Chapter 627: Gifts from the Family

Duke Valentine stood up, and so did all the members of Ash.

A moment ago, the entire hall had been filled with people bowing their heads after the Duke lowered his own before the First-Year Children of Ash attending the Royal Academy.

Now that he had risen, the others followed his lead, straightening their backs and returning to their proper standing positions.

Yet, the children remained on one knee.

Their heads were raised, and their attention was fixed on the Duke standing before them.

Some still had the excitement of the Grand First-Year Combat Festival written across their faces, while others were doing their best to maintain a composed expression in front of the elders and nobles surrounding them.

They had fought in the festival, displayed their abilities before the people of Ash, and brought honour to their Family.

For many of them, this was the first time they had received such attention from so many important figures at once.

And now, the Duke himself had bowed to them.

Even after he stood up, the weight of that gesture had not entirely left their minds.

Valentine adjusted his posture before speaking.

His expression remained calm as he looked over the children, allowing the hall to settle before he continued.

"Now, to the bestowing of Gifts."

He raised his right hand slightly, making a small gesture towards the servants waiting at the side.

The servants immediately understood.

The Head of the Servants of Ash, who also served as the Duke’s personal maid, stepped forward first.

She walked with a straight back and an even pace, her uniform neat and free of wrinkles.

Behind her came four butlers and four maids, pushing a trolley loaded with mini space bags prepared for the children who had participated in the Grand First-Year Combat Festival and performed well.

The wheels of the trolley rolled across the floor as the servants approached the First-Year Children of Ash.

Felix glanced at Gareth.

A smug smile appeared on his face, as though he had already guessed what awaited them.

Gareth returned the look with a simple smile.

Unlike Felix, he did not seem interested in making a display of his excitement, but there was no mistaking the anticipation in his eyes.

Nearby, Henry, Bess, Linda, Nickolas, Fay, and Tracy watched the trolley approach.

Their attention moved between the servants and the bags arranged on the tray.

Each of them had their own expectations, and the fact that the Duke had personally announced the bestowing of gifts only made them more eager to see what the Family had prepared.

However, none of them spoke out of turn.

The Head Maid stopped in front of the kneeling children, while the four butlers and four maids halted behind her.

They arranged themselves into their proper positions, standing with their hands held neatly before them.

Not one servant moved unnecessarily.

The Head Maid then turned her attention to the children.

Ezra, meanwhile, had already begun examining the gifts.

His gaze settled on the mini space bags resting on the trolley.

They were much smaller than the Alchemist space bags commonly used for combat and other general purposes.

Those bags were designed to hold a considerable amount of equipment, allowing an Alchemist to carry weapons and other necessities without being burdened by their weight.

These, however, were closer to miniature handbags.

Their compact size was the first thing he noticed, and it immediately raised a question in his mind.

The bags did not look particularly impressive from the outside.

Because their purpose was not to serve as combat equipment.

They were for packaging of the gifts, and their size was likely sufficient for whatever the Family intended to place inside them.

The Head Maid had already begun speaking.

"The gifts awarded to you by the Duke of Ash have been placed inside these mini space bags."

Her voice was calm and clear, carrying across the hall without requiring her to raise it.

She looked over the children as she continued, making certain that everyone was paying attention.

"Each bag contains a sixth-grade Ese for those who are still at the Binder Alchemist rank. However, Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke, Lady Vera Ashenlocke, Sir Felix Ashenlocke, and the Young Lord will not be receiving an Ese. Instead, their space bags contain twenty bars of Mithril."

She paused briefly, allowing the information to settle.

The moment the people in the hall heard the first part of the announcement, several pleased expressions appeared among them.

The Family’s Main Board was clearly putting considerable effort into nurturing the younger generation.

Rather than offering meaningless rewards simply to congratulate the children on their performances, they were providing resources that could help them improve their abilities.

Ese was an important resource for Alchemists, and even a sixth-grade Ese could prove useful to someone who had yet to advance beyond the Binder rank.

The Mithril was no less valuable.

Twenty bars were a considerable gift, especially for children who were still at the beginning of their journey.

It was a resource that could be put to use in the development of weapons and other Alchemical equipment, depending on the Children of Ash needs.

Ezra’s eyes remained on the trolley for a moment.

Twenty bars of Mithril, huh?

He did not show any particular excitement, but the gift was certainly more useful to him than an Ese he might not need.

Mithril had its own applications, and having a supply of it meant he would have more material available for future work.

The other three Children of Ash would also have their own reasons to appreciate the difference.

The Head Maid resumed speaking.

"While the mini space bags belonging to the others contain five bars of Mithril."

The announcement drew further attention from the people gathered in the hall.

Five bars was still a meaningful gift, especially for the younger Alchemists.

The difference between five and twenty bars was obvious, but the distribution had been made according to the Family’s arrangement.

The Head Maid did not linger on the subject.

"There is also the General Prize. It consists of a Circuit Firearm, the MG 34; the exclusive right to train with a member of the Top Ten Gun Alchemists of Ash; and the exclusive right to have one Alchemy Firearm of your choice created by Lord Val Ashenlocke."

Her words brought the announcement to its conclusion.

For a brief moment, the hall seemed to grow quieter as the significance of the rewards became clear.

A Circuit Firearm was already a valuable prize.

The opportunity to train with one of the Top Ten Gun Alchemists of Ash was another matter entirely.

Such an opportunity could offer the recipient access to the experience of an accomplished Alchemist, while the right to have an Alchemy Firearm created by Lord Val Ashenlocke provided something that could not simply be purchased whenever one wished.

The combination made the General Prize especially attractive.

Several adults exchanged satisfied looks.

They had watched the younger generation participate in the festival, and now they could see that the Family intended to reward those who had distinguished themselves.

The rewards were not merely tokens of appreciation.

They were resources and opportunities that could help the children progress.

Once the Head Maid finished speaking, the four butlers and four maids stepped forward with the mini space bags.

They began distributing them to the children, presenting each bag with the care expected of servants attending members of the Ashenlocke Family.

The children accepted their gifts.

Some examined the bags as soon as they received them, while others held them close and waited until the servants had finished their duties.

The small size made them easy to carry, and the children would be able to inspect their contents later without delaying the ceremony.

Ezra accepted his own bag and briefly examined it calmly.

Vera, Felix, and the Young Lord had also received their gifts, while the remaining children held their own mini space bags.

Once all the gifts had been distributed, the servants stepped back and prepared to leave.

The Head Maid turned away from the children and walked towards Stoke Ashforge, taking her place beside him.

The other servants followed her out of the area, leaving the First-Year Children of Ash kneeling before the Duke with their gifts in hand.

For a moment, the children exchanged glances.

Then they turned their attention towards Valentine and the other senior members of their Family.

"Thank you, the Duke, the Elders, and the High-Board members of Ashenlocke!"

They spoke together, their voices carrying across the hall.

The words were simple, but the meaning behind them was clear.

The Family had provided them with resources and opportunities, and they understood that the gifts came with expectations of their own.

They were the younger generation of Ash.

Their performances at the festival had brought them recognition, but they still had a long road ahead of them.

The rewards would help them move forward, and the Family expected them to make good use of what they had received.

The children drew a breath.

"BY THE SCHOLARS..."

Their voices rose together, filling the hall.

"WE PROMISE TO BEAR FRUIT FOR THE FAMILY AND THE GLORY OF BRITANNIA!"

The declaration rang out with the weight of a covenant.

They promised to bear fruit for their Family and bring glory to Britannia.

It was a pledge of loyalty, but it was also a declaration of what they hoped to become.

They would grow stronger, improve their abilities, and prove that the effort invested in them had not been wasted.

For the adults watching, those words carried a meaning that went beyond the ceremony.

The younger generation was the future of the Ashenlocke Family, and the family’s standing would one day depend on what these children accomplished.

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

Applause spread through the hall.

The people of Ash clapped for the children, their expressions filled with satisfaction.

Some smiled openly, while others nodded as they watched the young Alchemists make their pledge.

The atmosphere had become warmer, and the earlier tension surrounding the festival’s results had given way to a sense of pride.

Not every child would advance at the same pace, and not every one of them would achieve the same level of success. Yet, they had all taken part in the festival and received an opportunity to prove themselves.

For the moment, that was enough for the Family to celebrate.

Then another voice rose above the applause.

"A word, Duke and people of Ash."

The speaker was Elder Portia.

She lowered her head towards Valentine, showing him the respect due to his position before waiting for his response.

Valentine turned his gaze towards her and waved his hand, accepting her request.

With his permission granted, Portia straightened and smiled as she began walking towards the children.

The movement drew the attention of those standing behind her.

Several people looked at one another, wondering what the Elder intended to say.

She had waited until the gifts were distributed and the children had made their declaration before requesting permission to speak.

That alone was enough to make them curious.

Portia stopped where the First-Year Children of Ash could see her clearly.

She brought her hands together in front of her, her smile becoming a little brighter as she looked over the group.

"First, I want to congratulate all of you on your Academy results and advancement."

Her tone was warm, and she made certain that her words reached the entire group rather than directing them towards only a few individuals.

The children listened.

They had already received their gifts from the Duke, but an additional announcement from an Elder was not something they could simply ignore.

Portia’s gaze soon settled on one particular child.

"Ezra Ashenlocke, you will receive a seventh-grade Ese from Elder Fredricks as a reward for defeating the Genius of Derlis, Desmond Derlis."

The words fell into the hall.

For a moment, the reactions of the people around her were difficult to miss.

Several expressions froze in surprise, while others turned towards Fredricks almost immediately.

The announcement had come so suddenly that some of them seemed to need a moment to understand what they had just heard.

A seventh-grade Ese.

And it was being given to Ezra as a gift from Elder Fredricks.

The reason was also clear.

Ezra had defeated Desmond Derlis, the Genius of Derlis, during the Grand First-Year Combat Festival.

His victory had already drawn attention, but the announcement made it clear that the matter was not going to be forgotten so easily.

Portia looked around at the stunned expressions.

Then her smile widened.

"What are you all waiting for? Applaud Fredricks for his amazing dedication to celebrating one of the best talents our Family has to offer."

She raised her hand with a cheerful tone, encouraging the people around her to respond.

For a brief moment, the hall remained caught between surprise and uncertainty.

Then someone spoke from the crowd.

"Yeah, that’s amazing!"

A High-Ember Noble wore a pleased smile as he looked towards Fredricks.

Another voice soon followed from farther back.

"The Elder is actually giving a seventh-grade Ese? I lower my head to you, Elder Fredricks!"

The words carried through the gathering, and several people began applauding.

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

The applause grew as more people joined in.

Praise followed, with some commending Fredricks for his generosity and others speaking about how fortunate Ezra was to receive such a gift.

To anyone watching from the outside, it was a touching display of concern for the younger generation.

An Elder had chosen to reward a young Lowline noble for defeating a formidable opponent.

He had recognized Ezra’s achievement and decided to offer him something valuable in return.

It was the sort of gesture that ought to have earned respect.

Unfortunately, the man at the center of the praise did not seem to share the crowd’s enthusiasm.

Fredricks gritted his teeth.

His fingers tightened into a fist, the pressure making his knuckles stand out.

He kept his face turned towards the gathering, but the muscles around his jaw had grown tense.

Every word of praise seemed to make the situation worse.

He had not expected Portia to announce the gift in front of everyone, much less turn the announcement into an occasion for the entire hall to applaud him.

Now, with the Duke present and the people of Ash watching, he had little room to show what he truly thought.

He could not openly reject the praise without drawing unwanted attention.

Nor could he simply take back the promise of a gift.

Instead of looking towards Portia, Fredricks shifted his gaze towards Ezra.

His eyes narrowed as he glared at the boy from the side, keeping the expression hidden from most of the people around him.

Ezra noticed.

He turned his head slightly, meeting the direction of Fredricks’s gaze.

His expression remained as plain as ever, giving little away about what he had noticed.

Then, without saying anything, Ezra lowered his head.

The gesture looked like a grateful bow in advance of receiving the gift.

It was a small movement.

Nothing about it was openly disrespectful, and anyone who saw it could easily interpret it as a young noble showing his appreciation towards an Elder.

Yet, to Fredricks, it was almost unbearable.

His fist tightened further.

For an instant, he nearly lost control of his temper.

The anger building inside him threatened to spill across his face, but he forced himself to remain still.

The Duke was present.

So were the Elders, the High-Board members, and the rest of the Family.

He could not afford to react in front of them all, especially when everyone had already accepted the announcement as a generous gesture on his part.

Fredricks drew a breath and swallowed his anger.

He had no choice but to hold everything in.

Portia, having achieved the reaction she wanted, turned her attention back towards him.

Her cheerful expression did not change as she waited for Fredricks to respond to the praise.

The Elder had effectively placed him in a position where refusing to cooperate would make him appear petty in front of the entire Family.

Fredricks understood that much.

He slowly loosened his clenched fist and put on an innocent smile.

"I just thought it was an amazing fit for a Lowline child to be able to defeat the notorious Desmond Derlis. I was worried about the young child’s life, but after seeing his spirit and display in the match, I was so touched that I had to get this gift for him."

He spoke as though the words came from the bottom of his heart.

His smile remained in place, and he made an effort to keep his voice steady.

To the people who did not know him well, he might even have appeared sincere.

But those who knew Fredricks very well could see how much effort he was putting into the performance.

The kind words did not come naturally to him.

Each sentence seemed to require a degree of restraint, and the smile on his face did little to hide the tension in his expression.

Nevertheless, he continued until he had finished speaking.

Then he gestured towards one of the butlers, signaling for the servant to approach.

The butler stepped forward and bowed before him.

Fredricks reached into his stash of Alchemy resources and took out the seventh-grade Ese he had kept for himself.

He had not needed the Ese for the time being, but he had held on to it, thinking that it might prove useful one day.

Resources of this kind were not something one simply discarded, even when there was no immediate need for them.

He had kept it for that very reason.

But who would have known this was the day?

Fredricks maintained his smile as he handed the Ese to the butler.

The servant received it with both hands, bowed respectfully, and then turned towards Ezra.

He walked the short distance between them before presenting the seventh-grade Ese to the young Alchemist.

Ezra accepted it.

The exchange was completed without incident, and the people watching had little reason to suspect that anything was wrong.

From their perspective, Fredricks had fulfilled his promise, and Ezra had received a valuable gift for his performance in the festival.

"Elder Fredricks, that was a kind gesture indeed."

Duke Valentine’s calm voice interrupted the moment.

His expression remained plain as he looked towards his father, showing no obvious sign of anger or displeasure.

There was nothing unusual about his tone, and the words themselves sounded like a simple acknowledgement of Fredricks’s generosity.

However, he did not stop there.

"But let me correct you, and everyone here."

The words were delivered just as calmly as the first sentence.

Yet, something about them caused several adults in the hall to stiffen.

Elder Fredricks was among them.

A strange shiver passed through his body, making him feel as though the temperature around him had suddenly dropped.

He could not immediately explain the sensation, and the fact that Valentine’s expression had not changed only made it harder to understand.

The Duke had not raised his voice.

He had not made a threatening gesture.

He had merely spoken.

Still, the uneasiness was not limited to Fredricks.

A few other nobles and adult non-nobles felt the same strange sensation, their bodies reacting before they could determine the reason for it.

Some straightened their backs.

Others held themselves still, their attention shifting towards Valentine.

The Duke stood before them with the same composed expression, as though he had said nothing that should have caused such a reaction.

Then he continued.

"Ezra Ashenlocke is not a Lowline in this House, but a Highline. That was my gift to him during the introduction of the Colt and the other firearm model of the Baske. Wasn’t it?"

Valentine’s gaze remained on the people before him.

The statement was simple, but its meaning left little room for misunderstanding.

Ezra was not a Lowline within the Ashenlocke Family any more.

He was a Highline.

And Valentine himself had already established that fact when the Colt and the E-V 26 MK.II were introduced.

For Fredricks, the correction was impossible to ignore.

The Duke had not merely clarified Ezra’s standing.

He had reminded everyone present that the matter had already been settled, and that no one was entitled to disregard the decision.

Fredricks hurriedly nodded his head.

The others who had felt the strange sensation followed suit, acknowledging Valentine’s words without delay.

"Keep it that way."

The Duke’s voice remained plain.

He did not elaborate, nor did he need to repeat himself.

His instruction was clear enough, and the people who had nodded understood that the matter was not open for further discussion.

Valentine allowed the moment to pass before turning his attention back towards the First-Year Children of Ash.

The tension in the hall had not entirely disappeared, but the ceremony was not over yet.

The children were still kneeling before him, holding the gifts they had received from their Family.

Their pledge had been made, and the first part of the bestowing ceremony had been completed.

"Now, my personal gift, I have prepared for some of you."

Duke Valentine turned to look at the children of Ash.