Pride Slips, Face First
Kael Ravencroft did not calm down.
He pretended to.
But inside—
His pride was burning.
Kael Decides to Strike Back
That Runcandel brat…
Kael clenched his glass slightly tighter.
In his eyes, Alex was nothing more than a golden-spoon child who dared to speak down to him.
He thinks he's superior because of his family.
Kael exhaled slowly and straightened his suit.
Fine.
If Alex wanted subtle war—
Kael would show him how high society really worked.
Choosing the Wrong Target
Kael scanned the room.
His eyes landed on a middle-aged man surrounded by several executives.
A minor noble, but influential in logistics.
Perfect.
Kael walked over confidently, posture relaxed, voice smooth.
"Chairman Holtz," Kael said with a polite smile,
"I've heard you're expanding your shipping routes. I might have some overseas connections—"
The man frowned.
"…And you are?"
"Kael Ravencroft," Kael replied proudly.
"Recently returned from abroad."
The surrounding guests went quiet.
Someone snorted.
Another raised an eyebrow.
Chairman Holtz's expression cooled instantly.
"Oh," he said flatly.
"You're that Ravencroft."
Kael blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
Public Rejection
Holtz took a step back.
"I don't deal with people whose money sources are unclear," he said coldly.
"And I especially don't deal with people attached to scandals."
The words hit hard.
Murmurs spread.
"That's the man with Lunaria Valencrest…"
"Isn't his background shady?"
"He thinks he can walk in here like he owns the place?"
Kael's smile stiffened.
"I believe there's been a misunderstanding—"
Holtz waved dismissively.
"Security," he said,
"make sure this man doesn't harass my guests."
Kael's face twitched.
The Final Push (Unseen)
As Kael turned sharply—
A faint ripple brushed past his mind.
Invisible.
Silent.
Alex stood across the hall, sipping his drink.
His eyes met Kael's for half a second.
And then—
Alex looked away.
The Fall
Kael took one step forward.
Then—
His foot caught nothing.
"—What?!"
His balance vanished.
His body pitched forward—
Straight into a massive decorative container filled with hot seafood soup, prepared for the banquet.
SPLASH—!
The sound echoed.
Silence followed.
Then—
Laughter.
High Society Has No Mercy
Kael stumbled back, soaked.
Soup dripped from his hair.
His suit was ruined.
His composure—shattered.
Someone burst out laughing.
"Who invited this idiot?"
"Does he even know where he is?"
"Trying to act big and ends up bathing in soup—pathetic."
Phones came out.
Smirks spread.
Kael's face burned red.
"This—this was an accident!" he shouted.
But no one believed him.
Not here.
The Final Look
Kael's eyes searched the room wildly.
And then—
They landed on Alex.
Alex stood beside Evelyn, calm and relaxed.
Kirlia floated quietly near his shoulder.
Alex raised his glass slightly.
Not mocking.
Not smiling.
Just… acknowledging.
Kael's chest tightened.
For the first time—
He felt small.
System Notice (Silent)
System Notice:
Protagonist Kael Ravencroft publicly humiliated.
Prestige damage detected.
Luck −800.
Alex didn't react.
He simply turned to Evelyn.
"…Can we go home now?" he asked politely.
Evelyn smiled.
"Yes," she said.
"I think we've seen enough."
Aftermath
As Kael was escorted out to "clean up"—
Whispers followed him like knives.
High society had spoken.
And it was merciless.