As the assessnt concluded, we returned to the conference hall, our steps echoing in the grand space. Lily, Lyra, and Lira were waiting near the entrance, their expressions lighting up as they spotted .
"How did it go, young master?" Lily asked with a soft smile, her tone both curious and confident.
"It was a breeze," I replied, feigning nonchalance, though a hint of pride crept into my voice.
"That's good to hear," Lily said warmly.
"What about you, young master Cedric?" she asked, turning to Cedric, who looked a bit less enthused.
"Well, good enough to get admitted, I guess," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head.
"Oh~ What happened?" Lily teased, her curiosity piqued.
"What happened is, he's a wimp," Kaela interjected bluntly, folding her arms with a smug expression. "Weak as a kitten."
"Hey! Shut up! I don't need lectures from soone who probably flunked the theory section," Cedric shot back, his face flushing with irritation.
"Hah! Who needs a brain when you've got fists?" Kaela quipped with a smirk.
"Ugh, they're at it again," I sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Just let them argue. It's like their love language or sothing."
Turning back to the maids, I asked, "So, what did you all do while we were gone?"
"We made so new friends," Lira said with a grin.
"Yes, we t maids from other noble houses and even got acquainted with a few of the senior staff," Lyra added, her soft voice brimming with excitent.
"That's great. It's always good to build connections," I said approvingly.
"And guess what we found out," Lily chid in, her tone laced with intrigue.
"What?" I asked.
"The Chosen Hero is here," she revealed, her eyes gleaming with interest. "He's also taking the entrance exam, but his session was after yours. If the timings had aligned, you might've seen him."
"Oh? The great Chosen Hero in the flesh," I said, smirking. "Were you dazzled by his legendary charisma?"
Lily rolled her eyes playfully, leaning closer. "How could I be? Handso, yes—but not as much as you, young master. You're the only one who has my heart," she said with a sly, seductive smile.
I chuckled. "You're getting better at this flattery thing, aren't you?"
Before she could reply, a sharp yelp broke through our conversation—Cedric's voice.
I turned to see a curious scene unfolding.
A girl stood with a poised elegance that belied her playful deanor. Her small, delicate face was adorned with soft, symtrical features that could captivate anyone—a cute button nose, full lips curved into a mischievous pout, and large almond-shaped eyes of a striking erald green. Her silky, chestnut-brown hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, shimring as it caught the light with each of her graceful movents.
She wore a light, flowing sundress, its soft fabric hugging her slender fra and accentuating her youthful beauty. The dress ended just above her knees, swaying gently as she shifted her weight. Simple sandals adorned her feet, and a dainty silver necklace rested against her collarbone, adding a touch of elegance to her casual look.
Her hand was firmly gripping Cedric's ear, her slim fingers holding him captive as she tugged with a mix of mock severity and amusent.
"Let
go! It hurts!" Cedric whined, squirming under her hold.
"If it hurts, maybe you should stop sneaking off without informing ," she retorted, though her tone carried more amusent than actual anger.
The girl released him with a huff, crossing her arms. Cedric rubbed his reddened ear, his expression a mix of annoyance and guilt.
"Don't give
that look," she said sternly. "Now explain—where were you?"
Cedric hesitated, then, as if finding the perfect scapegoat, pointed directly at . "This happened."
I blinked in confusion, stopping mid-step. "Why am I getting dragged into this?"
The girl's gaze shifted to , her expression softening as a dreamy look settled on her face. Her erald-green eyes locked onto mine, and for a mont, it felt as though she had forgotten everyone else around her.
I waved a hand in front of her dazed expression. "Hello?"
From behind , I heard Lily murmur under her breath, her tone laced with amusent. "Hah~ Miss Alicia seems to have fallen even deeper for the young master's charm."
Alicia snapped out of her trance, her cheeks turning a vibrant shade of crimson. "Arthur? Is that really you?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper, as if she were afraid I might vanish like an illusion.
I nodded, offering her a small smile.
"You've changed so much," she said, taking a step closer. "Taller, more handso... I almost didn't recognize you!"
"Well, I guess awakening has its perks," I replied with a casual shrug.
"And more charming too," Cedric teased from the side, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Look at my sister's face. You were already too much for her before, and now? I don't even know what she's going to do."
"SHUT UP!" Alicia yelled, her face now a brilliant shade of red as she swung a fist at Cedric's head.
The punch landed with a satisfying thud, and Cedric winced, rubbing the sore spot.
anwhile, Lily was snickering behind , clearly enjoying the show.
I stood there, utterly clueless. Whatever history the original Arthur had with Alicia, it was becoming increasingly obvious that their relationship wasn't just simple friendship.
Alicia turned back to , her expression softening again as she tried to compose herself. Her hand brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she spoke.
"Why didn't you reply to any of my ssages or calls? I was worried sothing had happened to you," she said, her tone laced with genuine concern.
Before I could even open my mouth, Cedric cut in. "That's the sa thing I asked him! Apparently, he was too busy training to bother checking his AetherPod."
Alicia turned her gaze to , clearly waiting for an explanation.
Before I could say anything, Lily chid in from behind, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Oh, Lady Alicia, the young master was very busy with his training—and let's not forget his... other 'tasks.' So busy, in fact, that he couldn't possibly find the ti to check his AetherPod."
The teasing glance she threw my way made it clear that she was thoroughly enjoying the awkward situation.
"Oh, Sister Lily! You're here too," Alicia said, her mood instantly shifting as she moved to embrace Lily. "You're looking as beautiful as ever!"
"And I could say the sa for you, Lady Alicia," Lily replied with a warm smile. "You're absolutely stunning today."
The two exchanged complints, their mutual admiration montarily diffusing the tension.
This girl, playfully tugging on Cedric's ear with a teasing grin, is none other than Alicia Raven—Cedric's twin sister and the future rchant queen. In the ga, she was renowned as a cold and calculating genius who manipulated markets at her whim, reshaping the entire economic landscape to her advantage. Despite her being a woman in a male-dominated world, her intellect and ruthless cunning ensured that she would eventually overshadow Cedric and claim the position of lord of the Raven household.
Alicia, the ruthless rchant who could bankrupt kingdoms with a flick of her wrist, was also the protagonist's greatest financial asset—a living, breathing ATM. She was an emblem of unyielding determination, a woman who rose to the top while drowning in the despair of a fractured relationship with her twin.
But right now, that Alicia seed a world away.
Gone was her cold, unapproachable deanor. Before
was a playful, cheerful girl with an almost innocent affection for her brother. Her laughter was light and lodic as Cedric yelped, trying to wriggle free from her grip. The warmth between them was a stark contrast to the ga's portrayal, where Alicia's growing success fed Cedric's festering inferiority complex. Over ti, the distance between them had widened, leaving her isolated, misunderstood, and consud by guilt.
In her darkest mont, when despair had crushed her spirit, Alex—the protagonist—would swoop in as a savior, offering her a shoulder to cry on. She would open her heart to him, seeking solace, and he would exploit her vulnerability, siphoning money and resources as though she were nothing more than a bottomless vault.
But I'm here now, and that story won't unfold as it did before.
"So, Arthur," Alicia said, breaking my thoughts. "Where are you staying?"
"At the Ludwig manor in the Noble District," I replied.
"Oh, our manor's not far from there. Why don't you co over tonight?" she suggested with a bright smile.
"I've got a friend with ," I said, gesturing to Kaela. "Kaela Howler."
"Hello, I'm Alicia Raven," she said, offering a handshake.
"Kaela," she replied, shaking hands firmly.
"If you're Arthur's friend, then you're my friend too," Alicia said warmly. "You're invited as well."
"Fine by ," Kaela said with a shrug.
"Great! It's settled, then," Alicia said, beaming.
Before we could continue, Professor Luke returned to the stage, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "The assessnts are now complete. Results will be sent to your AetherPods by tomorrow. You are dismissed."
The hall buzzed with murmurs as candidates began filing out.
"Well, looks like we've got plans for tonight," I said, glancing at Cedric, Kaela, and the maids.
And just like that, the day took another unexpected turn.
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