"I accept" Calter said confidently that brought a strange expression on Kel's face. The delighted look of Calter made Kel extremely uncomfortable. It was already hard to find someone at Calter's level and with his demeanor, his confidence was clear for everyone to see
It wasn't the arrogant look that the geniuses always have but one of pure confidence
"Fine, let me show you how powerful a Marquees Clan! You'll realize that it is a great honor for someone to be part of our Shan Clan!"
Kel didn't want to further humiliate himself along with his Clan and waved his sleeves before turning his back and walking away along with the two Magic Knights on his side
Calter sneered at Kel's direction before turning to look at Otto "Thank you City Lord" Calter said. Otto thought that the youth was thanking him for interfering before any of the Sternix Clan were harmed
He didn't know that Calter was thanking him for giving him a chance to crush the Shan Clan's face and pride!
One week from now, with the help of absorbing Magic Crystals he will break through and become a mid-level Magic Apprentice. In fact, if he wants to, he can already absorb enough mana for his breakthrough. But he didn't do so. A sudden huge increase of mana on one's body will harm the mage and make his foundation unstable
But with a week's time, Calter has enough time to advance in rank while not harming his foundation
"No need to thank me. Just make sure you'll be able to fight properly and don't be too overconfident. I'll go for now; I still have things to do" the City Lord bade his farewells without waiting for their reply and walked away
He only showed up in this Banquet for Calter and his disciple. Him showing up means that he greatly valued the Sternix Clan.
Calter shook his head before looking at his father who already calmed down. "I will go back in my room too, Mother, Father. I need to cultivate"
Emily and Narry nodded their heads. In fact, the Banquet will soon end. With these two incidents, the Banquet was already ruined
The Nobles don't have the mood to continue socializing. Overall, this party was a failure and a mess. It wasn't enjoyable at all
Narry also worried that some variables will ruin the already ruined gathering and decided to end it in a few minutes. He already introduced Calter and Kence to the Marquees and Earl. This was the number 1 goal of his. Those two powerful Nobles after all only gave their help to their Clan thanks to them
Calter walked back on Kence's direction who was once again became nervous from the earlier scene
"I'll head back to our room. Do you want to stay here?" Calter asked although he already knew Kence's answer. As expected, Kence shook his head. "I'll go with Big Brother"
Calter nodded his head and Kence stood up from his seat. The two left the ruined banquet as if nothing happened. Their focus was on each other
"I have a 'big duel' one week from now. I need to cultivate all the time and I might miss some meals and sleep. Can I, please?" Calter asked in a hopeful tone
He has confidence that he can beat any descendants from the Shan Clan that is of the same age as his. However, he wasn't some amateur that will make the basic mistake of looking down on their opponents and letting their guard down
In this one week, he will use all of his time to increase his strength as much as possible. There was no room for mistake. His goal was not to simply win but he wants people to see how weak the Shan Clan's younger generation compared to him!
His goal was a duel akin to an ant and dragon's fight. Him naturally being the Dragon and his opponents as ants!
A dissatisfied expression formed on Kence's face. Calter sigh as he thought it was his fault. But little did he know that Kence's dissatisfaction was on the Shan Clan
If Kel didn't offend Narry, will Calter be forced to stood up for his father? It also made his master to not have a choice but to fight someone
Kence knew his master, Calter only started studying magic for about a month. His time was simply too short, but now he was forced to fight a genius from a Marquees Clan. This fact also angered Kence
"I'm sorry okay? After this week I'll make sure to rest properly and I'll take you outside"
Kence turned to look at his master with a puzzled look on his face. "Why are you apologizing to me Big Brother? It's not your fault"
Calter heaved a sigh of relief. "But please eat or sleep as long as you can okay?" Kence continued and Calter can only nod his head.
The two entered their room and Calter kissed Kence on the youth's head. "I'll cultivate now and I won't have much time for you. I promise that I'll make it up to you after week. Is there some place you want to go?"
Kence as usual was oblivious of his master's affection and started thinking. Too bad, Kence was just always catering on his master's needs and does not know many places. He can't think of anywhere he wants to go. He's even a little bit lazy with the thought of going outside. Truly a total introvert!
"No need for that Big Brother"
Calter rolled his eyes. He just wants to have a date with Kence but why is this kid too dense to realize it? Does he think that Calter's show of affection was normal? Heck! That kind of treatment can only be seen from two lovers!
"Whatever. But I'll still take you outside. Don't you feel bored by always staying in the Clan?"
Kence immediately shook his head as an answer, he didn't even think before answering. "Studying magic is my hobby, I don't feel bored at all"
Calter made a 'tsk' sound before walking on their bed and sitting on one side. Fortunately, as a Noble's room Calter's bed was big enough. Even if he was on one side, Kence won't feel crowded at all
Before he starts cultivating, Calter decided to tease his lover. "Can you sleep without me hugging you?"
Too bad, Kence's naivety kicked in again and the youth only has a confuse look on his face. "Of course, why wouldn't I?"
Calter snorted in annoyance before closing his eyes. He was extremely annoyed now! He can only continue drawing the free mana on the air inside his body
Kence tilted his head in confusion before hopping on their bed. He pulled the blanket on his body and closed his eyes.
Minutes passed and Kence slowly opened his eyes while wondering what is wrong. His body felt tired but weird enough he can't sleep at all. Kence stared at the ceiling and spread his arm on the bed
"Why can't I sleep?" Kence blinked his eyes and turned to look at his master quietly cultivating on the side. He suddenly remembered Calter's words
"Can you sleep without me hugging you?"
He realized that for a month, he always slept while being held by his master. Now that he needs to sleep on his own, he finds it uncomfortable. He was used to feeling his master's arm wrapped around him while feeling warm from Calter's body heat
"I-It can't be, right?" Kence thought to himself. He closed his eyes again to try entering the dream land. However, minutes passed again and he still can't sleep
Kence turned his body sideways and stared at his master's handsome face. The only light in the room was the moonlight but he can still see the outline of Calter's face
"Stupid master!" Kence scolded his master inside his head. This was the first time he said such words to Calter. But he can't help it. Him being unable to sleep was either because he got used to cuddling with Calter to sleep or because of his master's earlier words. It's just one of the two and both of it was Calter's fault!
Kence pulled one of the pillows on his side and hug it. He thought that maybe hugging something will help him sleep. But hugging a pillow felt wrong
Unlike his master's warm body, the pillow was a bit cold. As an ice type mage, he should be uncomfortable to heat and love the cold. However, he dislikes the pillow's coldness yet realized that he like Calter's body heat
Kence pouted his red lips and place the pillow back on its original position. Kence sighed and sat on the bed. Since he can't sleep, might as well use his free time in studying magic
Calter can feel Kence's movement and stopped his cultivation to looked at the youth who was holding the magic manual that the City Lord gave to him
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
Kence was shocked by the sudden sound and almost threw the manual on his hand. He turned his head on his master before giving him an annoyed look. It was his master's fault he can't sleep yet the sinner actually asked him about it! How can he not be annoyed by it?
Calter blinked his eyes a few times as he can't understand why Kence seemed annoyed at him.
But of course, Kence was too shy to admit he can't sleep without cuddling with Calter. For him, few years from now, Calter will marry a few beautiful Noble women. If that time comes, how can he always sleep while hugging his master? He should get used at sleeping on his own again
Kence used every bit of his brain cells to find an excuse and he thought of something
"Big Brother, you are working so hard. How can I not put effort too? I want to be strong for you!"
Fortunately, the light in their room was quite dim and Kence can't see the blush that spread all over Calter's face. His excuse made Calter flattered!
Although Calter doesn't want Kence to tire himself for his sake. But hearing someone you love was putting a huge effort for your sake, how can you not feel moved by it? That is like love and a pure one at that. Totally different from most Nobles who only marry each other for the benefits on themselves and their Clans
"W-what are you saying! You don't need to tire yourself. Sleep for now"
"Let me cultivate please?"
Kence shot Calter a puppy look. He can't let his master realize that he can't sleep without being hugged
It took all of Calter's willpower to turn his head sideways. If he looks at Kence for even a second longer he knew he wouldn't have a choice but to let the cute bunny do what he wants
"S-sleep now!"
Kence's brain worked again and was finding a way for his master to let him cultivate before he thought of something that he realized quite some time ago
Kence crawled on the bed to his master's position which immediately made Calter to panic
Just what the hell is Kence doing? Calter can't help but to think of a seductive cat slowly crawling on its prey's position. All sorts of erotic thoughts filled his head which immediately made his buddy down there hard
Contrary to Calter's perception, Kence has an innocent look on his face. For him, he just crawled to get close on his master's position. They were on top of a bed after all, do you except him to stand up and walk to close that little bit of distance?
Calter gulped hard as Kence's face was inching closer to his. He felt a soft and wet lips kissing his cheeks and it sent electric sparks all over his body
The already hard Calter junior became even harder. "Big Brother, let me cultivate please?" Kence just use his normal voice but for Calter it's like Kence used a coquettish tone to seduce him
Calter's thoughts become jumbled as he can still feel the left over feeling from Kence's lips touching his face. "O-okay" the master answered while in a daze state