Upon arriving at the Raine Villa compound, Gameliel could already feel the oppressive heaviness hanging in the air.
The atmosphere was so tense that it seemed as though the entire estate had stopped breathing.
The usually lively compound had become unnaturally quiet.
No servants could be seen moving about.
No sounds of conversation drifted through the courtyard.
Even the birds that often perched on the decorative trees appeared to have vanished. Not a single chirp could be heard. It was as though every living creature instinctively sensed the storm brewing within the villa and chose to stay away.
Gameliel looked around calmly.
There was no surprise on his face.
No anxiety.
No confusion.
Only acceptance.
After everything that had happened during the duel with Zarrell, he had already expected this outcome.
The aristocratic families of the kingdom always portrayed themselves as united and harmonious.
On the surface, they smiled at one another.
They exchanged pleasantries.
They hosted banquets and attended social gatherings together.
But beneath that polished exterior lay another truth.
Their dignity and reputation were sacred.
The moment someone threatened the image of an aristocratic family, even slightly, that fragile harmony would disappear instantly.
At that point, it would be no different from stepping on the tail of a tiger.
And today, Gameliel had done exactly that.
Not only had he publicly humiliated Zarrell.
Not only had he crushed one of the younger generation's celebrated talents.
He had also dragged the Mac Corell Family's prestige through the mud before countless spectators.
The aftermath of such an incident would not end with the duel.
The Raine Family would inevitably be forced to deal with the consequences.
Yet despite knowing all this, Gameliel continued walking forward.
His footsteps remained steady as he approached the entrance to the main hall.
Before he could even push open the door completely—
"GET OVER HERE, YOU TROUBLESOME CHILD!"
BOOM!
The furious roar shook the entire villa.
The windows rattled.
Leaves were violently shaken from nearby trees.
Several birds that had been hiding in the distance immediately took flight in terror.
The sheer force behind the voice demonstrated just how furious its owner was.
Gameliel inwardly sighed.
His father truly wasn't holding back.
"I'm here, Father."
He stepped into the main hall and lowered his head.
The moment he entered, he could feel numerous eyes landing on him.
He cautiously glanced upward.
The sight before him made him quickly lower his head again.
Corey's expression was terrifying.
His father's face was dark with anger.
The veins on his forehead bulged visibly.
His eyes blazed like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
At that moment, Corey looked far more frightening than any demon described in the old stories.
Standing beside him was a beautiful woman.
Although she wore no luxurious jewelry or extravagant attire, she possessed a natural elegance that drew attention effortlessly.
A simple floral dress hugged her graceful figure.
Her blonde hair had been carefully braided into numerous tiny strands, decorated with white and silver accessories that shimmered softly under the room's lighting.
Her exquisite face carried a troubled expression.
Meanwhile, her turquoise eyes revealed the worry, pain, and anxiety she was desperately trying to conceal.
Irina Raine.
His mother.
The sight of her caused guilt to surge through Gameliel's chest.
His earlier confidence suddenly weakened.
Back at the restaurant, he had acted according to his emotions.
He had acted for Nicos.
For his friend.
For the injustice that had never left his heart.
But now, standing before his family and seeing the anxiety written all over his mother's face, he finally understood another consequence of his actions.
His anger had not only affected him.
It had also brought distress to the people who cared about him.
Especially his mother.
If not for her presence, his father would likely have become an uncontrollable raging bull by now.
His gaze shifted slightly.
His little sister sat quietly in a nearby chair.
The cheerful girl who normally occupied Corey's lap was unusually silent today.
She sat with her hands folded neatly together, not daring to make the slightest sound.
Even she understood that this was not a moment for childish behavior.
Mr. Josh, the family's loyal butler, stood quietly near one side of the room.
Though his expression remained composed, concern flickered in his eyes.
The atmosphere inside the hall was suffocating.
"How much trouble are you going to cause before you're satisfied?" Corey demanded.
The anger in his voice remained unmistakable.
Before Gameliel could respond, Irina gently stepped forward.
"Don't be too angry, dear," she said softly.
"He's still young. Young people often act impulsively without fully considering the consequences."
Corey immediately snorted.
"That's exactly the problem."
His voice rose once more.
"He needs to start thinking before he acts. He can't continue behaving like a child and expect me to clean up every mess he creates."
Irina placed a hand on his arm.
"We'll continue teaching him. He's a good child. I'm sure he'll learn from this."
Her soothing voice carried a calming effect.
Like cool water extinguishing flames.
Everyone in the room visibly relaxed.
Even Corey appeared slightly less explosive than before.
Gameliel couldn't help but feel admiration.
His mother truly was remarkable.
Among everyone in the household, only she possessed the ability to calm his father so effectively.
She always knew what to say.
Always knew how to ease his anger.
It was a skill that seemed almost supernatural.
The tension in the room gradually lessened.
Unfortunately, it did not last long.
Corey suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Even if you wanted to fight that arrogant son of the Mac Corell Family," he said, "why did it have to be because of Nicos?"
The room became still.
"Three years have already passed."
His voice carried obvious dissatisfaction.
"Why can't you let it go already?"
The moment those words left his mouth, something changed.
Gameliel's head slowly rose.
His eyes locked onto his father.
The expression on his face resembled someone who had just heard the most unbelievable statement imaginable.
For a brief moment, silence dominated the hall.
"Father..."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Did you just ask why I haven't gotten over what happened to Nicos?"
Corey's eyes widened.
"What?"
His anger reignited immediately.
"You unfilial brat! Are you talking back to me now?"
His voice exploded through the room.
"Yes, that's exactly what I said!"
He slammed his hand against the armrest.
"Three years have passed! Why haven't you gotten over it?"
Irina immediately sensed danger.
"Husband, please calm down."
Then she turned toward Gameliel.
"Gameliel, don't speak to your father like that."
Her voice was gentle but worried.
She understood both sides.
She understood Corey's frustrations.
But she also understood the wound hidden within her son.
A wound that had never healed.
Unfortunately, some wounds were too deep to ignore.
The moment Corey repeated those words, it felt as though someone had touched the reverse scale of a dragon.
The fury that Gameliel had been suppressing suddenly erupted.
His fists clenched tightly.
His eyes blazed.
For the first time since entering the hall, he looked directly at his father without restraint.
"You shouldn't have said that."
The room froze.
Corey frowned.
"What did you say?"
"You shouldn't have said that."
Gameliel's voice trembled with emotion.
"Aren't you supposed to be living with guilt?"
The question struck everyone like a bolt of lightning.
"You of all people should never say those words."
His breathing became heavier.
"Have you forgotten what Nicos' mother did for you?"
Every person in the room fell silent.
No one interrupted.
No one dared.
"If not for her..."
Gameliel's voice grew louder.
"If not for her sacrifices, the Raine Family wouldn't be enjoying its current prestige."
His eyes reddened slightly.
"The position you have today."
"The influence this family possesses."
"The respect people show us."
"How much of that exists because of her contributions?"
Corey's expression stiffened.
But Gameliel wasn't finished.
"Yet when she needed help..."
His voice cracked.
"When she was in trouble three years ago..."
His fists shook violently.
"You did nothing."
Every word landed heavily.
"You didn't even try."
The silence became deafening.
"And now you're asking me to get over it?"
Gameliel laughed bitterly.
The sound contained no joy.
Only disappointment.
"I'm sorry, Father."
His gaze sharpened.
"I'm not as shameless as you."
The words struck like a sword.
"And unlike you, I still have a conscience."
Irina closed her eyes.
Mr. Josh lowered his head.
Even Gameliel's little sister looked frightened.
The confrontation had finally reached the point everyone feared.
Corey's face darkened completely.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then he slowly stood up.
The pressure radiating from him filled the room.
His eyes burned with fury.
"I should have let you go with them."
The words emerged through clenched teeth.
"I should have allowed you to follow them into the Forgotten Region."
A hint of regret appeared in his voice.
"Trying to keep you here was my mistake."
The moment those words were spoken, something inside Gameliel finally broke.
His expression became calm.
Strangely calm.
As though all emotion had suddenly vanished.
"Then you won't have to regret anymore."
Everyone looked toward him.
Their hearts tightened.
Because they could sense something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Gameliel slowly turned toward the entrance.
His voice was quiet.
Yet every word echoed throughout the hall.
"I'm leaving."
The room fell silent.
"You don't need to look for me."
He took a step forward.
"You don't need to account for me."
Another step.
"From this day onward, I am no longer part of the Raine Family."
The declaration struck everyone like thunder.
Corey's eyes widened.
"What did you say?"
His chair toppled backward as he stood fully.
"Where do you think you're going?"
His fists clenched.
The veins in his arms bulged.
He looked ready to charge forward at any moment.
Yet Gameliel never turned around.
He simply continued walking.
"I can take care of myself."
His voice remained steady.
"It's not as though you're the only person in this world."
The words hung heavily in the air.
"Gameliel!"
"Brother!"
"Young Master!"
Three voices rang out simultaneously.
Irina.
His little sister.
Mr. Josh.
Gameliel stopped.
For a brief moment, his shoulders trembled.
Then he slowly turned his head.
Not toward Corey.
Toward the people who truly cared.
"Mother."
His voice softened.
"Take care of yourself."
His gaze shifted.
"Little sister, be good."
The young girl was already crying.
Finally, he looked toward the butler.
"Mr. Josh."
The old butler nodded silently.
"Please take care of them."
A faint smile appeared on Gameliel's face.
"And take care of yourself too."
Without waiting for a response, he resumed walking.
Step by step.
Toward the exit.
Toward an uncertain future.
Toward his own path.
The doors opened.
At that exact moment, rain began falling from the darkened sky.
Heavy droplets crashed against the stone pathways.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
As if even the heavens were mourning.
Gameliel stepped outside.
The rain instantly drenched his clothes.
Water streamed down his face.
His hair stuck to his forehead.
Yet he continued walking.
One step.
Then another.
And another.
The cold rain washed over him relentlessly.
His fists clenched tightly.
His nails dug into his palms.
"I'll walk my own path."
The vow echoed within his heart.
"Without you."
"Without the Raine Family."
His eyes looked ahead.
Firm.
Resolute.
"And I'll succeed."
The rain intensified.
As he walked, another memory surfaced.
A memory he had never forgotten.
Three years ago.
The same rain.
The same helplessness.
He remembered struggling desperately.
Remembered trying to break free.
Remembered being restrained and dragged back to the Raine Villa.
And ahead of him...
Nicos.
His mother.
His siblings.
Walking toward exile.
Walking toward the Forgotten Region.
No matter how hard he struggled, he had been unable to follow them.
Unable to help them.
Unable to keep his promise.
The memory remained carved into his soul.
Even after three years.
Even after countless days and nights.
It had never faded.
Gameliel raised his head toward the stormy sky.
Rain mixed with the moisture in his eyes.
His lips moved softly.
A whisper carried away by the wind.
"I'll be waiting for you in the Spirit Realm, Nicos."
His footsteps never stopped.
"I'll be waiting, brother."
And beneath the endless rain, Gameliel walked forward alone, leaving behind his family, his home, and the life he had always known as he stepped onto a path from which there would be no turning back.