Since it wasn't a formal knight investiture ceremony, there were no elaborate etiquette protocols. Lucian performed a knight's salute to Natasha in gratitude, while Natasha placed the longsword across his shoulders and said solemnly and earnestly:
"May your sword guard your will."
Having completed the ceremony, Lucian formally accepted the "Vigilance" bestowed upon Natasha — a "ceremonial" longsword with ornate decorations but an ordinary blade.
Following Natasha's guidance, Lucian successfully imprinted his own aura onto the "Vigilance" through sheer willpower, and discovered that the longsword wasn't as flashy and fragile as it appeared. It possessed attack power equivalent to an ordinary first-level knight, and additionally boosted one's intuition to the level of a second-level knight — a truly excellent "extraordinary" longsword.
What mages were accustomed to calling magical longswords or enchanted longswords were known among nobles and priests as extraordinary weapons. Unlike magical items or divine artifacts, these weapons didn't require inscribing a seal at a central nexus. Once acquired, one merely needed to leave behind one's own aura to use them, though certain weapons would reject specific categories of users based on restrictions set by their forger.
With the longsword secured at his side, Lucian rose and took his leave. Watching his departing figure, Natasha suddenly let out a soft laugh and said to Camille, "Even though he wants to keep it secret, I just remembered that Sylvia also received an invitation from Phyllis. It's been so long since I last saw Phyllis."
…………
Since the evening held her own birthday banquet, Phyllis took the afternoon off and didn't come to Victor's house for lessons.
"This is Phyllis's eighteenth birthday — her coming-of-age celebration — so she's invited a great many guests, including titled nobles closely connected to the Hain family, as well as every musician and renowned performer in the Association," Lot said during a break, chatting casually with Lucian.
Lucian asked in a relaxed mood, "Quite the grand birthday banquet. I wonder how many of the invited guests will actually show up?"
Herodotus, sitting quietly nearby, glanced at Lucian with a flat expression. "Of the Association's musicians, as long as they're in Altor, the vast majority will attend. Someone is going to perform a newly composed serenade as a birthday gift. Everyone's curious — they want to see what kind of work this musical genius can produce after more than a month of silence."
After the Sacred Hymn Hall concert, Victor had strictly protected Lucian, refusing all invitations to banquets, salons, and gatherings on his behalf. He'd even turned down an offer to appear as a guest performer at a concert, worried that early fame would seduce Lucian into indulging in such pursuits. But the result was that the low-key and mysterious musical genius Lucian only intrigued people further — to say nothing of the many ill-intentioned individuals in the mix.
"As for the titled nobles, that depends on Count Hain's attitude. According to Hain family custom, whenever a direct-line member comes of age, the family head must personally preside over the banquet. I wonder whether Count Hain will find some excuse not to attend this time," Lot said uncertainly, then changed the subject. "Actually, we're quite curious about your serenade too, Lucian."
Once he'd obtained his own private lounge and a practice room in the villa, Lucian's "compositions" required quiet and solitude.
Lucian smiled and shook his head. "Just a few more hours."
…………
As evening fell, Lucian climbed into the hired carriage and arrived outside Phyllis's residence in the Nobility District.
The carriage filled all available space on the opposite side of the street, and the three-story villa — lavishly decorated in the Triassic court style — blazed with light, stately and beautiful.
The villa itself had originally been built by the old earl for hosting banquets.
Passing through the main gate, crossing the garden, ascending the steps, and walking across the neatly laid stone-paved ground, Lucian reached the entrance to the grand hall.
Phyllis had changed into a red court gown in her family's signature style, the skirt flared out with a bustle, elegant and dignified, greeting guests alongside her mother.
Spotting Lucian approaching, Phyllis smiled sweetly and sincerely. "Thank you for coming, Lucian. Because of you, a great many musicians have come to the banquet, including President Christoph."
"It's mostly your own standing," Lucian said, picking up Phyllis's hand and pressing a light kiss to the back of it.
Phyllis's mother resembled her closely, with the same full lips and striking appearance, though her hair was the most common shade of brown. She welcomed him warmly: "Welcome, our musical genius. The entire Altor noble circle is buzzing about you."
Given the large number of arriving guests, Lucian exchanged only a few words with Phyllis and her mother before making his way inside.
The hall's arrangement — the dining tables, the food, the floral displays — was essentially the same as the last ball, bearing the unique style of the Phyllis household.
A considerable number of guests were already inside, holding tall-stemmed wine glasses and circulating among one another, seizing every opportunity to socialize.
"Hey, Evans." As he walked, quite a few people greeted Lucian. They all belonged to the Musicians' Association — famous or ordinary musicians, newcomers who'd composed only one or two pieces without yet earning wide recognition, and talented performers who were preparing to transition into the composer's role.
Their expressions varied — curiosity, anticipation, false smiles, perfunctory nods, and meaningful looks.
What kind of serenade would this most outstanding, most revolutionary musical genius present?