After finishing getting ready, Aethereis walked out the door, strolling through the small garden and inhaling the fresh air. Heading towards the entrance of his property, he pulled out his card and approached the metal screen, which lit up with a green light and emitted a soft click as it opened. He pushed the door and stepped out onto the street, closing it with a firm shove.
Observing the bustling streets filled with carriages and people walking along the sidewalk, dressed in high-quality clothing befitting the residential area of the city, Aethereis walked along the sidewalk, receiving some glances. The blend of ancient and modern architecture gave the city a unique charm, something he personally appreciated.
Heading to the restaurant he had seen the day before, Aethereis noticed that the establishment, with its elegant facade and large windows, radiated a welcoming and refined atmosphere. Upon arrival, he was greeted by a receptionist. She wore a green blouse, black skirt, heels, and black stockings that outlined the contours of her legs. The receptionist smiled kindly and asked, "Good morning, sir. Do you have a reservation?"
Aethereis shook his head and said flatly, "No, I don't have a reservation."
The receptionist nodded, a bit uncomfortable with his indifferent demeanor, yet briefly checking a list on the desk. "It's quite early, so we have a table available. Please, follow me."
She led him through the elegant dining room, where customers enjoyed their meals in a quiet and sophisticated atmosphere. Aethereis observed the décor with interest: the chandeliers softly gleamed, the tables were dressed with white linen tablecloths, and the porcelain tableware was of the finest quality. As they walked, the receptionist spoke again: "As a recommendation, you can obtain a membership and access a private room if you desire privacy."
Interested in the offer, Aethereis responded, "If that's the case, I would like to get a membership."
The receptionist smiled enthusiastically. "Excellent, our membership program offers some benefits such as private rooms, discounts, and personalized services."
Aethereis nodded in agreement. The receptionist guided him to a table by a window that offered a lovely view of the exterior garden. She handed him the menu and said, "A waiter will attend to you shortly. We hope you enjoy your breakfast."
Sitting down, Aethereis opened the menu and began to read it while looking out the window, searching for the best option for breakfast. After a few minutes, a waiter approached his table and said with a professional smile, "Good morning, sir. My name is Rowan, and I'll be your waiter today. Is there anything you'd like to order?"
Nodding, Aethereis said, "I'd like a plate of spaghetti with wild mushrooms and two portions of venison bathed in gold sauce. Any recommended beverage accompaniment?"
"I recommend the 'Moon Nectar' wine. It pairs well, with its smooth taste and mind-calming properties."
"Then, that will be all for now."
Rowan took note of the order and gracefully withdrew to make the necessary arrangements. Meanwhile, Aethereis relaxed in his chair, calmly awaiting his breakfast.
Shortly after, Rowan returned with three plates: one with pasta bathed in creamy mushroom sauce and two plates with exquisite cuts of meat bathed in a golden sauce, resembling gold.
"Here you go, sir. Spaghetti with wild mushrooms and two portions of venison bathed in gold sauce," said Rowan, carefully placing the plates on the table. Then, he uncorked the bottle of 'Moon Nectar' and poured a generous amount into Aethereis's glass. "I hope you enjoy your meal. If you need anything else, feel free to call me."
Nodding, Aethereis took a sip of wine, enjoying the smooth taste. Feeling the effects, his mind began to clear slightly, confirming that it indeed had a relaxing effect. Taking the fork, he tasted the pasta first; the texture was quite smooth, and the cream flavor was quite good.
Cutting the meat into small pieces, he brought them to his mouth, savoring the texture and the explosion of flavors on his palate, while thinking, 'This is the best meat I've ever tasted. It has a very good flavor, and the sauce is slightly sweet and spicy at the same time...'
Taking the last sip of wine, Aethereis called for Rowan. "Breakfast was exquisite. I'd like to ask for the bill."
"I'm glad to hear that. The total is 280 gold coins." Although the price may seem ridiculous, the ingredients are quite expensive. Furthermore, the meat was from a magical creature, a "common rank 5-star deer," to be exact.
Casually handing the gold coins to Rowan, Aethereis said, "I want to get the VIP membership of the restaurant."
"Excellent," said Rowan, handing a form to Aethereis. "You just have to fill out this form, and we'll issue your VIP card shortly. You can use it at our branches throughout the kingdom, and the benefits apply at each one."
Aethereis took the form and began to fill it out with the required details. He filled in his name, age, and gender, finishing it and handing it to Rowan.
"Perfect. It'll only take a moment to issue your VIP card," Rowan said with a smile as he headed towards a machine at the counter.
After a few moments, Rowan returned with an elegant dark blue card.
Bidding farewell to Rowan, Aethereis left the restaurant heading towards the Universal Bank branch.
As he walked the city streets, Aethereis, thanks to his incredible hearing, caught whispers from the people passing by. Amidst the crowd's hustle and bustle, he heard snippets of conversations that caught his attention.
Two middle-aged women dressed in luxurious dresses walked together, exchanging comments about the Count's upcoming 500th birthday party.
"The Count will turn 500 in two months. I heard this celebration will be different from all the previous ones," one of them said. "It's true! They say the party will be the grandest seen in years!" exclaimed the other.
As he continued walking, Aethereis caught another snippet of conversation between a group of men, most likely merchants, discussing an upcoming auction. "I heard there will be an auction in five months," one of the men commented, adjusting his hat as he spoke. "Yes, it's true! I've heard it will be one of the most important auctions. There are rumors that there will be a collection of magical artifacts and valuable antiques," another replied, with enthusiasm in his voice.
After walking for forty minutes, he finally reached his destination: a two-story building. The bank was adorned with a white facade, decorated with intricate blue patterns adorning the walls, adding a touch of elegance to the design. At the top was a plaque engraved with the words "Universal Bank."