One day after Mandipha and her group left Kemiro’s residence, in accordance with their agreement, Kemiro made a public announcement:

"Day by day, since our first meeting, I have felt increasing gratitude to Hein’Ra for intertwining our fates. My feelings extend equally to your family.

In this way, to prove my resolve, as a show of respect and following the tradition of the Hauveron House, I, Kemiro Boronéa, declare my Right of Conquest towards Mandipha Hauveron.

To those who dare to stand between me and my betrothed through Hein’Ra, prepare yourselves, for I will use all of you as stepping stones to reach my Star.

These final words are for my Hauveron family: in six months, I will come to your doorstep with gifts and offerings to celebrate our union. Until that auspicious day, I wish that pure Hein’Ra may flow through you all."

This announcement initially caught everyone by surprise. However, once its authenticity was confirmed, a wave of reaction spread throughout the city of Nemuria.

A flood of opinions immediately took over the social media, most of them focusing on exalting Kemiro’s arrogance in challenging the Hauveron House, even though he possessed no real skills.

Following such criticism, a swarm of opinions started to build around the idea that Kemiro was clinging to Mandipha, trying to use her as a tool to boost his public image. This claim sparked intense online outrage among individuals who worship Priestess Mandipha as their goddess.

A battle between different groups, each aiming to craft the most elaborate conspiracy about Kemiro’s dark reasons for using Mandipha, reached new heights, fueling the fire of contention.

However, to add more fuel to the flames, less than ten minutes after Kemiro’s proclamation, a direct announcement from the Hauveron family was released. What many expected to be a response from Priestess Mandipha turned out to be from her grandfather, Angor Hauveron:

"Your words have reached my House. I see you have a talent with them. My granddaughter has told me many interesting things about you, so much so that I will prepare myself over the next six months to receive you with the highest cordiality, as there are many matters that need to be clarified.

I trust my granddaughter, so you had better be at least half of what she claims in your favor. Otherwise, even if you reach the doorstep, you will not enter my House."

This response left many confused, especially among those who believed that, despite the Hauveron House proposing the engagement, it was Kemiro who was exploiting Mandipha’s popularity.

However, reading between the lines, there was an acknowledgment that Mandipha held an oddly positive opinion of Kemiro, something no one ever believed possible.

While the city of Nemuria buzzed with the unexpected and disbelieved developments in their relationship, Kemiro read the response, different from what was planned; he reflected, “‘Clarified,’ huh? It seems they (the Hauveron family) decided not to mention that I helped Almer.

Anyway, I’m screwed! Even under an oath, what did she say to make him decide he needs to train just to receive me? Is he planning to kill me and say it was a mistake?

Over the next six months, continuing to refine my body will have to be a priority. I’ll have to endure the pain of refinement; otherwise, my life will really be at stake!”

Feeling a chill down his spine as he pondered his options—either get roasted alive or fall into the fire—he notices Safix approaching, informing him, "Lord Kemiro. Miss Amira’s attendant has just contacted you. She informed me that Miss Amira requests your presence."

"Strange," he said, looking puzzled. "Her request is ahead of schedule. Did she mention any reason?"

"No. However, the tone of the attendant’s voice seemed agitated, as if she were anxious. She apologized, but said in Miss Amira’s words that she requests your presence ‘as soon as possible’," Safix replied, shaking her head.

Kemiro reflects, “Her condition has been stable for several months. Did something happen?”

"As if I didn’t have enough worries already. Well, at least I have some matters to resolve with her too." Kemiro sighed and told Safix, "Since it seems urgent, I’ll go now. Safix, cancel any appointments I have until the day of my mission. If anyone asks why, just say something unexpected came up."

"What should I say if the Main House contacts you?"

Pausing, rubbing his forehead in irritation, he sighs, saying, "Nothing changes. Just try to check the details and give me a report later.”

Kemiro thinks, “It’s annoying, but I'm still unable to ignore the Main House. I’ll have to push myself even harder!”

Kemiro prepared to head to Amira’s residence, reflecting on the adjustments he needed to make in his plans.

◆◆◇◆◆

Even though he left his house before lunchtime, due to the colossal size of the city of Nemuria, combined with the fact that Kemiro usually uses ground transportation, his trips tend to take up to twice as long as necessary. This is a habit he developed to conceal his movements.

However, due to the unusual request from Amira, which was outside of her normal schedule, Kemiro decided to change his means of transport. He chose to take a plane from Sector 3, where he lives, to Territory L2, Sector 11, where Amira’s residence is located. In a straight line, it’s just over 450 kilometers, slightly longer than the diameter of the Void of the Island, which measures 449 kilometers. However, since the airspace near the Void of the Island is prohibited, planes have to make a detour, extending the traveling time.

After two hours of flying, Kemiro arrives in Sector 11, in the smaller city of Telran. Taking a taxi, he heads to Amira’s residence, a journey that took another hour.

"No matter how many times I come here, it’s always an amazing sight," he exclaimed as he arrived in the vicinity of the property. The territory is four times the size of Kemiro’s residence, encompassing a dense forest with gigantic trees that serve as a natural wall.

The House Amira belongs to, the Telffira family, while not related to any of the Pillar Houses, possesses wealth and influence comparable to them. As an ancestral family of Witches and Sorcerers, unlike the Ma'Jis, their branch does not connect with Hein’Ra by opening its Foundation of Hein’Ra. Instead, they use Natural Law to manifest Events.

Due to its ancestry, the Telffira family’s territory houses various institutions aimed at training the new generations of those who choose the path of Witches. Even the entrance, which provides access to the first layer of buildings and residences, spans hundreds of meters, seeming small compared to the thousands of individuals who pass through day and night.

With such a large population, Kemiro had to leave his taxi nearly thirty minutes away due to the constant traffic. Fortunately, for Kemiro, walking that distance wasn’t a problem. Thanks to the refinement of his body, such a distance wasn’t enough to make him sweat. On the contrary, the freshness of the breeze from the forest that made the evening even colder, to Kemiro, was a refreshing breeze. He strode while observing humans and beings from different races that frequent the Telffira family’s institutions.

As he admired the giant trees growing taller with each step closer to the entrance, Kemiro and those present noticed a single luxury car approaching. It stopped beside him, and from inside, a human woman dressed in a traditional maid’s uniform elegantly bowed forward with her hands in front of her body, greeting Kemiro, saying, "Lord Kemiro, it’s a pleasure to welcome you once again. Please forgive our incompetence for making you walk all the way here. Allow us to accompany you to the estate."

"Hello, Kirianna. It’s good to be back. You don’t need to worry about that; it’s my fault for not notifying you of my arrival. How's her condition?" Kemiro responded with a sincere smile while observing Kirianna, a tall woman with a voluptuous figure that even her uniform can’t hide. She has long black braided hair, wearing round glasses, and white silk gloves.

"Thank you very much for your understanding," she replied, gesturing for Kemiro to enter the car. "Please. I’ll update you on Miss Amira’s condition on the way."

As Kemiro and Kirianna headed toward the entrance, many who were nearby stopped, curious, as some recognized them.

"Hey! Isn’t that Kemiro?" a young man asked his friend.

"Kemiro? You mean the Excluded Enigma?"

"Of course, who else? If I’m not mistaken, he lives in Sector 3 of Territory N4 in the northern region. What’s he doing here?" The first young man asked curiously.

"You didn’t know? Miss Amira is part of Kemiro’s team. Actually, how do you know so precisely where he lives? Do you like gossip? Don’t tell me you’re a fan and you didn’t know this fact." The second questioned with a strange expression.

The first one replies, "It’s not ‘liking gossip.’ It’s staying informed about relevant matters!" Shaking his head, he continued, "Kemiro being here isn’t that strange, but that woman personally coming to pick him up is what’s odd."

"Odd? Why? Even though he’s from a support House, it’s not strange for him to be treated with respect, especially since this territory is under the management of the Boronéa House."

Looking at his friend, the first young man just sighed, commenting, "You really don’t know anything. I need new friends." Without giving his friend a chance to protest, he explains, "That’s Kirianna; at least you know that name, right?"

"Of course! Kirianna is the Head Maid, under direct orders from the Matriarch of the Telffira family."

"Exactly! Her status as the Head Maid of the Telffira family is higher than that of a descendant of a support House, especially someone considered unqualified like Kemiro. The fact that Miss Amira is on his team doesn’t give him credit. If anything, he’s benefiting greatly from her presence. So, why would the Head Maid personally come to receive someone like him?"

"Well… that’s true."

Both of them looked in the direction of the car, passing through the entrance reserved exclusively for members of the Telffira family, with curious gazes and envy in their hearts.

◆◇

During the ride through the dense forest, with trees averaging over 60 meters in height, Kemiro closed his eyes, feeling the cold breeze coming in through the window. Sensing the flow of Hein'Ra, like a river across a plain, Kemiro remarks, "So peaceful."

"I’m glad you think so, Lord Kemiro," Kirianna responded.

Realizing he had spoken his thoughts aloud, Kemiro turned to Kirianna, who wore a relaxed expression, commenting, "Kirianna, you don’t need to refer to me as 'Lord.' Your status is higher than mine. My Par insists on keeping this habit, even though I’ve argued it’s unnecessary."

"Status has nothing to do with my inclination to address you as 'Lord.' I won’t deny that this inclination was influenced by Lady Azarthine’s example. However, like her, I’m merely giving you the credit you deserve for your abilities and accomplishments."

Kemiro reflects, “If only others thought the same, especially my family. My life would have been much easier.”

"I’m honored to receive such consideration from someone of your Quality," Kemiro said, smiling sincerely.

After a brief silence, Kirianna stated, "Our Matriarch is also interested in you. Following her orders, I came to pick you up because she wishes to meet with you."

Kemiro almost couldn’t hold back his surprise. He reflects, “The Matriarch wants to see me? For four years, I’ve been helping Amira, and I’ve never met the Matriarch. I always found it strange that she never expressed anything regarding the help I’ve been providing her daughter. Amira never mentioned it either, so I just assumed it was due to the gap in our statuses. This is troublesome, as I have no idea what triggered this unexpected action.”

Noticing Kemiro deep in thought, Kirianna adds, "You don’t need to worry. The Matriarch just wants to take the opportunity since she has some free time to thank you for all the help you’ve given Miss Amira."

"Sorry if I seemed worried. Just the prospect of meeting the Matriarch is already an honor."

Kemiro thinks, “Who would believe she only wants to 'thank' me? Wait, was Amira needing help just a pretext to avoid drawing attention?”

As Kemiro tried to calculate the different scenarios that might have led to the Matriarch’s decision, they continued driving through the dense forest, occasionally passing by large buildings and research structures.

After thirty minutes, they finally arrived at their destination, the Telffira family estate.

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