"A commoner has struck down a noble. He must be judged!" the second prince said.
But Count Landon stepped in front of Colt without saying a word. Everyone knew what that meant.
"I believe it was justified," the first prince said, walking forward. "He was protecting another noble."
He knew that if he didn't intervene, this could spiral into a conflict between the Springold family and the royal court.
So even if it meant undermining his younger brother, he had to step in.
The second prince's expression tightened, but he didn't argue. "If you say so, brother. But tell me—how could a first-year commoner like you defeat a fourth-year noble?"
It was a question everyone wanted answered.
Colt was ready. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace.
Of course, it hadn't really been in his pocket—it had been in his inventory.
He held it out toward Count Landon. "Sir, this is what Charles used to trap Lady Seila. It's a mana-sealing necklace.
But that's not all. It also has the power to enslave its target. That was their plan. They were trying to enslave her."
"What?"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall. Kidnapping was already a grave crime—but this... this crossed into something far worse.
Artifacts with the ability to enslave someone were exceedingly rare. Using one on a noble? Unthinkable. Unforgivable.
"Colt, why are you carrying it?" Count Fera asked, stepping forward. "Why didn't you turn it in?"
"Please, sir, examine it."
Colt handed it over.
"Hm... I see. It's been deactivated," Count Fera said, turning it in his hand.
"Sir Charles was focused on the artifact," Colt explained. "He had to channel mana into it. I used that moment to ambush him. If not for that, I wouldn't have stood a chance."
His tone remained formal. Even now, he referred to Charles with respect. After all, he was still just a commoner.
Seila, however, narrowed her eyes. She knew he was lying. She had seen him face Charles head-on before fainting.
But this time, she couldn't figure out why he was lying.
"I think that's enough," came a soft voice.
All eyes turned.
"This is my daughter's ceremony," Elsei said calmly. "The matter has been resolved. Let's not let it overshadow the day."
She stepped forward, poised and serene. Though her words were gentle, they carried weight.
She could see Colt was under pressure. And despite how composed he appeared, she believed he was holding himself together for their sake.
It was hard to believe a commoner could stay this calm in front of so many nobles, especially while being interrogated.
"Let's continue with the gifts to change the mood," Elsei suggested gently.
In Arte, nobles typically didn't exchange gifts. After all, they could buy whatever they wanted.
But there was one exception.
During a coming-of-age ceremony, it was tradition for higher-ranking nobles to present gifts. Not everyone was expected to participate—only those ranked above the celebrant's family.
Since Count Landon was a count, only those of higher status were formally expected to give Seila a gift. For the rest, it was optional.
Still, many brought gifts anyway, hoping to earn favor.
And perhaps unfortunately for Seila, she was currently the most desired marriage candidate in the kingdom.
Everyone wanted to impress her and her father.
Count Landon agreed with Elsei's suggestion. It was time to shift the mood.
The gift-giving followed a clear order: the family gave theirs first, then it proceeded from the lowest-ranked noble to the highest.
A flurry of movement followed as nobles sent their maids and butlers scurrying to fetch their offerings.
Since nearly every noble family with academy-aged children had gathered, the pressure to give something memorable was high.
Meanwhile, Landon and Elsei presented their gifts.
They had given her a robe enchanted to withstand both extreme heat and cold.
Equipment like that was rare—most enchantments lost their effect over time—but this one was clearly crafted by an expert. Even Colt was impressed.
"Seila, this one is from your brother," Elsei said, handing her a small, neatly wrapped package.
"He couldn't attend since he's stationed beyond the border, but he asked us to pass it along."
Her brother, currently serving as a high-ranked hunter, had sent a pair of boots made from a high-tier monster.
What stood out was their design—unlike most gear made from monster hides, these didn't look crude or bulky. They were sleek and stylish, which made them even more valuable.
Then the procession continued. Since nearly every guest had brought a gift, it was going to take some time.
As Seila continued accepting them, Hei and Myrin approached Colt.
"Are you okay?" Myrin asked quietly.
"I'm fine," Colt replied. The fight had been so one-sided it looked like he was toying with a child, so they hadn't been too worried about that.
But being interrogated by Count Landon—and even the second prince—that was another matter.
"You were awesome," Hei grinned. "Didn't know you could punch like that. I mean, you beat Kael the same way, but we just figured your punches were weak back then."
Back during his fight with Kael, Colt had only caused internal damage. He hadn't shown his full strength.
In truth, he was very strong.
At level 337 as a mage, his physical strength rivaled that of a level 250 warrior.
So even when he suppressed himself to level 66, his body was still as strong as a 66-level warrior.
He could easily defeat Hei in hand-to-hand combat, though of course, he'd never do that. It would only damage his resolve.
So instead, he just said, "Well, I work out from time to time."
Soon, it was Count Fera's turn to present his gift.
Although families normally gave just one gift, both Fera and Hei had prepared their own.
Fera gave Seila a bracelet that could shift into a wrist guard.
It wasn't extravagant, but it was thoughtful—especially for a mage, who usually didn't wear armor. In a crisis, it could prove useful.
Hei offered her a mana stone. It was the kind of item mages prized, even if it was a bit early for their level.
Still, it was a solid gift—practical, valuable, and personal.
After everyone else had given their gifts, it was finally time for the royal family's offering.
"Lady Seila, I hope you will accept my gift," the second prince said, handing her a large, ornately wrapped package.
Seila accepted it with poise and opened it carefully. Inside was a staff.
But not just any staff. With a single glance, everyone could tell it was of extraordinary quality.
No—this wasn't simply rare or expensive. This was a national treasure, almost certainly taken from the royal treasury itself.
The crowd was stunned once again. The implications were heavy. The king was backing Seila.
And not just in name.
Traditionally, it was the first prince who represented the royal family at ceremonies like this.
The fact that the second prince had presented the gift personally meant only one thing—he wasn't just honoring Seila.
He had intentions.
"Your Highness, thank you for this generous gift. But it's far too much. How could I possibly accept such a treasure?" Seila said with grace.
"Don't worry," the second prince replied, his tone smooth. "It's a gift from the royal family to the greatest genius of our generation. Anything less wouldn't be fitting."
The message was clear. Even though he wasn't the top-ranked noble here, he valued ability over titles.
And he wanted everyone to know it.
"It won't leave me in the future anyway," he added before returning to his seat.
That last sentence landed like a stone dropped in a still pond.
He hadn't said it outright, but everyone understood. He was planning to make a marriage offer for Seila, and everyone knew the offer would be impossible to refuse.
Count Fera and Count Landon exchanged a brief look, their brows drawn ever so slightly, but neither spoke.
"Well then, now that the gift-giving has concluded—" Count Landon began, but a voice cut him off.
"Sir!" It was Colt. "I have also prepared gifts for Lady Seila."