"Where’s Roland? I heard she’s been keeping an eye on Celia’s squad. Why isn’t she here to watch their Hero assessment today?"

"Who knows? Probably busy with something else."

Hearing the hushed chatter about Roland behind her, Sharin smiled faintly but said nothing.

Roland had indeed wanted to attend Celia’s squad assessment—but Sharin had assigned her to guard Vedona’s gates, watching for the Beast Tide.

She knew that even after issuing the highest Beast Tide alert in the guild, many Heroes still wouldn’t take it seriously.

After all, Vedona had never faced a Beast Tide with fourth-tier or higher monsters since its founding. Long years of peace had eroded their reverence for such threats.

But she was different. Ever since the Silver Blossom Sword Maiden’s warning, she’d prepared for this potentially unprecedented catastrophe with utmost vigilance.

Besides Roland, many other Heroes had received her orders to monitor the Silent Forest.

Poor them—they’d miss seeing Celia’s squad shine during the assessment.

Recalling Roland’s sour face when accepting the assignment, Sharin’s lips twitched. She knew she’d have to make amends later for their already strained relationship.

"Look! Someone’s coming!"

A shout cut through the crowd. Every Hero’s gaze snapped to the training ground’s entrance.

An elderly man in a black suit stepped out of the sunlight, his pace slow and elegant.

White gloves covered his hands; a waist-high cane rested in his right. His expression was stern, radiating authority.

His sharp eyes swept the stands—packed with spectators—and wrinkles deepened on his face as displeasure flickered across it.

"That’s Aul, the Fiona Clan’s steward. I heard he demanded a fourth-tier monster for Celia’s squad assessment."

"Celia’s the Fiona heiress, right? Why would he push for this? Doesn’t he fear hurting the young mistress?"

"Rumor says it’s a test. If they fail, Celia must abandon her Hero dream and return to the Fiona estate."

The Heroes’ murmurs grew louder, drawing a frown from Aul. Disdain flashed openly in his eyes.

He snorted coldly and strode forward. Behind him, a servant in matching black attire dragged heavy iron chains, leading a monster into the arena.

Gasps ripped through the crowd as the monster came into view.

A small obsidian pseudo-dragon—lizard-like but with terrifying wings, razor-sharp fangs, and claws that gleamed like blades.

Yet its physical form wasn’t what chilled the Heroes most.

Though bound by enchanted chains that suppressed its ferocity, its bloodthirsty crimson eyes and gaping maw radiated primal terror.

Merely meeting its gaze made several Heroes’ knees buckle. They edged toward the exits, fearing the beast might break loose and tear them apart mid-assessment.

"What is that? A dragon?!"

"Such a terrifying aura… Is it really only fourth-tier?"

"Celia’s squad… can they even pass this?"

The moment the pseudo-dragon appeared, the crowd’s focus shifted from Aul to the beast. Confidence in Celia’s squad crumbled instantly.

They acknowledged the squad’s strength—Vedona’s finest Aspirant Hero team in twenty years—but against this creature? They seemed hopelessly outmatched.

To the spectators, this pseudo-dragon rivaled the monstrous scorpion that nearly destroyed the city years ago.

*This steward’s ruthless,* they thought. *He’d risk the heiress’s life just to stop her dream.*

Aul ignored their whispers. Unfazed, he walked to Sharin’s seat and lowered himself beside her.

"President Sharin. Long time no see."

"Long time indeed," Sharin replied, arms crossed. Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "I assumed you’d returned to the Fiona estate by now. Didn’t expect you still lingering in this small city."

Aul hadn’t interfered with Celia’s training these past six months—but Sharin’s resentment hadn’t softened. His restraint came only from his pact with the Silver Blossom Sword Maiden.

And now, their reunion brought this "gift."

Sharin’s gaze hardened as she stared at the pseudo-dragon in the arena.

Aul merely chuckled at her barb. "The young mistress remains here. As her steward, how could I abandon my duty?"

Sensing the tension, nearby Heroes subtly shuffled backward. *Better not get caught in the crossfire.*

Sharin adjusted her glasses, eyes fixed on the beast. "Why bring a pseudo-dragon? Guild assessments use tamed monsters."

She knew exactly what he intended—to replace the standard test monster and slash Celia’s squad’s chances of success.

Ordinary fourth-tier monsters? She might have allowed it. But a pseudo-dragon? Even she doubted the squad could overcome such a creature.

In this world, dragons symbolized raw power. Even a pseudo-dragon with diluted blood could slaughter same-tier monsters effortlessly.

She opened her mouth to refuse—but Aul cut her off.

"President Sharin forgets. This was agreed upon with the instructor. You have no say here."

Sharin’s eyes darkened. She turned away. "If safety is compromised, the guild won’t take responsibility."

"No matter. Though old, I can still subdue it before it harms the young mistress."

Aul’s calm confidence drew a cold snort from Sharin. She fell silent.

*He claims he can easily handle a fourth-tier pseudo-dragon… His strength must rival mine.*

*Celia’s squad… they’re likely doomed.*

As worry tightened Sharin’s chest, another wave of murmurs erupted behind her. Instinctively, she glanced back at the entrance.

A figure in a black robe emerged first from the light, scanning the crowded stands. She tugged her hood lower, hiding her face.

Behind her walked today’s true protagonists—Celia’s squad.