"What exactly happened that day? You actually locked someone in the dungeon, where does that leave the rules!" Garrick Starling dared not trouble Arcanus Starling to speak, so he directly and sternly demanded, "What is the meaning of this?"
The three guards also knew that this matter was not trivial and could only proceed with silent caution.
"On that day, we did not intentionally place Miss Aurora in the dungeon. It was simply that when Miss Aurora sneaked into the dungeon, none of us were at the entrance," one guard replied cautiously.
"Not at the dungeon entrance? Then where were you? Don't you know that no guard is to leave their post while guarding the dungeon!" Garrick Starling demanded angrily.
The dungeon that housed the Monster Partner was forbidden ground for the Bennu family. The guards stationed there were not only to prevent family members from entering but also to guard against outsiders attempting to infiltrate and cause havoc. For the guards to have left their posts was a clear dereliction of duty!
Aware that their guilt was inescapable, the guards hurriedly explained, "It was our negligence. It's just that on that day, Miss Seraphina and Master Phoenix said they had an urgent matter and needed our assistance, so we..."
The moment the guards finished speaking, the main hall fell into an abnormal silence, and all eyes turned to Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling.
The two teenagers, who were already guilty, now looked like startled birds, their faces flushed with panic.
"Is this true?" Arcanus Starling, rare in his inquiry, fixed his sharp gaze on the panicked pair.
"Uncle..." Seraphina Starling stammered, wanting to argue, but she didn't know how to begin.
Phoenix Starling was even more at a loss, bowing his head like an ostrich.
At this moment, Vladimir Starling, who had remained silent, stood up and addressed Arcanus Starling with respect, "Reporting to the head of the family, these two children will turn sixteen in a month, so they have been diligently searching for information about Monster Partners. On that day, these unworthy children intended to ask their fifth uncle about the Monster Partner, but as he was out, they imprudently disturbed the guards of the dungeon in their desperation, not realizing it would give someone else the chance to infiltrate the dungeon and commit a grave error. Please punish them severely!"
Vladimir Starling's forthright plea for his children's punishment seemed to soften Arcanus Starling's expression somewhat.
However, Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling were ashen-faced; they had hoped their father would defend them, but instead, he had asked for punishment on their behalf!
Could there be such a father who would prioritize justice over family ties?
In the main hall, everyone marveled at Vladimir Starling's act of prioritizing justice over family, and his explanation was somewhat believable to them.
On the continent of Lumina, every youth who reaches the age of sixteen will undergo a special coming-of-age ceremony, where they will acquire their first Monster Partner. Therefore, it was understandable for Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling to be desperate about the matter. After all, it is of utmost importance to anyone.
In this world, Furyflame and Arcanergy are a person's own cultivation, while the Monster Partner is a combat companion that will stay with them for life. If one's Furyflame or Arcanergy cultivation is not exceptional, they might find an opportunity in the search for a Monster Partner. Possessing a powerful Monster Partner can turn the tide even against opponents with higher cultivation levels.
If a ratio were to be assigned, a person's Furyflame and Arcanergy would account for forty percent of their strength, while the power of their Monster Partner would constitute thirty percent, with the remaining thirty percent dependent on the sacred artifacts they possess.
In this era of scarce sacred artifacts, the ratio of Furyflame, Arcanergy, and Monster Partner has essentially become fifty-fifty.
Owning a powerful Monster Partner has become the primary pursuit after one's own cultivation.
It's no wonder everyone accepted Vladimir Starling's reasoning, yet there was one person in the room who scoffed at his words.
That was the protagonist of this incident—Aurora Starling.
Ever since she entered the main hall, aside from Arcanus Starling's initial mention of her, it seemed as if the entire matter had nothing to do with her. The involvement of Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling was unexpected yet understandable, but it was Vladimir Starling's attitude that was truly intriguing.
On the surface, Vladimir Starling appeared to be mercilessly pleading for punishment for his wayward children, yet in reality, his actions subtly absolved the pair of any suspicion of directing "her" to trespass on forbidden ground. With a mix of emotion and reason, he eloquently described Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling's vigorous efforts to enhance their own strength, while on the other hand, he directed the blame of the incident towards "her," the one who had taken the opportunity to infiltrate the dungeon.
It was astonishing how Vladimir Starling could twist a simple statement to convey so many layers of meaning; indeed, he was no simple character to deal with!
Arcanus Starling did not immediately respond to Vladimir Starling's plea. Instead, he silently observed the siblings standing behind Vladimir Starling.
"Uncle's unwavering integrity is truly admirable," a clear voice suddenly rang out from within the main hall.
A handsome young man with a face like polished jade gracefully emerged from behind his father, his face adorned with a smile as he looked at the stern Vladimir Starling. Slightly older than the twins, his features even surpassed Phoenix Starling's, and his incredibly handsome face bore a refreshing smile that involuntarily drew people to him.
Vladimir Starling furrowed his brow at the sight of the newcomer, a cold smile forming in his heart.
Vance Starling, the strongest of the Bennu family's third generation! At just seventeen years old, he had already transcended the sixth tier of Furyflame. The first five tiers of Furyflame and Arcanergy were not particularly challenging to master, but they were merely the beginning of one's cultivation.
Upon reaching the sixth tier, one had to make a choice in their path of practice. From the sixth tier onwards, the cultivation of Arcanergy and Furyflame would branch out into three different directions. Before the sixth tier, those who cultivated Arcanergy and Furyflame were known as Arcanergy apprentices and warriors, respectively. After the sixth tier, Arcanergy practitioners could choose to become powerful masters, sorcerers with mysterious incantations, or priests imbued with sacred power. Those who cultivated Furyflame could opt to become formidable swordsmen, highly mobile knights, or archers capable of striking down enemies from a great distance.
Vance Starling, at the age of fifteen, had already successfully broken through the Furyflame stage and chosen to become a mighty swordsman. In just two short years, he had become a three-star swordsman, a feat unmatched in the Bennu family for a century, with only the late Westley Starling possessing such astonishing talent.
It was a tragedy that Westley Starling had died young. In the present Bennu family, Vance Starling was like a rising sun, clearly emerging as the foremost figure among the younger generation.