A prodigy who had never really known defeat was more easily shaken than someone who had failed more times than he could even remember.

Magnus could only watch with trembling hands as Damon walked away from him, reaching the platform where he received a white flower.

Taking it into his hands, Damon paused.

"If I may... can I ask a question?"

The person who had given him the flower was an old imperial councilor. Stroking his beard, he nodded.

"Yes, you may, young one."

Damon's words brought the cheers down as the world was once again left to wonder what this person wanted to do.

"I can give this flower to whomever I please, right?"

The old man nodded, his robes fluttering in the wind.

"Yes, you may. It is tradition to give it to whomever you think is the fairest of them all."

Damon placed his hand on his chest.

"And no one would take offense... I am a commoner after all."

The old man raised an eyebrow.

"You are protected by years of imperial tradition, and the emperor is here. I doubt anything would come of it... you are safe."

Damon had a gentle smile under his hood.

"That's good to know... I have the protection of the empire, right?"

The old man sighed.

"Yes..."

Damon turned around, having won. With the flower in hand, he turned to the floating pavilions.

His gaze was first set on the Astranova family pavilion, where Lilith sat with her grandmother and father, looking very much like an otherworldly flower.

"Is he going to give the flower to Lilith Astranova?"

"Well no surprise there, most young men would want to impress her."

But Damon didn't move. He turned to the imperial pavilion, his gaze falling on Abellona who flashed him a knowing look.

Damon kept his calm, but in his heart he sighed.

'Well she knows... not that I was trying to hide. If she talks I'll say she raped me... I'm not giving her that ring back.'

He was prepared to fall on his knees and cry like a little girl if he had to.

In fact, he would even give visceral examples of how it happened.

Of course, he would have to blackmail her first... assuming she came after him. If not, he would just play the fool.

Next, he turned to the Brightwater pavilion where he saw Evangeline and his sister talking about something with Iris nodding frantically.

The grand duke was looking at them, trying to act nonchalant.

However, Damon didn't linger.

The students of Aether Academy were eager to see who Damon would give this flower to.

A girl glanced at another student.

"Who is he giving the flower to?"

The boy shrugged.

"How am I supposed to know? The suspense is killing me."

Professor Emeralda glanced at Kael.

"Don't tell me he's wearing it himself."

Kael sneered knowing Damon well.

"I wouldn't put it past him."

However, Damon still didn't move. He was contemplating his own emotions, thinking more than he needed to. This wasn't hesitation, he just needed to get his thoughts in order.

Finally, his gaze turned to the Moonveil royal family pavilion.

With a single step, he teleported right in front of it. Jumping up, he used the Airwalk skill to step on the air until he was right in front of the pavilion.

Landing onto it, everyone held their breath.

It was clear that he was giving this flower to Sylvia Moonveil.

The spectators watched with keen interest... until one person recalled a rumor.

"Come to think of it, aren't they rumored to be close?"

Like a loose snowball, rumors began to circulate.

"Yes, I heard he once fought the dark spirit Rashi Ignath to save her."

"I also heard...."

The knights guarding the pavilion crossed their spears to prevent entry to the human. The elves watched him with a degree of disgust.

However...

"Let him in."

The voice of Kadelas ordered them to allow Damon passage.

The young man smiled as the world watched his first interaction with the rulers of the Moonglades.

Sylvia's eyes were locked onto him. Her immaculate white dress was woven with the finest silk, embossed with fine golden embroidery that reached her feet. She wore a white translucent veil, almost like a bride.

There was another flower resting beside her, which had been given by a young elf from the Halls of Steel. However, when she saw Damon walking forward, she tossed that flower to the ground, as if to make it clear that the flower Damon was giving her was all that mattered to her.

Kadelas' eyes were cold, his fist clenched. However, he did not act. His queen held his hand with her own, holding back the anger of the ancient elf.

Damon stood before the rulers of the Moonglades and made a small curtsy. It was a little shallow for people of their standing, especially from a commoner, but this was Damon.

"I have come to deliver this flower to the fairest of all elf kind."

He placed his hand on his chest.

"If I may..."

Kadelas' eyes glowed white, but his queen held his hand, smiling at Damon with her lips though her eyes were cold.

"You may, as this is the tradition of the host nation."

She was making it clear that if it wasn't the tradition of the host nation, she would not allow it.

Damon nodded and approached, walking past the last of their knights. His face was being projected all around the area using some form of magic technology.

Sylvia wore a sweet smile as Damon walked forward.

However... he stopped.

She watched him with wide eyes.

He stopped right in front of her mother. Falling to one knee, he took the queen's free hand and in a soft voice said:

"Daphne... it's been many moons since we last conversed."

Daphne's eyes widened, her mouth falling agape.

Kadelas was so confused he didn't even have time to register his anger.

Damon kissed her hand, placing the flower in her palm, her face turning pale.

She didn't even know what sound to make.

"Ae... jej... huh...."

Confusion. The great oracle Daphne Moonveil was confused.

Damon smiled, holding her hand clasped in both of his.

"Even at your age, I, Damon Grey, declare you to be the fairest of them all."

Kadelas finally reacted. A white beam of light appeared in his hand.

Damon was prepared and quickly stood behind Sylvia, who was swift to shield him with her wide-spread arms.

He poked his head out from behind her.

"Sir, this is tradition."

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