Regin encouraged him, "Use your core energy!"
Ryen focused and punched Kaelith's hand again. Kaelith, who hadn't felt anything at first, suddenly saw a burn mark appear, scorching his hand.
Kaelith stared in disbelief. "How... This shouldn't be possible. Core energy can only be broken by stronger force, but your aura just burned through my energy layer."
Regin smirked. "Now you see why I asked you to leave his fingers exposed."
Kaelith nodded, still in shock. "The gauntlet will be ready by your enrollment day."
After exchanging farewells, Regin and Ryen headed back to Caelum Mansion.
At Caelum Mansion, a man with gold-rimmed glasses, dressed in a sleek black suit with short white hair, stepped out, and Master Regin greeted him with mild surprise.
"Oh, the family head actually sent you, Silas. That's... unexpected," Regin remarked.
Silas adjusted his glasses and replied, "Indeed, I came by the family head's order, but... can we speak alone?" His gaze drifted toward Ryen.
Regin nodded to Ryen, saying, "Ryen, Silas and I are heading out for a coffee. Let Alastair know."
Ryen nodded, and as soon as they departed by car, he turned to head back inside. Entering the hall, he noticed a girl around his age seated on the couch, with long, jet-black hair accented by a streak of silvery-blue. She sat cross-legged, her posture both relaxed and poised, watching him with a curious, polite expression.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Realizing who she must be, Ryen replied, "I'm Ryen Seraph, Lady Elara."
Elara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, and how do you know me? I can't recall meeting you."
Ryen pointed to a corner where Alastair stood, seemingly captivated, his gaze lingering as though transfixed by something beautiful. "He told me all about you. It was obvious as soon as I saw you."
Elara gave Alastair an amused glance before turning back to Ryen. "I see. Are you planning to enroll this year?"
Ryen nodded, then asked, "What's going on with him?" motioning toward Alastair, who seemed to be in a trance, eyes shining as if he'd seen something he couldn't forget.
Elara replied, "Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Ryen approached Alastair, who finally snapped out of his daze but continued to stare upward, his expression dreamy. "I think I found your sister-in-law," he murmured.
Ryen gave him an exasperated look. "What the hell are you talking abou—" He paused, something dawning on him. "Is this Jasper girl really that beautiful?"
Alastair nodded, completely serious. "Yes."
"Where is she now?" Ryen asked, his curiosity growing.
"You shouldn't be looking at your elder brother's wife," Alastair chided with a smirk.
Ryen rolled his eyes. "You're not married yet. And she's underage too."
Alastair shrugged. "So what? I'll wait a year or two. And if she's engaged to someone else, I'm ready to take him out."
Ryen muttered, "Just how beautiful is sh—" His eyes glazed over with intrigue, and he joined Alastair in a dreamy reverie. "Hey, is there any way a regular guy like me could marry a rich girl?"
Alastair chuckled. "Certainly. Just be the strongest. But not for this one."
Ryen sighed. "You're rich and strong. You'll have plenty of options."
Alastair replied, "Become strong, and you'll have plenty too."
The two were engrossed in their musings when they suddenly spotted a young woman descending the stairs. She had a cascade of silver hair that shimmered like flowing water and eyes that were a crystalline blue. Both of them stared, unable to look away.
"She has... amazing legs," Alastair whispered.
Ryen elbowed him. "Don't look too hard, or they'll be broken. And her ti... well bre... she's beautiful."
Just then, Lady Elara stepped up behind them. Catching their words, she raised an eyebrow as Ryen added, "I'm ready to take out her fiancé too."
Alastair, equally smitten, chimed in, "Me too."
Elara's face turned red as she interrupted, "Both of you should be ashamed! She's a guest."
Ryen tried to cover, "Yeah, Alastair, don't drool over a guest."
Elara's cheeks grew even redder. Murmuring under her breath, she added, "And you're a guest too, so don't make it so obvious while a lady is standing right behind you."
Alastair replied, unfazed, "It's fine. I'll make her a family member soon."
Unable to handle any more of their antics, Elara hit them both with her 'lightning fist,' leaving them dazed on the floor, while she thought, What does she have that I don't?
Just then, Lady Jasper called down from the middle of the stairs, "Hey, why are you hitting them?"
Both boys were still recovering from the impact, lying on the ground.
After returning to the mansion, Regin glanced down at the two young men sprawled on the floor, dazed and slightly bruised, then turned to Elara with an inquisitive look. "What happened to these two? Why are they lying on the ground?"
Elara, still flushed with embarrassment, forced a smile and replied, "Oh, I just gave them a little tap. They're absolutely fine, really!"
Silas adjusted his glasses, his discerning gaze shifting to Lady Jasper as she descended the staircase gracefully. "They were likely staring at the Moirai young lady," he deduced, "and it appears our own young lady here… corrected them."
Regin nodded knowingly. "Ah, yes, that sounds about right."
Elara's smile faltered, a flicker of irritation crossing her face as she glanced at the two young men, practically hypnotized by Jasper's presence. Really? She's not that captivating… She shot another look at Jasper, caught between annoyance and reluctant curiosity, wondering what it was about her that seemed to mesmerize everyone around her.