Back on Earth, no one cared if you had a surname or not. It was even considered cool and unique if you don't have one.
Here, people held surnames in high regard. Here, one could earn a title for oneself through great feats. But to earn a surname, one needs merits. A lot of merits. Only by earning merits can they apply for a family name.
And the name carried the feats of the one who applied for it. Like the Geit family name. It wasn't an ideal family name as it means goat, but the feats behind it was not to bluff at. It came from the battle style of Solon's great ancestor. He fought by ramming into his foe and leaping over their heads, kinda like a goat.
Ervinsyl in the elven tongue means "Elven Bridge."
The late King Hashreen bestowed this name upon the family for the merit of making the alliance with the elf possible. This alliance introduced the technology of the elves into the kingdom.
The fusion of human and elven knowledge made the progress of mana technology advance by leaps and bounds.
The transport companies even did a press conference about launching an aerial railways in the upcoming month.
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"I have received your names. The process of creating the card will take thirty minutes. Kindly wait for it in any table you like. I will give you the license after it is made." The receptionist told us after she keyed something on a tablet.
We sat at a table quite far from the counter. The table was made of well polished wood. So much so that the surface reflected light like a mirror.
On the table was a computer screen. I tapped on it, it lit up. The window showed an assortment of food and drinks with price tags below.
I ordered a mocha, two slices of strawberry cheesecake and a chocolate overload. I sat down facing Gles. She looked rather uncomfortable and fidgety.
"What's wrong?" I tried to ask her.
"Do you... do you hate... hate me?" She could barely gather her words. She sounded like she was afraid of something. Her gaze was focus on her knees.
"Why would I?" I asked, very confused.
"I-I... I didn't tell you I was a... a noble." She muttered in a voice I could hear. "So?" I couldn't get what her deal was.
"I... When I was seven I made a friend. We always played at the park every afternoon. One day, I told her my family name and she started avoiding me since. So..." She turned her he'd to the seat beside her as if seeking help from a non-existent friend. Then she faced me, her eyes looking for answers from my lips. And so...
I sent a vicious flick at her forehead without holding back.
She was knocked back to her seat.
"Muu." She grabbed her red forehead and stared at me with teary eyes like she was wronged.
"I don't care what you are. As long as you're you. Then I'd always be by your side." I gave her a sincere smile.
Gles lowered her gaze. When she raised her head she was wearing a self comforting smile.
"Here are your orders. A mocha. Two cheesecakes. And a chocolate overload." A waitress in frilly maid clothes came to serve our order. Just in time to save me from the mentally tiring conversation.
'Women are very complex creatures,' I thought to myself. 'She must be currently having her time of month.'
I tried to find a reason for her behaviour but then my eyes landed on her non-existent chest and thought, 'Does she even have periods?'
I shook my head and moved my attention to the mocha. I held the expensive looking cup in my hands and took a sip. My eyes widened after I tasted the coffee. It tastes like... like... like any other mocha you'd buy at a café.
And it costs two iron cores a cup! What a scam! I didn't have much time to grumble as I saw the receptionist walking to our table.