At the Banquet

The East and South Districts of Linshui City were both commoner districts. Aside from the few streets near the administrative and noble districts, as well as the bustling commerce along several main roads, the rest could be considered Slums—especially the area near the docks along the north bank of the Dorosun River in the South District.

By the time Sean, Jim, and Ben left the blacksmith's shop where they had commissioned their training equipment, it was already close to noon.

As they curiously took in the sights and customs along the streets, the three enthusiastically debated where to have lunch. Before long, Ben suggested dining at a fresh fish restaurant in the South District.

The nobles of this world rarely ate fish. Freshwater fish were generally small and full of bones. More importantly, the seasonings of this world could not truly remove the fishy odor from the meat. Of course, there were exceptions. A special kind of fish lived in the Dorosun River. Though still small, its flesh was delicate and had few bones. After simple preparation, it tasted exceptionally fresh and delicious.

However, there were very few of these fish. Once caught, they were immediately bought at high prices by noble butlers. Only a small number made their way into some of Linshui City's high-end restaurants, where they were served to other guests of relatively high status and ample means. The restaurant Sean and the others had chosen served this fresh fish dish.

The Noble Academy rarely served fish dishes, fearing that young students might have accidents while eating them. Sean had loved fish in his previous life, but since coming to this world, he had not tasted it even once. At the thought of trying this world's unique and delicious fresh fish, his mouth watered with anticipation.

The restaurant had been built along the river, and its surroundings were clean and tidy. Beautiful waitresses greeted the guests warmly with sweet smiles. Sean and the others took seats by the window on the second floor.

A beautiful waitress immediately approached and politely asked, "Honored guests, what would you like to order?" As she spoke, she handed the menu to the three of them.

Sean and the others had already made up their minds and each ordered several specialties, including the main reason for their visit. Before long, dishes that looked delicious were delivered to their table.

Sean eagerly tasted the fish soup. The delicious flavor seemed to explode in his mouth, assaulting his taste buds. A satisfied and delighted expression appeared on his face.

Lunch ended amid this pleasant atmosphere. Afterward, Sean and the others wandered around Linshui City for a while before deciding to return to the academy together. The three of them had yet to complete that day's knight training.

An hour later, Sean and the others returned to the academy. After a brief rest, they immediately threw themselves into knight training.

After training, Sean's attributes became: Strength: 1.243 Constitution: 1.257 Agility: 1.355

Another half month passed without notice. Since the day he had toured Linshui City with his two friends, Sean had not left the academy even once. Every day, he was either attending classes or training with Jim and Ben.

As for the specially commissioned training equipment, Boss Kane personally delivered it to the academy. After Sean and the other two checked it in person and found no problems, they paid the remaining balance in full. Then, amid Boss Kane's fawning flattery, they casually brushed him off.

After that, Sean and the others used the custom-made auxiliary training equipment during their daily exercises. Sometimes, Sean deliberately let other students catch sight of them training with the new equipment.

It was Sunday, May 1. Sean had originally planned to visit the restaurant from last time and enjoy its delicious fresh fish. However, plans could not keep up with changes. Two days earlier, Jim had informed Sean that they needed to attend a noble banquet that day.

The banquet was being hosted by Sean's uncle, who was also Jim's father, Baron Lex Horton. It was to be held at Baron Lex Horton's noble Villa in Linshui City's North District.

Sean and Jim could only helplessly complete their knight training that morning. After lunch, they planned to rest for two hours to recover their energy before immediately riding to the Baron Horton family's noble Villa.

As the nephew and son of Baron Lex Horton, the host of the noble banquet, Sean and Jim had to personally stand behind Baron Lex Horton at the start of the banquet to welcome the noble guests arriving for the feast.

After that day's training, Sean's new attributes were: Strength: 1.303 Constitution: 1.317 Agility: 1.430

Before leaving the academy, Sean sensed his attributes once again. Seeing the clear improvement after half a month of knight training, he smiled happily.

After meeting up with Jim, Sean and Jim bid farewell to their friend Ben. Then, they mounted their respective horses and headed toward the Horton Family Villa in the North District.

At around three in the afternoon, Sean and Jim arrived at their destination on horseback. The banquet would not begin for another two hours, but several Noble Servants were already making preparations outside the Villa.

These servants wore matching noble uniforms: white shirts, dark blue coats, and fitted gray trousers. Among them was an elderly servant foreman. When he saw Sean and Jim arrive on horseback, he immediately led the others in bowing and greeting them. "Young Master Sean, Young Master Jim, welcome home. The master and madam have been waiting for quite some time."

Sean and Jim dismounted. After handing their horses' reins to the servants responsible for them, they nodded and smiled at the lead servant. "Steward Eld, good afternoon. Sorry to have kept you waiting here."

There was nearly thirty meters between the Villa gates and the main building. A straight path divided the front garden in two, then curved around the main building and led directly to an open area specifically for parking noble carriages. The garden was mostly covered in lawn, with many ornamental trees and flowers planted throughout. A few stone statues of people dotted the garden as decoration.

The noble carriages would drive directly to the entrance of the main building. After the nobles attending the banquet got out, the carriages would proceed to the parking area and wait there.

After Steward Eld, who had led them inside, departed, Sean and Jim entered the main building side by side. In the main hall, Emma, the head maid, was directing more than a dozen busy male and female servants as they decorated the hall. Upon seeing Sean and Jim, they all stopped working and bowed in greeting.

At that moment, a mature noblewoman slowly descended the main staircase from the second floor. She wore a magnificent crimson gown fit for a noble lady. Her golden-red hair was arranged in the typical style of a mature noblewoman, and a luxurious jeweled necklace rested against the fair skin exposed at her chest. She exuded the charm of a noble and mature beauty.

When she saw Sean and Jim enter, a gentle smile immediately appeared on her face. From afar, she called with a laugh, "Oh... my dear Sean, come to Aunt Angelina." Then her gentle gaze drifted to Jim beside Sean, and she continued smiling. "And my little Jim, come to Mother..."

Sean and Jim exchanged glances and helplessly shook their heads at each other. Bracing themselves, they stepped forward to greet her. Sean had only just said, "Aunt Angelina," when the exceptionally enthusiastic Baroness Angelina interrupted him. She grabbed Sean's arm with one hand and reached for Jim with the other, crying in a shrill voice, "My poor little Sean, and little Jim. Look at you two! How did you become so dark and thin? Heavens! Your academy must not be taking proper care of you. I'm going to settle accounts with that old rascal Old Mor." The Old Mor Baroness Angelina mentioned was the headmaster of the Noble Academy.

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Sean and Jim's foreheads. The two had no choice but to rack their brains to comfort Baroness Angelina and try to dissuade her from her plan to settle scores with their headmaster. Sean smiled and said, "Dear Aunt Angelina, please rest assured. Jim and I are both doing very well at the academy."

After a pause, he quickly continued with a smile, "Recently, Jim and I have been training hard together, which is why our skin has become a little darker. Aunt Angelina, my cousin and I have grown up. You know... we have to work hard..."

Jim also chimed in from the side, seizing every chance to add, "That's right, my dearest mother. My cousin and I are men now. We train together at the academy, looking after and helping each other. Please don't worry."

After hearing her son's words, Baroness Angelina lightly tapped Jim on the arm and said teasingly, "Men, are you..." Then she let out several cheerful little laughs.

After quite a while, Baroness Angelina finally stopped laughing. Looking at Sean and Jim, she said somewhat helplessly, "What you say does make sense... If you can look after each other, I can worry a little less."

Afterward, Baroness Angelina pulled Sean and Jim onto the sofa and asked about the specifics of their lives at the academy. Sean and Jim could only keep choosing pleasant things to say. The three chatted for over half an hour before Baroness Angelina reluctantly let the subject drop.

"Look at me. Seeing my two little men return, I nearly delayed important business." Baroness Angelina could not help laughing cheerfully again. Then she turned and instructed the head maid, "Emma, take the two young masters to change their clothes."

"Dear Aunt Angelina, I was very happy to chat with you. Then, I'll see you later," Sean said as he bade Baroness Angelina farewell. Jim also stepped forward to take his leave. After each of them exchanged a Cheek Kiss Greeting with Baroness Angelina, they followed the maid upstairs.

Following Steward Emma to the second floor, Sean and Jim soon changed into noble formalwear for the banquet with the maids' assistance. Once they were ready, however, they first dismissed the serving maids, intending to rest briefly before leaving their rooms and heading downstairs.

There was less than an hour until the banquet began, and all preparations had already been completed. Baron Lex Horton was sitting on a sofa in the Lounge Area of the main hall, with Old Steward Vincent of the Baron Horton family standing behind him. Across from Baron Lex Horton sat Jim's eighteen-year-old older brother, Lust Horton. The two were chatting with smiles about some amusing matters.

After Sean and Jim came downstairs and saw the three people in the Lounge Area, they immediately stepped forward to greet them. Baron Lex Horton rose with a smile as Sean and Jim approached. Lust Horton also noticed the two of them and stood with his father to welcome them.

Sean embraced Baron Lex Horton and his cousin Lust Horton in greeting. Then he called out, "Vincent the Butler," to the butler standing behind Baron Lex Horton as a greeting.

Jim stood before Baron Lex Horton and called, "Father." Baron Lex Horton merely patted Jim's shoulder with his right hand in encouragement. After Jim greeted his brother Lust Horton and Vincent the Butler in turn, he sat down with Sean across from his father and brother.

The five gathered in the Lounge Area. Aside from Vincent the Butler, who remained standing behind Baron Lex Horton, the other four sat around the sofas and began chatting. Baron Lex Horton was mainly asking Sean and Jim about their lives at the academy.