While ssed-up things were happening to the ladies’ group, anwhile, in the Rosavere company,
"So you are saying that you need that rectangular crystal bar to use the artifact? Is that correct?" Rosavere asked with a curious tone, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the translucent rectangular bar on the table. She wore silver-threaded gloves, fingertips gliding over the crystal’s facets, "I’ve seen many forms of enchanted stones, but this one is... different."
Aether, wearing a rabbit mask and sitting with rigid composure across from her, nodded slowly. "Yes. Unfortunately, I am unable to recreate this particular crystal. It consists of both Arcane and Clarion energy, fused in a way I have never encountered before. Without it, the artifact will not respond—there’s a resonance only this crystal can achieve."
Rosavere humd thoughtfully, fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood, her stare fixed on the crystal as if weighing sothing. Then she looked up at Aether, "Mr. Lackey, are you saying you’ve managed to decipher the other parts of the artifact?"
Aether nodded. "Indeed, Ms. Rosavere. It took considerable ti and a fair amount of risk, but I managed to crack those outer layers. Each circuit etched into the artifact required a different approach, but all led back to this core. Without the crystal, it’s like a heart without blood."
"Hmm... Impressive. None of the others I approached even managed to open it," she said, her tone carrying a note of awe. "Even my family’s best engineers and magicians simply failed, not even leaving a scratch on the outermost layer. But you... you did it alone?"
"What I can say is I love this kind of thing!"
Aether shrugged. For him, this technology echoed shadows of his old world, machinery disguised as magic. He knew how to dismantle it, how to listen for the clicks and whirrs that no one else heard, unlike the magicians of this land.
Rosavere humd again. She tapped her chin, gaze shifting between Aether and the crystal, as if piecing together a much larger puzzle. After a mont, she broke her silence, "So all you need is this crystal, right? Just this one piece, and the rest falls into place?"
Aether nodded again, "That’s correct."
"Well then, give a... week. Or, whenever I call for you next, you will get those crystals," she replied, her tone suddenly sharpened with authority.
Aether frowned ...Does that an she is contacting soone else? Soone with access to things not of this world?
His frown deepened. Lyirrs had ntioned these crystals were not ford in their world—did that an Rosavere had managed to reach soone from the Terra Empire?
Sothing fishy is going on here too.
"Say... you ntioned this to other people, right? What if they decided to steal yours? I an, by using manipulation abilities or anything to covert this valuable product?" Aether’s words ca out tense.
Rosavere blinked, surprised at his sudden caution, but a sly smile curled at her lips. "Oh? Are you suggesting you want to take this product all for yourself?" she teased.
Aether imdiately shook his head, hands rising in protest. "You’re mistaken! I didn’t an it like that, just... saying what I’ve heard. I an, I heard vampires could manipulate others, right? What if they manipulate you and using you, co after ?"
Rosavere raised her eyebrows, expression shifting to sothing both amused and reassuring.
"That makes sense to worry about... but you don’t need to worry about it," she replied, her grin turning wicked,
"We have been in this place for thousands of years now... my father, my grandfather, my great-grandmother... all of them faced things you can’t imagine... . Do you think we would let anyone manipulate us so easily?"
Aether humd, nodding. "Yeah... right."
Rosavere smiled as she stood. "Good talking to you, Mr. Lackey. And keep working on this—I will soon bring the crystal you asked for," she said as she shook his hand.
Aether left the room with a confused expression.
Aether, honestly, was near the edge of using his manipulation, but he hesitated. After all, lately his manipulation was either not working or... just blasting people into pieces.
He couldn’t just bet his luck on that right now. So all he could do was keep things as balanced as possible, to his advantage or sothing close to it.
Aether left her cabin, and just then the receptionist bowed her head.
"Hope you had a good day."
Aether nodded, but his mind didn’t register her words, lost in his own thoughts.
The woman tilted her head as she followed him.
"Do you need coffee? Tea? Anything—just say it to and I will bring it in a second! Are you tired? Do you need to rest? My cabin is free! If you need a massage, I can order soone for you. Are you really that tired? Don’t worry about the cost—our CEO said your health is the most important to us. Do you need the restroom? It’s on the right-side corner..."
That’s a lot!!
Aether snapped out of his thoughts as he turned back and saw the woman smiling warmly, her expression gentle, as if she wanted to show her gratitude in any way possible.
Aether stared at her before... a wicked smile appeared inwardly.
Maintaining a calm expression, he said,
"If you’re free, we could have lunch nearby."
The woman blinked, then nodded hurriedly. "Oh? O-Okay... Yeah! Just give a mont, my shift is about to end... don’t go anywhere, sir, just a few minutes and I’ll be back, okay? Please!" she said with a serious tone before hurrying to the reception and talking to a another woman.
Aether smiled softly.... Well, the sheep—it was the sheep that ca to him, not the other way around!
So don’t bla him if it gets caught!!
As he smiled softly, his eyes landed right at the edge of the corner. For a second, he stared there before focusing on the receptionist, who went to the bathroom and... ca out with a bit of makeup and, even wearing heels, hurried towards him with happy eyes.
She was sparkling for so reason, holding a small handbag in her hand.
"Let’s go. I know the best restaurant here!" she said with a happy expression.
****
Aether was surprised to see her taking him to the restaurant that he once visited with Delphine.
’Seems like this new one got really famous,’ he thought, as the woman led him to the general eating area—not the upper floor reserved for prestige guests.
"Are you fine with this?" she asked in a worried tone, as if afraid she was treating him wrongly.
Aether nodded. "I’ve eaten in worse places," he said as he sat down. She went to the ordering area since it was her treat, and she wanted to take care of everything for him.
Aether didn’t say anything... he hadn’t co for food, after all.
Aether humd with a thoughtful expression as his eyes, for the second ti, drifted toward the window, especially at the side where a building’s tree cast its shadow. He blankly stared at that place under his mask before turning back and seeing the woman coming over, holding dishes in her hands.
Looks like only the VIPs got those maids standing by, while on the lower floor, custors had to carry their own food... Well, this was business, not charity.
"Let help you," Aether offered.
"No, it’s fine, I will take care of it easily—" Before she could finish her words, her heels suddenly tilted and she nearly lost her balance. Aether instantly caught her by the hips with one hand, while his other hand snatched the food trays, saving them from falling.
His reactions were so fast that people nearby stopped to watch, surprised.
They couldn’t help but clap their hands as they watched Aether in awe—after all, he did it without using Arcane energy, right?
Aether smiled softly as he looked at the woman still in his arms, his hand tightly wrapped around her hip. She had a beet-red face, staring at him blankly.
’Oh dear—’
[ 3000 AP]
Aether groaned inwardly... as he realised he’d fallen for the obviously cliché romance tag.
[Just to be sure... It’s all on you!]
His log suddenly comnted.
Aether rolled his eyes before turning to the woman, who was still blushing as he gently helped her stand up. "Are you alright?" he asked, setting the dishes down on the table.
The woman nodded with a red face before slowly sitting down across from him, head lowered.
Aether sighed, settling into his seat opposite her.
This was going to be awkward!
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