As soon as the words left her mouth, Kaiden didn't hesitate before bowing before Yvette, who sat on the sofa. His head was bowed low, his fists clenched. He believed Yvette was angry about his behavior during the competition and had come to him at night. Knowing he couldn't fight back if she wanted him dead, he could only beg for mercy.

“Commander, I shouldn't have defied you today. I knew I couldn't win, yet I was arrogant and disrespectful. I had no choice; I didn't know Clusia would substitute you. Had I known, I would have withdrawn. Please, Commander, forgive me. I swear it won't happen again.” He quickly raised his head, his face pale, genuine fear in his eyes.

Charles frowned, a cold snort escaping him at Kaiden's pathetic plea. "With acting skills like that, he should be in show business. He'd be a natural playing a colonel—he's practically playing himself."

Yvette, seated on the sofa, remained unmoved. Her eyes were cold and sharp, a faint playful smile on her lips. “Do you really not know why you won the competition? Do I need to remind you?”

Kaiden trembled, feeling a bone-chilling cold spread through him. Panic etched his face, sweat beading on his forehead despite his efforts to remain composed. He still didn't understand why the Commander, usually avoiding the spotlight, had entered the competition twice for Clusia, especially this match. He'd suspected something, but Yvette's question confirmed his suspicion that he'd missed something crucial.

He squeezed his eyes shut, reopening them bloodshot and resigned. His hands fell weakly to his legs. A moment later, he stood, pushing away his fear, his eyes now filled with anger and resentment.

In a frenzy, he shouted at Yvette and Charles, “Why? What did I do wrong? I wanted to win; it would make me the next heir of the Steel Serpents. I'm an illegitimate child—without schemes, how else would I have gotten this far? I'm not Charles! He has your favor. Even without Braydon, he could turn to you. All I have is myself. Why did you ruin my chances? At the training camp, I made one tiny mistake, and you wanted to kill me. Damian saved me, but you still cut off a finger. Now, over a match you shouldn't have been in, you want to kill me again? Why? Why?”

His desperate screams filled the room.

Charles was almost amused, bordering on anger, at Kaiden's accusations. "This man's shamelessness is truly remarkable; distorting the truth so boldly is laughable."

Stepping forward, Charles rebuked Kaiden without hesitation. “Kaiden, a small mistake? You were insane! You sacrificed ten children to buy time. The instructor had to save them. Didn't you know the underworld rule against killing innocent children? You conspired with Carson to eliminate me to become his apprentice. And you claim I ruined you? Relying on yourself—what utter shamelessness!”

Kaiden's features twisted in humiliation. He thought, I did nothing wrong; others are to blame. I’ve suffered since childhood. Is it wrong to strive to rise? Looking at Yvette's impassive expression, he felt anxious. I said all that to get the instructor to let me off. Why is she so indifferent?

A crazed look crossed his face as he smirked, then threw his head back and laughed. “Instructor, you're always like this. No matter what, you never give me a second glance. I only wanted to make something of myself. Even if I was wrong, didn’t I pay for it? You cut off a finger and kicked me out. Isn't that enough? Why ruin everything now? Even if you're from Clusia, you grew up in Mysonna; what connection do you have to this country? Why help Clusia win?”

His feelings intensified, leading him to believe she was deliberately trying to destroy him. He glared at her, his eyes venomous and terrifying.

Charles was speechless. Does he have a persecution complex? If he hadn't kidnapped Jeremiah's mother, she wouldn't have bothered with him! What a self-indulgent fool! He's beyond saving.

He scoffed. “Kaiden, win fairly. Kidnapping Jeremiah's mother is nothing to brag about! And why question it? Where's the courage to make such accusations? You've mastered playing the victim.”

Yvette stood, hands in her pockets. Looking at Kaiden, she said slowly, “You kidnapped Aurora.” Her voice was flat and calm.

Kaiden reluctantly nodded. “Yes, but Instructor, it doesn't make sense to kill an innocent person because of her.”

Yvette approached, her casual yet sharp gaze like a blade. Kaiden's breathing grew difficult. His fear amplified by her proximity, he lowered his head, his body trembling.

She lowered her voice, flat and unemotional. “The person you kidnapped is my boyfriend’s mother.”

Kaiden's eyes widened. “No way! Impossible!” But Yvette's expression and Charles's confirmed it. He remembered Braydon's words: the Instructor had been deceived by a man, a Betrico. That man is… Jeremiah, the Clusia major general competing against me?