Niveus was not sure who 'Luke' was. However, he did recognize 'Clerio' and 'Rand' in his name.
Similarly to Eliana, Luke had his 'progenitor' name after his first name and before his house name.
Eliana Eos Solias. Luke Clerio Rand.
Eos was the name of the progenitor of House Solias, also known as the House of Phoenix. It was called so because Solias's ancestor was the Undying Phoenix, Eos.
Meanwhile, Clerio was the name of the Primordial Dragon Clerio, the progenitor of House Rand, also known as the House of Dragon.
This naming system was used by the people of the Carissa Empire.
Besides their naming system, their concept of 'magic' was actually limited, like Elves from Sylvaria. In fact, it was not right to call it magic.
Their power came from the bloodline they carried.
Like Eliana, who carried the Phoenix's bloodline, she was able to control the fire element, one of Eos's traits. Besides that, she also possessed a significant trait that symbolized a Phoenix, which was immortality.
Moreover, when she was awakened as an Ascendant, her traits were converted to Boons, allowing her to practically jump to Eighth Class for possessing two Boons.
[Phoenix Flame] and [Perfect Magic Manipulation]. These two were derived from Eliana's trait that allowed her to control fire. Meanwhile, her immortality trait was converted to Redux Skill [Phoenix's Blessing].
Nonetheless, she was still required to complete the first and second Ascension Trance, which augmented her physical aspects.
Of course, neither the person in question nor Niveus was aware of that fact.
What about Luke?
When Niveus was taking a look at Luke's information, he did not find something unusual in it. An ordinary 6th Class Ascendant with a three-boon Forte that seemed to not reflect his Dragon's bloodline power.
His one and only Redux Skill [Dragon Aura] was something that other Dragon-bloodliners possessed.
Pushing aside these thoughts, Niveus refocused on the golden door standing five meters tall before him.
The door was made of steel materials and layered with magic-enhanced materials extracted from Monolith's monster essences. It was embellished with a carving of the sun that seemed to illuminate its surface.
"Hey, are you not going to take your mask off? It's not a masquerade party."
A noble from a neighboring country spoke to Niveus when the Herald was about to announce their arrival at the grand banquet.
As if he had been expecting someone to point it out, Niveus smirked and brought his hand to his mask.
He waited for the right moment to unveil his face, and when he did, a collective of surprised gasps was heard throughout the hall.
...
The Herald announced several names of the neighboring countries' Dukes and Duchess...
When the names of the neighboring high-ranking nobles were called, people reacted considerately. No overexcitement that would make the grand hall roar.
"The Young Lord and Young Lady, representative of the noble House of Goetha, Kevin Goetha and Seele Goetha, has arrived in the Hall of Sun!"
However, it was different when the Goetha twins joined in the occasion. They received the attention they deserved, prompting the opportunists to crowd around them.
Seele was actively engaging with the leechers while wearing her proud yet clumsy aristocratic mask. If people were keen enough, they would notice the occasional smirk and grin as if mocking them down from Seele.
Alas, they were only opportunistic leechers.
But not every opportunist was trying their luck with Goetha. Some were waiting for their biggest rival...
"The Young Lord, representative of the noble House of Albus, Niveus Albus, has arrived in the Hall of Sun!"
People were expectant of the Albus because of their strength and standing within Chrysantheus. Not to mention their next head was one of the spearheads acknowledged by Alliance, Starling Albus.
She attended the last occasion but people were not able to gain a connection with Albus.
Initially, those people attended in the hope of seeing Starling again. However, when the Herald announced another name unfamiliar to their ears, they were left confused.
Niveus Albus? Who?
At the very least, if Starling was not attending, they were expecting her little brother, Edward Albus. But instead of two known names, it was someone else.
Murmurs and whispers of confusion erupted in the Hall of Sun even before the person in question entered.
However, once a figure with snow-white hair stepped into the grand hall, everyone was frozen instantly.
Two gleamed golden orbs naturally grabbed everyone's attention. Then, the charming face that could be mistaken for an Elf was pulling their eyes again when they tried to look another way.
The proportions of Niveus's face and body were, fortunately, sympathized with each other. His more masculine features were not out of match with his rather small and delicate body.
Niveus was afraid that the face would be more mature because Violet said it would turn him into a hot guy. Thankfully, that was not the case.
"T-that's a human...?"
"Unbelievable..."
Male-sounding voices expressed their amazement, envy, and jealousy.
"Oh my..."
"What is his name again? Niveus Albus?"
"Is the Young Lord still single?"
Meanwhile, female-sounding voices expressed their admiration, adoration, and interest.
Niveus was receiving silent but sharp gazes coming from all directions, yet he did not flinch. Although not as good as Seele's, he could easily determine the meaning from the respective gazes.
They were trying to intimidate him. Simultaneously, they thought it was a chance. A chance to finally gain a connection with Albus through a fresh face.
By now, they had already realized who Niveus was.
The person from the rumor.
A northern kid who was adopted and turned out to become the strongest knight at a young age.
'Are they afraid? Well, it's better for me this way.'
Just as Niveus thought like that, the Herald announced several names, pulling the guests' attention from him entirely.
It went well without commotion, just like how they welcomed the other Duke-ranked nobles from neighboring countries.
However, when the last guest's name of the Grand Banquet was announced, the grand hall erupted with shock, murmurs, cheers, and applause.
The Herald had arranged his announcement differently from how he announced the arrival of other nobles.
It was as if the last guest's stature was higher than even the Queen of the Kingdom.
Because it was.
"... The Young Dragon, Luke Clerio Rand! May his presence bless us!"
If it was any other noble, like a Prince, or even a Ruler of another Kingdom, the guests would not have hesitated to swarm him immediately upon his arrival.
But when one talked about someone from a dignified and majestic family, they would not even dare to stare at the Young Dragon from the imperial family.
All the guests, including the 'VIPs' who seemed not to realize the person in question's identity, had their bodies bent and heads bowed.
'How could anyone realize when he deliberately hid his presence?'
Luke had hidden his presence when he was outside, making people not notice he was even there. However, Niveus could still spot him because he sensed the aura leaking from Luke.
It was faint, and most people would have missed it.
But it was not the case for Niveus, or precisely for Nono.
While he was bowing and thinking about Luke's aura and presence, he could not help but think of the Kingslayer, Karan.
'That person did it perfectly.'
...
Aurum could hear the excitement in the grand hall beyond the huge door in front of her as the Herald announced the names of 'VIP' guests.
Her expressions were everchanging.
She would wear a neutral, poker face when nobles and royalties from neighboring countries were announced. She would smile when she heard Goetha was called. Then, she would soon frown as if questioning something when it was Albus's turn. Lastly, she beamed when the Young Dragon's name was pronounced.
Feeling a tap on her shoulder, she turned and lifted her face to see her mother's face.
A warm and reassuring smile exuded from the Queen's face, encouraging the anxious yet excited Princess.
Soon, Aurum replied with a nod and smile, looking determined.
Turning her face forward, Aurum took a deep breath and patted her chest.
'I'm not sure if what I was seeing back then was an illusion or not, but after talking it out with Mother...'
She knew what she must do to ensure everything was fine.