18 A Winner’s Character (1)

Skyler got on one of her family's transports. She was the youngest daughter of the second wealthiest family in the entire Capital city of Amethyst.

Her father had eleven artisan factories that manufacture all kinds of everyday objects that worked with magic. From mobile cars to special flying machines or, as people called them, Mave, her father had them.

Her father was one of the most influential and respected men in the country, contributing to all existing industries. His corporations alone were responsible for more than fifty percent of the maintenance and running costs of the tournament of virtues.

Mr. Armand owned six buildings throughout the city, including the stadium where the fighting would take place.

Aside from that, his company bore all the expenses related to the life status of the Marked ones, and this was no secret.

When the word Marked brushed Skyler's mind, she could not help but recall the young man who recently defeated her.

The idea that the Marked ones should be thankful towards her father crossed her mind, as most of their so-called 'pension' was from her father's company.

However, that thought was immediately pushed back. After all, their role in the current peaceful times could never be ignored.

In fact, it was probably Armand's way of showing his grateful side. In Skyler's eyes, her father was a very kind and gracious man.

Nevertheless, without fear of exaggeration, it could be said that Armand's companies were by far the heart of the entire Paveran Nation.

Skyler knew this about her father, but where everyone saw an influential and powerful man, she only saw the warm and kind man who was always there for her and her brother.

When Albert expressed his desire to join the army, his father tried to dissuade him. But, Albert was really determined and did not change his mind regardless of all the risks or disadvantages of the military.

So when Armand failed to convince Albert, he just supported him.

But Albert had to ask his father not to use his influence to make his military service simpler.

Armand was also a self-sacrificing man, and there was only one thing that he loved as much as his children, his dear wife.

Skyler's mother was a woman well placed in society's high names due to her father's family name. Skyler's grandfather was the minister who ran the Capital city.

His eldest son, Skyler's uncle, became a Virtue almost without any problem and soon after occupied the position of leader of the Council of Virtues.

Naturally, her mother used these advantages to position herself as the most sought-after woman in the nation. In that way, she managed to conquer Armand's love.

Skyler's father was ten years older than her mother, and despite that difference, they married.

However, Skyler had never been able to understand why her father tolerates her mother's pettiness the way he does.

For Skyler, for two people so different, a harmonious relationship to the point of marriage was impossible.

But that was not the case with her parents. Despite her and her brother not being really close to their mother, their parents still have a prosperous and happy marriage.

Skyler was still in deep thought. Thus she did not notice that more than twenty minutes had already passed, and she was nearing her destination.

It did not take long for her to see the entrance for Mabel's ranch.

Skyler calmly got off the transporter. Yet, when she looked up in front, a great surprise whipped her.

She got stiffened while looking at the entrance with a complicated expression.

In the entrance, there was Malcom. He was walking towards the entrance of the ranch while laughing with two soldiers.

They were joking with him, loudly.

"You should have won, man! That girl almost peed her pants!" One of the guards said.

Just as the guard spoke, another one glanced in Skyler's direction suddenly.

Before Skyler could think, she already approached them quickly and hit the guard who offended her.

The guard was caught off guard and was hit at the back. But, one hit would not be enough to defeat a guard trained to protect a Virtue.

"Yow!" The guard yelled in surprise before looking at Skyler with a raised brow as if she was a mischievous kid.

After Skyler hit the guard who was joking, Malcom's gaze shifted to the young woman who was now also standing in the entrance. Skyler was also glaring at them with unmasked displeasure.

"The goddess of fire is really barbaric," Malcom said with a smirk. He then glanced at the guard, who was now crossing his arms over his chest and doing a staring battle with Skyler.

Malcom was trying not to laugh out loud when he said, "You better go back to your post-Mitch."

The guard nodded and patted Malcom on the back a couple of times.

He gave Skyler a quick glance, then snorted. Mitch then began to trot back to the gate of the wall.

Mitch's partner took off his regulation cap, and leaning he said, looking at Skyler, "Excuse him, Miss. He is an idiot kid sometimes."

Skyler faked a smile and nodding watched as the other guard retreated and reached his partner, hitting him on the head.

The young woman knew that there were people who would make fun of her for the result of the fight, but when she saw it, something inside her stirred.

Malcom walked a couple more steps and stood right in front of her.

Skyler's hands began to sweat instantly. The boy in front of her was staring with his eyes fixed, his black boots were planted on the sandy ground, and his jacket was flying towards his back, driven by the wind.

His black hair flattened by a winter hat with a vertical closed eye mark, and his brown skin gave him an extremely intimidating posture.

Malcom did not smile, but he did not seem to be angry as well. He looked at Skyler's hands, and before she could react to the impression.

"The tremors are better?" Malcom asked curiously.

The girl stared at him and opened her mouth without being able to answer. That question had taken her by surprise.

"Excuse me?" Skyler asked, dumbfounded while looking at Malcom.

He raised one of his hands and showed his palm.

"The tremors," he repeated. As he said those words, he shook his hand in front of his body and then continued, "You must have experienced tremors from the trauma in the combat, right?"

"Oh!" The girl responded, so much louder than she intended, "Yes, yesterday they were strong, but today I no longer feel them."

"Wow," Malcom muttered, his eyebrows in surprise. "Your recovery time is impressive. You really are a prodigy."

And with that, he carelessly walked into the ranch. The young woman stared at his back for a while.

She then remembered how the blue flames on his jacket absorbed the fire from her final explosion.

Skyler took a deep breath to calm her nerves and then walked towards him carefully.

"Hey, has it happened to you? I mean the trauma?" She asked softly.