Chapter 97: Party
While customers were enjoying their coffees and snacks in the outdoor sections of the shop, Ren and the others were having a small party in the backyard.
Even though the atmosphere was lively, not everyone was laughing, and they had also split into two groups.
No matter how many times Ren tried to bring them together, those from the Aether and Nexus organizations refused to mingle.
They only talked within their own circles because the conflict between them ran too deep.
"Teacher, try this boneless chicken thigh. It’s so tender and tasty." Ren placed it on her plate with a fork.
"Thank you, Ren." Veronica smiled softly before finally glancing at Aria.
The corner of his lips twitched when he noticed it.
’Teacher, please don’t do that. You are only making things worse between you two.’
Since he didn’t want to make Aria think he was showing favoritism, he decided to offer her one as well.
He placed a boneless chicken thigh on a small plate and approached her. "Leader, this meat tastes amazing. Have a try."
A small smile appeared on Aria’s face as she shot a glance back at Veronica.
"Alright." She was satisfied with his decision.
Even though Veronica was his teacher, she was his leader, so he must not show any favoritism among them.
Once he returned to his seat, he grabbed another boneless chicken thigh.
This time, he didn’t use a fork or a small plate.
He used his hand directly since he wanted to offer it to Elara.
No!
It was not like he didn’t respect her.
Their relationship was different, and he wanted to make it special, so he didn’t use any tools.
"Elara, try this." He brought the chicken close to her mouth.
Elara was pleasantly surprised.
They were not alone, yet he still wanted to feed her as if he wanted to show everyone present that they were a couple.
With a faint blush on her face, she opened her small mouth and took a bite.
"How is it?" he asked with a soft smile.
"De...delicious." Her face turned even redder when she noticed Sylvie looking at her.
"It seems like someone is spoiling his lover." Sylvie giggled softly as she teased them.
Ren remained calm while Elara grew even shyer.
At this moment, Virelia looked at them with an envious gaze. She didn’t know what was going on, but for some reason, she wished he would feed her as well.
’Why do I feel this way?’
Her heart suddenly pounded as memories of him protecting her with his life flashed through her mind.
Actually, a spark of special feelings had blossomed within her when he saved her from the magical beasts on their first mission together.
After the incident in the park, her feelings grew even more. It was just that she hadn’t realized it since she had never been in love before.
"Big brother, feed me too." Luna, who was sitting next to Virelia, asked with a cute expression.
"Sure!" He agreed instantly.
After he sat on Luna’s chair, he placed her on his lap.
"How is it?" he asked as he smiled.
"Tasty!" Luna answered happily. "Again, big brother."
"It seems like you really like it." He fed her again.
Virelia, who was eating a nugget, kept glancing at them.
When Luna noticed it, she immediately asked, "Big sister, do you want some too?"
Virelia was startled by Luna’s question. "Ah! It’s fi-"
Before she had finished her words, Luna turned to Ren and said something shocking, "Big brother, feed big sister too. She wants some."
Virelia’s eyes widened for a moment.
When she was about to explain, Ren already took a boneless chicken thigh and brought it close to her mouth.
"Try it, Zara." He said as he smiled. "This is one of the best chicken thighs I’ve ever eaten."
Virelia didn’t eat it immediately.
Instead, she looked at him silently.
*Thump...Thump...Thump...
Her heart suddenly pounded again.
The longer she stared at him, the faster her heartbeat became.
It was as if her body was telling her that she had found her soulmate.
Since Virelia didn’t eat it immediately, Luna said, "Big sister, hurry up and try it."
Virelia came to her senses and quickly took a bite.
"It’s yummy, right?" Luna said with a big smile.
"Yes." Virelia nodded slightly.
Maybe it was because special feelings had blossomed in her heart, or perhaps because the atmosphere was lively.
At that moment, the chicken tasted so delicious, to the point that it felt like food from heaven.
Shortly after that, Ren returned to his seat and spoiled Elara once more.
Two hours later, Aria and the others wanted to go home.
Before leaving, Sylvie asked them to take pictures together first.
There were three reasons for this.
Firstly, it had been a long time since the three of them had eaten together. Secondly, it was their first party together with the children.
Lastly, it was a good day for Ren, so she wanted to keep them as a memento.
At first, Aria refused, but she changed her mind after Sylvie persuaded her. They took five photos together.
Of course, Aria, Cassandra, and Ravenna wore stiff expressions.
Among the four, only Veronica smiled brightly.
They were celebrating her student’s success in creating his own skill, so she put the conflict between them aside.
After they left, Ren and the others helped Sylvie clean the table.
Several minutes later, they were done.
"Ren, Elara, we will go home now." Lily waved goodbye.
"Don’t be late tomorrow," David added. "Remember, we will go to the auction house at 10:00 am."
"See you tomorrow." Virelia smiled before getting into her car.
"I won’t," Ren replied. "See you at the organization tomorrow morning."
After they disappeared into the distance, Ren and Elara went home.
Like usual, they walked hand in hand.
Elara’s mood improved greatly on their way home.
The night sky even looked more beautiful in her eyes because she was with Ren.
When they were in front of her room, Ren held both of her hands and smiled lovingly. "Good night, Elara."
"Good night, Ren." She replied.
Before he headed to his room, Ren kissed her forehead gently.
Elara was not surprised by his actions.
He always kissed her whenever they went out at night, so she had guessed he would do that.
Just as she thought he would go to his bedroom, he suddenly leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
Elara’s eyes widened for a moment.
But in the next second, her surprised face turned happy.
Her heart throbbed with happiness, and her cheeks flushed a little.
Once he broke the kiss, he let go of her hands. "Have a nice dream."
"You too, Ren." She replied shyly.
After she washed her face, she lay on her bed and embraced her bolster pillow happily.
’Ren...’
Her lips curled into a smile as she remembered everything she had experienced throughout the day.
’I hope tomorrow will be another great day.’
Shortly after that, she fell asleep.
----
The following morning, Ren and Elara went to the Aether Organization after breakfast.
Like usual, they saw David, Lily, and Virelia at his private training ground.
When they were playing cards together, Aria and Cassandra appeared.
Ren and the others were startled.
After all, Aria had never come to his training ground before.
Whenever she wanted to meet them, she always called them to her office, never the other way around.
That was why several questions popped up in their minds when they saw her.
"Leader, what brings you here?" Ren asked curiously.
"I just want to know what you guys are doing." Aria glanced at the cards on the table briefly. "Ren, do you have anything you need?"
"No." Ren shook his head.
’Just what’s going on?’
He suddenly thought of something.
’Wait! Don’t tell me...’
His instincts told him it had something to do with him being Veronica’s student.
"Leader, please rest assured. I won’t leave the organization." Ren tried to assure her that he would not betray her as long as they didn’t turn against him first.
For him, the Aether Organization was not just a place to become stronger. He found good friends and an instructor there.
He could also experience things he had never known before, so it could be said the organization was like his second home.
A satisfied smile appeared on Aria’s face. "Give me your phone."
Ren was confused, but he still did what he was told.
After entering her number, she returned it to him. "I’ve saved my number. Just call me if you need anything."
Ren was shocked.
’It seems she is still worried that I will join the Nexus organization.’
He thought this way because normally, only important figures had the right to have her number.
"Alright. I will return to my office now." Aria still had a lot of work to do, so she could not stay long.
After Aria and Cassandra left, David and Lily turned to Ren with sparkling eyes.
"Wow! The leader gave you her phone number!" Lily knew that Ren was not an ordinary awakener, but he was still at 1-star, so Aria’s actions greatly surprised her.
"As expected of Ren, you are amazing!" David gave him a thumbs-up.
"Ren, we must take advantage of this," Lily said shamelessly.
"That’s right." David agreed instantly. "How about we ask for beast cores? This way, we can break through to the next rank faster."
The corner of Ren’s lips twitched. "Remember! We are her subordinates. We must not ask for her help unless we have no other choice."
"Tch!" Lily and David clicked their tongues in annoyance.
"Hehe." Virelia giggled softly.
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