The morning after the gathering at House Voss, Damon sat at the breakfast table, enjoying a quiet meal.
Melissa stood nearby, occasionally glancing at him with curiosity.
"Young Master, how was the gathering?"
Damon looked up. "Interesting, I suppose."
"Interesting?" She smiled. "You spent the evening among the young nobles of the capital. Surely something happened."
"Nothing particularly dramatic. I met a few interesting people. Adrian Voss, Lucas Everhart, Cedric Halden and Eveline Roswell."
"And the troublesome one?"
Damon chuckled. "Marcus Halden. He seemed determined to test me."
"Did he cause trouble?"
"Not really. He made a few comments, but I didn't see a reason to respond aggressively."
Melissa nodded approvingly.
"Then I suppose you survived your first noble gathering."
"Apparently."
After breakfast, Damon headed to Marcel's study.
His father was reviewing several documents when Damon entered.
"Father."
Marcel looked up. "Damon. How was your evening at House Voss?"
"It went well. I met several young nobles and learned a little about their families."
"Did anything catch your attention?"
Damon took a seat.
"House Voss, particularly. Adrian mentioned that his family deals in medicinal ingredients, beast materials and transportation. They seem to have considerable commercial influence."
Marcel placed the document in his hand on the desk.
"House Voss built much of its influence through trade and commercial partnerships. They understand something many young nobles overlook."
"What is that?"
"Military strength and territory are important, but they aren't the only measures of power. Wealth can support an army. Information can prevent a war. Alliances can accomplish what force cannot."
Damon listened carefully.
"A noble family that controls valuable trade routes may possess influence far beyond what its territory suggests," Marcel continued. "Remember that."
"I will."
Marcel studied his son for a moment.
"Your recovery has also attracted attention. You should understand that your appearance at House Voss will not go unnoticed."
Damon raised an eyebrow.
"Someone has already taken an interest?"
"More than one person, perhaps."
News of the gathering travelled beyond House Voss.
In another estate within the capital, a young woman listened as an attendant reported the names of those who had attended.
"Adrian Voss hosted a gathering of young nobles, and Damon Jubo was among the guests," the attendant explained.
The woman paused.
"Damon Jubo?"
"Yes, my lady. He reportedly interacted with several young nobles, including Lucas Everhart and Eveline Roswell."
She considered the information quietly.
"So the Jubo heir is beginning to return to society."
"That appears to be the case."
Vanessa dismissed the attendant after asking her to keep an ear open for further developments.
Meanwhile, in the Gassi estate, similar information reached another interested party.
Gassi sat in his room while an attendant delivered the report.
"Damon attended a gathering hosted by House Voss?"
"Yes, Young Master. He was seen speaking with several guests."
Gassi leaned back.
"Who did he interact with?"
The attendant listed the names he had gathered.
Gassi's expression remained unreadable.
"Would you like us to investigate further?"
"Yes. Find out who he meets, where he goes and whether his recovery has truly progressed as much as people claim."
He dismissed the attendant.
Gassi had no intention of acting immediately. For now, he wanted information.
Several days later, Damon received an unexpected visitor.
"Young Master, Lord Lucas Everhart has arrived."
Damon looked up from the book he was reading.
"Lucas?"
"Yes, Young Master."
Damon put the book aside and headed downstairs.
Lucas greeted him with a cheerful smile.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Not at all. What brings you here?"
"I thought you might enjoy seeing more of the capital. You've been away from public life for quite some time, haven't you?"
Damon considered the suggestion.
"That sounds interesting."
"Excellent. I know a place where we can have a decent meal without being surrounded by people constantly discussing family politics."
Damon laughed.
"Then lead the way."
After informing Roderick, Damon left the estate with Lucas. A small escort accompanied them at a distance.
Their destination was a well-known restaurant in the commercial district.
The establishment was spacious, with polished wooden floors, elegant decorations and private dining rooms. Merchants, nobles and travellers occupied different sections of the building.
Once they were seated, Lucas relaxed considerably.
"Much better than the gathering, isn't it?"
"I suppose it is. At least nobody is trying to judge my strength over lunch."
Lucas laughed.
"That is Marcus for you."
Damon raised an eyebrow.
"What's his story?"
"Marcus Halden is Cedric's cousin. House Halden has a long military tradition. Many members of their family serve as knights or commanders."
"That explains his attitude."
"Marcus takes cultivation seriously. He believes strength is the clearest measure of a person's worth. He's competitive, sometimes excessively so."
"Does he treat everyone that way?"
"More or less. Don't mistake his behaviour for a personal grudge. At least, not yet."
Damon smiled faintly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Their conversation moved to the younger noble generation.
Lucas explained that some young nobles devoted nearly all their time to cultivation, hoping to become powerful enough to strengthen their families. Others studied politics, managed commercial interests or built relationships with influential families.
"Most of us are preparing for the positions we'll eventually inherit," Lucas said. "Some are already competing for influence, even before their fathers hand over anything."
"So the competition begins long before inheritance."
"Exactly."
Damon found the explanation useful. The noble world was far more complicated than simply determining whose sword was stronger.
As their meal ended, Lucas suggested they take a walk through the nearby shopping district.
They had barely left the restaurant when they encountered two young women approaching from the opposite direction.
One of them was Eveline Roswell.
"Lord Everhart," she greeted.
"Lady Eveline. What a pleasant surprise."
Lucas introduced Damon to the young woman accompanying her, Lady Isabelle.
Eveline turned to Damon.
"Lord Jubo. I hope you've been enjoying your return to the capital."
"I heard you attended the gathering at our friend's estate."
"I did. It was an interesting evening."
"Interesting enough to make you want to attend another?"
Damon smiled.
"That depends on the company."
Eveline laughed softly.
Unlike some of the people Damon had encountered, she didn't seem particularly interested in discussing rumours about his recovery.
Instead, she asked about his impressions of the capital and whether he had discovered anything worth exploring.
Their conversation remained light, but Damon noticed that she listened carefully to his answers.
After a short while, the two women continued on their way.
Lucas watched them leave.
"Lady Eveline is quite perceptive."
"I noticed."
"She's also not someone who speaks without thinking."
Damon glanced at him.
"You seem to know quite a lot about everyone."
"Knowing people is part of surviving noble society."
They continued their walk.
During their conversation, Lucas mentioned that Adrian Voss had recently been discussing a commercial arrangement with his family.
"What sort of arrangement?" Damon asked.
"Something involving the transportation and distribution of valuable goods. I don't know all the details, but House Voss has been expanding its commercial partnerships."
Damon remembered the cultivation-resource establishment he had visited with Roderick.
Medicinal herbs, beast materials and other resources were constantly being bought and sold. There was clearly an entire world of business behind them.
He began to wonder whether there might eventually be a place for him in that world.
However, he knew better than to rush into something he barely understood.
First, he needed to learn.
By the time Damon returned to the Jubo mansion, the sun was beginning to descend.
He thanked Lucas for the invitation and promised they would meet again.
Later that evening, Damon sat alone in his room, reflecting on everything he had learned.
His world was expanding.
He was beginning to understand the people around him, the structure of noble society and the influence that wealth and information could bring.
Yet there was still much he didn't understand.
He opened the Universal Desire System.
[Universal Desire System]
[Level: 2]
[Rank: Knight Apprentice]
[Available Desire Points: 100]
[Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Crosswind Sword Art, Desire Perception]
Damon's attention settled on the final skill.
Desire Perception.
He had used it before, but mostly without understanding its full potential.
I've been treating it like an ability meant for combat.
He leaned back in his chair.
But perhaps there's more to it.
Could it help him understand the intentions of others? Could it reveal something ordinary observation couldn't?
He didn't know.
But he intended to find out.
Damon closed the system window and looked towards the training grounds beyond his window.
Tomorrow, he would begin experimenting.
After all, becoming stronger wasn't simply about learning how to swing a sword.
Sometimes, the greatest advantage came from understanding things other people couldn't see.