I stood inside the crowded main hall with Broken Tower and watched as another individual subtly bounced off Celanae's barrier.

Teddy's parents were still nowhere to be found, but we managed to meet before the staff announced that everyone should gather.

The ceiling was an endless expanse of fluffy white clouds and beautiful rays of sunlight. It reminded me of Uzu's inn. The enchantments must have been extensive to span the entire hall, but considering this was a noble family and given the size of the manor, I doubted they struggled to pay for it.

Giant paintings filled with intricate art were also animated along the walls, moving through a continuous scene that never seemed to loop.

I am starting to get wizarding school vibes.

It took another dozen minutes for the crowd to settle into place, and then the lights of the room changed, including the once bright sky.

A series of chimes rang through the hall, and the last of the gossipers quieted.

A series of golden panels appeared, hovering midair. They erupted in bright, golden light that shone down onto the center staircase. Two figures stood poised, their outfits matching in brilliant gold and white.

Isaac's knuckles were stark white, and I could hear his jaw grinding.

Teddy placed a hand on his shoulders. "Calm. If it's any consolation, I think my parents are going to do something crazy."

He stopped grinding his teeth, but his fists stayed clenched. "It is, somewhat. I still want to punch his face in."

"Give it another couple of years. We'll help."

Teddy was entirely serious. Isaac searched his eyes and then nodded. "Fine."

"People of Solara. I hope you all have enjoyed the party tonight," the man started, his voice filling the room. "A big thank you to the wondrous Dancers of Maecal! Without their amazing showmanship, I'm sure this room would be twice as empty."

Laughs, some polite, others genuine, and more that showed how obvious a lie that statement was.

"I'll give that bastard one thing," Igas huffed. "He has the charisma befitting his station."

"And to the servants and staff who helped facilitate a smooth party for everyone in attendance. I also thank you for your service."

There was a brief pause, and then one of the floating panels shifted. The light changed intensity, softening while it moved to follow three people walking in from the left to stand beside the man.

"As many of you know, the Dawnbornes, along with house Ajestella and house Brightheart, joined together for an extended rift expedition." The man with tanned skin and hair that looked like fire waved with the woman who had eyes of glittering stars. The third did not move, but the speaker continued. "The expedition was long and fraught with danger. A few lives were lost, and even though it is to be expected, we still mourn their deaths."

A lull blanketed the crowd, and beyond those who stayed silent, waiting on the man's every breath—they played up the anguish they felt over the nameless individuals.

Disgusting.

The speaker sucked in a deep breath and let his shoulders stiffen as he raised his chin. "But, from their sacrifice and the sacrifice of the expedition's time and blood, we have returned triumphant!"

The crowd broke out into applause. It was funny being inside the literal bubble. None of us smiled while the sea of people outside looked like they were seeing their heroes for the first time.

"I didn't need to know, but this is your dad, right? Good public speaker, seems like a manipulative bastard," I whispered.

Celanae chuckled but did so without smiling or removing her eyes from Isaac's dad. "Oh, he is. Since Isaac was a child and long before that."

Isaac's father stepped to the side and motioned for the third man, the one who wasn't named, forward. He wore opulent robes, white in color with streaks of glittering silver and golden runes that shimmered in waves along the material.

Once he got within the blinding spotlight, all the lights became almost red. The robe lit up, and the crowd broke out into a real applause, one filled with cheers.

"Who's Mr. Opulent?"

Teddy frowned. "Our cousin. The crown prince."

Isaac's father dipped his head, but not low. "Rifts are famous for their rewards, both from the Grand Weave and from the guarded treasures inside. We have returned not only with most of our people, but we've returned laden with treasure and rewards. And now, with Prince Rudehn here to represent the royal family, we of the expedition team are honored to bestow our greatest find of the expedition."

The woman, who I assumed was Isaac's mother, waved her hands, and a marble table appeared. People's eyes were glued to the empty table, and even those who kept a serious expression throughout the speech were now honed in.

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With a small, unheard exchange between her and the prince, she snapped her fingers, and a pure black box, about the size of a man's head, appeared.

Isaac's father extended his arm. "Prince Rudehn. On behalf of our noble families, on behalf of our expedition teams. We present to the royal family not one... but two evolution stones!"

The crowd erupted at the statement while some of the more serious people's faces and jaws dropped.

I blinked. "This whole thing was just to announce their generosity in presenting a couple of pretty crystals?"

Broken Tower erupted into giggles.

Eodyne lightly smacked my shoulder while Isaac broke into a real fit of laughter. Luckily, the crowd's cheering and the subtle swirl of wind mana under Eodyne's control kept our noise inside the barrier. A couple of people glared at us, but they quickly looked away to watch the prince nod and shake the hands of each noble representative.

Isaac's father stepped back, and the prince took his place while the tile underneath lit up with the barest amount of light.

"The royal family is honored to receive such a prize. On behalf of my family to yours, we shall remember this favor sincerely."

More clapping ensued, polite this time and with a lesser fervor. But the noise was still loud enough to fill the room with a deafening staccato.

The chest disappeared with a subtle sweep of the prince's hand, and then he stepped back to let Daddy Dawnborne retake his position.

"That is not all. As I've mentioned, the expedition was a great success! Now we've come to share that success with you, the people of Solara."

Isaac's father gently tapped the banister, and a virtual banner appeared in midair.

Apparently, light manipulation is the go-to marketing skill.

A list of items and brief descriptions appeared. They stayed on-screen for three seconds before fading away and being replaced by a new item.

There was an impressive amount of variety. Potions, skills, materials, enchanted weapons, and armor flashed along the banner, continuing without a single item sharing the same description as the ones previously.

"We have decided to host a Grand Auction! Slated for a week's time, this auction will be open to all citizens of Solara, where everyone can bid and buy the spoils of a tier two grand rift!"

Another eruption of cheers hollered out, and I sent mana into my ring, deafening the sound to a dull thunder. Beside me, the rest of the team had frowning faces and serious eyes.

"Why are we sour about this? Isn't this good for the people?" I asked.

Teddy nodded hesitantly. "It is good, but he's not done speaking."

I turned to face the stage and waited.

Isaac's father did not disappoint as he raised a hand to silence the crowd.

"But that is not all. In an effort to uplift the people of our great kingdom, we will be hosting a tournament using Orlo's Dueling Pit. The top contestants of the tournament will get to select top prizes that we specifically held in reserve from the auction. These items will be valued in the hundreds of gold, and slots will be reserved for a special rift accessible only to the royal family! The king has granted us permission, and now the top three teams shall gain the opportunity of a lifetime!"

The manor shook with the stomping of people's feet. I fed more mana into the ring and focused on the vibration beneath my feet.

"So that's why he gathered everyone. How generous," Isaac spat.

"I still don't really see an issue with this?" I said.

"Again, not really an issue," Teddy answered. "The city capital will be busy in the next two weeks as word comes in and people begin rushing over. What's left unsaid is the private auction that will be hosted after the tournament is over. It's common, and all the big families will be participating. All this generosity means that the Dawnborne, Brighthearts, and Ajestella will help elevate themselves, publicity-wise. This is in preparation for the House Council in a few months."

"And that is?"

"Every few years, the noble houses get together and elect a head that lasts for eight years. They'll represent the noble faction in all decisions and have a higher say in voting power."

"Don't forget to mention that the tournament is a good way to scout for people to join the houses and become retainers, guards, or part of their expeditionary teams," Isaac muttered. "It's a means to pad their ranks."

Isaac's father raised another hand, and the crowd silenced itself. "The tournament will be held a week after the auction. The details will be given after the auction is over. So those who are finished should stick around if they want to find out. Now, I'm sure it has lit the forges inside many young hearts. So I say drink and dance! Be merry! For today we shall celebrate the boon to our kingdom, and tomorrow we wi-"

Eeeerggkh!

A loud keening made most people slam their hands over their ears as a deep rumble shook the manor. Several cried out in alarm, but then I felt it.

It was a wave of mana that rose up like a tsunami, threatening to sweep people under its tide. Backing the wave, the blazing heat of the midday sun shone above its waters.

Some dropped to their knees, and others froze like statues, shivering in place.

Teddy sighed and slumped forward while Isaac almost beamed with delight.

"Is that?"

"Yes," he grinned. "Yes, it is."

The bow of a large ship sailed through the air, held up by a wave of crashing water. The ship knocked aside floating lights and other decorations, blocking out the beautiful skyline above.

I glanced back to the stage and found all four nobles and the prince staring. The Brightheart noble looked amused while the Ajestella scowled with narrowed eyes. The crown prince kept his face neutral, and both Dawnbornes looked ready to murder.

Atop the ship, manning the helm, stood Anastasia in full splendor, the light of her dress competing with the spotlights in their brilliance. Her sword was out, wreathed in golden light that left trails in its wake. She swung in wide arcs while cackling like a witch.

Nathan stood with his arms crossed at the tip, his proud suit covered in waves of colored water, forming an elegantly designed robe over his body. His beard and hair were covered in seafoam, and he, too, laughed like thunder.

"Behold you unsuspecting mortals! We have arrived bearing even greater news for the royal family!"

Judging from everyone's reaction, Anastasia's voice must have threatened to shatter a few eardrums.

The wave spread so wide it blocked out the ceiling entirely. The ship came to a slow stop near the top of the stairs, and Nathan jumped down with a crash. The stairs vibrated but held, as if the man weighed like a meteor.

He ignored the nobles and the robotic prince to turn around and hold out his hand. The water extended to create a staircase that Anastasia strode down.

"Sister..." the growl reverberated through the room, and Isaac's mother tugged on his sleeve to get him to step off the enchanted tile.

Nathan stepped to the side but kept his fingers locked with his wife.

"Brother! So good to see you again. I hope you don't mind the mess. After all, you did just receive a large windfall of treasure. Surely, the repairs are nothing for the great family!" Anastasia said.

Even without the tile, her voice stretched across the silent crowd.

The man shook his face one of carefully controlled outrage. "Anastasia... why are you here?"

"Actually, we're not here for you at all!" Nathan said happily.

The man snapped his head toward Nathan and nearly bared his teeth. "Then why?!"

Anastasia pointed a finger toward the prince, who raised an eyebrow. "We're here for him!"