Astheria: The Morningstar Family Estate


    Inside the magnificent bedroom of Felix, he stood on the balcony, gazing at the three moons suspended in the night sky.


    This nightly ritual had be his escape, a moment to reflect before surrendering to sleep.


    With his brows furrowed in concentration, Felix mused aloud, "Being low-key, huh?" A self-deprecating smile crossed his face.


    Just days ago, he had advised everyone to keep a low profile upon arriving in the Royal Capital of Astheria.


    Now, irony loomed over him like a dark cloud; someone was out for his life.


    He knew who it was, someone whose ns he had inadvertently disrupted.


    Frowning at the thought, he muttered, "Looks like I need to find a way to warn Quill; otherwise, that fat guy might end up dead without even knowing why."


    "But I have to tread carefully," he continued. "Fortunately, my would-be assassin seems hesitant to confront me directly.


    Perhaps they''re afraid of something, or someone, which gives me some breathing room. But I must stay vignt and alert the others too."


    Lost in contemtion, Felix realized how deeply he''d stepped into trouble this time. Saving Quill had unwittingly made him an enemy.


    "What a headache," he sighed while rubbing his temples with a bitter smile. "I need to find a way to turn this situation into an advantage; I can''t afford losses without gains."


    His thoughts shifted back to his family, if that person decided to target them instead of him… well, that would be catastrophic. "Step by step," he whispered resolutely as he climbed onto his king-sized bed and sank into its softness, falling asleep with worry etched across his face.


    ---


    Three Days Later in the Heart of Wulleamp District


    In the bustling epicenter of Wulleamp District!


    This vibrant area is a hive of activity, where the air buzzes with excitement and opportunity.


    The is ce brimming with shops selling everything from Magical Weapons to Magic Potions and delectable meals at cozy restaurants.


    Whether one is  hunting for rare ingredients or just looking to grab a bite, the central area of the district has it all!.


    The central area is the most densely packed part of Wulleamp, attracting people from all walks of life and races: adventurers, merchants, nobles, you name it!


    Here,nd is more precious than gold; every square inch is coveted and only within reach of the wealthiest elite.


    If one pockets aren''t lined with coins, you might want to think twice before stepping into this bustling hub.


    Amidst all these bustling stood the Morningstar Restaurant, a striking six-story purple building adorned with elegant staircases leading up to its grand entrance.


    In front of ity a spacious area featuring a stunning white stone statue surrounded by sparkling blue fountains, a true gem among towering structures.


    The restaurant radiated luxury and opulence from every corner; its name boldly disyed on an impressive que: Morningstar Restaurant.


    Nixie and Gwendolyn had employed their tried-and-true strategy from Brigdemoor City: flyers announcing the opening were distributed far and wide along with enticing rumors about their Tier 9 Forbidden Realm expert owner.


    The result? A flood of elegantly dressed patrons arriving invish carriages, heads held high as if they were royalty themselves.


    As the sun hung high in the sky, a parade of elegantly dressed patrons arrived at the restaurant in their opulent carriages.


    They strolled in with an air of arrogance, heads held high as if they were on a mission to touch the heavens.


    The 2-Star Restaurant Building stood out from other buildings, not just for its reputation but also for its impressive architecture.


    With sixvish dining floors and an additional top floor dedicated to office space, it boasted a total of seven stories. Each level was more extravagant than thest, featuring ten wooden elevators plus one exclusive lift, eleven in total!


    The first four floors catered to regr diners, while the fifth and sixth were adorned with private rooms that exuded elegance yet harmonized beautifully with the bustling dining atmosphere.


    On the seventh floor, inside an upscale office, Nixie and Gwendolyn were engrossed in conversation when Felix entered with a warm smile.


    "Big bro! You''re here?" Nixie eximed as she jumped up to greet him.


    Felix nodded and settled onto the plush couch. "So, how are things progressing?"


    "Everything is going smoothly; we haven''t received anyints," Gwendolyn reported.


    "Oh good," Felix replied calmly. "How''s Chef Gideon managing in the kitchen?"


    "He''s doing great!" Nixie chimed in. "By the way, what''s this special dish on the sixth floor? Everyone seems to be ordering it, and it costs a whopping 100,000 Gold Coins per serving!"


    Felix grinned knowingly. "Remember that Drake?"


    Nixie''s and Gwendolyn''s eyes widened in shock as they exchanged nces. "You mean that dish is made from Drake meat?" Nixie asked incredulously.


    "Not quite," Felix said with a shake of his head.


    "What do you mean?" both women asked in unison, puzzled.


    "The dish isn''t actually made from Drake meat; it''s crafted from congealed blood of the Drake prepared with rare ingredients, it''s called Dragon Soul."


    "Oooh! Now I get it!" they nodded in realization.


    "Dragon Soul? What a tacky name!" Nixie teased yfully. "Big bro, you really bad at naming."


    Felix shot her an exasperated look; he had spent agesing up with that name! Deciding not to engage further, he simply shook his head.


    "But don''t you think the price is too low for such a unique dish? I mean, it''s a Drake blood we''re talking about! It should be priced at 1 million, no wait, 10 million Gold Coins per serving!" Nixie insisted passionately.


    Felix raised an eyebrow and replied thoughtfully, "The blood has been diluted by a hundred times; otherwise, do you think anyone could handle its intense energy? They''d literally explode!"


    Nixie nodded in realization, her brow furrowing slightly. "Even though it''s been diluted over a hundred times, the energy in the blood is still quite potent! It can really help Mana Cultivators with their cultivation. I still think the price is too low," she insisted.


    Felix rolled his eyes, a smirk ying on his lips. "All you ever think about is money! Can you go just one day without counting coins? Look, I have my reasons for setting the price this way, so let''s stick with it."


    Nixie stuck out her tongue yfully. "Well, it''s your call, I can''t do anything about it!"


    "Since everything seems fine and there''s nothing major to worry about, I''ll be heading out," Felix said as he stood up.


    "Oh! And reserve a private room for me. I have a guesting soon," he added, his mind racing ahead. "And tell Chef Gideon to whip up the most expensive and delicious meals on the menu."


    He paused for a moment before adding with a chuckle, "Make sure he prepares extra, my guest has quite an appetite!"


    "Got it!" Nixie replied enthusiastically. "But big bro, who''s this guest of yours?"


    "It''s Quill," Felix said casually.


    "That fat bro?" Nixie eximed in surprise.


    "Yep, that''s him!" Felix nodded with a grin as he nced back at her. "Don''t forget now!"


    With that final reminder, he walked out of the office, leaving Nixie shaking her head and smiling.


    -----------------------


    On the sixth day of the month, within the opulent confines of Morningstar Restaurant, Felix and Quill found themselves nestled in a spacious private room.


    They lounged on elegant couches surrounding a long table, where waiters gracefully ced an array of dishes that exuded rich and enticing aromas.


    Quill''s face bore an intoxicated expression; his flesh jiggled slightly as he inhaled deeply, savoring the scents that enveloped him.


    "Big bro," he eximed, his eyes gleaming with delight, "I must say, the dishes here are truly extraordinary! Even with my background, I''ve never encountered anything quite like them."


    Felix held a ss of red wine delicately between his fingers, smiling as he took small sips with an air of sophistication. "To stand out in this industry is essential," he replied thoughtfully. "After all, our customers are akin to deities; they bless us with their patronage."


    "Why not consider opening branches in Azgarr District?" Quill suggested eagerly. "Those affluent nobles won''t hesitate to spend their wealth!"


    Felix shook his head gently. "Rest assured, we n to expand throughout Astheria soon enough. However, our current focus remains on establishing a solid foundation here in Wulleamp District."


    Quill nodded in agreement. "That makes sense! Just let me know when you''re ready to venture into Azgarr."


    "Of course," Felix replied amicably.


    "Ah! Speaking of ventures," Quill interjected as he retrieved a storage ring from his pocket and tossed it to Felix. "Here are the materials you asked me to source."


    Felix caught the ring deftly and delved into its contents with his consciousness.


    A wave of relief washed over him as he beheld rare and magnificent materials within, his lips curled into a satisfied smirk.


    "Now," Felix said enthusiastically, "let''s indulge ourselves and try out our new signature dish!" He opened a bowl adorned with delicate white patterns, revealing a clear soup as vivid as freshly spilled blood.


    An intoxicating aroma instantly filled the private room, overpowering even those emanating from other dishes.


    As mana began to fluctuate around them, white mist enveloped the soup, creating a faint yet beautiful glow reminiscent of stars twinkling in the night sky.


    Quill''s eyes widened in awe; hisrge frame trembled slightly as his face turned beet-red, beads of sweats formed rapidly on his brow until he was drenched.


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