The morning sun had barely risen when Aryan was summoned to his father's office. The summons was unexpected; usually, his father left him to his own devices, rarely interrupting his intense training sessions. Intrigued, Aryan made his way through the grand hallways of the mansion, his mind racing with possibilities.
When Aryan entered the office, he found his father, Richard, sitting behind his massive oak desk, reviewing a stack of documents. The man looked up, his stern expression softening ever so slightly at the sight of his son.
"Aryan," Richard began, his tone firm yet cordial, "you are to attend a banquet tomorrow."
"A banquet?" Aryan repeated, a hint of surprise in his voice. It was not the kind of thing he had expected, especially considering how focused he had been on his training. Social events were the furthest thing from his mind.
"Yes, a birthday banquet for the Duke's daughter from the neighbouring empire," his father continued, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. "We have good relations with the Duke's family, and given that she is of the same age as you, it is only fitting that you attend."
Aryan's surprise deepened. He had heard of the Duke and his family but had never met them. The idea of attending a banquet, mingling with nobles, and engaging in small talk felt strangely out of place in the current phase of his life, where his focus was solely on mastering the divine weapons and enhancing his powers.
Still, Aryan kept his composure. He nodded, acknowledging his father's instructions. "I understand. I'll be ready to depart tomorrow morning."
Richard gave a slight nod of approval, his eyes searching Aryan's for any sign of hesitation. "Good. Remember, this is an important event. It's not just about celebrating a birthday; it's also about maintaining the bonds between our families. Conduct yourself appropriately."
"I will, Father," Aryan replied, maintaining a calm exterior, though his thoughts were anything but serene.
As Aryan left the office, his mind churned with complaints. *Why me?* he thought, a tinge of frustration bubbling up. *Isn't this something that should have been informed earlier?* The suddenness of it all was unsettling. He had been so engrossed in his training, so focused on honing his skills, that the idea of attending a social gathering seemed almost foreign.
Yet, Aryan knew better than to let his frustrations show. He had learned long ago to keep his emotions in check, to present a composed front no matter the situation. After all, his father's expectations were clear, and the last thing Aryan wanted was to disappoint him.
As he walked through the mansion's corridors, Aryan took a deep breath, trying to quell his irritation. *Maybe it's not such a bad thing,* he thought, attempting to console himself. *It's a good opportunity to see the outside world, to gauge the strength of others, and perhaps even to gather some useful information.*
The more he thought about it, the more Aryan began to see the potential benefits of attending the banquet. He had been cooped up in the mansion for so long, focusing solely on his training. A change of scenery, and a chance to observe the world outside, might do him some good.
By the time Aryan reached his chambers, his initial frustration had subsided, replaced by a sense of cautious anticipation. He would attend the banquet, as his father had asked, and he would use the opportunity to his advantage. After all, in a world where power and influence were everything, every interaction counted.
The rest of the day passed in a blur as Aryan prepared for the journey. He chose his attire carefully, opting for something that was both elegant and practical—clothing that befitted his status yet allowed for ease of movement, just in case the need for it arose. He also made sure to pack a few essentials, including some items that would help him continue his training during his stay in the Duke's territory.
As evening fell, Aryan stood by the window of his chamber, gazing out at the darkening sky. Tomorrow would bring a new experience, one that he had not anticipated. But Aryan was no stranger to the unexpected. He had faced challenges far greater than a mere social event, and he was confident in his ability to navigate whatever came his way.
With a final glance at the setting sun, Aryan turned away from the window and began his nightly meditation, clearing his mind of any lingering doubts. The banquet was a diversion from his training, but it was one he would approach with the same focus and determination that had guided him thus far.
As Aryan slipped into a deep meditative state, he prepared himself mentally for the days ahead. Whatever awaited him at the Duke's banquet, he would be ready. And perhaps, just perhaps, he might find something there that would further his goals, something that would bring him one step closer to mastering the path he had chosen.
The morning would come soon enough, and with it, a new journey.