The Duke sat there stunned while Ning sent the old man back and returned.
It wasn't just the duke, but rather everyone that was stunned, including Trevain himself.
This man had gone around so quickly and brought back so many powerful figures in the blink of an eye that if he were to ever want to assassinate them, there would be no way for them to save themselves.
Ning was now freely eating all the food that was in front of him, that had fortunately not gone very cold.
Saphandra didn't give much thought to the people around her as well and continued eating on her own.
Trevain finally started to realize that he was free. He was no longer bound by the marriage pact. Just as a smile broke out on his face, he heard the table get slammed and the duke stood up angrily.
"You think you can do anything you want just because you have the power, don't you? You ruined my son's chance to enter the Forbidden Realm, and for that, I will have you hung," the Duke said.
It was obvious that his anger was speaking more than anything, and everything he feared was getting pushed to the back of his head. Still, the fact that he spoke up when he saw what Ning could do made him shake his head in a sigh.
"You are angry that I stopped you from ruining your own son's life?" Ning asked. "Well, since you really seem to want to know, here's the truth. I didn't ruin your son's chance at entering the Forbidden Realm. I can guarantee that your son will enter."
"Huh?" the duke felt a whiplash of emotions as his anger faded away and surprise filled him. "M-my son will get to enter? Did the Vice Headmaster say this?"
"Yes, of course. I managed to make a deal before I brought him here," Ning said.
The duke smiled all of a sudden and it even widened until he couldn't stop his glee and laughed out loud in happiness.
"I should have met you earlier. I wouldn't have to bring home trash just to get my son a spot," the duke said.
The people around him weren't certain if he was talking about the youngest son that had come back or the poor mentally challenged woman he was going to marry.
"You can leave tomorrow. You are no longer needed," the duke told Trevain and finally started eating. The food had gone cold, but he didn't care.
"Are you certain you want to send him away, Duke?" Ning asked.
"Of course! What need do I have of him anymore?" the duke asked.
"I don't know. I thought you would be more thoughtful around your son that is going to enter the Forbidden Island," Ning said while eating his fish.
"WHAT?!?"
"What?"
"Huh?"
Trevain, the Duke, and Lucius, all 3 reacted at the same time.
"Wait, brother Ning, I'm going to the Forbidden Island?" Trevain asked.
"Yes," Ning said. "I got us 3 spots from the old man. But we'll have to enter the First Bond school, so I hope you are ready for that."
"3 spots? Do I get one?" Saphandra asked.
"Of course. Why else would I get 3?" Ning said.
"Nice! I was planning on sneaking off on my own, but this is better," she said as she continued eating.
"You got a spot for the Forbidden Island and you're giving it to this trash?" Lucius suddenly got angry.
"What's wrong with that? I don't think it really matters since anyone who manages to bond with a spirit will become strong in the end anyhow," Ning said.
"He's a trash that can't even—"
Lucius suddenly toppled to the right and fell to the ground with a loud crash.
"Son!" the duchess spoke out loud and stood up to check on him, but the young man was fine.
"What? Who pushed me?" Lucius asked as he looked around.
"You talk too much. Just sit and eat. Shouting is not going to get you a spot, nor is begging. You have already lost, so neither you nor your father needs to waste any more words," Saphandra said from the side.
The duke's face grew cold with anger, but there was nothing he could say.
"Don't worry, Duke. We will leave tomorrow morning and you will never have to see any of us 3 again," Ning said with the same smile on his face since the beginning.
The duke thought of saying something, but there really was nothing he could do, so he simply shut up and continued eating.
The Duchess and Ori looked dumbfounded at what had just happened in their home today.
The chefs brought out more food and Ning called for seconds. The atmosphere was silent aside from the metal forks and spoons hitting the porcelain.
After they were done eating, Ning and Saphandra went along to their rooms and forgot about the matters of the family.
They could only imagine just how angry the Duke was, but that didn't matter anymore. Trevain's marriage was saved or ruined, and now he was free to do whatever he wanted.
He had also learned to stand up against his father, which was something Ning was happy to see.
Ning went to sleep and the next morning, a carriage was ready at the doorstep to take them away.
Ori cried once more when she saw her brother leave just the day after he had returned, but Trevain promised that he would come back and be there for her once the thing with the Forbidden Island was over.
Only when the little sister agreed did Trevain get onto the carriage. Behind him, his young butler followed him as well, and both Ning and Saphandra got in too.
Trevain waved his hands toward his only two family members that still cared for him, and the carriage started moving.
He grew somber for a moment before smiling as he thought about the future. Determination filled his eyes and he made a promise to himself to get bonded with a spirit no matter what.
