Qin Wei lay still for a moment longer before finally answering. He shifted onto his side, propping himself up with one arm, his expression calm despite the dull pain still lingering in his body. "It's a secret art," he said after a brief pause. "Someone passed it on to me." He glanced at Thea and added in a lighter tone, "Don't worry, dear. It can increase my strength, but the drawbacks are heavy. I can't use it freely. Only in real life-and-death situations. It's not something I can bring out during sparring."

Thea listened quietly, then let out a slow sigh. She walked over and sat down on the stone bench nearby, her shoulders sinking slightly. The disappointment on her face was clear. "I was hoping," she admitted, "that we could form a team for the upcoming annual festival."

"The annual festival?" Qin Wei repeated, lifting his gaze toward her.

The words stirred something in his mind. Memories that did not belong to him alone surfaced naturally, fragments of Icarus' past knowledge flowing into place. The annual festival was a grand seven-day event held every year in the imperial city to commemorate the founding of the dynasty. During that week, nobles and commoners alike flooded into the capital.

Delegations arrived from various duchies, and even foreign empires sent envoys. Streets were draped in flowers and perfumed banners. Food stalls lined every major road, performances filled the plazas, scholars debated in open halls, puppet shows entertained children, and gambling houses overflowed with guests. Banquets were hosted one after another. And at the heart of it all stood the battle tournament, where warriors competed for glory and rewards that could change their lives.

Seeing the interest spark in his eyes, Thea continued, her voice steadier now. "This year is different," she said. "It marks the fiftieth year since the dynasty was founded. Everything will be grander. The rewards especially." She paused, letting the weight of her next words settle. "Father said that the champion of the tournament will receive an imperial treasure."

Qin Wei's attention sharpened.

"It's called Nephthys's Wings," Thea said. "A treasure once used by the Emperor himself during the wars. It allows its bearer to fly freely through the skies without consuming mana. The material is nearly indestructible, so it can also serve as a powerful defensive tool."

Qin Wei's heartbeat quickened slightly.

Flight without mana.

The thought alone made his fingers twitch. Mobility, escape, positioning in battle. With the system assisting him, controlling such an artifact would be effortless. The idea took shape almost instantly in his mind, branching into a dozen possible uses.

Just as the thought settled, a familiar cold voice echoed within him.

No chance.

Qin Wei stiffened slightly.

I will not assist the host with an item that has no connection to the system's origin, the system continued flatly. If you obtain it, you will learn how to use it on your own.

Qin Wei exhaled slowly, suppressing the urge to respond aloud.

Even so, his eyes remained fixed ahead, thoughtful and intent.

Nephthys's Wings.

Whether he stepped onto that stage or not, the seed of interest had already taken root.

By now, Qin Wei had long grown accustomed to the system's tone and temperament. Its cold remarks no longer stirred irritation in him, nor did he feel the need to argue with it over every disagreement. Some battles were simply not worth fighting. He let the system's refusal pass in silence and turned his attention back to Thea, who had sunk deeper into thought.

She let out another sigh, this one heavier than before. "If I had known this earlier," she said slowly, "I wouldn't have rejected my senior's invitation to team up. Now it would be awkward to go back and ask." Her brows furrowed slightly as she considered the situation. "I suppose I'll just partner with Vanessa instead."

Qin Wei blinked at her words, the name catching his attention more than he expected. "Your senior?" he asked. "From your guild?"

Thea looked up, momentarily surprised by his question, then nodded. "Yes. We trained under the same master for nearly ten years. We practice the same sword style, and he believes our combat techniques complement each other well. That's why he suggested we form a team for the tournament."

Qin Wei's expression remained calm, but inwardly, a faint ripple spread through his thoughts. It wasn't jealousy, nor was it insecurity. He trusted Thea enough not to feel threatened by the mere mention of another man. Still, he couldn't ignore the subtle unease that settled in his chest. This world was not like the one he came from. Its customs were stricter, its boundaries sharper. In a society like this, even casual closeness between a man and a woman who were not related carried meaning. And Thea was not only a woman of high standing—she was also married.

From Qin Wei's perspective, the situation felt off. Normally, a man in that position should avoid unnecessary proximity to a married woman. At the very least, he should show restraint, not initiative. Yet this so-called senior had openly proposed partnering with her in a public tournament. In Qin Wei's eyes, it was anything but normal.

Even so, he said nothing.

He simply nodded, accepting her decision without comment.

He had seen this kind of situation play out before, in another life, in another world. You voice your discomfort. You point out the oddities. An argument follows, born not from betrayal, but from misunderstanding and wounded pride. Feelings sour. Distance grows. And one day, the person who was always "just a friend" becomes something else entirely.

Qin Wei exhaled quietly.

He chose silence.

Some lines, once crossed, could never be redrawn. And some outcomes, no matter how clearly seen, could not be prevented by words alone.

Qin Wei chose not to stir unnecessary drama. He had long learned that some matters only grew uglier the more they were prodded. Instead, he shifted his focus inward and spoke calmly, as if discussing something trivial. "I've attended the annual festival before," he said. "Back then, since I couldn't fight, I only joined the betting circles with other noblemen. This time, though, I want to try something different."

Thea frowned almost immediately, her brows drawing together as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but you can't," she replied without hesitation. "Among everyone in the house under thirty, the only one strong enough and trustworthy enough to protect you is Vanessa. But if you go with her, people will mock you for hiding behind her strength. They'll say she's doing everything while you stand there." She paused, then added more quietly, "It's also inappropriate. It's better if you don't go at all, husband."

Qin Wei listened without interrupting. When she finished, he simply nodded and let out a soft sigh. "I understand," he said.

Not long after, Thea left Moonvilla to speak with her father. The residence gradually grew quieter, leaving only Qin Wei and Luna behind. Qin Wei remained in the study room, seated by the window, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular as thoughts churned in his mind. The idea of the tournament refused to leave him. The desire to step onto that stage, to erase doubt and rumor alike, burned steadily beneath his calm exterior.

Luna noticed his silence and hesitated before speaking. "What's wrong," she asked softly. "Mas… dear?"

Qin Wei turned toward her and exhaled. He reached out, taking her hands into his, his grip firm but gentle. "I want to participate in the tournament," he said honestly. "I want to show the world that defeating Zion wasn't a lie. That I'm not just some useless trash living off a name. I want to prove that I can stand against other geniuses."

Luna's eyes widened slightly, then softened. "That's not a problem," she said after a moment. "You have me."

Qin Wei blinked. "You?"

She nodded, her tone steady. "After Father's approval, I'll officially be your concubine anyway. Fighting together with you won't be considered improper. I'm a sorcerer, and you're a fighter. We complement each other naturally."

Qin Wei frowned, doubt creeping in. "I'm afraid Thea and my father-in-law won't approve."

Luna smiled, a small, sweet curve of her lips that carried a hint of mischief. "Then what if we don't let them know," she suggested.

"Don't let them know?" Qin Wei echoed, looking at her in surprise.

"Yes," Luna replied. "We're attending the annual festival together regardless. We can simply participate in the tournament while wearing disguises." Her eyes gleamed faintly as she added, "Isn't His Majesty your uncle? You could ask him to arrange a way. With his help, no one would trace it back to you."

Qin Wei fell silent.

The idea settled into his thoughts, dangerous and tempting all at once.

Chapter: The Mission That Cannot Be Refused

Qin Wei remained silent, his gaze drifting toward the window as Luna's suggestion settled into his thoughts. The idea was reckless, dangerous even, but it stirred something restless within him. Before he could speak, a familiar shimmer of light unfolded before his eyes. A translucent screen appeared silently, lines of text forming one after another.

Mission 7: Imperial Proving Ground

Objective: Participate in the Imperial Battle Tournament and prove your strength.

Evaluation: Final ranking determines reward tier.

Participation Reward: 500 credits.

Qin Wei stared at the words for a long moment. The system did not speak, nor did it mock him this time. It merely presented the mission, cold and unavoidable. Slowly, he dismissed the holographic screen, the light fading from his vision as he turned back to Luna.

"Alright," he said at last, his tone firm. "Let's do it."

Luna's eyes lit up slightly, but Qin Wei raised a hand before she could respond. "Before anything else," he continued, "we need to prepare properly. If I'm stepping onto that stage, I won't do it half-ready. We need equipment. Defensive items. Artifacts. Anything that can give us an edge."

Luna hesitated, then asked carefully, "Dear… are you planning to use your savings?" She tilted her head slightly. "Didn't you say you wouldn't touch them until you reached one million gold coins? Have you already gathered that much?"

Qin Wei shook his head slowly. "Not yet," he replied. "We're still short. About two hundred and fifty thousand."

Luna frowned slightly. "Then how—"

"We earn it," Qin Wei interrupted calmly. He straightened in his seat and took a deep breath, his eyes sharpening with resolve. "And we earn it fast."

Luna watched him closely as he continued. "I need you to make another trip to Blossom Tower," he said. "Tell them this. I'm willing to offer a fifty percent discount, but only for bulk purchases. A single deal worth two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins."

Her brows lifted in surprise. "That's a massive concession."

"It is," Qin Wei agreed. "But it's temporary. And it gets us what we need immediately."

Luna studied his face for a moment, then nodded without hesitation. "I'll leave at once," she said. "Blossom Tower won't refuse an offer like that."

As she turned to go, Qin Wei leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting upward.

The mission had arrived.

The stage was set.

And this time, he would not stand on the sidelines.

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