Chapter 16: Social Quest
Upon hearing this, Janna's gaze involuntarily drifted to the slender figure seated at the corner of the long table.
Just like when they first met, Bell Moonshadow’s seemingly friendly smile was filled with a silent fighting spirit directed at Janna.
“Anytime,” Janna replied.
Still wearing that perfect social smile, she faced Bell Moonshadow—who had once lost to her in Wizard Combat—and had no qualms about handing her another defeat next time.
“Miss Janna and Miss Bell already know each other?”
Hearing their exchange, Richard Eva could clearly sense a bit of gunpowder in the air between them.
“We’re apprentices from the same year, so of course we know each other. Besides, just a few days ago in Wizard Combat class, we crossed wands... It’s just unfortunate that I was no match for her.”
Hearing this, all the seasoned members familiar with the Moonshadow family revised their impression of Janna’s strength.
The Moonshadow family, a prestigious wizard lineage in Turin City, was known for its sinister and ruthless shadow magic.
And Bell Moonshadow, despite only being a first tier apprentice, was highly valued within the family for her dual affinities and above-average strength among her peers.
No one had expected such a promising apprentice, backed by her family, to lose to the seemingly delicate Janna Roland.
To put it bluntly, it was only natural for an apprentice like Janna Roland—without any notable background and limited in resources—to lose to someone like Bell Moonshadow.
The fact that she had won instead was truly extraordinary.
“Looks like Miss Janna is not only adept at purification but also not to be underestimated in terms of raw strength.”
This time, the compliment didn’t come from Richard Eva, but from a man sitting next to him.
With his brown hair tied into a braid and a scruffy beard, he looked around thirty—significantly older than the others.
“My name is David Berg. I’m the deputy director of the Nightingale Opera Troupe and an old member of the White Ballet Shoes Club.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. David Berg. I didn’t expect the club to have such a prominent director from the Nightingale Opera Troupe in its ranks.”
Catching the key detail in David’s self-introduction, Janna responded appropriately with a compliment.
“I wouldn’t say prominent director. I just like writing a few things on my own from time to time.”
“All right, David, stop showing off in front of the newcomers. We still have one last new member who hasn’t introduced himself.”
Richard Eva’s teasing interruption made David Berg chuckle and give Richard a light punch on the shoulder before smiling and nodding toward Janna.
“I’m Lo Silverfox, a second-rank apprentice specializing in Mysterious Illusion Magic.”
With silver hair and eyes, and slightly upturned eyes, Lo Silverfox gave off a moody air that made him seem less approachable—unlike the sunny disposition of Richard Eva.
“This one probably doesn’t need much introduction. After all, during the last secret realm exploration, Mr. Lo’s abilities were on full display for everyone to see.”
Unlike Janna and Bell’s first-time appearances, Lo Silverfox had already been invited by Richard Eva to join the club half a month ago.
As a special guest member, he had explored the Misty Secret Realm with a few veteran members of the White Ballet Shoes Club.
“Today marks the thirty-first anniversary of the White Ballet Shoes Club. I raise my glass to all of you. Let’s continue supporting each other on our journey to the pinnacle of wizardry!”
With that, Richard Eva raised his goblet and downed its contents.
Janna and those beside her lightly clinked their glasses against his and followed suit with the low-alcohol Elven fruit wine.
Seeing their glasses empty, the maid waiting nearby quickly refilled everyone’s drinks.
“Miss Janna, a toast to you.”
Just as she set her glass down, a wizard apprentice dressed like a mercenary raised his goblet toward Janna.
“I’m Hugh Stone. I hope we get the chance to explore a secret realm together.”
“As long as you don’t mind me holding you back.”
Taking a light sip of her wine, Janna sincerely returned Hugh Stone’s good intentions.
“You’re too modest. With your purification abilities, we’d feel confident venturing deeper into a secret realm... I just hope I can make it onto the list when everyone lines up to ask for your help.”
...
Though Elven fruit wine had low alcohol content, drinking enough of it brought on a slight buzz.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation, Janna took the initiative to engage in the social scene.
In the span of one meal, she had already formed a basic understanding of everyone present.
【Today’s Quest: Get to know as many people as possible at the banquet (Completed);
Quest Reward: 100 Talent EXP, 500 Skill EXP, Spirit Power +0.2】
Seeing the completion notice on the Quest Panel, Janna followed her usual habit and allocated all the Talent EXP to the [Soul Projection] talent.
“Character Panel.”
【Name: Janna Roland
Occupation: First Tier Wizard Apprentice
Level: 8
Wizard Talents: Soul Projection (B-level - Upgrade Progress 79%), Plant Affinity (B-level - Upgrade Progress 5%)
Wizard Skills: Contract Summoning (Level 19 - Currently Unavailable for Upgrade), Spirit Summoning (Level 19 - Currently Unavailable for Upgrade), Soul Lash (Level 19 - Currently Unavailable for Upgrade), Vine Bind (Level 19 - Currently Unavailable for Upgrade), Acid Spray (Level 19 - Currently Unavailable for Upgrade), Soul Chain (Level 19 - Currently Unavailable for Upgrade)
Wizard Tricks: Featherlight Spell (Level 10 - Max), Flash Spell (Level 10 - Max), Cleaning Spell (Level 10 - Max)
Constitution: 5.5
Spirit Power: 17.4 (+0.2)
Strength: 5.3
Agility: 5.8
Perception: 6.7
Charisma: 9.6
Comprehension: 10.5
Luck: 7.5】
Looking at the numerical values of her attributes, Janna locked her gaze on the “Spirit Power” stat.
“Besides gaining 0.2 Spirit Power from this quest, my recent meditations also added another 0.2... At this rate, I should be able to advance to a second-tier wizard apprentice before long...”
As Janna drifted off in thought, Richard Eva—already slightly tipsy—suddenly raised his goblet again.
“It’s getting late. Us older folks need to head to bed early... Right, Director?”
As he spoke, Richard Eva gave a solemn pat on David Berg’s shoulder.
“Get lost.”
Rolling his eyes at Richard’s joke, David Berg still raised his glass with a smile.
“Lastly, to welcome our three new members, let’s empty our glasses... Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
With the crisp clink of glass on glass, the banquet drew to a cheerful close.
...
“Miss Janna, please stay for a moment.”