Beneath the Sky of Sparks

[You have successfully cut off Leon's golden opportunity by obtaining the 'Life Stone' first. Reward: 'Teleportation Exchange Ring']

Victor's expression shifted to one of surprise as he read the hologram in front of him, completely ignoring Herakles' question.

From its name, the 'Teleportation Exchange Ring' sounded quite impressive, especially with the word 'Teleportation'.

Calming himself, Victor silently asked, 'What is this 'Teleportation Exchange Ring', system?'

[A silver ring with crescent moon engravings, once owned by an ancient magus from Baghdad]

[Function: You can exchange an object you hold, no larger than the size of your palm, no matter the distance]

[Note: The exchange ability has a cooldown of 1× per week. This ability also has the potential to evolve]

After reading the full description of the ring, Victor stroked his chin. The ring's function was indeed remarkable, but the size limitation made it somewhat of a downside.

However, the potential for it to evolve was a definite plus. It wasn't impossible that in the future, he could exchange larger objects.

'Well, it's clearly not bad,' Victor thought, nodding to himself.

"Young Master?" Herakles asked again, snapping Victor out of his thoughts.

A smile formed on Victor's face. "We'll have to wait," he responded.

Herakles didn't ask further, only nodding in response.

----

Meanwhile, at the Sky family estate, a series of beautiful fireworks painted the open sky. With no wind or rain, the weather seemed to bless the event.

All eyes were fixed on the sky, where the fireworks exploded in stunning displays.

Alber and his friends stood in awe, now without his father, as per his own request, because he wanted to enjoy time with kids his age.

"Wow, isn't that beautiful? Look, that one looks like the sun!"

"And that one is a rocket!"

"That one looks more like a penis."

The kids cheered and marveled at the fireworks bursting across the sky.

Lionel, mingling among the guests, finally allowed himself to relax. With no more sly foxes trying to cozy up to his son, he could at last fully focus on entertaining those around him. Laughter and conversation flowed as freely as the wine, while the sky above lit up in a symphony of vibrant fireworks, capturing everyone's attention.

For a brief moment, it felt like everything was perfect.

Yet, amidst the dazzling colors exploding in the sky, Alber's world began to shift. The warmth of excitement quickly twisted into something unsettling. A strange tightness gripped his chest without warning, as if invisible hands were squeezing the breath from his lungs. His smile faded, replaced by confusion and fear.

He gasped softly, his small hand instinctively clutching his chest. A burning sensation flared deep inside him, sharp and relentless. The bright fireworks, once magical, now blurred and dimmed as pain rippled through his body.

His vision wavered, the world around him growing distant. "D-dad..." Alber's voice came out in a weak, almost inaudible whisper, drowned by the booms of celebration.

He looked toward his father, laughing with the guests, unaware of the growing storm within his son. As Alber's legs began to tremble, the pain surged again, more intense than before. It was as if a fire raged inside him, consuming his strength, leaving him voiceless and isolated in a sea of cheers.

And yet, no one noticed.

All eyes remained glued to the sky, enchanted by the dazzling fireworks that danced in bursts of vibrant color. Laughter and gasps of awe filled the air, drowning out any hint of Alber's silent pain. His struggle went unnoticed, swallowed by the joy and spectacle around him.

Yet, amid the guests, a single figure broke from the entranced crowd.

A bald man dressed in all black abruptly stood, his eyes wide with shock as they locked onto Alber. For a moment, he froze, staring at the boy with an intensity that betrayed his calm exterior. "That's… He's inherited it!" he muttered under his breath, stunned.

His heart pounded in his chest as he continued to watch Alber, the boy's aura now unmistakable. To the man's special sight, it wasn't just an aura; it was a storm of pure, pitch-black energy, swirling and burning like fire, a power too rare to be left unnoticed.

'This… this is a treasure,' the man thought, excitement stirring in his veins. 'I must have him!'

He glanced around. The guests were still lost in their revelry, distracted by food and fireworks, blissfully unaware. To the man, it felt like the perfect opportunity, a divine moment delivered straight into his hands.

Without a second thought, he pulled his cloak up over his face, the shadows seeming to bend and cling to him. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he activated his presence concealment, making his aura vanish, his very existence slipping beneath the awareness of those around him.

With slow, deliberate steps, he moved toward Alber, the boy's pain clouding his senses enough to leave him unaware of the predator drawing near. Inch by inch, the man crept closer, his heart racing with anticipation. Finally, after a few tense moments, he stood directly in front of the boy, hidden from everyone.

Alber didn't even know he was there.

'Your power is mine!' the man thought, his wicked grin growing as he reached out.

Without hesitation, he struck, a swift, calculated blow to the boy's neck. Alber's body went limp instantly, the world slipping away from him as darkness took over.

The man caught the boy with ease, lifting him like a shadow in the night. Moving swiftly and silently, he vanished into the darkness, leaving no trace behind but the echo of fireworks crackling above.

---

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Fireworks lit up the night sky in rapid succession, each explosion sending waves of vibrant color across the horizon. Fiery bursts shaped like suns, rockets, and other dazzling designs painted the air in bright, crackling sparks.

At the same time, Lionel stood amidst his friends, engrossed in lively conversation. Laughter flowed easily between them, their voices blending with the festive sounds of the celebration.

"I must say, this is the most extravagant birthday party I've ever attended, Mr. Lionel. I'll have to take notes—my daughter's turning eight soon," remarked a man in a sharp suit, offering an admiring glance.

Lionel smiled warmly. "I just wanted to make my son happy. He's the only child of my late wife," he replied, the warmth in his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

One of the guests raised a glass and added, "If loyalty had a face, Mr. Lionel, I'm certain it would be yours."

The conversation continued, touching on various topics as the night unfolded. But their exchange was soon cut short by an unexpected commotion among the guests. The cheerful mood quickly soured as murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire.

"It seems something is wrong, Mr. Lionel," someone nearby remarked, their tone laced with concern.

Lionel's brows furrowed as he glanced in the direction of the disturbance. A creeping unease tightened in his chest, a gut feeling that something was terribly amiss.

In that moment, a servant burst through the crowd, rushing toward him with panic etched across his face. Breathless, he halted before Lionel and gasped, "Young Master Alber has been kidnapped!"

The words struck Lionel like a physical blow. Everyone within earshot froze, their expressions turning to shock. Lionel's eyes widened in disbelief and fury as he grabbed the servant by the shoulders, his voice laced with desperation. "What did you say? Kidnapped? How could that happen?!"

"I've spoken to witnesses who saw a figure dressed in black," the servant replied, struggling to keep his voice steady. "They said he took Alber and vanished into the night."

"Damn it!" Lionel spat, the curse ripping from his throat as he bolted toward the crowd, his panic now turning into raw anger.

His friends shared a look of alarm before hastily following him.

Lionel pushed past the other guests, who tried in vain to calm him, his only focus now on finding his son. His steps carried him toward an older man in formal attire, Alfred, who was already moving with purpose.

"Alfred!" Lionel shouted, catching the older man's attention.

Alfred turned swiftly, his expression grave. "I've deployed all the guards to search for Young Master Alber, sir," he said with firm resolve.

"Good," Lionel growled, his eyes blazing with fury. "Come with me. We'll hunt down the bastard who dared kidnap my son!"

Alfred gave a curt nod, and together, they charged off into the night, determination fueling every step.

---

Meanwhile, moving through the night like a phantom, the mysterious man carrying Alber was already far from the estate. His pace quickened as he approached a secluded field, hidden by thick, towering bushes. He stopped, finally out of sight from the estate and any prying eyes.

Casting off his cloak, an expression of unbridled excitement crossed his face. His gaze drifted down to the unconscious boy in his arms, his eyes gleaming with greed and ambition.

"I never imagined such a rare, special condition would come into my hands so easily," he muttered, a dark grin stretching across his face. "It's time for me to reclaim the glory that was once mine."

He scanned the area, sensing no human presence for miles. Satisfied that he was alone, he stepped on a particular spot on the ground, and with a low rumble, a hidden staircase revealed itself, leading down into the earth's shadows.

Without hesitation, he descended the steps, cradling Alber like precious cargo. Moments later, the entrance closed behind him, sealing them in complete darkness. The man disappeared into the depths of his secret lair, his twisted plans now set in motion.