An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Dustin’s method was quick and effective, but the approach was unexpected.

Alicia wanted Brian to swiftly regain composure to prevent him from succumbing to exhaustion. She understood that if Brian were incapacitated, no one would be able to confront Shadowcloak.

However, she hadn’t anticipated Dustin would knock Brian unconscious. While it resolved the immediate issue, it left Alicia pondering the implications.

“Brian!”

After a moment of stunned silence, the Celestial Alliance disciples hurried to lift the unconscious Brian and move him away. Despite their attempts to rouse him by shaking and calling out to him, Brian remained sound asleep.

“Dr. Rhys, you knocked him out. So, who is going to deal with the assassins now?” Aurora frowned and felt a headache coming on.

“You only asked me to calm him down quickly. You didn’t say that he had to stay conscious.” Dustin shrugged.

“Uh… well, can you wake him up?” Alicia asked.

“Sure.” Dustin nodded.

“We’d be grateful if you could wake him up,” Alicia breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Brian awakened, they stood a chance to confront Shadowcloak and the assassins.

“Okay,” Dustin responded and promptly pulled out his silver needles.

are

me, I’ve done this before,” Dustin

Aurora said

needle between his fingers and swiftly inserted it above Brian’s

to his feet. “Kill! I’m going to kill all of you!” he shouted frantically. With his halberd in hand,

fear at the sight. She quickly copied Dustin’s earlier move and delivered a sharp blow to the back of Brian’s neck. He groaned and

was close. It could’ve been disastrous.” She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Brian,

she knew no one could have stopped him if he had gone on

was shocked. She felt that knocking him out again right after he woke

what choice did we have? Brian hadn’t calmed down yet,” Aurora replied helplessly. If they let him

this volatile. Why did a couple of taunts push him over the edge?” Alicia frowned in

man,” Grace chimed in. “He probably drugged Brian and

No wonder Brian seemed off.” Alicia nodded

person to use such underhanded tactics to hurt others.” Aurora’s

disaster if he lost control and couldn’t distinguish friend from

should we do about that man? He seems pretty

figure who had appeared

Rhys here, that man won’t be causing any trouble,” Grace said with a faint smile. She seemed unfazed

“Dr. Rhys?”