879
Time did not slow down for the shock Fors had received. The Abraham Family's banquet continued merrily in the hall.
Although the banquet had been organized to "introduce an important member of the Abraham Family who had returned," and the Abraham Family had invested considerable money and effort into putting up an impressive front in an extremely short time, even abruptly dragging back Apprentices from practically all over the world, the guest of honor had yet to appear, despite the banquet being more than halfway over.
Of course, nobody would mind whether an important figure cared to show up at a banquet. Important people could do whatever they pleased. Allowing the banquet to take place was already a statement; the expense and spectacle were all for others to see.
Fors had initially been eager to learn that important figure's identity, but she had already seen him in person. Now that the banquet was nearly halfway through without him appearing, her nerves had settled, and she began comfortably enjoying the exquisite food.
Just then, however, the music stopped abruptly.
The orchestra stopped playing, and the conversations throughout the hall quickly quieted, disappearing entirely within a few seconds.
Fors looked up in some surprise and saw a familiar figure-her teacher, Dorian, likewise dressed in extremely formal attire and wearing a jeweled brooch-appear in the second-floor corridor.
Teacher is actually making the announcement? Fors was surprised at first, then began to feel happy for him.
This undoubtedly meant that her teacher's standing in the Abraham Family had risen further, and that he might have earned that important figure's appreciation. Although Dorian was already old and might no longer be suited to further advancement, seeing the Abraham Family return to the public stage and her teacher once again brimming with vitality, enthusiastically working