A loud and intense laugh rocked the entire room as Thorne burst into laughter, his mirth resounding across the space.

Eleanor couldn't help but feel a little flustered. He had just spoken about war, and the next thing his father did was laugh?

The laughter went on for a few seconds before finally stopping.

"Looks like I was wrong. I did raise a fool," Alverian said, his sharp gaze fixing on Eleanor. "You're talking about war, and you didn't even follow the first rule: know your enemy!

"Threaten them with war? Do you even realize who those white-haired bastards are? Do you think their nickname, 'madmen of the human domain,' is for show?

"Those bastards live for battle! Even if they have to fight the entire human domain, they wouldn't hesitate when threatened! How foolish are you!?

"Did you even think about the implications of what you just said? Band together and pressure them, ha! Disappointing. So disappointing."

Eleanor was confused, not understanding what his father was talking about.

"Do you really think the other families give two shits about our Alverian family? We're the closest to them. If war breaks out, who do you think will bear the full brunt? Is your brain empty?"

Eleanor's gaze narrowed, finally understanding what his father was implying. Sector 4 encompassed Sector 3, which meant that should any war happen, it would most definitely take place in either Sector 4 or 3. Considering that one was a warrior family through and through and the other an alchemist family, it was quite obvious where it would take place.

Regardless, he had still somewhat thought this through. "Bu—"

Just as he was about to speak, a deep sigh interrupted him.

"I shouldn't blame you much. It's because you don't know who you're dealing with. The Ravensteins are feared for many things, but what makes even us other tier ones cautious is their nature: when angered and pushed to the limit, they don't care about anything anymore. They are relentless and cruel; they only care about one thing: eradicating their enemies.

"When they are pushed to the limit, they become madmen. This same trait is why, despite being a warrior family, their sector is in the inner parts of the human domain. Just like in any battle, you save the best for last."

Eleanor went totally silent, trying to comprehend his father's words. Was he supposed to just let it slide?

"Eleanor," Alverian called out to him.

Eleanor turned to face his father.

"The reason I allowed you to do all those stupid things is so that you could vent your anger. They wouldn't be enough to push the Ravensteins to the edge, but threatening them with war would.

"I know why you're here. You want me to show my support for this stupidity so that you can bring the Alverian family together. The answer is no."

Eleanor's gaze widened. "Father!"

"You started this, the least you could do is finish it. Now leave me."

Eleanor clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, his expression filled with fury. He abruptly stood up, shooting his father a stare, then clicked his tongue and started walking out of the room. However, as he got to the door, he paused as Thorne started speaking.

"I know you'll ignore my warnings and still do something stupid. So I will give you another warning." His voice suddenly turned cold. "If it's to save our Alverian family, I won't hesitate to cut you into pieces and send them to the Ravenstein family."

The sound of grinding teeth echoed as drops of crimson blood began streaming from Eleanor's clenched fist.

The intense anger he was feeling was staggering, preventing him from saying anything to his father. He simply continued his walk, the door closing behind him.

Thorne sighed and raised a finger. A mote of golden light appeared and sprouted, releasing a golden seed. Thorne's sapphire eyes glowed faintly as he whispered, "Watch him and report back everything he does."

The seed glowed brightly, acknowledging his command before bursting into tiny notes of light and dispersing into the air.

Thorne let out another sigh, feeling as if he were dealing with a child. Now alone, he turned his gaze back to his work and immediately continued concocting.

…

Eleanor walked briskly through the hallway of the Alverian mansion. It was a mansion with qualities befitting a tier-one family, with elaborate sculptures and art adorning the sides and walls. He eventually reached the end of the hallway and, as he walked through the door, his gaze immediately landed on a beautiful woman whose every demeanor screamed control. She was none other than Luna Alverian, Eleanor's wife.

"Did he agree?" Luna suddenly asked.

Eleanor's teeth ground even harder as he snarled, "No!"

Luna's gaze narrowed. "So what now?" she asked. She was well aware of why they had come here. Alverian had hit the nail on the head.

The family members of a tier-one family were massive, with a staggering number of members and branches. Initiating something as significant as a war against another tier-one family, especially against a family as crazy as the Ravensteins, would require someone at the highest level of power in the family to unify everyone. And that could only be one person: a paragon.

Eleanor continued walking, with Luna following behind him.

"We don't need him. The plans will remain the same. Inform the others and call for a meeting immediately."

Luna nodded and immediately instructed the servants.

…

Atticus lay on the bed, gazing at the ceiling for a long while. There were more than a million things playing in his head, but he had already made his decision. Hours passed, and Atticus's body healed quickly. He meditated and used the water element to heal his body instead of a potion. After feeling healed enough, Atticus stood up and left his room.