Chapter 100: An Invite

Rewen shook his head. "I haven't asked that of him yet."

"Haha, that's good. Learn to take things slow. Aside from that, how do you feel about Hase?" Ikeda casually asked with a friendly tone.

"He is... a good guy?" Rewen answered with a bit of uncertainty in his tone.

"Of course, I have watched him since he was small. I was asking how you feel about him."

"How do I feel about him? Let's see… he is a quiet guy but interacts with regulars every so often. He also answers my nonsensical questions about potions with patience. There's not really a lot of negative points I could say about him. There is one thing I noted though. He doesn't stay in the shop after I go. He goes somewhere, probably to talk with his friends, and returns in the morning." 

"Yes, he visits his friends." Ikeda didn't seem to have received a shock from his words.

"I thought so."

Ikeda and Rewen talked for a few more minutes after which the former told him to go back to his room.

"Just wait a minute," Ikeda called Rewen who was about to leave the room.

Rewen tilted his head. "Is something the matter?"

"Can you take this to my daughter's room? I know that both of you are not on good terms but it's urgent." Ikeda took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it over the Rewen.

'I'm sure the servants would have done the task faster.' Rewen didn't know why Ikeda wanted only him to do so. 'Maybe it's because her room is close to him and I'm overthinking.'

Rewen nodded, then walked to Reza's room.

*Knock*

"Miss, there's a letter your father sent for you." Rewen made his voice bolder in case the gentlelady would recognize his voice and not even open the door.

The door creaked as it revealed a black-haired fair girl. As soon as the figure saw the person standing in front of her, she grabbed the door.

"Here's the letter." Throwing the letter on the floor, Rewen made a run to his room.

He looked at the time. "2:30 p.m. Not yet." Jumping on the bed, he took a short nap.

***

"Sir, your quota is still left. Why don't you give it to my son?" A middle-aged bearded man suggested to the Envoy. Both of them were sitting on a public bench.

"How can that be done? Your son is only fifteen." The Envoy got hold of the spot after much hard work. How could he give it away this easily?

"My son will surely get what you asked for. He is a very capable person." The middle-aged bearded man didn't give up.

"Please stop it. It's not a matter of whether your son is capable or not. It's about whether he's worthy or not."

"How could the son of a City Lord be unworthy? He is a hundred times better than the daughter of Terio."

"I didn't give away my quota to her. The Terio Head did. He and I have different requirements."

The middle-aged bearded man let out a mouthful of air. His eyebrows were sharp, as if angry. "How much?"

The Envoy smiled in a carefree manner. "No amount of gold could compensate for this one quota. You know that very well so it's better not to flaunt your wealth in front of this envelope."

The middle-aged bearded scoffed hearing his words. "It isn't even confirmed whether the artifact you are searching for is there."

"You said it yourself. You don't believe that there's an artifact I'm searching for in that place? Then why should I give the quota to your son? Your son could play around in that place and when returns empty-handed, you are just going to say 'oh, there's no such thing in that place.' How would that work?"

"You don't understand my words, Mr. Envoy. In the entire city, I doubt you'll find someone more capable than my son. He awakened with the blessing of a Goddess from the Lower Order. Take my word for it. He would be regarded as an outstanding man in the future even when taking the entire Nation of Bandits into consideration."

"I never seemed to have said that your son isn't talented. What I want isn't someone talented and capable, I want someone worthy." The Envoy relaxed on the bench as his gaze circled the surroundings. It stopped when he saw a certain boy.

The City Lord laughed angrily. "Well, I can only say 'good luck' in finding someone worthy."

The Envoy gave a deep smile. "Thanks to your 'good luck', I think I have found my candidate." He got up from the bench and approached the boy.

The City Lord was left dumbstruck. 'Is that fatass his candidate? The Envoy is a lunatic!'

Meanwhile, Rewen was exercising his feet when he was approached by a good-looking man.

"What can I do for you?" He asked, seemingly confused.

"Do you want to become a great figure?"

"Yes." Rewen gave a straight answer. "But you look kinda shady."

"I'm not." The Envoy smiled, then took out an envelope from his suit pocket and handed it over to the boy. "Here's your ticket to becoming a great figure."

Rewen's hands showed hesitation but he eventually accepted it.

Not saying anything more, he went back to the Terio Villa.

The Envoy gave a meaningful smile while looking at his back, then went back to the public bench. "Finally done." Stretching his arms, he yawned.

The City Lord didn't know where to start his complaints from.

***

Coming back to the room, Rewen didn't waste his time opening the envelope. He knew what this was and was excited about it.

When he opened the envelope, there was a paper inside with words written on it. Before he could read it, he heard a voice inside his mind.

[Hello. You have been invited to Exquisite Immemorial Palace as a respectful guest to my humble Palace]

[However, before you enter the Palace and even before you start reading the contents, please answer some of my questions which are a result of my curiosity]

[Note: There is no correct answer.]

[Question 1: Do you feel like your life is too bland and boring?]

If Rewen was being honest, then he would say "Hell No!" but that is not the "correct" answer. Yes, there was no correct answer but according to him, there was a correct answer. 

"Yup. It's too boring. I want something more exciting and adventurous in my life."

[Question 2: Do you think you are worthy to enter the Palace?]

"I am not."

[Question 3: What powers do you want if you were allowed to choose?]

"A power of an average fifteen-year-old Noble."

[Very well. You have satisfied my curiosity! You are now allowed to read the contents. I will be waiting for your arrival.]

Rewen did as he was told even if he didn't need to.

---

Good day, Gentleman/Lady.

Every year, our Exquisite Immemorial Palace hosts a special event for the most outstanding of young generations. The events conducted are different every year but the prize remains the same. There is only one prize given to only one person - Are you that person?

If you are confident enough, come to our Exquisite Immemorial Palace to find out what lies in your hands!

---

"Literally the same thing that I read." 

***

Ikeda sipped the tea from the cup and stared at the boy sitting opposite him.

"So you are telling me that you got an envelope?" Ikeda asked in a suspicious tone. 'How could anyone hand over a previous quota to a person like him? It makes no sense.'

Rewen understood his suspicions. Not saying anything useless, he just took out the envelope and showed it to him.

Ikeda didn't speak for a while, as if he was tongue-tied. A few seconds later, he nodded. "That will do. Sorry for doubting."

"It's alright. It was right for you to be suspicious, to begin with."

"Hm, you should go with Hase and Reza. They are also participants."

"I expected Reza to be a participant but Hase?"

"It's personal." 

"I understand."

"Thanks for your understanding. Two days later, be ready. You have to leave for the capital early."

"How many days would it take though?"

"It shouldn't take a day. Maybe around twelve hours."

***

For the next two days, Rewen practiced the <<Full-Body Channeling>> wholeheartedly. 

Wearing a neat suit, although he still looked ugly, he looked clean and proper. He also lost a bit of weight, though his height remained the same. 

---

POW: 2.9 

G.C.: 1

---

Rewen sighed, holding the "Gruer Detector" that he borrowed from the family. "Quite a long way to go before I become 'normal'. Anyways, it's about time.' Exiting the room, he headed outside the villa.

There, he saw four familiar people standing beside a car. Hase, Reza, Ikeda, and his wife were all merrily chatting with each other. 'Let's not disturb them.' Looking at them, he got reminded of my own family.