บท 16: Party

As Kai and Hanabi stepped into the lavish hotel lobby, the grandeur of the space was almost overwhelming. The ceilings were high and adorned with magnificent chandeliers, while the floors were polished marble that gleamed under the soft lighting.

Elara spotted them first and walked over, her eyes widening as she took in their appearance. She smiled warmly, her eyes filled with genuine admiration.

"You both look stunning," she said, her voice filled with awe. "Truly like you were crafted by the gods themselves."

Kai was wearing a gothic Victorian-inspired outfit, a high-collared, elaborately embroidered black suit with silver floral designs. Underneath, he wore a white shirt partially unbuttoned, revealing a hint of his chest. His tousled black hair, pale skin, and amethyst-colored eyes, coupled with his aloof expression and aura, made him the most handsome teenager in the human realm, if not the world.

Hanabi, on the other hand, looked adorable in her gothic Lolita-style dress with intricate detailing, including frills, lace, and ribbon accents, primarily in shades of black and purple. Her long flowing black hair was styled in a bun adorned with a blue rose and purple ribbons, matching her outfit perfectly and complementing her big brother.

Elara, dressed in a deep, rich blue gown that shimmered as she moved, featured an off-the-shoulder design with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was adorned with intricate silver embroidery, adding a touch of sophistication and luxury to her outfit. She looked every bit the elegant guild leader she was known to be.

"Will you accept if I say I wanted to adopt you two?" Elara joked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"You look beautiful as well, Elara," Kai responded, deftly avoiding the question. His voice was calm and composed, but his eyes held a hint of gratitude.

Elara chuckled softly. "Thank you, Kai. Come, let's not keep everyone waiting. The party is about to begin."

They went outside the hotel, and a sleek, black stretch car stopped in front of them. The exterior was polished, with tinted windows that provided privacy for those inside.

The driver got out and opened the door for them, bowing his head respectfully.

"Ms. Elara, Sir Kai, and Ma'am Hanabi, please get in," he said professionally.

Hanabi's eyes twinkled with excitement as she climbed in. Elara and Kai followed.

"What do you think about my offer, Kai? Why not become my son?" she asked again.

Hanabi heard this and looked at Elara. She said innocently, "Would that make you my new mom?"

Elara smiled warmly at Hanabi. "It could, if that's what you want, sweetie."

Kai sighed softly, his mind racing with thoughts. He looked at Elara. "I appreciate your offer, Elara, truly. But Hanabi and I have been through a lot, and we're just starting to find our footing. I think it's best if we take things one step at a time."

Elara nodded, understanding. "I respect that, Kai. The offer will always be open, should you change your mind."

The car ride to the party was smooth and filled with light conversation. Hanabi excitedly pointed out various sights through the tinted windows, while Elara and Kai discussed the evening ahead.

Elara suddenly spoke, "Kai, no matter what you do to try to hide your rank, I can feel your aura," she said seriously.

Kai was taken aback by her words, though he remained composed. "How?" he asked, feigning shock.

"When you reach my rank, you can understand," she replied.

Hanabi, sitting quietly, looked confused by their conversation and her brother's apparent concern.

"At the party, there will be a lot of powerful people," Elara continued. "When they see you, they will ask where you are affiliated."

She paused, her tone growing more serious. "You know, Kai, many people in this world are greedy. When they find a lone piece of chicken in the heart of the jungle, untouched by any creature, they transform into ravenous wolves."

Kai nodded in understanding, the gravity of her words sinking in.

When they arrived at the grand ballroom, the sheer opulence of the setting took their breath away. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests. The air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation and the gentle strains of classical music.

Elara led them through the crowd, introducing them to several influential figures.

One man approached and asked, "Who are these children with you, Elara? They look very stunning."

Elara brought Kai to her side. "This here is my son."

The man looked at her, shocked. "Why have I never heard that you had a child? And I thought you would never have kids—you'll be pushing fifty in a decade," he joked.

Elara's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Secrets always come out, no matter how hard you try to hide them," she said with a sigh, though her irritation was clear.

"Come here, darling," she said, pulling Kai closer. "Introduce yourself."

Kai took a deep breath and stepped forward, offering a polite smile. "Hello, I'm Kai Ember Walker. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The man nodded, still processing the information. "Nice to meet you, Kai. You certainly have a striking presence."

"Edwin Santos," he offered his hand.

Kai shook his hand firmly, maintaining his calm demeanor. "Thank you, sir."

Edwin showed a shocked expression but quickly composed himself. "You're a talented young man," he said while looking at Hanabi. "And who is this young girl over here? She's very adorable."

Hanabi responded happily, "Hello, my name is Hanabi Ember Walker."

"Looks like she's enjoying this play," Kai thought.

Back before they reached their destination, Elara had said, "Kai, while you think about my offer, how about you act as my son at the party?"

Kai had agreed, seeing it as an opportunity to make connections.

Edwin smiled warmly at Hanabi. "Well, it's wonderful to meet both of you. Enjoy the party."

Edwin Santos, father of one of the main characters and currently at Ascendant rank, is in the SH leaderboard's top 101 and also the richest man in the world. He owns the biggest technology facility in the human domain and is the number one tech provider.

"In a year, his company will make the biggest breakthrough in technology in the human domain. They will create a device that can close the gap between the different races," Kai thought.

"Well, it's not important right now," he mused, scanning the room. "I'd better find that guy. It will help me get to the academy," he thought while scanning the room with his supervision.

"Found you," Kai said with a crazed smile. If one looked closely, they could clearly see the rage in his eyes.