CHAPTER - 181

  Narrator: King Edmund Lancaster III stared at Director Vittorio for a moment longer, then, with a flick of his hand, ordered him to rise.

  “Where is that reckless fool? Dav, I mean.”

  The question, though voiced with irritation, came with a curiously amusing expression: furrowed brows, yet lips curved in a half-contained smile.

  “Surely still.. asleep, Your Majesty.

  He prefers not to be disturbed before his working hours..”

  The director's voice was slow, his eyes lowered.

  Sweat beaded on his forehead, and a thin vein trembled on his neck.

  “This boy has no sense of gallantry. Good. I don’t want to see him.”

  He scoffed, arms crossing as he proceeded toward the entrance.

  His steps echoed through the corridors, followed by the Queen, Arthur, and Stefan.

  They made their way to the dining hall, where they were warmly welcomed by the cheerful smile of Mrs. Margherita.

  The scent of fresh bread, brioches, and pastries filled the air.

  They sat with elegance as they were served.

  Conversation began to flow.

  The guards stood silently around the hall, alert to the slightest movement.

  Several minutes passed with questions and answers, while Eleanor observed every detail with an expert eye.

  Then Edmund addressed the director, his tone low but firm:

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "Director.. how was the duel between Dav and the Royal Guard Selene?

  Assuming you were present."

  Director Vittorio straightened slightly, his eyes gleaming.

  The smile that surfaced on his lips was that of a man still electrified by what he had witnessed.

  "A spectacular clash, Your Majesty.

  Selene showed skill and control rarely seen at her age.

  Training with Dav has changed her.. it brought out her true strength.

  And I’m certain.. she will become even more powerful."

  The King nodded slowly, saying nothing.

  His fingers tapped briefly on the smooth surface of the table.

  His gaze wandered around the hall, until it landed on a secondary door, the one students used to enter after classes.

  There, at that exact moment, his eyes met Dav’s.

  A brief exchange of glances, but one so expressive it said more than a thousand words.

  “Old man!”

  Dav grumbled to himself, scratching the back of his head casually, turning away and ignoring him.

  Present

  Narrator: Edmund kept staring at him as he slept on the jet next to Selene.

  His face was expressionless, but inside, a very specific thought was screaming.

  "If he would just stop calling me > Old Man <

  he’d gain a few more points from me!"

  An expression of both frustration and amusement appeared on his face clear enough to make Eleanor chuckle beside him.

  They arrived in London.

  The jet landed smoothly, and they were promptly ushered into a line of black, glossy cars with tinted windows.

  They left the city, heading toward a futuristic structure shaped like a transparent dome so massive it seemed endless.

  Inside, a world of science and magic merged.

  Men and women in white lab coats moved between screens and machines, speaking in hushed tones, testing spells, analyzing magical flows.

  At the King's arrival, everything paused for a moment.

  The researchers bowed with absolute respect.

  When they saw Dav at the King’s side, some froze entirely.

  Mouths opened in astonishment, and many bowed again, this time with a deeper incline, almost reverent.

  "Aren’t you overdoing it a bit..?"

  He muttered, lowering his gaze and raising an eyebrow, visibly amused.

  His tone was humorous, though not entirely joking.

  They walked through long corridors lit by soft lights, until they reached a reinforced door.

  Behind it, an enormous machine filled nearly the entire room: floating runes, active barriers dissolving every residual energy in the air.

  A man awaited them: black glasses, neatly combed brown hair, and very clear eyes.

  He wore a perfectly pressed lab coat and spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone.

  "Royal Guard Selene, please step into the chamber.

  Release all of your mana or aura inside.

  The system will immediately record every parameter to determine your new rank."

  Selene stepped forward.

  Her eyes lit up, and silence fell over the room.

  Dav watched her intently.

  He had seen that power grow day by day.

  But now, the entire world was about to witness it.

  END OF CHAPTER - 181