I stood beside Conrad as his aura flared, watching the two young men who blocked our path. Their arrogance reminded me of so many others who'd underestimated me before.
"Lord Flores is cultivating here," one of them repeated, his chin lifted with misplaced confidence. "This ground isn't for you."
Clara tugged at my sleeve, her small hand cold against my arm. I glanced down at her pale face, noting how her eyes darted toward the dark energy swirling invisibly above us—energy only she and I seemed able to detect.
"We need this place," I said firmly, turning back to the guards. "There's plenty of ground to share."
The taller of the two laughed, a harsh sound that echoed across the abandoned battlefield. "Share? Do you know who Lord Flores is? He's the heir to the Flores Martial Family!"
Conrad stepped forward, his muscular frame tensing. "And do you know who stands before you?" His voice carried a dangerous edge. "Liam Knight, who defeated a Fifth Rank Grandmaster just days ago."
