The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family
Chapter 263 - 263: Blood and Legacy

The banquet hall of the Lionhart Estate had been arranged with diplomatic precision, each table positioned according to centuries of protocol. The Patriarch sat at the ceremonial high table with Alex at his right hand—the place of honor traditionally reserved for those being recognized. Yet despite this careful arrangement, all eyes continuously drifted toward the family honor table where Klaus Lionhart sat.

"I've served three generations of continental nobility," whispered an elderly steward to his younger colleague as they prepared the first course, "and never seen anything like this. A recognition ball where no one watches the one being recognized."

Indeed, the evening's intended honoree had been all but forgotten amid fascination with Klaus's transformation. Military observers gathered in tight clusters, their conversations focused entirely on the implications of his changed state.

"The emblem on his left hand confirms it," General Soren murmured to his colleagues. "Not just swordmaster at twelve, but Meister as well. Has such a combination ever been recorded?"

"Never in imperial history," replied Commander Thalos, a scholar of military lineages. "The dedication required for either achievement typically precludes the other. Yet he attained both, and now..." he trailed off, glancing toward Klaus with poorly concealed apprehension.

"And now he's something else entirely," finished Admiral Elspeth, her naval experience offering no precedent for what they observed. "Whatever capabilities he possesses are beyond our capacity to assess."

Such conversations multiplied throughout the chamber as courses were served and ceremonial wines poured. Members of ancient magical lineages found themselves instinctively analyzing Klaus's aura, only to abandon their efforts when conventional parameters proved wholly inadequate.

"His energy signature defies classification," Lady Morvain, head of a renowned magical family, confided to her apprentice. "It's not merely strength—it's fundamental difference in type and structure."

The Stone Monarchy's representatives had positioned themselves at maximum distance from Klaus's table, their discomfort evident despite diplomatic training. Ambassador Karst continuously adjusted his seating, using other guests as visual barriers between himself and the white-haired figure whose presence clearly disturbed him deeply.

"The Stone Monarch still hasn't recovered his confidence," Lord Penrose noted to his wife, observing the ambassador's behavior. "Not since the incident at the Council."

"What actually happened?" Lady Penrose inquired, her position outside inner diplomatic circles leaving her dependent on her husband's connections.

"Reports vary, but all agree on one point—both the Stone Monarch and Flame King found themselves completely immobilized in Klaus's presence. Not through magic or physical constraint, but through some quality of his mere existence."

Nearby, a military intelligence officer overheard this exchange and added his own assessment. "Whatever happened transformed continental politics overnight. Houses that had positioned themselves against Lionhart interests suddenly became conciliatory. Treaties under negotiation for decades were signed without further debate."

Even the Lionhart family members showed divided reactions to Klaus's presence. Those who had witnessed his transformation maintained careful composure, while relatives seeing him for the first time since his abduction made little effort to hide their shock.

"That cannot be Klaus," whispered Damien Lionhart to his sister. "He looks nothing like the boy who left."

"Father says we shouldn't speak of it," his sister replied, though her eyes remained fixed on their transformed relative. "But everyone knows something happened at the Yawning Abyss—something the official accounts don't mention."

Throughout the chamber, similar speculations circulated with increasing frequency. Though the Icarus cult's involvement had been carefully redacted from public records, enough fragments had escaped to fuel elaborate theories regarding Klaus's transformation.

The Beast Emperor observed these reactions with calculating assessment, his golden eyes missing nothing as he formulated his response. Where others saw disruption to established protocol, Reizhor Raikra recognized unprecedented opportunity.

With perfect timing—waiting until the first course had been cleared and attention had momentarily settled—the Beast Emperor rose from his position. His movement immediately drew notice, his imposing figure commanding respect even in this gathering of continental powers.

"Custom permits acknowledgment of blood relations during recognition ceremonies," he stated, his voice carrying authority that required no artificial amplification. "I would observe proper protocol regarding my grandson."

The statement sent immediate ripples through the assembled dignitaries. While senior diplomatic figures were aware of Klaus's maternal lineage, this public declaration transformed limited knowledge into continental recognition. The Beast Emperor had claimed direct blood connection to the transformed prodigy before representatives of every major power.

Roman Lionhart's expression remained perfectly composed, though frost patterns briefly intensified around his feet before settling back into normal configuration. "The Emperor acknowledges appropriate observation of familial protocols," he responded, diplomatic precision concealing any reaction to this calculated maneuver.

With permission granted, the Beast Emperor moved through the chamber, his path toward Klaus clearing naturally as dignitaries stepped aside. Kazimir followed at proper distance, his earlier arrogance now tempered with formal adherence to protocol.

"Blood acknowledges blood according to ancestral tradition," the Beast Emperor stated upon reaching Klaus's position. His ritual markings pulsed with increasing intensity as he delivered the formal tribal greeting, establishing connection while respecting individual sovereignty.

Klaus rose with fluid grace that somehow emphasized his otherness. His crystalline eyes met the Beast Emperor's golden gaze directly—equality of address that would have been considered improper from anyone else. "Acknowledgment is received and returned in appropriate measure," he responded, his harmonic voice carrying throughout the silent chamber.

With perfect diplomatic timing, the Beast Emperor gestured toward Kazimir who waited at prescribed distance. "Tradition permits introduction of blood relation previously unacknowledged. Your mother's youngest brother, Kazimir Raikra, who carries Meister designation through phoenix bond."

The strategic brilliance of this move was immediately apparent to experienced diplomats. By introducing Kazimir as Klaus's uncle, the Beast Emperor emphasized direct bloodline connection. By highlighting their shared Meister status, he created impression of inherited exceptional capability passing through his lineage.

Kazimir stepped forward with carefully measured confidence, the phoenix emblem on his arm glowing with subtle golden light. "Blood acknowledges blood," he stated, extending his arm to display the phoenix emblem in formal greeting between Meisters.

As he entered the zone of stillness surrounding Klaus, however, something unexpected happened. Kazimir's confident expression faltered, his steps hesitating mid-stride. The phoenix emblem on his arm flared suddenly brighter, its glow intensifying from gentle illumination to brilliant radiance.

Those watching closely noticed the precise moment when assessment transformed into comprehension. Whatever Kazimir sensed through Meister perception clearly shattered his previous understanding completely. His next movement—a step backward—came too quickly for diplomatic propriety, the unconscious retreat visible to everyone watching.

"Your achievement honors our shared bloodline," Kazimir stated, his voice carefully controlled despite his obvious realignment of expectations. The formal phrase completed his obligation while allowing him to maintain the distance his instincts clearly demanded.

The Beast Emperor observed this interaction with intense focus, golden eyes narrowing slightly as his ritual markings pulsed in complex patterns beneath his ceremonial attire. Whatever had caused his son's unexpected reaction clearly registered through their shared tribal perception, though his own composure remained unaffected.

"The southern tribes recognize exceptional achievement regardless of manifestation path," he stated, diplomatic phrasing masking his assessment of this unexpected development. "Your transformation honors ancient traditions while establishing new possibilities."

With these words, the Beast Emperor completed the formal acknowledgment, returning to his assigned position with measured pace that allowed maximum observation from assembled dignitaries. Kazimir followed with slightly less composure, his earlier confidence noticeably diminished following direct proximity to Klaus.

Among the military observers, this interaction generated immediate analysis. "The phoenix-bonded one practically fled," General Soren murmured to his colleagues. "What could cause such reaction between Meisters?"

"Hierarchy recognition," suggested Commander Thalos. "Predators instinctively acknowledge superior threats. Whatever the phoenix sensed in Klaus transcended its comprehension."

The Flame Monarchy's representatives exchanged tense glances, their leader leaning close to whisper urgent assessment to her colleagues. Their already evident concern had deepened following Kazimir's reaction, suggesting implications that extended beyond mere personal power.

Conversations resumed throughout the chamber, though their focus had shifted dramatically. Where speculation had previously centered on Klaus's transformation itself, attention now included its relationship to the Beast Emperor's bloodline. The southern tribal connection introduced new context for understanding capabilities that defied conventional classification.

"The Beast Emperor cleverly positions tribal influence through public acknowledgment," observed Lord Chancellor Dorneth to his diplomatic attaché. "By claiming Klaus's achievements as expression of his bloodline, he elevates southern tribal standing across continental hierarchy."

"While simultaneously creating direct connection between his son and the transformed Lionhart prodigy," added the attaché. "Masterful political maneuvering."

Across the chamber, Alex observed these interactions with enhanced perception, Pride's influence allowing him to detect subtleties beyond normal awareness. The Beast Emperor's calculated maneuvering represented sophisticated political opportunism—using Klaus's unprecedented presence to establish tribal bloodline supremacy before continental witnesses.

Yet Kazimir's unexpected retreat revealed something more significant than political positioning. The phoenix-bonded Meister had clearly sensed something that transformed competitive assessment into instinctive caution—recognition of power beyond his experience or expectation.

The evening's disrupted choreography had created opportunity amid complication. With attention focused entirely on Klaus and the Beast Emperor's calculated maneuvering, expectations regarding Alex's own behavior had temporarily diminished. The original honoree could move with relative freedom now that focus had shifted elsewhere.

He rose from his position at the ceremonial table, the movement drawing brief notice from his father before Raoul returned to careful observation of broader diplomatic currents. Alex approached Klaus's position with measured steps, maintaining appropriate dignity while projecting nothing of Pride's influence.

To observers, the interaction would appear merely familial—cousin greeting cousin amid complex diplomatic gathering. Only those with exceptional perception might detect the underlying significance of direct contact between two fundamentally transformed beings.

Across the chamber, crystalline eyes tracked his approach with perfect awareness, recognizing the true purpose beneath apparent social courtesy. Whatever differences existed in their methods of transcendence, this moment would establish foundation for understanding that transcended conventional communication.

As Alex neared the zone of stillness surrounding his cousin, he sensed Pride's energy responding to whatever unfathomable transformation had remade Klaus into his current state. The golden presence within him stirred with unusual attentiveness, neither retreating nor advancing but maintaining perfect observation.

Their meeting would establish new parameters for understanding capabilities that existed beyond conventional limitation, creating precedent for whatever challenges might emerge from the evening's gathering of powers and agendas.