"And this is the head chef uncle Tacoman. And uncle, this is operator A2, my amazing little baby Axion, and operator A3, his good 'friend' Reinelle."
We were in the conference room right now with most employees of Hiraani present.
The auction had ended, and this was an important after-event meeting and she was introducing the two of us to everyone.
Everyone was on the second floor, in their rooms, preparing for the night ball, so only the two of us were with her.
It was an amazing experience handling all these people and the fact that she used to do all this by herself… she was the best.
Everyone working in Hiraani was present there except the guards. We would meet them someday, but for now, every other employee was here.
From general manager Zack to the gorgeous and cheerful miss Sarah.
The operators were here too. And the whole operator B unit was filled with people who had some pretty amazing talents.
Actually, everyone here was special in their own way. From the normal people with no special skills to the people with worldly accomplishments.
There were many people here, and the fact that they all looked up to her was just amazing.
Her way of selecting personnel, her analyzing skills, the way she won over them and just the fact that she had them with her in this amazing place were ineffable.
She was amazing, and she was introducing the two of us to everyone right now.
Rein was somewhat shy, but she was used to this stuff, so she was on her best behavior.
The people here knew her. Most of them did, so it was even more surprising how a noble house's representative whom no one knew much about was suddenly with them.
Then she kept emphasizing the word 'friend' every time she introduced us and it became too obvious for everyone here to ignore.
It wasn't uncommon for people to find their future partners before they become adults, but it sure was a fact that most of those things ended early.
It was either the fluke of adolescence or some political propaganda or arrangements, but the thing between the two of us…
Well, two of our physical appearance was far more mature than our age and the way the two of us masterfully handled things today was enough proof of our higher intelligence and capabilities.
There was no way they would believe we were some immature, childish couple who would grow up and end things soon.
The way we handled things required experience. Solid experience with the people, society, and the whole gray world.
So, the smart people here knew what the two of us had was special. It was special enough for their masters to announce it to them like that.
I knew they were surprised because she was also in a strangely good mood, but seeing her smile like that was my eternal wish. And many people here wished for the same.
Their reactions to this similar wish were acceptable, but not the ones they gave me and Rein as they looked at us individually, as well as a whole.
I had hair like mom and grandpa, a bit more on the gold side, but they resembled hers.
My eyes were like Dad's but their eyes were clearly admiring how mine were strangely special.
I looked good and all and it was a family thing, but Rein… the gorgeous girl stole many young hearts in this room with her bewitching beauty.
I sometimes forget it because of the things I have seen and my master, but she was one heavenly gorgeous masterpiece.
Her beautiful hair, her shiny pink eyes, that noble aura around her, and the way she was dressed made her even more… divine?
Well, she looked impeccable, I looked good, and as a whole, the two of us must have looked fascinating, envious, cute, and special to them.
It was what it was, and they were already amazed by our skills, the looks fueled the flames.
So, they were impressed, and it pleased my dear naughty mom.
"Hello, head chef. It is very nice to finally meet you and all the other kitchen staff. The food was perfect. You respected my master's cooking methods with such impeccable execution."
I smiled while shaking his big hand. This hand of a special dwarf was actually different.
"Hahaha! I'm the honored one to receive such divine knowledge. And the compliment should belong to them." He pointed at the kitchen staff behind him.
There were chiefs, maids, and helpers looking at us with shy faces.
"Without them, even I wouldn't have been able to make some of the greatest meals of my life."
They were embarrassed by his praise, but I nodded at his words with a smile of my own.
"Definitely. A kitchen is made of every element, person, and ingredient used in cooking.
A successful meal is created by everyone who helps in its making.
From the ones washing the ingredients to the ones plating them. Everyone has done amazing work today.
I'm truly happy to work with such amazing people today."
Their eyes were wide open, staring at me at those words. Even the head chef and others hearing it were surprised.
My words… well, maybe they were too effective. Many of them almost started crying just from hearing it.
"Indeed… you're amazing."
One of the people who was almost crying was the head chef himself. He was a nice person.
I smiled helplessly at his behavior and talked with him for a bit.
Then we met the other people, talked, laughed, watched the special highlights of today's auction events, and some funny reactions from the audience.
It was a warm atmosphere and Rein liked it there.
Maybe we can take her place when the time comes… but it was still too early for that.
We would help her whenever she needed it, but the primary goal was to avoid the hellish work she makes us do.
Anyway, there were many interesting and capable people here. But the most fascinating one among them was Miss Sarah.
[[ "Celes, can you send a clone to that beautiful lady and connect us?" ]]
[[ Yeiiiiiii~. She's beautiful! And strong~! ]]
[[ "Yup. Stronger than one can think." ]]
[[ Hehe. She's special! But she's good~. ]]
Yes, well, I don't know.
She was good at hiding her strength, but Rein and I, who could see her status window, couldn't ignore the fact that she was also a witch… as well as the fact that she had some pretty unique skills.
A short, fun conversation with her was inevitable, so a red butterfly came out of my hand, flew towards Sarah, and landed on her gorgeous silver hair.
[[ "Hello miss Sarah." ]]
She definitely heard my voice, but without reacting to it, she just continued her conversation with her friend colleagues.
We were in a big conference room and there was a big magic screen before us playing some statistical data from today's event now.
Rein was connected to this small conversation already, but she was chatting with the resources department and giving them some good tips.
They had stars in their eyes as they noted down her precious pieces of advice, so that was her.
But my conversation with miss Sarah was known to her.
[[ "Eon, Eon. Dear good Axion. You know how much Nol talks about her?" ]]
Her way of speaking as well as her voice was different from what we had heard till now. She really was quite unique.
[[ "Hehe. She's my mom. I would naturally know about it. More than that… not many people know about you here, right?" ]]
[[ "Well of course. Just Zack and Nol do. It's a big secret so you two should keep it to yourself too, ok?" ]]
Maybe it was only me, but those calmly said words seemed threatening. But I convinced myself it was just a misunderstanding.
[[ "Of course. You're a great help to my mom. She believes in you, so we're alright.
But that aside… why?" ]]
Why was she here? Why was someone like her doing simple auctioneering? Why was she helping mom and why was she hiding?
Those were genuine questions and there was definitely a separate story to them. But she understood what I meant by my short question.
And her answer…
[[ "Well, we know each other ever since she was a young girl. If it's you, I believe you would understand how long this story would be, right?
But if I had to give an acceptable answer to someone like you…
I love her. Is that enough?" ]]
She looked at me while saying that with a warm smile on her face.
Her colleagues didn't understand her sudden behavior, but I understood her smile.
Her answer was more than acceptable. Those clear eyes said it all.
Rein understood it, too. So she looked at me with a smile and just shook her head.
[[ "It's more than enough. Please keep looking after her." ]]
[[ "You really are quite fun, little boy. How would you two like some tea one these days?" ]]
Rein looked at me again with a smile and nodded happily. And I nodded back, looked at my smiling mom who presented the data, and then back at Miss Sarah.
[[ "It would be our pleasure." ]]
I wouldn't miss the chance to hear some amazing stories about my mom and especially her childhood.
It would be fun. And this whole experience was fun.
The people here were amazing and from the ones who cleaned the countless rooms in this castle to the high mages and great knights guarding this place, I was thankful to them all.
Of course not the ones polluting this place. They would be dealt with sooner or later.
It was not concerning so that aside…
[[ "Oh right! The two of you would be going to the room of treasures, right?" ]]
Miss Sarah spoke up, and her words suddenly caught our attention.
[[ "Yes? That's the plan." ]]
[[ "Huhu. Eon and Elle are in for a good surprise~. I suggest you take your time going through the skill stone area. There are quite a number of skills that would be compatible with you special couple.
Ah! And Eon. Look closely around the left section. There's something quite special that must have been waiting for you all this time." ]]
Her words were filled with pure excitement. And those suggestions coming from someone like her were always appreciated.
[[ "Thanks for the precious great advice, good lady." ]]
The skill of stone storage was the goal from the start. Those pointers would be quite helpful if I actually get something I was looking for.
And I was looking for something… unique. Something that I can use openly and still be fine.
It wouldn't matter what type or kind of skill it is, but I wanted something versatile. Something like mom's silver thread skill.
Few skills were actually compatible with my existing set of skills. So… I would make sure to give her a useful present if this was helpful.
Anyway… mom was almost done with her presentation. It was time to announce the profits and everyone's winter bonus.
And after that… we were going to the room of treasures.
