An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

"Troublemaker! I know you're in there, so come out and face the music!"

The loud shout echoed through the tavern again. It sent waves of unease rippling through the patrons.

Miles and the others instinctively turned their gaze toward Abigail.

To them, she was the only one who fit the bill of a troublemaker. But who would dare to be so bold as to challenge the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order so openly?

"Everyone, please continue enjoying your meal. I'll take care of this." Abigail smiled as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin. Then, she rose from her seat and descended the stairs.

Miles and the others exchanged glances and hurried to the window to see what was happening outside.

On the street, a burly man surrounded by a gang of 20 to 30 men was shouting threats. They wielded their weapons menacingly as if they were ready for action.

"Hey, doesn't that man look familiar?" Ruby arched her eyebrow as she recognized the burly man. She had seen him at the Combat Tournament, but his name momentarily escaped her.

"It's Luke Harding from Frostzard Manor!" Miles chimed in.

"You're right! It's him!" Ruby nodded. "This punk caused a scene at the Combat Tournament earlier, and Caleb blasted him with Stormcraft magic until he was a mess. I didn't expect him to recover so quickly. He's quite resilient."

"Luke's got the skills, but he's not the brightest bulb," Dalen remarked.

He unfolded his fan and said casually, "Caleb spared his life back at Sacred Wrym Summit, but now he's out looking for trouble again."

"People like him, sheltered from reality, have no idea how dangerous the Mystic Arts Order can be." Crystal shook her head in disbelief. She shared Dalen's view on Luke's futile provocation.

men that Luke's brought along, I'm worried that Ms. Abigail might

the men accompanying Luke were elites. Despite Abigail's status as the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, Ruby couldn't help but worry about her confronting them

might fret over being outnumbered, but not the Mystic Arts Order.

and parasitic poison?" Ruby quickly caught

"Exactly!" Miles nodded.

haven't encountered anything like that. But just the parasitic poison alone is terrifying enough to make

at Frostzard Manor, if Ms. Robinson were to use her

poison really that deadly?" Ruby asked

deadly—it's downright unpredictable!" Miles

you know how many elites from the martial world

trace. Plus, its eerie menace

many enemies, yet no faction dares to pick a fight with them. That's

our sect would avoid confrontation unless provoked

unorthodox tactics. Those who provoked

walking into a hornet's nest?"

they really that oblivious? They're still eager for a fight despite knowing the risks of crossing paths

Miles remarked as he glanced out the

moment, Abigail confidently stepped

here!" Luke angrily brandished his sword at

in front of me? Aren't you afraid of the consequences?" Abigail smiled, but her eyes betrayed a chilling

left standing

me are martial arts experts I've paid handsomely. You

she scanned the group. "A bunch of amateurs