Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1176

Zoey made her way through the grand halls of the Starhaven mansion, accompanied by her maids.

As a lady and direct descendant of the Starhaven lineage, it was mandatory to have a maid ready to attend to her needs at any given instant.

Eventually, they reached a large open training area where her aunt Jeneva stood in silence.

Zoey smiled at the sight of her, momentarily forgetting the wrongness she had felt earlier.

Her aunt Jeneva had always had that effect on her, her light at the end of the pitch-dark tunnel. Just one look, one smile, and Zoey would forget all her worries.

As Zoey approached with a smile, she took in her aunt's appearance. Jeneva was clad in a tight-fitting suit, easy for movement.

Her purple hair was tied back in a single ponytail, and her eyes were fierce, every bit the warrior she was, far from the fairy image most in the human domain associated with the Starhaven.

"Now you look like a human being, my cute little niece."

Zoey smiled at the jab. Her aunt Jeneva always knew the right words to stir her up. If she let it get to her, she'd already lost the battle.

She picked a weapon from the rack at the far end of the training field and stood across from her aunt.

Jeneva smiled, locking eyes with her. "You've improved."

She could see the determination in them, a far cry from the confused Zoey of the past.

Zoey's heart bubbled with joy. Praise from her aunt was like candy. Sweet. A rush of energy. She loved every bit of it.

"I had the best teacher."

Zoey entered into a stance, flashing her a smile.

"Ready when you are," Jeneva replied with a grin. And before the second was over, Zoey lunged.

The sound of wooden weapons clashing echoed across the field. The maids standing nearby watched with shock in their eyes.

Their Lady Zoey was… strong. Stronger than anyone remembered.

Moments later, the loud thud of a body hitting the ground rang out, followed by ragged breaths as Zoey struggled to catch hers. She had lost.

"Wow, you've really improved, my little niece. Did you take something overnight?"

Jeneva's shock was clear. Zoey's movements had been too refined, too deliberate, a far cry from how she used to fight.

Zoey hid a smug smile. "It's simply talent. You wouldn't understand, my favorite aunt." _{freёwebnovel.com}

Jeneva's mouth twitched. "Oh, I see. Your mouth's gotten sharper too. And I'm your only aunt."

Zoey sat up straight, winked at her, and said, "But you're my favorite!"

They stared at each other for a beat before bursting into laughter, the sound filling the large field.

"Young Lady Zoey."

Zoey paused mid-laugh and turned to see Lucy, her maid, bowing in front of her.

"The Matriarch asked me to inform you that you have a guest, my lady."

Zoey frowned. "Who?"

"The Ravensteins."

'The Ravensteins?' Zoey's gaze narrowed. Why would they come all the way from Sector 3 to see her? And… why did hearing that name make her chest ache?

"Looks like your mother still hasn't given up on her mission," Jeneva muttered.