Rubbing Salt on Past Wounds.

Amden finally settled his gaze at the youth in the middle of the trio, He was the person who had just spoken now and was clearly acting as the leader of the group.

He was wearing a blue suit and white shirt, and one look was enough to reveal that wealth and status was dripping from his clothes.

The girl wore a red one-piece dress that reached her knees, and around her neck hung an expensive-looking green stone fixed in the center of a golden necklace.

Ravien, on the other hand, was dressed more casually—yet his attire was still expensive—and his expression was unmistakably smug.

He had become a support for youth's cause, and the birthday banquet was the perfect occasion to deliver a blow to the Vantistart heir.

Amden didn't recognize the youth; in fact, he hardly recognized anyone from the younger generation.

Amden asked with a raised eyebrow, "You are?"

Though Amden's inquiry was genuine, the youth's expression changed momentarily and it replaced by fury.

He felt that Amden was deliberately mocking him—after all, being unrecognized was an insult to someone of his status.

However, he soon calmed his emotions and said, "I am Natale Clove. But it seems young master Amden doesn't really care about the outside world."

"Hardly anyone fails to recognize me," Natale added with cold smile.

The Clove family was one of the most powerful elite families, and Natale Clove was one of the most talked-about geniuses among the younger generation. He had his awakening two years ago.

Amden replied without much of a reaction, "Forgive me for not recognizing you."

He continued, sarcasm evident in his voice, "And as for your question—how could the villa not be lavish? After all, it is such a wonderful place to enjoy."

He continued as he stared at the Carter heir, "I believe young master Ravien would be able to tell you in more detail, as he too tried to purchase this land but could not afford it."

This entire statement caused murmurs in the crowd. Even Ravien Carter had competed for the land but had been outbid by Amden—a revelation that many found explosive.

Upon hearing this, Ravien's face contorted, and even Natale's expression turned ugly.

Amden maintained the same smile and nonchalant demeanor that dripped with mockery and sarcasm and that he had maintained from the beginning- a fact that irked Natale Clove even more.

Natale had come to gauge Amden's abilities, but he couldn't find even a single opening—each attempt was rebuffed.

Only the girl next to Natale kept her playful, seductive smile from start to finish. While anyone might have assumed she was simply one of Natale's followers, Amden sensed there was something different about her.

Finally, Natale spoke, "Young master Amden must be jesting. How can anyone compare to you in matters of wealth?"

Amden simply replied, "Naturally."

His response drew a few chuckles from the crowd. His tone was neither arrogant nor overly subdued—it was as if he were stating in a natural tone that, indeed, Ravien Carter was the one who had been poor to compare to him.

Calming his raging nerves once more, Natale said, "Young master, I have long heard about the greatness of swords wielders and the talents of the Vantistart family."

Before Natale could continue further, Amden calmly interjected, "Oh yes, definitely."

He added, fuel in the fire, "Your grandfather must have told you all about it—my grandfather did after all."

"He described how he once brought the mighty Narin Clove crashing to the ground within three sword moves."

Although Amden recounted this as if an innocent child were sharing a story from his grandfather, it was a crisp and resounding slap in the face of the Clove family—a deliberate rubbing of salt into old wounds.

Once, Dramon and Narin—Natale's grandfather—had duelled in their youth, and as Amden described it, Dramon had easily overpowered Narin. This had been one of the most embarrassing moments in the Clove family's history.

At the mention of this, Natale's face turned bloodshot, with veins visibly pulsing on his forehead. He wanted nothing more than to tear Amden apart, but Amden maintained his smile and nonchalant demeanor.

Ravien frowned, yet inside he was pleased; he hoped that things would deteriorate between the two so that he could get his chance extract his revenge.

Even the girl's expression shifted momentarily, only to soon return to its usual smiley state.

Natale completely ignored Amden's earlier remarks and asked, "Might young master Amden grant me a chance to see your sword moves? Don't worry—we won't use spiritual energy; we'll compare notes solely through sword moves."