My Idle Dragonic System : Apocalypse descends

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Max arrived outside the mansion, stepping into the cool embrace of the dim moonlight. His presence alone seemed to shift the air—an enigma clad in crimson. His tailored red suit, edged with delicate golden rims, shimmered faintly, as though it caught and refracted the moon's glow. Every movement he made was smooth, languid, almost like a feather carried effortlessly by the wind, yet underneath that calm exterior lay a quiet strength impossible to ignore.

Alex was already waiting beside Scarlett, dressed sharply in a striking black-and-white suit patterned like a chessboard. The bold design somehow magnified his strong features—his sharp jawline, his piercing black eyes, and his perfectly styled blond hair, the same golden hue as his sister's. At 1.85 meters tall, he stood confidently at Scarlett's side, his smile relaxed yet faintly proud as he watched Max approach.

But it was Scarlett's reaction that was more telling.

Her breath caught the instant she laid eyes on Max. The way the moonlight danced across the subtle gold of his suit, the way his every step seemed impossibly sure and yet almost weightless—she found herself marveling silently.

A faint, teasing smile curved her lips as she said, her tone half-joking but her eyes lingering on Max a little too long,

> "Looking at the two of you, I wouldn't even be surprised if someone told me you were the ones celebrating a birthday tonight."

Max and Alex exchanged a brief glance before both men smiled—one warm and easy, the other faint and enigmatic.

Then Max spoke, his voice low and smooth, carrying just enough warmth to make his words feel both casual and disarming:

> "You're one to talk. You look absolutely breathtaking tonight. I swear… if someone told me a kingdom once fell because your beauty stole the breath of everyone in it, I wouldn't doubt it for a second."

He said it with an ease that made it clear he didn't see any point in holding back his compliment—and yet, somehow, it came across not as flattery, but as simple truth.

Alex groaned theatrically and threw up his hands, a playful grin tugging at his mouth.

> "Hey, stop right there! Are you trying to woo my sister in front of me? Let me tell you now—she's already taken!"

Max simply turned his head to Alex, fixing him with a perfectly straight face, though a subtle smile played at the corners of his lips. He didn't bother replying—just let the silence speak for itself.

That silence, however, was broken when Scarlett, in an uncharacteristically hurried tone, cut in:

> "Don't believe him. I'm not taken."

Her words drew Alex's dark eyes to her, and for the first time in a long while, his carefully maintained composure faltered. Surprise flashed across his face before his lips curled into a knowing grin.

> Has my sister already been taken down? he mused silently, barely suppressing his amusement.

And as his gaze flicked briefly back to Max, a thought struck him with equal parts exasperation and admiration:

> Seems like I need to learn from him.

The chauffeur opened the door of the waiting limo hovercar, its sleek black frame gleaming under the mansion's lights. One by one, they climbed in—Max settling gracefully into his seat, Scarlett following after with a faint flush still lingering on her cheeks, and Alex bringing up the rear with a mischievous smirk.

Then—

VROOOOM!

The limo hovercar came to life with a soft, resonant hum, the sound of power contained beneath its polished shell. The lights of the mansion blurred behind them as they set off toward Birthday venue at the most luxurious hotel at the center of TARUS city, the night ahead shimmering with promise and silent, simmering tension.

TARUS city is the third best city in the federation and it is full of luxury and power, despite the population, no one dares to act unruly because beneath the bustling city is a powerful General maintaining security in the city.

~~~~

The hover limo glided smoothly through the night, a sleek black arrow slicing across the glittering lights of the cityscape.

From the backseat, Scarlett sat quietly by the window, her fingers resting on her lap, but her eyes were fixed on the world outside. The streets of Tarus City were alive tonight, buzzing with activity as streams of guests in fine carriages and hovercraft all made their way to the towering skyscraper at the heart of the city—the venue for Gui Nan's extravagant birthday gala.

Beside her, Alex was unusually quiet, glancing every so often between his sister and Max, an amused glint never quite leaving his eyes. And Max…

Max simply leaned back in his seat, relaxed and unhurried, his crimson suit catching the faint interior lights of the limo as though it was made to shimmer just for this occasion. He didn't look out the window, nor did he seem particularly interested in the conversation—or lack thereof—between the siblings. Yet somehow, he radiated a quiet awareness of everything happening in the car, his dark eyes occasionally catching Scarlett's reflection in the glass.

The air inside felt heavier as the car drew closer to the tower, but neither of them said anything about it.

At last, the hover limo slowed to a stop before the entrance of the skyscraper.

The building itself was magnificent—a vast spire of glass and steel stretching into the stars, its rooftop ablaze with light and music that drifted down into the street. The main doors glowed faint gold, and a long line of guests, all clad in luxurious gowns and suits, made their way inside.

The chauffeur opened the door for them, and Alex stepped out first, adjusting the cuffs of his chessboard-patterned jacket before turning to offer his hand to Scarlett. She emerged next, regal and composed, her wine-red gown sweeping elegantly around her as heads turned to watch. Even among the finely dressed crowd, she stood out.

And then Max stepped out.

It was subtle, but the hum of chatter near the entrance faltered for a moment as he straightened to his full height, his presence pulling eyes to him like a magnet.

Scarlett caught it too—the way the gold trim of his suit glinted in the warm light, the way he moved with perfect ease, unbothered by the attention, as though it all belonged to him anyway.

She felt her chest tighten slightly, and she had to look away to steady herself. And seeing the kind of looks the other ladies at the party are giving Max Eve when he is wearing a mask, she couldn't help but feel unhappy.

It cannot be said to be somewhat of a possessive desire for Max even when they are not together but it not far from it

"You'd almost think he's the host, not Gui Nan," Alex muttered beside her, his tone wry but edged with genuine admiration.

Max merely gave a faint, knowing smile before he offered Scarlett his arm, not asking but silently inviting her to take it.

Scarlett hesitated for a fraction of a second… then slipped her hand around his arm, her lips curling into the faintest, almost defiant smile.

And just like that, the three of them ascended the grand staircase to the rooftop ballroom.

---

The rooftop was a spectacle of decadence and wealth.

Under a canopy of floating crystal lanterns, guests mingled on a gleaming marble floor in an ocean of silks, gemstones, and laughter. Long banquet tables were laden with exotic dishes—succulent roasted beast cuts, platters of jewel-toned fruits, wines so rare that entire fortunes could be spent on a single bottle.

A string quartet played a soft, lilting tune near the fountain, their notes weaving through the low murmur of conversation.

And standing at the center of it all, basking in the glow of his own celebration, was Gui Nan.

He wore an immaculate white suit embroidered with silver filigree, his dark hair styled to perfection, his smile charming and confident and arrogant. But when his eyes landed on Scarlett, his practiced smile froze ever so slightly.

Then his gaze slid to Alex—unbothered as always.

And finally… to Max.

Gui Nan's composure cracked for just a second as he took in the stranger standing calmly at Scarlett's side, his crimson suit and unreadable eyes enough to unsettle even him.

Still, he recovered quickly, stepping forward with a smoothness born of years in high society.

"Scarlett," Gui Nan greeted, his smile back in place though his tone carried a sharper undertone now. "You honor me by coming tonight."

Scarlett inclined her head just enough to be polite, her own smile cool but courteous.

"Happy birthday, Gui Nan. Thank you for the invitation."

Gui Nan's eyes flicked once more to Max. "And this is…?"

Before anyone else could speak, Max stepped forward slightly, his voice calm and warm but with an edge of subtle challenge:

"Max. A friend."

His hand extended, and after a slight pause, Gui Nan took it. The handshake was brief but firm, and when Max finally released him, he tilted his head ever so slightly, the faintest shadow of a smirk on his lips as though he'd already won something Gui Nan hadn't even realized was at stake.

Scarlett couldn't help herself—she smiled faintly, even as she quickly hid it behind her wineglass.

Gui Nan, meanwhile, said nothing more, only gesturing vaguely toward the crowd as he stepped aside to greet another group of guests.

Max and Scarlett exchanged a look—hers quietly amused, his cool and unreadable—and then Alex broke the tension with his usual grin.

"Well," Alex said lightly, clapping Max on the back. "Let's go enjoy the party. I'm sure it'll get even more interesting soon enough."