Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 206: Dangerous Reunions



The director of Genova Academy had ambitious plans.

She intended to personally give a tour to Golden Cosmos, showcasing Eratz as a symbol of the academy's legacy while basking in the attention of reporters.

But Zara firmly declined, requesting that they be treated like any other guest. Despite the director's annoyance, she begrudgingly agreed, realizing her hopes for a spectacle had been dashed.

"What about crowd control?" Zara inquired.

The director explained.

"There's a designated area for challengers within the academy walls. It's quieter, with limited public access and a few well-disciplined students."

Zara nodded.

"That will do."

As they entered the academy grounds, the atmosphere shifted. Inside the walls, the chaos of the outer festivities was replaced with a more refined ambiance.

The area felt like a cultural festival, beast masters mingled, booths displayed various techniques and tools, and the air buzzed with excitement. Zara surveyed the surroundings and remarked.

"This should be enough." Her gaze lingered on the director, silently dismissing her.

The director's jaw tightened, her frustration evident as she glanced at Eratz. He ignored her completely, his attention elsewhere.

Clenching her fists, she muttered.

"If you need anything... there are staff available," After that, she left, her teachers casting troubled looks at Eratz as they followed.

With the area more peaceful, the Golden Cosmos team decided to split up and enjoy their free time. Catarina and Kaida, decided to wander toward the food stalls.

Ryder, eager to explore, declared his intent to scout the grounds.

"Anyone coming?" he asked.

Raya tilted her head, but then shook it.

"I'm waiting for another permanent star," she said.

Eratz chuckled.

"I'm waiting too..." But before he could finish, his phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, he smiled. "Ah, there they are."

Mercury straightened.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Let's go."

Outside the restricted area, the crowd grew restless. Reporters and fans voiced their frustrations at being kept out.

Lisa stood among them, fidgeting nervously. She hesitated, wondering if she could gather the courage to face Eratz again.

What could she say? How would she approach him?

Nearby, Liora observed silently, her heart heavy. She sighed, while Kian and Lila exchanged uncertain glances.

"Let's head back to the festivities." Marcus suggested.

As they prepared to leave, a commotion erupted near the entrance, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

The raised voices of two individuals cut through the crowd's murmurs, and security guards looked visibly exasperated as they argued with the pair.

Cassie stood with her arms crossed, her sharp tone contrasting with Roger's calmer demeanor.

"We've been invited," Roger said hesitantly, holding up a letter. "We're part of Eratz's team. This is official."

The guards exchanged skeptical glances.

"We can't allow random tricks," one said flatly, his tone dismissive.

Roger let out an exasperated sigh.

"I know it sounds stupid, but we were really with them. We split up earlier because my lovely wife, who I respect immensely, decided to detour into the malls to shop for Golden Cosmos merchandise instead of using the custom outfits the staff offered us."

Cassie turned her head sharply to face him, her eyes narrowing.

"Oh, so you're a snitch, deary? Sorry, but it's not a crime to refuse to profit from someone's generosity."

The surrounding crowd, initially irritable, began chuckling at the unexpected exchange.

Some people whispered comments to each other, while others urged the pair to step back like everyone.

Lisa, standing nearby, stifled a laugh as she watched the scene unfold, surprised to see two adults behaving this way.

Marcus, meanwhile, rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his lips curving into a small smirk.

"What are they doing here?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head. Then, with a quiet chuckle, he added, "Let me guess, Eratz doesn't want to be seen with them. Celebrities,

right?"

Liora's reaction, however, was different. Her expression froze as she stared at Cassie, a mixture of shock and something else flashing across her face.

Marcus, oblivious, leaned down to ruffle Kian and Lila's hair.

"Good kids. At least we're not embarrassing ourselves, you're making your parents proud," he remarked, then leaned closer to Liora and whispered conspiratorially, "We could just walk ahead of them. With Kian and Lila, we'd get through no..."

Before Marcus could finish, another commotion broke out at the entrance, louder this time. The guards were visibly tense as one of them gestured wildly.

"Sir! It's going to be uncontrollable!" the guard exclaimed, his voice edged with panic.

The reason to their changebinstantly froze Marcus: Eratz had arrived.

The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. People screamed Eratz's name, phones were raised, and the air buzzed with chaos.

It was as though the entire area had been consumed by his entrance. Lisa's heart leapt at his

sight.

"Eratz..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, instinctively trying to call out to him. Her hand twitched, as if reaching for something long gone.

But then she saw Mercury, Milo, and Colin following him closely. The words froze in her throat, the sight striking her like a cold wind.

They walked together, united and untouchable, and she realized how far removed she was

from that world now.

Eratz approached the guards, who stiffened at his arrival. He gave a teasing smile at Cassie, as

if yo say 'I told you', and spoke.

"Let them in."

The guards exchanged nervous glances.

"Mr. Pandora, we were told not to let anyone..."

"It's fine," Eratz interrupted firmly. "They have passes. They're my father and mother."

For a moment, silence fell over the crowd, the chaotic buzz evaporating as those words hung

in the air.

Then, as if ignited, the crowd erupted again. Cameras flashed furiously, capturing every angle of this unexpected declaration, and the whispers turned into a storm of speculation and

shock. Cassie froze in place, her breath hitching as the words registered. For a moment, she stood motionless, the declaration echoing in her mind.

Her wide eyes reflected shock and disbelief, and she glanced at Eratz, trying to process what

had just happened.

A warmth began to spread through her chest, but the weight of the moment left her unsure

how to react.

She reached for Roger's sleeve, her fingers gripping it tightly, but himself needed an anchor.

He was equally stunned. His posture stiffened, and his lips parted slightly as though to speak, but no words came out.

His face turned a faint shade of red, a mix of pride and awkwardness bubbling beneath the

surface.

He adjusted his glasses instinctively, a small habit he had when unsure of how to proceed. His gaze flickered between Cassie and Eratz, trying to make sense of the overwhelming emotions

rising within him.

Mercury's eyebrows lifted slightly, and a warm smile graced her face. She looked at Eratz with a knowing expression, wondering if he realized what he just said.

Colin, standing beside Milo, couldn't hide her excitement. Her eyes sparkled, and her small hands clenched into fists as she tried to suppress a grin.

to everyone, it was a big news, the Pharaoh's parents appeared officially for the first time. No more speculation, they were finally acknowledged.

But among the crowd, Lisa's reaction was entirely different. Her face turned ghostly pale. She knew Eratz's biological parents. This wasn't them.

Her mind raced, grappling with the implications. Slowly, her shoulders dropped, the weight

pressing down on her.

She understood now, Eratz had changed. He was no longer the person she had once known. Approaching him, trying to reconnect, would only bring harm, to both of them.

With a heavy heart, she gave up, stepping silently back into the crowd, her gaze lowering to

the ground.

Behind her, the Pandora family stood frozen. Liora's expression shattered, her anguish etched into every line of her face as she stared at Eratz.

Her breath hitched, and her body trembled slightly as if trying to hold itself together.

Her mind reeled, replaying his words over and over, the weight of their meaning crushing her

spirit.

She felt an emptiness open up inside her as the realization that he had erased them from his

life struck her.

Kian and Lila trembled with anger, their fists clenched tightly at their sides. Their faces were pale, and their breaths came in short bursts as the sting of rejection sank in.

Marcus's frustration was palpable. He rubbed his temples, shaking his head. "Let's go back," he said tightly, though his voice lacked conviction. None of them moved, their feet rooted to the ground as the scene unfolded. Inside the restricted area, Cassie and Roger trailed behind Eratz, their steps hesitant and shy. Cassie dabbed at her eyes with the back of her hand, her emotions spilling over. "Thank you..." she whispered under her breath, though she wasn't sure if he could hear her. Roger cleared his throat awkwardly, his usual composure entirely shaken.

Eratz, however, kept walking like it was nothing. He didn't turn back, didn't justify or explain

himself.

To him, the declaration had been simple, a truth that needed no elaboration. The world behind him could spin and speculate all it wanted; his path lay firmly ahead.

On the other side, however, the madness was making its return as another bus arrived. Infinite

Twilight had come.

Leonidas led the procession, his towering presence unmistakable. The agents and staff followed, their strong demeanor exuding an aura of superiority.

Everyone was in awe face to the aces, real powerhouses around the continent.

Sia and Rex, in particular, drew the most attention.

The atmosphere grew tense as people clamored for a glimpse of the continent's biggest stars.

The director of Genova Academy, eager for a photo opportunity with the biggest agency, straightened her posture and stepped forward confidently, her smile carefully rehearsed.

But her confident stride faltered when Eliza, not Leonidas, emerged from the group to

intercept her.

Eliza moved with a deliberate, almost predatory grace, her smile announcing everything, but

a good news.

"For such a banal event," Eliza began, her voice smooth but cutting, "I'll handle the talking. I happen to know already enough about the surroundings to not be lost, and we're just here for a little test." She paused briefly, observing the teachers, then her gaze fell back on the director. "So, Miss Director, you're excused from bothering us. Thanks for your cooperation." The director's face tightened as the words sliced through her confidence like a blade.

Her smile wavered, replaced by a stiff expression as her shoulders trembled faintly.

Around her, whispers broke out among the students and teachers, who looked between the director and Eliza with wide eyes, some clearly recognizing the latter. Eliza's mocking smile didn't waver as she turned slightly, signaling for the others to move

forward, leaving the director standing there as though she had been dismissed from her own

stage. Inside, Golden Cosmos regrouped. Zara asked how they wanted to spend their free time, and Mercury suggested Eratz show her the academy.

"I was only here for like a few months, but ok..." he said dismissively.

As they prepared to leave, Cassie and Roger clung to Eratz's sleeves, their grip firm and

almost childlike. Cassie's lips twitched into a slight pout as she looked up at him. "Hum... You too?" Eratz asked awkwardly.

"We... We want..." Cassie replied indignantly, her voice rising slightly. "We want to stay with

our son." She pouted, clinging to his arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Roger, gripping firmly his second arm while diverting his gaze, let no room for opposition.

Mercury couldn't hold back her laughter, a soft chuckle escaping as she watched the dynamic unfold.

Eratz sighed, scratching his cheek as if trying to find a way out of the situation. His shoulders slumped slightly, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Fine," he relented, glancing at Cassie and Roger with a resigned expression. "Seriously...

Why does everyone want a piece of me?"

But before Cassie could retort, he got his answer faster than intended.

"You shouldn't blame them. Everyone loves you."

They turned, startled by the foreign voice, and then, their eyes widened in unison.

Walking with slow, almost regal pace, was a woman whose long, dark silver hair cascaded down her back, catching the light with a metallic sheen.

Her attire was adorned with emerald gems that glimmered faintly with every step.

Zara's jaw slackened, Victoria, uncrossed her arms slowly, her jaw clenching. Mercury and

Eratz looked at the individual in shock. Kallistra tilted her head slightly, her smile growing.

"And I... am no different."