"I swear, I will never get used to that," Clara added, letting out a breathless laugh, her cheeks flushing slightly from being caught. "You're terrible, Adrian!" Adrian smiled warmly, his expression softening as he set his wine glass down on the porch railing. He stepped closer to his little sister, looking at her with a profound sense of pride and tenderness that went beyond words. "From everything you told Sophia," Adrian spoke quietly, his voice laced with genuine respect, "it seems your mind is already made up. You're going with your husband, and you're standing by his side." He chuckled softly, a warm glint in his eyes. "And I know better than anyone that once a Lancaster makes up their mind... nobody can stop them." Clara’s vision blurred with fresh tears. Without a second thought, she threw her arms around her older brother's neck, burying her face into his chest just like she used to do when she was a little girl. "I'm going to miss my big brother so much," Clara sobbed

Clara walked down the steps beside Adrian, carrying a light coat over her arm, watching the two women laugh like overjoyed sisters. A soft, teasing smirk touched Clara's lips as she nudged her brother's elbow. "Are you sure you're not forgetting anything, Adrian?" Clara teased, glancing down at his single, sleek black duffel bag. "You travel pretty light for a guy moving to an entirely different dimension." Adrian stopped, tapping his chin thoughtfully as a faint, playful glint flashed in his crimson eyes. "Hmm... let me think. Did I pack my keys? My coat? Uh... you?" Clara burst into a bright, genuine laugh, shaking her head. "Nice try, big brother. I'm staying right here to run your multi-trillion-dollar empire." "Alright, everyone," Charlotte interrupted smoothly, a warm, authoritative smile on her face as she stepped into the center of the spacious cobblestone compound. "Are we ready?" "Ready," Adrian and Sophia answered in unison. Charlotte raised her right hand toward

Falcon took three slow, deliberate steps forward, the iron boots crunching loudly against the loose gravel. He stopped just ten feet away from Adrian, pointing the blunt end of his spear straight at the Heir's chest. "I am just saying what half the young warriors in this courtyard are too afraid to utter out loud," Falcon said, his tone biting and loud. "Everyone here is taught to revere you like some almighty savior. We sing songs about your bloodline. We pray for your return. But where were you while the world bled? You were stuck in a coma for six years, sleeping like a corpse while Lady Sophia and the rest of us fought to keep the clan alive!" Falcon sneered, looking around at his fellow students, who were standing dead silent, terrified to even breathe. "I have spent every single day of those six years sweating, bleeding, and pushing my body past its limits," Falcon continued, his chest heaving as his internal anger boiled over. "I have won every tournament. I have broken ev

The impact sounded like a heavy wooden ram striking a fortress gate. Falcon felt the air instantly explode out of his lungs. The sheer physical force sent him skidding backward ten feet across the dirt, his boots carving deep trenches into the courtyard floor before he managed to dig his heel in and stop himself, coughing violently. "Falcon!" one of the broad-shouldered training partners yelled, panicked. The two apprentices didn't wait for their leader to recover. Driven by desperate pride, they lunged together. The warrior on the left swept his steel-tipped blade low toward Adrian’s ankles, while the warrior on the right unleashed a rapid series of thrusts aimed at his shoulders. Adrian’s movements were like a fluid dance. He didn't take a single step backward. He merely swayed his upper body inches to the left, letting the first spear thrust whistle past his ear, brushing the collar of his shirt. He pivoted smoothly on his right heel, dodging the low sweep as the hea

Clara closed her eyes, letting out a long, contented sigh as the tension melted out of her body. This feels like absolute heaven, she thought internally, a quiet smile gracing her lips. I just wish Henry was here to enjoy this with me. But she knew Henry was back home, swamped with endless paperwork and preparations for his transfer. As the sun dipped behind the floating mountains, painting the sky in deep shades of crimson and violet, the celebration continued into the night. Drums echoed rhythmic beats, and dancers twirled through the air with glowing ribbons of light, performing martial arts displays that left Clara impressed. Clara sat at the head table beside Sophia, completely stuffing her face with exotic fruits, roasted spiced meats, and sweet pastries. The food was unlike anything she had ever tasted on Earth. A short distance away, standing on a high balcony overlooking the lively courtyard, Adrian stood with a glass of wine in his hand. Elder Ronin walked up beside him, r