171 Taking a Step Back

Both the boys were a little surprised by her action and could only reluctantly catch their balance. Aphina felt the two almost fall backwards and quickly let go while blushing. Normally, even if she had a bit of a temper, she was good at keeping the correct image in front of others. This time, the feeling of beating Keaton made her too elated to control herself. However, before she could clear the air, Eris also came over and brought everyone into a group hug herself.

"No need to be strangers! We should celebrate when good things happen. Go us!" Resuming her usual playful look, she gave a cheeky wink towards Aphina. 

"Oh, okay. Haha, Eris you're right!" Aphina felt more confident after getting a sturdy backing and began to jump up and down again in delight.

"Alright, Aphy, we shouldn't make it look like we are rubbing it in. In the end, we aren't really enemies with the other team. We are all going out of the country as representatives. We have to keep a united front against outsiders." Although he normally indulged his sister, this time he had pull the reins and reel her back in.

"Hmph... it's not like I was the one creating a bad atmosphere among teammates in the first place?" Slightly dissatisfied with being splashed with cold water, Aphina shot her brother a dirty look while mumbling under her breath.

"You..." Sighing, Braiden just shook his head and did not lecture her more. Usually his sister was more serious, since when did she take a page from Beline's book?

...

"As the results are out, are you guys willing to hold up your end of the deal?" The Duke turned towards the other team and the last two representatives. 

Each of their expressions turned ugly as they remembered what they promised. Only Trevion seemed to look over at Greyson with a bit of conflict. He was someone who did not let his high starting point get in the way of working hard to earn his position. Part of him was disgruntled losing to a commoner. Not so much because he thought commoners were lowly, but his father engraved the idea of "noblesse oblige" into him from a young age. There was always a responsibility on his shoulders to protect the weak commoners in the Empire as the heir to the Duke title. Suddenly, one of those people he was supposed to protect, jumped out and was more powerful than he was. His distorted mentality conflicted with the picture in front of him.

What am I doing? Opening up his hands and seeing the nail marks, he almost laughed in spite of himself. This was not who he was nor was it the person he wanted to be. Just look at Keaton, how silly it was to be someone who could only look good in victory. There is also a grace to be shown in defeat. His eyes cleared back to the usual tranquility as he walked up to the front and slightly bowed his head.

"I am someone who can afford to lose a bet. If I made it hoping the other would acknowledge their loss, then I also have to be someone who can acknowledge when I have lost. Greyson, I hope you will lead the team well. Someone of your talent would stand out even on the larger stage and bring face to our country and the Moon Empire. I will also do my best to bring honor to my home country and family." His deep voice seemed to echo throughout the field as a short silence followed.

Greyson, Aphina, and Braiden all could not help but look on in shock. Eris's usual smile also faltered. Tatyana and Efren only paused for a moment before limping over to join with their comrade. Cherell and Colin could only look at each other and the three nobles in front of them with conflicted feelings. However, as descendants of lower nobles, their biggest strength was showing flexibility. They soon also nodded and joined the rest. Only Keaton still sat on the ground seemingly questioning reality.

The Duke looked on with deep approval in his eyes, especially when he looked at Trevion. His emotional changes seemed well-hidden, but how could it have passed under the Duke's eyes? The Empire needed more nobles such as Trevion. It seemed that the Duke raised a worthy heir. After nodding silently to himself, he transferred his vision to his new favorite pupil. There was, of course, a preferred scenario in his mind. But he was determined to not get involved this time. He also wanted to see how the story plays out.

Frankly, when Greyson saw the rest of them accept him as the leader, he could not help the feelings of complacency filling his heart. Then, he also looked over at Keaton, and suddenly felt that his smug feelings were poisonous. Looking to both sides at the new friends that he made, his heart fell back to the ground.

"As much as I know you wish to honor the bet, I know that feelings were running high when such words were exchanged. If we all take a step back, then we can form a better team. We must be logical about everything. I am not afraid of sounding narcissistic when I say that, at least one-on-one, none of you can beat me. However, I'm also not the type to feel myself invincible. Without the other three, I would not have been able to come up with a good strategy on my own. I have always worked by myself and beaten opponents with my power. When it comes to individual tricks in battle, I'm not stupid. But I also could never call myself some genius strategist. Being the strongest does not equal being the best for the position of leader. Lord Vervan, you have lived longer and experienced more. Plus, you have been brought up with a proper education to become a leader and battle strategist as the Vervan ducal family is a military family. I think that in terms of bringing out the strengths of our team, we should listen to your strategies. In terms of acceptance, I think everyone will also listen to your orders more willingly. My thoughts are that everyone has a good idea of what my strength is, too. I don't really see the point of pushing the issue further with this leadership position. Anyways, my personality was not originally one who liked taking responsibility for everyone." 

While he could take up this position as everyone reluctantly accepts him, Greyson felt that was not the best move. He never particularly desired being the leader, he just wanted them to all treat him with due respect. Things like directing a team and coming up with formations, he was not adept in them. Skilled strategists most of the time had god-given talent, but also a lot of real life experience that would slowly mould them into real geniuses. Working with people was not a book-learned skill. Beautiful strategies do not come just from studying. Greyson felt he might have the talent, but he did not have the experience yet. If he would end up asking for Trevion's advice or input anyway, then he might as well just watch the man lead the group and learn from there. Trevion held the respect of everyone and did not act in a disgusting way like Keaton. It was like hitting two birds with one stone. He would gain good feelings from the rest and have one less thing to worry about.

Truly, the moment he said those words, the rest of the nobles' faces grew warmer and clearly looked like they felt Greyson was not actually that bad. 

Even Trevion's face lightened up as he showed a sincere smile.

"Please, call me Trevion. Are you really sure about this?"

"Yes, I'm definitely sure."

"Well, then I won't be modest. I truly did want to try my hand at leading the team this time. Do not worry, I'm well aware of your abilities and feel that we need to take advantage of them!" He made a straightforward promise.

"Then, I look forward to fighting together at the competition. I'm really excited to take a look at the other countries!" Greyson held out his hand with a smile.

"Hahaha, yes! I have heard some really interesting stories. Even I have not really gotten a chance to see the world. I just fear, we're all going to go out looking like country bumpkins." Trevion smiled right back before shaking the outstretched hand. 

"I guess that's where I come in to help. These next couple days we will spend the morning and afternoon training, but at night we will have lessons where I teach you more about the etiquette and traditions of the other countries. History and culture lessons only teach you what's at the surface, but there are more subtle things you need to learn so you don't end up embarrassing yourselves." Only now did the Duke cut in with a small smile on his usually cold face.

"Since you all seem to have reached an agreement, we will stop here today. Meet back here tomorrow by sunrise. I hope that everyone will be on time," he continued while giving pointed stares towards Cherell and Colin. 

"Yes!" The rest answered before dispersing. Cherell and Colin could only look embarrassed before nodding their heads obediently. They stayed behind and took one look at Keaton then looked back at each other with bitter expressions. In the end, they just let out one prolonged sigh and approached Keaton from both sides to help the young lord get up. No matter what they said, it seemed as if the man lost his soul, so they could only use force to pull him into the carriage and drop him off. Who told their fathers to be nobles under the Duke Mendenhall house? They could only swallow grievances and continue to smile and treat Keaton politely.

Once he was finally at his mansion's gate, Keaton regained his senses. His expression was dark like a brewing storm. His chest heaving, he was about to start breathing fire in fury. Ignoring the looks of others, he stomped up to his room. The servants could recognize his crazed look, so all of them just bowed in greeting and said nothing more. The beautiful maidservants also cleared out of the room like they were avoiding the plague. After a couple seconds, they knew their decision was the right one. Behind the closed doors, one could hear the incessant noises of expensive glass breaking apart and other items crashing into the floor. Even Keaton's cursing and shouting came along with the rest of the noises.

"Who angered the young master this time?"

"Shhh... don't speak too loudly. When the young master gets in one of his moods, anyone can become a victim."

"That's right. Just leave him be. We will need to clean up the room quickly later, so that he does not see any traces when he returns."

The servants just sighed and went about their work in the mansion.