"You will accompany me to Lord Krovain's gathering this evening," Lady Lilith announced as their morning training session concluded. "Several influential members of Bloodreach society will be present, and I wish to demonstrate certain aspects of my research progress."

  Damien inclined his head respectfully. "As you wish, my dy."

  "Appropriate attire has been arranged," she continued, her crimson eyes assessing him with clinical precision. "You will serve as my attendant while representing the practical results of my research. Your behavior must be exempry—neither too assertive nor excessively servile."

  "I understand, my dy."

  Lady Lilith's expression remained impassive, but her tone carried unmistakable warning. "Many will be curious about my bringing a former sve to a noble function. Some may attempt to provoke reactions through deliberate insults or challenges. You will maintain composure regardless of provocation."

  "Yes, my dy."

  When Damien returned to his quarters, he found the promised attire waiting—formal clothing of quality far exceeding anything he had worn previously. The crimson and silver of House Bloodfang featured prominently, but subtle design elements identified him as a research asset rather than a true household member. The garments walked the delicate line between his elevated status as Provisional Research Associate and the immutable fact of his sve caste origin.

  [Social Event Detected] Function type: Noble gathering Host: Lord Krovain (Noble, Bloodreach aristocracy) Purpose: Lady Lilith will demonstrate research progress Subject role: Attendant and research example Recommended behavior: Respectful competence, controlled presentation

  As evening approached, Damien prepared methodically. He had never attended a noble gathering before, but his system helped analyze appropriate behaviors based on observations of Bloodfang Manor's higher-status residents and readings from the manor's library.

  Lady Lilith was waiting in the manor's entrance hall when Damien arrived precisely at the appointed time. Her formal attire emphasized her status as both noble and researcher—elegant without being ostentatious, the quality of materials and craftsmanship speaking more eloquently than eborate ornamentation might have.

  "Remember your purpose this evening," she stated as they entered her personal carriage. "You are physical evidence of my research success, not merely a servant. Respond to direct questions with concise, factual answers. Do not volunteer information."

  "Yes, my dy," Damien acknowledged.

  The carriage journey provided Damien his first extended view of Bloodreach beyond Bloodfang Manor's grounds. The city's architecture favored sweeping curves and elegant spires rather than the angur designs common in other demon kingdoms. Buildings of deep red stone and dark wood rose around them, illuminated by magical lights that cast everything in a crimson glow as evening descended.

  Lord Krovain's estate occupied a prestigious position in Bloodreach's noble district—a sprawling complex surrounded by eborate gardens featuring pnts with deep red foliage. Guards in formal attire stood at attention as noble guests arrived in carriages of varying opulence, each dispying their house insignia and status through magical enhancements and design elements.

  As Lady Lilith's carriage approached the main entrance, Damien noted the subtle shift in her posture—a barely perceptible straightening that nonetheless communicated the assumption of her public noble persona. When they disembarked, he followed precisely three paces behind her, the correct distance for a high-value research asset according to Bloodreach protocol.

  The entrance hall of Lord Krovain's estate dispyed ostentatious wealth through rare materials and magical enhancements. Crystal illumination orbs cast perfect light across polished stone floors, while animated tapestries depicted historical achievements of House Krovain. Servants moved with practiced efficiency, greeting arriving guests and directing them toward the main gathering hall.

  Upon entering the hall, a majordomo announced Lady Lilith's arrival with formal titles. "Lady Lilith Bloodfang, Head Researcher of House Bloodfang's Blood Compatibility Division, Magister of the Bloodreach Academy."

  Damien observed the subtle reactions from assembled nobles—polite acknowledgment mixed with evaluative assessment and, from some, barely concealed calcution. Lady Lilith's research clearly represented both opportunity and potential threat to various political interests.

  As Lady Lilith moved through the gathering, exchanging formal greetings with other nobles, Damien maintained his position as trained attendant—close enough to respond to commands but not presuming equality with the noble guests. His system continuously analyzed social dynamics, identifying key figures and their apparent retionships to Lady Lilith.

  [Social Analysis] Key attendees identified: - Lord Krovain (Host, neutral toward Lady Lilith) - Duchess Vendra (Rival researcher, negative disposition) - Lord Sethrin (Academy supporter, positive disposition) - Count Malvus (Trade interests, calcuting assessment)

  After approximately an hour of carefully choreographed social interaction, Lord Krovain approached Lady Lilith directly. A tall, imposing figure with the characteristic crimson eyes of Bloodreach nobility, his formal attire dispyed both traditional elements and subtle innovations that marked him as both respectful of tradition and open to progress.

  "Lady Bloodfang, your presence honors my gathering," he offered with practiced cordiality. "I understand your research has advanced considerably since your Academy presentation."

  "Indeed, Lord Krovain," Lady Lilith replied. "The practical applications of blood compatibility theory continue to demonstrate promising results."

  Lord Krovain's gaze shifted to Damien, assessing him with the clinical interest of one evaluating a valuable commodity. "This is your research subject? The one with the exceptional compatibility ratings?"

  "Yes. This is Damien, a particurly successful example of cross-caste compatibility enhancement."

  Lord Krovain circled Damien slowly, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts. "Remarkable that such compatibility can exist in one of sve origin. Your research challenges many established assumptions about blood magic limitations."

  "Evidence must guide theory, not tradition," Lady Lilith responded.

  Other nobles had begun to gather around them, interest piqued by Lord Krovain's direct engagement. Damien maintained perfect composure despite becoming the focal point of multiple evaluative gazes.

  "Perhaps a demonstration would be instructive," suggested Duchess Vendra, her tone carrying thinly veiled challenge. "Practical results are more convincing than theoretical discussions."

  Lady Lilith inclined her head slightly. "A reasonable suggestion. With Lord Krovain's permission, a small demonstration could be arranged."

  At Lord Krovain's acquiescence, servants quickly prepared a space in the center of the gathering hall. Lady Lilith directed Damien to stand at the center of this impromptu demonstration area while she retrieved a small crystal vial from a pouch at her waist.

  "This contains diluted noble blood with specific enchantment properties," she expined to the assembled nobles. "Typically, one of sve caste would experience significant rejection symptoms upon exposure. Observe the difference with an enhanced compatibility subject."

  Lady Lilith activated a series of small runes etched into the floor—standard detection enchantments that would dispy magical interactions visibly for the audience. She then opened the vial and directed Damien to extend his hand.

  Drawing on his training, Damien maintained composed focus as Lady Lilith poured three drops of the crimson liquid onto his palm. The blood glowed softly as it made contact with his skin, spreading in precise patterns rather than random dispersion.

  The detection runes activated instantly, projecting a visualization of the interaction between the noble blood and Damien's own magical essence. Instead of the typical rejection pattern—chaotic disruption and forced expulsion—the dispy showed harmonious integration, the foreign blood finding compatible pathways through his magical network.

  Murmurs of surprise and interest spread through the gathered nobility. Such compatibility was indeed exceptional, particurly for someone of Damien's caste origin.

  "The subject demonstrates 84% compatibility with standard noble blood samples," Lady Lilith expined. "Compared to the typical 30-40% maximum even in carefully matched conventional pairings."

  A noble Damien hadn't previously identified—a sharp-featured demon in eborate sapphire attire—stepped forward with obvious skepticism. "Impressive if genuine. But controlled demonstrations can be... engineered."

  "A valid concern, Lord Drakus," Lady Lilith acknowledged. "Perhaps you would care to provide an alternative sample for testing? Something prepared without my prior knowledge would eliminate any suggestion of pre-arrangement."

  The challenge silenced Lord Drakus momentarily before he nodded sharply. "A reasonable proposal." He removed a signet ring from his finger, pricked his own finger on its edge, and collected several drops of blood in a small crystal container provided by a servant.

  Lady Lilith accepted the container with appropriate formality. "Damien, prepare for secondary compatibility assessment."

  Damien nodded, adjusting his stance slightly. This unpnned demonstration presented both risk and opportunity—success would further validate Lady Lilith's research cims, while failure might undermine everything she had presented.

  Lord Drakus's blood glowed with different magical properties than Lady Lilith's prepared sample—rawer, unrefined, and carrying the distinctive magical signature of House Drakus rather than Bloodfang. As Lady Lilith carefully applied it to Damien's other palm, the detection runes activated once more.

  For a moment, the blood simply sat on his skin, seemingly inert. Then, responding to Damien's carefully controlled magical influence, it began spreading in patterns simir to the previous demonstration—not identical, as that would suggest artificial manipution, but showing clear compatible pathway formation rather than rejection.

  The rune dispy confirmed what the observers could see directly: 76% compatibility with completely unprepared noble blood from a different house lineage.

  "Lower than our prepared samples but still far exceeding standard compatibility thresholds," Lady Lilith noted, her tone maintaining professional detachment despite the clear triumph. "The subject's exceptional properties appear consistent across multiple noble bloodlines."

  The demonstration concluded with significant interest from the assembled nobility. As servants provided materials for Damien to cleanse the blood from his hands, various nobles approached Lady Lilith with questions and comments regarding her research implications.

  Throughout the remainder of the gathering, Damien maintained his role as both attendant and living evidence of Lady Lilith's research success. Most nobles addressed their questions to Lady Lilith directly, treating Damien as valuable property rather than a conversation participant. He responded when directly addressed, providing concise, factual answers as instructed while revealing nothing beyond what Lady Lilith had already presented.

  One particur interaction proved challenging when a clearly intoxicated noble approached while Lady Lilith was engaged in conversation across the hall. The noble—young, wearing house colors Damien didn't recognize—regarded him with the contemptuous amusement of someone encountering an unusual animal.

  "So this is Bloodfang's remarkable specimen," the noble slurred slightly. "Doesn't look particurly special to me. Still has the stink of the sve pits, I'd wager."

  Damien remained silent, neither acknowledging the insult nor showing reaction. His system assessed the situation rapidly:

  [Confrontation Analysis] Intoxicated noble (House undetermined) Intent: Provocation, possibly to cause scene Risk level: Moderate (No physical threat, social consequences possible) Recommended response: Non-engagement, maintain composed silence

  The noble, clearly disappointed by Damien's ck of reaction, stepped closer. "I'm addressing you, sve. Have you been trained to respond to your betters?"

  "The research subject responds to authorized personnel only," came Lady Lilith's cool voice as she approached. "And demonstrates appropriate restraint when faced with... undignified behavior."

  The young noble flushed darkly, betedly recognizing the public rebuke. He retreated with mumbled apologies, merging back into the gathering while avoiding Lady Lilith's cold gaze.

  "Well handled," she noted quietly to Damien. "Your restraint is noted and appreciated."

  As the evening progressed, Damien observed the subtle political currents flowing through the gathering. Lady Lilith's demonstration had clearly strengthened her position among Bloodreach's research-focused nobility while potentially threatening those whose interests y in maintaining traditional blood magic limitations.

  When they finally departed Lord Krovain's estate several hours ter, Lady Lilith waited until they were sealed within her private carriage before speaking.

  "The demonstration exceeded expectations," she stated. "Lord Krovain has approved additional resource allocation for our research, and several influential Academy members have expressed interest in colborative efforts."

  Damien nodded his acknowledgment. "The unprepared sample demonstration appeared particurly effective, my dy."

  "Indeed. Lord Drakus's challenge provided perfect opportunity to dispel suspicions of pre-arrangement." A slight smile curved her lips. "Sometimes opposition serves our purposes more effectively than support."

  The carriage moved smoothly through Bloodreach's darkened streets, returning to Bloodfang Manor. Damien reflected on the evening's significance—his first public presentation as Lady Lilith's research subject had successfully demonstrated his unusual abilities while maintaining appropriate boundaries and behavior.

  "Your performance was adequate," Lady Lilith added after several minutes of silence. "The restraint shown with the intoxicated noble demonstrated appropriate discipline. Such provocations may become more common as our research gains prominence."

  "I understand, my dy."

  Upon returning to Bloodfang Manor, Lady Lilith dismissed Damien to his quarters. The gathering had served its purpose—establishing Lady Lilith's research credibility among Bloodreach's nobility while introducing Damien as living evidence of her theories rather than merely a theoretical concept.

  Back in his quarters, Damien's system provided its own assessment of the evening:

  [Noble Gathering Analysis Complete] Overall outcome: Positive Lady Lilith's research status: Enhanced Subject presentation: Successful (Demonstrated value without threatening established order) Notable observations: 12 influential nobles showed significant interest Potential concerns: 3 nobles dispyed possible hostile intent toward research objectives

  The gathering had been a calcuted risk that appeared to have yielded valuable results—increased support for Lady Lilith's research, enhanced resources, and broader recognition of Damien's unusual capabilities. Yet it had also exposed him to wider scrutiny beyond Bloodfang Manor, potentially attracting both opportunity and danger as knowledge of his abilities spread throughout Bloodreach's noble circles.