Chapter 13: Gift Ceremony

Many guests were surprised to see the Fire-type Rank A Mana gem, an item too expensive for even some attendees.

Sensing the reactions around him, Amael maintained his signature smile, radiating kindness without the slightest ripple in his mind.

'Such an outcome was expected the moment I arrived to represent my family,' Amael mused.

Following the Blake's children, the other guests arrived and gave various artifacts, gems, and other expensive things.

Jash thanked them briefly, recognizing the gifts as attempts to forge a healthy relationship with the Ramille Family, a mere pretense.

The Head Butler, Edward, immediately took the gifts and moved them, allowing the twins to accept gifts from others as well.

Out of nowhere, the red-haired half-elf broke the line, garnering hatred but he didn't seem the least bit bothered about it.

"Lazy boy, this... hicc... is one... hicc... the Elixir... hicc... Rank A... hicc... I made... hicc... help you... hicc... forced to train... hicc..." His tipsy voice was barely audible to Jash.

Even his parents and Caera wanted to know what the half-elf said or gave, but Jash's reaction stunned them.

"Ahem. Thanks, Uncle Serron!" Jash thanked him with a smile wider than any other.

'As expected! Uncle really is the best! To think he made something to help me during forced training!' Jash thought to himself, holding back tears of gratitude, deciding inwardly that this was the best gift for him.

Caera ignored Jash's response and bluntly asked, "Where's my gift, Uncle Serron?"

The half-elf, Serron, chuckled and shifted, nearly stumbling before steadying himself and handing a glass vial to Caera.

"My dear niece, hicc... I brewed... hicc... Rank A Elixir... hicc... to help awakening..." Hearing his words, Caera's eyes sparkled, feeling this was just what she needed!

"Thank you, Uncle Serron! You're the best!" She didn't hide her feelings and her reaction made the hearts of a few boys melt.

Those who cursed that half-elf earlier were green with envy seeing those gifts.

Serron ranked among the top ten potion makers in the Solarnelle Empire! His skills were widely acknowledged.

Still, he lived in the Ramille Dukedom as he was, in fact, Sera's brother—half-brother, to be precise. Not many knew the inside information as such knowledge was closely guarded and no one would want to reveal it.

Moving past the complex politics, the ceremony continued, making Jash feel bored to death.

'Not only do I have to stand here like a spectacle, I also have to show this darned basic courtesy and accept these useless gifts!'

Useless, only for him.

If others could get their hands on even 10% of what he got, they'd be satisfied with it, not to mention Caera's gifts.

Naturally, others were surprised to see such gifts, which made theirs pale in comparison.

Many girls tried to talk to him while giving gifts, but his proud demeanor deterred them. However, it was worse for boys trying to talk to Caera; they had to pass Jash first, feeling inferior and merely hoping not to make a fool out of themselves.

As the ceremony reached its pinnacle, the most important dignitaries presented their gifts, heightening tension and underscoring social hierarchies.

Well, some people just didn't work by the norm. Be it Serron or Amael. But Amael could be excused since everyone knew they were close friends.

The first notable figures to present gifts were the dwarven couple, following the tradition. It was the tradition for all the guests who attended the event to come bearing gifts, irrespective of their personal feelings.

'He must've really wanted mead or ale,' Jash thought, noting the annoyed look on the orange-haired dwarf.

"Carcel's boy, this is a rare piece of Rank A defense artifact, I worked on it myself when..."

'Damn, this old man! Who wants to hear your story!' Jash cursed his luck, feeling deep inside he always had terrible luck when it came to people.

However, the guests reacted differently, stunned due to the price of such an expensive gift.

Yet the dwarf continued, recounting how he had been stuck in his artificing path when he created this piece, and how he always held it dear..

Jash offered a word of thanks after that long-ass narrative, itching to run away.

Amidst the ongoing ceremony, a notable figure strode forward with an air of arrogance, his steps muffled by the soft grass.

'Ahhh! It is the representative of those oldies!' Jash felt their stares intensify, scrutinizing his reaction.

"Although it might not be much, this is a rare Ice Crystal from..." one of Lord Keger's servants, allowed only for special guests, passed the gift to Edward, who held it.

This Ice Crystal would help the user wield Ice attribute magic more freely and was greatly beneficial for smithing as well.

This rare item was something only a few could afford to gift, and those oldies were at least capable of doing this much.

Noting Keger's reluctance, Jash smiled kindly, "Thank you for this gift. I will use it well to craft a portable cold shower!"

Let alone Keger, even the onlookers, wanted to beat Jash for ridiculing the gift, but he barely contained himself due to pressure from his backers.

Finally, the last influential figure, the cold beauty, the Duchess of Arne, Evelia Raven Arne, came forward to give her gift.

Suddenly, a beautiful bow materialized in her hand, sending a ripple of mana through the surroundings and crushing the air with its sheer weight.

The onlookers gawked, wide-eyed. None expected such an aloof figure to gift one such prized bow.

The Ramilles were widely known for their skilled usage of the bows and Caera trained with it too, making rapid progress unlike her lazy brother.

Evelia didn't waste much time on pleasantries, handing over the bow to Edward, who respectfully accepted it.

"This one-of-a-kind bow recognizes its master, and only they can wield it properly. For anyone unworthy, it is but a piece of junk."

Her succinct explanation dumbfounded everyone, greed flashing their eyes. Yet Sera rolled her eyes at her friend's actions and scoffed inwardly, 'Show-off.'

Ignoring her childish friend, Evelia left without giving Jash a gift, leaving him confused.

'Am I not her future son-in-law? How come she didn't give me something? No way she expects me to train and earn that bow's acknowledgement...'

Lost in thought, Jash was abruptly pulled back by a mellifluous voice, 'Your gift is with Ziva.' His mind momentarily drifted, captivated by Evelia's enchanting tone, before his brain grasped the implied meaning.

However, he didn't get the chance to think more as a question broke his reverie, drawing everyone's attention to him.

"So what was the best gift according to Young Master Jash?" one of the people spoke up.

After the gift ceremony of a big family, it was a tradition to select the best gift. Everyone looked forward to Jash's choice.

'Damn! I have to do this now!?' Jash disliked the attention and couldn't help but wonder how different his life would be if he were born after Caera.

'Wouldn't they have asked her first then?' He mused, intrigued by the notion.

If Caera were older, she would've received gifts before Jash, standing in his current position.

Despite the favoritism, Jash knew it had nothing to do with his gender. His gaze remained impassive in the face of reality, a silent acknowledgment of his prior acceptance.