"Jie Ning, make sure you perform well later." At the dinner table, Maki earnestly reminded Jie Ning, "I've already told Count Lewis that you would be attending this dinner, and the Count said he would bring his daughter as well."
Jie Ning looked helplessly at Uncle Maki, who had suddenly become like an overbearing old mother. "Don't worry, Uncle."
Because of Jie Ning's arrival, Maki had specifically changed the venue for the banquet at the last minute, moving it from Green Court Restaurant to Kai Yan Restaurant and spending a hefty sum to reserve a high-class private room.
Kai Yan Restaurant could be considered one of the finest restaurants in all of Kading City.
Reserving a high-class private room at Kai Yan Restaurant was quite a painful expense even for Maki.
The wait was not long. Soon, Count Lewis and his family appeared at the entrance to the private room behind an attendant. Maki quickly went forward with Jie Ning to greet them.
"Welcome, my dear Count Lewis. Hurry in..." Maki stepped forward and gave the Count a vigorous hug.
"Oh, cut it out, Maki. I've never seen you this enthusiastic before." Clearly, Count Lewis was not impressed by Maki's act, though he did not refuse the hug.
"This must be Baron Chris's child, then." The Count turned his gaze toward Jie Ning.
"Good evening, Count. Jie Ning Dalut greets you." Jie Ning bowed to Count Lewis.
"Haha, no need for such formalities. Maki has been praising you to the skies in my ear these past few days. I've been terribly curious about you." Lewis examined Jie Ning and felt slightly more satisfied when he saw his spirited appearance.
"Lady Carita, Quinta, Arannis..." On the other side, Maki also greeted the Countess and the Count's two children.
"Thank you for the invitation, Maki." Lady Carita spoke politely before looking at Count Lewis. "I don't think it's very polite for everyone to be blocking the doorway, and if I heard correctly, Maki has already invited you inside."
Seeing his wife's gentle smile, Lewis quickly caught on. He directly placed an arm around Jie Ning's shoulders and ushered him into the private room. "Hahaha, come, come, let's talk inside."
Jie Ning could not easily break free, so he simply followed him in.
Everyone took their seats, while Maki and Lewis exchanged a few more pleasantries.
Then Count Lewis turned the topic back to Jie Ning and asked curiously, "Jie Ning, I heard from Maki that you're already a Level 8 Warrior."
As soon as he said that, everyone present focused their attention on Jie Ning, each with their own thoughts.
Lewis and Carita regarded him with slight scrutiny, Maki with pride and anticipation, Quinta with some reluctance, while Arannis was mostly curious...
Feeling everyone's gazes, Jie Ning understood.
The Earl and Countess's scrutinizing looks were understandable, but Uncle Maki, where was that pride coming from? Did he enjoy showing off through others? Then why didn't he do it himself?
And that Quinta was probably Count Lewis's eldest son. Was his dissatisfaction because Jie Ning was someone else's child?
And this Arannis was presumably the person he had been set up to marry.
Her brilliant golden hair seemed to flow like molten gold beneath the soft lighting, while her emerald-green eyes resembled precious jade, brimming with vitality and a unique charm.
Jie Ning smiled calmly, his expression carrying a hint of modesty. "When I met Uncle Maki before, I was indeed a Level 8 Warrior..."
"Before?" Lewis's eyes seemed to light up as he thought of something, though he found it difficult to believe. "Could it be that you've already broken through?"
"What?" Maki had not reacted at first, but upon hearing Lewis's words, he immediately stared into Jie Ning's eyes.
"I gained a little from my recent training and was fortunate enough to break through to Level 9 Warrior." Jie Ning had not intended to hide it and answered naturally.
"Hiss..." Hearing his own guess confirmed, Lewis could not help drawing in a sharp breath.
"Oh, heavens, an eighteen-year-old Level 9 Warrior..." Lady Carita could not maintain her composure for even a moment and cried out in shock.
Quinta began to doubt his own ears.
Arannis's small mouth fell slightly open as she stared at Jie Ning as though she were looking at some kind of monster.
"Hahaha, as expected of my nephew..." Seeing the Count's family's reactions, Maki immediately burst out laughing, feeling an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. "I think Bana Continent can add another proverb in the future—nephews take after their uncles, just as Jie Ning takes after Maki."
"Give it a rest, Maki." Given their relationship, Lewis had no intention of sparing Maki's feelings. "You've been a Level 8 Warrior for over a decade already. If this child really learned from you, that would be the end of him."
"Lewis, what are you so smug about? You're a Level 8 Warrior too, and back then you were even beaten by a Level 7 Warrior... Mm!" Maki immediately became unhappy and tried to argue back.
The next moment, before everyone's astonished eyes, Lewis hooked an arm around Maki's neck and covered his mouth. Maki began to struggle...
After a bout of commotion, Lewis and Maki straightened their appearances as though nothing had happened—if one ignored their flushed faces.
With the atmosphere so lively, the banquet began amid cheerful bustle.
"Ahem." Lewis lightly coughed twice and said to Jie Ning, "You truly deserve to be called a genius."
"Don't you agree, Lannie?" As he spoke, Lewis tossed the next question to his daughter.
"Ah..." Arannis was caught off guard. She had not expected her father to suddenly turn the conversation toward her, but as a mage, she was quick-witted and hurriedly replied, "Yes, Lord Jie Ning is indeed a rare genius..."
As she spoke, she looked at Jie Ning's handsome face. For some reason, her cheeks grew a little redder.
Lewis exchanged a smile with his wife, then turned back to Jie Ning and asked, "This is your first time in Kading City, isn't it?"
"Yes, I arrived here for the first time today. Kading City truly is a magnificent city." Jie Ning nodded.
"Since that's the case, and everyone is nearly done eating, let Quinta and Arannis show you around Kading City at night. Kading City's night market is somewhat famous even throughout the Korur Empire." Lewis made the suggestion enthusiastically.
Maki also chimed in, "Yes, go on, go on. If you don't visit Kading City's night market, it doesn't count as having visited Kading City."
Walking through the streets of Kading City, Jie Ning and Arannis strolled side by side, while Quinta followed behind them with his head lowered, occasionally glancing at Jie Ning.
"Miss Arannis..." Jie Ning addressed her.
"Lannie."
"Hm?" Jie Ning was somewhat puzzled.
"You can call me Lannie." Her green eyes fixed on Jie Ning.
Quinta looked at Arannis in disbelief.
Jie Ning immediately went along with it. "Hello, Lannie."
"Hehe, hello, Jie Ning." For some reason, Arannis suddenly became happy.
"Then I'll have to trouble Lannie to show me around Kading City properly."
"Hehe, then you'll have to keep up with me." Arannis took a step forward, turned around to face Jie Ning, and narrowed her eyes as she smiled.
"I won't lose you."
The two chatted back and forth as they gradually merged into the crowd.
Only Quinta remained where he was, filled with questions. Then what am I supposed to do?
Brothers and sisters with votes, please send some my way.
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