In the a.s.sembly hall, Kyon took a seat in the place easy to overlook. He had a good view of the main table where Juno would sit at the head. His primary goal was to be an observer.

The courteous waiters were serving delicious treats, the musicians were getting ready to play. The guards awaited guests.

The first people who entered the hall were admiring the decor. It's not every day you see luxury at its finest, worthy of a first-rank family.

Kyon noticed all the guests had a badge on their chest that showed to which family they belonged and what rank they had. It is convenient to be able to determine the status and affiliation of the person you talk to.

The boy took out the token of the 3rd rank in the Stone family he'd acquired from the unlucky killers (Makar and Sicily) and put it on his chest.

Meanwhile, there were more and more people in the hall.

Young people shook their hands and took seats. The Stones were seated closer to the main table with Juno at the head, the Browns were a little further away, and the Romanovs even further. Everyone was seated according to the ranks in the kingdom.

By a simple visual a.n.a.lysis, Kyon determined that only people of the 4th and higher rank from the top ten families were invited to the party. However, he had not noticed a single person of the 2nd rank from other families. It confirmed his guess that the kingdom looked down at that party. n.o.body from the Grands (0) had arrived. In obedience to the patriarch's order, the most powerful young Stones had appeared, including the descendants of pure blood (the children of the elders). Their red-ruby token mesmerised with its s.h.i.+ny beauty. Crowds of people gathered around them to greet and compliment the eminent personalities.

Those descendants of pure blood looked like proud eagles with high morality and manners. The elders, their fathers, have tremendous power and influence in the family. Everyone is afraid to offend the descendants of pure blood. They are incredibly rich, born with a golden diaper on the a.s.s, brought up and trained according to the best traditions of the family.

A dark-haired young man of 19 years old entered the hall, a ruby token on his chest. He was athletically built and handsome. Next to him was a guy with a similar token.

«Welcome Mr. Lee!» … « How was your trip?» … «You s.h.i.+ne brighter than anyone! So happy to see you!» … «Thank you for coming! Without you, this party won't take place» … «I have no doubt, today you will be the king! I am ready to bet all my money for your victory!» - The crowd exclaimed joyfully, glorifying the n.o.ble young man.

His companion, whose name was Eric, couldn't escape the attention, either. The elegantly dressed young man of 18 years old inspired respect at first glance. The guests could feel his aura of n.o.bility.

«Thank you, my friends. The trip was great, with no accidents. No need to worry... You are all very kind.» - Lee replied politely.

No doubt, he was the most revered guest in the hall. The guys looked at him with awe, the girls flirted at the first opportunity. It was everyone's dream to get to know the influential grandson of the elder.

Lee was not originally a descendant of pure blood. His father was no elder, only his grandfather. With each generation, if you do not qualify, the rank drops. The most amazing fact about Lee: he could pa.s.s the qualification even without reaching the n.o.ble phase! That's why he was respected the most among the younger generation.

Kyon understood from the conversations that Lee is the guy who has outstanding power among the young Stones and is a respected member of the family. The best masters, as well as father and grandfather, make every effort to nurture a strong warrior in him. As a result, he has the highest development and excellent skills.

However, Kyon remembered that Grandpa Lee was Elder Boe, one of the most influential people among the Stones. This fact makes things clear and explains how it happened that the fellow didn't have to reach the n.o.ble phase to qualify for a descendant of pure blood. It would be great to make friends with him.

His friend Eric is second in strength in the young Stone generation. His mother died, but the rank remained. Kyon wasn't interested much in him as he had no influential father or mother.

Kyon's eyes flashed, he saw another elder's daughter!

A girl approached Lee, Eric, and the brown-noses. She had a red token on her chest.

Everyone parted to let her pa.s.s.

«This is Ms. Stephanie! She is the third in power! The best girl I've ever known! If only she noticed me…» - Somebody whispered.

«She's cold as always... I love her! I want to be as strong and confident as she is.»

Stephanie said:

«Lee, my condolences about the loss of your aunt. Bilya was a good doctor. I'm sure she saved a lot of lives. What monster dared do this to her?»

Lee closed his eyes, sighed and turned away. «Stephanie, don't. I didn't know her well. But if I have the chance to find her killer I will do my best to cause justice to triumph.»

Everyone became gloomy. The latest news was that someone brutally stabbed one of Elder Boe's daughters while she working with a client! What a blasphemy to kill a doctor! That's what everyone around Lee thought.

Only Kyon was jubilant at the gray table. He was happy to get rid of the ravening s.a.d.i.s.t. {Apparently, it was Yegorka who killed her. Your b.a.l.l.s were worth it, young fellow.}

Stephanie said:

«Rumor has it that Mr. Flitz, some nameless guy, and Yegorka had an appointment that day. Flitz and the unknown boy had left the hospital before the tragedy but no one saw Yegorka leave. Perhaps the elders' favorite boy was somehow involved…»

«Yegorka? That little b.a.s.t.a.r.d?!» - Lee asked angrily and looked at those around him. - «Let me know if you see Yegorka today. I'll find out everything from him. Justice must triumph!»

Everyone nodded in agreement. Some enthusiasts had already gone to scour every corner of the mansion in search of the notorious Yegorka. He could not have stayed out. The patriarch himself had ordered everyone to come. Those who knew his friends, Makar and Sicily, began to look for them, too. But in the end, everyone was in for a big disappointment.

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Kyon smiled. It seemed that his sworn enemy wasn't going to live long. So much the better - one problem less for him. It's better to dispose of dangerous enemies at once. Juno and Dinah fell into that category. He found a good use for the sly fox, but he had yet to settle the question with the maid. And with Yegorka as well, only he had cowardly fled.

Kyon noticed people from the Brown family (2). One of the young men left his family circle and walked confidently to the table where Lee was sitting. He was wearing a white uniform with a token of the 2nd-rank that depicted a furious tiger - the coat of arms of the Browns.

It turned out that there was an outsider with the 2nd rank. His means that his father or mother have the 1st rank, that is, someone of them is the elder. Of course, you can get the rank after the qualification, only you need development of the 4th phase. Therefore, he'd had his rank from the day he was born.

«Greetings, Mr. Lee. My name is Tsayan.»

There was confusion in Lee's eyes when he shook the young man's hand with a polite smile.

«Oh, you don't know me. I'm Kiyan Brown's brother, the youngest son of Elder Stephen Brown.»

«Kiyan?! The very Kiyan?!» … «Oh my G.o.d, how is this possible?!» - The surprised onlookers shouted.

Everyone knew that Kiyan was the 2nd most powerful fighter in the Brown family. There were a lot of different rumors about his power. His fame surpa.s.sed Lee's.

Lee smiled, carefully hiding amazement on his face. «Glad to meet you, Tsayan. Where is your brother?»

«He has better things to do.» - replied Tsayan.

The Stones felt uncomfortable. Everyone understood what ridiculous prestige this party had. There was not a single outsider of the 2nd rank, except Tsayan.

«I see. Tell your esteemed brother that I won't lose to him at the family tournament.» - said Lee with an icy voice.

«Of course, I will.» - The young man replied, his voice a bit mocking. Then he returned to the Browns and was immediately surrounded. He seemed to be the most reputable Brown to arrive.

Suddenly, the doors to the hall opened loudly.

Two short-haired arrogant boys came inside with insolent smiles on their faces. Both of them were no older than 16 years old. They sported a blue token of the Grand family (0) on their chests, both had the 4th rank. The first guests from the royal family had arrived with an att.i.tude of being the stars of today's event.

All eyes were on them. The orchestra died down and silence reigned. The appearance of the Grands at the "little" party was a surprise.

«Go on, gentlemen. We are no kings to stop the fun because of us.» - One of them said and went to the remarkable table under his number. As expected, the zone for the Grands was empty.

The music continued to play and the servants serve the treats. The guests went about their business, looking with caution at the royal couple.

One of the Grands went up to Lee and shook his hand tight. «Dear Lee, I've been wanting to meet you for a long time. My name is Hong. I am an average member of the royal family. The usual mediocrity. How is your training going?»

Lee's face flushed red. He was about to explode with tension. He said nothing but grunted quietly.

Many guests looked at each other and couldn't understand why the Stone leader was so tense. Was he scared of a Grand?

Finally, Hong released him from his iron handshake.

Lee groaned and hid his injured hand in the pocket pretending that nothing had happened.

«Glad to meet you, Mr. Hong. Everything's all right. I'm developing little by little. How are you doing?» - Lee smiled politely.

«I'm great! My elder brother was just like you at the age of 13. He was also in the middle of the superior phase and was always training. You are of the same age now, and I'm even afraid to imagine the reason why he refused to attend this grand event!» - Hong finished his loud tirade with a good share of snide.

Some of the Browns giggled malevolently.

The Stones blushed but said nothing. To be at the same stage at the age of 13 as Lee in his 19? To be as strong as the Stones' talent number one at such a young age? At what stage is his development now?

The reason why the elder Grand did not attend the party was clear for everyone. Well, the Stones had to endure the slap. The royal family had always looked down on everyone. It's better not to argue with them. Fools who dare to oppose them do not live long.

«I won't spoil your fun, kids.» - Hong said and went to join his friend at the table with a pleased look on his face.

The Stones breathed a sigh of relief.

Hong and his friend had come to this miserable semblance of a party to humiliate losers, get in the spotlight, find a beauty for the night, and find out what precious Juno tasted like.

Kyon discerned their motive at the first second. {I see... The royal family must be very respected since the sc.u.m of the 4th rank allows themselves this behavior. I wouldn't mind taking advantage of Grand's useful resources.}

However, Kyon was in no hurry to act. First, he needed to explore the situation.