Lin squeezed Ren tighter, as if wanting to protect him from the tense atmosphere that had formed.
But quickly they felt their bodies relax... Breathing in the atmosphere that the mushroom had created.
"Fascinating," Selphira commented, feeling the atmosphere. "Well, since you insist on staying then you can wait..." she turned to Victor. "What were you saying about teaching lessons to my future protégé?"
"Your what?" Victor blinked in surprise, his composure slipping for the first time.
"Oh, didn't you hear me?" Selphira smiled sweetly, though steel lurked beneath her gentle tone. "As leader of the Ashenways, I'm taking a personal interest in this future young noble's development."
Wei groaned audibly, slumping further in his chair. Julius hid a smile while Zhao watched with evident amusement, clearly enjoying the show.
"You can't simply..." Victor began, his authority crumbling before the elderly noble's presence.
