Chapter29-Madness

John couldn't help but burst into laughter at Seraphina's blunt words, not sparing Lucas any face. 

John felt second-hand embarrassment for him. Lucas's face twitched involuntarily; he hadn't felt slighted until John's laugh suddenly made it seem like a personal affront.

Forcing down the anger bubbling inside, Lucas turned to John, surprised to see him alive as he thought Liam had dealt with him. 

"Liam, that incompetent fool!" he thought. 

With a forced smile, Lucas said, "This must be Mr. John, I presume? I never expected you to be a friend of Miss Seraphina. I've heard of Mr. John's great reputation; seeing you today, it certainly seems well-deserved."

Lucas's words were laced with sarcasm, a clear dig at John's status as an ordinary awakener following his failed awakening at StellarSea Academy, implying John was unworthy of Seraphina's friendship.

John, unfazed, responded with a smile, "Thank you for the compliment, but I'm still far behind Mr. Lucas."

Lucas's face darkened immediately. 

While everyone was aware of the unspoken truth, John's comment was akin to exposing Lucas's scars in public and rubbing salt into them.

Many in the surrounding crowd couldn't suppress their laughter. 

Compared to John's failed awakening at StellarSea Academy, Lucas being humiliated by a mysterious figure was the bigger news in StellarSea Academy circles. 

Given Lucas's unpopularity due to his aggressive demeanor, seeing him speechless against John's retort brought a sense of satisfaction to many.

Seeing Lucas, the culprit, getting a taste of his own medicine from John, Seraphina for the first time appreciated John's sharp tongue. 

Lucas wanted to say more, but Seraphina preemptively cut him off, "If Mr. Lucas has no further business, please, you should head back first. I wish to return and rest."

Lucas took a deep breath, casting a deep look at John before regaining his composure and smiling at Seraphina, "How about I give you a ride back? My car is nearby, and it won't take long to get back to Stellarburg."

Seraphina shook her head, "No need, my family's driver has been waiting outside. I wouldn't want to trouble you." 

Without giving Lucas another glance, she headed straight for the exit.

John gave Lucas a look and chuckled, "Brother, your skills in courting ladies need work. You might want to take some lessons from me sometime." 

With that, John followed Seraphina, planning to hitch a ride with her. 

Seraphina, already accustomed to John's shamelessness, did not object.

Watching them leave, Lucas's already sour expression darkened further, feeling as if John had twisted a knife in his heart. 

Clenching his fists until they creaked, Lucas seethed internally, 

"Seraphina, you forced my hand! It's your own fault for not recognizing what's good for you. Don't blame me for being ruthless. Once I have you completely, I'll make you beg under me, shatter all your pride, make you plead for me, turn you into my slave!"

Hatred and fury intermingled in Lucas's eyes. 

The incident with the cloaked figure had shamed House Carter, stripping him of his status as heir. 

His current situation was exceedingly awkward. 

House Carter had no shortage of talents eyeing his position. 

To reclaim his status as the heir of House Carter, Lucas needed Seraphina and the backing of House Harris behind her. 

Otherwise, a comeback seemed nearly impossible for him.

His siblings, each a formidable figure in their own right, were not ones to miss an opportunity to drag him down into an abyss from which he could never return. 

Thus, Lucas was determined to secure Seraphina by any means necessary, his eyes filled with madness.

As for the fool who had just crossed him, he would naturally pay the price for his insolence!

Meanwhile, John followed Seraphina to a luxurious hover limousine. 

There, an elderly butler, his white hair meticulously combed, awaited them. 

Upon seeing Seraphina, he bowed slightly and respectfully greeted, "Miss, welcome back."

Seraphina nodded and glanced at John, instructing, "Butler, please drop him off first." The butler looked at John, surprised, and asked, "Is this gentleman a friend of the miss?"

He had assumed John was one of Seraphina's suitors, but this time it seemed different. 

Seraphina remained silent, stepping into the car, which the butler took as an affirmation.

John, uninvited, took a seat right beside Seraphina, to which she seemed indifferent, already accustomed to his impudence and shamelessness. 

The butler gave them a look, a mysterious smile briefly crossing his face, before respectfully asking, "May I know where the gentleman wishes to go?"

After a moment's thought, John replied, "Just find a spot to stop in the outer city district." 

The butler was even more surprised; Seraphina's new acquaintance apparently hailed from the notoriously chaotic outer city. 

Nonetheless, respecting the miss's guest, he refrained from commenting further.

Nodding, the butler steered the car towards Stellarburg. 

The interior of the vehicle was lavishly decorated, equipped with amenities like air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a virtual interface. 

Even John, who had seen his fair share of luxury, was impressed by the extravagance typically reserved for the wealthy.

As the hover car glided smoothly, the scenery outside swiftly receded. 

Before long, they had passed through Wallfort and reached the outer districts of Stellarburg.

Upon John's departure from the vehicle, Seraphina, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly spoke up, "Butler, give him a check for 5 million federal coins."

"Very well, miss," the butler responded.

John looked at Seraphina in surprise. 

He hadn't voiced his thoughts, yet she seemed to have anticipated them.

Opening her eyes, Seraphina fixed her gaze on John and said earnestly, "With your current abilities, I doubt you'll venture into the Phantom Ruins again. I understand your concerns, but regardless, I hope you'll make your way to the capital. That's where broader horizons lie."

After a pause, Seraphina looked into John's eyes and added solemnly, "I'll be waiting for you there."

John fell silent for a moment, shedding his usual nonchalance. 

He nodded seriously and replied, "If the opportunity arises, I'll definitely go."

He understood what Seraphina meant. 

The repeated suggestions from someone of her stature, belonging to a prominent family, to head to the capital signified its importance and the abundance of opportunities and prospects it held for people like them.

Watching the luxurious hover limousine disappear into the distance, John remained standing for a long while, contemplating the vast landscapes beyond that he too yearned for. 

Yet, what the future held remained uncertain; he could only take things one step at a time.

When John snapped back to reality, the luxurious vehicle was long gone, and he turned to enter the damp, chilly alleys of the outer city district.

When John emerged from another alley, he was clad in a black robe, his face covered with a piece of black cloth, revealing only his deep-set eyes.

Instead of heading straight home to rest, John opted to hail a hover taxi and made his way to Stellarburg's largest awakener trading district.

He had acquired a plethora of equipment and materials in the dungeon, all of which needed to be converted into federal coins.

Moreover, with the need to purchase skill books and items, a visit to the trading center was imperative. To conceal his identity, John decided to don the black robe.

Of course, this robe was not the same one used for the assassination attempt on Lucas but rather a randomly selected garment to avoid immediate recognition by Lucas upon arriving at the awakener trading center.

The hover taxi was swift, and soon John arrived at the bustling trading district of Stellarburg.

Situated in the heart of the city's noble district, the area was frequented by awakeners in lavish robes or exquisite armor.

However, there were also many who, like John, were wrapped up tightly, preferring to keep their identities hidden. As such, John's attire did not attract undue attention.

After some searching, John found a large trading center called "All Seasons."

Housed within a massive building that spanned the entire property, the center was marked by a sign for the "All Seasons Trade Association," adorned with neon lights that added a touch of grandeur.

Without hesitation, John stepped inside.