It was in a big mansion which belonged to one of the most richest families called " dark fox family".
It was one of the strongest families which had a big influence in the whole nation.
A maid was knocking on the door in one of the houses of the big mansion.
"Young master, wake up. We have to clean up your room." The maid said in a calm voice while knocking the door.
But there was no response at all from inside but still, the maid continued knocking.
"Let me do it." A voice came behind the maid from an adult woman.
"Yes ma'am." She calmly replied and moved aside.
" Lionel open the door now. Don't you know there are visitors coming today from the royal family. Get out of your room now!" She finished yelling with a furious pant.
Suddenly, the door was opened and a boy of about 15 years came out in a black robe.
He was a bit taller than people of his age and a physique that was perfect for people of his age.
He had blue eyes like the sea, his hair was silky and dark. He had a fair light skin and a face which could be estimated to be pretty.
" You've never noticed my presence. What's up today?" He asked as soon as he opened the door.
" We wouldn't have noticed your presence either. It's just that the royal family will visit us in an hour and you're also one of the sons of the dark fox family although illegitimate so you have to be there too." The woman replied in a tone full of hatred.
" Okay Stepmom, I'll be in the main hall in 25 minutes, don't worry." Lionel replied calmly.
" Better hurry up." She finished and left.
Lionel looked at her as she left and let out a deep sigh. Once she was out of sight, he went back in and slowly undressed himself and entered in a bath tub with water with a sweet scent and slowly soaked himself in and closed his eyes.
After the long bath he dried himself up a changed into a fresh black robe with gold dragon linings and then got out of the room as the morning sun struck him he straightened his robe and walked to the main hall.
It was well decorated and many chairs were neatly arranged on opposite sides which made a wide labyrinth at the middle.
They were already other family members inside other chatting while others enjoyed the tea.
"Hey, the bastard is here." He overheard from a nearby group.
Lionel looked at them who also stared back at him and just smiled.
Suddenly, all of them stood up in an instant and bowed. Lionel was shocked a little at the situation.
" Good morning family patriarch." Lionel turned back to meet face to face with the family patriarch.
He bowed down too and greeted " Good morning dad." His head still bowed.
"You can rise, all of you." He replied.
"Yes, father." He raised his head and made way for the patriarch and his wife to ascend to the higher seat, as he went to seat next to his stepbrother.
At the same moment an eunuch announced " Bow to his majesty."
A blanket of silence warmed the room as every one inside stood and bowed " Long live your majesty
may the heavens bless you with everlasting wisdom. May you accept our sincere greetings."
" You may all raise up." The king replied in a smile and alongside the queen he went to his prepared seat.
The patriarch stood up and said " The main aim of this gathering is finding the best suitor of princess jade." He said.
" Your highness, I was blessed with only two sons. I think you can choose the best suitor from them." He added.
" When choosing the best suitor I can't consider appearance I want to hold a fair martial competition." The king said.
" My daughter herself will be the judge." He added.
"Yes father." The princess replied bowing down.
She was a perplexing beauty. She had silky pink hair and brown eyes. She wore a long white dress at the moment which made her look like a deity.
Other family members felt unlucky not being born as children of the patriarch.
" But your majesty, the elder one is already at the third level of spirit awakening while the younger is yet to start his path of cultivation." The family patriarch said.
" The competition will still be inevitable although to it's unfairness." The king replied.
The patriarch sighed then said " Okay your highness."
"Victor and Lionel, head to the arena now." The patriarch ordered.
They both stood up and bowed " Yes father." They both said and started heading to where they were addressed.
" Lionel has already lost. Victor is the strongest youth in the family everyone knows that."
" The defeat will be enough to make him remember his status." This were words from other youths of the dark fox family.
The king, queen, princess, patriarch and other youths stood at the spectators zone as the arena was underneath surrounded by them.
Lionel and Victor stood at opposite ends of the circular arena.
" The fight can begin." The patriarch ordered.
Victor looked at his younger brother and let out a grin as he clenched his fists.
Lionel looked a little afraid as he clenched his fists too.
Victor jumped aim a ferocious fist towards Lionel who dodged in an instant.
Victor aimed a kick at him but Lionel backfliped making Victor miss him by inches.
A blue aura surrounded Victor's hand, he dashed fast towards Lionel who used his arms to block the attack but he was jolted backwards but he managed to stay on his feet.
Prior preparation, Victor aimed a blast at him which he difficulty managed to dodge as he flipped sideways.
Lionel rushed and with all his might he thumped his brother on the chest.
His brother remained still. He attempted to throw multiple punches towards him but all of them had no effect on him.
Victor gathered his energy and thumped him on the stomach. Lionel was jolted a few metres backwards and landed with a thud as he spat blood.
" The fight has ended." The patriarch hurriedly said.
The princess stood up and said " The fight was direct and I will be betrothed to young master Victor from the dark fox family."
The king stood and said " The decision is already issued and it will never be broken."
Victor was over excited to be able to join the royal family same to his mother.
Lionel stood up and slowly walked to his room and he stayed there the whole day.
Lionel was staring at a portrait of a woman hanged on his wall, night had already dominated.
Suddenly, he heard a knock from the door.
"I'm coming." He said as he stood up and walked to the door.
"Good evening, father." He greeted as once as he met to the one at the door.
"How's your injury?" The patriarch asked.
"It's nothing big I'm good now." He replied.
"Can I come in?" The patriarch asked.
Lionel was surprised. His father has never entered his room before.
"Yes, you may." He replied open the door wide and let him in.
The patriarch entered inside his room.
He stopped at once when he caught sight of the portrait on the wall.
" Your mom will still be the prettiest woman I've ever met." The patriarch said.
"For the first time I couldn't control my desires." He added.
"She gave you the good looks." He finished.
" But I'll still be the illegitimate child." Lionel said.
" Don't listen to what others say to you, you'll always be the son of the dark fox family." The patriarch interrupted.
" Yes dad." Lionel replied.
" The maids will soon be bringing you food. I heard you didn't eat since morning. You'll be weak if you starve." The patriarch said.
" Have you ever heard of the sacred dragon sword?" The patriarch asked him.
" It's our family's heirloom." Lionel replied.
" That's right. It was made from a mixture of obsidian and the strongest celestial mineral called svyern. It's the strongest existing weapon that can slay even deities. The weapon should be handed to someone worthy of it." The patriarch explained.
" It should be handed either to you or Victor." The patriarch added.
" Another martial competition you know I'll lose again." Lionel said.
" That's why I decided that the competition will be held next year. You'll join the imperial academy to begin your cultivation." The patriarch said.
" But still after one year he might be mid way to achieve the second level of spirit master level." Lionel said.
" Failure will never block your path as long your determination to succeed is strong enough." The patriarch replied.
" Are you in or not?" The patriarch asked.
" I'll do my best,dad." Lionel replied.
" Okay then after 3 days you'll join the academy." The patriarch said.
" Yes father." Lionel replied.
" I'll take my leave then. Have a good night." The patriarch said.
" And you too, dad." Lionel wished him back.
The patriarch opened the door but before he stepped out he looked once more at the woman's portrait
" Whether you're legitimate or not, you're still and forever be my son." The patriarch said and walked away.
Lionel was startled by the words but he then let out a smile.
For the next three days, he wished time to speed up so that he can escape staying next from his stepmother, stepbrother and other family members who have never allowed him to be in the state of peace ever since the fight.
After the three days, his father went to see him away as he climbed the carriage.
"Don't worry dad, I'll make you proud of me." Lionel said to his father from the window of the carriage.
The patriarch gave him a wide smile and nodded.
Slowly, the carriage started leaving. Lionel started waving goodbye to his father as he too waved back and slowly the carriage went out of sight_ _ _