The Power Domain of a Martial King surged forward, rushing straight for Alvin Morgan and Arthur Lockwood.

The color drained from Dean Morgan and Abel Lockwood’s faces as they swiftly moved to block it.

Hector Lennox frowned slightly, let out a light cough, and shattered the Power Domain within the room.

Victor Trent picked up his teacup, a triumphant glint in his eyes. He glanced at the others across from him before turning to Hector Lennox with a smile. "Consultant Lennox, what do you think of my son’s strength?"

Hector Lennox considered it for a moment. "How old is your son?"

"Thirty. He just had his breakthrough recently."

"Impressive for his age," Hector Lennox praised, beckoning to Drake Trent. "Come over here, let me take a look..." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Drake Trent had a reserved and steady air about him, unlike the flamboyant and unrestrained Norman Trent. After taking a few steps forward, he bowed respectfully to Hector Lennox and held out his arm.

Hector Lennox grasped his wrist to inspect his meridians. After a few minutes, his smile widened. "Excellent. He’s a very promising talent."

Victor Trent seized the opportunity. "My Drake has already registered for this year’s Martial King Level tournament."

This statement unsettled Arthur Lockwood, who couldn’t help but ask, "He registered for the tournament? Why haven’t I heard my father mention this?"

A faint smile played on Victor Trent’s lips as he said lightly, "Drake grew up abroad, so he isn’t a Veridian citizen. Oh, and with the Lowell Family’s Martial King now fallen, if Veridia finds itself in need of a Martial King, I could have my son change his nationality back..."

The atmosphere in the room turned awkward at his words.

Arthur Lockwood glanced at Alvin Morgan, then a smile suddenly bloomed on his face. He raised his teacup to toast Victor Trent. "Wonderful! While the Lockwood Family isn’t short on Martial Kings, additional Strength is always welcome. The Lockwood Family would be happy to have your son change his competition nationality back."

Victor Trent raised his cup in return. His expression remained unchanged, but his heart tightened.

’This Young Heir Lockwood isn’t the carefree playboy the rumors make him out to be.’

Hector Lennox also took out a Black Card and handed it to Drake Trent. "I’ll be expecting a great performance."

Arthur Lockwood’s expression instantly darkened.

’The Trent Family really knows how to hide their strength.’

「That Evening」

Aurora Sinclair was surprised to see that Arthur Lockwood’s usually smiling face was completely serious, without even a hint of a smile.

She turned and whispered to Alvin Morgan, "What’s wrong with Lockwood?"

Alvin Morgan glanced at Arthur Lockwood and smiled. "I’ll tell you later."

Just then, Arthur Lockwood pressed his lips together and strode over. With a determined look in his eyes, he gazed at Aurora Sinclair and said solemnly, "Aurora, could you come to my family’s estate after the tournament? I have a favor to ask you..."

Before he could finish, Joanna Monroe slapped him on the back. "Aurora, don’t fall for it! He’s a compulsive liar."

Arthur Lockwood grabbed her hand, frowning. "Don’t mess around! I’m being serious!"

"That’s what you said last time you were taking a girl home from the bar," Faye Hughes added coolly, twisting the knife.

Leigh Miles rolled her eyes, grabbed Aurora Sinclair, and began walking away. "How can he be such a scumbag, just like Lennox?" she muttered as they went.

Arthur Lockwood: ...

’But I really am serious!!!’

***

The beach was bone-chillingly cold at night. Not a single star lit the pitch-black sky, and the frigid seawater crashed mercilessly against the rocks.

Two figures stood at the water’s edge, seeming to melt into the surrounding darkness.

One stood, while the other knelt on one knee.

"Master, the Young Master of the Morgan Family and the Lockwood Heir are both in Harbor City. Should we take this opportunity to kill them...?"

The standing figure, hands clasped behind his back, gazed out at the churning sea, apparently contemplating the suggestion.

"A Sunstone Native is there as well. You are no match for them..."

"We could strike when they’re competing," the kneeling figure said, a vicious glint in their eyes.

The standing figure considered it. "The timing isn’t right. Wait until after the tournament to act."

"Yes—"

The kneeling figure immediately rose, bowed to the one standing, and then departed swiftly.

An unlicensed car was parked away from the beach. He immediately slipped inside, lowered a silver mask, and revealed a composed face.

"Young Master, the Family Head called just now asking for an update..."

A wicked grin spread across the man’s face. "Begin—"

***

The first playoff match for Conquest of Glory was held on schedule that Sunday.

"Aurora, I’ve made it to Harbor City! It’s the first playoff match today, I’ll record some clips for you." Seth Sterling’s voice came from Aurora Sinclair’s phone. The background noise on his end was loud, suggesting he was already inside the stadium.

After putting on her DAF Team uniform, Aurora Sinclair replied, "Master Rory is here today."

"Ah— Aurora, for real? Is that inside information?"

"Mhm, King of Night and Windwalker are here too."

"AAAAHHH—"

An ear-splitting shriek suddenly came from the other end, followed by the sound of a phone clattering to the floor. Then his yell came through, "Aurora, if that’s true, why aren’t you here watching?"

"I am. I’m at the venue."

"Holy shit! You’re here? Why didn’t you say so sooner? Where are you? I’ll come find you." Seth Sterling scanned his surroundings, phone in hand.

Aurora Sinclair finished putting on her shoes and replied calmly, "Come to the entrance. Someone will be there to get you." With that, she hung up.

Seth Sterling froze on the other end. His friend beside him asked, "Seth, what’s wrong?"

"My classmate is here for the match, too. She told me to wait for her at the entrance."

His friend rolled his eyes. ’It’s just a classmate, isn’t it? Is there a reason to get so worked up?’

"Just be quick..."

Seth Sterling quickly left his seat and pushed against the crowd toward the stadium exit. Just as he reached it, his path was blocked by a rock-solid figure.

Then, a pretty girl asked, "You’re Seth Sterling, right?"

Jean Quincy held up her phone, comparing him to the person in the photo, and asked with some uncertainty.

In the photo, Danny Archer was squishing Seth Sterling’s cheeks, distorting his features.

When Aurora had sent her the picture, she had half-suspected that Young Master Morgan had tampered with Aurora’s phone, leaving only this one ugly photo of the guy.

Glenn Lockwood immediately stepped forward, reached out, and squished Seth Sterling’s face. "Does this look like him?"

"Not quite... try pinching his nose."

So Glenn Lockwood pinched his nose.

"Yes, yes, that’s him!"

Seth Sterling: ...

’He felt personally insulted...’

"Seth Sterling, I’m Aurora’s cousin. Come with us!"

The two of them led him through a different corridor into the stadium, one with very few people.

Seth Sterling grew wary. If the girl hadn’t borne a slight resemblance to Aurora Sinclair, he would have already turned around and bolted.

’It’s too quiet in here...’

But when Glenn Lockwood pushed open a door, the roar from inside the stadium instantly washed over them.

Jean Quincy pointed to some nearby seats. "You can sit anywhere with a DAF logo."

Seth Sterling was utterly dumbfounded. These were the VIP floor seats.

"Go on and have a seat! Aurora and the others will be here in a little while."

The VIP floor was already crowded. Aside from DAF’s section, which was still empty, the seats for the other teams were nearly full.

Under the watchful eyes of numerous pro-gaming celebrities, he timidly made his way to the DAF section.

’Holy shit, what is going on?’

Completely bewildered, he glanced around. Most of the people were core members of the various teams—even Julian Lawson of PL was there.

’He even looked over and made eye contact with me.’

’Am I dreaming?’

Seth Sterling sat alone in the DAF section, his mind a total blank, as if it had crashed.

He stared blankly at the chat history on his phone, and it was a long while before he sent a message to Aurora Sinclair with trembling hands.

[Seth: Aurora, you have to tell me, are you the daughter of the DAF Team owner?]

[Aurora: You made it?]

[Seth: (Piteously) I’m in the VIP floor section...]

[Aurora: Okay. Give me two minutes, I’m at the door.]

Seth Sterling stared at Aurora’s reply, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over him. He desperately wanted to post on social media to vent his feelings.

After staring into space for a while, he pulled out his phone and started typing a new post:

[So damn exciting, my first time with the campus belle...] (Watching a match while surrounded by the pros from every team?)

Before he could finish typing, the arena erupted in fervent screams: "DAF—DAF—"

Startled, Seth Sterling reflexively hit "send"...