Banquet

A lavish banquet unfolded in the castle, and everyone had their own thoughts. The guests conversed in low voices, each harboring different intentions, while the undisputed center of attention was Green, who had just been promoted to Knight Apprentice.

The entire banquet hall was extravagantly decorated. Candlelight bathed the hall in brilliant illumination, while the flickering flames made even people's shadows seem to dance through the air.

The food painstakingly prepared by the chefs gave off a fragrant aroma. The champagne tower formed from countless goblets was filled with crimson wine, yet an atmosphere of rivalry seemed to emanate from it.

Aishweil, Leila, and Mia's mothers quietly pulled them aside and whispered instructions, hoping they would get closer to Green during the banquet and leave a good impression on him.

"Green is here!"

Someone shouted in the banquet hall, and everyone rose to their feet, following the sound with their eyes toward the banquet hall doors.

Green entered the hall in a tailcoat, a smile on his face. After nodding to everyone, he said, "Welcome, everyone, to celebrate my successful promotion. I'm very happy to have received your attention, and I must also thank the Baron for supporting this banquet."

After saying that, Green raised a glass of red wine toward everyone.

"Cheers!"

The crowd came back to their senses and picked up the wine at hand. Seeing that the time was right, Green drained his glass in one gulp. Everyone else followed suit and drank their wine.

"The banquet officially begins. Please enjoy the food and music."

At Green's signal, the band began playing cheerful music. The hall returned to its lively atmosphere, and everyone began focusing on the banquet itself.

"Brother Green, can you dance with me?" The moment Green set down his wineglass, Aishweil approached him.

Green turned toward the voice. Aishweil was smiling brightly at him. The young girl wore a sky-blue dress whose hem fell just above her knees. Combined with her ample figure, she proudly displayed her full breasts and snowy thighs when Green looked at her. Together with her youthful voice, the charm Aixiville displayed made it impossible to look away.

Seeing that Green had been drawn in by her, Aishweil cheered inwardly. She immediately decided to take things a step further.

"Brother Green, pleeease?" Aixiville moved directly against Green and hugged his arm to her chest.

"Hiss." Green suddenly felt that facing a battle might be easier than dealing with the situation before him.

Seeing Aishweil's carefully chosen outfit and her intimate behavior, Green did not refuse.

"Of course. Please." Green extended one hand and smiled at Aishweil.

Seeing that Green had agreed, Aishweil was overjoyed. She quickly placed her hand in his, then took his other hand and placed it on her waist.

When the dance ended, Green quickly released Aishweil.

This little vixen. Green had to admit that Aixiville was far too skilled at this. During the dance, she constantly teased him, frequently rubbing her body against his. If he had not already broken through to Knight Apprentice and gained control over his muscles and emotions, Green truly feared he might lose control.

More importantly, Green had no experience dealing with such situations. From the moment they began dancing, Aishweil had completely controlled the rhythm. Fortunately, with the Chip's help, Green seized the initiative in the latter half of the dance, sparing himself from even greater embarrassment.

Green felt that this dance had exhausted him more than dealing with Sike.

Just as Green lowered the hand from Aishweil's waist and was about to take a break, Leila and Mia approached him as well.

From the very moment Aishweil had made her move, Leila and Mia, who had been watching Green, had already regretted acting too slowly.

"She beat us to it. Damn it." Having fallen behind, the two could only watch Aixiville finish a dance with Green.

Looking at the other girls around them, all watching like tigers eyeing their prey, Leila and Mia felt a headache coming on. As Green's potential became apparent, more and more people had begun paying attention to him.

As more and more young girls gathered around Green, he was already thinking of a way to escape the situation.

"Young Master Green, the Baron invites you to meet with him." Basel, the castle steward, appeared beside Green at some point and spoke respectfully.

Green, who had been worrying over how to get away, immediately replied, "Basel, take me to see the Baron!"

Watching Green leave with Basel, the girls wore resentful expressions. Only Aishweil was different. As the only one at the entire banquet who had danced with Green, she was already far ahead of the other girls. She swept her victorious gaze over them and revealed a triumphant smile.

Led by Basel, Green arrived at the castle's highest floor, at the Baron's private room.

Before a heavy door, Basel stopped and said respectfully, "Young Master Green, the Baron is waiting for you inside." With that, he pushed open the door and stood to one side.

Green glanced at Basel, then walked straight into the Baron's room.

Green's first impression of the Baron's room was simplicity. There were not many extravagant decorations. Several rows of bookshelves and a desk stood on either side. Directly opposite the entrance was a huge Klo Family emblem. Other than that, there were only two chairs and a table in the center.

Baron Kluo, the lord of this territory, sat in one of the chairs. Os, the guard captain, stood beside Baron Kluo like a statue. His explosive muscles showed the power contained within his body. Baron Kluo's build was not as exaggerated as Os's, however. Instead, he had a well-proportioned physique similar to Captain America's.

Upon seeing Green enter, Baron Kluo pointed to the other chair, indicating for him to sit.

Green did not stand on ceremony and sat down directly.

Chip, conduct a visual analysis. At Green's command, waterfall-like streams of data began refreshing across his vision. After advancing to Knight Apprentice, Green's body had changed. The Chip's detection capabilities had also improved. Its detection ability was based on Green's own perception, along with certain special built-in detection methods.

Green could now rely on sight to examine people. Unlike Old Green, he no longer needed to collect a vast amount of data before forming a model.

[Kluo · Aien]

[Strength: 2.5~2.7]

[Speed: 2.4~2.8]

[Constitution: 2.4~2.6]

[Os]

[Strength: 3.0~3.2]

[Speed: 1.7~1.9]

[Constitution: 2.6~2.8]

Looking at the approximate data detected by the Chip and comparing it with his own, Green discovered that their attributes were actually similar to his. Sir Klowran, like Green, was inclined toward all-around combat, while Guard Captain Os was a strength-based warrior more suited to direct confrontations.

It seems that thirty minutes of constitutional enhancement has truly reached its limit. Even these veteran Formal Knights can't overwhelm me in terms of attributes. If we met head-on, I might even be able to crush them easily with my superior archery. Green silently assessed the situation.

"Green, are you willing to serve as the castle's instructor? You would be responsible for everything related to the training grounds." The moment Green sat down, Baron Kluo extended an invitation.

Looking at Baron Kluo's smiling face, Green fell into thought.

"Baron..."

Green directly told the Baron about the attack he had encountered and gave his reason.

"My lord Baron, this attack made me realize that the entire environment may not be safe. My strength is still insufficient, and I need to increase it in the shortest possible time. I don't want to face another life-and-death crisis. So for the coming period, I will devote myself fully to training. Serving as the castle instructor would distract me, so please forgive me for being unable to accept this position," Green answered firmly.

"In that case, Green, focus wholeheartedly on training. If you are willing, come find me anytime. I will give you a suitable position." Baron Kluo saw the determination and fear in Green's eyes and did not continue persuading him.

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord Baron. Once I feel my strength is sufficient, I will certainly come ask for a position." Green spoke with gratitude in his eyes.

After chatting intermittently with the Baron about matters concerning the castle, Green took his leave and departed the room.

After Green left, Guard Captain Os no longer stood like a wooden statue. He sat carelessly in the chair Green had occupied moments before.

"Old Green's adopted son is no ordinary person. He didn't show the slightest fear when facing two Formal Knights like us." Os praised Green with an approving expression.

"He truly is remarkable. I completely released the breath of my Life Seed, yet he showed no reaction at all." The Baron was also amazed by Green's performance.

"But was it really because of the attack that he refused the position of castle instructor?"

Baron Kluo did not answer Os directly. Instead, he said, "As long as Old Green is here, Green will not leave the territory. The Saladin Kingdom may very well invade our territory, and Green is also a powerful combatant. Don't concern yourself with such minor matters."

Hearing Sir Klowran's words, Os agreed and did not press the matter further.

On the other side, after leaving the room, Green naturally understood that Baron Kluo was trying to win him over.

However, Green would remain here entirely because of Old Green. He did not yet share such deep ties with anyone else.

As for the so-called Life Seed pressure, Green's essence was extraordinarily powerful, and he had not felt any pressure at all.

If the Chip had not alerted him to a certain energy resonance, Green would not even have noticed Baron Kluo and Os releasing pressure against him.

Being too strong isn't all good. Even such subtle sensations become dull. Green thought smugly.

Green did not return to the banquet hall. Instead, he went straight back to his room. Too much had happened today, and Green felt that he needed a good rest.