novelraw Chapter 996: Not Exactly Normal
Chapter 996: Not Exactly Normal
Assistant Adrian, who worked for Chairman Lan, wasn’t sure what to do.
In fact, from the moment the fundraising auction started, he had lost track of what they were supposed to be doing.
Today, in this very banquet, they were supposed to thank everyone.
Then, after expressing their gratitude, they would tell them to look forward to the upcoming Astral Cup.
Maybe get several people excited about what was to come.
Then, to officially close out the night as well as the event, they would announce the most popular booth, even though it was already obvious.
The committee was aware that this year’s Annual Expo looked like a one-sided battering, and while most would celebrate, there would still be naysayers here and there.
But they figured that such complaints wouldn’t last once DG found the time to clarify the announcement they made earlier.
Morale would likely rise and the future would be bright once again.
See, pretty good, right?
Overall, it was a solid plan that would eventually end with a riveting fireworks display and everyone going home to rest.
But the Expo Committee member wasn’t sure how their supposedly peaceful handover ended up as anything but that.
Nothing felt real in the hands of the assistant, especially since he couldn’t believe how they had been given authorization to have an impromptu sparring match featuring the unlikeliest of fighters.
"Chairman Lan, what exactly are we supposed to do about this?"
"...Adrian, you speak like we have a choice."
The old boss and his younger subordinate looked at each other and tacitly thought about retiring early.
Yeah, that was it.
They really ought to think about their lives before the others decided to file before them.
And as the horn blared to start what would be the most unexpected portion of the night, Adrian realized he definitely needed to file before his boss did.
Because if he didn’t, the likelihood of him inheriting this problem next year was practically a given.
__
Back in one of the dedicated rooms of the training arena, moments before the spar officially started, one worried Luca couldn’t help but pace repeatedly.
He couldn’t help but feel guilty for involving everyone, and so he resolved to apologize with all his heart.
Without hesitation, Luca turned and bowed deeply.
"Everyone... I’m really sorry," he said sincerely, especially directing it toward his husband whom he thought would ultimately be inconvenienced by this. "I misunderstood him, and now we have to do something that could be dangerous..."
But before he could continue, the Prince stepped forward.
"You don’t have to apologize," Xavier said, his voice calm and reassuring.
"You did nothing wrong, and even managed to make the most of the situation."
"If anything, it should be me who apologizes for getting you into that situation in the first place. That was my oversight. I’m sorry."
"Huh?"
Luca blinked, clearly confused, because how could it possibly be Xavier’s fault?
From the side, Ollie immediately chimed in, nodding eagerly.
"Brother, he’s right! Kyle also told me earlier that you actually did well!" the blonde said, looking adorably proud.
"What? How could I have done well? I really thought h-he—"
Luca faltered, face heating up as he couldn’t bring himself to finish.
But then, unexpectedly, Noah spoke up, scratching the back of his head.
"As someone with a dark past, I can confidently say that the jerk was trying his best to goad all of us, especially you."
"It’s not that I’m proud of what I’ve done, but because I’ve been there, I can tell you that he was likely trying to get us to throw the first punch."
"He just didn’t expect, much like I didn’t before, that you’d focus on something completely different. So he ended up in an embarrassing situation, and honestly, he can’t blame anyone but himself."
Noah shook his head slightly, realizing just how fortunate he had been to wake up from his own stupidity before ending up like their Academy senior or the heir of the Federation.
Sure, he would have to carry that bad memory with him all his life, but in a way, he was lucky it wasn’t as bad as what those two would have to carry.
It didn’t matter if that Veyra kid managed to find a way to salvage his dignity in the end, but people would still look back to this day and realize it happened.
He could just imagine how much seething that guy would do every night from this day onwards.
But how did Noah know? Well, because he did that for a good while after losing to Luca solidly.
So what more for a guy like Cassian, right?
"...Really?" Luca asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," Noah replied.
"Based on what D-29 replayed, he was definitely trying to make you realize that you’d be better off joining him because we’re supposedly limiting your potential and taking credit for your achievements."
The Imperial Prince remained silent at that.
Because technically, there was some truth to it.
His wife really did deserve all the credit.
But at the same time, there was absolutely no universe where Luca would benefit from being tied to Cassian or the Federation.
"WHAT?! That’s what he meant?!" Luca’s brows furrowed in indignation.
"Pssh! He couldn’t even say it like a man!" Princess Kira snapped, practically fuming.
"He had to go all backhanded with praise! And he even had the gall to mock your ring! Does he even have any idea how hard Prince Silarion—may he rest in peace—must’ve worked on that?! Who cares if there’s practically no rock!"
Her red hair might as well have been on fire as she demanded to be allowed to pummel the heir to the Federation for also delaying the dance she had been looking forward to.
"!!!"
Luca gasped and immediately touched his ring.
"He even has a problem with my ring?!"
"Brother, I personally believe he has a problem with everything and everyone," Ollie said seriously, waving a piece of his emergency stress-relieving seaweed. "It’s just that it was easier to target your husband because of his alleged title. He’s dissing him because you’re not wearing an extravagant ring with a big rock."
In short, Cassian just called Xavier poor. That, or the evil man just labelled his good brother as unloved.
"How could he say that when Xavier always gives me the best rocks?!" Luca burst out. "My biggest ones are all from my husband! My husband is the best!"
Everyone turned to look at Xavier’s flustered reaction.
That was both sweet.
And incredibly embarrassing.
Something that only Luca Kyros could say both publicly and privately.
But then there was Princess Kira, who was also built entirely differently who nodded in agreement.
"While I can say that my Bunbun is also the best, we can argue there are different categories, so it’s fine," she said confidently.
"I also agree with you. So I say we go there and beat them up!"
Luca took a deep breath.
Normally, he was a peace-loving creature.
But this time—
"Okay! I realize I may have misunderstood everything," Luca admitted, "but it seemed like he was really being mean!"
"Right?! So let’s go!" Kira cheered.
But before they could actually move, Theo raised a hand and that had the Princess stopping in curiosity.
"Uh, well that’s great, but I just want to ask... how exactly are we going to do that?"
Kira paused mid-celebration.
"Huh? What do you mean how? We fight, of course! Weren’t they the ones who suggested that?"
There was a brief silence.
Then Kyle, who had clearly been counting to a hundred this whole time, finally spoke.
"I’m guessing you noticed it?"
"Huh? Noticed what?" Ollie asked, popping up beside his boyfriend like a little mushroom.
Theo nodded slightly, and the adjutant simply exhaled.
"He’s asking because we’re not exactly fighting regular people," he said. "Thankfully, we’re not all that normal ourselves."
"???"
"But even so," Kyle continued, "it might be best if Ollie and Theo sit this spar out if possible."
The blonde, who was named Ollie, and was definitely mentioned, blinked.
It wasn’t like he wanted to fight anyone with his bare hands, but hearing Kyle say that made it sound serious.
"Hey, is it because—"
Ollie wanted to ask if it was because he still couldn’t puncture a punching bag without using spiritual energy, and that was why he couldn’t join, but Kyle spoke, and just like that, there was no way he could continue when his boyfriend added,
"They’re bionic."
"..."
"..."
Luca definitely heard that.
He just didn’t understand the scope of it as a man from Tesseris, a place where space exploration had been limited to the moon.
Ironically, he found the concept even more surprising than the existence of orcs, elves, dwarves, sirens, and other aliens.
"Sorry, what?"
This time, Xavier explained.
"These elite delegates from the Federation," he said calmly, "they’re part machine."
Technically, the correct reaction should’ve been shock, followed by an exclamation of, "Already?!" since those delegates were too young even for the Federation, which had split from the Empire for embracing and relying on such modifications.
But instead of that—
Jax tilted his head and asked simply,
"But hey... if we hit hard enough, won’t metal bend too?"