The ballroom fell into stunned silence after the young man's declaration rang through the air.
"Noah Von Augustus," Ethan Vel Ironclad announced, his voice loud and proud, "I, in the name of House Ironclad, challenge you to an honorable duel!"
The music halted. Conversations died. Goblets froze mid-air.
The atmosphere shifted from elegant to electric in a heartbeat.
"Did he just challenge the Augustus heir?"
"Isn't that boy the one who danced with the Saintess and the Princess?"
"He's asking for humiliation."
The spotlight fell on the Ironclad family standing near the refreshment table.
Duke Ironclad's eyes widened, then twitched. "Ethan… what have you done?"
His wife gasped, "We didn't agree to this—!"
Their daughter looked away in shame while the mother grabbed her husband's arm, whispering frantically. The duke clenched his fists but held his tongue—his son had already spoken.
At the center, the girls surrounding Noah turned to the challenger.
Layla was the first to speak, her amber eyes gleaming with amused malice. "You want a duel? Oh, how cute. Still clinging to your pride after four rejections? Should we offer you a fifth too?"
Ethan twitched, glaring at her.
Olivia, ever graceful, stepped forward with worry in her eyes. "Please, let's not make this about pride. This is a royal celebration, not an arena."
But Noah only gave her a calm smile.
Then came the voice of authority.
From the elevated dais, Emperor Charles de Angelis narrowed his sharp eyes.
"What is the meaning of this, Ethan Vel Ironclad?" he asked, his tone calm but ironclad in its own right.
Ethan bowed with practiced formality. "Your Majesty, I merely wish to assess the strength of the one who captured the attention of the Saintess… and even danced with your daughter. I wish to see for myself what makes him so 'exceptional.'"
A few nobles gasped. Others snickered quietly.
The Emperor understood immediately. "So this is about pride... and envy."
He looked toward Noah, who stood there with hands in his pockets, completely at ease.
"Noah Von Augustus," the Emperor said with curiosity in his tone, "do you accept?"
Before answering, Noah looked at his parents.
Richard sipped his wine with a grin. "Good luck, my son. Go beat him. Make it extra from me."
Julia waved him on. "Don't mess up your outfit too badly."
Alea, standing beside Lyra, stared at the scene, unimpressed."Idiots"
The girls turned toward Noah.
Scarlett gently touched his sleeve. "Don't get hurt, alright?"
Lyra smirked. "Make it quick. I hate drawn-out plays."
Layla cracked her knuckles. "Break his nose."
Finally, Noah looked at the Emperor and gave a faint bow.
"I accept."
Cheers echoed, and a magical barrier rose to form the dueling circle.
The Emperor raised his hand. "Let the duel commence. First blood. No spells or abilities—only blades and skill."
In the crowd, Charlotte watched, her void eyes darkening.
"Ethan Vel Ironclad," she noted silently.
"Never step foot inside my palace again."
Ethan unsheathed his ornate longsword and stepped into the ring, his face painted with righteous anger.
Noah walked in casually. He had no sword.
The audience buzzed.
"Where's his weapon?"
"He's going barehanded? Arrogant fool."
"Maybe he's that strong…"
Ethan sneered. "Where's your sword, Augustus?"
Noah tilted his head. "You don't deserve it."
Then added with a calm, biting tone, "One punch is enough for you."
Laughter rippled through the nobles. Ethan turned red with embarrassment.
"You bastard!"
Ethan dashed forward, sword raised.
Noah casually sidestepped him and stuck out a foot.
Thud!
Ethan's face met the marble floor.
Gasps echoed.
He got up, furious. "You—!"
He charged again.
Noah dodged. Then again. And again.
Each move was effortless. Noah weaved around him like a leaf in the wind. His hands still in his pockets. The crowd was stunned.
"He's playing with him…"
"Look at his footwork!"
"He's not even trying!"
After a minute of this humiliation, Noah sighed.
"You're weak."
Ethan growled, slashing wildly.
Noah ducked, shifted past him, and pulled back his fist.
Crack!
A single punch to the jaw—fueled by a burst of mana.
Ethan flew ten meters back, crashing to the floor like a broken marionette.
Silence.
Layla: "Told you to break his nose."
Scarlett: "One punch…?"
Lyra: "Expected."
Olivia closed her eyes and smiled gently. "He has grown so much…"
The Emperor leaned back with a smirk.
"One punch indeed."
The ballroom echoed with thunderous applause.
Cheers rose like a wave, crashing against the high ceilings as Noah stood at the center of the dueling arena, victorious and unbothered.
The once-skeptical nobles now clapped in admiration, swept away by his effortless display. His white hair glowed under the golden chandeliers, and the faint smirk on his face left an impression none would forget soon.
Even Emperor Charles chuckled from his seat. "Quite the interesting young man."
Meanwhile, the Ironclad family moved through the crowd toward Richard and Julia Augustus with hurried steps and ashamed expressions.
Duke Ironclad bowed deeply. "Lord Richard, Lady Julia… please forgive my son's foolishness. His pride clouded his judgment."
Richard waved it off with a laugh. "Oh come now, Duke. It was just a kid's fight. No need for adults to make a fuss."
Julia smiled gently. "He's just young. Don't worry about it."
"Still," the Duke sighed, and then turned to his son, who stood with a red face and a bruised jaw. Without hesitation, he smacked Ethan on the back of the head.
"Apologize. Properly."
Ethan clenched his fists but, knowing better than to resist, stepped toward Noah with gritted teeth. "I apologize… for my rude behavior.."
Noah gave him a relaxed look and nodded. "Just don't repeat it. You might not be that lucky next time."
Before Ethan could storm off, his younger sister stepped forward—bright-eyed and smiling. "You were so cool!"
That only deepened Ethan's humiliation.
And just like that, the tension melted. The noble crowd, sensing peace restored, returned to their conversations and wine, some still whispering in awe about "the white-haired boy."
Later, Noah found himself at a table with the girls, enjoying a moment of calm.
He glanced over to find Olivia standing quietly nearby, watching him and the others with a soft gaze, a plate untouched in her hands.
"Olivia," he called gently. "Would you like to join us?"
"I—" she hesitated.
"She's starving but pretending she's fine," Scarlett teased.
"Come on, Saintess, we don't bite," Lyra smirked.
"Unless you want us to," Layla added playfully, earning eye rolls from the others.
With an embarrassed smile, Olivia finally gave in. "Alright… just for a while."
As she sat beside Noah, still not eating, he tilted his head.
"Are you not hungry?"
She blinked. "Ah… I was just… thinking."
But Noah noticed the way her eyes lingered on the pastry he was enjoying.
A mischievous thought sparked.
Without a word, he cut a piece of red velvet pastry, lifted it with a fork, and gently extended it toward her.
"Here," he said with a smile. "You seem to like it."
Her emerald eyes widened in shock. "W-What are you doing!?"
Noah tilted his head innocently. "Feeding you. Aren't you hungry?"
Her face turned crimson.
"I… I didn't mean for you to— I mean, I can eat by myself—!"
But before she could finish, the girls leaned in with teasing grins.
"Look at our Saintess blush~" Layla teased.
"Such a cute reaction," Scarlett giggled.
"Even your ears are red," Lyra noted.
Olivia stammered, her dignity as a Saintess crumbling fast. After a moment of struggle, she lowered her gaze and whispered, "…Alright."
She leaned forward and gently took the bite from his fork, chewing in silence. Her eyes widened.
"It's… good."
"Then have more," Noah said cheerfully, offering another bite.
Again and again, she accepted his offering, each time blushing a bit deeper.
Eventually, she took a deep breath, hands trembling slightly, and reached for a piece herself. With great hesitation, she offered it to Noah.
He looked surprised, then smiled warmly and leaned forward to accept it.
"Thanks. It's sweet."
Her lips curled upward. "I'm glad."
From the royal table, Charlotte watched silently.
Her chest tightened watching the scene—Olivia feeding him with a gaze filled with longing.
Her fingers clenched the fabric of her gown slightly.
"…She's close to him… closer than I thought."
Yet, even as jealousy flickered in her eyes, she smiled faintly.
"Still… he danced with me. And he didn't reject me. That's enough… for now."
On another side of the hall, Richard, Julia, and Alea were watching the exchange with equal interest.
Richard raised a brow. "My son is too brave…"
Julia nodded, hiding a giggle. "Even the Saintess can't resist his charm."
Alea crossed her arms. "He's a playboy."
Both parents turned to glare at her.
"What?" she said, shrugging. "You're thinking it too."
Even they couldn't deny it.
As laughter and soft music resumed in the grand ballroom, one thing became clear—
Noah Von Augustus was the name everyone would remember tonight.
To be continued...