As I entered the grand dining room, I took my seat next to my father, who occupied the head of the table. The room exuded an aura of elegance and refinement, befitting the status of our noble family. The table before us was adorned with a splendid feast, a culinary masterpiece that tantalized the senses and made everyone's mouths water in anticipation.
Delicacies of all kinds were meticulously arranged on silver platters, each dish a work of art. The aroma of freshly cooked meals filled the air, mingling with the fragrant spices and herbs that danced playfully in the atmosphere. From succulent roasted meats, tender and juicy, to vibrant salads adorned with colorful fruits and crisp vegetables, the variety on display was nothing short of exquisite.
The maids, trained to perfection, moved with grace and swiftness as they attended to our needs. They swiftly poured glasses of fine wine and set them before us, the liquid shimmering invitingly in the soft candlelight. The clinking of crystal and the murmur of conversation created a harmonious symphony, setting the stage for the culinary experience that awaited us.
With anticipation and gratitude, I took my first bite, and a burst of flavors exploded on my tongue. The food seemed to be infused with mana, enhancing the already enchanting taste. The tender meat melted in my mouth, releasing its savory juices and complementing the delicate seasoning. The vegetables were perfectly cooked, retaining their natural crispness while bursting with freshness. Each bite was a delightful journey, a symphony of textures and flavors that left me craving more.
My father, radiating with pride, sat at the head of the table, his eyes gleaming as he spoke. "So, Ezekiel, you had the chance to meet my son during the tournament, correct?"
Ezekiel nodded, his mouth still partly full as he swallowed his food. "Yes, indeed. He defeated everyone effortlessly, including myself," he admitted, his tone filled with a mixture of respect and awe.
"When I first encountered him, I saw him as an arrogant and cocky noble," Ezekiel continued, his voice laced with admiration. "But his prowess in the fights humbled us all. Not a single one of us could match his skill."
A smile of satisfaction spread across my father's face. He raised his cup and took a sip, savoring the moment. Meanwhile, my mother turned her attention to Elena, her eyes filled with curiosity and excitement.
"Elena, how did you come to know Lucas? He brought such a lovely lady like you into our home," my mother inquired with a hint of excitement, perhaps entertaining the wrong assumptions.
In our society, it was not uncommon for nobles to have a wife and multiple mistresses, and the same applied to female heads of households, who often had a husband and several concubines. The prevailing belief was that having multiple options increased the likelihood of producing an exceptional heir. However, my parents were an exception, choosing monogamy instead of adhering to the norm.
Elena, composed and honest, answered without hesitation. "Lucas visited our small city and was impressed by the way I ran it. He saw me as a capable advisor, and that's how our connection began," she explained, her words sincere and straightforward. Her words were simple and sincere, reflecting the truth of our encounter. After all, I had sought out Elena's brother, not her specifically. There was no reason to fabricate a story when the reality sufficed.
"Are you sure you guys haven't..." my mother began with a mischievous wink.
"NO," both Elena and I replied simultaneously. I had no romantic interest in Elena, and besides, getting involved with an employee would only lead to complications. Even in my previous life, I had avoided romantic entanglements with colleagues.
"I have no feelings for her, mother," I quickly assured her, though she looked slightly disappointed and shrugged her shoulders. The rest of the dinner proceeded with my parents engaging in conversation with Ezekiel and Elena about me. Eventually, the dinner came to an end, and the maids escorted Ezekiel, Lady Cecily, and Elena to their respective rooms.
Walking through the estate's hallway, Andrew followed closely behind. "You don't need to follow me. You can sleep in one of the guest rooms," I suggested.
Andrew shook his head. "My duty is still to protect you," he replied, scanning the surroundings vigilantly. Upon reaching my room, I opened the door and took a moment to look around. It had been two years since I had last been in here, and a sense of nostalgia washed over me. I quickly threw myself onto the bed, feeling an overwhelming wave of sleepiness.
Suddenly, Andrew burst through the door, startling me. I stared at him in confusion as he swiftly unsheathed his sword and launched it next to my head. "What the hell are you doing?!" I exclaimed, only to hear the distinct clang of a projectile hitting the sword. I glanced toward the fallen arrow on the ground.
"Assassins," Andrew stated with a grave expression. I immediately activated my scan, sensing the presence of three individuals.
"On the ceiling," I quickly warned, as Andrew extended his palm, releasing a burst of fire. However, the flames were swiftly dispersed by the wind magic of one of the two assassins as they descended from the roof.
The two assassins, cloaked in full black attire with slender armor protecting their chests and legs, appeared as formidable ninjas. Meanwhile, the third assassin, positioned outside the estate, continued loading his arrow, preparing for a lethal strike.
Swiftly, I teleported, swapping places with the archer bow, placing myself directly in front of him. It was crucial to eliminate the threat he posed if we were to have any chance against the assassins. The archer's face registered surprise, but he swiftly regained his composure, leaping back while retrieving a knife from a holster strapped to his leg.
"Who sent you?" I demanded an answer, but it fell on deaf ears. Instead, the assassin chose to launch a swift and relentless assault. I reacted instinctively, forming ice spears and hurtling them towards him. However, he responded by conjuring fire spears, causing a clash of elements that generated a thick mist, obscuring our vision.
Within the enveloping mist, I stood centered, relying on my heightened senses to detect his presence. Just as I sensed his movements behind me, the assassin attempted a stabbing attack. Reacting swiftly, I ducked and retaliated with a powerful punch to his stomach, momentarily stunning him. But he was relentless, immediately counterattacking with a stab of his own, which I managed to block by placing my right arm in its path.
Undeterred, the assassin followed up with a punch aimed at my abdomen, but I swiftly parried with my left arm. His assault continued, delivering a forceful kick to my stomach, sending me staggering backward. With relentless aggression, he unleashed a flurry of slashing strikes, leaving shallow cuts on my face, arms, and legs. I barely managed to evade his strikes as he strikes became faster and faster.
In a bold move, the assassin attempted a strike with his right hand, but I swiftly blocked the attack. Seizing the opportunity, he dropped his knife, swiftly grabbing it with his left hand, and thrust it into my abdomen. Pain shot through me, causing me to fall to one knee, but there was no time to dwell on it.
The assassin wasted no time, immediately withdrawing the knife, preparing to deliver a fatal blow. Acting on instinct, I thrust my right palm forward, intercepting his strike, the blade sinking into my hand. In a desperate move, I pulled my right hand toward my body, drawing him closer, while simultaneously placing my left hand on his neck, channeling mana and creating a surge of icy crystals that pierced his neck, ultimately taking his life.
The lifeless assassin collapsed to the ground as I stood, gasping for breath, feeling the pain radiating from my wounds. With a surge of determination, I focused my mana, freezing the area around the stab wound in an attempt to staunch the bleeding. Despite the searing pain, I pushed myself to stand upright and stepped out of the dissipating mist, surveying the estate before me.
My eyes widened in disbelief and horror as I beheld a scene of devastation. Part of the once majestic estate was now partially engulfed in flames, licking at the sky with a voracious hunger. The billowing smoke carried with it the scent of destruction and despair. Panic gripped my heart, my mind racing to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Anger surged through every fiber of my being—I couldn't allow them to harm my family.
9 left...