Thalrix grinned wildly at Theron, clinking what looked like silver nails turned claws on the table. It tore into the delicate fabric that adorned it.
Theron met his gaze calmly.
There was nothing at all on Thalrix’s body that denoted he was part of any sort of Sect or Imperial Academy. But most often, this was the most fearsome sort of opponent.
It was a young talent a family didn’t want to be influenced by any others. These were existences that were likely beyond Chosen in many instances, young elites that a family would pour all their resources into if given the chance.
Sigil was almost certainly such an existence before Dean Thistle chose to bring him forward. Presenting Sigil like this, there was obviously just a single purpose…
To display dominance.
That was how confident Dean Thistle was in his son.
Of course, this was all relative. A talent an Earldom would keep in-house likely couldn’t be comparable to a talent a Marquisette would.
How talented Thalrix truly was… well, Theron’s blade would have to test that.
Sitting there on an elevated platform, when there was no doubt geniuses here that also came from families that had secretly submitted to the Thistles, was bound to bring forth ire.
If Theron noticed it, though… he didn’t seem to react much at all.
The herald’s horn finally came to a stop.
“And now, I will introduce the main character of today’s events, a young talent you’ve likely heard quite a great deal about. Stepping into the Imperial Academy and completing 33 Credits in a single bound, not wasting even a second day, his legend has long since spread far and wide.
“Some of you know him as Young Master Sigil; some of you might call him Imperial Scholar Thistle; I know him simply as Young Heir, a young man truly bound for greatness…
“Please help me welcome, Young Noble Sigil Thistle!”
It wasn’t long before Sigil walked out with a smile, standing before the seat of honor right beside where Theron sat.
“Thank you, thank you everyone. I’m endlessly grateful that so many young elites have chosen to come to my banquet today, it is an honor like no other.”
He reached for a cup of wine before him, raising it high up.
“I’ll do my best to be the greatest host I can. I hope your time here tonight will be some of the best times you’ve had.”
Many raised their cups along with Sigil, Theron being no exception. Then, they downed their cups.
Sigil took a seat with a wide grin.
“Come! Dancers! Music! Ambience!”
Every clap of his hands brought another shudder to the room. Wooden panels writhed, roots moving and shifting.
It didn’t take the geniuses present to realize that this was a display of Sigil’s Mana control, and that it was.
So all-encompassing, such a wide range, and yet so delicate and unforced.
A sextet of scantily clad dancers rose up, with vines wrapping around their bodies until six separate platforms were formed around the room. Each one began to dance in an elegant rhythm all on their own.
At the center of the banquet, in between the arrangement of two long tables, a wooden platform opened up to allow a band to rise up from the ground.
At the same time, roots curling through the ceiling fell from above, their flowers budding and shimmering with light as the main lights of the dining hall fell to silence.
It all happened together in a single instant, and even Theron found his eyes narrowing.
Mana control was his specialty. He didn’t think he lost to anyone in his own generation. But this range and sheer quantity… he couldn’t match up to such a thing yet.
Sigil might be on the verge of the Middle Silver Resonance tiers, but he was a genius for a reason. His vast stores of Mana might already match up to many Middle Silver Resonance geniuses on the verge of the Higher tiers.
It was just a simple motion, just four claps of the hand, and yet every ripple was imprinted onto their souls.
Sigil sat back in his chair, not even pale-faced. Then, he leaned over to Theron.
“Ha, now it seems I won’t have to do anything else tonight. Clever, don’t you think, little brother? Saves me so much work.”
Theron smiled. “Your range is something else.”
“My range, huh? It seems you’re not very impressed by my control,” Sigil said jokingly.
“I don’t think anyone is a match for me in control,” Theron said with a chuckle.
“Yeah?” Sigil grinned, a light of competition sparking in his eyes.
The two joked about it for a bit longer, but Theron knew that with Sigil’s pride, he would never actually challenge him until they were on equal footing. As far as he was concerned, any win otherwise would be meaningless.
“It’s not like I have a choice,” Theron said. “Water Mana isn’t good for combat. Without control, I have nothing.”
“I understand what you mean. But before my ancestors… Wood Mana was also not good for combat,” Sigil grinned.
There was a sparkle in Theron’s eyes when he heard this. Then, he slowly nodded, his gaze becoming a bit absent.
Indeed, there was no reason the Thistles should have such great defenses or combat abilities. But they did.
Teacher Vibra’s path was also exceptionally interesting. Honestly speaking, Theron thought that that path had even more potential than the ones the Thistles were on now.
If he was a Wood Mancer, he would certainly pick it.
Sigil allowed Theron’s thoughts to churn and he found himself genuinely smiling. Theron was certainly an interesting character, and reminded him a lot of himself.
They were both prideful. But neither was arrogant.
“Young noble!” A voice came from the tables ahead.
Sigil looked up, smiling when he noticed it was the Vermouth beside Malaya speaking.
“This is quite the friendship you have with young Theron. I’m very curious, how did you two become so close?”
Sigil chuckled.
“It’s rare for young master Aeryn to be so interested in someone else. I was certain you were a man of few words.”
Aeryn smiled politely, his gaze landing on Theron after another glance at Malaya.
“I’m just curious.”