The Jenner family's estate was unusually quiet right after Jenner was defeated, the kind of silence that felt thick and suffocating, as if the very air was weighed down by shame.
Normally, their halls buzzed with chatter, servants moving briskly, and nobles coming and going.
But after the battle, all of that energy had vanished.
At the side of the crowded arena sat Jenner's father. His composure was shattered. His face was tight with rage, his knuckles white as his hands gripped the armrests of his chair.
His eyes—usually sharp and calculating—burned with humiliation. His jaw clenched so hard that the faint grinding of his teeth was audible to those nearest to him.
For some years, the Jenner family name had stood as the representative of the Council of Clan.
They were known for their influence, their mastery of magic, and above all, their unmatched pride.
Yet, Jenner got defeated.
To Jenner's father , it was more than just a battle lost. It was an open insult.
