That evening, as night fell, William lay in his cradle, alone in the room.
"Will you really be going to the ceremony?"
"Yes," William answered confidently, his voice calm.
"But how? I told you your parents wouldn't take you to such a boring event."
"I know," William replied, his calmness unwavering.
["SO HOW WILL YOU GO "]
"My dear brother will take me."
["NO ! YOU EVIL BASTARD ! DON'T MAKE THAT ADORABLE CHILD YOUR SCAPEGOAT !"]
"I'm not making him a scapegoat. I just want to spend some time with my brother."
Their argument was cut short by the sound of the door creaking open. William quickly closed his eyes.
Baroness Mowbray entered, flanked by several maids. She approached William.
"Stay with the young master. Don't leave him alone until I return," she ordered the maids.
The maids bowed in affirmation.
"[WAIT … SHE'S NOT STAYING ?"] Wiz asked.
"No, of course not."
["WHY ?"]
"Didn't I tell you? Every prominent noble is invited to the ceremony, and Baroness Mowbray, being the lady of the Mowbray Barony, must attend."
She gently kissed William on the forehead and left the room, the maids following close behind.
"So, back to our previous topic… Why are you so sure that Jack would come to see you?" Wiz asked.
"Because he's a caring brother. He'll check on me."
Just then, the door opened again, and Jack entered the room.
He wore a sharp suit, black with a red-striped tie—clearly expensive. He quietly approached William as though trying not to disturb his fragile sleep. Leaning down, he whispered softly, "Have sweet dreams, William."
Suddenly, William opened his sapphire-blue eyes.
["DON'T DO IT ."]
William fixed his gaze on Jack and raised his arm, a silent plea to be picked up.
Jack sighed but complied, lifting William from the cradle.
"I take my words back. He doesn't learn from his mistakes," Wiz muttered.
After a moment, Jack tried to place William back in his cradle.
["DON'T YOU DARE."]
William began to cry.
Jack immediately picked him up again, and the crying ceased. "Why do you always do this to me, William?" Jack asked, .
"I can't be late for the ceremony. I'll be scolded if I am. I can't leave William here. Guess I'll have to take him with me."
He quickly wrote a note: "I'm taking William with me to the ceremony. Jack de' Medici."
Leaving the note on the table, Jack left the room, William still cradled in his arms.
Soon, they reached the grand doors of the ceremony hall. The dark brown wood gleamed under the light. The guards bowed and opened the door for him.
Jack entered, and the sheer grandeur of the hall left William in awe. It was massive, elegant, and filled with high-class nobles and statesmen.
A voice called out to Jack.
"Hey, Jack, over here!"
Three children, all around five years old, waved eagerly. Jack approached them, still holding William. Among them were two boys and one girl.
One boy looked at William curiously. "Jack, is he your brother?"
"Yes."
"Can I hold him?"
"You may not."
"Why not?"
"He doesn't like being held by strangers."
"What? I'm not a stranger!"
William gazed at the boy, then whispered inwardly, Dark red hair, blue eyes… He's the son and heir of Count Drakemont of the West—Arthur Drakemont. He'll grow into a talented young man, but that's not important right now.
The girl, gently stroking William's hair, cooed, "He's so beautiful. What's his name?"
"His name is William."
William glanced at the pink-haired girl, her touch soft on his hair. She's the daughter of Count Capet—Ana Capet. Their family is famous for producing geniuses in the academy.
His gaze shifted to the black-haired boy with large glasses. Luke Wintermere, William thought. Son of Count Wintermere. The Wintermere family may hold a viscountcy, but they stand on equal footing with other western families due to their scholars and statesmen. The current Prime Minister is from their family.
"Don't you think William will be bored here?" Luke asked, glancing at the baby.
"Yeah, why bring him to a ceremony?" Arthur added, frowning.
"He's my brother. I can bring him anywhere I want," Jack replied with a shrug.
"Hey! Don't act all cocky, Jack, just because you're the first to break through among us," Arthur teased.
"Well, I was told I'm a genius," Jack replied, smirking.
"[HAHA , LOOKS LIKE BEING COCKY IS YOUR FAMILY TRAIT ]."
"Guys, stop arguing!" Ana exclaimed, her voice sweet but firm.
William turned his head and noticed his mother speaking with Countess Capet. As the countess left, Amanda caught William's gaze. She smiled softly and began walking toward them.
William giggled, his excitement palpable.
"Do you like being here, William?" Jack asked, glancing toward his mother. When he saw her approaching, he flinched.
Arthur grinned mischievously. "Don't tell me you didn't ask for permission, Jack?"
"Nope," Jack admitted, sweating nervously.
"Well, he's your brother. You can take him anywhere," Arthur teased again.
"Shut up," Jack muttered, his face flushed.
Amanda finally reached them. "What is William doing here, Jack?" she asked gently, smiling.
"Mom, I went to see William, and he wouldn't let go of me. But I left a note this time," Jack explained quickly.
"It's alright, Jack," Amanda said warmly, smiling as she took William from Jack's arms.
"Good evening. You look exceptionally beautiful, my lady," Arthur said, bowing with exaggerated politeness.
"Oh my, thank you, Young Lord Drakemont. You've grown into quite the handsome young man," Amanda teased lightly.
Arthur's ears turned bright red, while Luke and Ana giggled.
They exchanged pleasantries, and Amanda responded to each greeting warmly.
"Take care of Jack," she said softly before turning to leave.
William clung to her tightly as she moved toward Edgar. When Edgar saw William, he smiled, a tender expression on his face. So, William is here too? he thought, wrapping his arm around Amanda as they walked together, looking like a picture-perfect couple.
Their moment of peace was interrupted by a voice behind them.
"Good evening, my lady. You are radiant as always." It was James, Edgar's secretary, bowing as he took Amanda's hand in greeting. But he stopped midway, suddenly sensing a heavy pressure in the air.
He looked up and saw Edgar's icy glare. Edgar's hand subtly moved toward his weapon.
"Oh! My lord is here as well. I didn't notice you," James stammered, his tone nervous.
The tension from Edgar intensified.
"I... I just remembered something. I must take my leave," James said hastily, his voice shaking. "Goodbye, my lord, my lady."
With that, James left in a hurry, his face pale.
Amanda chuckled softly, resting her head on Edgar's arm. "He doesn't seem like that hostile child who entered the mansion eight years ago."
Edgar smiled, his expression warm. "Shall we greet the guests, my lady?"
Amanda chuckled again, nodding. "Yes, my lord."
They moved through the room, stopping to greet several guests. First, three men—one with red hair, one with black, and one with brown—who greeted them respectfully.
"Count Drakemont, Count Capet, and Viscount Wintermere of the West," William thought. Though they're influential families, they have no competition with each other. In fact, they're close-knit. Third eye. Their levels are no more than 60. Expected, considering their lack of specialization in combat.
William's attention shifted to two men talking: one with blue hair and purple eyes, the other with golden hair and eyes. Count Archy and Marquess Valois, William mused. The Medici, Valois, and Archy families control the nobility in the capital they are more influential than other noble families except for the Duchy of Milan, which stands on equal footing with the royal family.
[HEY , WILLIAM] ,"
Wiz's voice cut through his thoughts.
[THAT BLUE -HAIRED MAN LOOKS FAMILIAR].
"Yes, he does," William thought. "He's the father of the female lead, who will later be William's fiancée."
William's gaze wandered to his parents, who were now talking to a middle-aged man with ginger hair and a large beard. Marquis Ironhart, William whispered. Ironhart is one of the four families that govern the West, though he's not on good terms with the others. Third eye. His level is 80. Not surprising for a family that specializes in battle.
The couple was soon joined by the Duke of Bavaria, a dignified man with gray hair and black eyes.
"Good evening, my lord and lady. I would have greeted my lady in the typical manner, but I've heard Lord Medici is quite possessive of his wife," the Duke said with a smile.
Edgar shook his hand and replied, "Thank you for coming, Duke of Bavaria. Please, don't worry about it. Your generosity is what matters most."
Before they could continue, a voice rang out, calling for the ceremony to begin.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome!" James's voice echoed from a raised platform. "Tonight, we congratulate the young master on his breakthrough."
The crowd cheered.
"As is tradition, a sparring match will take place between two lords to show the young mystic the majesty of essence Who would be a better candidate than Lord Medici for our first match?"
"What about Lord Archy?" someone from the crowd shouted.
"Not a bad suggestion," James grinned. "Their levels are the same."
"Would you like to spar with Lord Medici, my lord?" he asked.
"It would be my honor," Count Archy replied, smiling. "If Lord Medici agrees."
"It will be my honor, my lord," Edgar said,
[HA HA HA A FIGHT BETWEEN YOUR FATHER AND FATHER IN LAW ]
[HMMMM , INTERESTING. ]
After a while, both lords were standing face to face in an arena surrounded by nobles. They were both dressed in light armor. Edgar glanced at Amanda and smiled slightly. William observed Edgar and Lord Archy closely. "Third Eye," William whispered.
STATUS WINDOW!
NAME: MELIOS ARCHY ESSENCE
LEVEL: 71 WATER
RACE: Human
AGE: 35
STATS
HP: 7295/7295
ESSENCE: 10600/10800
STRENGTH: 7200
AGILITY: 7200
INTELLIGENCE: 140
DURABILITY: 7200
SKILLS : TIDAL SLASH
AQUEOUS SHEILD
RAIN OF DAGGERS.
HYDRO CANON.
OCEANIC WRATH.
WHIRLPOOL BIND
TRIDENT OF SEA KING.
DOMAIN OF SEA KING.
"Hello, hello, and hello, ladies and gentlemen!" A booming voice silenced the murmurs of the nobles, their attention snapping to the center of the arena.
"I, the Duke of Bavaria, will serve as the referee for today's spar!" he announced, his voice rich with authority. "With me overseeing this match, there will be no cheating." He paused dramatically, casting a sly glance at his secretary. "Oh my, aren't I looking particularly dashing today?" he murmured with a wink, eliciting a few stifled chuckles from the crowd.
"Now, let's go over the rules!" the Duke continued, his tone lighthearted yet commanding. "First, no use of domains, essence weapons, prisons, or heavy attacks. The participants may only utilize two skills, and they can choose one weapon from the selection we've provided. And lastly…" He chuckled, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Please, try not to hurt each other too much!"
William, standing among the onlookers, shifted his gaze to the Duke. "The Duke of Bavaria… he's reached level 80," William muttered, his tone a mix of respect and curiosity. "Despite his quirky personality, he's one of the strongest individuals in the empire."
[INDEED, HE IS STRONG, BUT I DO NOT LIKE HIS PERSONALITY.]
A voice echoed in William's mind—Wiz, his ever-sarcastic companion.
William smirked. "Really? But doesn't his personality match yours perfectly?"
[WHAT NONSENSE ARE YOU SPEAKING, WILLIAM?] Wiz snapped, bristling at the comparison.
"I mean, he's noble, confident, and cool, just like you."
[HUMPH. MY PERSONALITY IS FAR SUPERIOR TO HIS.]
William chuckled quietly, his gaze drifting to his father and Count Archy, who were now stepping into the arena.
Count Archy had chosen a longsword as his weapon, its polished blade gleaming under the sunlight. His opponent, Marquis Medici, opted for a bow and three arrows, his stance poised and calculated.
The Duke raised his hand, his aura flaring slightly as a massive shield of essence materialized around the arena, shimmering like a translucent dome. "Let the show begin!" he declared, his voice booming across the crowd.
The tension in the arena thickened as the match officially commenced. Edgar turned to Count Archy, his cyan essence beginning to shimmer faintly.
"Are you ready, my lord?" Edgar asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Count Archy chuckled lightly, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Please, Edgar, go easy on me."
The two locked eyes, their expressions calm but determined. The crowd leaned forward in their seats, eager for the clash that was about to unfold.
Edgar smirked, his confidence unshaken. "I'll try my best, my lord," he said, tossing his bow and arrows high into the air. His entire body began to glow with a cyan aura as he infused it with his essence, the energy swirling like flames around him. Across the arena, Melios's own essence flared, a brilliant blue light enveloping him like a protective shield.
"Feet of Hermes," Edgar whispered, his voice barely audible over the roaring energy.
With a sharp "Fush", Edgar vanished, leaving behind a faint gust of wind. He reappeared instantly behind Melios, his foot slicing through the air in a devastating kick aimed at Melios's head. But Melios's reflexes were razor-sharp. He twisted, raising his sword just in time to block the strike, the clang of contact echoing through the arena.
Edgar vanished again, reappearing above Melios with his leg descending like an axe. Melios rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the blow as Edgar's kick smashed into the ground, cracking the stone beneath him. Without missing a beat, Edgar used the momentum to spin on one hand, his legs whirling in a blur. A sharp kick connected with Melios's gut, sending him hurtling backward through the air like a ragdoll.
The exchange was so lightning-fast that no one below level 50 could comprehend what was happening. To them, it was a blur of cyan and blue, punctuated by shockwaves and the sharp clash of energy.
As Melios struggled to stabilize himself midair, Edgar leaped upward, catching his bow and arrows still tumbling through the sky. His movements were fluid and calculated, like a predator toying with its prey.
William, watching from the sidelines with his third eye, murmured, "Incredible... such precision and speed."
Melios landed on his feet, skidding across the ground. He clutched his stomach, his expression twisted in pain. "That kick hurt, Edgar," he admitted, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth.
Edgar smiled, his tone almost mocking. "My apologies, Melios. I didn't mean to hold back."
Raising his bow, Edgar nocked three arrows, each one glowing faintly with green light as his essence coursed through them. He snapped his fingers, and the arrows blazed brighter, their glow intensifying. "Let's see how you handle this."
He released the arrows, and they streaked through the air, leaving trails of green light. Before they could reach Melios, Edgar snapped his fingers again, and the arrows split into dozens of glowing projectiles, all homing in on Melios.
But Melios wasn't fazed. He smirked and whispered, "Rain of Daggers."
The moisture in the air around him shimmered, condensing into countless dagger-like droplets. With a sharp snap of his fingers, the water daggers shot forward in a deadly barrage, meeting Edgar's arrows head-on. The two attacks collided, the arrows and daggers exploding into bursts of energy and water, filling the arena with a thick cloud of dust.
As the dust settled, Edgar was revealed standing amidst the chaos, a shimmering barrier of wind swirling protectively around him. "Wind Shield," he said with a grin, his voice calm despite the intensity of the battle.
Melios's eyes narrowed as he sensed movement behind him. Reacting instinctively, he spun around and caught an arrow mere inches from his face. The force of the arrow burned against his palm as he snapped it in two, tossing the pieces to the ground.
"You're fast," Melios admitted, his tone calm but his eyes sharp. "But let's see if you can keep up with this."
Melios raised his sword, essence crackling around him like a storm. The arena air grew heavier as the water daggers still hovering around him multiplied, forming a swirling wall of liquid blades. With a roar, he directed them toward Edgar, the blades forming a deadly spiral.
Edgar dashed forward, dodging each attack with impossible speed, his Feet of Hermes making him a blur. He weaved through the onslaught, the daggers grazing him but unable to slow his momentum. He leapt high, firing another volley of arrows mid-air. This time, they exploded into a green mist that temporarily blinded Melios.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Edgar reappeared beside Melios, his leg striking with a roundhouse kick. Melios blocked with his sword but staggered from the impact. Edgar pressed his advantage, launching a series of rapid kicks and punches, each infused with cyan energy.
Melios countered with his blade, parrying and striking in equal measure. The two fighters moved so quickly that the arena seemed frozen in time to the spectators, save for the shockwaves and flashes of blue and green essence.
"You're better than I expected," Melios admitted between strikes. "But this is far from over."
He raised his hand, and a massive wave of water surged from the ground, crashing toward Edgar like a tsunami.
Edgar planted his feet, his Wind Shield expanding to meet the attack. The water slammed into the barrier, the two forces clashing in a fierce struggle. Edgar gritted his teeth, pouring more essence into his shield until the wave dissipated.
Melios took the opportunity to close the gap, his sword descending in a powerful arc. Edgar sidestepped, the blade missing him by inches. Using his speed, he slipped behind Melios and delivered a spinning kick to his back, sending him stumbling forward.
"Enough games," Edgar said, his voice cold.
He vanished again, reappearing above Melios with his bow drawn. A single arrow, glowing brighter than ever, was nocked. The air around it warped from the sheer power.
Melios raised his sword, summoning his strongest water shield, a massive dome of swirling liquid. "Let's see you break this!"
Edgar smirked, releasing the arrow. It streaked toward the shield, piercing it with ease and shattering it in an explosion of water and light. The force knocked Melios off balance, leaving him open.
In a flash, Edgar appeared in front of him, his glowing fist slamming into Melios's chest. The impact shattered Melios's essence like glass, the blue aura dissipating as he crumpled to his knees.
The crowd fell silent as Edgar stepped back, lowering his bow. He looked down at Melios with a faint smirk. "A good fight," he said, his tone almost kind. "But you should've known—I never lose."
Melios, gasping for breath, managed a faint smile. "Next time… I'll be faster."
Edgar nodded before turning to the roaring crowd, raising his bow in victory as the arena erupted in cheers.
[YOUR FATHER DEFEATED YOUR FUTURE FATHER-IN-LAW. WHAT A SIGHT.]
[BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT, THEY WERE EXTREMELY POWERFUL DESPITE USING ONLY ONE ATTACK SKILL.]
[SO, WILLIAM, HOW WOULD YOU COMPETE WITH THEM?]
"I have something that everyone except me lacks," William said calmly. "And that is—"
[ME!] Wiz interrupted.
William smirked. "I know the future."
[WAIT! I THOUGHT IT WAS ME!] Wiz exclaimed indignantly.
William looked at Wiz, smiling gently.
[DON'T GIVE ME THAT LOOK, YOU BASTARD!]
Suddenly, William's eyes turned toward JACK. Jack's eyes sparkled with admiration and excitement as he watched the fight.
Edgar walked toward James and gently tapped him on the head. "Did you understand the marvel of essence, young mystic?" he asked kindly.
Jack nodded in affirmation, his expression serious.
Edgar smiled. "Best of luck, my dear child."
William observed the interaction when he felt the presence of someone behind him. Turning slightly, he saw a man with golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes standing next to Amanda.
"You are looking beautiful as usual, my lady," the man said with a charming smile.