"You possess the most alluring mana I've ever felt." Aron said what he thought was one of Rose's best features in his opinion although spoken rather plainly.
Lady Rose came to a halt after hearing those words and since her arm was locked with Aron's he also stopped alongside her. She glanced up at him with that usual stern cold look of hers. "You're not lying are you?" She asked as if unsure herself which caused Aron to raise a brow at her.
"Is there a need for me to lie about such?" Aron replied with his own question causing Lady Rose to turn her gaze away from him. "I suppose not, let us proceed then." She quickly said and the two began walking again.
After that she said no additional words during their walk to the hall hosting the banquet and Aron didn't try to start up a conversation either. Although he was curious as to why she held doubt he simply chose to not dwell on it and focus on remaining vigilant given where they were going.
The halls of the academy seemed much more empty without the usual bustling number of students present and although there were other pairs and individuals on their way to the banquet both in front of and behind Aron and Rose the silence remained quiet prevalent.
Soon they could see the entrance to what was normally used as the assembly hall. The large doors were a few sizes greater than that of a regular sized door but that only added to their aesthetic.
No one stood guard in front of the doors but immediately upon entering there was an older gentleman who would announce the names of the indivual or individuals who arrived to the already present guests mingling in the hall.
When the older gentleman saw Aron and Lady Rose approaching he didn't look uncomfortable unlike the usher from before. He maintained his professionalism and turned to announce to the guests of the hall.
"Grand Mage Lady Rose of Galos Academy has arrived with her escort Harbinger Aron of Galos Academy." The man shortly announced as the two slowly walked into the hall while attracting the gazes of many.
Under normal circumstances the woman would be called the escort but who got announced first was sometimes determined by status and power in which case most considered Lady Rose superior.
The sight of these two present made many hopeful they were open to talks about the information. After all everyone had a price.
However they were quite a few shallow men who instead focused on the fact that Lady Rose chose to attend this event with Aron. The majority of them still refused to believe the two of them had anything intimate between them and they'd be right, only that the current display showed otherwise.
Men always sought what they couldn't have. Lady Rose was undoubtedly extremely beautiful but women equally beautiful or even more obviously existed.
But coupled with her power, intelligence, status and indifference to both men and women alike it made for quite the attractive person.
"Seems we are being targeted quite thoroughly." Lady Rose muttered as the gazes on them were very much obvious.
The first to approach the pair was a group composed of adults from higher class families.
"Good evening..."
"You two look wonderful..."
The group didn't delay in introducing themselves and passing compliments to Aron and Rose. He noticed however that none of them got within a meter of her like they knew of her distaste. Regardless their endless chatter already began to irritate Aron.
"Rose, if you'll excuse me I'll be going to converse with my own peers." Rose already had at least some connections or knowledge of these aristocrats so it would be easier for her to handle them while he converses with the young men and or women.
This would prove to be simple as all of them were students of Galos academy, the guests that had come to the city due to the leak had all been adults after all.
As Aron began to walk around he found it hard to pick who to approach. Among the preparations he had made before coming was mastering the emblems of notable families and families in unique situations.
Most of these young men and women only mingled with those from the same family so it didn't leave much room for him to approach as it would mean he is the one who showed interest.
'I suppose I can only wait to get approached, where is that Arkus fellow though...' Aron saw no point in forcing things so he began walking towards the buffet table while glancing around for the older man who had passed him the invitation.
However once there the students scattered to make room for him while others left the table entirely. He glanced to his right where a young man was trying to pick up a glass of what looked to be wine but he couldn't stop his hand from shaking.
'Dammit move Ralin!' The young man scolded himself but he couldn't move.
This particular young man was fearful of Aron not because of his display the previous day but because he was one of those that witnessed the massacre Aron, Jin and Jagu caused to the airship the lesser nobles were on, only that he wasn't present and observed from afar.
'He can't know my face right! Does he hold a grudge?' Young Ralin's thoughts were in turmoil as he recalled the brutal sight of his long time friends getting butchered and beaten down to death.
'This may prove harder than I thought.' Seeing how the young man was reacting Aron could more or less guess others would react similarly, perhaps due to his reputation thus far.
"Wow, I really wasn't hearing things when they announced you here. You look so.. different." Aron turned to the source of the familiar voice and found Esmeralda standing to his right with her arms crossed.
"I simply changed my attire and fixed my hair, nothing profound about it. Women change their appearances all the time, speaking of.. who are you?" Aron feigned ignorance to insinuate that she also looked different causing her to frown at him. "You know full well who I am, are you trying to further humiliate me?" She asked with narrowed eyes causing Aron to rub his chin in thought.
"You're starting to sound like a dissatisfied wife Esmeralda." Aron remarked rather bluntly causing Esmeralda's expression to grow slightly flustered. Unbeknownst to her she had already fallen into a conversation with him.
Her attitude towards Aron had changed greatly after their brief time together in the Newman Highlands where she learned she could freely talk to him.
"You..."
