Patriarch Zu-Han Yuyie squinted. Although it usually took three to five months for a person to break through, his granddaughter wasn't part of this category.

Hannah had a unique Magician's Seed. If she put her heart into it, she could breakthrough in one or two months in every stage of the silver rank.

"Don't worry, Patriarch. I will make sure to reach the Golden stage before the competition." Hannah immediately added when she noticed the displeasure in the patriarch's countenance.

"Father, don't worry, our Hannah didn't slack in her training." Her mother, Yuru Yuyie, also added.

"I see."

Although still wasn't convinced, Patriarch Zu-Han nodded. Then he glanced at the silent person to his left. "Ru-Han, why don't you bring her to the banquet tomorrow. It seemed to me that she needed to divert herself from something," said the patriarch while also sending a glance to Hannah.

Hannah knew what her grandfather meant. He was suspecting her of wasting her time thinking of that guy.

"I see. Okay, father." Said Ru-Han, the father of Hannah.

After a small talk about their family's focus for the coming days, they urged Hannah to go back into her room. She needed to sleep early for the banquet tomorrow.

But after she left, "are you sure that we don't need to end that person, father?" Asked Ru-Han to the patriarch.

Patriarch Zu-Han massaged his beard. "It's easy to eliminate a worm but. It wasn't a reasonable choice unless we are certain that the leading family had no ears and eyes."

Ru-Han fell silent before he opened his mouth. "I see."

It was already night when Yeman went back to their house in the northern part of the empire. He saw his sister Eina sitting on the balcony, with her left hand on her chin.

She dashed forward towards him when she noticed his figure. "Brother!"

"Where have you been? You were staying long outside!" She questioned on the spot, with a worried expression on her face. Beads of tears were even visible in the corner of her eyes.

Yeman smiled wryly then touched her eyes, and wiped the tears. "Sorry, I went to meet a friend." Eina thought that he must be talking about Herro. Since he was the only friend he had. "I see. Okay." 

"Here." From out of thin air, her brother handed her something. After eating the burger that he got from the Gacha, he remembered to buy some in his market.

"What is this?" She asked.

"Uhm, bread with ham and something else. Regardless, it's delicious, try it and see." He said with a proud smile.

"??"

She was puzzled, but when she took a bite on it. Her eyes sparkled like jewels.

"Y-yummy!"

She brimmed that wafted worry on her face.

"Right." 

The two of them continued walking towards the house.

The next morning, Eina was once again surprised when her brother handed her a box. When she opened it, a lovely dress greeted her eyes.

"Woah!" Her mouth widely opened in amazement. She promptly looked at him. "Brother, what for?" then she asked and waited for his reply. It was the first time that she received such a kind gift. Looking at the dress, it must be an expensive one. Only nobles can afford such a dress.

Yeman smiled and brushed her hair. "It's for tonight."

"Tonight?" She repeated as she put her index finger below her mouth, trying to figure out what was there tonight. "Ah!" When she realized, her face showed an 'Aha!' expression. "The banquet?" She asked to confirm that her thought was right. She remembered the last day, a messenger from the palace came and handed Uncle Ronnie the banquet invitations.

All that she knew about it was a gathering of people, usually from rich families or for remarkable people. In which they could eat delicious foods and listen to music. Her understanding about it was only limited to what she heard from Aunt Claire.

When she noticed her brother was nodding his head, she lifted the dress and pulled it closer to her body, seemingly observing how she looks.

"B-Brother, what do you think?" She asked shyly.

Yeman's mouth stretched to both sides. "Mhm! You look lovely, Eina." He said as he smiled.

"Eman! You are there?"

Suddenly, they heard a call coming from outside the door. It was Uncle Ronny.

"Yes, Uncle Ron!" He got up and opened the door to let Ronnie inside. But Ronny refused to come inside. And it seemed he was in haste.

"Initially, I wanted to come with you to the banquet, but something came up," Ronny said with a can't be helped expression on his face. Although he couldn't feel any unease or worry from him, Yeman was a little curious about the reason.

"Why?" He asked.

"The thing is… I received a special mission direct from the headquarters."

After hearing it, he understood what he meant but. "Could it be another subjugation mission?" He asked.

However, he knew that it was unlikely to be the reason because it wasn't easy to carry another subjugation mission in a short time after the last one, as it needed more preparation and took a lot of time.

"I don't think it is." Yeman understood his reply. Even he was doubtful about it. "But since they have yet to tell me about the details, it must be a top-secret mission." Ronny added.

"I see. Uhm, when will it be then?"

"I will leave as soon as I pack up my equipment."

Yeman made a ponder. "Hm, I see. Uhm, by the way, Uncle Ron. Here take this with you."

Ronny was taken aback when he handed a golden greatsword. Just looking at the material of it, he was certain that it wasn't made by a blacksmith from the empire. Not just that, the sword clearly could not be bought at a cheap price.

"Where did you get this? Did you use your money to buy it?" Uncle Ronny asked.

Yeman scratched the back of his head and started explaining to him. That it was the sword he got after helping the group of Mayu in killing the Rat Lord.