Chapter 114 - Good natured
After I returned to the academy, the time was already reaching the nighttime almost. I wanted to rest, but the leave I got was only for a day, so I didn't have the time to do so.
In fact, I was not expecting this dungeon to take that huge amount of time, so this could be seen as unpreparedness.
In any case, the moment I reached my room, I immediately went to rest for a little while to get rid of this feeling of nausea.
After that, I woke up very early and started training to fill my empty time with training.
Since I was getting quite a lot of hostility from the people whenever they were present, and they were blatantly trying to make it hard for me, this was actually a good schedule.
After all, most students would be sleeping around 3 AM…..Especially those with little jobs putting their noses into other people's affairs.
My training went on until I got a message from the History and Art Club.
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Subject: Club Meeting
Since the academy had postponed the classes this time, we decided to conduct this week's meeting on the weekdays.
The decided time is Thursday at 1 p.m.
Please contact me if you have anything clashing with the meeting at that time. We will try to adjust accordingly.
Your President, Maya
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It was a message befitting of Senior Maya's character, and this act was something I respected about her.
She was diligent and organized, ensuring that the club's affairs ran smoothly even though she was a weird type of character who liked to babble about snacks quite a lot of times.
I replied simply, saying I would be able to join the meeting.
The meeting wouldn't be canceled in the game, and this would also be one of the times when the player would start observing the progress of Sylvie's quest.
'Mason will try to raise his favorability.'
Since the eyes are on demon followers, they can't make direct attempts on Sylvie for the time being; thus, they are trying to play it safe.
After that, as I continued my daily routine, the sun slowly approached the ground.
'125.'
THUD!
As I jumped down from the rope I had been climbing, I looked at my drenched body with sweat.
I had been training my body strength for the whole day, and now the fatigue was starting to kick in.
After taking a quick shower, I headed to the academy's cafeteria, my stomach grumbling in hunger after an intense training session.
As I entered, the usual buzz of students greeted me, though something was a little different.
I made my way to the food counter, ignoring the sidelong glances and hushed conversations that seemed to follow me.
A group of students, engrossed in their own conversation, suddenly fell silent as I passed by. Their eyes bore into me, filled with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"Isn't that him?" I heard one of them whisper.
"Yeah, the one they say assaulted quite a number of women," another responded, not bothering to lower their voice.
Though, at this point, these types of acts became natural. In fact, since someone was purposefully instigating things like that to happen, I was already prepared for even second, maybe third years to know about this.
'And, this didn't disappoint me. Whoever this is, they can even influence seniors.'
This meant the said person was highly likely also belonged to senior year.
A senior influencing a freshman was a lot easier than a freshman influencing a senior.
In any case, as I sat at my table and started munching my food, I spotted someone I knew.
Yellow silky hair and a smile that makes me uncomfortable, reminding her.
Sylvie and her friends entered the cafeteria. They were chatting animatedly amongst themselves, seemingly caught up in their own conversations.
The two people besides were all people I was familiar with in the game. One of them was a good girl who wanted nothing but the best for her friend.
But the other one was not like that.
'Danielle.'
She was a girl whose true intentions never matched her face at all. After all, she had already made a contract with a demon way before the academy even started.
Her past was briefly mentioned, but it was easy to say that she was jealous of Sylvie. Not specifically Sylvie, but girls with beautiful figures and good talents.
She was also linked to the approaching incident that was about to start happening in two weeks.
'The disappearance of female cadets.'
She would be the main culprit of this incident, and this would also mark the start of the countless demon-related incidents inside the academy since, with this, the academy would start conducting more thorough tests related to demonic energy, and this would force the hands of the demons a lot more.
*****
As the three sat at their table, they immediately started talking.
Sylvie, the more innocent and reserved among her friends, just started munching her food as her companions animatedly discussed the latest romantic gossip circulating around the academy.
"Have you heard about Professor Alaric and Professor Lorraine? I swear, the chemistry between them is undeniable," one of her friends exclaimed, leaning in with excitement.
Sylvie widened her eyes in surprise. "Oh, really? I had no idea." She replied like that, but in fact, she didn't have any interest in such gossip at all.
She didn't like the idea of continuously discussing other people's love affairs.
"Absolutely! They were seen together at the Red Phoenix Inn last weekend. It's practically a date!" another friend chimed in, delighted to share the scoop.
"Wow, I had no clue," Sylvie replied, trying to keep up with the intrigue.
"And what about Thomas and Lily? It seems like they had a massive argument in the library," a different friend added, intrigued by the drama.
Danielle tilted her head, appearing a bit lost in the conversation. "Thomas and Lily? I didn't know they were having problems."
As the conversation flowed and meandered through the academy's romantic grapevine, the subject naturally turned to the most recent dungeon incident.
"Did you hear about Mark and Evelyn? Apparently, that dungeon incident brought them together," Danielle mentioned with a grin, her eyes glinting mischievously.
Sylvie, who had been quiet during the gossip session, blushed slightly at the mention of the incident.
Since she was reminded of the small memories of those times.
"I will cover you, Sylvie."
She remembered the way he protected her, and it happened over and over again in that dungeon. She also remembered his way of encouraging her.
"You can do it. I believe in you."
Her friends quickly caught the telltale sign of her bashfulness.
"Ooooh," Jasmine teased, leaning in with a playful nudge. "Is there something you're not telling us, Sylvie?"
Sylvie stammered, attempting to downplay the situation. "N-no, it's not like that. It was just a... challenging experience, that's all."
Danielle joined in the teasing, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Oh, come on, Sylvie. A challenging experience, or perhaps a budding romance in the depths of danger?"
Sylvie playfully swatted Danielle's arm, her cheeks now a deeper shade of pink. "Danielle, stop it! It's not like that."
Her friends laughed, the good-natured teasing creating a light-hearted atmosphere. However, in fact, Danielle slightly smiled underneath her face.
"Is it Mason? You said he was in the same team as yours, and you also attended the same club." She knew Sylvie wouldn't normally mention the name of an opposite gender unless that person was someone who caught her attention.
Thus, she deliberately pushed in, and the results were just as she expected.
Sylvie felt her blush deepen, desperately trying to come up with a response. "I-It's not about Mason. Really."
Danielle leaned back, her grin widening. "Oh, come on, Sylvie. You don't just mention someone's name casually like that. Spill the tea!"
Sylvie shook her head, giggling despite herself. "It's really not like that. I just... I thought we worked well together during the dungeon incident."
Jasmine chimed in, adding fuel to the teasing fire. "Working well together, huh? I didn't hear anything about that Mason guy; let me ask a bunch of people first."
Before Sylvie could respond, a voice interrupted their banter. "What's this about me?"
They turned to see a guy with brown hair and an easygoing expression standing behind them, a curious expression on his face.
Sylvie's cheeks flushed even deeper, her face getting crimson from the feeling of shame, and seeing this, Danielle immediately understood who this guy was.
'He is that Mason guy.' ((N1))
She had been trying to crack Sylvie's shell for a while, and she understood now might have been one of the chances.
Danielle winked at Sylvie, her mischievous smile unyielding. "Oh, Sylvie here was just sharing her thoughts on teamwork and dungeons. You know, typical school talk."
Sylvie felt her face heat up further, but Mason just chuckled, playing along. "Ah, I see. Well, teamwork is important in the dungeons, that's for sure. I also liked working with Sylvie quite a lot."
And then he grinned and turned his attention to Sylvie. "Mind if I join you all?"
Danielle, with a playful twinkle in her eye, extended her hand dramatically towards an empty chair. "Why, of course, Mister Protector. Please, be our guest."
Sylvie, despite her embarrassment, managed a shy smile. "Yeah, feel free to sit."
Mason pulled the chair back and sat down, leaning back casually. "Thanks. It was going to be really boring to sit alone." He said, however, he didn't forget to throw a small glance at the group of boys looking at him from a table behind, and they nodded their heads.
Just at the moment Sylvie sat on the table, suddenly she felt the gaze of someone coming from the sides.
'Hmm?'
Turning her head to the source of the gaze, she met with a pair of purple eyes boring through her face. They were the same pair of purple eyes she knew.
However, with her trait, she could see.
The hostile feelings inside the person's heart. And that hostileness was so severe that she could almost see it was hatred.
He immediately averted his gaze the moment she met with him, but even then, it was absurd.
'What?'
She asked herself. It was the first time he was showing such emotions, and Sylvie knew they were not normal.
'Why?'
She thought.
'Who is the subject of those emotions?'
Just as she was pondering about that, suddenly, Jasmine remarked.
She had already followed Sylvie's gaze and noticed the purple-haired guy, Astron, looking in their direction.
She frowned, her instincts tingling with unease. Astron was known for his edgy demeanor and the peculiar rumors that seemed to follow him, and she didn't like his attitude at all.
"What's his deal?" Jasmine muttered, shooting a suspicious glance at Astron.
"I don't know." Sylvie didn't want to talk about him here. After all, she still remembered the talk they had and how uncomfortable she was for the whole week after that.
However, Jasmine didn't want to. "Maybe he likes you. Didn't he also pick a fight with you at that time? Maybe he wanted to get your attention."
Sylvie's eyes widened, her face turning even redder. "Hey, it's not like that."
She could see with her trait, and she knew Astron didn't think about her like that.
Jasmine folded her arms, her wariness growing. "You never know. Guys like him can be unpredictable. And you are quite beautiful."
Hearing her words, Sylvie thought about the past and how he had shown that green color. It was not the love, but his feelings were twisted from the beginning.
For her, who knew how different reactions he gave, her friend's explanation sounded plausible.
'No, it can't be like that.'
She wanted to dismiss the idea, but in the end, a small seed of doubt had already been planted in her heart….
Chapter 115 - Good Natured (2)
Be it the game or the real world, there are countless people who are annoying to just watch.
For me, Mason Kent was one of those.
A worm that needs to be stepped on, a bastard whose head needs to be cut and fed to dogs.
For me, he was such an existence.
However, even though seeing those characters is annoying, there are times when we don't have any choice.
In the game, you wouldn't be able to touch Mason Kent without enough preparation and a good location since he was an NPC of the future quests; the developers put quite a lot of effort into protecting him.
But do I have the same restrictions in the real world?
The answer is no. I can kill him right here, right now.
Just an overcharged bullet into his head would be enough.
But that doesn't mean it is something I should do. In the end, killing someone is not something that can easily be done in front of people's eyes unless you have an influential surname at the end of your identity card.
And only killing him also doesn't benefit me.
Thus, the only thing I can do right now is wait and prepare myself when everything aligns itself.
Then, it will be my time.
With those thoughts, I stood up from the table I was sitting at and walked to the exit.
"You guys are all going to the banquet, right."
When I was putting the plates I was using, I heard a familiar voice.
"Yeah…..Father said I needed to attend it."
The group of four individuals entered the cafeteria at the same time. It wasn't something that I would usually pay attention to, but the word banquet got my attention.
'Is it that banquet?'
I asked myself and started listening to them talking.
"Same here. Mine also said I needed to work on my social standing."
"Sigh….It will be the same boring talk all over again."
"Right, I know. At least, last time, something interesting happened."
"Well, since Victor is here, it will probably be interesting."
"That guy could just invite us all. Why did he send formal invitations anyway?"
"Well, he is like that. He probably doesn't want to show favoritism."
"Yeah…..Of course, he is not showing any favoritism by only inviting Julia."
"Tch."
Hearing Victor's name was enough.
Those from renowned families or people with high standing continuously gathered and talked business; thus, it wasn't a surprise that the main characters of the game also went on such banquets.
However, the one that the Blackthorn Family gave was a special event in the game where the first serious interaction with demons was made.
Which was basically the first main event of the game.
'I shouldn't miss this. He will also come, after all.'
In the end, wherever a demon appeared, I would be there; this one was given.
Just like that, I left the grounds of the cafeteria and reached my room.
********
RUSTLE RUSTLE
"Huuuuh…."
Walking on the fallen leaves of the academy's forest, I breathed the slightly chilly air into my lungs. The smell of nature and autumn entered my nose.
'It is getting cold.'
As we progressed with the days of the semester, the winter approached. And now it was just the season interchange times.
"Oh, Junior, you are here."
Just as I was walking, I heard a loud voice.
Standing before me was the purple-haired girl with a wide smile.
"Good afternoon."
Maya immediately appeared before me with her usual cheerfulness.
"Good afternoon, Senior Maya."
I respectfully bowed my head. For me, this person is kind of a master who made me improve so much in that short amount of time, so she deserves respect.
"Hmm….Hmm…..Good….." She nodded her head, humming. I didn't understand why she was looking at me like that, but I decided to brush it off. I had already gotten used to attracting all those gazes from around, and one another wouldn't hurt.
"You are always the first one to come here, junior." She gestured for me to follow as she walked to the meeting place.
"I dislike being late." This was one of my habits. Changing locations and entering a different place always takes time to adapt, and by coming a little early, I am spending my free time adapting if it makes sense.
"It is a good habit."
"Thank you."
"Do you want snacks? Today, I have some rare ones."
Of course, whenever Maya Evergreen enters the equation, the snacks also come with her. And, if I had learned one thing from all these times, refusing her snacks would be pointless.
She never accepts any refusal and forces her way over every time.
"I can take a little."
With my acceptance, she grabbed a bunch of things from her bag. Two balls that had a spectrum of colors. They certainly looked outstanding and different.
'Hmm?'
However, it wasn't only the looks. The smell coming from them was also different a lot.
"Senior, this….."
It reminded me of an incredibly rare item from the game. Even though its taste and smell were something I had never felt, at the very least, I knew how it looked.
"Yeah, you are correct. They are Feywild Dreamplum."
Feywild Dreamplum. It is a special fruit that is very rare to find, not only because it tastes incredibly well but also because it has an incredibly good effect on the mana of the person eating.
Therefore, they are highly sought after and very hard to find.
"Senior….If you know what they are, then why are you giving them to me?" I asked. It was an action that I couldn't quite grasp.
"Why am I giving them to you? Because I am your teacher."
"Teacher?"
"Yep. I am your teacher."
"I don't understand. Even though you are my teacher, isn't it better if you consume them or sell them?"
"Ah, you meant this….." Maya chuckled, twirling a strand of her violet hair. "You are right. As a mage, I would certainly benefit from these fruits." She replied as she held the two balls.
"Then."
"But you see, I have an abundant supply of these Dreamplums back home. I've grown quite resistant to their effects, so they don't offer much to me anymore. But for someone like you, they could be truly beneficial." She replied with a playful grin.
I knew how one could simply grow some resistance to those fruits. After all, in the game, there were those who played the game by making themselves rich and buying every bit of small resources in the game and consuming them. But, of course, the more you consumed the same thing, the less effective it would be.
That was also the reason why naturally developing one's own stats at the early game is more beneficial in the long run.
"So, you can take them without any resistance."
As she said that, she put the fruit on my hand. I didn't know why she was going to this many lengths for me, but she didn't have any ulterior motives. I could read her body and assume that easily. My special trait [Perceptive Insight] wasn't there only for decoration.
"I see. Then, I won't refuse."
Without saying anything more, I simply started munching the fruit. The moment my teeth pierced the peel of it, an incredible taste entered my mouth.
'This is incredible.'
The taste, the way it poured from my throat, everything was picture perfect.
It was by far the best thing I had eaten in this world. And that wasn't all. I could feel the mana inside my body reacting to the fruit. As I consumed the contents, I started feeling my mana sensitivity increasing. It wasn't too much of an increase, but it was still a noticeable change.
I could also feel my mana capacity expanding, and this one was also one of the desired effects.
"How is it?"
I heard Senior Maya's voice coming from the side.
"It was incredible."
"Then, I am glad."
I finished the Dreamplum, still savoring the lingering taste. "Thank you, Senior. I'm really grateful."
"You're welcome, Junior," Maya said, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and excitement. "Consider it an investment for the future."
"Investment for the future, you say."
In the game, even though Maya was a named character, we, as the player, didn't know much about her past or her family. So, it was hard for me to understand her intentions.
"Yes, investment for the future."
RUSTLE RUSLTE RUSTLE
Just as I was about to ask what she meant, suddenly, I heard the sound of leaves being crushed.
'Three people.'
Three people were approaching, and from the sounds, I could say that two of them were women while one of them was a male.
"Welcome, Juniors."
Maya also seemed to realize that fact as she immediately jumped from where she was standing while throwing me a wink.
"Hello, Senior."
"Hello."
Two girls greeted her while the boy simply lowered his gaze. He was one of those who tried to ask her out at that time, and it seemed he was still embarrassed about his actions.
"Hello, you too, junior." However, Maya wasn't the one to let that slide, and in the end, the poor guy was dragged with her antics.
****
"Hello, everyone," Maya greeted the newcomers cheerfully. "We're just in time for our meeting. Let's gather and get started."
The club members assembled, each finding a spot around a cluster of logs that served as makeshift seating.
"As you all know, today we were going to start with presentations. Anyone wants to start?"
With Amelia's instructions, a girl with good make-up and clothes raised her hand. She seemed eager to start.
"You may go, junior."
"Thank you."
With those words, she stood up and took her position.
"Hello, I-I am Hermione Kline." she began, her voice initially hesitant and trembling slightly. Her hands clutched a notebook, her lifeline to the prepared words she had carefully written.
It was clear that even though she carefully prepared herself, it was her first time giving a presentation. Her voice was a little awkward as she stuttered.
"I wanted to talk about... about the influence of Mana and Otherworldly arts on modern... uh, art." She stumbled over her words, her eyes darting nervously across the faces of the club members.
However, with each of her words, she got better and better.
"In conclusion," she continued, "the presence of otherworldlers and their own culture was a factor that shaped the course of art, influencing artists across centuries. It taught us to appreciate the beauty of our own past form, the wonders of the natural world, and the power of mana on aesthetics."
And in the end, she was able to finish her words with a smile.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
With everyone clapping.
Just like that, everyone kept going with their presentations until it was my turn.
Chapter 116 - Good Natured (3)
If one asked what kind of person Astron Natusalune was, Maya would answer a closed individual.
He was a closed and reserved individual who liked to live in his own world without meddling with the affairs of other people.
That was how she would answer, and it was also something that she admired quite well.
The fact that this boy had the ability to simply ignore what other people were saying about himself, the fact that he never leaned on someone or took someone's favor for granted.
Even though Maya wasn't aware of how she looked or how many boys viewed her, at the very least, she knew how humans could be.
When they were in front of a person with high standing, they would always seek favors, and when their relationship slightly developed, they would start asking things.
She knew that since she lived her life in such a manner.
When she was just a child, and she had awakened her talent, most of the time, people came to her and wanted her 'help'.
And she didn't have the ability to say no to things since that was how she was taught, and even now, she was having a hard time doing that.
That was the reason why she also took it for granted for others to accept her help.
When she wanted to give snacks, she thought it was a help. And she always assumed that nobody would refuse it.
"Next up, we have Astron Natusalune. Astron, whenever you're ready." As her friend, Amelia, spoke, she gestured to the boy sitting in the farthest position.
If one looked at him for the first time, one would say he is a gloomy, quiet kid who stutters when he is in front of many people. His clothes and the hood covering his face gave that impression.
However, as Astron stood up, his demeanor was stoic and composed, devoid of emotion, that would have changed.
He had an air of confidence about him different from the impression he gave at first glance, like someone well-versed in the subject of presenting.
"Thank you, Senior Amelia," he acknowledged with a nod, "and thank you all for having me today. My name is Astron Natusalune, and I will discuss the topic of the art of combat and its transformation due to mana."
His voice was clear, without any ounce of awkwardness. His purple eyes swept through the small crowd. Even though almost everyone here was looking at him with squinting gazes, he didn't avert his eyes and responded back.
Maya also knew the rumors surrounding him. After all, quite a lot of people in her class were talking about that. It was a little strange, considering a normal freshman became a topic of the sophomore cadets' attention. After all, they had their own difficulties in school.
But in any case, she knew about the rumors, though she didn't believe them. It was because it didn't make any sense at all.
"In ancient times, fighting was viewed as a means of survival or conquest. With the discovery and harnessing of mana, the essence of combat changed. Mana, a fundamental force of our magical world, intertwines with the practice of fighting, altering it into an art form."
As she listened to his speech, her thoughts continued.
If this boy was such a person, he would be like others, always trying to take advantage of her. However, he didn't.
Rather than receiving her help like it was granted, he asked all the time.
He questioned.
He asked why.
The way he looked at her with eyes saying he couldn't understand at all. And that was one of the things that drew her to him a little.
'Why?'
She also asked this question to herself while listening to his presentation with half attention.
'Why do I want to help him? Why do I want to help others?'
'Do I even want to help them?'
She didn't know the answer herself.
Why did she give him the Feywild Dreamplum?
"Mana adds complexity to movements, allowing practitioners to incorporate the unseen forces surrounding us. It offers fighters the ability to cast spells, channel energy, and create visually impressive displays of power. Each movement, each strike becomes a calculated expression on the canvas of battle. The practitioner manipulates their environment and skills, following a structured pattern."
Was it because she wanted to see him in the future? Was it because she was looking forward to his reaction?
What was the reason?
'I don't know.'
Astron's eyes remained steady as he continued.
"The control of mana infuses style into combat. Similar to an artist choosing a palette, a warrior selects spells and techniques, creating a structured display of skill and power. The flow of mana through a fighter's being guides their movements, adding a rhythmic pattern to the chaos of battle."
At that exact moment, his words reminded her of the time when she was teaching him how to use mana. It was an exciting experience for her since she felt like she was giving shape to a raw material that hadn't been processed before.
And it was a
'Thrilling experience.'
That time, she was not doing something because it was asked of her. Even if at first it started because of the same reason, now it was different.
"In conclusion," Astron stated, "with the appearance of mana, now even swinging the sword with the intent to harm something can become an art itself. The aesthetic sense that mana can add to it makes it an art, and the one who harnesses the mana becomes an artist."
He paused momentarily, allowing the weight of his words to resonate. Then, he nodded slightly, signaling the end of his presentation.
"Thank you for your attention."
SILENCE!
At first, there was a silence as if to protest him. Nobody even moved their hand. Maya also didn't notice that was happening since she was lost in her thoughts.
CLAP!
Then, a first clap sound echoed. It was Sylvie, looking at everyone with a clearly annoyed and angry gaze.
CLAP! CLAP!
And then, everyone started clapping, and Maya did the same.
'I see now.' Maya thought while her hands were hitting each other.
'I want to understand why he is this closed.'
Her eyes followed around the young man returning to his own sitting place.
'What made him approach like that? Then, I can answer these questions in my head.'
*******
As the presentations concluded and applause filled the air, the club members began to gather, exchanging thoughts and compliments on each other's topics.
Among them were Mason and Sylvie, who found themselves at the center of attention.
It was especially Sylvie, since just like many others, she was also having a hard time speaking in front of people, but she was rather on the shy side.
Amelia, the vice president of the club and a dedicated appreciator of Yuri art, chimed in with an encouraging smile. "Great presentations, everyone. This club is truly flourishing with diverse insights and knowledge."
With her words finished, she subtly raised her glasses with her middle finger and flashed a sly smile. Not every presentation was as enlightening, but she acknowledged that this platform was a slow preparation for the club members to develop their social skills.
'But it's not enough.'
As an art club, they had grander plans. Many artistic pursuits were waiting, and to achieve them, each member needed to master the necessary skills.
'They're not ready for the real artistic journey yet.'
"Now, everyone, please lend an ear for a moment."
As she gathered everyone's attention, she glanced at the plan they had devised.
"Next time, we're delving into ancient civilizations and lost languages after the day of Nexus Convergence. However, rather than fixate on the academic aspect, we'll explore how art evolved and what artistic movements were prominent during that era. We've arranged a special guest for that session, so make sure to mark your calendars and attend."
Amelia scanned the place, noting the nods of approval from the club members. It was a good sign, a sign of the collective excitement for the upcoming exploration of art through the lens of history.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm," Amelia continued her glasses back in their rightful place.
As the club members exchanged glances, absorbing the importance of their next venture, Amelia wrapped up the meeting.
"That's all for today. Feel free to linger, discuss ideas, or simply enjoy each other's company. Let's reconvene for our next meeting with fresh perspectives and a thirst for artistic knowledge. Goodbye for now!"
With her words, the members began to disperse; some of them were chatting about the presentations, while others were simply talking about what they were going to do.
Mason was also one of them as he took a step closer to Sylvie, his friendly smile evident.
"Hey, Sylvie," he started, "a few of us are planning to gather later and study in the library. Would you like to join us?"
Sylvie pondered for a moment, considering the offer. She was always a bit hesitant about such gatherings, but then some of the other girls chimed in with encouraging comments.
"Sylvie, it's a great opportunity to bond with everyone. And we also want to know you better, you know, you are the only healer in this club," one said.
"And Mason's quite the helper when it comes to studies," another added.
Feeling a bit more at ease, Sylvie smiled and nodded. "Sure, I'd love to. Thank you for inviting me."
Mason grinned, pleased with her acceptance. "Awesome! We'll be in the library around four. Looking forward to seeing you there."
With his words finished, Mason left the place, and Sylvie also started gathering her things. Since it was her first presentation today, she brought quite a lot of materials with her, though she forgot to use them.
With Mason gone and Sylvie starting to gather her things, she noticed the persistent gaze from the figure with purple eyes. They were like icy crystals, devoid of emotion yet carrying a tinge of annoyance.
'Why is he looking at me again?' Sylvie wondered, feeling a bit self-conscious under that unwavering scrutiny, as if to remind her of the words of her friend.
The thought made her blush slightly. Thanks to her friend's words, she couldn't help but ponder about that a little.
"What is the matter?" she ventured, her voice betraying a hint of shyness.
Astron, maintaining his aloof demeanor, responded with another question, "Should there be something?"
"You don't look at someone without any reason, right?" Sylvie asked, trying to understand the attention.
"It depends," he replied curtly.
"How?" Sylvie pressed further.
"Sometimes, you just want to look at them," he answered.
Sylvie misinterpreted his words, her face now a shade redder, assuming a meaning beyond his intention. Her heart fluttered momentarily, thinking perhaps he was expressing an interest.
"Ah, well..." Sylvie stumbled over her words, attempting to regain her composure. "I-I thought... I mean, maybe the person you're looking at is uncomfortable with your gaze?"
Astron blinked, still unable to grasp her implication. "Uncomfortable?"
'Did I stare too much?' He thought in his head. Thanks to Mason, he was a bit annoyed, and even his intent was a bit leaking.
Sylvie could feel her face growing hotter with every passing second. "Y-yes, like, uneasy or... bothered?"
Astron's brows furrowed as he processed what she was saying. "Bothered by a gaze?"
Sylvie nodded, feeling her embarrassment mount. "Y-yes, some people don't like being stared at."
He considered this for a moment. "I see." And nodded his head. "I didn't intend to make you uncomfortable, but if my gaze bothered you, then I will be more careful in the future."
He didn't say anything else and simply grabbed his belongings. He also used quite a lot of visual materials for his presentation, but different from her, he used them well.
"See you later."
And just like that, he disappeared.
Leaving a flustered and weirded Sylvie.
"I really don't understand you at all…."
Chapter 117 - Good Natured (4)
[Horde: Sir, the fake identity you have requested is ready.]
[Good. Send me all of the related documents.]
[Horde: They are already sent with the message. The card will also arrive soon with the cargo.]
Sitting on my bed, I was looking at the message that had just come. It was not just the text; the message also had a special picture on the attachments.
"They are quite fast."
I thought to myself.
One of the reasons why I had invested this amount of money in a criminal group called 'Horde' was, of course, their work quality.
They operated fast, and they were mostly safe unless the job that was given contained too many risks.
I opened the image and found the fake identity card bearing the name "Leonard Blackwood." The quality was undeniably impressive, replicating a genuine card down to the finest details.
Leonard Blackwood, a persona crafted to seamlessly blend in, would be my guise to enter the exclusive Blackthorn Family banquet. A gathering reserved for the elite, attendance required an impeccable facade.
"Considering the banquet will happen this weekend, it looks like they want to please me."
Now, the Blackthorn family is one of the most famous and high-ranked families in the Valerian Federation. Therefore, the banquet they are giving can only be attended by people of the same status.
And, since the banquet of the Blackthorn Family was something that not all people could easily access, I needed a fake identity.
A fake identity that would let me enter the banquet but also comes with low risks.
The picture on the identity card showcased a composed and unassuming face—Leonard Blackwood—captured in a moment of professionalism.
It was a face that belonged to a waiter, a person whose purpose was to serve discreetly while being a mere background figure in the opulent event.
He wasn't handsome, and he didn't have any distinct qualities. His hair was black, his eyes were brown, and his body was slightly on the slim side, just like me.
He had graduated from a 2-year course that was given to future waiters who would work in such banquets, and of course, he wasn't an Awakened.
After he finished his course, he was immediately recruited by a fairly well-known agency, and this was his first work in the place.
He was born in the south of the continent, close to the border, and his family had left this world not long after, and now he came the capital to work.
That was basically the background information of our virtual Leonard Blackwood.
KNOCK!
As I continued to scrutinize the identity card, a knock sounded at my dorm room door.
'It must be the cargo mentioned.'
Though the arrival was sudden, it was expected. I swiftly opened the door to find a cargo container containing the materials needed to complete the false identity: a waiter's uniform, a tray, a couple of lenses, small face changers, and other relevant accessories, all carefully packaged to maintain the illusion.
'Everything is thoroughly prepared.'
Of course, I was not expecting such good work, considering they were only known hackers. But, they probably utilized another group in the Darkweb just to make it work.
Even then, it was something that could be easily managed.
'Then, all there is left is preparing for my act.'
Opening my laptop, I opened [MyTube] and started watching a bunch of videos about being a waiter and what the job looked like.
[Perceptive Insight] worked even in things that I wanted to learn from videos; it didn't necessarily have to be something I needed to witness virtually.
This was something that I had overlooked while training and just figured out while watching a video of the course materials.
And now, I was applying this property of my trait into action by doing this.
Open a video, perceive the core points of it, and absorb it into your mind, making it your habit.
That was my goal just now.
*******
MUSIC
Inside a café that had countless ornaments on the wall and a high-class appearance, six figures were sitting talking to each other.
They looked young and fresh, and every one of them had the appearance to attract the attention of the bystanders just by existing there.
"Aren't they….."
"Yes, they are the new generation nobles."
Even though the term noble had been abolished officially, it was still slang that was used by the people.
After all, there was a distinct difference between some people just by being born. And that was the same with the two people talking to themselves.
"To think that we would see the heirs of five different families here."
"It is my first time as well."
"But, they are just as said. I wish I was born into such a family, too."
"Yeah…..They look good, they have money, they are awakened...Just what more you can want….."
As the two men sent envious gazes to the group, suddenly, a waiter approached them.
"Sirs, may I get your attention."
The waiter's voice was polite but carried a clear warning tone. The two men turned their attention to the waiter, a little startled by the sudden interruption.
"You might want to be discreet with your gazes," the waiter advised, nodding towards the group of six. "They are from prominent families. It's best not to draw too much attention."
Just as the waiter had said, a girl with blazing eyes looked at them like they were bugs. It was clear that she was annoyed.
Realizing their fault, the men quickly averted their gazes and muttered apologies. The waiter, satisfied with their response, returned to his duties.
Meanwhile, at the 'distinguished' group's table, Ethan and the others were engrossed in their conversation about the upcoming banquet and the secret auction.
"I can't believe the Blackthorn Family is putting up those rare materials for auction. It's like they're flaunting their wealth."
Julia said as she looked at the small document sent to her by her father. The others also had the same, so it wasn't much of a secret between the group anyway.
"I mean, this is how they operate, after all," Lucas replied. "It is not like they are lying either."
As he said, the Blackthorn family was one of the strongest families in the Valerian Federation, and this was not just because they had strong and talented hunters.
In fact, their strength came rather from the materials they were mining from dungeons.
Dungeon Mining.
They could acquire special materials that didn't exist in the world before and could only be accessed by dungeons, and they would manage their circulation.
This was one of the strengths of the Blackthorn Family, and at the recent banquet, it was said that they were going to announce their new project and its details.
"Of course, we all know that." Irina chimed in. She looked annoyed a little as she was biting the pitiful cake. "But that doesn't mean it is not annoying."
"Yeah, I agree. They are quite annoying, but I guess that is how they are." Ethan said as he sipped from his milkshake.
The banana flavor was his favorite, and he seemed to be in a good mood.
"Then, did your family instruct you to buy anything?"
The reason why this group of six had gathered here was to discuss the banquet. They were all 'allies' and belonged to the same faction, even from childhood, so they would do it every time.
Whenever their interests clashed, they would find a way from one way to another.
"From the catalog alone, no," Lilia replied, her hands tapping the keyboard of her watch. Even while speaking, she was still working.
"Anyone else?"
"Same."
"Same."
"As expected. Then, does anyone have any information about what they are going to sell as a surprise?"
There was a tradition inside the Blackthorn Family. Whenever they hosted a banquet, they would auction the items, and they would do it in two different ways.
The first auction would be accessible to everyone invited, and the second one would only be accessible to special guests with special invite cards.
"Surprise auctions are always tricky," Lilia continued, glancing at her notes. "They're usually unique, high-demand items that could really make a difference." Considering that she was managing a guild, she was the one who knew how valuable the items sold were.
Ethan leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Any leads on what these surprise items might be?"
There wasn't anything that was requested by his family, but he was looking for an artifact that would be beneficial for his growth since he was still in the early stages of it.
Irina tapped her watch, scrolling through some messages. "I've heard whispers about a rare enchanted gemstone. It's supposed to have unparalleled properties for enhancing magical abilities."
Since she was from a family that was known for their thirst for magic, she was ordered to buy whenever something magic-related appeared with an infinite budget.
Julia nodded. "That would explain why some of the magic-centric families are showing particular interest. The bidding for something like that could be intense."
"True," Lucas agreed, swirling his drink absently. "We need to be prepared for intense bidding wars."
Carl, who had been relatively quiet, finally spoke up. "I've got intel on a unique artifact—a weapon infused with a rare crystal. Rumor has it, it has the ability to disrupt energy-based attacks." He didn't talk much, but when he talked, it was always something important.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Now that's interesting. A disruptive weapon can fetch a high price, especially among fighters and hunters."
"In the first appearance, it may look like that, but I don't think the demand will be high."
"Why?"
"It is a Warhammer."
"Ah…."
Just as Carl said, Warhammers were not a type of weapon that was preferred commonly because it required quite a lot of strength to use.
"Then, I assume you will be taking it for yourself."
"I will try."
"Understood. I have no intention of getting a Warhammer anyway."
Lilia, still focused on her work, added, "I'll do some more digging. The more we know, the better our strategy. I will send everyone a detailed report after everything is concluded."
The group nodded in agreement, recognizing the importance of being well informed about the upcoming auctions. They continued discussing potential strategies, possible competitors, and how to navigate the banquet to their advantage.
After talking a little more, the first one to leave was Lilia, as usual.
"You are leaving already?"
"Yeah. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes."
"As busy as ever."
"I will see you at the banquet. Don't forget to check your e-mails."
"Yes, yes….."
And the moment Lilia left, the main motive of the group met its end.
"Then, shall we do something fun…."
Only leaving a bunch of youngsters that wished to have fun.