Summoned and Unwanted

“This is troubling. By how quickly everything is being processed, I estimate a royal decree to have Vincent appear in front of the royal council will be sent next week by the latest and by the end of this week by the earliest.” Darwin tapped on the desk and offered again, “The total amount isn’t too big for my family. I can lend the money without any interest. ”

“If they do not admit their crimes, then I will not admit mine. If I do pay the compensation fee, then I would admit to attacking them while making Jun Ye Rim appear like an actor to trap and justify my actions.”

[I agree with you, Vincent. We will not give them a single coin.]

“Headmaster Darwin. Is there any way you can suggest to change the situation?” Lilith asked to seek an alternative.

“Hmm... Normally, everyone comes to an agreement one way or another. But this situation has become difficult to predict. The five noble families can not threaten you because of the high security. Thus, both parties need to...”

Vincent, Kazumi, and Lilith became nervous when Darwin stopped talking all of a sudden. They saw him massage his temple and sigh a couple of times. They waited until Darwin stopped acting strange and said what was on his mind.

“Last time this method was used was a decade ago. Sigh. I never thought I was going to think about this dangerous method, but from what I can see, the situation is leaning on this option.”

“What is it?”

.....

“A method last used a decade ago... could it be?...”

“Judgment by combat. It is a combat trial where power is the truth. Where the richest can decide to hire the strongest servants to fight for them instead of fighting their own fight.” Darwin noticed Vincent confused and Lilith acting as he expected. Not many of the young generations are thought the dangerous judgment by combat.

“The Lionheart family doesn’t have the authority to choose this option. Furthermore, in the fight to make your words the truth, only Vincent, Vincent’s wives, Vincent’s slaves, Vincent’s familiars, and Jun Ye Rim will be eligible to participate as the parties involved in this matter.”

Darwin looked Vincent in the eye and continued, “Are you going to send your family members to a death battle?”

Vincent understood what Darwin was trying to mean. Judgment by combat would put the lives of those dear to him at risk. Just to prove that his actions had a reason behind them, Vincent had to make sacrifices possibly.

Vincent felt his hand being held. He moved his head and saw Lilith looking at him with a frown.

“Are you going to back down because you think we will hinder you? Ester was right. You think of our safety so much that you forgot what we have all been through.” Lilith smiled warmly and continued, “We have your back. We are your support and not your shackles.”

“But you can’t fight.” Bluntly said Darwin, hoping to persuade Vincent to forget about the dangerous judgment by combat.

Vincent stood up. “How many fighters will be required to participate? Additionally, what is the maximum power range that can participate?”

“Huh?” Darwin stared blankly at Vincent. “Why are you so keen on resolving this matter the hard way?”

“Because screw the rules. Isn’t that the rule they are using? Their family members caused a problem, and because someone retaliated, they are the ones seeking compensation instead of the other way around.” Vincent said while glaring. He was angry at how egoistic people can be when they have power.

*Sigh* “Since the maximum number of people involved on one side is five, then I assume it will be fight fighters on each side.”

*Sigh* “As for the power level, I think they would not participate in the fight themselves. If they used slaves, I estimate they would be A Rankers or below. But since the strong would be mostly found in the desert or north continents, B Rankers and below are the most likely opponents if found from this continent.”

[We have already met two S Rankers, and we can not beat them. We probably will not be able to beat A Rankers, but B Rankers might be a different story if you can master Unbound.]

“Vincent. Are we going to leave?” Asked Lilith.

“Yes. Let’s go ask the others what they wish to do.” Vincent extended his hand to help Lilith stand up.

The two of them looked at Darwin and said, “Thank you.” They looked at each other, and Lilith teleported them to the island.

*Sigh* “Why can’t they choose to back down for now? Why do they have to be interested in that method? I heard Vincent doesn’t even have combat slaves. Does he intend to use his wives to fight? Are they even that strong? Last time I saw their stat, they weren’t strong enough to compete in judgment by combat and survive.”

Darwin rubbed his temple and opened the desk drawer. He took out an unopened bottle of wine and filled a glass.

“I hope no one else will make my headache worse today...” He said while drinking.

*Team Ten Island*

About half an hour later, the bedroom being used as a meeting room was filled with angry people.

“I will go to train harder!” Ester said before leaving to train outside. She hoped to be able to master Glyph imitation magic soon.

“I will also go to train harder! ” Lupa said before leaving to ask Vivid about how to use Energy Flow. Hearing how Vincent learned Unbound made her understand she needed more powerful moves in her arsenal.

“I can’t fight, but I will do my best to prepare Zero combat ready.” Said Iris while going to the study room and collecting Droplet Of Life.

“Plow wants to help too!” *Pho* Plow said before leaving to train her tails control.

Only Vincent and Lilith remained in the bedroom now. Lilith felt ashamed she could not offer any help. She looked sad and showed the expression of being a useless person.

“Why do you have that sad look on your face Lilith?”

“I can’t help other than offer one person quicker recovery...”

“Don’t be sad, Lilith. I forgot to tell you something this morning.”

“Forgot?”

“Yes. We have reached fifty percent Soul Synch compatibility. Ester gave me Mana Body, Lupa gave me Overheat, and you gave me a trait called Vitality.”

“Vitality?”

“Yes. Vitality helps me recover from injuries slightly faster. It also helps me recover my stamina slightly faster as well.” Vincent embraced Lilith, leaned his head, and whispered in her ear, “It’s like having my wife applying a Minor Regen twenty-four seven.”

Lilith smiled after knowing she was helping Vincent in some way. She felt grateful for Vincent’s Soul Synch skill as it allowed Lilith to help without having the power to fight.

“Can you later go with Nick and Clair to tell your parents what is happening and what we might decide to do?”

“Yes. I will tell my mother to keep the letter away from my father. He might freak out if he discovers what is happening right now. But... what are you going to do in the meantime?”

“Kazumi suggested I tell Melissa everything and make her request her father to demand a just and fair trial instead of a one-sided trial.”

“... so everyone is dead set on fighting to prove Jun Ye Rim was lustfully attacked and made her choose death?”

“Yes. But we might need to get slaves...”

“Or more wives.” Lilith interrupted, shocking both Vincent and Kazumi.

Vincent let go of Lilith. *Cough* “I will train until we leave for teacher Maria’s lesson.” He said before leaving quickly.

Lilith was left in the bedroom alone. She giggled while commenting, “I would be interesting to see more real-life romance drama. I feel excited to think about my next sister, hehe.”

*Maria’s magic outdoor lesson*

After Maria’s lesson ended, Vincent went to speak with Melissa.

“Melissa, can we talk in private? I hope we can go somewhere privately as I want our conversation to be a secret. I hope you understand what I wish from you as it is something only you can provide me.”

Melissa became surprised to hear Vincent ask her to go to a private place together. She glanced at Lilith and saw her leave with Clair and Nick. Jun Ye Rim left with her student card.

Melissa faintly blushed. She took a step back and stared at Vincent with a puzzled frown.

“You... you need me? And in a private location where no one can hear or see what we will do?” She asked.

[Huh? Why do I feel Melissa misunderstands us?]

“Yes. I need to say something in private. Do you know a place where we can talk? Just the two of us?” Vincent didn’t care what Melissa had in her mind. He just needed the favor for saving her life to be upheld.

Melissa extended her hand. “Let’s go to my team’s island.” She looked at her teammates and continued, “My teammates won’t interfere, right?”

The three teammates shook their heads while Tiffi was already beside Maira to teleport to Vincent’s team island. Vincent and Melissa were going to have a whole island to themselves.

Vincent held Melissa’s hand. Shortly, the two of them teleported to team one island. The first thing Melissa did was to order her servant and her teammate’s servants to stay away from them.