The rest of the evening was nothing short of magical. The grand hall sparkled with floating lights, gentle music filled the air, and laughter echoed from every corner. Servants moved swiftly, offering drinks and desserts, while guests continued mingling under the starry illusion cast across the ceiling.
For the next hour, Shirou, Amelia, and Elliot remained near the crowd's edge, sipping from glasses of strange, shimmering liquids—each one tasting different, some sweet, others sour, a few even spicy. Each new drink was a surprise.
At first, the trio was left alone, but that changed quickly.
A few curious guests, mostly nobles or merchant heirs, started approaching them—not with hostility, but with carefully measured smiles. All of them wanted to know the same thing.
"What did the Highlord say to you?"
Of course, the three couldn't say anything about the mana stones or the mission. That part was confidential and would remain a secret. So instead, they told a different version of the truth—one that Lucus himself wouldn't mind being shared.
Elliot had been personally invited by Highlord Cedric to apply for a place in the Sovereign Order.
The reaction was immediate. Some people congratulated Elliot with big smiles and words full of praise. Others simply nodded, offering polite but cold approval. Yet behind the compliments, Shirou could see it—the jealousy. They might not have said it aloud, but it showed clearly in their eyes.
Whispers soon spread across the hall. The news moved faster than the wind.
Even guests who had earlier ignored them now approached Elliot, shaking his hand or giving him a respectful bow. Some even asked about the Frostwhisper clan, trying to build connections. It wasn't hard to see their true intentions. They weren't congratulating Elliot out of pride or joy. They were trying to get on the good side of someone who could soon become very powerful.
Meanwhile, Shirou and Amelia stood off to the side. Or rather, they were left standing. After the crowd found out who was invited by the Highlord, they didn't spare the other two a second glance.
"Wow," Amelia said as she leaned against a pillar, watching another noble lady hand Elliot a folded letter. "Became a celebrity in an instant, didn't he?"
Shirou took a sip from his golden drink. "What, are you jealous?"
She laughed lightly. "Hell no. I'm happy for him. He's always dreamed of joining the Sovereign Order. And to be honest, he's got what it takes. I really think he'll become someone people look up to."
Shirou looked at her, noticing the pride in her eyes—not just for Elliot, but also for herself. It wasn't envy. It was something deeper. She genuinely believed in Elliot.
Amelia then turned toward Shirou. "If anyone should be jealous, it's you."
"Huh?" Shirou blinked. "Why me?"
Before she could answer, Shirou continued, "Wait, let me guess—you think he's getting ahead of me, right?"
"Yep," she replied with a smug grin.
Shirou scratched his neck and glanced over at Elliot, who was now being handed a drink by a tall nobleman with a golden monocle. "Well, he hasn't joined yet, you know…"
"You think he'll fail?" Amelia raised an eyebrow.
Shirou didn't reply right away. His gaze lingered on Elliot. Then, slowly, a small smile formed on his lips—not one of jealousy, but of quiet pride. "He'll pass. No doubt about it. He's strong. And determined. I know he'll make it."
He looked back at Amelia. "Yeah, he's ahead of me right now… but I don't plan to stay behind forever."
Amelia smiled softly. "Well, that's something I'm sure of too."
Shirou blinked. "Wait, what? No sarcasm? You okay?"
"I'm just too happy right now to bother teasing you," she replied, then looked at him seriously. "Besides, I really do believe in you. You've come a long way. And I think you'll go even farther. Maybe even join the Sovereign Sentinals… or beyond."
Shirou puffed up his chest, flashing a proud smile. "Of course I will. I mean, I've got three elemental affinities and an inn—"
He froze mid-sentence. His mouth snapped shut as Amelia's eyes locked onto his like daggers.
Shirou slowly stepped back, holding up his hands. "Okay, okay! I didn't mean to say it! It just came out! Please don't hit me with your Hollow Pulse again—I still have nightmares from last time."
Amelia stared for a moment… then smiled.
"It's fine," she said quietly. "I mean… It's the truth, isn't it?"
Her smile faded as she looked away, her voice growing more serious. "When I first learned you had all those abilities, I was angry. Not at you. At myself. I kept thinking… if I had powers like that, maybe I could've fought in the war. Maybe I could've helped my parents. Maybe things wouldn't have ended the way they did."
She paused for a moment, taking a breath.
"And I used to think… You didn't deserve it. That someone from the outskirts, someone without any clan or title… wouldn't know what to do with that kind of power. That you'd just waste it."
She looked at him again, her eyes soft but strong.
"But I was wrong. After seeing you fight both Kane and Cruz, after seeing you nearly take down both gang leaders by yourself… I get it now. You're not just lucky. You're different. And you do deserve that power. I think… I believe… you'll use it to make this world a better place."
Shirou stood quietly, listening to every word. Her voice wasn't emotional, but it was honest. And for some reason, that made it feel even heavier.
He gave a quiet smile. "Thanks… but honestly, I still feel like none of my achievements are really mine. They're just from the powers I have. Without them, I'm just a nobody."
"You're wrong, Shirou," Amelia said firmly. "There's nothing wrong with winning because of your abilities. This world isn't fair. Some are born into powerful clans. Some are trained from birth. Some have bloodline abilities that most people can't even imagine. Others get strong through pure hard work. But when it comes down to it—when it's just you and the enemy—none of that matters."
She took a step closer.
"It's not about the ability. It's about how you use it. Even the weakest power can turn the tide if used the right way. And you… You know how to use yours. You think fast. You adapt. You learn. You fight smart. That's what makes you strong."
She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the flickering lights of the enchanted hall.
"And you shouldn't feel guilty for what you have. It's yours. Own it. Control it. Make it your weapon, not your weakness. You know… Astra was one of the strongest people to ever live. But she never doubted her powers. She never asked if she deserved them. She just used them—for peace. For people. And in the end, that's what stopped the First War."
She reached out, gently tapping Shirou's chest. "I believe you'll reach that level too someday. Maybe even higher. And when you do… I think you might just change Nytherra."
For a moment, Shirou didn't say anything. He didn't nod. He didn't smile. He just looked at her. And Amelia, without hearing a word, knew exactly what he was thinking.
The music slowly faded.
Then came Lucus's voice, ringing loud and clear through the hall.
"Thank you all for joining my daughter's birthday. I am grateful for your presence. This celebration has been one of our finest.
The crowd clapped politely. The magical lights dimmed. The enchanted vines began to withdraw from the walls. It was over.
The party had officially ended.