The Manor

Gwen was currently in distress, her mind was filled with countless theories of why Felix would be here. Meanwhile, Rachel was trying to convince Gwen to leave with her, trying to escape certain punishment.

"Gwendolyn, what do you say? Won't you come with me? I promise I can show you something you'll like!" Rachel held Gwen's hands in her grasp as she pleaded.

"I don't know, I'll go ask Mom," Gwen acted her age and acted uncertain. Other than figuring out the current state of affairs, she also needed to know just why Felix would be here. In the story, Gwendolyn sought after Felix relentlessly, leading her to clash with the main protagonist, Pia. This would be the catalyst as to why they fought.

"Wait, before you say another word, what if Finn comes along? It can be a little family outing, that sounds fun, right?" Rachel's desperation was seeping into her voice as her façade started to crack. She was visibly afraid of what was about to come.

"If it's a family outing then can Mom come too?"

"That's… ugh… I'm so dead," Rachel faceplanted into her hands, rubbing her face as she anxiously worried about her punishment.

The stone pavement that the carriage was riding on started turning out to be even more evened out as the surrounding buildings that were previously shabbily made were now well-maintained and proper. Instead of unorganized streets going everywhere, there were now street signs with names intricately designed for ease of travel.

There were still guards littered around yet this time they seemed to be in a whole other league than the previous guards. This was signified by the amount of stars on the amulets they wore. The previous guards only have 1-3 stars while these guards had 4-5, clearly superior in strength.

"We serve Aria with all our heart!" Individual voices immediately took their stance and saluted the carriage Rachel was on. This made her proud as she heard it yet the looming danger she was about to face brought her back down.

Gwen looked outside and saw that everything seemed to be a normal kingdom, the only key difference was that most of the people here were clearly war-hardened people. If these people were to go outside the Aria Estate, then they would be able to enjoy status befitting nobles, yet they all decided to stay here. This showed just how prestigious being here truly was. A family that could rival empires alone, their notoriety wasn't unfounded.

As Gwen looked around the streets were filled with rough-looking men and women to sink into the atmosphere that it gave. The weapons that they brought everywhere made it seem as if the Aria Estate was on the brink of war when this was the norm around here.

Continuing further in, the buildings kept getting more and more grand as the establishments that surrounded them started emitting dense magical power, these establishments were clearly trying to contain whatever was inside yet the immense mana held within just couldn't be restrained from escaping.

"Sister Rachel, what's in there?"

Rachel was still sulking but mindlessly answered, "Those? I don't know but from the mana they keep emitting I think it's the remains of some kind of monster. Maybe an exotic beast."

'This must be where the loot they get after hunting gets processed.'

"What about that?" Gwen pointed at another building, this one seemed to be a hub of some sort, with a few people coming in and out of it. People ranging from 1-5 stars were going in and out of it, their ranks didn't seem to have mattered as they all seemed to be an integral part of this place.

"That… it's one of those guilds. I don't know which one it is exactly, they're like ants, they're everywhere. You'll get used to seeing those in the future."

"What about-"

"Gwendolyn, please. Just let me despair in peace," Rachel's depressed tone made it hard for Gwen to ask any further. Despite reading about it in the novel, seeing it firsthand was an experience altogether. The guilds that were briefly explained in the novel were now expanded even further in front of her eyes. She knew the names of the guilds at the very top of the continent yet an obscure guild that she had never heard of before was in front of her.

'It makes the world feel even more alive… maybe because it is,' Gwen started to let the feeling of taking Gwendolyn's body in, basking in the atmosphere of her new life.

'This world is so cruel and brutal, but I'll see what I can do. I'll have to see why Felix is here first before I figure out how to control mana.'

Eventually, they finally reached the main estate, compared to how grand and majestic everything else was, the Aria Estate was smaller than she initially thought. If it were to be compared to the size of other nobles, their family's manor was only mid-sized, just the right size for it to feel lively despite the small amount of people living there.

There was an aged dirt pathway going up a towering hill, to the family's home. Trees were still present all around giving the entire place an isolated vibe, yet despite this, no one in their right mind would ever dare set foot into it alone as there were countless mythical beasts of great power residing in it. They were Nio's pets, tasked with guarding his humble abode from any intruders. And as far as Nio could tell, they were doing a good job with the outer threats.

As the coachman tugged on the leash, he said to the passengers, "We're here." Numerous servants dressed in their proper attire promptly showed up to receive the Aria family's children. They spared no effort in trying to cater to their needs as one mistake could be very well their last.

Gwen somewhat expected Rachel to notice the coachman's lack of 'respect' yet for some reason she just let it go. Whether there was some kind of lingering situation at play, or she didn't care enough was something Gwen didn't know.

Rachel nonchalantly took out Finn's still unconscious body out of the carriage and threw it at one of the servants, despite her lithe body, she seemed to possess immense physical strength. This was the byproduct of having an innately terrifying foundation that mana acted as a catalyst to strengthen her body even though she had never worked out a single day in her life.

Before Rachel could even leave, one of the older servants came forward, "The Lady of the House wants to meet with you, Rachel."

Rachel audibly growled and clenched her fists. She tried to rein in her displeasure at what was about to come but she knew that if she disobeyed then what awaited her would even be worse.

"You as well, Gwendolyn. Follow me."

Gwen and Rachel followed right behind the old servant. Although the man's steps were light and steady, Gwen could feel that there was something odd about it, she just couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was.

The manor seemed to be old and rickety yet for some reason Gwen couldn't see or hear anything out of place, it was as if this place was just recently built. Following the old servant to her mother's room, Gwen saw that this side of the mansion seemed to have been redecorated to have a bit more feminine charm with its aesthetic statues and paintings littering the hallways.

After a period of admiring the well-designed interior, they finally reached the Lady of the House's room. It was finally time to meet Carol Aria, the only woman who could keep up with Nio.