Hahaha! So now both of you are here. I guess it's time for you two to leave. I am opening a portal for you both. You will return from where you came."
The old man waved his hand, and a swirling portal appeared before us. It was time to go back.
"Old man, thank you for helping us. I will definitely come back to meet you soon. Maybe I'll even need your help again."
"Sure, boy. If the Gallant Family is ever in danger, come find me. I will help you. Now, go."
I nodded in gratitude. "Okay, old man. Bye-bye."
With that, Ignis and I stepped through the portal. The moment we crossed, we found ourselves in the storeroom of the Gallant Estate, the very place where we had entered five years ago. The room was dark, probably because my parents didn't expect me to return today.
I turned to Ignis. "Let's go meet them."
As we stepped out, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Would they recognize me? My black hair had grown long and was now tied back. My facial features had become sharper, and my charm had grown to the maximum level of ten. I had changed a lot.
"I want to surprise them. I want to see their reaction. I'm so happy that I'll finally meet them after all these years. What do you think, Ignis?"
But instead of sharing my excitement, Ignis' expression changed. She looked at me seriously and said, "Hey, I can't sense your parents' presence anywhere in the estate."
I frowned. "What are you talking about? They must be home. Just come with me."
However, as we stepped outside, I noticed something unusual. A heavy tension filled the air. The guards were on high alert, their hands gripping their weapons tightly, as if expecting an attack at any moment. It felt like the estate was under siege.
Worried, I rushed toward my father's room. When I entered, the room was empty. My heart pounded in my chest.
"What if something happened to them?" I muttered under my breath. Panic started to rise within me. "Ignis, call Bell!"
Ignis immediately sent a signal, and within moments, Bell stormed into the room. She had an attitude and a smug look on her face.
"Hey, kid, who are you? How did you enter the estate? Wait, let me deal with you—"
She raised her hand, ready to attack, but I quickly stopped her.
"Wait, Bell! How can you forget me? You're the one who raised me!"
Bell's eyes widened in shock. "What? Wait... Young Master?! You're back?"
Her tough demeanor instantly crumbled as she rushed toward me, eyes filled with relief. "Thank the heavens! Young Master, you have no idea what's been happening! The family has been going through a lot. The king has canceled your engagement, and your parents have gone to the royal palace to speak with him. But I don't think it's going well. You must stay inside the estate. Many assassins are already after you!"
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Bell, relax. I'm not the same kid I was five years ago. I can handle this."
In reality, I was already a 9th-circle magician. However, I had used a special item from the system store—a clock that concealed my power level, making me appear as a 4th-circle magician to anyone trying to sense my strength.
Bell still looked worried, but I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I've wanted to meet the king for a long time. He thinks he can mess with our family so easily?"
My eyes darkened with determination. "Prepare a carriage, Bell. I will visit the palace personally."
Bell prepared a carriage, and soon, Ignis and I were on our way to the palace. As we moved through the dimly lit roads, I found myself lost in thought—should I reveal my full power today, or keep it hidden? It would depend on the situation.
Just as I was debating this, the carriage jerked to a sudden stop.
"What happened?" I asked, turning to Ignis.
She narrowed her eyes, her senses already on high alert. "There are assassins lurking ahead. Seven of them, all Rank Six."
I smirked. "Only seven?"
"Don't get careless," she warned.
I stepped out of the carriage, my presence sending a chill through the air. "I know you're here," I called out. "Come at me. I don't have time to waste."
Laughter echoed from the shadows as seven hooded figures emerged from the trees. One of them, likely the leader, sneered. "Hah! So, you're the Gallant brat we've been waiting for? This is our lucky day." He cracked his knuckles. "A mere Fourth-Circle magician? One of us is enough to—"
He stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened in horror as he glanced around. His comrades—six deadly assassins—were already on the ground, lifeless.
"What…?" His voice trembled.
I was no longer standing where I had been. Before he could react, a cold whisper brushed against his ear.
"You talk too much."
The last thing he felt was the sharp, precise cut of my blade.
I stepped back into the carriage, brushing off nonexistent dust.
"Those guys were annoying," I said casually. "You should handle them next time."
Ignis crossed her arms. "You took too long."
I raised a brow. "Oh? Then you'd better be faster next time."
She smirked, and with that, the carriage rolled forward once more, carrying us toward the palace.