When Jack Eldridge heard that both Lyria and Livy had left town 'alone' and no similarly giant boy named Eric was around them, he nearly jumped up from joy and excitement.
He still remembered the day when his uncle, Cooper Eldridge—an early-stage Rank 1 Warrior—lost his right wrist entirely, and the humiliation he himself had suffered at the school gates. Both events were deeply ingrained in him.
Since then, Jack no longer bothered the orphanage, but he always kept himself updated on both Lyria and Livy's whereabouts. Whenever they left the orphanage, he would sneak out just to observe them from afar but never contacted them.
As Lyria and Livy grew older, they became more beautiful, attractive, graceful, curvy, and irresistible. Jack similarly could not hold himself back from wishing to grab both of them as his wives as fast as possible before anyone else did. But sadly, it was no longer possible.
Every single day, he was tormented by missing the god-given opportunity in the past, and so his hatred for Eric only kept rising since that day.
As time passed, Jack realized there was no longer any hope of a consensual marriage between him and Lyria or Livy. That was because both girls were too attached to that disgusting, shameless street rat from the orphanage!
He had heard everything known to the public about how Eric, Lyria, and Livy's relationship was only growing stronger and closer.
Every time Jack heard this, he would either break something in his house or fight with his subordinates in rage and frustration. Eventually, even his subordinates started worrying about reporting their whereabouts to him.
So, in the end, Jack could only hold his wrath and jealousy deep inside his heart and burn with it within himself.
But it seemed God still hadn't abandoned him, and finally, just over a year ago, he managed to find another way to make both Lyria and Livy marry him 'willingly'!
Two years ago, Jack received another opportunity to travel with his father, Stuart Eldridge, to Batley City. Through his father's friend's connections, he managed to obtain two special Binding Scrolls that could work even on mortals!
These scrolls cost him and his Eldridge family a lot, but he didn't regret it.
These scrolls were illegal, so not everyone was aware of them. However, the mercenary team his father knew was aware of them, and after Jack told them his worries, they took him to a special place.
Upon arriving to find the Scroll Maker, Rudin, Jack was mentally blown away—the entire building was so huge and looked like a palace from his imagination. He felt like a country bumpkin, seeing so much wealth within a single tall building.
He later learned that the place, 'Devil's Spice,' had a terrifying background. It was a popular spot for the wealthy and nobles of Batley City to visit for entertainment. Due to this support, Scroll Maker Rudin was able to conduct his illegal business safely there.
Not all Scroll Makers could create Binding Scrolls—this required special talent. Simple Contract Scrolls could be made by any Scroll Maker.
All scrolls were also known as 'Mana Scrolls,' meaning they only worked on Mana Wielders. Those that worked on mortals were very rare, and Jack had obtained them thanks to the mercenary team's connections.
This 'Shadow Claws' Mercenary Team, which his father Stuart Eldridge was friends with, had two Rank 2 Mana Wielders and a few Rank 1s!
This team alone had enough strength to wipe out all of Ringwood Town!
Stuart Eldridge had promised the Shadow Claws Mercenary Team that when Jack became a Mana Wielder in a few years, he would join their group for experience and service.
Jack was very excited—perhaps in a few decades, he would become a Rank 2! More powerful than anyone in tiny Ringwood Town!
With these Binding Scrolls, Jack could force Lyria and Livy to sign them. Due to their specialty, they would be forced to become his! Their minds would become solely devoted to serving him until their last breath!
After obtaining the scrolls, all Jack had to do was wait—either for the old lady of the orphanage to die or for an opportunity to corner one of the girls.
And finally, that opportunity had arrived!
After conquering Lyria and Livy's hearts, he couldn't wait to exact brutal revenge on that parentless peasant bastard from the orphanage!
Jack took a deep breath and stood up, heading toward his uncle Cooper Eldridge's training room—Cooper usually trained at this time.
His father, Stuart Eldridge, had gone on a business trip and wouldn't return for another month, so Jack could only rely on Cooper's help—and he was certain Cooper would aid him.
After knocking and receiving permission, Jack entered and saw Cooper practicing his left-hand swordsmanship as usual.
After losing his right wrist, Cooper had switched entirely to sword-wielding—before, he had been a fist user.
"Uncle, a big opportunity has arrived to finally obtain our revenge!" Jack shouted excitedly.
Cooper paused mid-swing and looked at Jack in confusion.
It didn't take long for Cooper to realize what Jack meant by "revenge."
Recalling how he—a powerful, respected Mana Wielder and noble of Ringwood Town—had been forced to become a cripple just for attacking an orphanage swine always made his blood boil with uncontrollable rage.
Every time Cooper remembered the incident where he, a respected Mana Wielder, had tasted mud in front of everyone and lost his wrist, he became so angry that he had to kill a few children from a nearby village in secret to control his wrath. Only thanks to his wife, Isolde, did he finally calm down—otherwise, he didn't know how many more children he would have slaughtered.
Cooper was waiting for the day he could personally skin Eric alive.
He knew Bella Noll didn't have long to live. But even after her death, Town Mayor Jarvis might not allow him to harm the orphanage—so he needed to move stealthily at night.
As an early-stage Rank 1 Warrior, he was confident no mortal could stop him—or even realize what hit them.
Cooper glanced at his nephew, vengeance burning in his eyes, and asked in a chilling tone, "Did Bella Noll really die? Are you certain?"
Jack was stunned, then laughed awkwardly. "No... But uncle, do we really need to fear her? She probably has one year left at most. She can't even leave her room—can she even resist?"
Jack was genuinely confused. Bella Noll was already so helpless—was there any reason to delay their revenge any longer?
Cooper glared at Jack and warned sternly, "Jack, never underestimate a powerful Mana Wielder. Even on her last breath, Bella Noll could kill every Mana Wielder in this town!"
Cooper hadn't forgotten what he'd seen during the graveyard incident. Even if Stuart's mercenary friends came, they would perish against Bella Noll—they wouldn't even hold a candle to her terrifying prowess.
Jack took a deep breath. He had underestimated the old woman's strength.
But that wasn't why he was here.
"Uncle, I don't mean for you to attack the Orphanage. Currently both Lyria and Livy have left the town, and I have received reports that they have gone towards the southeast forest. We can target them before they even return to town. The town mayor also won't stop us if they are outside the town, right?"
Jack smirked, and with scheming eyes he continued, "All I need is for Uncle to hold them down, and then we can use their blood—with their own hands—to sign my scrolls. Then they shall be mine forever!"
Cooper's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Indeed, this was a fine opportunity to silently remove the girls. If both were to 'willingly' marry his nephew, there was nothing much to worry about—half his revenge would be complete.
"What about that street rat?" Cooper asked.
Jack knew which rat his uncle was asking about, so he shared his own guess: "According to rumors, since last week, no one has seen Eric inside or outside the Orphanage. Since both Lyria and Livy went towards the southeast forest in a rush, I believe that parentless brat has already perished there or is barely clinging to life. So we can also take our revenge in the forest!" His eyes blazed with cruelty; he couldn't wait to kill Eric slowly, in the most torturous way. He already had a great idea how to do it.
Cooper's eyes brightened, but he still had concerns. He instructed, "Let's wait till night. If they don't return, we'll head out."
Jack hesitated. He didn't want to miss such a fine opportunity.
But after some thought, he started to understand Cooper's worries.
Since they didn't know where exactly in the southeast forest Lyria and Livy had gone, they would have to spend quite some time searching for them. And if any civilian saw them enter the forest right after both girls had gone in, then even if Bella Noll herself didn't move, Town Mayor Jarvis would definitely stop them—and that wouldn't be good for the Eldridge family.
Also, all his plans and hard work would be exposed and go to waste due to his impatience.
Patience is the key!—his father, Stuart Eldridge, had taught him this many times.
Jack took a deep breath and nodded at Cooper in understanding.
He didn't say anything else and exited Cooper's training room.
He now had to order his subordinate to keep watch to see if Lyria and Livy returned by night or not.