Chapter 271: Chapter 46: The Audience of the Opera

In fact, the Secret Ceremony Society was founded by Anvis to clandestinely recruit certain Pamir students.

Half a year ago, after obtaining the Dream Entry Mysterious Object for gatherings from the Duke, he handed over the rings that connect to the object to people he valued, like Claire and Orbins.

Fearing that the name might overlap with other organizations, he ultimately decided against using “Secret Ceremony Society” and gave that name to the organization of players instead.

“Just a small private group of a few individuals, that’s it?”

Alisa was somewhat surprised, as she initially thought it might be a deeply hidden secret organization that Anvis personally invited her to join.

“What else? Did you think I would threaten you in the name of reciprocation to join some evil organization?”

Anvis chuckled lightly, spreading his hands in a casual manner toward the slightly blushing girl.

“Don’t worry about anything, Alisa. In fact, other newcomers who joined the True Knowledge Society are also courted by people from other families after the assessment, joining their small groups.

This year, an incident just occurred causing us to miss the gathering point in time, and it seems like this step has been temporarily put on hold.

For example, the other two who teleported away with us should have already been approached by members of the True Knowledge Society. It just so happens that I met you first, Alisa.”

“I understand, Anvis. If that’s all, then I agree to join you.”

After pondering for a moment, Alisa nodded and took the ring that was floating in front of her.

“Then, on behalf of the Secret Ceremony Society, I welcome you to join us, Alisa—”

Anvis showed a smile, picked up a tall, slender glass filled with pale blue juice, and gently raised his glass to the young knight.

Where there are people, there are factions, and the True Knowledge Society is no exception.

At present, several factions are also forming within the True Knowledge Society, mainly led by the Four Great Families and the Royal Family, as well as some neutral factions dominated by the major Marquis.

Choosing to join Anvis’s small group naturally means joining Olivendi, or, on a larger scale, allying with the faction of the Four Great Families.

“Normally, the gathering time is on the first of every month at midnight. However, you can activate this ring at any time to enter the Dream Space.

Before using the ring for the first time, you need to inject your Spiritual Imprint into the gemstone at the top of the ring to confirm your Identity.

There, currently, there is a Free Trade Zone, and a Task Message Board among other features, where some tasks unsuitable for public posting in the academy can seek the help of members here.”

“In the future, if there is a special and temporary gathering, you will also be notified through this ring.

Once you bind your Identity, you can modify the appearance of the ring through thought, but it can only be changed once, so please choose carefully.”

After Alisa confirmed her joining, Anvis began to carefully explain the usage of the ring to the girl.

The girl did as instructed and, in a moment, the dark gold ring’s design became slender, its color shifting to a shiny gold-red, matching her hair color.

Just then, the brief intermission ended, and with the somewhat oppressive background music starting up again, the grand opera resumed.

It was now the second act, where the protagonist falls into the cavern beneath the waterfall, slaying the Black Water Mysterious Snake that occupied the cave and obtaining the Ancient Magic Empire’s secret stash deep within.

Afterward, he changed his appearance and assumed the name Theo Sis, using hefty donations to obtain a noble title and re-enter the Kingdom’s society.

This act made extensive use of magical effects, from the dark waterfall and cave to the ferocious giant snake, as well as the glittering and dazzling treasures within the vault, all constituted by realistic Phantoms.

Especially the giant snake, which was not an ordinary illusion but a specially constructed Phantom Spirit Body that could withstand some damage.

Master Loren’s performance was very splendid, and the Illusionist backstage was equally skilled.

The movement of the giant snake was lifelike under control, whether its attack motion, the agonized posture when hit, the hissing sound, or the scattering blood, were all exquisitely portrayed and vivid.

With the second act coming to an end, the entire audience immediately stood up, starting to clap and cheer loudly.

“What a lively scene!”

After putting down the Theatrical Mirror, Alisa couldn’t help but admire.

“Tonight’s performance has more guests than usual. This is thanks to Master Loren’s voice and acting skills, and the quality of his Wind Talker Orchestra is also very high.”

After taking a sip of the pale blue juice, Anvis explained the special aspects of tonight’s performance to the girl.

“That is indeed impressive. In the territories of my family, the opera houses are often very quiet, and having the hall half full for an opera performance is already pretty good.”

Alisa shook her head and similarly raised a glass of Star Fruity Juice to her lips for a sip.

“Speaking of the number of guests, I think there is one School that is very good at solving this problem.”

Mentioning this, a slight smile couldn’t help but cross Anvis’s lips.

“There once was an Opera House that was unpopular, and one day, the local Lord booked a visit with the Opera House owner, to come three days later.

In order not to lose face, the owner gave a death order to his subordinates: ‘No matter what method you use to get people, in three days’ time during the performance, I want to see at least eighty percent of the seats filled by guests!'”

“In reality, because the environment and actors there were quite ordinary, there weren’t that many local people willing to go to that theatre to watch an opera. And letting people watch for free was out of the question; it wouldn’t be fitting for the Lord to watch a free show alongside commoners.”

“They thought about it for two days, and finally came up with a good plan. So, on the day of the performance, the Opera House was indeed filled with people!

Do you want to know what method they finally used?”

“What method?”

Listening to Anvis’s story, the girl’s curiosity was immediately piqued.

“They hired a Necromancer to come over, who raised a large number of skeletons overnight, and then covered them in cloaks of various colors and wigs to impersonate living people.

After all, the Lord sat in the high-level box, and from a simple glance, couldn’t tell the difference—”

“Pfft— What about the other real guests, how were they handled?”

Alisa couldn’t help but laugh out, feeling worried for the other guests.

“They probably felt a bit cold, maybe there was even some noise from bone friction, who knows?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Anvis said lightly: “It’s but a shadow army.”

.….….

After the entire opera ended tonight, Anvis and Alisa left together.

But just as the two were about to enter the staircase, a surprising voice of banter suddenly rose from behind Anvis.

“Quite rare indeed, to think that our Lord Anvis would one day also enjoy an opera alone with a beautiful young lady.”

Upon hearing these words, Alisa’s cheeks instantly turned red, and instinctively, she stepped slightly to the side, distancing herself a bit from Anvis.

The latter turned his head back in mild surprise, looking towards the source of the voice.

“Harvey, you’re here too?”

Behind him, the golden-haired Harvey, with two beautiful brown-haired, purple-eyed ladies wrapped around his arms, walked towards them.

The two girls looked almost identical, seemingly twins.

At that moment, seeing Alisa’s subtle movement, Harvey immediately understood.

He had a good eye and could tell at a glance whether it was a companion or a female friend.

“How about it, Anvis? Won’t you introduce me to this beautiful young lady?”

“This is my newly acquainted friend, Alisa, an excellent Knight.”

Giving him a resigned look, Anvis similarly introduced him to the young girl.

“This is Mr. Harvey, Harvey Kalavin, the dream lover of the noble young ladies of the Royal Capital.”

“A pleasure, enchanting lady—”

Hearing Anvis’s formal introduction, Harvey immediately dropped his playboy attitude, placed his right hand on his chest, and bowed slightly to Alisa with utmost formality.

As he bowed, a concealed spiritual message was transmitted into Anvis’s Spirit Sea.

“Be careful, Anvis, I’ve recently received some information; some people are preparing to test you. I don’t know if you have received the same news, but I still wanted to warn you.”

Hearing this, Anvis nodded subtly without any change in his demeanor.