The little accident had attracted a lot of attention. People, many of whom already had fear filled eyes, stood in absolute silence as they saw the scene play out.

Old man Blake was still standing near the poor man, Goodstay, as he eyed to devour him whole. I had never seen this side of Blake Elmare. He was always the calm, genial old man who had this constant mischievous smile on his face. And here he was, standing like the bringer of death, ready to move at a moment's notice.

"Nathan Goodstay." Anna Forde, Nora's mother, spoke in a surprisingly authoritative voice. As she walked towards the man, who was still reeling from the shock that he almost died, the air around her changed subtly. I could feel little pricks in my skin that threatened to rip me apart.

As soon as I felt danger, the pricks on my skin vanished completely. However, Nathan Goodstay wasn't so fortunate. I, rather everyone in the venue, heard his screams of misery. And yet, not a single drop of blood appeared on him. He screamed as if he wanted to tear his throat apart but no wound was visible on his body.

I noticed that Anna Forde's eyes had turned all white just before I had felt the little pricks on my body. It was her that did something, I knew it and yet I couldn't even understand it. I couldn't make out when the attack had started and the range of it. How many people here felt the pricks before she reeled in her powers to focus only on Nathan Goodstay. While the people were watching the man's torture, I was watching the people who I considered monsters.

Blake Elmare, Maria Frye and Anna Forde.

If other people on par with them exist… I have been severely lacking in understanding so far. I was confident that with time, I could match anyone this world would put against me, but that confidence had been seeping away slowly. Reality was starting to hit me.

Oh how weak you are, Mehr. And weakness is the greatest sin. You have the first-hand experience of that.

Not just strength, even my understanding and knowledge was lagging behind. I couldn't understand what Anna Forde had done. I noticed what Maria Frye had done, all too late. And Blake Elmare was already in front of the man before I could even move my neck. It was at these times that I would often remember a conversation that I had with my father in my old world.

“The weak don’t even get to choose the way they die. Have you ever seen leaves riding the wind? People say that is the sign of freedom. They are wrong! Leaves aren’t even free enough to choose the path they take. That’s the kind of life the weak live. Their path is decided by others, and so is their end. So, do you want to stay like the hopeless leaves, or will you become the raging wind that sweeps everyone in its path to make one for itself?”

“I’ll be the Storm.”

-------------------

The screams had come to rest by now and Nathan Goodstay was convulsing softly on the floor. Anna Forde was still standing to the side looking coldly at the poor man in front of her.

"Just because you're the Royal Advisor, doesn't mean that you can create a commotion on my daughter's birthday. I invited you out of courtesy to the King, and yet you've acted out of line. Be a bigger man, Nathan Goodstay. Grow out of Erwin's shadow and perhaps, you will find fulfilment in your life. It's funny how you're still envious of a man who can't even use mana, when you have the position that he used to hold in the Royal Court. Truly pathetic!"

As soon as Anna Forde turned around, shadows emerged from the ground and engulfed Nathan Goodstay within them. He wriggled to get out but only muffled voices came out of his mouth.

"I, Anna Forde, with my authority as the Supreme Commander of Ruvonne’s Royal Army, am taking in the Royal Advisor, Nathan Goodstay, for disciplinary action." Anna Forde said her parting words to Nathan as she apologized to the other guests.

Blake had come back to us and stood by our side quietly. While I wanted to ask why the term cripple had triggered him so much, I didn't think it was a good time to talk to him.

"Grandpa, what did that man say to Father?"

Way to go, Sirius. No regard for others' emotional state.

I looked at Sirius with an annoyed expression plastered on my face. Sirius just gave back the 'I'm genuinely confused' look. So we just stood there, waiting for the old man to speak.

"Young Master, there are certain distinctions in society. There are various yardsticks to make these distinctions. However, the core of all of them is the same. There are two distinctions of people- ones who feed at the bottom. Even when they have achieved status and heights far greater than others, their hearts still spew dirt and poison. These people, I call them 'worms'."

"And then there are others. Ones who step on these worms. Humans whose leftovers are a treat to the bottom feeders. They are envied, cursed, judged and yet they stand tall. It doesn't matter how weak they are, how feeble they have become or how disastrous the path they have walked; They always bear the pain and continue to move on. That is your father, Young Master. He is the sole reason that the kingdom of Ruvonne stands as the strongest nation in the mainland. Lord Erwin's mind had achieved what the mightiest of warriors couldn't."

"And yet, a bottom feeding worm had the audacity to call Lord Erwin a cripple."

Anger burned in Blake's eyes as he spewed the words from his mouth. It was understandable from his point of view. The man he served and respected was insulted. However, the man who had insulted Lord Erwin was a Royal Advisor. He has the king's backing. And yet, both Blake and Maria jumped in without any hesitation. Wouldn't this be considered treason? Or was the King tolerable enough to just forget it.

"Do not think about it too much, Young Master. Putting your attention to these trivial matters is not necessary."

Old man Blake spoke as he held our hands and took us to where Lord Erwin and Anna Forde were standing. I turned around to look towards the main door, and I saw the shadow-like guards taking Nathan Goodstay out of the venue. And by his side, was a small child of, probably, the same age as Sirius and I. The child was holding Nathan Goodstay's sleeve as he was also pulled along. The child looked back and I could see tears welling in his eyes and his expression filled with poison as he looked at us with rage.

Not putting attention to trivial matters? Matters we often consider trivial usually catch up to stab us in the back, old man.