Surya coughed and cleared her throat.

"Thank you, friends, for coming tonight. I hope you all have fun. I know I've been a bit reclusive in recent years, an old hermit hiding in my studio, so before we start. Let me apologize for my irresponsible absence. ”

Sporadic applause echoed Surya's self-deprecating banter. Many guests were indeed interested in why the old wizard had come out of self-exile five years earlier.

"To the young among you, I am the master of the Huang Clan, their patriarch is a plain, talking old scarecrow. ”

He turned his face away and spotted his children in the crowd.

"Close, Helena, come to me. ”

Gwen watched as her uncle and mother emerged from the crowd and stood underneath Surya, who looked through the foyer on the second floor overlooking the expansive living room with a stunning view of the ocean.

"My children, the fruit of my loins. ”

"Father. Guan Yu bowed respectfully.

"Dad. Helena curtsy and the side seams of her skirt cracked distractedly, drawing the eyes of the room.

Surya nodded. Of the two men, he felt sorry for Helena's life. His daughter's beauty, especially in her youth, stood out in all aspects of her life. It gave her great convenience and benefits that made her exhausted. Until now, Helena's beauty inevitably decreases year by year, and she becomes desperate and contemptuous.

"You've done a great job," Surya continued, applauding you for expanding your family's wealth and making it prosperous. ”

The crowd burst into thunderous applause, and almost all of them were friends and accomplices of Guan. The New Year's party had been planned for months, but Kwan only found out two weeks ago that Su Liya wanted to attend. That's why he smiled nervously and played golf with the crowd. Where is this pantomime going? Kwan Yingshan was puzzled. Why did Surya emerge from his reclusive life and become an eccentric artist?

"But," Surya continued, wealth, money, land, crystals, these are the means to an end. ”

The crowd quieted down.

"Look around you. Forget the snacks, forget the drinks in your hands, forget the mansion, forget the view of the harbor. Look - look out there and see why everything matters. ”

The crowd turned. The dark pier is lit with twinkling lights that reflect the softly swaying sea. On the other side of the harbor, there was a thin light on the horizon - a shield barrier.

"Survive! that's all!" Surya raised her voice. "That's the only thing that matters. None of these are any. It's not the house, it's not the wine in your hand, it's not the expensive clothes you have on your back, it's not the money in your pocket – it's our ability that counts

The crowd is confused right now. Is this a good New Year's speech? They're certainly not here to hear the sermon. Is Kwan's father old?

"Survival. "Sulia gritted her teeth and gritted the word Richard, Gwen, Percy, come on. ”

Children gather behind their parents. Gwen could smell her mother's perfume rolling down her like a tidal wave, triggering unpleasant memories in the depths of her consciousness.

"Next generation, my pride and joy. ”

"Grandpa. Richard's legs were slightly apart, his shoulders straight, a bit like a prince's discipline.

"Grandpa. Percy bowed casually, leaning her upper body.

"Opa. Gwen curtsied, crossed one slender white leg over the other, and arched gracefully.

Gwen drew the undivided attention of the crowd. Tall and majestic, her presence provoked a kind of awe. Her natural elegance overwhelms the viewer at first, and then is overcome by a feeling of not believing that something so perfect can exist so closely.

Looking at the crowd, Suriya could read the faces of the people below. Appreciation, jealousy and naked desire, it is clear who is thinking what.

"Survive," Surya repeated sharply, as I was pleased with my grandchildren. Children, tell yourselves to your guests. ”

The guests looked at each other.

Richard is the clear winner, a magician with unfathomable talent. Percy hasn't woken up yet, but he's sure to be someone special. Gwen's recent exposure as a lightning initiator is impressive in its own right.

Richard stepped forward.

"I, Huang Lide, the spell has reached the fifth layer. I'm currently working on my level 1 renunciation signature. My affinity for water is currently 5. ”

The crowd exploded.

"He's a magician!"

"Eighteen years old, not bad at all!"

"Richard, congratulations. ”

"Off, you old dog! Your house is beautiful!"

"Where you're going, lad!"

"Congratulations, Master Huang!"

Surya quieted the crowd.

"Percy, how are you doing?"

Percy looked at his mother, and she nodded conspiratorily.

"Grandpa, I haven't fully realized what I'm capable of, but I can tell you that I do have unique talents. ”

"Oh?" Surya raised her thick eyebrows. "Tell me, my grandson. ”

Percy took a breath, his expression like someone was expecting a vicious blow.

"I have this. Percy spread his hands and passed mana through his body. His face was pale.

Percy's fingers froze.

The crowd is getting closer.

Percy's face turned even paler, and she groaned in pain with each passing second.

An elderly guest picks up a thimble filled with white crystal and rubs it between his fingers.

"Salt!" he spoke in a voice several octaves higher than his normal range. "Percy is a salt mage?!"

As Percy gasped gracefully, the others pinched things as well.

The crowd tasted the salt to verify the man's claim, crushing it with their fingers, feeling it dissipate as the mana spread into the air.

The resulting uproar was even more sensational than Richard's, and the guests immediately praised Kwan and Helena and toasted the family's windfall.

Percy was also endlessly praised by the people in the room, young and old, who were envious and sincere, bathed in moments of victory. His pale cheeks flushed with joy and vanity. For months, he kept the secret at the behest of his mother, but it was all worth it. Gwen glanced at her brother and saw Percy sneaking a glance at her face.

Gwen felt a chill run through her mind as the meaning of salt flashed through her mind.

Percy smiled.

According to Gwen's masters, the salt element is a combination of the negative plane and the horizontal plane. It is a multifunctional element, capable of creating obstacles, shells, and at higher levels, weakens dryness. It is an incomparable element against living things, especially aquatic ones.

What Percy didn't know was that his sister's concern was not herself, but him. Even now, she trembles with fear. Salt is an element, like her Void Spell, that feeds on the life of the user. How could a boy going through puberty burn his energy to perform a fucking show and tell a story?

Gwen gritted her teeth. She wanted to slap her mother. She needs to warn Percy and hold him to her chest.

Gwen looked up at Suliya, her expression conflicted.

"I'm sorry, Gwen. "Looks like I need you to show off more than just your magic," her Opa whispered through a private message spell to show them the potential, but couldn't reveal anything specific. ”

Gwen nodded to Surya, affirming his suggestion.

This small gesture did not escape Helena's hawkeye. Even now, she smiled happily. All she knew was what the old antique was up to, and her son's unique talent had disrupted the old fool's plans. However, what could outweigh her son's unmatched abilities?

Surya coughed a few times and slapped the Oakwood Bannister hard before finally calming the crowd down. They were all now gathered next to Helena and Kwan Yingshan, and Gwen was isolated on the other side of the room.

Kwan isn't excited that Helena's son will one day surpass his own, but Richard now has his accomplishments. Richard is going to a first-tier city. God knows when Percy will be able to do the same.

The volume finally dropped to a low low.

"Finally, we have a family member who may be a stranger to many of you. This is Gwen Song, my first grandson with Helena. Gwen, can you tell us about your talent?"

Gwen turned to the crowd and gave them a dazzling smile.

After two pleasant surprises, the audience's impression of her physical talent dropped significantly. After all, if Gwen just wanted to say that she was a lightning initiator, she would still be the last to die at the trial of the three contenders.

"I'm a level 3 summoner. ”

Golf fans in the crowd applauded and cheered.

When Gwen began to pray, the expectant crowd was confused and confused. Richard recognized her school of magic with relish, grinning as Gwen cast her magic.

"Ariel!"

A bolt of lightning struck the marble floor and turned into a mink, staring lovingly at the crowd.

"Oops, oops, oops!"

Under the onslaught of mana, Ariel grew into its fighting form, transforming into a large, electric mongoose that roared and spat at all over. The stunned audience felt their eyes bulge in their sockets and covered their mouths with their hands, unable to believe it.

"I'm also the third layer of magicians. Gwen snapped her fingers, and a corona erupted from Ariel's body.

"Layer 4 in Lightning. ”

The crowd fell silent.

Gwen retracted Ariel, and the creature returned to her pocket, disappearing from sight with a local thunderclap.

"One last thing......" Gwen tickled the guest's appetite with a little magic.

Gwen held out her hand.

A whip of pure plasma erupted from her hand. She effortlessly swung it overhead, letting its length twist and crackle.

"While this is a work in progress, I already have some control over the transmutation signals. ”

"How is that possible?" blurted out a shrill voice. Gwen was not so happy to see that it was her brother Percy who voiced his doubts. "It must be a hallucination! Grandpa hired a magician!"

Richard stepped forward.

"Any good mage can tell you that Gwen has just demonstrated magic and transfiguration. Don't make yourself any more stupid than you are now, cousin. If you want to take the prince's class, you have to take it. ”

Percy looked as if someone was grabbing him by the throat. In addition to Percy, Helena's face also became colorful, changing from fair to dark.

Richard began to applaud.

Then Surya applauded.

Applause, applause, applause resounded through the living room.

Guests joined in, first one, then a dozen. Soon, everyone was applauding, even Guan Yu and Tali.

Gwen blushed with joy, and her pride became pampered.

The guests at home were ecstatic. They witnessed the rise of a judge. Even in a country as large as Australia, there are fewer than 30 people. Considering Gwen's age, what if she became the master of the tower? their policies determined whether they lived in poverty or prosperity, and their decisions determined who lived and died in the tide of the beast.

In addition to his cousin, Richard was also very happy. Richard couldn't wait for her to graduate so they could take risks together and test their might against unknown forces. With Gwen's versatility, all he needs to do is train his confession signals. That would be glorious. They will be a dynamic combination of magicians!

Seeing her cousin, Gwen gives Richard a warm smile.

Suliya bumps into Bannister again.

"Alright, well, calm down. As you can see, the Huang family is growing. ”

This time, the crowd laughed heartily. Laughter and screams echoed through the vaulted living room.

"Now that we have been properly notified, this is my official decision. Why should I take this opportunity to talk to you? ”

Sura took a deep breath.

"As many of you know, I am first and foremost an artist and secondly a magician. I don't have much interest in maintaining our family. One of the only reasons I'm still the patriarch is that the head of the family must be at least a mage of good standing. ”

"Therefore, I hope to retire from my position as patriarch in the next few years, and I hope to give my estate and power to the young people, so that I can do what I love in the last ten or twenty years. ”

Therefore, my decision was to go with Gwen

"No!" a voice screamed through the hall, interrupting Surya's speech.

It was Helena, Gwen's mother.

She trembled with rage. She couldn't believe her ears. It must be a joke! The family, the manor, should all belong to Helena!Tully tells her that Richard has been chosen to transfer to London and finish his studies at a first-class university. This means that eventually, Kwan will also go to London with his wife. This means that Helena will be the only heir to the family, the only one of her generation who will remain in the country. Then why wasn't she a mage? Who else took it from her?

Her palms were sweaty. The house, Suya's investment, and the rural real estate will one day belong to hers.

And now the old fool wants to give it to Gwen? She saw the way he looked at Gwen. Okay, but not Gwen, not that little viper!

If it's her, Percy, Gwen will get all the resources of the Yellow Clan. After all, this little prostitute has three schools to train, which means that it costs a lot of money. She could see it now, the old antique smiling behind her back, Gwen giggling behind Helena like a hyena.

"You can't do this!" Helena's hazel eyes flashed with fire and anger. "That's not right! I'm going to take you to court! I'm going to challenge you on the tower! No parent can take their children away from their legal inheritance!"

In addition to her sister, Guan Yingshan also agreed. Richard is the heir?well, but how could Gwen steal their resources from nowhere?

"You dare to challenge my decision, Helena?" Sulia muttered dangerously, that maybe I should cancel your inheritance now, but that would disqualify Percy. Would you like to?"

By this time, Percy's face had changed from gray to death. How could he compete with a mage in training? He wasn't even fully awake. When he becomes a mage, Gwen will become a mage. When he becomes a mage, Gwen will become a mage!

Looking at his sister, Percy realized that there was a strange bitter taste in his chest. He gave it a name, and it was jealousy. He came uninvited, wanting to lash out at her, piercing her chest with a pillar of crystal salt.

Richard held up a hand.

"I don't want an inheritance anyway. Well done, Gwen. ”

"Richard!" Kwan exclaimed.

"Son!" Tali said to her lips with her hand.

"It's true. "Richard turned to his parents and I was going to build my own legacy in London. For me, it was much better for Gwen to spend the wealth we had gathered here and then join me to live abroad. Think about it, father, how can Gwen and I fail in London, Shanghai, or New York?"

Kwan knew her son was right. Does he really want to compete with a future judge for something as trivial as wealth? If Gwen or Richard can forge a new path, he will have power and influence, connections and business opportunities for days.

"Richard, take it back......" Tully was still begging her son.

"No," Guan interrupted his wife, and the kid knew what he was doing. ”

"But......" Tully felt cheated.

"Come here. Kwan pulled his wife aside to show that they accepted Suya's decision.

The attention of the crowd shifted back to Helena, who was still battling Gwen. Her husband, Tang Hu, walked up to her to calm her down, but the woman's face was now blue.

"I refuse to accept your frivolous judgments!" Helena growled that she was a song! Richard should be the heir, or we can change Percy's surname, and he can be the heir too!"

Her hysteria only seemed to make Surya more determined.

"Helena, quiet. You can't be an heir because you're good for nothing!" Surya shouted insults, like a punch to her daughter. "If you don't survive, we'll all suffer! We're not safe in the enclave, there's monsters outside, you stupid! Only the best people will survive!"

"You're crazy!" Helena screamed at Suya. "You're old! The Coral Sea War is over! We've been at peace for twenty years! We're not from the eighties, old man! We're living in the New World!"

Suya's brown skin turned purple with anger.

"Opa!" Gwen's voice cried, her voice soft and mellow, full of care, a juxtaposition of the sharp notes of her mother's dagger, don't be so angry, you're so excited. ”

"You!" Helena turned to her daughter. She broke free from her husband's shackles and marched towards Gwen, striding towards her like an Arab dervishe, a storm of emotion roaring with rage.

Gwen's heart rose to her throat.

She extinguishes the bile that may have spilled out of her esophagus and confronts her mother, directing a calming stream of electric mana, giving her eyes a unique quality that makes her feel threatened and controlled.

Her mom stopped an inch away from Gwen. She was about to slap her daughter, but then realized she was going to beat a future judge. As a result of her indecision, Gwen's mother suddenly became paralyzed, and she waited for her husband to come to her side and stop her.

She'll do it another way.

"How could you!" Tears the size of marble welled up in Helena's eyes, as if she were a magician. "I gave you a lot, Gwen! I gave you everything! I bought you the clothes on your back! I gave you the dress you are wearing!"

The sudden change threw Gwen off balance. She had expected a hot slap in the face. Now she doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Her mother was a very talented actress and was too good for her. Does she want to make her feel guilty even in such a situation? Does she think that Suliya has just given a last-minute speech about survival because of PTSD and dementia?

Don's face also turned red, touched by the feelings that his wife poured out. His eyes begged Gwen to give them a reprieve, anything that could stop the pain of this public humiliation. Unfortunately, Gwen could no longer afford this generosity. She didn't want to be gentle and compassionate to a woman she knew was a snake in the grass, a snake woman dressed in human skin, to ruin her great plans for Opa Corporation.

"I promise to pay you back tenfold. "You're going to have more clothes that don't fit, and you don't know what to do," Gwen replied earnestly, I'll still take care of you, Mom. Like you told me, you may not be worthy, but you won't starve. ”

"You!" Helena cried to pieces, and a grief-stricken woman began to cry.

The crowd muttered, their faces red from second-hand embarrassment.

Gwen gritted her teeth.

Surya looked as if she was thinking about taking this daughter down now.

"Enough!" a voice shouted above them.

The crowd thought it was Surya's words, but Gwen knew it wasn't. She was too familiar with that voice, too personal.

Next to Suliya, there was now another gentleman, who looked older, wearing a tweed jacket and a dark blue vest.

Sofina gracefully jumped off the railing on the second floor. It landed in the crowd, wrapping them in trembling autumn leaves, her color changing from crimson and ochre to vivid, vibrant emerald.

Onlookers saw a half-human woman dressed in leaves and flowers hugging Gwen and immediately suffocating her with a dozen kisses, much to the surprise of everyone gathered.

"Oh, I miss you so much!" said Sofina, rubbing Gwen with her cheek, undisguised joy trembling. "That energy! You're more energetic than ever! Oh, I love it. ”

"I can't believe you made me wait in that room for a full thirty minutes," the second speaker said to Suya that I could have had a cucumber sandwich. ”

"I'm sorry, things are getting a little out of hand," Surya apologized. He continued to whine in a low voice. "Who would think that my bloodline has water, salt, lightning and emptiness. What the hell is wrong with my blood? Am I an old Prussian noble?"

The second speaker patted his friend on the shoulder and approached the railing.

"You all know who I am," he said, adding that I had come to be an arbitrator for Master Huang, and that it was my private matter. ”

The crowd knew who was speaking to them and trembled with excitement.

Enchanter.

Legendary war heroes.

Sovereigns in these lands.

He was Henry Kilroy, the mage and master of O'Dookanou Oceania, and the president of the Council of Ten.

"After consulting with the patriarch of the house, I agreed that the decree of Surya as patriarch was sacrosanct, so I took the liberty of verifying it and then recorded his request in the records of the tower. ”

"And, from this moment on, the junior mage known as Gwen Song is under my protection. Any information about her talents is kept strictly confidential".