Numerous pairs of eyes remained on Astrea for a while.
'As expected of Argus's follower.'
'Isn't she scary. Like a thorny rose. Beautiful yet dangerous.'
Rex and Kelvin started talking in very low voice. Astelle heard them so she smack their heads.
"Hey, you two stop talking!"
The Awakeners turn their gazes shifted behind her. They saw a seemingly ordinary human standing behind this outstanding group.
This seemingly ordinary human was a bit conspicuous within this outstanding group.
"There's another person behind them."
"I didn't even notice him."
"His presence is so weak that he's practically the only normal one within that group."
"Ordinary, huh? You call the person who stopped that beautiful lady a normal person?"
Whispers once again erupted around. Some still couldn't move on, some were amused, and some were curious.
Suddenly, another commotion erupted behind Argus.
"Look! It's Michael Lumiere!"
"It looks like the rumors were true. He's participating too!"
"Michael Lumiere... the heir of the Lumiere Family!"
"The Lumiere Family? One of the Four Great Families?!"
Kelvin, curious, leaned closer to Rex and asked in a low voice, "Hey, Rex. What's the deal with the Four Great Families?"
Rex, without looking back, casually replied, "Simple. The Four Great Families are the pillars of the human race."
He raised a finger.
"First, the Obscurite Family which I am part of. We handle darkness. We are basically the source of information, assassination, and anything related to dark-attribute magic — assassins, dark mages, necromancers, warlocks... you name it. They said that we are the ruler of the underworld of the human race but that's not really the case. Moving on..."
He raised a second finger.
"Second, the Lumiere Family. They handle light. Healers, priests, light mages, holy knights. They're descendants of some ancient hero and a saintess — very prestigious."
A third finger.
"Third, the Stark Family. They handle weapons and armory. Blacksmiths, tailors, enchanters... they produce the best equipment in the human race."
And finally, a fourth.
"Fourth, the Valcor Family. They handle commerce. They're the richest family — merchants, traders, businessmen. Anything that moves money and goods, they control it."
Kelvin nodded silently, digesting the information.
Meanwhile, Michael Lumiere continued walking through the crowd like a shining beacon. His silver hair and white-gold armor made him impossible to ignore. Every step he took seemed to draw more attention.
However, unlike the other spectators, he had a goal.
His eyes locked onto one person.
Astelle.
A soft smile curled on his lips — noble, composed, calm.
Last month, he had tried to become friends with her during a formal event. Astelle had tactfully refused him with perfect courtesy, because deep inside, she hated his guts. His fake attitude and the arrogance she sensed behind his polished facade disgusted her.
Michael, however, remained oblivious — or maybe he simply didn't care.
He also witnessed Astrea's earlier act of magic, and it piqued his interest even more. Someone like her had to be worth knowing.
With that thought, he finally approached their group, his steps unhurried and graceful.
As he neared, he slowed down a bit, adjusting his noble smile before speaking.
"Good morning. Quite the crowd today, isn't it?"
His voice was smooth and friendly.
Astelle maintained a perfect, indifferent smile, not even bothering to acknowledge him properly. Astrea, on the other hand, glanced at him once and then immediately looked away, ignoring him completely.
Michael's smile stiffened slightly at the cold reception, but he quickly masked it with his usual calm demeanor.
"We meet again, Kelvin. You two are really going to enroll in the academy, huh? This would be great news for Vesmir."
"We're not really that big of a deal."
Kelvin replied curtly.
"Tsk tsk tsk, thick-skinned as always. Aren't you tired of wearing that mask of yours? Isn't it too heavy?"
A sarcastic remark was heard by everyone. The crowd was astonished by the comment, but when they saw who had spoken, they broke into a cold sweat.
"What are you saying, Rex? Isn't this how the son of the head of a great family should act?"
"You are embarrassing your family on how you act."
Michael's follower started berrating Rex. That also includes Dayn.
"Yeah, yeah. I wouldn't even want that position, even if the old man begged me."
Rex thought.
"I would also worry if I became the head. You guys are really BRIGHT, aren't you?"
Michael's follower including Dayn felt their face slightly twitched hearing the word "bright." Since their family's main attribute is light, calling them a "BRIGHT person" could be seen as an insult. Dayn didn't want to talk to Rex anymore.
Michael on the other hand just calmly stood there, neither tried to stop Dayn not being affected by Rex's remark. He pretended to look around.
"Is your older sister here? I'd like to talk to her. Do you know where she is?"
"Probably somewhere around here. I don't know, ask her yourself."
"You! Young Master Michael here was asking you politely. You have no respect!"
Michael then saw Astelle having a conversation with another person. They were whispering to each other. Since an Awakener has a sharper sense, he could hear what they were talking about at this close distance.
'You should have just let him go once. Why did you play with him?'
'He says I belong to others, but I belong only to... Aw!'
Argus smacked Astrea's head. Astrea also pretended to be hurt as she looked at Argus.
'That's not the important point. Sigh... Just don't play like that with anyone.'
'Yes!'
A beautiful smile appeared on Astrea, captivating the people who saw it. Including, of course, Michael. He was shocked but didn't show it on his face. He pretended to remain calm as he walked closer to them.
"Forgive me, but why did you do that? I overheard your conversation. I saw everything that happened, and what she did was not wrong."
Argus and Astrea turn their head on the speaker.
"You are?"
Dayn saw this and his eyes lit up. With how that person act, he can easily provoke him.
'Let's watch the show.'
The same thought also appeared on Rex group. Rex is one thing, but the twins especially Astelle knows how blunt Argus is so they all watch with anticipation.
"So rude of me for not introducing myself. My name is Michael Lumiere."
"Argus Orpheus."
Argus mentioned his named after that he looks at Astrea. Reluctant, she also introduce herself.
"Astrea"
"Last name? What clan does Orpheus family part of?"
Michael ask with curiosity. It's very rare for a human who has a last name to not be a clan. He was just slightly curious though, his gaze would linger from Astrea while talking to him. Michael was more curious on the identity of the girl. A girl that gives of strong aura and possess a very rare attribute that he suspected it to be. A space attribute. Her beauty was a plus too.
"I'm not really part of any clan."
"Is that so?"
"Then the lady here is..."
"Same here."
Michael's eyes flicker. A thought runs through his mind. Michael Lumiere was the only son of the current head of the family. He was basically the successor of the Lumiere Family since the day he was born. Growing up, he was taught how to make connections and how to properly handle things to grow the family.
From a young age, he attended different gatherings and formal events. He learned how to talk to people, how to act properly, and how to leave a good impression. He was always reminded that his actions would reflect on the whole family.
He learned early on that emotions were weaknesses in the eyes of the powerful. To survive among other great families, one needed to smile even when angry, to flatter even when disgusted, and to strike when necessary without hesitation.
Michael also knew that when he grew up, he would need someone strong by his side. Since he believed that he was strong himself, he would also need a strong companion — or rather, a strong spouse. Not just strong, but someone who was both strong and beautiful at the same time. Perfect for someone as handsome and powerful as him.
When he first saw Astelle, Michael was immediately captivated by her. Now, seeing another beauty who was not losing to Astelle, his possessiveness was ignited.
"Do the two of you want to join our clan? It may not look like it, but I still have a bit of authority to invite someone to join our clan, especially you, Lady Astrea. A space mage is so rare. A talent like yours is sought after by our family," Michael invited both of them, but his eyes lingered on Astrea.
Argus just raised his brows.
"I don't really want to join any clan now."
"I also do not want to join any clan," Astrea added.
The scene became extremely quiet after the two spoke.