Chapter 145 - 145)The After Party.

"This is exactly why I asked you to dress properly but no you chose to dress like a hobo instead, just look at Sage, look at how neat he looks? Nobody's going to come and talk to you and if they do it might be because you're player Night, get rid of the mask! This isn't 2020! Everyone's going to be in formals and you're going to be there standing awkwardly in a hoodie," This was the moment Nate was waiting for, the party after the event. It was exactly why he was dressed the way he was.

"Come on, it's not that bad....right Sage?" Luke asked as he turned to their newest member.

"Uhmmm, I do not...know.." Sage replied while looking away.

"Are you seeing this?? He literally more or less worships you and he still didn't back you up. It's literally only you and Aurora who are dressed weirdly and I'm sure she's brought a change of clothes," 

"Alright, alright, I won't do it next time okay?" Luke had both his hands together while he apologized.

"Fine...Anyway, let's move to the next venue, I had no idea there was another room but it looks like KYOJIN always has something planned. I'm looking forward to seeing Kenny Smith in the flesh but I highly doubt he would show up for something like this, maybe Dr. Reed is going to take his place?"

"What do you mean? Why won't he show up? Isn't he the face of KYOJIN?" Luke asked curious as to what Nate meant by his statement.

"Kenny Smith is probably the most influential man in the world, if he isn't already then he's going to be in a few months. Not to mention his inventions, for example, this thingy," Nate said while pointing to the device around his wrist, "who would've thought there would be such an object?? It can literally break the language barrier. Imagine how useful it would prove to be during international political meets? Wouldn't that make achieving peace an easier target? It would leave no room for any misinterpretation. There is just no way he would bother to show up."

"That makes sense.." 

'Wow...he knows so much, I guess there's a reason senior-Nate is one of the best players...' Sage thought as he looked at Nate lecturing Luke.

"Luke! Nate!" a voice called out.

"Hmm? Valerian?" 

"Oh, who do we have here? Player Everzone huh?" Valerian said.

"Ah right...Sage, this is Valerian, but I guess you probably know him?" 

"H-hello..I'm Sage, Sage White,"

"That's a cool name, I'm Valerian Milo, it's nice to meet you! Anyway, I assume you guys are going to be coming to the party? If so let's go together. Ah there they are, let me introduce you guys real quick,"

"As you know, this is Layla. These two are Noxx and Leo and you've already met Aurora," Valerian smiled as he finished that sentence.

"Nice to meet you guys, let's cut the salutations and go to the after-party, we'll have all the time to chit-chat there, let's move people!" Nate said as he pushed Sage and Luke, the latter was busy having a stare-down with Aurora.

'Children, I swear to god,' Nate cursed internally as he witnessed the telepathic duel that took place between his friend and Jace's granddaughter.

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"Wow..." the group muttered in unison, even Luke and Aurora who glared the life out of each other throughout the short walk, couldn't help but catch their breath.

It was weird that such a place was somehow hidden away, a room gigantic enough to make people feel tiny and bland. Glass chandeliers that could easily be mistaken for floating crystals, spiraled down from the ceiling that portrayed "The Creation of Adam". The chandelier perfectly illuminating the exquisite golden marble floor. 

The more Luke looked around the room, the more he realized Nate's argument made sense. The ballroom wasn't the only thing that screamed grand or royalty. The men were dressed to a T, with their shiny watches and slickly combed hair. The women sparkled like jewels, they wore delicate silk gowns and had a shawl draped around their shoulders.

It was only then that Luke noticed what Aurora was wearing. A Prussian blue ball gown that curvaceously fit her body. Dark rubies dangling from both her ears, wavey red hair that danced around with every step she took, her golden eyes that would put even Sir Dior to shame.

"Wow...." Luke muttered as he slapped himself internally for not noticing how she looked until now. Fortunately, K wasn't here to witness his student stunned by someone's appearance.

"This is definitely something.." Aurora said as she looked around the room, "and I've been to dozens of worldwide events, this beats them all..."

The giggling and whispering accompanied by the wafts of hyacinth, maple, and rose, waiters moving around without any wasted movements, tables set to perfection, every single person here regardless of their status were treated like royalty. The only thing that ruined or seemed out of place in this aesthetic scene was Luke.

He was still dressed the same as before, black oversized hoodie with joggers, thankfully, he removed the mask which completely changed the criticisms of the others.

"I take full pleasure in saying this, I told you so," Nate said as he whispered in Luke's ear.

"Yeah...yeah you did," he replied in an awe-struck tone.

"Let's sit down now shall we?" Valerian said as he gestured towards a table.

The second they sat down, eight wine-glasses that were filled with red wine were served along with mouth-watering dishes such as grilled chicken on sticks served with mayo and freshly-sliced vegetables and cake pops with a hint of rum in it. A unique combination but a tasty one nonetheless.

"Nate, Luke...now that we're seated, there's something we need to talk about," Valerian said as he looked around the table. He didn't know if it was a coincidence or not but Luke and Aurora were seated next to each other. Once again he suppressed the thought that they were uniquely opposite, their hair, eye colour, and even their in-game names, however, this wasn't the time for him to think about something else.

"Before that, are you two going to behave?" Nate looked at Aurora and Luke.

"Don't look at me, it's him that irks me,"

"Right because I'm the one that attacks people randomly,"

"Whatever,"

"Ahem, I'll save you some time and get to the point, as the leader and creator of the clan, The Primordials, I invite you and the others to join us..." Nate said as he looked at Layla and the others as well.

"Haha, looks like you saw through me. Is that even a question? of course, we'll join you," Valerian said as he raised his glass to the centre of the table.

"Perfect,"

*Clink*

Eight glasses filled with thick red liquid met at the centre of the table, the sound of glass clinking together echoed throughout the chamber. These individuals immediately began their idle chit-chat, it was like they were all old friends.

"Sage are you old enough to be drinking...?" Leo asked curiously after seeing Sage's expression after tasting the drink.

"I'm 18.....but this was like my second or third time tasting alcohol so..." Sage as with his cheeks slightly rosy.

"Hmmm?" Luke turned back, he could feel someone looking at him and usually, he's never wrong, 'I swear I felt someone watching me? haah must be the wine I guess..'

However, it wasn't that the wine impaired his sense, he was right, there was indeed someone looking towards their table, more specifically at Luke. It was a young man who looked exactly like Luke, he was like a mini-version of him, he had stormy grey eyes and dark short hair. Every other feature of this man was exactly the same as Luke's, the chiseled jaw, the fit body, and the mesmerizing vibe he emanated.

He wore a maroon suit and trousers, he leaned against a pillar, it looked like he was hiding from someone and it was obvious that this someone was Luke. He wiped the drop of sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand. There was a reason even Luke couldn't properly sense him, that was simply because the man was hidden behind a pillar near the washroom which was on the other end of Luke's table.

'Was it a coincidence? There's no way he could feel my gaze right? Actually, I wouldn't;t even know anymore, who would've thought he would bust out those moves and save his friend. Anyway, it's funny, who would've thought he was player Night? Both of them currently occupy the top two spots, that's good news honestly...' The man thought as he calmed his breathing down.

He looked at Luke once again to see him laughing with seven other individuals, they were drinking, eating and by the looks of it, Luke was having fun, he was happy.

"I'm glad you're enjoying brother.."