Chapter 4 – The Gathering of Titans

Chapter 4 – A Gathering of Power

The grand hall of the Verdanian Estate shimmered under the glow of countless chandeliers, each crystal reflecting the wealth and authority of those gathered. Every year, this event brought together the mightiest families—warriors, politicians, and scholars alike—all under one roof. A night of unity, tradition, and most importantly, silent competition.

I stood near the entrance, unnoticed.

The hall was alive with conversation, the air thick with the scent of rare perfumes and aged wines. Everywhere I looked, power flowed effortlessly—through the confident strides of young heirs, the measured words of high-ranking nobles, the casual but deliberate displays of strength. This was a place where influence was weighed, where alliances were forged or broken with a single glance.

Yet, in a room where presence meant everything, mine was nonexistent.

I hadn't been invited here because of my worth—I was simply required to attend. Every member of the household was, regardless of status. My father, Lord Aldric, hadn't even acknowledged me since we arrived. His attention was solely on my younger brother.

"Leonard, it's about time you met Lord Harrington. He's been interested in seeing your progress," my father said, resting a firm hand on my sibling's shoulder.

Leonard, dressed in a tailored black coat embroidered with the family crest, nodded respectfully. Unlike me, he had inherited everything that made a worthy heir—talent, recognition, and above all, our father's approval.

I remained a few steps behind them, not out of humility, but because that was simply where I belonged. No one in this hall would waste their time speaking to someone with nothing to offer.

Leonard stepped forward, greeted the noble, and within seconds, their conversation turned to power.

"Your recent performance at the training grounds was remarkable, young Leonard," Lord Harrington praised. "The way you controlled your energy—fluid, precise. A sign of a true prodigy."

Leonard responded with the same confidence he always carried. "Thank you, my lord. But I still have much to learn."

It was a modest answer, but one that rang hollow. Everyone knew he was ahead of most at his age. He was already being groomed for greatness.

And I? I was merely here to fill space.

"Ah, I almost didn't see you there," Lord Harrington suddenly remarked, turning to me as if noticing me for the first time. His gaze lingered—not in curiosity, but in realization.

"Your… other son, is it?" he asked my father.

For the briefest second, I thought my father would correct him, introduce me properly. But instead, he barely glanced at me.

"Yes," he said simply. "Ethan."

That was it. No praise. No mention of my achievements—because I had none.

The noble's polite smile didn't reach his eyes. It wasn't cruelty, just indifference. "I see. It's good that he's here."

Here. Not to be acknowledged, but simply because tradition demanded it.

As the night progressed, the gathering shifted toward its inevitable purpose—a showcase of ability. It wasn't an official duel or competition, but a chance for families to display their rising stars.

Leonard, of course, was at the center of it. As he stepped forward to demonstrate his abilities, murmurs of approval rippled through the hall. The floorboards trembled slightly as he released a controlled wave of energy, an effortless show of his mastery.

More displays followed—each young heir showcasing a refined skill, a new technique, a mark of progress. Strength was currency here, and everyone was eager to prove their worth.

Everyone except me.

Because I had nothing to show.

And the more I stood in the shadows, the more I realized why no one looked at me with value.

But not everyone ignored me.

At the far end of the hall, among the silent observers, I felt a gaze. Calm, distant—but focused.

I turned, but before I could see clearly, a group of nobles shifted, blocking my view.

Had someone been watching me?

For a moment, I thought I had imagined it. But something told me otherwise.

And as the night continued, I couldn't shake the feeling that, despite being invisible to the world, I was not entirely forgotten.

The night wasn't over yet. And somehow, I knew…

Before it ended, I would be reminded exactly why I was nothing in their eyes.