The high-speed train hummed steadily along the tracks, slicing through the morning fog as Kain Clinton scrolled through his messages. One notification made his stomach twist with unease.
"Your elder brother has arrived in Mo City. He was looking for me this morning. You know his temper—once he decides something, there's no turning back. I can barely handle it myself. Good luck."
It was from his second uncle. Kain's eyebrows knitted together instinctively. That "iron fist of love" was no ordinary family pressure; anyone caught unprepared would feel the full weight of it. He could almost see his brother's frown piercing through the phone screen, a warning sharper than any blade.
"What's wrong?"
Jayce noticed the tension immediately, his voice carrying concern. He had always been perceptive to the faintest shift in Kain's expressions.
"I won't have any free time for the next few days," Kain said, a faint, mischievous smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "I have a… rather 'serious' matter to handle."
Though the Clinton family's wealth and influence stretched across Australia, they deliberately avoided public attention, unlike the Moore family whose prominence made them almost unavoidable. This obscurity had advantages—no one outside could gauge the true extent of their power. Unlike other prominent families, whose fortunes might crumble with the fall of a single heir, the Clintons' strength lay hidden beneath layers of secrecy.
Outwardly, the Clintons could pass as a typical noble household in Sydney. But behind the gilded façade lay generations of cultivation secrets, hidden reserves of magical artifacts, and a wealth of arcane knowledge that even Kain had only begun to explore. The family's resources had shaped him into one of the youngest High-tier Mages in the nation, capable of feats most could not dream of.
"You're scheming something again, aren't you?" Jayce said, frowning. "We went to Alice Springs together for the totem hunt, and now you're planning to ditch me?"
Kain chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You have no idea the trouble I'm in. The family has arranged a marriage for me—something to keep me in check. You know my temperament; rushing into marriage at this age is laughable."
It wasn't defiance—he knew better than to oppose his father. Despite having his own wealth, it was the Clinton family's backing that had enabled him to reach his current level of magical power. Refusing now would be sheer foolishness.
Jayce whistled in disbelief. "I feel like you're showing off. I worked hard for my championship, and nobody's arranging marriages for me!"
The sting of reality hit hard. Unlike Kain, whose success and fame had drawn the attention of other prominent families, Jayce was talented but lacked a prestigious lineage. In some cases, even suitors had approached Jayce's younger sister instead, aiming to gain fame through marriage rather than talent.
"If it were my sister, I'd make sure they regretted ever showing their face here!" Jayce's indignation flared, his protective streak evident.
It was obvious that Kain's achievements carried the weight of their team's accomplishments. During the final competition, he alone had emerged victorious, highlighting the wide gap between his talent and that of his companions.
"Will your sister be married off while you remain single?" Kain asked casually, curiosity lacing his tone.
"Being alone isn't so bad. Freedom is bliss. A heart unencumbered by women allows magic to flourish," Jayce replied, a faint grin forming. "I was planning to find the totem alone, but honestly… I'd probably fail without your expertise."
Kain smirked. "Good to know. Normally, guiding a novice like you would require a fee."
Jayce shook his head. His single-minded dedication to the pursuit of the totem, his pure and untainted focus, earned Kain's respect. He thought of others like him—elite individuals who had devoted their lives to the greater good, whether in magical research, the protection of the realm, or the defense of humanity against the unknown.
"Three days, at most. Handle your affairs quickly—I'll be returning home," Jayce said, setting a strict limit while acknowledging the complications of Kain's family obligations.
Kain chuckled. "You'd better stock up on resources while I'm gone. Honestly, your cultivation is embarrassing compared to being at my side."
Even if Jayce had excelled nationally, Kain knew that on a global scale, prodigies were far more common than one might imagine. Some of the most talented mages and warriors deliberately avoided competitions, making it impossible to accurately rank the world's true top-tier talent.
"Shut up! Who cares about comparing?" Jayce snapped, a mix of exasperation and amusement in his voice.
After a brief farewell, Kain returned to his apartment. Even the familiar space seemed tense, as though anticipating the storm that was about to hit.
"So even here… second uncle really can't be trusted," Kain muttered under his breath, scanning the room warily.
The door opened to reveal a scene that could have been pulled from the pages of a court drama: his father, Daniel Clinton, seated with commanding authority on the sofa, and his second uncle, Eric Clinton, standing rigidly beside him. The room radiated an aura of judgment, as if generals were inspecting a subordinate rather than a father speaking to his son.
"Father, Second Uncle," Kain greeted formally, bracing himself for the inevitable interrogation.
"Where have you been?" Daniel's voice was stern, heavy with authority.
Eric waved a flurry of incomprehensible hand signals, leaving Kain baffled. Experience, however, had taught him one thing: honesty was the safest policy.
"I went to Alice Springs with Jayce. We were searching for a totem. We didn't find much—just some minor clues," Kain reported carefully, omitting the deeper secrets of his mission.
Daniel's eyes narrowed, betraying a flicker of both concern and curiosity. "A totem? What do you mean? What did you find?"
"An Azure Dragon," Kain replied deliberately. "We located some Earthly Spring. Jayce still has it. You can even ask him for a photo if you don't believe me."
For a moment, Daniel's expression shifted subtly. Tales of sacred totems had been passed down in the family for generations, each one imbued with awe-inspiring power. That his son had actually pursued such a legend was both astonishing and unsettling.
Though Kain offered no further elaboration, the weight of expectation was palpable. As heir to the family, he was being groomed for leadership, and every decision carried significance. A marriage alliance with the Moore family was now on the table—a calculated move to secure influence, strengthen the family's position, and stabilize the succession.
"By the way," Kain added casually, "Second Uncle probably already mentioned it. The family plans to arrange a marriage alliance with the Moores."
The room fell silent. The gears of dynastic politics had begun to turn, intertwining power, prestige, and personal freedom into a delicate, inescapable web.
Kain's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. He had faced monsters, rival mages, and legendary totems. But navigating the subtle, calculated strategies of family politics? That might prove to be his most challenging trial yet.