Chapter 87: The veil of power
Noah stood at the window of his penthouse, gazing out at the sprawling city below. The world had already started to shift around him, his name spreading like wildfire across the hunter community. His victory in the Abyssal Maw had been far from inconsequential; it had placed him squarely in the sights of powerful factions, each eager to either recruit him or neutralize him before his potential could fully bloom. The situation was quickly becoming untenable. To remain unnoticed now, especially with the prize he'd won, would be a fool's errand.
He needed a shield. Someone—or something—that could obscure his true intentions from the prying eyes of those who would seek to control him. And that was where Siena's clan came into the picture.
Noah had long understood the importance of power structures. In a world like this, knowledge was as valuable as strength, and relationships were just as important as raw power. He had already seen the way people gravitated toward him, their eyes gleaming with ambition or wariness. He needed something to distract them, a diversion to keep them from focusing too intently on him. And Siena's clan, the **Avaros**, seemed like the perfect veil.
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The **Avaros Clan** was a powerful and wealthy family from a distant city, one known for its long-standing traditions and influence in the hunter world. They were not directly involved in the academy trials, but their reach extended far beyond the borders of their city. The Avaros controlled multiple enterprises, from mercenary groups to trade routes, and were well respected for their tactical prowess and strategic thinking. Siena's position within the clan suggested she had more than just family ties to rely on—her talent and ambition were clear, even to someone like Noah.
Noah had been briefed on the Avaros family's structure and their intricate web of influence, but that wasn't enough. He needed specifics—how they operated, who held power, and how far their influence could stretch. He couldn't afford to make a misstep in his assessment. If he was going to use them as a shield, he had to understand every facet of their operations.
Using his **1 million mana crystals**, Noah set out to purchase information from sources who had connections to the **Avaros Clan**. He made discreet inquiries, asking around the city, gathering intel from those who had dealings with the family. The more he learned, the more he realized that the Avaros clan had a reputation for being ruthless in its dealings, but also highly protective of its own. If Noah could gain their favor—or at least appear to be aligned with their interests—he could avoid unwanted attention for a time.
The clan was led by **Matriarch Ilara Avaros**, a woman whose reputation as a strategist was nearly unmatched. She had risen to power through a combination of sharp intellect, charisma, and ruthless efficiency. Under her leadership, the Avaros clan had expanded its influence exponentially. However, her hold on power was not entirely secure—there were factions within the clan that sought to challenge her authority, all with their own ambitions.
Her son, **Rylan Avaros**, was a skilled warrior and the heir to the clan, though he had been somewhat overshadowed by his mother's brilliant leadership. His own ambitions were well known, and he was rumored to be more than willing to go to extreme lengths to secure his future as the clan's leader.
Then there was **Siena Avaros**, the daughter of Ilara and younger sibling to Rylan. From what Noah had gathered, Siena was a wildcard—intelligent, resourceful, and dangerously ambitious. She had caught the attention of many for her personal strength and cunning, and Noah suspected that her desire for power could easily lead her to make strategic alliances with someone like him.
In essence, the Avaros Clan was a family at a crossroads. While they were powerful, they were not without their internal tensions, and that was something Noah could use to his advantage. If he aligned himself with the right faction within the clan, it could provide the shield he needed to keep other factions and the academy off his back for a time.
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Noah's thoughts turned to Siena, the woman who had caught his attention during the trial. He didn't know her well—she had only observed the events from afar—but he had seen enough to realize that she was no ordinary hunter. Her skill in the arena had been evident, but it was her ambition, her drive, that intrigued him most.
While she may not have had the subtlety of someone like Noah, Siena's boldness had its appeal. She had made her intentions clear when they first met: she wanted to control him. That much was obvious. However, Noah could use that same ambition to his advantage. He didn't need her as an ally, but rather as a pawn. Someone who could provide him shelter from the growing scrutiny of the academy and the world beyond. And in turn, her ambition might drive her to seek an alliance with someone of his talents.
But first, he needed to learn more about her. What were her weaknesses? What was her true agenda? To the outside world, Siena might appear as a force of nature—a rising star in the academy, driven by her family's power. But Noah knew that appearances could be deceiving. If he could learn what drove her, what her true motivations were, he could use that to ensure that their potential alliance would be mutually beneficial.
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Noah didn't waste time. He used his **wealth** to hire a network of spies—trusted individuals who could gather intelligence discreetly. For a few days, he sent them to tail Siena and observe her movements. They reported back with valuable insights: her personal interactions, her conversations with family members, her strategy in navigating the politics of the academy and her clan.
From the reports, Noah could gather that Siena's ambitions were larger than just personal power. She wasn't content simply being another talented hunter; she wanted to reshape the entire structure of her family. Her ambition was to rise above her brother, Rylan, and claim the position of **Matriarch** herself one day. That ambition could either be a boon or a curse, depending on how he handled it.
There was a growing tension between Siena and some members of her clan, particularly with her brother. Rylan saw her as a threat, but his mother, Ilara, seemed to be favoring Siena more and more as the clan's true heir. It was clear that Siena's family was divided, and Noah could use that to his advantage.
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With the information in hand, Noah knew it was time to make his move. He would contact Siena, but he had to be careful. He couldn't simply approach her directly—he needed to make it appear as though he was offering her something valuable, a chance to advance her own agenda while subtly manipulating her into doing his bidding.
The key, Noah realized, was to offer her the illusion of power without giving her too much control. If she thought she could use him, she would be more likely to align with him. And as her ambitions continued to push her forward, Noah would be there to quietly steer her in the direction he needed.
He began to plan the meeting, crafting the words he would say, the subtle hints that would lead her to believe that he was offering a mutually beneficial partnership. But Noah knew better than to fully trust anyone—least of all Siena. He would keep his true plans hidden, just as he always did.
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Meanwhile, across the academy, **Darius** couldn't help but think back on the trials. He had seen many hunters come and go, but none had left as strong an impression as Noah. The boy's performance had been flawless—too flawless, in fact. Darius knew that there was far more to Noah than met the eye. The boy's restraint in the trials had been intentional, a move to keep his true strength hidden from the world. But Darius wasn't fooled. He had been watching, and he understood the implications of what he had seen.
**"This one will be trouble,"** Darius mused, his thoughts darkening. **"But I won't stand in his way—not yet. He's useful... for now."**
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Noah stood up from his desk and paced around the room, the plan taking shape in his mind. He was no longer just a participant in the hunter world; he was becoming a force in his own right, with enemies and allies alike circling him. The Avaros clan would be his shield, his veil against the world's scrutiny. And Siena? She would be his key—if she played her part correctly.
The world might have noticed his success, but Noah knew that the true game had just begun. The path forward would be treacherous, but it was a path he would walk with purpose. The eyes that watched him would not see the man he truly was until it was too late.
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