The morning was still fresh when Arthur began his usual training.
He ran with steady steps across the damp ground, sweat dripping from his forehead, while he muttered with suppressed frustration:
"Damn… no matter how hard I train, I'm still weak. I have to become stronger… much stronger. I have no choice but to continue. Running… strength exercises… anything that improves my fitness and the health of my heart."
He kept running until the sound of fast footsteps cut through his focus.
Soldiers, servants—an unusual movement heading toward the main gate.
Arthur stopped, took a deep breath, and moved to find out what was happening.
The crowd was growing at the gate… and when he approached, he saw a massive carriage stopping with dignity.
Arthur whispered with a light mocking tone:
"Could it be that the Northern Duke arrived this quickly? Well… his duchy is in crisis, but this is a bad time. At least, the meeting will be interesting."
He smiled, then stepped back without drawing attention.
At the gate, Vlad was waiting with Asta and Morgan.
The carriage stopped, and from it emerged a man whose presence was felt before he even spoke…
Alexander.
A man like a moving boulder, his muscles prominent, his gaze sharp.
The moment his feet touched the ground, a dense aura burst from him, making Asta freeze in place, sweat pouring down his face.
"My god… what a monster."
Asta muttered inside.
"The rumor of the giants wasn't just a myth… I'm like a child before him."
The duke's daughter and son descended and greeted calmly:
"Hello, Lord Vlad."
Vlad replied with a smile:
"Welcome… you two have grown so much."
Eric, Alexander's son, said:
"We thank you for your kindness."
Alexander approached Vlad, shook his hand strongly, and said:
"You look well, Vlad."
Vlad replied:
"And you as well. Please, come inside."
Everyone entered the guest hall.
It was large, decorated with historical drawings, the most striking being a massive painting of the founding ancestor piercing a dragon.
Alexander stopped in admiration:
"One picture is enough to show the strength of your family's predecessor… an amazing work."
Vlad laughed and said:
"Of course. He was the strongest to belong to the family since its founding. Who else would dare kill a dragon?"
They sat, then Alexander asked as he looked around:
"I don't see your youngest son."
Vlad asked:
"Fern?"
Alexander nodded:
"Yes. Is he alright?"
Vlad answered with a steady tone:
"He is… punished. If you mean the youngest."
Alexander raised a brow:
"You're still punishing him?"
Vlad laughed:
"No, not for that reason. He is training. He will attend the meeting soon."
A spark of curiosity glimmered in Alexander's eye:
"That weak child… changed? It seems I will enjoy seeing him."
Time passed quickly amid talk and laughter until lunchtime approached.
As for Arthur, after finishing his training, he returned to his room.
He said to his guard:
"That duke… his strength is terrifying. Even from far away I felt his aura. It seems the rumors about their power are true."
Leila entered and said:
"Sir, get ready… the time for the meeting has come."
Arthur stood up and chose an elegant black outfit that highlighted the details of his strong physique.
He looked different… more mature, calmer, and with a stronger presence.
Leila watched him and smiled faintly:
"He changed a lot… if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it."
Arthur turned to her and said:
"Let's go. Don't waste time thinking."
She smiled:
"Yes, sir."
In the hall, Vlad, Eric, Irina, and Alexander had gathered.
Then Elena entered with her daughters, Isabel and Luna.
Elena greeted Alexander politely, and everyone sat.
Alexander looked at Luna and whispered:
"So… this is his second wife, and his daughters. And Luna the genius… about to graduate, as I hear."
As for Irina, she was thinking sharply:
"She seems strong… a genius at this age? Impressive. But every family has a dark side. I never want to see that weakling… that pathetic boy."
Vlad interrupted everyone's thoughts and said:
"Now… my youngest son will come, along with my wife."
Alexander raised his eyebrow again:
"Your wife? Wasn't it said she no longer attends any gatherings?"
Vlad replied:
"That was in the past. Now… everything has changed."
Alexander said, astonished:
"Were all those rumors lies?"
At that moment, Arthur and Leila were approaching.
On the way, Victoria appeared… his mother.
The two stopped… as if time froze for a moment.
Victoria hesitated:
"Should I speak to him… or just continue? I don't want to bother him."
Arthur said in a quiet but clear voice:
"How are you?"
She smiled gently:
"I'm fine… and you?"
He said:
"I'm alright."
She looked at him for a moment, thinking:
"He really changed… his mana hasn't improved much, but his body… his presence… it's something else entirely."
She said to him:
"Come, let's go inside."
They reached the door, and the guard spoke:
"Lady Victoria and Lord Arthur request entry."
Alexander and Irina wondered:
"Arthur?"
Vlad said calmly:
"It is Arthur… but he changed his name."
Alexander said with a sly smile:
"Ah… I see. Well… let's test his reaction."
He released a small fraction of his aura…
Behind the door, Arthur almost suffocated.
'This… this pressure is unbearable… his strength is terrifying.'
Victoria noticed her son's chest tightening, so she released part of her aura.
Heavy… calm… and decisive.
It erased Alexander's aura completely.
Arthur breathed in relief and said quietly:
"Thank you."
As for Alexander, his eyes widened in rare astonishment:
"What a woman… she erased my aura completely."