MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

"I'd like to reward you for your help"

The King finally spoke, drawing our attention. While Eric was rubbing his hands, Eli was trying to control her grin and Ava was trying to hide excitement visible in her shining eyes. While the hype was all time high …I was calmly eating a dessert.

I also liked the idea of receiving the rewards, but was skeptical, the rewards might be different from the future I knew.

I was already knowledgeable that the future is slightly going off course. Starting with Ava's decision to attend university earlier to Angry Bird becoming my enemy. I shouldn't be taking the future for granted and expect the unexpected.

' This is good... '

Taking another spoon of chocolate ice cream I felt a wave of sweetness assault my tongue.

" Leo... "

I heard a whisper and turned my head only to see Ava pointing at my chest. Looking down I noticed a part of ice cream fallen on my cloak.

While the king was murmuring about the help we gave him and our contribution to the country I was trying to wash away a patch left by ice cream.

In the end I left it to be, because I didn't have any water source nearby where I could wash my cloak.

' I could unequip and re-equip it '

Unfortunately I was surrounded by people, if it were only NPCs I wouldn't mind, but since I was accompanied by 3 players it was a no, no.

' I wish Eric wouldn't have such a big mouth '

Feeling my gaze, full of pity, the guy in question turned his head with a transparent question mark floating above his head.

On the other hand even if Eric was tight-lipped I would probably still not reveal my identity due to another 2 variables sitting across the table, Ava and Eli.

Since Ava would go to the university it's safe to say that Eli will do as well, as far as I recall both are top level beauties with huge crowds of men lining behind them. If by any chance even one of them sticks close to me I'd be like a moving target to the men going after the girls. I also didn't want to admit it, but some kind of weird competition was being played by me and Ava, with the result being 1:1 as of now. For some reason I felt that revealing my identity in such a manner would make me lose some points.

' I'm in a pickle '

With no way to understand where the competition originated from or what were the rules I felt kind of troubled.

' It all comes down to me not revealing my identity, at least for now '

Indulging myself into the ice-cream I didn't notice Ava who was openly staring towards me.

' Does he not notice? '

Ava's thoughts were drifting into the direction of makeup she was trying to avoid thinking about earlier. Before joining the game she tried to convince herself that she put makeup on, because she'll later go to the city.

Catching herself thinking about it she redirected her eyes from Leo and planted them on the speaking king.

' I wonder how he could have zero interest in what the king is saying? '

Even watching the king Ava didn't manage to completely get rid of thoughts about Leo. Slightly shaking her head she quietly slapped her cheeks to wake up.

Looking around the table Ava found nothing out of the ordinary, but suddenly felt a chill pass through her spine as she saw her friend, Eli's face, shift into a grin.

...

...

...

Exchanging messages with the gaze made Ava lower her head with slightly pink cheeks while she was biting her lower lip begrudgingly.

' Such expression would get Leo killed you know '

She noticed a system message from Eli who was acting as if the dialogue didn't happen.

Ava so wanted to type back, but the king suddenly went quiet and a pair of people entered the room.

One was a lean man with a well-built body and skin with no blemishes. He had a straight posture and was wearing a black suit with a red tie. His hair color was yellow while his eyes were green.

Accompanying him by the side was a stunning young woman with hair and eye color identical to that of the man.

Interestingly both of them had a similar Auras that of the queen and the king. One was soothing and the other oppressive.

It was kind of obvious that they were the daughter and the son of the current king.

With slow strides they approached the table. As Leo was about to stand up and bow, the young woman gestured him not to and gave him a warm smile.

~~~~

" I greet the Prince and the Princess "

After being told not to bow I greeted two new people entering the hall.

Soon another pair of chairs was carried into the room and both children of the king took a seat.

" I'd like to thank all of you for saving my father "

The son spoke while a butler served him a meal. As far as I recall his name was Frederic and he was the NPC strong enough to defeat the Royal Guard.

Taking a glass of wine Frederic raised it above his head. A huge smile was plastered across his face.

" Cheers! "

His joyous mood affected the king and the queen, my companions were no different. The only ones that kept their faces straight were I, Princess and Ava.

The meal somehow turned into a drinking contest as Eric started to compete to see who can drink more without losing consciousness, him or the Prince.

I didn't know why he even proposed such a challenge, because it was kind of obvious that the Prince is stronger and, because he lives in the palace he is no stranger to alcohol.

While both of them were devouring glasses of wine worth a fortune I felt a fragrance of Roses brush against the side of my arm.

Turning to the side I noticed the Princess slightly leaning towards me.

" I would also like to thank you for helping this family. I don't even want to imagine how'd it be if my father was still a monster "

I could feel sincerity in her words, which is rare for Noble NPCs in this game. I felt like I found a hidden feature.

Suddenly the Princess picked up a Napkin from the table and started cleaning the brown patch of ice cream on my cloak.

" Even though you managed to help my father and subdue a strong corrupted you still drop food "

She giggled while wiping away the chocolate. I was a bit surprised and troubled by her actions. Who wouldn't be when a beauty is literally right beside you.

Somehow I managed to control my expression, but my body froze, even my breath turned a bit rough.

' So you are a man... '

The Princess whispered while leaning back on her chair. Looking around I sighed from relief, nobody saw our exchange.

Or so I thought...

While Eric was still competing with the Prince, Queen and the king cheering for them. Eli was frantically typing to Ava who tried to ignore her.

' Jealous? '

Peeking at the message notification didn't help, because Eli had already made some assumptions. It wasn't even worth arguing, because it'd be like talking with a literal word. No word would reach Eli.

Even though it was annoying Ava had to agree that she was feeling slightly uncomfortable, but she wouldn't call it jealousy. It was because her stomach was against the beef steak.

Fortunately or Not Ava didn't know that one can't feel stomach ache in this world.

Thump...

Finally Eric succumbed to his fate falling face first to the ground due to not being able to consume more alcohol.

As soon as he did, a few butlers came with some medicine in their hands and quickly injected some of it into Eric's bloodstream with a needle prompting him awake.

The previous dizziness from alcohol was completely gone making me slightly interested in what they used to achieve such fast recovery.

It could be a Health potion, but why would one inject it with a needle rather than drink it.

Recalling Eric's condition I shrugged my shoulders thinking if he could even swallow the contents of the potion.

After the honorable duel both childr... men shook their hands.

After all of us ate, the Royal family stood up and gestured to follow them.

While walking behind them I turned to see the expressions of my companions.

Eli was smiling, although suspiciously.

Eric was drooling, presumably thinking about the rewards.

Ava was... trying to pierce me with a gaze?

Looking at her face beautified with makeup I tried to read any emotion, but as soon as our eyes met she turned her head away.

...

...

...

' Am I being ignored? '

I recalled everything I did and couldn't quite get why I was treated in such a manner.

As I was about to ask her we suddenly stopped before a plain stone wall.

It had no decorations or paintings, it was made of plain red bricks.

Nearing the wall the King suddenly equipped his sword and slashed the wall with very precise movements.

Crack... Crack...

Like an old rusty door the wall was suddenly split in the middle and a dark pathway appeared before us.

" Welcome to the treasury room "

The king said before prompting us to move forward "