Chapter 18. Banquet

"Ken! You should get up and take a shower. The banquet is starting in 30 minutes." Genesis shouted as she and Lovetta gathered outside of Ken's dorm room.

Soon after, Ken replied and 10 minutes later, a refreshed young man left his dorm room and joined the two girls.

"Is that how you are going to show up to the banquet with the top heroes and royals from the biggest kingdoms? What's wrong with the two of you!" Genesis asked in bewilderment.

Unlike Lovetta and Ken who are dressed casually in their normal attires simply because either had anything fancy or formal to wear. Genesis is dressed in an elegant blue dress, her silky blonde hair braided in a fancy crossed pattern, and jewelry covering every part of her body. Already an absolute beauty, with some makeup that highlighted her already beautiful features, Genesis looked stunning.

"I won't be surprised if you really are a princess. Living up to your fake last name." Ken teased.

"You two are the crazy ones. I know we don't have much money but both of you should have at least got some formal cloth for the banquet! This is where people get to make an impression with the most important people in the entire world! And you two will show up looking like peasants!"

"Sorry that I am a peasant, Genesis. But honestly, I am just going to enjoy the food. The only person I really want to talk to is Ryder, all of the royals and nobles do not interest me slightly. Maybe it be cool to chat with the top heroes but who am I for them to want to talk to me."

"I have never done any makeup in my life and don't even know how. I can't do any of the fancy things you did with your hair, or have I ever wore a dress before. But if Ken wants me to learn, I will do it."

"Nope, you are perfect the way you are Lovetta. You don't have to change a thing unless it's something you want to do! But we do have to give credit where credit is due, and you do look amazing Genesis." Ken added, making both girls happy.

As the three walked together to the dining hall, Ken and Lovetta really did look completely out of place with every girl in a fancy dress and covered in accessories with hair done and makeup on while every guy was in an elegant suit.

Scanning around the room after the three arrived, other than the workers who are also dressed in uniforms which are still much more appropriately than Ken and Lovetta, Ken noticed that even the commoners in his grade are dressed for the occasion. While one could definitely tell the difference in quality in the attire from the commoners to high class to the nobles and royals, almost everyone else at least didn't stick out like sore thumbs like Ken and Lovetta.

Even though Genesis lied about her last name, her dress is without a doubt high quality like those of the nobles and the way she looked and carried herself, he would have easily believed she was a noble or a princess. The only flaw to her look is the cheap emerald necklace he gave her as it looked completely out of place compared to everything else she wore.

"Your setup is so fancy Genesis, how much money did you spent on all of this? And the necklace I gave you definitely doesn't match the outfit, you shouldn't have wore it."

"They are all passed down from my mom, she told me some noble bought it for her to wear to a ball when she was working in the palace. And of course, I am wearing the necklace you gave me. It's the first present from my future husband and I will cherish it for the rest of my life." Genesis answered happily while Ken simply smiled.

With almost every student, staff, the top heroes and the most influential nobles and royals from every major kingdom. The gigantic dining hall with 4 floors and seemingly endless amount of space that always seemed way too large to be practical, felt crowded for the first time since Ken arrived.

Once they were inside, Ken noticed two areas that served food. At the very front of the hall where a much smaller group gathered and the area where they normally order food from.

Almost like the student hierarchy where everyone knows exactly where they belong, most of the students stayed in the general area. Some stayed together in groups with their food and chatted happily while utilizing the higher floors or even at the ground level, while others awkwardly positioned themselves near the smaller area almost like there was an invisible line that prevented them from going over, most stared at those in the small group with envy while all hoped they would get noticed.

Without any effort, Ken recognized the ten heroes, the headmistress, Alice and Clare in the small area and it wasn't difficult for him to come to the conclusion that the small area must be where the most powerful and influential people have gathered.

"I didn't know Alice's family was that big of a deal to be with the special group." Ken observed as the three headed to the line to get food.

"They have a very close relationship with Darrumburgh for obvious reasons and for a kingdom with only one city, they are extremely wealthy for not having to spend any money on an army." Genesis replied as the three got to the buffet line where kitchen staff worked the line provided them whatever food they desired from the myriad of choices.

Distracted by the food, Ken and Lovetta got as many plates as they could fit on their tray, Ken also made Genesis do the same and discussed the strategy of how they can fit some of everything between the three of them and coming back for seconds on the best dishes.

As the three walked away from the buffet line with 3 trays filled with plates and all kinds of food piled on high, many people looked at them with disdain and disgust, while Ken was too excited about the food to care about the stares and whispers.

The trio got a table on the second floor near the edge nice and far away from the hotspot that also had a good view to look down on to the main area so they could see all those gathered in hopes of talking with one of the heroes or getting noticed by a king while also see who are all part of the special group.

Ken and Lovetta excitedly stuffed down the food while chatting happily about the taste, while Genesis sat tightly next to Ken eating slowly and elegantly just happy to be intimate with the young man she has fallen madly in love with.

"Are all fancy noble gatherings like this? I expected more interaction between the students and those people in power, but it seems like you are either in or out and those people waiting around hoping they would get noticed are better off just grab some food instead and go chat with friends." Ken observed while chowing down on the delicious meal.

"I am happy as long as you notice me." Lovetta whispered softly as she scarfed down more food.

"I will miss you for sure Lovetta. As happy as I am to finally see my family after all these months, I have gotten so used to having you by my side at all times it will be lonely without you." Ken answered honestly.

Not realizing Ken would hear her, Lovetta turned bright red and instead of replying, she just laid her head on his shoulder while ignoring the poking from Genesis on Ken's other side.

"I have to deal with my family for just a single week and the two of you have gotten so close to him. I am so glad we made Genesis get that protection spell done or else she will for sure seduce you." Alice said with a hint of envy as she showed up out of nowhere.

No doubt, with the wealth Alice and Clare had, they would be dressed in the most expensive and luxurious outfit for this event. With her silky silver hair tied up into a long ponytail, light makeup that highlighted her already flawless features and made her deep red eyes pop out even brighter. Wearing a bright red one-piece dress that showed off her hourglass figures, Alice was breathtaking. But like Lovetta and Genesis, Alice was also wearing the necklace she got from Ken, and it just did not fit her overall appearance.

"Sorry I can't stay long. I really hate events like this but have to put up with it so my dad doesn't just marry me off to Dimitri before you can convince him otherwise. Just want to swing by and bring you some of the food they are only serving up front." Alice apologized while handing Ken a tray of food.

"Thanks Alice! I can't believe they would even do this with the food offering!"

"Some of this stuff costs way too much money for them to let everyone have free access. Better savory it and be grateful that you have me and think about me every day instead of making out with Genesis during the break. Sorry but I got to go before my dad realizes I am missing and want to introduce me to another stupid prince." Alice left quickly and disappeared down the staircase and reappeared into the crowd on the ground floor and back to the elite group.

While the 3 enjoyed the new expensive dishes Alice got them including some weird looking creatures like the lobster and king crab. Clare showed up not too long after with some more food, having a similar idea to Alice.

Likewise, Clare was mesmerizingly stunning, even more so than when Ken first saw her during the entrance exam and was captured by her beauty. Wearing a pure white dress sewn by the most celebrated dress designer, decorated with the finest of jewels, the stunning dress that would have been the centerpiece on any other girl looked ordinary in comparison to Clare's beauty.

Her glamorous white hair fluffed up to at least twice its normal volume, flowing freely and decorated with jewels and accessories. Light makeup just enough to allow her already flawless features to contrast even more than normal, her sky-blue eyes captured Ken's heart once again.

Standing in front of him wearing the cheap necklace he gifted her without caring how out of place it looked compared to everything else. Like Alice, Clare didn't stay long and left shortly after giving Ken the food.

"Sorry Ken, I want to spend more time with you this past week, but you know how it is with royals and everything. I will probably not see you again until next semester so be safe, and before you do anything with her when the two of you are alone, just think about your end goal. If you become the number 1 hero, you can have all the girls in the world and much more."

"Why are you all trying to make it like I am going to be the bad guy? You know Ken isn't some innocent boy who has no desires or lust! What if he pushes me down when we are alone and force me to make out with him!" Genesis complained.

"I would never do that, but you are also being unfair to me Genesis. What man would reject such beautiful girls?"

"Just don't come back in a month and forget all about school and getting stronger. I have to go now, bye!" Clare cut the chat short as she hurried away back to her family.

After Clare left, the three went back to chatting and eating and discussing about the weird expensive creatures they are eating and if it's possible to go hunt for it in the ocean and earn a big payday.

"Good evening, sorry for interrupting but can I have a quick chat with you?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

When Ken looked up, he saw a tall, beautiful elf with light blonde hair and light purplish eyes standing gracefully in front of their table. Just when Ken thought there couldn't possibly be an elf as beautiful as Clare, the girl standing in front of him taught him that the world is a big place.

"Sure thing! What can I do for you." Ken replied casually trying to control his heart that's beating faster than usual.

"Thank you. Let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Cecilla Yelwraek, one of the princesses from the Yelwraek kingdom. Just earlier, I saw you speaking with my younger sister, can you tell me about your relationship with my sister?" Cecilla asked.

"Oh, you are Clare's older sister. No wonder you remind me so much of her! Clare is my second-best friend who's been helping me a lot with school and everything else. I can't imagine how my school life would have been if it wasn't for her." Ken answered happily.

"Interesting. How would you describe my sister in 3 words?" Cecilla asked while observing Ken curiously.

"Don't tell her I said this because I know she would be angry but if I have to describe her in only 3 words then it would be ambitious, brilliant, but also extremely childish." Ken answered without much delay.

"One last question. 3 words to describe your best friend?"

"Loyal, caring, but also extremely timid while at the same time courageous. I know it's more than three words but yep that's her!" Ken replied while petting Lovetta as she turned red once again.

Cecilla thanked Ken and left after the short conversation. As the night went along, more and more of the hopeful students realized they waited in vain and wouldn't get noticed by the elite group and decided to call it a night as the crowd grew smaller, and the dining hall got emptier.

Too stuffed to move from all the food he ate, Ken and the two girls sat around chatting rather late into the night while watching the crowd grew smaller before deciding to head back to the dorm, so Alice wouldn't have to wait around to get her vase filled with Ken's blood.

After the three got to Ken's dorm, the two girls said their goodnight to Ken and went their separate ways while he went and relaxed in bed digesting the food while waiting for Alice.

About 30 minutes after he got back to his room, Ken heard a knock, lazily getting off his bed, Ken went to the door to greet Alice.

Instead of Alice, it was Clare standing outside of his dorm room no longer wearing the dress but still looking absolutely stunning.

"Oh, hey Clare, I thought you might have gone home already." Ken said somewhat surprised to see the elf girl.

"I couldn't just go home without coming to see you one final time. I already packed everything I needed so once I'm done with you, I will be teleporting home."

"Well, I am definitely going to miss you, but I do wish you have a great break at home, and I will see you in a month. Oh, your sister came by during the banquet to have a chat with us, she is even more beautiful than you are! Didn't think it was possible but there she was, absolutely gorgeous." Ken teased.

Without warning, instead of her typical banter, Clare pulled Ken's head down and gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then stared him in the eyes.

"Don't do anything stupid. Take care of yourself. Get some studying done. I will see you in a month." Clare requested.

"Why do you all like to just give me a quick peck. At least kiss me long enough for me to enjoy it." Ken complained casually while pulling her in to give her a hug to keep his mind off her lips and his heart from pounding out of his chest.

"So, what did my sister ask you. You better not have said anything you will regret later." Clare asked while keeping her face buried in Ken's chest.

"Nothing too interesting, just asked me some general stuff about you and what not, I guess."

"It's never good when my siblings go nosy around. I bet my father sent them to gather intel and see how I am doing and who I am making connections with. Who talked to you?"

"Her name was Cecilla, super beautiful girl. How old is she?" Ken answered playfully.

"Great! Just my luck you talked to my rival." Clare got noticeably annoyed just from hearing her sister's name.

"So, she was the rival you were referring to? Definitely a rival looks wise, is she as talented and skilled as you?" Ken asked curiously.

"Well, too bad for you because you won't have a chance with her! Stop talking about my sister when I am here and won't get to see you for a whole month!"

Giving Ken one final tight hug, Clare said her goodbye and went back to her private room to teleport back home.

Before Ken went back into his dorm room, he saw a shadow and a foot around the corner of the stairs.

"How long have you been spying Alice?" Ken wondered out loud.

"So rude, I was being considerate and letting Clare have her moment with you, but you make it sound like I am a stalker or something." Alice answered playfully.

Asking Alice to wait a bit, Ken went back into his dorm room and grabbed the vase now filled with his blood that he spent a whole month collecting.

"That reminds me, what happened to you paying me for my blood like you promised? I don't think you paid me a single academy point!"

Purposefully decided to not answer, Alice instead grabbed Ken and started making out with him passionately.

"Was that better than a quick peck?" Alice asked naughtily when the two finally broke lips.

"You know, I would have preferred if you paid me with coins instead. Can't feed my siblings with your tongue." Ken answered playfully, trying to control his beating heart and his growing lust.

"As much as I would like to keep staying, it's getting late and I'm sure those other guys on this floor don't want to hear you making out any longer.

I will miss you; I will think of you every day and I can't wait to see you again. Here is the money for your blood." Alice said while handing Ken a bag of coins.

The bag was so heavy it surprised Ken that he almost dropped it. Opening it up to check, he was shocked to see it was full of gold coins.

"How much money is in here?"

"Maybe 10 ounce or so of gold?" Alice answered casually.

"I thought the kiss was payment! I can't take this much gold."

"Ken! There are so many girls that will kiss you what kind of payment would it be! Just take the money. If you think it's too much, just don't complain about me not paying you from now on."

With a full sash of gold coins that weighed over 10 ounces, it would last his whole family for more than a year and with the vampire girl insisting, Ken thanked her and graciously accepted the money.

After giving him a tight hug and one more kiss, Alice left with the vase of blood while Ken headed back into his room feeling grateful for everything that he was able to experience and everyone he was able to meet since coming to this academy but his lust and desires kept him wide awake for many more hours before he was finally able to fall asleep.