The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

The Day of the Tournament.

The carriages bearing the crests of each great family arrived once again at the massive plaza.

As the nobles stepped out, they naturally moved toward their respective family platforms.

The heads of the families stood tall upon their podiums, while their retainers positioned themselves behind them.

Thus, with the exception of Everard, the Water Family, all five great families had gathered in one place.

"Everyone is here," the Emperor observed, sweeping his gaze across the assembled families.

As with the festival’s opening ceremony, tens of thousands of imperial citizens had gathered around the plaza, eager to witness the tournament.

However, unlike before, the Emperor did not stand on the podium this time.

Instead, he sat at a distance, completely separate from the stage, in a seat prepared just for him.

The Emperor of Crassion did not interfere in the struggles for hierarchy among the beastkin families.

This had been an unbroken law of Crassion for centuries—one no emperor had ever dared to violate.

And since this tournament was nothing more than a battle for family dominance, there was no place for the Emperor in it.

As the Emperor settled into his seat, the heads of the great families exchanged glances.

Meanwhile, Ferdie and Ludian turned their attention toward Cloud Iker, who stood firmly in his place, with Sterling right behind him.

"I’ll bet everything I have that he won’t make a move," Ferdie murmured.

"I was thinking the same thing, so you’d better find another bet, Ludian," his younger brother replied.

Listening to her brothers, Tiel suddenly had a small realization—her mouth forming a tiny "ah."

‘They’re betting on this...!’

They already knew that Cloud wouldn’t challenge the two ducal houses.

But that wasn’t because Cloud was a coward or too weak to fight.

The current hierarchy of the five great families had been maintained for centuries.

Breaking that balance would mean turning the other four families into enemies.

No one would recklessly attempt such a thing.

Yes, in theory, a change in hierarchy was possible through these ability tournaments. But in reality—such a change had never happened.

At that moment, each of the family heads raised their hands at the same time.

"Ugh...!"

Tiel squeezed her eyes shut as the powerful wind whipped around her. The sheer force made it impossible to keep her eyes open.

At that moment, Karsus lifted her into his arms, shielding her face with his large palm.

Thanks to him, Tiel was able to keep watching without discomfort.

The whirlwind of gathered abilities continued to grow, its size expanding, threatening to swallow the five family heads whole—

Then.

BOOM!

It exploded—without devouring a single soul.

No challengers.

No victors.

The five great families would remain in their current positions for another three years, until the next Luminarie.

Without hesitation, the family heads stepped down from their podiums, their roles fulfilled.

"It’s over," the Emperor remarked as he scanned their faces.

Not a single one of them betrayed their emotions, leaving their thoughts a mystery to everyone else.

For a moment, the Emperor’s gaze lingered on the empty podium.

Then, he gestured with his hand.

"Step forward."

The moment those words left his lips, Ferdie moved without hesitation.

Still in Karsus’s arms, Tiel widened her golden eyes.

"Ferdie Oraboni is going up?"

"Of course," Karsus replied calmly. "Ferdie is the heir of our family."

Ferdie stepped forward calmly, taking his place atop the Asterian platform.

One by one, the heirs of each great family ascended to their respective podiums.

And then—on the Nestian platform.

Silver hair, icy blue eyes as piercing and cold as frozen crystals.

A girl whom Tiel knew all too well—

Rowen Nestian stood proudly atop the Nestian podium.

These were the children who would one day inherit their family legacies.

Technically speaking, Rowen and Ferdie weren’t the official successors of their families yet—since Cornelia and Karsus were still in line for leadership.

However, this tournament was meant for the younger generation, those who would carry their families’ futures—so no one raised an issue.

The five young heirs examined one another, their faces still carrying traces of youth.

Ferdie and Olivia looked as if they were out for a casual stroll, completely at ease.

Meanwhile, Sterling—who had undoubtedly been scolded by his father the night before—glared at Ferdie with barely contained irritation.

Clemence of the Arne family had her eyes closed, murmuring something under her breath.

And Rowen Nestian—her lips pressed tightly together—was staring daggers at Asterian.

No—not just Asterian.

She was glaring directly at Tiel, who was safely nestled in Karsus Celeste Asterian’s arms.

"......."

Tiel did not avert her gaze.

She had no reason to fear Rowen anymore.

In front of her stood Ferdie and Ludian.

Behind her was Alpheus.

And her small body was held securely in Karsus’s arms.

She was surrounded by people who would protect her.

Why should she be afraid of Rowen Nestian?

Seeing that Tiel refused to look away, Rowen’s expression twisted in fury.

She clicked her tongue in annoyance and turned her head away.

That rude display made Chender’s expression stiffen for a moment—but he let it pass.

"The heirs of all five families are present."

At the Emperor’s words, all eyes turned toward him.

The young heirs standing on the platforms looked up at him.

"You all know the rules of the tournament, correct?"

Unlike the duels between the family heads, the children’s competition was conducted differently.

Rather than directly fighting with abilities, they would use their abilities to summon creatures—

And those summoned creatures would compete in a race.

The race would take them around the capital, and the first to return to the plaza would be the winner.

There were knights stationed at key checkpoints, ensuring that no tricks could be used.

Since this tournament was largely symbolic, winning wouldn’t change the rankings of the great families.

However.

"Win," the Emperor declared, "and I will grant you one wish—anything you desire."

As long as the wish did not harm another person or endanger a family, it would be granted by the Emperor’s decree.

The heirs nodded, their faces set with determination—

Except for Ferdie and Olivia, who looked completely relaxed, as if they were going on a pleasant walk.

"Let the competition begin."

Bang!

At the Emperor’s command, a light explosion sounded, and colorful confetti rained down from above.

The atmosphere was completely different from the family head battles.

Whoosh!

Each heir activated their abilities, summoning their creatures one after another.

The summoned creatures, standing proudly before their respective heirs, now awaited the signal to race.

The tournament was about to begin.