Age: 8 Years
The duel had ended, but its echoes still rippled through noble society.
Lucien Silver Star had stood victorious, his blade steady, his movements precise, his presence undeniable.
And now, the world was watching him differently.
No longer was he merely the overlooked third son of House Silver Star .
He was a strategist, a manipulator, a warrior, someone far more dangerous than any of them had anticipated.
And the whispers had begun.
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### The Shifting Gaze of Nobility
Within the halls of House Silver Star , servants whispered of his prowess. Some feared him, others admired him, but all respected him.
Among the nobles, discussions regarding him intensified.
"The boy fights beyond his years."
"Perhaps we underestimated him."
"House Silver Star 's third son may not be so insignificant after all."
And among his new recruits—Sir Aldric, Sylva, and the shadow from House Ashen—there was a newfound understanding of who he was.
He was not just their leader.
He was someone who could conquer noble society in ways they had never imagined.
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### A Private Conversation with Sylva
Later that evening, as the noble discussions began settling, Lucien found himself alone with Sylva Aldric, the strategist—the brilliant mind who had slowly begun aligning herself with him.
She regarded him carefully, her usual calculated expression now tinged with something else—curiosity, intrigue, and the first signs of admiration.
"You planned that duel well," she murmured. "You let them underestimate you. You controlled their expectations. That was not a simple victory."
Lucien gave a slow smile. "Perception is just another battlefield."
Sylva tilted her head. "And what is your next move now that they're watching you differently?"
A valid question.
And he already had his answer.
---
### The Next Stage: Controlling the Court
Lucien did not intend to let the noble court dictate his future.
Now that he had secured their attention, it was time to guide their perceptions, to shape what they believed about him.
- He would strengthen his influence over House Aldric, ensuring their trade routes aligned with his interests.
- He would expand his presence within House Nyx, deepening his ties to magic and ancient knowledge.
- He would continue recruiting allies, carefully selecting individuals who could reinforce his network.
And through charm, intelligence, and quiet manipulation, he would turn nobility itself into a stage where he controlled every performance.
Because this was his rise to dominance.
And no one would see it coming.