This sucks.

It really does.

I mean, it doesn't have to.

But it does.

I wore a stylish black suit with white highlights that actually looked good on me. It was also really expensive, took two months to complete, and was my first and only piece of ball-wear.

WHY DO I HAVE TO BLOW IT UP?

It was 5 pm, an hour left until the ball, and Hugo was helping me get dressed. Although he seemed stuck up at first, Hugo became very nice to me over the past five years. He taught me a lot, from current affairs to etiquette and language, and surprisingly for such an old man, he had quite a sense of humor.

"Young master, you must take dressing up seriously! You must look smart and handsome today. After all, many famous ladies will be attending, right? Although I can only name a handful that you may recognize, there will be hundreds of young ladies from whom you could find someone interesting hidden amongst. Maybe even the other way around! Your figure and face are already very well-defined. I'm sure you'll grow up to be as handsome as me!" Hugo blabbered as he buttoned my waistcoat.

I laughed out loud at the last joke, and he too smiled outwardly.

"Thank you, sir Hugo," I said.

Mother told me once that back when she first met Father, Hugo had been a famous blue-core knight who had sworn an oath to loyally serve him. Despite appearing thin and weak now, the sixty-year-old butler was a strong opponent that even a green-core knight shouldn't underestimate.

It seemed rather anti-climactic that such a great man was now fussing over a stray lock of hair on my head.

But looking at a mirror, I must say, he was right.

I wasn't necessarily a lady-killer in my past life but I wasn't that bad looking (apart from the many scars on my face). But even though this body was only ten years of age, he put my old body to shame.

The starved orphan with visible bones was now a fit and toned young man. It was mostly due to my nightly training, but the good food helped as well. My previous body was heavily scarred with burns and wounds from my life as a soldier (and as a slave before that), so it was never fit or fully able to make use of itself.

But this body was different. With the mana-training I did every night and the high growth potential of being a child, I was able to make full use of the strength in my muscles. I wasn't particularly buff or big, just really really healthy. And that was something I could never make use of previously.

When Hugo finally concluded adding the finishing touches to my appearance, it was almost time to begin.

He guided me out of my room, and down the corridor, towards the hall where I was told the guests had all gathered. It may have been due to the gathering of many nobles, but every part of the house has some of the duke's men standing guard, all on alert for potential threats. It was to the extent that I got somewhat worried about what would happen when I awaken. It's gonna sound like a fricking bomb. I hope I don't get executed.

When we were just before the entrance to the reception hall, we made a sharp left turn and stopped in front of a wooden door I had never seen before, blocked by two armed guards.

"His Majesty is inside with your father. Please be respectful." Hugo whispered and left.

The guards both wore glorious armor, with the imperial coat of arms branded on the front. They each had a long spear and a shiny shield that also bore the emblem, which meant they were royal guards and at least green-core knights. They waited until Hugo had left, before opening the door, and letting me in.

I had never before used the room they led to, and as I entered, I noticed it was very well-lit. A majestic chandelier hung brightly in the center, and below it, a round table with three chairs, two of which were occupied. There was also a fireplace in one corner and a piano in another. A large wooden door which I assumed led to the banquet hall was blocked by another pair of knights.

I immediately kneeled as the door behind me closed.

"I, Mesgen Josepy Van Kim, greet the shining sun of our land, the emperor. It is an honor to be graced with your presence." I hadn't yet seen the emperor, but I instinctively knew which of the two seated individuals he was. His very soul was like an echo of Sir Regil, and his presence was very powerful.

"No need to be so formal, dear nephew. It has been too long since we last met. Take a seat." A blond, clean-shaven man gestured to the empty seat. I followed his command and joined them at the table. He was a broad-shouldered man of good height, not quite as big as his brother, with a face that resembled his ancestor closely. He seemed handsome at first glance and much younger than his true age, which were definitely great features for politicians. But the most defining feature about him was the bright streak of braided red hair that began from above his forehead and spun down behind his shoulders. It was much longer than the rest of his hair and was very eye-catching, as it stood out against the light blond.

But the main reason it drew my attention was that the unique lock of hair was a feature that two of the three greatest swordsmen in history had. It was the birthmark of a true descendant of a higher-being. It was the birthmark of a warrior that even the prideful draconians worshipped. It was the birthmark borne by the great knights Gamon and Gamiese Karr, the sons of the dragon lord Vulcan Karr. And it was a symbol of our undying will to protect.

The first was flame-gunner Sir Regil Kim who became Emperor Regil Kimaron and died of old age.

The second was the god-caster Gamon Karr who died after an honorable last stand at the Battle of Hirunika,

And lastly, me... the star-striker Gamiese Karr, the first white-frame mana-user who died taking down a warlock.

It seemed I stared at it for too long as the emperor ran his hand through his hair and laughed.

"I was born with it," he said "Not even magic could hide it, and to be honest, I'm embarrassed to say I don't know why I have it. Do you find it distracting?"

"No, your majesty. I wouldn't dare."

"My lord, it is now time for us to begin. Shall we head to the ballroom? We can continue this discussion at a later time." the duke said to his brother, glancing at a timepiece.

"Yes, of course, brother. I'll speak with you later, Mesgen. I wish you a very happy birthday." The emperor pat my head and rose.

"Thank you, your majesty!" I replied.

The two knights guarding the door moved aside and pulled it open to reveal the ballroom. We were at the top of a grand set of stairs with the gathered guests waiting below. The emperor exited first, with Father behind him, and I followed them out cautiously.

From in front of the tall figures before me, I could hear the crowd below falling into silence as a voice introduced us.

"His royal majesty, the emperor has entered!" A knight called out as everyone in the room bowed respectfully.

"Please raise your heads, everyone," Harman Van Kimaron smiled, "I am not the center of tonight's proceedings, so please continue sir knight."

"Yes, of course, your majesty. Now, introducing the patriarch of the Kimaron family, his excellency, Duke Arman Van Kim." The knight continued his introduction to the quiet crowd.

"And lastly, coming of age today, the star of tonight's celebration, the eldest son of the Kim family, the young master Mesgen Josepy Van Kim!"

I breathed a deep breath and stepped forward.