Night fell, and the House Nocturne estate blazed with light.
Dozens of Lumina Crystals, driven by pure mana, hovered beneath the banquet hall’s ceiling. They cast a dazzling yet soft golden glow, illuminating the entire space as if it were midday.
Tonight was the celebration of Elena’s awakening, hosted by House Nocturne.
The news of her awakening as an S-Rank Shadowdancer had swept through the capital in just three days. Guests from various noble factions arrived in a constant stream, their carriages clogging the streets outside the manor.
House Lightborne, House Ashford, House Thornfield—representatives from every major family arrived bearing lavish gifts.
In the center of the hall, Elena wore a finely tailored reddish-brown evening gown. The dress accentuated her petite but developing silhouette, lending her an air of profound elegance. Her signature auburn hair flowed freely over her shoulders, shimmering under the crystal lights.
The moment she stepped into the hall, she became the sole focus of the room.
Nobles swarmed her, offering a relentless barrage of flattery and praise.
A middle-aged Viscount raised his glass, offering a sincere tribute. "Patriarch Alaric, congratulations! An S-Rank Shadowdancer—such a talent hasn't been seen in our territory for nearly a century!"
An elderly noble nodded with a smile. "Indeed. House Nocturne has a worthy successor. Elena will undoubtedly secure a spot in the Apex Class of Celestia Arcane Academy."
Elena maintained a polite smile, nodding gracefully to the guests surrounding her.
She subtly pulled up her system interface to check her current stats.
[System Notification]
[Status Attributes]
Character: Elena Nocturne
Level: 2
Class: Shadowdancer (S-Rank)
HP: 240/240
MP: 380/380
AGI: 55
Combat Power: 1120
EXP: 95/150
Seeing the steady Combat Power figure on the panel, Elena felt a flicker of reassurance.
However, near a nearby drinks table, the atmosphere was quite the opposite.
Vincent stood in a sharp, formal suit, maintaining a practiced, gentle smile as he toasted those around him. But his hand gripped his crystal glass with such force that his knuckles turned white. The glass groaned under the pressure, emitting a faint, tortured creak.
Outside his direct line of sight, Marcus and Vivienne sat in a quiet, secluded corner.
Marcus’s face was as dark as stagnant water, his eyes flashing with undisguised malice.
Vivienne kept her head down, staring intently at her fork as she shredded the food on her plate. Having only awakened as a B-Rank Flame Mage, she felt like a speck of dust next to a radiant pearl while standing in Elena’s shadow.
Every word of praise directed at Elena felt like a physical blow to their pride.
The banquet reached its climax once all the guests had arrived.
At the front of the hall, Alaric, the Patriarch of House Nocturne, slowly stood up.
He was a man of imposing stature and commanding presence, his face currently flush with triumph and pride.
Alaric raised his hand, and the clamor in the hall died instantly. Every eye turned toward the Patriarch.
Alaric cleared his throat, his voice deep and resonant. "Honored guests, thank you all for joining us at the Nocturne Estate tonight!"
A wave of warm applause swept the room.
Alaric looked at Elena, who stood in the center of the crowd. His voice boomed, echoing through the hall. "As you all know, three days ago, my daughter Elena successfully awakened the exceptionally rare S-Rank class—Shadowdancer! This is her personal glory, and even more so, the pride of House Nocturne! She is the future core and the hope of our family!"
Thunderous cheers erupted again.
Alaric gestured for silence, continuing with his public decree. "To ensure Elena achieves excellence in the upcoming Celestia Arcane Academy entrance training, I, as Patriarch, hereby announce:"
"The family will immediately allocate 100,000 gold coins as Elena’s personal cultivation fund!"
"Furthermore, the family will fully fund a complete set of Blue-grade Rare quality Shadowdancer equipment for her!"
"Additionally, Elena is granted special permission to enter the family’s Sealed Vault within the next 3 days to select one heirloom treasure!"
As his words fell, a system notification quietly popped up in Elena’s vision.
[System Notification]
Obtained [House Nocturne Sealed Vault Access]!
Obtained [Family Resource Allocation: 100,000 Gold Coins] (Pending Collection)!
The hall erupted in gasps of shock and envy.
100,000 gold!
Blue-grade equipment!
And access to the Sealed Vault!
This was the kind of elite treatment most noble children could only dream of—a level of support many would never see in their entire lives.
The nobles below whispered in admiration. "As expected of an S-Rank genius. This level of resource investment is unprecedented."
But in the corner, Marcus let out a sudden, cold sneer.
Marcus swirled his wine, speaking to the nobles nearby with a barbed, mocking tone. "My niece is truly impressive. Getting these kinds of resources at 18. Tsk, she’s so much better than those who have spent years toiling away. Some people, no matter how hard they try, will never be more than a lowly B-Rank."
While he seemed to be praising Elena, his words were a transparent attack on Vivienne, who sat right beside him.
Vivienne’s face flushed a deep crimson. Shame and resentment boiled in her chest, nearly bursting. She clenched her teeth, twisting the fabric of her skirt so hard her fingers ached, wishing she could vanish from this place of humiliation.
In the front row, Vincent’s expression was equally grim.
He suppressed his internal fury, forcing a stiff smile as he stepped forward to speak to Alaric. "Father is right. Elena’s talent is extraordinary; she deserves the family’s best resources."
Yet beneath that mask of magnanimity, his mind screamed: Why?!
Why did the family only give me 50,000 gold when I awakened as an A-Rank Shadow Blade? Why was my request to enter the Sealed Vault flatly rejected, yet she gets to pick whatever she wants the moment she hits S-Rank?
Just because she’s S-Rank? Just because she’s the brat that dead woman left behind?!
Jealousy grew like poisonous weeds in Vincent’s heart, strangling what remained of his brotherly affection.
Just then, a melodious, soft dance tune began to play.
The banquet transitioned into the ballroom phase.
A tall youth in a pure white noble suit with gold trim moved through the crowd, heading straight for Elena.
The boy had short, neat blonde hair and strikingly handsome features. He radiated the warmth and righteousness characteristic of light-affinity mana.
It was Adrian Lightborne, the young master of House Lightborne and Elena’s childhood friend.
Class: A-Rank Lightborne.
Adrian stopped before Elena, bowing elegantly and extending his right hand. "Elena, may I have the honor of the first dance?"
The surrounding nobles watched with knowing smiles, whispering among themselves.
"Look, it’s Master Adrian of the Lightborne family!"
"A Lightborne and a Shadowdancer... an A-Rank and an S-Rank. Truly a match made in heaven."
"I heard House Lightborne and House Nocturne are considering an alliance. It seems the rumors are true."
Hearing the chatter, Elena blinked in surprise, then offered a clear, genuine smile.
She placed her left hand, adorned with a reddish-brown gemstone ring, into Adrian’s palm. "Of course, Adrian."
The two stepped into the center of the dance floor.
To the rhythm of the music, their steps were light and graceful.
As a Lightborne, Adrian seemed to glow under the crystal lights, while Elena’s Shadowdancer movements were ethereal and fluid. They glided across the floor, becoming the most dazzling sight in the room.
During a lull in the music, Adrian leaned in, his clear blue eyes fixed intently on Elena.
"Elena," he whispered, "you’ve always been special. I know you’ve endured a lot of hardship, but seeing you standing here in the light today... I’m truly happy for you."
Elena’s eyes crinkled at the corners, her tone relaxed. "Thank you, Adrian. We’ve been best friends since we were kids. It’s good to have you here to encourage me."
Adrian’s step faltered slightly.
He stared deep into her eyes, his tone suddenly becoming heavy and earnest. "Elena... if, and I mean if, I didn’t just want to be your friend?"
Elena stiffened, nearly losing her footing.
She looked up in shock. "Adrian, what... what are you saying?"
Adrian gripped her hand firmly, his voice unwavering. "No matter what happens in the future, no matter what obstacles we face, I will stay by your side. I’ll protect you and shield you from every storm."
The sudden confession sent a wave of warmth through Elena’s heart.
In this cold family filled with calculated interests, Adrian’s sincerity was like a beam of sunlight piercing through the gloom.
She opened her mouth, ready to respond. "Adrian, I—"
Before she could finish, a cold voice cut through the air, shattering the moment.
"Elena, that’s enough dancing. You need to come with me to toast Father and the elders."
Vincent had appeared at the edge of the dance floor.
He stared at them without expression, his eyes cold and predatory. When his gaze fell on their joined hands, it carried a blatant, sharp warning.
The elegant music suddenly felt jarring.
Adrian frowned but refrained from starting a public conflict with Vincent.
He released Elena’s hand and stepped back, giving her a gentle nod. "Go ahead, Elena. We’ll talk another time."
Elena took a deep breath to steady her heart. She gave Adrian a nod, then turned to follow Vincent off the dance floor.
As the banquet entered its later hours, the hall rang with the laughter of guests emboldened by wine.
However, in a secluded corridor deep within the estate, shadows were spreading silently.
Marcus stood before a heavy iron door. He glanced around to ensure no one was following, then turned to look at Vincent, who had followed him.
"Come inside," Marcus whispered.
With a dark expression, Vincent followed him into the secret room at the end of the passage.
The heavy wooden door thudded shut, completely cutting off the distant sounds of the banquet music.
Only a single, dim oil lamp burned in the room.
Marcus sat at a table and poured himself a glass of strong spirits, looking askance at Vincent.
Marcus scoffed. "Did you see it? Tonight at the banquet, the way your father looked at Elena was entirely different from the way he looks at you."
Vincent’s fists clenched, his teeth grinding. "I saw... 100,000 gold, a full set of Blue equipment, the Sealed Vault... everything handed to her on a silver platter!"
Marcus took a sip of his drink, his voice dripping with manipulation. "Are you satisfied with this? Vincent, you are the eldest son of House Nocturne! You’ve trained so hard for so many years—are you really going to let a girl walk all over you?"
Vincent kept his head down, his breathing heavy, but he said nothing.
Marcus stood up and walked over to Vincent, clapping a hand firmly on his shoulder. "An A-Rank Shadow Blade is a top-tier talent anywhere else. But in the face of an S-Rank... as long as Elena exists, you will always be nothing more than a background character. The position of Patriarch should have been yours. But now? Who do you think your father will hand the family to?"
These words struck the most sensitive, painful nerve in Vincent’s soul.
Vincent snapped his head up, his eyes bloodshot. "I’m not satisfied! Why?! Why should a girl get to steal everything that belongs to me?!"
Seeing the reaction, Marcus’s lips curled into a cruel, twisted arc.
Marcus lowered his voice, sounding like a demon whispering in the dark. "I have a way... a way for you to take back everything that belongs to you. But I’ll need your cooperation."
Vincent’s gaze sharpened. "What way?"
Marcus leaned into Vincent’s ear, his voice hissing. "In a few days, Celestia Arcane Academy will organize a field exercise for new students. The location is the Shadowfen Ruins..."
Vincent started. "The Shadowfen Ruins?"
Marcus grinned malevolently. "The Shadowfen Ruins are dangerous, crawling with monsters. If... and I mean if, Elena were to encounter some 'uncontrollable' accident during the exercise... for instance, if her Mana Core were forcibly ripped out..."
At the mention of "ripping out the Mana Core," Vincent’s pupils contracted violently!
The Mana Core was the lifeblood of every cultivator. If it were removed, even if she survived, she would become a total cripple for the rest of her life!
Vincent sucked in a sharp breath, staring at his uncle in shock. "You mean... we should..."
Marcus snorted. "What do you mean 'we do something to her'? It would just be an unfortunate attack by a high-level monster during a field exercise. A pure accident!"
Marcus’s eyes gleamed with malice as he stated his terms. "Afterward, when Elena is a cripple, you will naturally be the sole heir. And I don’t ask for much... only that once you take power, you allocate resources to support Vivienne’s entry into the Apex Class at the Academy."
A deathly silence fell over the secret room.
In the dim light, Vincent’s face shifted between shadow and light.
An intense struggle raged within him—a battle between the guilt of murdering his own sister and the greedy thirst for absolute power.
One minute passed.
Then two.
Vincent’s mind filled with images: his father’s favoritism tonight, the fawning guests, and how he had stood there like a pathetic clown.
That final spark of conscience was completely swallowed by the black hole of his jealousy.
Vincent’s eyes grew cold, cruel, and decisive.
He looked up, meeting Marcus’s gaze, and slowly extended his right hand.
He forced a single word through his teeth. "Fine."
Marcus smiled with satisfaction and gripped Vincent’s hand firmly.
The web of conspiracy was spun.
Outside the secret room, the lights still blazed, but a fatal crisis had already arrived in silence.
The morning clamor faded as the night deepened.
Late at night, Elena returned to her bedroom.
She closed the door, shutting out the hypocrisy and noise of the outside world.
Exhaustion hit her like a tide. Elena unfastened the complex gown, changed into comfortable, light sleepwear, and removed her expensive jewelry.
She walked to the vanity, looking at the beautiful girl in the mirror—the one the entire city hailed as an "S-Rank genius"—and let out a long sigh.
"This vanity and praise..." Elena whispered to herself. "If Mother were still here, would she have liked this?"
She slowly looked down at the reddish-brown gemstone ring on her left ring finger.
It was the only memento her mother had left her before she died.
Elena traced the cold surface of the gem with a slender finger. "Mom... I did it. I awakened an S-Rank class. I’m a genius in everyone’s eyes..."
As if responding to her internal emotions, the once-still gemstone ring suddenly pulsed with a faint, warm light in the dark room.
A warm current seeped through her fingertip and into her body, bringing a sense of inexplicable peace.
At the same time, a soft notification appeared before her eyes.
[System Notification]
Detected weak resonance with [Mother’s Heirloom Ring]!
Mana Recovery: +5!
Current Status: SPR/Spirit Full!
Seeing the prompt, Elena felt a surge of warmth.
It felt as if her mother’s gentle hand was stroking her hair, answering her call from the shadows.
However, before she could fully immerse herself in the moment—
Whoosh!
A sudden gust of night wind whipped past the window.
A pitch-black shadow flickered past the high window outside!
"Who’s there?!"
Elena’s eyes went cold instantly. Her body blurred as she pressed herself against the wall, her right hand clamping onto the hilt of the short blade at her waist!
As an S-Rank Shadowdancer, her perception far exceeded that of an ordinary person.
She lunged toward the window and threw the carved wooden frame open. The icy night air hit her face.
However, the garden below was silent. Moonlight dappled the trees, and the leaves rustled softly. There was nothing.
Elena’s brow furrowed as she scanned the dark woods.
No enemies, no attribute panels, not even a trace left behind.
But the chilling sensation of being watched by a venomous snake lingered on her spine.
Elena slowly closed the window and latched it tight.
She clenched her fists, her unease growing. "Was it an illusion? I feel like there’s a pair of eyes, silently monitoring my every move..."
The anxiety made it impossible to fully relax.
She lay on her soft bed, staring at the ceiling. Involuntarily, the words Adrian had said to her on the dance floor drifted back into her mind.
—"No matter what happens... I will stay by your side."
Adrian’s sincere, warm gaze became her only solace in the cold dark of night.
Elena pressed her hand to her chest, murmuring softly. "Adrian... if that day really comes, will you really... stay with me?"
With that small spark of warmth, and the lingering dread deep in her heart, Elena slowly closed her eyes and drifted into a heavy sleep.
The night was deep.
She did not know that this grand banquet was the beginning of her fate's turning point.
If she could see the future, she would understand—
This was the last peaceful night she would spend as the celebrated "S-Rank genius."