Vianna's sharp gaze first swept across Uncle Acok, then shifted firmly toward Al. With a decisive gesture, she raised her hand and pointed at him without hesitation.

"You! You can nullify magical energy, can't you?!" she exclaimed loudly, drawing a conclusion with certainty. Her voice carried both accusation and disbelief, as if she had just unraveled a terrifying mystery.

Vianna herself, however, still had no true understanding of the strange phenomenon before her—something Al alone vaguely suspected had to do with the enigmatic nature of Blood Energy.

"What?!" Uncle Acok blurted out, unable to conceal his shock.

Meanwhile, Al remained equally bewildered. In his own thoughts, he still believed that this bizarre phenomenon only occurred between him and his father. He clearly remembered the time he had cast a simple spell on Sarah, and it had worked without any disruption. Yet now, both he and Vianna had directly experienced the opposite result.

"What in the world is this strange thing?" Al muttered under his breath, his fist tightening as uncertainty weighed on him.

"So he can actually nullify magical energy? Just what kind of skill is that supposed to be?" Uncle Acok muttered in disbelief, his eyes narrowing with visible confusion.

Nullify magical energy? David, who had been quietly watching from a distance, thought to himself.

Does such an overwhelmingly broken ability truly exist? Could that be the reason why he was able to trouble Hosan and the shadow army so easily? His mind spun while his eyes continued to observe every detail of the unfolding clash.

Vianna and Uncle Acok exchanged glances. Both of them were tense, their bodies taut with vigilance. An enemy who could nullify magical energy was an incredibly dangerous opponent. The two of them, after all, had relied far too heavily on magic in their battles; the very idea of fighting without it made them uncertain whether victory was even possible.

Al, for his part, had already grasped a rough idea of what was happening.

Huff… I really do want to give them a little lesson, but this looks trickier than I thought, he mused inwardly.

His eyes moved back to Uncle Acok and Vianna, who were now standing more cautiously than before, abandoning their earlier habit of charging recklessly.

It shouldn't be too hard if I fought them one on one. But if their attacks come simultaneously… what then? Would my energy get nullified by Sis Vianna, leaving Uncle Acok's reinforced strikes free to hit me? Or maybe half of my body could stay protected by energy, while the side targeted by Sis Vianna is stripped bare? Al carefully analyzed the possibilities, his mind turning rapidly.

The three of them stood in silence. Al didn't move, and neither did Vianna or Uncle Acok. From their perspective, the situation felt strange. If their assumptions about Al were correct, then he should be the one who held the upper hand right now. Yet he didn't press the advantage. That hesitation made them uneasy.

Finally, Vianna took a single, cautious step forward. Her voice rang out, firm and commanding.

"Who are you? What do you want here?" she demanded, her tone sharp while her posture remained in a clear stance of battle readiness.

Uncle Acok also moved, positioning himself at Vianna's side, ready to support her in case of sudden danger.

Al looked at the two of them. Then, slowly, he stretched his body with a lazy motion, relaxing his stance as if shaking off tension. He folded his arms across his chest, his demeanor turning almost casual.

Yet even that casual posture—one that held no clear signs of aggression—was enough to make both Vianna and Uncle Acok stiffen further. Their instincts screamed at them, interpreting every small movement as if it might conceal a hidden threat.

Al's gaze wandered for a moment. The morning air was beginning to grow warm, the sky had brightened, and the dry season was already making Indorosia unbearably hot even at this early hour.

I guess dragging this out any longer has no meaning. The risk is far too high if my only purpose is just to toy with them. Besides… the djinns have already left this place," Al thought, his mind settling on a decision.

His eyes shifted, and he turned his attention toward David's bedroom window. From there, David could be seen staring back at him. Al blinked once, deliberately, in a mischievous manner, almost as if silently declaring David as his next target.

David noticed it clearly—the deliberate wink. His expression tensed. At once, he began gathering dark energy in his left hand while reaching for a small dagger placed nearby. Every part of his body screamed readiness, prepared for the possibility that he would have to fight against this mysterious figure who supposedly possessed the terrifying ability to nullify magic.

Vianna noticed Al's subtle gesture. She spun around immediately, following his line of sight, and saw David still standing there.

David? He hasn't left yet? she thought in panic.

In a flash, she leapt toward him, landing right outside David's window where he was hiding, her stance guarded and alert.

"David! Why are you still here?! Leave this place immediately!" Vianna shouted, her tone rising with urgency.

Uncle Acok's expression shifted in surprise, and he too leapt to stand in front of the two young masters.

"It's fine, sister! I'm also a fighter, I can help!" David responded with a voice that sounded almost innocent, though it was tinged with a stubborn determination.

"This is far too dangerous for you! Leave right now!" Vianna snapped, her tone growing more frantic as she assumed the mysterious figure's true aim might be David himself.

"No, Lady Vianna," Uncle Acok interjected with resolve. His body straightened into a battle-ready posture, white energy beginning to gather around him. Though the flow of that energy was unstable—his strength still drained from his fierce battle with Sappe earlier—it was nonetheless strong enough to remind anyone present that he was still a formidable warrior. "Take young master David away. I will handle this man."

Vianna shook her head firmly. "No, Uncle Acok. We'll face him together. He's far too dangerous for either of us alone." She then turned to David with a sharp, commanding glare. "David, get out of here at once! Find the bodyguards, arm them properly, and prepare for battle. Uncle Acok and I will hold him off here!"

And thus, what followed was an intense tug-of-war of wills, a drama of insistence and defiance played out between the three of them in the heat of the moment.

Al could only stare blankly at the scene, a trace of amusement tugging at his lips. He had already lost any real interest in fighting, and the family's theatrical display felt almost laughable to him.

This family really does have a talent for blowing things out of proportion, he thought dryly, rubbing his forehead with one hand as if suppressing a headache.

"Oi… oi… enough with that cheap family drama already. I have no intention of fighting you," Al finally spoke, his tone laced with exasperation as he waved one hand lazily, cutting through the tension like a blade through mist.

The three of them turned back toward him, momentarily frozen in confusion, unsure of how to respond.

Al simply leapt backward, landing lightly on the edge of the balcony.

Both Vianna and Uncle Acok immediately recognized his intent. He didn't want to fight; he was preparing to leave. But a dilemma settled in their hearts. It felt wrong to simply allow such an intruder to walk away freely, and yet the risk of engaging someone who could possibly nullify magical energy was daunting beyond measure.

"What do you mean?!" Vianna shouted after him, frustration seeping into her voice.

Al's back was to them now, his gaze directed toward the expansive eastern courtyard of the Virellano estate. Far in the distance, he could see a crowd gathering near the construction site—servants, workers, bodyguards, Aurielle, Clarista, Fani, Devy, and of course… Yura.

He tilted his head slightly, just enough to glance at Uncle Acok and Vianna from the corner of his eye.

"I simply have far more troublesome and far more interesting challenges to deal with, rather than wasting my energy on weaklings like you," Al replied calmly, his words deliberately provocative.

"Huh?" Both Vianna and Uncle Acok stiffened, stunned. His words carried a tone of dismissal, as though they were insignificant in his eyes.

"You're looking down on me?!" Vianna snapped, anger surging as she stepped forward, only to be halted by Uncle Acok's restraining hand.

His eyes silently told her to hold back. Now was not the time to press further. Better to endure than to risk needless battle.

Vianna clenched her teeth, realizing the truth in his silent warning. She could only swallow her indignation, her questions left unanswered, her heart still restless.

Uncle Acok stepped forward slightly, softening his stance. His voice shifted, no longer hostile but laced with cautious diplomacy.

"Sir… who are you? What is it that you want here? Why did you stir up such chaos in this place?" he asked, his words careful, as if hoping to negotiate.

"What do I want here? Should I say I want to be accepted?" Al let out a small chuckle. "Hahaha… who knows. But one thing is clear—I wasn't the one who caused this chaos. You should have realized that already, after feeling my energy when you attacked me earlier." His tone was calm, almost casual, as he tilted his head to gaze at the bright sky above.

Uncle Acok's mind began to turn. It was true—when his energy had clashed with Al's earlier, it hadn't carried the same oppressive aura of the dark energy rampage he had felt before. Instead, there had been something strangely familiar about it. For a fleeting moment, that energy had felt somewhat similar to… Vianna's.

His eyes instinctively shifted toward Vianna, his curiosity rising. The resemblance of certain energy traits wasn't entirely rare, but the feeling that gnawed at him whispered of something stranger, as if there truly was a hidden connection between this mysterious figure and Vianna.

But for now, those thoughts were nothing more than wild, groundless assumptions.

And so, Uncle Acok fell into silence.

While Al continued speaking, his tone remained calm and unshaken.

"And if you're asking who I really am…" His voice trailed off in an almost indifferent drawl. His gaze shifted away, crossing the distance toward the figures of Fani and Devy who stood far off in the courtyard. For a brief moment, his eyes locked with each of theirs, silent exchanges filled with meanings only they themselves could guess. Then, turning his body fully back to face Uncle Acok and Vianna, he finished his words.

"... I'm nothing more than someone this world has yet to accept." His statement was delivered in a casual, almost dismissive manner.

And right after those words were spoken, his entire figure vanished. It happened so swiftly that it looked as though he had never existed there in the first place, leaving behind only the sharp, restless gust of air where he had once stood.

"Huh?" Vianna's mouth hung open, her voice half a whisper of disbelief. "What was that supposed to mean? And what's the real point of causing chaos here in the first place?" She slumped to the floor, her body giving in to exhaustion. The ordeal of this morning had drained both her strength and her spirit, leaving her fatigued in every possible way.

Uncle Acok, however, remained sharp despite the exhaustion weighing on him. His eyes scanned the surroundings with practiced vigilance, making sure the enemy had truly gone and that no lingering threat remained. Only after he was convinced of the silence did he allow himself a long exhale. Yet even as he breathed, his mind turned restlessly, dissecting the cryptic words that stranger had left behind.

A person who has yet to be accepted by this world? He mulled over the phrase.

Why does it feel like I've heard something similar before? His inner voice carried a faint unease, though no concrete memory surfaced. Still, he had no luxury to linger on riddles. The chaos of this morning demanded immediate action and assessment.

Meanwhile, David had stepped onto the balcony, holding a bottle of chilled drink which he offered to Vianna. His eyes then flicked toward Uncle Acok, a brief wave of anxiety flickering across them.

His own room was now completely exposed, its protective barriers broken. He prayed Uncle Acok wouldn't notice anything unusual, wouldn't suspect the faint residue of black energy that clung faintly to the corners.

Fortunately, Uncle Acok seemed far more focused on catching his breath and regaining his strength. He pulled a small communication device from his pocket and quickly made contact with the bodyguards—who had been practically useless in this arc—to tighten security around the residence.

He gave out orders to prevent any follow-up assault, and at the same time informed the household staff and family members that they could resume their usual activities, at least on the surface.

David released a small sigh of relief at that. His tension eased, and he turned his attention back toward Vianna.

"Sorry, sis. I didn't really help much," he said, his voice disarmingly innocent.

Vianna chuckled softly as she set the bottle aside, then ruffled David's hair with the familiarity of an older sibling.

"Hahaha… it's fine. As long as I'm here, your only job is to stay safe. Got it?"

"Sis… stop treating me like a little kid," David protested lightly, swatting her hand away.

And just like that, laughter broke out between the two of them, easing some of the tension that still lingered in the air.

---

In the garden, Fani and Devy found themselves staring at the figure dressed in a black uniform. Fani, although she had never seen Al in that particular attire before, could immediately recognize him. The lingering trace of blood essence she had once absorbed from him left no room for doubt.

Devy, on the other hand, had already known from the start that it was Al. Without needing to exchange a single word, both of them understood the same thing—everything had finally come to an end.

He really is incredible. The thought ran through both their minds almost simultaneously.

Fani moved closer to Clarista, while Devy turned her attention toward Yura.

"It looks like things are safe now," each of them whispered softly, almost in unison, to the person standing by their side.

Clarista and Aurielle shifted their gazes toward Fani, confusion flickering in their eyes, while Yura turned sharply to look at Devy. None of them fully grasped what had just been confirmed.

Their uncertainty lasted only a moment before one of the bodyguards received a direct message from Uncle Acok. He quickly announced that the situation had been resolved, no further threat remained, and thankfully there were no casualties—save for a single injured construction worker.

Relief immediately washed over everyone present, especially Aurielle and Clarista, who had felt the pressure of this danger more heavily than anyone else. The safety of their family was always the highest priority, and now that the threat was gone, the air around them grew noticeably lighter. Yet while the family exhaled in relief, the ones left bewildered were the construction workers.

They exchanged looks, murmurs rising among them. Slowly, realization began to sink in—the strange man who had been confronting Al earlier was gone. If he had disappeared, then the only logical conclusion was that he was the one injured now. Panic spread among them like ripples on water, their unease creating a low buzz of unrest.

Meanwhile, Yura remained unsettled. Her expression darkened, her hands curling tightly into fists, irritation flashing across her face.

"That brat still hasn't shown himself!" she growled in frustration.

"He's right over there," Devy replied casually, raising a hand to point toward a massive tree standing not far behind them.

"Hm?" Yura blinked, her eyes narrowing as she followed Devy's gesture toward the tree. Confusion tightened her features.

"The dark energy from earlier must have interfered with my detection," Devy explained calmly, "to the point where I couldn't even sense someone hiding so close by."

Both women walked together toward the towering tree, and sure enough, there he was. Al lay sprawled lazily across one of its thick branches, eyes closed, looking as though he had been napping peacefully while the world worried around him.

"Devy!" Yura barked, her voice sharp and commanding.

Devy gave a simple nod of understanding. With a light flick of her magic, the branch beneath Al suddenly grew slick. In an instant, his body slipped.

"Ahhh—!" his startled cry rang out.

THUD!

He crashed onto the ground, his back smacking hard against the earth.

"Ugh… my back…" Al groaned, clutching at his waist as he grimaced in pain.

By the time he managed to lift his head, Yura was already standing over him, her figure cloaked in a dark aura that seemed to swallow the light around her. Only the faint glow of red in her eyes pierced through the ominous haze.

"Ehee… Yu—Yura…" Al stammered nervously, his lips curling into a weak smile.

"YOU SERIOUSLY NEED TO BE DISCIPLINED!" Yura roared, her voice sharp with unrestrained fury. Her fist slammed directly into his stomach with brutal force, sending a wave of pain through him. The aura of sadism that surrounded her radiated mercilessly, fully justifying the infamous title she bore—the Sadistic Girl.

The onlookers immediately turned their heads at the outburst, momentarily fearing that danger had returned. But it quickly became clear that no new threat had emerged. What they were seeing was simply Al being subjected to Yura's notorious "abuse treatment."

Some people winced in sympathy, pity etched on their faces. Others couldn't help but laugh, finding the scene far too entertaining.

Regardless of how anyone felt, one truth remained the same—the morning was far from over. It had stretched long and heavy, revealing mysteries and raising questions that promised even greater storms in the chapters yet to come.

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