Elsewhere on the massive Roschild estate—a property so large it was like its own small town—stood the Lancaster family mansion. The Lancasters were a branch of the main Roschild family. Their home was impressive and noble, though not as grand as the main villa where Leo lived. Its pale walls were covered with ivy, and its tall windows reflected the moonlight. The iron gates displayed the Lancaster family crest, a simpler version of the famous Roschild symbol. The garden was perfectly kept, but it felt formal and cold, lacking the lively warmth of the main family's grounds.
Inside, the mood was tense and heavy. The mansion was decorated to show power and status, not for comfort. Shiny marble floors lay under expensive rugs. Serious-looking portraits of past Lancasters watched from the walls. The air carried the faint scents of old books and polished metal.
In his father's private study, Artur sat straight-backed in a chair. The room was filled with tall bookshelves and was dominated by a large, heavy desk made of dark wood. A single lantern burned, its flickering light creating long, dancing shadows across the books and maps. It made the whole room feel dark and serious.
Artur's father was a large, imposing man. His blonde hair was starting to show streaks of gray, and his face was framed by a short, rough beard. His eyes were a cold, steely blue—exactly the same shade as Artur's. Tonight, those eyes held a dark and calculating look, a silent hint of dangerous plans. The same dangerous light was reflected in Artur's own gaze.
Father and son sat in silence, the air thick with secrets and schemes they had not yet put into words.
Artur was the one who broke the heavy silence.
"Father," he began, his voice low and deliberate. "A tragedy has struck the main family. We need to decide what to do now. Do we stay loyal to a ship that's starting to sink, or... you understand my meaning."
His father gave a slow, knowing nod.
"It is a great loss indeed," his father replied, his tone carefully neutral. Then, he asked a more pointed question. "Have you spoken with the young master? Have you paid your respects at the main villa yet?"
The mention of Leo sent a jolt of pure hatred through Artur, visible for a split second in his eyes before he composed himself.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I couldn't see him tonight. I'll go visit him tomorrow morning."
But inwardly, Artur was triumphant. He had never imagined his desperate wish—to see Leo humbled and broken—would be granted so soon. It felt like fate was finally favoring him.
As expected, he thought, a dark satisfaction warming him. The mysterious God is on my side. I must be blessed.
"Let us wait until after the Blessing Ceremony to decide our next move," Artur's father said, his eyes gleaming with naked ambition. "I have a feeling you will awaken a powerful Gift. Perhaps a truly great one. That could be the key to elevating our family's status—maybe even securing a place in the main branch."
For him, life in a collateral branch was a form of obscurity. He believed they deserved to be in the main villa, sharing in its power and prestige, not living in its shadow. His own A-Rank Fire Gift had been respectable, but not enough to change their fate. He was certain his son would surpass him.
The thought of Artur awakening an SS-Rank or even legendary SSS-Rank Gift was intoxicating. It would change everything.
"I understand, Father," Artur replied, his voice filled with a dark confidence. "We will wait."
In his mind, this was the perfect path. He would use the ceremony to outshine Leo completely, pushing his rival further into despair. He would make Rina regret her choice, make her see that she had chosen the wrong man. The image of her begging for his forgiveness sent a thrill through him. The thought was so euphoric it made him shiver.
And so, inside the sturdy study, father and son sat in a shared silence, each plotting a future.
'I will awaken a great Gift before swallowing the main family if possible.'