"I might not have had a shred of Qi in my body before, but at least I look like I should be the protagonist, even though I'm not."
He whistled lowly, tossing his bangs again. "Truly… in a world full of beautiful sword-wielding meatheads, who needs cultivation when you have a face like this?"
"Maybe the gods foresaw a future where giving this handsome young master both good looks and talent at the same time would end the world.
I can just imagine a multitude of women lining up to get a taste of this." He flexed his bicep in front of the mirror.
He leaned forward dramatically, squinting at his reflection.
"I have never seen a single person better looking than this in both worlds. Not one."
He struck a side profile pose, flexed nothing in particular, then winked at himself.
"Tragic aura. I'm too powerful."
...
Elsewhere in the Dragonvale mountains region. Von Gaussian's Domain.
The Duke's private quarters.
A soft knock sounded at the door. "Enter."
Seated on an ornate, generously sized meditation mat in a lotus position, Duke Von Gaussian looked up from a scroll as the door creaked open.
The duke looked like he was about the same age as Marquis Ravenshade, but in the world of cultivation, looks could be deceiving.
His general figure was imposing, above average height, a solid build, and well-sculpted facial features.
He also had a neatly clipped moustache on his upper lip and a goatee on his chin. A novel appearance for a noble.
He was dressed in traditional black hakama that fit his style well.
"Noah." His voice was measured, calm, yet carrying the weight of authority.
Noah entered, his red cloak sweeping behind him. He walked with the deliberate confidence of a Von Gaussian youth, the attitude of a privileged noble, chin up, shoulders squared.
He stopped just inside the doorway, awaiting his father's greeting or reproach, given recent events.
The Duke regarded him with a slow, appraising gaze. "You've been… busy lately. How goes your cultivation? Making progress?"
Noah's lips curved into a smirk, flicking a lock of his brown hair from his face with exaggerated nonchalance.
"As always, Father. I've advanced a few minor breakthroughs. Nothing major enough to concern yourself with."
A faint crease formed between the Duke's brows. He pressed on. "And… your companions? Alliances? You've been seen more often with your cohorts from the Eastern Pavilion than at Court."
"Networking, father," Noah replied lightly. "Friends are useful in any realm, physical or political. I'm only doing what you taught me."
The Duke's tone sharpened. "Is that all it was? Or have you ventured into… riskier endeavors, Nothing amiss?"
Noah's smirk didn't falter. "I do what must be done, but all is in order. I have been… active." He paused for a bit, his tone drifting to casual. "Merely… handling matters I thought best left to me."
A chill settled in the room. The Duke steadied himself before speaking. "Handling matters like attempting to kill Kyle Ravenshade, and for what, a woman?"
The Duke stated flatly, his voice like ice beneath the calm, he didn't give Noah the chance to retort, as he continued.
"And yet you failed… and still have the gall to appear before me so calm. Do you not understand the gravity of what you have done!?"
Noah flinched, but he managed to remain calm; he inclined his head, visibly fazed, but trying his best to appear calm.
"Y-Yes, I understand clearly, Father. It was not my intention to fail. It was an unfortunate slip in my judgment to hire someone… incompetent. I won't fail next time."
The Duke's face twisted with fury. He lunged forward from his position, his voice thundering: "Next time? Next time he says..."
The Duke's composure shattered like glass. He rose from his mat in a flash, roaring with fury
"You fool! What makes you think it will be so easy now? They'll guard him more closely, and they're already probably suspicious our House is involved!"
Noah leaned casually against the desk's edge. "No need to worry about that. I covered my tracks, using multiple channels. I didn't even contact the assassin's guild myself. Even if they probe, they'll find nothing that links back to me, or to House Von Gauassian."
For a long moment, the Duke stared, his chest heaving in disbelief at the audacity. Then he exhaled sharply, running a hand through silvering hair. "I raised such a foolish son… so impulsive."
He didn't reprimand Noah further. It felt like there was no use doing so at this point. Sometimes it was better to let the young ones make mistakes.
He remembered the words his own father had told him some time ago. And now, it seemed like it was one of those times.
He paused and straightened, his voice colder. "Do as you please, but tread carefully. No more exposés.I will not be there to cover every single one of your mistakes." He threatened. "You may leave."
Noah bowed slightly, turning on his heel and exiting with the same arrogant bearing he entered.
Once alone, the Duke sank into his chair, remaining silent for a moment. Finally, he whispered to himself, "God save us all…This boy will be the death of me one day."
He pushed away the parchment before him, turning his attention back to matters at hand. If needs be, I will confront House Ravenshade directly.
He tapped his fingers on the desk. They're powerful, but I am stronger. And Marquis Ravenshade would hesitate to start a war he won't win over a crippled son.
He would rather confront House Ravenshade himself if need be; he was certain of his own strength and the political weight he carried.
No matter how foolish his son, a father must be prepared to bear the consequences of his immature and reckless actions.
And given Noah's cultivation talent, he had to be proactive in protecting him, even from himself. Because, regardless of how he acted, he was next in line as head of house Gaussian.
He settled in his chair, his face hardened, as though becoming steel once again. The game was far from over.
With that thought, he tucked it away and refocused on the day's duties.