After taking over all of the Remington family's assets and combining them with the Drake family properties she already controlled, Laura's prestige within the family was unmatched.
Her two brothers vanished without a trace after that, their fates unknown.
They probably never imagined that the little sister they'd looked down on could harbor such terrifying ambition and cunning.
Honestly, Leon had to admire what his grandmother had accomplished.
A successful power player like that deserved to be the head of the family.
Over the past sixteen years, Leon had dealt with plenty of schemes targeting him.
Some people tried to stir up trouble, saying stuff like they'd back him and whatnot, egging him on to go up against Mira's two kids.
Others tried to tempt him with bribes, asking him to steal things from the family.
No matter whether it was real or fake, Leon always stuck to one principle: play dumb, act timid, and refuse everything.
If you dared approach him with shady business, he'd turn around and report you to the family in a heartbeat.
He had his own grand plans brewing, so why would he bother with these bottom-feeders and their petty schemes?
They'd arrived.
Looking at the imposing main castle and the row of guards standing at attention by the entrance, Leon pulled himself out of his thoughts.
Inside the opulent hall, a woman in lavish mage robes sat quietly on the throne-like seat, eyes closed in meditation.
Though she was getting on in years, she was well-maintained. A dazzling star crown sat atop her head, and she naturally radiated an air of nobility.
Having delivered Leon as ordered, Marcia took her place behind Laura.
"Greetings, Grandmother," Leon said, taking the initiative to pay his respects as always.
"I hear you're going away to study?"
As she spoke, her eyes snapped open, sharp and commanding, carrying an air of authority without anger.
Along with those piercing eyes came an aggressive aura that pressed down on Leon.
Laura wasn't just the family head. She was also a formidable five-star mage.
Facing that pressure, Leon "hastily" stumbled back two steps, head down, even wiping at non-existent sweat on his forehead...
The whole scared and submissive act, perfectly executed.
Sure enough, seeing her illegitimate grandson's reaction, a flash of displeasure crossed Laura's eyes.
At best, he was just a timid, useless person with a bit of street smarts.
When Laura first heard about Leon wanting to leave, she'd been personally busy with something else.
Elise, her youngest daughter-in-law's niece, had lost both parents and was now staying with the family.
None of that mattered much, except for one thing: yesterday, the girl had passed her awakening ceremony and become a beast tamer.
Those two words, "beast tamer," made even the normally composed Laura's eyes light up.
Sure, the family had invested in two beast tamers, but those were just business partnerships. Elise was practically family, so the relationship was on a completely different level.
Her own grandson and granddaughter were decent enough, one a warrior, one a mage.
But this illegitimate grandson standing before her was spectacularly useless in the opposite direction...
So Laura had decided that no matter how many resources it took, she'd bind Elise to the Remington family ship.
Thinking about the black-haired kid in front of her who couldn't even sense primal spirit energy, Laura's lips curled in contempt.
Laura actually knew that her husband had secretly given Leon cultivation manuals.
She had eyes and ears everywhere in this family. Very few things escaped her notice.
Though this black-haired kid was basically invisible in the family, if he'd succeeded at the awakening ceremony, he could at least have been somewhat useful.
Turns out he was completely unable to sense primal spirits. Pathetically useless.
"Y-yes, Grandmother, that's... that's right," Leon stammered nervously.
His panicked stuttering made Laura's frown deepen, a vague sense of disgust rising in her chest.
Sixteen years of raising a freeloader.
"Oh Jonas, Jonas, if it weren't for you, why would I keep him here? Too bad your grandson isn't doing you any favors."
With a mental sigh, Laura's eyes drooped. She didn't even want to look at the kid standing below.
"Go ahead then. If things work out well for you out there, don't bother coming back."
The same words, "don't come back," but with completely different meanings.
Grandpa's version came from genuine care for his grandson, while Grandmother's meant he didn't deserve to stay in this family.
Leon didn't care what his grandmother thought. Inside, he was grinning from ear to ear.
Success!
"Also, you're not allowed to tell people out there that you're from the Remington family. If I find out you're using the family name for personal gain, I'll make sure you can't live but can't die either!"
Cold eyes stared down at him. Laura wasn't joking around.
"I understand," Leon replied hastily.
Yeah, right. As far as this self-important grandmother was concerned, Leon thought she was totally overthinking it.
He was a Drake, never a Remington. He had no interest in wrapping himself in the family's reputation.
Having successfully fooled the biggest boss in the house, Leon could finally breathe easy.
After going through the proper formalities and saying his goodbyes, he immediately turned and left.
His "hasty retreat" nauseated Laura all over again...
If you're going to put on a show, might as well go all in. When it came to being deliberately annoying, this old pro could do it in his sleep.
Bouncing back to his room to pack, Leon suddenly noticed a small box on his desk.
Under the box was a letter with Grandpa's name written on it.
With his concerns put to rest, Leon opened the letter first. Reading its contents, even with two lifetimes of experience, his nose tingled.
Carefully putting the letter away, Leon took a deep breath to steady his emotions.
However these people in the family looked down on him now, that's exactly how they'd end up kneeling and looking up at him later.
He, Leon, was no saint.
He ate meat.
And he had a big appetite.
Opening the small box, he found an exquisite storage ring inside.
Arthur and Rose had gotten items like this ages ago, but Leon obviously hadn't been given access to such resources.
He pricked his finger and bound the ring with his blood, then put it on.
Inside the ring were some new clothes, food and drink, and... one million star coins.
Star coins were the common currency on this continent.
A million star coins was pocket change to the family, but for Leon, it was solid startup capital.
At least he wouldn't have to waste energy worrying about money for a while.
Leon tucked this kindness and affection deep in his heart.
With the ring on, there was nothing else to pack. After changing into a new suit, Leon locked his door and headed straight out of the castle.
In the garden, a beautiful young woman was peacefully reading a book.
Warm sunlight poured down, butterflies danced, birds sang in the trees. Everything was so peaceful and lovely.
"You're Elise, right?"
The girl looked up. Seeing the refined, handsome boy around her age, she quickly closed her book, stood up, and politely said:
"Yes, hello. May I ask who you are...?"
She recognized the glasses-wearing black-haired boy. Though they'd crossed paths a few times and she'd heard bits and pieces from her cousin, Elise still didn't know his name.
"Me?"
Leon let out a wild laugh.
The black-haired boy in front of her slowly raised his arm and removed his glasses.
The moment the glasses came off, his whole aura... changed completely.
Eyes like a hawk's, brows like blades, pupils like bottomless pits, hair like steel bristles.
His body cracked and popped as his slightly hunched back slowly straightened, his torso standing tall as a pine.
His muscles swelled, filling out his suit until it looked almost tight, his whole frame seeming to bulk up a size.
His height shot up several inches, approaching six-foot-one.
"Just a nobody."