Alex shook his head and chuckled.

He knew Sophia despised him.

"Sophia, let me show y—"

He wanted to let Sophia see the real him a bit, but she turned her back to him and walked to the parking lot.

A white four-seat Porsche Panamera pulled up and stopped in front of them.

A stunning young woman stepped out of the car with effortless grace, her elegant dress and sparkling jewelry enhancing her high-fashion allure.

"Sophia," she hugged Sophia.

"Lyra, thanks for coming," Sophia replied joyfully.

"I came as soon as I could when I got your text."

Lyra smiled while eyeing Alex from head to toe and shook her head.

Not a single item of value detected from head to toe.

Apart from being a bit handsome and having a somewhat fitting body, this man was totally worthless.

When Sophia texted her and told her that she was forced to marry a loser and needed a helping hand, she had thought Sophia was exaggerating.

But seeing Alex in person made her realize how unlucky Sophia was.

Most of Sophia's suitors usually carried around $250,000 on their bodies.

However, this man here only carried $25 at most.

“Alex, this is Lyra, my best friend.” Sophia suppressed her dislike and tried to sound polite.

"Nice to meet you, Lyra," Alex said, extending his hand to Lyra out of politeness.

However, Lyra retreated, with obvious disgust in her eyes.

“You know what? Riffraff should know their place.”

She ignored Alex's hand and wrapped her hands around Sophia instead.

Alex chuckled coldly and dropped his hand.

“Come on, we are already late for Chris Roland’s event at the Noble Knight Club,” Lyra smiled mischievously.

Almost everybody in Vancouver knew Chris Roland was one of Sophia’s most devoted suitors.

Lyra had always believed Chris would marry Sophia.

Chris’s father worked for Alfred Kingston, while Chris was the CEO of Biohealth Solution, a company that supported Alfred Kingston's business.

Apart from the giant tier, Kingston, there were four lower tiers in Vancouver's wealth and richest realm.

Chris's family could be called third-tier wealth, a level higher than Lancaster wealth.

Thus, from Lyra's point of view, Chris and Sophia were the perfect match.

"Of course," Sophia happily replied. "Alex, you should come with us."

"Sure," Alex raised his brows.

Maybe Sophia, was still listening to her grandfather's wish to take him around.

Meanwhile, Lyra sneered to herself.

She had already warned Chris Roland in advance.

Chris was livid and eager to teach Alex a lesson that would leave him reflecting deeply in a hospital bed.

She would let Alex know he was a frog in the well, really not fitting the rich life and not fit into Sophia’s lifestyle.

"Let us go then."

They entered Lyra’s car, and she took them to the Noble Knight Club.

It was one of the most exclusive martial arts clubs in the city for nobles and rich people only.

No middle class could enter because of the price.

Even the lowest tier of the rich in Vancouver still thought this club was too expensive.

If the lowest class came, they would be shocked to see how members could spend one year of their salary in one day only.

When they arrived, Alex realized it was a martial arts and war machine club.

Nowadays, martial arts were popular, especially swordsmanship, and most people knew some skills, more or less.

"I can’t wait to see Chris during his match," Lyra yelled and quickly dragged Sophia toward the entrance of the club, leaving Alex behind.

The automatic glass opened as it ran facial recognition for the members and the outside guard gave them a respectful bow.

As Alex approached the entrance, the glass door shut right in front of his face.

The guard sneered at him, "Drivers or servants aren't allowed in. Move along."

Lyra smirked as she pulled Sophia away.

"Let him learn his place; he’ll never be where we are."

“Who told you I am a driver or a servant? I want to enter.” Alex said calmly.

“Then become a member,” the guard yawned.

“You think any Tom and lowlife like you can just walk in here? Leave now, or you’ll regret it."

Alex took out his smartphone and pressed the fast call number 9.

“Good day, Mr. Leonhart. I am Julia, your First Royal Mastercard personal concierge. How may I assist you?”

“Do you know where I am right now?”

“Yes, your card has GPS. You are at Vancouver’s Noble Knight Club.”

“I want to become a member.”

“We are processing that now. You can use your Mastercard as the membership card,” Julia replied.

The glass door suddenly opened.

“Your membership has been approved. Do you need anything else, sir?”

“No, thank you.”

Alex put his smartphone in his pocket and walked into the club.

The guard hurriedly blocked his path.

“I think the system made an error. You cannot enter.”

“I am a member here,” Alex explained. “Why do you think the system let me in?”

The guard was confused but asked again, “Do you have a membership card? I want to check it. If you don’t have one, please leave.”

Alex took out his First Royal Mastercard.

The guard had never seen this kind of card before.

“Sir, I don’t think this is a membership card. You cannot enter.”

“Just scan it, or should I call your manager?”

The guard had a bad feeling since the card seemed so luxurious.

He was hesitant, not knowing what might happen, but when the manager came, it could turn ugly.

He chose to scan the card.

The scanner beeped and displayed the member's identity.

The guard was shocked.

He read the identity, and his face turned pale.

Without hesitation, he quickly knelt.

“I am really sorry for not recognizing such a top member. Please forgive me.”

The guard was paralyzed with fear; he had just mocked the top member.

He might get fired, and his family of five would suffer.

“You saw nothing, understood?” Alex said.

“Yes, sir, I saw nothing.”

“Tell me, where did the two girls go?”

***

Sophia and Lyra were warmly welcomed as they entered the club’s main hall.

They exchanged pleasantries until Lyra noticed the frightened guard guiding Alex into the hall.

“Damn,” Lyra whispered to Sophia, “It seems like the guard wants to get in our good graces by letting him in. Shall I call the manager to chase him out?”

“Let him be,” Sophia replied.

“You’re right, Chris will take care of him later,” Lyra said, and they pretended not to know Alex.

"Look! Chris has started his world rank competition online!"

Alex could see what seemed like a real virtual hologram: a man with a sword fighting a man with a spear.

The swordsman in the ring struck his opponent skillfully.

In just four movements, the spearman was cut in two, and the hologram destroyed.

“Chris wins the 1,467th Rank!”

The whole hall applauded.

“He is the best in Vancouver, pushing the 1,500 rank.”

“No one in Vancouver could pass this rank.”

“Yeah, from 10 billion people, he ranks more than 1,500.”

“He is rich, strong, and handsome. Whoever marries him will be very happy!”

“Yeah, who wouldn’t be crazy about him?”

Sophia also felt happy for Chris.

Chris walked from a room with a special combat suit that could connect him to any opponent around the world.

He spotted Sophia and approached her with a smile.

"Sophia, Lyra, I’m glad you’re here."

Just then, Chris’s eyes fell on Alex.

"So that is the scum?"

“Yeah, the riffraff I told you about, Alex." Lyra sneered.

A muscle ticked in Chris’s jaw as he stared coldly at Alex.

How did this loser dare marry his sweetheart?

"I see, so you’re the leech. Divorce Sophia now while I am being kind to you."

“Why?” Alex coldly asked.

“Isn’t it obvious or are you too stupid to realize? You don’t deserve her!”

“Well, my opinion is just the opposite. I believe that, in every way, I am deserving of her.”

Sophia’s eyes widened at Alex’s shameless remark.

“How naive! You don’t have any wealth that makes you fit for her.” Chris sneered.

“Believe me, you are poorer than me by at least a thousand times in terms of wealth.”

Chris frowned and eyed Alex disdainfully.

Indeed, this was an ignorant fool with no shame.

"You know what, if you’re a man, join me for a bout."

Alex shook his head.

"I don’t play with children. People will say I’m a bully."

"BOO! Shame on you!"

Some of Chris’s fans were angry.

“This coward doesn’t dare!”

"If you’re scared, just say it."

"Yeah, there is no need to deny it! Damn bastard."

"You are scared, aren’t you?" Chris mocked.

“Scared? Of you?” Alex laughed. “So cute of you.”

Chris’s eyes turned red with fury.

“A man can be destroyed but not insulted. If you dare, prove it then! Let’s fight there.”

“If you lose, I want you to divorce Sophia right now.” Chris added, revealing his final aim.

“What if I win?” Alex asked.

“You win?” Chris sneered disdainfully.

How could that be possible? He never considered that.

No one in Vancouver could beat him in virtual combat.

Meanwhile, a round of laughter erupted in the club.

"Oh my goodness! What shameless boasting and audacity!"

“Chris, teach that village boy some manners.”

“What do you want?” Chris scoffed.

“Do you have a house in Vancouver? Put the biggest one up.”

Alex looked at him expressionlessly and added, “Since you’re so eager to embarrass yourself, I’ll let you have your way.”

"You talk as if you can beat me. Who do you think you are, a grand master?"

Chris said with a smirk, "I doubt you have ever played this kind of game."

Chris was confident that only wealthy men could afford such expensive toys, and Alex definitely didn't look like he could.

"There’s a first time for everything, right?" Alex shrugged casually.

Chris laughed with contempt.

It looked like victory were already assured.

He touched his smartwrist, and a 3D hologram of a big mansion appeared.

"This mansion in West Vancouver is mine. I bet on it. If you lose, you’ll divorce Sophia."

Chris had bought that house with his personal savings, thinking it would be the perfect place to take Sophia to spent night together, not too far from her house.

He was already imagining having two babies with her there. He was putting up his best house because he couldn’t fathom losing to a complete newbie.

"Deal," Alex replied with an air of calm.

"Then what are we waiting for? The sooner you divorce Sophia, the better."

Alex stood, "Where do I start the game?"

Everyone looked at him like he was a complete fool and started to laugh.

"He’s a complete newbie!"

"He doesn’t even know how to start!"

“What a fool! I can’t wait to see him kneel for mercy.”

They were all Chris's fans and friends, and obviously on his side.

"Sir Alex," suddenly a sweet voice called out, "please follow me. I’m Michelle, your personal trainer."

Alex turned to see a woman in her early thirties, the prime of youth blending seamlessly with the maturity of experience.

Her beauty was striking—classic yet timeless, with radiant skin and a figure sculpted with precision and grace.

Her presence alone was magnetic, drawing admiration and respect in equal measure.

"No way!"

"Miss Michelle giving personal training to a newbie?!"

Everyone was shocked.

Michelle was the General Manager of the Noble Knight Club branch in Vancouver, the highest authority there.

Even Chris had only been trained by an instructor.

No one ever imagined that Michelle, the General Manager herself, would provide this service.

Alex followed Michelle to the right side of the podium.

Someone asked in shock, "how did he get this kind of service?"

But no one stood up to answer.

Sophia was equally shocked.

Chris, who never received that level of service, jealously said, "It’s not about the service; it’s about whether he can fight or not."

Inside the big room, with Alex and Michelle, he demanded, "Explain yourself."

Michelle quickly bowed, "I am sorry Sir, I promise not to reveal your identity. You made the highest possible membership, and every time you enter the Noble Knight Club, the top trainer on staff is alerted and assigned to you. And that is me. It’s part of the management."

Alex nodded, "Teach me how to use this machine."

Michelle opened a briefcase she was carrying. "This is our special suit for top members, with 100% sensitivity and many other functions."

"Cut the crap. Just tell me what to do."

Michelle nodded.

"Please remove your clothes and wear this suit."

Alex removed his simple shirt, revealing his perfect muscles, marked by a few sword scars. Michelle helped him put on the suit, her face turning red as she looked at Alex's perfect body.

Knowing this man was wealthy and handsome, he was the perfect man, though younger than her.

"This suit will cover your body and give you real sensations in the virtual game."

Michelle, in the control room, hit some buttons, and suddenly Chris’s hologram appeared in their room’s ring, ready for the match.

"You can pick your weapon on the wall and fight the hologram here. It will feel like a real fight."

"I know what a real fight is."

Alex said and stepped into the ring with a one hand sword.

Chris, as a hologram, sent a voice directly to Alex, "Let’s secure our bet online so there’s no backing out. If I lose, you will get my house; if you lose, you’ll divorce."

"No problem."

Michelle was making the best preparations when Alex asked, "Does this suit come with gravity weights?"

"Yes, the custom settings can increase gravity for training."

"Give me five times gravity. I want to fight him under that condition."

"Yes," Michelle agreed, and at the same time, Chris received a notification: "Your competitor wants to use five times gravity for himself. Do you allow it for the fight?"

Chris read it a few times and almost laughed.

This newbie clearly didn’t know anything, or he had accidentally pushed the wrong button. He quickly hit yes, knowing it would slow Alex's movements down by five times.

Outside the room, people were watching the middle ring where two holograms stood.

Alex wasn’t moving at all.

He didn’t even get the starting stance right for the duel.

"Look at that loser standing there, like a fool."

“A 200% novice, I bet. How awkward!”

“If he were to win, I would livestream eating my boots.”

"Sophia, I bet Chris will end him with one strike." Lyra said, smiling brightly, as if she had already foreseen Alex’s failure.

"Chris!" many people chanted his name.

Then Chris started to rush toward Alex with his sword.

“Yeah, right! Come on, Chris! Kick the shit out of him!”

However, the next moment, the text on the screen read: "Alex wins."

"What?"

“No way! It can’t be!”

Everyone was shocked.

Alex was still there, standing and even yawning, with one sword still down.

Meanwhile, Chris’s body was lying on the ground, limp and as soft as an eel.

How had Chris’s body suddenly split in two, causing him to lose?

Nothing made sense. They saw nothing.

"Second round!"

Chris didn’t know what happened either.

He calmed himself, determined not to rush.

He stepped closer to Alex, who was still yawning.

As Chris swung his sword, Alex’s sword, faster than a blink of an eye, had already cut his head before he could even raise his sword.

"Two wins out of three rounds. Alex won the bet!" the system announced.

What the fuck?