Top-tier players leveled slightly quicker, though the lead wasn't dramatic. Anyone who cleared a Tier Advancement Trial typically had keen instincts and good combat awareness. Aiden checked the time. His meeting with Lady Riley drew near, so he summoned Gray back into the beast space and made his way toward Leafport. ... The duke's estate came into view soon after. Lady Riley already stood in the courtyard with two maids. Madonna held a stack of documents thick enough to qualify as a small book. "I'm not late, right?" Aiden asked. He felt a tiny jolt of surprise. A noblewoman of her rank rarely arrived ahead of schedule unless the matter held real importance. "No. I stepped out early for some fresh air. Everything's fine." Her tone stayed cool, her red lips pressed gently together. "Good." Aiden nodded. He sensed an odd atmosphere around her, though he couldn't pinpoint why. Madonna placed the bundle of deeds on a stone table and opened them neatly. "Mr. Nighthale, here is every available property in Westhand. Choose freely." "Appreciate it." Aiden scanned through the paperwork with focus. "Meridian Row looks right... This lot is staying intact... That block too... This one's a keeper." Following the map burned into his memory, he selected the parcels that survived the future invasion. By the time he finished, nearly all vacant spots along Meridian Row were marked, except for a few prop stores. "So many?" Lady Riley's expression wavered. Unbelievable. He's just... picking things. Like he's ordering off a snack menu. Even Westhand isn't that cheap. No regular player would touch this much land. He isn't flinching. Elise leaned closer to the duchess, her voice lowered. "Your Grace, he isn't fooling around. Look at him. He's fully committed." "I can see that." Lady Riley held her gaze on Aiden, unable to fully interpret the man standing before her.A moment later, she lifted her voice gently. "Madonna." Catching the cue instantly, Madonna stepped forward. "Mr. Nighthale, the final step for any property purchase inside the city is acquiring official citizenship. All preliminary procedures are finished, yet this final confirmation is still needed." Aiden kept his composure. "Alright. What do you need?" Madonna offered a calm smile. "I need to view your real face for the registry." Aiden paused, then removed the cover from his face. He mostly kept it hidden because his current strength wasn't enough to deal with real-life problems if other players identified him. NPCs didn't pose the same concern, though. Once uncovered, his real features appeared. Doomsday didn't provide face-sculpting. Every player looked exactly like themselves. Aiden's features were naturally sharp—defined brows, bright eyes, and refined lines. He looked handsome without trying too hard. Even when he was longing for Piper at Kroger High, he attracted a lot of attention. His height, good looks, and steady family made him an easy favorite. Only Piper's strange standards kept her from noticing. Ding! Your charm impressed Elise. Favorability increased by twenty points. Ding! Your charm impressed Madonna. Favorability increased by twenty points. Ding! Your charm impressed Lady Riley. Favorability increased by twenty points. Three chimes hit at once. Aiden's mouth twitched. Man... this charm stat is a menace... He knew appearance was just the first hook. The real impact came from other factors. He had dealt with NPCs often in his past life, and none of them ever reacted with sudden jumps in favorability. Madonna froze briefly, so he nudged her attention back. "Is that enough?" "Oh—yes. That's plenty." She stumbled for a moment, then pulled out a sleek silver-white certificate and offered it to him. He turned it over with curiosity. "So once this is logged, I'm officially a Leafport citizen?" "That's correct." Madonna nodded gently. Lady Riley stepped forward, her tone carrying authority. "Not quite. You're not merely a citizen of Leafport." She paused, letting the moment settle. "You are now a first-class citizen of Dominion."