After Quevedo and Karl embraced, Karl seemed to shed his aristocratic airs, exhaling slowly before waving a hand at the coachman waiting dutifully for his orders.
The coachman who was already familiar with Karl's gestures promptly flicked the reins, guiding the two spirited horses as the carriage slowly departed from Trenk Street.
Quevedo watched the retreating carriage with regret, stretching his hand toward it as if trying to summon it back by sheer willpower.
Unfortunately, even if Quevedo advanced to Sequence 7 'Appraiser' of the 'Savant' Pathway, he wouldn't be able to pull the carriage back with his mind...
Unless he became a Sequence 6 'Artisan' capable of crafting suitable mystical items, or perhaps only a Sequence 5 'Astronomer' would possess the direct supernatural ability to do so...
Thinking about the 'Savant' Pathway, Florent couldn't help but sigh as well. For a wild Beyonder without organizational backing, the 'Savant' Pathway wasn't particularly appealing before Sequence 5, given its lack of direct combat abilities.
But then again, Florent himself was about to become a Beyonder with actual supernatural powers...
Though 'Trickmaster' abilities weren't overwhelmingly strong, they were at least versatile.
Quevedo turned back with a dramatic wail, "Oh, my dear Karl! Why did you let the carriage leave? I wanted to experience the noble elegance of the Green family's coach!"
Karl shot him an unimpressed glance, "Quevedo, as far as I recall, you have your own carriage. Why covet mine? Besides, that tavern you mentioned is still in Starfield District, isn't it? We don't even need a carriage to get there."
Quevedo looked like a defeated mutt just regaining its senses, "Ah, true, but I've never ridden in someone else's carriage before. And," his expression turned mischievous, "I've heard noble carriages are extravagantly luxurious, with plenty of... 'romantic' stories happening inside. So, heh, how about calling it back?"
If this were an anime, one could imagine thick black lines of exasperation forming on Karl's forehead.
Unfortunately, reality didn't work that way, though Florent could already see Karl's face darkening with irritation:
"No. Stop reading those trashy noble romance novels. And I can't call it back now. Besides, the decorations are nothing special. They're not even close to being luxurious."
Quevedo slumped again, but this time, Karl didn't indulge his theatrics, "Enough. Your goal isn't to ogle my carriage but to lead us to the tavern for the gathering. No more delays, let's go."
At the mention of the gathering, Quevedo instantly reignited with his usual manic enthusiasm, "Right! The gathering! 'Old Man Sage's Tavern' is... uh, north! Let's move!"
With that, he briskly led the way, his mood swings whiplashing so fast that Florent needed a moment to adjust. Watching Erich and Karl follow without complaint, Florent quickly caught up.
Thankfully, Florent had no heart conditions, otherwise Quevedo's antics might have been too much to handle.
He sidled up to Erich and whispered, "Erich, are you sure Quevedo's extreme mood swings are... normal?"
Erich glanced at him, amused, "Perfectly normal. I was just as baffled at first. Where I come from, everyone is as reserved as I am. But coming to Intis and meeting someone like him... well, if Quevedo says he's fine, he's fine. Studying abroad in Trier has its perks. Beyond knowledge, encountering all sorts of people is part of the experience."
Florent hadn't expected the usually icy Erich to be so open. It was a pleasant surprise, better a lively companion than a cold one:
"True. I'd love to study abroad too someday. Lenburg is one of my destinations. I'm hoping to meet more erudite scholars like you."
A rare flicker of emotion crossed Erich's typically detached voice, "Lenburg... It's not just one city you know. Intisians tend to lump us all together, but Lenburg is just the capital. I'm from there myself."
His gaze drifted to Quevedo who was animatedly chatting with Karl while leading the way, "Scholars in Lenburg rarely haunt libraries. Their personal studies are practically private libraries... unsurprising, given Lenburg's reputation as the holy land of papermaking. Most renowned scholars prefer researching at home rather than in universities or libraries, except when it comes to exchanging ideas. They're not cold, just eager to share knowledge with other sharp minds."
Florent's curiosity piqued, "You embody Lenburg's erudition and warmth, Erich. What's daily life like there?"
Erich almost laughed at being called "warm", then answered with quiet pride, "Lenburg is the sanctuary of knowledge. Even the poorest citizens revere learning. The God of Knowledge and Wisdom teaches, 'Knowledge springs from labor; to revere knowledge is to revere toil.' So unlike Trier, you won't find slums in Lenburg."
Florent nearly gaped. Lenburg sounded like a communist utopia, a paradise too ideal to exist. But he reserved judgment. Some things had to be seen firsthand.
Before he could ask more, Quevedo suddenly materialized in front of him, "Hey, Florent! Chat later, we're here. Look."
Following Quevedo's finger, Florent saw what resembled a café more than a tavern, a heavily guarded one at that.
The establishment's opulence dwarfed the 'Flame Axe Tavern', resembling a modern luxury hotel plopped into a residential district.
Florent stared, stunned that such a lavish tavern existed...
Quevedo grinned at his reaction, while Karl seemed equally surprised to find such grandeur in Starfield District.
Erich, however, remained indifferent and scanned the surroundings as if searching for something more intriguing...