As Paladin Sara was once again teleported to observe the young "protagonist" Modi, she witnessed a scene even more astonishing than before.
This time, it was still in the old Earl's castle on the outskirts of Norton.
There, the young man suspected to be a "protagonist," Modi, had cultivated a magical beast — a "unicorn" — using a magic potion.
Afterward, he rode the unicorn, surrounded by a buzzing crowd, and headed out of the manor.
Many onlookers gathered around, marveling and discussing him animatedly.
Soon, Modi was heralded as a child of good omen, making the headlines in the newspapers.
He was taken away by the city's guard soldiers and quickly adopted as a foster son by Viscount Walt, the lord of Norton, and moved into the lord's manor.
The old Earl's manor originally belonged to Viscount Walt's father, Earl Walt.
However, due to a decline in the family population, financial struggles, and a failed campaign against subdragons, Earl Walt lost some crucial island territories at sea.
This led to his son, young Walt, inheriting a downgraded title of viscount instead of earl.
Later, unable to afford the repair costs of the manor and fearing public dissent from the city's residents, Viscount Walt purchased a much smaller residence elsewhere in the city.
Although not as grand as the old Earl's manor, it was at least closer to the people.
However, due to Viscount Walt's limited personal abilities, excessive indulgence in his youth resulting in infertility, and the loss of territories, Earl Walt became a laughingstock in the eyes of Stin Empire's elite.
Once court nobles abandoned the Walt family.
Now, as the lord of Norton, Viscount Walt owned a small city but could not restore his family's former glory or make Norton comparable to larger cities like Maidenheim.
Unless he could lead an expedition to sea, annihilate the nearby subdragons, reclaim the maritime territories, including islands like Begris, Ozman, Lanna, and revive Norton's port to its former prosperity!
However, the current soldiers in the city clearly lacked the capability for such a task.
The local dignitaries were also unwilling to donate funds to raise an army for a maritime campaign.
After all, previous expeditions had ended in failure, serving as a cautionary tale.
Additionally, Viscount Walt, lacking an heir, found many eyeing his estate covetously.
Although he was a lord, he did not possess "lord-tier" strength and was just an ordinary noble without extraordinary powers.
Rather than financially supporting such a lord for favor, many wealthy individuals found it more profitable to find direct ways to make money.
After all, the subdragons at sea were fierce, and even if the nobles and merchants could muster the funds and manpower to defeat them, what then?
Given Viscount Walt's current standing in the nation, he could not offer much in return to the merchants, who were naturally unwilling to engage in a thankless task.
Many flattered the lord daily, introducing potential foster sons, but when it came to donating money, they claimed to be broke or simply disappeared, leaving Viscount Walt greatly vexed.
Coincidentally, according to the old night watchman of his family's former estate, a young man had appeared in the old manor and tamed a rare beast, a unicorn!
This thrilled Viscount Walt, who saw it as a sign of his family's resurgence.
He promptly adopted the young man as his foster son and began to nurture him.
With the "unicorn" as a rare attraction, Norton quickly gained fame in the Stin Empire.
Not only did the number of tourists increase, but lords from other cities also came to congratulate and express their desire to form connections.
And all of this was under the watchful eye of Alan.
The last time the paladin visited, they had not been able to fully confirm this as a protagonist.
But this time, Alan wanted to see what waves this Modi could make.
It seemed that the protagonist's mysterious book "cheat" was indeed quite impressive.
For example, the "luck magic potion" provided by the book was genuinely effective...
Presently, in the lord's manor of Norton, the banquet hall was filled with people dressed in colorful, lavish attire.
Most of the handsome men and beautiful women in attendance were from renowned families of the Stin Empire, and some even had royal lineage.
A brown-haired noble, Baron Bobby, was slicing his steak with a knife and fork, cutting off a piece and chewing thoughtfully.
The steak was juicy, perfectly medium-rare, brown on the outside and pink within. Biting into it released a burst of flavors.
Despite the delectable taste, the young noble's expression was clouded with displeasure.
He gazed at Modi, the lord's adopted son, in the center of the reception hall, feeling frustrated.
Damn it! How should I make my move?
Baron Bobby pondered.
He was an antagonist.
Although his title was not high-ranking, he was still a court magus of the Stin Empire and had caught the interest of the Stin Empire's princess with his exquisite craftsmanship, earning a kiss in the royal garden.
His visit to Norton was not just to see the unicorn.
He also intended to execute this confirmed "protagonist."
Currently, Bobby had cast a "concealment" spell on himself.
While righteous protagonists could sense his presence, they couldn't pinpoint his exact location or distance.
However, with many nobles around, Baron Bobby, the antagonist, hesitated to act.
After all, the protagonist, Modi, was no longer the person he once was.
His status had risen to the adopted son of Viscount Walt, the future viscount.
Additionally, many nobles were present.
Bobby considered that perhaps he should wait for a more suitable occasion to make his move against this protagonist...
After the banquet concluded, Modi hurriedly left. He had sensed something amiss.
Alerted by the system, he knew an antagonist was nearby, making him feel a bit tense.
However, with so many nobles currently in the lord's manor, Modi was confident the antagonist wouldn't dare to act immediately.
Moreover, with his mysterious book's "cheat," Modi believed in his rapid growth.
Currently, with his new status, he had obtained the potion for the "mind magus" Path to Ascendancy and only needed to concoct and consume it.
After doing so, his strength might still not match the antagonist's, but with his keen mind power, he could better pinpoint the antagonist's location and defend against some attacks.
Of course, even with these abilities, he might still not be able to defeat the antagonist.
However, Modi had devised a solution.
After becoming a "mind magus" Ascendant, he planned to quickly spread his fame.
This way, he would surely attract the attention of the Stin Empire and be invited to join the royal court for further studies.
Although some of the guests at the banquet had court connections, their backgrounds were not particularly profound; otherwise, they wouldn't need to curry favor with him.
Knowing that the antagonist present did not hold a high position in the Stin Empire court, Modi deduced that once he was in the court, the antagonist would no longer be able to target him.
With this thought, Modi immediately began concocting the magic potion in his room and drank it in one gulp!
Meanwhile, in Beaconburg, Alan paused for a moment after hearing the report from Paladin Sara.
He then addressed her, "So, according to your report, this protagonist Modi has become the son of the lord of Norton and is now targeted by another individual, Baron Bobby, a court magus of the Stin Empire?"
"Furthermore, upon realizing this, Modi immediately consumed a 'mind magus' magic potion, transforming himself into the rare class player, a mind magus, to seek the protection of the Stin Empire's court?"
"Interesting," Alan mused. "He seems to be a clever lad. Continue monitoring him."
Subsequently, in the lord's manor of Norton, the banquet reached its climax.
Modi, having just ascended to a mind magus, left his room and made his way to the hall.
There, he revealed his new mind magus Ascendant Class status and began to demonstrate his newfound abilities in mind-reading and telekinesis.
His performance quickly caused a sensation.