The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Behind the towering figure of Aetheris, two young disciples stepped forward.

Both were third-generation disciples under his tutelage, standing at heights similar to Ethan.

"You've always had a habit of snatching up the most talented disciples, haven't you, Aiden?" Aetheris remarked, his tone sharp.

"That's…," Aiden trailed off, unable to refute.

One was a boy, the other a girl. Both glared fiercely, their fiery gazes brimming with competitive energy.

In the corner of the inner courtyard, Vera stood silently, observing the scene.

Meanwhile, Ethan was doing his best to avoid their eyes.

"Oh, Ethan, there you are!" The girl's voice was sweet yet laced with mockery.

"Ah, Dylan… I… I'm not feeling well today…"

"Oh, lying to your senior sister now, are we?"

"Jace… Senior Brother, no, that's not…"

The situation was visibly awkward.

Vera tilted her head slightly in curiosity. Judging by their movements, she doubted either of them was stronger than Ethan.

Why, then, was he avoiding them?

It wasn't until she noticed their piercing, jealous gazes that she understood.

That intense hostility… the cutting edge of envy directed at Ethan was almost palpable.

"Of course, you're much stronger than me, aren't you, Ethan? So, you'll endure anything I throw at you, right?"

"Dylan, don't you think you should hold back a little?" Jace chimed in, though his tone was far from genuine.

"Alright, Senior Brother! I'll just bully him a little!"

Faced with their teasing, Ethan could only stand frozen, unable to retaliate.

The hierarchy between seniors and juniors weighed heavily, creating an undeniable gap in authority.

Finally, Aiden stepped forward, unable to bear it any longer.

"Your disciples are more than talented enough, Senior Brother. Don't let them trouble Ethan."

"Talented enough?" Aetheris repeated, his voice cold as his eyes bore into Dylan and Jace.

The two flinched visibly, their postures stiffening under his scrutiny.

"But not the best, are they?"

"The harmony doesn't demand perfection…"

"Oh, really?"

"Yes…"

It was then that Aetheris's gaze shifted to the corner of the courtyard, locking onto Vera.

His eyes were sharp, almost predatory, as they studied her small frame.

Unconsciously, Vera's body tensed, her shoulders drawing inward.

An unsettling glint appeared in Aetheris's eyes. His perception was keen, though not enough to discern her latent potential in its entirety.

Still, he could tell at a glance—this girl had surpassed the ordinary and stepped beyond into the realm of mastery.

"For someone who claims not to care about perfection, you certainly seem to attract the finest talents, Aiden."

"This child is…"

"Hand her over."

"…Excuse me?"

Aiden looked up sharply at his senior brother, his expression a mix of disbelief, frustration, and irritation.

"If the harmony doesn't demand the best, why are you so fixated on gathering the most talented disciples?" Aetheris sneered.

"Because the bond between master and disciple is like that of parent and child," Aiden replied firmly.

"I don't care about such things. Hand her over."

By now, the attention of Dylan and Jace had shifted entirely to Vera.

"Are you stronger than Ethan?" Dylan demanded.

"Is that true?" Jace added eagerly.

"I only arrived today," Vera answered politely, bowing slightly before turning away.

But the two weren't about to let her off so easily.

Rushing over, they began scrutinizing her up close.

"Huh, so small and unimpressive."

"Dylan, that's rude!"

"What? It's true, isn't it?"

They tugged at her hair, pulled at her sleeves, poked her cheeks, and grabbed her wrist, testing her patience.

Yet, Vera remained still, enduring their antics without protest.

"Hey… why aren't you resisting? Are you stupid?" Dylan asked, her tone puzzled.

Vera's response was soft, almost inaudible.

"…Because I can't strike my seniors."

"What?"

Dylan blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter.

Even Jace joined in, chuckling incredulously.

"What's so funny?" Vera asked, her tone flat.

"Ah… what was your name again?"

"Vera."

Still smirking, Jace grabbed her shoulder—or rather, he pressed down on her collarbone with force, his thumb digging into the sensitive area.

"Ah…"

Pain flickered across Vera's face, her brows furrowing slightly.

Unable to retaliate, she turned her gaze toward Aiden, silently seeking guidance.

Aiden sighed heavily.

"Senior Brother, perhaps it's time you told your disciples to stop their games."

"Why should I?" Aetheris replied indifferently.

"In that case… Vera, defend yourself."

It happened in an instant.

Vera's small hand moved toward her waist.

The atmosphere shifted, a chilling tension gripping the courtyard.

Even Dylan and Jace instinctively backed away, alarm flashing across their faces.

"W-were you about to draw your sword?!"

"H-how could you do that to your senior sister?!"

Standing straight, Vera calmly adjusted her disheveled clothing.

She retied her hair and placed her left hand on the hilt of her sword.

"Please refrain from such actions," she said, her voice steady and devoid of emotion.

Her gaze, dark and inscrutable, fell on the two disciples.

"I haven't learned any unarmed techniques or grappling skills yet. My only means of defense is my sword."

The meaning behind her words was clear: if ordered to defend herself, she would do so with her blade.

The veins on Dylan and Jace's necks bulged in frustration, but neither dared to defy the unspoken rules of the martial world.

"Alright, that's enough," Marcus interjected, draping an arm over each of their shoulders.

His low, authoritative tone carried a warning they couldn't ignore.