Era of War Beasts: The Eternal Overlord

Chapter 5: Me? A Nobody

After taking over all of the Wilson family’s assets, combined with those of the Fang family, Laura’s influence within the family became unmatched. Her two brothers, who had underestimated their sister’s ambition and cunning, vanished without a trace, their fates unknown. They could never have imagined that the sister they looked down upon possessed such terrifying ambition and shrewdness.

To be honest, Fang Tianyun had a bit of admiration for his grandmother’s accomplishments. A successful businesswoman indeed deserving of the family head position.

Over the years, Fang Tianyun had encountered numerous tests and provocations aimed at him. Some tried to incite him against Lisa and her children, while others attempted to lure him with benefits to steal from the family. Regardless of the truth or deceit behind these attempts, Fang Tianyun always adopted a strategy of playing dumb and declining everything.

Anyone who tried to contact him found themselves reported to the family and sold out. Fang Tianyun had his own grand plans and had no time to waste on petty schemes. He scorned those who engaged in them.

Now, standing before the grand main castle with guards lined up at the entrance, Fang Tianyun pushed these thoughts aside. Inside the lavish main hall, a woman dressed in ornate robes sat quietly with her eyes closed, exuding an air of nobility. Despite her age, she was well-maintained, her presence enhanced by a radiant star crown atop her head.

“Brought him in,” Marcia said, taking her place behind Laura.

“Greetings, Grandmother,” Fang Tianyun greeted her as usual.

“I hear you plan to study abroad?” Laura’s eyes opened, revealing a sharp, commanding gaze that sent an intimidating aura towards Fang Tianyun. Laura was not just the family head; she was also a formidable five-star mage.

Faced with this pressure, Fang Tianyun “anxiously” took two steps back, lowering his head and pretending to wipe away nonexistent sweat.

His act of panic was flawless. As expected, Laura's eyes flashed with a hint of dissatisfaction. This grandson was, at best, a somewhat clever but ultimately cowardly and incompetent person.

Upon learning of Fang Tianyun’s decision to leave, Laura had been preoccupied with another matter. Gina, her youngest daughter-in-law’s niece, was now staying with the family after her parents passed away. More importantly, Gina had just successfully completed the awakening ceremony and become a beastmaster. The title of beastmaster, even for someone as composed as Laura, was enviable. Although the family employed two beastmasters, they were under contract. Gina, however, was nearly family, offering a closer connection.

Her own grandchildren, Arthur and Eva, were somewhat disappointing—one a warrior, the other a mage. And this illegitimate grandson was an extreme disappointment.

Laura resolved to invest all necessary resources to bind Gina to the Wilson family. Reflecting on the uselessness of the black-haired boy before her, she sneered inwardly. She knew about her husband secretly giving Fang Tianyun cultivation techniques. In a family full of her spies, little escaped her notice.

Fang Tianyun, nearly a nonentity in the family, would have been useful if the awakening ceremony had succeeded. But as an "elemental insulator," he was hopelessly incompetent.

“Yes, Grandmother,” Fang Tianyun stuttered, playing the part of a nervous wreck perfectly.

Seeing this pitiful display, Laura’s disdain grew. Sixteen years of raising a freeloader. She sighed inwardly, disappointed that her husband’s grandson had brought no honor to the family.

“Go, then. If you find success outside, don’t bother returning,” she said dismissively, her words laden with finality.

While his grandfather's intention was to wish him well, Laura’s message was clear: he was unworthy of staying in the family. Fang Tianyun couldn’t care less about his grandmother’s reaction; inside, he was laughing.

Success!

“One more thing,” Laura added coldly. “Do not claim to be from the Wilson family. If I find out you’ve used the family name for personal gain, you will regret it.”

Her stern gaze was no joke. “Understood,” Fang Tianyun replied quickly. Internally, he scoffed at his grandmother’s inflated self-importance. He was a Fang, not a Wilson. He had no need for the family name.

With the family’s biggest boss duped, Fang Tianyun felt relieved. After the formalities, he turned and left, his hasty departure a final act to disgust Laura further.

Returning to his room to pack, Fang Tianyun noticed a small box on his desk, with a letter bearing his grandfather’s name. Reading the letter, even his two lives didn’t stop his eyes from misting up.

After carefully storing the letter, he took a deep breath to steady his emotions. Those who looked down on him now would one day kneel and look up to him. He was no saint; he was a predator with a voracious appetite.

Opening the small box, he found a beautifully crafted storage ring. Arthur and Eva already had such items, but Fang Tianyun had never received one.

After recognizing the ring with a drop of blood, he wore it, finding inside new clothes, food, drink, and a million star coins. Though a pittance to the family, it was a substantial starting fund for Fang Tianyun, easing his immediate concerns about money.

He stored this token of familial love and kindness deep in his heart. Donning a new suit, he locked up his room and headed out of the castle.

In the garden, a beautiful girl was quietly reading. The sun shone gently, butterflies flitted about, birds sang from the trees, creating a peaceful and idyllic scene.

“Are you Gina?” Fang Tianyun asked.

The girl looked up, recognizing the scholarly boy of similar age. She stood and greeted him politely, “Yes, hello. May I ask who you are?”

Though familiar, Gina didn’t know his name despite hearing bits about him from her cousin.

“Me?” Fang Tianyun laughed.

The scholarly boy slowly raised his arm and removed his glasses. As he did, his demeanor transformed dramatically. His eyes became piercing, his brows sharp, and his expression fierce.

His body straightened, muscles swelling, filling out his suit and making him appear larger, almost reaching six feet tall.

“I am but a nobody.”