Inside the room, Ellie sat confidently behind an ornate office table.
The sunlight streaming through the window behind her cast a golden hue on the bookshelf filled with neatly arranged volus.
Vincent and Valyn occupied a sleek leather couch, separated by a polished mahogany table that reflected the room's soft lighting.
"So, why are you here?" Ellie asked, her voice even but tinged with curiosity as her eyes flicked toward Valyn.
Valyn, ever the picture of innocence, shifted her posture. Hugging the soft, plump Mochi snugly in her arms, she leaned back slightly, her casual deanor at odds with the sharpness in Ellie's gaze.
"Nothing much," she replied with a teasing lilt.
"Just having a little date with my younger brother.
Ellie's brows furrowed slightly, her sharp eyes darting between them as if searching for sothing amiss.
"I know he's not your real sibling. You don't even resemble each other in the slightest. So, who is he?"
Valyn let out a soft snort, clearly unfazed by the probing question. She waved a dismissive hand before directing her ever-innocent smile toward Vincent.
"Little Brother, this woman here is Ellie. Unfortunately, she's one of my acquaintances—"
"Hold your horses, bitch!" Ellie interjected sharply, her fiery tone cutting through Valyn's introduction.
She turned her full attention to Vincent, offering a charming smile.
"Nice to et you. I'm Ellie Vancord, one of her schoolmates and best friend. You can call Sis Ellie, or anything else you like," she added, punctuating her words with a playful wink.
Valyn rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning forward just enough to interject.
"Yeah, yeah. Call her a dog. It's fitting for soone always in heat."
Vincent chuckled awkwardly, unsure whether to laugh or change the subject. Introducing himself simply as Vincent, he avoided any ntion of his alter egos, 'Shroud' or 'Magnus.' Today, he was accompanying Valyn without any mask or pretense, adopting the unassuming identity of an ordinary individual.
After a brief explanation of their purpose for visiting Freedom Swift City, Ellie's deanor shifted subtly, her expression growing serious as she clasped her hands on the table.
"So, you're here for the Tower of Speed… understandable," she began, her words deliberate. "But I think your timing is off."
Vincent's curiosity was piqued by the sudden shift in tone.
"What do you an, Sis Ellie?"
Ellie leaned back slightly, her gaze steady.
"Have you heard about the recent incidents with the Tower of Fundantals?"
Vincent exchanged a glance with Valyn before nodding in unison.
Ellie's lips pressed into a thin line as she elaborated.
"Between that and the sudden spike in the appearance of new Labyrinths, the Tower of Speed and the Tower of Combat are absolutely swamped with challengers."
Vincent's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, though his thoughts raced. The ripple effects of his actions were far more extensive than he had anticipated.
Yet, one detail still puzzled him.
"What about the Tower of Illusions?" he asked, his tone neutral but probing.
Ellie arched a brow as she regarded him.
"Oh, that one? Soone cleared it recently, that maybe caused all its items to vanish. Now, every Tower of Illusions is completely unavailable. What was his na again? Mag… Magnum?"
"Magnus," Vincent corrected smoothly, his voice even.
"Right! That guy! Because of him, Origin Warriors across the Novice Continent are scrambling to challenge the remaining Tower of Fundantals. They're desperate to earn Tower Points and exchange them for items."
Ellie let out a long sigh, shaking her head as if exasperated by the chaos.
"I wonder what kind of person he is."
Valyn, unable to contain herself, smirked, her lips twitching as she struggled to suppress her laughter.
If only she knew he was sitting right in front of her, she mused, her shoulders trembling as she tried to maintain composure.
Ellie noticed her reaction and frowned.
"What's wrong with you? Are you sick?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
Valyn coughed theatrically, brushing off the suspicion.
"N-Nothing. Just a little cough," she replied, waving a hand as if to dismiss Ellie's concern.
Ellie's eyes narrowed, her gaze scrutinizing.
"A Tier 3 Origin Warrior with a cough? Really?" Her skepticism lingered, but she didn't press further, choosing instead to let it slide.
At that mont, a firm knock resounded through the room.
Knock, knock!
"Lady Boss, I apologize for the interruption," ca a feminine voice from the other side of the door, "but Young Master Boltor is requesting your presence."
Ellie's expression darkened almost instantly, her brows knitting together in irritation.
Valyn's smirk deepened as she quipped, "Who's that? Another one of your suitors?"
Ellie shot her a cold glare before sighing in resignation.
"No, he's a young master from the Boltor Family—a newly established clan with ties to the Swift Clan. He's been pestering to join their clan."
Her tone was clipped as she turned to the door.
"I'll be there shortly. Prepare the VIP room and let him know I'm on my way."
"Yes, Lady Boss." The voice receded, leaving the room in silence.
Valyn tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Wait, the Swift Clan? The one that built Freedom Swift City?"
Ellie nodded curtly. "That's the one."
Vincent leaned back slightly, absorbing the information. "Hmm…"
Valyn crossed her arms, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Boltor Family… I don't recall hearing about them in the Bronzehaven Arc. Where are they from?"
"They hail from the Steelhaven Arc," Ellie answered, her tone matter-of-fact.
"Ah," Valyn murmured, filing the information away for later.
"So, why do you look so drained at the re ntion of that guy?" Valyn asked, her curiosity unrelenting.
Ellie exhaled heavily, her shoulders sagging slightly.
"Initially, he kept pestering to beco his woman. After I turned him down a few tis, he changed tactics. Now, he's trying to recruit into the Boltor Clan."
"And you rejected him, of course?"
"Naturally. Only soone like 'Magnus' could make my heart flutter," Ellie said with a mischievous grin, prompting a laugh from Valyn and a wry smile from Vincent. Experience more on empire
"Stop daydreaming," Valyn quipped, her voice light but teasing.
"You'd better deal with him quickly. Who knows what strings he might pull with the Swift Clan to ss with your business."
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