Chapter 121

Ian slid his hands fully into the leather gloves as Mini carefully smoothed back every strand of his hair, ensuring it was perfectly slicked behind his ears. Pinning the tassel that came with his uniform onto his chest, Ian glanced over his shoulder.

“Ha ha! Don’t I look great?”

“Absolutely. No wonder they say clothes are a man’s wings.”

“Even Romandro looks better than usual.”

“Oh? If you’re going to compliment him, you better say it all or not at all.”

Beric, too, had tied back his usually loose hair neatly and buttoned his shirt all the way up to his neck. The worn scabbard at his waist stuck out awkwardly, but since all weapons had to be surrendered before entering the palace, it didn’t matter. With Romandro now properly dressed as well, the reality of the occasion finally sank in.

‘So today is really the day.’

Mini turned around with a bright smile, signaling that everything was ready. Lady Viviana, who had been quietly assisting nearby, nodded in approval.

“My, you look absolutely radiant.”

“You flatter me, madam.”

“I mean it. Ian will surely be the brightest star at the ball. I’ve heard the Marquis Ralton’s son is handsome, but there’s no comparison. Not at all.”

Viviana smiled admiringly at Ian’s composed posture, as if he were her own charge. Beric suddenly poked his head forward and asked,

“And what about me, Viviana?”

“Oh, Beric, you look very dashing as well.”

“Hey now, don’t put your heart into your words…”

“Alright, enough chatter. We should get going. The carriages heading to the palace will be lined up, and traffic will be heavier than usual. It’s best to leave early. Besides, Ian is the guest of honor at the New Year’s ball, so there will be many instructions to follow.”

Romandro waved them off, separating Beric and Viviana. Hasha, lounging on the sofa, grinned widely.

“Have a good time.”

“Right. Since we’ll be late, Hasha, you should rest. Beric! Let’s go. Walk with good posture so your clothes don’t wrinkle.”

The three men climbed into the carriage, seeing off Mini and Viviana. Unlike usual, the carriage was filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Creaaak!

“We’ll be back!”

“Viviana, we’re off.”

“Take care, Ian. Congratulations once again.”

Whoooosh!

Ian waved lightly as the carriage pulled away. The road to the palace was lined with more luxurious carriages than usual. It was Ian’s first time entering the palace, and Beric pressed his face against the window, eyes sparkling.

“This is insane.”

“You’re drooling, Beric.”

The carriages alongside them all proudly flew banners stamped with their family crests—a display of noble pride, each one proclaiming their lineage and status.

Tap tap tap.

But Ian was the star of the New Year’s ball. While the other nobles followed the usual entrance procedures, Ian’s carriage veered off onto a side path under the guidance of palace staff, heading straight to the main hall of the First Palace for the grand banquet.

Creaaak.

“Welcome, Ian. Romandro. I’m Karl, the officer in charge of the New Year’s title conferment ceremony.”

As they stepped down, the palace official bowed respectfully to greet Ian.

The guest of honor always makes a grand entrance later, after waiting in a private room inside the banquet hall until the atmosphere is just right.

“There seem to be more carriages than expected.”

“It seems many nobles are looking forward to this New Year’s ball.”

Not only was Ian a magic user from the borderlands’ commoner class, but he had also quickly secured the positions of governor and lord in Marib. Everyone was eager to ‘see’ him.

“Romandro may have already told you, but I’ll repeat it. When the ball begins, the Light of Prophecy will be ignited. At that moment, you will enter, wait briefly, receive your title and family name, and then proceed to the magic verification ceremony.”

The instructions were simple. But the real challenge was how well Ian could mingle with the nobles during the downtime. Arguably, that was the most important part of the ball.

Whether Ian knew this or not, unlike the tense Romandro, he flopped onto the sofa and leisurely rolled his shoulders.

“So the Light of Prophecy verifies magic too?”

“Yes.”

Though it sounded grand, it was really just a decorative magic illusion. It responded like ripples to the power of the magic user, designed as a flashy performance to elevate the prestige of the Magic Department.

In other words, it was all for show.

‘Hmm. If anyone plans to embarrass me, this would be the perfect moment. They must have set it so that ordinary magic won’t trigger the effect.’

If the light flared grandly in response to his power, he could command the room’s attention. But if it barely flickered, it would be a laughingstock.

“Ian, do you think you can handle it?”

“Don’t worry about etiquette.”

“I don’t even have to be the one on stage, and my heart’s pounding. Ugh, seriously.”

Romandro bit his nails nervously, while Beric just looked around in wonder. It was an odd mix, and the official kept a cautious distance, watching them closely.

Knock knock.

Some time passed.

As the sun dipped lower, footsteps approached outside. The perfect moment to make an entrance. The advisor opened the door politely and guided Ian inside.

“This way, please.”

“Beric, you stick with Romandro.”

Beric gave a confident thumbs-up and smiled his usual playful grin. As they walked down the long corridor, the murmurs grew louder. Far ahead, beneath the central staircase, dozens of carriages were lined up.

“This way. Time to enter.”

“Phew.”

Romandro exhaled deeply. Ian straightened his collar and nodded. Servants opened the massive doors on either side.

Creaaak.

“Oh, hello, madam.”

“It’s been a while since the tea party last week.”

“Oh, you must be Lady Charlotte.”

“An honor to meet you.”

“I heard you recently returned from the military?”

“Your dress is truly beautiful today, my lady.”

As the doors opened wider, snippets of noble conversations drifted through the gap.

Unlike the soft lighting in the corridor, the banquet hall was bright and lavish as midday. Hundreds of magical spirits floated through the air, providing a dazzling spectacle, while the orchestra’s flawless, elegant melodies filled every corner.

Thump.

The moment Ian stepped onto the hall’s floor, the nearby nobles stopped their chatter and turned their heads. Ladies hid behind fans, eyes wide, while the men murmured to each other, nodding toward ‘that one.’ Like dominoes falling, a strange energy radiated outward from Ian, rippling through the room.

“Beric, this way.”

“Huh? Already?”

Romandro stepped aside with Beric as soon as they entered. Here, Romandro was just a lowly advisor, not someone who could introduce Ian to the nobles.

“Look at that one. It’s him.”

“Ah, the bastard son of Count Bratz from the borderlands?”

“Good heavens. He’s even younger than I thought.”

Ian stood alone on the crimson carpet, scanning the nobles slowly and deliberately. He remained still, his gaze moving with calm precision.

“Indeed. Such a young one, yet so fierce he even intimidates his own father… Truly frightening. And since he’s close with the borderland barbarians, you can imagine the rest.”

“Sis, don’t you think he’s alright?”

“Are you crazy? Remember, he’s a commoner.”

“But he’s a magic user, right? How could he be on par with Lady Marib…”

Their disdain was blatant, almost painful. They treated Ian like a curious spectacle, never lowering their condescending gazes. Romandro, having slipped away to the side, bit his lower lip as he watched.

‘I expected this, but seeing it with my own eyes is worse.’

How could a lone man break the proud dominance of the entrenched elite? Romandro could only hope the emperor himself would appear and elevate Ian as the true star.

Swish.

But at that moment, Ian lifted his chin slightly and smiled—a smile so natural and confident it seemed born with him.

‘Smile, Your Majesty.’

Ian recalled Naum’s words and the first banquet he had attended as emperor.

It hadn’t been much different then. Compared to the snakes circling the young emperor back then, this was a relatively mild situation.

‘True inner strength is so powerful it communicates without words. Believe yourself to be the center, and others will see you as such.’

Ian began walking the carpet. His straight posture, gentle jawline, and relaxed gaze were impossible to reconcile with a commoner from the borderlands.

‘And always smile. When you smile, the world smiles with you. But if you cry, the world will laugh even harder.’

Swish.

Ian’s eyes met those of a nobleman blocking his path. Without a word, Ian smiled gently. The man, caught off guard, stepped aside.

“Oh, pardon me.”

“Not at all. Are you Lord Youngsik of the Serro family?”

Ian glanced over and noticed the seal emblazoned on the man’s chest. It was a subtle probe, but the emblem was unmistakably familiar—one he had seen a century ago. The startled man nodded almost involuntarily and spoke his name.

“Marlon Hope Serro.”

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Ian. Today’s the day I receive my family name, so it’s a shame I can’t offer you a longer introduction.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. You must be Ian.”

“Hello. Lovely weather, isn’t it? I’m Alenara Serro.”

Seizing the moment, the woman beside him introduced herself. Though it was only for a brief instant, her gaze swept over Ian from head to toe.

Ian returned her smile warmly. They weren’t particularly influential, but for a first encounter, they weren’t bad company. Ian knew well that targeting peers his own age was often a better way to break the ice than mingling with stuffy old nobles.

“I hear you’re a magic user.”

“That’s right. After receiving my title today, there’s a magic confirmation ceremony.”

“Then would you mind shaking hands? They say meeting a magic user brings good luck—especially before you earn the title of mage.”

“Of course, my lady.”

“Oh, I’d like to as well…”

Ian smoothly slipped into their circle. Aside from the lively Serro family, other groups nearby were half-listening, their ears subtly tuned to the conversation.

“Serro, why don’t you introduce us to your friend?”

“Ah, this is from the Haiman family…”

“Hello, it’s been a while. So this is Ian?”

As a few curious and sociable nobles approached, the atmosphere shifted rapidly. The beginning was always the hardest, but once the momentum built, the interaction flowed naturally.

Bwoooom.

Just as Ian chatted with the nobles, a deep trumpet blast cut through the noise, and the orchestra fell silent. At once, the ladies clutched their dress hems and dipped their waists lightly, while the men placed hands over their hearts and bowed their heads.

Ian did the same.

“The Emperor is entering.”

“His Majesty the Emperor approaches! Everyone, stand and show respect!”

Ian’s senses sharpened at the sound of footsteps entering the hall and ascending the dais.

“Emperor… who are you?”

If he could see the face clearly, if the faint memories sharpened, Ian might even recall the next heir to the throne.

One by one, the nobles finished their greetings and lifted their heads.

“Ah.”

At that moment, Ian froze and let out a small gasp.