Chapter 507: Special guests

A four-drive prolonged into five hours. Along the coast admiring the blueness yonder, he missed a junction and followed the wrong road. It didn't take long to get back on track, though it came at the price of time. Approaching the 'elite' area, the change began with a slow and gentle ascension. The road narrowed into a single lane, the forestry about grew thick and overwhelming. At times the signs would simply not give instruction, the more one continued, the more decrepit and deserted it felt. Normal judgment would kick and say return home. Not here, not in this case, Éclair showed exactly where to head. The fear of the unknown turned to mere words.

Blue sky stuttered by floss-like clouds loomed beyond the tree-line. The road resumed, long and slow, peaceful or cautious, none knew. Flowing of water sang, a wooden bridge spawned as the portal to another dimension. The heavy blockage of the trees from the prior climb all but disappeared. Made by triangle supports, the pathway gave a clear view of the sea far down. At the mouth of the river, a delta formed upon which farmers grew plants. The brownness didn't extend far up the shore, few barricades stopped the dirt from escaping deeper into the lagoon.

'We're here,' he crossed into Hephon. Cleanliness and solitude were immediate. The road grew large. Numerous beautiful buildings were about, the lovely hedge-style barricades around various mansions accompanied by avant-garde architecture. Not stopping to admire, he sped along farther inside until a private road protected by brick-walls. 'Balna,' stood in a sign. 

"Hello, how may I help you?" gestured a guard.

"I have a reservation," said Igna taking off the helmet.

"Yes, please," the actions felt unwilling, "-can I see your luggage and check for verifications?"

"Sure."

A fresh breeze of relief dowsed the visage, the tight and uncomfortable relaxed per laid back shoulders. 

"Might I ask why security is so?" wondered Igna noticing few people and more guards about.

"Balna," said he cross-checking with the receptionists inside, "-isn't that well seen per the inhabitants here. We're against sharks of the resort business. I don't know how long we'll last. Considering every customer that comes here is either a spy or plans some sort of sabotage, we have to be careful."

"What about the policy?" he wondered in pure curiosity.

"Shames me to say," exhaled the guard, "-the staff tries hard to keep true to the owner's wishes. Our food is amazing, and the service is affordable. I'd gladly take my family here if I could. Thing is," the check paused, "-we had a particular incident last week. Business's been low, and the scheme was successful," he handed over Igna's card, "-please enjoy the stay." Gates opened per a push, and the bike went on its way. No red-carpets were deployed, the building inside wasn't that impressive. For a four-star beast, the very compartmental design left much to be desired. Despite the 'boring' outside, a step in and the perspective change. A grand lobby with few customers roaming about. The workers held smiles and white-gloves. A pillar englobed by various slideshows went up to the ceiling. At its feet was a quaint little fountain sprouting water at a normal pace. 

"Greetings sir," said the lovely receptionist.

"Hello, I have a booking under the name Igna," replied he.

"A moment please," she fiddled around the keyboard to breathe in awe.

"Something the matter?" he asked with a tilt.

"No, no," her hands hid nervously under the counter, "-you've booked the master-suite," the other hand reached for a card, "-this will get you access to the room. Please have a good stay."

"Thank you," he faced away, '-why did she seem so distraught?'

"You've booked the master-suite," commented Éclair, "-the most expensive room in the entire hotel for two days and one night. It's bound to turn eyes."

"How much did it cost?"

"About 350 Exa per night."

"Isn't it supposed to be like, cheap?"

"Obviously. Still, tis a hotel we're talking about. The prices range from 20 till 500."

"You saying there's another more expensive room?"

"Yeah, the presidential suite. I'll get into details later, head up the elevator – there's something you need to know." 

Clean marble floors changed to the carpet. The suite was on the fifth-floor at the eastern wing. Here, the few guests about turned to a ghastly town. Ambling down the red-brown carpeted corridor felt eerie. The more steps taken, the longer it felt. *Master Suite,* no room name assigned. A tap of the card and voila, an expensive room at a hotel. What could be said of the décor, not much? It sure was pretty and minimalistic. The few things about were expensive. A sunny-balcony gave onto the idyllic beach. In the end, the money was worth the view. *Slrr,* it slid to a warmer outside. 

"What is it?" he laid upon a beach-style chair.

"Balna's gone through a few conspiracies as of late."

"Really?" he looked about curiously.

"Isn't it weird that the Presidential Suite isn't up for booking?"

"Now that you say that…"

"Let me speak."

"Fine."

"It goes without saying, what I have here has been dug up from the hotel's and local law enforcement's servers. Don't underestimate my power. It all starts about two months ago. The guests staying at the presidential suite were spooked by weird knocking at night. They reported it almost immediately. The footage was scanned and nothing was found. The guards were on alert but none pay much attention. Most draw it to the rambling of a drunkard man. The very next day, same reports and these are witness reports I'm quoting. He returned to the lobby and cried about seeing a shadow. Once again, they checked the footage and found nothing. At parts of it, the clip blurred and grew distorted."

"Hold on," interjected Igna, "-are you sure this is what happened? Getting the feeling of having heard this story somewhere."

"Shut up!"

"Sorry, sorry."

"Where was I?... ah, ok, found it. After three days, the guest left and another one came to stay. Bear in mind, the people who booked such a room were very often traveling merchants or businessmen. People of real stature choose the better alternative. Budget luxury, that's straying off the facts. Here's where it gets weird. The numerous guests reported the same shadow and knocks. A lady went as far as to record herself sleeping. To which," a video played, "-we see a figure looming around her bed. It makes no sound. The lady doesn't even seem to sense the presence. Fast-forward two weeks ago, and the incident turns tragic. A guest has a fatal accident. Footage shows the same figure, albeit unlikely, guiding the sleeping man off the bed. He moves, trance-like, to open the balcony and jump. The body is found and taken to the hospital within thirty minutes. Autopsy says he died on impact. Since then, the hotel's made it unaccessible for other people. An investigation is underway. I mean, you could have an innocent peep."

"Are you really suggesting this is the job of a supernatural being? Let me remind you, the world's normality includes the dead coming to life. And no, I'm not interested."

"I know," said the spirit, "-a bit of mystery is fun here and there."

"Out with it already, what's happening here?" fired Igna.

"Don't you want to take a guess?" wondered he impatiently.

"An inside job, something to tarnish the reputation. Aiming for the weak-spot – a good strategy considering. What happened to the dead person, what about the family?"

"He was a nobody, no record on his whereabouts. I'm suspicious the death came earlier than the drop."

"Shut up," the situation brought bad memories, "-controlling a dead body. If Lucifer's church is involved – I guess the new owner of Balna is someone from the DG or the Federation. Has there not been any news reports?"

"No, the incident was settled privately. Large amounts of money were moved from the hotel's account."

"It doesn't bode well," said Igna, "-fighting the drop is fruitless. The owner realizes it now. Pulling out the market is the only option. He's going to sell it for cheap and save-face."

"For someone who doesn't want to get involved…"

"Shut it," fired Igna, "-you did this on purpose, didn't you?"

"No, I did nothing."

"Whatever, I came here for food, and that's what I'll get." Stood sharply, the main-restaurant came as a surprise. A supposed unsolved murder case didn't stop the tables to be filled. The food was to die for. As the guest holding the master-suite, a table peering over a nice pond was always opened. The menu, the aroma, the deliciousness in the air watered the pallet. 

The suicide case, whatever one wanted to call it, was nothing more than some good information on what happened. Balna's policy would eventually crumble under the pressure of the other hotels. It showed in the worker's hesitance. Still, upon that sunny evening, each bite warmed the soul. The texture, the difference in temperature, flavor, and aroma, the way the chef expertly played about with the ingredient, good didn't suffice. He devoured plate after plate and learn of a different type of cooking. Guests and waiters became enthralled by the starved boy. Rumors went from the restaurant to the kitchen.

"There's a young man on the master-suite table devouring everything we throw at him. He's ordering even more. Chef, I think you have a fan."

"Is that so," returned a monotone voice, "-I'm glad," heavy dark-circles and slumped posture all but reflected what was on the plate. Experiencing such a roller-coaster of a ride slapped a smile across the face.

"Éclair, I need a favor."

"What is it?"

"Have it so I can use the kitchen later. I want to experiment. The food here is so good I'm forced to hold a knife." 

Days went on till the 29th. Nothing major occurred, Igna spent the days and nights cooking, exploring, and experimenting. Hephon's multitude of restaurants sure made it worthwhile. None was the wiser, as long as one had money, there was access to almost anything. Dressed in warm clothes, the bike readied for the trip home. The cooking staff waved good-byes for he had worked into their circle. The always fatigued head-chef was pleased to give tips and tricks on how to improve. Learning never ended – an idea for a dish came to mind. It'd take a few days to perfect. Along the coast he went, smiling at the energetic kids running. Sunfall came after a nine-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning allowed for just about time to return soundly. The back did pain per the exhausting posture of riding a sports-bike. 

*Dring,* 

"Hello?" answered Igna able to stretch the limbs.

"Where have you been?" came through loudly, "-I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Why, what's the matter?" he casually opened the door, "-I said I'll be back by the 29th." 

"Where are you now?"

"Sunfall."

"Head to the academy. I don't care how long it takes." 

'What's wrong with him?' the room locked without fully stepping inside. A sense of impatience oozed out the call, something major must have happened. Éclair couldn't help either, the call ended too early to provide any insight. Dusk shrouded the lonesome roads. 

"Chef Leko," said a sharp voice, "-where is Igna?"

"My lady, I've called him, he should be back soon."

"Good, we want to taste the improvement of my wife's prodigy. Rumors about the battle made waves around the noble houses."

"He's very much grown," nodded Leko. The Lordon's flew over for Cle. Just as it so happens, Leko offered Lady Yuki to partake in the graduation evaluation. She'd step in as a special guest. Her praise would surely give confidence to the younger cooks. Despite the offer, she declined. Instead, Syndra would judge the food.

"I'm here," time showed 17:00, the faculty officed worked deep into the night.

"Welcome back, Igna," said Leko, "-I'm busy at the moment. Head to the restaurant, I'll be there shortly." 

"Sure."