“In the Azure Kingdom, during the full moon in Zilya, what is expected of noble of or around your age?” The tutor asked me as braided my hair into one thick braid and let if fall down my back. “The noble debut hosted by the dukes and duchesses of each duchy. It is the day that noble is allowed to use their last name and are considered official noble of their households. The royal family also host one for commoner who have been adopted into noble families, commoners who have received honorary titles, and honorary noble can be consider nobles in full. This is event is often more of a military affair.” I stated blandly. This man had been asking the same question every hour I've been with him since I turned four, I’m seven now.

“And what age does one must before they may attend this party. He as maid next to my closet be gain pulling out my outfit for the even in question. “In times of war must attend the debut party at the age of five as you are expected to mature faster for the good of the kingdom. In time of peace one attend at the age of at least seven but younger than ten, symbolling one age is blessed by the heaven being able to grow up slower and properly.” The tutor nodded at my words. For some reason he seems more nerves the closer we got to the appointed time for the party.

Since I’m the grandson of the duke, he gave me a room I could stay in when I visited him, and since today was the day of my own debut along with four other noble from our duchy this year everyone seemed to be tense for me.

Well, everyone expects my grandfather and my mother who seemed to look back as if looking back on fond memories. “I have been the tutor for you, your mother, and your grandfather. All I ask is that you act as a proper noble.” I looked at him puzzled quirking my head before dismissing his words. I had heard that my mom caused problem at her own debut party but every time I tried to ask about it I always got vague answer or told that it wasn’t important and after getting to that what felt like hundreds of time, I just gave up on ever know the story.

Well young master it seems you are ready. I will take my leave and wish you look at the party.” he said this and left the room as he did the maid began to dress me.

As soon as the door shut me, and the maid let out a sigh of relief “I thought he was never going to be quiet.” The maid nodded with at my statement. “Nabae thanks for volunteering to come and help me get ready for my debut if I had let grandfather help or gods forbid grandmother I might be drowning in women and the most expensive clothes just like I heard they did my cousins.

Nabae laughed lightly at that. Everyone in the duchy new the story on how my eldest cousin Evan had had almost a hundred women of different ages serving as his “maids” for his debut party. “Yes, your grandmother was quite depressed when she found out that her grandchildren did not share the same love for collect and loving women as she did. She been trying it with every grandchild since, hoping that one of her grandchildren would share her hobby.” Nabae giggled as she straightens out my jacket before nodding and handing me a mirror. “And she had some much hope when you came around. After you had declared your love Rachel at the age of two, she thought you might actually share her passion, but she was disappointed when you brought me a week early and wouldn’t let her surprise you with a swarm of women. She been pouting all we because of that.” she laughs as I nodded at my reflecting before putting the mirror down.

“I literally just turned seven barely old enough to participate this year I don’t know why she expect us to be just as lustful as she is.” I sigh and turn towards Nabae. She had been with me ever since Rachel had to leave left. Nabae was a half vampire. Unlike most of her kin, who are usually on the pale side, she had darker skin, darker than even mine and mine match my father’s. She was on the slim side with delicate features and blood eyes that had a hint of silver. In she was quite beautiful. She was the oldest in the house but had be serving the family for only a few years. Even so, I saw her as more of a big sister than anything else. “How do I look?” I asked her. I was wearing my “stuck up” noble outfit with my family crest on it, my outfit was white and purpled with gold trimming.

“You look great. Be careful you might end up drowning in girls' young master.” Nabae said with a chuckle “should we go and see your parents before it’s time for the party?” she asked following me as I moved for the door. There was a clear smirk on her face.

I shook my head rapidly. “By the gods no. You know good and well how my mother gets when me or my father dress’s up. I swear she is definitely her mother’s child.” I sigh as Nabae opened the door. “Let's go to the garden.” I said then turned left. Nabae nodded. We could only be as we are with each other in private. While in public I had to act as a proper noble and hold to decorum. I walked down the hall to the garden. The hall’s we standard for noble affair. Painting and weapons on wall painted a deep cream color. The carpet was jade a color with golden staffs depicted in it. When I reach the garden, I let out a sigh of contentment. I love this garden as much as my own. I walked down a row of twilight rose and midnight lilies to a bench that sat of the man paths of the garden. I would usually cultivate the plants while I was here, pouring magic into them, giving them water and fertilizer, and playing music for them. But I didn’t have the time to do that right now. So, I just sat there breathing in the air and enjoying the peace Nabae standing to my right. “Now this is--. “ I started but was cut off by a loud cry.

“BIG BROTHER!!” a tiny girlish voice range throughout the garden. I sigh before getting up and making my way to one of the paths that led to the voice that was yelling. “MOTHER IS LOOKING FOR YOU!! COME OUT PLEASE!!” she shouted even louder. She was about to yell again but stopped when she saw me. “There you are.” she smiled then ran up to me to give me a hug. “Mom is looking for you. She’s really mad that you didn’t let her dress you for this. She even brought the trunk.” she said the shivered remembering her own experiences with mother and her bad habit. “Are you ready?” she asked still holding on to my arm as she pulled me in the directing of our parents.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I shrugged. “It’s not like I haven’t been coach on the same time a million time already Elise.” I sighed. Elise was the spitting image of my mother; the only difference was that she had our father's white hair instead of the lavender hair me and my mother shared. She had recently turned and is extremely mischievous when we were at home but was the perfect little lady except for the glint her eye that basically scream trouble. “Let's go and get this over with so I can go to the party.” I said to the amusement of both Nabae and Elise. We made our way to separate wing of the palace that was for our mother and her siblings. We walked into a parlor that was made for this wing. There were five people already in the room, seeing who the people were Nabae turned around and wait outside seeing that there were no servants in the room. When she shut the door behind us I began looking around. I glanced at eh corner before sighing and turning and look at me father who was sitting with my uncle and grandfather. “How long are they going to be like that.” the men at the table who just shrugged before ushering for me and my sister to come over. Elise didn’t even glace at the corner.

“You would think those to would have learned by now.” my grandfather sigh before looking at the corner himself. Sitting in the corner pouting was my mother and grandmother. “Will you two, stop acting like children and get to the table. It a shame the children are acting more like adults than you two are.” he said in an exasperated tone.

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The two sulking in the corner glanced at the table before facing the corner. Seeing this wasn’t going anywhere fact I sighed in resignation. “If you come now, I will let you dress up me and Elise for an hour.” the last word had barely left my tongue when they teleported to the table, not looking like they had just been pouting. The only person pouting now was Elise who look betrayed at my statement. “Think of it as a favor for all the times I saved you from them.” I said to her she nodded but didn’t look happy about it. “So, what’s going on.” I asked my grandfather who let out another sigh

“You really shouldn’t spoil them Cy that’s who they get ideals in their heads how do you think “I” ended up with so many women working in my home.” he said before continuing. “I just wanted to give you your family blade. Normally you would get it from your father but.” he paused glaring at my mom and grandmother before turning back to me. “your father doesn’t have the energy to help create your soul blade so I will during the ceremony.” my father nodded along with this, so I did as well. “Other than that, I just wanted to see my grandson before your big day.” he said with a bright smile on his face.

“Of course, he does he is my son after all. Even if he would let me dress him up for today.” she said with smug face which my grandfather pointily ignored.

“Are you nerves about today,” My father asked. A bit of concern laced in his voice. My father always got nerves at big event for anyone in the family that doesn’t involve him. If he’s in it, he as cools as ever.

“No dad I think I’ll be fine, there isn't anything to worry about I’ve seen what happens before.” i said in a calm and reassuring tone. My grandmother and mom nodded at my words. Before either of them could say any think there was a knock at the door letting us know that it was time for the event. I stood up bowed to the table and started walking to the door. “I will see you soon.” I said before opening the door.

*****

I was standing in hall waiting for the announcement. Standing next to me was Nabae, who had taken back up her post next to me after I left the room with my family. There were four waiting in hallway as well, two of them were girls and the other two were men, they each had an attendant with them. No one was talking. Everyone was waiting for their name to be call.

Then it started. The doors in front of us open and the herald started his announcement. “Introducing this year’s incoming nobles!!” he bellowed out earning applause from the room filled with nobles. “Anthony Avalon of house Avalon.” he yelled.

House Avalon is a count family is said to rival the house of Volos. Both houses are considered marshal house. Volos being more physical based while Avalon being more magic based. Despite this, the houses are quite friendly with each other. Anthony was a mild tempered boy he was actually two years older than me at nine, his family waiting till the last year to let him participate in the ceremony. He had the blue eyes and blond hair that their family was known to have. He was short and bulky being a full head shorting than me. All of his features were sharp and powerful built. He walked in the room with his head held high. He bowed to the duke and duchess, who were sitting on thrones, and step of to the left were all the noble children were supposed to be. He stood in the front of the crowd of kids.

“Stella Castello, of house Castello.” she was timid looking girl with short baby blue hair and azure eyes. Her skin was like porcelain that was unblemished. She was short and look like a delicate doll. She had the normal look of her family. Despite their looks Castello family are extremely powerful in defensive magic and that’s how they got their noble title. They were one of the baronies that served under house Volos despite their low rank they are well respected throughout the kingdom and beyond for their power. Stella made the way in and bowed to the couple but fell on her way down causing people to laugh. The duchess thumped her staff on the ground once causing the room to quite back down. Stella got up and walked to the left and stood beside Anthony.

“Trenton Reith of house Reith.” Trenton was a lanky boy. Extremely thin but as tall as most adult men at the age of nine. His skin had a greenish tent to it that made his red eyes stand out. His hair was black with streak of white in there. His face was neither sharp nor doll under a short head of hair. House Reith is known for their wind and farming magics. Those how is a barony one that is r the Avalon County. Trenton gave his bow then stood on the opposite side of Anthony

“Lesha Stonehand of house stonehand.” Lesha short and strongly build like any good dwarf. She had dark colored skin like she been working outside all day. Her eyes were a fiery red and her hair a charcoal black braid into a single braid that hung down her back in a similar style to my own. The Stonehand House is another barony under the Volos County. They are known for their blacksmithing and rune enchantments. Lesha walked in gave her bow and stood on the on Stella’s side leaving a gap between them.

“Crytos G. Volos of house Volos.” I walked in, taking in the entire. There were a lot of noble here. The Greyson Duchy is the largest of the duchy so has the most nobles. For most of the noble this was their first time seeing me. It was rare nobles without their names to leave their territory before their name day. Seeing me cemented a lot of perspective for the nobles. Lavender hair was a staple of the duke's family so it mad it clear that I had his blood. My cinnamon-colored skin marked me as a Volos, but what really made me stand out were my eyes. My purple eyes that seemed like an entire galaxy on to themselves. I could blame them either no one had ever heard of eyes like mine, and they stood out. I a walked in a gave bow to my grandfather and grandmother before taking my place. I stood between Lesha and Stella slightly ahead of them as costume dictates.

“These are the incoming nobles of this year!!” the herald boomed. Everyone gave us a round of applause before my grandmother spoke.

“Let the party began.” she proclaimed with a thump of her staff. With that people to greets while other made their wait to eat and so on.

“Stella are you ok.” I whispered to her. She flushed a little before nodding. “Here let me help. I cast a light healing spell and soothing spell on her. “There, that should help.” she was about to speak when someone spoke to me over her.

“I Tyson Tora challenge you Crytos G. Volos to a duel.” the boy blustered. Tyson was the youngest so of twenty kids sired by Count Tora. The Tora’s and the Volos’s are family throughout the kingdom for not getting along. It's just end their nature. “Or will the eldest of the Volos line in our generation does not fight.” he jeered. Normally, seeing as Tyson was five year my senior, this fight would be allowed, but Tora and Volos duel were always allowed as longs as they are in the same generation. Not even the king got in the way of these duel as our house predate the kingdom and are count by choose. These duels would only happen if both had their family names.

Hearing his voice got my blood boiling and for the first time in a long time. “Does a kitten seek to challenge a dragon, how cute.” I smiled at him “But it would be childish of me to bully a house pet.” I smirked at him which made him irate. Nobles start circling around us, guard came up to put shield spells up to protect the crowd.

“That’s a lot of talk coming from a baby lizard. Are you sure you can back it up or will you lose me like your father did to my brother.” he laughed in my face. My blood burned hotter at his words. It was true, his brother was known as the “Heavenly Tiger.” he is the strongest fighter in their family and the strongest in generations. While my dad is powerful, he lost to Tyson's brother after fight for a year straight. It was a close battle. Tyson is able to fight my father’s father to a draw and he’s known as the “Heavenly dragon”. Both our bloodline started to boil, and you could see the outline of a tiger and a dragon behind us. But before we can start there was an interruption that pulled both or our attention.

“If you're going to duel, you should let Crytos at least unlock his soul weapon.” Anthony said to Tyson. This made Tyson pause. While fights between tiger and dragon were inescapable, the duel is always fair and honorable. Because despite everything they didn’t hate each other, they just saw each other as worth rival and would clash ever chance they got to establish dominances.

“Okay that’s fair.” Tyson said a bit more mallow “Get you weapon unlocked then let's fight.”