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.

brought along, I'm worried that Ms. Abigail might be outnumbered." Ruby observed the situation from

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

but not the Mystic Arts Order.

parasitic poison?" Ruby quickly

"Exactly!" Miles nodded.

But just the parasitic

Ms. Robinson were to use her parasitic

really that deadly?" Ruby asked

than deadly—it's downright unpredictable!" Miles

many elites from the martial world have fallen

a trace. Plus, its eerie menace has haunted countless

yet no faction dares to pick a fight with them. That's because the terror of parasitic poison has deeply ingrained itself

confrontation unless provoked by

tactics. Those who provoked their disciples would

his gang are walking into a hornet's nest?" Ruby

asked, "Are they really that oblivious? They're still eager for a fight despite knowing the risks

soon enough," Miles remarked as he glanced

moment, Abigail confidently stepped outside

you're here!" Luke angrily brandished his sword

haven't learned your lesson from this morning. And you dare to swagger in front of me? Aren't you

standing in the end,"

men behind me are martial arts experts I've paid handsomely. You might be tough, but you can't

"A bunch of amateurs