"Are you planning to kill the Crimson Frost Duke?"

  Pixie was taken aback by Eirik’s words. What had caused this sudden shift? Why was he so determined to kill the Crimson Frost Duke now? From what she had observed throughout the day, he didn’t seem like someone involved in any kind of plot.

  As she tried to make sense of it, Eirik continued, “Lately, there’ve been reports that the Crimson Frost Duke has been targeting talented individuals. Word is, he’s setting his sights on our son.”

  Though Pixie had kept her son’s elemental affinity a secret, the truth slipped out. He was targeting her son?! That thought alone filled her with a deep sense of dread.

  She could stomach the idea of others dying, but threatening her son—her precious boy with his rare, all-element affinity—was something she could not allow. He was her pride and joy, the very thing she could boast about to her sisters for the rest of her life. Now, he was everything to her.

  The realization that the Crimson Frost Duke might harm him struck her like a dagger to the heart.

  【You accepted Eirik’s proposal, but how to kill the Crimson Frost Duke was another issue. At present, the Duke had already reached Practitioner Lv5, and his estate was heavily guarded…】

  Eirik had already thought this through. The Crimson Frost Duke was no ordinary opponent. A Practitioner Lv5 was already formidable, but the real danger lay in the ancient demon soul he harbored. In a story, this would be the equivalent of a protagonist-level threat.

  But knowing what he was up against did little to dampen Eirik’s resolve. There was a way forward.

  【There’s a venomous dragon lurking in the southern forests. Its blood is potent enough to poison a Savant-level master. I’ve managed to get my hands on a drop.】

  The acquisition of this deadly poison had been a secret operation, draining the Ravenshadow family’s coffers. No one had been told the real reason behind the purchase, which had only deepened suspicions among the clan. Even now, Pixie had become the de facto head of the family.

  Opposition to her leadership had only grown. More than seventy percent of the family harbored resentment, with her uncles—particularly the fourth and fifth—leading the charge against her. They made her life increasingly difficult.

  【Since they’re so intent on opposing us, why not take this opportunity to cleanse the family? Clear them out and allow the Ravenshadow to be reborn from the ashes?】 Eirik suggested, his voice cool.

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  Clear them out? Pixie felt a headache coming on. That was over seventy percent of the family! Tossing them aside like that would leave only a fraction of the Ravenshadow family standing—wouldn’t they be reduced to third-rate status in Aelsryel City?

  【As long as my son is here, and I am here, how could the Ravenshadow family not rise again? Those relatives are nothing but burdens. They drain resources, sabotage our decisions, and will only hold us back. They’re better off discarded!】

  Eirik’s words were sharp, filled with confidence.

  Pixie hesitated, but the truth was undeniable: many in the family were self-serving, and the Ravenshadow clan was deeply fractured. If she wanted to secure their future, sweeping away the dead weight might just be the only option.

  After all, this was just a simulation. Why not try it?

  【“To be so decisive... you truly are Eirik, bold and unwavering!”】

  Pixie couldn’t help but admire him. If not for him, she wouldn’t have had the courage to take such a drastic step.

  But in reality, Eirik didn’t see it as boldness. To him, it was all just part of the game. The Ravenshadow family had long been a thorn in his side—meddling, plotting, causing trouble. His solution was simple: remove the obstacles, and the path would be clear.

  With Eirik’s support, Pixie moved swiftly, initiating a major purge within the family.

  The Ravenshadow family split into three factions. Pixie, along with her fourth and fifth uncles, each took control of a part of the clan, resulting in three new factions. Pixie led the smallest faction, her group now the weakest, with only a fraction of the original strength.

  The news spread quickly in Aelsryel City, and most people assumed it was Pixie and her group who had been cast out. Mockery followed, as expected.

  But Eirik didn’t care. At least now, everyone who remained with them was completely loyal. The rest? Their laughter was nothing more than the sound of fools.

  Pixie’s strength continued to grow, and her son’s potential was limitless. In time, the Ravenshadow family would rise again—it was only a matter of time.

  Next, they just needed to bide their time, building quietly and gathering strength.

  【Congratulations! You have earned the title: “The Understated Infiltrator.”】

  Titles like this granted unique abilities when accumulated, but for now, there were too few titles to matter much.

  And so, the plan to poison the Crimson Frost Duke took shape. Yet even with the potent poison, killing the Duke would be no easy feat. The opportunity to strike would be limited, and they had to be careful.

  Years passed quickly.

  “Ha ha ha! My son has broken through to become a Practitioner! He’s only eight years old—such a remarkable achievement for an all-element affinity!”

  Pixie proudly posted her son, Thalion’s, stats on the world channel.

  “Eight years old and already a Practitioner?!”

  Elvynna couldn’t believe her eyes. She had checked the stats repeatedly, still in disbelief. In reality, she was nineteen and had only reached Practitioner Lv1! Was this child even human?

  In truth, Elvynna’s Regal Bone of the Ancients had potential on par with an all-element affinity, but it had been stolen from her. Moreover, the magical resources she had access to were far inferior to those Thalion had.

  “Eirik’s bloodline is astonishingly strong…” Selene whispered in disbelief, her hand over her mouth.

  The Magic Academy attracted talent from across the Northern Lands. Reaching Practitioner by twenty was considered genius-level. But an eight-year-old?! This child made the academy’s so-called geniuses seem pitiful in comparison.

  “If I ever have a son, I want him to be like Thalion!” Selene blurted out, unable to contain herself.

  “Congratulations, sister!”

  Liora, usually quiet, finally spoke up, her voice tinged with genuine envy.

  Pixie quickly noticed that her post had received six likes. With the known players, including herself, numbering only four, the six likes hinted at something significant—there were more unknown players watching than she had realized.