*************
Ryan's gaze returned to the young master.
Good. He hasn't noticed me… yet.
Even so, he did not allow the faint relief to soften his vigilance. Saints were not ordinary individuals. They bore Divine Elemental Affinity bestowed directly by their patron deities—an attunement that transcended mere mana manipulation. It was not simply power; it was resonance. And resonance, by its very nature, responded to proximity.
Even standing within the same room could already be too much.
The young master, on the other hand, cleared his throat and finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm, carrying a subtle authority that did not seem forced.
"Apologies for the lack of manners. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mikael Yvan Everette—fourth son of Viscount Everette, and the Acting City Lord of Mirken Territory."
His gaze swept across the room—measured, observant, and far too sharp for someone his age.
