Chapter 114

Everything went perfectly, except for one thing that made me unhappy: there were too many people invited, including many I didn't know. There was so much more to say in the formalities. Feng Ran could only catch his breath when he was with Shen Shiqian, since no one else would be so oblivious as to disturb the sweet moments between the young couple.

Because traditional capping ceremonies require wearing white robes and no jewelry to symbolize new life and maturity, today's ceremony is mainly a coming-of-age ceremony and does not include a ball.

The fabric of the clothes was quite thick, and Feng Ran could drag it on the ground with just a slight bend, so he had to stand up straight like a tree, looking like a sacred godfather.

Fran walked over and glanced at her, and actually began to pray to her devoutly.

Feng Ran glared at him speechlessly: "What are you doing?"

He muttered to himself, "Please bless me so I can pass my academic subjects..."

In March, with less than 100 days until the entrance exams, it's certainly nerve-wracking, but why bring it up at this time and ruin the atmosphere?

Feng Ran: "If you have nothing to say, then get off."

Before the ceremony officially began, many people were watching Feng Ran's movements, who he greeted, who he chatted with, and what they talked about. After all, no one would believe that what could be held at the royal manor was just a simple coming-of-age ceremony.

The outside world's attention to this coming-of-age ceremony is unprecedented. Feng Ran has become a celebrity comparable to Shen Shiqian because of her previous series of duels. The fact that the princess personally conferred the crown on her further illustrates the uniqueness of her identity.

However, Feng Ran's background has already been thoroughly exposed. She was a pampered young lady who was neglected at home and eventually left in anger. Her father and brother never mentioned her when asked by others, as if they did not recognize her as a member of the family. She seemed quite pitiful.

In fact, Feng Xiqiao had been reprimanded by Shen Shiqian quite a bit. He was a businessman, and whether he could beat Shen Shiqian was another matter, but the result of a fight to the death was something he could not afford to lose. Who knew that Feng Ran had even found out whether his lover had taken any incriminating evidence from the Feng family over the years.

The reason why Feng Linye dared not speak out, unlike his father's deep-seated silence, was that he was afraid of being beaten up by the people hired by Luo Le. He tried to call the police, but the first thing the police said was, "You said you are the brother of Marshal's fiancée, Miss Feng Ran, right?"

He finally understood why his father, who had already squeezed into the ranks of the Kempin elite, was still desperately climbing higher. Kempin had no shortage of rich people or powerful people. His father could use various means of dealing to smooth things over and get into the elite, but he could also lose everything because of it.

They have no right to establish themselves in Kempin; they are merely castles in the air.

So even though Feng Ran had abandoned her family and ignored them, they now had to pay the price for the public opinion surrounding her, simply because she had now transformed into a more powerful figure. Not only could they no longer hurl insults at her as before, but they also had to endure everything to protect her in order to prevent the public opinion from getting out of control and hurting them.

There's so little that can be seen on the surface, so all that's left to fill her with is mystery, a captivating yet sinister and dangerous aura, as deceptive as her sacred white robe.

When the banquet finally reached the crowning ceremony, the filming team set up their cameras and began live streaming. The hall of the royal estate had a high dome, and the white carved beams and pillars were inlaid with stained glass windows. Under the light, the interior was as bright as day.

Princess Sherry wore a contrasting golden robe and a jeweled ring symbolizing her royal status. Escorfin's long veil reached her waist, and her golden hair was styled into a long braid, quietly hidden behind her. She also held a scepter made of laurel branches in her hand.

A long carpet was laid out in the center of the hall, and at the end of the carpet was a three-tiered staircase. Shirley stood on the staircase, while Aphrodite stood beside her, acting as a servant, holding a tray with the laurel crown on it.

Shirley: "At this moment, may the heavens hear this wish?"

As her blessing began, Fengran started moving from the other end of the carpet.

"Bestowing upon us the eternal starlight and dust."

Attendants on both sides of the path threw moonlight silver osmanthus flowers onto the white robes. After being tainted by pheromones and reacting with specific bioalkalis, the flowers turned golden and spread out to both sides like rays of light.

"To extend destiny into the future."

At the end of the carpet was a cosmic star map woven with colorful gold threads. As Feng Ran stepped on it, the string orchestra next to him began to play.

"A flock of pigeons weaves lines of poetry."

...

This is actually the most traditional and complicated capping ceremony. From the length of the congratulatory speech to the arrangement and preparation of various objects, to the rituals and meanings corresponding to each step, it is comparable to His Majesty's coronation ceremony. Although it cannot be ruled out that His Majesty Geno simplified the ceremony to take office quickly, such a complete and long coming-of-age capping ceremony has long been simplified. Basically, the ordinary capping ceremony is reduced to only one step: the elder guides the ceremony by saying a congratulatory speech and presenting the laurel wreath.

The imperial citizens watching the broadcast on the StarNet were utterly awestruck. Previously, they'd only found such recordings tedious, but Feng Ran handled every step with remarkable ease and confidence, a natural protagonist who needed no guidance whatsoever. The princess, of course, was equally professional, her cool and solemn demeanor perfectly complementing the guide's divine makeup—one gold, one white; one still, one dynamic; one serene, one unrestrained—like two different lights colliding and burning, divinity and malevolence strangely embracing each other.

The princess was a ruthless work machine, oblivious to Feng Ran's ostentatious demeanor emanating from within, and calmly continued the ceremony. Feng Ran stood at the foot of her steps, and Sherry raised her green leaf scepter and gently tapped it, making a soft rustling sound.

"They hang on the branches, bathed in rain and wind, gently brushing your hair, bringing the sun's reverence."

As the ceremony progressed, Feng Ran's robe was covered with various things, and the attendants removed the robe for her, revealing a white dress underneath.

"The laurel crown bestows upon you the victory of wisdom and immortal glory, and,"

"Supreme freedom".

Shirley set down the scepter, raised the laurel wreath from the tray, and placed it firmly on Fengran's head.

The scene erupted in applause, blessings poured in from all directions, the sound of camera shutters clicking incessantly, the string music was replaced by a symphony, cannons were lit in a corner, and colorful confetti and ribbons fluttered in the air.

Although it was complicated, Fengran really liked the ritual.

Supreme freedom.

She turned to face everyone, and the suppressed excitement and joy were fully revealed. Under the spotlight, her smile spread little by little. Although she was still pleasing to the eye, it was intuitively different from her previous dignified composure.

Shen Shiqian stood very close to her and, noticing her excitement, called out to her somewhat nervously, "Ranran."

Feng Ran noticed his nervousness and moved closer to him. "Sorry, did I scare you? I was just too happy."

He was about to continue speaking when Feng Ran stopped him with his index finger. The latter's smile still carried a dizzying, mesmerizing quality: "It would be too disappointing to say it out loud."

Feng Ran nodded in acknowledgment to each blessing, always standing in the center of the carpet, above the stars, until Princess Shirley shook the scepter again, the bells on the leaves almost inaudible in the clamor.

Feng Ran knelt down with his back to her, and the crowd quieted down.

Shirley: "Today, here, there is one more thing to announce."

"Let us celebrate."

"The miracle of the nebula, the wise prophet."

"The birth of Enigma".

For a moment, the band's music stopped abruptly, a moment that was enough to ignite the entire venue, and the once quiet crowd erupted in uproar.

"Wait, what does this mean?"

"Enigma?! Who?"

"Could it be the one I'm thinking of..."

For most people, Enigma is merely a legendary phenomenon, even rarer than the return of Comet Oort; their very existence is astonishing. For those familiar with history, it is an extreme unknown.

Extremely rare, extremely powerful, extremely wise, it is a composite of strength and intelligence, even its genes are superior to those of ordinary people, more like the incarnation of a god than a creator.

Feng Ran stood up from the ground, still smiling at everyone, but now everyone couldn't help but feel that there was a terrifying meaning behind that smile.

She removed the laurel crown from her head and snapped her fingers. Magnificent flames spontaneously ignited on the crown. She appeared to be holding the flames, but in reality, a singularity filled the gap between them. Space flowed and moved through her hands. The flames did not harm her in the slightest, and the ashes disappeared along with the flames. Her white dress remained spotless.

Those who know the inside story only feel that her control over her superpowers has reached a terrifying level.

Those who don't understand it just think it's divine power, a miracle.

It was even more of a threat.

She bowed politely: "It's a pleasure to introduce myself to everyone again."

"I am Fengran, an Enigma."

This time, Shirley led the applause, and the others finally snapped out of their shock. Unable to fathom the intentions of their superiors, they could only follow suit and applaud.

Basil walked to the edge of the reporters' group and kicked Xinmo from the New United Chinese News Agency: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go interview them. Didn't I send you the list of questions?"

As the most imaginative, daring, and daring editor in the newspaper, and also the one with the greatest psychological resilience, Xinmo learned about some of the procedures after the crowning ceremony through his boss. Even though he knew, he couldn't help but be shocked by the fact that he was seeing that kind of power for the first time and couldn't calm down for a long time.

He staggered up to her, his voice trembling with excitement: "Ms. Feng Ran, may I ask you a few questions?"

With the wind and gas fields fully activated: "Of course."

Xinmo was so nervous that his mind went blank for a moment. He quickly flipped through his list and cheat sheet, glanced at it, and then calmed himself down before asking, "I've heard that Enigma is the legendary fourth gender. How did you determine that you are Enigma?"

Feng Ran: "After the second differentiation, I went to the Control Institute for a comprehensive pheromone test as required. However, because the deviation value exceeded the range that the machine could detect, I also had a more comprehensive mental strength and physical fitness test. The values ​​were all quite high, close to the legendary Enigma threshold. Coincidentally, among my friends, Sissen Kalisch is a very outstanding doctor."

"As everyone knows, Shen Shiqian and I are partners and have been temporarily marked. After marking, Dr. Kalishu checked Shen Shiqian's pheromone deviation value. The only thing that could change the deviation value of a 3S-level Alpha is Enigma."

Everything happened so naturally and smoothly; she was clearly a law-abiding Enigma.

Xinmo: "Okay, thank you. Now, for the second question, has being a second sex caused you any distress?"

Feng Ran: "There will definitely be an impact, but it's not all bad. Not long ago, I was someone who lacked a sense of worth and confidence. Although Shen Shiqian promised me that he would love me faithfully no matter what, he had too many suitors, and gender was always a concern for me."

"But because of Enigma's existence, this love can become my own eternity, which makes me feel very fortunate. In addition to being fortunate, it also makes me realize that there are still many things I can do."

"When the test results came back, my reaction was almost exactly the same as everyone else's. I even worried that because I was different from others, the happiness I had worked so hard to achieve would be trapped back in a cage. But fortunately, I met a lot of wonderful people who treated me like an ordinary person without any prejudice, which gave me the courage to stand here and acknowledge myself."

She played the victim very well, but public opinion is always biased, and others had to admit that her methods were shrewd.

No one dared to show their restlessness or agitation, because this was Feng Ran and Shirley's shared stage. She was generously displaying her abilities to everyone, which also meant that she had the power to overturn the banquet at any time.

The two of them went back and forth answering many questions. Humility, weakness, and unease were deliberately shrouded in Feng Ran, making everyone recognize her as an Enigma while infinitely diminishing her dangerousness, as if someone else had been laughing evilly just now.

Seeing this, the other reporters only dared to ask some unimportant questions. Only a few dared to ask why the laurel wreath was burned and how the flames in the palm of the hand were created.

Feng Ran: "This is also part of my self-introduction. The flames are burning brightly, and my name also symbolizes the passion of rebirth. I do not want the victory and wisdom of the laurel wreath to confine me. As the last line of the blessing says, supreme freedom is my understanding of freedom."

"As for the flames, they are just a cleverly designed magic trick, but revealing the trick's mechanism would ruin the mystery, so it's kept secret."

This last sentence might seem perfunctory to others, but for viewers watching the live stream on StarNet, it's a charmingly playful remark unique to young people.

[Waaaaah, Ranran, may you be free forever!]

[Admit it, Shen Shiqian is just trying to climb the social ladder. Did he receive this kind of treatment at his coming-of-age ceremony? Didn't you see that Her Highness barely even glanced at those around her? But Feng Ran's expression during the interview was full of admiration!]

Knowing they were from Enigma, he still went out of his way to get close to them; all I can say is that the Marshal has real guts!

Is Enigma really that terrifying?

[Isn't it terrifying that they can transform Alphas and Betas into Omegas, and their marks can't be removed at all!]

[You're talking about the Empire's monogamous system? And if it were a matter of marking someone, it wouldn't be your turn. If I were Feng Ran, after suffering so much unfair treatment since childhood, once I found out I was actually the incredibly powerful Enigma, I would definitely blow up all my enemies in the Empire first. I wouldn't have the patience to explain all this here.]

Am I the only one curious about how that magic trick was done?

I've seen a similar performance at the Galaxy Theater before. It probably uses special fuel that's very cool enough not to burn you. As for the laurel wreath, it's probably just a contraption, as she said.

[But they're so pretty! Ranran's fingers are so white and shapely, perfect for doing magic tricks for me, hehe.]

The online discussions are varied. Being familiar with history and actually witnessing history are two different things. Most people know nothing about Enigma in history, but Feng Ran is a living person standing in front of them.

Freedom of thought and rebellion make people trust their own judgment more than rigid rules. Besides, the princess said that Feng Ran is a miracle of the nebula and a wise prophet. Instead of questioning everything in more depth and complexity, they should cheer and be happy.

Those who accepted all of this the fastest were undoubtedly the military personnel and those who had fought against Feng Ran back then. Some of them even watched the live stream from home, taking the lead in defending themselves: they were defeated because Enigma had an innate advantage, not because he was too weak! Then they were bombarded with criticism from netizens who didn't buy it.

[Feng Ran is strong, what does gender have to do with it? Stop judging her with prejudice. She hadn't even undergone secondary differentiation back then!]

[Exactly! She clearly doesn't like fighting either. Isn't it all because you guys said she wasn't good enough for Shen Shiqian that she had to come out and prove herself? If she wins, you say she has a gender advantage and that Enigma is ruthless. If she loses, won't she be forced to break off her engagement with Shen Shiqian?]

[Waaaa, no wonder Ranran was so insecure and anxious before. She finally found her happiness, but she had to worry about not being worthy of it, about the Marshal being taken away, or about being abandoned. She finally differentiated into Enigma, and now she has to endure all of you people's sarcastic remarks and pressure.]

[For context, in the history of secondary sexuality, the Enigma preceding Feng Ran was Dr. Novusman, who developed the marking and cleaning agent. The benefits this agent brought to countless Omegas are well-known, so much so that even though he's historically criticized as a mad doctor, the Omega Protection Association still considers him a guardian. But was Dr. Novusman truly insane? Records say he was radical and insane, wanting to remove everyone's glands and destroy secondary sexual characteristics. However, those who have visited the Omega Protection Association center on Planet Pulan may have seen the notes of the association's founder, Miss Soldolin. These notes record that the gland experiments were initially motivated by Dr. Novusman's lover's inability to mark an Enigma, leading him to abandon the doctor and marry another Omega, causing him significant psychological trauma and even causing him to resign from the hospital. His second lover encouraged him, saying it was okay; if he couldn't defy his genetic instincts, he could remove the glands to maintain fidelity. This was clearly a consensual experiment, yet it was condemned by others as an immoral human experiment.] The intensity of the outcry at the time is evident from history books, so much so that this journal was only released by Miss Soldolin's descendants more than two hundred years after her death.

[My goodness, according to historical records, wouldn't the Enigma all have met a tragic end?]

[The case is solved! No wonder Ranran didn't dare to tell anyone when she first found out. If the princess hadn't stood up for her, it's hard to imagine what kind of chaos would have ensued at her coming-of-age ceremony.]

The live stream ended after the interview, but the online discussion remained high. Marketing accounts and Xing Tong joined in to fuel the fire, making Feng Ran's image even more harmless and lovable. As a result, Feng Ran's fans were so abusive that they bombarded the internet with angry messages. Even military enthusiast forums were flooded with their angry posts, but the military enthusiasts who were flooded with messages didn't dare to utter a single word, which amazed everyone else.

The reporters and filming crew left first, and the guests who didn't want to get too involved also left, leaving behind some onlookers who seemed lost in thought.

Taking a quick look at the online comments, Feng Ran was quite satisfied with the outcome. The banquet and the coming-of-age ceremony were both coming to an end, and she no longer needed to pretend to be serious.

Princess Shirley came down the steps and was about to go to the lounge to change out of her cumbersome clothes when Feng Ran called her back.

"Thank you, Your Highness. You are always so generous and kind."

Shirley: "I'm glad you like it."

Feng Ran: "Well, to thank you for the freedom you promised me, I've decided to give you a return gift."

Her gaze swept from left to right, imprinting the expressions of everyone around her in her mind. Perhaps she was too happy, for her eyes narrowed into crescent moons when she smiled.

"I'll grant you a wish."

Does this wish include your loyalty?

Who knows?

Sherry smiled too. She removed the heavy Escoffian robe, her long hair falling loose, revealing the young regent's charismatic features. She shook hands with Feng Ran:

"I will use it with great care."

Feng Ran grasped her hand back, one of them still smiling with righteous indignation, the other with a sinister grin.

But the fact that these two leaders tolerate each other makes it clear that an era of upheaval is about to arrive.

The fact that young Enigma dared to make such a promise so easily shows that she was confident in her abilities. With someone of such ability standing beside the princess, the balance of power was forcibly torn apart by Feng Ran, leaving it precarious and causing widespread panic.

Shirley ignored the look in Speaker Bruce's eyes and went to the lounge to change her clothes.

Shen Shiqian leaned closer to Feng Ran: "Ranran, is this okay?"

Feng Ran casually replied, "What's good or bad about it? Aren't I a prophet? Besides, I like dealing with smart and generous people."

She led Shen Shiqian away gracefully, intending to change out of her dress. As they walked, she whispered, "Are you getting dumber because you're pregnant, or do you just not understand us well enough?"

An equal transaction can only take place on the basis of equality between two people. Feng Ran is rarely generous, but he is not generous enough to open his heart to others. Shirley has known her for so long, so she knows what kind of person she is.

But she still smiled because of her appreciation, not caring how others interpreted it. She could pique people's interest while also intimidating them. It's hard to say whether the princess also had a mischievous sense of humor.

Shen Shiqian: "Did you prepare all the interview answers in advance? Do I need to give the same answers as everyone else?"

Feng Ran squinted, hooked his arm around his neck, and leaned in to kiss him.

Feng Ran: "Do you want me to pursue you?"

Shen Shiqian: "This is an extravagant wish."

Feng Ran skipped and hopped in front of him, then turned back, still teasing him: "I'll consider it."