Sophia stood with her arms folded, cheeks tinged a faint red. Her gaze met Ethan's with an almost defiant glint. “W-What? Can’t I be here?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. Ethan blinked, clearly taken aback. “Ah—no, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just... surprised to see you, that’s all.” He scratched his neck awkwardly, lowering his voice. “But did you really have to say that back there? Now everyone thinks we’re... you know, together.” Sophia smirked playfully. “Maybe. But you looked like you needed help. And besides—” she leaned in slightly, her golden hair catching the sunlight as she tilted her head, “—it was kind of fun, don’t you think?” Ethan let out a small sigh and nodded. “Thanks, by the way.” Sophia gave a teasing shrug. “Now you know how to thank me properly.” Ethan’s expression shifted. “But seriously—what are you really doing here?” Her confident smirk faded just a little. She looked away for a moment, then answered, voice softer. “Well... my father wants t

Chapter 33: The Garden Duel As Ethan hit the ground hard. Because he had been flying at full speed, there was no time to properly slow down or steer his descent. The moment his feet touched down, a thunderous boom echoed across the Valtair estate. Tiles cracked, trees snapped, and a wave of displaced air shattered the flowerbeds in a ten-meter radius. The lush, elegant Valtair family garden—once blooming with delicate spirit blossoms and glowing mana lilies—was now reduced to a cratered ruin. Still cradling Sophia in his arms, Ethan looked around in disbelief, panting. She was unconscious, her head resting against his chest, her soft golden hair fluttering in the settling dust. "Tch… gotta work on those landings," Ethan muttered. But before he could gather his thoughts— “HOW DARE YOU DESTROY OUR MOTHER’S GARDEN?!” The furious roar came like a war horn, rumbling through the earth itself. Ethan's brows furrowed. The voice held not just rage—it carried weight, authority, and

Ethan stood, panting hard, the edges of his robe was tattered and bloodstained. Slowly, he raised his newly regenerated right arm—flesh and bone gleaming with restored life—and pointed it at Alaric Valtair. The head of the Valtair family remained wreathed in his crimson aura, his eyes were glowing like twin furnaces. Though he appeared calm on the surface, the flames surrounding him burned hotter than ever. He was shock by Ethan regenerating his arm but it haven’t calmed him—it had only stoked the inferno further. A storm had been brewing in the man’s heart. The once-dignified swordmaster now looked ready to unleash everything. From a distance, Lucas, Solmira, Lin, and Harry watched in stunned silence. The effects of the healing potions they’d taken were beginning to work, but their minds remained dazed. One by one, their gazes turned towards Ethan—this mysterious outsider who had survived the Four Pillars of Judgment, regenerated a lost limb, and now stood unyielding before thei

Both Ethan and Alaric froze at the sound of that voice. At the same time, as if by instinct, both muttered in unison: “Sophia.” Lucas, Solmira, Lin, and Harry all turned sharply, their expressions painted with shock. Harry was the first to spot her—and gasped. There, standing within a glowing dome of golden light, was Sophia. She stood with red eyes, her eyes brimming with tears, and her voice trembled with desperation as she cried out: “Both of you, stop fighting! Please—just stop!” As soon as she appeared, Lucas, Solmira, Lin, and I rushed toward her. Lucas reached her first—but was suddenly blasted backward by a wave of golden light the moment he got too close. > “Lucas!” Lin shouted, rushing to him. > “What happened?!” Solmira demanded. Lucas groaned, rubbing his arm. “I… I couldn’t get through the barrier. It just rejected me.” Solmira scowled. “Then we’ll just break it open—” > “No, wait!” Sophia interrupted. “Don’t! This must be Ethan’s doing. He must’ve

Alaric looked at Ethan with calm seriousness and said, “What do you think? Do you want to become part of this family?”Ethan blinked.The words hit him like a punch to the gut—not because they hurt, but because they were so wildly out of place. He stood there, staring at the Valtair family with a completely speechless expression. A warm breeze swept past, rustling his torn clothes and the ash-ridden remains of the garden. The chaos of battle still hung in the air, but somehow, that one question had shifted the tone entirely.This is not how it’s supposed to go.“This is completely wrong,” Ethan muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.”Lucas tilted his head, confused. “What do you mean, Ethan?”Ethan exhaled sharply and raised a hand, pointing around as he spoke. “Well… first of all, I’m the one who’s supposed to ask for Sophia’s hand. You—” he pointed at Alaric—“you’re supposed to scowl at me, say I’m a nobody, not worthy of your