Conversations broke out among the nobles in the hall. Evidently a good show was about to start. Those persons that felt joy over Mona's mortality were clearly enjoying the chats at their tables, working to spike the flames higher and higher.

Of course Mona watched all of this happen from their table. His face showed little desire to be present at this gathering any longer. Then again, he did want to know who it was a bit. Mona's gaze turned to his father, watching three lines appear on his forehead.

"Who dares to slander my son?" Signorus shouted towards the entrance, clearly displeased. Oscar's felt uneasiness of the whole situation. Being near the entrance and meeting the guests, he knew the younger of the two arrivals was sowing chaos for the event, and trouble for him. He paused momentarily, then had the attendants once more open the great hall doors.

Gradually becoming visible were two figures.

On the left stood a young man. His eyes carried a slight glint of pride as he stood there. His right hand crossed into his left behind his back. His clothing carried a yellow tinge, opulent and yet made for combat. On his belt was a plain sheath, but the hilt of the blade it held was clearly forged to shine. He walked forwards with a calm atmosphere. His gaze focused on Mona, his interest piqued.

The other fellow was taller, yet gave off the feeling of a mountain, steady and towering. On his back rested a greatblade forged from Forgotten Ore. Any who gazed directly at it felt forgetful of why they came to the Aurum manor, until removing their gaze. His hair was grey and trimmed, yet his face spotted a goatee. He seemed like a relative of the fellow near him, except his figure was more built, and his eyes trained on Signorus. This figure smiled for but a moment, before looking back to Mona.

The crowd stayed silent as the two figures made their way towards Oscar. Only the sound of footsteps rang in everyone's ears.

Oscar took a moment to settle his mind, then clearly shouted over the audience.

"It is my honor to welcome the Duke of the Eshwindian Highlands, Sir Primor Aurum, to our minor gathering." Oscar promptly bowed to the grey-haired figure.

"The duke made an appearance? Oh my..."

"To think the duke came to such an event..."

"Although of the same bloodline, he's still a mortal, no?

The crowd had risen into a flurry of conversation over the guest that appeared. The duke of the region had made an appearance. The number of guests honored with his presence at banquets were few, even among the royalty in the capital Rosalin. Even if Mona was a descendant of the Aurum bloodline, it was not enough reason for the Duke.

"Oscar, I see you are doing well. I take it nothing has plagued you recently?" The Duke softly asked Oscar. "No, no, nothing has. My health has never been better. Allow me to guide you to Signorus." Oscar grinned back, a slight sense of pride visible on his face. The first generation of Aurum he had ever raised had come back for a visit. How time had went by.

Signorus had temporarily forgotten the provocative outburst from earlier after seeing the Duke.

Once Oscar had made his way to Signorus, Signorus half-knelt and ushered Mona to do the same. The Duke quickly urged both of them to rise.

"Father, what brings you here from Tumnal?" Signorus asked the duke, smiling.

"Why my grandson, Mona, of course. Did you think I would miss his rite of passage?" The duke replied, his gaze resting on Mona's figure nearby.

Mona gazed back at the figure, and was greeted back with a smile. Primor Aurum, the Duke of the Eshwindian Highlands in the Leafwind Kingdom. Primor Aurum, a man famous throughout all of Leafwind for his talent in greatblade wielding at the rank of a Lord level 5. Lastly, he earned a dukedom thanks to his past efforts in forming a peace treaty with the nearby Madrag Empire and Alberdos Kingdom.

This was his first time seeing his grandfather in person. Although he seemed amicable at the moment, Mona learned over time the ways of nobility. Today was going to be the first and last time Primor would stand before him. Family bonds in the Aurum bloodline were conditional.

Hence, the artificial smile Mona's face gave back.

"I almost forgot. Come here, grandnephew." Primor turned towards the hallway, beckoning the other fellow to come forth. The young man near the entrance looked over the crowd again before making his way down the stairs.

The figure stood in front of Signorus making a bow, but not before smirking at Mona. Signorus featured a complicated expression, which the crowd and Primor could tell clearly. Mona knew exactly who this person was.

Primor intentionally coughed a few times before continuing, "Mona, this here is your first cousin, Valence." Pride was evident in his voice, more pride than when Mona's name was called out.

Valence kept his eyes focused on Mona, contemplating. Mona kept his gaze focused on Primor, giving little face to the mosquito by him. He couldn't bother to show any respect to the arrogant. Their exchange of gestures did not leave Oscar's gaze, a few lines growing on his brow.

Wood to a fire, Oscar thought, shaking his head.

"Is he who called my son a shame?" Signorus's voice was careful to hide his burgeoning anger.

"My apologies, Uncle. But for him to lack any talent, let alone talent in the Aurum family techniques, how can we be sure he is even related to us. After all..." Valence continued with his conversation, a few among the crowd clearly enjoying the words Valence was speaking.

"Enough! I told you to end this, yet you don't learn. If you can't control yourself, I'll personally lend a hand." Primor exerted his pressure over Valence, forcing the fellow to breathe heavily. A mid-stage Saint's pressure was enough to kill mortals, let alone the Warrior level 1 Valence.

Primor brought himself and Valence to lend honor to Mona. Understanding his youngest grandson's condition, he hoped doing so would at least give him a good reputation. How many were able to get an audience with a duke and the current genius of the Aurum bloodline. Sadly his eldest grandson lacked self-restraint.

"It's fine. I am a mortal. What can I do about it? Nothing at all." Mona put up a facade of acceptance, escaping back to his seat.

"Mona..." Signorus sighed, watching his son leave his side.

Valence and the members of the crowd, however, were enjoying that figure leave. Primor on the other hand watched his son and grandson sit down. His jaw moved, yet no words came out. However, his hand gave Valence's shoulder a vicegrip. He glared at Valence, the disappointment and anger flashing in his eyes.

He, along with the now shaken Valence, made their way adjacent to Signorus.

Can you forgive Valence for his actions? Primor asked Signorus through a mental message. Upon reaching the Saint stage, one could converse using mental messages with one another.

You heard my son Father. Signorus replied after a short pause. His sorrow was apparent in his reply.

Primor sighed. He felt guilty. The first strike was his absence from Mona's life up to this point. His second strike being his pride, the genius of the Aurum bloodline Valence. He hoped to not make a third.

The crowd was quietly waited by several of the attendants, as dinner was served to the various guests. Signor's gaze frequented over his son. His son's countenance had hurt his happiness.

*****

Signorus stood up among the crowd. He glanced at his father to continue the rest of the evening.

"No, no. He's your son, and this is your banquet. Proceed." Primor sent a mental message back to Signorus.

Clearing his throat, Signorus resumed.

"As many of you know, today is an important occasion. All of you were invited to witness my son, Mona Aurum, ascend into adulthood and nobility." Signorus's voice had a trace of joy, a trace of pride, albeit a bit diminished. The audience clapped their hands.

"Oscar, began the preparations."

Oscar moved from his position, making various gestures. The tables fazed out of existence, the chairs and nobles arranged into two columns of several rows. Not one noble found it strange, after all, Creations were commonplace in society.

The lights were dimmed to a flicker, allowing moonlight to fill the hall. Everyone gazed upon that lone shape in the sky, hidden behind a few clouds in that dark sky. Not a single sound could be heard.

Signorus ushered his son to walk towards the moon, helping him to rise from seat.

It's almost over. Mona looked at the orb in the night sky.

Mona took his steps, the audience watching that lone figure make his way across the walkway, towards the altar Creation. His steps echoed throughout the room, rhythmic and light.

Slowly, Mona's robes began to glow ever more. It became comfortable, and conformed to Mona's physique. It gave off an ancient aura, a signature sign left behind by its creator. Various lines and shapes came into existence.

Together, they formed the shape of a brush, evoking a heavy pressure on the masses.

To think his raw talent was so high. Primor was lost in thoughts. If he didn't have the Mortal Curse, how far would he go...

Primor's gaze on that brush insignia never left. Few knew that the first generation figure of the Aurum bloodline had the same symbol. To date, only Primor understood the deeper meaning behind it.

As the audience was focused on Mona, Primor secretly placed a ring in Signorus's hand. Signorus turned around, seeing his father nod once. He understood the ring was for Mona.

The moon was now fully uncovered, moonbeams enveloping Mona's fragile frame. The saintly cloth morphed into a black cloak, the brush insignia fully visible against the dark fabric. It glowed with the light of the moon.

Signorus was taken aback by the change in the cloth. What could it mean? At his own rite, a sword had appeared, but the white clothing never changed in form. He turned to his father, only to see shock no less than his. Even Valence was in confusion. Why did the cloak change?

However, the silence soon after ended. In the distance, the city hall of Eshwin had broken into flames, the inferno visible from the grand hall. The flames were making their way to the manor.

Suddenly the sound of a wall collapsing echoed into the hall. Oscar quickly ordered attendants to find the cause to the disturbance.

Someone had assaulted the Aurum manor...