Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 155 Family Banquet
Family banquet.

Although this is not a rare word, since Platina is so serious about it, it obviously contains special meaning for the Latras family.

"The ancestors of the Latras family believed that the indispensable thing to become a successful businessman is 'energy'."

"energy?"

It’s not that Ritas didn’t understand, but the word seemed too general.

"Yes. However, each generation of family heads has a different interpretation of this 'energy'. For the head of this generation of Latras, she interprets the main part of the 'energy' as 'connections'."

Platina continued to explain.

If you want to be a successful businessman, connections are indeed an important and indispensable part. In other words, no matter what industry you are in, connections will basically be a help.

But what about taking it as a subject?

Ritas always felt that the "energy" of Latras that Platina mentioned seemed like the secret to success.

"So, the current Latras family's main method of assessing our generation's 'heirs' is also based on connections."

Platina's words gradually got to the point.

"We have developed the habit of inviting the 'big shots' we admire to our birthday parties since we were young. However, if it is an ordinary birthday party, it is just us sisters showing off our 'energy' to each other. It is a kind of internal competition with little impact."

Platina's brows were furrowed.

She looked completely different now than when she first met Ritas.

At that time, Platina always had a nearly perfect business smile on her face. She handled Ritas's visit and the various inquiries that followed with ease.

Even so, whether it was Engri's affairs or matters related to Malik Aizan, they were all closely related to her and the Latras Chamber of Commerce.

However, by stating Engel's position and promptly and decisively cutting ties with the Aizan family, Platina ensured that the Latras Chamber of Commerce would not be affected by the "fire" on the night of the Summer Festival. She even tried to sell her own products to Ritas.

It was only after Ritas bluffed out some ambiguous information about the "Star Priest" that the impeccable face of the Latras Chamber of Commerce showed her personal side as Platina.

But now, Platina obviously lacks leeway in all aspects.

"However, the 'family banquet' is different. This is something that can only be held by the eldest and second daughters of Latras. It is also the stage where the Latras family will present the heirs to the world. Depending on the 'energy' displayed at the family banquet, the influence, voice and even status of us heirs in the family will also change."

"The order will also change?"

Ritas confirmed with Platina whether his understanding of "ranking" was the same as what the other party said.

"Yes."

Platina nodded solemnly.
"Let me tell you something very obvious. Professor Ritas should be able to understand what's going on here. That's the second daughter of the Latras family that I mentioned many times before, Misley Latras. She's only seventeen years old this year and is a senior student at the Braschi Royal School of Magic."

"?"

Listening to Platina's words, Ritas couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly.

Because, the second daughter of Latras was only 17 years old. However, as the fourth daughter of Latras, she was a mature woman in her mid to late twenties no matter how you looked at it.

So to say
Platina said before that the real leader of the "Star People" was in a faraway place and it would take until mid-August to arrive.

It's not that she's slow, it takes months to come to Spring City. Is it that she's in school, so she can only come during the holidays?

"In fact, after observing for all this time and confirming the value of the information the professor provided last time, I have personally determined that the professor would be an excellent collaborator. And if the professor wants to become a candidate for the 'Star Citizens', I am willing to support him. So, in order to allow me to gain more autonomy in the 'Star Citizens' and the family, which will facilitate our cooperation. As Platina Latras, I hereby invite Professor Ritas Elson to give me a birthday gift at the Latras 'Family Banquet' in a few days."

Platina said, lowered her head, took out an invitation letter and placed it on the table, then carefully pushed it in the direction of Ritas with the fingertips of both hands.

“She seems anxious.”

"really."

Not long after, Ritas watched Platina leave through the office window together with the Bathing Goddess.

After Ritas agreed to Platina's invitation, her condition obviously improved a lot. In addition to repeatedly stating that Ritas didn't need to spend money on gifts and she would prepare them herself, the iconic iron fan that seemed to have been forgotten was also taken out again.

"She usually calls me 'Professor Elson', but today she kept calling me by my name, trying to get as close to me as possible. Things got so tense that she had to resort to such tricks."

"Eh? There's such a thing?"

When the Bathing Goddess was surprised, she found that Ritas had been staring at the white disk.

After thinking for a while, she knew Ritas's purpose.

"Latras's 'Family Banquet'? Let me think. In the 'Star Emblem' game, there are only a few 'Latras' who appear except Sylvie. Of course, she may have appeared in some small corners, but I didn't notice her. If I must say, I remember that Misley! She will appear randomly in the form of a mysterious shop in the later stages of some routes. Although she is wearing a veil to hide her, I can tell through my mind's eye that she is definitely a beautiful girl!"

"Bath Goddess, you should know that I am not curious about what Misli Latras looks like."

"Tsk, what other information do you want from me besides whether she's a beautiful girl?"

The goddess of bathing thought for a while, not knowing whether she was dissatisfied or self-deprecating, and then continued,

"In general, there are not many plots about the 'Black Shop' Sylvie in the game. The main thing related to her is the discount system after collecting the 'Colorful' collectibles. After the collection is completed, there is indeed a plot where she invites the protagonist to her birthday party. But it's just a few sentences, and then an option of 'Accept' or 'Refuse' pops up. If you accept, the day will be occupied and skipped, and there will be no detailed description, and the final discount will be lower. If you choose 'Refuse', nothing will happen, but the final discount will be fixed at 40% off."

Ritas listened silently, thinking that there should be no problem with the information about the Goddess of Bath. Sylvie, whose position was just a "shop", had a weak presence in the "Star Mark" game.

In other words, except for Merci, the early members of the Yew Fir class would have been "retired" in the middle and late stages of the "Star Mark" game.

According to the goddess of the bath, "Star Emblem" is a game that revolves around "Star Emblem" in all aspects. Therefore, in the middle and late stages, except for a few hidden, special or very powerful characters, otherwise, characters without "Star Emblem" will be eliminated in terms of plot and usage.

"Oh! That's right, there is a detail. The collection of the 'Special Colors' illustrated book can actually be completed as early as the third semester. However, Sylvie's invitation will always be triggered in the third year, which is the fifth semester. From the perspective of the game, the goods in the store are discounted in the third semester of the game, which will definitely make the game difficulty drop sharply and unbalanced. But if it is from a realistic perspective, does it mean that this 'family banquet' should have been held two years later?"

Listening to the words of the Bathing Goddess, Ritas thought about it and then shook his head.

"Not necessarily. Even in the years when the 'family banquet' is not held, there is a tradition of inviting others to the birthday party of the heir of this generation of the Latras family."

"No, no, I feel more and more that all these changes are caused by you. Let's sort it out. Because you bluffed in front of Platina before, and asked her to recruit Misley, the second daughter. So, when Misley came to Spring City, she suddenly decided to turn this year's birthday party into a family party. Platina was caught off guard by this sudden decision, so she came to explain these changes to you and invited you to come almost as if asking for it."

At this point, the Bathing Goddess suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!" and then continued,

"I understand! It's Big Yellow Hair. According to the usual route of 'Star Mark', the 'connections' and 'energy' that Platina prepared for herself were from Big Yellow Hair. And because Big Yellow Hair is gone, she has put all her energy into studying the information you provided. Therefore, coupled with Misley's sudden attack, you have become the only person she can choose to ensure that she will not lose power in the family when facing the upcoming 'Family Banquet'!"

"."

Ritas was silent.

Because he felt that what the Bathing Goddess said was very likely right.

Before the night of the Summer Festival, the Latras Chamber of Commerce branch in Spring City did have many complicated connections with the Azan family, to which Malik Azan belonged.

If Malik Azan's assassination is successful, with the support of his family and the Dark Rite Society, and without being expelled from the magic world, he seems to have a promising future, enough to become Platina's "energy".

"I hope Platina won't think too much. There is no one in the Latras family who likes to be smart and has some intelligence."

"What's the meaning?"

The Bath Goddess did not understand, and Ritas did not explain.

Because, since the Bathing Goddess can think of it, Platina is now facing the dilemma of "only being able to choose Ritas", which is largely due to the fate caused by Ritas himself.

Then... maybe other people can see it too.

Moreover, combined with the delicate timing of Malik Azan’s recent death, Ritas took the initiative to come forward and recommend himself as a “candidate”.

There is also a possibility that everything was carefully planned by Ritas.

However, even if he was misunderstood like that, it would only be "a bit of trouble" for Ritas.

"Is my 'energy' really enough to help Platina maintain her current ranking?"

"Let me ask you this. If there is a Latras who invites Levis to present a gift to her at the so-called 'family banquet', would it be too much to ask her to be the eldest daughter for a few years?"

Ritas thought about it for a moment.

Although, for a family like the Latras family, the order and status in the family need other outsiders, and they only need outsiders to "give birthday gifts" to consolidate it, it is quite abstract if you think about it carefully.

However, if we put it into their logic, with the Tree Witch as the "energy" behind her, it seems that she is more than qualified to be the eldest daughter.

"Since it's not too much, I can only say that in the eyes of others, you can drive Livis to some extent. Moreover, even if you know that you can't, it is enough to just be sure that you have that 'possibility'. And this connection alone is valuable enough, not to mention that you have many gifts. So, in my opinion, what you need to consider is not whether your value is enough. Instead, you should consider whether your participation in the family banquet for Platina will lead to you being tied to her."

"Binding? I don't think so. It's just a cooperative relationship established for the purpose of mutual benefit."

Ritas didn't care much about the Bathing Goddess's concerns.

At least, for now, it seems that he does not feel that being involved in the affairs of the "Latras Family" will be difficult to extricate himself.

"Besides, if there is anything to worry about, it should be the next one."

While Ritas was speaking, there was another knock on his office door.

As Ritas responded with "please come in", a figure that had not appeared since the holiday appeared in front of Ritas.

"It's been a long time since I last met you, Professor Ritas."

The one who walked into the room and greeted Ritas was a beautiful blonde girl with hair similar to that of Platina Latras.

Sylvie Latras.

After a while.

The scene in Ritas' office seemed to be exactly the same as it was not long ago.

Sitting on either side of the coffee table, Ritas and Sylvie exchanged a series of meaningless pleasantries while drinking the black tea in their cups.

Just like before, the one who lost in the "tug of war" and took the initiative to state her purpose was the blonde woman on the opposite side of Ritas.

"I wonder if the professor still remembers that during the practical test, I made an agreement with the professor. That is to invite the professor to attend my birthday party in his personal capacity."

Sylvie looked at Ritas' face, which seemed to know everything, and then said something that surprised him.
"I hope this agreement can be cancelled."

(End of this chapter)