Lucius had returned to his own room. Luna and Liora immediately turned to greet him the moment they saw him.
Luna stepped forward and bowed, asking. "Master, is the business finished?"
Liora also bowed down and asked, "Did everything go as planned, Master?"
Lucius looked at them and smirked, answering. "Yes, it is done. By the way, the Storm Hawk is ready. Tomorrow, we'll deliver it."
Liora puffed out her chest with her tail flicking around. "I knew you'd finish it without a hitch! Those Garrans won't know what hit them."
Luna smirked and said, "Good. Let's see how Count Dorian handles this, even though I don't know what you have done, master."
Lucius chuckled, waving them off. "Get some rest. We'll need to make an impression tomorrow."
Lucius chuckled softly, waving them off. "Get some rest. We'll need to make an impression tomorrow."
The next day, Lucius walked into the grand main hall of the Garran estate confidently.
Luna carried the 3-Star Storm Hawk, its sleek, evolved form crackling faintly with electricity.
Liora walked with her chin high, her eyes scanning the room as though daring anyone to challenge them.
Dorian was already waiting inside with a neutral face, but Lucius immediately noticed the faint twitch in his jaw or the slight clench of his fists—signs of frustration and suppressed anger.
As Luna placed the Storm Hawk gently on a pedestal, the bird looked around and let out its 3-Star Storm Aura.
Dorian was surprised to see the Thunder Hawk had been evolved into a 3-Star Storm Hawk in a day.
Dorian forced himself to become polite and said, "So, you've finished the evolution already. Impressive."
Lucius smirked and folded his hands behind his back. "Of course. When I take on a mission, I see it through to the end."
Dorian looked at the Storm Hawk again and thought. "It seems what Kaltrik said was true. He is not someone to be handled openly."
Lucius smirked as he knew what Dorian was thinking. He ignored it and began to talk about business. "Now, about our agreement."
Luna stepped forward and tossed a plaque toward Dorian. The count's reflexes were quick, his hand snapping out to catch it.
Lucius smirked and said, "Please sign it, Count Dorian. It's proof that we've completed the mission."
Dorian could only frown further. Grumbling under his breath, he retrieved a quill from a nearby desk and signed the plaque angrily.
Liora couldn't resist a low chuckle as she leaned toward Luna. "Look at him, so mad he can barely hold the quill."
Luna smirked as she let out a sarcasm. "Poor Count Dorian. It must be so hard watching us succeed."
Dorian's head snapped up, his glare briefly directed at the two maids before returning to Lucius.
He threw the plaque toward Lucius. "There. It's done. I have signed it."
Lucius accepted the plaque. He then checked it for the sign and after being satisfied with it, he turned to Dorian and smiled. "Thank you, Count Dorian."
Lucius also looked around, realizing that there was someone absent here. "By the way... where is your son? I'd hoped to see Kalidorn today. After all, it is his beast I've evolved."
Dorian frowned and coughed a bit. "Kalidorn had... other matters to attend to. He won't be joining us."
Lucius smiled and mocked him a bit. "I see. What a shame to not have him here. Oh well."
He turned to leave, giving the signed plaque to Luna for her to keep. "Now that our business is concluded... goodbye, Count Dorian. See you."
Luna and Liora followed closely behind, but before they left, Luna turned around and smirked. She politely mocked, "Take care, dear former father."
Liora glanced at the count as well; she didn't want to let him go either. "You should thank Master Lucius properly. Not everyone can deliver such results."
Dorian clenched his fists tightly as he forced himself to remain silent and polite. His gaze followed them as they exited, waiting for them to exit so he could let out his frustation.
Once outside, Lucius glanced at Luna and Liora and smirked. "Well done. Dorian's anger is a good sign. It means we've left our mark."
Luna and Liora grinned, feeling happy after being praised by their master.
---
Lucius and his maids had left the estate and Dorian immediately stood up and slammed his fist on the nearby table.
Dorian looked at the door and shouted, "Damn that smug brat and also those insufferable maids of his! Mocking me in my own home!"
He also took one vase and slammed it down to vent his anger. A servant who had been quietly observing from the corner flinched but wisely chose not to intervene.
Moments later, Kalidorn entered the grand hall. He was surprised to see that his beast had been evolved and he could see that it was way stronger than before.
Kalidorn looked at his father and shouted, "Father! It's incredible. I can't believe it's finally a 3-Star Storm Hawk!"
Dorian barely spared his son a glance, as he was still mad. He just said, "Yes, it's yours. Enjoy it while you can."
Kalidron faltered a bit after hearing his father, but he still asked, "What about Lucius and...her?"
Kalidorn was referring to Luna. "Do we need to handle them? They've embarrassed our family enough."
Dorian glanced at him and spat out in anger. "Are you an idiot? We cannot touch Lucius. Do you understand me?"
Kalidorn was surprised. He was still confused why his father changed so much. "But Father, he—"
"Enough!" Dorian shouted. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire
He then stepped closer to his son and said, "You think you can act without consequence? Do you have any idea who that boy is? He's more dangerous than you can imagine."
Dorian then pointed at Storm Hawk. "This Storm Hawk is his work, making him a great evolist that even Kaltrik warned me not to provoke him. Astra Academy will crush us if we move against him openly."
Kalidorn was frustated after hearing it. "And what about Luna? She's nothing but a slave now—my former sister! Surely we can—"
Dorian grabbed Kalidorn's collar and pulled him close. "Don't you hear what I have just said?"
"Even as a slave, she's under Lucius's protection. Do you think he'll stand by and let us harm her? Do you want to be the reason this family falls?"
Kalidorn was surprised as he shook his head quickly. He shrank a bit under his father's intense gaze. "No, Father. Of course not."
Dorian released him and pushed him off, turning away and sitting back in frustation. He exhaled sharply. "For now, we do nothing. Let Lucius and his maids think they've won."
Kalidorn hesitated before speaking cautiously. "And later?"
Dorian turned back to him. "We will take our revenge."
Dorian clenched his fist. "But not yet. When the time comes, we will strike, and they will regret ever crossing the Garran family."
Kalidorn began to smirk as he waited for it. "I'll be ready."
Dorian smirked a little. "You'd better be. Now go. Train with your new Storm Hawk. You'll need to be stronger for what's to come."
Kalidorn nodded, turning back to the Storm Hawk with renewed determination.
As he left the hall with his beast, Dorian stood alone, his fists clenching once more as he stared at the shattered vase on the floor.
"Lucius... you've made a powerful enemy today. Enjoy your victory while it lasts."
Dorian then took another vase and slammed it down again before finally calming down.