Chương 71: Chapter 68-Chosen Afterparty

Merriment and cheers ring through the cafeteria halls as the First Years celebrate their victory, or rather, continue to celebrate. Technically, the celebrations started yesterday, but the Student Council decided to host an event for the First Years, which means free food and the like. If there's free food, then I'm there. Mateo looks around the cafeteria.

"Seems more… lively than I thought it would be," he says in the language of the sands.

"You can say it. They're crazier than you thought a bunch of nobles would be. Trust me, I'm just as surprised. Didn't think they had it in them," I say as I enter the room. Talon passes us as he chows down on a giant chicken leg, "Oh, hey, Chosen One! We missed you yesterday. Glad you can make it to this one. Cute kid by the way. He yours?" he asks between bites.

"Yes, this is my pride and joy, Mateo," I say as I dramatically gesture at him. Mateo looks at me, confused, but then gives a formal bow." Why is this bird man staring at me? Do something, Horned One."

"Brother?" he asks without a hint of malice.

"Yup. He's the kindest soul you'll ever meet."" His gaze is ticking me off. Tell this birdbrain that if he doesn't stop staring, I'm going to pluck him," he says with a smile.

"Yup, the kindest. Uh, have you seen Hopper?" I ask, ignoring the idle threats from Mateo.

"Yeah, I saw him over at the MVP table." Talon points to the back.

"Got it. Thanks. Let's go, Kid. I'd rather you not pick any fights," I say as I lead us further in." Why did you even bring me? This place is packed with people that I can't even speak with," he says with a hint of disappointment." I wanted to show off your new clothes to my friends. Plus, you'll be going here eventually."

"Yeah, I guess- What? Why would I be going here?!" he asks with more than a hint of shock." You're thirteen. I'm going to be here for six years. Do the math? It'll look suspicious if you don't attend," I say, fully knowing that's not the only reason." School? Really? I'd rather not. I've had enough of learning for one lifetime," he says with a heaviness. What does that mean?

"CJ, finally you're here. Didn't think you were going to make it," Hopper says from within his mountain of carrots. Mateo looks at the pile and then back at me." You're friends with a pile of sentient carrots?"" No. Hey, Hopper. I thought Luna said you had to cut down on the carrots," I say as I pull Hopper out of the carrot pile.

"It's a special occasion. Oh, hey there, Mateo, right? CJ talks about you all the time," he says as he sneaks a carrot into his pocket. Mateo squints and gives a nod as he struggles to understand him." Are all your friends this weird?"" Only the interesting ones. This is Hopper, by the way."

"Charlatan, what took you so long? The festivities already started," Penelope complains the moment she sees me.

"Apologies, Penelope. If I had known you were waiting for me, I would have run faster than the wind," I tease.

"I wasn't waiting for you, but since you didn't join us yesterday, the very least you can do is make it up today," she says with a knowing smile. Yeah, she definitely knows I got stabbed yesterday. I tried to sneak out on my own, but knowing her, she was probably watching me from a window. The idea sends a shiver down my spine. Mateo taps my hand.

"What's with this one? She talks faster than the wind." Penelope looks down at him and smiles.

"Hello, little one. What are you doing with this little blueberry?" she asks as she gestures at his blue clothes.

"This is my brother, Mateo. I usually visit him during the weekend, so I thought, why not kill two birds with one [Throw]?"

"Hmm. He looks nothing like you," she eyes him with suspicion.

"Different fathers."

"Oi, Horned One. Why does every single person in this place stare at me? You'd think nobles would know some etiquette," he complains.

"You'd think. Especially this one. She's royalty, so don't pick a fight," I warn." Royalty? Yeah, right. Like a princess would have that outdated hairstyle. Stop pulling my leg," he says with a smile." Really. Her name's Penelope, but you can call her Arsonist. It's her nickname," I [Lie]. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Penelope angrily twirls one of her drills.

"Anyhow, have you seen Lady Ruby or Viola anywhere?"

"Well, my guess is… You find one, you're likely to find the other. Have you tried the dark closets?" I half joke, half not. Mateo silently taps my hand. I look down to find him preoccupied with Hopper and the carrot pile. Seems they made quick friends. Wait? How did he tap me from over there? Further to my left, I find a silent William.

"For the love of the Gods, William! You scared the daylights out of me," I say jokingly as I hide my actual fear. William nods and then gestures over to a nearby table. At that table, I watch as Viola and Ruby play a drinking game using hot sauce.

"Thanks, William. How long have they been at it?" I ask. He shakes his head in disappointment.

"Understood. Well, there they are, Penelope. You need them for something?" Penelope sighs.

"Not anymore. I was hoping one of them could do a speech, but given the amount of hot sauce they've ingested, they probably can't even talk." I scratch my horn.

"I can do it." Penelope eyes me with suspicion.

"Nah, that's fine. I'll go see if Garus wants to do it."

"Whoa, not so fast. Why don't you want me to do it? Think I can't do it?" I ask with a devilish smile.

"They're your words, not mine, Charlatan," she says with a sweet smile.

"Really? Well, watch and learn," I say as I stand on a table. William looks at Penelope and shakes his head. Penelope responds with a smile.

"Can I get your attention, everybody?! I know, I know. Nobody wants a speech right now, but it was either this or I was going to have to do a jig. Trust me, this is the better option." The crowd gives a small laugh as they turn their attention to me.

"There's a lot I could say, but I'm going to keep it short. I'm proud of each and every one of you. Every single point counted towards our win, and for those who didn't win, I have only one thing to say… You have my respect. It takes guts to fight an opponent who's better in every single way, and even then, you guys tried. It's because of that exact mentality that we pulled off something that hasn't happened in the last hundred years. The First Years Won. Let that sink in. We won!

Now back to the festivities before I bore you to death." The crowd cheers as I jump off the table.

"How'd it feel to watch a master at work?" I gloat. Penelope gives me a smile.

"Amazing, Charlatan. Truly amazing," she says with a hint of sarcasm.

"Don't listen to my cousin, CJ. She gets sarcastic when she's flustered," Garus says.

"I do not," she says as red dyes the tips of her Half-Elf ears.

"Good to see you, Garus. Apologies for your teammates getting expelled. What are you going to do for class?" I ask.

"No worries. They got what they deserved. Oh, and Professor Stargazer said she would pair me up with a nearby team until the end of the quarter," he says as he takes a bite of ham.

"Worry not. Soon I will join you in the advanced class," a guy with shaggy blond hair says.

"Uh, who are you?" I ask.

"Why, I'm Julian Brodero, the most handsome First Year and dare I say soon to be in the advanced class," he says with pazzazz.

"Garus, who is this?" I ask him.

"I am fairly certain he introduced himself in between all of the hand movements," Garus says with uncertainty. Julian clutches his heart.

"You wound me. To think you've already forgotten me, your rival."

"Penelope, why didn't you tell me you had a rival?" I ask. Penelope shakes her head in disappointment.

"No, not the Princess. You, Chosen One. I'm your one and only rival," he says as he dramatically points at me.

"Who are you?" I ask like I'm going crazy.

"Fine. Play hard to get, but I'm sure you remember this," he says as he elegantly slams down a piece of parchment.

"Recipe for snickerdoodles. I see. Julian Brodero. It's good to see you again. Have you come to offer me another recipe in the guise of battle?" I ask with a devilish smile.

"Worry not, Chosen One. I only wanted to make my presence known. This is a time of celebration. I'll get you later."

"Well, that's oddly ambiguous. Can we stick to the weekday?"

"I can work with that. Before or after lunch?" he asks.

"After, but before sundown. I need to sleep."

"Understood. So, I'll get you during the week, after lunch, but before sundown, and not during club. My club is strict about that stuff," he says with total seriousness.

"Sounds like a deal." Julian leaves as quickly as he came. Penelope shakes her head in disappointment.

"To think he won a fight against a Second Year."

"Are you talking about him or me?"

"Can't it be both?" she asks with a smile. Before I can answer, Mateo tugs at my sleeve." Horned One, we need better clothes, now!"" What's wrong?" I ask as I notice the carrot in his hand." You didn't tell me a Divine Spirit would be here," he quickly rattles off. Divine Spirit? There shouldn't-"I win!" Ruby yells with a lisp from the hot sauce. Oh. I forgot about that. Dryads are considered Divine Spirits back in the West. This should be fun.

"Ruby! Can you come over here for a second?" I yell at her. Mateo realizes what I'm doing." Horned One, what are you doing? Don't bring the Divine Spirit over here. We're not dressed for it," he warns." Trust me, Kid. She won't care," I say, trying to dissuade his worries. Ruby walks over and fans her mouth.

"What's up? Ah, who's this blueberry?"

"This would be my brother, Mateo. He's a big fan of yours," I say as I give him a gentle nudge.

"Really? Why?"

"Little secret between us, Dryads in the sands are considered Holy in a way," I whisper. Ruby's eyes go wide. She then looks down at Mateo and gives him a nervous smile. Mateo suddenly offers her a carrot." May you accept this offering!" he yells. Ruby gently takes the carrot.

"Thank you. I was supposed to take the carrot, right?" she whispers the last part. I nod in response. The whole party revolves around me as people laugh, play, and eat. For nobles, they sure do party like us. Must be the excitement over the win. We used to have small parties like this back home, but with more shit and booze. It was a lively atmosphere. Silent Pete would always show off his magic, and smelly Doug would juggle bottles like his life depended on it.

My sister always threw bigger and bigger things at him until he couldn't juggle them. Ah, memories. Let's make some new ones. I drag Hopper away from his carrots and shout to the cafeteria, "Anybody know how to juggle?!"