The World's Ego (Book 2)

The Banquet

Third Person POV

The day went by quickly, and before they realized it, they had to hurry back to their accommodation to prepare for the banquet they were invited to for the pre-festival celebration.

"A lot has changed ever since you left, huh, Mei-senpai?" Kiana asked as she looked at her banquet dress, "Tempest is more advanced now from the story you told us before."

"Yeah. They advanced so quickly that it surprises me too." Mei agreed, "Well, with the other Flame-chasers here too, I shouldn't have been so surprised either."

"Yeah..." Kiana muttered, "But what are we expecting in this banquet other than food?"

Mei chuckled at how food was the first thought in Kiana's mind but brushed that off to respond, "Flamaire told us that it was going to be a big gathering of the strongest, so I expect we'll see some of the Demon Lords for the first time. I only met Demon Lord Luminas and Ramiris back then, so it will be my first time seeing the others."

"I see..." Kiana nodded in understanding before recalling the odd behavior Fu Hua and Senti had shown ever since they returned from Feiyun's residence, "... I wonder what happened to Class Monitor and Senti-chan. Not only did they leave Vita in Feiyun's place, but they also seemed not to want to tell us things. Not yet, at least."

"I'm worried about that too." Mei said, "But they told us that Feiyun was doing well even though she's still in the recovery phase, so that's one less thing to worry about. But..."

"But?"

Mei blinked, thinking about Feiyun again, "... The thing is... I have a feeling I know what they might be worried about."

"Really?" Kiana went over to her side, "Tell me, Mei-senpai!"

"Think about it, Kiana-chan. We've seen the Flame-chasers like Kevin and Su here. From what I know about the other Flame-chasers, they were the same ones from the Elysian Realm. If that's the case... Then maybe the 'Hua' from the realm is also..."

Kiana's eyes widened slightly, "No way... Another Class Monitor?!"

"Hua is a little more... disciplined? I guess..." Mei pursed her lips in worry, "She's not the same as the Class Monitor we know now, but if she's here as well, then it's something we have to warn the others about later."

"I see... Then it's understandable why they seemed odd just now." Kiana hummed, "It was weird to see Senti-chan so quiet during the tour."

"Yeah..." Mei muttered, "... I wonder what did they see?"

...

Once they were done changing, they met up with their friends at the reception area of their accommodation for their guide.

"You look really handsome, Welt-san!" Susannah exclaimed

"Thank you."

"You look great too, Papa!" Kiana exclaimed, "It's the first time you're wearing a suit, right?"

"Yeah." Siegfried tugged at the collar of his inner suit, "I'm not really used to this, but since it's a special occasion, I shouldn't refuse. My daughters look beautiful too!"

"Hehe, thank you!" Kiana giggled, "Big Sis looks beautiful as expected!"

Durandal nodded at the compliment, "Thank you, Kiana, Dad."

"Still, they went all out for guests too." Kira tugged at the seam of her coral blue dress, "It feels so comfortable, it's like a master seamstress made it."

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was Shuna who made them." Mei commented, "She's the one in charge of all the seamstress here. She's really good in her crafts."