I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

Several days later, when Ji Tian stepped into Building 61 again, it was already evening.

As soon as I entered the entryway, I could faintly hear the clanging of spatulas from the kitchen, mixed with the bubbling sounds, and Elena's soft muttering, "It's bland, should I add some more sugar?"

Ji Tian changed his shoes, walked to the kitchen door, and leaned against the door frame for a while.

Elena wore a light blue apron, her long, light golden hair was loosely pinned up at the back of her head, with a few stray strands hanging down beside her ears.

She was tasting the soup, bringing the spoon to her lips, taking a small sip, her eyes relaxing, and then sprinkling a spoonful of sugar into the pot.

Several dishes that had already been prepared were placed on the stove, and they were exactly the same as the dishes that Ji Tian's parents had served them.

Ji Tian spoke up, "When did you learn to do all this?"

Elena paused, then turned abruptly, her chest heaving slightly. Her grey-blue eyes widened in surprise, before breaking into a smile.

She put down her spoon, hurried over, and hugged him tightly, pressing her cheek against his chest and nuzzling him. "You're back? Why didn't you tell me?"

Before Ji Tian could speak, Elena pulled him toward the dining table, "Come and try it, I've been learning how to make it for days."

She didn't tell him that she was cooking for two people every day in order to wait for him to come back.

The four dishes and one soup were served on the table, but their presentation was mediocre, clearly indicating that the cooking techniques were not very skilled.

Elena served him rice and soup, handed him a knife and fork, and stared at him with bright eyes, as if he were performing some kind of extraordinary tasting ceremony.

Ji Tian forked a piece of meat and chewed it.

"How is it?"

"tasty."

Elena smiled, tasted it herself, and frowned slightly. "It seems a little bland..."

"really."

"snort."

The two ate quietly for a while, their knives and forks clinking lightly, and the heat in the kitchen gradually dissipated, leaving only the aroma of the food filling the room.

Ji Tian put down his fork. "There's something I want to ask you."

Elena looked up, her cheeks still puffed out, "Hmm?"

"How much do you know about the aristocratic circles in the capital? Especially those families that secretly run businesses and are involved in factories and workshops."

Elena swallowed the food in her mouth and shook her head. "As you know, I spent six years in the family's fiefdom. I only learned about the affairs of the capital from my father's letters, so I don't know the specifics."

She thought for a moment, then added, "But the academy is on holiday tomorrow, so we can go home. Father should know quite a bit. We can ask him then?"

Ji Tian nodded, "Okay."

After clearing away the dishes, Elena pulled him to sit in the living room for a while and asked him what he had been doing outside these past few days.

Ji Tian only said, "I've dealt with a few cult members, and there are still two left," and she didn't ask any more questions. She just leaned on his shoulder and sat quietly with him.

……

The next morning, the two changed into casual clothes and left the academy.

The streets of the capital were much busier than usual, with crowds gathered around the notice boards along the streets, some whispering among themselves.

"As expected of Prime Minister Augustus, he is indeed swift and decisive! He has enacted a new law in just a few weeks since taking office."

"Can the parliament be this efficient? I remember the resolution to provide aid to refugees in the North was delayed for half a year."

"Shh, are you out of your mind? You might end up on a one-way trip to the capital prison."

"Hey, what are you afraid of? My cousin is a member of the Royal Capital Knights... and I heard that this bill has been around for a long time, it just hasn't been passed yet..."

Elena curiously tiptoed to look, and Ji Tian scanned it with his divine sense and saw the contents clearly—it was a newly promulgated bill, signed by Prime Minister Augustus.

The general enclosure law.

The bill essentially encouraged nobles and factory owners to seize uncultivated wasteland, forests, and swamps for the expansion of factories, pastures, and farmland. The seized land belonged to the seizers, and the original inhabitants could be "properly resettled" in designated settlements.

Elena frowned. "This bill feels like it's trying to drive people away?"

Ji Tian didn't comment, but simply led her around the crowd, saying, "Let's go, your father should know more."

……

Viscount Pompeii's Palace.

After the gatekeeper announced her arrival, the Viscountess personally came out to greet her daughter, pulling her close and looking her up and down. "You've lost weight. Have you not been eating properly at the academy?"

"Mom, I'm eating well." Elena hugged her mother's arm and shook it, then looked back at Ji Tian.

The Viscountess then noticed the young man in white behind her daughter. Without asking any questions, she smiled, nodded, and led the two inside.

In the study, the Viscount sat behind his desk, holding a newspaper in his hand, on which was printed the full text of the General Enclosure Law.

He heard footsteps, looked up, his gaze swept back and forth between Ji Tian and Elena, and put down the newspaper.

"You're back? Have a seat."

Elena pulled Ji Tian to sit down, and the Viscountess had a maid serve tea while she sat next to her husband.

After exchanging pleasantries about life at the academy, the Viscount suddenly changed the subject, "Are you all settling in well at the academy?"

Elena nodded. "It's good. Building 61 is quiet and close to the teaching building."

The Viscount noticed that Ji Tian was also nodding, and a thought flickered in his mind. He then spoke up:

"Building 61... I remember the dormitories in the inner courtyard only allowed immediate family members or engaged couples to live together. Which category did you apply for?"

"Are you engaged? Aren't you just good friends?"

Ji Tian looked at Elena with some confusion, only to see that her face was already flushed red, and her fingers were unconsciously clutching her sleeve.

The Viscountess was also taken aback, and her gaze toward her daughter became subtle.

Ji Tian remained expressionless. "Uncle, we live together, but we sleep in separate rooms. She lives on the second floor, and I live in the meditation room."

"You're quite honest." Viscount Pompeii pondered for a moment, then stood up. "Ji Tian, ​​come with me for a moment."

Ji Tian glanced at Elena, who was silently mouthing "Say a few more words." He nodded slightly and followed the Viscount out of the study.

Next to the study was a small reception room. The Viscount closed the door, sat down in a chair, and gestured for Ji Tian to sit down as well.

The Viscount cut to the chase, "I won't beat around the bush. You should know the rules of the inner courtyard now. You and Elena live together, and regardless of whether you have separate rooms, that's how outsiders see your relationship. My daughter's reputation can't be left so ambiguous."

He stared into Ji Tian's eyes, feeling that the other was a young man with self-respect, and that he should be considerate of the other's feelings. His voice softened again:

"Our Pompeii family has only produced one Archmage in its history. Elena has always been strong-willed and unwilling to back down, and even I, her father, couldn't persuade her. Now that she has chosen you, I won't stop her, but you have to put my mind at ease."

He paused, seemingly considering how to phrase "marrying into the family" in a more respectable way so as not to offend the other party.

Ji Tian felt increasingly uneasy as he listened.

Shouldn't the other party know about their talent and strength?

He didn't believe that after he displayed his talent six years ago, the old butler Gregory wouldn't have told the Viscount such big news.

Furthermore, didn't the other party ask me last time if my strength had reached the limits of humanity? Why is the story still leaning towards the cliché plot of "a slight smirk, and you guess my strength"?

Not right.

Ji Tian was too lazy to argue anymore and asked directly, "Uncle, do you have a crystal ball here to test magic power levels?"

The viscount was taken aback. "Yes, there are... why are you asking?"

"Can I borrow it?"

Although puzzled, the viscount still got up and took out a fist-sized crystal ball from a hidden compartment in the bookshelf, placing it on the table. "This is a standard magic power testing crystal, its upper limit is Archmage. Are you sure you want to test it?"

Ji Tian nodded, grabbed the crystal ball, and poured his Nascent Soul stage spiritual power into it. In an instant, the light shone brightly, and the crystal ball was directly shattered!

Looking up again, he saw Viscount Pompeii's expression of utter shock.

"Hmm, this plot... how should I put it..."

Ji Tian seemed to be possessed by the "Dragon King," and his mouth twisted into a crooked shape.

"It's definitely cliché, but it's definitely fun."