CHAPTER 415: CHAPTER 415. THE BANQUET AFTERMATH

"So, how did it go?"

Arrie asked, curious about the outcome of the conversation.

"Not bad. I got to speak with one of the overall higher ups of the Universe Alliance of the low tier civilisations. And he said, we should wait for a response tomorrow."

"That’s awesome—wait, what? Did you just say a higher up in the Universe Alliance of the low tier civilisation? That means he’s a rank 7 supreme stage galactic level lifeform, right?"

Reynolds couldn’t help but ask in disbelief.

Everyone stared at Kailen with complicated expressions.

This guy just met a being standing at the apex of low tier civilisations and was casually talking about it like it was an everyday occurrence?

What the hell was wrong with this guy?

Did he not experience any form of shock in his life?

Kailen naturally knew their inner train of thoughts. The emotions they wore on their faces said it all.

He mused inwardly,

"I’ve been able to adapt with the reality of the absurdity which is the time dilation artifact, survived two gruesome war simulations, and one where I had to subject myself to endless torture and deaths to enhance my physique and the power of my lightning affinity. There was even one where I had to lie underneath a pile of corpses, constantly be on the guard against enemy attacks from all sides, and escape a burning city in a weak, decrepit body.

If I’m not able to remain calm in certain situations, then even the time dilation artifact would consider me some sort of disappointment. Of course, even before these occurrences, I have naturally been the kind to maintain my cool in situations. Father always said that I inherited my calm nature from my mother. Coupled with these experiences, the presence of the time dilation artifact, and my confidence in my potential, it’s only natural that I remain calm before such a powerhouse."

The Time Dilation Artifact made chewing sounds as she munched on a piece of chicken, and snorted.

"Hmph! Good you know."

Kailen ignored the Tsundere Time Dilation Artifact.

"Anyway, how is the Excellency connected to Ross Kadmen?" Pan asked.

"He is the master of Ross Kadmen. But I guess he does not go around throwing his weight around because of this background. However, it makes perfect sense that even the Crown Prince has to give him some face," Kailen said.

"Wow. I see. This makes perfect sense. Then that means the request will proceed smoothly for you guys, since Ross Kadmen is his disciple," Arrie added.

"Yeah, certainly," Miranda said.

The rest of the banquet proceeded smoothly as various duels ensued.

No one dared challenge any of Kailen’s friends after what Angela Hayes had pulled.

No one underestimated them anymore.

However, many would return to where they came from, singing songs of the events that happened during this banquet, especially songs of Kailen Darkhaven’s feats.

****

The banquet of Ross Kadmen was the talk of the Astral Empire.

Those that were members of the Astral Empire, but attended the virtual banquet from overseas, returned to spread stories at the empires from where they had logged into the virtual universe to participate in the banquet—some factual, and others slightly exaggerated with fanatic ease.

Some talked about the ruthless nature of Angela Hayes, and a few other things that happened at the banquet.

However, at the center of the stories was one name no one failed to mention.

Kailen Darkhaven.

First of all, the youngster had defeated someone at the rank 3 beginner stage galactic level without using his Black Flask capabilities.

How did this happen?

He had miraculously leaped from the rank 1 beginner stage ascendant level to the rank 5 supreme stage ascendant level in just three months during the time he spent in the academy energy vault.

But was this absurd feat even enough to pull something as ridiculous as what he did?

No!

There was a whole rank between them, and three subranks!

According to videos various individuals talking about the incidents watched, the fellow he fought was an exceptional genius of the Long Hai training hall, who had rune inscribed artifacts that boosted his strength to the peak of the rank 3 beginner stage galactic level.

Yet, Kailen Darkhaven had defeated him in an extremely gruesome and overwhelming manner.

"What a terrifying young man."

"I heard he’s being taken to the Frontlines of his empire."

"It seems he has more than enough capabilities to survive there."

"Honestly, Kailen Darkhaven is my dream man."

"Thanks to him, I had 70 billion views for my streaming service."

"Also, his painting was on another level."

"Have you seen the video?"

"He defeated Anthony Cruz, that monstrous emotional realm painter, after Aurelius Zeynar and his father Borga Cruz competed to a draw!"

"What? The emotional realm painter who attend the Institute of Refined Painters in the Vatican Empire? An institution with extremely stringent requirements? And yet, someone who was able to make a name for himself there, and cement his reputation with the Cruz Paradox, was defeated by someone who only became a painter recently?"

"Yeah, saw it with my own eyes. If you don’t believe it, you can see the videos for yourself."

"After he defeated Anthony Cruz, Borga Cruz and his son, Anthony, sneaked out of the banquet extremely humiliated and feeling disgraceful."

"The Cruz Paradox is a masterpiece, no doubt. But Inevitability is on an entirely different level."

"Yeah, several people began bidding several amounts of money for Kailen to make several copies for them, but he turned them down with a lame reason that his focus is not painting, so he can’t spend all his time working on the painting for them—only to publicly announce that he would be making copies of the painting for his loved ones, and even Aurelius Zeynar and Ross Kadmen."

"What a slap in the face."

"I know, right. Kailen Darkhaven is extremely daring."

"The fact that he painted Inevitability with such emotional intensity is something else."

"Some say they could see the painting move in their mind’s eye, even though the painting was an emotional realm painting and couldn’t be alive literally."

"The emotional intensity of the painting was so strongly conveyed that even though people at the gathering couldn’t see the characters in the painting actually move, their hearts used the emotional intensity to evoke a living scene in their minds."

"Sigh... I wish I could have the painting in my hall. Then I could brag to my guests that I have Kailen Darkhaven’s painting."

Similar conversations were happening across the virtual universe forums, the Astral Empire, and beyond.

Kailen Darkhaven had once again caused an uproar—an extremely strong one that carried a message.

A message that he was no longer an emerging prodigy.

He was becoming a force.

A myth whispered in chambers and bars.

Meanwhile, on a vacation island in the Arman Empire....