bind.

Clearly, the girl wanted a head pat. But they stood before millions across the entire South.

Rumors would spread. His enemies could make moves against him. Countless reasons not to pat her head flowed through his mind. He told himself it was unnecessary. Dangerous, even.

Then she looked up at him.

The instant Zephyrion met those faintly saddened eyes, his arm moved before he even realized it.

Pat.

Many eyes widened at the scene. Then the roaring cheers throughout the coliseum intensified even further.

Lumi, however, didn’t seem to care about any of it. Her smile brightened instantly as she lifted her head in response.

Zephyrion slowly withdrew his hand. Just as he began questioning what exactly had come over him, Demorian’s voice echoed through his mind.

’Woah! My protégé.’ Demorian sounded utterly flabbergasted. ’Don’t tell me you’ve got another ancestral ghost possessing you, because there’s no way you just did that.’

’...what’s wrong with what I just did?’

’That’s the terrifying part. Nothing! I also think the little flower deserves a head pat, but you? In public? Hah! I thought you’d sooner stab someone than show affection. You’re like a walking block of ice.’

At those words, Zephyrion instinctively glanced toward Kastor.

The Head of House Calderalth sat calmly upon his throne. Expressionless. Not a single emotion leaked from him. Like a statue carved from ice.

Zephyrion inwardly clicked his tongue.

He was nothing like that man.

Someone who couldn’t even avenge his wife and son.

He was nothing like him.

’...I’m not a block of ice.’

’Huh?’ Demorian sounded genuinely bewildered. My protégé, you walk around like the world personally insulted your bloodline. You glare at people for breathing too loudly. You’re absolutely a block of ice.’

’I act this way because it’s necessary.’

’Ah yes. The classic "I’m not emotionally constipated, I’m strategic" excuse.’

Expressionless because showing emotions only gave enemies weapons to use against him. Distant because he was always observing, always analyzing, ensuring he was never caught off guard.

This was survival.

A method he had been taught since childhood.

’Hm? Ah, alright then, my protégé. Whatever bedtime story helps you sleep peacefully.’

Demorian sounded utterly unconvinced.

Zephyrion’s eyes narrowed faintly. Somehow, the ancestor’s existence was gradually becoming irritating.

’I’m sealing you.’

’WAIT— WHAT!? THAT’S TYRANNY—’

Zephyrion sealed him.

Exhaling softly, he calmed his emotions and steadied his mind. The noise of the world gradually returned around him once more.

Many shocked gazes still lingered on him.

He glanced to the side. Lumi was practically bouncing in her seat, clutching the spot on her head where he had touched earlier while smiling cheerfully to herself.

Zephyrion immediately looked away.

Fiona sat nearby with her head lowered, her arms trembling faintly.

This required his attention.

"Are you ready?"

Fiona turned toward him before giving a weak nod.

"...I-I think so."

’She’s still doubting herself.’

Her opponent in the second round would certainly be far stronger than the first. Zephyrion could clearly see the hesitation and uncertainty lingering within her eyes.

"Look at me," he said.

Fiona blinked before raising her gaze to meet his calm purple eyes.

"I trust you’ll do your best."

Fiona’s eyes widened slightly. She exhaled softly, clenched her fists tighter, then nodded with renewed resolve.

"I will."

Zephyrion watched her as she turned away, fists still clenched.

This was already the second time he had needed to encourage her before a fight. Both times... right before battle.

He wanted someone useful. Not an insecure girl who needed reassurance before every action.

This would have to change.

’This fight...’

Zephyrion shifted his gaze toward the forefront of the candidates, where the remaining four descendants of the city lords sat.

Her next opponent would most likely be one of them.

A battle like that would either break this insecurity... or erase it entirely.

As the matches continued, the next pair was finally announced.

"Fiona Calderalth. Lucien Donvaire."

Zephyrion practically felt the tremor that passed through Fiona.

She was facing a primary descendant...

"Just do your best," Zephyrion said. "Promise me."

Fiona exhaled sharply before tightening her fists. Then she turned and met his gaze with resolve.

"I promise."