Finally, leaving the estate, each member got into their respective vehicle; my mother, Ouro, Damian, and I entered ours.
"Start driving," my mother said to the driver, who nodded before starting.
"Haruto, what you did was extremely disrespectful. Your grandfather built our clan into what it is now," my mother spoke as she turned to face me with a serious expression.
"I wasn't being disrespectful. I need to show people that I will be confident in my skills, not because of who my father was. Everyone compares me to my father. I'm sick of it, am I not my own person?" I replied, thinking of the comments I have received over the years.
"...I see, I'm sorry, as a mother, I should have noticed long ago...But still, that is your grandfather, show him the respect that man deserves," my mother said, placing a hand on my cheek.
"Of course...any, how long will the ceremony take?" I asked, moving my face away, trying to hide my embarrassment
"So you can still get embarrassed fu fu..." my mother laughed.
"The ceremony itself won't take long, but with the media asking questions and this being a live event, also the party at the end to allow the attendees to build relations, we shall be there all night, from what I'm guessing," Damian explained.
"I see, and what families will be there?"
"The gremory family will be sending their daughter Rias, and her servants Akeno, Koneko, and Kiba, the Pendragon family will be sending their daughter Artoria Pendragon, and son Aurthur Pendragon the fifth, the house of Sparda will be sending Nero, the Phenex family will be sending Riser Phenex...There are also a few other talented children from less-known families who will be in attendance. Still, these are the only ones that would be of main concern, especially the Sparda family...," Damian spoke as he clenched his fist.
"I see, thank you,"
(This world is much more dangerous than I expected...I almost lost my life a few times before my awakening, but after people learn of my abilities, how many will go after me...go after my family? I sighed in thought.
After another twenty-minute drive, during which my mother kept telling me to behave and stay close to her, we finally arrived at the event hall. With the driver opening the car door, Damian walked first and scanned the surrounding area.
Giving me the okay, I walked out of the car and was met by hundreds of flashing lights and dozens of people asking questions. Ignoring them, I held my hand out and helped my mother out of the car.
Since we were the last to arrive at the cameras that were taking photos of my father's other wives, they moved and began taking pictures of my mother.
"Madam Kujo, please tell us what ability you think your son will awaken?" one report asked before being blocked off by Damian.
"It matters not to me, I will love my son the same," my mother replied, placing a hand on my head.
"Ouro, please go inside with Damian and keep him safe. I have some people to speak with," my mother said.
"As you wish, Madam," Ouro replied with a bow before grabbing my hand.
With my siblings following behind, we walked into the venue. It was a marvel to behold the pillars carved from the most exquisite white marble. The golden shandelers that light up the hall, the statues of past legendary awakeners with he deities that chose them hovering over them.
Looking around in the hall, I saw all the families that Damian mentioned. The Gremories and their fiery red hair, the Phenexs and their vampiric wings, the Sparda surrounded by their mythic clad soldiers, and the Pendragons and their draconic killing blades and blonde hair. There was also a family of what seemed to be shinobe.
Looking in the center of the room, I saw the awakening platform with a statue of a hundred-eyed deity with sixteen wings, four angelic, four demonic, four draconic, and four made from pure mana.
"Haruto...Hey Haruto," a voice spoke from nearby.
Looking over, I saw that it was my half-sister, Hana, trying to get my attention. Walking over to her, I greeted her mother.
"Hello, Madam Sakura,"
"Hello, little Haruto, that was quite the display you made to the great monarch today,' the woman with long pink hair and green eyes said with a small laugh.
"Yes, I needed to make an impression that would last as I will tonight," I replied
"I see, well, I wish you and Hana the best in your awakening," Saukra added with a gentle smile.
Unlike most of my father's other wives, Madam Sakura never cared much for being head. She always wanted to live the life of a traveler when she was young, and it was her plan after Hana grew up and could take care of herself.
"Haruto, look over there, it's Nero," Hana said, pointing over at the young white haired boy of the Sparda family.
Hana, the young girl with short black hair like our father and green eyes like her mother, was an energetic kid who always tried to make everyone happy. She was a good person, much too good for this world. She always had a major crush on Nero.
"Hana, do you want to talk to him. After the awakening ceremony, you probably won't get the chance," I said
"I-I can't think there are too many people around," Hana said as her face became flushed.
"Alright, how about I talk to him first, then you can talk to him?" I asked
"No, don't, anything but that," Hana begged.
"Too late, Hey Nero, could you come over here for a moment?" I said, looking over at the Sparda family
Looking at me with confusion, Nero looked over at Vergil, who gave him a nod before he walked over.
Looking at me like I had betrayed her, Hana hid behind her mother, who laughed at the sigh.t
"Haruto Kujo what the hell do you need," nero asked his joking asshole tone
"Nothing much, I know you hate wasted speech, so I will get to the point. My sister, Hana, likes you...I don't knwo what she sees in a dickhead like you but somehow see likes you," I replied pointing at the blushing Hana hidign behind her mother.
"Well, Hana, nice to meet you," Nero said, holding his hand out with a cocky smile.
"I will leave you two to chat, got some place to be," I said, walking away with Ouro following behind me.
As I was about to find someplace quiet to sit, I was approached by Rias Gremory and her current peerage.
"Haruto Kujo, glad to see you made it. Have you thought about my offer?" Rias asked, holding her hand out
"I already told you I will never be under someone. But I would think about it if you broke your engagement with Riser to be with me," I replied, pulling her close.
"I see your arrogance has grown. Riser is watching," Rias laughed.
"Let him watch once I awaken, he won't be nothing more than an ant under my boot, and I'm being nice," I whispered into her eye as I made eye contact with he fuming Riser, who looked at me with burning red eyes.
"Maybe once you join my peerage," Rias joked, breaking the distance and beginning to walk away.
Following behind her, Akeno gave me the okay sign with a wink and small laugh.
"Hmm hmm, Master Harut, oh it's about time he took our seat,' Ouro said, clearing her tone with an obvious tone of annoyance.
"Don't worry, Ouro, those were only jokes...I already told you that you are the woman I love," I replied, grabbing her hand.
"...W-we must take our seats now, Haruto," Ouro said, walking away from him, her tips of her ears beet red.