Valterion: The Space/Arch? Mage

Chapter 115: High-Class Nobles

Location: Magicon Empire; Magicon System; Terra; Imperia; RMA

I’m glad I stayed for the second half of the lesson, as professor Bishop told us about a lot of interesting things. During the early age of expansion of The Empire, so many new companies were founded. Some of them still exist today. And that was hundreds of years before the Silvanis founded their shopping paradise.

And considering everything else that happened in those early years, the age of expansion is really fitting. The Empire started so small, but it got bigger and bigger every year. So many new planets were integrated and terraformed. The number is just mind-blowing.

Unfortunately, that was all of today’s lesson. The class was finished way too soon… But now I’m really looking forward to next week's lesson. Professor Bishop has a very captivating teaching style.

Now though, I’m following through on Bernd’s invitation as my Utility magic class doesn’t start for another few hours. “Clara, is there a jump room close by the location Bernd sent? I don’t want to appear right inside Lisa’s living room…”

“Those are coordinators for a jump room, actually. But it’s a private one. Give me a second.”

Hmm, a private one. Does Lisa have her own jump room? Where does she even live?

“Yep, as expected. It’s a Song Medical jump room at the top of their tower here in Imperia.”

That explains it… She’s living with her parents’ company. “Uhh, okay… Can we use it, or do we have to jump somewhere else and I don’t know, ring a bell?”

“Your invitation includes access codes, so you’re good. I can lock them in when you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Clara, go ahead.”

The coordinates lock in and I spin up the Teleportation spell. A fraction of a second later, I’m somewhere else. It looks just like a normal jump room. Nothing fancy at all. Before I can take a step toward the exit, I hear a voice shouting from behind the door.

“Guys, I think the pizza is early! Someone just arrived at the jump room!”

The door opens, and I stare at a guy about my age. I vaguely remember his face from the History course, but I don’t have his name at hand. He is quite tall, but also rather wide in stature. His hair is dark and a bit greasy. He stops on the doorstep upon seeing me.

“You’re not the pizza guy…”

I shake my head. “Nah, obviously not.”

Confusion enters his face. “But who are you then? Everyone’s already here.”

“Uhh, I’m Sara… Got an invitation, but I wanted to stay for the whole course.”

His eyes widen slightly. “Who would stay there voluntarily? Never mind…” He turns around and starts shouting again. “False alarm on the pizza! But there’s a Sara girl here… Anyone invited her, or should I send her away?”

A few seconds later, I recognize Bernd’s voice replying. “Let’s her in, Donnie, she’s with me.”

The guy, Donnie looks a bit surprised but nods. “Well, you’ve heard the boss… Come in, come in. Welcome to the party.”

He turns around and starts leaving. I’m quick to follow him. We enter a long hallway that opens up into a large room after a 90-degree bend. This time it’s me stopping on the doorstep. Everyone is there! Every single person who left the history class early, is either lounging on one of the fancy couches, or they are chilling in different armchairs. Almost everyone has a drink in their hand and those who haven’t are currently standing close to a bar in the center of the room. An actual barkeeper is mixing drinks for them. Who has their private barkeeper in the living room?

Lisa Song, apparently. I notice her sitting off to the left in what looks a bit like a private recess. It’s a raised round section that is surrounded by various flowers in every possible color. There are four seats up there, but only two of them are occupied. One obviously seats Lisa, and Bernd is lounging in the other chair. He notices me, and quickly waves me over.

I shrug and enter their private space which earns me a few frowns from some people close by. I ignore them and sit down on one of the empty chairs.

“So you’ve made it. That’s great! How do you like our little come-together so far?”

I lean back a bit and shrug. “I’ve just arrived… But the party looks great. Well, maybe a bit over the top?”

Lisa quirks an eyebrow. “How so?”

“Well, uhh…” I stop and point at the barkeeper. The others follow my gaze and Bernd starts chuckling.

“See, I told you so.”

Lisa groans. “Would you rather have everyone mix their own drinks? Everyone would be wasted, and you know that we have Gravity Ball tryouts today.”

That catches my interest “Oh, you have? Ours will only take place on Saturday.”

This time Bernd answers. “Yeah, we have them today. The college season starts in two weeks after all. Are you playing too? And what position?”

The season starts so soon? How are we supposed to integrate our tactics that fast? I hope the coaches have a plan.

“Yeah, I’m quite good too. I’m playing as our team’s jumper.”

Bernd whistles and Lisa looks at me with a sudden interest. “That’s impressive,” Bernd says. “You’ve got Space Sense then?”

Uhh, that’s quite the conclusion he made here. Not that he’s incorrect but still. How does one jump from jumper to Master Space Mage? I nod hesitantly and look at Lisa who still looks like some cogs are turning in her head.

Bernd must have noticed my discomfort. “Hey, don’t worry. I’m just curious, and this was a guess in the blue, as almost every decent jumper is a Master in Space Magic.”

I relax a bit. “It’s okay. Not that my magical power is a secret anyway… I was just shocked at how fast you came to that conclusion.”

Bernd chuckles again. “Call it experience and a good amount of digging that my AI did.” He blushes a bit in the end when he admits to looking me up. His gaze slips back to Lisa who just continues staring. “Yo, Lisa, are you alright?”

That snaps her out of it. “Sorry, got lost in my thoughts… You’re an interesting woman, Sara. Would you be interested in learning more about all this?” She moves her hands to encompass the whole room we’re inside. “From what I’m reading here, this is all news to you, right? Who knows, maybe one of us will find a place for you?”

Uhh, did I hear this right? Did she just offer to take me under her wing? That’s not good… It’s an offer I can’t reject but it will also cause a lot of problems once I shed my disguise in the future. Come to think of it, Sara Green is starting to cause more and more problems… Or I’m just bad at it, who knows?

Anyway, I nod at Lisa. “Yeah, I haven’t been much inside Noble circles until now… If you did a bit of digging, I’m guessing you’ve heard about Charles Junbun, right?”

Both of them cringe at me mentioning that mess. “Yeah, we’ve heard of it,” Lisa replies and shakes her head. “I can’t believe that people can be so idiotic…”

Bernd starts chuckling. “Idiotic puts it lightly. From what I’ve heard, this stunt was the last straw and cost the Junbun family their Barony. They’re no Nobles anymore.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “For real?”

“I think so, yeah.”

Clara puts a newspaper article on my interface. The headline confirms what Bernd just said. The Junbuns are really just commoners now. Thanks, Clara!

Lisa clears her throat. “So what do you think, do you want to learn more? I think there are a lot of benefits for you when you get closer to a Ducal family.”

She almost looks like she’s pleading… Bernd looks rather interested as well. Must be because I’m a Master Space Mage… I can’t find another explanation. We’re a rare breed and Olivia said most of them are closely tied to Noble families. My Sara Green persona is probably an anomaly… The real me is very closely tied to a Noble family as well after all.

I look at both of them. “I’m not sure… Sure, I’d love to learn more, but tying myself to a Noble family? I really don’t know. After all that stuff with the Junbun dude. I know he was a bad example, but still…”

Bernd nods. “I get it. Take your time. We’re not in a hurry after all. There’s still almost a year until the Earth competition.”

Oh, it’s about that? “Uhh, actually, I already have a team for that…”

Now they both look surprised. “You have?” Bernd asks.

“Are you sure that you’ll be able to join? Only the top students from outside of RMA will get a chance.”

I nod. “Yeah, I’m sure. I can’t get into the details, but my team has a spot in the competition.”

Bernd scratches his non-existent beard. “Interesting… You’re full of surprises, Sara. But anyway, think about getting closer to our families. There are a lot of benefits. For now, just join us here whenever you want. I’m sure, someone will happily answer any questions you have.”

I nod slowly. It’s a bit weird. They really want me to say yes. If they only knew… I grin inwardly. “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all we ask for,” Lisa grins at me.

Before we can talk further, the loud voice of Donnie calls out again. “Guys, pizza’s here! This time for real!”

“Shall we?” Bernd asks and gets up.

Lisa and I both nod. “Yeah, let’s eat,” she says.

The three of us join the others. On a table in the middle of the room stand three giant boxes of pizza. Everyone eagerly grabs a slice. I take one for myself as well and mingle with the others. We do a bit of small talk, but that’s mostly it.

That is until Victor Valterion taps my shoulder and asks me if I’ve got a moment. Actually, he’s been missing the entire time. I wonder where he’s been. Not that I care, as he’s still rather creepy. Anyway, I can’t really decline him, and so I accept.

I follow him to a silent corner of the room and look at him expectantly. He waves his hand, and an opaque bubble surrounds us. He clears his throat. “Now that we’re alone, I’ll get right to the point. Who are you?”

I stare at him. Does he know? He can’t, right? No, Mom and Dad said they’ll keep it secret from everyone. Did I mess up somewhere? Why would he ask me who I am?

“What do you mean? I’m Sara Green…” I don’t even have to fake the confusion in my voice as I really don’t know what he wants from me.

“Of course you are… That’s not what I mean.” Victor is frowning now. At least he doesn’t look so creepy anymore. “You walk in here like you own everything and immediately hang onto the two most important people as if they were your best friends. You barely know anything about us Nobles, but you start right at the top. Others have to work for this kind of attention, you know?”

Ohh, he’s just jealous! That should make things easier. “Err, I’m sorry? I mean, I didn’t ask for it. They were the ones to approach me…”

Victor tilts his head, and a slight blush enters his face. “For real?”

“Yeah, I just wanted to go to the history class this morning. I didn’t even know someone put me together with all the high-class Nobles. And then there’s suddenly Bernd right next to me and he didn’t leave my side afterward. Sure, I’m here at the party but only after he invited me.”

Victor coughs awkwardly. “I feel like an idiot now… Dammit. I had all this in my head to confront you… I’m sorry.” He starts pacing. “Can we start anew? I’m Victor, Victor Valterion. Nice to meet you.”

So that creepiness was all a mask? He looks so normal now… “Err, sure. I’m Sara, nice to meet you too.”

We shake hands, but Victor keeps the privacy bubble active. “Just one more thing. It’s been bothering me the whole day. How do you know my cousin?”

“Your cousin?”

“Yeah, Christopher Valterion. He removed you from the ban list.”

“Oh, that was him? That’s so cool! I didn’t know. I just filed a complaint that Charles Junbun broke the rules of the Noble Game and a few hours later everything was fine for me again. Please say thank you to your cousin then.”

Oh my, I don’t think I managed to look the right amount of surprised. But it looks like Victor bought it. Lucky me.

“Oh… Yeah, of course, it’s that simple. Shall we return to the others?”

I nod at him. “Sure, please lead the way.”