The International Supernatural Community Convention had progressed smoothly for the first week. Delegates marveled at the blend of cultures represented in the floating island's design and praised Raizer Phoenix for his vision. It was shaping up to be one of the most successful diplomatic events in supernatural history, with leaders forging connections and laying the groundwork for future alliances.
But peace and harmony are fleeting, especially when devils are involved.
On the seventh evening of the convention, a problem arose—one that could threaten everything Raizer had worked so hard to achieve.
The Incident
The luxurious banquet hall was alive with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Delegates mingled freely, enjoying the evening's festivities. Among the crowd was Meihua, the granddaughter of Elder Longwei, the respected representative of the Dragon Clans of China.
Meihua, a graceful young dragon in her human form, was the picture of elegance. Dressed in a flowing emerald gown that shimmered with scales reminiscent of her true form, she drew attention wherever she went. Her beauty and poise captivated many, but it was her sharp wit and intelligence that earned her admiration from those who engaged her in conversation.
Unfortunately, not all admiration was respectful.
A devil heir, drunk on both alcohol and his own arrogance, cornered Meihua near one of the grand hall's intricately carved pillars. He was the son of House Astaroth, a family notorious for their entitlement and lack of decorum.
"You're far too stunning to be wasting your time with these dull conversations," he slurred, his tone oozing condescension. "Why don't you let me show you a real devil's hospitality?"
Meihua's eyes narrowed. "I'd rather not. Please excuse me."
As she tried to walk away, the devil heir grabbed her wrist. "Oh, come now. Don't be so cold. We could have some fun, you and I."
"Unhand me," Meihua hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut steel.
The commotion drew the attention of nearby delegates, who quickly realized the severity of the situation. The murmurs spread like wildfire, and before long, the incident reached the ears of Raizer Phoenix.
Raizer Steps In
Raizer arrived at the scene swiftly, his golden eyes scanning the gathered crowd before locking onto the devil heir and Meihua. The tension in the room was palpable, and the air seemed to grow heavier as Raizer approached.
"What's going on here?" Raizer's calm voice cut through the noise like a blade, silencing the whispers instantly.
Meihua, her composure shaken but not broken, turned to Raizer. "This man," she began, her voice steady despite the situation, "thought it acceptable to harass me."
The devil heir, realizing too late who had arrived, stumbled over his words. "I… I didn't mean anything by it! Just a harmless joke, Lord Phoenix!"
Raizer's gaze darkened, his expression turning icy. "A joke?" His voice remained calm, but the undertone of authority made even the most confident delegates step back. "Grabbing someone against their will isn't a joke. It's an insult—to her, to her family, and to this convention."
The devil heir's bravado crumbled under Raizer's piercing glare. "I-I didn't mean—"
"Silence," Raizer interrupted, his tone final. He turned to Meihua, his expression softening slightly. "Are you alright?"
Meihua nodded, though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her lingering discomfort. "I'm fine now, thanks to your timely arrival."
Raizer's gaze returned to the devil heir, his aura radiating authority. "You've not only disrespected a delegate of the Dragon Clans but also violated the guidelines of this event. Such behavior will not be tolerated."
The Punishment
Without hesitation, Raizer called for security—an elite team of devils and magical constructs tasked with maintaining order on the island. They arrived promptly, their presence adding weight to Raizer's authority.
"This man," Raizer said, gesturing to the devil heir, "is to be escorted off the island immediately. His invitation is revoked, and his family will receive formal notice of his actions. House Astaroth will also face sanctions for failing to instill proper conduct in their heir."
The crowd gasped at the decisiveness of Raizer's judgment. In devil society, public punishment of a noble heir was almost unheard of. But Raizer wasn't concerned with tradition—he was concerned with justice.
The devil heir sputtered, trying to protest. "You can't do this! My family—"
"Your family should have taught you better," Raizer said coldly. "Take him away."
The security team dragged the disgraced heir out of the hall, his protests fading into the distance.
Raizer turned to the gathered crowd, his expression firm. "Let this serve as a reminder: this event is a place of respect and unity. Anyone who violates those principles will face the consequences—regardless of their status."
The crowd erupted into applause, their respect for Raizer growing even stronger.
Elder Longwei's Gratitude
After the incident, Elder Longwei approached Raizer, his golden robes flowing behind him. His ancient eyes, usually calm and calculating, were filled with genuine gratitude.
"Lord Phoenix," Longwei began, inclining his head, "you have my deepest thanks for your swift and decisive action. My granddaughter's honor is not something I take lightly."
Raizer returned the bow respectfully. "Elder Longwei, it was the least I could do. Your family is an esteemed part of this event, and I will not tolerate any disrespect toward you or your kin."
Longwei studied Raizer for a moment before nodding. "You are a man of principle, Raizer Phoenix. That is a rare quality among devils. My respect for you has grown tenfold."
Meihua's Perspective
Later that evening, Meihua found herself reflecting on the day's events. Seated on a balcony overlooking the floating island, she replayed the moment Raizer had stepped in to defend her. His confidence, his strength, his unwavering sense of justice—it had all left a profound impression on her.
"He's not like the others," she murmured to herself.
Devils, in her experience, were often arrogant, manipulative, and selfish. But Raizer was different. He was pragmatic yet fair, powerful yet respectful. For the first time, Meihua found herself curious about a devil—not as an adversary, but as a person.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the balcony door. She turned to see Raizer himself, standing there with his usual composed demeanor.
"May I join you?" he asked.
Meihua nodded, her heart skipping a beat.
Raizer stepped onto the balcony, leaning against the railing beside her. "I wanted to check in. How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," Meihua said, her voice steady. "Thanks to you."
Raizer glanced at her, his golden eyes thoughtful. "You didn't deserve what happened today. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Meihua smiled faintly. "You handled it perfectly. Most devils would have brushed it off, but you… you made it clear that such behavior has no place here."
Raizer smirked slightly. "Let's just say I have no patience for entitled brats."
Meihua chuckled softly. "That makes two of us."
For a moment, the two stood in comfortable silence, the gentle hum of the island's magic filling the air. Meihua found herself studying Raizer, her curiosity growing with each passing second.
"Raizer," she said hesitantly, "why do you care so much about this convention? About unity?"
Raizer's expression turned serious. "Because the supernatural world is divided. Too many factions focus on their differences instead of what they could achieve together. This convention is my way of showing that we can be stronger united than apart."
Meihua nodded, her respect for him deepening. "You're not like other devils."
Raizer chuckled. "I get that a lot."
Cliffhanger: A New Fascination
As the night deepened, Meihua couldn't shake her growing fascination with Raizer. He was everything she had been taught to distrust about devils, yet he was also so much more.
For Raizer, the incident served as a reminder of the challenges he faced in bringing the supernatural world together. But as he looked out over the floating island, he knew one thing for certain: he would not let prejudice or arrogance derail his vision.
The seeds of change had been planted—and they were beginning to take root.
This chapter showcases Raizer's decisive handling of a serious issue, highlighting his leadership qualities while introducing Meihua's growing fascination with him. Let me know if you'd like any further adjustments!