Dinner began once Lann had settled into his seat. A few minutes of the prince chattering endlessly at her side had convinced Cassandra that Maximus was a perfect gentleman. She resolved to treat him better after this was over. He had done so much to help during Autumn’s kidnapping, and after, so he deserved proper respect. Lann, on the other hand, had done nothing but act like Teber and everyone in it was beneath him.

As Lann continued his crude attempts of wooing Cassandra she noticed Alois suffering from secondhand embarrassment to her other side. Well, she wasn’t sure what to think of being referred to as the most beautiful doorknob in Tethia either. It was worse when Lann explained the compliment being about opening the door to opportunity. Alois’s suffering did help ease her own horror at the situation and allowed Cassandra to think clearly.

“I am pleased that you are willing to consider this alliance with Tethia,” she told Lann, trying not to flinch at the cocky smile of a prince who was certain he had gotten his way, “Unfortunately, I am no princess yet so I am unworthy to be by your side.”

“There is no need to worry about that,” Lann assured her with perpetual smugness, “If you choose me, not only will the alliance of our kingdoms be secured, but you will become a princess without any of that hard work.”

Disgusting, but Cassandra couldn’t say that. “Would you let me bring my friends with me as well? I hear Beraud is not fond of beastkin.”

Lann’s smug expression fell for a moment. “You are friends with beastkin? Why?”

The insult was almost worse because it was clear Lann had not intended it as one. He was genuinely confused. It seemed beastkin was the right angle to approach this test after all. Testing his understanding of the alliance would be difficult while he was trying to flirt with her. With any luck this should shake his interest as well as fail the test. Cassandra glanced at Alvis standing across the room before she spoke again. Good. He was watching.

“Why shouldn’t they be my friends? They are both smart and talented,” Cassandra replied, pushing the values of Tethia and ignoring anything to do with bloodline or prestige.

“No matter how smart it is, it is still a beast,” Lann told her, in a tone as if he was teaching an unfortunate and naive child, “You never know when it might turn on you and bite the hand that feeds it.”

Cassandra narrowly dodged Lann’s attempt to grab her own hand by using it to take a bite from her plate. She was sure the food was delicious but she had to choke it down through her disgust. She was glad she had not mentioned Rena or Autumn’s names. This idiot had no right to know them.

“If that is what you think, then I am afraid we will not be able to get along,” she told him, letting coldness seep into her tone. There was no need to pretend. In fact, pretending and humoring the prince would hinder the whole point of the tests. “As I stated before, the beastkin are my friends. I will not go to a place that treats them like animals.”

Prince Lann recoiled in shock. “You would reject the future king of Beraud for a handful of unruly beasts?”

“I would,” Cassandra confirmed, pulling away from him.

Nero appeared to rescue her before Lann could explode at the offense of being rejected by someone who wasn’t yet a princess of a small kingdom. He pulled out the chair across from the prince and drew his attention.

“Since you are so eager to discuss business during your welcoming dinner, shall we discuss the details of our alliance?” Nero prompted, “I would be more than happy to hear out the terms that Beraud has for us.”

Lann turned his attention to Nero, still reeling from the shock of her conversation with Cassandra. For a moment, Cassandra was certain that Prince Lann would demand her hand in marriage as part of Beraud’s terms. What he did say was just as petty, in a different direction.

“Terms, you say?” Lann pondered, “You see that butler I brought? I can’t bear to see his face any longer. It would be a personal favor to me if you could take him off my hands and be sure he suffers a most horrible life here in Tethia. If you do this for me I can ensure we enter this alliance on equal terms.”

Whatever Nero had expected him to say, it wasn’t this. “You wish to give us a talented royal butler? That is a generous offer, but I am afraid I cannot accept anyone against their will,” Nero told him, “Shall we bring him into this discussion?”

“Useless,” Lann muttered with a grimace, “Forget it. If you can’t even do that, then I have no choice but to handle things myself. Just don’t get in my way.”

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Not even bothering to finish his meal, Lann shot to his feet and stormed out of the dining hall. Thus alliance negotiations ended before they could even begin, but at least everyone was able to eat in peace. Alvis remained for a moment before following after the prince. The rest of the meal finished, and Cassandra used the jabber jewel to summon everyone for a private chat. It was about time they were brought up to speed on everything that was happening, as well as the real identity of Alvis.

For space and convenience they gathered in the meeting room right next to Cassandra’s office. She had instructed Keane to bring the Records so he arrived later than the rest. All of them knew about each other’s past lives, so it only made sense to share the existence of the artifact with them as well. It would be much easier to show them now that everyone was staying in Teber, though it did make Cassandra a bit uneasy how the fate of Dyment might affect their grade.

“So what did you gather us here to tell us?” Alois prompted, in no mood for wasting any more time after the whole debacle with Prince Lann’s premature arrival.

“We have discovered a lot that we have not been able to share,” Cassandra replied, “but there are two things that are important, if not urgent, information. Autumn, would you like to start?”

Autumn frowned. “I can, but I am even more confused than when we last spoke,” he began, “Alvis is so much scarier than I remember from the game. It’s like he can see right through you.”

“Alvis was in that game?” Caleb asked, leaning forward, “Then he must be someone important.”

“That’s an understatement,” Keane muttered with a sigh, “From what Autumn told us earlier, Alvis is that very same Alvis who founded Tethia as the first headmaster.”

“How can you be sure?” Alois questioned, though he seemed somewhat convinced, “Alvis isn’t an uncommon name. I was even named partially after him. The name is more or less associated with wisdom.”

“It’s him. He looks exactly the same,” Autumn said with no hint of doubt in his tone, “Even if he didn’t, his personality is a perfect match as well. Besides, the timing is too perfect.”

“Too perfect?” Maximus asked with a frown, “What else have you not found the chance to tell us about?”

“This,” Keane replied simply and placed the thick tome of an artifact on the table before them with a thud, “I found this in the border fortress where we were being held by Gaia’s goons. I only recently discovered how to use it and what significance it held. According to Autumn this artifact is deeply connected to the founding headmaster.”

“What does it do?” Caleb asked, not bothering to hide his intense interest. Artifacts were something of a passion of his, but it was rare to see a real one in person. Most were just imitations of legends.

“This is the Records of Tethia,” Keane explained, “As far as I have tested it can access and replicate any existing records on its pages, no matter how old that record may be. It can even make its own record of past and present events that have not been recorded. We discovered this right after King Nero and Princess Rosalind arrived.”

“No wonder you weren’t able to talk until now,” Alois muttered.

Caleb was immersed in the Records, flipping through the pristine blank pages. “How do you activate it?”

“I ask it for the knowledge I seek,” Keane answered, “I tested with Autumn and Cassandra but it only seems to work for me.”

They filled everyone in on the rest of the details they had gathered, and Alois and Maximus revealed a story of their own from their private talk with King Nero.

“Nero somehow knows that we have a special way of getting information,” Maximus informed them, “I don’t know if he was talking about those records or about the various memories we have about the future.”

“I’m afraid most of our memories aren’t worth much,” Wayde admitted, “The future has already veered far away from what I know. Prince Lann never came to Teber, Gaia was never conquered, and Alvis never made an appearance. I am certain I would remember a presence like his.”

“The clues we do have from your memories have helped immensely,” Cassandra assured, subconsciously checking to see if the privacy barrier was still intact. It was a nervous habit she had gained since the incident with the spies.

Alois stood. “We should split up before anyone gets suspicious,” he told them.

“Yes, we all have things to do,” Cassandra agreed, dissolving the barrier and moving to open the door.

Waiting on the other side of the door was the very topic of conversation, Alvis, playing his role as a butler perfectly. “Lady Cassandra, I was hoping I would find you here. I would like to apologize on behalf of my master for his actions today. It seems my attempts to reform him have fallen rather short.”

“Thank you for your consideration,” Cassandra managed, trying her best to calm her racing heartbeat. Talk about a jumpscare! If not for the privacy barrier she would be terrified he had heard every word. “Unfortunately i find it hard to believe that your master feels any remorse for his actions.”

Alvis smiled his usual unreadable smile. “You would be correct,” he confirmed, “However, it is my duty to ensure that no matter what happens during this little trial, it does not put a damper on Beraud’s new relations with Tethia. If he bothers you again, do not be afraid to call for me. I have a knack for making the prince obedient.”

“I will consider it. Thank you for your offer,” Cassandra told him. It was easy to understand why a prideful man like Prince Lann loathed Alvis and considered his torment a favor.

“I hope you had a constructive chat with your friends,” Alvis said, glancing behind her at the room, “Do let me know if you need to send any messages to Beraud.” With a bow, Alvis turned and left, ending their sudden encounter.