Battle Royal [1]

The event continued with a steady rhythm, and Adrian found himself approached by one guest after another. Nobles, scholars, and military officials each took their turn to exchange words with him, offering their congratulations or subtly probing his views on the latest developments.

With each conversation, Adrian maintained an air of calm politeness, showing genuine interest without letting any single person feel more important than the others. His responses were measured, crafted with the skill of someone who had mastered social etiquette—a skill that took years to cultivate, yet Adrian wielded it effortlessly. It was as if he'd lived through decades of such interactions, even though he was still young.

He listened attentively, his expressions shifting subtly to match the tone of each conversation, whether he was speaking with an eager young noble or a seasoned veteran.