They don't want me to try anymore.

Catherine raised an eyebrow and fell into thought.

Sophia came over again, massaged Lauren's shoulders, and asked, "Grandpa, how are you feeling?"

Lauren said slowly, "Originally, I was thinking of giving the Cromwell family some face and just asking for some benefits, but now that I think about it, your idea is indeed better."

"You flatter me."

"Don't be modest. If you perform like this more often in the future, I'll feel more at ease sending you back to the North."

Upon hearing the word "Northern Land," a strange light flashed in Sofia's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

Lauren then turned to Catherine and said, "Well, my dear granddaughter, wouldn't you like to have a teammate like that?"

Catherine frowned and said, "If he really has the ability, then I'm willing..."

"ah!"

At that moment, a gasp came from below, and the three of them looked over.

Let's go back half a minute.

At the edge of the ballroom, two elegantly dressed young men whispered among themselves as they watched Richard surrounded by women.

"You're clearly an outsider who beat Senior Linda through trickery and intrigue, and now you're showing off like this?"

He spoke through gritted teeth, as if a righteous man were denouncing thieves, but every note was tinged with jealousy.

His companion snorted and said, "We need to teach him a lesson!"

"That's right!"

After they finished speaking, they looked at each other...

No one moved.

After an awkward stare-down for a long time, the first person to speak finally coughed lightly and said, "I've got an idea."

"How to say?"

"Give him a good beating with piping hot soup!"

As he spoke, a wisp of light appeared at his fingertips and quietly flew toward a passing maid.

The maid was carrying a large bowl of steaming cream soup, moving forward cautiously, but no matter how careful she was, she couldn't help but be entangled by the spell at her feet...

"ah!"

She lost her balance, and the soup in her hand spilled out, splashing in front of her—just then, Richard, having finished his smooth talk with yet another group of ladies, walked over there.

"Success!"

Two people in the distance became excited.

At such close range, with the soup so loose, a student trained as a mage would definitely not be able to dodge it!

Even with a self-protective shield, one can't avoid getting soaked and losing face!

But at that very moment...

With the help of the [Guerrilla Expert] trait, Li didn't even look before his body automatically turned and retreated, dodging the trajectory of the soup's projectiles.

He immediately realized what was happening, first snapping his fingers to summon Big Black's head where the soup was about to spill, and then reaching out to grab the bottom of the soup bowl with his extremely high agility.

"Hoo-hoo~"

In the blink of an eye, the giant dragon head that suddenly appeared swallowed the thick soup in mid-air, let out a satisfied growl, and returned to the illusionary realm.

Richard steadily held the soup bowl, elegantly handed it back to the maid, and smiled, saying, "Thank you for the treat."

A burst of applause erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"Is that a dragon? He can summon real dragons!"

"Such a quick reaction! Is it a mage or a warrior...?"

"Elegance, so elegant!"

Apart from the two instigators who were both shocked and angry, everyone else was all smiles.

Richard responded to the enthusiasm of those around him, glancing furtively at the second floor.

He had just gone so far as to summon even the giant black dog, both to retaliate against the provocation and to demonstrate his strength to the person behind the scenes—he believed that since the other party had summoned him, they certainly wouldn't have been unaware of anything.

This is true.

"A rare talent."

After Lauren finished her reflections, she smiled at her granddaughter and asked, "What do you think of this display of strength?"

Catherine exclaimed in surprise, "In less than a second, without even chanting a spell, he was able to summon the dragon with just his will. The strength of this connection... no wonder he was able to defeat Linda."

"Haha, since that's the case, let's bring them up quickly." Lauren gestured with her mouth: "If we keep them hanging like this, it will seem like we're being too negligent."

Sofia smiled and said, "Okay."

Tens of seconds later.

The music and lights in the hall changed again, and the guests began the next round of searching for dance partners.

Richard, having finally escaped a large group of enthusiastic young women and married women, quietly drank orange juice in a corner.

Then, he saw Sophia slowly walking towards him, and said, rubbing his forehead, "Miss, I'm dying..."

"Pfft, don't get me wrong, I'm here on behalf of Lord Lauren to invite you upstairs."

Richard thought to himself that the real action was finally about to begin, and quickly replied, "It would be my pleasure."

Guided by Sophia, he arrived at the corridor behind the hall.

On both sides of the corridor hung portraits of prominent members of the mansion's family, as well as oil paintings depicting famous scenes from imperial history.

However, Richard didn't recognize most of them, so he seemed distracted.

Sophia tilted her head slightly at this moment, smiled and said, "The walls are covered with guys I've never even heard of... Is that what you're thinking, Mr. Richard?"

Richard quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no offense intended, it's just..."

“It’s alright. I was in the same boat as you when I first came here. But if you really want to establish yourself in this country, I think it’s best to remember these people.”

Richard raised an eyebrow: "I'll listen to you..."

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself."

Sofia stopped, turned around, and curtsied, lifting her skirt: "My name is..."

Sophia Gaius was born in Via in the north, and like you, she is a foreigner. It is only because my mother is Lord Laurent's daughter that I am able to stay here temporarily.”

Lauren's granddaughter, is she from the North...?

Richard knew little about the North, only that it had been divided into many countries, with Vya being one of the larger ones, and they were currently at war with each other.

Based on this speculation, Sophia in front of us is likely a descendant of the royal family or a noble family of Via, who was brought to Idaril by Lauren, her maternal grandfather, to escape the war.

Wait, I heard someone mention something about this in Connaught before...

"It's an honor to meet you, Miss Sophia. If I may ask, do you have a nickname, Winter...?"

"That was just some exaggerated praise from the newspapers when I came to the Empire. It's shameful, Mr. Richard, please don't mention it again."

Sophia giggled and winked, glossing over the matter, before adding, "As for honors, to be honest, Mr. Richard, I greatly admire you, and it is only when I meet you that I feel honored."

"Oh? Why did you say that?"

"I only made it into the newspapers because of my speed in advancing in rank; I have no other achievements. But you, by defeating the arrogant Linda and saving Nion City under the command of the Empty Human Order, have truly proven to the Empire that even foreign visitors can achieve remarkable results."

"You're too proud of the award. It was all a fluke."

"Luck itself is a kind of strength."

Sofia's beautiful eyelashes fluttered slightly, her thin lips parted slightly, and she sighed softly, "If I could have the courage you have, many things would be different..."

"Miss Sofia..."

"Hehe, sorry, I was just talking to myself. Come with me, Grandpa is waiting."

Richard squinted, looking thoughtfully at the girl's swaying skirt.

I met some really interesting guys.

They walked through the corridor, entered the garden, and climbed a flight of stairs, finally arriving at the top of the hall, in a rather secluded reception room.

"Thank you so much for your invitation..."

"You're welcome, young man..."

After exchanging introductions and pleasantries, Richard discreetly sized up Lauren Tolly.

This simulated old friend was a bit fatter than I remembered, and his expression was also kinder.

Lauren said in a deep voice, "I have learned about your request from Luvia, and I am very sorry for what happened to your teacher."

"I have always advocated that exchanges between countries should adhere to basic principles, so rest assured, I will urge the relevant departments to conduct a new ruling with the participation of Connaught."

That means you've agreed.

Richard quickly thanked him and then asked, "Sir, is there anything I can do for you?"

"It's more accurate to say it's my granddaughter than me."