Recap
The hall is packed with many aristocrats. There were food and seats prepared for everyone. It feels like a banquet.
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The entire time Rei, who has been sitting on my hair, pops his head out. His presences aren't noticeable as he decided to camouflage into the colour of my hair, like a hat.
Rei mindlessly napped on my head. After sensing a new environment he decided to look at the new surroundings. As he has not seen so many people gather together at a luxurious location.
When I first met Rei I wanted him to become my familiar so he can stop being bullied by others. It is also partially to keep the talkative familiar of Betty's near me and make new memories with him.
However, Rei wasn't willing to risk his life to make a contract with me. He didn't want the same thing to happen again since he became weaker then he was before.
With, half his soul is gone, he isn't willing to sacrifice the remaining half of his soul, also known as his mana. He needed time to recover his losses before getting a new bond. I respected his decision though, he doesn't mind travelling outside with me.
Now that we are at the banquet, I am slightly nervous. Avin is still beside me as well as Gill, Daisy is already gone. "So what should we do?" I asked them.
Avin reply, " Socialise? Make friends?" he is not sure himself.
" How about we look at the pastries that they made and try them?" Gill spoke without hesitating. "Sounds better than Avin idea! Let's head to the table full of pastries!" Avin gasp in jest.
As we all head to the table full of untouched food, Avin was suddenly washed away by the wave of men who seem to have study swordsmanship. "I didn't know that Avin is that popular?" I whisper out. " I will find you later, little Aust!" telepathically before being push further away as he flails his arms around like a dying seal.
I pouted, I look at Gill and said, " It is just you and m-" As I was about to finish my sentence, Gill is surrounded by older women around the ages of 14-18.
"Alright fine! I will explore this delicacy by myself, hmph!" as I fold my arms and head closer to the pastries.
~
After some time, the whole royal family arrive. They arrive conspicuously as everyone has to bow and greet them respectfully. Of course including me.
As soon as I complete the greetings I turn straight back to the food I was nibbling on.
Once I look up, my gaze is locked on by the light bulb. I quickly get out of my seat and salvage numerous macaroons and tried to pop them into my mouth. I instantly regret as, by the time I turn around to escape him, he already is behind me.
"Ah sh*t the light bulb has come for attention..." I mutter out talking to myself. He smiles and pretends to ignore my remark.
"Greetings Prince Royce," I bow and skillfully hold on to my plate yet the attention from the spectators still have not calmed down as many starts to whisper among their cliques. Ugh, I want to disappear right at this moment.
"Aust Clades, I look forward to your performance later."
"I hope I will not disappoint you, Prince Royce." I force out a smile at him.
Why is he targeting me? Is this because of the time I "accidentally" called him a light bulb?! Petty much!
Ding-a-ling!
The sound came from a scraggly looking old man holding his staff and a handbell on the stage beside a huge device that detects one's element affinity.
"Ahem, testing, testing."
He uses his air magic to enhance his voice to make it louder.
"Good evening everyone, the test will commence shortly. Please wait for your number to be called out!" he said and he walks to the judge's seat. This event happens annually only for children of 6 years old who are accepted to attend.
Of course for commoners, wondering mages will come and test them. For a smaller village the more difficult it is to increase one's fame, yet at the same time, it is not entirely impossible.
"Applicant number 1, please come up to the stage. The subsequent numbers, please queue behind the mages!" Gill suddenly appears beside me, he passes me a piece of paper and whispered, " Young master here is your number."
"So you are finally back?" I raise my brows looking at him. "I'm sorry young master but I couldn't bear to bring shame to the Clades for my behaviour. I sincerely apologise to all the ladies saying that I need to find you, young master." Prince Royce who heard all of it retort softly, " No wonder you were alone." and smiled.
I scowl at his comment. In the background, people who were watching us divert their attention to the test. Many people pass with flying colours while some left looking dejected.
"Number 082, please come to the stage."
It is rare for people to have 3 types of affinity, even more, rare to have an affinity with Time and space, Dark and lastly Holy magic. The world is so vast that not all kinds of magic are yet discovered.
"Number 082, please come to the stage," it repeated.
"Young master your number is being called." I glance at him, " I-i know that." I arrive shortly on the stage. The ancient-looking mage spoke without interest, " Deposit your mana into this orb."
Aust, it is fine, just put in a little bit of my mana and wait and see. The worst-case scenario is that I get too much exposed...I don't even know what I am gifted with...
I breathe in and out to calm my nerves. I let out some of my mana as I close my eyes to concentrate.
The device light up green and baby blue. Phew, I thought Gyrent will gift me some op* magic affinity.
I left the stage looking sad. Tried to look sad. Even Prince Royce can see through my emotions. " What is wrong with your face?" I respond, " Oh, I am dissatisfied with the element I got."
"Really?" Both Prince Royce and Gill said in sync. "Of course! I am not lying-g." as my eyes unconsciously look up to my right avoiding their gaze.
"Sure you are, tiny." Prince Royce voiced out.
I look daggers at him. Avin walks up to us and turns to Prince Royce to greet him. " Little Aust, why do you look so happy?"
"I am not..." my face start to flush unknowingly. "Oh well, I was tested but I am not gifted with any astounding element." he shrugs his shoulders.
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Op* - Overpowered.