Chapter 209 A Celebration

At least—

Not everyone could see through him.

Soon they reached the entrance of the Villa.

As they stepped inside—

The interior of the Villa unfolded before them.

It was massive.

A fusion of ancient grandeur and sci-fi technology, like a secret castle built for a ruler beyond time.

Glowing circuits ran along the walls, pulsing with faint energy. Hovering orbs illuminated the vast hall. The floors gleamed like polished obsidian, reflecting the towering pillars that stretched toward the ceiling.

Crowds filled the space.

Some faces were familiar. Many were not.

Max's gaze swept across the room.

He immediately recognized the leaders of the five major guilds—each standing with their own geniuses.

On the other side—

The Thorne Family. The Ashford Family.

From the Blade Family, he spotted Emily and Allen—the only ones he knew.

But from the Evernight Family—

No one.

The moment Phoenix Order Guild entered—

All eyes turned toward them.

Silence settled over the room.

"Haha! If it isn't Nephew Max!"

A hearty laugh echoed through the hall.

Ralph, the leader of the Thorne Family, strode forward, his face beaming with joy.

His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked at Max.

Once, he had believed Max would surpass his sister Freya.

But reality had exceeded expectations—

Max hadn't just surpassed her.

He had left her in the dust and become the strongest genius of the continent.

Max met his gaze, offering a polite nod.

A subtle exchange.

Barely noticeable—

But Aurelia caught it.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

A faint frown crossed her face.

"Aurelia, you were warned to cut ties with Max, yet here you are—disobeying the orders of the Young Monarch."

A cold, blaming voice rang out.

Norton Blade.

The leader of the Blade Family stepped forward, his long white hair flowing behind him, his broad frame exuding authority. His solemn expression was carved with displeasure.

"If you wish for your guild to be erased from Valora Continent, so be it."

His sharp gaze bore into Aurelia.

"But your defiance doesn't just endanger the Phoenix Order. It threatens the entire East Region. If you continue this recklessness, you might just ignite a war with the Central Region."

A tense silence followed his words.

Then—

Aurelia's face darkened.

She sneered. "You don't need to tell me what to do."

Her voice dripped with contempt.

Just then—

"Aurelia, don't be stupid."

Another voice joined in.

Kheonne.

The leader of the Evernight Family—the only female among the Four Super Families—stepped forward.

Her long blue hair, purple clothing made her look—

Beautiful. Regal. Dangerous.

Her tone was sharp, laced with warning.

"A war is already looming. The moment the Young Monarch steps out of seclusion, it could erupt."

She narrowed her eyes.

"But at this rate, with your recklessness, it could happen tomorrow."

Aurelia turned to her, expression cold, voice even colder.

"Stakes? I know them better than you. So why don't you shut up now?"

Kheonne's eyes flashed.

Her teeth clenched.

Aurelia had just disrespected her—in front of everyone.

"I think we should all calm down."

Ralph's voice cut through the tension.

His usual warmth remained, but beneath it—there was an undeniable edge.

"As for Max… he has a month. Let the Phoenix Order Guild and him decide what they want to do."

Then—

His gaze shifted.

Cold. Sharp.

He looked straight at Norton and Kheonne.

"You two should focus on your own affairs."

A heavy silence followed his words.

On the side—

Garrison Ashford watched the scene unfold, amusement flickering in his eyes.

As if none of this concerned him.

Max listened, his expression unreadable.

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But in his mind—

His gaze turned cold.

'The Evernight Family… just like the Blades, another pack of the Monarch's dogs.'

A silent sneer curled within him.

Clap! Clap!

A sudden slow, deliberate applause echoed through the hall.

Then—

A voice, smooth yet laced with amusement.

"So the East is still the same old East, hehe."

A middle-aged man appeared before them.

Everyone turned.

Expressions sharpened. Backs straightened.

And then—

Almost instantly, all except the leaders of the Five Major Guilds and the Four Super Families spoke in unison—

"East welcomes the Envoy!"

The man chuckled lightly, nodding at them.

"Hehe, the people of the East… always the kindest of all regions I've visited."

His smile was faint.

Yet his presence—

Unshakable.

Max observed the man carefully.

Red hair. Full-body gray armor. A flowing cape.

A warrior stepping straight out of legend.

'He looks like a man on a mission.'

Max mused, a hint of amusement in his gaze.

Then, the man spoke, his voice smooth yet commanding.

"I appreciate your warm welcome, but as you all know, I am here for two things."

His smile was easy—yet his presence weighed heavy.

"First, the selection of geniuses from this continent to travel to the Lost Continent."

His eyes swept over the gathered crowd.

"Like every year, this task falls to me—Lucas Vanitas, the Envoy of the Lost Continent—to officiate."

Then—

He turned, his grin widening as he faced the leaders of the Four Super Families and the Five Major Guilds.

"I hope you've gathered enough battle coins this time."

A challenge.

A reminder.

And an expectation.

Max's eyes gleamed.

Battle points.

He had often wondered—how did collecting battle coins determine a faction's entry into the Lost Continent?

Now—

He understood.

It all went to the Envoy.

The number of passes depended entirely on the amount collected.

Max's fingers tapped lightly against his side, his mind racing.

'What does the Lost Continent do with all these battle coins?'

A question with no clear answer.

But one thing was certain—

This system wasn't just about selecting geniuses.

There was something more.

"Alright, since you've all come to welcome me, it's only right that I celebrate with you."

Envoy Lucas smiled.

In the next instant—

Trays of champagne glasses floated down as if by magic, each one landing gently before the guests.

He raised his own glass, his gaze sweeping over the room.

"Let's hope our cooperation goes as smoothly as some of our past dealings. And of course—"

His smile widened, a hint of something deeper behind it.

"We definitely don't want a repeat of last time… so, a toast to that as well."

A brief silence.

Then—

A collective cheer.

Glasses clinked. Conversations resumed. The atmosphere shifted, turning lighter as guests indulged in their drinks.

Max seeing that became increasingly curious about one thing.

'How does this wine taste?'

Max reached for a glass.

But before his fingers could close around it—

Smack!

Aurelia slapped his hand away.

Her glare was sharp, her tone firm. "You're underage."

Max blinked, then shrugged. "It doesn't matter. My body won't be affected."

"Doesn't matter."

Her glare intensified. A silent warning.

Max sighed, pulling his hand back.

Instead, he turned his gaze to the others—

Laughing. Drinking. Enjoying themselves.

He exhaled.

'Tch. Fine.'

Then suddenly—

"I will beat you next time."

A quiet voice sounded behind Max.

He recognized it instantly.

Without even turning, he already knew who it was.

Amelia.

Max turned, meeting her determined gaze.

His lips curled into a smile.

"And when is the next time?"

Amelia's eyes shone with confidence.

"When we're in the Lost Continent, I will challenge you again."

Her tone was unwavering.

"And this time—I will defeat you."

Max chuckled, nodding.

"I'll accept your challenge anytime, anywhere."

His smile remained.

Then—

"Oh? You seem very confident."

A voice cut in.