Chapter 164: Titled and Non-Titled

Marielle raised two fingers. "There are basically two major factions within the academy."

Amon continued eating while listening to her explanation.

"The Titled and the Non-Titled." She pointed toward one of her raised fingers.

"The Titled are mostly nobles and powerful families. Some of them are essentially oligarchs who have enough influence to affect decisions inside the academy."

Her second finger moved slightly. "The Non-Titled are different. They are usually students with considerable talent but come from ordinary or poor backgrounds."

Seraphina nodded as she swallowed her food. "So basically, it’s the rich faction and the poor faction."

Marielle chuckled softly, nodding her head.

"That’s more or less what it comes down to." She picked up her glass and took a small sip. "Both factions will probably approach you once you enter the academy."

Her gaze shifted toward Amon. "Especially you."

Amon paused with his fork halfway to his mouth.

"Me?" He pointed at himself with a slightly surprised expression. "Why would they care about me?"

Marielle gave him an amused look. "Because you’re a hot commodity right now."

Amon’s expression became slightly serious.

Marielle continued. "Some of the internal staff at the Royal University believe you could become a candidate for the Eight Great Powers in the future."

Amon remained silent for a moment.

He slowly placed another piece of meat into his mouth. ’So they want to recruit someone they believe could become one of the Eight Great Powers.’

He swallowed before speaking. "They’ll try to get the best people onto their side, huh?"

Marielle nodded.

"Exactly." She leaned slightly closer. "That’s why you should be careful. Some people will genuinely want to become your friends, while others will only approach you because they think you’ll be useful."

Amon nodded. "I understand."

Marielle then shifted her attention toward Seraphina. "And you should be even more careful."

Seraphina blinked. "Me?"

"You’ll probably receive quite a few proposals from stupid little brats." Marielle smiled. "Just reject them all."

Seraphina’s expression became slightly uncomfortable.

Before she could answer, Amon spoke. "If any of them even think about touching you, I’ll make flowers grow out of their asses."

Marielle immediately clicked her tongue. "Language."

Amon sighed. "Fine."

He picked up his fork again and continued eating.

Marielle shook her head. "And don’t try to fight everyone who annoys you."

Amon looked at her. "Yes, dearest mother."

Marielle turned abnormally silent for a long second at his words.

It was so bad that Seraphina had to move her hand over her face. "Aunt?"

She blinked and glared at Amon. "That’s not very convincing."

Amon ignored her and continued eating but her reaction intrested him.

’...Such reaction only for calling her a mother.’ He thought queitly. ’... Don’t tell me she wants a kid?’

Amon wasn’t sure if it was true but if it was, he now got a really good reason to approach her.

"You’ll learn more about the academy once you actually get there." Marielle eventually smiled. "It’s better to see how things work yourself instead of trying to understand everything beforehand."

Seraphina nodded.

"I see." She suddenly seemed to remember something. "By the way, Aunt Marielle."

"Hm?"

"Do you get proposals too?"

Amon’s hand paused for the briefest moment.

He immediately lowered his gaze toward his plate and pretended to be completely focused on his food.

However, his ears were clearly listening.

Marielle noticed the subtle change in his behavior.

A small smile appeared on her lips. "No."

Seraphina tilted her head. "Really?"

"I’m simply not interested in that sort of thing."

Amon continued eating.

After a moment, he casually asked, "So you’ve given up on marriage?"

Marielle looked toward him. Her smile remained, but there was something slightly different behind it.

"I’d rather not talk about that."

Amon noticed the change in her expression as he smiled faintly. "Alright."

He didn’t ask anything else.

The conversation eventually shifted to other topics as the three continued enjoying their dinner.

Amon enjoyed the dish without any hurry and even the strange events from earlier seemed distant for the moment.

However, he hadn’t forgotten about them.

---

[Later That Night]

After they finished dinner, Marielle paid the bill before leading Amon and Seraphina back toward her car.

The streets of Southboon were even livelier than before.

Golden lights covered the buildings, while the sounds of music and conversations filled the air.

Amon looked through the car window as they drove away from the market.

The bright streets gradually disappeared behind them.

After traveling for some time, Marielle eventually brought them back to the bungalow.

The three stepped out of the car.

Marielle locked the vehicle before walking toward the entrance.

"You two should get some rest tonight." She looked between them. "Tomorrow, after you’ve submitted your subjects, I’ll take you sightseeing around the city."

Seraphina’s eyes immediately brightened. "Really?"

Marielle smiled. "Of course."

Seraphina happily followed her toward the house.

Amon walked beside them, enjoying the cool evening air.

However, just before they reached the entrance, Marielle suddenly spoke.

"Seraphina."

"Hm?"

"Do you want to sleep with me tonight?"

Seraphina immediately stopped as her expression turned strange. "Why?"

Marielle smiled. "Because I haven’t seen my favorite niece in a while."

Seraphina crossed her arms. "I’m old enough to sleep by myself."

Marielle pouted. "Just tonight."

"No."

"Please?"

"Aunt..."

"Just one night."

Seraphina sighed.

Marielle continued pleading for another few moments until Seraphina finally gave in.

"Fine."

Marielle immediately smiled. "Yay."

Seraphina shook her head helplessly.

As they entered the house, Seraphina looked back at Amon. Her eyes lingered on him for a few seconds.

There was a faint reluctance in her expression.

Amon smiled at her. ’We’ll have plenty of time later.’

Seraphina gave him one last longing look before following Marielle.

Marielle turned toward him. "Goodnight, Amon."

"Goodnight."

The two women disappeared toward Marielle’s room.

Amon stood there for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Well..." He turned toward the stairs. "I guess I’m alone tonight."

Amon walked upstairs and entered his room. He closed the door behind him before sitting down on the edge of the bed.

The room was quiet.

Amon leaned back slightly and rubbed the back of his neck.

’I’ll need to buy some things for Seraphina.’

He had already promised himself that he would give her a storage bracelet.

But there were plenty of other useful items he could give her as well.

His smile slowly widened. ’And when I get back home, I should probably ask Sidney to become my registered wife too.’

The thought immediately reminded him of the Return System.

’If I can register her, then I can make more investments and get more rewards.’ Amon rubbed his chin. ’That sounds pretty useful.’

He took a deep breath and pushed those thoughts aside. There would be plenty of time to deal with them later.

For now, he had something more important to focus on.

Amon sat cross-legged on the bed and he slowly closed his eyes.

The room became completely silent.

Amon guided the energy through his body using the spirit sovereign Scripture, allowing it to circulate.

His breathing became slower and his mind became quieter.

The chaotic thoughts of the day slowly disappeared as he entered a state of concentration.

Amon took another deep breath. ’Time to cultivate.’

The mana surrounding him began flowing toward his body.