Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Dinner with the Chevaliers
Lucian stood in the center of his assigned bedroom — king-sized bed with silk sheets, mahogany furniture, a balcony overlooking the east garden, and an en-suite bathroom that was larger than the entire apartment he’d shared with Lena at the orphanage.
Ryan’s room was next door, equally lavish. They shared a connecting bathroom.
Clara and Rose were given a wing on the second floor — two bedrooms connected by a sitting room, with a private terrace overlooking the fountain courtyard. Rose had seemed happy about the arrangement. Clara had seemed happy about anything that didn’t involve health screenings.
Dean got a ground-floor room near the medical suite close to the staff who would be monitoring his amputation.
Before dinner, Dean found them in the hallway.
"I’m heading out," he said, his single hand gripping a small bag of supplies the military had provided. "The kids from the academy — Mei and the others — they were transferred to a civilian shelter in the camp. I’m going to check on them, make sure they’re settled."
Ryan stepped forward. "Dean, your arm—"
"Is fine. The military gave me a prosthetic sleeve. Not pretty, but will do well." He flexed the bandaged stump, and a faint mechanical whir came from beneath the wrappings. "I’ll take care of them. Don’t worry."
Ryan swallowed. "Thank you. For everything."
Dean clapped him on the shoulder with his remaining hand. "Take care of your sister."
Then he left.
---
The grand dining hall could have seated fifty.
A single long table dominated the room, set with crystal glasses, silver cutlery, and porcelain plates that Lucian suspected were antiques. Candles floated overhead — actual floating candles, mana-powered, casting warm golden light across the oil paintings that covered every wall.
The group arrived together — Lucian, Ryan, Clara, Rose. Céline was already seated at the head of the table, looking elegant in a dark green dress, her earlier tears replaced by composed maternal warmth.
"Sit, sit," she said, gesturing to the chairs nearest her. "Dinner will be served shortly."
They sat. Waiters appeared — pouring water and wine.
Then the doors opened.
A young man walked in.
He was handsome — tall, broad-shouldered, with dark red hair swept back from a sharp, angular face. His suit was tailored perfectly.
Lucian’s eyes shifted to gold.
╔═════════════════════╗
║ ◀ EYES OF THE ETERNALS ▶ ║
║ ║
║ Name: Arthur Chevalier ║
║ Age: 23 ║
║ Race: Human ║
║ Bloodline: Nil ║
║ Cultivation: Early Core Realm ║
║ Mana: 9,500 / 9,500 MPU ║
║ ║
║ Abilities: ║
║ └─ Metal Manipulation — B-Rank ║
║ ║
║ Combat Skills: ║
║ ├─ Movement: Metal Dash (Adept) ║
║ ├─ Weapon: Metal Blade Form ║
║ │ (Expert) ║
║ └─ Defense: Iron Skin (Adept) ║
╚══════════════════════╝
Early Core Realm. B-Rank Metal Manipulation. Serious hardware.
Arthur’s gaze swept the table and landed on Rose. His expression didn’t change.
"Little sister. You look... well." The pause was deliberate. "Surprisingly well, given the circumstances."
"Arthur," Rose said flatly.
He ignored her and looked at the others — Lucian, Ryan, Clara — one by one, his eyes moving over them like a man inspecting livestock at auction.
"So these are the strays?" Arthur said, taking his seat across from Rose. "The ones who followed you home?"
Ryan’s jaw tightened. Clara’s hand landed on his arm before he could speak.
"They are friends, Arthur. And you will do well to address them properly." Rose said coldly.
"Hm." Arthur picked up his wine glass, swirling the contents. "Friends. How quaint."
He took a sip and said nothing more.
---
Pierre Chevalier arrived late.
He entered the dining hall like a man who owned every square inch of it — because he did. Tall, lean, silver-haired, with sharp features and colder eyes.
Lucian’s eyes flickered gold.
╔════════════════════════╗
║ ◀ EYES OF THE ETERNALS ▶ ║
║ ║
║ Name: Pierre Chevalier ║
║ Age: 48 ║
║ Race: Human ║
║ Bloodline: Nil ║
║ Cultivation: Grand Core Realm ║
║ Mana: 45,000 / 45,000 MPU ║
║ ║
║ Abilities: ║
║ └─ Metal Manipulation — B-Rank ║
╚══════════════════════╝
Lucian’s assessment was instant. In a straight fight, Pierre could kill every person in this room without breaking a sweat. The man was on an entirely different level.
"Forgive my lateness," Pierre said, taking his seat at the head of the table beside Céline. His voice was smooth, polished, devoid of warmth. "Business ran late."
Dinner was served. Five courses. Each one more elaborate than the last.
The conversation was minimal until the third course, when Pierre set down his fork and looked at Rose.
"I’ve been thinking about your education."
Rose paused mid-bite. "What about it?"
"The situation in France is... unstable. The zombie outbreak has exposed weaknesses in our domestic academies. Security, resources, training quality — all subpar compared to international standards."
Céline’s hand tightened on her knife. "Pierre—"
"I’ve made arrangements," Pierre continued, ignoring her. "Rose will transfer to the European All-Star Academy in the UK."
The table went silent.
"The *UK*?" Céline’s voice was sharp. "You want to send my baby to another *country*?"
"The European All-Star Academy is the most prestigious institution in Europe," Pierre said calmly. "Built on the ruins of old England after the Cataclysm. Their training facilities, their cultivation resources, their faculty — all superior to anything available in France. It’s safer there."
"No. Absolutely not. I won’t allow—"
"She won’t be alone. Arthur is already a second-year student there. He can accompany her."
Arthur smirked into his wine glass.
Céline stood. "Pierre, you are not sending my daughter across the English Channel because you read a report—"
"They’ve expanded their enrollment quota due to the zombie outbreak," Pierre said, his voice unchanged. "More students, more resources, more opportunities. The Chevalier family has significant influence there — alumni, donors, political connections. Rose’s admission is guaranteed."
"I don’t care about admissions! I care about my daughter being thousands of kilometers away—"
"She can go with her friends." Pierre’s gaze shifted to Lucian, Ryan, and Clara. "Since the quota has been expanded, they can apply as well. Rose shouldn’t be isolated in a foreign country."
"You want to send all of them to the UK?" Céline’s voice rose. "Without asking any of them?"
"I’m asking now."
The argument continued. Céline shouted. Pierre didn’t. His voice remained level, reasonable.
Rose pushed her chair back and stood.
"I’ll go."
The table fell silent.
"I’ll go to the UK," Rose said, her voice tight. "I don’t care about the academy. I don’t care about the resources. But I’m not sitting here listening to you two argue about me like I’m a piece of furniture."
She turned and walked out of the dining hall.
Céline stared after her, then stood and followed, throwing one last glare at Pierre before disappearing through the doors.
Silence.
Arthur snorted. "Dramatic as always."
Then Pierre looked at the trio who were about to follow Rose.
"Stay."
They stayed.
"While Rose has a guaranteed admission," Pierre said, picking up his fork and resuming his meal as if nothing had happened, "the three of you will need to pass the entrance examinations. The recruitment period began a week ago, so you’re not late. However, the exams are rigorous. The academy doesn’t accept just anyone."
He took a bite, chewed, swallowed.
"In exchange for using the Chevalier name to secure your examination slots, you will protect my daughter."
Lucian’s eyes flickered.
So he does care about her.
"I agree," Lucian said.
Ryan and Clara exchanged glances. Ryan nodded slowly. Clara followed.
"Good." Pierre set his fork down and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. "The exams are in three days. A transport will be arranged. I suggest you prepare."
He stood, straightened his tie, and walked out of the dining hall without another word.
Arthur lingered, finishing his wine. He looked at Lucian with an expression that was half curiosity, half contempt.
"Try not to embarrass the family name," he said, and left.
Not like I’m part of your family, Lucian thought.
The three of them sat alone at the massive table, surrounded by half-eaten courses and burning candles.
Lucian’s system chimed.
╔════════════════════════╗
║ ◀ NEW QUEST ◀ ║
║ ║
║ "Enter the European All-Star Academy" ║
║ Objectives: ║
║ 1. Pass the entrance examinations ║
║ 2. Enroll and begin classes at the European All-Star Academy ║
║ Rewards: ║
║ ├─ 1,500 EXP ║
║ ├─ 2,000 System Credits ║
║ └─ ??? ║
╚═════════════════════════════════╝
Lucian stared at the notification.
*The UK. The European All-Star Academy.*
He dismissed the window and reached for his wine glass.
Three days.
---
