ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 100 THE GRAND BANQUET

As the tension from the earlier scene dissipated, Lord Grey gestured for Morris, Kaelen, and Ethan to follow him. With a smooth stride, he led them down the grand hallway toward the heart of the Grey family estate, where the evening's true festivities were being held. The sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and music grew louder as they approached the large double doors leading to the ballroom.

"This evening, you'll have the chance to meet some of Eldoria's finest," Lord Grey said, glancing back at the boys. "Many of them are internal students at Pacesetters Academy, ranking from apprentices to the adept. Learn what you can from them."

The massive doors swung open, revealing a lavish ballroom filled with students and dignitaries alike. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. On one side, tables were laden with exquisite food and drinks, while the rest of the space was dedicated to groups mingling and exchanging stories.

As they entered, Morris immediately recognized the distinct hierarchy among the students. Those of novice rank, wearing simple robes with modest sigils, stood in smaller groups, often watching the more seasoned students with wide-eyed curiosity.

The apprentices, dressed in slightly more ornate attire, were more confident, laughing and chatting amongst themselves as they exchanged tips and discussed magical techniques. The adept ranked, however, were the most striking. Their robes were adorned with intricate patterns of gold and silver, their expressions calm and commanding.

They moved with purpose, holding conversations with not only students but also influential figures from Eldoria.

As Lord Grey led Morris, Kaelen, and Ethan through the grand double doors of the ballroom, the lively atmosphere within seemed to shift instantly. The moment Kaelen stepped into the room, the murmurs began. Heads turned, conversations quieted, and eyes landed squarely on him.

The vast space, once filled with laughter and clinking glasses, now buzzed with low whispers that rippled through the crowd like a wave.

"That's him...," someone whispered nearby.

"The winner of the Rookie Tournament," another voice added, almost in awe.

Kaelen, who had been following Lord Grey with casual curiosity, suddenly felt the weight of all those gazes on him. His steps faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. He exchanged a brief, uncomfortable glance with Morris, who gave him a reassuring nod.

As they moved deeper into the ballroom, the whispers only grew louder.

"I heard he took down his final opponent in a single move."

"Unbelievable. To win the Rookie Tournament at his age... The Academy must have their eyes on him."

"Imagine the potential. He's practically a rising star."

Kaelen's face remained neutral, though his pulse quickened. He wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not in a room full of people from prestigious families and higher-ranked students from Pacesetters Academy. The tournament had been grueling, and his victory hard-earned, but this level of recognition caught him off guard.

Ethan leaned closer to Kaelen, grinning. "Looks like you're the center of attention now, huh?"

"Not exactly what I had in mind," Kaelen muttered, trying to stay composed. He could feel eyes on him from every direction—students from all ranks, from the apprentices to the adept-ranked, were now either watching him closely or murmuring about his performance in the tournament.

"Why don't we have a little friendly duel right here?" Nathan continued, his grin widening. "No harm in it. Just a chance to see if all the hype is real."

The crowd began to murmur again, excited by the prospect of seeing a duel between the Rookie Tournament champion and an adept-ranked student. Some of the novice and apprentice-ranked students edged closer, eager to witness a clash of skill.

Kaelen hesitated, not because he feared the challenge, but because of the timing and the situation. He glanced around the ballroom, noting the dignitaries and esteemed guests still mingling. This wasn't the right place or time for a duel, no matter how friendly it might seem. But more importantly, his eyes landed on Lila, standing near the back of the room.

She was watching the scene unfold, concern evident on her face. Lila had been his childhood friend, someone who had always supported him quietly, and her presence reminded him that this moment wasn't about proving anything.

Kaelen shook his head slightly, trying to diffuse the situation. "Not tonight, Nathan," he said calmly. "This isn't the right place for a duel. Besides, we're here as guests of the Grey family, not to start a spectacle."

Nathan's expression faltered for a moment, clearly not expecting Kaelen to refuse. The smirk returned, but now there was an edge of irritation in his voice. "What's the matter? You afraid? All that talk about your victory, and now you're backing down?"

Kaelen met Nathan's challenging gaze, keeping his voice steady. "It's not about fear. I don't need to prove myself here, not like this." He nodded in Lila's direction, though he didn't say her name. "I have other reasons to consider, and tonight isn't the right time for this."

Nathan followed Kaelen's glance toward Lila, and a flicker of recognition passed over his face. His smirk returned, but it was tinged with bitterness. "Ah, I see. You're thinking about Lila, aren't you? Do you guys have a secret connections that we don't know about?" Nathan's words dripped with mockery, clearly trying to provoke Kaelen further.

Kaelen's jaw clenched, but he remained calm. "This isn't about her either," he said firmly. "It's about respect—for the Grey family, for the guests here, and for the event. If you want to challenge me, we can do it another time, in a more appropriate setting."

The crowd, sensing the tension, was quiet now, watching closely to see how Nathan would respond. For a moment, it seemed like Nathan might push further, but then Lord Grey's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Nathan," Lord Grey said smoothly, stepping forward, "Kaelen is right. This is neither the time nor the place for duels. You are all guests in my home, and I expect you to act accordingly."

Nathan stiffened at the sound of Lord Grey's voice. He hesitated, clearly weighing his options, before finally giving a sharp nod. "Of course, Lord Grey," he said, though the edge in his tone remained. "It was just a friendly challenge, nothing more."

Lord Grey's eyes lingered on Nathan for a moment longer before he turned to Kaelen, offering a subtle nod of approval. "Another time, perhaps."

Nathan took a step back, casting one last glance at Kaelen, his pride clearly wounded. "I'll be waiting for that 'another time,'" he muttered before turning on his heel and walking away, his entourage following him.

As the crowd dispersed and the tension eased, Kaelen let out a small breath. He caught Lila's eye from across the room, and she gave him a soft, grateful smile. Morris and Ethan moved closer to him, both of them clearly impressed with how he handled the situation.

"You could've taken him," Ethan whispered with a grin.

Kaelen shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips as he replied while he thought, "Maybe. But some battles aren't worth fighting."

'Especially when I haven't gotten a stable hold on that strange mana that is in me'