I spent a few hours training my elemental control I avoided doing physical training as it would not give a good impression to appear stinking at the auction just the fact that I don't have a formal outfit already complicates my situation a little, I don't have many clothing options and if I don't wear this kind of clothes an auction of this size usually and frequented by nobles i will draw a lot of attention when wearing ordinary clothes, but as i am young i can use my maturity which is obviously clean i will not be censored or i will get a lot of attention.
To avoid being the center of attention I intend to pass myself off as a young nobleman who is a student and adventurer when using a maturity at the auction, but stopping to think I am exactly that I am noble, student and a novice adventurer I think I am simply being me that and confused I didn't get used to seeing myself as a noble since I don't want to get involved in politics .
When the sun is setting I met Ingredi at the gate of the institute I am surprised that she is wearing a dress at least I think he is a dress he and strangely similar to a simple tunic worn by magicians probably a combination of the two and the first Once I see a dress like that it has the grace of a dress plus the simplicity of a tunic .
"Hi Ingredi beautiful dress or is it a beautiful tunic ?
Receiving a smile mixed with a giggle.
"I am wearing a formal tunic, they are used by magicians who aim to emphasize their occupation as a mage is to avoid being seen as only a noblewoman when a mage wears this type of tunic she demonstrates that she is not representing her family she is representing their own interests and actions only reflected in their image. "
"Thanks for the class I knew that the noble and complicated etiquette but I didn't know what clothes can mean so much."
"It is necessary that you learn the basics Ulric I know that you know how to behave like a nobleman, but knowing how to eat with your mouth closed is not enough for you to navigate the noble circle in a situation that demands class like the auction we are going to."
This will give me a headache.
"But Ingredi, I made it very clear that I don't intend to get involved in politics so I never really cared about it."
"You really don't understand that even if you don't care, you still put yourself in situations that are, situations that are important to other nobles today and an example of that you asked me to go with you to the auction, but you don't understand what does it mean you asked me to the Ulric auction or do you know?"
"The first answer that comes to my mind will be yes, but by the look you are giving me I will go with no."
Seeing Ingredi's frustrated face, I feel like she wants to use me as a target for her magic practice again.
"Ok, I will explain why you call me to go with you to the auction means that you will be my escort during the auction and this would be seen as a commitment in the eyes of other nobles."
I feel like I did big shit this time.
"I thought I was just asking a friend to go to the auction. I didn't think it would be a way to declare a romantic relationship. I'm sorry, Ingredi."
"I know, idiot, why I am wearing this tunic when wearing it I can just tell the people who are going to see us at the auction that I am accompanying a colleague from the institute because he is new in town as I am wearing a dress that says I am representing only my interests there's no way people think I'm dating you ten that I introduce you as my friend."
"Thank you for explaining to me how the nobles' minds work. I didn't really think about it. I owe you a favor, Ingredi."
"No, you owe me two favors as I'm not only teaching you but because I'm sending a message to the noble factions that are present at the auction.
I'm confused now.
"What do you mean, what kind of message is being sent?"
"Simple I'm interested in making you join my family you and a promising Ulric seedling and you didn't do a very good job of staying hidden so it's normal to have people after you if it weren't for the fact that you called me to take the second survival test as part of your team you would have already been approached by some noble house with an interest in creating a relationship that can evolve as you enter their family."
"They would probably invite you to be part of some adventurer group that is sponsored by them and if it works out well they would invite you to join their family usually and done this way to give an impression that you want to join the family and not that she is forcing you to join the family since if they came straight to you they would put you in a situation that if you refused would be an insult to them and you would be the target of their retaliation that by the way they would have every right to kill you would only have who avoids doing it in a blatant way now you understand why I say that you need to learn how politics works or you could end up dead. "
What shit and that nobles are a bunch of weird freaks.
"So I can't say how happy I am to be your friend, Ingredi, and thank you for not screwing with me."
Receiving a smile from Ingredi, she extends her arm for me to guide her to the carriage that awaits us near the gate.
"Relax, Ulric, I don't intend to exhibit in front of the other nobles, let's go through the side of the auction house and go straight to one of the booths on the second floor, but if we run into someone I should be the only one to speak and only after I present you will be able to speak and preferably only politely greet the noble even if he is an idiot if you don't know what action to take just be silent ok? "
"Ok Ingredi but I find all this protocol and a horrible punishment that you have to endure."
"I don't disagree with you, but I have to obey the noble etiquette or else I can harm my family and all the people who depend on and trust my family would suffer for my mistakes so having to put up with this kind of shit is necessary."
"Are the consequences that serious?"
"Of course I'm supposed to say what would happen to you if you directly refused an invitation to join a noble family what do you think would happen if I insulted another noble house I could start a war that would involve the whole city ."
Nobles are a bunch of crazy people.
"But aren't you young and can you make mistakes?"
"Young?"
"When we awaken our cores we are adults Ulric there is no second chance in the world of adults mistakes only lead you to die early.
We didn't sit in the carriage and it took us twenty minutes to get to the auction on the way. Ingredi taught me a part of the noble etiquette that would be useful to me and she really is a good friend.
When I got out of the carriage I had to behave like a nobleman that I am and that and a bag when helping Ingredi get out of the carriage we went to the entrance that was closest to us . We passed some nobles when entering the building that the auction would take place. surprised that the side entrance is already so big I wonder how the main entrance is now?
I seem to be guiding Ingredi , but she is the one who is showing the way we are taking . We pass by some nobles who will only greet Ingredi with a simple wave and do not approach us for a conversation for our luck because Ingredi told me that if we were stopped on our way there would be good chance that more nobles would try to talk to her.
Only now I realized that Ingredi's position as the granddaughter of the matriarch of the Menfis family is important. Ingredi and Hilda don't behave like a noble when we are together then and my scary to see her smile non-stop to all the nobles that we pass would normally think that she is having a nervous breakdown or has gone completely crazy to be with that huge, controlled smile on her face no matter how pretty Ingredi is going to have nightmares when I remember that smile.
I wonder how Hilda is, but I don't see her, she must be at the main entrance.
It didn't take long for us to enter a private cabin on the second floor and it is well decorated with chairs that face the stage and behind them has a sofa and a table with some snacks and drinks.
Upon entering the room, Ingredi's unsettling smile disappears and she returns to normal with a serious, focused face that she wears most of the day in reality and very rarely to see her smiling or laughing well this applies more when I was finished meeting her nowadays and quite normal to see her acting like a normal girl is she ends up giving me a look that can be translated as a warning not to say anything about what I have to witness.
"Well it won't be long before the auction starts Ulric we can hide here and if you want to buy something at the auction you can use the magic tool that is in front of my chair and just inject your aura into it and say your bid and he will be sent to the auction face. "
"Ok, do you know where your sister is in Ingredi?"
"She must be talking to other nobles at the reception why the question?"
" Are you missing her?"
"No!"
"Just normal curiosity."
"Same?"
"Don't you want to see her wearing a revealing Ulric dress?"
"She is wearing a revealing dress?"
"No!"
Ingredi started laughing at my face until I was out of breath.
"You should have seen your face of expectation, Ulric. I knew there was something between the two of you, but I didn't know you were already so serious. Tell me what happened between you?"
"Nothing happened between us."
"You're turning red, Ulric !"
"Tell me what happened?"
"Nothing happened, Ingredi."
"Ok if you do not want to tell me I talk to Hilda dinner we'll have with our parents tomorrow at night should be a good topic'm sure my mother will love."
Seeing a sinister smile from Ingredi, I can only feel sorry for Hilda and pray that she won't discount in a minute.
"I already said that nothing happened between us ."
"I don't believe you, Ulric. I'm very sad that you have to hide this from me. I feel very hurt."
"I would believe that if you weren't smiling. Ingredi just needs you to give an evil laugh."
Suddenly I dare an evil laugh of Ingredi it is it fun to the fullest today I feel he wanted to return to the time we sat at the same table in the library and we were silent.