The atmosphere inside the car felt calm. The evening light penetrated through the windows, creating a faint reflection on the vehicle's interior. Only the soft hum of the engine and the distant sounds of other vehicles could be heard from outside. Rina sat upright, observing her young master, who appeared deep in thought beside her.
"You look tired, Young Master. Is something bothering you?" Rina asked, her voice gentle yet full of concern.
Foerza met Rina's red eyes for a moment before turning his gaze back to the window. "That boy, Lucas Costa... Rina, what do you think of him?" he asked in a flat tone.
Hearing the question, Rina smirked slightly. A chance to tease her young master had presented itself.
"Oh… my, Young Master seems to be interested in someone. Is it because that young man wants to be friends with you that you've taken an interest in him?" Rina teased playfully.
"Eghh… Rina, stop teasing me! Just answer my question from your professional point of view," Foerza replied, frowning, though a small smile was faintly visible in the window's reflection.
Rina looked ahead for a moment, contemplating before finally answering. "Lucas Costa, huh... From what I've observed, he's kind-hearted, honest, and naive. It seems like he hasn't truly experienced the darker side of human nature," she explained calmly.
"Is that so? I had a similar thought," Foerza said while absentmindedly playing with a bracelet featuring a seven-pointed star encircled by crystals on his wrist.
Rina suddenly narrowed her eyes, her expression changing drastically. "Young Master… how many times have I told you not to be careless?" she said while massaging her temple.
Foerza frowned, confused. "What do you mean, Rina?"
"Young Master, take a good look at what's in your hand."
Foerza lowered his gaze, examining the bracelet in his hand more closely. His face gradually paled as realization struck him.
"Oh no, Rina… This is the guest token of the family! Why is this in my hand?! Wait… don't tell me…" his breath hitched. "The token I gave Lucas… was my personal token?!"
Foerza froze for a few seconds before finally bursting into panic. "Oh no! If Lucas shows that token to my cousin, Lucille, she will definitely report it to my father! I'm in big trouble!"
Rina simply let out a long sigh, already accustomed to her young master's carelessness. "Young Master, please calm down first. This isn't the first time you've made a mistake like this."
"Rina!" Foerza looked at her in panic. "How can I stay calm?! This is serious! I could be scolded for an entire day!"
Rina maintained her neutral expression. "Young Master, take a deep breath. Remember, you have a meeting with ArcaneTech Industries soon as a representative of the family. You can't attend the meeting in a panicked state like this."
Foerza was still breathing rapidly, but slowly he tried to calm himself. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths several times before finally leaning back in his seat. "You're right, Rina… I need to focus. I can deal with this mistake later. For now, I must stay composed for the meeting."
Rina nodded in approval. "Good, Young Master. At least you're not making things worse before an important meeting."
Foerza only let out a long sigh, staring at the twilight sky outside the window. "Damn… I really hope Lucas doesn't do something foolish with that token…"
POV Lucas
"Ah-choo! Oh man, why did I suddenly sneeze?" I wiped my nose, feeling a little strange.
I looked up, observing the towering building in front of me. "Finally, after wandering around the academy, I found the Zenith Crown Hotel."
Around the hotel, magical energy shimmered, forming nearly invisible patterns to the naked eye. I could sense the energy flowing from various points in the building, a clear sign that the hotel was protected by high-level artifacts. "So this is what they call the best hotel in Avalancia…" I muttered, impressed by the seamless fusion of contemporary architecture and magic technology.
"HEY, KID! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" A loud voice snapped me out of my thoughts. A security guard in uniform was approaching me quickly.
"Ah… My apologies, sir. My name is Lucas Costa. I'm here on the recommendation of my friend, Foerza Aldebaran," I said politely while pulling out the token Foerza had given me.
The moment the guard saw the token, his expression changed drastically. He looked alarmed and immediately bowed slightly. "Oh my, Young Master Lucas! Why didn't you say so from the start? Please come in, I'll escort you inside."
I nodded and added, "Could you also take me to Miss Lucille Aldebaran? Foerza asked me to meet her."
"Of course, sir. Please follow me."
As I entered the hotel, I immediately felt the difference in energy inside. My steps halted for a moment as my eyes caught sight of the magical currents flowing along the walls and floors. The energy didn't just move—it pulsed like a heartbeat, connected to the crystals in the ceiling that functioned as absorbers and distributors of magical energy.
The hotel lobby was bathed in a soft glow from levitating crystals that slowly rotated above, illuminating the room with a natural light produced by solar magic. The walls were lined with transparent material that occasionally reflected the silhouettes of guests, creating a unique visual effect. I saw guests passing by, some wearing Zenithia Academy robes, while others appeared to be businessmen and tycoons from various regions.
To the right, a holographic panel displayed information about the hotel's facilities, while on the left, there was a reception desk with an elegant design, attended by staff in uniforms with glowing accents. I also caught a glimpse of a room with an arched doorway radiating a unique energy—perhaps the Void Theatre, a famous magic-based performance venue.
I took a deep breath, realizing that this hotel was not just a place to stay but also a symbol of the advancement of technology and magic combined. With growing curiosity, I stepped forward, following the guard toward my meeting with Lucille Aldebaran.
Upon reaching Lucille's room on the highest floor, I took a deep breath before stepping closer.
"Move aside, country bumpkin! You're blocking this Young Master from meeting Miss Lucille!" a voice suddenly rang out before a strong push hit my shoulder, forcing me back a few steps.
I turned to find a tall man with black curtain-styled hair. His purple eyes scrutinized me with an assessing gaze. Before I could react, the security escorting me immediately stepped in and tried to calm him down.
"Egh… Lord Enzo Valtierra, could you please remain calm? The person you called a 'bumpkin' is actually an esteemed guest of the Aldebaran family," the security guard said cautiously.
"An esteemed guest? What nonsense are you talking about?" Enzo glared at me, clearly doubting the security's words.
"Lord Enzo, Young Master Lucas is carrying an Aldebaran family token, and I can guarantee its authenticity," the guard tried to explain.
However, ignoring his words, Enzo pushed him back using an overwhelming amount of mana, causing the guard to stumble backward, nearly falling.
Suddenly, Lucille's door opened, revealing a young woman with black hair tied in a ponytail with reddish tips. Instantly, the mana pressure released by Enzo disappeared.
"Oh… Good evening, Miss Lucille," Enzo greeted with a tone far more respectful than before.