Keken prepared a lunch for Fisher that could only be described as luxurious. Although what was considered luxurious by South Continent standards might not fully meet the expectations of a gentleman long residing in Saint Nali, it at least showed Keken's enthusiasm.
Two unopened bottles of authentic Nali West Coast wine were placed on the table by the servant. Fisher and Keken sat at opposite ends of the rectangular dining table, symbolizing that they were the focal point of this lunch. On one side sat two black-haired, black-eyed ladies who looked similar and were dressed elegantly. The twin sisters smiled serenely, as sweet as lilies blooming by the church.
On the other side sat a restless Rafael. She glanced at the two smiling human women across from her, noting their graceful posture and shy-legged demeanor. Even a Dragon-man found such a sitting posture elegant and beautiful. So she awkwardly let her tail drop and, for once, kept her legs immobile to maintain the posture.
But such a posture seemed more tiring than fighting for her. After a while, she found it hard to endure, evidenced by her tail starting to sway gently behind her.
She regretted following Fisher here, but...
Suddenly, she recalled the young Dragon-man Species she saw earlier imprisoned in a cage in the carriage. Although he was still so small, he had to suffer such hardships because of humans.
Whatever she was contemplating, others could not know. Yet it was this reflection that temporarily made her forget the discomfort of her posture and prevented Fisher's table from becoming too disrespectful.
By normal etiquette, a slave like Rafael should never be seated at this table. However, Keken valued Fisher highly, and despite Fisher's refusals, Keken went out of his way to offer him the main seat and even arranged a place for Rafael.
An adult's slave wasn't my slave. Keken made no mistakes in his show of face.
"This glass of wine, to Mr. Fisher, the legend of our Royal College!"
Fisher instructed the waiter not to pour wine for Rafael, as who could guess what would happen once she drank. After the golden nectar was poured into others' glasses, Keken raised his glass first and addressed Fisher that way.
"That's quite an overstatement."
Fisher raised his glass but dared not accept the title "legend" in Keken's words. He continued, "If Principal Damien knew you were calling me that, his beard would spiral from anger."
Keken put down his glass and laughed,
"His beard is already spiraled. Since... uh, let me think, it must have been a couple of years ago. Did you know that since Saint Nali University, a school opened by the King, started recruiting students, he no longer attends the annual alumni meetings? Because all the topics now are about the new school, overshadowing the Royal College."
"Is that so?"
Fisher knew about the founding of a new university by the King at Saint Nali. It was a comprehensive school initiated by realizing the Royal College's curriculum became too rigid and outdated for the current development. They recruited many new talents to start the school.
Many professors there were previously dismissed by the Royal College, involved in third-class fields like steam engine, chemistry, and physics principles.
"Yes... but I haven't returned to Saint Nali for a while, so I don't know how things are there... I didn't expect to meet you here. I still vividly remember your graduation speech, daring to call the principal and dean 'decayed bones of the old times,' hahahaha. Our freshman class was shocked by you."
Keken couldn't hold his liquor well, and after just one glass, his whole face turned red. Yet he spoke with enthusiasm. Rafael thought he was about to breathe fire, and the lady's posture momentarily faltered, watching him warily.
"Haha.. fortunately, they did give me the degree certificate.."
Suddenly, Fisher recalled those past events six years ago. At twenty-two, he was young and fierce. Though he still looked down on those decayed antiques, he wouldn't resort to personal attacks with no regard for civility now.
After all, saying certain things proved useless and only left obstacles for himself.
But the youthful delight was now brought up by Keken for conversation, feeling pretty good.
"You were the top at High College, the treasure of many professors. If they dared not give you the diploma, their office would be flooded with complaint letters the next day."
The waiter poured more wine for Keken, which he quickly drank, and his face became even redder.
Not knowing what he remembered, he suddenly looked a bit despondent, sighed, and said,
"Back then, we all idolized you as freshmen, but once the studies started, I realized I couldn't be like you... I'm not only stupid but timid, couldn't do anything well.."
His alcohol tolerance was indeed poor. After just two glasses, he showed his emotions, almost shedding tears at this moment. His wife, Dora, quickly handed him a handkerchief to wipe his teardrop,
"You have remarkable talent and enjoy a celebrated reputation... what about me? Besides the millions in inheritance from my family, besides this city my family bought for me, besides these two beautiful, kind wives, what else do I have worth celebrating?"
The two lovely females beside him quickly cast comforting glances at him. Dora, the closest, held his hand directly, allowing him to smile gently, and he reciprocated by holding her soft palm.
"..."
Fisher's fingers holding the wine glass suddenly stiffened as he pursed his lips, the steak in his mouth losing its flavor.
He couldn't tell if this fellow was boasting or genuinely expressing emotion, but seeing the glimmers in his eyes convinced Fisher it was sincere. Otherwise, he would've used the Handcane to hit this irritating junior's rear.
"Ah... why am I speaking of these unpleasant things? I apologize; my alcohol tolerance isn't good."
Keken rubbed his brow, then refused the waiter's offer to pour more wine for him. As his gaze cleared, he glanced at Rafael, who was using her claws to cut meat.
"So, Mr. Fisher, are you currently researching demi-human matters? Biological or societal?"
"Both, I'm interested in demi-humans from South and West Continents."
Fisher briefly mentioned it, but Keken didn't seem to show corresponding interest. In human view, demi-humans had such a low status that even as slaves, humans were seen as much nobler. At least humans could communicate, right?
"Is that so..."
His ring-clad fingers tapped the table, expression revealing a hint of contemplation as if considering something. Fisher was cutting steak, not looking at him, but suddenly asked,
"Is there anything you need help with? If so, feel free to ask, and I'll resolve it if I can..."
"Ah... no, you misunderstood."
Interrupted by Fisher, Keken smiled and explained, "It's not an urgent matter, just something I think might interest you, something I've never seen, nor have Western Continent doctors and scholars... they say they've never seen it either."
"Hmm?"
Fisher paused cutting steak, looking at Keken across the table with keen interest. Keken cleared his throat and spoke to Fisher with a mysterious tone,
"Mr. Fisher, have you ever heard of the Mad Blue disease?"