CHAPTER 233: VALKYRIES

Noel rushed up to his side. "So, if for instance I actually liked her, what would you say?" Noel asked.

"So you do like her, well that’s nice," Riven replied. He had a faint smile on his face.

"She is nice, and doesn’t act pompous. I’m sure she would be a good match for you, so go give it a shot. You could use this gala as an opportunity to start talking to her," Riven said.

"What? The gala? I can’t possibly do that, it’s too sudden," Noel said.

"There is no better time than now, Noel, so get to it," Riven said. Noel took a deep breath and looked at Chloe. He clenched his fist; he was going for it today.

They made it to a door, and the butler stood in front of it and faced them, hands behind his back. He spoke, "The young prince and the young princess, please step up. Your entrance will be first."

Robert and Chloe stepped up, and then he opened the door for them.

They walked past and entered another corridor that led to stairs.

The moment they walked on the stairs, an announcement was made.

"Entering now, the young Prince Robert Vermilion, and his sister, the Princess Chloe Vermilion."

Their entrance was watched by all as they walked down the stairs gracefully, showing an elegance that could only have been trained for years. They interlocked arms as they walked down, their presence a beauty for all to behold.

Everyone in the massive hall began talking, some whispering jealousy, and some genuinely impressed by the two.

After they got down, the butler looked at the three daughters of the dukes and called, "Young mistresses, it’s your time."

They nodded and walked through the door, headed for the stairs.

The same announcement was made for them, and they walked out.

Riven could already tell that this was some sort of plot. Having all three girls side by side showed unity between the Duke houses, and also gave an avenue for people to compare the girls against each other. It was a game.

It made him sick, thinking about how these girls were used as toys rather than real people, their lives used for political games.

After the girls were down, Jack and the elf twins were next. Another political game, the Vermilion kingdom trying to show some sort of unison with the other races.

It was all strategically planned out to be like that, and Riven found it wrong.

After them, Riven figured that he and his brother would be next, and then the chosen of Lumis would be last.

But to his surprise, Noel was called alone, and he left them. At this point, Riven was confused; he didn’t understand what was going on.

After Noel had gone, finally the butler opened the door. They walked to the stairs and when the announcement came, he finally understood why they did it.

"And now, the two greatest youngsters of the Vermilion kingdom, the two rising stars, rivals in the making, Riven Von Grave, the rank one of the Royal Academy, and Lance Vanceloth, the second rank of the academy."

When Riven heard those words, he understood it was a game, a ploy made to set the two of them against each other.

They wanted the world to pick sides, to see what they had, their options, to see who they would stand behind and who they would place their bet on.

It was a game, a display, and he was forced into it against his will. But he couldn’t show dissatisfaction here, not yet, so he gritted his teeth, clenched his fist, and walked.

He made sure that his face was as perfect as he could make it, looking sharp and clean. They both walked down, side by side, until they were down.

The hall was already filled with people dressed elegantly, nobility and every important person of the entire kingdom, glasses in their hands carved perfectly from alchemy-made glass, and wine within them.

’Sometimes this world is more advanced than it should be,’ Riven thought. A standard medieval age would have metal cups or something.

He looked around and spotted Noel and his family, his father, mother, sister, and his grandfather.

He headed their way immediately, and before he could take a few steps, a couple of people swarmed him.

"Hey Riven, that’s you, right? Have you thought of real estate? I have a good deal for you," one said eagerly.

"Hey young man, you look like you could use a good contractor for your weapons," another said.

Riven was confused about what to do. This was the first time he was faced with this. He tried to find a way out, but they had circled him.

"Why don’t we allow my grandson to have some air." Finally, his grandfather came forward and spoke. Riven looked at him like some guardian angel that had come to his rescue.

Everyone stepped back and his grandfather grabbed his hand and pulled him out.

"Thanks, Grandfather," Riven said.

"Don’t be happy yet. The stage was set to put you in the limelight. You are far from being done with the troubles that will come tonight," his grandmother said as she brought him over to his parents.

"Mum, Dad." He greeted with a bow.

His sister immediately ran up and hugged him. He patted her head and kissed her forehead. "How are you, Amber?" he asked.

"I’m fine," she replied and finally let go of him.

His father stepped forward. "This is the first time you and your brother Gage attended something like this, and to make it worse, you both are the stars of the day. It’s not going to be easy for you," his father said.

"So what do we do?" Riven asked.

"The two of you stay together. I won’t stay with you because a lot of people want to talk to you, and I would be in the way, but your grandfather will be watching from a distance," their father said.

Riven nodded, he looked at Noel and he nodded as well. The both of them walked away. What their father had basically told them now was to mingle.

And as much as it wasn’t a bad idea, Riven didn’t want to be a part of all that, and so did Noel, the both of them simply didn’t want the stress, but they couldn’t hide it.

The atmosphere of the hall was simply immaculate, beautiful crystals lighting the room, giving a great ambience. While the air smelt of beautiful wine and food, maids and butlers moved gracefully across the floor, serving food and drinks with a smile on their faces.

Riven and Noel had only taken a few steps away from their parents when two ladies in their early twenties walked up behind them. They were tall, beautiful, and gave off a strong aura.

The one behind Riven had silver hair that she tied into a ponytail, and the one behind Noel had flowing black hair.

The two boys froze, because they could feel how strong these ladies were. Were they in danger? They had no idea.

"We are the Valkyries of the Vermilion kingdom, we are to protect you during the party." The silver-haired one spoke, and finally both boys could heave a breath of relief.

’The Valkyries, the strongest female battle mage group in the kingdom,’ Riven recalled. They were trained by the Royal Family, and were the best of the best.

’Why the hell would the Royal Family use a group as powerful as the Valkyries to protect a group of first-year students?

This has to be another part of the plot, showing us their strength and also giving us a sense of importance and how much the kingdom is willing to care for us.

It’s a chain with a long length, looks good but it’s not.’ Riven thought. He turned around and looked at the Valkyrie.

"It’s an honor to be watched over by the Valkyries, I never thought I would have such an honor," Riven said and gave a slight bow. Noel followed suit.

The two ladies exchanged looks, then looked at the two of them.

"The stars of the banquet shouldn’t lower their heads so easily," the silver-haired one said.

"You know about us?" Riven asked as he straightened himself, making small talk.

"Who doesn’t? What you have done, you along with the first years have already reached the ears of almost all military groups.

If you were a lady, I would already be vying for your position in the Valkyries. Staying in that Academy is genuinely a waste of talent, the only saving grace is they have some decent instructors and some good ones like the headmistress and Quin." She said, there was confidence and pride in the way that she spoke.

"I’m guessing Lady Valkyrie isn’t a fan of the academy," Riven said.

"It has its good sides and its flaws," she replied without hesitation.

’Hmm, I want to talk to her a bit more,’ Riven thought.