"Why don't we first explore the castle?" Luke suggested just before Valentine and Sam were about to quarrel.
"That's a nice idea!"
Dragging her sister, Valentine, they began touring the castle before they ventured down the path of knowledge.
A few hours later, bored and restless, Valentine fell into listlessness, ignoring Sam, who was still glaring at her.
"Let's go to the seclusion grounds. We'd better finish this quickly so this little woman can leave as soon as possible," Sam suggested.
Their father had only instructed them to guide Valentine and Nora on their path.
If, by that time, no spark had formed, the marriage alliance would be nullified.
"Sure, as if I wanted to stay even a second longer beside you," Valentine rolled her eyes.
Arriving at Sam and Luke's training grounds, the two sisters were amazed.
It was like a whole other dimension, filled with mechanical machines, strange materials, and various creations.
"Who owns that humanoid machine?" Valentine asked, her eyes lighting up.
Like her Alchemy Machine, this mechanical marvel had a unique quality from which she couldn't tear her gaze away.
"It's mine. How is it—are you jealous?" Sam smiled, pride evident in his tone.
This humanoid machine was his proudest creation so far.
Equipped with this humanoid machine, he could even fight a tier 11 master of the River of Law for a short while.
"Oh, so that's why it's so ugly~" Hearing that it was Sam's, Valentine's interest quickly waned.
Anything owned by this insufferable man had to be filthy, no matter what.
"What did you just say?"
"I won't repeat myself. Hmph!"
"You!"
"What?"
"A brainless woman with nothing to brag about." Not wanting to rile himself up further, Sam returned to his machine.
"What did you say? I have nothing to brag about? Hmph! Compared to that machine of yours, my alchemy colossus is far superior!"
"Alchemy colossus? That's actually a thing?"
Looking at the modified swarm bot, now about 5% stronger, he could hardly believe his eyes.
Was alchemy really capable of such a transformation?
If Nora was given more time and materials how far could it reach?
Glancing at Nora, a spark of admiration began to bud in Luke's heart.
"There you are! Looks like you're already getting close!" Lux laughed, stepping into the scene and catching the budding spark between them.
"Brother! Sister Alice!" Luke greeted.
"What are you two doing here?" Sam asked, noticing them.
"We're here for our guests, of course. Father was worried you two blockheads might do something out of line," Lux teased.
Knowing how Sam and Luke had machines on the brain, it was already a miracle that Valentine and Nora still hadn't left in frustration.
"Don't worry, brother. We're managing just fine," Luke assured him.
"Mister Luke has been a perfect host," Nora added with a smile.
Turning to each other, a tacit look appeared in their eyes.
"It seems like there's been some progress~," Alice remarked with a pleased smile.
"Sister Alice! You're here!" Valentine muttered, surprised.
As fellow prodigies of the same generation, they were quite familiar with Alice.
"Hmm, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?" Alice asked, noticing the grievance in Valentine's expression.
"Yes, this little tyrant bullied me~" Valentine teased, pointing accusingly at Sam.
"You! Slander! You're the one bullying me!" Sam retorted, indignant.
Looking at his prized creation, which bore signs of their intense sparring session, he couldn't help but feel wronged.
This little vixen was too merciless, using a pseudo tier 12 alchemy creation against him, leaving his machine damaged.
"Hmph! You're the man, so it's your responsibility!" Valentine rolled her eyes dismissively.
"You woman!"
Watching their interaction, Lux and Alice exchanged a knowing glance.
"It seems Father's vision was still spot on..."