Chapter 95 - 96: The Matching Banquet Is Brought Forward
Cillian Forrest lowered his gaze to the Crystal Stone in her hand. It lay there quietly, showing no change whatsoever.
After a long moment, he reached out and took it, then said, "These are no longer a high enough Level."
It was an oversight on his part. As Sophie Wexler’s Level increased, so did the required Level of the Crystal Stones she needed. These simply weren’t enough for her anymore.
Sophie Wexler looked up at him. "It’s fine. Aren’t we going to the Capital Planet? We can just buy more when we get there. I have money."
She was different now. No longer the poor Sophie Wexler, but the wealthy version.
Hearing this, Cillian Forrest fell silent for a moment before giving a soft "Mm."
He didn’t tell her that what she probably needed now weren’t ordinary High-level Crystal Stones, but top-grade crystal stones.
Top-grade crystal stones were rare, and most were controlled by the Royal Family.
Cillian Forrest said, "There will be some on the Capital Planet."
Sophie Wexler nodded.
For the next few days, Sophie Wexler went to the Seventh Legion to help Felix York with his purification.
The Starbug poison had lingered in the depths of his Spiritual Sea for so long that it had even merged with his spiritual power. It couldn’t be completely eliminated overnight.
Finally, once she confirmed that the remaining toxins wouldn’t cause any problems in the short term, Sophie Wexler breathed a sigh of relief. "General York, as for what’s left... my current Level isn’t high enough."
Felix York was understanding. This was already a great improvement. "Miss Wexler, thank you for your hard work these past few days."
Not only had Sophie Wexler helped him clear out the toxins, but she had also performed a group soothing for the soldiers in their Disorder Periods, which consumed a huge amount of her energy.
Sophie Wexler smiled. "It’s nothing. It’s what I should do."
Ever since she found out she was going to the Capital Planet, a sense of unease had settled over her. Thoughts of the original character’s tragic end from the book would surface from time to time. Keeping busy was actually a good way to distract herself.
’But the supervisor said they’d send a communication with the date once the selection was finalized. It’s been almost a month... why haven’t I heard anything?’
Just as she was thinking this, her communicator rang.
Sophie Wexler opened it and froze on the spot.
Seeing her reaction, Felix York asked, puzzled, "Miss Wexler, what is it?"
"It’s nothing," Sophie Wexler’s voice sounded distant. "It’s just... I might be going to the Capital Planet ahead of schedule."
「 」
"Tomorrow?" Cillian Forrest’s cold, handsome features froze for a second.
Sophie Wexler nodded and handed her communicator to Cillian Forrest. "I thought it would be for the music competition, but the matching notification came early."
And it was so much earlier than expected, leaving her completely unprepared.
She had always thought she had more time before going to the Capital Planet and had deliberately tried not to think about it.
She never imagined it would happen so suddenly, catching her completely off guard!
Cillian Forrest looked at the message on the communicator. It was from the Capital Planet’s main Healer-class Association.
[Dear Miss Sophie Wexler, the Empire’s matching period has now begun. Please proceed to the Capital Planet to undergo a Level test and attend the matching banquet. ——— The Capital Planet - Main Healer-class Association]
"Weren’t the Healer-class matching banquets supposed to be closer to summer? Why is it so early this time?" Sophie Wexler asked, confused.
After Leo Fane had told her about the matching process, she had gone back and specifically researched it.
Because of the scarcity of Healer-class individuals in the Empire, the matching process was held once every three years. Every Healer-class person had to travel to the Capital Planet for a Level test. Then, the Light Brain would perform calculations and analysis to recommend optimal matches for Empireans and Healers. Finally, the matched pairs would make a mutual decision.
This event was always held around May or June. While there were sometimes minor adjustments, there had never been a major change to the schedule.
’What’s going on this time?’
Cillian Forrest stared at the message on the screen, his eyes narrowing slightly.
It seemed those in power were in urgent need of Healers, which was why they had moved up the matching period.
This early matching banquet also explained why other events and matters were being postponed.
That would explain why Sophie Wexler still hadn’t received a notice about the music competition’s schedule.
"ARGH!" Sophie Wexler cried out, throwing herself onto the sofa and punching a throw pillow a couple of times. "This is so annoying."
’I have to go tomorrow!’
The sudden imminence of the trip to the Capital Planet made her extremely agitated.
Just as Cillian Forrest was about to say something, Sophie Wexler shot up from the sofa and looked at him with a serious expression. "I’m going to the Capital Planet. You have to come with me, right?"
’After all, there’s this neck ring.’
Cillian Forrest gave a soft "Mm." "I have to."
"Okay, good." Having a familiar face for a companion on the road was better than going alone.
"Alright," Sophie Wexler took a deep breath and got up from the sofa. "Time for bed!"
’Time to rest up and save my strength!’
’Who knows what will happen on the Capital Planet.’
"Good night." After saying those two words, Sophie Wexler swiftly returned to her room, closed the door, got into bed, and shut her eyes—all in one smooth motion.
Cillian Forrest: "..."
He glanced at the closed bedroom door, then turned and went to the guest room.
He connected to Ethan Cross’s communicator.
Ethan Cross: "Marshal?"
Surprised to get a call at this hour, Ethan Cross was a bit confused. "Do you have orders for me?"
Cillian Forrest’s fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of the table. "Inform everyone. We depart for the Capital Planet tomorrow."
"Proceed according to the previous plan."
Ethan Cross: "?"
Ethan Cross: "!"
Once it sank in, he immediately composed himself, his eyes alight with excitement.
"Yes, Marshal!"
They hadn’t just been sitting around on this planet all this time. The people up there had been arrogant for far too long. It was time for them to be put in their place.
"Should I prepare a warship?" Ethan Cross asked.
"No need. You all go first."
Ethan Cross: "?"
"The matching banquet has been moved up," Cillian Forrest said in a level tone.
Ethan Cross understood his meaning almost instantly. If the matching banquet was moved up, it meant Miss Wexler had to go to the Capital Planet as well.
"Understood!" Ethan Cross’s reply was crisp and clear, his eyes curving into a smile without him even realizing it. He got it.
"You’re going with Miss Wexler." As soon as he said it, Ethan Cross saw the look on Cillian Forrest’s face and faltered.
The next second, Ethan Cross spoke up immediately, "I’ll go prepare for the return trip right now."
With that, he quickly ended the call.
He was quite pleased with his speed. If he had been even a second slower, the Marshal would have surely given him a stern reprimand.
’I get it. People experiencing the first blush of love always get flustered and angry when they’re found out. Heh, the Marshal is no exception.’
’I just wonder if the Marshal will participate in the matching banquet this time.’
’He definitely will, right? After all, Miss Wexler will be there.’
After that, Ethan Cross didn’t dwell on it. Since they were returning to the Capital Planet, there were indeed many things to prepare in advance.
For the first time, he sent a communication to the higher-ups, informing them of his imminent return.
As for the rest of the news about the Marshal... he’d let them guess.