Outside, the sounds of arriving guests and final preparations echoed through the manor.
Kyle, for one, thought this whole facade was unnecessary. Just like back on Earth, he would rather not celebrate his birthday if he had a choice.
But just like this time, his parents had been very insistent on having a birthday celebration for him, even a small one.
Practical as he was, Kyle never understood the meaning behind celebrating one's birthday. One time, sure, my being born was special, but every year?
'I've always thought of this as an excuse for people to celebrate. Always will. But maybe it's not so bad after all?'
As he looked at Nuna, his fierce, devoted, beautiful Nuna, Kyle felt ready for whatever came next. He had something worth fighting for, worth changing destiny for.
"Will you be watching from the servants' area?" he asked.
"Every moment," she promised. "And tonight, when all the formal ceremonies are over..."
"Tonight, you'll help me out of these robes," Kyle finished with a small smile.
"Among other things," Nuna replied, her own smile holding promises that made Kyle's pulse quicken.
A knock at the door interrupted them, likely Sebastian announcing that it was time.
Kyle took one last look at himself in the mirror, at Nuna standing proudly beside him, and squared his shoulders.
He was ready. He was Kyle Ravenshade, and today the world would see exactly what that meant.
"Young master." Sebastian was standing outside. He bowed as he spoke. "It is time."
"Lead the way." Kyle nodded.
They took the spiral staircase that went from the upper floor to the ballroom, Nuna and Sebastian in tow.
"Hmmm."Kyle spotted a figure down the staircase.
As Kyle descended the grand staircase, his heart swelled with joy at the sight of his beloved younger sister, Minerva, waiting at the bottom.
He had not seen her for weeks now, after she left for her preliminary studies. She had just arrived with the other guests, it seemed.
The ten-year-old girl stood proudly, adorned in a matching red dress trimmed with golden embroidery, a gift from Kyle himself.
"Happy birthday!" Minerva squealed, her face beaming with excitement. She twirled once, causing her skirt to flare out like a blossoming flower. "Don't I look pretty?"
Kyle chuckled warmly. "You always look beautiful, my dearest little sister." He knelt down to embrace her, careful not to muss her perfectly coiffed hair. "Thank you for escorting me downstairs."
Minerva grinned, eyes sparkling mischievously. "We're going to have so much fun today! Dad said there will be cake, games, and dancing! Can we dance together, big brother? Pretty please?"
"Of course," Kyle agreed with a smile, rising to his full height again. He extended his hand with a flourish. "My pleasure, my lady."
Laughing delightedly, Minerva took his hand and they began walking arm-in-arm into the bustling hall where the festivities awaited them.
Kyle stepped into the grand hall, its high ceilings draped in silken banners stamped with the Ravenshade crest, into a sea of bowing heads and polite applause.
The space was densely packed: noble families, sect representatives, elder cultivators, and esteemed guests all waiting to celebrate his sixteenth birthday.
He smiled politely as they walked down the staircase. Just as they were putting up a front, he was also more than capable of doing the same.
Kyle could feel the masked scorn hidden behind the polite smiles and applause. This was the world he lived in now.
A world where wearing a mask was necessary for survival.
'How pitiful.' He looked more closely around him, taking note of the faces in the crowd.
The seating followed strict formality: the host's table, a long, elevated dais, ran down the center, adorned with trays of delicately arranged spirit‑infused dishes.
Guests were seated in descending order of status, the most influential sect leaders nearest the dais, while lower‑ranked nobility and minor practitioners filled the outer tables.
Lanterns glowed with amber qi-light, their soft hum resonating against the polished jade floor.
Waitstaff glided among the tables, bearing plates of longevity noodles, whole phoenixfish, and peach‑shaped buns, traditional symbols of long life and prosperity.
With that, soft music began to play, led by a violinist and a pianist, accompanied by a flute. Lights dimmed, and a colorful spotlight turned on, focused on the duo.
Kyle and Minerva walked slowly to the center of the room, and on cue, they began to dance to the music.
It was a slow, well-choreographed dance, one they knew all too well. A dance they had practiced together since old times, a dance their mother taught them. A dance they both knew intimately.
The weeping raven's dance.
Kyle and Minerva twirled gracefully together on the dance floor, and all eyes were transfixed upon them.
Their movements seemed almost otherworldly, fluid and perfectly synchronized, like two dancers intertwined by invisible strings.
The young siblings held each other close, savoring the elegance of their dance.
They swayed in perfect rhythm to the lilting melodies, lost in their own little world of choreographical bliss.
"Wonderful."
"Wow!"
"Amazing!"
"Spectacular."
Spectators gasped softly, murmuring in awe at the elegance and skill evident in every turn and dip of their lithe forms.
Time seemed to stand still as they spun one another through the air, gravity defying the very laws of physics.
The colorful lights cast a kaleidoscope of hues across their faces, highlighting the purity of their intentions. Everyone held their breath, enraptured by the magic unfolding before them.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kyle gently lowered Minerva onto her feet with surprising tenderness.
She beamed up at him adoringly, placing a hand over his chest. "Wow..." she breathed in wonder. "That was incredible."
"You were incredible, "Kyle responded with a smile on his face.
An eruption of delighted laughter rippled through the crowd. Applause erupted into thunderous cheers as people leapt to their feet, shouting words of praise and encouragement.
They both bowed in response to the round of applause, and then separated, each going their own way.
As Kyle walked to the head table, the hall hushed. Every gaze, every subtle shift in aura. Were focused on him.
He spotted Nuna, positioned behind the dais in the servants' area, watching him intently, her eyes bright with pride and maybe a touch of anxiety.
She remained unseen by others, but Kyle felt her presence grounded him.
Once he reached the dais, Kyle paused, meeting the host's golden gaze, his father's nod passed the subtle mantle of leadership.
Kyle raised his hand slightly, acknowledging the crowd. In response, the murmurs swelled into applause and cheers of "Happy Birthday, Kyle!" in both formal tone and casual variations, a beautiful echo around the hall.
He inhaled deeply:
"Thank you all, respected guests, for honoring me today," he began, his voice steady and sincere. "Turning sixteen in the cultivation world is more than a celebration; it marks a true passage into responsibility: to my family, friends, allies, and our shared future."
His words resonated. Across the hall, guests inclined their heads.