Chapter 308
Chapter 308: So Exhausted
Within the vast and golden palace hall, a profusion of hanging candlelight illuminated the entire Banquet Hall in brilliant glow.
Gemstones of every hue were set into the enormous golden pillars, and through the luminance of candlelight, they shimmered with flowing, prismatic luster.
Enormous curtains fell on both sides—straight and weightless, red drapery descending from the ceiling all the way down until it pooled upon the gilded floor.
Forest-green potted plants hung suspended in midair, their lush branches and leaves spilling forth from crystal-like containers, hanging alongside both sides of the Banquet Hall's elevated platforms.
The vast dome above drew the night sky into the hall, and a cool evening breeze swayed together with the candlelight.
Music, smooth and flowing as a gentle stream, murmured on both sides like quiet, unmoving angels.
At the center table of the Banquet Hall stood an extraordinarily enormous 9-tiered cake.
Its height was such that it rivaled even the red drapery hanging down from the ceiling.
The brilliant candlelight cast a smile onto the face of every noble present.
The nobles leaned upon their ornate walking canes, raised their goblets to one another in courteous salutes, then exchanged cup after cup in easy conviviality.
Every noble in attendance knew full well that the Princess's true birthday was only 7 days away.
And yet tonight, His Majesty had held this lavish and spectacular Banquet.
In particular, at a time when undercurrents were running strong beneath the surface.
The Mage Council had never been known to establish ties with any nation.
But owing to Viktor's breathtaking performance last time, the entire world had turned its attention once more to this extraordinary organization.
Under the world's gaze, the Mage Council's Council Member—Heim Horn—had actually come forward of his own accord to make a proclamation to every nation in the world:
They, and they alone, were the legitimate authority of the Goddess of Justice.
Most nations did not act rashly in response to this.
Not even those that might have been inclined to step forward and openly support the Mage Council.
After all, the devotees of the Goddess of Justice were simply far too numerous.
Even if every last person in the City of Mages joined and became devotees of the Goddess of Justice, they could not add so much as a single ripple to that vast ocean of devotees.
The more nations chose to stand and observe, the more cautious the nations that came after would naturally become.
For in this world, a truly genuine divine being had not appeared for a very, very long time.
The Gods were recorded only in the histories of ages past, and some Deities were even near-impossible to trace.
But the devotees of those Gods still remained in the world.
In the name of the supreme divine beings they worshipped, they gathered followers across every corner of the entire world.
The Goddess of Justice's Church was one such faction.
Excepting the Empire's borders, the Goddess of Justice's Church was spread across virtually every nation in the world, in every corner, on every piece of land.
Like rats lurking in the dark recesses of the world, they had a presence in nearly every place imaginable.
In some regions, their sect had even cultivated a Pope, who led the people of the world to follow the Goddess of Justice.
This Goddess of Justice was, after all, the last God who had remained in the world.
And now, with the Goddess of Justice's Church already in existence, the Mage Council had still been bold enough to step forward and announce to the entire world that their claim to legitimate authority was beyond dispute.
It left people uncertain whether this was a case of the cuckoo claiming the magpie's nest, or whether the Council simply had every right to be this bold.
In any case, at this grand and magnificent Banquet, virtually every noble present was discussing the matter.
Leah and Heni stood side by side, like 2 brilliant stars shining amid the crowd.
Heni wore a pair of square-framed spectacles that lent her a composed and measured air, her attire a refined black evening gown.
The sleek black gown was adorned with subtle dark blossoms, lending Heni an air of quiet mystery.
She wore a pair of lace gloves, and from her shoulders fell a draping of black silk, like a shawl trailing down around her—and surrounded by all of this, she appeared all the more captivatingly beautiful.
Leah stood at her side, a goblet held gracefully in hand.
She wore a white, slender evening gown, the hem trailing gently across the floor, radiating an icy, luminous sheen.
A pair of earrings set with pure crimson gemstones caught the eye with brilliant, striking radiance.
The thick, velvet texture of the gown's double shoulders gave Leah an air of mature allure all her own.
The 2 women carried themselves in entirely different ways, yet each was beautiful in her own distinct fashion.
Within the entire Banquet Hall, they drew the eye more than anyone else.
The gazes of many nobles fell upon the 2 of them, each expression without exception filled with quiet amazement.
Leah smiled warmly and greeted the surrounding nobles with a friendly ease, moving through the crowd like a serene fish gliding effortlessly through water.
Some nobles' gazes drifted to Heni, who stood beside Leah, and found themselves thoroughly stupefied.
Even their minds seemed to slow, a haze settling over their thoughts, as they asked in curious amazement:
"Who is that young lady standing beside Miss Leah?"
"She is rather...excessively beautiful."
"Hisssss........"
The moment the nobles laid eyes on Heni, a faint flush crept across their cheeks.
When Heni's gaze swept over them, they even bowed their heads in a fluster, not daring to meet her eyes.
But there were those who, faces flushed bright red, drew a deep breath, tipped their heads back, and drained their goblets in one swift motion.
Then they smoothed out their fine clothing, puffed up their chests, and were very nearly about to stride over and strike up a conversation with Heni.
But just as that man took 2 steps forward, intent on approaching Heni, he was suddenly stopped by someone.
A middle-aged man rushed out and seized the young man by his collar, dropping his voice to a low, sharp hiss:
"Have you lost your mind, boy?"
"Father, don't hold me back—today I'm going to find myself a wife no matter what……"
"She's a Retainer of the Clavena Family—can't you see she's walking side by side with Miss Leah?!"
At these words, some of the reckless flush drained from the young man's face, and he exhaled heavily.
But his gaze still lingered on Heni's enchanting figure.
"And another thing—she's already an Associate Professor at the Magic Academy at her age. A 3rd-Tier Mage! Are you even worthy of her?"
The young man froze, half-convinced he had misheard.
"Wh…what? A 3rd-Tier Mage?"
"Never mind whether she's a 3rd-Tier Mage or not—listen to me clearly. That woman is connected to the Clavena Family. Don't you dare go stirring up trouble there."
The elder glared at him, and the young man gave a sharp involuntary shudder.
A cold sweat shot straight up his spine, and he let out a slow breath of relief.
The lingering, reluctant gaze finally, as the man turned away, gradually tore itself from Heni's figure.
During this time, Viktor's name had risen to extraordinary heights of fame, causing the Clavena Family's public profile to rapidly soar.
Not a few people had turned their attention to this once-humble Teaching Assistant of Viktor's.
They didn't even need much investigation to discover the truth.
This beautiful Miss Heni had graduated from the Magic Academy barely a year ago.
At just 20 years of age, she had already become a 3rd-Tier Mage.
Her beauty and intellect were like those of a bewitching demon straight out of a fairy tale—irresistible, impossible to look away from.
Many nobles still had their eyes locked on Heni, discussing her background and origins.
"I heard she used to study at the Royal Magic Academy, and even served as a Teaching Assistant there for a year after graduation."
"She used to study at the Academy? How come I never once saw her?"
"And she's a Retainer of the Clavena Family too—to put it plainly, doesn't that make her Viktor's……"
The more besotted people became with Heni, the more their hearts itched unbearably.
Just where on earth did Viktor keep finding such extraordinary treasures?
Leah guided Heni through the lovestruck crowd of nobles, looking for a relatively quiet place where the 2 of them could settle down.
Once they had taken their seats, Leah's gaze drifted quietly sideways to Heni.
More precisely, she snuck a downward glance at Heni's upper half.
Hmm……
Extraordinary treasures indeed.
When Heni had been choosing her evening gown, she had compared many, many options, and in the end had settled on a style that exposed as little skin as possible.
And yet this somewhat fitted gown on Heni's figure……hmm…… seemed to be doing its utmost to put her remarkable, graceful figure on full display.
There was a kind of beauty on the verge of overflowing.
It was undeniable that this would attract the nobles' gazes all the more.
Never mind the nobles—even Leah herself felt a flicker of envy.
No wonder Viktor had always kept Heni dressed in those large, loose Robes. So the man had been privately hoarding this view all to himself.
So this is what Viktor likes?
The thought crossed Leah's mind unbidden, and then, summoning her nerve, she snuck a downward glance at herself.
No use. No contest.
And so the 2 of them sat quietly side by side in this manner.
Leah continued making comparisons in other areas, stubborn and unresigned.
The sounds of the entire Banquet Hall seemed to soften to a gentle hush around the 2 of them.
But before long, a radiant silhouette shattered that solitary stillness.
Erika stepped into the Banquet Hall, the thick white ruffled collar of her black evening gown blending seamlessly with her long golden hair.
She was on Duke Livi's arm as they walked into the grand Banquet Hall, every step of hers a vision of brilliance.
She held her head high, and in her eyes shone a quality that could only be called confident nobility.
Composure and elegance bloomed from her simultaneously, drawing gasps of admiration from the noble crowd.
Their gazes, drawn by those sounds of astonishment, gathered once more upon Erika—and naturally, there was no shortage of respectful exchanges directed at Duke Livi as well.
"Good evening, Duke."
"A pleasant evening to you, Your Grace."
"Your Grace."
Duke Livi wore a warm and gracious expression, yet remained composed and dignified as he responded to each noble in turn.
In recent days, the Du Chloe Family had been riding high, its name growing more and more illustrious, and Duke Livi was witnessing the full glory of his family's ascent.
Now, surveying the entire history of the world, the youngest 3rd-Tier Mage was none other than Erika du Chloe.
Every person in attendance held only one assessment of Erika in their heart—
Boundless potential.
And there was precedent for such judgment.
At 20 years of age, Viktor had shattered the record for the youngest 3rd-Tier Mage.
And now he had likewise become the youngest 4th-Tier Mage.
Immense in power. Illustrious in fame.
In the eyes of those who did not know the full truth, Erika, at 17, would naturally not be thought of as falling far behind Viktor.
It was only that the magical geniuses emerging from the Empire recently were growing rather plentiful.
First, a Viktor had appeared out of nowhere.
Then today, a Heni had materialized from thin air.
And now, there was also an Erika du Chloe.
Were geniuses sprouting up like mushrooms after rain now?
But thinking about it more carefully, they suddenly found themselves struck by the most astonishing realization of all.
Whether it was Heni or Erika—
They were both connected to Viktor.
Heni had once been Viktor's Teaching Assistant, while Erika had always been Viktor's student.
This……
Was it too late to ask Viktor now whether he was taking on more students?
While Erika basked in the admiring eyes around her, a figure leaning on a walking cane made its way toward her, the rhythmic thud, thud of each step drawing closer.
Count Beck, wearing a smile, gave Duke Livi a slight nod.
"Duke, we meet again."
Count Beck, wearing a smile, gave Duke Livi a slight nod.
At the sight, Livi patted Erika's arm.
Erika, perceptive as ever, stepped back quietly and stood to one side of the Duke.
She offered Count Beck a graceful bow and greeted him with a smile:
"Mr. Beck."
"I won't interrupt your conversation with Father."
With those words, Erika stayed no longer, and turned away with a polite farewell.
Beck watched Erika as she left, and heaped praise upon the Duke without the slightest reservation:
"Duke, that daughter of yours truly has boundless potential."
In all honesty, Beck had never imagined it.
When he had first seen Erika a few months ago, she had still been an impetuous, headstrong young girl.
A 2nd-Tier Mage, and a Genius by any measure—but only that.
And yet now.
Whether it was her composure or her power, both had reached a fitting stage.
Already the Empire's youngest Genius, and yet she remained unassuming and without arrogance.
"I've already lived more than half my life, and here I still am, stuck at the 3rd Tier."
"Who would have thought—your daughter is only 17, and she's already just like me, this old fellow."
At this, Beck let out a hearty laugh, then coughed twice.
His eyes seemed to carry just a touch of envy.
"Not at all, not at all—she is young, after all."
Livi waved his hand in a modest dismissal, a faint note of wistfulness in his voice.
The 2 men chatted idly, exchanging pleasantries for a while.
Beck seemed to suddenly remember something, and leaned closer to Duke Livi, asking in a low voice:
"Duke, just what exactly is the occasion for this Banquet tonight?"