"She's here to participate in the trial," Jon replied.
"You think a lowly thing like her will be allowed to take part in the Awakening Trial just because you said so?"
Duncan's tone was sharp and condescending. He wasn't only looking down on Jon but also his woman.
"Any direct descendant of the clan has the right to recommend a person of their choice for the Awakening Trial. That has been our law since the clan's founding. Our ancestors made it so, and the rule remains untouched to this day, meaning my grandfather himself upholds this long standing tradition. Anyone who dares defy it would be acting against our customs and breaking our rules. Elder Duncan, do you dare to spit on the will of our ancestors and go against the very man who granted you your title? Do you?" Jon asked.
Duncan's mouth twitched.
"Don't twist my words," he snapped, flustered. "I never meant anything of the sort. Don't go making things up."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and stormed off, shoulders stiff and steps uneven, reminiscent of a man fleeing from a fire licking at the seat of his pants.
"Thank you, Young Master. You stood up for me. I am really happy." Melody expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
"No problem." Jon said, "I was just doing what I was supposed to. You are my own person. How can I let any stray dog bully you?"
Shocked gasps came from ahead. Both Jon and Melody turned to look ahead.
Nathan had managed to light up all types of carvings adorning the magical wall!
"Nathan. Lit up the sun, the moons, and the stars. Extraordinary magic physique. Can reach the elite battle master stage without facing any major bottleneck. I hate to admit it but few can match you in terms of potential in our clan," Mordgeist said.
Outwardly, Nathan thanked him for the praise. Inwardly, he swore to spit on his face a hundred times the day he awakened his true potential and became a powerful elite battle master to take revenge for the humiliation he had suffered at his hands today. Mordgeist had spat on him, so he would even the score by spitting on him a hundred times once he was strong enough.
Worth noting, without advancing to the supreme battle master stage, he couldn't do anything about Mordgeist, as he was an elite stage battle master.
Wesley was next. Just like his personality, his talent turned out to be nothing special. He was destined to fade into mediocrity, unless he managed to cling to a golden thigh.
"Melody," Mordgeist called out.
"Go. It's your turn," Jon said to his little lover.
She nodded, left his side and walked up to the wall, placing her hand on it.
Immediately, it lit up.
Not only was all the carvings on the wall glowing, even the wall itself produced a blinding radiance that forced the onlookers to close their eyes.
Mordgeist gaped. But it was a fleeting expression. Before anyone could see it, it vanished, replaced by a stoic look.
"What does this mean?" Melody looked towards the elder in confusion.
The onlookers shared her sentiment.
Such a thing had never happened before. At least, they've never heard about it. So they were unsure of what it meant, looking towards elder Mordgeist for an answer.
"It's said that a person who manages to achieve the feat of lighting up the wall and all its carving will face little to no difficulty reaching the supreme battle master stage. Depending on their talent, it may take some time, but they will definitely advance to become a supreme battle master in a little over a decade or three. In the past two hundred years, you are the second person produced by our clan to have such a talent," Mordgeist explained gently to Melody.
He could no longer remain indifferent as she, who was merely Jon's maid when he first met her, turned out to possess a potential that rivalled the current head of the the mountain clan.
"R-Really? I am that impressive? I-I can't believe it."
Shock painted Melody's face as she gaped so intensely it seemed like her jaw would drop to touch the ground.
Mordgeist laughed slightly, amused by her antics.
"Look around you. It's real."
Melody looked around and saw countless people looking at her with shock, envy, and admiration. Some people even held greed and lust for her in their gazes.
She never knew she would one day become the subject of admiration and jealousy for so many people and it left her feeling things she had never felt before.
Mordgeist told her to make way for the next person. While talking to her, he was incredibly respectful and gentle.
Melody went back to Jon.
"Congratulations. Your days of serving as my maid are over. Starting now, you will become the Princess of the Mountain Clan. Even if you don't perform well in the next phase of the awakening trial, this fact won't change," Jon was truly happy for her.
Her fortune had changed greatly. It was worth congratulating.
Melody gestured for him to bring his ear closer.
He obliged without hesitation.
Then, she whispered something into ears.
Whatever she said had to be exciting, as something got hard and it was definitely in Jon's pants.
"I will look forward to it," Jon looked at her and licked his lips, fantasizing about the naughty things she had promised to do for him even if she ended up being elevated to the position of the princess of the mountain clan.
"Jon!" Mordgeist called out.
"It's your turn. Good luck, young master," Melody said, wishing him well.