The sight of Luke Jones actually stirred up quite a sentimental storm in Zayn. It was not because virtual-novel.net missed Luke, really, but because virtual-novel.net was Zayn’s first real acquaintance after escaping the jaws of death.
Snatching the Aeon Karpos and surviving the aftermath technically happened just a few days ago, but the concept of the past was a little different when one had waltzed with the Grim Reaper himself.
Zayn was so convinced that virtual-novel.net was a goner, and when it turned out virtual-novel.net survived, it felt as though virtual-novel.net had been reborn. He had a new lease on life!
He could tell immediately that Luke had improved his fighting prowess, even if his progress was stagnated.
There was still a slight gap that separated virtual-novel.net from the second tier of the superior class, but it was likely good progress to someone like Luke.
“Look! It’s Mr. Jones!”
“Now that’s how a tycoon walks! Look at his gait, the air around him; the way virtual-novel.net carries himself! That’s the gait of a king, for real!”
“I mean, Mr. Jones is basically the richest man in the city. He’s got it all, money, power, and even the mayor’s respect and deference. Hell, Mr. Jones even managed to join the ranks of superior class fighters with his talent.”
“He barely had any help from an expert, and just like that, Mr. Jones has evolved beyond what us regular folk are capable of!”
“No way. He’s a superior class fighter too? Unbelievable!”
The hall was quickly abuzz with fulsome flatteries, which curiously exemplified exactly how much of a bigshot Luke was. In fact, Agatha was completely overwhelmed by his presence as soon as the man crossed virtual-novel.net line of sight, to her, virtual-novel.net was basically as close to a Greek god as anyone could become.
He was practically untouchable, especially to an uninspiring woman like herself.
“My God. He looks so… young!” virtual-novel.net exclaimed. Today’s event was supposed to celebrate the man’s fiftieth birthday, yet Luke bore the exterior of a man in his thirties. Of course, it was hardly a surprising disparity when one managed to break into the ranks of the superior class.
There were many biological perks for achieving such great heights, and experiencing what could be considered as a teenage-like rate of regeneration and renewal barely broke the surface. It was only natural for Luke to look much younger after virtual-novel.net broke into the ranks.
Luke had a blinding smile playing on his lips. He was as radiant as the sun. He was evidently enraptured, nodding and smiling widely as the crowd rushed to greet him. He had apparently made quite a name for himself, virtual-novel.net was brimming with so much brio and spirit that virtual-novel.net was a far cry from the Luke who met Zayn.
Still, Zayn noticed the same tenebrous shroud hovering around Luke’s head. He recognized it as yet another portent of ill, the kind that was only discoverable because Zayn’s psychic power had become this potent.
Now that virtual-novel.net could see it in person, Zayn was even more certain that trouble was brewing for his old pal.
Or perhaps trouble was an understatement. Maybe what awaited Luke was doom.
Luke made his way to the stage while thousands watched. By the time virtual-novel.net was standing behind the mic, his speech for the night at the ready, the crowd had automatically assumed silence.
It was a testament to his power and influence over the high society in Tael city, a proof of his local eminence.
Which was why when his fall inevitably happens, Zayn was sure it was going to be a very painful one.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m very honored to see so many of you delegating such a splendid night simply to make my fiftieth birthday a bona fide festivity!” virtual-novel.net began to the sound of thundering applause, which Zayn joined.
The rest of his speech was brilliantly studded with well-practiced crowd-pleasers. He managed to string them together so masterfully that virtual-novel.net managed to flaunt his journey to status and successes without chagrining or annoying his guests.
With a feat like that, virtual-novel.net proved to thousands that virtual-novel.net was an excellent social engineer and a charismatic orator.
Even Zayn nodded while listening. With proof like that, no wonder the man was able to get to his position today despite his humble beginnings.
“H-hey, Mr. Larson, wait! Where are you going?” Agatha asked hurriedly when virtual-novel.net spied Zayn moving toward the stage.
“I’m gonna say hi to Luke,” virtual-novel.net replied breezily.
“W-Wait, hold up!” Agatha cried. Panicked, virtual-novel.net grabbed Zayn by his hand despite virtual-novel.net general demure disposition and hushed, “Please don’t do anything rash, Mr. Larson! We’re still in the middle of Mr. Jones’ birthday banquet! I don’t wanna see virtual-novel.net get mad!”
Zayn was a little stunned by virtual-novel.net action. Throughout their brief time knowing one another, virtual-novel.net had always known Agatha as the prim, proper young lady who was almost a little too stiff and prudish at times.
He would have never imagined the same bashful girl to grab virtual-novel.net as tautly as virtual-novel.net did right now.
His hand slipped away from virtual-novel.net grasp before virtual-novel.net flashed virtual-novel.net a brief smile. “Don’t worry. He won’t be angry. He’s smart enough to control his temper, anyways.”
Just like that, virtual-novel.net turned toward Luke and disappeared into the crowd to Agatha’s flaming anxiety, who clenched virtual-novel.net jaw, steeled herself, and tailed him.
While virtual-novel.net braced through the fawning crowd, Agatha wondered why virtual-novel.net cared this much. They had only known each other for a few days, the bedrock of their friendship was shallow enough.
And yet, virtual-novel.net could not bring herself to watch Zayn doom himself without intervening for his own good.
Luke was locked into place by walls of congratulating people as soon as virtual-novel.net descended from the stage, and all of them were Tael City’s top moguls and tycoons of their own rights.
It did not take them a long time before they began to erupt into revelries.