Darius was told that he was going to be the centrepiece of the ball. Many nobles from all walks of power would approach him and give him many irresistible offers. The old man had told Darius that he would only accept Darius as a disciple if he refused all those offers. Darius was thrilled because this meant that he would escape the old man's clutches.

Pain, that word stuck out like a sore thumb in his eardrums whenever he thought of the old man's visage. Like how one couldn't think about death without some fear.

Darius was aware that the old man was powerful and rich, but Darius was more than happy to jump ship if he got an offer.

…

"Are you not afraid he will jump ship?"

Fay poured some tea and gave some to her master.

"I have a plan for that, don't worry my dear."

"Oh my."

He was called the Flex Spiritsmith but the man was also a shrewd tactician. He was very good at manipulating those around him to get him what he wanted. It wasn't just with his prestige that the Laportes became powerful.

Fay truly felt pity for Darius as the old man cackled next to her. She was impressed by Darius but prodigies come and go like stars. They flame on and shine but they will all eventually burnout. The difference was how long the period of light lasted before the burnout began. To her, Darius wouldn't last long under that accursed old man. At the end of the day, a hick was still a hick.

…

When Darius walked into the ballroom he was attacked by a herd of 'young ladies' asking for his hand to dance. In their culture, women were quite forward in their advances. Darius blushed and was lost for choice, but of course, she had to arrive.

"Disperse swine!"

Lara's voice thundered across the room. The Girls curtsied and disappeared as they still valued their lives. Many a family was targeting Darius through their daughters. Lara knew this, as she intended to do something similar a while back, so she came to remove the unnecessary distractions and have Darius' attention to herself, and for the moment she did.

She wore a tight-fitting rose-red gown that left little to the imagination. She was more than willing to become his woman if it meant she could get stronger. She would never forget the boost of power she got from his spirit art! After learning about the Will of Flame or Will of Thunder's history and strategic importance from her father, all gloves were off.

Lara pulled the young man's attention like taking candy from a baby. She was trained in the art of seduction but she rarely used it as she was a swashbuckler at heart. But now she needed to be a woman for a change. And a fine woman she was. Unfortunately for her, the light of a moon originates from the mighty sun.

Lady Katya descended down the stairs in her official Ethereal Forge Academy Uniform. It was a tight-fitting outfit that showed her massive E-cup mountains in their full glory. The uniform was all white with black shoes and black gloves with some Diagonal black dragon stripes.

Lady Katya, or rather Katya Orion stole attention even though she was literally in uniform. Her proportionate features and her incredible eyes stunned the onlookers, Darius included.

She walked past powerful nobles as if it was her right while her retinue cleared a path to Darius.

She held Darius' hand and said, "Young Noble Darius Omen, I Katya Orion, On behalf of the Orion Noble Family hear-by ask for your company in private, if you don't mind."

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The Pazhe Empire, or North-East Empire as it was more commonly known, hosted 12 powerful noble clans ranked according to martial might. Since the beginning of the Empire, the Orion family has never lost its place as the first noble family. Rumour had it that they had an even older heritage than the Farlene family, the current sovereigns!

That name was like a massive weight that suppressed the entire atmosphere of the room. Who would dare speak when a spokesperson of the Orion family was making an invitation?

"Ehem, excuse me, I was having a chat with him, which you rudely interrupted with your little stunt." Said Lara with a venomous stare.

Katya and her retinue bowed their heads to the princess and said, "Your highness," but that was it. They were simply of too high a status to do further.

Darius obviously knew the Orion family as he was raised in Orion territory. He heard many tales of how they could uproot the empire if they wanted. The arrogant Orions. They had the power to back up that arrogance.

The Farlenes, The Orions and the Laporte. Every major power in the nation was split between these three behemoths.

Darius was a second away from pissing his pants. He respected the royal family, but fear of the Orion family was deeply inherent in him. Executions, cruel punishments. They were the most brutal to their own people. Darius remembers the things he saw as a child. Were it not for Lara's interruption he would have said yes instantly.

"Apologies your highness, but this is business for adults." Said Katya without batting an eyelid.

"I'm an adult already. You administered the test so you should know." Lara spat.

"Ah yes, the princess is a good girl for passing with flying closet." Katya patted Lara's head like she was a little girl. This was possible as she was two heads taller than the little princess. Lara was about to explode when she noticed that something was off. Darius, his face was serious.

'That idiot has activated it!'

He couldn't handle the pressure and activated Indomitable. For a moment there was some confusion on his face. Then it quickly turned sour. He was not pleased.

"Listen carefully you spoilt, pedantic pigs, don't make things complicated." Said Darius. His voice carried a hint of suppression on it that stifled everyone listening, especially the arguing beauties. Darius couldn't care less and continued, "None of you are worthy of this Young Noble's talents. Remain the poor farmers you are and settle on the low hanging fruit."

Darius pushed his way out of a stunned crowd. They wanted to move, but the suppressive force caught everyone by surprise. Katya was the first to escape this suppression and was followed suit by her retinue.

Darius in Indomitable was different from normal Darius in many ways. It was still the same person, but they saw the world differently. Indomitable Darius also valued his life but he was proactive. There was no safer place than being at a Grandmaster's side. No matter if the emperor himself came it wouldn't matter. Not to mention that he would be receiving the full legacy of a Grandmaster himself. His chances of becoming a Grandmaster himself sky-rocket with this tutelage.

You don't need to be the disciple of a Grandmaster to become one, but it helps a lot. Darius in indomitable also lusted for women, resources, and riches, and there was none with as much as a Grandmaster. With a snap of their fingers, a Grandmaster Spirit smith can summon a horde of powerhouses.

Darius could sense the old man's presence with his instinct. The old man wasn't trying to hide it anyway. His aura encompassed the whole building!

He was close to the door he wanted to open when he heard a voice land in his ears, "Hold on lad, we want to have a chance to talk."

Darius stopped not because of the voice, but because of what he had sensed. The two auras that approached him were incredibly overwhelming! They were almost on par with the old man, who was a Grandmaster! Who were these two?

Darius turned around and faced Kylian and Donald. Kylian's aura was like ice filled with death, causing his skin to crawl for a moment. Donald was like a tornado of flames. Darius started to feel the heat increase but he stood his ground. He knew that these were just sensational illusions caused by auras. He had been taught a lot about what spirit arts can do.

"Not bad, you can resist our auras, but that's only because you are relying on indomitable. Either way not bad indeed." Said Donald with a smirk. He was a giant of a man who could intimidate any man.

Kylian on the other hand was like a machine, "We are 3-star Generals in the Pazhe National Army. We want to recruit you as a special recruit. We can match anything the old man offers you."

Darius was shocked for a moment, but he did indeed. No individual could match the offer of becoming a Grandmasters True Disciple but if the country's army was an entire organisation. It consisted of billions of ordinary humans and millions of Spiritknights, mostly from the 12 noble families.

The Pazhe National Army had a certain degree of independence to leave it from being part of corrupted politics. They could be mobilised by the Emperor but he needed the consent of a four-star general. The more stars you had the higher your rank. 3 star General meant that these men were basically at the peak.

And they looked so young. They would no doubt become 4-star generals or even Marshalls!