Rise of The Abandoned Husband

Ms. Hayward's warning from the Veridia City Martial Guild still echoed in my mind days after she'd left. I couldn't quite shake the feeling that her visit was just the beginning of my troubles, not the end.

I stood by the window of my temporary office at The Aegis Academy, watching students practice their cultivation techniques in the courtyard below. Their determined faces reminded me of my own journey—except I'd never had the luxury of proper guidance or a safe environment to learn.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Elder Liam, you have visitors," announced an academy messenger, bowing slightly. "Pavilion Master Mallory Poe and his son from the Celestial Craft Pavilion request to see you."

My eyebrows shot up. Mallory Poe? Here? The man had never shown me anything but disdain.

"Send them in," I said, moving away from the window to stand behind my desk. Best to receive them from a position of power.

The door opened, revealing Mallory Poe's imposing figure. He was dressed in formal robes of midnight blue embroidered with silver constellations—the ceremonial attire of a Pavilion Master. Behind him trailed his son Hanley, whose face I remembered all too well from our last encounter.

"Elder Knight," Mallory greeted with unexpected warmth, bowing deeply—far deeper than required by protocol. "Thank you for agreeing to see us on such short notice."

I didn't return the bow. "What brings the Celestial Craft Pavilion Master to The Aegis Academy?"

Mallory straightened, his expression carefully arranged into one of respectful humility. It looked strange on his usually arrogant face.

"I've come to offer my sincere apologies for my son's behavior during your visit to our pavilion," he said, placing a hand on Hanley's shoulder and pushing him forward. "Hanley has shown great disrespect to you, and as his father, I bear responsibility for his actions."

Hanley stepped forward, his face a mask of practiced contrition. "Elder Knight, I deeply regret my offensive words and behavior. I spoke without thinking and failed to recognize your true standing."

I studied them both, looking for the trap. This abrupt change in attitude seemed too convenient, especially after Hanley had nearly attacked me during my last visit to their pavilion.

"What prompted this sudden change of heart?" I asked directly.

Mallory cleared his throat. "News of your accomplishments has spread throughout the city. Your defeat of the Veridia City Martial Guild's elite disciples was... enlightening. I realize now that we gravely misjudged you."

In other words, they were afraid of me. That made more sense.

"I appreciate your honesty," I said, though I doubted he was being honest at all. "Apology accepted."

I expected them to leave after that, but instead, Mallory gestured to Hanley, who produced an ornate wooden box from inside his robe.

"Please, accept these gifts as a token of our sincerity," Mallory said, as Hanley placed the box on my desk and opened it.

Inside lay three items: a jade medallion carved with intricate spell formations, a small crystal bottle filled with golden liquid, and a scroll tied with silver thread.

"The jade medallion is an ancient artifact that amplifies formation arrays," Mallory explained. "The bottle contains Golden Core Essence—extremely rare and valuable for breakthrough attempts. And the scroll contains crafting techniques from our pavilion's restricted section."

I kept my face impassive, though I was genuinely surprised by the value of these offerings. Any one of these items would be considered an extravagant gift. Together, they represented a small fortune.

"This is... excessive for a simple apology," I observed, not touching any of the items.

Mallory smiled thinly. "We hope to build a positive relationship with you moving forward, Elder Knight. Your skills in alchemy are renowned, and the Celestial Craft Pavilion values talent above all else."

Now we were getting closer to the truth. They wanted something from me.

"I'm not currently interested in joining any organizations," I said bluntly.

"Of course not," Mallory replied quickly. "We wouldn't presume to make such an offer without proper courtship. This is merely a gesture of goodwill."

I closed the box lid. "While I appreciate the sentiment, I can't accept gifts of this magnitude for something as simple as an apology."

Mallory's smile faltered slightly. "You would dishonor us by refusing?"

"I'm not refusing your apology—just the gifts. There's no dishonor in that."

An awkward silence fell over the room. Hanley shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his father. Mallory's expression tightened momentarily before relaxing into practiced cordiality again.

"Perhaps I should be more direct," he finally said. "There is another matter I hoped to discuss with you."

Here it was—the real reason for their visit.

"I'm listening," I said, leaning back in my chair.

"During your visit to our pavilion, you... acquired a Spatial Magic Artifact Ring from our collection room." His voice remained even, but I could sense the tension beneath. "It's an heirloom of great significance to our pavilion."

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean the ring your son tried to prevent me from taking, even though I had rightfully earned it through your own challenge?"

Hanley's face flushed with anger, but Mallory placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.

"The challenge was valid, and your victory was earned," Mallory conceded. "However, that particular ring was not intended to be part of the prize selection. It was mistakenly placed among the available items."

"A mistake on your part doesn't obligate me to return anything," I pointed out.

Mallory nodded stiffly. "You're absolutely right. That's why we're not demanding its return—we're requesting it, with appropriate compensation." He gestured toward the box. "These gifts are not merely an apology but fair payment for the ring's return."

I considered his words carefully. The ring was indeed valuable—a rare Spatial Magic Artifact that could store far more than typical storage rings. But I suspected its importance to them went beyond its practical applications.

"Why is this particular ring so significant to your pavilion?" I asked.

"It belonged to our founder," Mallory explained. "It contains formation principles that are fundamental to many of our pavilion's techniques. Its historical and technical value to us far exceeds its practical utility to anyone else."

That made sense, at least. Still, I wasn't about to hand it over immediately. I'd learned the hard way that appearing too accommodating often invited exploitation.

"Unfortunately, I don't have the ring with me at the moment," I said. "It's stored away safely."

Disappointment flashed across Mallory's features before he could mask it. "I see. Would it be possible for you to retrieve it soon? We would be eternally grateful."

I pretended to consider this request. "I suppose I could bring it to the Celestial Craft Pavilion in a few days."

"Excellent!" Mallory's relief was palpable. "Perhaps you could join us for a meal tomorrow? We could discuss this matter further and perhaps explore other areas of mutual interest."

"I'll think about it," I replied noncommittally.

"Please do." Mallory bowed again, gesturing for Hanley to do the same. "We look forward to hosting you properly this time."

As they turned to leave, I called out, "Pavilion Master Poe."

He paused at the door. "Yes, Elder Knight?"

"Next time you want something from me, there's no need for elaborate pretenses. I prefer honesty in my dealings."

Mallory's smile became strained. "Noted, Elder Knight. Until tomorrow, then."

The door closed behind them, and I immediately activated a sound-blocking formation around my office. Then I opened my spiritual sense, extending it to follow them as they exited the academy grounds. My range had improved dramatically with recent breakthroughs, allowing me to eavesdrop at a considerable distance.

As they reached the street outside the academy walls, Mallory's deferential demeanor vanished instantly.

"That arrogant bastard," he spat, his voice low but filled with venom. "Did you see how he looked down on us? As if he were doing us a favor by merely listening!"

"Father, why did we have to apologize to him at all?" Hanley whined. "He's nothing but a nouveau riche upstart with some stolen techniques."

"Because, you idiot," Mallory hissed, "that 'upstart' somehow managed to slaughter elite disciples from the Martial Guild. We need that ring back before they realize its true significance."

"But what if he doesn't return it?" Hanley asked.

"He will," Mallory's voice turned cold. "Let him be arrogant for now. Once I get the ring back, I'll settle the score with him!"

I withdrew my spiritual sense, a grim smile forming on my face. So that was their game. The apology, the gifts, the dinner invitation—all a charade to retrieve something they believed was valuable enough to swallow their pride.

I pulled the ring in question from my pocket, examining it closely. I had initially taken it simply because Hanley had tried so hard to prevent me from doing so. But now, knowing its importance, I needed to discover exactly what made this ordinary-looking ring so special.

Whatever secrets it held, one thing was certain: Mallory Poe wasn't getting it back until I knew precisely what I was giving up—and what trap he was laying for me at their pavilion tomorrow.

I slipped the ring back into my pocket. If they wanted to play games, I'd play along—for now. But unlike them, I knew all the rules, and I intended to win.