Chapter 65: AN INVITATION

The sun stood high overhead. It was the midday break, and the city buzzed with a single topic—the five semi-finalists. As all the participants and spectators were leaving the arena, they continued discussing the matches that had taken place.

The tournament arena was slowly emptying.

Nobles stepped out in flowing cloaks and ornate robes, guards trailing behind as they made their way toward luxurious carriages lined up outside. They had only one destination in mind—Arcadia’s grandest restaurants, where gold gleamed on plates and conversations carried political weight.

Meanwhile, commoners surged through the lower exits in loose groups, heading toward street-side food stalls and bustling taverns that filled the air with spice, sweat, and speculation.

Though the final match wouldn’t begin until later, the discussions had already taken over every alley, corner, and cup of ale.

Logan quietly made his way to the base of the noble balcony, where his family stood waiting. The Starwind family had left though. Alice noticed Logan first. Her face lit up with pride as she rose from her seat. Rudeous gave him a small but firm nod. Ardyn stood calmly, arms crossed, observing like a satisfied teacher. Mirena and Darius—hovering at the edge of the group—stood in silence, their faces unreadable. Kael was the same.

Rudeous gestured lightly. “Let’s go eat. The Moonvine Hall should still have space.”

As they left the arena and headed toward the restaurant district, they could hear murmurs everywhere—from street stalls to velvet halls. The same five names echoed like fire through dry grass:

Morgan. Zephyr. Lilith. Rowan. Logan.

At The Creaking Keg, a packed tavern filled with sweaty backs, overflowing mugs, and wood-smoked air, the crowd was already deep into debate.

“Today’s matches? Wild! That first semifinal—Lilith, Zephyr, and Morgan? Bro, that wasn’t just a fight. That was a war squeezed into minutes.”

“Yeah, but don’t forget—if Lilith didn’t have healing magic, she would’ve dropped like a fly.”

“So what? Healing’s part of her affinities, same as the others. She didn’t cheat—she was capable, and that’s why she won.”

“Zephyr and Morgan were just as strong.”

“Then why’d they lose? Don’t blame the wind if you don’t know how to fly!”

Laughter burst from nearby tables.

“I swear, Morgan could’ve won the match if he didn’t get caught off guard by Zephyr’s sudden attack.”

“True, but what do you expect? For your opponent to announce their move first?”

“I’m just lucky I bet on Lilith. Or I’d be as broke as you lot.”

The crowd roared with laughter.

Then someone slammed their mug down.

“But that second match, man…”

Silence fell over the table.

“If the first match was breathtaking, the second one was… heart-pounding. Like your chest couldn’t decide whether to cheer or freeze.”

“Rowan reaching Tier 3 before twenty is already madness—but a twelve-year-old holding his ground against him?”

“Logan didn’t win, sure. But he made everyone sit up straight.”

“Yeah. He lost the match—but won the respect. That’s more than most nobles earn in a lifetime.”

Back at Moonvine Hall, the Smith family sat at a corner table. A crystalline orb hung from the ceiling, casting soft blue light over the polished glass table.

Just as they were settling in, a voice called out—warm, amused.

“If it isn’t the family hiding a lion’s cub all this time. Lord Smith, we meet again.”

It was Noah Starwind.

He and his wife, Emily, had just arrived, with Lilith walking silently behind them. As they passed the table, fate—or perhaps curiosity—brought them face to face with the Smiths.

Rudeous stood with a smile. “Oh, Noah. You left earlier. Why don’t you join us? The table’s more than large enough.”

Today, Rudeous felt something rare: pride. Logan hadn’t just proven himself—he had elevated the Smith name. And hearing Noah call his son a lion’s cub only deepened that satisfaction.

“Gladly,” Noah replied. “Who am I to refuse such an invitation?”

He took a seat beside Rudeous and nodded toward Logan.

“Congratulations again on making it this far. I’ve seen plenty of prodigies fall in the early rounds. You held your ground—even against Prince Rowan.” Noah still suspected that Logan had lost the match willingly. After all, both he and Emily knew about Logan’s five affinities. But it was also possible that Prince Rowan was simply too strong—even for someone with five affinities but still at Tier 1.

Logan gave a polite nod. “Thank you, Mr. Starwind.”

Emily and Lilith sat beside Alice.

Servants soon arrived with trays of steaming food: roasted duskbeast, glowing root vegetables, and chilled nectar from mana-fruits harvested in the western groves. Forks clinked gently, and conversation hummed around them.

More nobles dropped by briefly, offering words to Rudeous:

“Your son is a rare talent, Lord Smith.”

“That gravity affinity… dangerous and elegant.”

“The way he stood back up after that hit? Gave me chills.”

Rudeous accepted their words calmly, but his eyes gleamed with pride.

Alice couldn’t stop smiling. Her joy was too big to hide. Every compliment felt like a crown placed on Logan’s head.

Ardyn remained quiet, but the faint curve of his lips spoke volumes.

Mirena sat motionless, barely touching her food. Her fingers twitched at her fan, her gaze drifting not to Logan—but to the nobles praising him.

Darius sat stiffly, arms crossed, nodding now and then, but his clenched jaw betrayed him.

Still, beneath their envy, one truth gave them comfort:

Logan hadn’t made it to the final.

And that gave them just enough peace to swallow the rest.

Then, unexpectedly—

A voice cut through the laughter and conversation.

“Why did Prince Rowan summon you after the match?”

The table quieted in an instant.

All eyes turned to Lilith Starwind.

She sat gracefully, posture perfect, her silver hair falling like moonlight across her shoulder. Normally she was too proud to speak to anyone outside her circle. But today her question was driven by curiosity she couldn’t control.

Noah didn’t want his daughter to pry into others’ personal matter. “Lilith…”

“I’m just asking,” she said calmly, her eyes fixed on Logan. “It wasn’t a normal gesture. A prince calling someone he just defeated? That really means something.”

Alice’s eyes flicked to Logan, concern in her gaze.

Rudeous raised a brow but said nothing.

Ardyn leaned forward slightly.

Mirena narrowed her eyes.

Darius glanced sideways.

And Logan?

Logan stayed perfectly still. His expression remained calm.

Then, casually—like it was nothing at all—he spoke.

“It’s nothing much. Prince Rowan invited me to the royal palace after the finals.”

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