Single for Eternity
Chapter 88: Sovereign Trial

Chapter 88: Sovereign Trial

[ Resistance to pheromones granted. ]

[ Effects of pheromones removed. ]

[ Nascent Rift Core saturation increased. ]

My turmoiled mind regained its composure, and all the thoughts of wanting to be a part of this family—the yearning for warmth and connection—vanished like smoke in the wind.

’So, the woman releases pheromones that ignite deep emotional responses.’

I clicked my tongue in frustration, though I maintained a calm expression on the outside. I was still locked in a soft embrace, but now I understood it for what it was—an involuntary manipulation, not a pure reunion.

After a few lingering seconds, I gently pulled away from them, creating a respectful distance. My heart was steady again, the fog lifted.

I cleared my throat. "We should move on. The guests must be waiting."

Varek regarded me for a beat before nodding. "You’re right, we shouldn’t keep them too long."

He turned to the woman, extending his arm with exaggerated flourish. "Shall we, my heart?"

She scoffed, clicking her tongue with faux irritation, but her lips curved into a smile as she accepted his hand.

I followed them as we stepped out of the chamber into a sprawling hallway. The architecture was nothing short of magnificent—a blend of imperial elegance and eldritch grandeur. Chiseled black stone columns lined the sides, veins of glowing crimson pulsing like blood through obsidian.

White marble inlays ran like rivers between the stones, creating stark contrast in the gloom. It was a palace built by nightmares with the hands of angels.

The couple in front chatted amongst themselves, old arguments masked as flirtation. I stayed behind, silent, absorbing it all.

Eventually, we entered a colossal banquet hall. The ceiling was impossibly high, held up by twisted pillars etched with runes that seemed to shimmer and crawl.

Thousands of nobles mingled in regal silks and embroidered robes, laughing behind jeweled goblets and speaking with tongues as sharp as their ornamental daggers.

The moment we entered, Varek turned to me.

"Go. Enjoy yourself. Mingle or observe, however you prefer. Until the main event begins, you’re free to spend your time as you wish."

I caught the subtle inflection in his tone. Main event. That was the second time it was mentioned without explanation.

I gave a short nod. "As you say."

With that, golden lights enveloped the couple, and they vanished into the crowd like fading stars.

I made my way to a less congested corner where a large semicircular bar was set up. Bottles of strange glowing liquids and jars sealed with runic wax lined the shelves. The air smelled of spice, smoke, and distant storms.

I took a seat at the bar. A young woman with lively eyes and a soft smile approached me.

"What will you have, my lord?"

I offered a relaxed smile. "Surprise me. Give me your favorite."

Her eyes lit up with curiosity and a tinge of mischief. "Right away."

After some mixing and murmuring, she returned with a wide glass filled with a golden-brown liquid. "This one is called Brown Beetle Nike. Doesn’t sound elegant, I know, but it’s got character."

I nodded in thanks, took the glass, and downed it in a single smooth gulp.

It burned slightly but not unpleasantly, and left behind a faint sweetness, like honey mixed with roasted nuts.

The bartender’s eyes widened. "You’re the first I’ve seen chug it like that."

I smirked. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

She looked away, flustered. "Maybe... yes."

Before I could say more, a calm voice interrupted from behind.

"You’re a Sanguis, right?"

I turned to see a tall man with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes, his build broad and solid probably even beneath his expensive robe. He looked like a noble forced into civility.

I tilted my head. "Yes?"

He smiled, confident and charming as he took the seat next to me. "Kallias Atter. From Atter household, One of the Five Lords of Aetherion."

I returned the courtesy. "Einar Sanguis. A pleasure."

His eyes sparkled with amusement. "The Einar?"

I raised a brow. "What do you mean by that?"

He made a circular motion with his hand. "You know. The fat, reclusive, borderline invisible Sanguis no one ever saw outside of feeding hours."

I nearly choked. I hadn’t known I had such a reputation. ’Out of 1017 children, I was apparently the only one who stood out for the wrong reasons.’

But I met his gaze without flinching. "And if I am?"

Kallias leaned back with a grin. "Then I’ll have to work harder to win Miss Seren’s hand."

My expression darkened slightly. "Miss Seren? What’s she got to do with me?"

He laughed, clutching his sides. "You really don’t know? That’s hilarious."

"I don’t. So maybe stop laughing and explain."

He waved me off, still chuckling. "No spoilers. Just wait till the Sovereign Trials. You’ll see."

Sovereign Trials.

The phrase echoed in my mind.

’That was it, wasn’t it? The real reason for the banquet.’

Just as I was about to press him further, a blinding golden light erupted from the center of the hall. A man stepped forth, radiant and commanding. His golden hair flowed behind him like a royal banner, and his violet eyes swept across the hall like twin blades.

His presence was similar to of Ebon’s and Ness’s, commanding and suffocating. A presence that demanded attention and reverence.

"Attention, everyone."

The entire hall quieted in an instant. Every noble, every servant, turned their eyes toward him.

He raised a hand, and a massive golden hologram flared to life above the center of the banquet.

A scoreboard.

’You sure this is a fantasy world....not a gaming world system.’

[ System: Are you a moron? If this world is a game then what are you? An error. ]

[ (⁠ノ⁠｀⁠Д⁠´⁠)⁠ノ⁠彡⁠┻⁠━⁠┻ ]

’That doesn’t answer anything but ok, you are always useless. So keep the streak, ok.’

[ ┻⁠┻⁠︵⁠ヽ⁠(⁠`⁠Д⁠´⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠︵⁠┻⁠┻ ]

Names began populating the screen, a hundred in total. Each name glowed with a soft sheen, and beside each was the number 00.

I scanned the list and found my name near the lower-middle ranks. Slot sixty-three.

Einar Sanguis - 00

The banquet was merely a prelude.

The real event was just beginning.

’But why did Varek hide this fact from me?’

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