The Calm Before the Hunt.
The golden rays of morning sun poured into the lush garden of Orion's mansion. Dew still clung to the petals of rare spirit herbs that grew under the careful care of the estate's gardeners. Birds chirped in rhythm as Orion, wearing a simple dark blue training robe, moved fluidly through a series of punches and kicks—each motion sharp, clean, and precise.
Unlike other days, Orion had decided not to go to the family training hall. Today, he felt the peace of the garden would offer the right space to reflect, focus, and prepare for what was to come. Sweat trickled down his brow, but his breath remained calm. He moved with grace and strength, the air slightly distorting around his fists with every strike—a sign of his growing power.
After an intense session, Orion wiped his face with a towel and returned inside. After a quick bath, he changed into clean robes and headed to the dining hall, where a gentle fragrance of jasmine tea lingered in the air. The breakfast had already been served, and both Lady Celia and Lady Sera were seated.
Elara sat beside Lady Sera, nibbling quietly on a pastry. Orion took his seat beside his mother, Lady Celia, and offered a soft smile to everyone.
As they finished their meal, the mood turned more casual, with cups of tea served and soft sunlight filtering in.
Lady Sera set down her cup and turned to Orion. "Son, are you planning to participate in this year's annual Hunting Competition?"
Orion nodded respectfully, "Yes, Mother Sera. I've already made preparations."
Lady Sera then turned to her daughter. "Elara, dear, what about you?"
Elara lifted her head with a quiet but confident voice, "Yes, Mother. I'll participate as well."
Lady Celia nodded in approval. "Good. It will be a great opportunity for you both. Hunting competitions are dangerous but they're also the perfect chance to test your cultivation, your strength and shortcomings."
Both Orion and Elara nodded sincerely.
Just then, a knock interrupted the warm atmosphere. A servant entered, bowing deeply.
"Greetings, Lady Sera, Lady Celia, Young Master Orion, and Young Miss Elara."
"Yes?" Lady Sera asked.
"The Lord has sent word. He says the annual Hunting Competition will be held tomorrow morning. The young master and young miss should prepare themselves accordingly."
Everyone's eyes turned serious for a moment.
"Understood," Lady Sera said. "You may leave."
The servant bowed once more before exiting.
Lady Sera turned to the children, "See, it's tomorrow. Be well prepared. Don't underestimate the competition."
Lady Celia also offered a small bag to each—containing high-grade healing pills and a few protective talismans. "Take these with you. Just in case."
The rest of the morning was spent in idle chatter, but tension lingered in the air. On the surface, everything was calm. But the true storm was brewing elsewhere…
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Meanwhile, in a different wing of the estate, in Lord Theo's study, a different kind of atmosphere reigned. The room smelled of old ink, and a fire crackled gently in the hearth.
Lord Theo sat behind a large oak desk, reviewing a stack of scrolls and ledgers. At his side stood Walton, his loyal grey-haired butler, holding another set of reports. The two had worked together for decades and shared the comfort of silence as they reviewed family and city matters.
But the silence broke with a knock.
"Father, may I come in?" came a familiar voice from outside.
Lord Theo paused, narrowed his eyes slightly. "Come in," he said, his voice heavy and controlled.
The door creaked open, and Edric entered, dressed in a fine black robe trimmed with silver. His appearance, with sleek black hair and eyes much like Theo's, gave off the aura of confidence… but something behind his smile was always calculating.
"Greetings, Father," Edric bowed respectfully.
Theo simply nodded; expression unreadable. His eyes quietly studied the boy standing before him, waiting for the reason of his visit.
Edric straightened, his lips curling into a polite smile. "I have a request."
Theo's gaze deepened, "Speak."
"I, along with my brother Adrin and a few classmates, wish to participate in tomorrow's Hunting Competition," Edric began.
Walton immediately intervened, "Young Master Edric, the rules of the competition are clear. Only novice-level cultivators are allowed. You and your friends have already stepped into the Apprentice realm."
Edric's smile faltered for a split second before recovering. "Of course, Butler Walton. That's why I'm here to request Father's permission to use cultivation-suppressing bracelets. We will temporarily lower our cultivation to match the entry requirements."
Theo said nothing at first, his gaze locked on Edric's face like a predator watching prey. The pressure in the room thickened. But then Edric added with an innocent tone, "Also… Miss Voss expressed interest in joining. If you allow me, she would participate as well."
That made Lord Theo pause.
After a long moment, he finally nodded. "Very well. You have permission. I will issue the suppression bracelets."
Edric bowed deeply, "Thank you, Father."
"You may leave," Theo added, his tone as distant as ever.
Outside the study, Edric closed the heavy wooden door behind him. A quiet smile curled at the corners of his lips — not the kind one shares in joy, but the quiet satisfaction of someone whose plan had taken root.
He walked down the corridor with measured steps, murmuring under his breath, "Heh. Hunting competitions often have… accidents. Perhaps tomorrow, dear brother Orion, you'll have one too."
His voice was light, almost playful, but his eyes — cold and calculating — told another story. With that, he turned the corner and vanished from view.
Inside the study, Butler Walton remained still, standing beside Lord Theo as silence settled once more.
The scratch of a quill echoed for a moment longer before Walton finally broke the stillness.
"My lord… may I ask—why did you permit it?"
Lord Theo didn't answer immediately. He was still staring at the last page he had read, though his eyes had clearly drifted elsewhere.
When he finally looked up, his gaze was as sharp and commanding as ever. "You question my decision, Walton?"
The question was weighty, but Walton didn't flinch—not even slightly. He had stood beside Theo through decades of war, politics, and power struggles. More than just a servant, he was an old friend, a loyal confidant.
"I do not question your authority, my Lord," Walton replied, "but..."
For a moment, Theo didn't answer. Then, with a quiet breath, he leaned back in his chair — the leather creaking softly beneath his weight — and said,
"You and I both know Edric well."
He tapped the end of the quill against the parchment, his tone level but thoughtful.
"He's careful. Calculated. He doesn't move without reason."
Walton gave a slow nod. "That much is clear. Even as a child, he rarely acted without purpose."
Theo's gaze drifted toward the tall window, where the morning sun painted golden streaks across the floor.
"I may not know what he's planning," Theo continued, voice low, "but I know he is. Still… I had no grounds to deny him on request. And if I had tried, he would've found another way in."
Walton's lips thinned slightly, but he didn't argue. He knew the truth of it. Denying Edric outright might have only pushed him to act more recklessly — and less visibly in whatever he plaining.
"The tournament… it's only for novices," Walton said, "but Edric asked for suppression bracelets. That alone shows he's determined."
Theo's fingers curled slightly against the armrest.
"It also shows he's confident. Maybe too confident," he muttered. Then after a pause, "And he's not the only one. Arin follows his lead — always has."
Walton agreed silently. Arin, though less vocal, shared his brother's nature — obedient on the surface, but always watching, learning, waiting.
Still, Walton hesitated before adding, "Young Master Orion and Young Miss Elara is also participating. And… Miss Voss..." Walton added cautiously. "If something unseen were to happen to her… then city would suffer serious consequences by hand of Voss Imperial Academy."
That gave Theo pause. A long silence fell between them.
She was no ordinary participant. Her family, her power, her status—they all demanded attention.
"I know," he said after a pause. "Which is why I will personally supervise tomorrow's tournament."
Walton's eyes widened — just a fraction. "You will, my lord?"
Theo gave a single nod.
"Yes," Theo said firmly. "If my son intends to play a something funny… then I'll be the one watching over the board."
Walton nodded, understanding the full weight of what had just been said. "Very well, my Lord. I will make the preparations."
With nothing more to say, once more, the two returned to their documents—but the air had shifted. A quiet tension lay under the surface.
Tomorrow's competition would not be a simple test of skill.
It would be a battlefield where schemes and strength would collide.
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On the far side of the estate, while all of valeric City buzzed with anticipation for tomorrow's grand hunting tournament, the guesthouse of House Vale stood unusually quiet. The training grounds echoed with roars, clashing blades, and mana bursts from hopeful youths—but here, in the stillness of the guesthouse, something darker brewed.
Inside one of the upper rooms, Edric stood alone on his balcony, the moonlight kissing his sharp features as he looked into the star-sprinkled sky. His eyes, deep and unreadable, held a subtle glint—calculated and cold.
A soft knock came at his door.
He didn't look back.
"Enter."
The door creaked open, and a young man stepped inside. Broad-shouldered, perfectly postured, and dressed in a student's tailored uniform, he walked with discipline, but his eyes betrayed eagerness. He bowed with practiced grace.
"Lord Edric," he said respectfully. "You summoned me."
Edric turned slowly, the moonlight catching in his pale eyes. "Ah, Sam. My number one lackey," he said with a soft chuckle. "My most loyal little shadow in the academy. Come."
Sam approached, standing just inside the balcony threshold, a faint nervousness tightening his jaw. He didn't meet Edric's gaze.
Edric stepped forward, tone light. "Tell me, Sam… do you still think about Rina?"
Sam stiffened. His voice came out hoarse. "Yes, my lord. Every day."
Rina—Lysandra's personal guard. She hadn't joined this journey, but Sam's heart never stayed behind. A beautiful woman, firm in duty, gentle in secret moments. Sam had once confessed his feelings to her—and she firmly denied him.
Edric's eyes shimmered as he leaned closer. "You wish to court her? To have her… for yourself?"
Sam's breath caught. "Yes."
Edric smiled wider, eyes like a predator. "Then I can help you. You have my word. I will speak to Lysandra. I'll make sure Rina sees you not as a common student, but as a suitor worthy of her affection. She will be yours."
Sam blinked, breath quickening. "You would do that for me?"
"I would," Edric said smoothly. "But… everything has a price."
He reached into his robe and pulled out a folded slip of paper. "Go to this address. A tavern in the lower district. There, you'll find a man named John. Give him this note, and the coin I've tucked inside it. He's an assassin."
Sam hesitated. His mouth parted. "An… assassin?"
Edric's voice never wavered. "I want you to hire him to cripple Orion during the tournament. Break his meridians. Make sure he never walks as a cultivator again."
Sam's hands shook as he took the note. A cold sweat ran down his spine. "But… Lord Edric, if something goes wrong—"
"Nothing will go wrong," Edric interrupted, eyes narrowing. "Unless you lose your nerve."
Silence.
Sam swallowed hard, staring at the note in his hand. His mind raced—Rina's smile… Edric's voice… the crushing guilt threatening to rise. But then Edric spoke again, softer, like a whisper slithering across the skin.
"Do you want Rina or not?"
Sam panicked. "I-I do… I'll do it.
"Good boy." Edric turned back to the stars as Sam fled into the night, cloak flapping like the wings of a startled bird.
Once alone again, Edric exhaled, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Let's see how calm you are, dear brother," he murmured. "Let's see how bright your future looks… once it's shattered."