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MP : 67 Ryougi Family
🕑 Added 2024-11-19 16:00:02 +0000 UTC"Well, well, sir, today's conversation has greatly benefited me, hahahaha."
"If what you say is true, and in my lifetime I can lead the Ryougi family back to prosperity, I truly have no way to repay you."
In the reception room of the Ryougi family courtyard, bursts of hearty laughter echoed from time to time.
If it weren't for her extreme familiarity with her husband's voice, Mrs. Ryougi would never have thought that this joyful laughter came from her rather stern husband.
It seemed he was enjoying his conversation with the guest. The last time she heard him laugh so heartily was when he encountered Shiki's special talents. Who was this guest today to make her husband so happy?
According to Akitaka, he was a young man from that hidden side.
Although her husband had warned her countless times not to approach the reception room or send anyone to eavesdrop, saying he would be back soon.
However, soon turned into several hours of waiting, and as a wife, how could she not worry about her husband? Thus, she couldn't suppress her concerns and hurried over.
As soon as she arrived, she heard her husband's familiar voice, accompanied by such joyful laughter. It was clear that he was having a delightful conversation with the gentleman visiting the Ryougi family.
"Family head, your wife has come to find you."
With extraordinary perception, Roy's ears twitched as Mrs. Ryougi approached.
"Oh, has my wife arrived? Just in time."
"I will excuse myself for now."
"Not at all."
Mr. Ryougi stood up, pushed open the wooden door of the reception room, and revealed a broad smile toward his wife standing in the distance.
The gloom that had been lingering in his heart was swept away, and he felt in high spirits as he rushed out to give his wife a big hug.
"What's the matter? Is there something worth celebrating?"
Embraced in her husband's arms, Mrs. Ryougi asked, somewhat puzzled. However, upon seeing her husband's state, she understood that something good had happened.
"It's not just anything; it's a tremendous joy for us. I'll tell you the details when I get home tonight. For now, I need to return to continue entertaining our guest."
"Guest?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Ryougi paused, curiosity piqued as she glanced toward Roy inside the room.
From here, he just appeared to be a young man in his twenties.
As a former demon hunter family, the Ryougi family had encountered countless magus, not just a few hundred but several thousand. Yet she had never seen her husband show such respect to a magus before.
Could he be a significant figure from some magus family?
Noticing his wife's confusion, Mr. Ryougi didn't offer much explanation, merely reminding her.
"The gentleman's identity is mysterious and unfathomable, but I've seen for myself that he is truly capable, not just boasting. We should not pry into his secrets."
"Go back and instruct Akitaka to bring a few good chefs from the restaurants in the city, and then find someone to arrange the venue. Tonight, I want to host a banquet for our guest."
"A banquet?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Ryougi was momentarily stunned and replied in surprise, "Right at home?"
"Exactly, right at home."
"Alright, I'll take care of it right away."
Although confused, Mrs. Ryougi trusted her husband's judgment and decided not to ask further, turning to prepare for the evening's feast.
"Have you finished talking with your wife?"
Roy, sitting in the reception room drinking tea, noticed Mr. Ryougi returning and smiled slightly.
"I have finished, sir. Tonight, I will host a banquet for you. We must celebrate our alliance properly and drink until we can't stand."
Having witnessed Roy's capabilities and the benefits he could bring, Mr. Ryougi felt elated. Their deal was more of a win for the Ryougi family than a collaborative win-win situation.
As long as he followed Roy's guidance for a certain period and contributed his worldly power, he would gain a powerful magus as a support and even cultivate new magus. Such conditions were truly like a windfall.
Initially, he thought Roy might have some schemes to manipulate the Ryougi family. However, when Roy presented a contract and had both parties sign it in front of the world as witnesses, his final doubts evaporated.
Given this timely support, calling Roy "sir" was hardly an exaggeration.
"Since Mr. Ryougi is quite satisfied with the conditions I proposed, how about I put forth a few more conditions?" Roy said, glancing at the still-joyful head of the Ryougi family.
Mr. Ryougi nodded. "Please, as long as it belongs to the Ryougi family, I can make decisions to offer it to you, sir."
Roy smiled slightly; he had been waiting for this response.
"I've noticed that your son lacks magical aptitude. Even with more resources, it would be futile, so I won't invest time in teaching him."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Ryougi thought of his underappreciated child and sighed helplessly.
"It seems he truly isn't suited for this path. I don't expect him to achieve much; I just hope he can live safely."
"However, your daughter, Shiki Ryougi, possesses a talent that surpasses common understanding. It's not an exaggeration to say it's rare in the world. Therefore, I will stay in this city for some time to teach her. Some of the training may seem overly strict to you, you okay with that?"
"I will leave everything to you, sir."
Upon hearing Roy's high praise for his daughter, Mr. Ryougi felt a surge of joy and naturally dared not question it.
Just moments ago, Roy had demonstrated his true abilities, with his soul leaving his body one moment and soaring through a sea of flowers the next. Flames, water, and more erupted at his command.
The intricacies of it all were truly beyond his description. Compared to the magus they had previously employed to handle matters, it was as different as night and day.
If the reception room weren't so small, he felt Roy could show him even more astonishing miracles.
If Shiki could be placed under his guidance, she would undoubtedly benefit greatly.
As for the strictness?
Is there any training that isn't strict? Back in the day, he had gone through countless hardships, enduring numerous beatings from his father. Now, training in magecraft? What was wrong with being a bit strict?
Without experiencing hardship, how could one see the rainbow? It was all for the child's benefit.
Mr. Ryougi spoke solemnly and earnestly.
"Sir, I know that Shiki is exceptionally talented, surpassing most people in the world, and you are certainly not an ordinary magus. It is a great fortune for her to learn by your side."
"If possible, while I don't ask you to teach her everything, please ensure that you teach her some real skills that can protect herself. Shiki is born special and has a tendency to be headstrong. I can sense that my daughter will face tremendous challenges in the future, so I hope she can protect herself."
Truly, it is a parent's heart to be concerned for their child's character and uniqueness, and this father is clearly aware of that.
Roy nodded and replied earnestly, "It should be so."
"Regarding the issue of your family not being able to manage the leylines in the city, in a few days, I will recommend a trustworthy magus to help you keep watch. When your family has a magus capable of taking on this heavy responsibility, it will be returned to you."
"However, the specific terms still need to be negotiated by you and her."
"We'll negotiate ourselves? I'm not sure what to..."
His words were left unspoken as Roy raised his finger to give a hint, "Although she has a peculiar temperament, her strength is certainly reliable. However, she often makes expensive items, so she isn't financially abundant. You can persuade her with money when the time comes."
A powerful magus who can be swayed by money?
Hearing Roy's information, Mr. Ryougi felt delighted.
Right now, the Ryougi family lacks nothing but money.
Now, they only need to spend money to hire a top magus as an assistant, which is an enormous boon, especially with Roy's guarantee.
"Alright, we will follow your arrangements, sir."
Watching Roy leave the reception room, Mr. Ryougi clenched his fists, and the joy on his face intensified.
With this gentleman's assistance, it is a certainty that the Ryougi family will prosper even more. Those petty individuals who previously hindered the Ryougi family's development will receive their due lessons. Moreover, he said he would help the Ryougi family cultivate some talented magus to maintain their image.
As long as the timing is right, the Ryougi family can ride this wave to rise again in the hidden side.
As the largest gang in the city or the vast enterprise of the Ryougi family.
These things hold little value in his eyes; what he truly desires is to reclaim what he has lost.
If not forced, who would want to withdraw from the hidden side, coming here to compete for territory with these commoners? How could a dragon be willing to swim alongside fish and shrimp? How can a sparrow know the ambitions of an eagle?
Though it meant relinquishing a large portion of the Ryougi family's power, he felt it was worth it compared to the rewards they could gain. Although it is a transaction, they are actually the ones taking the most advantage.
This gentleman asks neither for their money nor their lives; he merely asks them to do some simple tasks to lead them back to the peak of their ancestors. What's wrong with listening to others?
Compared to those arrogant and extremely cruel magus in the community, what this gentleman is doing is nothing short of benevolent.
He believes that if his father were still alive, upon hearing the conditions offered by Roy, he would definitely be quicker to accept than himself.
After all, his greatest wish was to revive the family.
It's a pity that the disparity in strength between them is too great; otherwise, it would be better if this gentleman could be invited into the Ryougi family or if they could arrange a marriage.
This gentleman looks to be just over twenty years old, but one cannot judge a magus by their appearance, so his exact age remains unknown. Even if there were intentions to match him with a girl from the family, it would be very difficult.
In any case, let things take their course. They have already received so much; if they become greedier and offend him, it would be unwise.
After all, Shiki would be close to this gentleman and could inquire about his preferences and try to cater to them.
Now, he should start preparing for tonight's banquet.
He must let the gentleman see the Ryougi family's sincerity.
...
In the afternoon, as school ended.
The school gate opened, and today, as the Ryougi family's top loyal bodyguard, Akitaka, took on the important role of picking up the young lady, the reason being that the others were busy preparing for the banquet under the lord's orders.
As the Ryougi family's top loyal bodyguard, he had to drive to pick up Shiki Ryougi.
"Akitaka, why is it you picking me up today?"
As Shiki Ryougi got into the black sedan and saw the driver's face, she was somewhat puzzled.
Wasn't Akitaka responsible for guarding the house and staying by her father's side? Why was he the one to pick her up today?
"Miss, there aren't enough people today; everyone is busy helping the master prepare for the banquet."
A banquet?
This statement piqued Shiki's curiosity.
Due to the many rules in the Ryougi family, she had never really seen them prepare a proper banquet growing up. Even when guests came, her father would only take them to a restaurant in the city.
Suddenly having a banquet at home, was there a particularly important guest?
"Is there an important guest at home today?"
"Yes, today a young gentleman has come to our home. He discussed matters with the master in the reception room for the whole afternoon. After the master came out, he instructed his subordinates to prepare for the banquet."
Facing Shiki, Akitaka did not hide anything, explaining what had happened that afternoon while driving.
A young gentleman?
Could it be a child of some high-ranking official visiting? No, if that were the case, her father wouldn't host a banquet at home; even if a council member visited, they would still go to a restaurant.
What kind of person could make her father host a banquet at home?
Shiki was somewhat curious.
However, when she asked Akitaka for specific details about this young man, her cold expression began to shift, becoming more animated.
It seemed he was a black-haired young man in his early twenties, wearing a black trench coat, who claimed to be a magus from the hidden side.
In his early twenties, a magus, and a black-haired young man.
How do these factors resemble that guy so much?
After listening to Akitaka's description, Shiki quickly envisioned a familiar figure in her mind.
"Could it really be him?"
After a brief moment of distraction, Shiki thought of the most probable possibility.
"What's wrong, Miss?"
Noticing Shiki's momentary daze, Akitaka couldn't help but turn back to ask.
"No, it's nothing. I'm just curious about who this gentleman is that my father treats with such courtesy."
"Oh, I see. Sorry, Miss, but I can't provide specific details. You'll naturally meet him when you return."
"That makes sense."
After saying this, Shiki stopped overthinking and leaned back in her seat to rest her eyes.
The image of Roy lingered in her mind.
…
During dusk.
Akitaka drove the car back with Shiki.
Because the head of the family specifically instructed him that he must bring the young lady back before the banquet, fearing it would delay the head's event, Akitaka drove very fast.
What was supposed to be an hour's journey took him less than half an hour to return with the young lady, which meant he would likely lose his driver's license.
As soon as they got out of the car, they saw a crowd waiting at the entrance of the Ryougi family residence.
Even Shiki's father, the current head of the Ryougi family, was there.
"Master, we're back."
The hurried Akitaka bowed to Mr. Ryougi standing at the main entrance, then returned to the driver's seat to park in the designated spot.
His smooth movements indicated this wasn't his first time picking someone up.
"Father."
"Shiki, you're just in time. Come with me to meet the gentleman."
"The gentleman?"
After sending Akitaka away, Mr. Ryougi hurriedly approached Shiki and spoke with a hint of earnestness.
"Yes. Your father has already met him, and he is a person of great capability. He intends to guide you, so don't miss this opportunity."
"Guide me?"
At this point, Shiki felt the outcome was nearly certain.
"Shiki, you are the designated successor of the Ryougi family. While your father has no authority to intervene, this gentleman might be the favorable wind for our family's resurgence. I hope you can take this matter seriously."
As Mr. Ryougi earnestly advised his daughter, he led her to the main hall to meet Roy.
Shiki stepped into the main hall of the Ryougi family with a confused expression.
Upon entering, she saw two people, including her mother, chatting over tea.
Even her normally gloomy and reluctant-to-meet brother stood obediently beside their mother, not daring to show any negligence.
As for the young man sitting in the leftmost position, whom they treated so courteously, he was very familiar to her.
Her parents might not know him, but she was all too familiar.
He had suddenly appeared yesterday, whisking her and SHIKI away to a café for the entire afternoon and even stayed in her room that night to tell a long story.
Although he had promised to come again today, she didn't expect it would be like this.
If it weren't for confirming her family's mental states, she would suspect that Roy had hypnotized her entire family with some marvelous magecraft.
"Sir, the banquet is ready, and Shiki has returned; we can start at any time."
Mr. Ryougi entered with Shiki and introduced her to Roy, saying,
"This is my daughter, Shiki Ryougi, the only one in this generation of the Ryougi family with talent. I hope she can catch your eye, sir."
Roy nodded with a warm smile.
However, this expression and gaze seemed somewhat playful in Shiki's eyes.
She really wanted to march up and grab Roy by the neck and ask, "What do you really want?!"
But with her parents and even her brother present, she clearly wouldn't be so rude. In the end, reluctantly, she still followed her father's orders and gave a slight bow to Roy.
With a bit of gritted teeth, she said, "Shiki Ryougi greets you, sir."
"Indeed, a good seed. Mr. Ryougi, I'm very satisfied with her aptitude. I believe it won't be long before she becomes an excellent heir to take over your responsibilities."
"Hahahaha, then we shall rely on you, sir."
"Of course, of course."
Mr. Ryougi laughed heartily, and Mrs. Ryougi politely nodded. As for the eldest son of the Ryougi family, upon hearing his sister receive such high praise, he let out a sigh. Though his eyes showed reluctance, they were overshadowed by helplessness.
In this harmonious scene, no one noticed that Shiki's fists had clenched tightly, her eyes nearly shooting fire at Roy.
If it weren't for her family, she would have rushed up and punched him, questioning him, "What exactly are you trying to pull?!"
Fortunately, this situation didn't last long. Regardless of the country, there is a special custom of conversing at the banquet table, so soon Mr. Ryougi proposed moving to the courtyard.
"Sir, the time is almost up, and the servants have prepared the banquet. Please follow me to the feast."
"Alright, then I'll trouble Mr. Ryougi to lead the way."
Roy smiled slightly and naturally wouldn't refuse.
"Don't mention it."
As he followed Mr. Ryougi and Mrs. Ryougi out, he didn't forget to tease Shiki, who was still standing in the center.
"Let's go, Miss Shiki, the banquet is about to start. If you keep standing there in a daze, you'll miss it."
Shiki was momentarily stunned but then nodded.
"Alright, I'll make sure you drink your fill later."
"Then it's settled; let's drink until we drop."
After the banter, the two walked out of the main hall side by side.
