Chapter 99: Let The Banquet Begin

After saying that, Riveria gently raised her slender hand again, tapped Ais's delicate golden head with the tip of her finger, and admonished her in a calm but earnest tone. "And you, Ais... no matter how excited or happy you are, you absolutely cannot push the door open so roughly. What if someone had been standing behind it? You could have hurt them badly. You must be more careful next time, understand?" The tone wasn't harsh, but it carried the weight of a concerned elder, and it immediately pulled Ais back to reality. Before she could even open her mouth to share all the fascinating things she had seen and experienced today, Ais was met with gentle scolding. Her small face, which had been filled with radiant anticipation and vibrant excitement, froze for a moment. Then, her expression gradually changed—those golden eyes dimmed slightly, her lips pressed together, and she looked down in grievance. Helpless and wronged, Ais could only nod quietly to show she acknowledged her mistake. "Well, well... I think Ais is just really happy, that's all. Riveria, there's no need to be so strict with her, especially not today." Finn said warmly, stepping forward with his usual gentle smile as he tried to smooth things over like the kind-hearted captain he was. "Besides, we've got a banquet to look forward to later, don't we?" Hearing that, Akira, who had been silently watching the scene from the side, couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire. With a light chuckle and a righteous posture, he declared boldly, "That's right! Riveria-san, you really are quite long-winded sometimes." He even turned to Ais with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Right, Ais?" Perhaps it was because she had experienced too many exciting and unpredictable adventures with Akira that day or perhaps it was simply the effect of being emboldened by his support but the usually quiet and obedient Ais actually puffed out her cheeks and nodded seriously. "Yes... Riveria is really talkative today." She muttered in a pouty voice, her tone soft but surprisingly defiant. Riveria, of course, wasn't truly angry. She simply sighed, her elegant brows twitching slightly. She reached out with both hands and, without warning, grabbed their cheeks and pulled. "You two really have no self-control!" She scolded, pinching both their faces at once with a stern expression. However, her actions were more playful than punitive. "Don't get too full of yourselves just because you ran around one day." After releasing them, Riveria took a breath, straightened her posture, and finally asked, "Now then, Ais, what is it that you were so excited to share?" The moment she received permission, Ais's expression brightened again. She eagerly began recounting her day's adventure to the three adults in the room. She told them all about the places she had gone with Akira and the breathtaking sights she had witnessed. Her voice grew lively and animated as she described how they soared through the sky like birds, training amidst clouds and storms. However, when it came to the topic of altitude, Ais glossed over it with vague words. She didn't mention the exact height she had flown to—likely because she knew Riveria would give her an even longer lecture if she found out. To others, it might have sounded like the two were just goofing off in midair with magic. But to Ais and Akira, it had been something truly meaningful—something unforgettable. Just as the room was still filled with their friendly chatter and laughter, a light knock came from the doorway. Moments later, a young man with spiky hedgehog-like hair stepped inside. He walked quickly and respectfully up to the gathered group. He said in a polite tone, "Captain, the dinner is ready. Everyone can head to the hall now." Hearing this, Finn gave the boy a nod and a kind smile. "Thanks for the heads-up, Raul. Good work. In that case, let's not keep the others waiting—shall we?" He clapped his hands together, calling the room to attention before taking the lead. The rest of the group followed after him, walking down the corridor with anticipation. — — — Inside the spacious and brightly lit banquet hall, an atmosphere of celebration was already in full swing. The entire place was buzzing with energy. Cheers erupted in waves like crashing tides, and the long tables—several of them placed end-to-end—were already filled with all kinds of exquisite dishes, mouthwatering and fragrant. Delicious food, golden drinks, and shining cutlery glittered under the crystal chandeliers. Members of the Loki Familia, both veterans and newcomers alike, gathered joyfully around the tables. Toasts were being exchanged, mugs clinking together in rapid succession, and laughter spilled freely throughout the room. Akira, although technically a guest, was soon swept up in the enthusiasm of the scene. Even though many of the members weren't sure exactly why this banquet had been organized—after all, it wasn't a celebration for a Loki Familia member—they didn't question it. Akira was clearly trusted by their captain, and if someone like Finn had personally invited him, then that was more than enough. Besides, it wasn't like Akira's name was unknown. Ever since that morning, the rumor of an adventurer named Akira, who had defeated the Level 3 Ais despite being only Level 2, had already begun to spread across the entire city of Orario. It was only natural that everyone here wanted to meet the boy in person. As the lively sounds of conversation and music continued, Finn slowly rose from his seat near the head of the banquet table. In his hand, he held a finely crafted wine glass, filled with golden liquor. With a broad smile, he raised the glass and called out loudly, "Everyone!" His voice boomed through the hall, and instantly, all noise faded. Heads turned, and countless eyes focused on him. "I believe most of you have already heard of this particular adventurer—some of you probably know more about him than I do." He said with a chuckle, "Rumors have been flying fast, so I won't bore you with them again." He gestured to the youth standing beside him. "This is Akira, from the Astraea Familia!" The moment those words left his mouth, the entire banquet hall erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. "Whooooaaaa!!" Akira, standing there with a bashful smile, scratched the back of his head. He waved to everyone a little awkwardly and said with a laugh, "Uh... thank you all. I'm just here to eat. Really." The crowd laughed, and Finn grinned before raising his glass again. "No need for more introductions! With that, let the banquet officially begin!" As his words rang out, the room exploded into renewed celebration. "OOOOHHHH——!" Everyone shouted together, raising their cups and plates. The atmosphere soared even higher. However, Akira barely had time to sit down and grab a bite before a barrage of enthusiastic questions was launched his way. "How did you defeat Ais!?" "It's just... a bit of special magic." Akira replied with a shrug. "How did you level up so fast, Akira-senpai?" Raul leaned in, eyes sparkling. Scratching his cheek, Akira said, "Uh... well, I did level up a little fast, yeah. But come on, Raul, you joined the familia before me. No need to call me senpai. Just Akira is fine." "Really? Is that okay?" "Totally. As for how I leveled up quickly... it varies for everyone, right?" He muttered inwardly, 'It's not like I can tell them I'm cheating the system...' "I get it now. Thank you, Akira!" Raul responded, a bit disappointed but still respectful. "Okay, okay, move aside!" A group of energetic young women shoved Raul away and took his place. One of them leaned in and asked in a syrupy voice, "What kind of girls do you like? Are we okay?" "Hey—!" Akira reeled back in panic, trying to avoid the barrage of playful touches and teasing gazes. Don't blame the girls. After all, while there were male members in the Loki Familia, most were veterans who had been around since the early days. The majority of newer members were striking young women—something that was clearly the result of Loki's preferences. It was no secret throughout Orario that Loki was an unapologetic lover of beauty, especially when it came to her recruitment policies. Her familia's gender balance was skewed on purpose. And now, standing in front of this mostly-female crowd, was a handsome, mysterious, and strong young man who had appeared out of nowhere. "Uhh... gentle? I like gentle girls?" Akira stammered, shrinking backward. If I'd known things would turn out like this, I would have— Seeing the situation spiral, Akira quickly looked around the room for salvation. His eyes sought out Finn, Riveria, and Ais like a desperate puppy begging for rescue. As for Gareth? The veteran dwarf was already deep into a drinking contest with Loki herself, surrounded by empty bottles.