Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: New Year's Banquet
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Ian slipped his hands fully into the leather gloves under Mini's careful touch. It was all to ensure even his hair was swept back perfectly, strand by strand. He pinned the brooch that came with his uniform to his chest and glanced back.
"Ahaha. Don't I look perfect?"
"Yeah. Guess that's why they say clothes are wings."
"Lord Romandro looks a bit better than usual, too."
"Oh? Praise should come full circle—why chop it in half?"
Berik had tied back his usually tousled hair neatly and buttoned his collar all the way up. The worn scabbard at his waist stuck out awkwardly, but it didn't matter since they'd have to surrender all weapons at the hall anyway. With even Romandro dressed properly, it really hit home.
*Today's the day.*
Mini stepped around to the front with a bright smile, signaling she was done. Lady Vivianna, who had been assisting from the side, nodded in satisfaction.
"I can't believe how radiant you look."
"You're too kind, Madam."
"I mean it. You'll probably shine the brightest in the hall. I've heard the son of the Ralton Marquis is handsome, but he can't compare. Not at all."
Lady Vivianna beamed as if Ian were her own nephew, endlessly admiring his poised stance. Berik poked his head in abruptly.
"Vivianna! What about me?"
"Oh, Lord Berik, you too. You look very dashing."
"Hmm. Those words lack soul..."
"Alright, enough now. Let's hurry and head out. The carriages to the palace will be lined up. It'll be even more congested than usual, so better to go early. Besides, Ian's the star of the New Year's Banquet, isn't he? He'll have plenty of instructions to receive."
Romandro waved his hands to separate Berik and Lady Vivianna. Hasha, curled up on the sofa, grinned widely.
*-Have a good trip.*
"Yeah. We might be late, so rest up, Hasha. Berik! Let's go. Walk straight so your clothes don't wrinkle."
The three men boarded the carriage amid farewells from Lady Vivianna and Mini. Unlike usual, a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered inside.
Creak!
"See you later!"
"Vivianna, we'll be back."
"Take care. And congratulations once more, Lord Ian."
Neigh!
As Ian waved lightly, the carriage set off. The road to the Imperial Palace seemed filled with more luxurious carriages than normal. Berik, entering the palace for the first time, pressed his face to the window, eyes sparkling.
"This is insane."
"You're drooling, Berik."
The carriages racing alongside flaunted flags emblazoned with family crests. It was the nobles' pompous display of pride in their lineage and status.
Clop-clop!
But Ian was the special guest of honor at this New Year's Banquet. While other nobles went through the standard entry procedures, Ian's carriage veered off onto a side path under the guidance of a palace official, heading straight for the main banquet hall of the First Palace.
Creak.
"Welcome. Lord Ian, Lord Romandro. I'm Kal, in charge of the title conferral ceremony for the New Year's Banquet."
As they disembarked, a palace official bowed deeply to greet Ian.
The star always enters last. The plan was to wait in a side chamber inside the banquet hall, then make a gradual entrance once the atmosphere had ripened.
"There were more carriages than I expected."
"Many nobles seem eager for this New Year's Banquet."
Not only was the lowly-born border commoner a Mana User, but he'd caught Prince Marib's eye and seized a family name and lordship in one go. Everyone had rushed to catch a glimpse of him.
"Lord Romandro has likely relayed this already, but to confirm: once the banquet begins, the Light of the Oracle will ignite. Enter then, wait briefly, receive your title and family name, and proceed directly to the Mana Confirmation Ritual."
It sounded simple. But the key was navigating the gaps in between to mingle well with the nobles. In a way, it was the most crucial part of the New Year's Banquet.
Whether he knew it or not, while Romandro sat rigidly tense, Ian plopped onto the sofa, rolling his shoulders leisurely.
"Does the Light of the Oracle verify mana too?"
"Yes."
Grand words, but it was just a decorative mana illusion. It rippled in response to a Mana User's power, designed as a flashy performance to elevate the Magic Department's prestige.
In short, a show for the audience.
*Hmm. If they plan to humiliate me, that'll be the perfect moment. They'd tamper it to not react to ordinary mana.*
A grand, majestic burst of light would command the room, but a faint, underwhelming flicker would draw nothing but ridicule.
"Ian, can you pull this off?"
"No worries about etiquette."
"I shouldn't be this nervous myself, but my heart's pounding. Ugh, really."
Romandro gnawed at his nails, trembling. Berik, meanwhile, just gawked around in wide-eyed wonder. Finding the odd pair amusing, the official kept a slight distance, observing them.
Knock-knock.
How much time had passed?
As the sun dipped low, footsteps approached from outside. The perfect moment to enter. The advisor politely opened the door and guided Ian.
"This way, please."
"Berik, just stick with Lord Romandro."
Berik flashed a thumbs-up, his usual playful grin assuring Ian he was trustworthy. As they walked the long corridor, the murmur of voices grew louder. Far ahead, beneath the central stairs, countless carriages stood in line.
"Right here. Ready to enter?"
"Hoo."
Romandro exhaled. Ian straightened his collar and nodded. Servants swung open the massive doors on either side.
Creak.
"Oh, hello, Madam."
"First time since last week's tea party."
"Oh, you're Sir Charlotte."
"An honor to meet you."
"Back from the army recently?"
"Your dress is stunning today, Lady."
The widening gap let nobles' chatter spill out.
Unlike the corridor's soft lighting, the banquet hall blazed like midday, dazzling and bright. Hundreds of magic-levitated spirits swam through the air for spectacle, while the orchestra's flawless, elegant melody filled every corner seamlessly.
Tap.
The moment Ian stepped into the hall.
Nearby nobles halted their conversations, turning heads. Ladies' eyes widened over their fans; men tilted their chins to get a better look at "him." Like falling dominoes, a peculiar tension rippled out from Ian.
"Berik, this way."
"Eh? Already?"
Romandro pulled Berik aside right after entry. Here, he was just a commoner advisor, not positioned to introduce Ian to the nobles.
"Look at that. That's him."
"Ahh, the Bratz Border Bastard?"
"My goodness, he's younger than I thought."
Ian stood alone on the red carpet, surveying the nobles. Motionless, he let his gaze drift slowly.
"Exactly. How vicious can a kid be to his own father... Scary, really. And he's chummy with border barbarians—one look tells you everything."
"Sis, doesn't he look kinda good?"
"Have you lost your mind? Snap out of it. He's a commoner."
"But a Mana User, right? How'd he catch Prince Marib's..."
Their stares were piercingly condescending, treating him like a freakish curiosity. Romandro, off in a corner, bit his lower lip watching it.
*I knew it'd be like this, but seeing it hits harder.*
How could one man break the entrenched elite's haughty aura? Romandro could only pray the Emperor would appear soon and elevate Ian as the star.
Swish.
But in that moment.
Ian lifted his chin slightly and smiled. An elegant, confident smile, innate and natural.
*Smile, Your Majesty.*
With Naum's words, Ian recalled his first banquet as Emperor.
It hadn't been much different. Compared to the snake-like foes circling to devour the young Emperor, this was downright gentle.
*Inner strength conveys itself without words. See yourself as the center. Then others will approach you as the center.*
Ian began walking the carpet. His straight back, smooth jawline, and utterly relaxed gaze made it impossible to see him as some border commoner.
*And always smile. When Your Highness smiles, the world smiles. But if Your Majesty weeps, the world laughs louder.*
Swish.
Ian's eyes met a noble blocking his path on the carpet. Without a word, Ian smiled brightly; the man flustered back a step.
"Ah, pardon me."
"No, not at all. Might you be from House Serro?"
Ian glanced at the crest on the man's chest and struck up conversation. A casual probe, but the pattern was familiar from a century ago. The flustered man nodded unwittingly and gave his name.
"Marlon Hoff Serro."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ian. I'll receive a surname today, so sadly, my name's still short."
"Ah, yes, right. You're Ian."
"Hello. Lovely day, isn't it? I'm Alenara Serro."
Seizing the moment, a woman nearby introduced herself. In that brief instant, her eyes scanned Ian up and down.
Ian welcomed her with a smile. Not influential figures, but decent for a first mingle. He knew targeting peers like this—over stuffy elders—was a smart way to break the ice.
"You're the Mana User, I hear."
"Yes. Right after the title ceremony, there's the Mana Confirmation Ritual."
"Then, a handshake? They say meeting a Mana User brings luck—before they get the mage title, that is."
"Of course, Lady."
"Oh, me too..."
Ian seamlessly slipped into their group. Beyond the lively Serro clansfolk, other clusters half-listened, ears perked.
"Serro, introduce us too?"
"Ah, this is from House Haiman..."
"Hello, long time no see. This is Ian?"
Curious, sociable nobles approached, and the mood flipped rapidly. The start was tough, but once rolling, it flowed naturally.
Bwooo.
As Ian chatted idly amid the nobles, a deep trumpet blared, silencing the orchestra. Ladies clutched skirts and curtsied lightly; men placed hands over hearts and bowed heads.
Ian did the same.
*The Emperor's entrance.*
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor enters! All pay homage!"
Ian sharpened his senses to the footsteps ascending the dais.
*Emperor, who are you?*
If he could match the face to sharpen his hazy memory, Ian might even recall the next Emperor.
One by one, nobles finished their bows and looked up.
"Ah."
The instant he raised his head, Ian froze, letting out a small gasp.