Duke Windsor was currently looking at the invitation letter sent from the Ragebergs. Looking at the invitation, he felt a premonition in his heart. The invitation was addressed to him requesting his presence at the third birthday of the youngest son of Duke Rageberg, Michael Rageberg. In the Atrexia kingdom, for a child, only two ceremonies were held with importance. One would be the blessing ceremony that was conducted at birth and the other would be the coming-of-age ceremony conducted when the child turned 20. While he had not attended Michael's blessing ceremony personally and had sent the younger of his two sons, Kamal Windsor, to the celebration, he naturally knew that Michael had a supreme blessing. He could not ignore the invitation letter in his hands. After all, it was very clear from the tone of the letter that Collins was requesting his personal presence! The third birthday of a child was definitely not any special occasion to invite the Duke personally. If it had been Collins' son coming-of-age, it would make sense. But, the letter sent a hidden meaning - Collins wanted to talk about something. And, from the looks of it, he might have sent personal invitations to the other Dukes or even Emperor Desborn himself. Duke Windsor would definitely not leave the Ragebergs such an opportunity to get closer to the Atrexias without his presence. Hence he called his servant:

Clarke Windsor (Duke) : Ron, please make arrangements for my travel to the Rageberg territory in two-and-a-half months. I will be taking Kamal with me. Also ask that elder son of mine to get his ass out of brothels and look after the territory for a few days in my absence!

Ron (personal servant of Duke) : Don't worry Sir. I will make all the needed preparations.

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Similar scenes could be seen in all major noble families and the royal family of the Atrexia kingdom. While all the families were confused by the sudden invitation by Duke Rageberg, they all decided to give him face by going to their territory. After all, the Duke was one of the highest-ranking nobles of the kingdom. While the lower nobles like Marquises, Counts and Barons could not really ignore the invite, even the Emperor decided to take a vacation and visit Redster for a few days.

Meanwhile, the preparation for the party was started in the earnest in the Rageberg territory. Michael was focussed on consolidating his early knight stage cultivation. As time passed, three months went by. The nobles and royals arrived in the castle and the day for the banquet also arrived. Michael had also consolidated his cultivation.

On the day of the banquet, several nobles could be seen forming different groups and talking among themselves trying to guess the reason why Duke Rageberg had suddenly called the entire kingdom to his territory. While the humans were the least powerful of the major races in the light alliance, the power of these nobles was still considerable. Many were in the emperor realm of body cultivation and a few were in Saint realm like Duke Rageberg himself. The Emperor himself had arrived - an expert at perfect body realm. The pressure exuded by these people had the heart of the servants of Rageberg castle shaking.

In one corner:

Tresline Rageberg : Master, I know that you are usually busy but trust me, you would definitely love the news my father is going to share!

High Priest Mubal: That had better be the case! For Collins to call me here in the middle of important experiments, if he dares to spout drivel, I would definitely set him straight.

Tresline : Don't worry, Master! I know the news already. And, I know that you would be happy to know it.

In another corner:

Harris : Come on Leonor, you don't have to act all mysterious. Just tell me what is the big announcement. After all, the time for Duke Rageberg to make an appearence is already here.

Kamal : I think there might be something of issue in the forbidden forest. I have read reports of your expeditions to the forest. Just tell me what you found.

Leonor : Why are you both this pestering? You will find the reason with everyone else when father takes the statge. Now shoo!

Emperor Atrexia was talking with his youngest son Ronald.

Desborn : Say Ronald, what do you think Collins would say? Let's make a bet!

Ronald : Father, I would not dare to guess the thoughts of the Duke. Everyone knows that while the Duke is only in Saint realm, his talent for politics is unnmatched. He is someone whose schemes have even troubled you in the court!

Desborn : Tsk, you are no fun. Just bet on something.

While the several conversations were going on, Duke Rageberg ascended to the stage. The sound of chatter slowly died down as the people set their attention on what the Duke had to say.

Collins : Hello all my comrads. Greetings! and a bow to Your Majesty! (bows)

Desborn : It is all right. Continue.

Collins : I have called you all here because I wanted to make two announcements that would require further discussions. While I could do the same when we arrange the court in half-year's time, I felt that these matters needed immediate attention. Let me announce the first matter. My youngest son Michael was born three years ago on this very day. Now I shall call him on to the stage.

On his cue, Michael walked on to the stage from the side. He was dressed in ceremonial golden robes with embroidered blue dragons. His hair was long and shiny. His sea-green eyes seemed to contain a light that would shock all who saw him. All in all, while his appearance could be called cute for he was a child, he could be called beautiful and majestic as well. It was such that it stunned all the nobles. Even the emperor was taken aback for a bit. But then, his eyes shined as his face registered the shock. Heavens! This child was already in the early knight realm! The powerful force in his body was clearly different from a mortal's. This was noticed by the others as well and the entire hall was left stunned. For a child to cultivate to early knight realm at three years of age was unheard of in the kingdom. Even Prince Ronald, who was hailed as the greatest genius in the kingdom had reached this stage at 7 years of age. While the nobles were still recovering from shock, someone in the crowd shouted:

Mubal : How is this possible!? The child's soul is in viscous soul realm!

As soon as his words were heard, everyone again fell into shock. The emperor also sent his soul force to probe. He could feel a soul force inside the small child that was not much behind his own. Even the high priest had his mouth open in shock as he was unable to say anything else for a long while. He remembered his conversation with his apprentice. He was definitely liking where this was going. As people recovered from their shock, all eyes turned to the Duke again.

Collins : As you can all see, the plane has gifted me a child that is a treasure from the heavens. You might all be wondering why he already has such cultivation when he is only three years old? In truth, on the day of blessing ceremony, he received two blessings! While all of you know that his first blessing gave him peerless physical strength, his second blessing helps him in cultivation! His soul constantly grows stronger even without cultivating by taking the energy of heaven and earth. Also, when he cultivates his body, his efficiency is very high.

After listening to the Duke's claims, the entire hall had weird expressions. A blessing like that would be simply heaven-defying. Even the Duke had not believed it initially. While he did believe that Michael may have obtained a blessing that would fasten his soul cultivation, but for the same blessing to improve body cultivation would make the blessing too overpowered. Such a blessing would be even better than supreme blessings. It was only after he saw Michael cultivate once that he believed this. If he were to know that the blessing also increased his combat power by many levels, perhaps he might stop believing Michael to be his child! As if expecting the crowd's reactions, he took out a spirit medicine with high potency and gave it to Michael. Michael swallowed the medicine and activated his perfect persona blessing refining the medicinal energy with high efficiency in front of everyone. When the crowd saw this, they quickly started thinking about how this would change the situation. Even the emperor was thinking about this and he felt a premonition that things were going in the wrong direction. Collins continued after this:

Collins : As you all have seen, the plane has blessed Michael with the best blessing ever received by anyone in the human territory. As such, according to the laws of ancestors, I hereby lay claim to my youngest son becoming the crown prince of humanity!

When the emperor heard Collins' words, he started thinking about the situation seriously. In the past, humanity had to survive against stronger races. In such a time, each genius of the race was treated as a treasure. To continue the race, the ancestors declared that every genius was to be preserved. Thus, killing a child was the gravest crime in the kingdom one punishable by death of all adult family members as well as oneself. This was a law that even bound the royal family! In the same declaration, the ancestors of humanity had established a system. If a genius emerged in the race that had the potential to reach the immortal stage, the entire race was to support his/her development and they would be given the position of crown prince or crown princess of humanity. Since this system's establishment, there had been only two crown princes. Both of them reached the perfect realm but did not manage to reach the immortal realm. After all the immortal realm was truly hard to achieve. An immortal expert could live tens of thousands of years without any problem. As long as their soul was prevented from degrading through high-grade soul medicines - they could live forever! Each immortal expert was a pillar for the race, even in case of powerful races like God-beasts. The emergence of a crown prince in this generation could be said to be the luck of humanity.

The nobles instantly understood why the Duke had called them. The status of crown-prince was a serious affair. Even the emperor would have to consult with all nobles before appointing this position. The influence of the crown prince in the future would be no less than the emperor. And if by any chance the kid reached the immortal stage, the status of the entire human race would change.

One by one, all nobles started giving their opinions about the matter. This was something that concerned the whole race, something beyond petty politics. The High Priest's eyes were glowing all along. Finally, he would find someone to inherit his soul arts. After his death, humanity would not lack a soul-master. And if the kid reached the immortal realm, nothing could be better.

While several people had many personal interests vested in the decision, they were still sensible enough to consider the bigger picture. After all, they were the decision makers of the entire race. Those of the younger generation could only sigh in envy. Blessings could be hoped for but never be asked for. This is what the entire plane believed. If they knew that Michael had asked for his second blessing, it would turn their entire understanding upside down! Prince Raynold was feeling extremely stifled. He felt as if he had woken today and stepped in shit. He could only curse his bad luck. But while the aged understood and followed the ancestor's commands, the young ones would often have rebellious thoughts. Prince Raynold was already forming a plan in his mind on how to remove this thorn by his side. While all this was going on, Michael was truly stunned. He had not expected his father to claim the position of crown prince. In his previous life, it was needless to say that he was the nominal crown-prince. It was just that he was never interested in the position. But in this life, it was a position he could not ignore. If he became the crown prince, he would not have to think about resources until he reached the perfect realm. While his family could support him till the saint realm, further cultivation would depend on himself. As his family never had perfect experts, they were similarly lacking in resources. Michael truly hoped to grab this heaven-sent opportunity.

Noble A : The assignment of crown prince is a grave matter. We should not make a hasty decision. While the blessing of the child is indeed unprecedented, we can never be sure. A steady heart is also necessary for cultivation.

Noble B : Can you not see that the child is in knight realm? Even if the efficiency of his cultivation is high, if he was not diligent, he would not have reached the knight realm so early.

High Priest Mubal : As he is skilled in the soul as well, he would become a well rounded expert. Even if he does not reach the immortal realm, he would be able to improve the race's condition.

Duke Clarke Windsor : If we can make him the crown prince, we can pressure the tower to give him a powerful expert as a master. Even an immortal expert may agree if the entire race uses its influence. This would later be helpful for us.

The discussions underwent many ups and downs and in the middle, Duke Bimbleton directly asked Michael

Duke Bimbleton : Michael, tell me what do you want to do in the future?

The question was asked abruptly and with a soul art. The Duke was known to have solid soul stage cultivation. With his soul art, making a young child of three years speak the truth was nothing much. Collins understood what the other Duke did and was beginning to get angry when Michael said:

Michael : I want to become the strongest!

The words were spoken with such force that the entire hall quietened down. Almost everyone could feel the kid's determination. This incident truly turned the direction of the discussion as more and more people started showing their support. The discussion came to an end in an hour. The emperor had agreed to make Michael the crown prince of humans! This was definitely a historic day for the Ragebergs and the human race.