CHAPTER 525: CHAPTER 194: RECOGNITION

The Hero walked on bare, jade-like feet that made a light tapping sound on the marble floor, following her elder brother towards the study.

On their way, the servants cast surprised glances, but with her brother’s cold expression leading the way, no one dared to approach and speak.

The robe and magic accessories on her brother emitted a faint glow, rapidly alleviating the symptoms of mental exhaustion under the blessing of the equipment. In just this short journey from the training ground to the mansion, his pale face had regained some color.

Even so, the expression on his face still carried a trace of displeasure, and his footsteps were much heavier than usual.

Realizing that for her brother, admitting her victory was not an easy blow to get over, the Hero secretly smiled but did not speak, only bouncing along cheerfully, behaving obediently behind the young man.

"If you ask me, you were too soft on him, you should’ve beaten him black and blue—"

’Alright, alright.’

The Hero sighed quietly in her heart, once again silencing the other self that had been chattering, then watched as her brother pushed open the study door.

As soon as the door was opened, a bitterly cold wind, in the literal sense, rushed in, causing the Hero to shiver involuntarily, quickly peeking inside the study.

Inside the study, most of the decorations were covered by thick frost, and two near-identical-looking middle-aged men were sitting opposite each other in this ice cave.

One wore an elegant housekeeper’s suit, with plain-framed glasses, looking restless, while the other leaned casually against the chair back, a sophisticated and intricate weave of runes on his casual robe, and only his surroundings were free from the frost’s invasion.

Yet, before her brother opened the study door, the Hero had not perceived any of the changes inside.

"Gleaming Scales?"

"Your Majesty, are you alright!"

Hearing the Hero’s surprised call, the previously uneasy Gleaming Scale Serpent stood up instantly, expression visibly relieved.

"I said, since they went to the training ground, they would naturally exercise some restraint." Sitting across was the Hero’s father, who slightly raised his head, his tone indifferent.

"Elemental Spirit, though you’ve inherited our family’s bloodline, you are not her nanny, nor her elder, but her familiar. Since your master did not summon you, it proves she does not need your assistance. Do not act on your own initiative.

"This principle should not be something you fail to understand."

Though sitting in a chair, the father seemed to overlook everyone, the chill and authority in his tone made the previously joyful Hero frown, casting a slightly worried glance at the Gleaming Scale Serpent.

"Father, he is not just my familiar, he is also my partner, so..."

Before the Hero could finish, the Gleaming Scale Serpent already shook his head at her, voluntarily stepping back.

"Understood, Viscount, I indeed overstepped this time."

"Oh..." the Hero’s father squinted, indifferent to the reply.

Only then did he for the first time direct his gaze towards his children, finally showing a bit of genuine interest.

"So, who won?"

"She." Without hesitation, the brother raised his hand to point at the Hero.

The father remained silent for several seconds, his gaze shifting between the two siblings, his expression inscrutable.

[The father’s attitude towards the brother]

D60+40=d60(7)+40=47

[The father’s attitude towards the Hero]

D50+50=d50(19)+50=69

After a long period, the Viscount slowly stood up, letting out a light sigh.

"—Disgraceful."

With his expression turning cold, the room’s temperature instantly plunged back to freezing, even making the Hero, who had just transformed into a Prayer Lighter, feel a chilling coldness deep in her heart.

"I thought you had been setting up an array at home with great fanfare these days because you were confident of your victory when provoking your sister. Is this the result?"

Looking down upon his eldest son, the father’s aura was cold as a glacier, manifest disappointment evident.

"Is it because I have always been too gentle in my instruction towards you?" the father sneered.

"Did you never think about what to do in case your predictions were wrong? Was your plan to charge forward like a brute? You can’t possibly believe that with just the bits you’ve learned from me, you could become all-knowing and all-powerful, could you?"

His words, like icy blades, precisely pierced into the heart of the listener.

The Hero wanted to speak up to defend her brother, but realized that her father’s words were irrefutable, each sentence so accurate that there was almost no point to argue against.

"A Legendary Mage, calculating his sister days in advance, nearly got killed on the spot, and in the end, could only rely on the other’s mercy..." the father let out a cold laugh.

"Now I understand why your mother is disappointed with you."

The verbal blades, although not aimed directly at the Hero, made her heart feel a twinge of pain too.

The brother’s fists clenched tightly, his knuckles white, yet he did not retort, but lowered his head.

"...You are right." he responded in a low voice.

"Fa, Father..." beside him, the Hero finally managed to part her dry lips, attempting to catch her father’s attention.

"Speak."

The father’s gaze turned to her, those emerald eyes similar to her and her brother’s, like a deep vortex, momentarily leaving the Hero at a loss for words.

She originally just wanted to interrupt the scolding of her brother subconsciously, without thinking about what she wanted to say. Facing those calm emerald eyes now, her lips opened and closed, still unable to form coherent words.

"...You did well."