Arthur adjusted the collar of his black tuxedo with mild annoyance. He wasn’t used to this kind of clothing, he felt they were too formal, and stiff.

The black tux hugged his frame well, with a bow tie snug under his collar, giving him a composed and regal air. But to him, it just felt… uncomfortable.

He sighed and stepped out of his room, waiting just outside Finn’s door.

Moments later, the door creaked open, and Finn stepped out, wearing his own dark blue tuxedo, struggling with his bow tie that sat slightly crooked on his neck.

They looked at each other, and both immediately burst out laughing.

Finn bent over, clutching his stomach. “Bro, you look like a prince who got lost on his way!”

Arthur chuckled, fixing his sleeves. “You’re not much better. You look like a noble who got kicked out of his own banquet.”

They shared another round of chuckles before composing themselves.

“Alright, alright, let’s not get roasted by each other,” Finn said, straightening up and adjusting his jacket.

The two made their way outside their dorm, where they spotted Leon already waiting near the courtyard’s fountain.

Leon, dressed in a dark grey tuxedo with a black bow, whistled low when he spotted them.

“Well, well, look at you two.” He looked at Finn, “You cleaned up pretty well for a troublemaker.”

Finn grumbled. “Says the guy who looks like he walked out of a fashion magazine.”

Arthur asked, seeing the girls were not present. “Where are the girls?”

Leon shrugged, adjusting his cufflinks. “Haven’t come out yet. Probably still fighting with their hair.”

Arthur suggested, “Let’s go to the girls’ dorm. Otherwise, we’ll end up late.”

The three of them strolled over to the adjacent building where the female students stayed.

As they approached, they noticed curtains parting and heads peeking from behind windows.

“Is that Leon and Arthur? They look so handsome!”

“I wish I was going to the banquet with them too…” Another girl commented with starstruck eyes.

Leon stood stoic, but a hint of smugness twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Finn, on the other hand, twitched visibly.

“Oi! What about me?!” he growled under his breath. “Are they blind or what?!”

Leon snickered. “Maybe they thought you were the chauffeur.”

Arthur chuckled openly, while Finn grumbled under his breath.

Just then, the dorm doors swung open. As Natalya and Sophia stepped out together.

Natalya wore a flowing silver-blue dress, simple but breathtaking, her silver hair braided elegantly over her shoulder, a shy blush dusting her cheeks.

Sophia, in contrast, wore a deep crimson gown that glimmered slightly under the lantern light, her golden hair pinned up with tiny jeweled clips.

Finn’s mouth fell open slightly before he coughed, trying to cover his reaction. “Ahem.”

Sophia caught it instantly, smirking as she struck a playful pose.

“What, Finn? Are you smitten by me?” she teased, twirling once.

Finn quickly crossed his arms and huffed, “Humph! Who’s smitten by you? You look like a… badger!”

Sophia’s eye twitched. “You!!” she shrieked and charged toward him.

Finn yelped and darted away. “Hey, I was just kidding! KIDDING!”

The others burst out laughing as Sophia chased Finn in circles around the courtyard, her dress billowing behind her.

“Come here, you basta*d! I’ll teach you manners!” she yelled.

Arthur shook his head slightly. “They never change.”

Leon smirked. “Nope. Eternal children.”

Eventually, after enough running and laughing, they all gathered and set off toward Rosewood Estate.

…

By the time they arrived at the estate, it was nearly seven-forty.

The estate gates stood tall, guarded by knights in polished armor bearing the Rosewood family crest.

The guards, professional and stern, stepped forward as the group approached.

“Invitation cards, please,” one of them requested politely.

They each produced their sleek dark invitations.

The guards checked them carefully before nodding and stepping aside. “Welcome, honored guests.”

As they walked in, the grandeur of the estate struck them.

A long red carpet stretched from the gate all the way to the massive mansion doors, flanked by rows of golden lanterns and crystalline decorations hanging from trees and arches.

The mansion itself stood proudly under the night sky, a sprawling, three-story structure built of ivory stone and blue-tiled roofs, with large arched windows that glowed with warm light.

Gentle music wafted out from within, carried by a string quartet hidden somewhere in the garden.

Other students, nobles, and guests dressed in their finest were arriving as well, chatting politely as they made their way up the carpeted path.

Arthur and his group followed, walking side by side.

“Man, this place is fancier than I imagined,” Finn whispered, whistling low.

“Behave yourself,” Sophia muttered, elbowing him.

They entered the grand foyer, where the real party would be held.

Inside, the hall was vast and luxurious, with glittering chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and tables lined with delicate hors d’oeuvres and sparkling drinks. Velvet drapes framed the windows, and expensive paintings lined the walls.

Arthur and his group went toward a quieter corner, avoiding the dense crowds.

Around them, nobles and students were already mingling, drinking fine wine, exchanging pleasantries, and pretending not to size each other up.

They were chatting quietly among themselves when a new figure approached them. A man, likely in his early thirties, tall, with sharp brown eyes and a pleasant, practiced smile.

He wore a finely tailored suit and carried himself with easy confidence.

“Good evening,” he said warmly, offering a slight bow. “My name is Gideon Reinhardt, from the Reinhardt family. May I join you for a moment?”

Arthur and the others exchanged quick glances.

Arthur smiled politely. “Of course.”

Gideon wasted no time.

He immediately launched into casual conversation, asking about their performance in the Dominion Ring Tournament, and subtly steering the conversation toward the Ancient Realm.

It didn’t take a genius to see what he was doing, he was trying to form connections with the rising stars.

Arthur and his team played along skillfully, keeping their answers polite but vague, revealing nothing important.

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

“There you are.”

They turned to see Eva approaching them elegantly, dressed in a midnight-blue gown that glittered like a starry sky.

She smiled warmly at them before giving Gideon a polite nod.

“Excuse me,” she said sweetly. “I’m afraid I’ll have to steal them away.”

Gideon hesitated for a fraction of a second but quickly masked it with a smile. “Of course, Lady Eva.”

Arthur and the others gladly followed Eva as she led them away from the busy crowd toward a smaller lounge attached to the main hall.

As soon as they were inside and the door closed, Finn exhaled dramatically.

“Thank you, Eva!” he said, sagging against the couch. “Those nobles are so clingy, it’s like getting attacked by polite leeches.”

Eva laughed lightly, covering her mouth with a hand. “I’m a noble too, you know.”

Finn’s eyes widened slightly . “Uh… I mean, not you! You’re… uh… the cool kind!”

The others burst out laughing at Finn’s awkward save.

Eva waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. I understand. They’re trying to build connections with the future leaders.”

Leon nodded. “It’s politics, nothing new.”

They chatted a bit longer, enjoying the brief peace away from the noise.

Eventually, the sound of chimes echoed through the hall, signaling the start of the banquet.

Eva smiled. “Alright. Time to face the music.”

Arthur adjusted his bow tie and nodded. “Let’s go.”

And with that, they exited the lounge and rejoined the grand event, stepping into the sea of nobility, ambition, and hidden agendas.

…

The gentle chime of a bell echoed again across the grand hall, drawing everyone’s attention to the wide staircase at the center of the mansion.

From the top of the grand staircase, Marchioness Irene Rosewood descended with a graceful but commanding presence. She was dressed in an elegant wine-red gown, her blonde hair pinned back in a regal style, a faint smile playing across her lips.

Flanking her were several other important figures, heads of Brightwater’s noble houses.

Count Reinhardt, an old man with a short, neatly trimmed white beard and piercing grey eyes. Count Velorin, a stern-looking man with a sharp jawline and silver hair. Count Bahram, whose heavyset figure and powerful demeanor made him look more like a warlord than a noble. And there was also Viscount Cassimir, a lean, sharp-eyed man.

The chatter in the hall died down to a silence as they made their way down.

Once they reached the landing, Marchioness Irene stepped forward.

“Good evening, honored guests,” she said, her voice rich and clear, easily carried across the hall.

“We have gathered here tonight not just to indulge in fine food and wine…” her gaze swept across the room before briefly, lingering on Eva and the group standing near her, “…but to celebrate the victory of our brightest stars, the students who have brought honor to Velcrest Academy and to Brightwater itself.”

A polite murmur of approval rippled through the crowd.

She continued, “Their victory at the Dominion Ring Tournament is not merely personal. It is a symbol of our city’s strength, our academy’s excellence, and our kingdom’s bright future.”

Marchioness Irene smiled lightly, then gestured behind her.

Count Reinhardt stepped forward next.

“We congratulate the victors,” Count Reinhardt said, his voice steady despite his age, “and we look forward to seeing the glory you will bring us in the coming days.”

One after another, the other nobles echoed their sentiments.

Marchioness Irene lifted her glass, the crystal glass catching the light of the chandeliers.

“Let the banquet begin,” she declared.

A cheer erupted throughout the hall as glasses clinked together in a symphony of celebration.

Arthur raised his own glass slightly, clinking it against the others’ before taking a sip of the light, fruity wine provided. Arthur never indulged in alcohol, in fact he never liked the taste of it, since he couldn’t get drunk. But today was an exception, so he also participated in the drinking.

The mood lightened, and the hall filled again with music and conversation.

Many nobles approached Arthur and his group to talk with them wanting to form connections, but Eva always managed to somehow circumvent them.

…

Arthur stood casually with his friends near one of the pillars after managing to avoid another noble trying to enter their conversation, was chatting and sampling the appetizers, when a prickling sensation crawled at the back of his neck.

From the corner of his eye, Arthur spotted him, Elaric Bahram.

Dressed sharply in dark navy with silver trim, Count Bahram’s son stood across the hall, swirling a glass of wine lazily.

But he looked at Arthur occasionally with a glare that could’ve cut steel.

Arthur didn’t react outwardly, simply taking another sip of his wine and leaning slightly against the pillar.

But Eva noticed immediately, she furrowed her brows as she followed Arthur’s gaze.

“Do you know him?” she asked quietly, with curiosity in her voice.

Arthur gave a small nod. “Something like that.” Seeing the others’ curious faces, he decided to elaborate.

“A while back… I bought a Dragon Core from an auction.” He glanced sideways. “Elaric also wanted it. So, after I got it, he didn’t take it well.”

Finn muttered under his breath remembering the day they visited the auction house, “Rich bastar*s throwing tantrums.”

Eva tilted her head as she remembered Finn and Leon asking for her help that one time, “So what happened after that?”

Arthur’s lips curled into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

He said softly, his voice carrying a quiet chill, “He sent assassins after me.”

Eva’s eyes widened slightly. Even Natalya and Sophia, usually more composed, stiffened.

Arthur set down his glass, his eyes gleaming coldly. “Well…I got rid of them.”

A brief, heavy silence followed after that.

Arthur paused, then added, his voice even colder now, “And he’s been trying to make moves against the orphanage too.”

That snapped everyone’s expression from concerned to furious in an instant.

Natalya clenched her fists, and Sophia’s face darkened.

Leon muttered, “Coward, attacking kids…”

Finn was practically shaking in place, clearly ready to go and cause some trouble.

But Arthur raised a hand calmly.

“Relax,” he said, voice calm but resolute. “He won’t succeed, I’ll make sure of it.” He wouldn’t allow anyone to touch the orphanage.

There was no boasting in his words. Just a quiet, lethal certainty that made the others glance at him with a little more respect.

“Still…” Eva said, frowning slightly. “Be careful. Nobles have ways of making trouble without lifting a sword.”

Arthur smiled faintly. “Let them try.”

The heavy mood was shaken off after a few moments.

Finn tried to lighten the air by pointing out the ridiculous gold-and-feathered outfit one of the visiting lords wore.

Sophia started gossiping and teasing Eva about how two minor nobles were trying to woo her. Finn, of course, kept piling his plate high with food whenever he thought no one was looking.

***

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