A long queue of more than fifty carriages rolled through the streets of a busy road in the middle of Shinra District 02.

The pedestrians walking along the stone path halted all at once when they noticed the golden eye emblem engraved on every carriage that passed them.

Men and women in long yellow robes stopped their steps too. Their conversations died down as the wheels of the golden emblem carriages rattled past them, reflecting the late afternoon light.

It was already past five in the evening. The sun still hovered above the horizon, casting warm streaks of orange across the red rooftops.

The Emblem Ceremony was always conducted inside Silvermoon Cathedral.

The ceremony itself hardly took more than an hour. Despite that, because this was an important event for the Valentines, they poured a large amount of money into every detail.

Only members of House Valentine were allowed to attend. The maids and servants of the dukedom were also permitted to witness, since the Valentine bloodline had only two branches.

Duke Orion's family and his younger brother Darius' family were the only direct descendants left. There were no other relatives or extended members.

This made the Valentine Dukedom one of the smallest noble houses in population, yet they still carried the authority of a Duke rank, and were the third wealthiest noble house in the kingdom.

Soft murmurs filled the streets as several pedestrians tried to spot one particular carriage among the line.

"Look. That one," a woman in a yellow robe whispered.

She knelt down on the ground instantly, her head lowered out of pure respect.

One by one, other robed pedestrians followed her. Their eyes shone with disbelief and unwavering devotion.

A crimson red carriage appeared in the procession.

The Blood Tower crest was engraved on both its sides.

Its design was older, more ancient, and it naturally stood out among the rest with its cold and dignified reputation.

That carriage was rarely ever seen outside the tower itself, since it chose its new Tower Head.

Veronica Valentine.

To many, she was a shut in.

A born calamity in human form who preferred silence over presence, and presence over attention.

Yet today, her carriage rode openly among the Valentines, and the people could not help but bow their heads.

Some raised their heads and tried to peek inside the carriage, to get a look of the Tower head. They of course didn't see her, but they saw a boy with black hair by the window.

"...?"

"Who is that?"

A teenage girl asked her father, "I think I have seen him before."

Her father looked at the boy, to see who she was pointing at. And when he saw the face, and those eyes, he recalled today's new headline.

[The Return of the Light Messiah. Leon Valentine Awakens the Mythical Affinity.]

Her father's eyebrows twitched, as he subconsciously said, "Leon Valentine?"

The girl gasped softly. "The one with Light affinity?"

Her father pointed at the red carriage. "Yes. That's him."

People around them overheard the words and murmurs spread even faster.

Some looked at the carriage with widened eyes, some glanced at Leon with disbelief, and some even bowed deeper, as if afraid the boy might notice them.

Inside the carriage, Leon rested his cheek against his palm, staring out of the window without much interest.

He did not notice the stares. Or rather, he did not bother acknowledging them.

The crimson carriage continued to move at a steady pace, escorted by the other golden eyed emblem carriages.

The crowd parted automatically, as though the street itself had opened a path for House Valentine.

Several yellow robed priests whispered prayers as the carriage passed them.

"Blessed by the moon. Blessed the lady."

More whispers followed.

"I heard the princess declared her support for him."

"Is he really that strong?"

"He looks so calm… almost like a noble already."

"Yes yes, he looks so handsome. I want him."

"Hey, shut it, you will get hunted by princess Eula."

"Wait, what?"

— — —

Inside the carriage, Leon tried his best to ignore all the stares and murmurs, but because his hearing was enhanced, he could hear all of it, as if it were being whispered right next to his ears.

(A/N: All of his senses got enhanced after consuming Drop of Limitless the second time.)

Leon shifted slightly, adjusting his glasses.

Beside him, Layla peeked through the other window, amazed by how many people knelt as they passed.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Layla was joyful.

Veronica sat across from them, one leg on top of another, with her eyes closed. Just next to her, Ren was seated.

He was nervous and couldn't even meet Leon's gaze. He felt as if Leon would beat him up if he even dared to say a little hello.

Layla leaned closer to the window again. "People are kneeling everywhere. This feels kind of unbelievable."

Leon gave her a sideways glance. "Of course they are amazed. Our dear sister's carriage is a rare sight."

Layla scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Come on now. Sister Veronica hardly gets time to roam around."

Leon folded his arms slowly. "Oh really now."

Veronica opened one eye and looked at him with an expression that could only be called offended confidence.

"All those documents will not sign themselves. I have work to do."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Strange. I heard other Tower Heads get plenty of free time."

Veronica scoffed. "They are just bumps. Stacking all their work on their poor maids and assistants."

Layla broke into a small laugh. "Hehe, sister, that sounds exactly like you insulting an entire division."

Veronica ignored that and shifted her attention to Leon.

She pointed outside with her chin. "Forget about me. Look at them... All those ladies were practically eyeing you with that expression of love."

Leon looked out lazily.

"Well what can I do? I am handsome."

Layla almost choked on her breath. "Guh, how are you not embarrassed saying that."

Leon turned to her with a blank look. "Why? Am I wrong."

Layla flinched. "Huh. N-no. I did not say that."

Leon smirked a little, then shifted his gaze toward the boy sitting stiffly beside Veronica.

Ren had been silent the entire time, with his hands on his knees, back straight as if he was trying not to draw attention.

Leon narrowed his eyes. "Why are you so quiet?"

Ren jolted. "W-what."

"Do not be quiet. Say something," Leon said.

Ren's eyes shook and he nodded quickly. "Y-yes, big brother Leon."

Leon stared at him for a moment longer, almost amused by his behaviour.

Ren swallowed nervously and added in a tiny voice, "I… I am really excited today."

Layla muffled a laugh. "Hey, don't be nervous. He won't eat you."

Leon simply adjusted his glasses and said, "Layla is correct, why would you be so nervous?"

Ren's shoulder stiffened, "I am… really not."

Leon signed and examined him once again. "Well, as long as you bring me that Elven core. I won't be a bother to you again, and who knows, I might even teach you a new technique."

"Yes! I won't break our duel promise."

Veronica was listening to their conversation, with unbothered eyes. She had no role to play in between their bet. Ren lost, and it was his responsibility to fulfill the bet.

As they chatted.The carriage finally halted after fifteen minutes.

The guards stepped forward and opened the door. Layla was the first to hop outside, followed by Ren. Leon stepped out next, and Veronica walked out last.

The moment her heel touched the stone ground, a loud drum echoed across the cathedral courtyard. An entire orchestra followed it with a rising ceremonial tone that made the air tremble.

Several priests and attendants marched forward in perfect formation, chanting in unison at the top of their lungs.

"All hail the moon. All hail Lady Veronica."

"All hail the moon. All hail Lady Veronica."

Their voices shook the space around them with reverence.

Veronica stood still, calm and untouchable, draped in her long black coat. Beneath it, she wore her white and red dress, paired with red high-heeled sandals that clicked sharply against the floor.

She accepted the chants with natural ease.

As the chosen Tower Head of Silvermoon, she held the highest authority in every Silvermoon cathedral in the world. Priests and workers treated her as if she were the Silvermoon's messenger itself.

They all thought: If Veronica was pleased, Silvermoon was pleased.

Leon watched her with a mixture of pride and envy.

Even though he was standing right here, with his Light affinity awakened and a princess supporting him publicly, he did not come close to the level of reverence his sister received.

Veronica raised her hand, and the chant died instantly.

Soon, a man stepped forward from the cathedral doors. He looked no older than his early thirties, with long blond hair and green eyes, and wearing a yellow-and-white bordered robe.

On his head rested a pope-like hat, and in his hand he carried a metal staff crowned with a celestial-shaped white ruby.

He bowed deeply to Veronica.

"We are blessed to have you here, my lady."

Then his gaze shifted toward Leon.

A faint smile formed on his lips as he lowered his head again.

"Master Leon. It is an honor to meet you."

Leon blinked slowly.

'Why is he greeting me like that?'

Then he remembered.

'Wait. Don't tell me he sensed Silvermoon's blessing on me?'

It could be possible.

Leon adjusted his glasses and nodded calmly, pretending the attention did not affect him.

"It is good to see you as well, High Priest Luthan. Despite your age, you look rather young."

Luthan chuckled with a soft, dignified voice.

"Oh my. I am honored. It is nothing but a blessing from our Lady."

Leon smiled faintly.

High Priest Luthan, regardless of his youthful appearance, was a man older than eighty years.

He looked younger than Leon's own father because he too carried Silvermoon's blessing, just like Leon.

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