Banquet (4)

Outside a beautiful, majestic, and elegant blue and white manor, a huge line can be seen. Every one of them was holding a white and blue invitation card for the banquet. Meanwhile, in the sky, beasts are flying around, creating a beautiful spectacle. They are formed in two lines, creating a pathway for the VIPs.

The line was slowly moving when everyone had the urge to look at the sky. There, Sky Lion can be seen flapping its wings and flying to the path. A beautiful lady was riding on it. Her violet hair was blowing against her body as she faced the wind. Her deep black eyes were bright as she stared at the manor with excited eyes. Alongside her was a butler with brown hair and eyes, distinctly positioning himself away from the sight of the crowd.

"Look, it's the heiress of the Merchant Institution!" a member of the crowd shouted.

Then, from the sky, a Ruby Eagle descended and followed the Sky Lion. A man with crimson hair and eyes stood there alongside two seductive ladies.

"It's the son of the guild master of the Haimon Guild!" somebody said.

A lot more notable figures arrived that caught the attention of the line. Without exception, everybody recognized those who entered, including Fero and Reyl of the Megher Empire.

However, just before the gates closed for the banquet, darkness covered a huge area outside the manor. It got smaller with time as a bird lowered its flight.

"What is that?" someone asked.

Everybody looked at it curiously until one shouted, "It's a Shadow Crow!" the statement took the breath of the spectators away. They stared at the Shadow Crow in awe, fear, and shock.

"What organization brought that!?" someone asked, breaking the silence. However, no one answered.

They could all see seven people sitting on the Shadow Crow, which terrified them since Shadow Crows are known to be very proud beasts. However, despite seeing the seven, none of them could recognize any of them. All they knew was that it was a mighty organization since it entered through the VIP path.

Aezir, Xenon, and the teens just arrived inside the manor. Aezir and Xenon were wearing black suits, but all parts of Xenon that were not covered by the clothes were wrapped in bandages. After showing their invitation card, they were quickly escorted inside the main building where the banquet was being held.

The teens could not help but look around in amazement after seeing the majesty of the manor. They were even more mesmerized after seeing the inside of the main building since what greeted them were walls made of precious stones and pillars made of Arcane Crystals. They almost went insane after seeing Green Arcane Crystals be used as materials for building construction.

Aezir and Xenon, on the other hand, were focused on the people inside. There was a huge empty path in the middle with seven thrones on its end. Six of them were already filled. Some of which by familiar faces. In the middle, the current Patriarch of The House of Nelpon was sitting with the chair on his right empty.

All other guests situated on the sides of the empty aisle stared at Aezir as he walked on the path. Xenon was obediently following him while the teens had already chosen a corner to sit in. Everyone looked at them in contempt, even those who were sitting at the end of the aisle, especially Fero, who was sitting on one of the seven chairs, and Reyl, who was standing behind him.

"I am glad that the representatives of the Ancient Street could come," greeted the patriarch.

"Of course, it is nice being here," Xenon responded.

Aezir, on the other hand, ignored the patriarch and went straight for the chair to sit. He looked calm and composed outside, but he was holding himself. It took them a lot of years back then to turn Cynosure into a haven, but now, it was all changed.

Aezir's attitude caught the attention of everyone. They glared at him in contempt. They also looked at Xenon, seemingly asking to fix Aezir's attitude, but Xenon did not dare do so.

"Ahem! Since everyone is here, let us begin the banquet! I, Delton Nelpon, the patriarch of The House of Nelpon, warmly welcome everyone to this banquet. I hope that everyone enjoys themself," Delton said.

Following this, everyone cheered and proceeded to eat the food that was delivered to them. After a while of eating and laughing, all food and beverages were taken away. This prompted everyone to fix themselves and look at Delton.

"As per the tradition, it is now time to appreciate the talents that we produced. As usual, we will have sparring contests in two categories, below and after 20. Afterward, we will discuss how we are going to distribute the newly discovered Spatial Fold in the boundary of the Megher Empire, Lone Island, and Merchant Institution," Delton said.

"Let one of the students from our academy begin. This is Haniel; he is the most promising individual below 20 from The East Academy," an old man with long white hair said with a proud smile. He was sitting on the edge, beside the heiress of the Merchant Institution.

Just then, the teen standing behind the old man walked to the empty aisle and bowed at everyone.

"Go," Fero said to Reyl. The latter swiftly moved to the center stage with an arrogant smile. This quickly changed Haniel's mood to sour.

"Let us just how powerful the pride of The East Academy and the Megher Empire is. Let the spar begin!" Delton declared.

The atmosphere quickly turned fierce. This is not a simple spar, after all. This is the reflection of the capabilities of each force to nurture their youth. Their faces are extremely important to all of these forces, so they trained hard the adventurers of choice.

"Flame Lance!" Haniel said after drawing a Rune in his lance, which caused it to be enveloped in fire.