Chapter 95: Marinua City

Chapter 95: Marinua CityChapter 95

The Tryst Guild’s airship smoothly docked at the designated platform, which had been prepared in advance by the city’s officials. As the vessel settled into place with a low hum, mechanical clamps locked it into position. Moments later, the hatch slid open with a hiss.

Rin and the other children immediately burst out, excitement etched across their faces as they dashed around the docking area, gawking at the forest of airships surrounding them. By Han’s estimate, there were over a hundred ships docked—and most were far larger and sleeker than Tryst’s own vessel. Some gleamed with polished alloy hulls, others bore banners of famous guilds or corporations fluttering from their sides.

Once Clara signed a few necessary documents and confirmed their arrival with the port authority, the group stepped away from the docking station to explore Marinua City.

The first thing Han noticed was the humidity. It hung in the air like a warm mist—thicker than Serenya’s dry breeze, but not unbearable. The second detail was underfoot. The city streets had fine, hairline cracks running along them—barely visible unless one looked closely. Through those narrow fissures, water shimmered beneath the surface, weaving like hidden streams beneath the metropolis. The entire city seemed built upon an intricate web of water channels. Yet, despite this odd design, the ground was firm and stable. The sheer technological infrastructure sustaining Marinua must be staggering.

As they walked, curious glances were cast their way, but they received little attention compared to the big names moving through the streets. Well-known guilds and corporate syndicates strolled by with auras of prestige, drawing respectful bows and murmurs from the public. Aside from Silver Wing—whose insignia sparked some brief recognition—Han and his team were largely overlooked.

Still, Han could feel it: the city was alive with anticipation. A steady stream of travelers and competitors flooded through the gates, confirming what he suspected—the Grand Tournament was set to begin tomorrow.

Han gazed up at the towering buildings and sprawling plazas. Marinua City was massive, easily three times larger than Serenya. Lights, entertainment halls, street vendors, and arcades surrounded them—there were so many things he wanted to try.

Just as he opened his mouth to suggest they explore, a voice rang out from behind, smooth and tinged with amused surprise.

"Well, this is unexpected. Of all places, I meet you here, little sister."

Clara froze mid-step.



Even though she wore her pink hoodie with the hood pulled low over her head, she recognized the voice immediately—and so did her body, which stiffened instinctively.

The group turned.

A man hovered several feet off the ground on a sleek, levitating platform. He wore unassuming goggles over his eyes, but those familiar with the upper echelons of power would know they were anything but ordinary.

Gasps rippled through the bystanders.

"W-Wait... isn’t that—?"

"Yes! That’s Lord Tech!" someone exclaimed. "One of the Class S Heroes!"

Many of the crowd had journeyed to Marinua precisely because of rumors that Class S elites would attend the tournament. Still, none expected to encounter one this soon—let alone one who casually floated toward the Silver Wing faction.

Han and the others bowed slightly in respect. Clara did not.

Instead, she crossed her arms, brow furrowed.

"...Brother," she muttered flatly.

Aiden blinked.


Brother?

Then it clicked. Clara’s full name—Clara Mason. The daughter of Reynolds Mason.

Which made her...

Lord Tech’s little sister.

The Class S Hero studied Clara with an unreadable expression. There was something in his gaze—calculating, perhaps even critical. Whatever it was, Clara didn’t seem pleased.

Han caught the tension in her posture.

They don’t seem to have a good relationship, he thought.

Aiden, oblivious to the thickening atmosphere, suddenly stepped forward, grinning brightly as he extended a hand toward Lord Tech.

"A pleasure to meet you, sir!" he said, practically beaming. "I’m—"

Lord Tech glanced at the blonde with mild curiosity. "And who are you?"

"Oh! Right, my bad!" Aiden laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Let me properly introduce myself—"

He paused, catching himself.

"I’m Aiden Vi—"

He hesitated. Then corrected himself.

"—Aiden Valcon."

Lord Tech raised an eyebrow.

"Never heard of you."

Before the awkward silence could stretch, Aiden threw his arm around Clara’s shoulder and flashed a cheeky grin.

"No worries! Let’s forget about that for now. You see, I’m your sister’s boyfriend."

Time. Stopped.

Han froze.

Laura froze.

Ronan froze.

Clara froze.

Silver Wing froze.

Lord Tech froze.

Even the city seemed to pause—like the world itself was buffering.

Then, slowly, eyes began twitching. One by one.



"...What did you just say?" Lord Tech asked, his tone deceptively calm.

Clara’s soul visibly left her body.

They could all see Aiden’s intentions from a mile away.

"Are you sure about that?" Lord Tech asked, his voice cooling like steel dipped in ice water.

But Aiden, blissfully oblivious to the rising chill in the air, continued rambling with the confidence of a man who hadn’t noticed the executioner sharpening his blade. "Clara and I are totally in love. It was fate, y’know? Like those romance novels where the guy’s hair blows in the wind and the girl—"

Everyone stared.

"So what do you say, brother-in-law?" Aiden added with a proud grin, hands on his hips like he’d just won the lottery. "Shouldn’t I be helping out with the Tech Mansion and the corporation? I can totally manage a lab. Maybe even redesign your logo. Add some flames or—"

He froze.

It was subtle at first—a prickling at the back of his neck. Then a sinking dread as he felt multiple eyes drilling holes into his back. He slowly turned.

Han’s gaze was unreadable.

Ronan’s was blank but somehow threatening.

Clara’s expression was... oddly entertained?

But the coldest stare came from Lord Tech himself, still "smiling"—if you could call that tight-lipped, predator-like expression a smile.

"So, with all that you’ve confessed," Lord Tech said, voice deceptively light, "you must have been the mastermind who convinced my precious little sister to run away from home."

Aiden blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Several more times, like rebooting his brain would help.

"Runaway?" he muttered. "Clara was a runaway?"

Oh crap.

He had just confessed—in front of witnesses—to being her lover and, by implication, her kidnapper. If a trial were held right now, he’d be guilty before the jury sat down.

"Why did you do it?" Lord Tech asked, arms folded. "What did you tell her? How did you persuade her to leave home?"

"I don’t know!" Aiden cried, panic finally dawning.

"Don’t lie to me. I’m Class S. I do unspeakable things to liars."

Aiden gulped. Not from fear—okay, maybe a little—but mostly from stress. He’d been trying to impress, maybe score a tour of the legendary Tech Mansion. Now he was one step away from being put in a cryo chamber.

Just when it seemed the tension had reached its peak... Lord Tech chuckled.

And Clara started laughing too.

Aiden looked between them, confused, betrayed, and mildly horrified. "Wha...?"

Clara had been in on it. She’d even used hand signs behind Aiden’s back the moment he’d lied about being her boyfriend.

She’d wanted to teach him a lesson.

"Wait—you set me up!?" Aiden gasped.

"Lesson learned?" Clara grinned sweetly.

Aiden looked genuinely heartbroken. "There was nothing between us?"

"Nope."

"Well, I still want that Tech Mansion tour," he mumbled, recovering fast.

Eventually, the tension melted away, replaced by a more cheerful tone as the trio exchanged jabs and friendly banter. Han watched with a blank but observant expression. Despite the initial drama, it was clear they were close. Clara trusted her brother, and Aiden—somehow—was now considered part of the family.

"What a lucky guy," Han thought dryly.

Clara then introduced the rest of the group. Lord Tech gave a respectful nod to each one. When his gaze fell on Silver Wing, he paused. He already had a hunch that the infamous "Fire God" was among them. But as he laid eyes on the young man with black and white hair and a calm demeanor, he blinked in surprise.

This was the Fire God?



He’d expected someone... well, red-haired. Fiery. Maybe screaming "BURN!" every three seconds like a certain someone.

But Han looked like someone who might just ignore a nuclear explosion if it wasn’t interesting enough.

Still, he offered him a genuine smile and moved on—until his eyes met Ronan’s.

There was something... off.

Ronan’s stare was blank, cold, and unreadable. A subtle tension passed between them before Lord Tech smiled again, patting Clara on the head.

"You’ve made good friends, little sis. I’m glad you’re safe."

Clara hugged him tightly, her usual mischief replaced with genuine emotion. After their mother’s death, Lord Tech had become her rock. He’d even searched for her night and day after she left, only stopping when he was sure she was okay.

"Just be careful," he added quietly. "If Father finds you... he will drag you home. No choice, no discussion."

Clara sighed.

She missed her father... but he was far too strict. Far too controlling.

Which was exactly why she ran away in the first place.

To be continued...