The food corner occupied the banquet hall's southern end. Numerous delicacies were arranged on top of long tables, with the expectations to accommodate a far greater number of people than what the banquet currently had.
Isaac pushed Evangeline's wheelchair toward it at the same compromised pace he'd kept since the corridor confrontation. With the adrenaline having diminished, his limp was now more pronounced.
"These are appetizers." Evangeline quietly spoke, hoping that her words were heard by no one but Isaac, "the main dish will be served separately."
"What's the menu?" Isaac asked as he passed Evangeline a fresh plate.
"Sirloin steak."
"In wartime." Isaac muttered dryly as he held one for himself, "this doesn't seem right."
"Sirloin is considered cost-effective in nobles' point of view."
"It isn't about the cost. It's about the expenditure of resources."
The two roamed around the food corner, filling their plates with food of their desire.
Of course, they weren't the only ones present at the site. Wherever they went, the eyes followed. There were snickers of amusement—which belonged to those who found the combination of Nameless and daughter of a failing house rather entertaining.
Evangeline, although she tried her best to pretend unaffected, her expression was gradually falling apart. She then glanced at Isaac and noticed how he seemed completely unbothered, munching as he pushed her wheelchair with his unoccupied arm.
"You… seem used to this." She remarked.
"I had to." Swallowing, Isaac replied as if he was talking about a third person, not himself. "Even before my Rite, I was considered a failure."
"Still."
"For years, I was affected like you. Gradually, I became dull to the sensation of looking down upon." Isaac looked around, meeting the amusement-filled eyes with his lazy gaze. For a moment, they held the gaze. Then, they averted their eyes. "Now, I find them foolish."
"…Foolish?" Evangeline whispered, not having expected to hear such a word.
"They value what I find pointless. They laugh on the misery of others, and fail to see the doom that approaches them."
Evangeline couldn't say anything to that. She felt that she was a part of those people; she was simply forced to see beyond such values because she was an outcast.
In the end, she muttered, "you are strong."
She realized the fragility of her mentality, upon remembering the thoughts she held regarding him just an hour ago. Before, Isaac Nameless was a liability to her, someone whom she was stuck with because of circumstances. Now, he was the reason why she was able to hold herself together in this nightmare.
"I see how you managed to win against Silas Fulgur." She now recognized that Isaac's phenomenal victory was anything but coincidence. "You are…" She closed her mouth, not knowing what to say.
In no time, their plates filled. Under Evangeline's offer, he left his plate to her so that he can use both hands to push her wheelchair. They were about to return to the seats they previously occupied.
"Isaac."
Then, they stopped. Or, Isaac stopped, which also caused Evangeline to stop since he was the one who pushed her wheelchair.
The owner of the voice that called him was Cassiopeia, who stood with a small plate in her hand. Her face, while appearing aloof and contrastingly analytical as they usually did, held a certain degree of solemnness as she observed his leg.
"Cassiopeia, you're here." Isaac greeted her with a nod. Evangeline, who didn't expect his connection to the member of House Terra, appeared surprised, although she kept her silence to prevent her careless actions resulting in consequences.
"You're limping," Cassiopeia said.
"I'm aware."
"You've been limping the moment you entered." Cassiopeia frowned slightly. "What happened?"
"The explosion," Isaac said. "I was caught nearby and got lucky. Recovery won't take long."
"…Unlucky, more like."
Evangeline looked back and forth between the two. Then, found a man who was standing awkwardly by Cassiopeia's side.
"And this is?" Isaac, finding the same man Evangeline did, asked.
"Edran Sollis," said the man, Edran, in a quick manner that held a clear indication that he didn't desire to be associated with Isaac.
"My partner for this event." Cassiopeia stated as if stating a fact and nothing more.
"Is that so." Isaac then looked down at Evangeline, "and this is…"
"…Ms. Cassiopeia Terra of House Terra and Mr. Edran Sollis of House Sollis. I am Evangeline Velvet of House Velvet. It is an honor to meet you." From her wheelchair, Evangeline bowed, trying to be as formal and careful as she could.
Edran ignored her by looking at Cassiopeia without any reply.
"Cassiopeia is enough." On the other hand, Cassiopeia said. Edran didn't seem to have expected her to react in this manner. He contemplated for a moment, opened his mouth, before closed it back without speaking any word, as if he couldn't stoop himself low to an extent of mixing words with those whom he found worthless.
Ignoring Edran's demeanor, Cassiopeia brought her eyes back on Isaac's leg, studying his condition a moment longer. "Well, you should get a proper rest. The fact that three among our class will be challenged next week… they may leverage your state."
"Thanks for your concern."
"Your life seems to be quite dynamic… I feel you." Cassiopeia made a small sound that wasn't quite a sigh.
"So." Edran then spoke up, looking exclusively at Cassiopeia. "Should we return to our seats, Cassiopeia?" His plate was filled, and clearly, he didn't enjoy the idea of mingling with Isaac and Evangeline.
Cassiopeia blinked, not understanding the point of his question. "Go, if you wish."
Edran's stiffened. He then peeked at Evangeline, who wasn't daring to look back. Then, at Isaac, who was staring back at him in a poker face. "I mean…" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, trying to understand the reasoning behind Cassiopeia's actions. "I don't get it, Cassiopeia. What's the point of affiliating yourself with Nameless like him when you're—"
"Nameless who is ranked second across the entire board of second-year students, that is." Just then, a second voice arrived from the side. "Arguably first as well, if you consider the fact that this second-in-rank defeated the first."
Turning, Isaac found Vesper who approached with a woman, who was seemingly his partner. Vesper, with his eyes headed at Edran, spoke, "Edran Sollis."
Edran's form stiffened. "…Vesper Bardot of House Bardot." Quickly, he turned to Cassiopeia, whose arms were crossed. She didn't speak, but gave him her composed, analytical look—as if staring at a foreigner, not an acquainted. Looked back at Vesper. Then at Isaac, wondering how he was acquainted to ones like Cassiopeia and Vesper. Then, he recited what Vesper said in realization, "…Higher class."
Vesper didn't speak, but stared at Edran with the authority of the heir of House Bardot. Edran stood still, with his back slightly arched and his hands still holding his filled plate.
"…I will be at our seats." Then, leaving words to Cassiopeia, he stormed out of the site.
The rest watched him leave for a moment.
"You didn't have to do that." Isaac spoke casually, "in fact, I was getting quite an entertainment out of him."
"Hah, did I ruin your fun then." Vesper smiled lightly, "well, it was more about me than you. I despise people like him." He turned to Cassiopeia, "and… I don't like it when they get opportunities that they don't deserve."
Then, an elbow sharply nudged Vesper by side. The woman by his side was staring at him with the mild anger of feeling ignored.
"…And if you haven't met her before," Vesper introduced her dryly, "this is my partner. Lena Farrow of House Farrow."
"Yes, and we are engaged as well." The woman, Lena said with a nuance, with her focus on Cassiopeia. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Cassiopeia Terra of House Terra."
Cassiopeia, not having caught the sharp edge in Lena's words, said as she always did, "Cassiopeia is enough."
"Is that so?" Lena said, before turning at Isaac and Evangeline. Her eyes swept across them, as if assessing their worth, "Isaac and Evangeline Velvet." She gave a short nod and nothing more.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Lena Farrow of House Farrow." Evangeline spoke instinctively. Lena breathed out in a manner that appeared to be a light sigh of annoyance, before looking at Isaac with expectations. Out of nervousness, Evangeline too looked at him, signalling with her body language to respond the same way he did.
"Cassiopeia." Isaac instead called Cassiopeia, shifting the focus. Vesper, who couldn't be bothered by his partner's antics, turned to Cassiopeia. Lena blinked, before her face reddened in embarrassment.
"What is it?" Cassiopeia asked.
"Where did you get that short cake from."
"Over there."
"Lena." Meanwhile, without looking at Lena, Vesper said solemnly. "Don't put me in a difficult position."
Lena, who was about to lash out at Isaac, turned with the look of betrayal. "Vesper, you…! Your partner got insulted, and this is—"
"Insulted?" Vesper sighed, "refrain yourself, Lena. You are embarrassing me."
Evangeline appeared more invested in the conversation between Vesper and Lena than Isaac and Cassiopeia. She looked at Isaac, who was acting as if he wasn't hearing them.
"…You've changed. In a span of two months. Since when have you lowered your standards to an extent of becoming acquainted with Nameless of all people?" Lena let out a noise that wasn't quite a growl but similar, before leaving without him.
"Lena!" Vesper ruffled his hair in frustration, before looking at the rest, "my apologies. She is a bit… conservative."
"A bit sounds like an understatement," remarked Cassiopeia. "But then again, I don't get a say. Edran was no different."
"If not for the formal engagement, I wouldn't have gotten acquainted with her in the first place." Vesper clicked his tongue. His attitude appeared to suggest that he, in contrast to the fact that they are engaged, didn't hold a romantic feeling for her. She was a responsibility to him, and nothing more. "Looks like we got some in common, Cassiopeia."
"Is that so." Saying half-heartedly, Cassiopeia turned to face Isaac and Evangeline, with her eyes holding an apologetic gleam. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes," Evangeline nodded stiffly. She didn't appear fine, unlike her response.
Isaac monitored Evangeline before nodding at Cassiopeia, "We're fine. Thanks for asking." He then looked around. As expected, nobles in the food corner were listening. They clearly overheard the conversation.
Cassiopeia and Vesper's approach is done out of political calculation, to protect us. Isaac felt like sighing. He appreciated their help, but the feeling of being dependent was never a sensation he enjoyed.
"Either way," Isaac spoke, about to wrap up the conversation and bring themselves out of the food corner. "It was good to—"
"Well," a voice interrupted Isaac. "Isn't this a delightful gathering."
Camilla Hedron made her entrance. Wearing a dress that had clearly been selected for maximum effect, she smiled softly to appear charming, all while her eyes held that of mockery as they found Isaac. Beside her, Aldric Zephyr stood with his hands in his pocket.
"Oh, and if you don't know," Camilla took a step to the side to create a space for Aldric, "this is Mr. Aldric Zephyr of House Zephyr, the heir of House Zephyr, the wielder of S-rank: [Tempest], and my partner for this banquet." She then spoke to Evangeline, with her smile trying to pretend innocence, "and, Velvet, it's been a while. Care to introduce your partner?"
"I…" Evangeline was at a loss of words from Camilla's vulgar intent.
"Camilla." Isaac spoke.
"Oh? Sorry, but who may you be? Please be patient until your partner gives you a necessary, formal introduction."
"Camilla—" Cassiopeia was about to speak up, but stopped as Aldric's eyes found her. She grimaced, and took a step back.
Vesper, with his eyes fixated on Camilla in disbelief, remained silent.
The political power of Cassiopeia Terra and Vesper Bardot was overridden by the behemoth named Aldric Zephyr. With his authority at her back, Camilla, in this banquet, was allowed to be as oppressive as she wanted.
"He… his name is Isaac." Evangeline eventually stated, quietly while looking down.
"And what may his surname be?" Camilla didn't stop, pressing on Evangeline with her eyes on Isaac instead of her.
Evangeline couldn't speak. Nameless was an insult. It was the word which she used a couple of times in the past, but she couldn't dare to speak the word anymore.
At this moment, Isaac breathed. As Evangeline's mouth opened, he tapped her gently by the shoulder. She looked up at him, and he stepped up, "Zephyr."
The surrounding murmurs went silent as Isaac cut the formality and called on Aldric.
"W-What—" Camilla appeared surprised by his action. "Who do you think you're speaking to, Nameless?!"
Isaac completely ignored her. Her eyes were on him, but his eyes were locked on Aldric, whose expression twitched.
"Is this your doing?"
Slowly, Aldric spoke, feigning ignorance, "I don't get what you mean."
"Did you order this woman to trouble me?"
Camilla's mouth opened, completely shocked. Aldric wrinkled his face—clearly, this wasn't in his calculation.
"Excuse me? Order? Trouble?" Aldric frowned, "all she asked was for your partner to tell us your name. If you find this insulting, perhaps it's because of the worthlessness of your status, no?"
Isaac ran his fingers through his hair as he sighed. "Is it because of Irine's refusal to be your partner?"
Aldric stiffened. His jaws tightened, "Isaac Nameless."
"Irine? Hah, that commoner girl?" Camilla snorted from the side, "why would Aldric be interested in a girl like that?"
"What are you, a baby?" Isaac said to Aldric, ignoring Camilla once more. "Throwing a tantrum because you didn't get what you wanted… why, House Zephyr sure does have a bright future ahead of them."
Camilla yelled, "have you gone insane?!"
Aldric didn't say anything. However, he took his hands out of his pockets. The fists were tightened, which conveyed his furiousness.
Evangeline held her breath.
Aldric Zephyr was someone on an entirely different level.
Unlike Silas, Aldric was a third-year. He had over a year to train his skill. He was, objectively speaking, a much tougher opponent.
Isaac, instead of yielding, was provoking such a man. As someone without a family backing and with F-rank: [Condensation].
How… Evangeline couldn't help but think, how are you able to remain dauntless?
"…Say that again." Then, Aldric growled.
Isaac observed the man for a moment. His lips parted.
Aldric's finger twitched.
"Oh? What's going on here?" Suddenly, Caspian Valerius approached, with Seraphina Everfrost at his side, both dressed in luxurious, formal garments that showcased their social superiority. Caspian's expression carried the specific gentle concern of an older sibling locating someone they'd been worried about.
"Aldric Zephyr and Camilla Hedron," he said, his attention settling on the two of them with practiced warmth. "I wonder what business the big figures of the Aetherion have to do with my younger brother." He glanced at Aldric with polite acknowledgment. "Aldric. Good to see you, by the way."
"…Caspian Valerius." Aldric lowered his hand that was slightly elevated.
"Caspian… Valerius," Camilla seemed to have been taken back by Caspian's interruption. "Why would you…" Trying to make sense of what was going on, she pointed at Isaac, "wasn't he—"
"He was, unfortunately, put on leave. That doesn't change the fact that he is my brother, however." Caspian said. "Now, I get your competitiveness, Cassiopeia, but please, give Isaac some slack. He has been through a lot recently."
Camilla was speechless.
Aldric glared at Caspian, who returned the glare with a flat stare. Eventually, he turned, "Hedron. We're going back." Without waiting for her, he walked out.
"A-Aldric, wait!" Camilla fastened her pace after him, and the two left the food corner.
"Well, now that they are gone," Caspian looked around and found Cassipeia and Vesper, "Cassiopeia Terra and Vesper Bardot." Then he looked at Evangeline, didn't say anything, and found Isaac, "Isaac. I witnessed the incident with House Clodia's son just before. You dealt the situation well." His eyes then flicked, briefly, to Isaac's legs. "And… you're injured. What happened?"
"I was caught in the explosion," Isaac said. "I am fine."
"Tough as always." Caspian, smiling, shook his head. "Don't push yourself too hard though."
Seraphina, beside him, said nothing, but her eyes moved to Isaac for a fraction longer than the others.
"Well then," Caspian waved, "we're off. Enjoy." They left just as abruptly as how they came.
The group remaining at the food corner stood in silence, along with those who were spectating in held breaths. Slowly, the ambient murmurs and noises restored as everyone resumed their motions.
"Well," Cassiopeia said eventually, "that was eventful."
"Eventful is the word." Vesper exhaled.
Isaac said nothing. He was looking at the space Caspian had occupied.
Beside him, Evangeline was watching him quietly.