Ray saw that all the house leaders were moving, each drifting toward a different group of candidates like predators choosing their prey. Aries headed toward Mars, her steps calm and assured. It was the Jupiter leader who moved toward Venus instead, his presence heavy and confident. Two other leaders split off in different directions, their robes swaying as murmurs spread through the crowd.
Ray already knew that a few traitors from Venus had gone elsewhere. The whispers had spread quickly, and Ray could already guess that Jupiter was one of the places they had gone—after all, Jupiter had climbed unnaturally fast, rising to the top with a frightening margin.
It was at this moment that the Jupiter leader came directly toward Alice, who ranked second; Ryan, who stood third; and Ray himself, who was seventh.
Adrian approached them with long, deliberate strides. Since they were all standing together, he stopped directly in front of them and spoke smoothly, his voice carrying the confidence of someone used to being obeyed.
"I know Venus leader Aries has talked about giving you incentives," he said, smiling faintly, "but you should reconsider. I will tell you this—with all three of you, we from Jupiter House have the chance to rise even higher, so high that no other house can ever catch up to us."
He lifted a finger as he spoke, listing his offers casually, as if they were nothing extraordinary.
"First, the offer is ten times what we promised to those earlier. Second, we will give you all the materials you need—and if you want more, we will personally find them for you. Third…" His eyes gleamed slightly. "We will give you pills that will help you break through easily to the Wood Stage."
For a moment, silence hung in the air.
It was Ray who spoke first, his tone polite but firm.
"First of all, I am truly thankful that you have given us such great offers. But we all come from strong backgrounds." He gestured lightly as he continued. "This is Ryan—his mother is the sect master of the Water Formation Sect. This is Princess Alice from the Richard Kingdom. And I am the son of the strongest duke in the same kingdom."
Ryan then continued, smiling calmly, as if this decision had already been made long ago.
"And so please understand that I cannot change houses. I belong to the Water Formation Sect."
Next, Alice spoke. Her voice was timid and soft, almost swallowed by the noise around them as she stood half-hidden behind Ray.
"My cousin is Aries," she said shyly. "So… I would like to stay here as well. And Ray is under my protection, so Ray will also stay."
Ray had instructed Alice to say this earlier, when the leaders were planning to approach. It was the safest way—no one could pressure him using the authority of sect masters or royal blood if Alice herself spoke first.
Adrian tried to persuade them a little longer, offering advice and subtly pressing his advantage, but when he saw that none of them budged, his smile stiffened. Without another word, he turned and moved toward the other top fifty candidates waiting nearby.
Next came Wesley from Mercury House.
Wesley was a broad, muscular man with rough hands and an unmistakable scent of ore clinging to him. Even without introducing himself, anyone could tell—this was a blacksmith. He spoke with enthusiasm, offering unique incentives: special weapons, rare forging materials, and exclusive access to workshops.
But the response he received was the same.
No matter how tempting his words were, they did not sway Ray or the others. With a disappointed sigh, Wesley eventually left.
It was then that the Mars leader began walking toward them.
The moment Alice noticed him, the little courage she had gathered vanished. She retreated instantly, pressing herself against Ray's back, her fingers clutching his sleeve. Her fear was so visible that it was as if she had been glued to him.
Ray glanced back and saw Alice trembling.
He remembered hearing how she had always been bullied by her stepbrothers and how she had grown up surrounded by fear instead of trust. That loneliness followed her for years, leaving her without a single true friend—until she met him.
At first, she had simply wanted to talk to Ray out of curiosity on her birthday, even though he ignored her. But everything changed the day Ray tried to save her from an assassination attempt. Since then, she trusted Ray the same way she trusted her parents and siblings.
Ray turned slightly and spoke gently, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"If you don't want to go to their house, then say it straight to him," he said. "Tell him you want to stay under Big Sis Aries's house. It's your decision. You shouldn't be afraid. I'll stay right here to help you if you need me, okay?"
"…Okay."
Alice nodded weakly, her voice barely audible. She still hid behind Ray, but she clung to his words.
Then Darius arrived.
"Hello!" he said cheerfully. "I am Darius Richard of the Richard Kingdom. It seems I'm the last one who will pester you a little."
His smile widened as his gaze landed on Alice.
To anyone else, it was a normal smile.
To Alice, it was a nightmare.
"Eep!" she squeaked, instinctively hiding even deeper behind Ray.
Ray gave a wry smile at her reaction. Where did all that courage go? He wanted to tease her—but now was not the time.
Darius spoke again, his tone gentle but heavy with pressure.
"Alice, why don't you come to my house? We are siblings, after all. I will take good care of you."
At those words, Alice felt her chest tighten. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her body shook uncontrollably. She wanted to cry, to scream, to run—but no sound came out. The memories of being bullied by this very brother flooded back, freezing her in place.
She desperately wanted someone to save her.
Ray could see that she needed more than reassurance—she needed a push. So he stepped forward slightly and spoke.
"Your Highness Darius," Ray said calmly, "Princess Alice has already chosen to stay in Venus House, since it belongs to her cousin Aries. And as her friend, I have also decided to remain in Venus House. I hope you understand—even among siblings, she has her own path. And she has chosen Venus."
Alice was still trembling, tears falling silently. She had wanted to speak, but fear had stolen her voice.
Then she heard Ray's words.
She saw his back—steady, unmoving, standing between her and everything she feared.
Without realizing it, her shaking stopped. The tears slowed, then ceased. The despair in her eyes faded, replaced by something new.
Resolve.
She knew now that someone would protect her.
She was glad—truly glad—that she had become friends with Ray.
Darius looked at her and asked softly, "Is that what you want?" His words carried a subtle pressure, as if trying to bend her will one last time.
Alice stared at Ray's back for a final moment.
Then she stepped forward.
She stood upright, faced her brother directly, and spoke with a courage she didn't know she had.
"Brother," she said, "I have indeed chosen to stay in Venus."
Darius paused.
"Is that so?"