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.

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

as the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, Ruby couldn't

martial artists might fret over being outnumbered, but not the Mystic Arts

and parasitic poison?"

"Exactly!" Miles nodded.

dark arts. We haven't encountered anything like that. But just

if Ms. Robinson were to use

really that deadly?"

deadly—it's downright unpredictable!" Miles

know how many elites from the martial world have fallen victim

Plus, its eerie menace has

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

would avoid confrontation unless provoked

Those who provoked

into a

that oblivious? They're still eager for a fight despite knowing the risks of crossing paths with the Mystic Arts

soon enough," Miles remarked as he glanced out the

moment, Abigail confidently stepped outside the tavern's

you're here!" Luke angrily brandished his

front of me? Aren't you

standing in the end,"

martial arts experts I've paid handsomely. You might be tough, but you can't take us all on

Abigail scoffed as she scanned the group. "A bunch of