Lady Lesthara's Gift

A bright spring morning, birds resembling magpies landed on the training ground's wall, chirping.

Hah!

Jia Ruo was sparring with a Marshal, who also held a wooden sword, on the training ground.

The wooden swords in their hands, with their back-and-forth swings, stirred the air, sending it scattering.

A week had passed since the last mission.

Jia Ruo had also met most of the Marshals stationed in Placidium.

After observing for many times, Jia Ruo had joined the sparring on the training ground.

From Jia Ruo's observation, most of the Marshals in the Hall of Tranquility were like old brother Lyle, just exceptionally skilled mortals.

And the true masters who could use magic numbered only forty to fifty.

Although Jia Ruo was considered one of them, his strength was at the bottom among these forty to fifty people.

After all, those with the talent to use magical power cherished that talent.

Since their magical abilities were discovered, none had slacked off in their practice.

And Jia Ruo, at most, had only practiced from early autumn last year to spring this year.

As fellow travelers on the path to the extraordinary, these Marshals, who had years of experience, had walked much longer than him.

The one he was sparring with now was one of them.

Laleno was a member of the Guard Group responsible for the daily security of Placidium's west district.

Laleno's experience was quite legendary.

In his youth, he had sailed across the ocean alone, reaching the westernmost side of the Shurima continent, at the foot of the mountain called Mount Targon.

Unfortunately, when he reached halfway up the mountain, he sensed his limits and retreated, abandoning the challenge.

But his gains were far from over.

Even though Laleno had no sect or school, and had not yet come into contact with magic at that time.

The blizzards and storms on Mount Targon had actually allowed him to discover a way to use ice and snow magic.

Seeing a part, one could infer the whole.

These forty to fifty Marshals in the Hall of Tranquility who possessed magical abilities, regardless of their teachers or origins, were all worthy of the name genius.

And at this moment, opposite Laleno.

Jia Ruo's bare chest glistened, sweat dripping along the lines of his muscles onto the ground.

"Phew, Brother Laleno, let's call it a day. I have other things to attend to this afternoon."

He took a breath and put away his Wooden Sword.

"What is it? A new mission?"

Laleno returned his Wooden Sword to the rack and picked up a dry towel draped nearby, tossing one to Jia Ruo.

Jia Ruo caught it, wiping the sweat from his face.

"My last mission, didn't I rescue a noble lady from Demacia named Lady Lesthara? Yesterday, her butler sent an invitation, asking me, Neeko, and Brother Lyle to visit her home."

"Lady Lesthara, I've heard of her. They say she's a kind person passionate about charity."

Laleno, now dressed, winked. "You've met her daughter, haven't you? Although she's mute, she has a musical talent like an instrument. At such a young age, she's already recognized by the Demacian Opera House. And they say she's very beautiful."

"Ew, Brother Laleno, you're over thirty, single, and you're lusting after a young girl."

Neeko had arrived.

She tugged at the corner of her eye with her index finger, making a face at Laleno.

"Sigh, I was a handsome young man in my day. Doesn't everyone have a past?"

Laleno shrugged.

"Let's go, Jia Ruo. The butler is already here to pick us up."

Neeko grabbed Jia Ruo's arm and pulled him towards the entrance of the Hall of Tranquility.

It was the same carriage, bearing the Demacian emblem.

"Brother Lyle, you're already here."

As soon as he got in, Jia Ruo saw Lyle already seated inside, chatting with the old butler.

"You've arrived. Then let's depart."

The old butler looked at them with a smile.

The carriage rumbled along the cobblestone streets and stopped in the central plaza of Placidium.

"Mr. Butler, why have we stopped here?"

"That's right, this is the place. Please alight. This is the first gift Lady Lesthara has prepared for the three of you."

Oh? A gift?

(He) Jia Ruo got out of the carriage, filled with curiosity.

This was Placidium's most prosperous commercial district. Where the carriage had stopped was a renowned tailor shop in Placidium.

"My three guests, although Lady Lesthara is hosting a banquet for you today, she has also invited many distinguished guests. To avoid any impropriety, Lady Lesthara's first gift to you is the formal attire for tonight's banquet."

So particular. Jia Ruo stroked his chin.

But I don't know the rules of Demacian nobility, so I'll just do as the butler says.

As soon as they entered the tailor shop, a waiter greeted them.

"Welcome, sirs. How may I assist you?"

"Hello, I am Lady Lesthara's butler. We have an appointment."

Waiter: "Very well, please follow me."

The group walked into the inner room, where several tailors were waiting.

"Esteemed guest, what kind of formal wear do you require? You may choose from Valoran-style evening gowns, tailcoats, or our Ionian-style silk robes."

The tailors introduced the options to the three of them.

Jia Ruo was a bit bewildered and cast a questioning glance at the old butler.

"Please feel free to choose. All these styles of formal wear are appropriate for this banquet. Furthermore, all expenses have already been covered by our Lady Lesthara."

The old butler explained.

"Then I'll take a tailcoat."

Jia Ruo casually picked one—he had seen the old butler in a sharp tailcoat before, and it had looked quite dashing.

"Jia Ruo, you should go wash up first. Neeko can already smell your sweat."

Neeko wrinkled her little nose.

Jia Ruo then remembered he had just come from the Training Ground covered in sweat, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"It's quite alright. This way, please, esteemed guest."

Jia Ruo was led into a fitting room by a tailor.

Although it was a fitting room, its decor was luxurious and it was fully equipped.

Jia Ruo first washed up. Then, the tailor stepped forward to take Jia Ruo's measurements.

Based on the tailor's recommendation, Jia Ruo chose a combination of a white linen shirt and a black tailcoat.

Jia Ruo watched as the tailor tied a black bow tie around his neck and brought him in front of a mirror.

He sized himself up: Hmm, what a tall and handsome young man.

He happily emerged from the fitting room, only to see Neeko, already in a goose-yellow long dress, and Lyle, also wearing a tuxedo.

"We really like this gift from Lady Lesthara."

Jia Ruo said to the old butler.

"Thank you for your compliment. Lady Lesthara will surely be very happy to hear it."

The old butler bowed and replied to Jia Ruo.

"If the three of you have no other requests, we can head to the lady's banquet now."