After leaving the room, Adrian didn''t immediately head back to the academy. Instead, he pulled out the note that the mastermind of the uing event had given him.


    He unfolded it carefully, scanning the words until his eyesnded on the name of a ce.


    "The Valerian Hall," Adrian muttered under his breath. His mind immediately recognized the significance of the name. It was an exclusive venue, a ce that only the wealthiest or most noble families could ever hope to enter. A ce where power and prestige were on full disy.


    A soft, mirthless chuckle escaped his lips. "She''s definitely testing me," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the mastermind. "Or she thinks I''m not rich enough to get in and give up directly."


    He smirked, a determined glint in his eyes. "Well, it''s time to prove her wrong."


    Without hesitation, Adrian returned to the house where he had changed earlier. He carefully took off the Shadow Veil mask, putting it back into his ring, and swapped his current attire for something more fitting of a nobleman. His new clothes were finely tailored, exuding an air of understated elegance that spoke of wealth without being ostentatious.


    As he adjusted his cor in front of a small mirror, Adrian''s thoughts drifted back to the mastermind.


    A woman with crazy ideas and ambition—someone who had pushed boundaries that others wouldn''t dare to. The one who had created the Fleshbound Abominations, those horrifying creatures they had fought at the Myrandor mountains.


    She was dangerous, no doubt, but also someone who could be valuable to his ns if handled correctly.


    Finished with his preparations, Adrian gave himself onest look in the mirror, ensuring that he appeared every bit the part he needed to y. Then, satisfied with his transformation, he left the house once more.


    Adrian stepped out of the alley house, the sun casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets as afternoon began to give way to evening. He tugged at his cuffs, making sure every detail of his nobleman''s attire was perfect. The fine fabrics and intricate designs were meant to impress, to blend him into the elite world he was about to step into.


    He scanned the street, looking for the right carriage—something grand enough to match the Valerian Hall, but not overly shy. It wasn''t long before he found what he was looking for. The carriage was sleek, ck with gold ents, drawn by two magnificent horses with coats as dark as midnight. It screamed wealth and status without trying too hard.


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    Adrian hailed the carriage with a subtle wave, and the driver, recognizing the caliber of his potential passenger, immediately pulled up beside him. The door opened smoothly, and Adrian stepped inside, sinking into the plush leather seats.


    ''It feels like I''m riding a Lamborghini...''


    As the carriage began its journey, Adrian''s thoughts returned to the note and the mastermind who had sent it.


    "Take me to the Valerian Hall." Well, he didn''t forget to tell his destination.


    The driver''s eyes slightly widened in surprise but he nodded quickly and started driving.


    After all, it was a ce where only the most influential figures in society could gather, where deals were made that shaped the city and sometimes the continent. It was a ce of power, and the fact that he had been ordered to drive there meant he might be one of the figures.


    A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Adrian''s lips as he looked out the window, watching the city''s scenery pass by. The evening light bathed the buildings in a warm, golden hue, but Adrian''s mind was focused on whaty ahead.


    Did she really think he''d back down? That he wasn''t rich enough or bold enough to enter? Or was this a y she nned...


    His smirk widened ever so slightly. He was more than ready to prove her wrong.


    The carriage came to a smooth stop in front of the Valerian Hall, and as Adrian stepped out, his eyes lifted to take in the sight before him. The Hall was every bit as grand as he remembered from the novel—its towering facade gleamed in the fading light, the intricate marble carvings and gold iys almost blinding.


    Tall pirs framed the entrance, leading up to massive doors that were polished to a mirror shine.


    It was a ce designed to awe, to intimidate, to remind anyone who approached that they were stepping into a world where only the most powerful held sway.


    ''Haha, even the MC could enter this ce only after the war for the throne and even then it was only when he reached the peak of Ster Tier. Meanwhile I... Hehe...''


    Adrian paused for a moment, allowing the grandeur and satisfaction to wash over him. ''They really spared no expense'' he thought, admiring how every detail of the Hall screamed opulence and exclusivity. It was as if all the money in the city was used to build this ce.


    As he made his way to the entrance, the two guards stationed there stepped forward, their presence alone enough to make lesser men hesitate. They were imposing figures, their uniforms immacte, their eyes sharp as they scrutinized him. The aura they exuded was unmistakable—a heavy, almost suffocating pressure that marked them as Lunar Sage Awakeners.


    But Adrian was already used to it by now. So it really didn''t affect him.


    He then felt the weight of their gaze, but he kept his expression neutral, almost bored. Inside, though, he couldn''t help but be a bit awed. ''Lunar Sages guarding the entrance... and their captains are even stronger.'' he thought, recalling that the captains of the Valerian Hall''s guards were all Ster Tier Awakeners—one of the highest ranks achievable. Just one Tier below the Sr Tier.


    One of the guards stepped forward, his voice low andmanding. "Entry is prohibited without proper authorization," he said, the underlying threat in his tone clear.


    Adrian met the guard''s gaze, his expression calm, almost indifferent. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, ck card. It was unassuming at first nce, but the gold letters etched into it caught the light, shimmering with an unmistakable authority.


    The guard''s eyes widened ever so slightly as he recognized the card—a VIP pass to the Valerian Hall. Only the most privileged, those with connections at the highest levels, possessed such a card.


    Adrian held it out, letting the guard take it and inspect it closely. He could feel the other guard''s aura shift, the intensity fading slightly as they realized who they were dealing with.


    The first guard handed the card back with a respectful nod. "My apologies, sir. You may enter."


    Adrian epted the card and tucked it back into his pocket, his expression never changing. "No need for apologies," he replied smoothly, his voice calm yet carrying a subtle edge that hinted at the power he held. He gave the guards a brief nod before stepping past them, the massive doors of the Valerian Hall opening before him.


    As he crossed the threshold into the grand entrance hall, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. ''Money is indeed power...''


    Adrian took in the opulence and grandeur surrounding him, the marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and priceless artworks reinforcing the exclusivity of the ce.


    He was taking his very first steps into the world of so-called ''Elites''.


    The game was on, and Adrian intended to win.