William was currently wearing elegant robes that were given to him by the palace maids, his long brown hair had been brushed and styled. His sharp green eyes seemed to be glancing around in caution as he, Vincent, and his father walked into a spacious hall especially arranged for their victory.

'So it's a ball... Well, that was expected from the Emperor. It doesn't matter; I'll just enjoy the food here and not meddle in any groups.'

William thought as he instantly recognized the situation, heading towards the area where food was served, not caring about the stares directed at him.

Vincent was utterly clueless about noble manners, so he shakily followed behind William, looking around in worry.

"Stop overreacting. You've defeated a monster like that Half-Demon, so why are you afraid of a measly ball?"

Said William, munching on a cake he had just added to his plate. His manners were excellent, so even though he was eating rapidly, all of his actions were fluid and precise.

On the other hand, Vincent Shakily took a bite of the cake, and a few crumbs fell to the floor, making him panic.

William chuckled at Vincent's nervousness and patted him on the back.

"It's alright, Vincent. Just enjoy the food and the atmosphere. Nobody will mind a few crumbs on the floor. Besides, I doubt anyone here will be paying much attention to us."

Vincent nodded, though still a bit self-conscious. He took another bite of the cake, this time being more careful not to drop any crumbs. He tried to follow William's example and maintain a composed demeanor, though he couldn't help but feel out of place in such a grand setting. As they continued to enjoy the food and the lively atmosphere of the ball, William's attention shifted to the other guests in attendance.

He observed the nobles and dignitaries mingling, their elegant attire and polished manners portraying an air of sophistication. It was a stark contrast to the battlefield they had recently left behind.

While his father and the other Aura Saints engaged in conversations with high-ranking officials, William decided to explore the grand hall.

As he strolled, he caught snippets of conversations and overheard the latest rumors and gossip circulating among the elite. It was information that might prove helpful in the future since a lot of things might have changed since their departure to Dreghel.

After a while, people began whispering more as a figure began entering the gate. William's attention was drawn to a commotion at the entrance of the hall. The Emperor had arrived, accompanied by his retinue of advisors and high-ranking officials. The room fell into silence as everyone turned their attention to the monarch, waiting for him to address the crowd.

Emperor Nikolas II Rothsgomery stood tall, his regal aura commanding respect. He wore luxurious robes adorned with intricate embroidery, showcasing his status and power. His eyes scanned the room before he began his speech, his voice projecting authority.

"Ladies and gentlemen, warriors and heroes, I stand before you today to honor the valor and sacrifice displayed in the recent battle against the forces of darkness. It is with great pleasure that I commend each and every one of you for your dedication to the Thelwedean Empire."

The crowd erupted in applause, showing their appreciation for the Emperor's words. William clapped along with the others, his gaze fixed on the Emperor.

"As a token of my gratitude, I have prepared rewards for those who have distinguished themselves in battle. The Aura Saints, led by Baronet and Major General Malcolm Don Virtu, have exhibited exceptional skill and bravery. They shall be granted honorary titles and land, recognizing their invaluable contribution to our empire. Baronet Malcolm will also get a new title, officially becoming a baron."

Malcolm stepped forward, a proud smile on his face, as he accepted the Emperor's recognition as well as the bestowment of land and his title. William couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for his father. He knew firsthand the dedication and sacrifice Malcolm had put into his role, even listening to his young son, who originally had no right to be there except for his unique ability to distinguish demonic slaves.

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Speaking of demonic slaves, William noticed that there were none in the ballroom as if the Emperor had already killed or imprisoned all of the ones that existed. It really amazed him how fast the Emperor had acted.

As the Emperor continued with his speech, he turned his attention towards the other soldiers who had participated in the battle.

"And to the brave soldiers who fought alongside the Aura Saints, I extend my deepest gratitude. Your unwavering courage and loyalty have protected our empire and its people. You shall be rewarded with promotions, honors, and various benefits, as well as the eternal gratitude of the Thelwedean Empire as well as the entire union of Roia."

The soldiers erupted in cheers, their spirits lifted by the Emperor's words. It was a moment of celebration and recognition for their sacrifices.

As the ceremony came to a close, the atmosphere in the hall shifted to a more relaxed and celebratory one. Music filled the air, and the guests began to mingle, engaging in conversations and dancing. William found himself surrounded by low-ranking officials and nobles, their curious gazes fixed on him.

He politely exchanged pleasantries with the guests, maintaining his composed demeanor while subtly gauging their intentions and gathering information. It was an opportunity for him to gain insight into the political landscape and forge connections that might be helpful in the future.

Since his father’s position had increased, many would seek to get something out of him, especially with his achievements.

At that moment, his father, along with a gray-haired man, walked over, causing the crowd around him to disperse.

William recognized the person; it was Raymond Olson, the man who would become his tutor. The man was tidy, wearing high-quality garments; his face had a few wrinkles, betraying his age.

While Raymond looked to be in his fifties, he was more than eighty at this point in time. He was neither handsome nor ugly, having facial features that one could only call stoic. His body was incredibly toned, with his muscles visible even through the clothes he was wearing.

Malcolm approached his son and patted his back, smiling. However, William could tell that he was still not in a great mood after their conversation.

"Look at this son of mine. Unlike his older brother, who was incredibly flustered on his first few balls, he took his second one like a champ and even made acquaintances. Well, enough of that; let me introduce you. This is Sir Raymond Olson, the man who will be your tutor for the next two years."

Malcolm had mentioned two years because he knew that William would need to be fourteen to enter the Marinus Mage Academy.

William looked at his father, helpless, and then turned his head to Raymond. Since William had never met him in this life, nor did he know his appearance, he had to play the part.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

His voice was respectful, and his figure even bowed a full ninety degrees to show respect.

Raymond smiled at his greeting.

"It is likewise a pleasure to meet you, William. I've heard great things about your abilities and potential from Malcolm here. I am honored to have the opportunity to guide and train you."

Raymond replied, his voice carrying a warm tone.

"I've heard many tales of your skills, Master Raymond, and I am eager to begin my training under your tutelage. I hope to learn as much as I can and become a worthy student."

William said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Even when compared to his future self in his last moments, he was nothing in front of this man. He knew he had to try his best. Yes, he had returned to the past and was immensely talented in both magic and Aura, but that didn't mean anything if he didn't put in the work.

A genius who didn't put in any effort was nothing more than a wasted talent. Compared to the previous him, who had to use his smarts all his life to even get the resources to begin his path to power, the current him was far beyond what he could've imagined initially.

William knew this well, which was the reason he even went to such lengths to begin with. Knowledge was nothing without the tools to use it, and in the previous timeline, he had mainly focused on his magic, despite having excellent comprehension of swords, just because he was nothing more than a frail elderly man.

Raymond's smile widened, his eyes reflecting his approval. He extended his hand towards William, who instinctively reached out and shook it firmly.

As he and Raymond exchanged a few more pleasantries, they agreed to meet for their first training session next week since they had to travel back to the Virtu estate, which had to go through renovation after Malcolm became a baron. With a nod of acknowledgment, Malcolm and William bid farewell to Raymond for the evening since he had places to be. With his departure, William and his father decided to return to their courters.

Glancing around him, William searched for Vincent's figure to make sure that he wasn't left behind. After William began interacting with the officials and nobles, Vincent was approached by a countless number of noble ladies and was still being swarmed with questions. Looking at his flustered appearance, William laughed. He approached him, patted his back, and brought him with him, ignoring the looks the ladies were giving him.

"That's what you get for having a handsome face, I guess. Next time, make sure to talk to some intimidating figures; most ladies would leave you alone then, but some are feisty ones, so you'd still need to be careful."

Teased William, making Vincent blush.

Thankfully, William had already gone through this situation once, so no one approached him despite his appearance being on par with Vincent's. Vincent had a feminine and kind vibe, while William had a cold countenance with a mischievous smile on his face. Vincent looked like an innocent angel, while William was an enticing devil.