Chapter 22: Dinner

Uneasy, Fang entered the carriage along with the secretary. The interior was quite spacious and comfortable, just like a little house. Flapping its wings, the Pegasus took the skies.

Although not very powerful, the Pegasus had access to an innate wind magic specialized in amplifying the amount of lift it could produce and stabilize with its wings. Beautiful wilderness below passed by quickly as the winged beast flew through the clouds, reaching a district that was tens of kilometers away from Minuet City.

“Please enter, Fang.” Rhodes gestured inside a building, shaped like the tower at the school. However, this towering building was at least ten times taller. Flowers littered the entrance, and the tall doors opened to display a red carpet, with decorations spread through the hallway.

“Welcome, Fang.”

In the hallway, a slim figure appeared – it was Valeria, wearing that distinctive black dress, with a mask shrouding her features. Fang still couldn’t reason why she wanted to meet him alone at her house, but judging from the apron that Valeria was wearing, it must be harmless.

Wait, the head of commerce took the time to actually cook for him; he was speechless.

Her eyes smiled at him. “Fang, you can browse the place, Rhodes will accompany you around the place. I just had a few dishes to finish up.” Valeria looked at Rhodes. “Help him look around.”

“Yes director!”

With exquisite paintings, perfect statues, aged books, normally, the tower would’ve been very attractive to Fang, but he wasn’t in a visiting mood.

Suspicion couldn’t help gather in his mind, he recalled the respectful, honoring attitude that the head of commerce displayed towards him. Seeking for clues, he asked the secretary by his side, “Miss Rhodes, the reason why Valeria invited me wasn’t simply to eat a meal, there must be something else, right?”

“Well, I don’t know, the head will personally tell you.” It sounded professionally scripted, neither confirming nor denying Fang’s assumption. No further discussion happened.

For twenty minutes, Fang sat on a bed of pins and needles in the living room, then was led into the dining room by a maid.

The table was full of food styled carefully, and from the visual impression, it suggested that Valeria was an experienced cook. What stood out the most though, were the two sets of gleaming cutlery on the table, indicating that only Fang and Valeria were dining today. With the napkins and plates in place, Valeria questioned, “Fang, are you wondering about why I’m wearing this mask? It is a bit rude, right?”

“No, no, no.” Fang said hurriedly, “I’m honored that the head of commerce invited me to eat.”

While that was what he said, he held a doubt in his mind.

It’s dining time, but surely Valeria doesn’t wear a mask while she’s eating, right?

“Well, the mask had been there for a reason. I hope I don’t scare you, Fang.” Valeria raised her hands and lifted the gray mask down.

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Seeing the face under the mask, Fang couldn’t help but draw a stunned breath.

Her faced looked quite young, with smoky eyes, delicate features, a long nose and full lips – a lovely beauty. However, scarring her face, there were countless crossing black lines, as if a spider spun an intricate web. If at the training grounds, Fang had seen her without the mask on, he would’ve definitely turned around, and dashed away.

Valeria sighed. “I’m sorry, it seems like you’re afraid.”

Realizing his face had reflexively frozen, he relaxed and hastily replied, “No, I was just a bit surprised. But your face…”

Valeria explained, “I was in an accident, and since then, I had worn a mask, never taking it off unless it was absolutely necessary.”

Regretting his earlier worries, Fang softly said, “That’s too bad, Lady Valeria. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Don’t mind it, I’ve gotten used to it.” Valeria smiled. “I trust it won’t affect your appetite?”

“Of course not, Lady Valeria, you are very beautiful!” Fang truly meant it, while the black pattern across her face had destroyed any typical beauty, it held a strange attractiveness.

“Thank you, you’re a very caring person.” She picked up her knife. “Please, come and try my dishes, I hope they’ll be able to satisfy your taste.”

“Okay!” Fang grabbed his fork and took a petal from an exquisite flower of thin steak. He brought it to his mouth, and chewed the tender, sweet meat. Words weren’t enough to describe it. The aroma, color, and taste all blended together to create a crafted, unforgettable experience.

Simply, Fang praised, “It’s delicious!”

As an enthusiastic hostess, Valeria encouraged Fang. “Feel free to eat as much as you want!”

He sampled all the dishes, and each dish tasted beyond expectations; surprisingly, the head of commerce was such a good chef.

Dazzled by the exotic tastes, Fang had left behind his caution, but soon, he was full. Some fruit salad was left on the plate when he remembered that this meeting shouldn’t have been only a modest meal. Getting straight to the point, Fang turned towards Valeria.

“Lady Valeria, I’m grateful for the meal, but please, I’d like to know why I was invited.”

Methodically, the maid and the secretary started to clear the table as she put on her mask. “Yes, Fang, I invited you with a purpose in mind. If it isn’t much, I would like your help.”

Fang answered, “What’s the matter?”

Valeria avoided the question, instead, she replied, “Before that, let us talk about the pay. As long as you promise me to help and try do that thing, I’ll give you these rewards.”

Bewildered, Fang stared at the lady in front of him. Regardless of the results, he would get paid?

She continued, “Fang, as for what your reward shall be… I’ll pay all the costs concerning your training, including the usage of this energy tower, effective elixirs, private mentors, professional training and fighting techniques. Anything, anything at all that you would need to gain an acceptable amount of strength.”