Chapter 126: House Party

Giliath demands your power stones!

*

I saw three faces I recognize who are now standing in the front door. Inside, sitting at the table was Mr. Valestein and Lavi, who were to the left of me, and Emma and Claire to my right. Sara was still standing near the kitchen. At the door to the left was an aged woman, together with two men seemingly in their 20s to the right of her. One had blonde hair while the other had brown. All three were dressed in military garb but that didn't seem to phase the old man beside me.

I could recognize the three of them too, with the brown haired man I was acquainted with.

The woman was Instructor Beatrix, while the blonde haired man was Instructor Neithardt, two future teachers of Thors Military Academy. However, that was still some years away. Seeing the two dressed in military garb, it was likely these two still actively served in the Imperial Army.

It was distinct, but I could see respect in Neithardt's tone whenever he looked at Beatrix. Not many knew that Instructor Beatrix actually held one of the highest positions in Erebonia's military, the rank of a Colonel. The very same rank Cassius held when he was still in Liberl's Imperial Army.

Out of the people here in this house, Beatrix was the highest ranking soldier.

As much as I wanted to open a conversation with the two, I was not expecting Mueller to be with them. Not too long ago we were both in Liberl, celebrating Grandmother's birthday. And yet half a year later, he wound up here, together with those two, with Prince Olivert nowhere in sight.

Everyone's eyes were glued on us, as it seemed Mueller had the same reaction as I did, not expecting to see someone like me here in one of his own acquaintance's house. It was a surprise to know he knew some Jaegers, considering the lifestyle he currently has.

And yet, to break this momentary silence, I heard Lavi's voice speak out to me.

"You some kind of noble or somethin'?", Lavi retorted with a nonchalant look in her eyes.

"Haha, let's just say Mueller didn't say that just now.", , I responded to Lavi, trying to shrug her off. In response I saw an anger mark appear on Mueller's forehead.

"Come with me for a moment.", Mueller stated, only to disregard Colonel Beatrix and Major Neithardt. Beatrix didn't see Mueller behave this way too often, mostly during the times she's spent with him while he was with Prince Olivert, so seeing Mueller drag my arm away and leading to a corner of the house caused her to chuckle.

As for Neithardt, he watched on, only to get a sense of familiarity after watching the violet haired boy, but stayed silent wondering why he felt that way.

In response to Mueller dragging me to a corner of the house, Emma spoke up, as if she was already used to this kind of situation.

"Is anyone interested in seeing a magic trick?", Emma decided to ask, only to draw some attention to her.

"A magic trick?", Lavi tried to ask, but Emma ignored Lavi, and focused on channeling her mana a bit. Once it was concentrated enough she diverted it toward her finger, only to have it glow in a bluish aura.

Lavi's eyes squinted a bit seeing this sudden bluish aura wrap around Emma's finger while Sara blinked her eyes.

"That's the same aura you showed previously...", Sara uttered to herself. Instructor Neithardt's gaze also turned toward Emma, seeing her mana.

"Is this battle aura?", Neithardt uttered to himself, seeing Emma's mana being released.

"Not quite. It is too calming.", Beatrix surmised.

Emma ignored the uttering, only to let out a single chant from her mouth.

"Confucto.", Emma chanted. The way she spoke this sounded as if it was foreign to those who heard it.

Emma raised her finger slightly, only to point it to where Mueller and I were standing. A very fast blue light rushed forth, covering each corner from end to end. The light abruptly vanished, only to create an intangible barrier of sorts, invisible to the naked eye. But those who were stronger could feel something was there.

At the same time the moment this barrier covered us, the rest could no longer hear the whispers we had just made.

Mueller blinked for a moment as he could no longer hear anything coming from the kitchen nor the dining room.

"The hell did Emma just do?", Mueller asked.

"Hmm, if I had to guess, Emma just created a sound barrier. Nice~.", I happily answered, giving a thumbs up across the room to Emma, ignoring Mueller.

However, back on the outside of the barrier, the rest only saw my lips moving, and yet heard no sound whatsoever, no matter what gesture I made.

Seeing this happen, a wry smile appeared on Mr. Valestein's face.

"It looks like a couple of our guests seem to have business with each other.", Mr. Valestein said, seeing Emma put up a sound barrier. He then turned toward Sara before speaking further. "Sara, go prep the kitchen. We'll be serving lots of food tonight. I'll help serve the drinks.", He continued to say with a smile.

Hearing that, Sara blinked at her father for a moment.

"You're not thinking of doing what I think it is you're going to do, is it, Papa?", Sara retorted after hearing him say that.

"Of course, my dear daughter. Our house, our rules. If you guys don't get drunk tonight then it'll be considered that I'm not a good host.", Mr. Valestein proudly announced. Yet right after saying that, Neithardt let out a sigh as he shrugged his head a bit while his finger rested on his temple.

"You're not going to say no to this, are you? You've always been very adamant in what you do.", Major Neithardt retorted.

"Hehe, but to us he's just an old coot now. You couldn't mean everyone, right? There are a couple minors present.", Colonel Beatrix responded with a chuckle.

"Oh I mean everyone.", Mr. Valestein responded immediately, only to shift his eyes toward the violet haired boy in the corner with Mueller and then back to Emma. Seeing him do this, Emma revealed a playful smile before she spoke.

"I do appreciate you inviting us tonight, but do keep in mind that I only just turned eleven this year.", Emma responded. The moment Emma said that, even Mr. Valestein blinked his eyes.

"You do seem quite young, but I didn't think you would be as young as Sylphid is...", Mr. Valestein uttered while Neithardt took another glance at Emma, as well as Claire.

"Are you telling me you're already working as a Jaeger, even at such a young age?", Neithardt asked.

After Major Neithardt asked that, everyone got situated into the Valestein Home on the outskirts of the village they resided in. Sara didn't go against her father, so she started to get all of the food ready to serve for the night. He too, helped and before long, everyone was sitting at the dining table, enjoying one drink in one way or another.

Even though it was wrong to distribute alcohol to minors, Emma still had a glass next to her plates. In it was a small amount of red wine. After giving it a taste test, Emma answered Neithardt.

"Yes, but I mostly provide backup support from the rear. Each mission we have done so far has been pretty fulfilling.", Emma happily responded.

"I've seen it myself. But even I still find it surprising someone as young as you already has practical combat experience.", Claire said, giving Emma praise which caused her to smile again.

"Heh. Talent such as yours can't go unchecked. Ever thought giving the military a go?", Major Neithardt suddenly proposed, causing everyone to look at him as he drank some of his drink. It was then several flavors of scented meat began to waft around the house, signaling that dinner would be ready soon.

Even Emma blinked at Neithardt for a moment. Did a Major from one of the largest militaries on Zemuria just offer her a position to join it?

Unfortunately for Major Neithardt, he suddenly heard a boy's voice reach out to him, letting out a laugh.

"Haha, are you trying to poach my partner away from me, Major?", I suddenly asked, revealing a playful smile. It took them a second to notice, but the sound barrier was no longer there, as I had ended my private conversation with Mueller.

"Hoho, welcome back. I take it things are going smoothly now, Mueller?", Colonel Beatrix asked.

"Sadly yes, for now. I fear my stacks of paper at my desk will only pile up from here on seeing the mess here.", Mueller said, letting out a complaint.

"Don't sweat the small stuff. Everyone's getting drunk tonight whether you like it or not.", Mr. Valestein declared, only to take a big gulp of his drink.

"You said it!", Sara happily responded, only to bring out several plates of dishes. North Ambria was situated far into the north along with Remiferia, so they often eat dishes that warm the body up due to the coldness of the air. It was definitely going to be enjoyable.

Even I was subjected to drinking some alcohol. I was curious to see how my body would handle it, and it held up quite well, but in the end, both Emma and I only settled for a bit.

With that said, we happily conversed with each other over a nice dinner at the Valestein residence. It was a lively party with eight of us or so, where each one of us disregarded their rank, and just enjoyed the night. Regardless of being a Jaeger, or a soldier, we spent it together. Sara also got acquainted with the three.

Despite, Major Neithardt's offer as he did the same to Emma, it seemed Sara had her mind set on becoming a Bracer. After the night ended, she would submit a leave from the Northern Jaegers. It was sad for her to see them go, but she wanted to strive on a new path that was going to be laid out for her.

And well, as for us, we of course had to stay the night, before catching a ride with Mueller and the others. We had the same destination, which was heading back to Erebonia.

I was curious to see how Mr. Valestein's life would play out from here, considering he is still living. If North Ambria entered another bout of turmoil, would he sit back and do nothing, or take action again?

I could only speculate for now but with the future coming, I may reach out to him should I require his assistance.

In regards to Claire, she found that her assigned mission to accompany us by father was quite beneficial. She had come to learn a great deal of things outside the life of a soldier working for the government. She now had different aspects to help her powers form. They had just taken root, so she hasn't gotten used to it fully.

Before Claire parted ways from us, she expressed her interest in enrolling in Thors Military Academy. She had planned to start next year. Claire was already eighteen, so she would likely spend one year there before graduating. It was already approved and everything, but unfortunately we would not see each other, since I will be enrolling at Jenis with Kloe in three years time when we turn fifteen.

Colonel Beatrix and Major Neithardt actually stayed with Mr. Valestein for a bit while Mueller departed for Prince Olivert's side again. We made sure to properly bid Sara goodbye as well, and hope that our paths would cross again, seeing as she is set on becoming a Bracer. Should she decide to travel to Liberl for Bracer work, we would be able to meet up more.

As for Lavi, it was nice to meet her. Her house was just next door to Sara's. She seemed closer to Emma's age. It was possible they became friends during dinner from how their conversing went. I will have to look into the Winslet family as well, considering her family belonged to one of the Northern Jaeger's heroes.

We were able to hitch a ride with Claire, as she had a one stop way to Heimdallr. Emma and I would normally go to the airport and take a ride on an orbal airship back to Grancel City, but we didn't plan for that quite just yet.

After all, Emma and I had received an invitation from another friend seeing that she had arrived back at her home from travelling out and about in Liberl.

Our next destination was House Rogner in the city of Roer. I had seen the city outskirts previously, but this will be our first time paying a visit inside.