Chapter 50: Chapter 50 : Before the Banquet
Wow, you heading to a banquet? " a gasp came out from Ryu’s mouth. His eyes carefully scanning the outfit Zeres was wearing.
He wore a white suit adorned with ribbon, the kind his race usually wore. A tailcoat hang loosely on his arm, black leather pants ironed neatly, and am exquisite black leather boots.
"You’re all set!" Ryu gaved him a thumbs up, a proud expression on his face.
"I’m always good-looking whether it’s a shabby clothes." Zeres smirked while putting on his gloves, his long white hair neatly combed.
’But I have a dilemma’ he thought bitterly. A sullen expression on his face.
The reason for his gloomy state was that he doesn’t know how to dance!
"Enjoy yourself there!" Ryu shoved him outside of the shop. Sunlight casting it’s glow on his pale features.
Outside of the gate, a carriage was already there. The coachman sitting comfortably on his seat while chewing some beef jerky.
This was a common thing on Helva district. After all, this district was that of a merchant—and it wouldn’t be bad to enter an exclusive contract with them.
For the coachmans of carriages, that’s a sweet deal where they don’t have to roam around towns just to take in some passengers.
"Haa, another day for my senses to be tortured." He sighed.
Crossing the polished stone pavement, he arrived before the carriage.
It was a simple one, devoid of the usual carriages boarded by nobles screaming wealth.
"Lunaire Academy" Zeres said flatly, already pulling the doors open as he boarded.
The coachman abruptly chewed his beef jerky. His hands shotting straight reins.
’It’s already my fourth time seeing this coachman.’ Zeres thought, his head leaning on the thin wall.
’Should I also get myself a carriage?’ His thoughts drifted away as he stared on the window.
The carriage rolled through the district at a steady pace.
Rows of shops lined both sides of the street.
Merchants stood before their establishments, loudly advertising their goods to passing customers energetically.
A blacksmith hammered glowing metal beneath a canopy.
Further away, several traders argued over the price of grain.
Wooden signboards swayed gently above the entrances of bookstores, tailor shops, and restaurants.
Occasionally, Zeres caught sight of nobles accompanied by guards.
He smiled softly.
Unlike the other districts, Helva felt alive.
Nobles visiting for products, customers bargaining with merchants.
And somewhere else, another merchant was probably dreaming of becoming the richest man in the district.
His gaze casually scanned the shop he passed through, the signboards hanging above the doors made him realize it was really a district for merchants.
He closed his eyes, waiting for the coachman to announced they have arrived.
Just then, the carriage came to a halt.
"We’re here" the coachman said.
Zeres went down, casually putting on the tailcoat he held in his arms. Then he tossed five Haven coins at the coachman before he left.
"A student of the Academy yet he have a good business? That’s what you call a lucky man." The coachman laughed lightly, then he went up to his seat, holding the reins—a breath escapes through his mouth.
"Ahh, when will I be successful" he yawned, yanking the reins—his carriage rolled.
________________
"They sure made effort." Zeres mumbled, his gaze fixed on the side where multiple luxurious carriages stood out, proudly displaying their family’s insignia.
On the side, people of distinguished groups crossed the stone pavements.
They all wore Coats of the same color.
"The tower of mages." Zeres stared at them from a far.
One group had mages of the same sapphire coat waking proudly, they didn’t even bother supressing their auras.
"Azure tower? Did they came her to scout someone?" The students murmur from a distance echoed loudly in Zeres ears, as if he’s beside the boy and he’s yelling straight at his ear.
"Uhh, fuck, this senses is making me dizzy." He cursed under his breath. Gritting his teeth, he walked away from the crowded area of the academy.
________
"Finally some peace and quiet." He sighed as he arrived at the place he used to sleep at on the first semester.
The trees stood tall, freshly trimmed grass signifying the academy’s care for it’s property.
Zeres head deeper until he arrived at a place with a lake.
"The banquet will just be noisy, if not for professor Elyssa—I would have come had she not threatened me."
Staring at the tempting grass fields, Zeres clicked his tongue, he wanted to lie down comfortably. But a banquet will take place any second now.
It was already afternoon, at this time, everything must have already been set.
"Did you just say I threatened you? " a sweet get cold voice echoed behind him.
’When!? ’ Zeres’ eyes widened, he was so distracted he didn’t notice her approaching him.
But, something was different, not her face or something. Just the way the air trembled around her like she owned the place.
There was a quiet authority leaking out just from her standing normally. And the most obvious part, her presence.
Before, Zeres was in an unstable rank, so he didn’t really noticed it. But now, he could feel it.
A commanding presence, it was intimidating.
’Is this the presence of the monarch-rank? ’ he flexed his fingers.
No wonder no one in the academy wanted to mess with her.
But then again, who would foolishly offend her?
She’s one of the youngest gifted to ever reached the monarch-rank. Adding wound to sault, she’s also the one and only disciple of the headmaster.
"What, why aren’t you speaking? " professor Elyssa tilted her head, her long wavy red hair cascaded down graciously.
She wore a red off-shoulders dress adorned with Jewelries, she looked gorgeous.
For a moment, Zeres blinked.
"Stop, I know I’m gorgeous." Professor Elyssa patted him on the shoulders, a smug smile tugging at her lips.
"What are you saying, I was just surprised—cause your outfit sucks." Zeres smirked before he ran off.
Professor Elyssa’s smile faded, an annoyed expression casting over her face. "That brat! "
A soft smile appeared on his face as he walked quietly.
"You’ve written a nice character, ungrateful sister of mine."
_____________
