Chapter 447: Social Circle

447 Social Circle

"Is that true?!" Adam's eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing the youth's genuine shock, John found it very amusing. "Haha, looks like you really didn't know." He paused for a moment and curiously asked, "But how did you guys meet?"

"Uh... our mentors are friends, so that's how I know Daneli and his sister," Adam muttered in a daze. However, inwardly, his mind was storming with countless thoughts.

I had read about the Four Great Clans of the Baja High Forest, but never in my wildest dream had I imagined Daneli and Atiel hailing from one of those clans!

Wait, now it sort of makes sense why Daneli would act so snobbish most of the time.

Suddenly, his pupils constricted and his body trembled ever so slightly when he thought of another possibility.

Just like me, Daneli is also a member of the Twilight Brotherhood. If I assume that the men in his family are privy to this knowledge, could it be that some of them are also secretly part of the Brotherhood?!

If this assumption is indeed true, then the Brotherhood's reach is far deeper than I had earlier estimated!

"...Adam?"

"Hey, Adam!" John called out to him.

"Y-Yeah?" The youth snapped out of his thoughts and asked, "What's the matter?"

John whispered while gesturing with his chin toward a certain direction, "Your friend's here and it looks like he is coming this way."

Adam turned his head in the direction John was pointing toward and saw Daneli was indeed approaching them.

The elf wore white silk clothes adorned with golden embroidery, looking immaculate and elegant. Wherever he passed by, he would gracefully smile and greet the guests.

Seeing such a scene, Adam was flabbergasted. This guy... he's actually being so polite to others?!

Although it was a short distance, it took Daneli more than a few minutes to traverse. After all, it was his soiree and he had to greet every guest that he came across.

"Magus Rodriguez, I hope you're enjoying this fine evening," Daneli smiled brightly as he greeted John.

"My family and I are very grateful for this invitation, Lord Ambermind." John placed his right hand on his chest and slightly bowed.

"Please, we're both students of Saratoga. No need to address me so formally," Daneli chuckled lightly.

While Adam was watching Daneli's act with a dumbfounded look on his face, John felt really nice that even though he was speaking to someone who could be considered almost royalty in the Baja High Forest, this person didn't look down on him in the least.

Instead, Daneli treated him like an equal and spoke very amicably.

"Very well, I just remembered I had to attend to someone," John smiled and excused himself. "Farewell, gentlemen."

After he had left, Daneli glanced at Adam's attire and nodded. "Not bad. Pearls indeed look good on a swine."

Adam completely ignored the elf's snide remark and asked with a shocked expression, "You... belong to one of the Four Great Clans of Baja?!"

Daneli shrugged, "Yeah, what about it?"

Adam resisted the urge to cast a Fireball at the elf for acting so casually. In the end, he couldn't help but sigh as he shook his head. "Anyway, what's the reason behind this whole event?"

"It's a tradition among the nobility of Ravenfell," said Daneli.

"Wait a minute, when did you become an aristocrat of this city?"

"Heh, you do know that you can buy a nobility title, right?" Daneli smirked.

Adam was taken aback. "There was something like that?"

"Yes, anyway, let's skip the chit-chat." Daneli patted Adam's shoulder and walked with him toward the ballroom. "This event is the perfect opportunity to network and expand your social circle."

Adam walked side by side with the elf and noticed how the guests in the manor were now viewing him.

Naturally, if they saw someone on such familiar terms with a person such as Daneli, they would be very curious about them.

Realizing Daneli's intentions, Adam's lips curled up into a faint smile. "So are you going to introduce me to people or what?"

Daneli resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he maintained a smiling facade. "What else do you think I'm bringing you for?"

Adam learned a great many things from the elf tonight. Every time Daneli would approach someone, he would respectfully greet them. Then, he would discuss certain current events going on in the city.

He would then use subtle words of flattery to make the other person comfortable, before finally introducing Adam to them.

This sort of conversational maneuvering was a new experience for the youth, and he couldn't help but admire Daneli a little for being so articulate. Not just that, he had also witnessed the elf form alliances and exchange favors with the renowned nobles of the city.

By the time Daneli had introduced Adam to several influential aristocrats, Adam's social circle had already expanded significantly.

Furthermore, it also helped that Adam was a Rank 2 Magus from Saratoga as well as a Grade 2 Herbalist from the Herbalist's Guild. These two points were more than sufficient enough for the powerful nobles to form healthy relations with him.

After close to two hours of getting to know new people, Adam couldn't help but ask in a hushed tone, "How long is this going to continue? My jaws are hurting from taking nonstop."

Hearing him grumble like a little child, Daneli found it very amusing. "There's one more person I want you to meet."

"Haa, who is it this time?"

"You'll see," Daneli replied mysteriously.

The elf guided Adam away from the crowd and toward his personal library where no guests were allowed to enter. After entering this space, they saw a mature man in his early forties sitting by the fireplace and leisurely reading a book.

He had honey-brown eyes, short locks of crimson hair, and a bronze, sun-kissed, tan physique. When this man sensed footsteps approaching him, his lips curled up into a smirk.

"Adam Constantine, we finally meet." He got up from his seat and walked toward the raven-haired youth.

"...And you are?" Adam glanced at him in confusion.

The man touched his forehead with his right-hand index and middle fingers. He then lowered his fingers, drew an arc, and placed it at the center of his chest, forming a crescent moon.

"The name's Elrick Spence," he said with a carefree smile.

"I'm the Brotherhood's handler for this region."

Only 2 chaps today...

Esenel