Xavier stared into the eyes of Eulene who was sitting across the table, awaiting an answer.
"I don't know," Eulene answered with a shrug, not getting flustered a bit. "All I know is that this 'world' of yours is different."
"How did you arrive here?" Xavier raised a brow.
"Translated to your language, it's called a 'Vortex'. I dropped onto Derbury forest and stayed there since."
"Reason?"
"You see this?" She pointed at her face. "I am a for- for-"
"Foreigner."
"Yes, that. Auntie Maisel said it would cause unwanted trouble if my beauty was revealed to the world." She smirked.
Loudening footsteps halted their conversation. The waitress appeared again, this time- with a bottle of red wine and two chalices in her hands. "Pardon." She smiled and placed the chalices before them prior to pouring the wine and filling them up.
She put the bottle on the table and curtsied. "This wine is 70 years old, supplied directly by Eustace and Co, the best winemakers in Avarynth."
Eulene peered at the light and red liquid gently whirling in the glass before giving the waitress a smile. "Thank you."
Xavier also gave the waitress a nod.
The young lady curtsied. "If you need anything, just ring the bell." She pointed at the bell on the table and departed.
Xavier gestured Eulene to taste the wine.
She shook her head. "I might be really sure of my drinking skills, but against someone like you, I would rather keep my guard up." She pushed the glass away.
"Seems like we share the same notion." Xavier snapped his fingers. The red wine in his chalice vaporised, causing a fruity scent to pervade the room.
"Now, it's my turn to ask a question." Eulene arched forward and placed her right forearm on the table. "What are you? I asked auntie if there are people who could use special powers in this world, but all she said was 'you could only find such people in books'. I guess the 'mortals' here are unaware of your existence."
Xavier answered with nonchalance, "Magician, mage, wizard, alchemist, magier, elementalist, kinetics- we are known by different names in different lands… and different eras. Due to reasons, we are required to hide our existence from the general public."
Eulene took in a deep breath and looked right into Xavier's eyes. All the carefreeness disappeared from her ethereal face as seriousness took over. "Among all the power users in this world, where would you place yourself?"
Xavier contemplated for a second before opening his mouth. "I don't know about the whole world. But rest assured, in this continent, I have yet to meet a human stronger than me."
Eulene heaved out a sigh of relief and rested back on the chair. So, that meant not every power user is as monstrous as the man in front of her.
"My turn," Xavier said, "How many times have u tied a battle before?"
"Mhmm. Cheeky." Eulene smirked. This man was this confident that she had never lost a duel? Was he kind, or a narcissist? "Though I have fought seven matches to a draw before, your rank among them depends on the answer to one simple question."
Xavier looked into her eyes, beckoning her to go on.
"How old are you?" Eulene asked. "Every single of those opponents were at least a century older than me."
"217 years."
Eulene's eyes twitched as she grinned ear to ear. "I know people want to stay young. But we experts should not be lying about our age. It's basic courtesy."
"I apologise." Xavier bowed slightly.
Eulene internally sighed in relief. She knew it! He could not be this young.
Xavier brought out his pocket watch and pressed it open. "217 years 3 months 12 days 9 hours 37 minutes and 23 seconds."
Eulene's grinning cheeks twitched. He was not lying? He was that young?
As far as she could remember, she was heaven's child- one blessed with never-seen-before talent and constitution. Let alone being the best in her own age group, her abilities far exceeded even those of generations beyond her. She was the youngest sect leader in the history of three grand sects for a reason.
And this man before her was equally as strong and of the same age as hers? Yes, she was still away from her peak due to the injuries she faced during the 'travel'. But still, she was heavens above any two centuries old immortals back at her home world.
She barely composed herself and said calmly, "I want a rematch"
"Sure." Xavier tipped his hat. "If we find a suitable battleground that is."
"Tsk." Eulene clicked her tongue. She was the heaven's child of the Martial Realm. It was not that surprising for the heaven of this world to have a child of its own. "But there's something that has been bothering me. How are you still alive?"
Xavier frowned.
"You don't have a dantia- you can't store Qi within your body. You are a mortal."
"Qi?" Xavier asked, "Mana?"
"So that's what you call it in this world- mana. Yes, how are you alive without storing mana in your body?"
"Cellular manipulation," Xavier replied.
"Eh?" Eulene squinted.
"I can manipulate every single cell in my body, making sure I never age."
Eulene scowled. "That's-"
Footsteps interrupted their conversation yet again. The girl arrived with a large tray filled with mesmerising dishes.
"Dinner is served!"