Chapter 40: Dangerous Invitations
The academy’s main courtyard remained in an uncomfortable silence.
The woman from the black carriage advanced with calm steps, completely ignoring the stares of students, teachers, and journalists.
Her dark dress was elegant without being ostentatious.
Her smile was kind without seeming sincere.
And her eyes analyzed every detail around her.
Especially Kael.
The Little Fat King lifted his head from Kael’s arms and narrowed his eyes.
The woman stopped in front of them and gave a small bow.
"Young Kael Veyron. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."
Kael blinked.
"Do we know each other?"
"Not yet."
Her smile widened just a little.
"My name is Evelyne Ardent. I represent House Ardent."
The name provoked an immediate reaction.
Students began to murmur.
Even Darius looked surprised.
Aurelion whistled.
"Wow. One of the Twelve Great Houses."
Kael looked at Aurelion.
"Is that important?"
Aurelion’s eyes went wide.
"How do you survive day to day?"
"By improvising."
"That explains way too much."
Evelyne let out a small laugh.
"Honesty is refreshing."
Kael wasn’t sure if that was a compliment.
The noblewoman watched him for a few seconds before continuing.
"House Ardent has followed your recent achievements with great interest."
"My achievements?"
"The mountain.
The Abyssal Beast.
The dungeon.
Your confrontation with the Church of Order."
Kael felt a chill.
Hearing it all together sounded much worse than he expected.
And much more suspicious.
Evelyne took a step closer.
"We believe that someone with your potential deserves protection."
Kael looked around.
Then pointed at the academy.
"Aren’t I already protected?"
"The academy protects students.
We protect valuable assets."
Kael understood the message immediately.
She wasn’t talking about him.
She was talking about the Fat King.
The woman shifted her gaze to the cat.
Her smile became slightly more interested.
"Such an extraordinary creature will inevitably attract unwanted attention."
The Little Fat King looked at her for a second.
Then turned his head with evident disinterest.
Evelyne kept her smile.
Though her eyes revealed a small disappointment.
"Our house can offer unlimited resources.
Training.
Security.
Influence.
Everything you need to reach your full potential."
Kael frowned.
"And what do you want in return?"
The woman looked directly at him.
"Exclusivity."
Silence.
Aurelion smiled as if watching a play.
Darius crossed his arms.
Seraphina simply remained beside Kael.
Still.
Watching.
Evelyne tilted her head slightly.
"Of course, you would still be free to make your own decisions.
You would only need to prioritize our house’s interests."
Kael looked down at the Little Fat King.
The cat yawned.
Clearly not impressed.
Kael looked back at Evelyne.
"No, thanks."
The noblewoman blinked.
"Would you like to hear a financial offer first?"
"No."
"Perhaps discuss it calmly?"
"No."
"May I ask why?"
Kael sighed.
"Because you don’t want to help me.
You want the cat."
Evelyne’s smile didn’t disappear.
But it became colder.
More professional.
"Sincerity is certainly refreshing."
Before she could respond, other people approached.
Too many people.
As if Kael’s refusal had started a competition.
A man in a blue robe stepped forward.
"The Golden Dawn Guild offers priority access to our expeditions."
A silver-haired woman raised her hand.
"The Everwind Merchant Company can provide unlimited supplies for your summon."
An adventurer with a huge scar smiled.
"Join my team for a season. We’ll make a fortune."
The offers began to come one after another.
Money.
Equipment.
Training.
Fame.
Influence.
Everything revolved around one thing.
The Little Fat King.
Kael felt strangely uncomfortable.
No one asked what he wanted to do.
No one asked what he liked.
No one asked how he was after the Church’s attack.
They only cared about his summon.
For the first time, he understood something that made him feel empty.
If the Fat King disappeared...
Probably no one would keep talking to him.
Aurelion, of course, decided to make things worse.
"I would accept an offer."
Kael looked at him.
"Why?"
"Out of curiosity."
"Curiosity?"
"Imagine it. Unlimited resources, nobles fighting each other, and the possibility of causing diplomatic incidents."
Kael shook his head.
"You are a problem."
"Thanks."
Darius intervened before Aurelion could keep talking.
"Don’t accept anything."
Everyone looked at him.
Darius himself seemed surprised to have spoken.
He cleared his throat.
"The great houses don’t give anything away.
If you accept, you’ll spend the rest of your life paying back favors."
Kael watched him for a few seconds.
"Was that sincere advice?"
Darius looked away.
"Don’t get used to it."
Aurelion smiled.
"He’s adorable when he worries."
"Shut up."
While they argued, Kael noticed something strange.
The crowd was still there.
But no one got too close.
They kept their distance.
As if there were an invisible barrier.
He looked beside him.
Seraphina was still there.
Silent.
With her calm expression.
Without saying a single word.
And yet, it was enough.
Guild representatives backed away slightly when she looked at them.
Nobles avoided getting too close.
Journalists kept a prudent distance.
Kael blinked.
"You’re terrifying."
Seraphina tilted her head.
"Am I?"
"Very much."
She seemed to think about it for a few seconds.
"I understand."
She didn’t look worried.
Or surprised.
She just accepted the fact.
As if it were normal.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the chaos.
"Move aside! Important research in progress!"
Luna appeared running through the crowd.
She carried a huge notebook under her arm.
And a pen.
Many people stepped aside out of pure instinct.
The girl stopped in front of Kael.
Opened the notebook.
It was full of names.
Notes.
Symbols.
And small ratings.
Kael blinked.
"What are you doing?"
"Classifying suspects."
"What suspects?"
Luna looked at him as if the answer were obvious.
"Everyone."
She pointed at Evelyne.
"Kidnapping probability: thirty-eight percent."
Then she pointed at the guild representative.
"Possible professional manipulator."
Finally, she looked at the scarred adventurer.
"Definitely a pickpocket."
The man stepped back.
"I’ve never stolen a wallet!"
Luna wrote something.
"Defensive behavior.
Increasing suspicion level."
Kael decided not to ask when she had started all of this.
It was probably better not to know.
Evelyne watched the notebook with evident curiosity.
"Your sister is interesting."
"I know."
"Thanks."
Kael wasn’t sure if he had said that.
But he also didn’t have the energy to argue.
The murmurs around him continued growing.
The rumors changed every minute.
And each new version was more absurd than the last.
Kael started walking again toward the main building.
Seraphina followed him.
Luna too.
Aurelion and Darius behind them.
The crowd kept a certain distance.
Like a group of predators watching prey that was too dangerous.
Kael sighed.
"I don’t understand why everyone does this."
He looked at Seraphina.
"Why do you keep accompanying me?"
She looked directly at him.
As if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Because you’re my fiancé."
Silence.
Absolute.
The entire hallway stood frozen.
A book fell to the floor.
Someone let out a stifled scream.
A magical journalist began writing frantically.
Aurelion put a hand to his chest.
Darius closed his eyes in resignation.
Luna smiled as if she had just won a bet.
Kael felt his brain stop working.
Again.
"What?"
Seraphina tilted her head.
"Did I say something strange?"
No one answered.
Because no one had the mental capacity to do so.
The murmurs exploded.
Louder than before.
Much louder.
"She confirmed it!"
"It’s official!"
"The Glacial Princess is engaged!"
"To Kael!"
"The summoner of the Fat King!"
Kael wanted to disappear.
Seraphina didn’t seem to understand the problem.
She just kept walking beside him.
As if she hadn’t just destroyed the mental peace of half the academy.
Luna began writing frantically in her notebook.
"Social threat level: critical."
Aurelion smiled.
"This gets better every day."
"I hate you."
"That’s not true."
Darius shook his head.
"I don’t know who’s crazier.
Her.
Or you for still being here."
While everyone argued, a figure watched from a distance.
A hooded man.
No emblems.
No insignias.
No intention of approaching.
Just watching.
He took some notes in a small notebook.
His eyes stopped on Kael.
Then on Seraphine.
Then on the Little Fat King.
He stood still for a few more seconds.
And disappeared into the crowd.
Without anyone noticing.
