The Darknorth council chamber was a masterpiece of intimidation.Tall pillars carved with ancestral runes, chandeliers burning with etherfire, and a massive obsidian table shaped like a serpent devouring its tail — symbolic of how my family eats itself alive in the name of "tradition."
I stepped in, trying my best not to look like I'd rather be anywhere else. Behind me, Lira glided in silence, her mere presence enough to make half the elders unconsciously straighten their backs.
Six pairs of eyes turned toward me — each belonging to a wrinkled, well-dressed predator who could probably kill a man with paperwork.
Ah yes. The Great Council of Old Foxes.If political hypocrisy was an art, these people would have divine blessings.
"Rishi Lux Darknorth," one elder began, voice shaking with self-righteous fury. "We have received… troubling information."
Oh, here we go again.
Another elder, a particularly wrinkled one with a mustache sharp enough to cut glass, slammed his cane against the floor. "Is it true that you obtained an Affinity Elixir from the Golden Mirage Auction House?"
I took a sip of tea from the cup Lira had gracefully placed beside me, sighed dramatically, and nodded. "Yep. That's correct."
The room collectively leaned forward.For context, the Affinity Elixir wasn't some back-alley tonic — it was the holy grail of talent boosters. A single drop could change a mortal's destiny. Entire kingdoms had fought wars over one vial. My house of Darknorth — one of the few ducal families in the empire — only possessed two.
And these fossils clearly wanted to make that number three.
"We must request you hand it over to the family treasury," one elder said, his tone polite but his eyes calculating. "For the greater good of the Darknorth bloodline."
Ah, yes. The greater good. Translation: "Give it to us so we can pretend it's for the family while we use it for our favorite grandkids."
I sighed, put the teacup down, and said with a straight face, "Oh, that's awkward."
Their eyes narrowed."Why awkward?"
I scratched my neck, acting sheepish. "Because… I drank it."
There was silence.Then a teacup somewhere cracked under the pressure of spiritual energy.
"You… drank it?" one elder croaked, like his soul just left his body.
I nodded solemnly. "Yes, it looked expensive, so I wanted to know how it tasted. Spoiler: Bitter. Like disappointment and regret."
The Duke, who had been quiet until now, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Rishi, please tell me you're joking."
"Uncle, you've known me my whole life," I said, smiling innocently. "Do I look like someone who jokes about expensive things?"
That did not make it better.If glares could kill, I'd be a handsome corpse right now.
Another elder gritted his teeth. "Then tell us, boy—how did you even know the elixir would appear in that auction? Those things are rarer than dragon hearts!"
I leaned back lazily, smirk tugging at my lips. "Oh, that? Funny story, actually."
They didn't laugh.Of course they didn't.
"So, the fatty auction manager—you know, the one with more chins than moral integrity—wanted to impress me. He said, and I quote, 'The items sold by the young master are so precious, only elixirs can be used to purchase them!'"
I spread my arms dramatically. "So I thought, hey, why not take him seriously? I mean, the man seemed confident! And lo and behold, I auctioned and won an elixir. Truly, fate rewards faith."
There was dead silence. Then, in perfect unison, six elders facepalmed.
The Duke coughed to hide a laugh. "So… you bought it on a whim?"
"Technically, I bought it because I was encouraged," I corrected, smiling sweetly. "Blame the auction staff for being too persuasive."
"You…" one elder sputtered, "you imbecile! That elixir could have elevated the family bloodline—"
"Yes, and instead, it elevated me!" I interrupted cheerfully. "So it's still technically in the family. You're welcome."
If looks could cause spontaneous combustion, I'd be a pile of ashes by now.Lira, standing behind me, discreetly looked away — shoulders shaking just slightly. Traitor.
Finally, the Duke raised his hand, silencing the bickering elders. "Enough, what affinity did you awaken with the elixir?"
I smirked, tapping my temple. "That's a secret."
That earned me six simultaneous scowls."Why?"
"Because," I said lightly, "mystery makes me more interesting. You wouldn't want me to lose my charm, would you?"
"Charm isn't what you're losing," one elder muttered darkly.
I pretended not to hear.
The Duke, ever the patient one, leaned forward. "Very well. But tell me this, Rishi — do you still plan to continue your outdoor training?"
I froze for a moment, then sighed dramatically. "Ah, Uncle, I wanted to. I really did. But then these old fogies—"
"—Rishi."
"—fine, venerable elders," I corrected with a grin. "These venerable elders have completely ruined my adventurous mood! I can't possibly go exploring now. My heart's shattered, my excitement's gone, my explorer's soul has—"
"—get to the point."
"I'll stay here," I said simply. "Train privately in the mansion. No surveillance. No politics. No random distant cousins trying to 'accidentally' stab me during practice."
The Duke exhaled deeply — that weary sigh of a man realizing resistance is futile. "Sometimes I think you do this on purpose."
"Uncle," I said solemnly, placing a hand over my heart, "I only do most things on purpose."
A few elders groaned.One looked like he was seconds from a stroke.
"Fine," the Duke said at last, waving a hand. "Stay. But if you blow up the training hall again—"
"That was one time!" I protested. "And technically, it was Lira's fault for sneezing while I was channeling energy."
Lira raised an eyebrow. "I did not sneeze, young master."
"Don't ruin my defense, Lira."
The Duke rubbed his temples. "Meeting is dismissed before I lose my patience entirely."
As I stood to leave, I stretched and smirked. "Well, that went well. Nobody died, nobody screamed, and I still get to keep my room. Progress!"
Lira followed silently, though I could tell she was seconds from laughing."Do you ever get tired of angering people, young master?"
"Every day," I said proudly. "But the gods gifted me persistence."