Chapter 253 - 252 : Do whatever you want

Chapter 253: Chapter 252 : Do whatever you want

The moment Adrian Evan Imperius was released from the prison realm, the entire hallway changed.

A massive surge of mana erupted from the Containment Ring. The air cracked under the sudden pressure, and the marble floor trembled beneath their feet. Darkness spilled outward from the ring like ink spreading through water, swallowing the golden light cast by the chandelier above. For a brief moment, the luxurious hotel hallway seemed to overlap with the endless void of the prison realm.

Then Adrian stepped out.

A suffocating aura instantly filled the hall.

The pressure was overwhelming. Amara’s eyes widened as her breathing became difficult. It felt as though an invisible hand had wrapped itself around her throat, slowly tightening its grip. Her legs trembled, and she nearly collapsed onto the polished marble floor.

Her body reacted before her mind could understand what was happening.

This was fear.

Raw, instinctive fear.

The fear of a weak creature standing before a predator.

Adrian Evan Imperius stood between Arthur and Sylvia. His black hair had grown longer during his time inside the prison realm, falling past his shoulders in unkempt strands. A few locks covered part of his face, giving him a wild and dangerous appearance.

Yet even in that disheveled state, Adrian looked impossibly handsome.

His face retained the sharp, refined features that had made him famous throughout noble society. His amber eyes were cold and intelligent as they scanned the grand hallway, as though he had never been imprisoned at all.

His physique remained powerful.

Even after being bound by chains for so long, his body was still honed and muscular beneath his worn clothing. He stood tall and straight, radiating the presence of someone who had been born to command others.

He did not look like a broken prisoner.

He looked like a king who had been temporarily forced from his throne.

Adrian’s amber eyes finally settled on Arthur, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"You continue to amuse me every time I see you, boy."

Arthur narrowed his eyes as Adrian’s aura pressed against him.

"Now you can withstand this pressure too."

The pressure intensified for a moment.

"How does it feel?"

Adrian’s smile widened slightly.

"I have to admit, I gained enlightenment because of you."

Then Adrian retracted his aura.

The suffocating pressure vanished instantly.

Amara stumbled backward, breathing heavily as she placed one hand against the wall. Her body was still shaking.

Arthur’s crimson eyes widened.

’System... don’t tell me.’

The System responded almost immediately.

[ I cannot believe it myself, Host. ]

Arthur’s expression became serious.

[ Your father has broken through to SSS-rank. ]

[ He is now the youngest person in the entire world to achieve that rank. ]

[ What kind of monster is that guy? ]

[ He achieved this while being trapped inside the prison realm. ]

Arthur stared at Adrian.

’Was it all an act when I met him inside the prison realm?’

The System remained quiet for a moment.

[ I do not think so. But it is possible. ]

Arthur gave a strained smile.

"So that’s why you suddenly look so pleased with yourself."

Adrian looked at him.

Arthur placed the Containment Ring back into his inventory.

"I’ll send you the bill later for my services."

He turned toward the exit.

"I have to participate in the Inter-Academy Competition now."

Before Adrian could reply, someone rushed past Arthur.

Sylvia.

Her eyes were filled with tears as she ran toward Adrian and threw her arms around him.

"You are back..."

Her voice cracked.

"You are finally back."

She hugged him tightly, as though she were afraid he would disappear if she loosened her grip.

"I am so glad."

Adrian froze for a moment. Then his expression softened. Despite everything, despite his pride and the overwhelming pressure surrounding him, he slowly wrapped his arms around Sylvia.

"I am sorry," he said quietly. "I put you through all of this trouble."

Arthur watched them from the side.

A dry laugh escaped his lips.

’So now she decides to turn around because her husband is back.’

His crimson eyes became cold.

’She hasn’t changed at all.’

Arthur turned away.

’It doesn’t matter to me now.’

He began walking toward the exit. Then, almost without realizing it, he muttered under his breath.

"But suddenly... I miss my master."

Arthur paused.

’I wonder what she’s doing right now?’

He immediately shook his head and started walking again.

But Amara suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Young Master Arthur, please wait."

Arthur stopped.

Amara’s expression was nervous.

"Lord Adrian has not finished talking to you."

Arthur’s crimson eyes turned cold.

In an instant, his hand moved.

Arthur grabbed Amara by the neck, and her eyes widened in shock. Her body lifted slightly from the floor as she weakly clawed at Arthur’s wrist, unable to breathe.

Arthur’s voice was calm.

Far too calm.

"Do not touch me with those filthy hands again, you lowborn bitch."

The temperature in the hallway dropped.

Amara’s face turned pale.

Adrian and Sylvia immediately turned toward Arthur.

"Arthur!"

Sylvia’s voice shook.

"I know you are angry at me."

She stepped forward.

"But do not let yourself be consumed by it. Say whatever you want to me. Blame me. Hate me."

Her eyes filled with tears again.

"Just do not do something that will make you hate yourself later."

Adrian’s amber eyes became sharp.

"Put her down."

His voice carried authority.

"She does not belong to you to torment, boy."

Arthur looked toward Adrian.

Then he released Amara.

She fell hard onto the marble floor and immediately coughed violently, clutching her throat as tears formed in her eyes.

Arthur looked at Adrian with a cold smile.

"Acting tough now, huh, old man?"

His crimson eyes gleamed.

"Did you forget that you were at my mercy only a few hours ago?"

Arthur then turned toward Sylvia, his expression becoming even colder.

"And you..."

Sylvia remained still.

"What the hell do you even know about me to say things like that?"

Sylvia’s lips trembled.

"I know you do not like hearing it, but that does not change the fact that you are my son."

Arthur’s eyes narrowed.

"I have a duty to—"

"What the hell do you know about me?" Arthur interrupted.

Sylvia fell silent.

Arthur took one step closer.

"Alright. I will acknowledge that you care about me."

His voice was quiet.

Dangerously quiet.

"Then tell me one thing."

Sylvia looked at him.

Arthur’s face became as cold as ice.

"What is my favorite color?"

Sylvia froze.

Her lips parted, but no answer came out.

Arthur watched her.

"Tell me my favorite food."

Sylvia’s eyes trembled.

"Anything."

Silence filled the luxurious hallway.

The chandelier above continued to shine, while the marble floor reflected their shadows. Yet no one spoke.

Sylvia slowly lowered her gaze.

She could not meet Arthur’s eyes.

She did not know.

She had never known.

Arthur gave a bitter smile.

"I knew it."

He turned away and began walking toward the exit again.

But Sylvia panicked.

She looked toward Adrian.

Adrian sighed.

Then he gave her a small nod.

Sylvia ran toward Arthur.

Before Arthur could move away, she wrapped her arms around him from behind and held him tightly, as though she refused to let him leave.

Arthur froze.

His crimson eyes widened.

He could not believe what was happening.

Sylvia had always been one of the coldest people he knew. A woman who had never shown him affection. A woman who had allowed him to be discarded.

Yet now she held him as though he were the most precious thing in her life.

Sylvia’s voice trembled against his back.

"I cannot bear to see you like this."

Arthur’s body stiffened.

"I cannot bear realizing how horrible a person I was."

Her arms tightened around him.

"How much of a failure I was as a mother."

Arthur did not move.

Sylvia continued.

"I turned my back on you. I did not realize that it only hurt you more."

Tears fell from her eyes.

"I know forgiveness is just an empty word to you."

Her voice broke.

"So let me prove it through my actions."

Arthur’s hands slowly clenched.

For some reason, he could not bring himself to push her away.

"Will you let me go?" he asked quietly. "I do not have time to play house."

Sylvia’s next words stunned him.

"Give me another chance."

Arthur’s eyes widened.

Sylvia’s voice was desperate.

"Let me become the mother you never had."

She pressed her forehead against his back.

"Let me learn everything there is to know about you. Let me tell you everything about myself."

Her voice became softer.

"Please."

The word was almost a whisper.

"You do not have to return to the Imperius Family."

Arthur remained silent.

"You do not have to accept us as your family."

Sylvia’s arms trembled.

"But please... come back to me."

For a moment, Arthur could not speak.

A part of him remained the boy he used to be—the lonely child who had waited for someone to notice him, the child who had wanted his mother to hold him, the boy who had wanted to hear that he mattered.

For one second, only one second, Arthur almost wanted to say yes.

Then his voice came out quietly.

"Will you please get off me first, Mom?"

Sylvia froze.

Her eyes widened.

The word echoed inside her mind.

Mom.

Arthur had called her Mom.

Sylvia immediately let him go. Both of her hands rose to cover her mouth as she stared at Arthur in disbelief.

Tears continued to gather in her eyes.

Arthur slowly turned around.

Their eyes met.

Then he spoke.

"It is too late for that."

Sylvia’s expression dimmed.

The hope in her eyes faded.

Adrian walked forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You got your answer," he said quietly.

Sylvia remained silent.

Adrian looked toward Arthur.

"And now you have closure."

His voice was calm.

"Let the brat go."

Adrian’s gaze softened slightly.

"He has chosen his own path."

"He has decided to walk through it."

Sylvia slowly wiped the tears from her face.

Then, suddenly, she stepped forward and hugged Arthur once more.

Arthur froze again.

"I will be cheering for you in the Inter-Academy Competition," Sylvia said softly.

"Do your best."

Arthur looked away.

"I do not need your support, you know."

Sylvia chuckled quietly.

"I know."

Then she kissed Arthur’s cheek.

Arthur’s eyes widened.

His cheeks turned red.

Sylvia stepped back.

"I cannot stop you from doing what you want."

Her eyes became determined.

"So you cannot stop me from doing what I want either."

Arthur stood there in stunned silence.

’That was kind of cringe.’

The System’s voice echoed in his mind.

[ Well, she is your mother after all. ]

Then Adrian spoke from behind Sylvia.

"That was kind of cringe, darling."

Sylvia’s face immediately turned red.

"Shut up!"

Adrian smiled.

Arthur tried to maintain his cold expression.

But suddenly, without realizing it, a small smile appeared on his face.

Sylvia and Adrian both noticed.

Arthur realized it too.

His face immediately turned serious.

"I am leaving."

He turned away.

"You two can do whatever you want. Bye."

"Just do not bother me anymore."

Sylvia’s voice came from behind him.

"I will."

Arthur walked even faster.

He did not want to deal with her anymore.

Sylvia laughed softly as she watched him leave.

The moment Arthur disappeared through the hotel entrance, Adrian looked toward Sylvia.

"Oh, by the way."

Sylvia looked at him.

"What did he ask for in return for releasing me?"

Adrian’s amber eyes narrowed.

"I know that boy. He would never release me without receiving something in return."

Sylvia smiled faintly.

Then she leaned closer and whispered into Adrian’s ear.

Adrian’s expression changed.

His eyes widened.

"You did what?"

Sylvia stepped back.

"And you even made a mana oath?"

Sylvia sighed.

"What was I supposed to do? I had to free you."

Adrian rubbed his forehead.

Then his expression became serious.

"So, what is the situation with our family?"

Sylvia’s eyes turned cold.

"Things are getting out of hand."

Her voice was quiet.

"But we still have time."

She looked toward the direction of the Golden Colosseum.

"We will worry about it after the competition."

Her expression softened slightly.

"Let us go. It is about to start."

Sylvia began walking forward.

"I am never making the mistake of missing my children’s moments to shine again."

Adrian watched her for a moment.

Then a small smile appeared on his face.

’She has changed.’

His eyes softened.

’And it is not a bad change.’