They approached the oblong, marble table Mathias met Irina at before and she smiled sweetly at the trio. On her side, Claude was there, a little red-faced, as Alexander sat his on the side. Beside Alexander, Lain was sitting mutely with the woman holding the infant and then the last wife at the edge beside Erin and Alyssa. Ali was on her mother's lap. Almer was sitting beside Alexi and the space for four was clear.

The aid was not there.

Perhaps directed towards more profitable corporate espionage.

Mathias sat next to his mother, Lisanna beside him, and then Wendi and Church sat down. The two men were facing each other, as were Lain and Irina, and then it carried down the line.

Lisanna was not facing her mother or father directly. Both could easily glance their way, but neither did as they were engrossed in Claude's tale from his youth.

Which Claude abruptly stopped as he saw them arrive. "Oh, hey! I was wondering when you all would show up. Right, Alexander, get this-"

Claude broke back into the story he was telling and Irina laughed as she saw Erin getting proficient enough in Sumerian to tease Ali beside her while conversing with Alyssa.

'... Mom is cruel,' Mathias thought as he saw the four were contained by arguably two of the best warriors in the country.

Erin might not compare to Claude right now, but since he was beginning to start to show some age and she was growing stronger daily, there was no telling when she'd overtake him. However, the fact that Alexander accepted this in good faith was surprising.

Few would want to be put in a compromising position, but he did not seem the slightest bit unnerved.

Three chimes sounded out in the dining hall - and conversations grew muted as people turned to locate the source of the noise. It was directly in the middle of each of their tables.

"Ali...! Wendi, Pa'... look!" Alexi said as he was gawking at the glowing crystal in the middle of the table.

The stacked silver plates quickly ordered themselves in front of each person at the table, even with a smaller one for Ali. The folded black napkins slide towards each person and Alexander was at ease as he lifted his arms.

It slip right down to cover his thighs.

As did his wives. Meanwhile, Alexi was moving his hand up and down as the napkin moved, ceased, moved, ceased, and then cheered as he lifted both hands and the napkin finally set itself on his legs.

Both napkins in front of Alyssa just waited at the edge of the table as she carefully tucked one into Ali's blouse and left the other in front of her.

The others were somewhat entertained by novelty of seemingly autonomous inanimate objects, but they accepted it as it was a banquet held by a magic academy.

"Sirs, Madams, may I interest you in some wine?" A waiter said.

"Yes, just leave the bottle, if you can," Claude laughed.

Irina sighed and rolled her eyes. "Dear, don't drink too much, okay?"

"Ah, Alex is fine with it. He still has to catch up, it's mostly for him."

"That's true, I was a little busy before, I apologize," Alexander said with a laugh. "I'll catch up in no time, however."

"Perfect!"

The waiter nodded and each glass was topped off before he brought another from the back room. Leaving full glasses for everyone and a freshly opened bottle, Alexander drained his first one, to which Claude poured another for Alexander, and watched the man drain that, before Claude began drinking again.

Alexander's cheeks grew tinted, but Lisanna only took timid sips of the wine when she felt she had to, but Wendi was smiling more loosely.

"Wendi, it might be your night, but hold back!"

"F-fine, b, but I want to see A-Ali later!"

"Yes, yes. Ali won't leave you... neither will I, Wendi," Church said, holding a hand over his wounded heart as he asserted his minor claim to being a barrier between Ali and Wendi.

"But Ali... it looks like she's napping! It's no fair!"

Mathias stealthfully stole away Wendi's glass, filled his, and she forgot about it entirely when she saw it was empty.

He sipped it casually and Lisanna's passing glances at him drinking forced her to drink a little more.

After enjoying the calm atmosphere, the first course was served. A cart was wheeled around and the soup found itself attracted to the silver plate and the bowl rested perfectly in the center of their plates as the spoons fell into their reach from the center.

"It's quite good, isn't it Lisanna?" Alexander said after everyone took the first sip.

"I-it is..."

"Is this cabbage? Alex, I wonder how many times my father forced this one on you at your meetings!" Claude laughed as he picked out the shredded vegetable with his bare hand.

"It is so. He has a strange love for that one, but his luck with it is atrocious. Your father was far more successful with all the other crops - so much so that they kept expanding, but he could never deal with this!" Alexander exclaimed, taking the hint without malice.

"Ah, that's my old man. He still cares only about the one thing he can't get - made me and the rest do the hard work when he was just experimenting with different ways to grow them."

"Yeah, but thanks to that, the country hasn't had a food shortage since, even during the war."

"Yeah, I guess?" Claude took a sip of wine and Alexander did the same. "He keeps talking about new soil types he just keeps conjuring up from out of the blue."

"Even for someone who was untrained in it, he is probably one of the most experienced in sheer quantity of compositional knowledge for earth magic. It's almost strange that you just focus on iron."

"Ha, well, it's because those damn scythes kept breaking and breaking. They got so wide with each quick fix that I just gave up on it. It's more fun to out on the road anyway, I'm sure you know that, what with travelling as much as you do."

"Yes, it's necessary to forge contracts and build contacts. I met by beautiful wife, Lain, in one of my first outings from school; after that, my two sons-in-law, as well. I do wonder when Lisanna'll marry," he laughed, "it's about time, after all."

"Nah, give 'em more time. Theirs ain't like the farm life when you're just raised with your wife-to-be. Hell, even if my father didn't spend so much time thinking about his farm, I probably wouldn't have got fed up and left. And I did meet Irina out there though, so I'm not complaining in the slightest!"

"Dear..." Irina looked at Claude with tender eyes and the man just pecked her lips with a quick kiss.

She smiled sweetly, whereas Alexander nodded at the sight. "It's strange how life works, isn't it? One minute you're young and another we're getting older; yet, in all the time that seemed to sneak by, you wouldn't trade it for the world."

"Yep!"

"Yeah, I think we can all attest to that," Irina said.

Wendi was mostly talking to Church with a slight slur in her voice, Erin with chatting with Almer's family, and Claude, Irina, and Alexander were busy talking with one another. Mathias and Lisanna were relatively quiet, as were the other two wives of Alexander. Even the infant - his heir - was fast asleep.

After a few minutes, Alexander turned the conversation to Mathias.

"Mathias, I was curious, since you've been here for a week, I was wondering if you've found anyone you fancy?"

Despite the question originating from her father, even Lisanna turned over to look at Mathias. Wendi cooed, "I want to know too!" and Church was thus forced to notice the boy he begrudgingly accepted (and appreciated the ease in which he could ignore him).

Even Erin turned to him.

"Hey, hey! I want to know too! Is she strong? If she is, then tell her to fight me!"

"Hush, Erin. It isn't that important to be strong. So long as one is able to stand on their own two feet, then it doesn't matter where they stand."

Mathias saw that Lain's weary eyes were unchanged, but the new mother's eyes cringed at the comment. Even so, she did not direct it at them, but rather Erin.

"Fine, fine. Whatever. If you fight me in her stead, it'll be okay."

"Not here. Nor now. And definitely not inside."

"Yes Mom... But Mathias! Go!"

Mathias grumbled when he saw Lisanna did not offer to save to him. He took out a note, folded it, and passed it to Alexander, the originator of the question.

Seeing the curious gazes pointed his way, he smiled and read it aloud.

"'It's too early', huh. I suppose that's true. It's only been a few days. May I ask what you think of Lisanna? As a father, I am concerned that, even if she's strong, she'll also need a partner for the trials of life."

He passed back the note expectantly.

Mathias grabbed it, scrawled on it, and gave it back as all the eyes were on him.

"'She's fine. So long as she doesn't steal my fur'...-?"

Irina laughed and even Claude chortled. Lisanna, however, grew red-faced and embarrassed.

"I told you I wouldn't!"

"Ah, may I get in this? What is the deal with this fur?"

Claude beamed, "he, like us, he doesn't care about pretty much anything except a few things. Me and Erin have our blades - or the ones we use, at least. My wife has her clothes, even if she tends to wear just a few."

Irina pursed her lips in annoyance but she was forced to nod all the same. It was true in a relative sense.

"And Mathias has a soft fur that he is defensive about. Well, if someone tried to take my sword, I'd cut 'em, so I don't really care too much. It was comfortable as all bloody hell though."

Alexander nodded. "So if she doesn't, it's fine? Meaning that Lisanna is at least acceptable, right?"

Mathias shrugged, but even Lisanna was caught up in Alexander's pace.

He laughed. And Lain spoke quietly, "she's beautiful... you know. I'd love to welcome her to someone like you," she said with a dull smile.

"I definitely would not be averse to that. Claude, how would you feel about the proposal?"

Claude laughed. "Proposal is much too formal. This is a conversation, nothing more. They're kids so they can decide later. At the very least, I won't accept it for him this early on, even if Lisanna is quite a catch. But hell, I'm not taking any part in that part of his life."

"I agree, it's much too early. Myself and Claude met when we were both eighteen, so it is fine to wait a few more years. Even then, it was a few years later," Irina added.

"Oh, I apologize. I didn't mean to imply that," Alexander said. "I just meant to say that it was a possibility that seemed interesting, nothing more. Furthermore, their future is not ours to decide, a sentiment I believe the two of you to embody well."

"Ah, yeah. Farming is dull."

"My mother was much too conservative in her business. So it was troublesome."

Claude and Irina's agreements were swift, but they did not put too much stock into Alexander's association with the concept.

Even so, the conversation turned back to individual circles as Lisanna stole away Mathias paper as he finished his soup.

'What do you think of me?' It read when he noticed it.

'Strong, smart, and liable to steal my fur.'

She scowled and wrote, 'I won't! I promise.'

'Then fine?'

'And?'

Mathias sighed as he saw the turnpike ahead.

'Can we leave it at this for now?'

'No.'

"Sirs, madams, the second course will be arriving shortly. Would you like another bottle?"

"Ah, yes. Also some juice for the little ones," Claude said immediately.

Ali opened her tired eyes and Erin and Wendi converged on her. Church was forced to sit beside Lisanna when Wendi demanded to switch seats, isolating them more as his concentration was solely affixed to Wendi and the surroundings that prove dangerous to her.

Claude poured the rest of the wine into his, Alexander's, Lain's, and Irina's glasses equally. The large bottle was drained at that point.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Mathias sipped on his stolen glass of wine as he saw the note tapped expectantly.

'It's been a week, you know?'

'And?' She wrote.

'So I don't know.'

'That's it?'

'Yeah.'

Lisanna grumbled and turned to her glass. Since he was doing, she felt she had to be a little more proactive with it. She drank more.

And suppressed the cough.

Mathias sighed as he intentionally kept a stream of water in her sight, rolling across the lip of the wine glass before diluting it. It was not that strong, but it had enough of a kick.

She sipped it again.

'More."

He sighed and did it. She sipped again.

'More.'

He shook his head.

'Why?'

'Because it isn't worth drinking at that point. Just ask for water or tea.'

"... I don't want to though."

"...?"

Giving up on convincing her, he just started looking around the room.

Hana and Alfred were awkwardly seated neat to each-other - for a single purpose. Both women were snapping at each-other in hush-tones, and each tried to keep them at bay.

Their husbands were talking just fine across from the four at the small table. It seemed there weren't many in that party.

Jennifer and Fara were talking, but Fara was alone with what seemed like Jennifer's mother.

And then there was James and Kira. James, with his two parents and his younger siblings, was trying to talk to a clearly fidgety group. It seemed the two youngest of Kira's family were infected by the atmosphere of their mother and older sisters, but James' words seemed to relax them a little. Even his parents managed to goad the family into eating the meal - a task that, once started, was finished quickly.

Both groups at James' table had the tell-tale appearance of a lower-class background, but few in the academy cared about that. It was individual strength that carried one the way when bloodlines failed. A sentiment the older members of the Jessal family did not have as they shied their eyes away from anyone with above-average formal attire.

Two of them looked familiar to Mathias. The teenage daughter and mother.

Irina caught his stare and sighed.

She whispered, "say nothing."

And he nodded.

However, the comment brought Alexander's attention behind him.

"Oh? Isn't that the Jessal Family? I recall hearing about the man, but I never did believe it," he spoke loosely, with red-cheeks. "I think that bastard did something, but I could never find proof to bury him with it. Jumped three ranks once they fell through."

Claude quirked his head. "Jessal... oh! The ones who could actually grow cabbages! My father was quite enamoured with them, but even after countless meetings, tips, and tricks, he never did manage to grow the things well. It was at that point where I pretty much thought he was cursed."

"Yeah, they were a big name in the agriculture sector in the North a few years back. Something about the cold region and strange, but hearty produce. I believe the patriarch is still imprisoned, but his wealth should have been enough to carry them through, even if their names were tarnished."

"Honestly, just pocketing a few silver coins is enough to get by outside the city. Get some seed, a hoe, and an axe or two and you're set."

"Not all of us grew up in the country. I wouldn't know what to do with any of those three," Alexander laughed more naturally than usual as his eyes focused on the girl. "Hmm... I saw that girl before. Ki... Kira, I believe... rather, no, I've definitely seen her before that. She was with Jasmine Thatcher, I believe. I apologize, but I'm going to excuse myself for a moment."

Alexander stood up just as the meals were being served.

"Oh, don't wait for me. Dig in."

And he left swiftly to find the aid that was noting the social interactions the important guests were doing. After exchanging a whisper, he appeared at the table.

Kira froze.

James leaned in a little and opened himself directly to Alexander who just raised his hands. "I do not mean to interrupt, but I did just want to confirm. I failed to notice it before, but you're Kira, Kira Jessal, right?"

"I-I... I-I am..."

"May I ask what you are doing, sir?" James said.

"I apologize for being improper. My name is Alexander O'Clare. I believe you may know my daughter, Lisanna, who is in the same class. I did not see you two in the initial group so I forgot to introduce myself formally.

"While your rumoured skill interests me, James Klein, I am interested to see the one I held as a babe. Janine, I think you recognize me, right?"

Kira's mother slowly nodded and wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter.

"W-what o-of it... I-I don't ha-have i-it ri-right now... b-but I'll get it! J-just pl-please n-not h-here...!"

"I think you are under a misunderstanding," Alexander said gently. "I'm in no such business. I have many, many pursuits, but from what I gather from your reactions, that one is not something I particularly find palatable."

"... Y-you don't... you don't need to lie...! I know... I know...! Y-you be-betrayed us... you b-betrayed him!"

"No, Kennith was a dear friend. I had nothing to gain. I wish to offer my sincerest regret for what transpired, but my attempts to discover more were in vain."

"T-then...?!"

"I know not what you're referring to, but I did just want to see the girl who grew up to be a beautiful woman. I come with no ulterior motives. In fact, there was a stake in my company that Kennith had but, upon discovery of the situation, I could not track down his kin.

"It was more a social sign than an investment, so the quantity is not much. If we go through normal channels, I suppose this may become problematic, so I'll just do this."

Alexander wrote a cheque right then and there.

"I do pay my debts. I dislike such things, as did your husband, so it was bothering me for quite a while. Leveraging oneself and expanding danger to one's kin bothers me. Please take this as a token of my appreciation for your husband's confidence in me when I was first beginning my journey."

"... I-I don't w-want-"

Alexander sighed as he folded the cheque and slid it forward. "It'll trouble me if you don't. There is nothing you are required to do. Nothing. While I cannot prove it, I feel as though you've been unjustly accused. Once more, to reiterate: there is no need to see me, speak of my name, nor interact with me, my staff, or companies at all - regardless of if you still believe it to be the case or not. Farewell."

Janine shaking so much she couldn't speak clearly. However, just as she was about to throw out the check, she saw the figure written on it. She looked back and forth and then pressed both hands over her eyes and began to weep.

Alexander walked away.

And sat himself back at the table and sighed.

"I suppose I made a scene," he looked back to see there were plenty of people looking at him. He smiled at Mathers who was watching from the corner of his eye.

"... It isn't like you to just give someone money, right? You'd only talk to him if you were recording expenses or future investments, right?" Claude asked accusingly.

"You're upset I made the woman cry, I see." Alexander looked at him easily as he motioned to Mathers at another table behind him. "You're right on both accounts: it was an investment, first and foremost. I see that that child's potential is limited by her situation. Furthermore, her independence will damage Mathers' plans. Secondly, that was the root of the matter, an investment. An investment that Kennith made when I was beginning to uncover myself from an inherited hole. He, like most intellegent business-men, sought the compound growth. Not dividends that fail to be reinvested with many projects. As such, his share was still in my earliest company, the agricultural one, despite my being a competitor. And due to his situation, it was an issue that caused me a lot of trouble when the council discovered it."

"The issues ended, thankfully, since it was too early?" Claude mused aloud betraying more intelligence than he usually let off.

"Yes. There was no connection between us aside from that and some minimal, personal correspondence in the past. I even attended their wedding and Kira's birth, as I was in the area. After that, we went separate ways. And that share, once a sign of good faith in me, become a debt. A debt I could not pay back.

"And all debts are frivolous wastes of money. I refuse to accept leverage, as life and Kennith taught me, so I'll just do things better than those who expose themselves to such destructive instruments for themselves and society."

Alexander's stare became fiery as he talked of his hatred of debt and wasting money.

In seeing this, Claude laughed as he stabbed his knife into his cutlet. "Then eat. If that's all, hell if I care. I just know him as the son of the guy who couldn't teach my dad to grow what he wanted."

"He tried, right?" Alexander said, draining his wine. "I liked the man. Also, I hate Mathers, but that is of lesser import here - important, all the same, I admit."

Claude drained his, clapped Alexander's shoulder, and filled them both. "Honesty. Good. Now we've been waiting so let's eat."

"My apologies-"

"Eat!"

Claude laughed and the atmosphere became less chaotic.

Until a little girl ran to the table.

Alexi, seeing this, interjected. "Hi!"

"Hi!"

The two stood and introduced themselves, but just as Alexi found someone to play with, the girl passed a note to Alexander and the two escaped to the less busy areas of the banquet hall.

"S-sor... ry?" Alyssa offered to the table, passing Ali to Almer so she could catch Alexi.

"No, no. It's fine. He is small and he finished his meal so he'll be fine," Alexander said easily as he opened the note. "... Well, I expected something more polite, but it doesn't matter."

"What does it say?"

"Here."

Claude grabbed the note and began laughing. He didn't bother asking for permission and read aloud, "'I still hate you, but I'll take it for my children. That's all. No strings attached? I'll accept only those terms - and stay away from my children!' Ha-ha! I never knew her, but my dad said she was fiery when she was courting Kennith. She, to him, he said specifically - and that's from my old man of all people," Claude chortled again.

Alexander grumbled and drained more wine.

"Lisanna. Even if you're gonna be like that, I will smack you if so much as incur a single copper of debt."

"Uh? Wh-"

"Just don't become in debt. It's foul. It's the reason why thousands of idiots joined the army years ago and died meaningless deaths. And never lend money to someone else. Invest. There's a difference and I know you know it."

"Uh... o-ok-"

"'Just Lisanna?' Fine, whatever. But no child of mine will incur debt! Burdening future generations? Disgusting. Do not do that."

Alexander raged passionately about the dangers of borrowing money as Claude jabbed him here and there, fueling the fire as both drank more.

Lisanna, all the while, was looking around for help but Alexander's words were perfectly logical.

"If you start taking debt, you'll just be paying off the interest indefinitely if you take shady terms, and they'll keep playing nonsense about changing clauses and start taking and taking and taking! Gah! Your grandfather gambled away the entire estate the O'Clares built up over decades, and I spent the first five years of business just paying back his ridiculous bills, all courtesy of the Thatchers when they were just loan sharks, and only then did I manage to reclaim what the family had - and everyone said it was just expected! I was an 'O'Clare', who was wealthy before! Hogwash!"

"Uh, o-okay...-"

"Mathias, have you taken any debt?"

He shook his head - unable to avoid the fiery stare if quirking his head all the while.

"Scholarship?"

He shook his head again.

"Perfect. You and her are fine. If you opt for another, so be it, but you must ensure that not a single man touches her that has debt - or something like those accursed scholarships!"

"... Ok-"

He was taken in by the man and spoke. Thankfully, he managed to cough in time to cover it up, wearing a pained face.

"I see. I have your promise. Never forget that. Ah, where was I? Ah, I don't want to talk about that anymore. Claude, tell me something interesting."

"Yeah, will do!"

Claude began regaling Alexander with a story completely unrelated to finance and the table finally a sense of normalcy.

And dessert came.

"Would you like more wine, sirs?"

The waiter asked the two after took a momentary break in the conversation.

"Yes, please," Alexander gruffed curtly.

Claude laughed and nodded, inciting a sigh from Irina - and Lain.

Lain even motioned for a note.

Mathias didn't notice it, but Irina pilfered his pockets and gave it to her.

"... Thank you," she whispered.

And she passed a note first to Lisanna and then to Mathias.

And motioned for another piece of paper. Irina supplied it from Mathias' stash.

Lisanna's hands trembled as she read hers.

'Lisanna, I'm sorry I could never be there for you for the past few years, but... I hate to say it, but I'm glad. You've found wonderful people. And I hope you still remember whatever fond memories you have of us. Your older sisters are doing well, better than you might expect from what they suggest. And your younger ones are quite healthy and happy. I'll do my best from now on to ensure they're given more attention since I lost my chance with you three. You're beautiful tonight so please enjoy this night to the fullest and I'll try to smooth over anything that may an issue with your father.

'Love, your mother.'

Lisanna's eyes began to water, but Lain just lifted up the edge of her napkin as the two men were distracted.

The other two women looked at the scene curiously, but said nothing.

Lisanna bit her lip and reached into Mathias' pockets - there was nothing. Irina passed her a blank note, however.

Mathias' feigned mutism had apparently helped the demure Lain and the repressed Lisanna communicate after several years apart. Well, Wendi's exhibition was the catalyst, admittedly, but she was much too distracted with Ali.

Mathias just looked at her with a raised brow after he read his note.

Lain reeled back and let out a weak, soundless laugh, but still passed the other note to Irina.

"Huh? Wh-"

Alexander caught that, but Claude exclaimed, "woah! I haven't even told you the best part yet! Hey, listen to this!"

Alexander's attention was pulled again.

Alcohol was a useful social lubricant.

Lisanna passed her response and carefully folded up the one she received and stowed it away in her dress. She wanted to keep it close to her heart.

Lain's expression shifted from pain, to surprise, to sadness, to joy many times over.

Alexi returned as Irina looked at Lain in a different light. "Oh? Did you bring a friend? Come, sit."

Alexi nodded as he clambered up onto his chair. Kira's little sister looked at him jealously, but he pulled her up and the two looked at the desert with drooling lips.

"Uh... Two!" He said, cutting the cake in half.

"'We will share,'" Irina said from across the table and Alyssa nodded at the scene.

"We... share! Eat!"

Since the chair registered another occupant, a new fork was brought up and the two hastily began eating the cake.

"C-cute...!" Wendi said as she looked back and forth from Ali and the new girl.

The little girl whose face was covered in frosting.

She hurried said, "Mathias! Wet this for me!"

He stared blankly at it for a moment, only obliging as she pleaded him again. Church sat in silence as displeasure clouded his face. He, of course, only had wine and could not help.

She used her napkin to clean off the girl's face who seemed surprised at Wendi.

"You're... pretty."

"Yeah! Pretty!"

Wendi paled and then squealed excitedly. "Mathias! Cake!"

"Understood, I'll help!" Church obliged faster and stole Mathias' cake without the slightest sense of guilt. He wouldn't eat it anyway so it didn't matter to Mathias, but Church did not know such things.

However, Lisanna shouted, "I was going to eat that!"

"No, one cake per person, guests included, right Wendi?"

"Yes! Awe! She's so cute...! Oh! Oh! What's your name!"

Erin ran over, "she's cute? I guess she is! Hey, hey. I'll show you something cool. Let's go outside for a moment!"

"Cool? ... Go!"

Alexi burst from his seat, bringing the girl with him since they quickly finished eating. The cake was promptly devoured. Whereupon, Wendi (and by extension Church) ran after them.

Kira had just appeared, shying away from Alexander completely, but obligated to come to task. "Uh, wh-where is Ja-Ja... u-uhm... where is my sister...?"

Lisanna pointed towards the door Erin was leading them and Kira groaned and ran off after her.

Alexander tilted his head at the sight. "It's much different than I expected. I imagined something far more formal, but to have kids running around?"

Claude laughed, "it's more fun this way. At least everyone enjoys it instead of pretending to."

"That's not wrong, it is entertaining... right... those two... it's a shame she told me not to see her kids, I'd love to teach them how to avoid debt."

"Nah, leave it until they're safely passed the stage of trying to eat money. More importantly, I think it's about to end anyway."

"Is it? I quite enjoyed this discussion. Claude, come drink with me after."

"I'd love to, but I believe I'll be busy for the first little bit, right?"

Irina nodded. "Of course, I didn't get up for no reason. Lain, you and Alexander should join us since it is Lisanna's day."

Lain nodded weakly and Alexander quirked his head. "For what?"

"The dance, you idiot! It's the only reason Irina'll come to these things - like the drinks for me."

"I'm glad you moderated yourself," Irina said with a smile. "I'm not dragging you around anymore."

"I've only made that mistake once!"

Alexander felt quite drunk at this point. Claude's sense of moderation was abnormal; it involved more than three bottles of wine for his own personal consumption right now. And his reddened cheeks were already back to normal. However, Claude was going pound-for-pound with him. And he didn't seem drunk at all.

"... As expected of a mercenary," Alexander sighed and turned to Lain. "Would you mind?"

She shook her head. "No... it'd be my pleasure."

The two's expression darkened slightly, but they were pacified when they realized the meaning behind Irina's words. It was more for Lisanna than them.

Lisanna looked at Mathias, who was looking elsewhere - at the center of a table in the front with the Headmaster who raised his glass.

There was a soft, reverberating clink on an upraised glass as the Headmaster stood with a broad smile.

"I'd like to thank everyone for joining us for dinner. It was a thrown together with only two days' notice so I do hope it okay for those of you who may have expected more. However, we'll now be commencing the dance portion of the banquet. First, we'll invite all the students to the stage."

One of the stone walls behind the headmaster's table fell silently into the ground. The marble floor was spotless as the lighting was dimmed, illuminated by just a few silver chandeliers.

A seven-piece band was at the center of an upraised stage, sitting atop black velvet cloth, and clothed in Majin Academy's silver and black.

And then the first string was strummed. And another. Violins, a piano, and many other instruments were played slowly at first, but the sound began to grow faster and more invigorating.

"Scylla students, please come to the stage. Afterwards, we'll have their parents, other invited guests, and then we'll welcome all other guests.

"Lisanna? Wendi? What are you two waiting for?" Irina asked with a smile as she grabbed Claude's arm and pulled him up.

Claude drained his glass and then sighed. "I'm going to have to do that right...?"

"Yes, of course. I'll allow you to have one blade on the dancefloor. That's it."

Claude groaned and set his greatsword, rapier, broadsword, and crescent blade beside the table.

As if to ensure none would take them, he encased them in a steel case that was as large as he was. Granted, there were few people - even Salam, who thought weapons as sacred - who would steal from Claude Fellstone.

Lisanna followed Irina's lead and grabbed an uncooperative Mathias.

'I don't wanna,' was clearly seen in his eyes, but Lisanna pulled him anyways.

"Remember this: five. And then afterwards you'll-"

"Lisanna! Hurry up! The adults are stealing the best spots! It's our - our! - time, Mama Vandiese aside!"

"You too, Mathias! No complaints!"

Erik helped drag Mathias and Ayla took Lisanna towards the dance-floor, redoubling their somewhat sluggish pace before.