"Do I look handsome, master?" Amarok asked as they approached the City Lord's mansion. He was dressed in simple trousers and a shirt. It had nothing special or extravagant, but it was clean, and with his handsome appearance, he looked pretty good, Neo thought, but he didn't say it out loud.

"Since when do you care about your appearance?" he asked as they crossed the mansion guard. They wore leather armor with long lances, controlling everyone who entered the mansion.

Weapons were forbidden, and all left outside. Amarok understood why his master didn't want them to bring weapons. Soon, they were inside the mansion. Amarok's vision shifted as he entered the building. He blinked his eyes; the huge hall was shining brightly. It had a sumptuous luster at its ceiling with several little light bulbs engraved in the ceiling, forming a hexagon.

The hall was huge and full of people. At the far center, a huge table with people seating and facing the entrance. A seat, in particular, took his attention: it was the City Lord's. His chair was slightly higher than the others. Amarok finally got a chance to observe this distinguished figure.

He was not very old, probably in his fifties. He wore a long dignified robe. By his side were seated Agris and his guard, Lyra and her uncle. Amarok even noticed Kleid and his group in the crowd of people present. He smiled at them, but they returned murderous glares. Amarok shrugged his shoulders; with so many people here, he had nothing to fear. What's more, his master was here and would certainly allow nothing bad to happen to him.

People chatted, a group of people stood in a corner with musical instruments. Music filled the area, appeasing his restless mind. Once everyone was there, the City Lord stood up, attracting everyone's attention. The guest. "I am so happy that all of you here have taken your time to assist in this banquet," he said with a smile.

People were smiling, although they knew his words were directed at a particular group of people.

"The golden seasons exam will officially start tomorrow. I hope all our prodigies are ready. Even though Master Agris will be participating, I count on you not to let me down. You will certainly be the pride of Wandleaf one day. We can't lose too badly," he said after a pause. The crowd started murmuring; his intention was clear. He didn't believe people from Wandleaf could not win, but if they did, they would certainly be well rewarded. Determination etched on the group of people, a wave of energy swept through the hall, their determination tangible. His words had only made the exam for tomorrow look even more fierce

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"Don't set your hopes too high, City Lord. A peasant in armor is still a peasant," Alden City Lord guard said with a nonchalant smile. "Don't disappoint me," Agris said without even glancing at his future opponents. He was too busy trying to chat with Lyra. What's more, he did not believe anyone in that hall could stand his ground with his flow of the seven rivers Rune. The youths from Wandleaf were ugly, but no one dared to open their mouth. There was no need; Agris' words were certainly harsh, but he had the skills to back it.

"Wow, the food is so delicious here," a sudden voice rang out, attracting everyone's attention. A teenage boy was currently at the buffet. He had a plate full. He ate without reserve, not caring for anyone. The onlookers were frowning, feeling this kid had no manners. "I am not sharing my food," the youth said, hiding his plate as he noticed the crowd's gaze. They were speechless; where did he think he was.

"No one wants to embarrass himself," Kleid added, taking a sip of his wine. "Senior Kleid is right. He looks so shabby; he probably never had the opportunity to eat to his fill," one of Kleid's friends added.

The youth shrugged his shoulders, not the least bit caring about them. This made Kleid turn red from anger. He, who even in Alden Academy, was respected by many. When he arrived here, he thought he would be the king and do everything he wanted. But this was the second time a peasant was disrespectful to him in public.

"Haven't your parents taught you manners? A lot of dignified people are here today, and look at how you behave. How do you think the City Lord would feel?" Kleid asked with a wicked smile. His voice was intentionally loud. The City Lord frowned as he stared at Kleid. "What is your name, young man?" he asked, turning to the youth.

"Kinty the Invincible," the youth said with a grin. The crowd almost fell on their knees, not making any effort to hide their mockery. The Invincible? Not even the King of the entire Elysium Kingdom dared to call himself invincible, yet this little brat said it with so much confidence, as if he truly believed himself invincible.

"Peasants don't know their place anymore. Invincible? Even Master Agris or the City Lord is no match for you, I presume," Kleid continued. The City Lord was cracking his fingers behind his hand. If Kleid was not from Alden Academy, God knows what he would have done.

"I hope tomorrow you show yourself worthy of that title," the City Lord said, waving for the feast to continue as if nothing happened. Kleid was not satisfied but was not a fool either. He would not push his luck too far. At this time, a man returned with a series of vases pushed by a wooden cart. He was not too old nor too young.

He was dressed plainly but was clean. He looked kind of out of place with his attire. Most who had appeared today were dressed as if they went to a wedding. Their intention was to use this opportunity to network, so they would not dress too shabby even if they had to spend more.