The commotion had barely settled when Marcellus and Cedric walked up to him, both looking annoyed. The hall was still uneasy after Javier's confrontation with the baron's son, and his brothers clearly wanted to chew him out.
Marcellus spoke first, his tone sharp. "Oi, what the hell was that all about?"
Javier stayed seated, lazily sipping his drink before slowly standing up. His eyes gleamed as he stared at them.
"What do you mean, 'what was that'?"
Cedric crossed his arms, trying to look authoritative. "You embarrassed the family, Javier. What you did just now—"
"The fuck are you talking about, prodigy?" Javier cut him off, his voice rising. His gaze shifted to Marcellus. "You two strut around like you're the pride of the family, but when someone disrespects our household, your own household, you just stand there and do nothing?"
Marcellus frowned, his own temper flaring. "You dare talk to your brother like that?" His mana flared, the air around him heating up as he prepared to use his fire magic.
But before he could act, Javier's expression hardened. His smile disappeared.
"Fine," Javier muttered. His aura shifted, and he activated one of his advanced skills: Triple Gravity.
Suddenly, the whole hall felt an overwhelming pressure. Gravity multiplied three times, forcing everyone, nobles, servants, even guards to their knees or onto the floor. Gasps and cries of alarm filled the air as people struggled to breathe.
"Young master, wait!" Liana cried, rushing forward, but it was too late.
Javier's voice boomed through the hall, cold and unyielding. "Those weaklings with no manners don't have my respect at all. And you two, you're supposed to be the heirs of this family! It's YOUR responsibility to uphold our honor, yet you sit back and let our household's name be dragged through the mud?"
Marcellus and Cedric struggled against the heavy gravity, gritting their teeth.
Marcellus growled, "Javier, stop this madness! You're going too far!"
Javier ignored him, stepping closer. "I've had enough of your arrogance and empty pride. You think being 'older' makes you right? Respect isn't given, it's earned. And you've earned none of mine."
The force increased slightly, making onlookers cry out. Even the strongest knights struggled to stay conscious.
"I AM MAD!" Javier roared, his voice echoing like thunder. "Mad that I have to clean up your mess! Mad that I'm the one who has to protect the dignity of this family while you stand around doing NOTHING!"
The entire room seemed to freeze under the intensity of his words.
Liana, despite the pressure, managed to approach him and gently tugged his sleeve. Her voice was soft but firm. "Young master… please. That's enough."
Javier turned to her, his fiery gaze softening when he saw the concern in her emerald eyes. After a tense moment, he exhaled sharply, releasing the gravity spell.
The heavy force lifted instantly, and the hall erupted in coughs and relieved gasps as everyone struggled to recover.
Javier glanced back at his brothers, who were glaring at him while trying to compose themselves.
"Don't forget," Javier said, his voice quiet but filled with menace. "You might be older, but that doesn't make you better."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away, Liana following closely. The grand hall buzzed with whispers and stunned silence.
Liana leaned in slightly as they exited. "You really caused a scene this time."
"And?" Javier shoved both hands into his pockets, his eyes turning serious. "Let them talk. Let them whisper. Let them spread rumors. At least now they know the Armand household isn't something to be trifled with. If they want to test us, they'll think twice before trying anything stupid."
Garius stood at the front of the hall, having felt the heavy pressure like everyone else. Even after Javier released his spell, the silence was deafening. Every noble, servant, and guest was frozen, either from fear or disbelief. Even the count's son, surrounded by strong adventurers as bodyguards, said nothing, his mouth slightly open.
The boy who had been rude to the maid was trembling violently, his face pale, tears streaming down his cheeks. His legs gave out, and with a faint whimper, a wet stain spread across his trousers.
Garius stood calm, surveying the hall. He fought to suppress the smirk threatening to break across his face. He glanced at Alf, who stood at attention nearby, and caught the butler's subtle nod, along with the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth. Francesca stood poised beside him, her face serene, but the subtle curve of her smile was just visible behind her silk fan. And at the far edge of the hall, Erinette stood with her arms crossed, giving him a knowing look.
Oh? My youngest son is only eleven… not yet blessed by the ceremonies, not officially tested for his magic abilities… and yet he just used Triple Gravity, a spell so advanced that only a few master mages could wield it effectively.
This boy, always skipping his studies, always lazy and carefree, yet he just casually showed power that shouldn't be possible for a noble child before their blessing ceremony.
Interesting…
Garius finally exhaled, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Enough."
The room fell silent instantly, all eyes turning to the head of the household. His voice was steady, but his gaze lingered on the doorway through which Javier had left.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lord Garius addressed the crowd, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. "I apologize for the disturbance. My son's actions were impulsive, but let this serve as a reminder: the Armand family does not tolerate disrespect toward our people."
The guests murmured in uneasy agreement, most still visibly shaken. The young baron's son, trembling and soiled, was quickly and discreetly escorted out by his guards, leaving the Grand Hall in a hush of scandalized whispers.
Francesca leaned closer to her husband, her voice low. "What will you do about Javier?"
Garius didn't answer right away. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a mysterious smirk curling at the edge of his lips.
"For now… nothing," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of amusement and intrigue. "Let the boy stir the waters. It's been too calm for far too long."
After a while.
Javier paced restlessly in his room, his mind racing. His outburst had been impulsive, and now he was starting to feel the weight of what he'd done.
Ugh! Why the hell did I use that skill?
I could've just used Dispel when those idiots tried to cast magic, and if they went for fists, I could've dodged them easily. Why the hell did I go overboard by using that advanced skill?
He flopped onto his bed, glaring at the ceiling.
Ugh! Now I'll be in even more trouble. Father already saw that spell. This means my freedom is gone!
Stupid Javier!!! Why the hell did you use that skill!? Damn idiot! Stupid! Baka!
"Young master?" Liana's calm voice broke through his spiraling thoughts as she walked in.
Javier quickly composed himself, sitting up and resting his chin on his palm with a casual smirk. "Oh, nothing. Just bored."
Liana raised an eyebrow, unconvinced but not pressing him. She adjusted the blanket on his bed and began tidying the scattered books and papers on his desk.
"Liana."
"Hmm?" Liana glanced up at him. "What is it, young master?"
"What do you think? About… earlier?"
She paused, her hand lingering on the edge of his desk before turning to face him.
"Is this about the skill you used in the hall?"
"Y… yeah." Javier averted his eyes and rubbed the back of his head.
"I don't know," Liana said with a smile, shaking her head. "But it looks like Lord Garius now knows what talent you might be hiding~"
"Ugh! I've put a damn target on my back. Everyone saw it. Now my father and mother have seen it too. There goes my peaceful, lazy life. I'll have tutors breathing down my neck, training schedules, expectations, everything I've been avoiding!"
"Well… that's what you get for not controlling your anger~"
Javier narrowed his eyes at her.
"Ugh! I hate it when you make sense. Can't you just tell me I'm an idiot and let me sulk?"
Liana smirked, her voice teasing. "Oh, you already know you're an idiot, young master. You'd better start preparing for what comes next, because after a display like that, things are going to get… interesting."
( End Of Chapter )