Everything seemed like a slow-paced movie before Asher's eyes as he watched the beautiful woman, who was once a petite young girl, move through the crowd and take her seat at the right-hand side of her father, William Tigris. William had sons, but they were nowhere near as valuable as Liya. She was a mage with an S-grade talent and had forged an alliance between their family and the Nubis family—a feat none of his sons, who were merely swordsmen, could replicate.
Slade Nubis stood before the long desk where Liya, her father, and her brothers sat, and he bowed toward William Tigris. "Father-in-law," he chuckled. William and most nobles burst into laughter, but their mirth turned to astonishment as Slade took a beautiful golden box from a servant and presented it to the Tigris family.
Liya's ocean-blue eyes revealed hints of shock and anticipation. As her father handed the box to her, she opened it to reveal a blue gem. "It was created by the best in the capital and custom-made for a certain beautiful ice mage," Slade said with a wink.
Asher watched as Slade took the gem and placed it in the middle of Liya's palm. The moment it touched her palm, tiny chains emerged, and frost claws appeared on her fingernails. It looked like both a bracelet and a unique type of gauntlet. "With that gauntlet, your magic output will increase twofold," Slade announced.
Gasps filled the hall. Everyone could see that the item was magical and of silver rank. Silver-ranked magical items were extremely rare and about ten times more expensive than other items of the same rank because they were meant for mages.
"Flower Swordsman..."
"Commander Philip, son of General..."
After Slade sat beside Liya, other nobles came up to present gifts—some to Liya, some to Slade, some to William, and a few to his sons. After a while, it was finally Asher's turn.
"Baron Asher Ashbourne, grandson of the Winter Shura and son of the Snow Swordsman!" the announcer said loudly.
Upon hearing those names, everyone in the hall focused their attention on the man in a wheelchair being pushed by his bodyguard. No family, not even the counts, had such powerful titles. However, everyone knew those titles were befitting for the warrior nobles, the great Ashbournes, although their glory was now in the past. Asher's father, James Ashbourne, was once the Snow Swordsman. Unfortunately, after his wife died, he became useless.
When Liya saw the handsome young man in a wheelchair, her eyes trembled. Asher bowed his head and then lifted it back up. "Welcome back to the north, Liya Tigris," he said.
An undercurrent uproar spread through the nobles upon hearing the term "the north," which was once the glorious name of the wastelands. Alex walked up the stairs and placed a polished wooden box on the table.
"Couldn't you get any box other than a wooden one? Is this what the Ashbournes have been reduced to?" a noble scowled.
William Tigris peered into Asher's eyes and took the box, clearly not wanting his daughter to lay her hands on a mere piece of wood.
"Maybe we shouldn't open it in public to avoid... some problems," Slade suggested amicably.
"Why is the Duke's son helping him? We all opened our gifts in public. Since he dared to bring one, let him open it," Baron Tyre's tone dripped with venom.
William's acute hearing caught those words, and he handed the box back to Alex. "Open it."
Alex's expression changed. Handing the present back to him was a huge slap to his lord's face, done in front of several noble families. He could hear the soft giggles of noblewomen, mocking his lord.
Alex clenched his teeth.
"Alex, open it," Asher's calm voice reached his ears, causing him to reign in his anger.
As Alex opened the box, a cool breeze gushed into the room, causing people's hair to flutter gently.
Swoosh!
Chime! Chime!
Soft, soothing chimes seemed to come from the four corners of the hall. The atmosphere changed instantly, and everyone's eyes were glued to the bracelet that floated out of the wooden box, suspended midair.
"A magical item that doesn't need Magi Force to work!" Baron Flameheart gasped, his cup nearly falling from his grasp.
"It must have been locked in there for so long that it couldn't help but float out after being freed. I apologize for the inconvenience," Asher said with a bow, his words making the nobles unsure of how to feel.
Unlike Slade's silver-ranked item, Asher's gift was perfect for a woman. It was captivating and brought a certain charm that would make its wearer stand out. Many noblewomen already had a glint in their eyes.
"Close it," Asher's voice commanded, and Alex closed the box. Even he was shocked by the nature of the item his lord had brought.
A proud smile crept across his face as he descended from the platform without an ounce of respect.
Asher and Liya's eyes met, but there was no flicker in Asher's gaze. He realized something important: he was meant to be much greater than everyone here, and no heartbreak was strong enough to keep a knot in his heart. With the system, the might of the Ashbournes would return. This gift was the nudge that loosened the knot, allowing him to let go of the pain in his heart.
Even while Liya gazed at him, he maintained the same smile he had before Alex pushed him away.
...
Several young nobles and prestigious swordsmen were dancing on the dance floor with their partners. Slade and Liya occupied the middle, dazzling many. But when Liya's eyes wandered, she couldn't see those peculiar golden eyes.
The owner of those eyes was on the balcony, looking at the massive city that was still bustling even at night.
Asher squinted as he gazed down at Tiger City. In the middle of this great city stood a huge white tiger sculpture.
"Alex, do you know why the Count's family built that tiger?"