The Invincible Young Master

The night covered the Dwight mansion in a soft, velvety quiet, with the faint glow of chandeliers and lanterns painting the grand dining hall in warm, golden hues.

The space was lavish, with a long table laid out with an array of delicacies. The rich scent of roasted meats, fragrant herbs, and sweet pastries filled the air, mingling with the soft murmur of conversation and the occasional clink of silverware.

At the head of the table sat Duke Renard and Sophia, their presence gentle, as they engaged in light conversation with their sons.

Spark was seated near the center of the table, his usual relaxed posture evident as he leaned back in his chair. He swirled a glass of deep red wine, his expression playful yet observant.

Across from him, Reynold sat with his golden hair catching the soft light, giving him an almost ethereal glow as he responded to a question from their mother.

Pooella and Zhao Shi stood respectfully at the side of the room, attentive, ready to assist if needed.

Alice, seated beside Spark, was nibbling on a small pastry, her eyes wide as she took in the grandeur of the banquet, clearly enjoying the special occasion.

The conversation flowed smoothly, with topics ranging from the state of the empire to the latest developments in alchemy and ascendants. There was a comfortable familiarity in the air, the kind that only came from years of being together as a family.

Reynold had just finished describing the affairs in the capital when the topic shifted to the mysterious ruins he had recently explored.

"And so, after navigating that labyrinth of twisting corridors, we finally reached the central chamber," Reynold said, his tone quiet and reflective.

Sophia, her motherly concern etched in her eyes, leaned forward slightly.

"You've always been drawn to such places, Son. I hope you were careful," she said, her voice carrying the soft edge of a mother's worry.

Reynold gave her a gentle smile, reassuring her with a slight nod. "Of course, Mother. I made sure every step was carefully calculated. The team and I took no risks."

Spark, who had been quietly nursing his wine, leaned forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Tell me, brother," he began, his tone teasing, "how did the grave robbing go?"

Reynold hesitated for a brief moment before laughter burst from him—a rich, hearty sound that seemed to light up the room. His amusement was contagious, and soon, the entire table was caught up in a wave of chuckles. Even Duke Renard, the most stoic of the group, allowed a small laugh to escape.

"Grave robbing, is it?" Reynold asked, shaking his head in amusement. "That's certainly one way to describe it."

Spark grinned, leaning in closer. "Well, did you at least find anything worth all that sneaking around in dusty old ruins? Or was it just skeletons and cobwebs?"

Reynold's smile lingered as he thought back.

"Not much," he said, a playful glint still in his eyes, "but I did meet someone interesting along the way."

"Oh?" Spark raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And coming from you, I'd wager he wasn't just a common grave robber."

Reynold's expression shifted slightly, a more thoughtful look crossing his face. "No, not quite. He was... different. Ancient, in a way. And powerful."

The room fell silent for a moment as Reynold's words hung in the air, the mood shifting from light-hearted to thoughtful. He leaned back in his chair, his mind seemingly drifting back to the encounter.

"What do you mean by 'different'?" Their father, Renard, asked, his deep voice steady but curious. He had the look of a man who knew when something significant had passed under his son's words.

Reynold paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "I can't explain it properly. He wasn't like anyone I've met before. There was something... otherworldly about him. Almost as if he wasn't of our time, or even our world."

As the night continued, Reynold grew quieter, more pensive. Setting down his glass, he turned to his family, his voice now carrying the weight of a deeper concern.

"Something else has been troubling me," he admitted. "Lately, more ruins have been surfacing across the empire. And while most of them are minor ruins, their sudden emergence is... strange. It feels like something is stirring beneath the surface."

The emergence of ruins was widely recognized as a mixed blessing, bringing both opportunity and risk. While each discovery held the potential for great rewards, it also carried the threat of hidden dangers. However, the consecutive appearance of ruins was a rarity, making the recent surge all the more unusual and troubling.

Sophia and Duke Renard exchanged a glance, concern tightening their expressions. Sophia's brow furrowed. "What do you think this could mean?"

Reynold paused, before saying. "I fear something buried deep within these ruins is beginning to rise but I cannot say for sure what exactly."

Sophia's hand gripped the edge of the table. "A greater-class ruin?" Explore stories on m,v l'e-m|p y r

Duke Renard, ever the strategist, narrowed his eyes. "If these ruins are emerging as a pattern, we must be on guard. The last time ruins like these appeared, it heralded the start of great unrest."

The tension in the air grew thicker, but Spark, ever nonchalant, leaned back in his chair with a wave of his hand. "Maybe they're just tired of lying around for centuries and wanted some fresh air."

Reynold blinked at his brother's dry humor before chuckling. Even Sophia's tense expression softened into a smile, and Duke Renard shook his head, a small laugh escaping him.

"Leave it to you to crack a joke when things turn dark," Reynold said, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Well, someone has to," Spark replied with a grin, raising his glass. "Otherwise, all these ruin stories will spoil my appetite."

And just like that, the tension evaporated. The family fell back into their usual rhythm, light banter and laughter filling the hall once more, the earlier concerns momentarily forgotten.