A young man was slowly walking toward where Guhen and the members of the Azure Wood Family were gathered. A serious expression was drawn across his gentle face, and in his pair of golden eyes burned an intense emotion. This young man, whose silver hair rippled with every step, was dressed in immaculate white clothes that matched his smooth, fair complexion perfectly. This young man was none other than Finn.
He had been silently observing from among the onlookers, listening intently to the conversation between his clan and Guhen. Meanwhile, when the members of the Azure Wood Family saw him, looks of shock and disbelief appeared on their faces.
"Finn has been at the Sacred Dragon Institute for less than a month—so what is he doing here?" wondered the members of the Azure Wood Family.
Once a young Adventurer entered the Sacred Dragon Institute as a student, they were forbidden to return to their clan—unless the Institution Master granted them permission.
"Finn, son? What are you doing here?" Creed asked in astonishment.
When Finn finally reached his father, he immediately bowed respectfully and spoke in a calm, polite voice:
"Father, your son has returned. I have left the Sacred Dragon Institute."
Except for Guhen, everyone else was stunned by what they had heard. Murmurs broke out among the onlookers.
"He left? Has he lost his mind? A member of an ordinary clan gets that chance only once in a lifetime! How disappointing, what a waste!" commented a woman among the crowd.
"Absurd! If it were my child who had entered that institute, he would treasure that opportunity!"
Some spectators felt irritation and regret over what they'd heard. To them, abandoning a place like the Sacred Dragon Institute was sheer madness. That chance came once in the life of any child from an ordinary clan. But Finn, born into the humble Azure Wood Family, had simply thrown it away!
Of course, they didn't know what had really happened at the institute, so they could only assume this youth was out of his senses.
But Guhen was different. Coming from a Noble Clan, news had quickly reached them that Finn had become a 9th Level Gold Rank.
"So it's true—rumors said you had reached 9th Level Gold Rank. Truly remarkable. If you were born into an Aristocrat or Noble Clan, this wouldn't be surprising at all. But you came from an ordinary family. You impress me, Finn Doria," Guhen said with a smiling tone as he studied Finn from head to toe, then calmly continued, "However, you must understand that you still aren't worthy of our Young Miss. You remain unqualified to marry her."
Everyone was stunned by Guhen's words. Some ignored the last part entirely, focusing only on the first thing he'd said.
"9th Level Gold Rank?!" the onlookers gasped in disbelief.
"Son…" Creed began, but Finn quickly raised a hand to stop him.
"Father, forgive me for hiding this from you," Finn lied. He could not reveal what had truly happened—not yet. He needed to keep it secret from everyone, even those closest to him. The secrets in his body were far too dangerous. If others learned them, they wouldn't hesitate to act against Finn. Even the Sacred Dragon Family, a Royal Clan, might take steps against him if they discovered the truth.
The world of Adventurers was filled with greedy, selfish, malicious, and abusive individuals. Other than his father and mother, Finn was not ready to trust anyone fully. Still, he wasn't prepared to reveal his secrets even to his family.
Creed fell silent, no longer able to speak. He was deep in thought, a troubled expression on his face, and there was visible fear in his eyes. It was as if something about his son's transformation frightened him profoundly.
Finn turned back to Guhen and spoke with a slight smile, "Perhaps I am not worthy of your Young Miss. But who are you to sever the agreement made between my father and Uncle Cleo?"
Guhen was about to answer when a soft voice drifted from the luxurious carriage nearby. At the same time, a beautiful young lady stepped out.
"Since this agreement concerns the two of us, I believe my reasons are enough if I don't want to marry a trash like you," the young woman declared with scorn.
Everyone stared at the young lady's beauty. Even Finn could not help but look at her alluring appearance: porcelain skin, stunning blue hair, and a striking pair of blue eyes. She wore a blue dress, and even though she was not yet fully grown, her beauty and figure were undeniably captivating.
All the young men in the crowd swallowed hard and felt their mouths go dry as they watched her graceful walk toward Guhen.
"Young Miss," Guhen bowed respectfully to her.
'Young Miss? That means…'
Finn realized the truth as she stopped in front of him. He smiled faintly and calmly said, "Miss Tiffanya Frois, I never imagined the woman promised to me would be so beautiful."
Tiffanya grimaced at his smile and words. She glared sharply at him, speaking in an irritated voice, "Hmph! I repeat, trash like you is not worthy of me."
The moment she said this, a cold, powerful aura spread around them. The younger generation trembled, and even some Elders of the Azure Wood Family were affected.
"3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank! She's so young, yet her power is already at that level!" an old man among the crowd exclaimed.
Tiffanya was surprised to notice that Finn Doria was not affected by her aura. She narrowed her eyes and spoke softly, "You're unaffected by my aura? Even some of your clan's Elders are affected—so how can a mere 9th Level Gold Rank like you stand unfazed?"
Finn didn't answer. He looked her in the eye and calmly replied, "I will tell you a secret, Miss Tiffanya Frois."
Tiffanya frowned, not expecting that. "What is it?"
He smiled again and stepped a little closer. "Aside from your beauty, I see nothing to admire in you. In my eyes, you and your entire Nine Ice Family are worthless ingrates."
Tiffanya and Guhen were stunned by his words. Even the spectators and the Azure Wood Family were taken aback by such boldness.
Tiffanya recovered first, her expression turning dark. No one had ever dared speak to them that way. Even fellow Noble Clans wouldn't insult them so harshly. Yet here was a young man, merely 9th Level Gold Rank, hurling such brazen contempt.
"Finn Doria! What right do you have to insult me and my clan? You are nothing but a child—I could crush you if I wished!" Guhen shouted in fury.
Creed stepped closer to Finn, standing firmly at his side.
"Third Elder Creed, I advise you to silence your son unless you want something unfortunate to happen to him," Tiffanya threatened, glaring sharply.
Finn merely smiled slightly. He ignored their threats and spoke again, "Why? Are you unwilling to hear the truth? If no one else dares say these things to your face or to any of your clan's members, then consider me the exception, Tiffanya Frois."
"You…!" she shrieked in rage, pointing a trembling finger at him.
They knew that after this incident, they would face all kinds of scorn from their fellow Noble Clans. Even some among the Seven Great Factions would criticize their decision. But they had a way to make the public understand the gap between Finn and Tiffanya was like heaven and earth.
"Who dares to insult our clan?! Finn Doria, you'd better keep quiet and let us annul this agreement! Are you not afraid your clan will suffer for your reckless words and actions?!" Guhen threatened, making many Azure Wood Family members wince.
"Elder Guhen, Elder Guhen. Let's not pretend anymore. I have another secret to share," Finn said with a smile.
"I know you were behind the Black Tiger Family's attacks on our clan, so don't you dare threaten us!" he declared.
Again, the onlookers could hardly believe what they were hearing.
The Nine Ice Family was behind the Black Tiger Family's harassment? Now everything made more sense. One thing was clear—they wanted to crush the Azure Wood Family.
"Finn Doria! Never make such false accusations against my clan, or your family will pay the price!" Tiffanya screamed, shocked that this boy who seemed so ignorant knew so much.
"Son, is this true?" Creed asked in disbelief.
Finn looked at his father but didn't answer. Even so, Creed understood clearly. He could see the answer in his son's eyes.
Creed fell silent again, confusion clouding his mind. Everything had become far too complicated for his clan.
He also regretted ever accepting Cleo's proposal. If only he hadn't, none of this would be happening.
"Father, may I see the written agreement between you and Uncle Cleo?" Finn asked seriously.
Creed quickly took out his interspatial ring, producing a rolled-up document. It was the agreement he and Cleo Frois had signed in their own blood.
When Cleo left, he entrusted this contract to Creed, who had always carried it—cherishing it for their friendship, for his clan, and above all, for his son.
Creed handed it to Finn, surrendering the decision to him.
Finn took it and read aloud for all to hear:
"I, Creed Doria of the Azure Wood Family, and I, Cleo Frois of the Nine Ice Family, hereby agree to marry our son and daughter once they both reach eighteen years of age!"
"A perfectly valid contract signed by my father and Uncle Cleo using their own blood," Finn declared with a smile.
The expressions on Tiffanya and Guhen's faces were indescribable as Finn read each word.
"You!" Tiffanya screamed in fury.
Humiliation—this was pure humiliation. They had come here to disgrace the Azure Wood Family, but instead, it had all turned against them the moment Finn arrived.
Never had they imagined they would be left speechless by such a brazen youth.
"What? Didn't you want the agreement annulled? Don't worry—I'll do it for you," Finn said solemnly.
Looking them in the eye, he slowly tore the document into sixteen pieces. Then, he summoned his Alchemy Flame to burn it to ash.
"I, Finn Doria, member of the Azure Wood Family, hereby sever any connection to you, Tiffanya Frois. I also officially annul the agreement between our fathers! Leave this town and take your worthless offerings with you!" he shouted for all to hear.
"AAAHH! Finn Doria, I despise you!" Tiffanya shrieked, seizing her interspatial ring to produce a long whip.
Top-tier Rare Armament!
Her 3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank aura flared as she prepared to attack him—but suddenly, her power vanished, and she froze in place.
"Miss Tiffanya Frois, Fifth Elder Guhen, will you kindly leave this small town now? We are from the Golden Lion Family, and we hereby inform you that the Azure Wood Family and the Golden Lion Family are now officially allied!"