15 – Elena
＜Chapter 15 – Elena＞
“Introducing Mr. Geoffrey Callas, the eldest son of the Callas artisan!”
All eyes turned towards the entrance at the name Callas.
The boy did not flinch even under the cold gazes.
Step by step.
Geoffrey stopped in front of his father.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Frontier Artisan. I am Geoffrey Callas, the Callas family’s eldest son.”
“… Thank you for coming.”
After greeting his father, Geoffrey approached me after exchanging greetings with Alensia and Elena.
“I’ve heard a lot of stories about you, Father. Nice to meet you. Lord Elwin.”
“Nice to meet you too, Lord Geoffrey.”
They exchanged polite greetings.
However.
‘Why aren’t you going somewhere else?’
Geoffrey took a seat beside me.
Then, he gracefully ate some fruit.
‘Are you looking at this direction only?’
I slowly, very slowly, shifted my position.
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But.
This time, Geoffrey came to my side again.
“Ahem, Lord Geoffrey, do you perhaps have something to say?”
“Not really. It’s just… I don’t know anyone else here. Lord Elwin seems friendly, at least.”
Saying this might be unavoidable.
Having come all the way from the continent to here.
I couldn’t just leave myself alone.
Despite the warm gazes of Father and Alencia, I deliberately ignored them.
The problem is that Geoffrey is not the end.
“Lady Gray Bumatop is entering!”
Lady Bumatop also took a seat beside me.
Jeffrey could understand.
After all, he had formed a close and harmonious relationship with Kalas.
But what about Bumatapju?
Was it because I spent some time in Matap?
Such people were widely known.
Moreover, I didn’t have any magical talent, so maybe that’s why I didn’t immediately come out.
“Lord Bumatapju, the food placed there is really delicious. Please try it.”
I purposely recommended the food that was far away.
Bumatapju put the food on a plate and came back to my side.
Ah… why are these people like this?
I was also concerned about the increasingly heated glances from my father and Alencia.
Was it because I had never received attention from anyone before?
The current situation felt like walking on thorns.
“Is there anything you would like to say to me, Lord Bumatapju?”
“Lady Elwin Soyoungju spoke first, so I will comfortably tell you. Our Gray Matap…”
As if waiting, Bumatapju began to boast about Matap.
The Gray Matap established by the invited vampire Duke.
Magicians who worked hard to maintain it.
“Our Gray Matap houses various materials left by the 9th Circle Grand Magicians. Thanks to that, talented individuals with magical abilities gather, but…”
Finally, he got to the point.
As mentioned earlier, the Gray Tower has significant advantages.
Precisely, the records left by the 9th Circle wizards.
And those who have studied and researched them.
However, there was a problem.
The environment of Monster Island.
“Wherever you go, wizards are treated well. However, that’s not the case on Monster Island. Especially, the food is extremely poor.”
Clothing, shelter, food.
Clothing and housing can be arranged somehow.
The problem was the meals.
Especially, it was difficult to prepare meat.
Importing livestock was difficult, and storing them was also challenging.
In the continent, you can feed them grass growing on the ground, but
Monster Island’s grass is inedible.
In other words, when purchasing livestock, we had to procure a large amount of grass for them to eat.
And that grass needs to be imported regularly before it withers and dies.
“I heard that Lord Elwin is planning to raise livestock. Would it be possible for you to sell those livestock to our Gray Tower?”
“So, there were such circumstances. I will consider it positively.”
Our conversation came to an end with the arrival of the next guest.
“Lord Breeleda Frontier is entering.”
Breeleda, along with the attendants of the Frontier, poured in.
Everyone seemed tired, as if they had hurriedly come.
It seemed they had heard the news belatedly and rushed here overnight.
Brilda hosted a party at the mansion,
even if countless guests attended.
Since Father had come here, this place became the center of the frontier.
The banquet hall quickly filled up.
It was because the number of guests who came with Brilda was considerable.
As the commotion settled, Brilda stepped forward.
“Thank you to all the esteemed guests who attended my daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
Brilda playing the role of the host didn’t sit well.
However, the tradition dictated that the coming-of-age ceremony was usually conducted by parents, especially mothers.
“My daughter, Elena Frontier, who comes of age today. Please come forward.”
Elena stood next to Brilda.
Her expression was merely moved by the large gathering of well-wishers.
“Elena Frontier is a child with exceptional magical talent, unlike the eldest.”
Unlike the eldest?
Did they really need to attach such words on this joyous day?
Who the eldest of the Frontiers was should be known to all the attendees, right?
“She is currently studying at the Gray Tower, and…”
The door of the banquet hall opened, interrupting Brilda’s congratulatory speech.
When everyone’s attention was focused on the entrance,
The steward opened his mouth.
“Lady Benia Vampirus, the first noble vampire, is entering.”
Blue hair like Alencia’s.
Beauty comparable to Alencia.
And a subtle smile different from hers.
Benia Vampirus, similar to Alencia but different, entered the banquet hall.
Two men followed her.
“Lady Uunter Aquano, the heiress of Marquis Aquano, is entering!”
“Lady Anton Ayr, the heiress of Marquis Ayr, is entering!”
Among the five territories on Monster Island,
The lords of four territories gathered in one place.
‘Is it a gathering whenever Clan Kentman comes?’
That actually happened.
The door opened again, and a sturdy man entered.
“Lord Clan Kent, the heir of Marquis Kent, is entering!”
Vampire Duke (Benia Vampirus, Alencia Vampirus)
Frontier Aristocrat (Elwin Frontier)
Kent Marquis (Clan Kent)
Aquano Marquis (Uunter Aquano)
Count Anton Aier, the future lord of Monster Island, gathered with the young ladies who would rule over the island.
Lady Benia took her place at the dining table, with Hunter and Anton on either side.
Clan Kent, arriving late, stood next to Alencia.
“I extend my gratitude to Lady Benia and the young lords for joining us. Now, let’s continue with the congratulatory remarks. Elena has been studying at the Gray Tower, and…”
After Lady Blylda’s speech concluded,
the gift presentation ceremony began.
Starting with her father, everyone congratulated Elena and presented their gifts.
Elena’s expression, receiving congratulations from many, looked genuinely happy.
‘It’s fortunate that Elena seems happy…’
Benia and Alencia had never met quietly before.
So today…
After the gift presentation ceremony, as the guests gathered to converse,
an incident finally occurred.
“Benia, why did you come here?”
“Call me sister.”
“Don’t give me sisterly talk. Why did you come here?”
“To fight in a good position. Let’s pass quietly today…”
Clang.
Alencia slapped Benia’s hand.
As he spoke, the glass in his hand fell to the floor.
“Lady Alencia, please observe proper etiquette!” Uunter, who was behind Venia, interjected.
Upon this, Clann, who was behind Alencia, couldn’t hold back.
“Uunter! What insolence towards Lady Alencia!”
“What did you say!? Clann, you scoundrel!”
I expected it to come to this.
The stress rapidly rising, my lower back twitched.
The score was 2:2.
Anton entered the fray.
“It’s true that Lady Alencia’s actions were inappropriate.”
Perhaps because he was a wind mage.
He blamed Alencia with a passing, casual tone.
After his words concluded,
The gazes of the five focused on me.
Originally, it was my moment to enter the fray.
I was Alencia’s fiancé and confidant.
Alencia vs. Venia
Clann vs. Uunter
Elwin vs. Anton
Anton’s opponent was also of age.
However, I couldn’t participate.
There was no justification for my participation.
Having been divorced by Alencia,
I was practically expelled from the faction as well.
The five faces changed as they looked at the silent me.
Venia regained her usual gentle smile.
Unter sneered.
Anton turned his head as if uninterested.
Clan was angry at the fact that he fell behind,
And Alencia…
‘She’s angry.’
To others, it might seem like her usual ruthless face,
But to me, I saw it. The subtle change in Alencia.
I’ve been with her for a long time.
So.
The war without swords ended with Venia in the lead.
***
Gray tower.
Elena headed to the restaurant as usual.
Alone on the road.
There were times when it was exhausting,
But not today.
During the coming-of-age ceremony, how many people had congratulated themselves?
The gray tower is just a place to study magic.
Here, you only need to learn magic.
Once you leave this place…
Scenes from the coming-of-age ceremony come to mind.
Father. Brother. Grandfather.
Those who went to the Frontier.
The two vampire noble ladies.
The young ladies of the three Marquises.
Even Lady Solyoungju from Kalasga on the continent came.
‘Even Butmatop-nim was there.’
I’m not close to Butmatop-nim.
But still, they came in person.
Not one of the teachers, but Butmatop-nim.
Living alone in the tower, my self-esteem, which had fallen, rose.
Elena looked up.
Even when her eyes met those of passing people, she didn’t avoid them.
As Alencia had said,
I straightened my back and focused my eyes.
Upon arriving at the restaurant,
we were seated and served our meal.
I took my place at the empty table.
It felt different from when I used to eat alone, looking at magical formulas.
With my back straight and my head held high, I ate my food, feeling my digestion improve.
Just as I was halfway through my meal,
some classmates approached.
“Elena…”
“Can we eat together too?”
“Do as you please.”
“Thank you!”
The students gathered around me.
“I heard you had your coming-of-age ceremony. Congratulations.”
“And the noble ladies attended too, right?”
“Not only that. The lords and ladies from all the noble families in Ireland gathered!”
“Even the Duke of Kalas…”
“And the Duchess of Bumatop…”
After finishing our meal, I sat on the grass with my classmates.
Once again, the center of attention was herself.
“Elena, have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
“It’s said that Lady Alencia’s influence is waning.”
“Huh? Tell me the details.”
