Chapter 14: Livia’s First Practice

Livia walked on her way back, full of resentment.

As for the reason…

“Livia, Livia, tell me more about Lynn’s habits, I want to hear!”

Sophie was just like an energetic puppy, clinging to her nonstop.

No matter how she tried, she couldn’t shake her off.

If only she just couldn’t shake her off—but Sophie kept hopping around behind her, constantly showing her face.

Every time Livia couldn’t stand it anymore and was about to snap and scold her, she would turn her head and see Sophie’s innocent smile.

For some reason, all that pent-up resentment would suddenly vanish, unable to be released.

Is this girl truly innocent, or just plain stupid?

“Hoo—”

Livia let out a long breath and calmed her mood.

She no longer had the energy to ponder it further.

All she knew was, if she didn’t find a way to send Sophie away soon…

She would definitely go crazy.

“Can you go buy me a cake?”

She tried to make her voice calm and normal.

“Of course! Wait for me, Miss Livia, I’ll be right back!”

Watching Sophie’s light and cheerful figure, Livia felt a sense of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted.

Finally got rid of that little nuisance…

Livia thought.

Then, she turned into a relatively secluded alleyway.

This place was hidden and complex enough that unless Sophie truly had a dog’s nose, there was absolutely no way she could find Livia.

However, after walking for a while in the alley, Livia could clearly sense that something was off.

It was too quiet…

Or rather, it was deathly still all around.

Even though the alleyways were intricate, there should still be plenty of households here.

Yet, today, she hadn’t seen a single soul.

Livia frowned, a sense of crisis gradually creeping up in her heart.

She was about to turn back immediately, but in the next moment, she collided head-on with a Heirless Youth.

“Sorry… sorry, are you alright?”

“Heh.”

The Heirless Youth let out a cold laugh.

“You think just an apology is enough after bumping into me?”

As he spoke, the youth slowly pulled out a gemstone from his pocket.

As a small stream of magic flowed into it, the gemstone suddenly began to emit a strange light.

The next moment, Livia felt a wave of dizziness.

Livia frowned. Her instincts told her that the gemstone in the youth’s hand was no ordinary thing.

She raised her hand, intending to chant a spell array to erase this troublesome guy completely.

But in the next instant, she was shocked to find that the magic within her was completely gone.

Suddenly, she recalled her previous life, on the wedding night with Lynn, when the Abyssal Assassin came to take her life.

It was the same sensation of magic depletion.

Could it be…

A sense of despair rose in Livia’s heart.

“I’m in a good mood today, so if you let me have my fun, I’ll let you go.”

“Resistance is useless. This is a barrier. Unless someone comes in of their own will, no one will hear your cries for help.”

“So, if you even dare to resist…”

The Heirless Youth grinned viciously and approached, but in the next moment, he suddenly sensed a powerful murderous intent behind him.

Puzzled, he turned his head.

“I say, treating a lady like this is a bit impolite, isn’t it?”

Lynn slowly stepped into the barrier, his lips still curled into that chilling, gentlemanly smile.

“Heh, and here I was wondering who it could be—turns out it’s the good-for-nothing Young Master Lynn.”

Seeing who had arrived, the Heirless Youth relaxed.

“What, you think you alone can play the hero and save the beauty?”

Disdain filled the Heirless Youth’s voice.

Everyone in the royal capital knew of Lynn’s ridiculous deeds.

With that weak physique of his, even without any such treasure, the youth could take on two Lynns at once with no problem.

What’s more, with the barrier’s power now, he could absorb the magic of everyone inside for his own use.

Even if Lynn had the skills of a deity, he wouldn’t be able to win against him!

Then, after tying up this arrogant brat, he could demand a hefty ransom from his father.

He’d never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of his life!

Lynn shrugged.

“How would I know if I don’t try?”

As he spoke, a “Queen” chess piece gradually appeared in his hand.

It was none other than the Dragon Heart.

As it fully materialized, the unique oppressive aura of the Orange Legend Rank chess piece began to fill the narrow alley.

The Heirless Youth stared at Lynn and quickly sensed that something was wrong.

His aura was different from before.

No, this aura—wasn’t even human.

The Heirless Youth’s fingertips clenched involuntarily, his whole body tense.

It was as if, facing him…

Was a dragon.

An ancient dragon.

No! This guy is hiding something.

I can’t drag this out any longer!

With that thought, he immediately began chanting a spell.

Having absorbed Livia’s magic, a huge fireball slowly formed in his palm.

He was pleasantly surprised—such a large fireball could probably only be conjured by a third-tier Magus.

Thinking this, he grew a little smug.

“Kowtow three times to me right now and I might spare your life.”

He was absolutely confident that Lynn couldn’t possibly survive this attack.

“Is that so.”

Lynn smiled and nodded, as if he hadn’t taken the youth’s attack seriously at all.

In the next instant, the youth was utterly enraged.

The huge crimson fireball flew from his hand, hurtling straight toward Lynn.

“So stubborn.”

Then, Lynn slowly tossed out the Dragon Heart.

A streak of red light flashed.

In just an instant, the immense energy of the fireball was almost entirely absorbed by the Dragon Heart.

The Heirless Youth stared, pale-faced, at the scene before him, terror written all over his face.

This—this isn’t what the rumors said at all!

Lynn… he’s a monster!!

At that thought, the youth could no longer care about fear—he turned and sprinted deeper into the alley.

But in the next moment, a deep dragon’s roar echoed from the crimson sky.

Ayan soared above, wings spread, effortlessly cutting off all of the youth’s escape routes.

“I’ll leave him to you, Ayan.”

Lynn snapped his fingers.

A blazing beam of light shot down from the clouds.

In the blink of an eye, the youth was reduced to ashes.

He didn’t even have time to scream.

This was the unparalleled suppressive power of the Orange Legend Rank chess piece.

“Are you alright?”

Lynn gently helped Livia up.

“Y-yes… I’m fine…”

Livia’s delicate face flushed a bright red.

At the same time, an unprecedented sense of security blossomed in her heart.

I wish I could just stay by Mr. Lynn’s side like this forever…

Livia thought.

“Oh, right, Mr. Lynn.”

Suddenly, Livia seemed to remember something.

Since the barrier was still up and no one was around…

She slowly extended her index finger and pressed it to Lynn’s lips.

Then, she gently pushed Lynn up against the wall, rose on tiptoe, and pressed close to him.

“Mr. Lynn is my hero. You’ve saved me from danger time and time again…”

“I… can’t suppress my feelings any longer.”

“So please, let Livia be selfish just this once, okay?”

With those words, Livia softly kissed Lynn’s lips.

Her soft pink tongue explored clumsily, shy but persistent.

A long moment passed before Livia reluctantly parted her lips.

She wiped the glistening corner of her mouth and looked at the still-stunned Lynn, revealing a mischievous, impish smile.

“Thank you for the treat, Mr. Lynn.”