Kael’s eyes narrowed as he slowly turned toward the source of the attack.
Standing a short distance away was a man who looked to be in his early forties. His features were sharp and refined, the kind that would easily draw attention wherever he went. He carried himself with an effortless confidence, his posture relaxed as though he hadn’t just launched an attack powerful enough to bisect another person.
At that moment, the man was looking at Kael with open surprise.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Oh?"
"That’s quite an interesting movement skill."
He looked Kael up and down before chuckling softly.
"It seems you’re not complete trash after all."
The instant those words entered his ears, Kael felt a surge of irritation rise within him.
Earth energy instinctively stirred inside his body as an oppressive killing intent spread outward. The surrounding air seemed to grow heavier, causing even the flowers lining the driveway to sway under the invisible pressure.
His gaze locked firmly onto the man.
"Who the fuck are you?"
Before the man could answer, hurried footsteps echoed from the mansion.
"Father!"
Zoey practically ran down the front steps, her face filled with panic and anger. She stopped between the two men before glaring directly at the older man.
"What do you think you’re doing?"
Her voice trembled with barely restrained rage.
The handsome middle-aged man merely shrugged.
"I was only testing your new friend."
A harmless smile rested on his face as though everything that had just happened was perfectly reasonable.
"I simply wanted to see whether he was as impressive as you kept claiming."
Zoey stared at him in disbelief.
"You almost killed him!"
"Oh, come now."
The man waved his hand dismissively.
"It wasn’t that serious."
"He looks perfectly fine to me."
That answer only made Zoey even angrier.
Her fists clenched tightly by her sides as she looked ready to explode.
Before another argument could begin, another voice interrupted them.
"That’s enough, Zoey."
The voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable authority.
Everyone instinctively turned toward the mansion.
A beautiful woman dressed in an elegant white dress slowly walked down the steps with graceful movements. Every step she took seemed refined, giving off the aura of someone born into nobility.
However, Kael barely paid attention to her appearance, as what came out of her mouth next made his blood boil.
"Don’t speak to your father like that."
"He only did it for your friend’s own good."
Kael frowned.
For his own good?
He couldn’t understand that logic no matter how he looked at it.
Since when did ambushing someone without warning become an act of kindness?
"Mom..."
Zoey called softly, clearly frustrated.
The middle-aged man immediately smiled.
"See?"
"Your mother understands."
He turned back toward Kael before speaking in a much calmer tone.
"Since you’re going to meet the Sword Saint today, it’s only natural that we verify whether you’re worthy enough to stand before him."
"We simply saved him the trouble."
Zoey bit her lower lip.
She clearly wanted to argue further, but after looking between her parents, she seemed to realise it would accomplish nothing.
Instead, she turned toward Kael.
Her voice immediately softened.
"Are you alright?"
Kael looked at her before giving a small nod.
"I’m fine."
"See?"
The middle-aged man spread his hands innocently.
"I told you there wasn’t any pro..."
Zoey shot him such a cold glare that he wisely stopped speaking halfway through the sentence.
She took a deep breath before looking back at Kael.
"Please..."
"Come with me."
Kael nodded.
"Sure."
Truthfully, he was still irritated.
Anyone would be after nearly getting cut down the moment they stepped out of a car.
However...
Morgan and the woman were Zoey’s parents.
Judging from Zoey’s reaction, it was obvious she hadn’t known anything about this little test beforehand. There was no point making things even more difficult for her.
If anything...
Kael found himself feeling a little sorry for her.
Living under the same roof as those two couldn’t have been easy.
Without another word, Zoey led him toward the mansion while Kael quietly followed behind.
The interior was just as luxurious as the exterior suggested.
Polished marble floors reflected the morning light pouring through enormous windows, while expensive paintings and ancient-looking ornaments decorated the walls. Every corner of the mansion radiated elegance without becoming overly flashy.
As they walked through one of the spacious hallways, another familiar figure appeared from around the corner.
Albert.
Unlike his previous gloomy, dark attire, he was dressed casually today, making him look far more approachable.
"Uncle Albert."
Zoey greeted him immediately.
Albert smiled at first, but the moment he noticed the look on her face, his expression changed.
"What’s with that long face?"
Zoey didn’t hide anything.
She quickly recounted everything that had happened outside.
The more Albert listened...
The darker his expression became.
By the time she finished, his face had completely hardened.
"They attacked him?"
His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"To think Morgan would actually dare attack the Sword Saint’s guest."
A frightening pressure briefly leaked from his body before he quickly restrained it.
After taking a slow breath, he turned toward Kael.
A warm smile replaced the anger from moments ago as he extended his hand.
"My name is Albert."
Kael accepted the handshake.
"Kael."
Albert gave his hand a firm shake before sighing helplessly.
"I sincerely apologise for Morgan’s behaviour."
"Please don’t take their recklessness to heart."
"I’ll make sure they receive an appropriate lecture later."
Kael simply shook his head.
"It’s fine."
There wasn’t much point dwelling on it now.
Albert smiled appreciatively.
"Thank you."
He then looked toward Zoey.
"Take Kael to the study."
"I’ll inform the Sword Saint that our guest has arrived."
Zoey nodded.
"Okay."
She turned back toward Kael.
"This way."
The two continued deeper into the mansion.
After passing through several corridors, they eventually stopped before a large wooden door.
Zoey gently pushed it open.
Kael stepped inside behind her.
The room was spacious yet surprisingly simple. Bookshelves lined every wall from floor to ceiling, filled with countless books. A large desk occupied one side of the room, while several comfortable chairs had been arranged near a low table beside the windows.
Zoey gestured toward one of them.
"Please, have a seat."
Kael nodded before sitting down.
Zoey took the chair opposite him.
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
The study gradually fell into complete silence, leaving behind only the faint ticking of an antique clock somewhere within the room.