Nostalgia stormed through my mind. How could someone make you care and mark your heart so quickly? Susan was wonderful—fun, powerful, and her personality fit mine perfectly. The only downside was her taste for alcohol. Not because of her, but because I might end up the same if I stayed by her side any longer.

I shook my head, trying to shake off the sadness. It was time to return to the fair. I found a bench and sat down, wanting to relax a little. I felt tired from the previous training and heavy somehow, as though my Cube had changed.

I had felt this sensation before. Was I overloading my Cube? I hadn't noticed cracks in its columns yet. To avoid problems, I wouldn't attempt to evolve my Pseudo-laws of Sharpness or Ice until I reached Sapphire rank. I would focus only on obtaining my movement ability.

"Damn, this could be a problem." I felt on the verge of unlocking a mind-related ability through electricity, and my Ice Core ability was close to evolving. I didn't know if this would overload my Cube. Last time, pushing nearly all my abilities to rank III while still Amethyst had nearly broken me.

I stepped out of my Cube and saw people rushing toward me. One of them was Matt, the other looked a lot like him—green eyes, dark skin, towering well over 190 centimeters, and easily over 100 kilograms. Was that his father?

"Maki, I've been looking for you. Finally, I found you." Matt bowed respectfully, which felt a bit awkward to me—we were the same age. "This is my father, Sir Patt Zumis."

"It's an honor to meet you, Sir Patt Zumis. I am Maki of House Vichag." This man was strong. From his Imra, I could sense power—he was Ruby rank, probably as strong as my grandmother or mother. He restrained his Imra perfectly; I couldn't read further.

"Pleased to meet you, Maki. Call me Patt." His smile was as fierce as his son's. "I want to tell you a story. Could you give me a few minutes?" His voice shifted to something secretive; his face turned serious.

"Of course, Patt. Let's find somewhere more private." I walked into the forest I'd just come from, and they followed without objection.

We walked for a few minutes before stopping. I extended my Personal World to prevent intruders. "I'm all ears, Patt. We're safe here." He spread his Imra outward in several directions and nodded.

"It all began nearly two years ago, when I was still a baronet…" His story began with a viscount who approached Patt under the guise of goodwill. Apparently, it was the father of the boy I had punched in the stomach.

At first, everything seemed fine. The viscount helped Patt's struggling family, who were facing financial and social troubles. But the requests gradually grew darker. Patt didn't agree, but he was almost forced by his position and circumstances.

I paused to ask how a noble family could face financial or social problems. He explained that not all nobles were equal—a truth I already knew. The gap between lower and higher ranks was enormous. A baronet with his own land held far more power and income than one living under another's territory.

For lower-ranked nobles like knights or baronets, it was hard to secure stable income. Starting a business was the easiest route, but connections were required, and higher nobles rarely allowed lower ones to climb. The only option left was to take higher guard posts in the city and earn an ordinary salary.

His wife had fallen ill, and he had borrowed from higher-ranked nobles. In the end, he was forced to obey their "orders." He had tried to refuse many times, but he couldn't gamble with his wife's life.

That led to problems for Matt, too—bullied by sons of nobles, just like earlier today. It happened at every event, even in the streets. Matt had been a good son, patient enough to endure while waiting for a chance to free his family. I was glad to know Matt wasn't just muscle.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

One day, the viscount made Patt move a shipment of dangerous potions and elixirs. He was caught and taken to court. He nearly lost his noble status entirely but was instead demoted to the lowest rank. In private, he had confessed why he had reached that point. Without contracts or proof, they punished him anyway.

The harassment slowly diminished afterward. With all attention on him, other nobles avoided risks that could get them sanctioned too. His wife's health stabilized, though the illness could always return.

"I'm sorry for what you went through. Those must have been difficult years for your family. I don't want to sound blunt—I'm truly saddened and angry about your situation—but why are you telling me this?" That was the only thing I didn't understand—why share such a painful story with me?

"Since the novice tournament, your strength caught my attention. We looked into your origins and were pleasantly surprised to see how well your family treated its people. The prosperity of your land was easy to see. I found no excuse to approach you. Your appearance at Lady Sol's party was great news here in the capital, and we guessed you'd attend Lady Arisa's birthday." Things were becoming more confusing.

"Your connections to the Marquis at yesterday's party made me decide. Saving you in his desperate situation was the last act before coming to you today with this request." His face mixed determination and embarrassment.

"Would you convince your father to let us join your territory? We don't want to lead a town right away. I want to earn my place through hard work. I come from a working family where merit is everything." His request froze me.

"Unfortunately, I can't make that decision." His face fell. "But I'll do everything I can to persuade my family. Just let me ask a few questions first." His fierce smile returned—he must've seen hope in my words. "Let's connect our Imras. We'll both be completely honest from this moment." Neither of us would be able to hide our feelings; any resistance would be clear.

"Gladly. I'll answer everything." He dropped his defenses, and my Imra connected to his.

I started by asking whether there were any issues with nobles joining a smaller territory. He had already researched and assured me there was none. As long as both families agreed, one could become subordinate to the other.

Next came questions about his true intentions. Patt only wanted to escape the capital's chaotic life, to rebuild with his family in a place where human life was valued above material wealth. He truly wished to contribute to my territory and was confident in his strength. Honestly, having a Ruby rank on our side would be invaluable—he could easily manage a town.

My doubts about the process were resolved: I only needed the Marquis's permission and my father's. Both were within easy reach.

I was surprised when he offered to bind himself with a forced contract. Such contracts were tied directly to the Cube. Breaking them could strip a person of all mana and Imra, if written correctly. The contract would be simple—precautionary. It would only activate if he tried to attack or dominate our territory, along with a few minor conditions.

"The matter of a contract will depend on my family. I doubt they'd force you into one if you prove as sincere with them as you've been with me." My words relaxed his shoulders.

"Welcome to my family's territory. It will be an honor to work with the Zumis family from now on." Both father and son widened their eyes in surprise. They hadn't expected that answer.

"Maki, but you said you don't have the authority to accept us." Patt looked doubtful. Understandable—someone my age shouldn't have such power. But I wasn't normal. I knew my family would gladly agree.

"Don't worry. I've made my decision, and my family will support it." The Zumis family must have been truly desperate to approach me. "I only need to speak with the Marquis for permission. In a few days, you'll have the signed document, and my family will be waiting." I raised my right hand for a handshake.

He studied my hand for a moment, then his face broke into a smile I hadn't seen until now, and he clasped mine with enormous strength.

"I promise we won't disappoint you. I'll give everything to make the Vichag territory prosper. Anyone who dares invade or attack us will taste the wrath of my axe." His eyes shone with unbreakable will. Funny—both Patt and my father wielded the same weapon.

Bringing Patt into our fold only brought mutual benefits. He could make a name in our land, live more peacefully, and no noble would dare bully his family thanks to our ties with the Solar and Timal families. We gained a Ruby ranker and a talented young man like Matt. That alone would make many think twice before attacking us.

Now, I only had to contact my family and explain everything. They would be thrilled at all I'd accomplished in just a few days in the capital—and the tournament hadn't even started yet, which might bring even greater rewards.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.