The bright day had quietly passed, and night had fallen. It was now 8 p.m., with clear skies and a full moon surrounded by twinkling stars in the darkness.
Throughout the day, Victor had been training, getting used to the destructive power of the Sage realm.
In the original plot, he had a natural talent for both comprehension and magic, but his tendency to party and waste time led to his potential being squandered. Now, with his magical foundation in the Sage realm, he could finally make the most of that potential.
As for the meteorite fragment he acquired yesterday, he hadn't used it yet because it required additional items to maximize its benefits.
At this moment, he was in his car, driving alone while snacking on some light treats.
Tonight, he was dressed in an elegant black suit and pants, looking formal but stylish at the same time.
It might seem a bit childish to attend the birthday party of an 8-year-old, but the identity of Alber Sky was not something to take lightly.
Coming from the Sky family, Alber's father, Lionel Sky, was a high-ranking official of the Nine Realms guild, one of the few guilds in the England Empire that had survived for over a thousand years.
Even the Sky family's ancestors were among the guild's founders, rightful heirs to lead the guild, wielding a powerful voice in every guild decision.
With such a prominent background, the birthday celebration was sure to be grand, attracting many famous figures.
Victor, knowing the original plot, wouldn't miss this event. Moreover, there would be an incident revealing Alber Sky's special physical condition.
And of course, Leon would be involved. Victor wouldn't let that happen.
"I hope Herakles does his job well," he said, grinning.
With that, he pressed the gas pedal and sped up.
---
About 20 minutes later, Victor could see from a distance a grand estate, even spotting a golf course behind the house, brightly lit and lively. He could tell that it was the Sky residence.
As he approached the house, he stopped in front of the gate, where two elegantly dressed guards halted him.
"Your invitation letter, sir?" one of the guards asked.
The car window rolled down, and instead of handing over an invitation, Victor showed his ID card.
The guard looked closer, and their expressions were immediately filled with surprise.
"Welcome to the Sky residence, Sir Victor," he said respectfully, bowing slightly, followed by his companion.
Victor simply smiled and drove his car into the Sky family's property.
The guards remained in their respectful stance, watching Victor's black sedan from behind. For individuals of high status, Lionel Sky allowed them to attend without an invitation letter.
Victor's identity as the heir of the Archfindor family certainly met the qualifications.
After parking his car among other vehicles, Victor stepped out.
He was immediately greeted by the sight of a bustling crowd of distinguished individuals, many of whom played significant roles in the story's plot.
However, he ignored them and walked forward, intending to explore the area while finding Bob, who had supposedly arrived earlier.
He was now in the estate's front yard, which was filled with neatly arranged tables and chairs, offering a variety of foods. The vast space could easily accommodate more than 500 people, not to mention the even busier interior of the residence.
Everything here looked lavish. Ornamental trees were beautifully arranged, and several impressive buildings suggested that the preparations had taken months rather than just weeks.
Everyone appeared joyous, laughing and chatting with each other while enjoying the food and drinks.
Victor casually strolled around, occasionally sampling the dishes laid out on the tables. At this moment, he noticed a familiar figure from behind.
"That person..." he mused, narrowing his eyes and stroking his chin.
Just as he was about to approach, his steps were halted by a voice, "Hey Victor, wait for me!" exclaimed a joyful-sounding voice.
He turned to see a young man about his age, around 18 years old. Standing at about 5'9" with a chubby build, short black hair, and a round face, he was dressed in luxurious clothes that made him look like a rich kid. The young man was none other than Bob Stanley.
Victor smiled at his friend. "You look great in those clothes. Did your sister pick them out for you? I remember you were terrible at choosing outfits for important events," he teased.
"I didn't expect you to come either. Didn't you say coming here was childish?" Bob countered with a grin.
Victor didn't deny it, "Well, that was my initial thought. But there's something interesting here I couldn't pass up," he replied with a smirk.
Bob nodded and said, "Yeah, Alber Sky is a talented kid. You should build a good relationship with him, Victor. I'm sure he'll be the next leader of the Nine Realms guild. They haven't had a leader in over twenty years."
"No, he won't," Victor suddenly said.
Bob raised an eyebrow, asking, "What do you mean?"
"The one who will lead the Nine Realms guild in the future is me," Victor stated with a grin.
Bob was silent, stunned by what he had just heard. But he soon shook his head, thinking Victor was just joking.
"You seem to have changed a lot since I last saw you, Victor. But it's fine; I sense some aura and authority about you," he said, completely disregarding Victor's statement.
Victor chuckled, "Well, I meant what I said. But let's put that aside and enjoy the party," he suggested.
Bob nodded, completely forgetting Victor's earlier words, and with that, they mingled with the crowd, chatting with a few acquaintances while waiting for the event to begin.
The soft music and the lively yet peaceful atmosphere made everyone feel comfortable and glad they had come.
---
Over ten minutes passed. At this moment, Victor and Bob were standing with hundreds of others in the main hall, looking toward a platform likely meant for the host.
A tall, middle-aged man with a slightly muscular build, black hair tinged with gray at the edges, and a sturdy face, dressed in a white shirt rolled up to the elbows and black pants, was standing alongside a small boy in a full suit.
All eyes were on these two key figures of the event. They were, of course, Lionel Sky and his son, Alber Sky.
Lionel, with a calm demeanor, began speaking into the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you for taking the time to attend my son's party. I know many of you have your own commitments, but for making time to be here, I truly appreciate it," he said.
His words were met with positive responses from the crowd, prompting Lionel to continue, "The night has just begun, and so has this event. Please enjoy all the food, entertainment, and everything else that has been prepared. I don't want you to feel rushed or bored. This is a night to have fun and celebrate."
Cheers and applause filled the hall, indicating that everyone was ready to enjoy the event.
Lionel continued with a smile, "As the host, I want to introduce my son, Alber Sky. Today, he's celebrating his eighth birthday. Alber, what would you like to say to our guests?"
Alber, who had appeared a bit nervous earlier, took the microphone from his father and spoke in a steady but soft voice. "Thank you, everyone, for coming. I'm so happy to celebrate my birthday with all of you. I hope you all enjoy tonight."
Gentle laughter and applause welcomed Alber's words, making him smile widely. Lionel continued, "Now, let's start with our first entertainment. We have amazing musicians and some spectacular performances lined up for you all. Enjoy the evening, and once again, thank you for coming."
As Lionel finished speaking, music began to play, and waiters started bringing food and drinks to the tables. People began chatting more casually, some heading to the food tables, while others moved towards the entertainment areas set up for the event.
Everyone happily enjoyed the party, savoring the delicious food, refreshing drinks, and the vibrant yet calm atmosphere.
Simultaneously, a special event for children Alber's age began—gift-giving for the birthday boy. And it wasn't just the kids; many adults were also presenting birthday gifts.
Victor, of course, was no exception; he had prepared a gift for Lionel's young son. But he wasn't in a rush. At this moment, he was sitting in a chair, sipping a glass of wine. Unlike everyone else who seemed to be getting caught up in the cheerful atmosphere, his eyes kept darting around, as if searching for something.
Soon, his gaze locked onto a man in his forties, bald and dressed all in black, sitting at a table, enjoying the food.
The man didn't stand out, and his presence didn't draw any attention. But Victor knew the man's role in this event.
"Now I just need to wait," he said with a grin