Chapter 86
Rafael quickly learned what it meant to shoot himself in the foot.
Claudio might have looked scrawny, but he was tough as nails.
His punches hit like a freight train.
(64
55 Vouchers
Rafael had no clue how he got knocked out after just three punches. When he finally woke up, Craig was fanning him and chatting with someone nearby.
He said, “Should we give him another dose? My mentor gave me two bottles, specially brewed for Rafael. They’re perfect for bruises and sore muscles, work like a charm.”
Rafael groggily woke up and reached out. “I…”
Craig lit up. “Hey, he’s awake! Looks like he’s gonna be alright.”
Rafael grabbed Craig’s hand. “I want to…”
Craig squeezed his hand. “Easy, I get it. Claudio’s still waiting for you. You guys can keep going, settle the score. But don’t go overboard, just tap out when you’ve had enough, okay?”
Rafael thought, ‘No, that’s not it at all.
‘I’m about to cry.
‘I want to switch.
‘Let me spar with Craig, not Claudio.
‘This guy definitely has it out for me!’
Claudio acted all sweet and innocent as he helped Rafael up. “Rafael, let’s keep going.”
Rafael was speechless.
Ten days zipped by before anyone knew it. Laurence and the other elders watched as the five kids worked their tails off and couldn’t help but feel proud.
When the kids asked if they could head down the mountain for a day on the fifteenth, the elders gave the green light without a second thought.
On the fifteenth day, Linda and her crew flew down the mountain on their swords, except Craig, who was still hitching a ride on Rafael’s.
Once they saw the city, they touched down and headed on foot.
This time, they were like country bumpkins hitting the big city for the first time, going on a shopping spree.
23:12 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 86
First stop was the clothing store.
Each of them picked out more than ten outfits.
“Three outfits per season, twelve a year. That’s not even a lot,” Rafael said.
96 voucherS
Craig snatched the clothes out of Rafael’s hands. “Come on, you’re a guy, how many outfits do you really need? They all look the same on you anyway.
“Just grab two and call it a day. We’re cultivators, not fashion models. It’s not like we care about season changes. Are you really worried about catching a chill?”
Rafae thought, ‘So what if I’m not cold? Can’t I at least look stylish?‘
Rafael felt seriously put upon.
Craig turned to Linda and Laura, grinning. “You girls go wild and try on as many as you want. There are a million styles for you. Today, I am picking up the tab!”
By the time Linda and Laura finished shopping, they’d picked out twenty–four outfits between them. Rafael got three, Claudio got four, and Craig paid for everything.
Rafael whined, “Why does Claudio get one more than me? That’s so unfair!”
Craig shrugged. “Claudio hasn’t gotten his organization uniform yet, so I’m giving him an extra one. You already have two sets, you’re good.”
Rafael sulked, lips sticking out in protest, but when he noticed Craig hadn’t bought a single thing for himself, he paused. “What about you?”
Craig just waved it off. “I joined the organization ahead of you guys, so I’ve got plenty of uniforms. More than enough for me.”
“But what about normal clothes?” Rafael asked.
Craig did a little spin. “This one’s all I need. Lucien picked it out for me, and I love it.”
Linda and Laura turned to look.
Rafael complained, “What’s wrong with you? It’s not like you’re short on Luster Shards, just buy some for yourself!”
Linda said coolly, “Buy them all.”
Laura nodded. “That’s right.”
After an hour, everyone walked out with twelve outfits each, no exceptions, just like Linda said. Once the clothes were sorted, they moved on to shop for jewelry and accessories.
Claudio and Craig waited obediently by the entrance, playing the perfect gentlemen while the girls took their time inside.
23:12 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 86
56 vouchers
Rafael couldn’t sit still and wandered into the weapons shop next door. The moment he saw all those weapons on display, he couldn’t tear himself away.
He went on a shopping spree and practically cleared out half the store.
But those prices were killer, by the time he got back, his stash of Luster Shards was wiped out. He collapsed at the counter, face full of misery. “I’m totally broke now.
“Luster Shards burn way too fast.”
The other four saw him like that and couldn’t help but crack up.
Linda checked the time, it was already noon. “Laura, are you hungry?”
Laura’s eyes sparkled, even brighter than when she was picking out clothes and jewelry.
Linda waved her hand. “Let’s go eat!”
At the Ambrosian Refectory, the five of them stood at the entrance.
Craig had his face in his hands, while Rafael pointed at the sign, his hand trembling with frustration. “Are they doing this just to mess with us?”
There was a sign hanging at the door that read: [No Seconds Allowed.]
Craig grabbed his sleeve, half–hiding his face. “Keep your voice down, or people will know who we are.”
Rafael rolled up his sleeves. “Like I care if they recognize us! We’re spending our money here. They make the rules. If they can’t play fair, they’re just targeting us, right?”
Laura hesitated. “Should we just pick another place?”
Linda was already pulling Laura up the steps. “No way, we’re eating here.”
As soon as the girls walked in, Claudio followed right after. Craig tried to hold Rafael back, but Rafael just yanked him along and dragged him inside.
“Come on, let’s see what the big deal is. It’s not like we’re broke or anything,” Rafael huffed.
Once they were seated, Rafael stared at the menu, his confidence from earlier totally gone.
He leaned over to Linda, voice barely above a whisper. “Linda, maybe we should just pick another place?”
‘Man, these prices are daylight robbery!‘ Rafael thought.
Craig was sweating bullets too.
One dish here could probably keep their elders working off the debt for the rest of their lives.
Linda didn’t even blink as she glanced over the menu.
23:12 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 86
The waiter clearly recognized the four of them and looked a little awkward. “Sorry, folks, but we don’t serve spaghetti anymore.”
Linda shot him a cold look, and the waiter flinched. He quickly corrected himself, “Actually, we do have them, but no seconds are allowed. If you want some, you can only get one serving per table.”
Rafael glanced at the next table, everyone there had their own bowl, but for their group, it was just one per table. He immediately caught on and snapped, “Are you targeting us on purpose or what?”
Linda set down the menu, her tone frosty. “Get someone else.”
The waiter was sweating even harder now.
“Get someone else,” Linda repeated, her voice icy.
The commotion caught a lot of attention, people started looking over and gossiping.
“What’s happening over there?” someone wondered aloud.
Another person said, “Wait, those folks look familiar. Aren’t they the hundred–bowl spaghetti crew from last time? Guess the owner has had enough of them and doesn’t want to deal with their antics anymore.”
The shopkeeper heard the commotion and rushed over. “Folks, what’s going on?”
Linda pointed at the waiter. “Get him out of here. Don’t make me take matters into my own hands.”
As she spoke, her aura exploded out without warning, sending a chill through everyone in the hall.
“The Gilded Core!” someone gasped.
“Damn, she’s already at the Gilded Core? And that young?” someone whispered.
In a heartbeat, all eyes snapped to Linda, like she was the only thing that mattered in the room.
The shopkeeper’s face did a complete 180, turning all fawning and desperate.
He spun on the waiter and barked, “Apologize to this madam, you idiot!”
The waiter instantly dropped to his knees, groveling and pleading for mercy.
Linda said coolly, “I just want a different server. I never told him to apologize.”
The shopkeeper rushed to smooth things over. “Yes, that’s on me. Whatever you want, we’ll bring it right away. Get out of here, you useless mutt!”
The waiter scurried off.
Linda ran her finger across the menu. “We’ll take everything.”
The shopkeeper’s face stiffened, a bit embarrassed. He was about to ask if they could really afford all that, but before he could say a word, Linda set a whole chest of Luster Shards on the table.
23:12 Tue, Feb 3
Chapter 86
She was making a statement of her wealth.
:
“Is that enough?” Linda asked, her tone cool and confident.
64
65 vouchers
When the chest was opened, a dazzling light spilled out. Everyone could tell there were at least a million Luster Shards inside.
Everyone went nuts before thinking, ‘Who the heck brings a million Luster Shards just for lunch?‘
The shopkeeper plastered on a sycophantic grin. “More than enough!”
He rushed off to start prepping the feast.
Craig and Rafael kept quiet. Linda was acting a little out of character. She was usually way more low–key than this, but they felt that Linda must have a reason to do this.
‘Just eat and don’t overthink it,‘ both of them thought.
They just quietly poured themselves some drink.
Linda poured some for Laura. As her gaze flicked up, she caught sight of a shadowy figure lurking at the second–floor railing.
Linda gave a cold chuckle.
‘Knew they’d show up,‘ Linda thought to herself.
AD
Comment
Send gift
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
