Chapter 19: Looming Threat

Sophia woke up in Adrian's arms, realizing what they had done last night. They had crossed the line as siblings. The movement woke Adrian, and he looked at Sophia with a gentle smile.

"Morning," he greeted softly, brushing a stray hair from her face.

Sophia sighed, the reality of their situation sinking in. "We really crossed the line last night," she said, her voice tinged with both regret and acceptance.

Adrian cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes. "Now you are my woman," he declared with conviction.

Sophia sighed again, a mixture of emotions playing across her face, but finally, she nodded. "Yes, I suppose I am," she agreed.

Adrian leaned in and kissed her tenderly, trying to rekindle the passion from the previous night. However, Sophia gently pushed him away.

"We can't do this again now," she said firmly. "You need to continue your training to become stronger."

Adrian pouted slightly but understood her reasoning. "You're right," he conceded. "Training is important."

They both got dressed, and Sophia prepared to leave his room. Before she did, she gave Adrian a quick kiss, smiling at his dejected expression.

"Don't worry," she said with a playful smirk. "There will be other nights."

Adrian watched Sophia leave, feeling a mix of determination and anticipation for his training. He then focused his attention back on his goals.

"System, bring up the Dragon's Vein Manual," he commanded.

The system responded promptly. "Host, would you like to learn the Dragon's Vein Mana Circulation Manual?"

"Yes, I do," Adrian confirmed.

"Initiating learning process," the system replied. "Please wait."

As the knowledge of the Dragon's Vein Mana Circulation Manual flowed into Adrian's mind, he felt a surge of power. His stats began to change, reflecting the boosts provided by the manual.

Adrian's Updated Stats:

Name: Adrian Everhart

Age: 18

Level: 1

Title: Head of Everhart Manor

Health Points (HP): 150/150

Mana Points (MP): 80/80

Strength: 12

Agility: 10

Endurance: 12

Intelligence: 10

Charisma: 20

Luck: 10

Seduction Points (SP): 17500

Skills:

Intermediate Swordsmanship: Level 1

Basic Mana Control: Level 1

Dragon Roar (New Ability): An area-of-effect attack

Scaled Defense (New Ability): Increased resistance to physical damage

Inventory:

Enchanted Dagger, Basic Healing Potion x3, Exp Storage Orb, Virtual Training Chamber Voucher, Strength Improvement Scroll, Elixir of Intelligence, Charming Spray

"System, also initiate learning of the Eternal Yin-Yang Harmony Technique," Adrian instructed.

"Initiating learning process," the system replied.

As the technique's knowledge integrated into his mind, Adrian felt a harmonious balance of energies within him. He could sense how the technique would allow him and his partners to enhance each other's abilities and grow stronger together.

Ability: Eternal Yin-Yang Harmony Technique

Description: A profound dual cultivation method that balances the energies of Yin and Yang between partners, significantly enhancing cultivation speed, physical strength, and spiritual awareness.

Effect: Mutual exchange of abilities, making both partners stronger. Enhances stats and abilities for both partners.

Adrian felt satisfied with his new skills and techniques as well as his manual that had enabled him to build his foundation even sturdier.He then went to take a bath and got out of his room, heading towards the dining hall to have breakfast.

Since he had taken his sweet time getting down, everyone else had already eaten, so he was served his food by a maid, sitting at the dining table alone. As he finished his food and was about to head towards the training room, he heard a commotion from the guest room. He decided to check what had happened.

As Adrian approached the guest room, he overheard the heated conversation between his mother, Isabella, and the envoy.

Isabella stood tall, her posture regal despite the anger simmering beneath her composed exterior. The envoy, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a sneering expression, regarded her with disdain.

"Lady Isabella," the envoy began with a patronizing tone, "Baron Mortimer would graciously accept you as his concubine along with your daughter. As for your trash son, he would give him some gold coins to live his life freely. He would even arrange a marriage with his illegitimate daughter, whom he had with a prostitute."

Isabella's eyes blazed with fury. "Are you mocking me and my family?" she demanded, her voice trembling with controlled rage.

The envoy smirked, his eyes cold. "Think whatever you like. If you don't accept, Baron Mortimer will soon attack your territory. After the war, he will capture you all as slaves. This is a generous offer, considering your current standing."

Isabella clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. "You dare come into my home and insult my family? Do you have any idea who you are speaking to?"

The envoy chuckled, a low, condescending sound. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm speaking to. A fallen noble family struggling to maintain their standing. Baron Mortimer is simply offering you a way out, a chance to save face and avoid a brutal fate."

Isabella took a step forward, her eyes narrowing. "We do not need your so-called generosity. I will not be a concubine, and my children will not be sold off like cattle. We will stand and fight."

The envoy's expression darkened, his sneer turning into a scowl. "Fight? With what? Your son's pitiful skills? Your whatever left over army? Haha, you are in no position to refuse."

Adrian's blood boiled at the envoy's words. He stepped into the room, his presence commanding attention. "How dare you speak to my mother that way?" he growled, his voice filled with uncontrollable anger.

The envoy turned to face Adrian, his eyes widening slightly before he regained his composure. "Ah, the prodigal son finally shows himself. Tell me, what can you do? You, who are nothing but a burden to your family?"

The envoy didn't take him seriously at all. "If I obey what a trash like you tells me, where would I put my face," he muttered inside his heart. He looked at Adrian and said, "Let me see what the young lord of Everhart Manor can do. I would like to be enlightened."

As they belonged to the noble circle, the envoy had full knowledge of the incompetent Adrian. He knew Adrian hadn't leveled up once in the three years since his second baptism, and his stats were lower than an ordinary person's.

He was not afraid. In fact, he was waiting for Adrian to attack so he could justify beating him up. The thrill of beating a noble would be quite enjoyable. But what he didn't expect was that Adrian had since changed, and with his training and the new manual he had obtained, he had stats high enough to rough up an ordinary person like the envoy.

As the envoy trash-talked about his mother, Adrian's figure blurred as he rushed towards him. The envoy's sneering expression shifted to one of surprise and fear as Adrian arrived right in front of him, faster than he could react. Adrian's fist connected with the envoy's face with a solid, resounding impact, fueled by his newfound strength.

The envoy stumbled back, clutching his face in shock and pain. Blood trickled from his nose, he had lost few tooth as well due to the impact of his punch and he looked at Adrian with wide eyes, unable to comprehend the power behind the punch. Adrian stood tall, his stance radiating confidence and control.

"I warned you," Adrian said, his voice low and menacing. "Now, leave my home before I kill you right here and now. Guards the guest is hurt, escort him out."

Adrian wanted nothing more than to kill him, but he didn't want to make things worse for his family as killing an envoy would lead them into other trouble among the noble circle.

The envoy, humiliated and hurt, struggled to maintain his composure. "This isn't over," he spat, his voice wavering. "Baron Mortimer will hear of this.", he screamed loudly as the guard began dragging his body and threw him out of the manor.