Chapter 11 Gareth Ashcroft Gale watched in the direction Leander had left, his voice filled with admiration. "Maximilian became a Martial Sovereign at 35, unmatched in strength, and earned countless military honors, making him one of the most outstanding figures in Astria's martial world. Truly, a remarkable individual!" Ivy was astonished by her father's words. "But Dad, Maximilian is such a powerful, undefeated legend. How can he be just 'one of the top' and not the absolute pinnacle of Astria's martial world?" Gale shook his head with a slight smile. "Ivy, you're thinking too simply. There's always someone stronger somewhere out there. Even someone as powerful as Maximilian wouldn't dare claim to be the best in Astria. In fact, he once admitted that there's someone in Highcliffe he couldn't defeat." Ivy's face was full of shock. "What? Who is it?" Gale was silent for a few seconds before he solemnly uttered a name as if it weighed a thousand pounds. "Gareth of the Ashcroft family in Highcliffe." Ivy frowned slightly, unfamiliar with the name. "You might not recognize Gareth Ashcroft, but you've definitely heard his nickname. In the martial world, he's known as 'the Juggernaut.'" Ivy's expression froze, her eyes widening. "The Juggernaut? The one who single-handedly defeated the six top foreign martial artists?" Gale nodded. "Yes, that's him. If Maximilian is a martial genius, then Gareth is an unparalleled prodigy. "Gareth was born into the Ashcroft family of Highcliffe, a lineage of martial artists where every generation has at least two or three members gifted in martial arts. But Gareth was the most extraordinary talent in the family's 300-year history. "From the moment Gareth entered the martial world, he climbed from one peak to another, never encountering a worthy opponent. Among the elite families in Highcliffe, Gareth was undoubtedly the leading figure, with countless noblewomen secretly admiring him. "Ten years ago, six top foreign martial artists, all Martial Sovereigns, challenged Astria's martial world, setting up a stage in the Garrison Plains where they defeated many Astria experts who came to fight, gaining widespread fame. They practically swept through Astria; even Maximilian, who personally intervened, could only fight them to a draw." Gale's face showed deep respect as he continued, "No one expected Gareth, all the way in Highcliffe, to travel to the Garrison Plains. That battle became Gareth's true rise to fame. He single-handedly took on the six Martial Sovereigns from abroad, leaving each of them severely injured while he remained unscathed! After that fight, Gareth's combat power stunned Astria's martial world, earning him the title of the number one martial artist in Astria and the nickname 'The Juggernaut!' "But that's not all. Five years ago, a veteran Martial Sovereign, who had dominated Astria's martial world for 30 years and was known as 'The Undefeated,' went to Highcliffe to challenge Gareth. In a single move, Gareth defeated him, solidifying his position as the top martial artist in Astria." Ivy was mesmerized, her mind shaken. Maximilian was already legendary, but Gareth was even more impressive. The world was far more fascinating than she had imagined, and she wished she had been born ten years earlier to witness Gareth's invincible prowess firsthand. "Gareth Ashcroft is unmatched in Astria, and his child is equally talented, perhaps even surpassing him. You went to Highcliffe with your grandfather before, so you should know Ethan Ashcroft-he is Gareth's son!" Ivy recalled the striking young man she had seen in Highcliffe a few years ago, a figure whose mere wave commanded attention from everyone around him. She had met many outstanding young men over the years, but none had ever impressed her as much as Ethan. She had even dreamed of marrying Ethan someday and sharing in the glory that surrounded him. "Ethan Ashcroft, at just seventeen, has already reached the level of Martial Grandmaster. He's the heir to the Ashcroft family, standing at the pinnacle of Astria's martial world alongside Daphne Florian, the only daughter of the Florian family in Highcliffe. Together, they're known as the 'Twin Stars of Highcliffe,' the most formidable talents of their generation." "It's rumored that Gareth has another son, but for some unknown reason, he was disowned by the family and had his martial power abolished. The Ashcroft family has kept his name a secret, though it's said that Gareth's other son had even more astonishing talent. Unfortunately, he never lived up to his potential." Gale's tone was tinged with regret, but then his eyes gleamed with determination. "I once thought that the youngest Martial Sovereign would emerge from either Gareth's or Maximilian's lineage, but I never expected to encounter such a prodigy here in Ravenridge. In terms of sheer power, neither of those two can compare to that young man we met earlier. "Maximilian Morgan-Royce became a Sovereign at 35, dominated the battlefields, and earned countless honors. The Morgan-Royce family has thrived in Seagate because of him, commanding respect from all. Gareth Ashcroft swept through Astria's martial world, claiming the pinnacle for himself. With him, the Ashcroft family stands firm, leading Highcliffe's elite. "But that young man we just met, who looks less than twenty years old, is already a Martial Sovereign on par with them. His potential is terrifyingly limitless. If we had him on our side, imagine how far our family could rise." Ivy stood in stunned silence, finally understanding why her father held Leander in such high regard. A Martial Sovereign at such a young age would undoubtedly cause a sensation in Astria and perhaps even the world. Forming a bond with such a genius would be the fortune of a lifetime for the Halloways. As she thought of Leander's handsome and peerless face, Ivy couldn't help but feel a stirring in her heart. Beautiful women had always admired heroes, and she was no exception. Gale stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze long and deep. "With such a young Martial Sovereign emerging, I have a feeling that Astria's martial world will experience tremendous upheaval because of Leander." That night, Leander stayed at the villa arranged for him by Frankie, and early the next morning, he slung a backpack over his shoulder and headed to Ravenridge Senior High. Ravenridge Senior High was one of the top schools in the city, known for its excellent academic record, with students often advancing to prestigious universities like Stanton Academy and Highcliffe University. It was a powerhouse in education, boasting top-notch teaching methods and faculty. Leander stood at the school gate, watching students in uniforms walk by, feeling a sense of disorientation. After years of honing his skills on the edge of life and death, he had almost forgotten that he was still just an 18-year-old boy. "A student, huh?" He chuckled to himself as he walked toward the classroom building, backpack in tow. Not far behind him, two striking figures walked side by side. One was tall and glamorous, like a royal goddess, while the other was petite and adorably beautiful, both undeniably top-tier beauties. They drew countless admiring glances from the boys around them while the girls looked on with envy, wishing they could be as beautiful as them. The petite girl was looking ahead when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure. She quickly tapped the taller girl beside her, speaking with surprise. "Yvette, look! Isn't that Leander?"