At the humans' entrance, the gazes of the Apexes narrowed, and the tension in the hall rose to unimaginable heights.
"Human" was a word that broadly described the current focus in the hall. Aside from the Ravensteins, each of the tier-one family leaders from the human domain had also attended the banquet, along with the leaders of the other races.
They walked side by side into the hall, each one dressed as exquisitely as the last. For their age, their auras were prominent, geniuses in their own right.
If the circumstances had been different, they would have been the focus of this banquet, the ones people would try their best to form a connection with.
Yet, they were unfortunate enough to be born in the same generation as monsters.
To everyone in the hall, in this generation of world-ending geniuses, there was a monster among monsters.
And that monster currently led the group that had just entered.
Atticus Ravenstein.
Words could not describe it. A single feeling couldn't possibly express the effect of his appearance on the others.
His steps were taken without hurry. His back was straight, mismatched eyes forward, as his aura pressed down on every single person like iron.
The hall fell silent. Only the steps of Atticus and the people who had come with him echoed.
Everyone stared at the monstrous boy, and yet none dared to meet his eyes. None tried to stand out.
Atticus ignored the stares and approached the long table filled with drinks and an assortment of food before grabbing a drink.
The other leaders had followed him. But as they each grabbed a drink, they stood waiting to see what their leader would do.
The attention of the entire hall was on him. The pressure was so intense that none of them wanted to breathe too loudly.
However, they waited for a full minute, yet Atticus didn't move. He casually sipped his drink and kept himself busy by staring at the intricate engravings etched into the massive pillars.
The tension only rose. Many glanced at the other Apexes, wondering if they would do anything about his blatant disregard.
Most of the tension was focused on the leaders who had accompanied him. The other tier-one heirs and most of the other races maintained their silence.
Aurora met every stare with a challenging gaze. Most of the other Ravensteins mirrored her actions, except for Nate.
Unlike the others, Nate looked as though he was holding in the big one. His cheeks had puffed out, and he seemed to be holding his breath, a streak of tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
Some of the Ravensteins beside him started throwing him confused glances, wondering what was happening.
The hall was utterly silent.
Until it wasn't.
It finally burst.
Nate bent forward, letting out a sneeze so loud it resounded across the entire hall.
Then he blew his nose. "Damn… I thought I was gonna die," he muttered, sniffling.
Then he noticed something odd. The quiet hall had gotten even quieter.
"Huh?" He looked up and found every eye on him, staring in utter disbelief.
"What? What happened?"
Nate flinched and glanced behind him, wondering if there was something people were staring at behind him.
The onlookers became even more incredulous.
What happened? What happened?! Why the hell would he sneeze in this situation?!
But Nate didn't seem to understand.
It wasn't until a Ravenstein beside him leaned in and whispered in his ear that his eyes widened, and he mouthed an oh.
Then he straightened and cleared his throat. "Uh… sorry."
For a brief moment, a subtle wave of killing intent locked onto him from multiple directions.
Nate stiffened and turned his head slightly.
He found many of the other races looking at him like a complete buffoon.
But then, just as quickly, the killing intent vanished.
They were reminded of just who he had come with.
His power.
The effect of the interruption didn't last, and the tension returned just as fast.
Now, the onlookers glanced between Atticus and the other Apexes, wondering if they would adopt the same approach with him.
Would they also try to be friendly with this monster?
Their question was soon answered.
Torren stepped forward.
"I don't think we've been formally introduced."
The Regenerari Apex walked up to Atticus, extending a handshake.
"Torren Vialis."
Atticus stared at him for a moment.
Torren was dressed in a neat, well-fitted tuxedo. He wore a friendly smile, exuding a carefree and jovial aura.
But what Atticus focused on the most was the lack of hostility.
Torren wasn't hostile, just cautious of him, which was understandable.
"Atticus Ravenstein."
He took the handshake.
Torren's smile strained. 'Firm. Too firm!'
He chuckled, quickly trying to remove his hand from Atticus's crushing grip.
'Damn, what a crazy grip!' he thought, subtly shaking his hand as he pulled back.
Then he flashed Atticus a grin. "Hey, you've really got to show me how you do that."
"Do what?"
Seeing Atticus's confusion, Torren leaned in slightly, using one hand to cover his mouth.
"You know… how you make the ladies wet."
Atticus's brow twitched.
Torren smirked. "The instant you walked in, you grabbed every single one of their attention."
Atticus glanced around, and sure enough, many of the women in the hall, even sergeants, were focused on him.
'Gross.'
Most of them had lecherous expressions. It didn't help that many of them were oldies.
Atticus looked back at Torren. "You can have them."
Torren chuckled. "I wish I could, but they seem so drawn to you."
Then his expression shifted. His eyes gleamed as he suddenly turned, leaning in even closer.
"By the way, that purple-haired beauty over there—"
But his words died in his throat as a coldness washed over him.
He met Atticus's eyes.
They hadn't changed, yet…
Torren instantly felt it.
A no-go area.
"…My bad. My bad."
He scratched his head, chuckling awkwardly.
But just as quickly, his grin returned.
Then he turned again, his eyes gleaming as if he had just struck a jackpot.
He had just spotted a beautiful girl not too far away.
Straightening his tux, he adjusted his cuffs and spoke, "Well, if you'll excuse me. It's been a pleasure."
And with that, he walked away toward his new target.