Shion Lan was in the dressing room when the finest fashion designer in the kingdom arrived. He wanted to present Shion in a magnificent appearance that would reveal Shion's power and the status he was about to obtain. "What a handsome boy!" However, he had not expected Shion to possess such an extraordinary level of beauty, which forced him to think carefully in order to create clothing worthy of him.
'I want a design that is one of a kind—befitting someone who will be personally honored by the king before so many nobles. I also want to present him as the bravest of heroes, while preserving his handsomeness and beauty… This is not impossible!!'
While he was deep in thought about the desired attire, Shion handed him a piece of paper and said,
"I want something like this."
Seeing the designer lost in thought, Shion had brought a clothing design from Shi Yun Lan's world, with a few modifications. When the designer took the paper, his eyes widened in shock. He began flipping it back and forth as if he had discovered a treasure. Grasping his pen, he added several adjustments that pleased Shion.
Finally, the designer spoke,
"I'll begin at once!"
And with that, he worked his magic. The fabrics moved according to his will as he began crafting the suitable attire…
...
In the grand hall where the royal throne stood, nobles had gathered—from the six great families down to the smaller ones. Some were sipping drinks, others chatting with friends, and some discussing various matters. Yet amidst this atmosphere stood a man detached from it all, with white hair and a low standing among the nobles.
The head of the Ranus family stood there, unable to believe what he had heard and seen.
'My son, Shion, will be personally honored by the king?!'
He could hardly grasp reality. He had been shocked when the king summoned all nobles to gather at the royal palace. Hearing the murmurs and whispers, he learned everything—about the mission Shion had undertaken, the battle that occurred, and the achievements Shion had made. Hearing the details made his heart constrict painfully.
'Why? Why do your merits appear now?! You were worse than trash when you were in my house! Why, after separating from us, did you achieve everything?! You and your mother—damn you both! If it wasn't because of him...'
"Isn't that the head of the Ranos family?"
He turned to see other nobles looking at him with ridicule. They knew of the relationship between father and son, and he felt deep resentment under their gazes. Yet none of the high-ranking nobles—such as those from the six great families—intervened, as they were more interested in the son than the father.
The arrival of the chamberlain halted everything.
"His Majesty!"
Everyone stopped what they were doing, took their places, and stood upright in attention. A man in his forties entered, his golden hair neatly styled, with a beard that emphasized his masculine features. He cast his gaze over the crowd, paused for a second on the head of the Ranus family, then continued forward.
Behind him appeared the Second Queen with her daughter. Neither the First Prince nor his mother appeared, due to the punishment imposed by the king for the son and some reasons for the First Queen.
The king took his seat on the throne, followed by the Second Princess Jina Joul and her mother. With a gesture from the king, everyone sat down.
The herald spoke,
"And now! Let Shion Lan step forward."
The doors opened once more, and Shion emerged. All eyes fell upon him in awe and admiration. Even the king himself could not hide his admiration.
Shion Lan now resembled a young king from ancient times, carrying an aura of dignity, grandeur, and pride in his steps, along with a calm and deep gaze that swept over everyone. His eyes briefly focused on his father, then returned to the king before him.
Silver eyes met golden ones, and King Jord Joul thought to himself,
'He only needs a crown to truly be a king.'
When Shion reached his place, he dropped to one knee before the king.
"Your Majesty!"
Jord looked at him thoughtfully.
'Seeing him bow is not like others—it is as though a great man has chosen to bow this time. If this were real, I would enjoy it.'
He gestured for Shion to rise. Shion stood calmly, as if detached from everyone around him.
The herald spoke:
"Shion Lan, a second-year student at Karath Academy. Despite your past actions, your deeds today have earned great praise. You trained two heroes—Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai—who achieved fourth and fifth place in a short time. You also accepted a difficult mission that many at the academy dared not take, and eliminated an heir who would have posed a grave threat to the kingdom in the future. Furthermore, your teacher killed the flock leader, making control over the crows far more difficult in the absence of a commander…"
Shion was stunned by what he heard, but the herald continued:
"It was revealed that the Enslavement Mage, Cliff Biv, collaborated with an eighth-level mage. Had they controlled the leader from the beginning, countless lives would have been lost. Shion Lan and his teacher also provided crucial information that contributed to the battle's success. Shion Lan personally participated in combat, sowed chaos among enemy ranks, and killed hundreds on his own—more than a hundred of whom were at the fourth level. Moreover, when the ravens advanced toward the army's rear lines, Shion risked his life to stop a fifth-level raven alone, holding it back for a long time using a forbidden technique that greatly weakened him. Thanks to this, none of the wounded were harmed."
The speaker finished and looked at Shion with deep admiration. All eyes examined him as if he were an invaluable treasure.
King Jord Joul spoke:
"Shion Lan, you have made tremendous contributions recently. I heard from the academy director that you will be under the wing of Star Master Ryan Shine—is that correct?"
Shion replied,
"Yes, within the academy."
He emphasized that the Radiant Star was his primary teacher.
"I also heard that you have joined the Noble Division."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The king grasped his scepter, raised it, and spoke:
"From this day forth, I declare the establishment of the noble House of Lan. However, since its head, Shion Lan, is still a student, his lands and holdings will not be assigned until he graduates from the academy. Nevertheless, he shall possess authority equivalent to that of a third-rank noble."
Shion Lan and the nobles were stunned by this declaration, but the king paid no heed. He stood, and everyone bowed as he departed with his daughter and the Second Queen, leaving everything behind.
"…"
Shion did not know what to say. A noble approached him.
"Welcome to the noble class, Lord Lan!"
Within seconds, Shion was surrounded by many men—third-rank family heads like himself and sons of second-rank families. None from the six great families approached him, but Shion recalled from Shi Yun Lan's life that he should greet the elders himself.
He accepted congratulations from everyone, though four noble houses did not approach him: his father, the head of the Ranus family; the family of his stepmother, House Razor; House Nel, which he had previously offended; House Stroman; and, of course, House Light, due to his conflict with Kin Light. One third-rank family and three second-rank families—but he paid them no mind.
After exchanging greetings, he went to the heads of the six great families and bowed.
"Shion Lan greets the head of House Night."
When finished, he moved to another.
"Shion Lan greets the head of House Shine."
He continued this with the remaining families, who expressed satisfaction with his polite conduct. He then returned to converse with the other nobles.
Shion Lan knew nothing about noble gatherings—unlike Shi Yun Lan, who had learned all the etiquette befitting a future family head, however Shi Yun Lan didn't stay with his family in common. Yet Shion absorbed that knowledge and acted with confidence rather than arrogance. He showed firmness, yet softened without breaking when needed.
Most discussions revolved around the battle, as their sons had participated. Some expressed gratitude, others admiration. After finishing his account of the battle, Shion steered the conversation toward other matters—such as controlled territories, provincial borders, and trade—which drew the attention of the great families.
"His social skills are remarkably good." "It's impressive that he didn't even break a sweat facing such a crowd." "He acts as if he truly grew up with this, despite his former family teaching him none of it." "Interesting…"
...
Elsewhere in the royal palace, the Second Princess, Jina Joul, entered her room with a calm expression—but she was extremely flustered.
"You little thing! How long are you going to act like that in front of Shion?!"
Celesia Joul retreated, and Jina regained control of herself. Her face was deeply flushed, and she looked away shyly. Before she could speak, her mother—the Second Queen—entered with a smile.
"My dear little one!"
"Mother?"
"That boy was incredibly impressive, wasn't he?"
Jina nodded silently.
"Even His Majesty secretly expressed his admiration. His appearance alone was more than splendid—it was truly imposing!"
Jina smiled without responding. The queen noticed and said,
"However, he is only of the third rank."
She saw Jina's expression change but continued,
"You are a princess of this kingdom, and I want the best for you. I don't believe Shion Lan can bring you the happiness you desire."
Her blunt words made Jina flush in extreme embarrassment. She quickly pushed her mother out of the room and buried her face in her pillow.
This time, her mother spoke seriously:
"Don't forget—you were the one who broke him."
"…"
The queen went to where the king was, in his study surrounded by documents. Before she could say a word, he spoke:
"Shion will not pursue her."
"…"
The queen found nothing to say. The king continued, his golden eyes glowing with a firm, powerful aura.
"Shion Lan resembles the master from that time."
"You mean the academy director?!"
She was shocked by this statement. The king continued:
"He does not seek glory, fame, or wealth. All he wants is a peaceful life. He does not fight for his desires, but to protect what remains to him—himself, his mother, his friends, and those he loves. That is why he fears no one. If we try to manipulate him as my father did with the master, we will lose someone truly valuable."
The queen rested her hand on her chin.
"Then why did you grant him a noble title?"
"If he remained a knight or hero, others would exploit him—forcing him to fight for hollow honor and false pride. But as a noble, no one will be able to use him directly, at least. What happens to him will depend on himself. And I dare say—this boy will create a miracle."
The queen was startled by his words. The king returned to his paperwork…
Shion Lan returned to the academy at night. When he entered his room, he found Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai waiting impatiently.
"Sir! What happened there?!"
Shion smiled at them. He had stored away his ceremonial attire and changed back into academy clothes. After placing his belongings down, he said calmly:
"I've become a noble once again."
"Huh?!"
The two students could not comprehend what their master had just said.