14. Important Guests

The Banquet Hall was crowded and a little noisy. The important city lord's under his father and a few other noble households who were on good terms with their family were all here. Stone Steeple School and a few genius cultivators from other territories mingled in the hall with the cultivators of the Sky Summit Institute.

At the head, his father gave up the center most seat to a middle aged man in a baby blue court gown and his father sat to his left. A few other deacons of the Institute sat at the head table as well. Below them sat his mother and his siblings. The eldest two brothers would arrive in a few days time to make his ceremony. Seraph entering didn't cause any commotion. People had a hard time noticing him still like when he was a baby.

The Dream Eagle at that time flew from his shoulder, through the hall to land on Ari's shoulder. Seraph smirked and continued to the empty seat by Sarah.

Ari sat at the other end of the table on the same level as him and when the eagle landed she let out a frightened squeal before bursting into laughter.

"A Dream Eagle! It's so pretty!"

Abby, Julien and a few other students looked at the eagle in surprise. Ari would not stop talking about meeting the dream eagle and it appeared out of thin air. Dream Eagles were rare and very popular since they were not only strong but beautiful as well.

The only person in Agea to have a Dream Eagle was the 4th young master of the Esprit family, but no one announced he arrived. Everyone turned towards the front table and saw Seraph throwing grapes into his mouth.

The servant by the hall door turned red in embarrassment and hurriedly announced, "Fourth young master of the Esprit house, Seraph Esprit has arrived!"

His father gave the servant an annoyed look but didn't pursue it. He himself had lost Seraph multiple times when he was a baby. The only difference now was Seraph could somewhat control it and did this on purpose.

"Hmph, you finally show up. Stand up and greet Elder Tong. He's the head recruitment administrator and is representing Sky Summit Institute at your coming of age ceremony."

Seraph stood back up and bowed slightly to the elder and he nodded back. Bowing was an odd action for him since he grew up in America but he had already gotten used to it. Seraph sat back down after greeting his mother who was glad to see him.

"Hmph, what took you so long," his little sister Sarah said. Being the youngest she was babied a lot and was now quite the little brat.

Seraph smiled and said back, "Oh, did little Sarah miss me?"

"Who would miss a meanie like you? You made mommy worried that's why I asked."

Sarah quickly replied.

"Sarah everytime I see you, you get cuter. If this continues your brothers are gonna have a hard time fighting all the boys off," Seraph said teasingly.

Sarah's face turned red and she turned back away from him.

"Hey, Seraph why don't I get any compliments like that" Lillian said from the side. Even though she was also a student at Sky Summit Institute, she was sitting with her family.

"All the guys chasing you are bigger than me, go find Donovan for that."

"Oi, no fare. They're all bigger than me too."

They all laughed together, even his mother let out small giggle. Even if they only associated with him when they had to, Seraph still tried to enjoy the time with them.

About that time Seraph saw Ari and Abby walking towards him. Ari was smiling ear to ear while the petting the dream eagle resting on her arm. Abby was looking at him strangely from the side. She was probably connecting the guy in the forest to him but it didn't matter.

"Hey, you're Seraph right? Can I have the Dream Eagle please?"

"If he wants to follow you he will, I can't make him. But I can get him to stay at the castle for a little while so maybe you can convince him to follow you."

"I will convince him," Ari squealed loudly.

Ari ran back to her spot and started to feed the Dream Eagle to make it like her. It was a cute scene.

Abby turned to look at him and said, "Thanks for that. It's hard to keep her entertained as I'm sure you're aware. This should save us a few headaches."

"No problem, but remind her not to take it as a familiar. It already has 7 pillars but they're all mediocre."

"I'll tell her." Abby then walked back and that was when he saw Julien giving him a sour look.

Lillian poked him with her elbow and asked, "How did you meet them?! Do you have any idea who they are!"

"Uh, no. They were just lost in Rubin's Forest and I gave them directions."

"Wow, you're so lucky! Abby is a prodigy whose every totem is a rare strengthening spirit. Julien is known for his firepower and his fire type constitution. And that girl Ari is only thirteen but has 3 rare and exotic spirit totems. And she created them all at the same time!" Ari's talent was surprising and her totems sounded interesting.

Seraph may have created his first totem when he was six, but he took so long between each one. Most people connected to another spirit right after the previous stabilized and they opened their ether points. Seraph took a few years between each one. That was one reason why a lot of spotlight faded off of him.

"Well they may have great totems, but they have a bad sense of direction." Julien who was eavesdropping choked on his drink.

'That d*mned punk. Wait till later, I'll be the one laughing then.'

Lillian giggled and went back to watching the center of the hall where people were dancing. The welcome banquet was coming to an end after another hour of festivities. It was then that Elder Tong rose and finally spoke.

"I'd like to thank the Esprit house for hosting us in preparation for the 4th young masters coming of age ceremony. But, I have to bring bad news. The Institute will be withdrawing it's enrollment offer for Seraph Esprit. His initial talent was over estimated and his behavior is unacceptable for a student of the Institute. We bring gifts in apology and an offer for Sarah Esprit to take his place."

Seraph was initially shocked and then he burst into laughter. His laughing was the only sound in the entire hall. Looks like he wouldn't have to turn down their offer and embarrass his family.

'Hmph, looks like he really is crazy.' Several people in hall thought.

"Elder Tong, Sarah is only ten this year. I, as her mother, won't allow this."

"As her father I approved of it before hand. Sit, down, Stephanie."

His mother snapped and released her full aura. A Soul King! When had his mother broken through?

"I'd like see you stop me Daniel."

His father's face paled slightly. Their relationship as husband and wife very strained and got worse over the years.

"Now, now Miss Esprit, there is obvious more to this. Sarah has rare soul pillars known as Zodiac Fire Pillars. The Institute can help her create more suitable totems and we were even speaking of a marriage contract. Julien has fire oriented pillars as well so they will make a good match, what do you say?"

Who gives shocking news like this so casually and one after another? Both Seraph and his mother were burning with rage now.

What kind of marriage proposal was this! Who could stand for this. Even though the Sky Summit withdrew their offer for him and his mother had surprisingly broke through, all of it was thrown to the back of his mind when he heard the marriage proposal.

Why would he put out all this information now, right before his coming of age ceremony?