Duke Valentine stood up, and so did all the members of Ash.
A moment ago, the entire hall had been filled with people bowing their heads after the Duke lowered his own before the First-Year Children of Ash attending the Royal Academy.
Now that he had risen, the others followed his lead, straightening their backs and returning to their proper standing positions.
Yet, the children remained on one knee.
Their heads were raised, and their attention was fixed on the Duke standing before them.
Some still had the excitement of the Grand First-Year Combat Festival written across their faces, while others were doing their best to maintain a composed expression in front of the elders and nobles surrounding them.
They had fought in the festival, displayed their abilities before the people of Ash, and brought honour to their Family.
For many of them, this was the first time they had received such attention from so many important figures at once.
