Night arrived.
Inside his luxurious rooms Luke was getting ready for the party. Looking at the mirror he nodded in satisfaction.
During those 9 years, aside from training magic he didn't neglect his body, performing various exercises every day to keep himself fit. That in combination with his growth spurt and his facial features transitioning from cute to handsome gave him an air of maturity, despite being 14 years old.
Although he didn't have a six pack, his physique was better than most kids of his age. it was lean and a little toned in certain areas with the right amount of mass so that he didn't look skinny.
(Think of someone who started seeing his gym gains)
- Young master if you finished admiring yourself, please turn around.
- Ah sorry!
Jolting out of his thoughts he turned to Elise who helped him put his brooch and the equipment he bought. His vials and bombs were stashed in holsters under his coat, and his revolvers were strapped under his shoulders, perfectly concealed by the coat. He also had a knife strapped in his ankle.
'Thank good they managed to deliver on time'.
The shop owner himself came to deliver the coat he requested, he had dark circles under his eyes, indicating he personally worked overtime to get this ready. Luke felt a little sorry for him.
With everything ready he took another glance at the mirror and couldn't help but admire the coat. It was a navy blue that went down to his knees, with the Argenti crest embroidered with gold lines in the back, perfectly blending with the rest of the clothes.
He then bid Elise farewell and went the entrance.
Descending form the stairs he caught a Gimple of his parents, and for a split second he was stunned.
His father was wearing a navy-blue tuxedo with fancy gold patterns along with a silk white shirt and a bowtie, matching his mage robe with the family crest embroidered on his back, like Luke's outfit.
His mother AKA the reason for his surprise, was wearing a dark blue dress that leaves her shoulders exposed along with black necklace. Combined with her long black hair and her smooth and silky face, she looked like the incarnation of a goddess.
Luke gave them a short greet and they entered the car, departing to the party.
**
Thanks to the city being built in a round shape with the main road leading straight to the palace, they managed to quickly arrive.
Although it was night, the lights coming from the building and its surroundings allowed it to show its beautiful construction. A pure wide silver castle surrounded by giant walls, with intricate partners carved on its outside, carrying a long history since its construction irradiated its majestic aura, leaving every visitor in awe.
Or course Since it was his first time, Luke was no different.
'This puts every monument I've seen to shame'.
Taking a glance of the surroundings Luke could see various armed guards along with knights and mages stationed on watchtowers and on patrol.
'As expected of such event'.
Reving approval to entry, they now wait in front of the ballroom for the servant to announce their arrival.
- DUKE JAMES ARGENTI, DUECHESS AMANDA ARGENTI AND YOUMG MASTER LUKE ARTENTI ARE ENTERING!!!
Subjected to many whispers and gazes, all three seemed unfazed as they walk through the room.
Like the outside, the ballroom also exhibited a majestic aura, its celling painted with a beautiful piece of art, showcasing all major battles since the kingdom's foundation. Various pillars carved with the royal family's crest, a lion's head with swords crossed, carved on its top, high arched windows extended to the celling giving a breathtaking view of the city and chandeliers adorned in gold illuminated the room.
Everything in this room sends on message "you are in royalty territory".
Contrary to his stoic expression on the outside, Luke was mesmerized by its architecture. As someone who showed an interest in history, he was controlling his urges to explore everything in detail.
The trio eventually stopped as they saw a group of people approaching, they were the noble who were either on our side or have some sort of business with the dukedom.
Luke also began socializing with them, unwillingly of course. Unfortunately for him, it was technically his first appearance at a formal event and not many people knew about him, he gathered a lot of curiosity form the guests.
Naturally, he understood that all these people were just trying to get on his good grace or use him as a method of getting related to his family, so exhibiting his best fake smile, he interacted with every single one of them.
From trying to schedule visits to marriage proposals, he either flat out rejected them or gave a vague answer. Due to his weak social skills, he avoided having long conversations as to not get in a situation where it creates an awkward atmosphere.
Although he had the skills to keep the conversation going, thanks to his upbringing, he founded bothersome taking to people he didn't want, but he could afford to alt-right ignore them in this environment.
- Oh, wow still carrying all that attention to yourself?
Everyone turned to the source of the voice, a tall buff man, likely in his early 30s with a woman and a young man behind him approached the small crowd.
The man had dark brown hair, green eyes, a well-defined facial features and a well-trimmed beard. His toned and buffed physique akin to a bodybuilder gave him an intimidating aura, leaving no room for doubt that he was strong.
Wearing a White suit with black pants and shoes, the man in question was Alexsei Perseus, also know as one of the kingdom 4 dukes and one of the 3 king class knights residing in the country.
The woman behind him was his wife, duchess Karia Perseus. She had blond hair tied to a bun and blue eyes clear as the sea, combined with her dark pink dress that highlighted her hourglass shape, she stole the hearts of many men and received the envy of the women.
The young man, wearing a black suit with a with shirt, who shares the same hair and eyes as duke Perseus was his son, Valjean Perseus, one of the rising stars in swordsmanship attending Calanthe academy. He entered the spotlight after reaching the peak of Horse rank knight at the age of 17.
Recognizing the duke's intentions, all other nobles dispersed leaving the Argentis and the Perseus face to face.
- What do you want Alexei?
Jamess asked with an indifferent and cold voice.
It wasn't a secret that James held some sort of hatred to knights even went as far as banning the use of aura inside his estate, thought the reason for that is unknown.
But what caught the other's off guard was addressing duke Perseus by his given name.
- Now now no need for ill feeling between us, I just wanted to properly greet an old comrade.
-stop clinging on to the past.
- come on lose the…
Duke Perseus stopped mid-sentence as his eyes fell on Luke.
-Oh, so you're the mysterious child that I've heard about.
Luke stepped forward and gave a light bow.
- Pleasure to meet you, I am Luke Argenti.
- Good manners, unlike your father!!
Those nearby were listening to the conversation with surprised expressions, since duke Argenti rarely attended events, a scene where two high ranking nobles talked without formalities in public was unheard of.
- Now let's see what you're made of
*DOMMM
A heavy pressure descended on Luke. Alexei was secretly examining him, and didn't find anything that special, normal mana level and quality, one might mistake him for a commoner if not his similarities with his father, so he decided to test him.
'Damn so this is a king class aura'.
Making a hurtful expression, Luke was using all his willpower to keep standing, even tough is not at full strength, an average 1st rank mage would have been on his knees in an instant.
His mother sensed the pressure and tried to act but it was stopped by his father. She tried to interject but James shot a glare at her.
Duke Perseus widened his eyes at the young duke's resistance, He expected him to fall within 30 seconds, but it's already been a minute and he's still standing.
'And he's resisting only using his willpower.'
While most knights and mages used pressure by simply releasing mana or aura the experienced ones incorporated their willpower with it, making it stronger.
It was also possible to pressure someone with willpower alone but only those who experienced many adversities could do it.
Satisfied with the results, he retracted his pressure.
- I will be watching your future up close young man.
Leaving those parting words, he left along with his family.
Luke then staggered almost falling but Amanda reacted quickly, catching him.
With a worried expression she asked.
- Are you Okay Luke???
- I am fine mother the tension just left my body.
He tried to assure his wellbeing but his mother still casted a healing spell on him.
Thanks to it he recovered from his exhausted stated, but he still felt somewhat mentally tired.
Just as he was about to find a place to rest, a servant announced.
- HIS MAJESTY KING ENOCH VON ROMANUS, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MESSIA VON ROMANUS AND HER HIGHNESS LAYA VON ROAMUNS ARE ENTERING!!!