— Where Lightning Strikes, Maids Giggle, and Ray Plots Escape
Today is the day of Ray's birthday, and everyone, everywhere in the Walker family is in the mood for a party. Every child in Duke's family doesn't have birthday parties until they turn seven years old. It has been a tradition for ages. So Ray had managed to survive six years without such a party. He's not much into parties.
In his past life, unless it was absolutely necessary, he would avoid parties. In this life, he is still the same, and his request for no party was denied by both his parents. Robert had thrown parties for his other children, so he wouldn't make an exception for Ray either. Ray requested a smaller party, and again, it was denied.
Over the past three days, he was trained in what to do and what not to do. It was said that many nobles—from barons to dukes—would join them. They had also invited the king; he might show up, and if not, someone would come as his representative.
Ray looked at his mother with a grumpy face, showing the face of a rebel. As usual, the maids were helping his mother with makeup and giggling. They were used to seeing Ray use logic in his reasoning and still get denied by his mother. Ray had tried everything, but he lost every way.
Ray, wearing a white shirt and black pants, sat beside Mary, who crouched down beside him to comb his hair, giggling at his tantrum. Then she helped him put on his shoes. After confirming he looked perfect, Mary gave a nod.
He only stopped his tantrum when he heard that inventors had been invited—and it seemed every inventor had accepted the invitation. Upon hearing that, instead of throwing tantrums, he suddenly became eager to meet the inventors.
Seeing his reaction, all the ladies there were surprised—except Diana. She knew every weakness of Ray.
Slowly, barons, viscounts, counts, and marquises started to arrive. Even all the dukes came too. They all came because they heard how Robert had saved the king, and some people came to get on the good side of Duke Robert.
Nobles from baron to duke level had brought their daughters for Ray to meet. They also told their other children to mingle with Robert's other children. If they could become couples with them, they could secure a connection with Robert.
The inventors also came. It wasn't just one inventor—many inventors came to Ray's birthday. This much recognition hadn't even been given during King Daymond's coronation. But they all came for Ray. Everyone wondered: why? Was it because of Robert's influence? If so, then they might seriously want to get on the good side of the Duke.
Although the king didn't come, the third concubine Alicia and her daughter arrived as the king's representatives to greet Ray on his birthday. The king had never attended any other duke's party before, and he didn't want it said that he was showing favoritism towards another duke.
Robert gave a short speech, which made the atmosphere more relaxed and friendly. Everyone enjoyed his brief yet heartfelt speech. After that, he called Ray to make his appearance. Ray came downstairs holding his mother's hand, which was very embarrassing for him. He wanted to run away, but Diana held his hand tight. She enjoyed every moment of Ray's reactions.
Only Selene and Angelina were also enjoying Ray's reactions, because they knew exactly what he was thinking. They had gotten used to seeing Ray's funny expressions and antics.
Robert announced that he had found a successor to his lightning technique—Ray. He made this announcement on purpose because he wanted to ignite a sense of rivalry among his children. He needed them to become stronger. Ray gave his father an annoyed look. He had specifically told Robert not to do that. Robert, on the other hand, pretended not to know anything.
When Ray was given the chance to give a speech, he gave an evil grin and took revenge on Robert by telling everyone that he was a member of the Inventors' Guild. He said that when he grows up, he wants to become an inventor. It was his way of saving himself from sibling rivalry and staying out of the competition for the heir position of the Walker family.
Robert gave him a glare, already thinking of punishing him the next day during lightning sword technique training. Diana chuckled, seeing the father-son duo fighting with words. She knew how clever her son was—and she was the only one in the room who knew that Ray was a reincarnated being.
After some time, Robert took his son to meet all the barons, viscounts, counts, marquesses, earls, and dukes. They tried to make their daughters friendly with Ray, but Ray acted cute and immature. In this elegant yet innocent way, he politely declined every attempt. Robert kept glaring at him, frustrated at how Ray was avoiding having any potential future wives.
But Robert noticed something interesting—Ray did speak normally and at length with two ladies: the daughter of Duke Ashford and Princess Alice. In front of them, he didn't pretend or act cute.
Over the past few months, Ray had teleported to the library several times. He told Diana about the deal with the library. Upon hearing this, she quickly brought out a contract paper and made Ray sign it. It stated that he could only go to the library once a month for four to seven days. He had to return and train in formations, talismans, and swordsmanship.
She knew her son well—that if he stayed in the library, he wouldn't return for months. She added a light clause: he could only go freely once he became a Silver-rank soul cultivator or a Bronze-rank cultivator.
After greeting everyone, Robert made Ray demonstrate his lightning style. Ray obeyed and used lightning talismans and runes to display lightning speed and sword technique combined.
This performance caused Robert's other children to give Ray a sideways glance, beginning to see him as a potential competitor. Even Barbara and Roxanne gave side glances. Although Roxanne had returned to normal, she was still competitive. She also wanted her son to become the heir of the Walker family.
After dealing with all of this, Ray finally went toward the inventors. This was when everyone noticed that Ray was genuinely friendly with the inventors—and the inventors responded with equal warmth. They formed one harmonious group. Ray told the inventors that he needed to focus on soul cultivation for a while before visiting them to explore their inventions and share ideas.
All the noble families finally realized—they had lost the chance to befriend Ray during this party. But they resolved to try again by sending their daughters to approach Ray later.
Robert noticed something even more intriguing. Not only Robert but everyone else—even Diana. She had seen Ray talking with Ricky before, but never this openly with so many inventors. Only Alicia, Alice, and Aries remained unbothered.
After enjoying the party, people started to take their leave. Ray was invited by various noble families to visit their homes before bidding farewell.
Ray was dead tired after seeing everyone off. He finally went to his room and took a long, much-needed sleep.