Lost Origins: SS Ranked Awakening-Chapter 118: Noble Gathering

Sabrina Aurora stood on one of the several flat mountain tops, staring at the incoming hovercrafts gliding smoothly through the twilight sky.

The noble gathering was set to begin in a few hours, and with it, another round in the game of power they nobles just happened to play so well. But she was no longer a mere piece on the board—she was a player now, making moves of her own.

Her mind was calm, but her grip on the railing tightened. The Noble families had cast a long shadow over their life, dictating their future before they were even old enough to have a say. But things were different now.

She had spent years playing their game, learning their rules—not to follow them, but to break them from within. Tonight, she would set things in motion.

Her eyes narrowed and the air around her became messy, mirroring her internal emotions, as she spotted a ship which stood out amongst the rest, painted completely with a blue shade which matched her hair. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

She turned as footsteps approached. Liam stood a few meters away from her, his sharp gaze scanning her expression.

"They’re arriving sooner than expected," he said.

She nodded, not looking at him.

"It doesn’t matter. The outcome remains the same."

Liam hesitated, then said,

"Sabrina... your father will be here. In person."

For a moment, she said nothing. Then, she exhaled softly.

"Of course he will. He wants to remind me who holds the chains."

Liam looked away. He had long given up trying to persuade her to make peace with her father. He knew better now.

’He didn’t even send an envoy?!’

Liam shook his head in conflict.

On another one of the mountain tops, a sweaty Kieran was looking at the sky in confusion and he turned to look at August who explained the situation to him.

"Don’t bother. It’s Noble business. Every few years, families from the noble circle send representatives and come together to have a gathering here."

August said, brushing off the presence of the ships lightly.

"With how fast the event rounds off, you wouldn’t need to worry about encountering any of them while you’re stuck in training!"

’I wonder why the Aurora Family would come here themselves’

August thought, taking note of the huge blue ship.

---

Hours later, the grand hall of the Origin Camp was transformed into a spectacle of wealth and power. The highest-ranking noble families had arrived, their presence looming over the recruits like gods observing mortals. The atmosphere was suffocating, but Sabrina moved through the crowd with ease, her presence demanding respect without effort.

She caught sight of Ethan standing near the center of the hall, surrounded by lesser nobles vying for his attention. He saw her and smirked, raising his glass in mock greeting. She ignored him. There were bigger things to deal with. At least he didn’t hover around her like a fly today.

A hush fell over the hall as the arrival of the Aurora patriarch was announced.

Sabrina turned to watch as her father entered, his cold gaze sweeping across the room before locking onto her.

Game on.

She met his gaze without flinching, years of practice making her face an unreadable mask. Conversations around them dulled as people took subtle steps back, sensing the aura of authority from the man who maintained a small smile whilst walking towards his daughter.

"Sabrina,"

Her father greeted, his voice calm, measured—deceptively warm to an untrained ear.

"Father,"

She returned with the same practiced politeness.

He extended his hand, an action both symbolic and commanding. She took it without hesitation, allowing the briefest pressure before releasing. A test. One she would not fail.

"Walk with me,"

He said, already turning. She followed, knowing refusal was not an option—not yet.

They moved through the hall in silence, eyes following their every step. He led her toward the farthest end of the room, where the more powerful noble families had gathered. A calculated move, displaying her like an obedient daughter before their peers.

"You’ve done well here," he finally said.

"Your performance in the camp has been... satisfactory."

Satisfactory. Not exceptional. Not impressive. Just enough.

"I aim to meet expectations," she replied smoothly.

"And yet, you request distance. Independence."

She tilted her head slightly, a gesture that feigned curiosity. "A well-trained soldier is more effective when given autonomy."

His lips twitched in amusement.

"A soldier, yes. But you are not merely that. You are an Aurora. Most importantly, you are my daughter."

And that, she thought bitterly, was precisely the problem.

Before she could respond, another voice joined them.

"Sabrina. Always a pleasure."

Ethan.

She resisted the urge to sigh and instead turned, giving him a look of mild disinterest.

"Ethan. I see you’re enjoying the evening."

"Immensely. More so now," he replied, stepping closer, as if he had any right.

"I hear there’s talk of restructuring certain alliances after tonight. Interesting timing, wouldn’t you say?"

She held his gaze, knowing exactly what he was implying.

"Timing is everything in politics."

Her father observed the exchange with quiet amusement, his approval of Ethan’s presence clear.

"Perhaps you and Ethan should discuss matters further in private. You two have much to... align on."

Sabrina smiled—a slow, deliberate curve of her lips that revealed nothing.

"Perhaps. But I believe tonight’s focus should be on the larger political landscape, not personal arrangements."

Her father’s gaze sharpened slightly, though he let it pass. Ethan, however, leaned in just enough to whisper,

"You can’t avoid me forever."

She allowed her smile to widen.

"Watch me."

Before he could respond, she stepped past him, her movements fluid and controlled. She was done playing their game on their terms. It was time to start shifting the board.

As the evening continued, she positioned herself strategically, speaking with key figures, subtly planting ideas, redirecting conversations. She was not here to follow orders—she was here to reshape them.

The true game had begun, and Sabrina had every intention of winning.