Sasaki got up from his seat and looked at himself one last time.
He had spent most of his life living as a 'Living Corpse', making him a corpse that was living, unable to feel any emotions or pain. In recent years, he had finally been able to get out of that form and feel things again, which he called his 'Human' form.
In this form, he could feel things, and his body functioned like a normal human, just like anyone else's.
He could now freely switch between these two forms. There was no physical difference between these forms except for the change in the color of his eyes.
Having lived almost all of his life as a living corpse, he had been unable to handle social and political pressure.
He had relied on his living corpse form for his whole life, but now he wanted to stop relying on this form and handle everything naturally.
He may be a talent and a Supernova, but he was still young. He had flaws just like anyone else in this world.
Obviously, these flaws of his were known only to people close to him.
Sasaki walked to the dressing room's door and slowly opened it. With the help of his abyssal eyes, he was able to see the countless number of guests in the hall on the ground floor.
His heart couldn't help but beat faster.
Just as he was hesitating, a lump of blue flame came out of his left shoulder and formed into a small blue phoenix with golden-blue eyes.
"My lord, you must not be so scared. These are just puny people. You can go down, and they will be afraid of you, unable to even move!"
Sasaki took a deep breath. "I know, Nix, but I still feel scared."
This blue phoenix was the spirit animal of Sasaki.
Once a person advances to Hypernova rank, their aura and the two inner realms go through a qualitative change, resulting in the formation of a spirit animal.
A spirit animal can be of any creature other than a human. What creature it would be depends on the person's habits, behaviors, mindset, and personality.
A spirit animal, even on its own, is very powerful and can bring immense assistance to an aura user in cultivation, storage, aura control, aura capacity, and battles.
A spirit animal is one of the many reasons that the difference between Hypernova and Lysi Nova is so much bigger than the difference between the previous ranks.
Normally, a spirit animal has no consciousness and can only be manipulated by an aura user or its will, but Sasaki's spirit animal was the most unique and the only one of its kind in the current world.
Because it had its own consciousness!
Nix was Sasaki's spirit animal. Having its own name was already shocking, but it also had its own consciousness, memories, personality, behavior, and quirks.
It could think on its own and work on commands that were given to it.
Not only was it very loyal to Sasaki and had no pride, but it was also very effective and strong.
This was also one of the reasons that Sasaki had risen so much, so easily, and so fast.
Sasaki had long been trying to stop his reliance on his 'Living Corpse' form, but even for a young genius like him, it was too difficult.
In life, everyone has their own problems and difficulties to overcome. Even if one lives for an eternity, they will be unable to have no problems left to overcome.
No one can be perfect after all. No matter how perfect Sasaki's image is to the people, he can never be as perfect as anyone wants him to be.
It was just that his talent, authority, influence, and power were too high for them to notice anything else.
He was like a shining shooting star or a constantly rising sun. Everyone was awed by his brilliance, but couldn't notice his imperfections inside that brilliance.
A sharp light of disappointment flashed in Sasaki's eyes as his expression turned distorted. He was sad and anguished, disappointed about not being able to do this simple task.
"Sigh, it is getting late. I have no other options."
As he said this, his eyes turned black again.
...
In the grand hall on the ground floor of the mansion, the vast chamber was alive with the elegant hum of conversation and the crisp clinking of crystal glasses. Long tables covered in pristine white silk groaned under the weight of exquisite delicacies from across the Auralis Solar System — shimmering starfruit tarts, roasted nebula beast fillets glazed in golden honey, floating orbs of luminous wine, and delicate pastries shaped like blooming moon orchids.
The floor was paved with flawless white and golden tiles arranged in intricate geometric patterns that caught the light like polished marble.
Towering pillars of white marble veined with threads of gold rose toward a breathtaking ceiling adorned with dozens of magnificent crystal chandeliers. Each chandelier sparkled like a miniature galaxy, casting warm golden and rose-gold light that danced across the hall.
Several orchestras played softly from elevated platforms. The music flowed through the air like a gentle current, adding a layer of refined elegance to the lively atmosphere.
Servants dressed in sharp black suits moved with practiced grace, weaving through the crowd with silver trays laden with food and sparkling drinks, ensuring no guest was left unattended.
It was a truly lively and splendid scene.
Guests had arrived from countless planets, each bringing their own unique cultures, histories, and customs. Yet tonight, almost all of them wore formal suits of various colors and styles, with high-quality bodysuits underneath — a universal standard of elegance for any occasion in Lumenia. Whether they were humans, elegant avian hybrids with shimmering feathers, towering crystalline beings, or graceful, scaled nobles, they all mingled together seamlessly under the golden glow of the chandeliers.
"This place is breathtaking! Don't you think so, Salvia?" A bubbly girl with pink hair and pink eyes, freckles on her face, asked her friend as she lifted her huge green dress and walked around.
Behind her, a beautiful young woman with blonde hair and dark green eyes chased after her. Her dress was perfect for her size, and she could walk normally in it, but in this place full of people, it was very hard to even move.
The hall's space had already been expanded by a Hypernova of the Boundless Pathway, but it still seemed too small for the huge number of guests.
Just as she was chasing, she suddenly hit someone's right shoulder.
"Ouch!" She blurted out before quickly looking up to apologize, but before she could, the other person had already turned around and started talking.
"Are you okay, Miss? I am sorry. I should have seen you coming." The man had white hair and heterochromia — white and black eyes, with his left eye being black and his right eye being white.
He had a handsome face and was wearing a white suit that seemed very graceful.
This was none other than Cief, the future leader of the Truth Seekers. He was already infamous and reputed to be on equal footing with Sasaki Alberich. He was a Supernova just like Sasaki at a young age!
The difference in their age was just one year.
Not only this, but he was also invited to be the best man at Sasaki Alberich's wedding!
Everyone knew how he looked, but when Salvia looked at his face, she could only blink continuously in confusion.
"Hmm, why do I find this man so familiar but can't seem to put my finger on it?" Her brows furrowed as she asked.
Before she could continue thinking or say anything else, her friend came from behind her and grabbed her, frantically apologizing.
"I am sorry for my clumsy friend. Please forgive us!" Salvia was confused about seeing her friend so flustered, but then her gaze shifted to the woman that Cief was talking to.
Her eyes widened in terror at the sight of this person.
This was a beautiful woman with short purple hair and eyes, wearing a suit while holding a wine glass in her hand, staring blankly at Salvia and her friend.
"A-Alia Hoshina! A Supernova!" Her body trembled at the sight of her as she bowed down, almost making her friend fall.
She then turned around and basically ran away with her friend as she pushed through the crowd.
Cief touched his suit as he thought, "This rank 0 relic of the Concealment Pathway is truly useful."
...
"Malefic! Don't go there. Come and meet Mrs. Celestia right here." A burly man with red hair and crimson eyes screamed at his teenage son, who was trying to sneak past him and disappear into the crowd.
But unfortunately, his father's eyes were too good for his age.
"Damn it!" Malefic, who had red hair and crimson eyes, cursed inwardly.
This was not the first girl that his father had introduced him to. He had no interest in any of these women, including this Celestia.
It wasn't that he was gay or something, but because he didn't want to get close to someone just because of politics.
Celestia had long white hair and huge, innocent silver eyes. With her white dress with silver inlaid threads, she looked very enchanting.
Obviously, there was no shortage of beauties like her all over the place.
Malefic's family had long been a branch family of their main family — the Ardyn Family.
Every head of this family had wanted to reconnect with the main family, but due to certain crimes committed by their ancestors, they were unable to even regain the surname Ardyn.
Now his father, too, had inherited this will and wanted Malefic to get with some girl with powerful parents and increase their prestige.
"I wonder when this useless struggle will end."
Unlike the others in his family, Malefic had a very pessimistic view of the situation of his family.
...
"You truly have a great disposition at today's event, Madam Lara." A white man with blonde hair and a medium beard spoke with a glass of yellow wine in his hand to a woman in a Swedish accent.
This woman was a beautiful lady with long blonde hair and shiny blue eyes. She had worn a beautiful blue dress that shone like stars under the light.
Hearing his words, she laughed lightly and said, "Oh, come on, Mr. White. How can I compare to your elegant and eloquent character? Haha."
She had long and pointy ears due to being a half-elf and was from the Vitalis family, who presided mainly over the Life Pathway.
She was a Hypernova of that family and was reputed as a great healer. She had been sent here by her family to make some connections with the Symmetra family.
Naturally, this man was from the Symmetra family and a Hypernova too, with his own motives and intentions to approach her.
Hypernovas were quite rare to see anywhere in the aura region, but here? They were as common as flowers in a garden.
Like in another corner, three dragonmen with red scales and orange eyes wearing red suits were talking with each other happily.
Only one of them was a Hypernova, while the other two were Lysian Novae, but were great experts in their ranks.
"Sasaki Alberich has truly set up a grand marriage. I can see his intentions clearly." Their leader said as he looked around, wisdom shining deep in his eyes.
"What do you mean, Lord?" One of the two dragonmen asked with a curious gaze. Fire came out of his mouth with every word he said, which was extinguished a second later.
"Hmmm... I have some time before I have to go and converse with others to build new relationships with these influential people, so I will tell you two some of the context behind this wedding."
The two dragonmen were naturally curious. They had always respected their leader and held him in high regard. When he spoke, they listened.
"This marriage may seem like a grand waste of money just for the marriage of a talented young man, but in fact, it is for Sasaki Alberich to be able to gain relationships and get his footing in the political sphere of the Auralis Solar System."
"Doesn't he already have relationships with every family? I clearly remember him going to every family head and fighting them multiple times until he won." The other dragonman spoke.
Their leader nodded. "That is indeed correct, but you have to know that they were not building relationships in the true sense. He just went to them for fighting and left, no matter the outcome. Every family had tried to invite him, but he never accepted any invitation. He either did not care or was trying to increase his reputation and worth."
"Look around. See all these people talking happily to each other? They are all from different planets, with their own interests and intentions to approach one another. How many years has it been since something like this happened? Even when the 107th Meditation Master's ascension ceremony happened, there were not this many people. This was specifically set up by Sasaki Alberich to make these people interact and indirectly get to know another side of him — the side which can plan and scheme."
"Through this, when he decides to make relationships, he will have a much easier time. Battle strength is very important. Without it, you have nothing, but just having battle strength is also not enough. Sasaki Alberich had long been known for his battle strength and talent as an aura user, but after this move of his, he will also be recognized for his planning abilities."
"I can also guess that he is planning to ascend to the rank of True Supernova and become the Meditation Master. If he plans to do it, then his marriage will bring him a lot of help later."
"Why do you think we three were invited? It is because we are the Dragon Solar System lords, and by inviting us, Sasaki Alberich can build a relationship and open traveling routes for the transport of red scalium to the Alberich family."
"Just wait. The family heads will be coming soon. You will see even more of his brilliance then."
The two dragonmen listened silently as they pondered deeply about their leader's words. They were about to ask some more questions.
But right at this moment, every single person in the hall felt a bone-chilling pressure wash over them. Their premonition for danger activated, and they screamed.
Many felt like running away, while some trembled. Soon, this pressure disappeared, but a trace of it was still there.
The music slowly stopped before turning low and eerie. It soon started to sound like the arrival of a hero.
The music gave off a feeling that the person this song was being played for couldn't be refused.
A figure started to descend from the stairs. He had an expressionless face, and his black eyes were as deep as the abyss, with no emotions in them.
For a few minutes, only the sounds of Sasaki stepping down were all that everyone could hear. No one dared to even move until he stepped down completely.
Sasaki looked around and gave a glance to each and every guest present before placing his right hand on his chest and his clenched left hand behind his back. He bowed deeply to everyone and said in a cold and unfeeling tone,
"I thank everyone for coming to this auspicious wedding of mine. I hope you all had and will continue to have a great time with one another."
"I am sure that everyone here knows who I am, but I shall introduce myself again. My name is Sasaki Blackbell Alberich, the son of Sapphire Alberich and adopted son of Andrew Alberich and Alberta Alberich, the adopted grandson and successor of Cristopher Blackbell, and the inheritor of the Fourth Meditation Master — Sashiro Alberich."
Hearing these words, everyone gulped as their hearts raced faster.
This was Sasaki Alberich in the flesh!
Sasaki walked forward as the guests made way for him. Soon, Sasaki was in front of the main door. Standing straight like a spear, he looked out as he waited for the family heads to come, ready to welcome them.