The night air was electric with anticipation as Lassim rode in the carriage, the clatter of hooves and wheels on cobblestone. This time, the journey from the academy to the grandeur awaiting at the Rohese estate was much more elaborate as his grandparents had arranged a carriage to ferry him from the academy's gates to the event.
The journey felt surreal, as they entered the inner city and near the Rohese estate, banners adorned with the Rohese family sigil lined the street on every other lamp post that he passed by.
As they neared the estate, their was an array of carriages lined up ready to make their entrance into the event, each bearing the marks of Myriad Spirit City's influential families.
The arrival of the Rohese carriage, with Lassim inside, stirred a wave of murmurs and curious glances, the emblem of his newfound status drawing eyes and whispers. The moment was fleeting yet filled with the weight of expectation..
As he exited the carriage to many onlookers, he was greeted by the familiar face of the head butler and quickly escorted away from the growing excitement outside to a quiet room adjacent to the main event hall. There, his grandmother, Elisa Rohese, awaited him, the epitome of elegance and composure. Her presence was a calming amidst the storm of nerves beginning to swirl within him.
"My dear, Lassim," she began, her voice soft, "tonight is more than a celebration of your recognition as a member of this family; it is your introduction to the world that your lineage commands. Be not afraid as we have power and strength. None should speak negatively in our presence, but still, listen closely, follow my lead, and remember, you are a Rohese and a Vanthar. Carry yourself with the dignity that befits your names. Have pride!"
Her instructions were precise and imbued with caring wisdom. The thought of all this political intrigue was new to him, also bit terrifying, but if he was to become a leader in his family some day, it was a mantle he was ready to accept. Her words bolstered his confidence and allayed some of his nervousness, knowing that she'd be there with him.
Suddenly, she held out her slender hand, presenting him with an item that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. In her palm lay a golden card, its surface etched with the intricate Rohese family sigil, catching the light that danced on it's rounded edges with every slight movement.
"Lassim, as a member of the Rohese family, you must uphold the status of not wanting for anything. This item is not merely a card," she began, her voice holding a gravity to it that demanded his full attention. "It is a key that acts as a bridge to the elemental plane our family has nurtured for generations. We call it a vault card as you can treat it like a magic pouch that only connects with a daily allowance of high-grade elemental source stones." She extended the card towards him, inviting him to take it.
Hesitantly, Lassim reached out, the cool metal warming to his touch. "It's beautiful," he murmured, tracing the sigil with a finger.
Elisa nodded, her expression softening. "And now, we must bind it to you. A drop of your blood will link your essence to the card, and through it, we will be able to verify your life status at any moment as well. In case you are in danger, it can act as a beacon for other family members to quickly find you."
Lassim's heart quickened at the thought of such a tool that monitored his safety and acted as a magic pouch, but he nodded, pricking his finger with a small, ornate needle provided by Elisa.
As a single drop of blood fell onto the card, the sigil glowed warmly, a sign of a successful binding.
"It's done," Elisa announced, a hint of pride in her voice. "This card is now an extension of your connection to the family. It will grant you access to resources you'll need on your journey."
She paused, her gaze locking with his. "However, I must urge caution, my dear. The high-grade elemental source stones that this card can procure... they are not to be taken lightly. At your current stage of cultivation, they could be more a hindrance than a help. Additionally, your grandfather and I have set a limit of 30,000 high-grade E.S.S. per day. It would be remarkable if you could ever manage to spend that much, but it will be a perfect amount to tide you over once you reach the Spirit Ascension stage on your long journey as a spirit warrior."
Lassim absorbed her words, the significance of the gift and the warning clear. "I understand, Grandmother. I'll use it wisely for purchases for now and keep to the stones suited to my level. Thank you for trusting me with this."
Elisa smiled, reaching out to gently grasped his hands. "I know you will. Remember, power in our world must always be balanced with wisdom. As much as your father is a barbaric hot head when it comes to training and war, even he is managed by your mother's cunning and intelligence."
As her words concluded, a maid brought in a magnificent suit, the one his grandmother had his measurements taken for on their first day meeting.
Lassim quickly changed into his newly tailored suit, that was not just attire but armor for the evening ahead.
The suit was a masterpiece of tailoring, a garment that not only adorned his form and accentuated his burgdening muscles on his small, yet growing, frame. Lassim himself stood at a surprising 146cm, which is quite remarkable for only being 8 years old.
The base of the outfit was a rich, deep forest green, a color that paid homage to the Rohese family's affinity with the earth element. It enveloped him like the embrace of ancient woods, the fabric luxurious yet dignified, embodying the essence of nature that the Rohese were renowned for.
Contrasting brilliantly against the green were the fire red embellishments that adorned the suit's edges and cuffs, a vibrant testament to the Vanthar family's fire spirited legacy. These flashes of red mirrored the flickering of flames, a nod to the fiery determination and passion that the Vanthars brought to their war endeavors. It was a visual representation of Lassim's unique heritage, where the calm of the earth met the intensity of fire, much like the fact that he was the sole owner dual elemental spirits. The colors were flattering to his lightly tanned skin.
Speaking of his twin elements, his grandmother had added two pins on the collar of his suit, on the left hand side was a sapphire-like azure stone cut into the shape of a water droplet and set into a silver casing along it's edges. On the right hand side was an amethyst-like purple stone cut into the shape of a lightning bolt and set into a gold casing along it's edges. These two accessories brought attention to his slowly maturing face and jet black hair that had now slowly grown to now be neck length. If it was back at the Vanthar estate, his mother surely would've cut it for him a month ago.
On the suit, the Rohese family sigil, intricate and elegant, was carefully embroidered over the heart, its golden and emerald green threads catching the light and drawing the eye along it's borders. This sigil was rendered with such precision that it seemed to pulse with life on the rich fabric of the suit.
On the opposite side, the Vanthar family sigil found its place, equally prominent and crafted with fiery red and gold threads. It stood as a bold declaration of Lassim's ties to the Vanthar, its design speaking of strength and resilience, of a family unafraid to forge its path through the world.
Together, these elements created a noble outfit that was much more than mere clothing. It was a declaration of Lassim's identity, a visual symphony of his heritage. Wearing it, Lassim felt a sense of belonging to both families. It bolstered the confidence gleaming from his hazel eyes underneath his slightly bushy eyebrows.
They prepared to step into the party, Elisa Rohese at his side as a guide through the labyrinth of social intricacies and power.
As he prepared to step into the grand hall, Lassim felt the weight and warmth of his tailored suit. Tonight, he was not just a student or a grandson; he was not just Lassim Vanthar, but also a Rohese. A young man born of blood from two noble and prestigious families, ready to be presented to powerful individuals at his grandparent's behest.
Additionally, his fame as the first ever twin elemental spirit warrior was sure to precede him. His concern was high, knowing that he's receive an excessive amount of attention, but he knew he at least had his grandparents to rely on, should the attention be too much.
With a gentle nod from Elisa, the doors swung open, revealing a staircase that lead to a sprawling room that was the heart of the gathering. The air was thick with the hum of conversation and the subtle notes of classical music, the atmosphere electric.
At their entrance, a butler stepped forward, his posture impeccable, his voice resonating with a clear, commanding tone. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please," he announced, silencing the room as all eyes turned toward the doorway. "It is my distinct honor to introduce a distinguished member of our esteemed Rohese lineage—Young Master Lassim, accompanied by Lady Elisa Rohese."
The announcement hung in the air, a palpable shift in the atmosphere as whispers and curious glances filled the space. Lassim, guided by Elisa's confident presence, stepped into the massive event hall at the stop of the stairway.
Upon reaching the base of the stairs, they paused for a brief moment, allowing the assembled guests to take in the sight of the young master, adorned in a suit that spoke of his unique heritage and the dual legacy he carried forward. This pause was not merely a break in movement but a powerful statement—Lassim, under the watchful eye of Lady Elisa, was not just arriving; he was emerging, stepping into a role with the family.
With a final, reassuring glance from his grandmother, they stepped together into the event hall towards his grandfather whom he'd spotted during their descent.