Chapter 161
61%
“Lieutenant General Valor! When did you arrive?” Edric’s tone turned eager as he stepped forward, posture respectfully lowered. “Please, come in–right this way.”
Corey blinked, momentarily stunned by the sight. Edric Lysander–the head of one of Regalhold’s Five Great Clans, a man who stood near the apex of Vyrdenia’s power structure–was… being this courteous?
To a colonel, no less? What was going on?
The sight unsettled Corey. His gaze swept toward Edric, laced with confusion–then suddenly, as if a thought had struck him like lightning, his breath
caught.
He turned to look at Raven again, but this time, with a very different expression.
‘Could it be… this absurdly young officer isn’t just powerful–she has backing so strong, even someone like Edric doesn’t dare offend her?”
As the realization settled, Corey felt a sudden, cold clarity flood his mind. Everything began to make sense.
Because otherwise–how could a girl, still so young, not only be appointed as the acting president of Regalhold University, but also wield such shocking
influence and dominance?
He’d seen her arrogance before. Her blatant disregard for consequence. At first, he’d assumed it was just raw boldness or foolish overconfidence.
But now? It reeked of protection. Of privilege. Of someone who had always been sheltered from consequence.
Corey’s expression darkened. He had initially been willing to admit that Raven was a rare talent–sharp, decisive, even a potential future star. But if all that strength was the result of resources and pedigree? If she had been propped up to her current position?
Then she was no longer impressive. She was just… another overhyped product of power and nepotism.
He had seen enough of those: arrogant, entitled fools who thought being born lucky made them worthy of respect.
And now, he looked at Raven with quiet resolve.
‘There is no way I’m letting someone like her into the Hundred–Man Unit.’
One worm could spoil the whole barrel–and he would not be the man who let that worm in.
Meanwhile, Edric had already ushered Raven through the gates of House Lysander.
Smiling politely, Raven asked, “Where’s Cassian?”
Hearing the question, Kyla–who had been standing nearby and already surprised by Edric’s behavior–visibly tensed. Her expression cooled.
Edric, too, froze for a beat before recovering quickly and replying with practiced ease, “He had something to take care of. I’m not sure if he’ll be back in time tonight, but I’ll check with him soon.”
Then, without waiting for further questions, he turned to the rest of the group. “The other clan heads have mostly arrived. Please, come with me. I’ll introduce you all.”
With a courteous gesture, he began leading them toward the heart of the Lysander estate.
Raven didn’t comment, simply smiled and followed, clearly unfazed by his attempt to dodge.
Soon, they reached the center courtyard vast open space that served as the gathering point for tonight’s event.
As Raven stepped inside, the first thing she noticed was the enormous black stone platform at the very center of the garden.
1/3
10:59 Tue, 22 Apr 0
Chapter 161
3.61%
+5
It stood nearly six feet tall and spanned more than thirty feet across, ringed by wide stone steps. A dueling stage, unmistakably.
She gave it a glance, then quickly swept her gaze over the crowd. There were at least three or four hundred people in attendance, though the courtyard was large enough that it didn’t feel cramped.
Within seconds, Raven had already spotted several familiar faces.
But her attention soon drifted to the food stands set up along the edges of the courtyard exquisite pastries and fruit, all arranged with impeccable presentation.
Last night’s banquet desserts hadn’t been bad, but tonight’s seemed even more refined. For once, a flicker of anticipation stirred in her chest.
Caleb, walking behind her, froze in his tracks as he watched her head straight for the dessert table.
‘Wait… she likes this kind of stuff?‘
His brain short–circuited at the sight. Somehow, the image of the Iron Queen casually picking out delicate pastries felt utterly surreal.
Beside him, Kyla was equally caught off guard. She watched Raven select a few sweets and sit down at a nearby table, showing no interest in mingling or social maneuvering.
It deepened Kyla’s uncertainty.
She had started to suspect Raven might come from a powerful background, especially after witnessing Edric’s respectful demeanor. But if Raven really had that kind of lineage… would she act like this?
Still, she knew better than to ask Edric outright–if Raven did have a powerful backer, Edric would never reveal it.
With that thought lingering, Kyla hesitated for a second, then walked over and sat down across from Raven without asking permission.
Raven barely looked up, shooting her a glance before continuing to nibble on her dessert.
Kyla felt her brows tighten. Something about Raven’s presence always made people second–guess themselves.
Trying to steer the conversation somewhere neutral, she smiled and asked, “Is it good?”
Raven paused mid–bite and looked up. “You want some?”
Kyla blinked. That… was not the response she expected.
She had only wanted to observe Raven’s habits, to see whether she was someone used to this kind of luxury.
But now, with that offhand reply, it felt like Raven thought she was trying to steal her food.
That suspicion was confirmed a moment later, when Raven added, “If you want some, go get it yourself. There’s none for you on my plate.”
Kyla was speechless.
Still, she composed herself quickly and kept her smile intact. “I was just curious. You don’t eat this kind of dessert often, do you?”
Raven gave a soft chuckle. “And how often I eat what, exactly, has anything to do with you?”
Again Kyla, speechless.
Clearly, there was no hope for a friendly conversation here.
Just as the air between them grew tense and awkward, a man in formal attire stepped onto the center stage with a microphone in hand.
“Everyone, may I have your attention, please.”
2/3
11:00 Tue, 22 Apr B
