Ricavill, the manager of Chile City's Card Adept Service Center, was flushed all over his face. He panted heavily, his tie tugged loose around his neck, as though only this could keep it from interfering with his ragged breathing.
He was, after all, a figure of some standing in the Skal Region. But that was as far as it went. Under ordinary circumstances, he might receive an invitation when someone held an important gathering. Yet he was nowhere near influential enough to bring together so many people with real power.
Many of the important figures here, such as Qiao Fei, head of the Qiao Family, and Mr. Stender, were leaders he normally had no opportunity to meet. Today, however, all these rarely seen dignitaries had gathered at his little Card Adept Service Center. It was an enormous boost to his prestige.
Yet these important figures were not today's main attractions.
There were two main attractions today: the Snowflake Card Adept Corps, renowned throughout the Federation, and the Snow Silk Worm Card Adept Corps, previously unknown but now suddenly rising to prominence. They were the true stars of the evening.
All the uninvolved Card Adepts had already been asked to leave, and the Snow Silk Worm Card Adept Corps had been forced to suspend its recruitment temporarily.
Looking at the important figures around him, Ricavill could not find a trace of impatience on any of their faces. Even Mr. Stender, the oldest and most senior among them, remained as composed as ever. They were waiting for the evening's true stars to appear. Ricavill tactfully stood in an out-of-the-way corner, rather than thrusting himself forward simply because he was the host. His service, however, was impeccable. Every sofa here had been brought in at his request on short notice.
The conference room