Chương 6: The Banquet [part 1]
Seeing this information on the status screen left me confused and doubtful.
I began to ask myself many questions like:
"Where did it get this information? How does it know my affinities when I'm just born? Will someone have access to this information through the System?"
Despite firmly believing that the System is linked to the energy of the afterlife and that strange event I had caused, I couldn't help but have doubts and concerns.
Indeed, although I had only seen a screen when I took the last step to enter the portal, it could be just a coincidence and this System is actually connected to this world where every inhabitant has one.
And this could also explain why I saw the interface only at that moment and not before.
However, this is something I cannot know at the moment. So, it's better for me to focus on what it shows.
"It seems that I have many affinities, probably due to my reincarnation.
I wonder if the fact that even when I was a fetus, I actively absorbed Mana has something to do with it.
Also, the energy of this world is called Mana.
And that there are 3 centers of power: Body, Mind, and Soul and they are surely connected to the 3 cores I have."
"Furthermore, it seems that the System doesn't have any other functionalities, and it doesn't have a translation function, so I have to do my best to learn the language of this world as quickly as possible".
"Due to the lack of other functionalities from the System, I will miss things like quests, items, abilities, penalties, stats out of nowhere, and things like leveling up."
"Seeing only this room and how it's furnished, I can tell that this family seems to be very important, probably Noble."
"Also, the innate ability is connected to the energy of the afterlife, so I found a way to obtain it and to understand more about it."
After thinking this, I fell asleep.
After several hours of sleeping, I woke up again. I was in the same room as before, but without all those people. In fact, it was just me with the nanny.
The nanny immediately noticed that I had woken up and breastfed me again.
In the meantime, I tried to see if there were any further clues about my current situation, but there weren't any.
Although I started to think that the nanny might not be as simple as I initially thought, since I was left alone with her without anyone else to protect me.
After she finished breastfeeding me, she started reading what should be a bedtime story.
At that point, not having any other way to find out more, I decided to try to understand the language of this new world and simultaneously accumulate mana.
I woke up and fell asleep several times, and I always did the same things. Checking the System, it hadn't even been 1 day since I was born.
This made me understand that in this world, days didn't have the same duration as those on Earth, and I began to wonder in what other ways it could be different.
But since I couldn't have an answer immediately, I focused again on what I was doing.
Although that day ended for me in that way, it wasn't the same for others.
In fact, right after my birth, they decided to organize a banquet to celebrate.
Invitations were sent to many noble families and powerful and important individuals.
Among the people who received the invitation was the imperial family.
No person, family, or organization dared to refuse the invitation that had been sent.
Such was the influence and fear that the Ryushin family aroused.
Everyone accepted out of fear of possible retaliation and of being on their side.
The atmosphere inside the estate was very tense and agitated.
All kinds of celebrities and famous envoys were about to visit the Ryushin family to see the newborn baby and the rise of Tenkū no tsurugi to a member of the Twelve Stars so everything had to be carefully prepared and absolutely perfect.
Ryushin Chi remained silent and stared at everyone, and after a while, he nodded satisfactorily.
Immediately, all the swords returned to their original position, alongside some knights.
Soon Ryushin Seimei and various members of the family appeared from behind the guarding knights.
Behind them were the main protagonists of this banquet.
Ryushin Tenkū advanced with measured steps and an erect posture that revealed his innate elegance with his blond, soft, and shiny hair cascading in gentle waves to his shoulders, framing a face with delicate and symmetrical features.
His skin was smooth and pale, almost translucent, as if sculpted by the moonlight.
His eyes, of a stormy gray, were large and expressive, veiled by long lashes that added a touch of mystery to his penetrating gaze.
His lips were thin but well-defined, often curved in an enigmatic smile that revealed a row of white and perfect teeth.
His nose was straight and proportionate, while the slightly sunken cheeks gave his face a thoughtful air.
Despite his young age, he exuded an aura of maturity and confidence that clearly distinguished him from others.
Next to the brother who had just made a name for himself was Schadet Oporitorc, who was being watched by his brother.
From his expression, it could be understood that he was not bothered but neither happy. But he seemed rather indifferent.
Although he knew that his brother's birth would allow to increase the family's strength and to carry on the legacy.
The thousand guests who had come to the family today represented the prestige, authority, and power of the Ryushin family.
Each of them are people with great power from clans, families, or organizations very influential.
When they entered the estate one by one, it seemed that it rose proudly, looming over them like a monarch on the throne.
It was as if the building commanded the guests to show the slightest courtesy and education when they were in its presence.
The guarding knights and servants of the family were intoxicated by this feeling of importance as they all stood with imposing expressions.
They had to show that even the guarding knights and servants of the Ryushin family were not common people, but they also shared the glory of the family.
Meanwhile, Ryushin Tenkū was witnessing this incredible spectacle with Ryushin Chi.
They were on the balcony watching the courtyard.
Ryushin Chi waved his hand occasionally to the guests, while Ryushin Tenkū bowed his head courteously.
"How many guests do you think there are today?" Ryushin Chi asked his son, who had just become a member of the Twelve Stars.
"My rough estimate would be a thousand, father."
"Exactly, I was told there were about a thousand. Today there are about two hundred more guests than at the banquet we organized some origin cycles ago. Do you understand what that means?"
He didn't need to think about the answer.
"It means that in the last origin cycles, the authority and power of our family have increased."
Ryushin Chi had a satisfied smile.
"Exactly. Even other clans and families could easily welcome a thousand guests to their banquet... But today all the visitors are prominent and distinguished figures. We don't allow our banquets to be attended by small fry or worthless people."
So he nodded at his father's words.
Just as Ryushin Chi had said, the thousand guests today were all stars and celebrities. They were the leaders driving the world, governing the billions of people who inhabited this continent.
But even among all these rulers, the one at the top was Ryushin Chi.
This was because he had made his way up among the various members of the Ryushin family to become its patriarch.
Despite this, however, he hadn't killed any of his relatives, due to the rules and traditions of the family, where it was forbidden to kill each other to obtain the position of patriarch.
This rule was made to preserve the unity and stability of the Ryushin family, preventing destructive internal struggles that could weaken the family.
In fact, there was no discrimination within the family, as it was based on merit and talent.
Even collateral descendants could rise to occupy a significant position, as it had already happened and continued to happen.
And precisely to prevent these two fundamental things from being lacking, as soon as Ryushin children were born, they were taken to a building separate from the main estate, and they all received the same resources.
After finishing talking with Ryushin Tenkū, Ryushin Chi decided to step out and see the people present.
After seeing them, he smiled satisfied at the sight, got up, and clapped once.
Thump...!
It sounded more like a deep and powerful drum than a clap. When the echo resonated in the hall, the guests who were chatting on the first floor stopped talking and looked up to the second floor where Ryushin Chi was waiting.
In the midst of silence, Ryushin Chi looked at the guests and spoke loudly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for making all this way to our estate. I am Chi no tsurugi, patriarch of the Ryushin family."
"It seems that my new baby is quite decent, and so is Ryushin Tenkū. Thanks to him, I have another chance to reunite with all these familiar faces and spend pleasant time. So, let's give a round of applause to Schadet Oporitorc and Tenkū no tsurugi."
Applause and cheers followed as in any formal banquet.
"As you may all know, there are only two simple rules to follow at Ryushin banquets".
"First, if a fight breaks out during the party, the people involved will be escorted to the duel arena by the guarding knights. Secondly, the loser must accept their defeat, and the winner must show mercy. Don't forget, this is a party."
The audience called Ryushin banquets a "single-trunk bridge party."
The principle behind a single-trunk bridge was that if two people faced each other on the bridge, there would be a clash and a dispute until one person admitted defeat and returned from where they came.
And that was exactly the case with Ryushin banquets.
A thousand influential and powerful characters from all over the world had gathered in one place.
Many of them harbored grudges against other guests, so clashes and controversies were inevitable as guests indulged in the available alcohol.
In normal banquets, the two parties with animosity would limit themselves to glaring from afar or simply having mild verbal disputes. But banquets hosted by the Ryushin were different.
If two bitter enemies, drunk, stared into each other's eyes, they simply had to head to the arena without making a fuss.
The only rules were not to kill and to accept the results of the duels.
Some would find it a shame not to be able to kill their nemesis, but it was still quite satisfying for the winner to punch and throw the opponent to the ground.
The loser even had to admit to being weaker and inferior to them, which was very satisfying.
"Well, then, I hope you all enjoy yourselves before you leave."
More applause followed, and Ryushin Tenkū trembled as he watched the flushed and joyful faces below. A refreshing and electrifying thrill ran down his spine and spread throughout his body.
Then Ryushin Chi said:
"The guests have almost reached the villa. Let's go back inside."
Under the dark evening sky, countless lights illuminated the plains beyond the main gate of the Ryushin family.
These lights belonged to the camps that had been set up outside the main house of the Ryushin family where the attendants of today's visitors were staying.
These people would have to wait under the tents for three days until the end of the banquet.
"Yes, father."
"Oh, and after the end of the banquet, I need to have a word with you. Wait in the house until I call you."
The official participation of Ryushin Tenkū in the Great Noble Banquet.
That's what it was. Since he already expected it, Tenkū no tsurugi was not entirely surprised.
However, hearing it directly from his father's mouth was a completely different sensation.
"Now you can go down and have fun. And if someone catches your interest, you can take them to the arena. But it can't be someone who seems weaker than you, unless they have insulted you and the family."
"Yes, father. And I assume I'm not allowed to lose either."
"Of course not. If you do, I'll take away everything I've given you so far.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Ryushin Chi descended first and mingled with the guests.
Although he had organized this banquet for Ryushin Tenkū, he had no intention of taking his son everywhere with him and boasting about it to the guests.
Ryushin Tenkū chuckled as he watched his father's back. Then he turned and descended the stairs on the other side.
As soon as he reached the first floor, he immediately felt countless eyes on him, scrutinizing him.
Some of them came from large groups of people who openly stared at him, while others were much more discreet.
They were all surprised but interested.
This delicate-looking boy, who still seemed so young, had really become one of the Twelve Stars?
The guests wondered among themselves with eyes full of curiosity.
What should Ryushin Tenkū do now?
Should he walk confidently into the crowd with an imposing expression like a lion?
Or should he behave like an innocent child and approach the guests thanking them for coming today?
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