Odin's Fear...

"Father!"

"What's the problem, Odin, my son?"

"It's Leon!"

Hearing Leon's name, the Baron couldn't help but frown deeply.

'Was his assumption correct?'

"What happened to Leon?"

"Nothing happened to him, Father. Father, Leon is a Cultivator, and he should be at least at the Qi Refining Realm."

"How sure are you? You're not even able to sense a person's aura, talk less of Qi! You're still at the Body Cultivation Stage, so tell me, how you're so sure?!" Baron Eric shouted at his son.

Leon had succeeded in getting on his nerves for no reason. Just who did he think he was?!

At this point, the Baron's face lost its previous calm; his head was filled with jealousy and rage.

Apart from his first and second sons, the rest were utterly useless to him. Even his youngest. And now, even his two "prodigy" sons—recognized by everyone for their talent—paled in comparison to Leon's assumed cultivation level.

The boy had somehow managed to break records and reach the Qi Refining Realm at the age of sixteen.

As Odin watched his father's face twist with emotion, a cold wave of fear engulfed him.

His father had started to subconsciously release his cultivation aura because of his anger, and now Odin truly understood what it meant to be at the mercy of a powerful cultivator.

He had always watched from the sidelines, laughing when his father lashed out at the servants for the smallest mistakes, especially on bad days.

But today was different.

Today, he was the target. He could feel the weight of curious gazes from the servants nearby—though none dared to stop and spectate for too long. They passed by swiftly, ears straining to catch every detail.

No one wanted to be caught loitering. They all knew—once the angry bull cooled off, he'd need something to take it out on.

Odin fell to his knees, trying to suppress the nausea building in his throat. But his gesture had no effect.

Normally, Baron Eric would rush to help him stand. But now?

Nothing.

'Is his anger the result of jealousy… or disappointment?' Odin's thoughts raced. 'Whatever it is… please stop! Father, calm down and think before you kill me—please!'

But Odin didn't dare say that out loud.

Words that long might only make things worse. Right now, every movement, every glance, every breath had to be carefully calculated.

A single misstep… and his father might injure him.

Or worse—kill him.

'Maybe I play that game way too much?' he thought in panic. 'I should've focused more on real-world cultivation. If I hadn't wasted all that time, I'd at least be at the sixth stage of Body Tempering by now… but what can I do? That game is just—too good. It's the only place I feel free. Not like here... like a caged criminal. What do I even do right now?'

His father's shouting voice dragged him back to reality—ranting in fury, comparing all of his sons to Leon.

The veins on the Baron's temple bulged, throbbing visibly as if they wanted to rip out of his skull. His beard quivered with every furious word, flying wildly as his jaw moved with unnatural speed.

Odin, choosing to face the situation head-on, swallowed his fear and gathered his courage.

"Father!"

He tried to make his voice as soft as possible—almost whisper-like. Fear did the rest of the work, giving his tone a quiet sincerity that even surprised him.

To his relief, it worked.

Baron Eric's aura began to retract as he slowly calmed down.

Odin released a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

'My short temper is getting worse by the day, and it is greatly affecting my cultivation. I need not let my anger get the better part of me,' the Baron thought, breathing heavily as he composed himself.

He finally asked, voice quieter but no less serious.

"So, tell me. What makes you so sure that he is in the Qi Refining Realm?"

"Because he could walk on air," Odin answered, straight to the point, not daring to delay with fluff.

It was a known fact that once someone reached the Qi Refining Realm, they could walk in the air for at least five seconds.

That time only grew with practice and cultivation advancement.

"What!?" the Baron exploded again, but this time in disbelief rather than anger.

Now he was more than convinced—Leon wasn't just in the Qi Refining Realm...

He might even be the mysterious boy the Viscountess had been speaking about earlier.

'What even makes her so sure that Leon will steal it?' he thought quickly. 'She said it was from the way he looked at the pill, but I'm sure there's more to it than that.'

'She must have some treasure—maybe one that can see the future. But that boy… he looked good-hearted… hmm? Gah! What am I even thinking? Looks can be deceiving!'

'If he's truly at that realm, how did he get there so fast? It hasn't even been three months since the talent stone test… Did they lie to hide his true talent? If so, then this needs investigation.'

'But if he really is a No-Talent… then someone must be backing him. Bandits? A powerful figure? Why would they waste resources on him?'

'There's something I'm missing. Should I go with my first son, Nux, tonight and investigate this together?'

A boy he had never cared for, never expected to amount to anything, was now a Cultivator.

If Leon had a backing, it would have to be above Baron rank—at least an Earl.

Baron Eric knew his place and limits. If he crossed them, he might not even realize who had killed him until it was too late.

So he made a decision—he would investigate from the shadows.

But one thing was certain:

Leon was a threat.

And like all threats, he would have to be eliminated—no matter the cost.

And if Leon truly dared to steal from the Viscountess, this would be the perfect opportunity to strike.

For that, his first son would be sent.

If the woman was right about her vision... then it all lined up.

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A/N

Nux is his first and eldest son.

Followed by Josh.

Then Drake.

Then Gavriel.

Then Odin.

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