MAIN ENTRANCE, 7 p.m.Theon's sword rested against his waist as he welcomed and directed the guests who arrived late. Standing a short distance behind him was Caden.After his ultimatum earlier that day, he had no idea what sort of warning Wilson and Xander had sent to the others, but whatever it was had worked. They had come rushing back, scrambling to rejoin the drill after fumbling out one excuse after another.Of course, Theon knew every single one of those excuses was utter balderdash. He simply couldn't be bothered to call them out on it. Instead, he gave them a light chastisement before putting them back to work.So far, everything has gone smoothly.Most of the prominent guests had already settled into their lodges.The flow of arrivals had thinned considerably, though people were still trickling in—especially those journeying from the more distant continents.A piercing cry from a powerful winged creature ripped through the evening sky.Theon lifted his head, his gaze settlin

The words immediately changed the atmosphere surrounding the gates.The man's face went deathly serious, every trace of casual indifference vanishing as his posture instinctively straightened.Theon narrowed his eyes.That reaction merely from hearing his name? It was unlike any reaction he'd received today.Most of the young heirs and their parents would simply sneer before walking away with their noses in the air the moment someone casually mentioned his name.This time had been no different. The people shouting his name had clearly expected the same humiliating scene to repeat itself. Hence the need to loudly call his name a second time.They had been resentful of him.Watching at least half the guests sneer at him, belittle him, and heap cold humiliation upon him throughout the afternoon must have been incredibly satisfying—almost soothing to their souls.Yet the expression on the man's face this time was all wrong.There was no casual dismissal. No contempt or ridicule.If anythi

Theon made his way toward the guest quarters. The area he intended to assign them was situated close to the entrance of the compound. However, it stood slightly detached from the rest of the lodgings, which had all been built in the style of staff apartments, each containing one spacious outer room, an inner chamber, and a private bathroom.He paused briefly when he spotted Xander walking out of one of the buildings after settling the previous batch of guests.Xander likewise halted upon seeing Theon gliding toward him atop his hovercraft, an entourage of powerful divine beasts and a magnificent golden carriage following closely behind.His eyes immediately glinted with malice.Theon had publicly humiliated him earlier that morning.Now, with such honored guests watching, seeing Theon make a complete fool of himself and offend the delegation would be deeply satisfying.The corners of his lips slowly curled into a wicked smirk."Humph. Dared to humiliate me before? I'll teach you a les

Meanwhile, Theon calmly walked to the gates and reached for the hatch. Once he removed it, he planted a hand against the heavy doors and began to move them aside.The gates were slightly heavy because of the material used to fabricate them. However, the weight wasn't nearly enough to make him sweat.Ruyan, the armored man leading the spirit beasts drawing the coach, also urged them forward.The sharp movement quickly blocked Xander's view of the courtyard. His brows furrowed for an instant before relaxing the next. Even without looking, he already knew what the yard was supposed to look like.Theon casually waved a hand before him, dispelling the concealment formation he'd used to hide the courtyard's true state, before stepping aside to let the Pegasus lead the way.Then the giant bird followed, striding forward with the second carriage on its back, every step majestic, measured, and heavy enough to make the ground tremble faintly beneath its talons.Xander scoffed and followed behin

Back at the gates, Theon found Caden, Wilson, and Xander huddled together near the entrance.Judging from their expressions, each had already shared their respective ordeals with the others. Every humiliation. Every failed attempt at teaching Theon the bitter lesson they had so confidently set out to deliver.Instead of crushing him, they had only ended up disgracing themselves.Caden looked especially miserable.One side of his face remained grotesquely swollen from the repeated slaps, while the kick that had sent him crashing into the stone wall like a cannonball had left him barely able to stand upright.The three of them were whispering among themselves, their voices deliberately lowered.The moment Theon approached, however, the conversation came to an abrupt halt.Their resentful eyes settled on him, undisguised hostility flickering within them.Theon calmly walked over, his expression perfectly blank, as though he hadn't noticed he had been the center of whatever discussion the