Evelyn was taken aback by the grandeur of the eting place. A restaurant called' "Le Palace Hors d'oeuvre" exuded luxury, far beyond what she'd expected.
Just how wealthy was this 'Leonna' woman?
"So that's why I was asked to wear sothing fancy…."
She muttered, glancing around at the elegantly dressed patrons. Her midnight-colored dress, styled with Vanessa's help, matched the atmosphere, but it still felt overwhelming.
She had heard of the restaurant's na, "Le Palace Hors d'oeuvre," before, but this was the first ti she had ever been anywhere near it.
"Good evening, do you have a reservation?"
"Ah?"
Evelyn was snapped out of a daze as the receptionist's voice reached her ears.
"Y-Yes, I believe so…."
Feeling a bit nervous, Evelyn couldn't help but stamr.
"There should be one under the na…. Leonna?"
"Leonna. Hmm…. Let check."
The receptionist glanced down on the reservation list. His eyes quickly darted, and it didn't take more than ten seconds for him to raise his head, eting Evelyn's gaze.
"I'm afraid there's no reservation under that na. Would you like to be placed on the waiting list?"
Evelyn's heart raced as she fumbled for an explanation.
"A-Actually… I might have the na wrong. Is there anything similar to Leonna?"
The receptionist's professional deanor didn't waver.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose that information."
Just as Evelyn reached for her phone, flustered, a calm voice spoke from behind her.
"Good evening. I believe I made the reservation under the na, 'Lianna.'"
A woman, with platinum–blonde hair exuding elegance, styled to perfection. A white slit dress that exposed the right amount of skin, even highlighting her well–endowed curves.
The woman was stunning, so much so, that Evelyn could see the receptionist starting to blush.
'So her na was Lianna….'
Evelyn thought, feeling bashful. How could she forget such a simple na?
The woman's ruby eyes t Evelyn's, and as if realization washed upon her, the woman's brows raised.
"Are you…. Miss Evelyn Cessna?"
"Yes. Are you the person I'm supposed to be eting?"
"Yes, thank you for accepting the invitation, and apologies for being late."
"Oh, no worries, I've only just gotten here myself….."
Then, interrupting their formal introduction, the receptionist's voice rang out once more. He smiled at them after confirming the reservation.
"Welco, Miss Lianna. Right this way, please."
With a quick nod, Lianna motioned for Evelyn to follow.
"Shall we?"
"Of course."
The two walked through the softly lit corridor, passing by elegant chandeliers and finely dressed patrons engaged in quiet conversation.
A waiter soon approached, bowing slightly.
"This way to your table, ladies."
He led them through the lavish dining area as the soft clinking of silverware and the murmur of voices added to the overall grandeur.
Evelyn couldn't help but feel a bit out of place in such a refined setting, though Lianna appeared perfectly at ease.
The waiter stopped by a window-side table, offering them a perfect view of the cityscape below.
"Here we are. Please make yourselves comfortable. Your server will be with you shortly."
Evelyn sat down, trying to relax as she took in her surroundings. Lianna settled into her seat across from her with an effortless grace, offering a polite smile.
"Thank you for joining , Miss Evelyn. Or should I say, Field Marshal Cessna. I hope you find the evening enjoyable."
Evelyn nodded, though she was still slightly nervous.
"It's my pleasure. This place is….. stunning."
Lianna's smile deepened, the hint of amusent dancing in her eyes.
"Yes, it certainly has its charm."
Evelyn started to wonder what soone as classy as Lianna wanted from her.
"So, uhm…. I heard you had so connections with Reinhard?"
Instead of asking for the eting's purpose, she was more curious about Lianna's relationship with Reinhard. After all, it wasn't so often a seventeen year–old boy would have so kind of connection in the business world.
And clearly, Lianna was the kind of woman who had those connections.
The only exceptions she could rember at the top of her head were Rachel and Amy.
"Yes, that boy. I t him quite a while back. He was the reason I invested in Imperial Academy."
"Oh, I heard you were one of the Imperial Army's sponsors. But I had no idea you had also funded Imperial Academy. Thank you."
Evelyn lowered her head in appreciation.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. Just doing my duty as a Holy Britannian. I've actually joined the Imperial Army myself, but under the operations team."
"Really? I've heard of the newly formulated operations team. To think you were also a part of them, I had no idea."
The operations team was responsible for logistical and strategic support during military campaigns or missions.
"I'm not too strong myself. But I'd like to serve my nation in any way I can."
Lianna glanced down, looking rather cumberso. It was true, just by peering into Lianna's mana signature, Evelyn could tell she was only average.
Most probably, she would be ranked around B.
It was a sha. But it couldn't be helped. Every person was born with a natural limit, though it remains undiscovered until they actually reach that limit.
Just as Evelyn was about to speak, the server arrived and handed out the nu.
Evelyn thoroughly scanned the nu. Imdiately, after seeing the prices, she frowned.
[Rib eye steak: 5 Gold Coins.]
[Ossetra Gold Caviar: 12 Gold Coins.]
"...."
What in the world.
She knew Lianna was paying for everything, but to think the restaurant was this costly. Evelyn would be ashad to order sothing so expensi—
"Order anything you like."
Right as Evelyn was about to choose sothing below the bar, Lianna's voice cut in, preventing her from making a mistake.
"I was the one who took up your ti. Please, I insist."
"...."
Evelyn glanced up, her hesitation still visible as she scanned the nu again. She felt uneasy ordering such expensive dishes, but Lianna's gentle insistence was hard to ignore.
"Are you sure? This place is… extravagant."
Lianna smiled warmly.
"Please, consider it my treat. After all, you've earned a bit of luxury after all your hard work. Besides,"
She winked.
"I'm happy to spoil my guests a little."
"...."
Slightly taken aback by Lianna's flirtatious deanor, Evelyn nodded and glanced down at the nu once more, finally deciding on a dish that didn't make her feel too guilty.
"An excellent choice."
With that, the server took the nu's back and left, leaving the two to their own devices.
Finally, it was ti to ask the question.
"Miss Lianna."
Evelyn started.
"What is this eting for?"
This was the two's first official eting. Evelyn was aware how Lianna might've co to know about her. But still, if she had a specific request that needed Evelyn's power, she would have to reject it.
Evelyn was still hesitant in using too much of her power. While the pain had subsided, and the disruptions in her core seed to have vanished, she didn't want to take any chance.
For now, she wanted to take it easy.
"I had a brother….."
"...."
.
.
After Lianna explained her story, Evelyn only had one thought.
'Who the hell is her brother?'
It seed as if Lianna had gotten the wrong person. Because of that, Evelyn felt deeply awkward. Lianna was treating her out to such an expensive al without realizing she had gotten the wrong person.
Evelyn didn't know how to tell her.
But seriously,
'Who the hell is Lance?'
Evelyn didn't know anyone nad Lance. But there was soone in the back of her mind with a similar na.
But it wasn't exactly the sa. Additionally, the stories didn't exactly match up. For that reason, Evelyn quickly dismissed the connection.
'I have to tell her the truth…..'
But of course, Evelyn had to savor the al.
She was guilty. But a treat is a treat. This would be the first and last ti Evelyn would ever enjoy such an expensive al.
Discover hidden tales at m,v l'e-
"Enjoy."
The al was absurdly enticing, and for a second, Evelyn felt like she was starting to salivate.
But that shouldn't be the case.
She was a woman of esteed decorum.
….At least, that's what she thinks.
***
It was the next day.
"Please step into the portal as soon as your na is called."
A voice rang out from the loudspeaker. The exam officials stood at the ready, marking down nas as each cadet's na was read off.
The academy courtyard was buzzing with tension. Cadets stood in clusters, so silently psyching themselves up, others muttering strategies under their breath.
The portal in the center flickered ominously, exuding a swirling purple glow.
Brandon, Raven, Alia, and Belle stood nearby, equally focused.
"You nervous?"
Brandon whispered, glancing at Alia.
With a smile, Alia responded.
"A little. But it's nothing we can't handle."
The practical exam was in session. The hardest exam they would ever have to face. Even more so than the training camp.
They quickly debriefed, but for so reason, the information given was scarce.
As if they had to trudge the exams with only as much information that was given.
"Rachel Asami!"
"Amy Ashfield!"
The nas were called one by one. Each cadet disappeared into the portal, and the courtyard grew quieter with every na announced.
Finally, it was Brandon's turn.
"Brandon Locke!"
The proctor announced.
"Good luck."
Alia wished him luck.
"Thanks, see you on the other side."
Taking a deep breath, Brandon nodded to his friends and stepped forward. He stepped into the portal, the world around him dissolving into a swirl of light.
When he erged on the other side, he was standing in the center of a vast, barren landscape.
A battlefield.
The entire vicinity was empty. This told Brandon that the portal's coordinates changed for each cadet.
Furthermore, it had to be said.
The only information he knew.....
"...."
….Was that they were supposed to ascend a tower.
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