Tides of Tension

Under the glittering chandeliers of the banquet hall, the tension between Robert and Valtor crackled like a live wire. Every noble in the room sensed it—the subtle undercurrents of danger, the momentous clash that was about to unfold. Kael, still in the shadows, watched with growing amusement, knowing that the night would only continue to escalate. His eyes flicked between Robert, Selene, and Valtor, all players on the stage, each unknowingly part of his grand design.

Robert stood tall, his pride clearly wounded but unyielding. He had suffered many indignities ever since his fate had been altered, but he wasn't about to bow to Valtor, heir to the Arcanis family or not. This banquet was supposed to be his moment to shine, to reestablish himself as a genius worthy of the Voss family name. But now, standing before Valtor's overwhelming aura, he knew that battle had only begun.

Valtor, however, remained unimpressed. His silver robes shimmered with the arcane symbols that marked him as a master of the Laws of Chaos. The condescension in his gaze toward Robert was more than palpable, and the nobles surrounding them fell silent, knowing full well that they stood on the precipice of a storm.

"Ah, Robert Voss. I see that the rumors of your decline have not been exaggerated after all," Valtor's voice dripped with mockery as he took a step closer, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Nascent Soul Realm, is it? How disappointing. I thought I would face a true challenge tonight."

Robert's fists clenched at his sides, his aura flickering dangerously. The degradation in Valtor's words pierced through him like a blade, a sharp reminder of the future that had once been his, now lost to Kael's interference. He swallowed his anger, but Kael could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes, the uncertainty that had started to fester ever since his fate had been altered.

"I may be in the Nascent Soul Realm," Robert said through gritted teeth, his voice steady despite the tension coursing through his veins. "But I assure you, Valtor, underestimating me would be a grave mistake."

Valtor merely chuckled, the sound cold and dismissive. His presence alone was overwhelming, the weight of his cultivation at the peak of the Soul Transformation Realm bearing down on Robert like a mountain. "Underestimating you? Don't flatter yourself, Robert. You're not even worth that much."

Selene, Robert's younger sister, couldn't stand it any longer. She stepped forward, her expression fierce as she glared at Valtor. "You speak of honor and power, Valtor, yet you stand here and insult my brother in front of everyone without giving him a chance to prove himself. What kind of man does that?"

Valtor's eyes flicked over to her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Ah, the little sister defends her fallen brother. How touching." He stepped closer to Selene, towering over her as his aura bore down on her as well. "But tell me, girl, what does your brother have left to prove? His power has stagnated. He is nothing more than a remnant of a once-proud family. The Voss name carries little weight these days."

Selene's jaw tightened, but before she could speak, another voice cut through the tension.

"That's enough, Valtor," a soft, melodic voice echoed through the hall. All eyes turned to the source of the voice—Elara, one of the elven princesses. Her eyes, a striking shade of emerald, glimmered with restrained power, her silver hair flowing elegantly down her back. Beside her stood Lysandra, her younger sister, equally regal in her bearing.

"The Veridian Empire's internal affairs are its own business," Lysandra added, her voice calm yet commanding. "But if you think we'll stand idly by while you insult Robert and his family, then you are mistaken."

The nobles around the hall exchanged surprised glances, whispers fluttering through the crowd like the wind. The elven sisters were renowned for their grace and wisdom, but they rarely involved themselves in the politics of the Veridian Empire. For them to speak on Robert's behalf was an unexpected turn of events.

Kael's eyes narrowed, intrigued. This was a new variable. He had anticipated Robert's humiliation, but the intervention of the elven princesses was something he had not foreseen. His mind worked quickly, recalculating his strategy.

Valtor's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a look of mild annoyance. "Princesses Elara and Lysandra, while I appreciate your concern, I would advise you to stay out of matters that don't concern you. The Veridian Empire's affairs are not your place to interfere."

Elara's eyes hardened. "We are not interfering, Valtor. We are merely reminding you that respect must be given where it is due. Robert Voss is the heir of a noble house, and he deserves to be treated as such."

"Besides," Lysandra added, her voice laced with a quiet warning, "power alone does not define a person. We've seen many so-called geniuses fall because of their arrogance. Perhaps it is you, Valtor, who should tread carefully."

The tension in the hall escalated, the air thick with anticipation. Valtor's expression darkened, his pride clearly pricked by the elven sisters' words. His aura flared, the oppressive power of the Laws of Chaos swirling around him like a storm.

Kael could sense the brewing conflict. Valtor's arrogance had been challenged, and Robert, bolstered by the elven sisters' defense, was regaining some of his confidence. But Kael wasn't ready for this clash to reach its peak just yet. He needed to bide his time.

Valtor took a step toward the elven sisters, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You dare to lecture me? Do not forget your place, princesses. You may be royalty in your own land, but here, in the Veridian Empire, your words hold little weight."

Elara and Lysandra stood firm, their expressions unyielding. "We do not forget our place, Valtor," Elara said calmly. "But perhaps you have forgotten yours. Power without restraint leads only to ruin. You should know that better than anyone."

For a brief moment, it seemed as though the situation might erupt into violence. Valtor's aura surged, the very air around him crackling with the chaotic energy of his cultivation. The nobles around the room could barely breathe, the weight of his power suffocating them.

But just as quickly as it had risen, Valtor's aura receded. He took a deep breath, his eyes still burning with anger but tempered by something else—calculation. He was not a fool. He knew that attacking the elven princesses would have consequences, consequences he wasn't prepared to face. Not yet, at least.

Kael's eyes flicked over to the elven sisters, his mind racing. They had disrupted the balance of the night, but he could see the value in their intervention. They had given Robert a reprieve, but they had also drawn Valtor's attention. This could be useful.

Valtor, meanwhile, forced a cold smile onto his face. "Very well. I will leave it at this for now, princesses. But remember this—Robert Voss is not worth your defense. His time has passed. The Veridian Empire has no place for the weak."

With that, Valtor turned and strode away, his silver robes billowing behind him. The tension in the hall slowly began to dissipate as the nobles resumed their hushed conversations, though the atmosphere remained thick with unease.

Robert, still standing tall, glanced over at Elara and Lysandra, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "Thank you," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions brewing within him.

Elara offered him a small, reassuring smile. "Do not let his words shake you, Robert. You are stronger than he gives you credit for."

Lysandra nodded in agreement. "The path ahead may be difficult, but remember that you are not alone."

Kael, still watching from the shadows, smiled to himself. The elven princesses may have saved Robert from further humiliation tonight, but in the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter. He had sown the seeds of discord, and soon, Robert and Valtor would clash in earnest. And when they did, Kael would be ready.

As the banquet continued, Kael's eyes gleamed with cold calculation. The game was only just beginning.