Chapter 496: Chapter 14 Harvey’s Abnormality and the Prince’s Invitation

“No… Anvis, I’m not here for that this time.”

But there was something peculiar about Harvey’s expression at the moment, his hands clutching the hem of his magic robe, his look one of four parts awkwardness, three parts shyness, and two parts hesitation.

“Is that so? Then what do you need to see me for all of a sudden?”

Glancing at Harvey, who was flying alongside him, Anvis spoke in an even tone.

“That… I…”

Harvey opened his mouth and twisted the white gloves on his hands that had become somewhat damp from sweat, yet he continued to hesitate.

Anvis stayed silent, simply turning his head to look forward, letting the floating disc fly automatically to its destination.

Today, Lanno, the Ninth Prince, had unusually invited him to have lunch together, apparently, with something to discuss.

Finally, as the two were about to arrive at the upper terrace of the Tower Restaurant, Harvey made up his mind.

“Anvis, I think I’m in love!”

“?”

Doubting his own ears, Anvis glanced at Harvey with a peculiar look.

“You’re looking for me just for this kind of thing?”

Lord Harvey, do you yourself even remember how many times you’ve been in love until now?

“Sorry, but… Anvis, she feels different to me.”

Harvey, well-aware of his own reputation, opened his mouth and seemed to lack persuasive power in his feeble defense.

“I get it; you’re not fickle, just that your heart has been split into many pieces, and each of those fragments has held the image of ‘the one’.”

Hearing this, Anvis nodded expressionlessly. He then controlled the floating disc to land on the platform, stepping graciously off it as if setting foot on an invisible staircase laid with a red carpet.

“Well then, dear Harvey, diligent little bee, bright and fervent flame, why not split another piece of your heart, to fit her image in it?”

As he spoke, Anvis suddenly clenched his fist and struck his palm in an ‘aha’ moment.

“Oh! I see now, your heart has finally been divided down to the fundamental elemental unit, and cannot be split any further, can it?”

The fundamental elemental unit is what the Magic World hypothesizes as the smallest unit that makes up all things. When something is divided to this level, it cannot be split any further by any means.

“Hey, Anvis, I’m serious!”

Listening to Anvis’s merciless teasing, Harvey—who had also jumped off the floating disc—pressed his lips together, his expression a mix of resignation.

“Alright—alright—Before I meet with the Prince, you have six minutes, Harvey. Tell me the gist of what happened now, and how you want me to help you.”

Pulling out a pocket watch and glancing at the time, Anvis snapped close the elaborately engraved Constant Gold cover and casually sat down at a table on the terrace.

“I knew you would be willing to help me, Anvis, my dear friend~~”

Singing the last part in the tone of the ‘Black Duke’ opera, Harvey quickly told the story before Anvis could lose his patience.

Recently, Master French had created a brand-new opera, which premiered at the Gloria Grand Theater. Harvey went to enjoy the opera, where, in the opera house, he had an unexpected encounter with a young lady and fell in love with her at first sight.

In simple terms, the overall process was not much different from Harvey’s previous ‘falling for’ other girls.

What was somewhat surprising to Anvis, though, was that the girl was not one of those unattainable noble dames, but rather an obscure actress.

And Harvey, who had countless ex-girlfriends, when facing her, acted as though he was a green youth experiencing first love, getting naturally nervous just by looking at her, the smooth talker unable to say a single line.

“Now, in my heart, there’s only her image; she is the goddess of my dreams!”

“Anvis, you must help me! That is, could you create some opportunities for me to ‘coincidentally’ encounter her alone?”

At this moment, Harvey was looking at Anvis with a pleading gaze that instinctively reminded the latter of a creature known as a ‘loyal hound’.

After all, he was merely a descendant of an Earl and had not even reached the age of majority. Although he possessed some privileges, they were far from sufficient in the Empire Capital, not to mention that Earl Calavin’s domain was in Karlars Province.

“I can understand what you’re thinking right now, but…”

As he spoke, Anvis suddenly stretched out a hand wrapped in a white glove and pressed a fingertip against Harvey’s forehead, as a ring beneath the glove flashed momentarily.

Taking advantage of the gleaming ring as a cover, Anvis secretly extended his own Eighth Rank spiritual power and swiftly scanned Harvey.

No malicious magic reactions, spiritual fluctuations were slightly sluggish and scattered, but still within normal range.

“…I’m really sorry, Anvis. I’ve already checked myself before coming here, I have not fallen under any enchantment spells, nor has my mind been confused by a magic potion.”

Observing Anvis’s actions, the corners of Harvey’s eyes twitched involuntarily. He was, of course, aware of his friend’s thoughts; had their roles been reversed, he would probably also suspect himself of being under some spell.

“Sorry, just to be on the safe side.”

Anvis spread his hands, although he had not directly detected any spiritual magic or potion fluctuations, he still felt something odd about this situation.

Love at first sight does indeed happen.

But this is Harvey we’re talking about.

This certified playboy suddenly becoming devoted, even forsaking female company altogether. Anvis was certain there was a problem lurking somewhere.

If the problem did not lie with Harvey himself, it must be with the actress in question.

“Here’s what we’ll do: in two days, the Gloria Grand Theater will host another new opera performance, and the actress you’ve mentioned should be on stage again.

By then, I will accompany you and arrange for someone to create the opportunity.”

With thoughts whirling, Anvis finally settled on a plan of action.

“Oh, Anvis! My good friend! I knew you would be willing to help me!”

Harvey, unable to contain his excitement, nodded incessantly.

As a Pamir student who had been enrolled for several years, he was actually not much different from the other ordinary students, let alone using his family’s influence privately.

In fact, this was the portrayal of over ninety percent of the noble students. At this age, what they needed to focus on was improving their personal abilities in order to manage their family’s domain in the future.

What Anvis was doing was essentially the same as them, only he was progressing a bit faster.

Having accomplished his mission, Harvey took his leave with understanding.

After glancing at the time again, Anvis pocketed his pocket watch and headed towards Booth No. 16 in the Constant Gold section of the Tower Restaurant.

The students who could enter this area of the restaurant were those with certain strengths, and most were also aware of Anvis’s identity.

Along the way, many students who recognized Anvis greeted him with friendly nods.

After politely responding in kind, Anvis arrived at his destination and gently knocked on the door.

The door opened and the faint, refreshing fragrance of silver frost leaves wafted out. On one side of the long table, draped with a snowy white tablecloth, Ninth Prince His Highness had been waiting alone for some time.

As the two sat down facing each other, various exquisite delicacies suddenly appeared on the table, each radiating a strong Magic Fluctuation that identified them as High Rank ingredients.

“Anvis, have you heard about the ‘Overlap Areas’ that have been popping up all over the Empire recently?”

Prince Lanno, casually picking up a piece of thunderbird meat drenched in sauce, got straight to the point.