MC POV
I smiled, satisfied with my appearance. My silver-blond hair cascaded elegantly over my shoulders, adorned with a delicate dragon-shaped ornament woven into my strands.My attire was a set of long Chinese-style robes for men, in shades of violet and white, decorated with tulip patterns that conveyed refinement with every movement I made. The outfit carried a unique balance, blending masculine and feminine traits with subtle grace.
I stepped out of my room lightly. Outside, my servants, my grandfather, and my siblings were already waiting for me.My grandfather and my sister were finely dressed, since they would accompany me. Normally, he would bring my brother to such occasions, but since this matter directly involved me and required calm and rationality, he chose to bring my sister instead. Besides, she had insisted on coming herself, likely because it was connected to the breaking of her engagement.
She wore a long, night-black gown that enhanced her brown hair and green eyes, making her more charming than ever. Her makeup had been applied with care, and simple jewelry adorned her body, emphasizing her elegance and beauty.My grandfather, on the other hand, wore imposing garments in shades of gray and black, decorated with symbols representing the Ducal House and his position as a General. Even his hair was immaculate.
Everyone was dressed with such meticulousness that they could easily have earned applause and the spotlight.Yet, when they saw me, their gazes overflowed with admiration. The servants, in comparison, even shed tears.
My brother was the first to approach and embrace me. He held my face tenderly, yet spoke with seriousness, as though we were facing a great enemy:"Brother, I think we should use that trick you mentioned in the past. Let's disguise your face with makeup—make it ugly and worn, add some scars, warts… maybe even deform one of your eyes. Looking like this, you'll be far too problematic…"
I rolled my eyes and removed his hands from my face."Brother, don't cause trouble. He can use this," my sister corrected him. Before I could praise her, she pulled out a bluish artifact of singular beauty."This is a rare item with excellent disguise properties. Ideally, you would use one of the masks you usually wear, but it would be rude to appear like that at a royal palace event."
I was speechless. Still, when I saw the overprotective gazes of my siblings, I simply accepted my fate and put on the veil. As soon as it covered my face, a fine mist arose, making it difficult for others to clearly see my features.
In truth, I already possessed a similar artifact, along with the masks. These items were common among noblewomen or those wishing to conceal their identity, especially at events like this.
With everything ready, we headed to the carriage, eager to discover what kind of spectacle awaited us.
....
3rd POV
In the capital of the Blue Griffin Kingdom stood a magnificent palace, blending both Western and Eastern architectural traits. Its pearl-white walls gleamed against the deep blue of lapis lazuli—quite unlike the icy tone of Icer Academy.At that moment, part of its formations was deactivated, while numerous carriages approached its gates.
Nobles, merchants, military officers, influential figures of the realm, and even foreign visitors arrived for the Queen's celebration. Some sought prestige and connections, others came for the rare presence of the King at the event, and many were drawn by rumors and the possibility of significant developments that night.
From the carriages descended various people—some dressed in noble elegance, others flaunting excessive wealth. Most were cultivators: the strongest at the Golden Core stage, the weakest at Qi Condensation. Few mortals attended, limited to some merchants or accompanying servants.
Among the notable carriages was one bearing the crest of a Marquis. From it stepped a young woman with an arrogant, conceited expression, accompanied by an elegant lady and a man of calm yet powerful demeanor. Unlike his daughter, his arrogance was restrained. His cultivation was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, close to the Golden Core—a respectable strength for a noble not dedicated to combat, but to study and administration.
Soon after, another carriage arrived, marked by a strange bluish flame crest. From it emerged members who carried themselves with haughtiness. Leading them was a robust man in refined attire, holding a young woman in one hand and a boy in the other, his gaze filled with barely concealed lust.
Behind him came two figures: a muscular young man, who at first glance looked dignified, but whose eyes wandered lustfully toward every passing woman—until he received a sharp slap from the companion at his side."Brother, you'd better control yourself. I can't treat our father the same way, but you I can beat up," she said, forcing him into silence.
The woman wore exquisite garments that accentuated her curves and seductive beauty. Her fiery temperament radiated strength. She was Solei Flareon, known for having given lectures at the Academy some time ago.
This confirmed that they were the Flareon Ducal family—once powerful, but now in decline. The eldest son had barely reached the first stage of Foundation Establishment, while the Duke himself was only at the seventh stage.
For a family that was supposed to stand among the strongest in the kingdom, their current strength was disappointing. Only Solei, nearly overlooked officially, showed true talent.
The family's legend spoke of a bluish flame within their territory, an inheritance from an ancestor who had been a mighty alchemist and artifact master. Yet since then, no one had been born with the talent to earn recognition from this flame.
To force it was dangerous, for the flame seemed alive: imposing one's will upon it could not only kill the reckless but also unleash the fire, extinguishing the very myth that upheld the Flareons' glory.
Even Solei, with her high talent in the Dao of Fire and cultivation, could not claim it. Perhaps because her practice focused on body cultivation—aggressive and destructive—something the flame would not accept.
Today, many doubted the legend. Some said it was only a tale to glorify a declining family; others claimed the flame had long since vanished; and still others believed the ancestor had merely imprisoned it, never truly winning its loyalty.In any case, this myth was what had secured the Flareons their position and power—even if now they were weakened.
As more and more families arrived, one carriage in particular drew everyone's attention. It displayed the symbol of a magnificent spear, decorated with countless intricate details.From it descended first a general, whose energy overflowed with strength and authority—the most powerful guest so far.
Right behind him came a handsome young man and a young woman, both with their faces veiled by a fine mist. Rather than hiding them, this only heightened their mystery and allure, making everyone around instantly aware of how beautiful and captivating they were.