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(New Chapter - Translation)
A whole week had passed since Alphonse Gold began his new training under Yazan's fierce supervision.
The days trudged by like mountains pressing on their shoulders — a storm of sweat, strikes, shouting... and Yazan's endless ridiculous jokes.
But today...
Today was different.
Today was Alphonse's seventeenth birthday.
The Duke had ordered a grand celebration, honoring not only his heir's birthday but his miraculous awakening from the eternal slumber.
Invitations were sent to the greatest noble families and even to the King himself.
In a vast preparation chamber, where deep blue velvet draped from the ceiling, Lloyd stood before a towering mirror, adjusting his ceremonial outfit with obvious discomfort.
Behind him, Yazan struggled to fasten the heavy cloak across his shoulders.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Your Highness, stop squirming like a fish out of water!"
Yazan groaned, wrestling with the stubborn clasps.
Lloyd scowled at his reflection and muttered:
"If you choke me any tighter with this thing, I'll faint before the party even starts."
Yazan let out a booming laugh, stepping back to admire his chaotic handiwork:
"Excellent! We'll carry you in on a golden throne — a legendary hero, fallen in battle against... tailoring!"
On the nearby couch, Lisa burst out laughing.
She flung a small pillow at them, shouting:
"Enough! You two are worse than children! The guests will arrive any minute!"
---
Finally, when Lloyd was properly dressed, he looked like a vision carved from the finest marble:
Brown hair, neatly brushed, eyes as dark as obsidian, and a black coat embroidered with silver threads wrapping his tall, athletic figure.
He stood with quiet strength — the perfect image of nobility and youth.
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The Grand Royal Celebration
Golden trumpets blared at the castle gates, signaling the beginning of the festivities.
Guests poured into the great hall, their garments shimmering under the crystal chandeliers.
The noble families who attended were:
House Valmore: Lord Alexander Valmore, a towering man with a thick black beard, accompanied by his delicate wife, Selina.
House Darkwood: Lady Althea Darkwood, a strict woman draped in heavy violet robes.
House Astrin: The gallant knight, Oryn Astrin, clad in sun-engraved armor.
House Blackthorn: Elder Eric Blackthorn, leaning on a gem-studded cane.
House Seraphine: Countess Rose Seraphine, radiating beauty and cunning.
House Ventura: The flamboyant merchant, Roderick Ventura, his coat dazzling with embroidery.
House Norfolk: The valiant commander Henry Norfolk, followed by a retinue of young knights.
House Valentine: Distant cousins of the Gold family, dressed like extravagant jesters.
And then...
Entered King Alexander Laurent, the sovereign of the city.
Beside him, his queen, Selene, graceful and radiant with her golden hair.
Following them were the royal twins:
Prince Ethan Laurent: A tall young man with messy golden hair, his eyes carrying an arrogant but warm glint.
Princess Eliana Laurent: An angelic beauty, her hair a soft silver cascade, her eyes like stormy skies, and a silver gown that shimmered like moonlight.
When Yazan spotted her, he almost dropped the tray of drinks he was holding.
He whispered to Lloyd, panicked:
"My lord... I just saw a real angel... Should I propose to her before I pass out?"
Lloyd chuckled softly while Lisa whacked Yazan's head with her fan:
"Stay focused, you hopeless fool! You can't even tie your own shoes properly!"
The laughter around them lightened the royal atmosphere instantly.
---
Lloyd approached the King, bowing elegantly on one knee.
The King raised his goblet and declared in a voice that shook the walls:
"Celebrate the return of House Gold's heir! May the moons and stars bless him!"
Applause thundered through the hall, as music, food, and laughter flooded the air.
The mood was so jubilant that even Yazan began a strange, absurd dance in the middle of the floor, causing roaring laughter across the noble assembly.
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A Nighttime Stroll
Hours passed in the celebration until Princess Eliana, her cheeks lightly flushed, approached Lloyd shyly:
"Sir Alphonse... Would you care for a short walk away from all this noise?"
Smiling warmly, Lloyd nodded.
They slipped quietly through the back gardens, a sea of silver flowers swaying under the moonlight, and wandered into a small, neighboring forest.
At first, the woods were serene, only the soft rustle of leaves whispering to the night.
But then —
The ground shook violently beneath them!
An explosive roar shattered the silence, and from a rift in the earth, emerged a monstrous beast — a towering creature, its body armored in thick black scales, horns curling like twisted blades, and eyes glowing with hellish red light.
"Stay behind me,"
Lloyd said, his voice low but sharp as steel.
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The Great Battle
Channeling the mana within him, Lloyd's form was immediately cloaked in thick, rippling shadows.
"Instant Shadow!"
he whispered as he vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
He reappeared behind the beast in a burst of black lightning, slashing down with crackling Lightning Blades summoned to his hands!
The beast roared in pain, swinging its massive claws wildly — but Lloyd moved faster, a ghost of fury, a wraith of light and darkness, appearing and disappearing, striking again and again with blinding speed.
Each move followed Yazan's old wisdom:
"Don't just strike with your power... strike with your enemy's fear!"
The battle was a dance of death, the forest ablaze with shadow and crackling lightning.
The ground shook with every clash, and the night was filled with the beast's furious bellows.
Finally, with one mighty leap, Lloyd soared into the sky —
Mana burst from his foot, propelling him higher — and then he descended like a thunderbolt, burying the Lightning Blade straight into the monster's skull.
An eruption of sparks, a burst of smoke — and the beast collapsed into ashes.
---
But...
A deep gash in Lloyd's leg made him stumble.
Princess Eliana rushed to his side, letting him lean gently on her shoulder.
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The Heroes' Return
Moments later, the royal guards and nobles arrived at the scene — only to find Lloyd, wounded but standing, leaning on the beautiful princess, while the battlefield around them was scorched and smoking.
Prince Ethan shouted dramatically:
"Damn it! You stole my sister right before my eyes, you sneaky shadow prince!"
Laughter broke out, tears of relief and pride filling many eyes.
Lisa ran to Lloyd, smacking his arm with a trembling hand:
"You idiot! You magnificent idiot!"
Then, without warning, she hugged him tightly before shoving him away, embarrassed.
---
The King himself knelt before Lloyd, placing a hand over his heart:
"Alphonse Gold... You have not only saved my daughter, but you have honored all of us.
From this day forth, you are not just a friend of my family — you are my son in spirit."
Thunderous applause followed, and Lloyd, despite the pain in his leg, smiled a calm, powerful smile.
This...
This was only the beginning of a destiny greater than anyone could imagine.
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(End of Chapter)