Chapter 49: The Gathering of the Ducal Scions

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Gathering of the Ducal Scions

With a single, quiet command, Aeon dismissed the assembled Nihilborn dragons. Without a single word, the massive Nihilborn army simultaneously dissolved into pools of liquid darkness, flowing rapidly across the marble crosswalks to sink straight back into his shadow.

Having successfully finalized his tasks within this hidden sub-dimension, Aeon gave a final, deeply respectful bow toward the silent stone monuments.

Turning his posture around, he marched purposefully straight back toward the swirling blue spatial portal Ordan had anchored.

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Two weeks later.

Aeon stood perfectly straight in the center of his residential suite, remaining motionless as his five personal maids carefully and flawlessly dressed his frame in a luxurious, deep dark-blue noble suit.

His long, cosmic-tipped white hair had been neatly gathered and securely tied back into a sleek ponytail using a polished, blue-silver high tech hair bun holder.

Following the final aesthetic adjustments, Tera stepped forward to inspect the presentation. She lightly tapped her right hand against her lips, a brilliant smile illuminating her features as she spoke aloud.

"As always, Young Master, you are exceptionally pleasing to our eyes." She paused for a brief moment, turning her gaze toward the line of attendants with a playful smirk. "And girls, please stop drooling."

The five maids were instantly taken completely aback, their faces flushing a brilliant crimson as they quickly wiped their mouths in pure embarrassment.

Witnessing the lighthearted domestic exchange, Aeon let out a soft, low laugh.

Calming his posture, he looked at the group of attendants, his cosmic eyes flashing with a trace of genuine warmth. "I am truly going to miss you ladies."

The exact second the sentimental words cleared his mouth, the young maids began to shed soft tears.

They had served as his dedicated personal attendants from the very dawn of his childhood up until this current day, forging a baseline emotional bond that stood stronger than simple master-servant rules.

Witnessing their sudden distress, Aeon casually opened his long arms wide, inviting them into a hug.

Unable to contain themselves, all five maids rushed forward simultaneously, throwing their arms around his massive frame to lock him in a tight, weeping group hug.

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Having successfully said his emotional goodbyes to his personal staff, Aeon marched out of the residential wing alongside Tera, heading straight toward the grand outer exit gates of the primary manor.

Waiting patiently right by the doors were his parents, both dressed in immaculate, highly dignified noble attire that perfectly befit their ducal status.

Seeing their tall, magnificent son navigate the corridor, a wave of bright, proud smiles washed over their features.

Aldrich stepped forward, his deep voice carrying a trace of excitement. "Are you fully prepared to depart, son?"

Aeon offered a calm, polite nod, tightening his wrist guards. "Yes, Dad. I am ready."

The massive, reinforced double doors of the mansion were smoothly thrown open by the elite knights stationed outside the door.

Click.

Immaculate, long rows of beautifully armored knights and clean-dressed house maids stood in perfect formation down the grand marble steps, creating a magnificent, breathtaking visual display.

The ducal family marched down the path while the knights and maids bent their knees, bowing their heads in profound respect.

Reaching the base of the terrace, they boarded their flying vehicle, locking the security seals in place. The driver smoothly initiated the anti-gravity circuits, steering the luxury transport away from the estate grounds to track a direct course toward the secure gates of the private Astaraeas Airline facility.

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Two hours later, following a rapid, high-speed atmospheric flight, Aeon and his parents successfully materialized over the grand territory of the Drakonius floating continent.

The local airspace was exceptionally packed, with dozens of advanced corporate jets and massive, soaring dragons constantly navigating the cloud layers to enter and exit the aerial bays.

The moment their private jet completed a smooth touchdown sequence inside the primary imperial hangar, Aeon and his parents stepped away from the exit ramp.

Waiting for them on the tarmac was a dignified butler who bowed respectfully, gesturing toward a luxurious, high-tech floating carriage parked directly behind his position.

The family boarded the anti-gravity transport, and the automated vehicle shot forward, charting a path straight into the fortified core region of the continent—the domain where the Imperial Royal Family and the primary fortress castles resided.

However, instead of steering their carriage toward the main gates of the throne palace, the vehicle shifted its path, stopping before a colossal, beautifully designed pink and white mansion situated right beside the royal sector.

This was the First Princess’s private chamber—a massive estate gifted to her straight by the Emperor and Empress to serve as her private residence.

The anti-gravity transport came to a seamless halt, and the ducal family stepped out onto the polished courtyard.

Waiting for their arrival right in front of the grand entrance doors was a high-ranking maid who bowed her upper body in a perfect bow, introducing herself clearly.

"Welcome, esteemed noble guests. My name is Sona, and I will be serving as your personal guide through the estate today."

Aldrich offered a brief, polite nod, guiding his family to follow the maid through the front doors.

As they navigated the immense interior corridors, Sona professionally explained the historical layout of the mansion, mapping out the architecture and detailing why specific wings had been constructed.

Within moments, their group came to a halt before a set of towering double doors. With a gentle push of her hands, Sona opened the entrance while stepping aside to grant them entry.

The interior opened into a spacious, breathtaking reception hall illuminated by colossal, intricately carved crystal chandeliers that cast the reflecting sunlight into a brilliant light across the space.

Immense, beautifully decorated arched windows lined the structural walls, allowing streams of bright natural sunlight to enter the room.

The floor was composed of immaculate, highly polished decorative marble tiles. Standing in small groups across the wide reception floor were twelve individual figures.

Nine of these noble youths and parents were locked in active, smiling conversation, while the remaining three figures stood completely isolated, maintaining a cold, silent distance away from the primary crowd.

These were the scions and leaders representing the other Ducal Families of the Valthoros Empire.

Today, alongside the First Princess, this entire generation of elite prodigies was scheduled to make the transit straight to the testing grounds of the Nexus Academy.

Hearing the heavy doors rumble open, every single noble family inside the hall rapidly redirected their gazes toward the entrance, capturing the arrival of Aeon and the Astaraeas leaders.

The group of nine noble figures instantly displayed bright, welcoming smiles upon identifying the Duke and Duchess. These were the core leaders governing the Storm Family, the Crownshield Family, and the Solaris Family.

The isolated group standing at the opposite corner represented the reclusive Darkmore Family.

Aeon and his parents marched purposefully toward the side of the room where Uncle William Storm and the other allied families were standing, while executing a polite, formal nod toward the Darkmore representatives to maintain baseline noble courtesy.

The exact second they drew near, William Storm’s face beamed with intense happiness. "Oh my, look exactly who has graced us with their presence! My best friend, my beautiful sister, and my favorite nephew... wait, huh? Who on earth is that young man?"

William blurted out, his finger snapping up to point directly at Aeon’s towering frame.

Aldrich smiled smoothly, shaking his head at his friend’s predictable reaction, having already fully anticipated this precise question.

The other ducal leaders held identical, intensely curious expressions, their eyes scanning Aeon’s body as they desperately tried to determine the identity of the young man accompanying the Duke.

William’s eyes narrowed, his voice laced with sudden suspicion and intense doubt. "Don’t tell me... is that kid actually Aeon?"

Aeon maintained his calm smile, casually waving his right hand toward the three families. "Yes, Uncle William. It is me. It has been a very long time since we last spoke."

The faces of every single noble prodigy and parent inside the group instantly widened in absolute shock, while a certain young noble lady standing behind her mother immediately blushed a deep crimson upon locking eyes with him.

William rapidly snapped his head back toward Aldrich, his expression demanding an explanation.

"What in the universe happened to him over the past five years?"

Aldrich immediately launched into his explanation, calmly explaining how his son’s had unexpectedly underwent Birth Evolution the exact moment he breakthrough into the D-rank stage.

The new information shocked the listening ducal families even more than his rank. Although reaching the D-rank cultivation baseline at fifteen years of age was an undeniably amazing milestone, every single noble child assembled inside this reception hall had also successfully achieved the D-rank through their family resources, and talent.

What truly terrified and amazed their minds was the reality-breaking fact that this boy had somehow unexpectedly evolved his draconic bloodline to undergo a Birth Evolution at such a baseline rank.

Clap! Clap!

A sudden, crisp sequence of light handclaps echoed smoothly through the acoustics of the grand hall, instantly drawing the attention of every noble present.

Descending the grand central staircase of the mansion were three regal figures dressed in pristine, heavily embroidered garments that perfectly displayed their absolute Royal sovereignty.

Leading the procession was none other than the supreme ruler of the Valthoros Empire, Emperor Dragon.

Walking half a step behind his shoulder was the beautiful Empress Seraphina, and walking right beside her maternal frame was their first and only daughter, Princess Elysaria.

Emperor Dragon locked his piercing gaze directly onto Aeon, his voice carrying a deep note of sincere admiration. "That is an exceptionally magnificent achievement, young man. Undergoing a true Birth Evolution to manifest so far ahead of your timeline proves exactly how deep your talent truly runs, child."

He shifted his gaze across the room, giving a look at the Duke and Duchess oc Astaraeas family with a highly satisfied expression before scanning the faces of the entire assembled generation.

"Every single one of you in this hall has successfully raised an amazing child. The future safety and absolute dominance of this Empire rest entirely within your hands. The moment your feet touch the grounds of the Nexus Academy, utilize your power to prove to every one and other nation exactly why our bloodline is considered a catastrophic force to be reckoned with. Let the universe remember that absolutely no one stands above our flag."

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