When Emma reached the backyard after breakfast, the sight before her shocked her.

"William?" She hurried toward her lover, who was currently lying on the ground, breathing a little roughly, his chest rising and falling in an uneven rhythm.

Before him stood an older man with a massive build, his arms folded as he scrutinized Emma, his gaze sharp and assessing.

Emma slowed her steps.

She couldn't feel any harmful intent from the older one, and given that she hadn't heard any battle sounds from outside, she quickly realized this person was someone familiar to William rather than an enemy.

"I am good, thanks," William told her as she helped him sit up, concern clear on her face.

He shook his head when she offered healing, taking her hand gently before straightening himself. Only then did William turn and say, "Emma, meet my teacher."

Turning to look at the older one, he added, "And teacher, this is Emma." Pulling her closer, he hugged her shoulder and added without hesitation, "My love."

The older man stared at them for a long moment before crossing his arms again.

"You don't need any training in making bad choices," he said to Emma bluntly. "You already hold a mastery."

Emma blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard, while William chuckled lightly beside her.

"I warned her a few times," William said calmly, "but she said she likes challenges."

The older man shook his head slowly. "Little ones these days."

Emma, regaining her composure, suddenly asked, "William… is he the same person you always mention? The teacher you begged to teach you?" She clearly remembered him saying that there was only one man he had ever lowered his head before and requested guidance from.

At first, she had assumed it was his father, the Count.

William, at that time, shook his head.

That only deepened her curiosity. Who exactly had earned William's respect to such a degree?

"Yes," William confirmed. "He is the one. Master Rux. You can call him Teacher too."

Emma immediately gave a brief bow. "It's nice to meet you, Sir Rux."

The older man, who looked more like a walking mountain than a refined noble, coughed awkwardly. For a moment, his stern expression faltered as he faced such polite courtesy.

"Are you sure he isn't forcing you into this relationship?" Rux asked, his eyes shifting sharply toward William.

Emma smiled gently. "No, sir. In fact, I feel lucky he gave me the chance to become his partner."

Rux rubbed his eyes and sighed. Truly, young maidens were blind in love.

Shaking his head, Rux changed the topic. "I heard you're going through your first dungeon trial?"

William stiffened slightly. "How did you find out?"

The older man scoffed. "These hairs aren't naturally white. I've been spreading my network in the market when you weren't even born."

William hummed in surprise, clearly not expecting that level of information. Before he could respond, Emma spoke up with concern, "Has there been too much noise about it?"

Rux pinched and smoothed his beard thoughtfully. "I just heard some preparations were being made. A little investigation told me the target for the special arrangement is this little knucklehead disciple of mine."

Emma frowned at his words.

Special preparations? And by whom?

Only her father and Kaizek knew about William taking his dungeon trials. And altering dungeon conditions was not something anyone could casually do.

[It has to be him.] Her thoughts turned grim.

[Your father is well set on testing me until I fall to my knees and cry for mercy.]

Emma shifted uncomfortably before responding through their shared link.

[I will send a letter to him—]

[No, don't.] William's thoughts overlapped hers immediately. [Just pretend you didn't hear anything. If this is his way of clearing his doubts, then so be it. I'm ready for his challenges.]

There wasn't even a hint of nervousness in his tone, even though a Tower Master himself was arranging obstacles within a dungeon.

Emma glanced at him, her thin brows drawing closer. She wanted to argue, but she knew that expression. He had already made up his mind.

Rux spoke again, breaking the silence. "What stage should I expect? Anything below three would be worthy of a thorough beating."

William responded without hesitation. "I have gone through your toughest assessments. Surely, I won't let someone insult your name. Including myself."

Rux hummed approvingly. "Just focus on what you've trained for. Self-control, and being smart about your fights. Not every battle is won by your arms. Some battles require calm and patience."

William gave a brief bow. "I understand, Teacher. I will not disappoint you."

Emma smiled faintly at the respect carried in his voice. It was rare to see William so openly disciplined.

But just as she turned her head, a sharp gust of wind whistled past them.

The man standing before them vanished without a trace.

"…Woah." Emma blinked, looking around. "I couldn't even sense him leaving. Can he use teleportation? Or maybe a camouflaging skill?"

William chuckled softly. "He never awakened a skill, Emma."

The silver-haired girl froze. "What?"

William looked toward the empty space Rux had occupied moments earlier. "He honed his martial arts to the very best. To the point he was feared all across the lands as the Cloud Mountain."

Emma listened intently.

"My father once saved his granddaughter's life," William continued. "That's why he agreed to teach me, as repayment of the debt. Otherwise, he never takes anyone under his wing."

Emma hummed in admiration. "I can't believe someone could push their physical limits to that point. He truly is a very strong man."

William nodded in agreement before asking casually, "Did you have breakfast?"

Emma nodded. "What about you?"

William touched his stomach. "This place is growling for food."

Emma smiled. "Then let's go back and have breakfast."

William shook his head. "Not at the dining table. Father already left. I'd rather eat in my room."

Before she could react, he suddenly scooped her into his arms. "And you are coming with me."

Emma's eyes widened as they began to levitate.

But it wasn't the sensation of floating that shocked her most.

"I'm finally going to see your room?" she asked, excitement bubbling in her voice.

William smiled wryly. "Don't blame me if you get disappointed."

Emma scoffed. "Nonsense. Even if there's nothing, the very thought that you spent most of your life there is exciting to me. Hurry, hurry."

She kicked her legs lightly in enthusiasm.

William chuckled and sped up, heading toward the window that once served as his escape route, guiding her toward the one place no one except his parents had ever entered.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. The fact is, once action begins, it will continue for quite a long time. So enjoy some SOL for the time being.

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