CHAPTER 261: GUEST

After wrapping up his conversation with Maruun and further strengthening their relationship, Adyr didn’t linger in the market.

As always, he kept a low profile, slipping away without drawing unnecessary attention.

The last time he’d visited, he had felt the weight of a powerful presence watching him, most likely belonging to a Rank 4 practitioner. Since then, he had resolved to be more cautious.

His current strength might put him on par with an average Rank 3, but Rank 4 was still a distant mark—one that demanded careful planning and steady growth.

When Adyr soared back toward the Velari Kingdom and descended upon the Draven Mansion, he immediately sensed something unusual.

The mansion grounds were bustling with activity. Dozens of Draven knights stood posted in formation around the courtyard and outer walkways. At the main entrance, their commander, Siris, stood tall in full ceremonial armor, glistening silver plates catching the afternoon sun.

Her dark hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, and her gaze was focused, scanning the area with disciplined precision.

As soon as Adyr touched down and set foot on the garden path, Siris’s voice rang out sharply across the grounds.

"Attention!"

In perfect unison, every knight—including Siris herself—snapped to attention and delivered a formal salute, their posture rigid, their spirit focused. It was not the reaction of a mere guard detail. It felt closer to a ceremonial reception.

"You may stand at ease," Adyr said as he folded his wings and approached with calm, measured steps.

He had grown used to this kind of treatment. Back on Earth, the STF wasn’t much different—and if he truly intended to claim the title of Emperor one day, he expected many more such receptions in his future. It didn’t bother him. If anything, he found it fitting.

"Lord Adyr," Siris responded respectfully, returning to a relaxed stance while maintaining perfect form. Her tone held the weight of reverence, without losing the edge of discipline.

"What’s going on?" Adyr asked, his eyes briefly sweeping across the formation.

It wasn’t unusual for the mansion to be well-guarded—especially since he had begun living here—but this arrangement was too formal, too staged. This wasn’t a defensive posture. It was a welcoming line.

Without hesitation, Siris answered, her voice steady.

"Lady Liora Virell is currently inside the guest hall. She has been awaiting your arrival."

"I see," Adyr replied, his expression unreadable.

He stepped forward and passed through the mansion’s large double doors, his pace slow and deliberate.

As he expected, Liora had likely heard of the Wandering Merchant’s arrival. And now, she was here for a meeting, or perhaps something more.

As Adyr walked through the mansion’s long corridors, his footsteps echoed softly against the polished stone floor. Every few meters, knights stationed along the walls saluted him with precise, disciplined gestures. He acknowledged them with slight, silent nods, maintaining his calm presence as he advanced without pause.

Soon, he arrived at the grand double doors of the guest salon.

"Lord Adyr," said the two knights standing guard on either side. They saluted in unison, then moved quickly to pull the heavy doors open.

Warm light spilled out from inside.

The guest salon was spacious and meticulously arranged, bathed in natural daylight pouring through two towering glass windows on either side. The walls were paneled in rich, dark wood, adorned with ornate paintings—each brushstroke carefully chosen, each frame handcrafted, all curated to convey prestige.

At the center of the room sat a large, antique rug, its detailed embroidery stretching across the polished floor like a statement of history. Resting atop it was a set of luxurious armchairs and sofas—fashionable yet classic in design, clearly meant for distinguished guests.

In one of the single armchairs, Liora Virell sat quietly. Her small frame seemed nearly swallowed by the plush cushions, as if the comfort of the chair itself threatened to pull her into its depths. Her posture, however, remained poised and graceful as ever.

Across from her, seated upright with composed dignity, was Orven Draven—the master of the mansion. His back was straight, his expression respectful.

Standing to the side, with her hands neatly clasped in front of her and eyes lowered in perfect discipline, was Vesha. She radiated the silent efficiency of a well-trained attendant, ready to act the moment she was needed.

"Oh, Adyr—come, come! We were just having tea," Liora called out with a bright smile, raising the delicate porcelain cup in her hand as she looked toward the door.

Orven Draven rose from his seat to greet him with a respectful bow.

"Lord Adyr," his tone calm and proper.

Vesha also offered a warm smile before turning toward the tea table. She moved with practiced grace, quietly beginning to prepare another cup.

Today, her spirit seemed especially high.

Her golden-blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight pouring through the tall windows, and her ice-blue eyes held a rare sparkle—one that hadn’t been there the last time he saw her.

Adyr’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, and he immediately understood the reason.

She had been handling the task he’d assigned her—gathering rumors and practitioner intel from neighboring kingdoms—and by the look in her eyes and the confidence in her posture, she was succeeding. That renewed sense of purpose and pride didn’t escape Adyr’s sharp eyes.

"Lady Liora. Orven." He offered a relaxed, graceful nod as he made his way to one of the empty seats and sank into it with quiet ease.

"I’ve heard peach blossom tea helps calm the nerves," Adyr said with a smirk, letting his eyes settle on Liora. "Is that why you’re serving it? To soften the blow of some bad news?"

It sounded like a joke, but it wasn’t entirely one.

The scent of peach in the air wasn’t the only reason he’d guessed something was coming.

In the past, reading someone like Liora—her thoughts, her emotional state—would’ve been nearly impossible. But things had changed. His eyes now saw far more than they once did.

The core of his newly awakened bloodline talent, Gaze, was the ability to glimpse ten seconds into the future. Alone, that power was already formidable. But in the hands of someone like Adyr—who had always been hyper-aware, a natural observer—it became something far more dangerous.

Within those brief glimpses, he could track every shift in Liora’s posture, every subtle flicker in her expression. And from those fragments, he could infer more than most would notice in an hour of conversation.

"Reading intent and emotional undercurrents from a Rank 4 practitioner," Liora said with a subtle smile, "is no small feat."

Then, with a teasing glint in her eye—though clearly impressed—she added, "If you told me you were about to rank up to 3, I wouldn’t even be surprised."

For a practitioner to reach Rank 3, the first requirement was to elevate at least one of their talents to Level 4. Adyr hadn’t said a word about his Observer talent, but for someone like Liora, it wasn’t hard to recognize that it had already reached a high level.

"I can’t... At least not yet. I need to stay eligible for the upcoming Legacy Domain," Adyr said calmly.

He didn’t confirm her guess directly, but he didn’t deny it either. And that was all Liora needed.

He really is ready to rank up.

Her gaze sharpened slightly as the realization settled in.

He had already come this far, much earlier than anyone could’ve guessed. Not just talented, but something rarer. A monstrous genius, quietly masking the depth of his growth.