Evelyn Vanderbilt.
In full S-rank armor—void-black plates clinging to every curve, helmet retracted to show her sharp features and chestnut hair whipping in mana wind. Another shot: casual streetwear outside a guild event, tight white blouse stretched across her full breasts, jeans molded to her hips and thighs. A paparazzi long-lens capture: her stepping out of a car in a red evening gown, neckline plunging just enough to hint at the swell beneath, lips parted in mid-sentence.
His cock hardened instantly—thick, insistent, straining against his jeans. He shifted, palming himself through the fabric once, twice, eyes glued to the screen. He had jerked off to these pictures countless times in his shitty apartment—quick, desperate sessions with the door locked and his mother passed out in the next room. Fantasies of pinning her down, making the untouchable Void Sovereign beg, breaking that cold composure until she looked at him with something other than disdain.
Now she was real.
More beautiful up close. More dangerous. Hotter than any grainy photo could capture—the way the purple dress from breakfast had clung to her sweat-damp skin, the subtle sway of her hips when she walked, the way her eyes had flicked over him at the table like she was measuring prey.
Lucas's eyes welled with something darker than tears—pure, dammed lust threatening to overflow.
He laughed again, quieter this time, voice rough.
"The hottest and baddest S-rank in the country… is actually my stepmom."
He leaned forward, elbows on knees, staring at the phone screen like a man who had just been handed the keys to hell itself.
***
Alex stood in the center of his mother's private study, trying to force his breathing back under control. The room smelled of aged parchment, faint jasmine, and the sharp ozone of active mana wards. Heavy bookshelves lined the walls, filled with forbidden grimoires and guild reports bound in dragonhide. A massive obsidian desk dominated the far end, its surface etched with glowing void runes that pulsed like slow heartbeats.
He paced a tight circle, fingers raking through his chestnut hair.
"Fuck… fuck, what the hell is wrong with me?" he whispered harshly. "I almost got hard looking at my own mother. What kind of disgusting—"
The self-loathing hit in waves. Shame burned hot in his chest, mixing with the fresh memory of Evelyn's heavy breasts straining against black lace, the way sweat had glistened between them, the dangerous curve of her hips. His cock twitched again at the thought, and he hated himself for it.
The door opened without warning.
Evelyn stepped inside wearing the new black sheath dress. The fabric clung to every lethal curve—hugging the full swell of her breasts, cinching tight at her narrow waist, and smoothing over the flare of her hips and ass. The hem stopped just above her knees, revealing toned legs that looked like they could crush stone. Her chestnut hair was still slightly tousled from changing, a few strands sticking to the elegant line of her neck.
Alex's gaze flicked to her chest before he could stop it. He quickly looked away, face flushing crimson, terrified she would notice and scold him.
Evelyn simply walked past him and took her seat behind the desk, legs crossing smoothly. The dress rode up slightly, exposing more smooth thigh.
"Sit, Alex."
He obeyed instantly, dropping into the chair opposite her, fingers twisting together in his lap.
"So," she began, voice calm and measured, "what happened that made you barge into my private quarters?"
Alex's fingers flinched. Even fully dressed now, he couldn't erase the image burned into his mind. The heavy breasts, the dark nipples visible through lace, the way her body had glistened with sweat.
"Alex," Evelyn said again, sharper this time.
He flinched. "I… I came because of Lucas." The words tumbled out. "Who is he, Mother? Do you not know?"
Evelyn sighed and leaned back in her chair, the movement making the dress stretch tighter across her chest. "No. I didn't."
"Then why did you allow it?" Alex's voice rose. "Why let some stranger into our home?"
Evelyn's dark eyes studied him. "Why does one insignificant life make you this angry and worried?"
Alex's hands clenched into fists, teeth gritting. "I don't like him, Mother."
"Why?"
"Because he looks like Father," Alex spat. "And he's cocky. Walking around like he already owns everything."
Evelyn shook her head slowly. "Is that all it takes to rile you up like this?"
Alex snapped.
"Mother, how can I not? When Father brought a bastard from who knows where—"
The room suddenly became heavy.
The air thickened with oppressive mana. The void runes on the desk flared brighter, and the temperature dropped several degrees. Alex froze, realizing too late that he had just raised his voice at Evelyn Vanderbilt—the Void Sovereign.
Evelyn sighed again, softer this time.
"Alex. Look at me."
He lifted his eyes slowly, fear and shame twisting in his gut.
"What do I always say happens if you become arrogant without any strength of your own?"
Alex clutched his thighs, fingers digging in. "We become… pathetic."
Evelyn nodded once. "Don't worry about things you can't control. And it's not like I have ever allowed anything—or anyone—to disturb your life. Your grandfather commanded this. We can't do anything about it right now. So why don't you focus on your awakening? I will take care of the rest in due time."
Alex felt a wave of relief wash through him at her words. Right. So what if he has Father's looks? I have Mother. And when I awaken a legendary class, even Grandfather won't be able to ignore me.
He exhaled shakily. "Alright, Mother. I'll take my leave."
He stood and turned toward the door.
"Alex."
He paused.
"That kid will take the awakening test with you at the university," Evelyn said calmly. "Keep that in mind."
Alex thought for a second, then nodded without turning around. He left the study, closing the door quietly behind him.
Evelyn remained seated, eyes fixed on the space where her son had just been. Her expression stayed perfectly composed, but inside, cold fury simmered like a void rift ready to tear open.
That old bastard really has the nerve to test my son alongside a bastard.
Her fingers tightened on the armrest until the wood creaked.
Just you wait. When I step into SS-rank… you are the first I remove from this world.