After that uncharacteristic outburst from Isabelle, she calmed down. Gaius could understand why she was so agitated — her sister was high-profile, her classmate was high-profile, and even the person she was following was apparently about to go down the same route. The boy had a feeling that if he insisted, even as a joke, Isabelle would grab Nakama and run off into places unknown.

“Alright, alright. It’s a joke,” said Gaius. “I know that you’re traumatised by ostentatious peacocks like the countess, so relax. I’m not going to grab a bunch of people and get them to carry me around like an idiot.”

“Did you just insult me?” The countess blinked.

“Nope,” Gaius replied. “I’m just insulting people like you. You’re an, uh, exception. Right, guys?”

“That’s true,” Isabelle said. “That’s just how he is.”

“Yeap, yeap!” Nakama nodded her head, and then picked up a sandwich. Pushing it into Reinford’s left hand, Nakama looked up at her and blinked cutely. “Have some?”

“What a little treasure…” The countess raised her hand and bit into the sandwich, devouring it in moments. Once again, Nakama picked up another sandwich and placed it into her hand, repeating the entire cycle.

While the little girl was trying to make Reinford full, Gaius began to broach the subject of coming to visit the Pinnacle and the Oracle. “Ahem. Well, we’re going to visit Pinnacle Kolya, the ruler of the Mortal Light Dynasty. We were wondering if someone as exalted and as noble as you would deign to tag along to say hi.”

“That’s awfully polite of you,” the countess replied, a slight blush colouring her cheeks. “And since you’ve put it that way, I suppose I have no choice but to go along with your well-intentioned request, right?”

“Indeed. In that case, please excuse me for a moment, while I inform the Pinnacle about your imminent descent.” Gaius cleared his throat pretentiously, made some weird gestures at the staring Isabelle, and fled the scene. After turning a corner, he operated the Terminal, and clicked on the Oracle’s profile.

“Hello, Gaius.” A cool, smooth voice spoke. “I suppose that you’re telling me that three people are going to come along with you to visit Kolya and I?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And you want me to prepare a reception for the foreign dignitary you’re bringing along?”

“Yep.”

“The one that you stuffed full with bread, so that she can’t compete with Nakama?”

“How did you know that?!”

“I’m called the Oracle for a reason. Yes, yes and I’ve already prepared a minor banquet, so there’s really no need to play such petty tricks,” she replied.

Gaius thought back to the auction that happened back in Heritage Basestation, but he decided not to say anything a moment later. It would be a sad thing if they decided to limit the amount of food they brought out pre-emptively.

“I see. Thank you for your kind consideration. Do inform Pinnacle Kolya that he should be present for Reinford’s visit. I believe that it would be best if the two of you hear what she has to say regarding the inaction on the part of the Western Holdings.” Gaius looked at the Terminal thoughtfully. It was something like a video call, from one of those new-fangled smartphones in his final years, but that didn’t stop him from treating the other party the way he would if she came in person.

And of course, it’s because the possibility that the Pinnacle might think I did a half-assed job if I told him what the countess told me, Gaius thought. I’ll make use of this chance to enter his vault and look for treasures…wait, I need to take Nexus back from Isabelle first.

After making some arrangements, he ended his call. Upon his return, Gaius was pleasantly surprised to see that the plate of sandwiches had been emptied, the culprit obviously Countess Reinford. Nakama had a victorious expression on her face, something that were drawing smiles of two different natures from the countess and Isabelle. The former, obviously, wasn’t aware about this little scheme that Gaius had cooked up, and he briefly wondered if she would notice it when they got there.

“Yeap, we’re ready. The Oracle’s already prepared a…little welcome package for us all,” said Gaius, placing some emphasis on the world ‘little’. “The Pinnacle should be there too, and I’ll have to trouble you to speak him in on that front.”

“A student meeting the North’s leader…this should elicit quite the response from the other students,” Reinford mused out loud, getting up on her feet. Her blue hair mixed with the light of the setting sun, creating a spectacular sight.

“And you aren’t questioning why another student has a direct line to the Pinnacle and the Oracle themselves?” Gaius couldn’t help but ask.

“Oh please. Everyone already made their guesses. The others are wondering whether you have blackmail material on him, or if you’re his son or nephew. Other theories include you being a scion of the great gods, and an even more farfetched one was that you’re a Constellation…although if that’s the case, you should be dead by now.” She covered her mouth and laughed.

“So…” She lowered her voice into a conspiratorial whisper. “Which is it?”

“None,” Gaius replied, somewhat irritated at that last theory. “And don’t lump me together with those cheaters. C’mon, let’s go.”

“Cheaters?”

Slipping off his chair and ignoring the last bit, the four of them headed towards the entrance of the Phrontistery of Scientific Reasoning. A small detail would be sent there, since people from Upper Elysium couldn’t move around freely in Twilight Elysium. The security of this place was paramount for some reason — even guests of the Pinnacle were not an exemption.

Besides, Gaius had a feeling that they were going to get lost anyway, so this arrangement was for the best. It didn’t take long before a bunch of men in black, complete with suit and tie, showed up in front of them at the entrance. With lots of polite little bows that belied their size, they herded Gaius and company into the depths of Twilight Elysium and beyond.

Gaius licked his lips.