The serene environment was broken immediately. All eyes in the hall turned on him, and the guard himself was too stunned to stop him from walking past.
A relieved breath left his body as he walked past the rows and towards the steps. He ignored the whispers as he passed, eyes locked onto the pillar.
"Did he just arrive?"
"They shouldn't allow such people on stage, House Amphene shows no respect to the Count."
"This is the genius I've heard rumors of?"
"I've seen his work with my own eyes when I visited Dema recently."
"I hope he shows no affinity. But he is Hecate's son."
"Maybe today is the day Sion can gain the upper hand against them."
"I pray he does. Their existence shames tradition, let them be erased."
Okay, some of those really made him want to turn backwards and pinch a pair of lips. But he ignored them and climbed the stage. The announcer didn't bother bowing to him, so he walked up to the pillar.
