It's not that a daughter can't be an heir. She could marry a man who joins the family, and in the future, she would inherit the marquis title, and her children would inherit it from her.
But being heirs nonetheless, the eldest son of the Bruce Clan is already a High Tier expert at only twenty-seven, at Level 450, while the only daughter of the Jones Clan, though much younger, only nineteen this year, is... only Level 100...
Level 100 is hardly impressive, just slightly stronger than the lowest ranks of magic creatures, capable of dealing with Slimes and Goblins. Anything stronger, and she might fail.
Even the students still studying at various academies have an average of 150-180 levels, and this includes some of the younger children.
Just like the practical training session led by Mentor Catherine earlier, all the participants were freshmen under the age of twelve. They might have only averaged around Level 50, but considering their age, they had only just begun leveling up.
Students on a normal training path should reach around Level 220 by the time they graduate at twenty years old, reaching the standard level of elite soldiers on the frontlines.
Those below this standard wouldn't even graduate, making ten years of hard work go to waste.
In other words, reaching Level 220 by the age of twenty is the benchmark for assessing whether a combatant is qualified, yet this year, Miss Jones, who is already nineteen years, eight months, and 11 days old, is only at Level 100...
Frankly speaking, if a more daring person were to argue with her, they could outright suggest she apply for a disability certificate...
"Who says our family doesn't have an heir! I will grow and soar to the skies!"
The young lady of the Jones Clan shouted angrily, though no one could see her through the partitioned room, but it's imaginable that she must be fierce and intimidating.
"Then I wish you a smooth flight, aiming to surpass Level 360 before you're twenty and entering the ranks of High Tier experts, hahahaha..."
Bada Bruce said seemingly blessing words, but as he spoke, he couldn't hold back his laughter, perhaps intentionally.
"You... you just wait! Within three years, I will shock you all!"
Even though her voice was loud, everyone present could hear her lack of confidence. After all, how could a noble girl, considered a failure for nineteen years, truly undergo such a transformation in just three years? If she had such talent, how could she have been a failure during the critical foundational years?
"Then I'll really wait and see! Miss Jones, do you still want this Succubus Collar? If you're willing to raise the bid once more, I'll let you have it as an early three-year congratulatory gift."
For Bada of the Bruce Clan, open and secret clashes with the Jones Clan were already a daily routine. He had already gained the upper hand just now, so the trivial Succubus Collar, which started the argument, was no longer important.
Although he actually wanted that item, being a treasure every man desired, it was more intriguing to let the young lady of the Jones Clan win it. Then, the events of this auction would certainly become gossip throughout Celestial Destiny City, which pleased him more.
"Who wants your gift! Keep it yourself! You vulgar man!"
The voice of the indignant noble lady echoed from the room, and then there was silence, indicating she truly wasn't planning to claim that precious item that was of no use to her.
"Then I won't hold back..."
"Twenty thousand gold coins."
Bada Bruce heard the sound of his rival giving up and immediately prepared to happily take the Succubus Collar at a low price. But before he could finish speaking, someone from the regular seats below coolly placed a bid.
This guy, is he doing it on purpose?
Bada Bruce glanced through the one-way glass at the man who, aside from a fine appearance, had nothing remarkable in terms of aura or attire, frowning slightly.
He could certainly afford more than twenty thousand gold coins, but just now he had been arguing with the young lady from the Jones Clan. A sensible person should realize the item was as good as decided between the two of them. How dared he suddenly join in?
Could his status be higher than the Bruce and Jones clans? But how could someone of such stature attend a regular session without high-end lots? Neither family lacked such ordinary items.
"Twenty-one thousand gold coins!"
Bada Bruce only paused momentarily, then, before the auctioneer could declare the hammer, he called out another price. Anyway, to him, adding a few thousand gold coins wasn't a big deal; the Succubus Collar was worth that anyway.
"Thirty thousand gold coins."
Lynn didn't even bother looking at the rival compartment as he languidly increased his bid in full thousands.
"Thirty-three thousand gold coins!"
This was obviously a direct challenge to him. Without knowing the opponent's identity, Bada Bruce couldn't afford to overstep, but within a reasonable price range, there was no issue with him making another bid.
"Forty thousand gold coins."
This time, Lynn comfortably stretched in his seat, still not glancing at his rival.
Given his current gold balance, he boasted with confidence that even if the City Lord of Celestial Destiny City competed with him, he could easily handle it.
"Forty-one thousand..."
"Fifty thousand gold coins."
Bada Bruce: "..."
Miss Jones from Compartment No. 3 was prepared to endure temporarily and commendably walk away after her defeat. But she hadn't expected such a dramatic turn at the auction center just after she left the compartment door.
Even after she conceded, someone else dared to challenge the detestable Bruce Clan, compelling her to return and watch the showdown.
When she locked eyes on the person bidding against the detestable opposition, she was immediately struck by his handsome appearance.
It turns out a good-looking man can indeed be pleasing to the eye. But who knows if his character is up to par—could he marry in... Pei pei! What am I thinking!
Vivian Jones suppressed a curious hint of infatuation, refocusing on the ongoing battle between the two.
She wasn't there for matchmaking, so paying attention to whether a man is good or not was futile; it was more worthwhile seeing if he could make the Bruce Clan suffer.
"Fifty-one..."
Bada Bruce paused midway through his bid, hesitant.
He could afford this, though it was slightly overpriced, but that wasn't the main issue.
The real concern was who exactly was this person who totally disregarded the Bruce Clan's reputation, exuding such an easy-going demeanor, leaving Bada feeling uneasy.