Chapter 19
Ethen and the rest smiled as Nekubuki finally stepped out of his cave room.
He was almost unrecognizable. He now wore what seemed to be a fusion of ancient samurai armor and nobleman's regalia.
His top was a deep indigo kimono jacket layered with black silk plates that glimmered faintly under the light. The sleeves were wide and gold-lined, and his shoulders bore wolf-crest emblems stitched in crimson thread. Beneath the robe, he wore a crisp white inner shirt, tucked neatly into black hakama-style pants that folded gracefully around his legs. A scarlet sash was tied around his waist, holding two short, curved blades crossed behind him. His boots were dark leather, etched with flame-like patterns that pulsed faintly, as if alive.
When he turned, his golden earrings jingled softly, his grin wide and confident.
"Now, my dear judges... give your ranks!" Lucas declared, posing dramatically.
"A ten for me!" Jessica shouted, clapping her hands in delight.
"A ten for me as well!" Chris followed.
"Same here," Seraphine added.
"Ten," Lucien said with a grin.
Nekubuki leaped up in joy, his ponytail swaying behind him.
"Now that's what I'm talking about! A perfect score!" he laughed, striding proudly to his stone chair.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen," Lucas continued, "coming up second is the second last! He may be eight years old, but his body's built like a tank! His strength rivals that of the Dark Bulls in the forest! Introducing the one and only Logan!"
The room dimmed as heavy footsteps echoed. From the shadows, Logan emerged.
He wore a thick, sleeveless black vest, showing off his muscled arms and scarred shoulders. His shorts were grey and rugged, like a fighter's gear, torn slightly at the edges. On his feet were simple brown sandals, his toes slightly clawed. His wrists bore bandaged wraps, and around his neck hung a small beast fang pendant. Despite the simplicity, his aura screamed raw power.
Seraphine placed a hand under her chin dramatically.
"Simple toned clothing. Not too bright, not too dull. Befitting a man of classic status. I give it a twelve."
"I have to agree with you on that, Madam Seraphine," Chris added with exaggerated poshness.
Lucien and Jake both nodded in fake elegance.
Logan smirked proudly before sitting down.
"Now coming up next is the sixth-born wolf!" Lucas said theatrically.
"The most lazy, sleepy, and drifted cloud! Relaxed but deadly introducing Julia!"
Soft mist drifted out of her room like clouds descending from heaven. Julia appeared, yawning adorably.
She wore a sky-blue dress that flowed like mist around her ankles, the edges trimmed in white lace resembling clouds. Her shoulders were bare, her sleeves translucent and light, and she wore silver sandals that shimmered with each step. Her hair was loose and brushed to perfection, crowned with a tiny sapphire hairpin.
Jessica gasped. "One hundred!"
The rest could only nodded speechless.
Julia walked gracefully to her chair, her sleepy eyes half-closed.
"Wow! Would you look at that!" Lucas shouted. "Julia far surpassed all numbers to one hundred! But who will surpass her?! Let's find out! Coming up next the fifth-born wolf! She might be caring and gentle, but don't get too close, or you'll regret it! Give it up for Sophia!"
From her room, scarlet petals scattered across the cave, swirling like a storm of beauty. Then Sophia appeared.
She wore a long red dress, open at the front to reveal her knees, while the back flowed behind her like a burning trail. The fabric shimmered between crimson and gold under the torchlight. Around her neck was a ruby choker, and her hair was tied in a loose braid, giving her both grace and fire.
Lucien's eyes widened as a thin stream of blood trickled from his nose.
"I swear... I can't handle all this beauty at once!"
"Hang in there, brother," Chris patted him on the back, grinning.
"You look stunning, dear," Seraphine added, clutching her chest. "Two hundred!"
The rest agreed in unison.
"Ohhh my heavenly crime! Someone went beyond one hundred!" Lucas shouted dramatically. "But let's not hold others down! Coming up next, the loner of the family! Will she appear or not? Nobody knows! Give it up for the fourth wolf Thessaria!"
At first, silence.
No one came out.
"I wouldn't lose hope," Ethen said calmly, eyes fixed on her doorway. "Whatever you wear will always look good. Doubting yourself won't help."
Jessica smiled softly. "It's almost as if you're in love with her… what a great brother you are."
Then it happened.
Purple flowers bloomed, carpeting the floor from her room. With each step she took, the petals wilted into glowing dust. Thessaria appeared, her aura cool yet captivating.
She wore a short violet skirt with layered frills and a tight lavender crop top with black ribbons tied along her arms. Her boots were knee-high and glossy, and a single silver chain belt hung loosely around her waist. Her eyes shimmered amethyst, and her hair, tied into twin strands, swayed gently.
"I really can't take it anymore!" Lucien shouted as his second nose bled. He collapsed onto the floor dramatically.
Jessica raised a card. "Two hundred fifty!"
"Two hundred sixty!" Chris shouted.
"Two hundred eighty!" Seraphine added.
Lucien lifted a trembling hand from the ground and pointed weakly in agreement.
"Supported," he mumbled.
"Thessaria with a whopping two hundred eighty points! Spectacular!" Lucas announced.
"But the show's not over! Coming up next—the third-born wolf! The collector of clothes! Give it up for Jake!"
Romantic music filled the air. Jake's silhouette twirled behind the curtain in a playful dance.
"What are we witnessing? A fashion show or a love confession?" Lucas teased.
Jake finally appeared wearing a white suit jacket with light blue accents around the cuffs and collar, paired with tight black pants and a silver belt. His shirt was unbuttoned just enough to look roguishly charming, and his shoes polished to perfection. His outfit screamed performer, flirt, and nobleman all at once.
Lucien nodded. "Two sixty."
"Agreed," Jessica added thoughtfully.
The rest nodded in approval.
"Now, the second-born wolf! Her beauty is fierce yet gentle! Give it up for Elarixa!"
From her room came a rush of heat, the sound of water and fire entwining. When she appeared, the light reflected off her like molten crystal.
She wore a black-and-gold battle kimono, slit at the sides for movement, with a fiery red sash tied at the waist. Her long silver hair was braided with glowing strands of ember. Her boots were tall and armored lightly in gold plates, and around her wrists were lava-infused bangles that glowed faintly.
Everyone fell silent.
"Five hundred..." Seraphine whispered, her voice trembling in awe. The rest could only nod.
Lucas took a deep breath. "Ohhh my living legend! She broke all bounds! But now... this is it! The finale! The introduction of the first-born,thee first creation himself! Give it up for Solvian!"
Golden light poured out from his room as Solvian stepped forth.
He wore a white nobleman's suit, layered with a long gold-embroidered coat that reached his calves. The buttons and trim shimmered like sunlight, and his hair was slicked back neatly. One hand rested in his pocket, the other gloved in white silk.
Everyone rose from their seats. Even Lucas was speechless.
"You won't be judged," Ethen said with a grin. "You're just like your mother." He turned toward the final cave.
"Now, Mother… reveal yourself."
From the shadows, Theresa appeared, graceful and powerful.
She wore an elegant flowing gown of black and silver, stitched with mystic runes that shimmered faintly as she walked. A long cape of moonlight silk trailed behind her, and her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall of stars. Her eyes glowed softly commanding respect and love alike.
Ethen stood.
"Now that's done with… training begins at dawn. Prepare yourselves," he said, walking calmly toward his chamber.
The others watched him go half awestruck, half speechless.
To be continued...