It was 8 o'clock at night. The capital of Drakethorne Duchy, Valentine, bustled with carriages entering the city. Each was guarded by troops and knights to protect their masters.
The carriages gleamed with fine materials, many adorned with gold emblems signifying high nobility. Inside, young masters, heiresses, and family heads waited to meet the Drakethorne heir.
The nobles knew Drakethorne produced strong people, and their lineage carried Black dragon blood.
The gate was not left empty. It was decorated with red roses and silver cloth that hung from the top, showing the welcome of their heir.
Each carriage stopped one by one near the gate. Knights opened the doors, allowing nobles and powerful people to emerge in fine robes and dresses.
The females stood out the most, their gowns hugging them tightly and enhancing their beauty, and their hair meticulously styled, creating an aura of sophistication that allured and captivated onlookers.
Welcoming the guests near the entrance was Drakethorne's knight commander, Lucy. She wore a blue dress that hugged her body and light makeup, with her hair swept into a high bun. She looked beautiful, but those who knew her power treaded carefully around her.
Lucy welcomed each guest with a gesture and a small gift arranged for everyone. The knights beside her announced each guest's name as they entered the hall.
The hall looked like a vast cathedral, with a terrace above and vaulted staircases connecting the terrace to the hall. Linen fabric draped from the terrace, and marble stairs and floors sparkled beneath the chandeliers, creating a sacred, holy atmosphere.
At the same time, inside the private chamber of Drakethorne, Shane and Sera were looking at the baby, who was enveloped in Sera's hug with love and tenderness.
Shane wore a fancy black suit that matched his dark eyes and hair. His sturdy build radiated confidence, but his face glowed with pride and excitement as he was finally stabilizing the newfound power of reaching Paragon rank, level 700, at such a young age but still he was fatigue from all the work he has been doing for past week while simulatneously trying to stabilize new powers yet he didn't make his fatigue known for now as he didn't wanted Sera to keep on worrying as she was worrying about him from dawn about how much he was pushing himself.
Sera wore a blazing red dress that hugged her closely, enhancing her beauty. The color complemented her azure eyes and blue hair, which cascaded freely. She looked radiant, and the way she glanced between Shane and her son revealed unspoken joy and an almost overwhelming sense of pride.
In her lap was her son, Alex, who was wearing a comfy silvery suit with gold embroidery on it, and he was fast asleep in his mother's warm embrace.
"Honey, we should enter the hall. People are already going in, and making them wait won't help us," Sera Azurestorm said. She glanced at her husband, Shane, who was watching their sleeping son and was about to pinch his cheek. Sera stopped him just in time.
"Let them wait; they're the lucky ones who get to see our Alex," Shane replied, his voice tinged with longing at not being able to pinch his son's cheeks.
With one hand, Sera held her baby on her lap. With the other, she wrapped her arm around Shane, and she started walking. "Yes, I know you are stronger, but we should hurry," Sera said, quickening her pace.
Shane followed, keeping his expression neutral and his emotions hidden, as an Drakethorne's patriarch, he had learned not to reveal his feelings to others.
Sera and Shane entered the terrace above the cathedral-like hall, their faces neutral but happy inside. The crowd waited eagerly to see if the legends about the boy were true.
Knights at the terrace entrance bowed and shouted, "We welcome Patriarch Shane Drakethorne, Matriarch Sera Azurestorm, and our new young master, heir of Drakethorne."
All the knights present at the hall bowed to one knee and gave respect to the masters of Drakethorne as they entered the terrace.
Their appearance and presence were commanding. Everyone felt their power, but those with great strength were especially shocked by Shane Drakethorne's aura, which was clearly stronger than before but showed signs of instability. As Shane moved, the air around him shimmered faintly, marking the tangible presence of his new, potent aura. It was a subtle but unmistakable sign of advancement to a new rank.
They walked together, eyes sharp, faces calm. At the terrace center, a huge throne waited, adorned with gold and precious ore.
Sera gently seated Alex on the throne. The cushion was soft and fluffy, and Alex soon fell asleep. Sera cast a magic circle to prevent him from falling from the throne.
People stared from below the terrace, shocked that the baby seemed as normal as any other. Despite his outward appearance, there was a subtle energy about him that only the keenest eyes could detect. They had expected someone extraordinary based on his legendary reputation.
Just as people were clearly brewing things inside their minds on how that legend could be false, a loud voice rang from the entrance of the hall, catching the people off guard.
"HaHaHa, you've given me a splendid gift, I thought it would die from me, but your son has it flowing rich in his blood, HaHaHa, bless the ancestor of Drakethorne."
-----------
Those who are confused about the power ranking: I will be adding the power ranking chapter soon.
In this world, everyone has an interface to see their level. It starts from level 1.
When they reach level 10, they get a class, such as a magician or a swordmaster.
Level 1: Human
Level 2 - Level 9: Novice
Level 10: Apprentice [ Class Selection ]
Level 50: Expert
Level 100: Master
Level 300: Grandmaster
Level 500: Sage
Level 700: Paragon[Above this is a mystery for now, even I don't know]
Gates are like this:
low→high: white, yellow, orange, red, black, catastrophe, [ Above I don't know for now ]