Hello I'm back, thy leg is healed but I don't have molars anymore.
===BREAK===
At the same time, outside the restroom entrance, two people were locked in a tense standoff.
One of them was a member of the Fontaine Photography Association, an ordinary-looking adult; the other, however, was rather peculiar—a short, bearded "child." It was obvious at a glance that he was a midget.
At that moment, the Photography Association member wore an impatient expression as he tried to shake off the midget, who was gripping tightly onto the corner of his coat, all while shouting irritably.
"Mr. Magnifico, I've already told you countless times—neither I nor the Photography Association will ever sponsor your trip to Natlan! So please, give up on that idea as soon as possible!"
The midget who stubbornly refused to let go was named "Magnifico."
Ignoring the other man's rejection and attempts to drive him away, Magnifico continued to clutch the fabric tightly, muttering and pleading nonstop.
"But that's Natlan! A land shrouded in mystery, the homeland of dragons! It has tremendous photographic value!"
The Photography Association member, however, had completely run out of patience. He shoved Magnifico away forcefully and roared angrily, "That's enough! Stop rambling! I'm in a hurry to use the restroom—get lost!"
Caught off guard by the shove, Magnifico staggered backward several steps, nearly falling to the ground in a sorry heap.
After barely steadying himself, Magnifico's face flushed red with anger. He snorted sharply, hot breath blasting from his nostrils as he swore silently to himself.
"Hmph! Fine! If you Photography Association people refuse to sponsor me, so be it. I'll make it to Natlan by my own strength—and then I'll hold a photography exhibition so astonishing that you'll all regret it!"
Just then, Shao Yun arrived at the restroom and brushed past Magnifico.
Out of the corner of his eye, Shao Yun caught sight of the strangely shaped "child" and muttered to himself, "Is that a kid? Why does he feel kind of… off…"
When he was about to turn his head for a closer look, that figure had already vanished.
"Strange…" Shao Yun shook his head and walked into the restroom.
...
The moment he stepped inside, Shao Yun was assaulted by an overwhelmingly strong wave of fragrance.
"Cough, cough, cough… Did I walk into a perfume shop? What is this smell? Why is it so strong?" Shao Yun coughed as he spoke, pinching his nose to block out the heavy scent.
Was this the so-called distinctive atmosphere of a high-society restroom?
Thinking this, he gave a bitter smile and muttered to himself, "Whatever. I'm not actually here to use the restroom anyway—better get to the important business… um… recommend a formal outfit…"
A system prompt popped up.
[Formal Attire for a Night of Unrestrained Revelry: The Wittemore]
[Effect: If one must point out how it differs from ordinary formalwear, it would be that it grants the wearer a uniquely distinctive "aura."]
[Note: With high Reputation Value, this outfit presents an elegant and captivating blue style; with lower Reputation Value, it becomes a "passionate and unrestrained" red style.]
...
Looking at himself in the mirror, now dressed in the high-Reputation-Value blue Wittemore outfit, Shao Yun muttered softly.
"Wow… it's Trelawney's idea… let's hope I don't end up looking like a clown."
...
After changing, Shao Yun pushed open the restroom door and headed back toward the salon.
However, the instant he reentered the lively venue, countless eyes snapped toward him in unison.
At that moment, Shao Yun was like a toad turned prince, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Ignoring the gazes around him, Shao Yun headed straight toward Lumine to regroup.
Just then, a noble lady in an exquisite Fontaine-style dress and a wide-brimmed hat approached gracefully, blocking his path.
Shao Yun stopped and asked in confusion, "What is it?"
As he spoke, he carefully examined the lady's appearance and attire.
She had a slender figure and delicate features, every gesture radiating a unique charm.
For some reason, though, her bearing felt oddly familiar—somewhat like Penelope, that girl from the Braithwaite family of Rhodes Town.
The noble lady gently lifted her skirt and curtsied slightly, her voice sweet as a nightingale. "Hello. May we get acquainted?"
Shao Yun raised a hand politely and declined tactfully. "I'm very sorry, but I already have an engagement."
Hearing this, the noble lady froze for a moment before quickly recovering. She lifted her skirt again, offered a proper bow, and said apologetically, "Ah! My apologies—I was too presumptuous. Please forgive me…"
Shao Yun said nothing more. He sidestepped her and continued walking in Lumine's direction, muttering to himself as he went.
"I think I kind of regret changing into a formal outfit."
...
After rejoining Lumine and the others, Shao Yun spread his arms to show off the splendid Wittemore ensemble and asked, "I'm back! What do you think—how does this formal outfit look?"
Furina carefully looked him up and down, then frowned slightly.
After a brief pause, she spoke her honest thoughts.
"Mm… to be fair, I did expect you to dress a bit better. But this outfit of yours…"
She suddenly stopped, wearing an indescribable expression, clearly struggling to find the right words.
Seeing her at a loss, Shao Yun asked, "What? Don't tell me it's because I went from a toad to a prince and you can't find the words."
At that, Furina let out a soft laugh before quickly composing herself. She slowly circled Shao Yun once.
Then she smacked her lips and said teasingly, "It just gives off a very… attention-stealing feeling!"
"Haven't you noticed? Quite a few people around us keep sneaking glances at you."
Shao Yun froze for a moment, then hurriedly looked around.
Sure enough, as Furina said, many eyes nearby were indeed lingering on him.
"What? Is it really that exaggerated?"
Clorinde stepped forward and boldly pinched the fabric of Shao Yun's outfit.
After examining it closely, she commented seriously, "Mr. Shao Yun's attire makes you look less like a noble… and more like a wealthy businessman."
Hearing the phrase "wealthy businessman," Shao Yun laughed at himself. "You mean a nouveau riche?"
The moment Furina heard the words "nouveau riche," realization dawned on her, and she clapped her hands.
"Yes, yes, that's it! That's exactly the feeling! This outfit makes you look like someone who just struck it rich overnight. No wonder everyone's staring at you!"
...
Furina and Clorinde continued to size Shao Yun up for a while longer.
Before long, however, they lost interest in his new outfit and stopped paying it much attention.
Shao Yun casually picked up a glass of Fontaine champagne and took a leisurely sip.
The golden liquid slid down his throat, bringing a refreshing sweetness.
Feeling utterly bored, Shao Yun scanned his surroundings absentmindedly, hoping to find something—anything—to pass the time.
Unfortunately, there was nothing.
Lumine and Paimon, unable to stand the dull atmosphere either, left the group and wandered around the spacious, opulent salon.
While Lumine and Paimon were off strolling, a few people noticed Shao Yun and seemed eager to strike up a conversation with him.
However, when their eyes landed on Furina and Clorinde nearby, their tentative steps unconsciously halted.
After quite some time, Lumine and Paimon returned from their aimless wandering.
Aside from drinking some juice and eating a few pastries, the duo hadn't encountered anything particularly interesting.
Paimon couldn't help complaining, "So this is Fontaine high society? It just feels like a bunch of people talking big and spouting wild ideas."
Lumine nodded in agreement. "I can't understand what they're talking about either. It feels really strange—like we don't belong here."
Hearing their assessment, Furina smiled with understanding and said slowly, "Mm… I see. It does seem like you're not very suited to this kind of occasion."
"In that case, I won't bring you here again just to waste your time."
To ease the awkwardness, Paimon asked casually, "Furina, have you run into anyone you know here? Lumine and I don't know a single person—we just came to fill our stomachs."
As she spoke, Paimon patted her full belly.
Hearing that they'd gone off to eat, Furina made an awkward expression. "So that's what you were doing… no wonder…"
Imagining Lumine and Paimon completely focused on eating, Furina immediately understood why no one had tried to talk to them.
Then, responding to Paimon's question, Furina began to look around.
"Let me see… that man over there is Montluson, I believe—a merchant from Fontaine's printing industry. I heard he's been collaborating with the Academy on some research. He even had an audience with me at the Palais Mermonia a few months ago."
At this point, Furina shook her head lightly, a hint of helplessness on her face.
"Everyone else came to express their admiration for me, but he acted like a fool and asked me for investment. I had Clorinde escort him out immediately. Do I look like a god who cares that much about money?"
She continued scanning the crowd and soon noticed a midget—the same Magnifico who had brushed past Shao Yun earlier.
"That childlike fellow going around seeking sponsorship… I believe his name is Magnifico. He's with the Fontaine Photography Association. I remember him quite clearly."
"After all, you know—Fontaine doesn't often see people quite that… distinctive."
Upon hearing the name "Magnifico," Shao Yun said inexplicably, "Magnifico? That midget magician? But what does photography have to do with it?"
Hearing the word "magician," Furina looked at Shao Yun strangely. "You know him? But he's a photographer, not a magician…"
Shao Yun kept his eyes on the midget, his words coming out somewhat disjointed.
"No… maybe you could say that. I might have seen him before… ah… forget it, it's nothing. Don't mind what I just said."
Seeing his reaction, Furina was full of questions but chose not to press further.
She turned her head away and continued looking for anyone else she recognized.
Just then, her gaze was drawn to a group in the distance.
Several actors who appeared to be from other troupes were chatting with the cast of La Chanson d'Erinnyes.
"Over there…" Furina pointed in their direction. "Those look like members of other troupes. Are they here to learn from the performance?"
After hearing her, Paimon pouted and muttered disinterestedly, "Feels like they're not really here for the celebration banquet. It's more like they're using it as an excuse to make connections."
At the word "connections," a knowing smile curved across Furina's lips.
"A so-called 'salon' isn't merely a simple gathering."
"Everyone comes here to expand their network and discuss important business collaborations."
"If all one wanted was to satisfy their appetite, wouldn't Hotel Debord be the better choice?"
===BREAK===
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