novelraw Chapter 16: Announcement
Chapter 16: Announcement
Upon returning to the Heavenly Lightning Sect, Victor found that a stage had been built in the vast courtyard.
Tables were arranged all around it, clearly indicating that a banquet was about to take place—yet no one seemed to know what it was for.
Even Bryce looked somewhat confused.
Victor, however, was too lazy to care.
He headed straight to the library, which was still reserved exclusively for him, entered on his own, and resumed reading.
Now that he had a Heavenly Lightning within his body, there were even more things he wanted to understand—especially how to make full use of its power.
He focused on books related to the Heavenly Destruction Lightning, wanting to learn more about it, since each Heavenly Lightning possessed different properties.
Time slipped by unnoticed as Victor immersed himself in reading.
When the sunlight no longer filtered into the room, he realized that night had fallen.
Faintly, he could hear music coming from outside—a blend of flutes, horns, and what sounded like ancient drums.
Having read enough, Victor stepped outside, only to find Emma. Bryce was nowhere to be seen.
"Young Master, they’ve prepared your engagement banquet with Bella," Emma said with a faint smile.
"But until now, no one seems to know what the banquet is actually for," she added with a quiet chuckle.
The two of them headed toward the stage.
The tables were already filled with food, and musicians occupied the stage.
The banquet had begun. All disciples were free to attend, but as expected, none of them knew the true purpose of the event.
They assumed it was just a regular celebration—perhaps for something general, or maybe an elder had achieved a breakthrough and decided to host a feast.
As Victor observed the crowd, he even spotted Bella among a group of young disciples, clearly beginners around thirteen to fifteen years old.
The girl and her friends seemed to be enjoying the food.
When one of them noticed Victor, they immediately informed Bella. The girl then turned toward him, her gaze filled with disdain—as if to show she wasn’t afraid of him at all.
Liam welcomed Victor and Emma, guiding them to the largest table reserved for the most honored guests.
The Sect Master was already seated there, along with several elders who still retained a middle-aged appearance.
"Young Master, has your day here been pleasant?" the Sect Master asked.
"Quite good," Victor replied.
"You truly are the brightest star of this era. It is only natural for the finest daughters to become your companions..." the Sect Master continued, offering his praise.
Victor remained calm, picking up a piece of meat from his plate and eating it casually.
"People are starting to wonder about the purpose of this banquet. Young Master, would you like me to announce it now?" the Sect Master asked again.
"You can decide for yourself," Victor answered.
"Very well, then I shall announce it now."
The Sect Master stood up and walked onto the stage, prompting the musicians to stop.
All the disciples turned their attention to him, setting aside their food and drinks. This was what they had been waiting for.
"Ahem..."
"I have good news for all of you," he said, gesturing toward Victor.
"Tonight, we welcome Victor Russell as the son-in-law of our sect."
"What?!"
The disciples were stunned.
A son-in-law of the sect—didn’t that mean he would marry one of the women here?
Of course, if it was Victor, such treatment made sense.
But... who was the woman?
Why had there been no news at all?
Was this an arranged marriage decided by the Sect Master and the elders?
That wasn’t unusual—it often happened to strengthen alliances.
But Victor was only thirteen.
Unless it was with an older woman, the options were quite limited.
The Sect Master didn’t delay further.
"I, along with the elders and even the ancestor, have come to a decision. To strengthen ties with the Russell Clan, we have decided to betroth our sect’s young lady, Bella Thunder, to Young Master Victor Russell. This is a union between two of the most honorable and talented youths. We believe this union will bring even greater blessings to both the Heavenly Lightning Sect and the Russell Clan."
DING!
(You have committed an evil act, arranging a forced engagement. Your mastery of the Tyrannical War Body Merit Law has increased from 10% to 20%!)
[Merit Law:]
Tyrannical War Body (Heaven Class >20%)
Heavenly Lightning (Heaven Class >15%)
At that very moment, Victor received a notification from the System.
With the Sect Master’s public announcement, the matter was now official.
A sect held authority over half of its disciples’ lives. Such decisions were not easily challenged.
As soon as the girl’s name was spoken, all eyes turned toward Bella.
She froze, her eyes wide as she stared at the Sect Master on the stage in disbelief.
She truly hadn’t known anything.
That was why she had come to the banquet so innocently, thinking it was just a fun gathering.
To the Sect Master, this might have seemed trivial.
He began clapping, prompting others to follow, before stepping down and returning to his seat.
Finally, Bella’s gaze shifted to Victor, who sat beside the Sect Master, still calmly eating.
Even at her age, she wasn’t foolish enough to miss the obvious—this boy had orchestrated everything.
After an unknown stretch of silence, she suddenly flipped her table, sending it flying.
A lightning spear formed in her hand as she strode toward Victor.
The surrounding disciples quickly stepped aside.
Her status alone was enough to make them wary of offending her.
"Miss, what are you doing?" an elder asked, trying to stop her—but without using force.
She continued forward.
"Brat, fight me if you dare!" she shouted at Victor.
"Miss, do not be rude to your fiancé," the Sect Master said.
"Shut up!" Bella snapped, her face flushed red.
To everyone’s surprise, Victor actually stood up—and signaled for the Sect Master not to interfere.