Chapter 1434 - 1399: Opening, Telepathy

At such grand banquets, the guests line up before the main doors open, entering in turn.

This is to meet the need for name-calling.

For those attending such banquets, expanding connections and getting their names known is far more important than dining.

In other words, name-calling is actually much more important than eating.

And socializing at the banquet is the utmost priority.

So, although Lann did not partake in the previous preparations for Airetusa, when he saw the banquet venue and arrangements, this young Demon Hunter was not surprised at all.

"Respected Dean of Airetusa, Lady Marguerite Lox Andelie. And Temerian Royal Advisor, Lady Triss Merigold. Accompanied by Duke of Sintra, Lann of Sintra, present!"

Because there were no prior requests, Lann and the two others had their names called briefly and swiftly compared to the previous two.

According to the guests’ requests, titles such as country, place, position, or title can be added before the name during the name-calling.

Generally, by default, only the most important and well-known one is called, directly followed by the name. But if there are requests, calling them all out is also normal.

The people before them seemed to have name prefixes long enough to be like a sonnet.

But the key is that those stuck behind cannot show impatience, as it is extremely impolite.

Banquet attire is not warm, and it is autumn night, on an island, with the cold and damp wind howling.

Out of respect for the ordinary people among the banquet participants, the Warlocks did not advocate using magic in this setting, so everyone had to endure in the cold wind, pretending to be tolerant, even appreciative, while listening to those lengthy name-callings.

Lann and the two’s name-calling was quite brief, but the stir they caused was not small at all.

Originally, the Demon Hunter’s build in the lineup was already quite prominent, drawing whispers from many.

But once the names were proclaimed, although everyone was mentally prepared, they were still taken aback.

——The elusive "Hunting Marquis" has really returned! And this is his first appearance in public fully revealing his close ties with Airetusa Academy!

But at the same time...

"Not Lady Tishaya? Not Tishaya de Veris?"

"He has such... ’good’ relations with both deans? Wow~"

"It’s not just Airetusa; with Triss by his side, does that mean the rumors are true?"

Even the formalities of ’banquet etiquette’ could not quell everyone’s gossiping curiosity.

However, the three of them did not mind, simply walking into the banquet hall.

This hall is a very imposing room within the main building of Airetusa Academy, with high ceilings and grandeur that, according to Lann’s evaluation.

Resembled the ruins of Yanorlund, the "Divine Capital" where the Dark Moon God Gwendolin migrated from the "Flame World," specifically the old residence hall of the "Sunshine Princess" Gwen Aveya.

Narrow and long stained glass pieces were distributed on the towering walls, with autumn night’s moonlight slanting in, mingling with magically created candlelight illusions.

Unlike the clean and solemn buildings of the Flame World, the dome had colorful mural paintings, mostly depicting nude figures.

Tapestries, garlands, and banners hang on the walls, swaying slightly in the cold wind blowing in.

There were no chairs in the hall, only enormous dining tables. Exquisite plates and dishes were placed on even more exquisite tablecloths, alongside beautiful flower arrangements and magnificent ice sculptures.

No need to look; just from Lann’s knowledge of banquets, he knew that the decorations would far outnumber the food on those tables.

"Very good." Lann said, though his face was hard to describe, "I didn’t know that Wizards’ banquets have reached the stage of self-service dining."

"It’s only become popular in recent years." Triss casually remarked, "We’re progressives; if there’s a new form differing from traditional banquets, needless to say, we’d be among the first to follow."

The red-haired female mage’s words carried a hint of sarcasm.

Margaret, however, seemed well-adapted.

"But if it were like traditional banquets, where everyone sits behind smoke-filled, dimly-lit tables eating and drinking, how could we showcase our pretty dresses and sizzling figures, dear?"

There are non-vain Female Warlocks, but they are certainly as rare as phoenix feathers.

Vanity is part of these Female Warlocks’ strong personalities.

They want the best of everything, not only external possessions but beauty as well, ideally surpassing their fellow Female Warlocks.

Margaret spoke, freely displaying her allure.

The identity of Dean of Airetusa, coupled with her inherent magic talent, mastery, and body akin to a goddess of beauty.

She loved to saunter in front of the attendees during banquets because almost no one could outshine her.

She was adept at creating a sense of superiority for herself; the sight of less beautiful or dazzling Female Warlocks wanting to devour her, yet having to greet and praise her with smiles due to etiquette and face, always amused her greatly.

Marguerite derived half of her motivation as a banquet connoisseur from this.

The logic is similar to ’successful people prefer attending class reunions’?

"I’m going to get some scallops and prawns, do you want any?"

Marguerite said casually, showing no sign of restraint or discomfort.

"I’m good." Lann waved his hand nonchalantly, "I wasn’t expecting to fill up at this banquet anyway."

He wasn’t inexperienced. In fact, he had attended and even hosted banquets far more complex and grand than this one in the Memory Deep Dive.

But unlike the typical sons of the Emperor, Lann, at heart, disliked tedious procedures.

He could execute every aspect of a banquet flawlessly, yet he personally still didn’t enjoy it.

Just like now, almost half of the eyes in the hall were fixed on him.

However, his every move showed no sign of being overwhelmed by attending such a banquet for the first time; instead, he appeared as calm as the host entertaining guests.

Triss did not leave Lann’s side. She took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed them to Lann. The wine glass seemed like a small vial of medicine in his hand.

"Actually, I used to be like that too." The red-haired female mage, her hair coiled atop her head, pointed her wine glass in Marguerite’s direction and said with a smile.

But when Lann turned his head, he found she wasn’t referring to Marguerite but the female mages Marguerite passed by.

"Being all friendly when greeting, then turning around and saying, ’That woman’s getting more and more ostentatious.’

Triss said self-deprecatingly.

"Honestly, you’re way better than them," Lann said, looking at the muttering female mages.

He was sure they were saying things like ’promiscuous whore.’

"Be honest, Triss," Lann teased the female mage beside him, "Have you ever said anything more excessive?"

"Hey!" Triss’s face turned slightly red as she playfully scolded the Demon Hunter, "What’s wrong with us women gossiping? I don’t hate Rita that much. Besides, that was in the past..."

"In the past? What’s the difference from now?"

"Now..." Triss had a teasing smile on her face, her hand stroking upwards along Lann’s chest, "At least when it comes to flaunting male partners, we’re evenly matched, aren’t we?"

Of course, even a bold female mage wouldn’t act inappropriately in a banquet’s public setting.

Triss’s hand slid up, lightly touching the Roaring Bear Head Pendant on Lann’s neck.

At this moment, the silver pendant of the Demon Hunter was trembling slightly on its own.

Lann glanced down at it and simply smiled.

They say ’respect ordinary people at the banquet; it’s rude to use magic here,’ but undoubtedly, Lann had little faith in the self-control of most sorcerers, and the reality was just as he predicted.

As he stood there, countless mental tendrils were already extending towards him, attempting to covertly probe into his mind for information and secrets.

No matter how renowned, he was, after all, just a Demon Hunter.

Possessing only slightly higher magic resistance than ordinary people, and that’s all.

But for sorcerers, telepathy is their innate ability.

With some training, when they perform telepathy, the person won’t even notice.

The Demon Hunter’s necklace can sense magic and magic power, but in the eyes of some sorcerers, this isn’t something that can’t be obscured, just requires a higher level of skill.

"Do you want to kiss me here?"

Lann didn’t look at the necklace, which only reacted to Triss’s reminder, pulsating with magic; he just glanced down at the red-haired beauty.

In their physical contact, a unique sensation surged into the female mage’s sensitive body, causing her face to turn flushed, eyes sultry, even before she took a sip of champagne.

"If you don’t mind, why not, dear?"

Lann bent down slightly, moving closer to Triss’s cheek; his warm breath made the hairs on her ears stand up.

Immediately, more gazes were directed at them, and the pulse on the Demon Hunter’s necklace increased in intensity.

Being in a state of desire usually leads to a chaotic mind, just the right moment for telepathy.

But on the corner of Triss’s mouth, as Lann approached, there was no trace of bewildering lust... only amusement.

"No need to protect my mind, Triss."

The female mage’s previously dazed eyes cleared abruptly, looking in surprise at the lover so near.

"I want them to see... what’s really in my mind."