Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

[Daniel: Engagement and all that nonsense can go to hell...! ]

Only five days remained until the highly anticipated business meeting.

Rufeite had arranged for tailored formal attire for both Anno and Yunxiu, ensuring they would look their best. As the event was hosted by Hades, he emphasized the importance of etiquette more than three times.

Anno, exuding a relaxed confidence in his casual clothing, stood by with a keen eye on Yunxiu, whose posture was stiff and formal in a fitted black tuxedo. The moment he entered the Chamber of Commerce Center, all eyes were drawn to him.

"Just look far ahead and relax your shoulders. If you feel nervous, try to empty your mind. Will that work?" Anno suggested, his voice calm.

Yunxiu's shoulders slumped momentarily, a wave of self-doubt washing over him. Anno, noticing the shift, shrugged his shoulders slightly, his demeanor more encouraging. "Don't think about anything. Is that clearer?"

"If you see it that way, then yes," Yunxiu replied, shifting his gaze forward. "Now step back. That's it. You need to carry a confidence you've never felt before. Believe in yourself; you are better than them."

Yunxiu practiced walking back and forth before stopping in front of Anno. They locked eyes, and Anno's faint smile held an undercurrent of pressure that Yunxiu felt deep in his chest, making him second-guess himself.

"This isn't working," Anno observed. "Ask yourself why you feel unconfident."

Yunxiu pondered for a moment before replying, "It's because you're exceptional, right? When you smile at me like that, it feels like you can see right through me."

Anno's awareness brushed against Yunxiu's mind, touching a core belief that remained unyielding, even amid hesitation and uncertainty. Satisfied with this discovery, Anno replied, "In truth, I can't see through you. You don't know me well enough to judge my excellence."

"But you have an aura," Yunxiu insisted. "You exude confidence and elegance, and there's something very accepting about you."

A smile broke across Anno's face. "Yes, it's the aura. You might not know my story, but you're already forming an impression based on your feelings. Others will do the same with you. This meeting isn't a big deal; it's unrelated to you. Think of yourself as a prince going out for an inspection."

"Momentum, momentum," Yunxiu murmured, lifting his chin and straightening his posture.

"Be confident," Anno encouraged. "This belief comes from within. You're not someone with low self-esteem. Don't let your surroundings dictate your feelings. You've just happened upon the Chamber of Commerce; you may not understand everything they say, but that's okay. Just smile, bow, and let them know you're not an expert in this field."

At that moment, Rufeite appeared in the sky garden on the third floor, leaning casually against the railing. He wore a sharp suit accented with sapphire blue earrings and a yellow, intricately carved "L" brooch on his chest, reminiscent of the "V" brooch adorning Anno.

"The upper class is built on wealth," Rufeite began, a hint of disdain in his voice. "In purely political circles, gatherings don't hold much allure. Gambling is key. This so-called elite class is merely a label the wealthy create for themselves, trying to convince themselves they're superior to others, who they see as mere pigs in comparison."

Yunxiu burst into laughter, the tension in his shoulders easing as he straightened his back and walked with newfound determination.

"Very good! That's the spirit," Anno clapped his hands together. "Tomorrow, I'll teach you to dance."