Project Superior: A Hero's Awakening

A Maid's Resolve

Just a day after his second victory in the arena, Xavier was already making waves—not just among the spectators but also the people of Saint Petersburg, where the Gladiator Grand Festival was underway.

Inside The Dragon's Den tavern, he sat across from Anastasia and Alcmena, sharing a hearty meal as they discussed a nagging issue that had only recently dawned on him.

"Maybe showing up here without a disguise wasn't the smartest move," Xavier murmured, stuffing a spoonful of stew into his mouth. "It won't take much for someone to recognize I'm the 2nd Prince of the Ivanovich family."

Anastasia took a sip of her tea, the faintest of smiles playing on her lips. "I understand your worry, Young Master. But you don't need to stress too much. People won't immediately realize who you are just from looking."

"Are you sure?" Xavier's gaze flicked around the tavern, clearly uneasy.

"Yes!" Anastasia replied confidently. "The only way anyone would recognize you is if they happened to look at a newspaper... or maybe a poster... Or—" her eyes widened slightly, "a coin, or even the currency with your face on it..."

Xavier let out a slow sigh as the realization sank in.

Anastasia's face softened, and she added with a slight frown, "I suppose we'll need a disguise a bit more thorough than just using a different name, Young Master."

Then Alcmena burst out laughing at their flustered expressions. "Why are you laughing, Master?" Xavier raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "Maybe you should take some notes. Cats don't normally go around chatting with strangers either."

"Oh, you brat!" Alcmena muttered, eyes narrowing as he lunged, claws glinting. Xavier yelped, dodging as best he could while Alcmena mockingly taunted, "How's that for a lesson in secrecy?"

Meanwhile, Anastasia watched their scuffle, her gaze warm with amusement. Just as she reached for another sip of tea, a heavy hand clamped down on her shoulder. She turned to see a large, brawny man grinning down at her, clearly a bounty hunter with a bit too much to drink.

"Why don't you join me and my friends over there, sweetheart?" he said, his voice slurring. "We'd show a pretty thing like you a real good time."

Anastasia maintained a polite smile as she shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm already occupied with matters far more important."

He chuckled, clearly unfazed. "Aw, don't be like that. My friends and I are real gentlemen—we'll even put up with that scrawny brat you're with."

At that, a flicker of irritation crossed Anastasia's face. She offered him one more chance, her voice icy. "Please, let go of my shoulder, sir."

But the bounty hunter ignored her, chuckling as he held his ground. "You don't seem to get it, woman. It wasn't a request."

The next moment, a sinister green glow flared around Anastasia as she activated her poison aura, filling the room with a chilling presence. The chatter in the tavern fell silent as the air thickened, and a few nearby patrons instinctively recoiled.

The bounty hunter, not one to back down, scowled and hurled his drink at her. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Anastasia didn't even flinch. She moved in front of Xavier, blocking the mug's path with a calm, unshakable stance. The glass shattered against her shoulder, shards scattering around them. Silence fell over the tavern as every patron's gaze shifted to the sudden chaos.

Xavier's face flushed with anger. "What do you think you're doing, you madman!"

But the bounty hunter wasn't listening to Xavier. His stunned eyes were fixed on Anastasia, baffled that the broken glass hadn't left so much as a scratch or bruise on her face. Her hair, now slightly disheveled from the impact, fell loosely around her shoulders, making her look even more intimidating.