Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start

"Happy birthday, Alex."

As the hall was covered in silence, the oppressive atmosphere from a second ago vanishing because of the lighthearted exchange between Alex and Maurice, Cassandra spoke up as well, wishing Alex a happy birthday and making him smile at her.

"Thank you, Your Highness," replied Alex with a formal smile. Alex knew that there was no need for him to show respect to the emperor and the empress; he could even expect them to respect him as he didn't need them—he was talented enough that any organization would kill to have him.

But he didn't do it since he didn't have any grudges against the emperor and the empress.

Cassandra, however, raised an elegant brow at his words, her tone both warm and pointed. "Must I remind you, Alex? If my husband is your uncle, should I not be your aunt as well?"

Cassandra's eyes scanned the delegates from other empires as she spoke those words, noticing the shift in their expressions very well.

"Thank you, Aunt Cassandra," Alex corrected his words, shaking his head inwardly as he could easily make out the reason behind all of this.

Both Maurice and Cassandra meant their words—there was no doubt about it. At the same time, however, they were trying to resolve the problem caused by Vanessa's extreme security measures without directly addressing but showing that their family didn't have any internal strife going on.

"Now," began Maurice, making everyone turn to him as his eyes scanned through the crowd, settling on Alex. "I call upon Alex Drakathor, the second prince of the esteemed Drakathor Empire, the man of honor this day, and the rising star of humanity. Step forward and address the pillars upon which our great empire stands—the noble houses who have safeguarded our prosperity."

Maurice remained seated on his throne, his authority and majesty overflowing, returning to how he should be, commanding respect from all those who looked at him, and Alex, listening to his words, inclined his head in acknowledgment and ascended the dais, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked through the shifting crowd below him.

He could see many faces filled with suspicion and uncertainty—not all thought of him to be worthy of the title of humanity's rising star. No one had ever seen him fight with his all after all.

Even in the academy, Alex had yet to fight like he meant it. The only fight he got serious was when a guy challenged his position, but even that fight ended quite anticlimactic, with the result being obvious from the first blow. It was no wonder people doubted his skills.

But a soft smile appeared on his face as he saw some people looking at him with admiration, awe, respect, and other positive emotions.

'And I have yet to start forming an image for myself,' he chuckled inwardly.

'I guess this is one of the perks of being handsome?' He thought to himself, only to be met by a questioning remark from Sophie.

[Are you turning into a narcissist now? Must I remind you who your mother is?]

'Hah...' All of Alex's inflated feelings left his lips as a sigh, making him shake his head on the inside, knowing that Sophie's words were point-on and he was popular because he was Vaness Drakathor's son.

He turned to look at Vanessa, who was looking at him as well, and seeing her nod, he turned to look at the council members, Zahara in particular, making her smile beautifully, showing her support by giving him a thumbs up from her spot, making Alex almost chuckle out loud.

"I know," he began as his gaze turned back to the crowd, his voice calm and resonating, "that many of you do not consider me exceptional."

He paused, absorbing the reactions from the nobles and their children. Many seemed to nod their heads.

"To be frank, I am not special at all." Those words stunned the nobles who were expecting Alex to prove how he was special. Making them exchange glances, but Alex didn't stop; he continued, "I am but a young man fortunate enough to be born with certain gifts. Nothing more, nothing less."

"But you?" Alex's voice grew firmer as he gestured toward the gathered nobility. "You are the pillars of the empire—the ones who had taken all the difficulties of the empire on your bodies, the ones who had burned their blood for the empire, the ones who have given most of their lives time for the empire."

His words made many of the high nobilities raise their heads with pride, feeling sincerity in Alex's words. Find exclusive stories on empire

"No matter what kind of talent one has—bloodline, physique, special abilities—one could never stand a chance in front of your efforts. I know that very well." Alex's words were like the sweetest honey they had tasted as Alex, the rising star of humanity, was praising them and calling himself lower than them, that too in front of so many people of the empire—all of the lower nobilities and their heirs.

Their minds drifted back to the moments they had lived for the empire and the sacrifices they had made.

"So, on this day, as I step into adulthood and begin to shoulder some of the responsibilities you have long carried," turning to the crowd, Alex continued, "I ask for your guidance rather than your deference. I don't ask for your respect since that is something one must earn rather than inherit."

Those words from Alex made even the people who respected Alex improvise his image, feeling that he really had a great personality. He was someone who didn't want to be treated with respect because he was Vanessa's son, but because he was Alex Drakathor—that is what he had just declared.

Many had turned to look at Vanessa's expressions, only to find her wearing the same icy cold expression, making them a bit disappointed.

'You can feel proud too, huh?' But Maurice, who had known Vanessa from childhood, knew how to read Vanessa's expression, so he knew that she was feeling proud just from the way her eyes gleamed.

"Thank you for honoring me with your presence," Alex concluded, his voice warm but composed. "I am truly grateful for your well wishes and hope to prove myself worthy of your trust."

With that, he stepped down from the dais. The crowd, however, remained still, some still feeling their goosebumps.

Then it started.

"YEAHHHH!!"

No one knew who started it, but the whole castle was swept into the thunderous cheers that shook the entire castle.

Many anti-Vanessa and anti-Alex nobles were also clapping their hands, not caring about anything as they were all impressed by Alex's words.

No one noticed a certain green-haired boy, standing not far from Cassandra's seat gritting his teeth, the glasses cup in his hand shattering due to him clenching his fist hard enough.

It was the crown prince of the empire—Darvin Drakathor. A boy with considerable height and a stark replica of Maurice Drakathor. He, more than anyone, felt displeasure seeing all this.

'Two years ago, when I stood here, they offered me little more than hollow praises. And now—' Darvin's thoughts churned with bitterness as he watched his father's warm smile directed at Alex—a smile he had never received.

His fists clenched harder and the shards bit into his palm, but he paid no heed, his eyes fixed on Alex with barely concealed rage.

But as his fury threatened to boil over, Darvin's lips curled into a cold smile. 'Patience... soon, the tides will turn.'

With that thought, he retreated to a shadowed corner, his movements careful and deliberate to avoid drawing undue attention.