Raymond Scott was a notorious spoiled brat in Saxton City. As the youngest son of Old Scott, head of the merchants' guild, he'd been mischievous since childhood—harassing women and bullying commoners were routine. Out of respect for his father, the city guards turned a blind eye, as long as no one died.

But yesterday, ever-smooth-sailing young master Raymond hit a major snag. The woman he was about to claim got snatched away right before his eyes!

Sure, Raymond could easily find another beauty as stunning as Emily. Yet the saying "what you can't have is always best" haunted him. Last night, he tossed and turned all night. The more he thought, the angrier he grew. That rage fueled fantasies of snatching Emily back and making her suffer terribly to vent his fury.

The problem? A mage had taken her. That complicated things. Mages held revered status on this continent. Even his family wouldn't dare openly offend one.

Of course, he couldn't act openly—but schemes worked. Like ambushing Emily when that eccentric mage was out, then locking her away secretly. Even if traced, he could feign innocence. If the mage dared storm the Scott Clan's dungeon? Blatant lawbreaking. The Scott Clan could then legitimately hire experts to eliminate him.

Alternatively, he could hire the Assassins Guild. But assassinating a mage cost a fortune. Even extravagantly wealthy Raymond would feel the pinch.

So young master Raymond strolled the streets with his henchmen, plotting vicious ways to kill that detestable mage. Speak of the devil—the very mage he hated with a passion approached head-on, seemingly very close to Emily.

Hmph. Hiring a maid? A master-servant contract? Clearly building a harem! Fine, have one—but how dare he touch my woman? No. I, Raymond, won't be a coward. In broad daylight, he wouldn't dare touch me.

Raymond stopped, glaring venomously at the blonde girl beside the sinister mage. "You little bitch! Three months ago, old man Leonard personally promised you to me. My father and I were both there. Now you dare break that promise? This is a huge provocation to the Scott Clan! Do you know the consequences!?"

Sensing Emily's panic, I calmly shielded her behind me. Through my mask, I fixed a cold stare on him. "Raymond, yesterday your father personally promised to sell you to me as a slave. From now on, I can humiliate you as I please—even make you eat shit."

"Bullshit! Lies!" Raymond shouted, his flabby body trembling.

I shrugged helplessly. "I could say you're lying too. Your mouth says whatever you want. But to be convincing? Show evidence."

Raymond had no proof of the engagement. It was settled privately in a parlor—both sides saw it as a win-win alliance, so no contract existed. Yet with so many curious onlookers, he couldn't swallow his pride. "Fine! I'll fetch old Leonard now. Let him face me and clarify!"

"Hmph. Who doesn't know the Scott Clan is rich and powerful? Pressuring a common merchant to lie would be child's play for you."

Bystanders nodded inwardly. Raymond felt utterly powerless, his chest ready to burst with rage.

But he wasn't alone. Two henchmen trailed him—useless except at flattery. Seeing his master humiliated and unaware of my identity, one stepped forward boldly, jabbing a finger at me. "What the hell are you, daring to offend young master Raymond? Tired of living?!"

"I'm no thing. Just an ordinary mage."

"What's a mage anyway, daring to—" The henchman froze mid-sentence, realizing his mistake. He swallowed hard, turning to his master in shock. "This... this robed weirdo is a mage?"

Before Raymond could reply, a blazing fireball leaped from my fingertips. "We mages are believers in truth. Its dignity and glory must not be desecrated. You dare insult us publicly? This is a grave provocation to the Mages Association and truth itself. Come here. I challenge you to a duel—now."