"Veyron?"
Nova stood before the academy’s main entrance, her silver-white hair gently swaying in the morning breeze. Her amethyst-like eyes first glanced at the name displayed on the registration device before settling on Asher.
"What is your relationship with Lina Veron?"
As her voice rang out, the whispers spreading through the crowd gradually died away.
To ordinary applicants, the name Lina Veyron might have meant nothing. But among those born into hunter families, quite a few still remembered her. More than ten years ago, she had not only been one of the youngest support-type instructors at the Aegis Gate Academy, but had also been regarded as someone with the potential to become an A-rank Healing Hunter.
Later, however, for reasons unknown, she had suddenly left the academy. Her hunter license had been permanently revoked by the Association, and she had never appeared in public again.
Now, a young man carrying Lina’s special recommendation badge had suddenly arrived at Aegis gate Academy, naturally arousing everyone’s curiosity.
Asher looked at Nova.
In terms of appearance, she looked almost identical to the girl standing beside her, Mira. Yet their temperaments were completely different. Mira radiated an intense, blazing aura like fire itself, while Nova appeared calm and composed. Especially those eyes that constantly observed everything around her—it was difficult to think of her as an ordinary eighteen-year-old girl.
A translucent system panel silently unfolded before Asher’s eyes.
[Target: Nova Valdris]
[Affection: 0]
[Current Emotions: Suspicion, Curiosity]
[Target is observing the host’s appearance.]
[The target has developed interest in the host’s identity. Release suppression of the Sacred Aphrodisiac Body?]
"No."
Asher answered inwardly.
[Suppression maintained.]
After obtaining basic control authority, he was finally able to suppress the special aura naturally emitted by the Sacred Aphrodisiac Body. Although he still couldn’t conceal it completely, it was no longer like last night with Irene, where simply sharing the same room had unconsciously affected her.
He had no intention of relying on his physique to deal with the situation before him.
At least, not yet.
"She is my mother."
Asher’s reply was calm.
But those few simple words caused a noticeable change in Nova’s expression.
Mira, standing beside her, also turned her head and looked at Asher seriously for the first time.
"So you’re the one..."
Mira seemed to remember something.
Her voice paused for a moment before she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Father’s illegitimate son who was left behind in the Lower District?"
A wave of uncontrollable gasps instantly erupted from the surrounding crowd.
"An illegitimate son?"
"Lord Cassian has an illegitimate child?"
"No way. Lord Cassian is recognized throughout the Federation as a model hunter. How could he possibly do something like that?"
"Keep your voice down! That’s the Valdris Family!"
Countless astonished and doubtful gazes immediately focused on Asher.
Cassian Valdris was not only an immensely powerful S-rank Hunter but also one of the Federation’s most beloved heroes. His marriage with his wife, Seraphine, had always been portrayed by the media as the perfect union in the hunter world.
Yet now, Cassian’s never publicly acknowledged illegitimate son had appeared at the gates of Aegis Gate Academy. If this matter spread, it would undoubtedly affect the reputation of the Valdris Family.
"Mira."
Nova frowned.
"Did I say anything wrong?"
Mira made no effort to lower her voice. Instead, she folded her arms and openly sized Asher up.
"When I was little, I once overheard Mother and Father arguing. They were talking about that woman... and the child she gave birth to. I originally thought he had died long ago."
Irene’s expression instantly turned cold.
A pale blue thread of life silently appeared at her fingertips. "Watch your words."
"A newly promoted C-rank Hunter dares to speak to me like that?"
Flames gently flickered around Mira.
The temperature in the surrounding air rapidly rose.
Irene did not retreat.
More threads of life slowly extended from her sleeves. Although she had only recently advanced to C-rank and still couldn’t fully control her evolved abilities, after absorbing Asher’s secret essence, both her mana capacity and recovery speed had already surpassed those of ordinary C-rank Hunters by a wide margin.
The atmosphere between the two sides immediately grew tense.
Several hunters guarding the academy entrance instantly gripped their weapons.
"Combat is prohibited at the entrance of Aegis Gate Academy!"
"Everyone, withdraw your abilities immediately!"
Asher reached out and gently rested his hand on Irene’s shoulder.
"There’s no need."
"But she—"
"She only spoke the truth."
Asher looked at Mira.
"Cassian has indeed never acknowledged my identity. Strictly speaking, I don’t even qualify as the Valdris Family’s illegitimate son."
"Asher..."
Irene froze slightly.
Yet there was neither anger nor humiliation on Asher’s face.
For the original owner of this body, failing to gain Cassian’s acknowledgment might have been a wound that would never heal.
But for the current Asher, the surname Valdris held nothing worth longing for.
On the contrary.
If he were forced to abandon his mother’s surname and join that hypocritical family, that would be the true humiliation.
"However, there’s one thing you got wrong." Asher continued.
Mira frowned.
"What?"
"I’m still alive."
His gaze remained utterly calm, without the slightest ripple.
"And I’ll live far better than you could ever imagine."
Their eyes met in midair.
The flames surrounding Mira suddenly flared violently.
She had originally assumed that this illegitimate son raised in the Lower District would either lash out in humiliation after having his identity exposed or lower his head before the overwhelming influence of the Valdris Family.
But Asher did neither.
From beginning to end, he never displayed even the slightest desire to gain the family’s acknowledgment. Instead, his calm expression made it seem as though he had never placed the Valdris surname in his eyes at all.
That made Mira extremely uncomfortable.
[Target Mira has developed negative emotions.]
[Current Affection: -15]
[Target conquest difficulty has increased.]
[Notice: Negative emotions from proud targets may also transform into even stronger attention.]
Asher directly closed the notification.
At that moment, a series of footsteps echoed from inside the academy.
More than a dozen instructors dressed in black academy uniforms walked through the gates. Leading them was a slightly overweight middle-aged man with neatly trimmed golden hair. Pinned to his chest was a silver badge representing the Academy Admissions Committee.