Applause erupted across the ballroom like a wave of crashing thunder. Dozens of nobles clapped and cheered, clearly impressed by the duel they had just witnessed. I stood tall in the center of the marble floor, chest heaving with pride. Harry—the so-called strongest kid in Vineta—now lay unconscious, defeated.
Somewhere in the crowd, I saw her—my mother, Queen Luna—standing amidst a group of foreign guests. Her glowing pink eyes locked onto mine, radiating fury. She had seen the fight. She had seen me turn my back… and narrowly avoid a cowardly sneak attack from Harry after the match was over. She must be angry at how close I came to getting hurt.
Before I could react, a familiar voice called out. "Wow, big bro! You really beat him!"
It was Alex, my little brother, racing toward me with a wide grin. "I heard he's the strongest kid in Vineta. That means you're the strongest now!"
I couldn't help but laugh. Children really did have their own hierarchy, didn't they? A secret world of pride and pecking orders.
"Yes," I replied, ruffling his hair. "I'm proud. For now, I'm the strongest child in Vineta."
My attention shifted when I noticed Jakes Tully entering the hall, accompanied by five individuals. Four of them were men, cloaked in dark suits that didn't quite match the elegance of the ballroom. The fifth was a woman, cold and elegant, her expression unreadable. They stood before King Karl, murmuring quietly.
"Looks like your son's caused trouble in the ball, Jakes," my father said with a teasing grin.
Jakes bowed deeply. "I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. Please forgive my son's actions today."
King Karl let out a hearty laugh. "I was just joking, Jakes! Don't be so stiff. They're just kids, playing around. Let it go. Come, introduce your guests."
Relief washed over Jakes's face as he gestured to the foreign delegates. "This is Brian Hillflask from the Empires. He and his assistants have come to support our new initiative. These four will assist in the use and teaching of mana gem technology, as discussed."
My father's eyes gleamed with pride. The mana gem project—his vision for empowering commoners—was finally moving forward. If the Emperor didn't find out first, that is.
"Gentlemen, we'll begin our work tomorrow. Tonight, enjoy yourselves," King Karl said before moving on to greet other guests.
Now left alone, one of the four men leaned toward Jakes. "Why wait? We could start now."
Jakes narrowed his eyes. "My men are still planting the pieces. When I give the signal, the real show begins. For now, blend in."
As the four departed, only Jakes and another man remained. This one had a sharp, calculating aura. Nicolas.
"Where in the world did you come up with that awful name?" Nicolas asked, annoyed.
"What does it matter?" Jakes waved him off.
But Nicolas's voice grew cold. "Who was the kid that beat your son? I sensed no mana from him."
"Oh, that's Prince Liam," Jakes replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "He's unawakened… and according to Niko, he'll never awaken."
A slow smile crept onto Nicolas's face. "Perfect. He's the type I want for my experiments."
Jakes didn't hear the last part. His mind spiraled with frustration. First I lost to an unawakened brat… then my son loses too. What twisted fate is this?
Meanwhile, I sipped from my glass of juice and watched my parents dance. They looked like a fairytale—my father, the noble knight, and my mother, the radiant princess. Their bond was strong, elegant, and beautiful.
Several girls approached me, asking for a dance. I declined each offer gently, careful not to hurt anyone's feelings.
Across the room, I spotted Alex dancing with a blonde girl around our age. Harry had vanished from the ballroom. Good.
Then I noticed something odd.
Three of the guests who came with Jakes were now standing in different corners of the ballroom. Subtle glances passed between them. Signals. They were waiting for something.
I turned my head slightly—and noticed a man I hadn't seen before, sitting beside me.
"You've got sharp senses," he said, sipping his wine. "Your family train you to be so observant?"
"Not really," I replied. "They just feel… off. Too tense. Unnatural."
He smirked. "Interesting. But what makes you so sure they're suspicious?"
"They're acting like amateurs," I said. "Take the first one. He's too comfortable, enjoying attention. The second? Can't handle women near him—he panics. That's not how a trained agent should act."
"And the third?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"She's been making eye contact with the first two too frequently. But more importantly… she's been watching you."
He chuckled. "You spotted the flaw. Impressive. But you're too young to know the code."
"The code is simple," I said. "Never fall in love with your partner."
The man's expression cracked for a brief second, emotions stirring behind his mask. "Who are you, kid?"
"Liam Morningstar."
His eyes widened. "My apologies, Your Highness."
"Oh?" I tilted my head. "So you didn't know who I was? Then why approach me like you did?"
Kaelen Dreadryn—spy, assassin, former World Government agent—froze. In his mind, he reeled. This child… he's not just observing. He's playing me. Is this how he lured us in?
He stood to leave. "People really do go blind in love," he said. "She's looked at you more than five times in the past minute. She ignored everyone else. Think about that."
As he walked away, I looked back. Nyssa… she really was watching me. More than she should. More than we'd planned.
Just then, Alex rushed up to me. "Brother! I lost my necklace—the one mother gave me! Please help me find it! Rex is helping too, but don't tell Mother!"
I nodded. "We'll find it, don't worry."
As I began searching, Jakes took the grand staircase.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" he announced, gaining everyone's attention. "I have a special gift for Their Majesties, the King and Queen!"
I ignored him, still looking for the necklace. But when Karl and Luna stepped forward, Jakes activated a glowing white orb that rose to the ceiling.
Karl's expression hardened. "I sense enormous mana in that orb, Jakes. What are you doing?"
"Do you know why the overseas empires never recognize us as a kingdom Karl , when we go to the academy no one no about our Kingdom?" Jakes said, his voice venomous. "Because the Morningstars destroyed this land… and now, they will fall too."
Karl feel Danger from the Jakes , he was sensing demonic mana realising from him .
Karl and Luna stepped into battle stances. Max, ever-loyal, drew his blade from his storage ring.
"What are you planning, Jakes? Drop it. You can't win."
Jakes grinned. "No, I can't. But we can."
Four figures stepped from the shadows. Luna turned to Arthur. "Go. Protect the children. Now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Max scoffed. "Two half-baked B-ranks and two C-ranks? That's your army?"
After hearing this then they released their mana—twisted, dark, and unnatural. Demonic.
Karl's eyes widened. "Hellkins… You really closed every door to redemption, Jakes."
Jakes met his gaze with Karl and think about some past but than he say or whispered, "Now."
A massive mana shield erupted from Nicolas, sealing the exits. The orb in the ceiling flared—
And then—
BOOOOOOOM.
The ballroom exploded in chaos.