The figure's identity was obscured.
Their face and voice remained concealed.
Then they said, "I've seen the results."
The words reverberated throughout the room, buzzing in Catharina's mind and causing her body to tremble, yet they did not leak out.
"This year is interesting."
There was a pause in which the silence was louder than the powerful voice that continued, "Constantin's son transfers to your school, but not for you... he comes for a boy without a surname."
As this voice echoed in Catharina's mind, a warm fluid rose in her throat and seeped from her lips.
Blood trickled down her nose and oozed from her ears.
"Then, this boy triumphs over everyone else, achieving results that would secure him a place in the universal studies of arcane principles."
Once more, the voice from the hologram fell silent for a while.
"However, while the exams do test the mind to some extent, their results are not entirely accurate. This boy may not necessarily become a stellar fighter before the camp ends."
Suddenly, blood oozed from Catharina's pores, making her appear ghastly, like a blood fiend.
Inside her mind, it felt as if two stars, releasing waves of blue flames, ignited and threatened to tear her sanity apart."
"My little Cat, unlike that useless waste, you and your older brother bear the weight of my prestige. I hope you do not embarrass my name at the Military Academy."
As these words fell, the holographic screen dissipated into blue light, which was consumed by the room's darkness.
Though simple, the words felt like an illusory set of claws gripping her heart.
She sensed that any displeasing act would lead to her early demise.
…
In the bathtub, tears had long welled up in her eyes.
Due to her bloody state, the water had changed color long ago before being drained and replaced.
"Many desire to be the young miss of a great family," one of the older-looking lady servants said.
"The young missy's fate is much better than that of the other young mistresses, who are used as pawns to connect great families."
In fact, it was common to use their female descendants to establish alliances with other great families.
Even better was the direct merging of two great families.
There were eighty-one great families, nine of which were considered greater families.
A greater family had more than one Otherworldly Knight, whether through the birth of a second Knight within the family or when two Knights fell in love with each other.
After all, Otherworldly Knights completely transcended mortal comprehension.
Even if a female Knight fell in love with a mortal man, could he venture into other civilizations and the depths of the universe with her?
The simple answer was no.
It wasn't uncommon to see a female Otherworldly Knight with a male concubine and another Otherworldly Knight as her spouse.
In fact, the previous lover might die of "natural" causes before she falls in love with another Knight, making the relationship public and officially merging both great families.
Alternatively, two Otherworldly Knights who hadn't established families might simply develop feelings for each other and decide to start a family together.
Regardless of the process, this was how a greater family could form.
Rumors suggested that some greater families had three or four Otherworldly Knights within.
With greater families even hiding their true power, it almost seemed as if a coup d'état were a future possibility.
Naturally, rumors were just that—rumors.
Hearing her two servants speak, Catharina's light blue eyes fell on them.
How could they ever comprehend her anguish?
After all, they were low-class commoners brought in as her servants; they could never understand her pain.
As she thought this, she shook her head.
Anon was of the lowest class, not even having a family—just a mere orphan.
And yet, he carried himself with a more regal demeanor than most so-called high-status individuals.
Then again, such individuals were the exceptions.
'Anon…'
Catharina's eyes shone when thinking of him, 'Father says what he said, but I believe he thinks otherwise. Probably because of the Constantin family's movements.'
Beep!
Suddenly, "Young missy, branch members of the Military Academy have come for you."
A muffled voice emanating from an amulet on her neck entered the vicinity.
"Already?"
Groaning with annoyance, a light of determination shone through her eyes as she rose to her feet.
Her steps were firm and held no hesitation as she descended the stairway.
Outside the doors of the Allmond manor, a black hovering vehicle was parked.
The windows were tinted, but Cassius's continuous knocking on the back door's glass almost made it seem as if he could see through it.
With no other choice, Anon lowered the window.
"So, it's true!" Cassius exclaimed with excitement. "Anon, hehe, please let me come along! I heard there's a program before the official camp for geniuses. Anon, please, let me join."
Cassius then bowed his head and said in a more serious tone than he ever had before, "I've embarrassed myself sucking up to you for some time, and I'm willing to set aside my pride and praise you even more, ensuring no one damages your face."
He didn't bother with the instructors or his sister, as neither would yeild to him.
Though Anon seemed uncaring toward others, surely he would care for someone like Cassius; after all, he was an Allmond.
Not only that, but as a young master of a great family, he was willing to bow his head to some bottom-class citizen.
From young, Cassius was lost in his sister's shadows, whilst his eldest brother had a fear-inducing shadow that was no different from the night's skies.
From the beginning, there were three people who could serve as his ticket to enter this program—three who had dominated the rankings in Class A since their first year of high school.
There was his sister, but she was doubtful of him.
It was either through Anon or Melissa. Since the latter was a girl, perhaps getting her to fall in love with him would be more effective. However, that approach was time-consuming, and which man didn't value his pride?
With a man of high status like himself fawning over Anon, his ego would surely soar to new heights.
But the most important reason was simple: living locations.
It wasn't guaranteed that Anon would be chosen as one of the students to be nurtured, nor was Melissa Green a guaranteed pick either. However, assuming they were both selected, only Anon would be in the instructors' vehicle when they came to pick up his sister.
Looking back, Cassius was truly cunning, willing to sacrifice pride, honor, and face.
Knowing he wasn't as talented as others, this was the least he could do to join the camp with the true geniuses early, improving his chances of entering the Military Academy.
Anon sighed with pity.
'Since a stellar fighter's spirit is incredibly important, intelligence is an indicator for someone's talent, and one's talent directly affects one's chances of awakening.'
Yet, intelligence was but one indicator.
Cassius was intelligent, and with his status, he would've been nurtured by his family.
'He must have undergone more than one magic ritual to awaken, and Elizabeth, on the other hand, hasn't experienced one, yet I can bet that Elizabeth is closer to becoming a stellar fighter.'
One's intellect, how much one can memorize, how fast one can learn, one's determination and willpower, fighting affinity, these all indicated and hinted at one's talent.
Clearly, Cassius was cunning and shrewd, not lacking intellect whatsoever.
From Anon's point of view, he found Cassius much more pleasing than those brainwashed brats, but that was all.
The boy attempted to scheme against him, and this was his single greatest mistake.
'How can a bottom-class member of society dare oppose the goodwill of a great family's young master.'
Anon smirked coldly, 'Is this what you think, Cassius?'