Christmas Banquet [1]

Today was December 25.

It was Christmas Day.

More than two months had passed since Azriel had made it back to the Crimson estate and after the White Haven event.

He and Nol had barely survived his mother's wrath.

Not that Azriel didn't understand her anger. 

Suddenly disappearing in perhaps one of the safest places on Earth after just returning from being presumed dead for the past two years...

Of course, his mother would be worried.

As for Nol...

He had been staying at the Crimson estate ever since.

His family, especially his mother and sister, had taken quite a liking to him, treating Nol as family.

Both Azriel and Nol came up with a simple story that Nol was a friend Azriel had made in the void realm, where Nol had lost all his memories, making him know almost nothing about Earth and his own life there.

Somehow Nol had found himself trapped in his own unique skill, forgetting how to use it, making Azriel think he died, so he escaped the void realm without him.

But after finally finding out how, Nol managed to send an invitation to Azriel at the Crimson estate.

At first, Azriel was still suspicious of Nol, but after living with him day after day, he noticed that the boy wouldn't do him or his family any harm. 

In fact, it seemed Nol would be the one to harm those who dared to even have such thoughts against his master and his family.

In these two months, Azriel unfortunately couldn't really train much. 

The reason?

"I think this one suits him the best, don't you think so, Mother?"

"Yes, I agree. This one makes his eyes stand out much more!"

The mother-daughter pair behind him treated him like a dress-up doll. 

They had barely left Azriel's side since the White Haven incident.

Who knows where he might disappear to when left on his own again?

Or better said, with his father.

It seemed that every time the father-son pair were together, Azriel would somehow manage to disappear.

In other words, they didn't really trust Azriel and Joaquin to be left together anymore.

Not that Azriel minded that much...

If he was honest, he had missed the feeling of having people worry over him.

... it felt nice.

Though he was still a little annoyed that they didn't allow him to train.

But that was one of the conditions for being allowed to go to the hero academy.

It was a hassle to persuade his mother since she didn't favor the idea of Azriel leaving the Crimson estate.

Luckily, his father and sister managed to help him out, though the former almost lost his life...

Again.

Only a week was left until the academy would start.

It's not like Azriel really needed to prepare for it.

Currently, his mother and sister were with him in his room.

After changing clothes for the umpteenth time, he had finally settled on a black tuxedo and adjusted his collar properly.

His hair was combed back as well.

Jasmine and his mother nodded at each other, seemingly proud of themselves.

Both of them were sitting on his bed, and as he gazed at the pile of clothes next to them...

His lips twitched.

More than half of them couldn't even be worn today!

'I feel used... not even being in Europe was this tiring!'

Even in this world, Christmas was celebrated.

In fact, it was even more significant than in his previous world, as it symbolized the hope that humanity was still standing.

Each year, the four great clans of Asia would host a banquet.

A Christmas banquet, to be precise.

This year, it was Azriel's family's turn to host.

His sister, Jasmine, was wearing a sleek black dress that hugged her figure, with a high neckline and long sleeves.

The fabric shimmered subtly in the light, cascading down to a modest length just above her knees. 

Their mother, Aeliana, wore a similar dress, but hers was red instead of black.

Azriel understood why the protagonist was captivated by Jasmine. Her beauty was simply enchanting, a magnetic force that could draw everyone in.

Even as her brother, Azriel couldn't help but be in awe of her breathtaking appearance. She had a quality that seemed to set her apart from everyone else.

And then there was their mother, whose beauty was on an entirely different level. She possessed elegance and grace that seemed almost otherworldly.

'Still, he's not getting her...'

Not that he had anything against the protagonist. In fact, Azriel liked him a lot.

Sure, he had flaws like every other person, but one of his most irritating flaws was his harem.

'It's not like he has a harem right now, though...'

Perhaps he could change that?

Make the protagonist someone who would stick to one person?

Azriel shook his head.

'I don't have time to waste on that.'

Instead, he would just intervene if he noticed him and Jasmine getting closer.

"Both of you can go downstairs. I'll find you after I see what's taking Nol so long."

His mother frowned a little at Azriel's words.

"Are you sure? It has been a while since you attended something like this..."

Azriel smiled, hearing her concern. He could see Jasmine looking at him, also a little worried.

Azriel was someone who almost never attended banquets.

This would also be the first time Azriel Crimson would reappear in public, dispelling all the rumors that had been going around about him for the past two years.

"Perhaps it's better if I stay with you and Nol...?"

Hearing his sister, Azriel shook his head.

"There is no need. Seriously, both of you are worrying too much. I promise I will be fine. Besides, it's about to start, and I'm sure Father is waiting downstairs already."

It would be odd if his mother and sister were late. As for Azriel, it wasn't like anyone was expecting him anyway, so he could afford to be a little later than them.

"Fine... just make sure to stay with Nol if you aren't joining us. Otherwise, find us if something happens."

Luckily, his mother relented this time, making Azriel break out in a small smile.

"I doubt something will happen, but I promise I will find you if it does."

Who was he kidding?

Of course, trouble would happen!

In fact, Azriel was counting on it.

This Christmas banquet would be...

'The perfect chance to change Azriel Crimson's image.'