“Lucille, it’s time we head to Gilded Dome Hall and- what are you doing?”

Vincent stared at her as she looked at herself in the mirror, a pensive expression on her face.

Lucy was wearing very different clothes than normal. As this would be the biggest event she attended revolving around her, she was wearing a formal violet ceremonial embroidered cloak that sat on one of her shoulders, nearly reaching the ground. Two ornamental sheaths had been made for her snake swords, and the pocket watch, the token of her status as Head of the Aurelian Commission, was sitting in a pocket left of the cloak. Black silk gloves with gold trimming covered her hands and her outer vest was her signature violet colour, but with fleur-de-li reminiscent patterns embroidered on panels along the sides. She turned to look at her aide.

“Vincent, I feel like I’m metamorphosing into something I hate,” she announced with a strange expression. “These clothes are ostentatious even by my standards. Will I soon begin to degrade every commoner I come across?”

He gave her a deadpan stare and then let out a long sigh. “Are you ready to leave, Lucille?”

She smirked. “Yes. Let’s go pick up my wayward bond.”

Vincent nodded and then paused as he seemed to remember something. With a smile, he retrieved a long thin object from his dimensional skill and handed it to her. “You can’t forget a ceremonial version of this too.”

Lucy blinked and took the thin object made of glossy black wood. A round orb of gold was on the top, and she could see small engravings of runes along its length. “Vincent… did you get a new cane made for me?”

“You’re only allowed to use this one at formal events,” he replied with a smirk. He crossed his arms and gestured to it. “It’s a magic item. Try out the spell within.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow but hit the cane against the ground as she infused her mana into it. She blinked as light flooded the room and she looked up to see she was standing directly under a light source of some kind. Then she looked down and saw that the light formed a circle. She turned to give her aide a bemused look. “Did you get a cane that can summon a spotlight for me?”

He shrugged, the smirk still on his face. “It feels like something you’d find a way to make happen eventually. It does have a purpose, however. At debuts, nobles typically have some spell cast to grab attention when they make their entrance for the first time. I guessed that this might satisfy the requirement.”

Lucille looked down at the cane and tapped it against the ground to turn off the spell. She grinned at her aide and walked towards the door. “It’s a well-chosen gift. I’ll have to think of something for you.”

Vincent raised an eyebrow and followed after her. “There’s not any reason to do that-”

Lucy shook a finger at him. “Vincent, don’t forget. This is technically your debut too. I heard that when you became an adult you passed on a debut last time, but this will be when you are formally introduced as my aide.”

He considered it. “Hmm…”

“But a gift is something to think about later.” Lucy gestured to the hallway exit with her cane. “It’s time to extract my serpent tagalong from his hiding place.”

…

“No! You can’t make me!”

“Scytale. Get. Out,” Lucy said through gritted teeth, trying to pull her bond out by his tail. He had spread his wings wide to prevent her from pulling him out of the cabinet he had been hiding in.

“I don’t want to go!”

“Stop being so ridiculous,” Lucille said with exasperation, dropping the tail when she discovered it wouldn’t be so easy to get him out. “You haven’t shown up to any formal event yet, even though everyone knows I have a winged serpent bond. I don’t need nosy nobles suspecting something is wrong and poking into your background, just to discover details about your bloodline.”

“But it’ll be boring!”

Lucille crouched down in front of the kitchen cupboard he was inside, Vincent watching their interaction with wry amusement. “There will be food.”

Scytale hesitated. “…I’m full.”

The dull stares he got from both Lucy and Vincent made him click his tongue. “Alright! Fine! I’d gladly eat fancy noble food. But I’m not someone who can deal with nobles very well. Nor stay silent when I need to.”

“I’m marginally impressed by your self-awareness,” Vincent commented with amusement.

Scytale hissed at him while Lucy sighed and straightened up. “Caius and Jacques will be there. I’m sure you and Jacques will be on the same wavelength when it comes to dealing with noble formalities. But you need to meet the other two Counts.”

“You mean uptight old farts who have more money than they know what to do with-”

He flinched away when faced with Lucy’s cold stare. “Scytale,” she threatened. “You’re going. The Empire’s nobility isn’t stupid enough to not understand that a young magical beast like you will struggle with formalities. Just stay silent when important topics come up, and show common decency. I can deal with the rest.”

“Hey! I’m not a young magical beast! I’m over two hundred years old!” he exclaimed.

Lucille ran a hand down her face. “Why is that the detail you focus on… whatever.” With an expert application of her Soul Cipher Ancient skill, she deftly caught the snake by the neck and pulled him out of the cupboard.

The silvery amphiptere let out choking noises in his usual dramatic fashion but slumped when he was finally extracted and placed on the ground. Scytale morphed into his human form and let out a loud groan. “Ugh. I guess I have no choice.”

“Correct. And I see you’ve already changed into a formal outfit, so you knew your struggles would be futile.” Lucille walked out of the kitchen without a look back and headed for the direction of the entrance. “You only need to turn up for the first and last day. Besides that, you’re free to gallivant in Ashale’viaf’s gardens all you want.”

He raised his head to look at her. “Wait, are you going to tell the spirit that I’m allowed anywhere within the Pavilion’s gardens?”

She shot him a withering look, making him scowl. “Of course not. Stingy, stupid bond-”

“Quit complaining and get moving.” She grabbed his arm and dragged him out the door. “While arriving late to the debut may befit the character I’ve tried to reveal I have to the Empire, on this occasion, I don’t want to do that.”

…

A strange set of déjà vu settled on Lucy and Vincent as they stood before the two closed double doors, waiting for the announcement for her to enter. Guards of the four Counties stood on either side, and Vincent fiddled with the button on his cuffs. He looked somewhat more relaxed than the first debut, however.

“This feels familiar,” he muttered.

Lucille held her chin and observed what little she could see on the other side of the doors with her perception field. Scytale was on her shoulders. “The Gilded Dome Hall is a more exquisite establishment than the Aurelian Commission’s Headquarters, and so by that fact, I could assume they have an even more exquisite staircase handrail to slide down.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Vincent stared at her. “Don’t-”

Before he could finish his sentence, a servant came up to them and bowed, signalling that it was time for them to enter the hall. Vincent narrowed his eyes at Lucille and held out his hand for her.

She eyed his hand with mild disdain, making him narrow his eyes even further. She clicked her tongue and reluctantly placed a palm on his hand to allow him to escort her. The doors swung wide open and they appeared on top of a balcony overlooking the crowd of nobles below.

The doorkeepers standing beside the pair of double doors shouted out in sync, “Please welcome Sir Vincent Evisenhardt, the Head of the Aurelian Commission’s compeer magical beast bond Scytale, and the Head of the Aurelian Commission herself: Count Lucille Goldcroft!”

Claps broke out among the audience, consisting of many groups, and even forces of the different realms. While the large noble clans of the Aeternus plane didn’t visit in person, she was still an Honorary Count of a decently powerful Faction of the Aeternus plane. Representatives sent in place of the other members of the neutral faction of the Empire were sent in place of the clans’ bloodline members. With their entrance made, Lucille was satisfied to pull away from Vincent’s outstretched hand, much to his irritation.

“Could you not be a little more patient?” he hissed quietly as they began to walk down the stairs to the side of the balcony.

She turned to stare at him. “Don’t tell me you want to hold my hand? I may be mentally older than you, but I don’t want to hold your hand and pull you along as if I’m your parent-”

“Now is not the time,” he muttered, walking close behind.

They touched down on the polished floor and were drawn into the group of the Counts and their descendants.

Count Ravimoux smirked and raised a dark glass of wine as a toast to her. “Congratulations, Count Lucille. While you have been our Head for a number of months now, I feel congratulations are still in order for reaching the stage of such a big event being organised for you.” He shot her a wink. “With a slight bit of help from us Counts, of course.”

“Propaganda control can hardly be considered true help, Regulus.” Count Chavaret walked forward and gave her a nod. “It has been some time, Count Goldcroft.”

“It has indeed.” Count Evisenhardt, the bearded silver-haired man whom she hadn’t seen since before the Empire’s banquet, came and gave her a slight bow. “I hope my lacking grandson has been of help to you.”

Vincent’s expression was weary as his grandfather eyed him with suspicion, but Lucy smiled brightly because of the nearby eavesdroppers. “I’ve barely had to do anything with him around! He may as well be the real Commission Head.”

Count Sevastian Evisenhardt chuckled, while the two Alichanteu heirs tried to approach. Arwen Alichanteu, Artair’s younger half-brother, boldly came forward and stuck his hand out to greet her with conceited self-assurance that only a haughty young noble could have. “I also haven’t seen you for some time. I’ve been waiting eagerly for an invitation to the Headquarters but have yet to-”

The blue and brown-haired young man was cut off by Count Ravimoux, who slung an arm across Lucille’s shoulders and turned her away to face several approaching noble representatives, acting as if he hadn’t heard Arwen. “Ah, Count Goldcroft! Let me introduce you to these firm acquaintances of mine. We’ve had many dealings with the Viscounties of the southern side of the Aeternus plane, so I’m sure you’ll see them again in the future.”

She smiled and nodded as they exchanged pleasantries with her and Vincent. On her shoulders, Scytale raised his head and turned it to give her a side-eye.

‘Hey, so, uh… can I go now?’

Fine. Just don’t ignore any nobles if they look important.

‘Gotcha. Avoid the snobby ones so I don’t poke their egos the wrong way.’

Lucy released a mental sigh as her bond flew down from her shoulders and changed into his human form. He was heading directly towards the section of the hall set aside for the food, uncaring about the fact that he was the only individual there planning on eating so early. Then he froze as his path was blocked by the two other Commission Counts.

“You would be the rumoured Scytale then,” Count Evisenhardt remarked. He stuck his hand out. “Sevastian Edgar Evisenhardt, I’m sure you know.”

“Uh… right.” Scytale shook the man’s hand and then paused when another one appeared.

“Donovan Raymond Chavaret,” Count Chavaret stated gruffly. He firmly shook Scytale’s hand and gave him a scrutinizing look. “And advanced beast at fifteen when you started as an intermediate beast… You’re fairly talented.”

All plans to push past them and make it to the food were abandoned when Scytale heard the man praising him. He planted his hands on his hips and tilted his chin up proudly. “Yup! Primal Descendent here too, so I become massive in my true form. I bet when I reach Rank-3 I could wipe the whole Demon Realm out alone in the Millennium Chapter. Future Beast King right here.”

“I see…” Count Chavaret mused with a strange expression. “Then I suppose we should be glad that our Commission head has such a capable bond beside her.”

“Uh… yeah. Capable. That’s my middle name. Alongside my second middle name beginning with ‘R’. Which stands for responsible.” Scytale leaned to the side to look around the man and then pointed two fingers at him. “So what dishes here do you think I should try first? I’m thinking of the marinated Dark Field Ox but I also think the roasted Heavenly Realm-style Red Duck sounds delish.”

The Counts traded bemused looks. “Perhaps the garlic Glass Lobster might appeal to you too?” Count Evisenhardt suggested.

Scytale gagged and shook his head. “Thanks but no thanks. Never was one for seafood.” He glanced at the table behind them again and nodded. “You know what, I see Jacques over there. I think I might ask for his advice.”

The Counts turned around as Scytale walked past them, but then the humanoid snake stopped and looked back to give them both finger guns. “Alright, nice convo we had there! Cool chat! See you around sometime then, guys!” He ran off in the direction of the ponytailed blonde-haired man.

“…has Ravimoux released any details about how our new Commission Head met her bond?” Count Evisenhardt asked with confusion.

“The most I know is that he is a member of the Supreme Enclave of the region Lucille Goldcroft first found herself in…”

“…I see.”

They stared after the humanoid snake as Scytale began to have a very animated discussion with Jacques over which cuisine was tastiest out of those supplied, but the Counts eventually shook their heads and returned to where Lucille and Vincent were.

Off in the distance, Lucy noticed two individuals, who were in fact the Viscount and Baron she had met at her last debut, heading their way. Nearly rolling her eyes, she gestured to them with a tilt of her head to get her aide’s attention and Vincent nodded. The two of them walked off, leaving the Viscount of the Kingdom of Shifting Sands and the Baron of the Aeternus plane very disappointed.

…

This is so dreadfully boring. All I’m supposed to do on the first day is greet people, so they all come up to me and give me their congratulations, they bow, I bow, we split up, new nobles come forward and the cycle repeats, ad infinitum. Is Scytale enjoying himself any more than I am?

Lucy’s gaze went flat as she sipped her wine, sitting at the head of the table with the most powerful noble representatives.

Scytale is… drunk.

The idiotic snake had somehow managed to get his hands on some of the alcoholic beverages being handed out to the adults. She supposed that was always going to happen, as he was one of, if not the only individual under the age of sixteen there, so he would have readily available access to liquor.

Actually… I believe we calculated that Scytale hatched on either the fourth or fifth of December. Which would mean he’s become sixteen.

But then it was debatable whether his birthday was the day his egg was laid, or when he hatched from it. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes as she focused on the nobles with her shard, prepared to begin storing away their information. With a bit of manipulation of her will, she could quickly detect only the members of the Malediction Society. Lucille mentally archived the details of those she spotted, adding to her list of people the Commission needed to cut off contact from.

From a merchant perspective, it would be foolish to cut off contact with them, but I know that the Formless will eventually act to remove them. It’s better to cut our losses now, regardless of their ethically and morally questionable actions.

One, two… isn’t that a prince of a Minor plane? He’s not going to be succeeding his father anytime soon now. Four, five… oh?

Unrelated to the Malediction Society, another figure caught her attention. With long dark blue hair and appearing in his late thirties, the cloaked mage walked towards her with other members of the All-Aeon Athenaeum in tow.

The mage came and bowed in front of her. “Count Goldcroft. It is a pleasure to meet you. Unfortunately, I was preoccupied at the Empire’s End-of-year banquet and couldn’t meet you, but I have taken the chance to rectify it this time. I am the Pristine Archmage, Merkenia Alichanteu.”

Lucy blinked and smiled widely at him. “I’ve heard about you. Aren’t you the most talented descendant of Alichanteu in centuries? Your water affinity is supposed to be one of the strongest.”

He chuckled. “I’ve long since left my family to pursue the wonders of magic. Ah, let me introduce you to my fellow pursuers of magical knowledge-” He gestured to the men and women behind him and they all told her their names.

Lucille nodded cheerfully until Archmage Merkenia eyed her and then looked around. “I’ve been somewhat curious… are the rumours that you have been sponsoring a vassal mage of the Blue County true?”

Ah. So he wants to know about Marellen.

“Are you referring to Marellen Vadel?” she asked excitedly. “He’s very inventive with his magic. I met him when I first went to the Beast Realm. He was one of the first true mages I had ever met!”

“Yes, I’ve tried many times to make him my student, but he’s never accepted,” the man said with a sigh. “And… did you meet his cousin?”

“…cousin? Ah, Efratel?” She blinked, pretending to be ignorant. “Yes, but only at the debut for the Commission. It was my aide who informed me that they had been cousins.”

I’m glad I organised this cover story with Efratel so the Archmage doesn’t become suspicious that I know something.

“Ah, so you’re not familiar with him besides them being cousins.” The Archmage nodded. “I’ve heard that the young sir Vadel has been exploring an Old Era plane under your sponsorship. Would I be able to hear the details? I’ve always been curious to know how the younger generations of my former Faction have been faring.”

“I think…” Lucy looked over her shoulder and pointed at Vincent. “My aide converses with Efratel Vadel more frequently than I do. You might have better luck asking him. Unfortunately, I don’t know much besides what artifacts they discovered.”

The Archmage nodded. “Then I’ll do that.” He dipped his head. “Thank you for your time, Count Goldcroft.”

As he left, Lucy felt herself relax slightly and leaned against the pillar. She took another sip of her drink and walked off, planning on dragging her bond away from the new bottle he was opening.

Scytale, due to being a magical beast, digested alcohol very easily and had little to no tolerance, although he sobered up quickly. So it was better in the long run for him to avoid it altogether, especially when surrounded by scheming nobles who would love to hear some juicy secrets about the Aurelian Commission Head from her bond. She was sure the only reason he was drinking in the first place was just to stop being bored.

…

“Hey, psst! Sedric!”

The brown-haired crafter looked up from his workbench and squinted at the bottle the humanoid snake in his workshop was holding up proudly. “What is that?”

“Hehehe…” Scytale stumbled forward, nearly tripping over his feet, and placed his trophy on the bench. “I stole it from Gilded Dome Hall! Aren’t I awesome?”

Sedric picked the bottle up and tilted it, eyeing the labels with scepticism. “This is five hundred-year-old wine, Scytale. Would Lucille be fine with you taking this?”

“Who cares what she thinks.” Scytale sent Sedric a dismissive wave and sat on the bench. “The debut hall has enough to spare anywaaaayyyy…”

Sedric raised an eyebrow at the snake on his bench. “Scytale… are you drunk?”

The snake, who has transformed back to his beast form, let his head and upper body hang languidly over the edge. “Nooooo….”

“You’re definitely drunk,” Sedric stated flatly.

“I’m not drunk!” he shouted with indignance. “I’m just incoxit… tincoxit… intoxicated. Yeah, that thing.”

“That’s the same… you know what, never mind.” Sedric sighed and placed the bottle on the bench. “So what did you bring it here for? To show off?”

“So you can get drunk too!”

“I thought you said you weren’t drunk,” Sedric snarked.

“I’m not drunk, you are!”

“Riiiiight…”

Sedric studied the bottle and then shrugged, uncorking it. He took a sip and nearly gagged. “Bleurgh. It’s so strong. Do nobles really drink this?”

The only response he got was snoring from the snake, who had fallen asleep. He shot Scytale a disgruntled look, glanced at the bottle again, and after a moment of hesitation, took a gulp.

An hour later, Lucy walked into the workshop to gaze dully at the crafter and snake snoring on the floor. Scytale was curled around the bottle and Sedric was hugging them both. She sighed and left the room.

When she returned to her living room, she sat down on the couch opposite Vincent.

“All alcohol is banned from this floor,” she announced.

Vincent looked up from the document he was holding. “Not a drinker yourself?”

“No. Due to my lack of elemental affinity, I can’t become intoxicated on any mana-imbued substances.” Lucy closed her eyes and lay down on the couch. “Perhaps it would be possible with mundane alcohol, but I’ve never tried it.”

“I suppose that for someone who must regularly drink when among nobility, that’s a useful skill,” Vincent mused. “But are you ready to discuss how the first night went?”

She gave him a flat look and sighed. “Yes. It’s time to decide what nobles we choose to make deals with and what nobles to avoid during the next week.”