novelraw Chapter 12: His Past
Chapter 12: His Past
The lunch Keken prepared for Fischer could only be described as luxurious. While that level of luxury might not quite measure up to the standards of a gentleman who had lived in Saint Nary for years, it still clearly reflected Keken’s enthusiasm.
Two unopened bottles of authentic wine from the West Coast of Nary were placed on the table by the servants. Fischer and Keken sat at opposite ends of a rectangular dining table, symbolizing that they were the central figures of the meal. On one side sat two elegant black-haired, black-eyed ladies who looked alike—sisters, their serene smiles as sweet as lilies blooming beside a chapel.
On the other side sat a clearly uncomfortable Raphaëlle. She cast a glance at the two smiling human women across the table. Their posture was graceful, their legs modestly positioned—even for a Dragonkin, their sitting posture looked refined and elegant. So, somewhat awkwardly, Raphaëlle let her tail droop and, unusually, kept her legs still and maintained a proper seated pose.
But that posture seemed even more tiring for her than fighting. After just a short while, her tail began to sway slightly behind her as a sign of her mounting discomfort.
She regretted coming along with Fischer. But then...
She suddenly recalled the young male Dragonkin she had seen earlier in the cage. He was so small, yet already had to suffer such cruelty because of humans.
No one could know exactly what she was thinking. But that very thought helped her forget the discomfort of sitting still, and also prevented the dining experience from becoming socially awkward.
According to typical custom, a slave like Raphaëlle shouldn't be seated at the dining table under any circumstances. However, Keken clearly held Fischer in extremely high regard. No matter how Fischer tried to decline, Keken insisted on giving him the seat of honor—and even arranged a seat for Raphaëlle.
A gentleman’s slave is not my slave. When it came to appearances, Keken left no loose ends.
“This glass is to our Royal Academy legend—Mr. Fischer!” Fischer had instructed the servant not to pour wine for Raphaëlle. Who knew what kind of chaos she might unleash if she had a drink? Once everyone else’s glasses were filled with the golden liquor, Keken was the first to raise his glass and toast.
“You flatter me far too much.”
Fischer also raised his glass but dared not agree with the "legend" title. He added, “If Principal Damian hears you calling me that, his beard would curl into a spiral out of sheer anger.”
Keken set down his glass and chuckled.
“His beard already did curl into a spiral—if I recall correctly, it was about two years ago. Did you know? Ever since the new university in Saint Nary—founded by royal charter—started enrolling students, the old man hasn’t shown up to a single alumni meeting. All anyone talks about at those meetings is the new school. It’s totally overshadowed the Royal Academy.”
“Really?”
Fischer had heard about the founding of the new university in Saint Nary. It was a comprehensive school sponsored by the king himself—probably because the traditional curriculum at the Royal Academy had become too outdated and rigid for the times. So they recruited many fresh talents to establish the new university.
Many of the new professors had once been looked down upon by the Royal Academy—folks who studied steam engines, chemistry, and the principles of physics—what the old-school academics used to call “scrap heap scholars.”
“Yeah... But I haven’t been back to Saint Nary in a long time. I have no idea how things are now... Still, I never expected to run into you out here. Your speech at the graduation ceremony is something I remember vividly. You actually called the principal and the dean ‘the rotten remains of a bygone era’—hahaha! You scared the heck out of all the freshmen that year!”
Keken had a low tolerance for alcohol. Just one glass and his face was already flushed, though he remained full of enthusiasm. Raphaëlle thought he was about to breathe fire. Her ladylike posture quickly fell apart as she stared at him with alert eyes.
“Haha... It’s a good thing they still gave me my degree...”
Fischer, too, suddenly recalled those old days. Six years ago, he had been twenty-two, young and hot-headed. Even now, he still looked down on those decaying fossils, but he wouldn’t be so blunt about it anymore.
After all, talking too much only caused trouble for yourself and didn’t actually change anything.
Still, it felt nice having those youthful moments brought up now as lighthearted conversation.
“You were top of the High Academy that year—a favorite of many professors. If they hadn’t given you your degree, the office would’ve been flooded with complaint letters the next day.”
The servant poured Keken another glass, which he downed quickly, turning even redder.
Something seemed to cross his mind. His eyes turned a bit melancholic, and he sighed.
“All of us freshmen back then idolized you. But once the coursework started, I realized I could never be like you... I’m not just stupid, I’m also a coward—I can’t do anything right...”
His alcohol tolerance really was terrible. After only two drinks, his emotions spilled over. He was almost in tears, and his wife Dora hurriedly passed him a handkerchief to wipe them.
“You’re gifted and famous... And me? What do I have, other than a million-coin inheritance from my family? Other than the city my family bought me? Other than these two beautiful, kind wives—what else is there about me worth praising?”
The two lovely women at his side quickly cast him reassuring glances. Dora, sitting closest to him, even took his hand in hers. He gave a soft smile and gently returned the grip.
“......”
Fischer’s fingers stiffened around his wine glass. He pursed his lips—the steak in his mouth suddenly tasted a lot less appetizing.
He couldn’t tell if this guy was being humble in a showy way or genuinely pouring out his heart. But judging by the flicker in his eyes, Fischer chose to believe it was real. Otherwise, he’d seriously consider smacking this annoying junior with his cane.
“Ah... I don’t know why I’m saying all this depressing stuff. My apologies, I’m not great with alcohol.”
Keken rubbed his brow and then waved off the servant trying to pour him more wine. Once his eyes regained some clarity, he glanced at Raphaëlle, who was slicing meat with her claws.
“So, Mr. Fischer, are you currently researching demi-humans? In the biological sense, or societal?”
“Both. I’m very interested in the demi-humans of both the Southern and Western Continents.”
Fischer offered only a brief explanation. Keken, however, didn’t seem particularly interested. In the eyes of most humans, demi-humans had far too low a status. Even as slaves, they were still seen as inferior to humans. At least humans could talk, right?
“I see...”
Keken tapped the table with the hand wearing his rings, his expression pensive, as if considering something. Fischer kept cutting his steak and didn’t look at him, but suddenly spoke up,
“Is there something on your mind? If there’s anything you need help with, just say the word. I’ll do whatever’s within my power to help.”
“Ah—no, you’ve misunderstood.”
Keken, startled out of his thoughts by Fischer’s sudden question, quickly smiled and explained, “It’s nothing serious. I just thought it might be something that would interest you. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I even brought in doctors and scholars from the Western Continent, and none of them had any clue either...”
“Oh?”
Fischer paused, intrigued, and looked at Keken across the table.
Keken cleared his throat and leaned in with a touch of mystery.
“Mr. Fischer, have you ever heard of a disease called Azure Frenzy?”