The entrance ceremony buffet had come to an end, and behold, the esteemed Sator couple making their regal departure towards their awaiting carriage.

The madam, looking as if she had just completed a marathon, was being carried, a picture of exhaustion and pallor, while the lord, with a demeanor as warm as a frozen tundra, exuded an aura of unapproachability.

Trailing behind them like a dutiful shadow, their son sauntered back to the carriage with an air of elegant worry.

Rumor had it, courtesy of the household grapevine, that due to their luxurious abode in Lord Wilderwood's prestigious capital mansion, their offspring would not have the pleasure of partaking in the charms of dormitory life at the academy.

Oh, the burdens of privilege and opulence!

Sator Household were just about to hop on their carriage to home when a wild Padparadscha appeared—accompanied by a whole entourage, no less. His parents.

“Evan! Wait!”

“Monsieur Sator, Madam and Sir.”

Princess Bianca Lumine, clearly the spokesperson of the group, swooped in with a classic line: "We heard you'd invited our precious son for lunch. Hope we're not too much of a bother."

Morgan mustered up her energy to play the gracious hostess from her fainting couch in the carriage. "Oh, no bother at all, Your Graces. It's our humble honor."

Then, the Mossflower duo, Marquis and Mini-Marquis, chimed in. "Oh, we've heard about your meetings through Wilderwood estate. We'll be sending our messenger over with a request. Look out for it, won't you, good sir?"

Burn raised his face—and it was enough to send shivers down spines like a pro. He graciously accepted the request. “Please do send the requests. I will surely find time suitable for our coffee and tea together.”

Duke Padparadscha, usually a man of unshakeable power, suddenly found himself stammering a thank you, realizing he was in the presence of… what was the word?

Matthew whispered to Evan, "Your dad is scarier than the king—like, no joke."

Yvain couldn't help but stifle a laugh, while Alan attempted to shush them discreetly.

"Oh, but really now, where might Her Royal Highness Princess Blair have vanished to?" inquired Yvain.

The two boys gazed wearily at him. "You... you're fixated on her, aren't you?"

"Well, I do hope she graces my Mama with her Vision," Yvain quipped, leaving the boys feeling a tad sorry for the Princess. This lad was only interested in her magic...

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"And gentlemen," Yvain grinned mischievously, "Papa mentioned he's quite intrigued by your Force. Perhaps a demonstration post-lunch would be in order?"

Matthew and Alan shrank in trepidation. Demonstrate their powers to Evan's daunting father... Oh, the joys of social obligations.

Alan grimaced, "Not only terrifying, but also utterly embarrassing..."

As the adults wrapped up their pleasantries and bid farewell, Yvain gave a casual wave to his newfound companions before the Sator Household carriage whisked them away.

Observing the carriage speeding down the road, Duke Padparadscha turned to Marquis Mossflower with a sly grin.

"I heard Princess Blair will grace our children’s little playdate lunch with her presence as well. Surprising that you've allowed your precious son to mingle with the opposing team," Duke Padparadscha remarked.

Marquis Mossflower nonchalantly shrugged. "It's beneficial for my son to rub elbows with neutral factions like yours... and the Sator household, Your Grace."

Duke Padparadscha let out a hearty laugh. "Well, isn't this just a thrilling turn of events!"

The Marquis flashed a knowing smile. "We can't dictate our children's choices, can we? Here's hoping this interaction prompts the royal family to consider granting their Princes and Princesses some freedom as well."

"Absolutely," agreed Duke Padparadscha with a wink. "Isn't that right, dear?"

Princess Bianca grinned, seemingly oblivious to the Duke and the Marquis. "Monsieur Sator is just soooo dreamy~!"

Her husband froze, and the Marquis shot her a suspicious glance.

"Honey, why can't you be like Monsieur Sator? He's so soft and gentle with his wife, not bothered by what others think," Princess Bianca said, wrapping her arms around the Duke’s.

Duke Padparadscha let out a long-suffering sigh. "He can pull it off because he has that... certain aura. If I tried that with you, we'd be the talk of the town for the next six months. The gossip will be… disgusting."

“Aww~! You just lack confidence~!”

***

"I'm going to stay after all, Masters," Yvain suddenly declared in the carriage back home.

"Staying? What's that supposed to mean?" Morgan quipped. "You're skipping out on the great assembly in the elven kingdom?"

Yvain shook his head. "Remember that new tool I told you about, the Vision Resonator? Something’s wrong, and I’ll investigate it after all."

Burn and Morgan exchanged a look, raising an eyebrow in unison.

"I sense there's something fishy going on with it. School's starting in two days, so I might as well dive into it. I’m afraid something bad will happen if I don’t do a thorough check on it before the year starts," Yvain explained.

Burn shot a pointed look at Morgan, silently questioning the wisdom of letting Yvain loose on a potentially dangerous mission. But then she shrugged and gave a dramatic sigh, "Well, the heart wants what it wants. Investigate away, just try not to get yourself killed, alright?"

Yvain nodded.

“Thank you, Master,” he said earnestly. He just wanted to be useful.

Aware of Morgan’s inevitable worry, Yvain turned to Burn with a grin. “Master Burn, I was thinking, having some backup from your network of spies in Inkia could be rather handy, wouldn’t you say?”

Burn was immediately amused. “Very well, I was planning on introducing you to them anyway. Wilderwood’s been dipping into that pool too.”

Yvain beamed with newfound confidence. “Thank you, Master,” he said, feeling a newfound sense of assurance.

At least now he knew how to ask for help.

"How long until you're back?" Yvain inquired, fully aware that the mythical grand assembly aimed to clear Burn's name from the accusation, anticipating a lengthy expedition ahead.

"In two days," Morgan promptly replied.

Burn interjected, "Weren’t we also planning on a trip to the moon? As I recall, you mentioned the lack of magical shortcuts making it a rather lengthy journey, did you not?"

"Yep," Morgan confirmed with a nod. "But fear not, for tomorrow we meet Isaiah. Why not hitch a ride back to the moon with him?"

Burn and Yvain exchanged incredulous glances.

"Hitch... a ride?" they echoed in disbelief.

Morgan's smile widened. "Uh-huh. Let's take a joyride on his back."