The entrance ceremony buffet had e to an end, and behold, the esteemed Sator couple making their regal departure towards their awaiting carriage.

  The madam, looking as if she had just pleted a marathon, was being carried, a picture of exhaustion and pallor, while the lord, with a demeanor as warm as a frozen tundra, exuded an aura of unapproachability.

  Trailing behind them like a dutiful shadow, their son sauntered back to the carriage with an air of elegant worry.

  Rumor had it, courtesy of the household grapevihat due to their luxurious abode in Lord Wilderwood's prestigious capital mansion, their offspring would not have the pleasure of partaking in the charms of dormitory life at the academy.

  Oh, the burdens of privilege and opulence!

  Sator Household were just about to hop on their carriage to home when a wild Padparadscha appeared—apanied by a whole ente, no less. His parents.

  “Evan! Wait!”

  “Monsieur Sator, Madam and Sir.”

  Princess Bianca Lumine, clearly the spokesperson of the group, swooped in with a cssie: "We heard you'd invited our precious son for lunch. Hope we're not too much of a bother."

  Man mustered up her energy to py the gracious hostess from her fainting cou the carriage. "Oh, no bother at all, Yraces. It's our humble honor."

  Then, the Mossflower duo, Marquis and Mini-Marquis, chimed in. "Oh, we've heard about your meetings through Wilderwood estate. We'll be sending our messenger over with a request. Look out for it, won't you, good sir?"

  Burn raised his fad it was enough to send shivers down spines like a pro. He graciously accepted the request. “Please do send the requests. I will surely find time suitable for our coffee aogether.”

  Duke Padparadscha, usually a man of unshakeable power, suddenly found himself stammering a thank you, realizing he was in the presence of… what was the word?

  Matthew whispered to Evan, "Your dad is scarier than the king—like, no joke."

  Yvain couldn't help but stifle a ugh, while An attempted to shush them discreetly.

  "Oh, but really now, where might Her Royal Highness Princess Bir have vao?" inquired Yvain.

  The two boys gazed wearily at him. "You... you're fixated on her, aren't you?"

  "Well, I do hope she graces my Mama with her Vision," Yvain quipped, leaving the boys feeling a tad sorry for the Princess. This d was only ied in her magic...

  "Alemen," Yvain grinned mischievously, "Papa mentioned he's quite intrigued by your Force. Perhaps a demonstration post-lunch would be in order?"

  Matthew and An shrank in trepidation. Demonstrate their powers to Evan's daunting father... Oh, the joys of social obligations.

  An grimaced, "Not only terrifying, but also utterly embarrassing..."

  As the adults ed up their pleasantries and bid farewell, Yvain gave a casual wave to his newfound panions before the Sator Household carriage whisked them away.

  the carriage speeding down the road, Duke Padparadscha turo Marquis Mossflower with a sly grin.

  "I heard Princess Bir will grace our children’s little pydate lunch with her presence as well. Surprising that you've allowed your precious son to mih the opposing team," Duke Padparadscha remarked.

  Marquis Mossflower nontly shrugged. "It's beneficial for my son to rub elbows with ral fas like yours... and the Sator household, Yrace."

  Duke Padparadscha let out a hearty ugh. "Well, isn't this just a thrilling turn of events!"

  The Marquis fshed a knowing smile. "We 't dictate our children's choices, we? Here's hoping this iion prompts the royal family to sider granting their Princes and Princesses some freedom as well."

  "Absolutely," agreed Duke Padparadscha with a wink. "Isn't that right, dear?"

  Princess Bianca grinned, seemingly oblivious to the Duke and the Marquis. "Monsieur Sator is just soooo dreamy~!"

  Her husband froze, and the Marquis shot her a suspicious gnce.

  "Honey, why 't you be like Monsieur Sator? He's so soft ale with his wife, not bothered by what others think," Princess Bianca said, ing her arms around the Duke’s.

  Duke Padparadscha let out a long-suffering sigh. "He pull it off because he has that... certain aura. If I tried that with you, we'd be the talk of the town for the six months. The gossip will be… disgusting."

  “Aww~! You just ck fidence~!”

  ***

  "I'm going to stay after all, Masters," Yvain suddenly decred in the carriage bae.

  "Staying? What's that supposed to mean?" Man quipped. "You're skipping out on the great assembly in the elven kingdom?"

  Yvain shook his head. "Remember that ool I told you about, the Vision Resonator? Something’s wrong, and I’ll iigate it after all."

  Burn and Man exged a look, raising an eyebrow in unison.

  "I sehere's something fishy going on with it. School's starting in two days, so I might as well dive into it. I’m afraid something bad will happen if I don’t do a thh che it before the year starts," Yvain expined.

  Burn shot a pointed look at Man, silently questioning the wisdom of letting Yvain loose on a potentially dangerous mission. But then she shrugged and gave a dramatic sigh, "Well, the heart wants what it wants. Iigate away, just try not to get yourself killed, alright?"

  Yvain nodded.

  “Thank you, Master,” he said early. He just wao be useful.

  Aware of Man’s iable worry, Yvain turo Burn with a grin. “Master Burn, I was thinking, having some backup from your work of spies in Inkia could be rather handy, wouldn’t you say?”

  Burn was immediately amused. “Very well, I nning on introdug you to them anyway. Wilderwood’s been dipping into that pool too.”

  Yvain beamed with newfound fidehank you, Master,” he said, feeling a newfound sense of assurance.

  At least now he knew how to ask for help.

  "How long until you're back?" Yvain inquired, fully aware that the mythical grand assembly aimed to clear Burn's name from the accusation, anticipating a lengthy expedition ahead.

  "In two days," Man promptly replied.

  Burn interjected, "Weren’t we also pnning on a trip to the moon? As I recall, you mentiohe agical shortcuts making it a rather lengthy journey, did you not?"

  "Yep," Man firmed with a nod. "But fear not, for tomorrow we meet Isaiah. Why not hitch a ride back to the moon with him?"

  Burn and Yvain exged incredulous gnces.

  "Hitch... a ride?" they echoed in disbelief.

  Man's smile widened. "Uh-huh. Let's take a joyride on his back."

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  Okay, I'm off to writing the joyride right now.

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