As the events unfolded, news spread rapidly across Tempest City.
Inside the Silverblood residence, within a massive grand chamber, a slew of nobles could be seen surrounding a young girl as they bathed her in praises.
Sporting short dark hair and pale eyes, she was draped in a silver robe, an arrogant expression plastered across her face.
"Haha, I knew the young miss was a prodigy the mont I laid eyes on her. Awakening a C-rank talent only confirms it!"
"Indeed, her insight is also sharp. Good thing she annulled the marriage contract with that trash from the Greyson residence, or else he would have just dragged her down."
"I agree. Carl from the Red Streaks family is much better. I heard he awakened a B-rank talent... Together they’ll be unstoppable in the future."
"Her beauty is exceptional as well. I reckon with her potential she might even join a battle academy."
The air grew still as the last statent was muttered. Academies, places where only true geniuses entered, filled with limitless resources.
But for now, it was nothing more than a dream. The acceptance rate was very low. They could only hope. At the far side, a middle-aged man sat, his eyes fixed on his daughter as pride filled them.
As patriarch of the Silverblood family, he had awakened a D-rank talent, now stuck at a bottleneck in that realm forever.
But it couldn’t be helped. He smiled wryly. Awakened talents determined one’s future, no matter how hard they worked.
His daughter was different. Filled with the potential to break into C-rank. She would carry the banner of the Silverbloods higher.
He nodded slightly as he reverted his attention back to the girl at the center of the room.
Before he could sink deeper into his thoughts, the doors to the chamber suddenly slamd open.
One of his trusted guards rushed in, falling to his knees and letting out a yell that filled the hall.
"Lord, news!"
A mont of silence passed as he slowly curled his fingers, slamming them against the armrests as he snapped.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Spit it out!"
Nodding imdiately, the guard raised his head slightly.
"The cause of the commotion has been established... It’s an S-rank talent awakening, originating from the Greyson residence. Young Lord Ulric has awakened an S-rank talent."
Gasps rippled through the nobles as they inhaled sharp breaths of air. An S-rank talent? How was that even possible?
Lena, standing at the center, blinked rapidly, trying to process the words.
It was impossible. There was no way a figure like him could awaken an S-rank talent.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, slowly regaining his composure.
"I pledge my life on it!" the guard yelled. "News of this has already spread to the city’s edges."
A mont of silence passed as the gazes drifting toward the girl slowly changed. The admiration fizzled away.
A C-rank, now in comparison to an S-rank, seed like nothing but trash. If anything, contempt flared across their eyes.
If only she hadn’t canceled the marriage contract before the talent awakening ceremony. This would have been cause for celebration.
"Is the marriage truly annulled?" Kaelith asked, trying as best as possible to regain his composure.
"Y-yes, Father," Lena muttered, her voice shaky, feeling the warmth in his tone replaced with a chilling coldness.
"Then find a way to undo it."
"B-but, Father..."
"Silence!" Kaelith snapped. "Do you even understand the implication of an S-rank talent?! Do as I say, no matter the cost. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes." Lena muttered, fists clenching in rage, eyes filled with humiliation. A youth she had always looked down on, now forced to look up to.
Elsewhere across Tempest City, inside a dimly lit room, two figures stood in the dark.
The crest of the Red Streaks family was barely visible.
"So it is true," one finally muttered, breaking the silence. "An S-rank talent has awakened within the Greyson residence?"
"Yes, my lord," the other slowly muttered before adding, "Lord Greyson has also co out of seclusion to welco the S-rank talent. He also appears to have taken the step and broken through into C-rank."
A mont of silence lingered as the other figure cursed slightly beneath his breath.
"So the cunning bastard is really alive." He paused for a mont before adding, "Hold off the attacks for now."
"Perhaps it’s ti I pay the Greyson residence a visit," he muttered, as the other figure vanished into the distance.
Off to relay his commands.
Elsewhere, under the cover of the night sky, a lady stood at the edge of a building, looking dreamily at the city below.
With soft dark eyes, she was draped in a silky white robe that hugged her figure tightly, revealing subtle curves.
Silver hair flowed smoothly down her back, trailing softly in the night breeze, almost giving the illusion it was liquid moonlight.
Walking slowly, her eyes trailed over the flowers, their scent flooding her nostrils and causing her to smile faintly.
At her side, another girl stood silently, draped in a grey robe with sharp dark eyes.
"Aren’t you going to say sothing?" the girl asked, finally unable to help herself, casting all her attention toward the lady before her.
"What is there to say?" Elira muttered, looking down at the girl with a smile.
"An... S-rank talent..." the girl began, growing more flustered.
"It has nothing to do with us," Elira muttered quietly.
"The world shifts like mist at dawn; what seems clear today will vanish by dusk."
"Huh?" the girl muttered, growing more confused. "What is that supposed to an, Lady Elira?"
"It ans you should get back to clearing dungeons, see if you can break through to E-rank so you can stop asking so many questions," she muttered, playfully flicking the girl’s forehead.
Watching her retreat, her eyes drifted to the moon above. A sigh escaped her lips.
"The stars have shifted from their course. The era of turmoil is at hand."
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