Chapter 110: Banquet Preparations

Klein Moretti carefully groomed his black hair before the half-length mirror in the washroom.

He was already dressed in his newly purchased, freshly laundered black formal suit—shiny double-breasted buttons, a collar that could stand upright, and padded shoulders that made him appear taller.

Having combed his black hair into place, he retrieved his half-height silk top hat from the coat rack, dusted off imaginary specks, and positioned it properly.

He fastened the double-breasted buttons of his formal suit one by one, finally adjusting his bow tie, allowing only the collar of his white shirt beneath to show.

"Hmm, not bad. Black truly is a color that never goes out of style."

He flashed a smile at his reflection, checking left and right. After confirming everything was properly arranged, Klein left the washroom satisfied and descended to the first floor.

His brother, Benson Moretti, stood stiffly in the center of the living room, wearing a tailcoat, black vest, white shirt, and black bow tie with pressed trousers.

Seeing Klein descend, he approached with a helpless expression.

"Melissa insisted I dress like this. I..."

"Benson, this outfit suits you perfectly. Do you remember Selena's banquet two weeks ago? How naturally you mingled with those gentlemen and ladies?"

Benson touched his forehead—his hairline more advanced than his peers', causing his hand to meet empty air.

"Perhaps, but isn't this banquet only for your colleagues and teachers?"

He asked, puzzled.

"But you must grow accustomed to it, Benson. This concerns Klein's important matters, and... perhaps you'll encounter such situations in the future as well..."

Their sister Melissa Moretti's voice drifted from the staircase.

The two turned to see Melissa, also changed, descending from upstairs into the living room.

She wore a cream-colored long dress with lace decorations at the collar and bodice arranged in ruffled patterns. Apart from the currently fashionable leg-of-mutton sleeves, there were no other elaborate designs—suitable for daily wear.

Walking forward with light steps, Melissa sniffed and looked at Klein in surprise: "You actually applied cologne?"

"Really? I don't detect anything."

Benson also approached curiously, inhaled, and frowned.

"It's... a light fragrance," Klein explained, feeling his face flush slightly. He reached to loosen his bow tie but reconsidered—the carefully tied bow tie shouldn't be disturbed. His hand wavered twice before dropping to his side.

"Hmm, but you do look quite handsome—better than Benson."

"Facts prove that clothes make the man."

Benson teased from the sideline.

Then he frowned again, his gaze sweeping over Melissa, Klein, and himself in turn.

"Won't this seem overly formal?"

"It's merely a small banquet celebrating our move—could even be called a family dinner."

He muttered while his hands smoothed minor wrinkles from his tailcoat.

"Didn't I tell you yesterday?" Melissa kept signaling Benson with her eyes. "Klein invited colleagues—female colleagues."

She emphasized the final words.

"Ah—oh, I see!"

Benson appeared puzzled at first, then enlightened, deliberately drawing out his response.

"Ahem—"

Klein coughed, interrupting his siblings' teasing. Following the watch chain, he withdrew his pocket watch from his formal suit, opened the cover with a "snap," and glanced at it.

"The hired carriage I arranged should arrive shortly. Let's wait at the door."

Seeing the hands pointing to 6 PM, he addressed the pair.

The three siblings checked each other over, confirmed their attire was acceptable, then left 2 Narcissus Street and waited at the door briefly before boarding the hired carriage that arrived to collect them.

"Silver Crown Restaurant" was also located on Narcissus Street, at the opposite end from the Moretti house—not far at all. Benson had suggested the three could walk, but Melissa argued that attending a banquet in formal wear on foot would not only cause perspiration and dishevel their clothing, but also appear undignified. She insisted they take a carriage.

"Melissa, you weren't like this before..."

Though Klein had also decided on a carriage, seeing his sister—who had been so careful about household expenses just weeks ago—now unconcerned with such "small expenses" moved him considerably.

"This is for you."

Melissa fixed him with a look of disappointment, glaring pointedly.

"Perhaps Melissa is adapting to 'middle-class' life in advance. You know, they're all very—"

Benson teased from the side.

"Respectable!"

Klein and Melissa answered in unison. The three looked at each other and laughed, rediscovering the familiar feeling of mutual self-mockery and teasing.

Silver Crown Restaurant was a well-known establishment near Narcissus Street and Iron Cross Street. It offered moderate prices and featured local Ruen, Intis, Feysac, and other regional specialties. Although some felt their specialty dishes weren't authentic—all somehow tasting like local Ruen cuisine—most patrons cared more about the restaurant's class and service quality than flavor.

The hired carriage stopped smoothly before the two-story street-facing establishment. It was dinner rush hour, with many people coming and going at the restaurant entrance—quite lively indeed.

"We reserved a private room, correct?"

Melissa asked Klein with some concern.

He nodded: "No problem—reserved long ago."

He walked toward the restaurant's main entrance first. Two waiters stationed on either side of the door respectfully opened it for him.

"We have a reservation—Room 7, Klein Moretti."

The front desk checked their reservation book and quickly confirmed the Klein family's identity, leading them to Room 7 on the second floor.

The central chandelier illuminated the private room brightly. One person was already seated at the round table, absorbed in reading a book.

Hearing the door open and the sound of the three Moretti siblings entering, the middle-aged man looked up. His brown eyes calmly observed Klein, revealing a weariness that seemed inconsistent with his age.

"I didn't expect you to arrive so early, Mr. Azik. Thank you for honoring us with your presence at our modest banquet."

Klein removed his hat and bowed to the middle-aged man.

"This is Mr. Azik Eggers, a history faculty member at Hoy University. He has provided tremendous assistance with my studies and work."

"This is my brother, Benson Moretti, and my sister, Melissa."

He introduced both parties.

The bronze-skinned Hoy University history faculty member Azik Eggers, his top hat covering short black hair, returned a smile. His gaze swept over the three siblings but ultimately settled on Klein.

"You appear more like a gentleman than before. It seems that 'security company' position suits you well."

"Perhaps it's the effect of these new clothes."

Klein responded to Azik using Benson's earlier words.

"No, I can see that you've become more... hmm..." He glanced at Benson and Melissa behind Klein, "more skilled in that particular aspect."

Klein was startled, realizing Azik was referring to his complete digestion of the "Diviner" potion.

Mr. Azik can even perceive this?

Although Azik had previously acknowledged possessing certain special abilities, and Klein had once divined above the gray fog, confirming that Azik was an extremely powerful Beyonder, such capability still exceeded his imagination.

Klein, who was trying to formulate an excuse to inquire further, noticed Melissa beside him continuously signaling with her eyes, and realized he'd been standing at the door somewhat impolitely.

He quickly invited everyone to sit down, but strangely observed both Benson and Melissa taking seats on the opposite side, leaving the chairs on either side of him vacant.

"You two are..."

"This is Room 7. Mr. Moretti has arrived."

The waiter's voice from outside interrupted Klein's question.