As for Norn's gift, I had Ariel ask a servant to help me select a set of formal attire.
After all, with Aisha, there's the master-disciple relationship, so it's easier to justify. With Norn, I don't have much of a relationship with her. If the gift is too expensive, Rudeus might think I'm stealing his thunder.
After presenting the gifts, surprisingly, both were very satisfied. I had some expectation for Aisha's reaction upon receiving the staff I gave her, given how much money was spent.
But Norn also really liked the formal attire I gave her. There's a price difference of several hundred times between the two gifts. I don't know what they were thinking.
AI Model: gemini-3.0-flash
By the time we arrived, Ariel's group, Zanoba, and Cliff had already arrived.
I wonder if Rudeus invited Elinalise; it might be a bit awkward when she meets Cliff.
I chatted with Aisha and Ariel at the table. After a while, Elinalise and Nanahoshi arrived as well. Since they're fellow countrymen, it turns out Rudeus had invited Nanahoshi too.
This time she wasn't wearing her white mask, and I suspect everyone present was seeing her true face for the first time. I don't know if Nanahoshi's appearance looks strange or beautiful from the perspective of this world's natives. Regardless, by the standards of my previous life, she's definitely a beauty.
Especially in a world where long, straight black hair is so rare, her classic Eastern beauty facial features truly stunned me.
However, I see her often, so I've already grown accustomed to it.
Ariel walked silently to my side, her hand skillfully pinching my waist like a pair of pliers.
Without changing her expression, she spoke to me with a normal tone,
"No wonder you've been so fond of going to Silent-san's place to study Summoning Magic lately. So that's how it is. Dorin, I didn't realize your charm was so great.
How did you trick her into taking off her mask? Even though I sent so many attendants, including Luke, and none of them ever saw her true face, you managed to win her over in just one visit?"
Exerting my powerful willpower, I replied to Ariel with a calm expression and a steady tone:
"My dear, you're overthinking it. Is it possible we were just discussing Summoning Magic? Can any of the people you sent compare to my magical talent?
Perhaps all of them combined, including Luke, don't have as much magical talent as I did when I was five years old.
So, comparing those small fry to me really isn't a fair comparison.
You should know that the man Ariel Anemoi Asura has her eyes on is definitely no ordinary fellow."
Although the hand pinching my waist tightened, I could also sense her pride.
I strongly suspect that in our relationship, she's the one with the inferiority complex. After all, I used to ignore her quite often.
The banquet hadn't started yet. Seeing Ariel by my side, Nanahoshi didn't come over to greet me. She didn't seem to like dealing with old foxes like Ariel.
That would make it easy for her to expose more weaknesses.
After a long while, I noticed something was off with the attendees, so I sought out Rudeus.
"You didn't forget to invite Sylphiette and Roxy, did you?
Are you being that bold now?"
"What are you thinking, Big Brother Dorin? Sylphiette and Roxy arrived early and are currently in the kitchen preparing dinner!"
What? They're actually preparing dinner together.
I couldn't tell; Rudeus was just learning about romance from me a while ago. Not long after, he can have two women helping him cook at his house at the same time.
He's a genius! I gave Rudeus a thumbs up, expressing my heartfelt admiration.
Maybe I'll have to ask him for advice in the future!
Another half hour passed, and once the food was ready, we began the birthday banquet.
It was different from the birthday banquets I attended in Asura.
The birthday banquet at Rudeus's home was more like one held by an ordinary family back on Earth.
The whole family gathered around the table to celebrate the birthday star's happy birthday. Rudeus also prepared birthday gifts for his two younger sisters.
During the happy meal, I noticed something particularly hilarious.
Sylphiette and Roxy didn't seem to tell Rudeus who made which dish.
Halfway through the banquet, they both asked Rudeus which dish he liked best and which one was the worst.
I covered my face, not daring to watch such a death-trap question. Truly terrifying. Fortunately, in my house, except for Doris, the culinary skills of the other women are... hard to describe.
I probably won't have to face such a death-trap question.
Rudeus hesitated for nearly five minutes, swallowing his words multiple times before he could speak.
The final result seemed to be that Rudeus finished every single dish on the table. I don't know if he eventually gave an evaluation of which dish was the tastiest.
When we were preparing to leave after the meal, Nanahoshi found me. She hesitated a bit but finally said to me:
"An important person wants to meet you. He might look a bit frightening. But don't worry, he shouldn't hurt you.
Can you come to my laboratory to find me tomorrow?"
"Alright, I'll be there on time tomorrow morning."
An important person, who could it be? It should be either Orsted or Perugius. Only those two could be called important people in Nanahoshi's eyes. Regardless, neither of them has a reason to harm me at the moment. So, I shouldn't be in any danger.
The next morning, I arrived at Nanahoshi's laboratory on time. To my surprise, she had been waiting for me at the door.
"Lin Chen, let me tell you, the person who wants to meet you has a strange curse that makes all kinds of creatures fear him. Of course, I'm not affected by this curse, but I don't know if you will be.
Additionally, I've already told him that we come from the same place. So he shouldn't hurt you. Even if you're afraid of him, whatever you do, don't attack him first."
"Alright, I know who you're talking about. Didn't Orsted tell you that I've met him before?"
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