Chapter 3 : Restaurant

Richard reached out, captivated, and brushed the artifact with his fingertips. A strange vibration ran through his palm as he finally grasped it, as if the object was reacting to his presence. He lifted it slowly, scrutinizing the runic symbols engraved on its surface. A colossal energy seemed to slumber within, ready to awaken at any moment.

— "This is incredible…" he murmured, his eyes gleaming with wonder.

He looked up at his grandfather.

— "When are you leaving for Turing?"

— "In a week," Henry replied calmly.

Richard raised an eyebrow.

— "A week?"

— "Yes. And until then, I will personally train you."

A smirk appeared on the young man's face.

— "Alright, if you say so, old geezer."

Henry narrowed his eyes, amused.

— "Insolent," he grumbled with a slight smile.

Then, his expression darkened.

— "Richard… it's time for you to discover the true power of the Marvin family's forging magic."

Excitement immediately replaced the irony in Richard's eyes.

— "Not bad. At least this won't be like your usual training sessions," he said provocatively.

Henry let out a brief laugh.

— "You might be surprised… Get ready, Richard. This time, it will be different."

The serious tone of his grandfather left no doubt: this training was going to be far more than just a lesson. Richard clenched his fists, a determined gleam in his eyes. He could feel it… Something important was about to begin.

Henry placed a firm hand on Richard's shoulder, his gaze growing more serious.

— "Listen to me carefully, Richard. What I just told you about the Circle of Cirkon… you must not speak of it to anyone. Not even your friends."

Richard nodded, feeling the weight of the secret his grandfather had just entrusted to him.

— "Understood, Grandpa."

Henry released his shoulder and gave a faint smile.

— "Good. Now go join your friends. Training begins tomorrow."

Richard didn't need to be told twice. He bid his grandfather farewell and left the library, heading toward the courtyard where Tristan and Larry were waiting for him.

— "Well, you sure took your time!" Tristan called out, crossing his arms.

— "Yeah, we almost took root waiting for you," Larry added with a hint of amusement.

Richard replied nonchalantly,

— "You know me, I like to make an entrance."

— "Tsss… Stop showing off," Tristan retorted, giving him a playful slap on the shoulder. "So, what did your grandpa talk to you about?"

Richard smirked.

— "Oh, nothing much. You know, he's an old geezer. What interesting things could he possibly tell me?"

Larry raised his eyebrows before lifting his hands in surrender.

— "Alright, alright, I won't insist."

Tristan, however, wasn't so easily deterred and changed the subject with enthusiasm.

— "How about we head into town to grab something to eat? After all, our dear friend Richard is still banned from the academy, right?"

Larry shook his head, laughing.

— "Not for long. His suspension is over, and he'll be back soon."

Richard, hands behind his head, grinned mischievously.

— "Ah, about that… Not happening. I'm extending my vacation a little longer."

Tristan and Larry burst into laughter as the trio set off toward the city. For now, there was no need to worry.

Richard and his friends strolled leisurely through the bustling streets of the capital, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Merchants loudly advertised their goods, passersby came and went, and the enticing aroma of freshly prepared food drifted through the air.

As they walked, a familiar voice called out to them:

— "Well, if it isn't the inseparable trio!"

They turned to see a young girl with long brown hair neatly tied in a braid. It was Muriel Coper, one of their academy friends and one of the few girls who genuinely liked Richard despite his reputation as a reckless and unpredictable troublemaker.

— "Muriel!" Tristan exclaimed with a smile. "It's been a while since we last saw you!"

— "I could say the same about you," she replied, crossing her arms. "So, what brings you guys to town today?"

Tristan, ever confident, answered enthusiastically:

— "We're looking for a good place to eat. Our usual restaurant is closed, and honestly, we're starving!"

Muriel raised an eyebrow and smirked.

— "In that case, why not come eat at my family's restaurant? It's very well-known, you know."

Richard, intrigued, said:

— "Oh yeah? That famous, huh? I've never heard of it."

Larry burst out laughing and patted him on the back.

— "Of course not! You rarely leave your house, and the few times you do, it's always with Tristan and me."

— "Hey, it's not my fault I'm a homebody," Richard replied, shrugging with a smirk.

Muriel sighed, shaking her head.

— "You guys really need to broaden your horizons… Anyway, are you coming or not?"

Tristan and Larry exchanged knowing glances before nodding in agreement. Richard, however, pretended to hesitate for a moment before shrugging.

— "Alright, fine. Let's see if this restaurant is as good as you claim."

— "You won't be disappointed!" Muriel assured them, leading the way.

The small group set off, chatting cheerfully.

When they finally arrived at the restaurant, they were impressed by the lively atmosphere. The elegant facade featured a finely carved wooden sign, and a delicious aroma of freshly prepared dishes wafted from the kitchens, drawing in a large crowd.

— "Well, this looks pretty nice," Richard commented, eyeing the growing queue at the entrance.

— "I knew you'd like it!" Muriel said with a satisfied smile. "Shall we go in?"

Once inside, they were greeted by a warm and welcoming ambiance. Waiters bustled between tables, conversations buzzed all around, and the dim lighting gave the place a cozy atmosphere.

— "Come on, I'll find you a good spot," Muriel said, guiding them to a table near a large window overlooking the busy street.

Richard, Tristan, and Larry settled in comfortably as Muriel handed them the menus. Immediately, Tristan and Larry began arguing over what to order.

— "I'm getting the beef stew—it looks amazing!" Tristan declared.

— "Pff! You and your beef again," Larry scoffed. "Grilled fish is way better!"

— "Nonsense, you have no taste!"

Richard, used to their bickering, sighed as he idly flipped through the menu. However, his mind was elsewhere. He kept thinking about his conversation with his grandfather, about the responsibility he had been entrusted with—the fragment of the Circle of Cirkon…

Then, a sudden hush fell over the room. The restaurant door swung open, and a young woman entered, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Her long, fiery red hair and striking green eyes left no doubt about her identity.

— "That's… Princess Élisabeth?" Larry murmured, stunned.

Tristan, equally surprised, slowly nodded.

Without a word, Élisabeth walked through the restaurant under the curious and wary gazes of the patrons. Ignoring the whispers, she sat at a secluded table, far from Richard and his friends.

Strangely, as soon as she entered, the murmurs grew louder.

— "Why was she sent here?" a woman whispered to her husband.

— "I bet it's another plot by the Dreks Empire to invade Valdrith," muttered a man nearby, arms crossed.

Several others nodded in agreement, visibly suspicious.

Richard, silent, observed the scene carefully. He knew Élisabeth wasn't a spy and that she hadn't come to this restaurant with ill intentions. Yet, he could feel the weight of the stares directed at her, and he didn't like it one bit…