My Children’s Gifts Give Me 1000x Returns!

**ARC 2: COLLEGE DUNGEON TRIAL & ANCIENT CLAN AWAKENING**

The news of the upcoming First-Year College Dungeon Trial spread across the Imperial Grand Martial College like a wildfire.

In two days, all three hundred first-year scholars were to be deployed into the Forbidden Shadow Dungeon—a Grade-2 controlled dimensional pocket located on the border between the Inner City and the wild Southern Wilderness. The trial was meant to test team cohesion, beast-hunting tactics, and survival instincts in a real combat environment.

Inside the sprawling master bedroom of The Azure Crest Estate, Gabriel sat cross-legged on a silk cushion, surrounded by a faint, golden ring of pure Qi.

A quiet knock sounded at the door before Malakor stepped out from the shadows, bowing with absolute reverence.

"Clan Master," Malakor reported, his voice smooth and low. "My shadow scouts have confirmed the details. Elder Vane of the Valerius Inner Branch has bribed the dungeon maintenance supervisor. During the trial, they intend to activate a hidden spatial array to trigger a forced Dungeon Realm Mutation."

Gabriel opened his eyes, two golden dragon pupils flashing briefly in the dim room. "A Dungeon Mutation?"

"Yes," Malakor explained. "They plan to temporarily raise the dungeon's energy density from Grade-2 to a terrifying Grade-4 Peak, trapping the students inside a wave of high-tier beasts. To the public, it will look like an unforeseen natural anomaly—a tragic accident that wiped out House Sterling’s twin S-Rank geniuses."

Gabriel let out a quiet, cold laugh that made the temperature in the room plunge.

"A Grade-4 mutation?" Gabriel murmured, his voice dripping with icy contempt. "They think a petty spatial array and a few Grade-4 beasts can bury my children?"

"Clan Master, shall I execute Elder Vane and destroy the array before the trial begins?" Malakor asked, his fingers resting on the hilt of his shadow blade.

"No," Gabriel replied smoothly, rising to his feet. His dark dragon-silk coat settled over his broad shoulders. "If you kill him now, House Valerius will just play the victim and scheme in the dark. Let them trigger the mutation. Let them trap the entire first-year class inside. When the trap springs... I want the whole world to watch my children crush their pathetic scheme into dust."

Gabriel reached into his coat—accessing his System inventory—and withdrew two sleek, obsidian-carved talismans suspended on silver chains.

Each talisman was inlaid with ancient, glowing crimson runes that pulsed with the faint, rhythm of a sleeping dragon: Sovereign Teleportation & Protection Amulets.

"Call Ethan and Elena to the main hall," Gabriel commanded.

Five minutes later, Ethan and Elena stood in the grand hall of the estate, dressed in their dark navy-and-silver House Sterling combat coats. Their breathing was calm, their posture firm—the direct result of weeks of physical body-conditioning under the Nine-Bones Iron Dragon Method.

"Dad," Ethan said, looking at the two obsidian talismans resting in Gabriel's open palm. "Are those spatial artifacts?"

"These are your life-line amulets," Gabriel said, stepping forward and placing one chain around Ethan's neck and the other around Elena's. "The upcoming college trial is inside a dimensional dungeon. If anything goes wrong—if an unforeseen danger appears—these amulets will deploy an absolute defensive shield capable of blocking attacks from anyone below the Martial Saint Realm."

Elena gasped, touching the cool obsidian surface. "Below... Martial Saint?!"

"Furthermore," Gabriel added, a dangerous, sharp grin playing on his lips, "the moment either amulet activates its barrier, it will immediately open a direct spatial rift to me. No matter where you are in this realm, I will be standing beside you in less than a second."

Ethan’s heart swelled with intense warmth and gratitude. While noble students relied on corrupt elders and petty schemes, his father provided them with absolute, god-like security.

BZ—T!

The crystal bell chimed clearly in Gabriel’s mind.

[Ding! Host has bestowed 2x Sovereign Teleportation & Protection Amulets to Offspring!]

[Triggering 500x Critical Return!]

[Host receives: Imperial Sovereign Artifact — 'Spatial Realm Mirror'!]

(Allows Host to view, project, and manipulate spatial rifts across any dungeon or territory within a 10,000-mile radius).

[Host receives: 1x System Subordinate Summoning Card (Martial Grandmaster Rank)!]

[Host receives: 100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones!]

In the entire Southern Territory, even House Valerius only possessed eight Grandmasters. Gabriel now held a loyal, unstoppable Grandmaster subordinate in the palm of his hand, ready to be summoned at a moment's notice!

Gabriel looked at his son and daughter, placing his hands firmly on their shoulders.

"Go to your college trial tomorrow," Gabriel commanded, his voice ringing with absolute, immovable authority. "Fight hard, test your skills, and fear nothing. The entire Inner City believes House Sterling is just a new, upstart family... tomorrow, you show them that we are a dragon they can never hope to match."

Ethan and Elena bowed deeply, their eyes blazing with fierce determination. "Yes, Dad!"

Gabriel looked toward the northern horizon beyond the estate walls, his dark eyes glowing with a cold, terrifying light.

House Valerius... set your trap. I'm waiting.