31st March, Easica Year 10291.
In truth, today was the New Year for the Peral Kingdom and the other four kingdoms.
Although most people celebrate New Year according to the Easica Calendar, some still follow the old tradition and celebrate the local New Year. There were rumors about the surrounding kingdoms speaking a completely different language and following different cultures and customs long ago.
But due to the influence of the Light Church and the imposition of Easica's common language among the local citizens by the Royal Families, the native language was soon forgotten by its people. It then disappeared from the annals of time itself.
It was around 6 A.M.
Abium woke up early in the morning and started getting ready for the upcoming title-bestowing ceremony.
First, he washed his face and headed to the bathroom to take a bath. After twenty minutes, he walked out of the bathroom, moved towards the wardrobe, and picked up a half-sleeved brown shirt, black pants, and a black overcoat.
Then, he wore them one by one, moved towards the side shoe rack, and picked up a pair of leather shoes.
After putting the shoes on, he wore the black robe over his overcoat and even attached the golden badge to his chest.
"All set." He muttered solemnly, took out a silver pocket watch from his space ring, and flipped open the outer case.
'It's 6.55 A.M.' He quietly closed the outer case and put it in his pocket. After that, he walked out of his room, walked to the first floor through the bifurcated staircase, and left the mansion building.
Just as he had expected, Baron Auguinare and his disciple Richard stood outside the building's entrance and seemed to be waiting for him. Currently, Baron Auguinare wore a military-type dress instead of any luxurious cloth and even placed a sheathed long sword on his waist.
"You are late," Baron said solemnly, noticing Abium's arrival, and turned his gaze towards Richard.
"Go and bring the carriage, Richard." He added.
Meanwhile, Richard nodded in a hurry and ran towards the carriage house.
Within a few seconds, he returned with a horse-drawn carriage. It was a heavy vehicle, pulled by four horses, and it provided seating for six passengers on the inside.
As soon as the carriage drew closer to them, Baron took a step forward, moved towards the door, and opened it with a click. Then he walked inside and sat down comfortably.
Meanwhile, Abium also stepped inside and sat on the front seat.
At that moment, Baron Auguinare closed the door from inside and said,
"Start the carriage."
"Yes, Teacher."
Richard whipped the horses and started driving the carriage out of the mansion.
…
Royal Palace, Royal Street, Nobles' Borough.
It was around 8. A.M.
Upon arriving at the Royal Place, the carriage quietly entered the front yard. Richard soon drove the carriage toward the right and parked it under the shadow of a tree. At that moment, many carriages were parked everywhere, and the yard looked crowded.
"Let's go, Abium," Baron spoke as he stepped out of the carriage and adjusted his dress.
Meanwhile, Abium walked behind him and looked at the surroundings with curiosity.
'Although I've come to this place many times, I never had any time to look at the beauty of this garden.' His eyes were drawn to the nearby ornamental trees, plants, and vines.
After a swift glance, he hurriedly turned his gaze towards the front and started chasing after Baron.
Both soon walked past many nobles' carriages and horses and moved towards the white-painted dome-shaped building.
Although a few Royal Knights stopped them along the way, Baron Auguinare showed his noble seal and sent them away. The duo then entered the palace building, walked past many halls and passages, and soon arrived in front of a three-meter tall metallic gate.
At that moment, the gatekeeper gave Baron a respectful bow, opened the throne hall's door with both hands, and announced loudly.
"Baron Auguinare Foreling, governor of the Dust Gate Town is entering the Throne Hall!" His voice was loud and clear, echoed in every corner of the hall.
Although a few nobles and some administrative officers glanced at them from inside, they soon shifted their gaze toward the golden throne and remained in their seats in silence.
Meanwhile, Abium and Baron quietly stepped forward and entered the Throne Hall.
'It's the first time I'm entering this Throne Hall.' Abium muttered inwardly and looked around.
The entire hall was split in half by a ruby rug. Round banners with gilded sigils cover parts of the walls. In front of each banner stand several tapers of various sizes, almost all of them lit, thus illuminating the murals below.
Tinted glass windows are framed by veils painted the same ruby as the banners. The curtains have been embellished with jewels and gilded linings.
At the front was a golden throne, seated on an elevated platform. The arm regions were adorned with redbird symbols and looked impressive. As Abium entered the throne hall, he saw many chairs on the sides, and people were already seated.
Both moved to the right side and sat on the corner seats.
For the next few minutes, the hall remained silent.
A few minutes later, a loud horn came from the Throne Hall's entrance, followed by the gatekeeper's announcement.
"Our Honorable King of the Peral Kingdom, Sewallus Lockridge enters the Throne Hall!"
Just as he ended his words, the thick iron gate made a screeching noise and opened from outside.
Then, a fifty-year-old man with blonde hair stepped onto the red-carpeted floor and started walking towards the golden throne. He had an oval face, thin eyebrows, and deep-set brown eyes. He wore golden silk clothes, a red gem-embedded crown, and looked more like an emperor!
Meanwhile, everyone quickly rose from their seats and looked at the blonde-haired man.
Then, they all bent their waists and bowed their heads in unison.
"Greetings, my vassals!"
The King spoke as he arrived near the throne, stepped on the silver dais, and soon arrived in front of the golden throne.
Then, he turned his face towards the nobles and sat on the Iron Throne. King Sewallus didn't introduce himself after that and got straight to his subject.
"'Cough' Now, I would like to finish this ceremony sooner. Everyone has to prepare for the upcoming banquet, right?" King Seawalus asked in a weary tone and turned his gaze towards the black-robed mage who stood on his right side.
Meanwhile, the black-robed mage bowed his head towards the King, took out a grey scroll from his space ring, and gave it to him.
"Mage Zivior told me to give this to you, Your Majesty!" He added in a solemn tone.
"Oh?" King Sewallus raised his eyebrows in surprise, opened the scroll with both hands, and read it quietly.
Two minutes later, he rolled the scroll, placed it on the throne's arm, and spoke in an authoritative tone.
"Mage Abium. Please come forward."
Simultaneously, King Sewallus took out a badge that had a symbol of a firebird from his pocket and shifted his attention towards the front.
Meanwhile, Abium got up from his seat and made his way to the front in a hurry.
Once he arrived near the throne's steps, he quietly knelt on the ground and greeted the King.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Meanwhile, King Sewallus extended his right hand and spoke in the same authoritative manner.
"Stand up."
As Abium stood up, King Sewallus gave him a deep look and showed a surprised expression.
"Oh? A Royal Elf, huh? I didn't know that an elf was studying at the academy." He deliberated for a moment and asked.
"Mage Abium. In the name of First King Theodric Lockridge Godefrey, are you willing to become the Noble Lord of the kingdom and protect the poor and innocents? Are you willing to serve the Royal Family and protect the kingdom for the rest of your life?"
Just as he asked the questions, an invisible oppressive aura came out from the King and spread in all directions.
He felt some mysterious force affecting his body and even influencing his inner thoughts to bow his head.
'It's the Aura of Dominance. Only a ruler can get this skill.' Azolla said in his mind.
Meanwhile, Abium nodded his head stiffly and muttered.
"I'm willing, Your Majesty!"
King Sewallus smiled as he heard those words and spoke in a booming voice.
"Good! I hereby grant you the title of Baron of the Peral kingdom, elevating your status from commoner to noble." He paused for a moment and further ordered.
"Choose a suitable house name, young elf."
'House name?' Abium couldn't help but feel surprised inside.
'Pick Lufiel as your house name.' At that moment, Azolla spoke in his mind.
'Isn't it the Elven Royal Family name?' At that moment, Abium recalled the young princess who escaped from the Star Tower before the Demon God's invasion and created a Kingdom for the surviving elves on the mainland.
'Princess Lusserina Lufiel… She was the seventh princess of the Ancient Elven Royal Family.'
After a slight hesitation, Abium took a deep breath and spoke.
"I chose 'Lufiel' as my household name, Your Majesty."
"Lufiel?"
In response, King looked deeply at Abium while others looked puzzled.
After a short silence, King Sewallus let out a booming laugh and asked.
"Hahaha! Tell me, young elf. Where did you hear that name?"
'He knew about the Ancient Royalty name?'
Abium got a bit startled and reacted quickly.
"I heard it from my teacher, Your Majesty. If that name is not to your liking, I will choose another one." He didn't hesitate a single moment and lied fluently.
On the other hand, King Sewallus suddenly raised his hand and shook his head.
"Don't! You see, that name once belonged to an ancient elven royal family, young elf. But after the Elven Empress's death, the name itself became a myth." He deliberated for a moment and then added in a solemn tone.
"If it is your wish, so be it. From now on, your household name will be named Lufiel."