Outside the Weir Family gate, a group was slowly approaching in the night.
The leading girl had fiery red hair and wore the Sky College Student Council uniform. Her delicate features exuded a cold, “stay away” vibe.
Avril Caroline, the current Student Council President of Sky College, Annabell’s senior—a peak Level 7 powerhouse.
“President, up ahead is the Weir Family.” The secretary behind her leaned in. “But… I heard that waste Charlotte recently returned, and somehow recovered her mana.”
“So what if she recovered?” Avril said without turning. “A power picked up through some low-class method—how strong can it be?”
She sneered inwardly. This errand was Principal Sylvia’s firm order—Annabell had been missing and her whereabouts unknown, so the Principal used the reason that “the Chief Heir must have no blemish” to demand the Student Council handle this engagement.
Annabell, my junior—ah, it’s not like Avril had no feelings for her! That cool and proud demeanor made her itch every time she saw it. She always believed that only she was worthy of that person!
So she volunteered for this task! She absolutely did not think Annabell would die; someone like her was one hundred percent still alive.
The Weir Family’s gate opened.
The Great Elder stood at the entrance with over a dozen core family members, his smile uglier than tears.
“Miss Avril graces us with her presence. May I ask what brings you here?”
Avril didn’t waste words. She pulled a gold-embossed document from her bosom and casually tossed it at the Great Elder’s feet.
“You know why I’m here. I’ve come to dissolve Annabell’s engagement. Sign and seal it, and we’ll leave immediately.”
The sound of the document hitting the ground was not loud, but the faces of all the Weir family members present changed.
“What gives you the right to represent Miss Annabell!” a young man couldn’t help but speak up.
“Exactly! She’s not even here—what kind of nonsense is this?!”
Avril shot them an impatient glance. “This President represents Sky College and Principal Sylvia. As for Annabell…”
She curled her lips. “Missing for so long—probably just doesn’t want to come and break off the engagement in person. That’s all.”
“Sorry, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”
A clear, cold voice came from deep within the estate.
Everyone turned around.
Charlotte, wearing a black robe, her golden hair strikingly bright under the moonlight, stepped out of the shadows one step at a time. Her face was expressionless, but the anger in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.
“Young Master Charlotte!”
The Weir family members automatically made way.
Avril looked her up and down, a smile on her lips. “Oh? So you’re that waste? I heard you recovered your mana. But even if you did, do you think you’re worthy of Annabell?”
Charlotte ignored her provocation, walked straight to the engagement termination letter, bent down, and picked it up.
She countered, “Did Annabell write this herself?”
“Of course not. Since she’s not here, the College acts on her behalf.”
“Then there’s nothing to discuss.”
The engagement termination letter was torn in half, the pieces fluttering to the ground.
Charlotte lifted her head. Her voice wasn’t loud, but every word seemed squeezed through clenched teeth: “This is my engagement with her. If it’s to be dissolved, she must come and say it herself. Your Sky College has no right.”
The whole place fell silent for a moment, then Avril laughed.
“Interesting.” She clapped her hands. “Really interesting. A little girl who’s barely recovered to Level Six dares to tear up a Sky College document right in front of me?”
She took a step forward, her eyes burning as she looked at Charlotte. “Then let me ask you another way—if you don’t sign, do you think your Weir Family can withstand the Principal’s wrath?”
The moment the words fell, Avril released her mana pressure. It was the full release of a peak Level 7.
The air seemed to freeze instantly. One by one, the young members of the Weir Family fell to their knees. The Great Elder’s legs went weak, his face pale, barely managing to stay upright.
Fine cracks appeared on the stone slabs on the ground, and the surrounding flowers and grass were bent over as if by an invisible giant hand.
“Well?” Avril looked down at Charlotte. “Thought it over? Sign, and this matter ends here. Your Weir Family can still save a shred of dignity. Oh, is the gift not good enough? I’ll go talk to the Principal…”
Charlotte’s body was also trembling. Avril’s mana was stronger than Annabell’s, and more aggressive! Her knees were going weak, her blood felt frozen and sluggish, and breathing became difficult.
Many images flashed through her mind. Annabell’s arrogant expression when she declared “no annulment” by the campfire.
Annabell standing in front of her in the ruins, taking attacks with her body again and again. Annabell’s gentle eyes, so unlike her, when she pushed Charlotte into the gate of inheritance.
‘Anna… you risked your life to protect me.’
“How could I give in here?”
Charlotte gritted her teeth and forced herself to straighten her back. Her legs were shaking, and large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, but she refused to kneel.
“I… won’t sign. And I don’t want any gift.”
Avril’s brows furrowed. “What did you say?”
“I said—I won’t sign!” Charlotte’s head shot up, her eyes bloodshot. “This life was saved by Annabell! I don’t care who you are, how strong you are, or who stands behind you—for this engagement, I will never back down, even if I die!”
Charlotte’s voice echoed across the courtyard, every word ringing with resolve.
Avril’s expression finally changed. Not because of anger, but because—she realized that Charlotte had actually stood her ground under her peak Level 7 pressure. How could someone who had just recovered to Level Six do that?
“Ungrateful!” Avril snorted coldly and increased her mana output.
The terrifying pressure climbed again. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of Charlotte’s mouth. Her knees bent slightly, but she never knelt. Her stubborn figure was heartbreaking.
And just then—
Charlotte’s chest suddenly lit up. The Elven King’s emerald jade pendant floated up from inside her collar, emitting a soft emerald light. At the same time, the Medicine God soulfire that had already merged within Charlotte trembled violently.
“This is…” Avril’s pupils abruptly constricted.
The next second, a vast power completely unrelated to Charlotte herself surged forth from within her. The green light spread outward like a tide, directly pushing back Avril’s mana pressure.
Not only that, the power even transformed into an invisible shockwave that slammed heavily into Avril.
Avril let out a muffled grunt, staggered back three steps, and was instead injured by the mana backlash. Her pupils dilated as she stared at Charlotte in shock. No, to be precise, she was staring behind Charlotte.
Against the backdrop of the emerald light, a phantom figure faintly appeared behind Charlotte. The figure wore a crown woven from the Tree of Life, with ancient Elvish runes swirling around it.
Though just a fleeting afterimage, its pressure and aura were enough to make everyone present tremble in their souls.
“This is… the power of the Elven King?!” Avril exclaimed in shock, wiping blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. “You actually obtained this?! The Elven King’s inheritance… how could it be on someone like you?!”
Charlotte was also stunned. She hadn’t actively cast any magic; this power had surged out on its own, as if the ancient Elven King was protecting her in his own way. Just like Annabell’s life-or-death guardianship in the ruins, never retreating a single step!
Thinking of this, Charlotte’s eyes grew warm, but a smile curved on her lips.
She straightened up, meeting Avril’s shocked gaze, and enunciated each word: “So I’ll say it again—this engagement is useless no matter who comes. Unless Annabell herself stands before me and tells me she doesn’t want me anymore. Otherwise, don’t even think about it.”
The Weir family members looked at Charlotte’s erect back, their eyes brimming with tears.
As for Avril, she stared fixedly at Charlotte, and the shock in her eyes was rapidly being replaced by another emotion.
It was jealousy.
And… killing intent.