Great Journey: Whims of Fate

Bastion and Elyra spent the next few days relaxing together in their room. They didn't have much left to do in the city after their little excursion, so they simply stayed put until it was time for the banquet.

Apart from pampering Elyra, Bastion also dedicated a considerable amount of time to his magic practice. He had successfully balanced all six of the basic elements, often smoking Manaleaf while having a ball of each element rotate around both hands.

It was a notable achievement to be able to manipulate so many elements at once, especially at his age, so Bastion felt vindicated in his decision to focus on skills and free-cast magic rather than traditional spells.

Though, he had a feeling he would eventually need to pick up some spells, simply for their utility, like the contraception spell Elyra often used. It was a handy Apprentice Rank spell that couldn't be easily mimicked through skills or free-cast magic.

As for the upcoming party, Bastion wasn't concerned. He had felt more pressure presenting ideas to former bosses or employees. This introduction banquet would feel like a simple party in comparison, especially with how lackluster it seemed without a proper schedule.

Typically, social gatherings like these included a full week of events, such as hunting parties, auctions, art appreciation like collection viewings and concerts, and other activities, all culminating in nightly banquets or so Bastion had learned.

However, this time it was just a simple banquet with no other festivities.

By noble standards, it made the event feel rather stale.

Still, he dressed extravagantly for the occasion, as it also marked his debut into high society.

Bastion's attire for the party was a refined three-piece suit, with a deep blue coat that reached just above his knees, embroidered with gold along the seams. Underneath, a crisp white shirt and gold-accented tie completed the look, while his matching waistcoat featured gold buttons. 

Dark trousers and polished black leather shoes with gold accents finished the ensemble, and a gold pocket watch added a subtle touch of luxury. The outfit exuded an air of sophistication, perfect for the banquet.

The pocket watch was a magical timepiece, its timekeeping powered by an enchantment woven into its design. According to Elyra, it had cost around two mithril coins.

Standing at 6'6" (1.98m), he was taller than the average person but just average for strength-based physical classes like Warriors, Berserkers, Fighters, etc.

Elyra accompanied Bastion as his escort, despite being "just" a maid, due to her renowned status as a shadow. She wore a simple, slitted, full-sleeve long black dress, with a hole in the back for her tail. To keep her appearance less refined than the noble ladies, she wore no jewelry, but in Bastion's eyes, it only made her icy blue eyes stand out even more.

Standing at 6 feet (1.83m) at the top of her head, she was a tall, elegant woman with large breasts. Her plain dress only accentuated her impressive figure.

The banquet was scheduled to start in the afternoon and last until midnight, so Bastion decided to arrive fashionably late by two hours. He'd heard that the later someone arrived, the more important they were considered by the other guests.

There was a bit of mind game involved, but with dukes being just below the royal family in status, arriving two hours late was considered polite and appropriate.

"Announcing Lord Bastion, Heir to the Dukedom of Diamondhart, and Lady Elyra, esteemed shadow to His Lordship," the herald proclaimed as they entered the banquet hall.

The space was grand and luxurious, hosting a sizable gathering of noble youths, most of whom were heirs to their own families.

Bastion quickly noted the distinct absence of adults, which made sense given the nature of the occasion.

'Pity. I was hoping to forge proper connections, not sit at the kids' table,' Bastion mused.

He had genuinely planned to build meaningful relationships tonight, but it was clear that most of the young nobles hailed from the central regions of the kingdom, an area with little relevance to his future territory.

In the end, Bastion and Elyra quietly settled into a corner with a glass of wine in hand, choosing not to mingle for the time being.

A few minutes later, someone of interest caught Bastion's attention as the herald made another announcement.

"Announcing Lord Damian, Heir to the Dukedom of Steelhart," the herald proclaimed, as a tall young man with wild gray hair strode into the banquet hall.

He stood at 6'10" (2.08m) with a proportional frame and an impressive body for any Warrior. He looked about Bastion's age but was a size bigger all around. He wore a plain gray suit with black and white accents. His unkempt hair stood out like the spikes of a hedgehog, and he moved with a raw, primal energy. Not wild, more like something violent. 

'He's definitely already killed someone,' Bastion thought at first glance.

The moment Damian spotted him, he made a beeline across the hall.

"You must be Bastion, heir to the Diamondhart dukedom," he said.

"And you must be Damian, heir to the Steelhart dukedom," Bastion replied coolly.

"I heard Diamondharts always lose to Steelharts. Is that true?" Damian teased with a sly grin.

It is true. 

The Diamondharts had always lost to the Steelharts due to the mismatch between their classes. Diamond Knights excelled against magic users, while the Steelhart family's Steel Warriors dominated physical fighters.

Even with the use of Reinforce, Steel Warriors consistently outmatched Diamond Knights in offense, defense, and stamina. It didn't help that the magic Diamond Knights employed was ultimately just a physical attack, despite its magical nature.

"We'll just have to see when school starts, won't we?"

"Why not now?"

"And rob the spotlight from the little lion? You would dare?" Bastion shot back with a smirk.

"Heard he was a prick with a stick up his ass," Damian said.

"I heard he has a hero complex," Bastion countered.

"Same thing."

They both laughed.

The two hit it off with a bit of a rocky start, quickly falling into a more casual conversation. As Bastion suspected, Damian had already been blooded, sent off to fight a group of bandits to toughen him up.

Frankly, Bastion wasn't sure Damian needed any "toughening." He was far more mature than the rumors had suggested. According to Sibelle's reports, the Steelhart heir was supposed to be a violent brat who threw tantrums over the smallest things.

"I heard you were some kind of genius," Damian said, taking a sip of his drink.

"I spent my whole childhood reading, then started getting my ass kicked at five years old. Haven't won a fight most of my life," Bastion said with a small grin. "Slacked off on reading because of it, now I'm no different from anyone else."

"Why do you sound like you're bragging even when you talk about losing?"

"I have no idea how strong I really am. I'm actually excited to spar with kids my own age and size."

"I'll be sure to keep your record unbroken, then."

"We'll see," Bastion replied with a smirk.

"Announcing Lord Cyrus, Heir to the Dukedom of Phoenixhart, and Lady Seraphina, esteemed sister to His Lordship," the herald proclaimed as the siblings with long, fiery red hair entered the banquet hall.

Damian immediately noticed a beautiful woman who, unfortunately, was most likely already spoken for. Incest was largely overlooked among those with Classes; the advantages of passing down talent in magic and stats made preserving bloodlines a priority, even among commoners.

Classes not only fixed genetic defects in those blessed by the gods, but they also ensured that any children they sired were genetically stronger, with talents surpassing human standards. This was the source of power for the nobility.

Bastion, meanwhile, saw a woman marked by a remarkable fate. He still didn't understand why she had run from just hearing his voice, but he decided to play nice and avoid teasing the girl in front of her brother.

Seraphina was notably tall for a woman at 6'2" (1.88m), standing a few inches taller than her brother of the same age at 5'10" (1.78m). Both siblings shared the same striking features: long, fiery red hair, bright golden eyes, tall, slender, delicate frames, and matching attire of red, black, and gold.

If there was any notable difference between the siblings, it was the sharp, intimidating eyes Seraphina possessed. Paired with her fiery red hair and gleaming golden irises, she looked as if she were ready to set the entire hall ablaze.

'Quite the impressive resting bitch face,' Bastion thought.

Cyrus wore a formal three-piece suit accented by a monocle, while Seraphina dazzled in a vivid red gown that shimmered like fire.

The moment Cyrus spotted Bastion and Damian tucked away in a distant corner, he made a direct beeline toward them, dragging a rather irritated-looking Seraphina along behind him.

"Bastion Diamondhart and Damian Steelhart, I presume," Cyrus said smoothly.

"That would be correct," Bastion replied.

"Yup," Damian added.

"Quite the miracle, having the heirs of all three dukedoms gathered in one place. Don't you think so?" Cyrus continued with a polite smile.

"It almost feels like a family reunion," Bastion quipped.

"All we're missing is the golden boy himself," Damian said with a chuckle.

As if on cue, the herald suddenly announced.

"Announcing His Highness, Crown Prince Julius Lionhart, Heir to the Throne," the herald proclaimed, as a young man with flowing golden hair strode into the banquet hall.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," Bastion commented.

Standing at 6 feet (1.83m) with a slim build and short blonde hair, he possessed a dazzling smile and bright green eyes that made him instantly memorable. Though he lacked the muscular build of Bastion and Damian, and wasn't as effeminate as Cyrus, he still managed to light up the room with his very presence.

Meanwhile, trouble was quietly brewing across the city.

-----

Support me on Patreon

patreon/babywrath