Later that night, the second-year dormitories were far more alive than the first-year quarters. Music pulsed through the corridors, laughter and raised voices echoed from open doors, and the scent of alcohol and mana-infused smoke hung heavy in the air.
Students fought, flirted, and partied without restraint — the academy's unspoken rule that the strong could do as they pleased was on full display.
Vivienne Laurent walked through the chaos with measured steps, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floors. She crossed the common areas where lower-ranked students lounged, then entered the restricted wing reserved for "The Nobles" alliance — an elite faction of second- and third-year students from powerful families.
Many heads turned as she passed. Some alliance members greeted her with respect, while others simply watched in silence. A trail of whispers followed in her wake.
"Is that the alliance master's sister…?"
"The one and only. I heard she awakened a Legendary class. Is it true?"
"Hah, so what? She's still just an E-rank newbie. I could snuff out her life with a single spell."
His friend quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. "You idiot. If you want to die, do it alone. Don't drag me with you."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"You brain-dead fool… Did you really think all those top families and guilds don't have their own secret techniques and bloodlines? The Lauren family is no exception."
The friend gulped and quickly slipped away.
Vivienne ignored the whispers and continued to the top floor — the private domain of her brother, Elijah Lauren, the current alliance master and a second-year prodigy.
The moment she stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Soft, ambient lighting bathed the spacious lounge in a warm, intimate glow. Delicate music played in the background. The air smelled of expensive wine and rare spices.
Elijah was already waiting at the far end of the dining area. He wore a crisp white shirt, the first three buttons deliberately left open to reveal the sculpted lines of his chest and abs. The table was set with a mid-grade magical beast meat and a bottle of aged wine.
He stood up with a bright, practiced smile and moved toward her, arms open for a hug.
"Vivienne—"
She placed a firm hand on his chest, stopping him cold.
"We just met yesterday, Elijah."
His expression flickered with disappointment for a split second before he recovered, offering a small, dejected sigh.
"But I waited the whole day just to feel your scent again…"
Vivienne's face tightened with visible discomfort. She moved past him and took a seat at the table.
"Let's eat. I came, didn't I?"
Elijah's smile slipped for the briefest moment, but he quickly masked it and sat down opposite her.
"I especially brought that Frost Elk meat you like."
Vivienne sighed softly and began eating in silence. Elijah tried to fill the quiet with mundane conversation — light questions about her day, her classes, her thoughts on the university. But then his tone shifted.
"I heard your team struggled quite a bit to kill an early D-rank Dark Wolf. Is that true?"
Vivienne's fork slowed mid-slice. She glanced at her brother, her expression guarded.
"So why do you want to know, brother?"
Elijah smiled, resting his chin on his palm.
"I was simply surprised. After all, you could have killed it solo."
Vivienne continued eating, her voice cool. "I wanted to see how Lucas would fare… and what his class could do."
Elijah's smile turned chilling.
"Is that all? Simple curiosity?"
Vivienne set her fork and knife down with deliberate care. She took a slow sip of wine before answering.
"What more could it be?"
Elijah's eyes traced the perfect curve of her chest, barely contained by the sleek dress. His lips curled with open desire.
"That's good then. I don't want to kill that half-blood for touching what's mine, right?"
Vivienne's eyes flashed with fury and disgust. Her fists clenched beneath the table.
"Don't talk nonsense and eat."
Elijah laughed softly. He could see the anger and revulsion in his sister's eyes, and it only excited him more.
You can hide it all you want, Vivienne… I've been dreaming about you since I was a child. You've always been mine. I won't allow any trash to lay a hand on what belongs to me… You're mine to ruin.
**
Alex tossed and turned in his bed, the luxurious sheets tangling around his legs. Sleep refused to come. Ever since Lucas had entered their lives, an unfamiliar unease had settled deep in his chest — like a stranger had taken up residence in his home and refused to leave.
He stared at the ceiling, jaw tight. He had always been calm, the kind of person who avoided unnecessary conflict. But Lucas kept pushing, kept irritating. First, his father — who had once devoted nearly all his attention to him — now split his time, pulling Lucas into family matters as if the bastard had always belonged. His mother had assured him she would handle it, but Alex knew better. Nothing about this situation would be easy.
The memory of the awakening ceremony still stung. He had felt joy, pride, even a dark satisfaction when he learned Lucas had failed his first attempt years ago. Yet that satisfaction had been slapped away the moment Lucas awakened a Mythic class of his own.
Alex raked a hand through his hair, frustrated. I couldn't sleep at all… How dare that bastard call Sophia at night? He's provoking me.
But even as the thought burned, helplessness followed. What should I do? I can't confront him openly. Mother would hear about it…
A soft knock at the door interrupted his spiraling thoughts.
"Young Master," Sophia's calm voice came from the other side. "Your cousin, Young Lord Baron, has arrived to see you."
Baron? Alex sat up, confusion flickering across his face. Baron was his aunt's son, from the elder daughter's line. Their grandfather had only one son (Alex's father), but two daughters. Alex had met Baron only a handful of times at family gatherings and had never formed much of an impression. Still, the rumors were impossible to ignore: sociopath, volatile, someone who enjoyed crushing those beneath him. Though not from the direct lineage, Baron was a B-rank awakener, and his mother carried the blood of a powerhouse.
Alex exhaled. "Enter."
The door opened. Sophia stepped inside, her face perfectly composed, as if the previous night had never happened. She moved with quiet efficiency, helping him dress. As she adjusted his shirt, her fingers brushed over his shoulders and abs. For the briefest second, an intrusive thought slipped into her mind — Lucas's shoulders and abs are more refined than Alex's — and her hands froze mid-motion. Heat rushed to her cheeks.
What am I even thinking?
Alex turned slightly. "Sophi… what's wrong?"
She startled. "Ah… nothing, Young Master."
She finished dressing him quickly, her expression once again neutral. Alex gave her a lingering look but said nothing more. Together they walked toward the main hall.
Baron was already seated at the long table, one leg crossed lazily over the other, savoring a cup of tea. Sophia had served him earlier. The moment he heard footsteps, he turned, a polished smile spreading across his face.
"Cousin Alex," he greeted, standing.
Alex returned the greeting with measured politeness. "What brings you here, Baron?"
He took a seat, keeping his posture composed. Baron laughed lightly and sat back down, though his eyes flicked toward Sophia as she moved to pour Alex's coffee. He couldn't help but stare at her voluptuous figure, the way her maid uniform hugged her heavy breasts and wide hips.
Damn… that's a physique worth going to war for, he thought, swallowing hard.
"It's only right that I visit my cousin now that you've entered the university," Baron said smoothly. "Especially with all the excitement surrounding the new addition to the family."
Sophia, standing behind Alex, spoke in a perfectly neutral tone. "Young Lord Baron, you should address him as Young Master Alex unless my Young Master orders otherwise."
Baron's hand paused mid-reach for his cup. His eyes narrowed slightly. The audacity of this fucking maid…
Alex sighed, sensing the tension. "So tell me why you're really here, without wasting my time, Baron."
Baron twitched inwardly but kept his smile in place. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of wasting the Young Master's time." He leaned back. "I heard our new cousin — Lucas — also awakened a Mythic class alongside you. Is that true?"
Alex didn't react outwardly, but Sophia let a faint trace of her aura leak into the air — a subtle warning.
Baron's smile remained perfectly polite, but his eyes held a calculating glint as he leaned back in his chair.
"I came to request something simple," he repeated smoothly. "Since the family head has acknowledged him, Lucas is family now. I was hoping you could introduce me to him."
Alex studied his cousin for a long moment, the unease in his chest sharpening. Baron had never been one for casual family visits. Their interactions had always been limited to stiff greetings at gatherings, nothing more. Yet here he was, sitting in their private hall, asking for an introduction to the very person who had upended Alex's life.
Sophia, standing silently behind Alex, felt the shift in the air. Her instincts prickled. She kept her expression neutral, but her fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
"Why the sudden interest?" Alex asked, his voice calm but guarded. "You've never cared much for family matters before."
Baron chuckled, the sound light and practiced. "Come now, cousin. With two Mythic-class awakeners appearing in the same generation, the entire awakening world is watching the Vanderbilts. Lucas may be… new to our circle, but he's blood. It would be rude of me not to extend a proper welcome, wouldn't it?"
Internally, Baron's thoughts were far colder.
That half-blood bastard awakened a Mythic class while I'm stuck at B-rank after years of grinding. The direct line gets everything handed to them — Alex with his golden spoon, and now this stray dog gets a Mythic too? If I can get close to Lucas, I can use him. Turn him against the main family. Create cracks. Or better yet… make him my weapon. The Vanderbilts have kept the side branches on a short leash for too long. A bastard with that kind of power is the perfect tool to break their grip. And if things go south, I can always throw him to the wolves and watch the family tear itself apart.
He kept his face warm and friendly. "Besides, I heard he's quite the… interesting character. Failed his first awakening attempt, lived like a commoner, then suddenly rose like this? There's potential there. I'd like to offer him guidance. After all, not everyone in the family is as… naturally gifted as you, Young master~."
Sophia's aura flickered again, a faint warning pressure filling the room. Baron's eyes flicked toward her for a split second, a flash of irritation crossing his features before he masked it.
Alex's jaw tightened. He could sense the hidden agenda beneath Baron's polished words. "Guide him or kill him doesn't matter to me. If you want to meet him, you can meet him yourself.
Baron's smile didn't waver, but his eyes darkened.
"Of course, of course," he said lightly. "I wouldn't dream of imposing. I simply thought, as family, it might be… beneficial for all of us if the side branches and the main line worked together more closely."
He took a slow sip of tea, his gaze drifting once more to Sophia's figure as she moved to refill Alex's cup. That maid's body is wasted on a weakling like Alex. If I had her…
Alex noticed the lingering look. His voice grew colder. "Is there anything else, Cousin?"
Baron set his cup down with a soft clink and rose to his feet, smoothing his jacket.
"Nothing urgent," he replied, still smiling. "Just remember — the family is bigger than just the direct line. And with two Mythic heirs now… well, things are bound to get interesting. I'd hate for anyone to be left behind."
He gave a shallow bow, the gesture respectful on the surface but laced with mockery.
"I'll see myself out. Do give my regards to Lucas when you see him. And to your lovely mother, of course."
As Baron turned to leave, Sophia's eyes followed him with cold precision. The moment the door closed behind him, Alex exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples.
"What the hell was that about?" he muttered.
Sophia stepped closer, her voice low. "Young Master… Baron has always been ambitious. Be careful. People like him don't visit without a reason, and it seems like the Brach families are getting greedy."
Alex nodded, but the unease in his chest only grew heavier. Lucas had already shaken their world. Now Baron was circling like a shark smelling blood.
***
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