Lindsay Windson hesitated as she stepped forward, her face conflicted. “Patriarch, I…” she began, her voice faltering.
Brian Jefferson, noticing her hesitation, looked at her curiously and asked, “What is it? Do you not wish to stay with the Jefferson family? If you remain, we can grant you the Jefferson surname. From this day forward, you will be one of us.”
He continued, his tone persuasive, “Once you become an Aetherbinding practitioner, you will not only rise above ordinary people but also gain a lifespan far longer than most. Do you not desire such longevity? Moreover, if you stay, the Riverton Windson family will receive abundant resources from us. Your family will rise to become Riverton’s most powerful household. Isn’t that why your family sent you here?”
Though Lindsay Windson wasn’t originally part of the Jefferson family, she did carry half of their bloodline. More importantly, she possessed a rare single-attribute Soulseed-a rarity even within the Jefferson family. For this reason, there was no way they could let her leave.
Lindsay’s face remained tense, her inner turmoil evident. She glanced at Chris and Esther, who stood nearby. At that moment, she seemed to make a decision. Clenching her fists, she finally declared, “I’m willing to stay with the Jefferson family!”
Chris froze at her words, caught completely off guard. Lindsay’s choice to remain was entirely unexpected. From what Chris knew of her, she was just a girl who loved singing, someone who had already risen to fame as Amerosia’s biggest star. Even without joining the Jefferson family, her life would still be one of glory and success.
But it was her decision to make. As her friend, Chris couldn’t stop her, though he couldn’t shake the unease in his heart. The world of Aetherbinding wasn’t as peaceful as it seemed. If Lindsay stayed, she would inevitably face countless dangers.
Unable to hold back, Chris stepped forward and asked, “Lindsay, are you sure about this? Do you really want to stay with the Jefferson family?”
Esther, standing beside him, added, “That’s right, Lindsay! Do you not realize what this means? Staying here means giving up your old life. Are you truly willing to do that?”
Their words drew the attention of everyone at the Jefferson family’s assembly. Rafael Jefferson’s voice thundered with anger as he glared at Chris and Esther. “Who are you to cause trouble at our family gathering? Do you have a death wish?”
Lindsay turned to Chris and Esther, her expression softening. “Mr. Shelby, Esther, I know you’re concerned for me, but this is my choice. Staying with the Jefferson family will not only allow me to become an Aetherbinding practitioner but also benefit the Windson family. With their support, the endless infighting within my family will finally end, and our status will rise.”
In truth, Lindsay had come to the Jefferson family out of sheer desperation, pushed by her family. Her grandfather, Grigor Wind, was growing weaker by the day, and her uncle Frances and cousin Emily saw her as a threat, someone they were eager to eliminate. To escape the family’s internal strife, she had agreed to come here. What she hadn’t anticipated was being chosen to stay.
Seeing that this was her decision, Chris and Esther had no more to say.
Brian Jefferson laughed heartily. “Ha! Since you’ve decided to stay, from this day forward, you’re one of us. Your names will be inscribed in the Jefferson family records.”
With that, the Jefferson family’s grand assembly came to an end, and the gathered members began to disperse. Chris and Esther returned to their small courtyard, their hearts heavy.
On their way back, they encountered Elias Dorneles and Alexandre Leite. Elias’s gaze locked onto Chris with a murderous intensity. During the assembly, Elias had recognized Chris as the man who had accidentally seen her bathing by the river. Though she had held back then due to the formalities of the gathering, she was now ready to settle the score.
Chris noticed her glare and offered an awkward smile. “Oh, it’s you again. What a coincidence.”
Elias’s fury erupted. “You scoundrel! How dare you spy on me bathing! Today, I’ll kill you!”
Chris sighed, exasperated. It had been a complete misunderstanding. He hadn’t known she was bathing in the river when he passed by. “Miss, it was an accident-”
“Die!” Elias cut him off, refusing to listen. She struck out with a powerful palm, a force like a tidal wave surging toward Chris.
Chris’s face paled as he realized the sheer strength of her attack. Left with no choice, he clenched his fists and struck back with all his might.
Boom!
The impact sent Chris flying. He crashed into a massive tree, which snapped in half under the force. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he struggled to steady himself.
“Chris!” Esther ran to his side, her voice trembling with concern. “Are you okay?”
Wiping the blood from his lips, Chris shook his head. “I’m fine, Esther.”
He stood, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at Elias. He had already apologized for the misunderstanding, yet she refused to relent. Her attack had been brutal-had he been an ordinary person, he’d already be dead.
Elias, meanwhile, was surprised to see him standing. She knew her own strength well. Even a strong Crescendence-stage practitioner would struggle to withstand her palm, yet Chris, who didn’t even seem to possess Aetherbinding abilities, had survived. It was unthinkable.
Her expression shifted as she reevaluated him, but Chris wasn’t backing down. Step by step, he approached her, his voice cold and steady. “You’ve gone too far. Do you think you can look down on me just because you’re an Aetherbinding practitioner? I explained what happened, and I apologized, yet you wouldn’t let it go. You attacked me as if my life were worthless. Do you Aetherbinding practitioners see ordinary people as nothing more than ants?”
Alexandre Leite, standing beside Elias, burst out in anger. “You insolent fool! Do you even know who Elias Dorneles is? She’s the holy maiden of the Flower Clan, one of Amerosia’s top ten Aetherbinding sects! And you? You’re nothing but a lowly mortal. Even if you were a practitioner, you’d still be beneath us. Kneel and apologize to the holy maiden now, or I’ll kill you myself!”