Arthur froze for a moment.
The words echoing in his ears did not register right away.
Then he finally looked up.
Standing in front of him, under the dim arena lights, was Adrian Evan Imperius himself.
The man whose voice had haunted his dreams.
Arthur's mind buzzed.
'Am I dreaming again…? No, I clearly remember dying. So what is this… a transmigration or something?'
Adrian stared at him with a deep frown, clearly displeased by the blank look on Arthur's face.
"What is it? Do you want to say something?" Adrian asked, his tone cold and heavy.
Arthur blinked once as he took a deep breath trying to calm himself down.
"Yeah," Arthur said, his voice rough. "What the hell is going on, and why the hell am I here again?"
A sharp scoff cut through the air.
"Seriously? What did I expect from someone like you," a cold female voice said. "Playing dumb after losing the duel."
Arthur's eyes shifted to the side.
A sleek blade was still pointed at his neck, only just withdrawn.
Its owner stood close enough that he could see his reflection in her brown eyes.
The purple-haired girl.
He finally got a good look at her.
Her hair was a deep, rich purple, falling in silky waves down to her waist, catching the arena light with a faint black sheen at the tips that made it look almost like midnight ink.
Her eyes were a striking brown, sharp and cool, framed by long lashes that gave her a regal, untouchable air.
Her skin was pale and smooth, like porcelain, without a single flaw in sight.
She wore a fitted dueling uniform, black with violet accents, tailored tightly around her waist and chest. The fabric hugged her curves without being vulgar, emphasizing her long legs and the graceful line of her hips.
Light armor pieces traced her shoulders, forearms, and thighs, making her look like a noble sword princess—elegant, deadly, and completely out of Arthur's league.
Arthur let out a low whistle under his breath.
'What a babe…'
Before he could say anything else, a man with the same purple hair as the girl stepped forward from the side.
His aura was sharp and proud, dressed in expensive formal attire. His purple hair was neatly combed back, and his eyes were a darker shade of brown, filled with anger and arrogance.
In a loud, accusing voice, he spoke.
"Sir Adrian, you know exactly what your son is trying to pull by playing dumb," he said. "And you can't let him get away with it."
He jabbed a finger toward Arthur.
"He has insulted my family and my daughter even after getting beaten up at the banquet. And as if that weren't enough, he dared to challenge her again."
The man's expression twisted slightly.
"But this time, I'm not letting this slide. The engagement proposal you offered before is now off the table."
Inside, the man's thoughts were far less restrained.
'Besides, he's getting exiled anyway. No way I'm letting this useless mutt get anywhere near my daughter.'
Adrian's gaze shifted toward him.
"Lower your voice, Jafar," Adrian said quietly. "Or did you forget who you are talking to?"
Jafar's breath hitched immediately.
Under Adrian's pressure, his throat locked up, and his next words died before they could form.
He quickly bowed his head.
"Forgive me," Jafar said hurriedly. "But you will have to make Arthur keep the oath he made before this duel."
Adrian's eyes moved back to Arthur.
"Don't worry," Adrian said calmly. "He will keep the oath and will be exiled."
His voice hardened.
"I'm not going to let him play dumb like this."
Adrian's gaze bored into Arthur.
"Arthur, be a man for once. You are the one who proposed the duel to make her apologize to you. You are the one who put your identity as an Imperius on the line and said you would leave everything, never to be seen againkeaving the household, if you lost."
His tone grew even colder.
"Furthermore, you were caught cheating by using an artifact that could boost your strength."
He looked toward the purple-haired girl standing calmly nearby.
"And even after that, you lost to Liana."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"You have tarnished the Imperius name again and again… but not this time."
"I have had enough. You will keep your word and leave this household tomorrow. The Imperius family will no longer support you."
"You will have to live on your own."
Inside, Adrian smirked.
'He's going to cry and beg for forgiveness, like always. Im sure if it.'
Arthur slowly pushed himself up to his feet.
His body ached, his neck still tingling from where Liana's blade had rested.
"Is that all?" Arthur asked.
"Yes," Adrian replied curtly.
Adrian's eye twitched a little when Arthur turned around without another word and started walking away.
"Wait… where are you going?" Adrian snapped.
Arthur glanced back over his shoulder.
"To pack my bags, of course, old man."
The words hit harder than any blade.
"Old… man…?" Adrian's jaw dropped.
"You… you…"
Arthur smirked.
"What? You can't punish me any more than this now, can you?".
For the first time, Adrian had no immediate retort.
A tiny, involuntary chuckle slipped from Liana's lips before she realized it.
She instantly straightened, face cooling, as Adrian's eyes flicked toward her.
Jafar, flustered, bowed even lower, apologizing on her behalf.
Adrian's gaze returned to Arthur.
'What the hell is this… another one of his personality swings?' Adrian thought. 'Normally, he is too meek to even raise his voice.'
Arthur turned to face Jafar and Liana fully.
"And by the way," Arthur said casually, "I don't know who that hot girl with the bad attitude is, or that clown standing next to her, but I really don't remember fighting her. Believe it or not."
He tilted his head slightly.
"And she's not my type anyway."
Liana's face burned crimson.
Jafar's mouth fell open.
"Did he just call me… a clown?" Jafar thought in disbelief.
This time Adrian actually burst out laughing, unable to hold it back.
"Pu—hah!"
Liana vanished in a blink, her body moving with terrifying speed.
In an instant, she stood right in front of Arthur, blade half-drawn, eyes blazing.
"What did you say… you good-for-nothing?" she hissed.
Her aura erupted.
The air around her distorted, pressing down like a heavy weight.
Arthur felt his lungs tighten as breathing became a chore.
Before Liana could strike, a small figure stepped between them.
A girl with blonde hair and ember-eyes stood in front of Arthur, arms spread protectively.
Her golden hair was tied in a neat side ponytail, strands of soft curls brushing her shoulders. Her eyes were a warm amber, bright and earnest, sparkling with a stubborn determination that did not match her petite frame.
At fourteen, her features were still soft and cute, but anyone could see that she would grow into a stunning beauty. She wore a refined training dress bearing the Imperius crest, fitted lightly at the waist, making her look like a noble little princess.
It was Arina Evan Imperius.
The youngest daughter of Adrian Evan Imperius.
Arthur's little sister.
"Please, Liana," Arina said firmly. "Don't hurt my brother. He already got himself exiled—what more do you want now?"
Liana's aura flickered and then vanished.
Her shoulders relaxed a fraction.
"Only for you, Arina," Liana muttered, sheathing her blade. "I'm going to let this scumbag go."
Arthur blinked.
He looked at the two girls in front of him.
"So that's how it is, huh…"
Suddenly, he closed the distance between them, stepping right up to Liana.
"So I'm a scumbag, huh?" Arthur asked.
Liana met his gaze without flinching.
"Do you need that in writing?" she replied coolly.
Inside, however, her thoughts were less steady.
'What the hell is this…? Normally, he would tremble just standing near me. Now he's talking back like this?'
Arthur's lips curled.
"Oh, look—your father collapsed," he said casually.
Liana's eyes darted instinctively toward Jafar.
In that tiny instant, Arthur moved.
In a blink, his arm slid around her waist, pulling her close.
And he pressed his lips against hers.
Time stopped.
The arena fell silent.
Liana's mind went blank.
She did not even move, too stunned to react.
Arthur kissed her deeply, savoring the softness of her lips, the warmth of her breath, the stunned rigidity of her body.
Then he pulled back.
Her violet eyes were wide, unfocused.
He stepped away, raising a hand to his mouth, rubbing his lips as if to wipe the taste away.
"Now that's what a scumbag is…" Arthur said calmly.
Every jaw in the area dropped.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
It was as if the entire dueling ground had forgotten how to speak.
Unable to believe that weakling they knew will do something so daring.
Then, like a delayed explosion, a fist slammed into Arthur's stomach.
Air shot out of his lungs as he doubled over, groaning.
Liana's face was scarlet all the way to the tips of her ears.
She drew her blade again, hands trembling with fury.
"You… you…!" she stammered, unable to form a proper insult.
She strode toward Arthur, aura flaring again.
But before she could swing, Arina rushed in between them.
"What the hell are you doing? Have you gone insane?" Arina shouted, glaring up at Liana.
As liana stopped as she took deep breaths trying to control herself.
As Arina stepped close to Arthur giving him a hand.
Arthur stood up without taking her hand as he leaned toward her slightly, his lips barely moving.
In a low whisper only she could hear, he said, "Cut the act, Arina. You're the one who did it, right?"
Arina stiffened.
No sound came out of her mouth.
'How did he figure it out…?' she thought, eyes widening.
Arthur straightened.
"Looks like I was right on the money," he said lightly.
The tension rose again.
Before it could explode, Adrian's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"That's enough."
Everyone froze.
None of them could move freely under the weight of his presence.
Adrian's eyes fixed on Arthur.
"Why did you do that?" Adrian demanded. "And you had better have a good explanation this time."
Arthur dusted off his clothes, unbothered.
"She made me lose my home and called me a scumbag," Arthur replied. "So I at least deserved that kiss from her."
His gaze slid to Liana.
"But I've gotta say… she's really not my type."
Without waiting for a response, Arthur turned around.
"Goodbye, fellas," he said casually. "May I never see your faces again."
"Arthur! Stop this instant… Arthur!" Adrian shouted.
Arthur did not stop.
He walked straight off the large dueling ground, leaving their stunned faces behind.
Jafar marched toward Adrian, barely holding back his rage.
"Sir Adrian, he has harassed my daughter again and you just let him go?" Jafar said.
Adrian flicked his hand dismissively.
"He's now exiled and will leave the family estate tomorrow," Adrian said coldly. "What more do you want, huh?"
"But… but—" Jafar tried to protest.
"But nothing," Adrian cut him off. "Now get lost. I am already in a foul mood."
Jafar clenched his teeth.
"…Yes, sir," he said through gritted teeth.
He left with Liana immediately.
Inside, his thoughts burned.
'This humiliation… I'll remember it, Arthur.'
-----
Meanwhile…
Arthur walked through the massive Imperius estate, hands in his pockets.
Wide marble pathways, towering pillars, fountains, manicured gardens—the place was the very definition of wealth and power.
"Wow… so this is my house, huh," Arthur muttered. "Or was, now that I'm exiled.
Gotta say seeing it in reality and not in a dream hit's different."
He followed the familiar route.
At least, familiar from his dreams.
"Good thing I still remember the directions," he thought.
He stopped before a grand door.
A scanning device swept over his face.
The lock clicked.
The door opened, revealing a luxurious room more extravagant than anything he had ever had in his real life.
A huge bed with velvet sheets, a crystal chandelier, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the estate, shelves lined with expensive stuff.
"This is really on another level," Arthur said quietly.
He walked in and collapsed onto the bed.
"So even after transmigrating into the wealthiest family in the world…" he sighed, staring at the ceiling. "I'll be homeless from tomorrow, starting from zero again."
"F-rank talent… trash potential…" Arthur whispered, teeth grinding. "How am I supposed to survive in a world like this?"
Just as the words left his mouth, the air around him warped.
The space rippled faintly, as if reality itself had blinked.
Something unseen descended.
[ Scanning…]
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[ Player detected ]
[ Name: Arthur
Talent: F-Rank
Potential: E-Rank ]
[ Starting the binding process… ]
"What the…" Arthur muttered.
Then the pain hit.
Binding Progress: 0%
Agony exploded through his nerves.
His back arched off the bed as a strangled groan tore from his throat. His veins glowed faintly beneath his skin, as if something foreign was digging into his core and rewriting him from the inside out.
[ 27%… 54%… ]
His scream broke and died, leaving only ragged gasps.
79%… 92%…
"Stop—" he rasped.
[ Binding Complete: 100% ]
[ Welcome, Host. ]
[ THE ULTIMATE SCAVENGER SYSTEM IS AT YOUR SERVICE. ]
Arthur lay there, chest heaving, sweat soaking the sheets.
But when he saw the floating windows infront of his eyes.
A weak grin tugged at his lips.
"I was just waiting for you"
-------
A/N : -
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