Lorian suggested that they blockade the archipelago.
However, Captain Vorlag informed him that to surround the entire archipelago, they needed a larger navy.
Cassian dismissed this, calling it an excuse. But Elmsworth disagreed with Cassian's objection and supported Vorlag's concern.
Elmsworth reiterated Lorian's earlier suggestion of seeking cooperation with other city-states, which everyone except Cassian agreed to.
Gravil suggested the best way to achieve this was to invite all the city-states' ruling families to the upcoming festival, which was being held the following week to celebrate the recovery of the Scion of the Thorne Family.
With this, the meeting concluded, and everyone was impressed by the Young Master of Thorne.
Soon, everyone would know that Elmsworth Thorne's bloodline was not going to end.
Over the next few days, Lorian once again immersed himself in the books and tomes in the library.
He was determined to catch up on everything.
He lost all sense of time, day and night.
Even his meals were brought to the library, where special arrangements were made for him to eat.
Elara was assigned to take care of him within the library, while Kaelan was stationed at the door, strictly prohibiting anyone from disturbing the young master in his pursuit of knowledge—such were Elmsworth's explicit orders.
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
It was two days before the celebration.
Guests had begun arriving from both nearby and distant places.
Everyone was ready.
However, as per Elmsworth's instructions, Lorian was kept away from all the preparations to avoid any distractions.
Seeing their son so engrossed in his studies, both parents were becoming increasingly emotional and proud.
But his study was soon to be interrupted.
A huge commotion outside disrupted Lorian's concentration.
He could hear an argument between two people—one voice was Cassian's, and the other sounded like a young boy.
It seemed Kaelan was trying to calm the other person down, while that other person was clearly trying to intimidate.
Lorian asked Elara what was happening.
But before she could answer, the door was thrown open with a loud bang, and Kaelan fell to the floor.
He was badly beaten.
A boy around Lorian's age entered.
A series of memories flashed through Lorian's mind, and he recognized the boy.
He was Lyssian Thorne, son of Cassian Thorne, and Lorian Thorne's cousin.
Although Lyssian was two years younger than him, he had always brutally bullied Lorian, and Cassian always dismissed it as mere brotherly fighting.
After Seraphina's serious protest, Elmsworth had sent Lyssian to Solara for higher studies, and to keep him away from Lorian.
He had most probably returned to attend the upcoming celebration.
"Young Master, forgive me, I couldn't….." Kaelan gasped, touching the floor with his forehead, but Lyssian cut him off with a kick to his stomach.
"Shut your trap, you incompetent guard of an incompetent kid! You both are a disgrace to our bloodline!" Lyssian said with contempt, and spat on the floor.
"You are studying at the Grand Academy of Solara, and they haven't taught you not to spit in a library?" Lorian taunted.
Lyssian quickly walked towards Lorian, grabbed his collar, and said, "Aren't you running your mouth too much?"
He punched Lorian's stomach with great force, making him bleed from the mouth,
"This was to remind you of your place. A worm should always be reminded of his place, and your place is beneath my boot!"
He grabbed Lorian's face, spat on it, and said, "Don't you ever forget it!"
Cassian had arrived outside the room and was secretly enjoying the scene from behind the door.
He felt proud of his son for demonstrating his dominance over the heir of the Thorne family.
Suddenly, Lorian heard a strange voice.
He had heard this voice a few times since coming to this world.
But he had never been able to identify the speaker, and it seemed only he could hear it.
Given the fantastical nature of this realm, and the presence of magic, he wasn't very surprised or scared. Instead, he was interested to know what the voice was saying.
"Such a lack of power, don't you regret it, boy? If you had power, you could show him his place!"
the voice said, with a mix of concern and mockery,
"Not only is this brat smiling, but so is his father, hiding behind the door! They are truly despicable!"
Lorian smiled and silently thanked the voice for informing him of his uncle's presence.
Now, Lorian had no doubt that his uncle was not just a bad person, but also his enemy, which was why he was watching his own son humiliate Lorian.
"Why are you smiling, you empty-headed scum?" Lyssian punched him again.
Adrian had endured such bullying and worse since childhood.
So Lorian was not new to this, at least not psychologically.
He smiled and wiped his lip, "You are such a dumb kid, just like your father!"
Lyssian was confused and became even angrier.
He was about to punch Lorian again, but to his surprise, instead of shielding his face or ducking, Lorian extended his cheek, inviting Lyssian's punch.
"Wait a minute, I get it now!" Lyssian said, "You're planning to get hurt and then run to your mother, complaining about me?"
"Not everyone is as spineless as you," Lorian replied with a smile, "I'm just amused by how much of a fool you are."
Lorian walked towards Lyssian and spoke calmly, slowly, but with a coldness in his voice.
"You are beating me, the future head of the Thorne family.
You have beaten me for eighteen years. You will beat me for a few more years.
That's not a big deal.
But imagine what will happen when my father appoints me as the Family Head in his place.
I am not as forgiving as my father.
I am a vengeful person.
I remember everything!
And I am also a good businessman.
Every scar, and every pain you have given me, are giving me, and will give me, I will collect it all, with interest."
Lorian looked straight into Lyssian's eyes.
"I will make your life a living hell.
I will make you regret the day you crossed my path.
I will make you regret you were born.
And I will make your father regret he ever fathered you!
That is my promise to you and your father, who is hiding behind the door!"
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Total Net Worth: 0 Solars