Night fell.
A banquet.
Ian had no idea who had organized it.
"But this is quite the high-class affair."
Ian looked at the guards on either side, the increasingly lavish decor, and the wizards coming and going, all of whom were at least late First Ring.
"Of course it is. Even our teacher was invited."
Beside him, Cerys wore a formal gown and shot him a glance.
Ian had also put on a black formal suit that day, giving him a distinctly aristocratic air.
Flynn and the others beside him wore formal attire as well, while Henry and Angelica, who followed along, seemed somewhat ill at ease.
Especially when Ian looked their way, both grew so nervous that even their breathing faltered for a moment.
"Don't be nervous. It's just an ordinary banquet," Ian reassured them.
"Yes, Senior."
Both answered immediately in unison.
Who could have imagined it?
Not only had this senior successfully entered the ranks of the Reserve Elemental Children, but he had even defeated Cerys.
Although no one had said it outright,
judging by where everyone stood now, Ian had even faintly risen to the same level as Cerys.
Still, his reassurance did help the two relax a little.
Turning back,
Ian looked at Kieran ahead of him, dressed in a gray Witch Robe as though it had remained unchanged through the ages.
Yet even his expression seemed a little lighter now.
Clearly, securing a place among the Elemental Children meant a great deal to him as well.
They soon entered the Banquet Hall.
Ian found that, just as he had expected, this was an exceptionally high-class gathering.
With just a few glances,
Ian spotted several deputy department heads, along with several Peak Second Ring figures who were rarely seen on ordinary days.
And following Kieran,
Ian