Theo moved with purpose, claiming the grandest chair in the balcony's centre, his gaze directed toward the arena below. "Sit," his deep and commanding voice rumbled.
Celia and Sera, understanding his unspoken command, gracefully took their seats on either side of him. Butler Walton stepped forward, his movements precise and respectful as he approached the curtains drawn over the balcony's view.
With a gesture and a whisper of magic, Walton's hands lifted the curtains, revealing the massive arena stretched out before them. The enormous circular structure was filled to the brim with spectators, their cheers and conversations mingling into a thunderous roar.
But Orion's eyes were immediately drawn to the centre of the arena—a tall object covered in rich red velvet. Something about it made his blood boil. The anger surged within him, but he forced himself to remain calm, his breathing steady and controlled.
Butler Walton's voice, amplified by a spell, resonated throughout the arena. "People of Valeria City! Our Viscount has arrived. Let us greet him together!"
In unison, the crowd rose to their feet, their voices harmonizing into one powerful shout. "Greeting, Lord Viscount and his family!"
Theo gave a curt nod, his expression as unreadable as ever. Celia and Sera, however, acknowledged the crowd with polite smiles, their gentle waves garnering more enthusiastic applause.
Walton continued, his voice steady and ceremonial. "As you all know, today marks the annual Blessing Ceremony. A sacred tradition where our youths come forward to receive the Will of Eldora's Blessing."
A cheer erupted from the crowd; anticipation thick in the air.
"Butler Walton speaks true!" he continued. "And like previous years, today's ceremony shall be overseen by the esteemed Lady Selina.
The gates of the arena creaked open, drawing the attention of the entire audience.
A woman emerged, her beauty and elegance captivating everyone's attention. Lady Selina was a vision of ethereal grace, her emerald-green hair cascading over her shoulders like a shimmering waterfall. Her violet eyes sparkled with a gentle warmth, yet held an underlying sharpness that spoke of untold power. She wore a flowing silver dress embroidered with intricate floral patterns, accentuating her slender yet curvaceous figure.
With a radiant smile, Lady Selina approached the centre of the arena and raised her arms. "People of Valeria City, Lord Viscount, esteemed guests, I thank you all for granting me the honour of supervising this sacred ceremony once again."
Her voice was smooth and melodious, weaving through the air like a calming breeze. The crowd's applause was deafening.
"Now, young ones who wish to partake in today's ceremony, make your way to the arena. Your fate awaits."
The excitement was palpable. Crowds of youths began moving toward the arena grounds from the general entrance, most around the age of fifteen, with a few sixteen and seventeen-year-olds mixed in. The participants' attires varied greatly—some wore tattered clothes reflecting their humble origins, while others donned elegant robes signifying their noble lineage.
It was evident that even in this supposedly sacred event, influence and power played their parts. The wealthier children stood closer to the front, while the less fortunate were pushed to the back. Yet, for all its bias, the Blessing Ceremony allowed anyone to participate. Whether noble or commoner, they would all receive a chance to gain the Blessing of Eldora's Will.
Walton's gaze shifted to Orion and Elara. "Young Master, Young Miss, you both should head to the arena."
"Yes, Butler Walton," Orion replied with a respectful nod. Elara mimicked his response, her eyes brimming with excitement and determination.
"Best of luck to you both, my dears," Celia said with a warm smile.
"Do your best, my children," Sera added, her voice gentle yet encouraging.
Theo, however, continued staring at the arena with his indifferent gaze, offering neither words of encouragement nor acknowledgment. But Orion had long since stopped expecting anything from the man.
With a final glance at his mother's, Orion exchanged a small smile with Elara, and the two made their way toward the special entrance designated for their family.
As they stepped into the vast arena, the sheer size of the structure took their breath away. The stone seats rose high into the sky, capable of accommodating over a thousand spectators at once. The participants continued to pour in, creating a chaotic scene of excitement and anxiety.
"Now then," Lady Selina's voice boomed throughout the arena. "Those who wish to participate, take your seats on the ground in a meditative position. The ceremony is about to begin."
Orion glanced around. Nobles at the front, the commoners at the back—an order set by societal influence and privilege.
And yet, the Blessing Ceremony itself was supposed to be equal.
Lady Selina continued, her words clear and deliberate. "Before we begin, I will briefly explain the cultivation system of Eldora, which is divided into seven stages. Each stage is further divided into nine sub-levels, known as Stars."
"1. Novice.
2. Apprentice.
3. Adept.
4. Magister.
5. Arcanist.
6. Mystic.
7. Divine."
Orion listened intently, already familiar with the system but knowing others did not share his advantage.
"Those who succeed today and receive the Blessing will be provided resources to cultivate up to Novice Level Four-Star by the generous sponsorship of our Lord Viscount."
The crowd broke into murmurs of excitement. Orion's eyes narrowed. Since when did the Viscount become that rich to offer resources so freely? This was the Empress's doing, for continue making complete grasp on people of Eldora by showing how she and her subordinate are generous. He knew.
And then, Lady Selina approached the covered object. With a graceful motion, she pulled away the velvet cloth, revealing a breathtaking statue of a woman of perfect beauty and majesty.
The crowd gasped, and Lady Selina's voice echoed through the arena.
"Before we begin, let us all offer our prayers to our great Empress, who oversees this ceremony with her divine gaze."
As expected, the entire arena knelt in worship, hands folded in devotion. Even his indifferent father – his whole family, knights, and royal guards closed their eyes in deep prayer.
Everyone—except Orion.
He stared at the statue, his Blue eyes filled with cold defiance.
"I will never bow to you, Shia. No matter what."
Unaware that no one had noticed his silent rebellion, Orion prepared himself.
The Blessing Ceremony was about to begin.