Chapter 255: Ch255: The Battleground

Daniel met his gaze and activated his ability.

"Status."

——————

Name: Harley Hawkins

Age: 20

HP: 3600/3600

Mana: 2900/2900

Description: A man hungry for power who dreams of making a name for himself, carrying the Hawkins family name to greater heights, and earning his father’s pride. ℯℯ𝑙.

However, the pressure of living up to his family’s expectations often weighs heavily on him, driving him to spend time at brothels to escape the pain he feels while training — a habit that has now become a routine for him, all without anyone knowing.

——————

Their eyes locked for a brief moment.

Daniel’s eyes seemed to say, ’Why are you looking at me?’

Harley’s gaze answered, ’I’m not looking at you. You’re the one looking at me like a creep.’

Daniel narrowed his eyes.

Harley narrowed his eyes back.

For a few seconds, they continued their silent battle before both finally looked away, pretending nothing had happened.

Alexandre returned to his seat and calmly took a sip of wine from his glass.

"Brother Daniel, what kind of powers do you have?" the little girl asked, her curious eyes shifting between Daniel and her meal.

"Ahm..." Harley muttered, as if silently telling his sister not to ask such questions.

*Nom~*

Daniel took a bite of the pork rib. His eyes widened for a brief moment as the rich flavor spread across his tongue.

"Oh my God... it’s so good."

"I’m glad you’re enjoying it," Floryn said with a smile.

"Violet, serve this young man some more pork," Alexandre said with a warm smile.

The maid quickly moved closer to Daniel’s plate and began serving him another piece. Meanwhile, Daniel lowered his gaze toward the young girl.

"I hold the power of lightning," he said, lifting his palm and letting a tiny spark of lightning crackle across his fingers as a small demonstration.

"Woah..." The girl’s eyes widened. "My brother also has the power of lightning, right, Brother?"

She turned toward Harley with a bright smile.

Harley didn’t turn to look at her. He simply continued eating, keeping his face stern. "It’s not a big deal. Everyone has it."

"Daniel, how about you join him for night training?" Floryn suggested, turning her gaze toward him. "There’s a training ground just down there."

"Training?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, his expression showing that he had no idea what she meant.

"Yeah," Floryn said, gesturing toward the east. "There’s a public battle arena near the house where my son trains every night."

"You’ll also have someone to train with, son," Alexandre said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Whatever," Harley muttered, keeping his eyes on his plate as he continued eating.

...

After dinner, Daniel returned to his guest room and sat down on the floor, his back resting against the side of the bed, stomach full, body heavy, and the warmth of the meal made his eyelids feel strangely difficult to keep open.

*Burp~*

"Wow... I’ve never felt this sleepy after dinner.

*Yawn~*

I’m so jealous that they can train even at night."

He reached for a bundle of yarn beside him and picked up another half-finished doll.

While waiting for Harley to finish whatever he was doing, Daniel continued working on his little collection.

Before long, the room fell quiet, broken only by the faint rustle of yarn between his fingers.

Twenty-five minutes later—

*Knock. Knock. Knock.*

"Get up, or I’m leaving you," Harley’s voice came from the other side of the door.

"Coming."

Daniel quickly looked down at the doll in his hand.

It was the thirteenth one.

He grinned and shoved it into his Veil’s Pouch. Thirteen dolls. More like thirteen pieces of ammunition in his arsenal.

...

*Thud*

Outside, the night had already settled over the city. A half-eaten moon hung in the dark sky, spilling its pale silver glow across the streets, while countless stars glittered above.

Walking beside Daniel was a tall, skinny man dressed in a black tunic beneath a white surcoat. He carried a leather satchel over one shoulder, giving him the appearance of a personal butler.

The man briefly glanced at Daniel before turning his gaze forward again.

After a short walk, they arrived at a wide-open area surrounded by a polished marble fence. Inside, dozens of people of different ages were training.

Some punched and kicked wooden dummies.

Others swung weapons at training targets.

A few were even battling each other under the watchful eyes of instructors.

Several guards stood near the entrance, keeping watch over everyone entering and leaving.

"Woah... it’s so cool," Daniel said, his voice filled with excitement.

Harley gave him a sideways glance before turning his attention back toward the battlefield.

From the outside, the entire structure looked completely transparent, almost as if there were nothing separating the arena from the night sky.

But the moment Daniel stepped inside, his eyes widened.

It was completely different.

The walls were made of thick, crystal-clear glass that shimmered like frozen ice, reflecting the moonlight in every direction.

’Wow.’

Daniel stepped back out through the gate and looked at the structure from the outside. Then he stepped back inside and looked around again.

Outside.

Inside.

He repeated it a few times, fascinated by the strange difference.

Meanwhile, Harley pressed his palm against his forehead as he watched Daniel.

"Sir, whom did you bring here for training?" the butler asked, his eyes fixed on Daniel, expression flat.

"Mr. Giraffe. Just keep an eye on him. I don’t want him to interfere with my training. He’s Mother’s guest," Harley said before turning away.

"Understood, sir," the butler replied.

"Excuse me, young man. We should go inside."

The butler approached with his hands clasped behind his back.

Daniel gave him a small nod before finally stepping inside. His eyes immediately wandered across the training ground.

The floor was flat and spacious. In one corner, a muscular man was doing push-ups while three girls stood beside him, watching.

Nearby, another man repeatedly struck a wooden training dummy. Behind it, an orb was attached to the platform. With each strike, the orb lit up with a bright white glow, seemingly measuring the power of his attacks.

Daniel’s eyes wandered across the arena until he spotted Harley among the other trainees.

"Harley," Daniel called as he approached him.

’Ah, no...’ Harley clenched his jaw,.

"Let’s practice," Daniel said with a warm smile.

Harley’s eyes narrowed. "You have Mr. Giraffe by your side. Ask him, not me—"

"Hey, Harley. Who’s this guy? Your relative or something?" a man with orangish hair asked, looking at Daniel with curiosity.