Land of Six Towers, Eric's office.
After learning that Locke had won the Cloud Marsh Cup, all the thoughts Eric had previously entertained vanished without a trace. Instead, he muttered, "Alicia invested in a good prospect."
"Who in the Plutarch Family could refuse to acknowledge the success of such an investment? Even I have to admit it."
"Perhaps that little girl really is suited to become the family head."
Eric's thoughts began to race. Her eye for talent is truly sharp. If only she could help me win a championship too. It doesn't have to be a competition as prestigious as the Cloud Marsh Cup. Winning something like the Light and Shadow Cup or Golden Cup would already be excellent.
Eric looked up at his son and his son's wife, a witch from the Basil Family. His son, whom he had previously found pleasing no matter how he looked at him, now seemed unsatisfactory in every way. He felt that George was far inferior to Alicia and the wizard she had invested in, Locke Augustine.
"George, you'd better learn from Alicia. Stop spending all your time with those good-for-nothing friends of yours."
"You should start doing something worthwhile. Alicia is already a First-Ring Wizard in the Vaporization Stage, and her Mana is growing so quickly every day. At this rate, I expect her to reach the Liquefaction Stage next year, or the year after. Yet you're still a Wizard Apprentice, while your wife has already become a First-Ring Wizard."
The witch from the Basil Family glanced at the submissive George. Instead of defending him, she said to Eric, "Lord Eric, then what about the plan I originally made—to rely on my family's support to seize power for us..."
Eric shook his head. "Now that Alicia has completed such a major