A few days passed, and Shion Lan and his mother returned to the palace where they were staying. While Rita Lan focused on studying etiquette and proper conduct with the maid, Shion was in the training yard practicing his techniques, trying to raise them to the level he had reached spiritually.
With a sharp motion, flames ignited along his sword.
"(Cutting Flames)!"
Six flaming slashes shot out from his blade and struck the training dummy.
Shion then extended his hand, flames surrounding it.
"(Fire Claws)! (Cutting Flames)!"
The same effect occurred again, but this time his hand suffered no damage.
He threw the sword with his other hand, then clenched his fist. A flame appeared inside his palm, releasing several thin threads of fire. Shion stepped back while extending his arm forward.
"(Paths of Fire)!"
The six fiery threads burst from his hand, moving in rapid, unpredictable patterns with sharp curves. They struck the dummy from several angles and detonated it in multiple places.
After finishing his training, Shion took a bath and examined himself in the mirror.
"I reached six slashes and threads in only a few days, and my hand is no longer injured after using Fire Claws. Soon I'll raise these techniques to their highest level, combine them with the Star Techniques, and break into the Fourth Level!"
A knock sounded at the door.
"The fashion designer has arrived, sir," the maid said.
"Alright, I'll come shortly."
"But be careful, he is something..... weird?"
"Okay"
In the guest room, the designer was practically burning with excitement because of the design he had received. The moment Shion entered, the man nearly rushed toward him, but Shion calmed him and sat down.
"So, how is the new outfit?"
"I've finished it, sir!" the designer said enthusiastically. "I studied the design you sent carefully, and besides the main outfit, I created several additional ones. I want you to see them!"
Shion thought briefly,
' No wonder the maid warned me to keep some distance from him. Still, he's serious about his work. '
The designer brought several outfits he had created. Shion praised some of them and rejected others, until his gaze stopped on a specific piece.
"I want you to get rid of this one."
He spoke seriously.
The designer didn't understand why. The outfit looked simple but had deep embroidery.
However, Shion remembered the same design from the Northern Academy.
It's worn by those who are singled out and treated worse than animals.
The designer tried to argue, but Shion ignored him.
"If you want to show it to someone else, that's fine. But that outfit will never come near me."
Finally, they brought out the main outfit.
It was majestic, black in color. The white shirt inside created a beautiful contrast. Star-shaped embroideries formed elegant patterns across his coat, while a cloak surrounded him bearing a symbol of stars swirling around a spiral galaxy.
Shion wore it.
With the gloves and proper boots, the atmosphere around him changed. He no longer looked like a noble student—but like a great lord.
With his white hair, silver eyes, and the aura of the Stellar Body, Shion Lan appeared on an entirely different level.
He looked into the mirror, satisfied.
"Yes… this suits the annual celebration."
The maid asked permission to enter. When she saw him, she was briefly stunned, but remembered her duty.
"Miss Jewel wishes to enter, sir. She is accompanied by another person."
' Another person? Who is? '
Shion didn't know so he ordered,
"Let them in."
Just then Rita entered the room.
"Shion, there's a beautiful girl waiting at the door! It's not polite to leave her like—"
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw his appearance.
"So that's the reason! I didn't expect you to work this hard for her."
Shion realized his mother had misunderstood. He went down to receive Pearl Jewel, leaving the maid to explain things.
At the palace gate, Pearl stood beside a strange-looking man. The guards had stopped them and were waiting for the lord of the palace—Shion.
The man looked nervous.
"Lady Pearl… will that man really help me?"
"Yes. If we can convince him about you, he will."
Pearl wore a different outfit today that highlighted her beauty.
"That lord will surely fall in love with you once he sees you," the man said.
Pearl frowned, remembering every conversation she had with Shion.
' My appearance never affected him… but maybe my words will. ' As she thought.
The gates opened.
What they saw was an elegant young man whose clothing radiated authority. His handsomeness was on another level. Even Pearl secretly admired him, while the man was stunned.
"Welcome."
Shion gestured for them to follow him.
Inside the guest room, he ordered tea and looked at them calmly.
"The annual celebration is tomorrow. Say whatever you came to say."
His tone was calm yet firm—befitting the head of a family.
Pearl reconsidered her wording.
' He doesn't feel like a classmate… and we aren't friends. '
She straightened herself.
"Lord of the Lan Family, we would like to attend the annual celebration with you."
Shion smiled.
"For the beauty, of course. But.... who is this person? Won't you introduce him?"
Pearl quickly responded.
"Redo Grant. He's a major merchant from the East who came to our kingdom with high-quality perfumes."
Redo stood respectfully.
"Lord Lan, it's an honor to meet you."
Shion nodded.
"Lady Jewel, you said you wish to attend as my guests. May I ask why?"
Pearl explained,
"I want to conduct business with Mr. Grant. But since he's from the East, it won't be easy for him here. I want to establish connections with influential figures attending the royal celebration."
Shion examined Redo.
"How good are your perfumes?"
Redo rapidly got rid of the timid appearance and turned into an experienced merchant, confidently produced a small box from his pocket. When he opened it, three beautiful fragrances spread through the room.
' This boy spoke arrogantly to me earlier ' Redo thought.
' Let's see the reaction of someone who just became a third-rank noble. '
But Shion's expression remained calm.
' No wonder he's a family head at his age! ' Redo thought changing his mind rapidly, ' He's incredibly composed. '
Shion spoke.
"Orchid flowers mixed with cherry blossoms and some chemical compounds. A moderate formula."
Redo was stunned.
' This kid is a monster! '
Pearl was equally surprised.
"I didn't expect Lord Lan to possess such an impressive talent for evaluating perfumes."
Ignoring her, Shion said,
"If these are your perfumes, I won't take you with me."
Redo immediately protested.
"I have something better!"
"If you're confident you can sell it and produce more of it, then I'll take you. Otherwise, bringing a stranger with me would be strange."
Redo hesitated before replying.
"As I said earlier, I have a superior perfume at home. It's sealed tightly. I only sell it to the Six Great Families and the Royal Family. But its scent is very strong—anyone below the Seventh Level might become dizzy."
Shion frowned.
"You can dilute it, can't you?"
Redo puffed up with pride.
"Diluting my perfumes would be an insult to me, Lord Lan!"
Shion thought for a moment while Pearl calmed Redo.
When the maid entered with tea, Shion spoke again.
"I believe I have what we need—but I can't guarantee success."
Pearl asked curiously,
"Do you have a good relationship with one of the Six Great Families? Your friendship with Glass Sano won't be enough."
Shion replied,
"Who loves perfumes more—men or women?"
Before she could answer, Redo said,
"Women, of course."
Shion nodded.
"I know Beliza Sano, Rona Flair, Amy the Fire Sorceress, and that woman Wendy. Are those names sufficient?"
Pearl's eyes widened.
"Yes! That's more than enough to start. Beliza Sano and Rona Flair are known in their families as the Queens of Fire and Ice. They're both at the Fifth Level, but that could connect us directly to their families. As for the two heroines, they're Seventh Level and have many connections!"
Shion looked at her suspiciously.
"Doesn't the Jewel family already have connections?"
Pearl laughed awkwardly.
"Well… I'm doing this to prove myself to my father."
Shion thought for a moment, then asked the maid to step outside with him.
"How much money do we have?"
After calculating, she answered,
"With the current rewards and without putting pressure on ourselves, we have 50,000 gold coins."
Shion smiled.
"How much do you think I should invest?"
"Sir, it's your money. I have no right to decide."
"I know. But since the king assigned you to manage our affairs, I should ask."
She paused.
"If you fully trust the Jewel Guild, invest everything. If you have doubts, invest 20,000."
Shion thought.
"Thirty thousand. We'll invest 30,000 gold coins in the Joel Guild."
She nodded.
Shion returned and finalized the agreement. In exchange, he would receive a share of the perfume profits if the venture succeeded.
He ordered rooms prepared for Pearl and Redo.
That night, Shion felt relaxed.
"I think I should try my luck."
He sent his consciousness into the Veins Domain, where Shi Yun Lan greeted him.
"Do you want to die again like you always do?"
Shion swung his sword.
"(Cutting Flames)!"
Ten flaming slashes appeared.
"My spiritual training wasn't useless! I can duel you now, Shi Yun Lan!"
Shi Yun Lan smiled in satisfaction.
"At least you won't die unless I actually use the Fourth Level."
"Let's begin!"
Both rushed toward each other.
…
The next morning, Shion woke up exhausted.
"Sleeping after dying isn't a good habit."
After preparing for the annual celebration, Shion and Redo waited for Pearl.
Redo sighed.
"Girls really take a long time to prepare their appearance."
"Yes," Shion replied. "They care about the smallest details. But it's worth it—because in the end they appear at their best."
Redo internally protested.
' Unlike certain people who roll out of bed and look perfect without effort. '
Soon, Pearl appeared.
Her fiery red hair and deep blue eyes could melt even the coldest hearts.
She held Shion's arm smiling, and the three of them boarded the royal carriage heading to the palace.
Using teleportation magic within the carriage, they soon arrived at the royal palace, surrounded by magnificent gardens and grand preparations.
When they finally stepped out, Shion helped Pearl down from the carriage.
The two of them immediately captured everyone's attention.
As Shion searched for his seat, he and Pearl suddenly felt a deadly gaze directed at them.