“Hello, miss.” The old man smiled. “I assume this is your original form. I am Fen'ao, a professor from the Academy.”
“Hello, I am Li Yue.” Li Yue shook his hand. The other party seemed to be waiting for her to continue, but according to Li Yue's habits, once she had said hello and given her name, her self-introduction was over.
You'll have to find the topics yourself, friend.
“I imagine that even at a Royal Court banquet, you wouldn't be the one at the lowest seat,” Fen'ao said with a smile, inviting Li Yue to stand. His disciples followed suit a moment later, standing up immediately.
“I like sitting here, facing the sea, in the warmth of spring blossoms,” Li Yue replied with a faint smile.
The second seat can also face the sea, can't it? The disciples stood awkwardly to the side. By now, several other guests had arrived, including the captain and the first mate.
Fen'ao gave a helpless smile. He picked up the chair from the head seat and moved it from one side to the other, sitting right next to Li Yue. The atmosphere felt a bit awkward.
Fen'ao clapped his hands for the chefs. They quickly began preparing the plates, arranging various delicacies that looked ready to be served immediately.
“Judging by your attire, it seems you are traveling incognito this time, miss. Might I ask where you are headed?” Fen'ao smiled as he accepted the soup handed to him by a waiter.
“An academy in the south. A friend invited me,” Li Yue said, glancing at the soup in her hand. It appeared to be a fish bone broth, garnished with kelp, tofu, and a small piece of lobster meat.
“I didn't expect a prominent figure from the Royal Court to have a connection with an academy professor.” Fen'ao smiled, his gaze flicking to the ring on Li Yue's left ring finger, his brow furrowing slightly.
“No, I am not from the Royal Court. I have nothing to do with that place.” Li Yue took a sip of the soup. The sweetness of the vegetables blended with the savory freshness of the seafood. It had a rich, mellow texture and felt warm and comforting as she drank it.
“A member of a branch family, perhaps...?” Fen'ao's brow furrowed. What was that sensation of death he had felt earlier?
Someone from the New Royal Court? No, those mysterious fellows shouldn't be here.
“I truly didn't expect that the old gentleman who just boarded would be a full professor from the Academy. Please excuse my lack of manners.” Captain Mike laughed, raising his glass to clink it against Fen'ao's.
“In the end, I'm just a little old man, Captain Mike.” Fen'ao smiled. “Thank you for your hospitality, Captain, even letting me sit in the head seat.”
“And is this the lady of distinguished status you mentioned?” The captain looked at Li Yue, standing up and removing his hat to give a bow. Li Yue felt a bit awkward, but since these people seemed to love tedious etiquette, she didn't mind.
“Forgive my intrusion.”
“...” Li Yue raised her glass, clinked it, and finished the gesture quickly.
So this is the so-called testing? Just a meal and some polite small talk?
Li Yue quickly used magic to neutralize the alcohol. She didn't want to get drunk in this situation. She had previously sensed the mana fluctuations of a Great Mage from this old man, but now he felt only like a regular Mage. Even his previously ink-green eyes had returned to a pale blue.
As Li Yue was thinking, the second course was served: several beautifully sliced pieces of sashimi. It wasn't particularly delicious, but it wasn't bad either—just the taste of fresh ingredients. She quietly listened to the captain and Fen'ao discuss the flight plan, the supply situation at the islands they would pass, and their respective destinations.
Fen'ao spoke quite thoroughly and had a pleasant conversation with the captain. The students seemed to be talking among themselves, and the first mate and ship's doctor were clinking glasses, appearing to be enjoying their drinks. Li Yue remained silent, not bothering to observe anyone else.
Thump. Li Yue felt her heart give a heavy throb. She raised her eyes and met Fen'ao's ink-green eyes for a fleeting second.
He noticed my heart... I suppose his eyes must be God's remains. Interesting. What is his ability? To see through hidden mana?
Li Yue raised an eyebrow but didn't make a scene. She lowered her head and finished her sashimi, not showing much dissatisfaction with the old man's impolite behavior, though she wondered why he was so guarded.
It feels like he's hiding some secret. Li Yue guessed it was that special object she had sensed earlier. Although she didn't know what it was, seeing how alert he was, it was likely a valuable or important item.
Li Yue didn't care much. As long as it wasn't something extremely dangerous, she didn't mind. She just wanted to reach the south quickly. As for all the other nonsense, she didn't care and had no desire to pay attention to it.
“Captain, is the inspection of personnel and materials at the Royal Court's ports still very strict?” Fen'ao picked up a piece of sashimi, put it in his mouth, and took a small sip of wine. He looked pleasant and smiling, but in reality, he had only just breathed a sigh of relief.
I already concealed the aura of my eyes, yet she still sensed it. What kind of perception is that? She's like a monster. That heart of hers... could it be the one that appeared in Parvati, which finally ended up in her hands?
Why would someone from the Royal Court have that ring? That ring... only professors from the Academy should have them, and even then, the craftsmanship doesn't seem this complex...
She has a token from the Academy, yet her magic and God's remains are from the divine lineage of the Royal Court, with a constitution that shares the same source as the imperial blood. Yet she claims not to be from the Royal Court. Who exactly is she?
“The Royal Court's supervision over everything is extremely rigorous, especially for tourists. However, it is indeed a wealthy and powerful nation.” The captain clapped his hands. The plates before them were cleared, and a dish of steamed fish chin was brought out, emitting a rich aroma. Compared to the previous broth, this tasted even fresher.
“The gemstone craftsmanship and gold trade there are very prosperous. It's even a major exporter of agricultural crops.”
“I suppose that's because the people there don't like vegetables very much,” Fen'ao joked. “They have land and a climate suitable for planting, yet they've raised a bunch of meat-eaters.”
Li Yue listened with interest. She would likely have to visit the Royal Court once in the future, so it was good to learn a bit in advance.
“The people there seem to love golden objects,” Fen'ao said, taking out a small case. Li Yue didn't know what was inside, but it felt like a familiar object.
Fen'ao opened the case, and an aura familiar to Li Yue emanated from it. The sensation made her feel a faint mix of unease and joy.
She caught a glimpse, and a flash of shock crossed her eyes. It was no ordinary object. It was the pitch-black God's Cup she had seen in Parvati, decorated with an entwined snake!
Rate on N.U.
