Aria walked through the hallway while several maids carefully adjusted her attire from behind.
She was currently heading toward the dining room, and within the traditions of House Vas Labre, dinner was considered a formal occasion where every attendant was required to wear proper attire.
The past few days had been especially busy for her. The case involving the illegal monster trafficking operation was already nearing completion. As for the remaining details, she had entrusted Raeburn to settle them personally.
The guards standing before the dining room doors imdiately saluted Aria before opening the doors for her.
Upon entering, she saw that only two people were currently seated at the table, her father and her twin brother.
The dining table itself was extrely long and crafted from expensive polished wood that reflected the warm light shining from the grand chandelier above.
"My daughter, you’re finally here. Please, have a seat." Tristan said calmly while ordering one of the maids to pull out the chair for Aria.
"Good evening, Father. Brother." Aria greeted.
She then picked up the glass before allowing one of the maids to pour fruit juice into it.
The dining table was currently filled with luxurious dishes. Juicy steaks, fresh seafood, and many other expensive foods that would probably make ordinary commoners speechless just from seeing them.
"How did your mission go, Aria? I already reviewed the report. I honestly never expected a sche like that had been operating beneath my nose for years. You truly did an excellent job." Tristan praised calmly.
He sat at the very center and head of the long table, while his children sat on opposite sides near him.
anwhile, Auron remained completely focused on cutting his at and eating quietly without paying much attention to the conversation.
"Thank you, Father. The nobles we suspected have already admitted their cris and will soon be judged. However, the main culprit, Helton, is still missing. We’ve spent days searching for him, but there have been no results so far." Aria explained seriously.
"Hmmm... is that so? Then leave the rest to . You’ve already done your part well enough. Besides, both of you will be returning to the academy in a week. You should rest properly before then " Tristan said.
"Yes, Father. I’ve already handed the remaining matters over to Raeburn." Aria replied.
"Speaking of the academy, have you already chosen soone talented from the five representatives?" Tristan suddenly asked.
"Yes." Aria replied with a smile.
In truth, Aria had actually been assigned two tasks during her mission. The first was naturally to lead the soldiers in dismantling the trafficking syndicate.
However, the second task was to observe and select a single individual from the five brightest young tars of each barony to receive an invitation to the selection process of the Royal Academy of Cyden, the sa prestigious academy attended by both Aria and Auron.
Every year, each county would receive invitations allowing them to nominate several talented individuals for the Royal Academy’s selection process. Those who successfully passed the selection would officially beco students of the Royal Academy of Cyden.
At that mont, Auron finally showed a slight hint of interest. Compared to before, his hair had grown longer, spikier, and carried an even deeper shade of red.
"Ohh... and who did you choose?" Tristan asked with interest.
Aria glanced toward her brother with a faint smile before finally answering.
"Oliver Overheart of Ashville Town."
Ting!!
Auron’s fork and spoon imdiately fell onto his plate as he abruptly stood up and stared at his sister.
"That guy?! He was there with you?Why didn’t you inform ?!" Auron demanded impatiently. For the past several years, he had trained relentlessly to beco stronger. All for the sake of fighting Oliver once again, the person he considered his greatest rival.
"I didn’t have ti to inform you. Besides, you were also busy with your own matters at that ti." Aria replied calmly.
"Sit down, Auron. And calm yourself." Tristan said firmly before he shifted his gaze toward Aria.
"Aria, is this Oliver the sa boy who fought against Auron five years ago?" As soone who highly valued talent and strength, Tristan had found Oliver interesting ever since hearing that the boy had managed to defeat his son.
"Yes. There’s no mistake about it."
"Is he... still strong?" Auron asked seriously.
Aria remained silent for a mont before finally answering.
"He’s really strong, brother. He might even stronger than before. I honestly can’t see the full depth of his strength. And it feels like when he fought together with , he only revealed a superficial portion of what he’s actually capable of." Aria said while lightly playing with the food on her plate.
Even she herself was amazed by how much stronger Oliver had beco. Normally, commoners rarely managed to grow trendously powerful because of their limited access to resources such as Spirit Cores and high-level dungeons for training.
However, Oliver seed to have completely broken through those limitations.
"Is that so...?" Auron smirked faintly before slowly standing up from his seat.
"Excuse , Father. I’m already full. If you allow , I’d like to continue my training." Auron said with serious face.
Tristan simply smiled while looking at his highly competitive son before giving a small nod. Auron then turned around and walked out of the dining room, leaving only Tristan and Aria behind.
While standing at the doorway, Auron’s eyes burned intensely with determination as he tightly clenched his fists.
"Then, Aria, I’ll leave it to you to send the invitation regarding the Royal Academy to Oliver’s parents. There are only a few months left before the selection begins." Tristan ordered.
"But father, is it really alright for him to enter the Royal Academy despite being a commoner? I’m worried many people there will look down on him, pressure him, and isolate him." Aria said with slight concern.
"Do not worry. If he is truly destined for greatness, then this is rely an obstacle he must overco. But if he succumbs to that pressure, then he has no right to stand at the top." Tristan replied while raising his cup of wine and observing the chandelier light shining through the crimson liquid within it.
"Let us simply hope, that he can make it."
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