Chapter 435: Happy New Year |
The treatment of a partner, the high income, and the flexible schedule completely centered around Janna—honestly speaking, upon hearing Roman-Roland’s nearly “bottomless” concessions, Janna deeply realized his determination.
“Pfft, they really pulled out all the stops just to keep you.”
Hearing Janna’s words, Vivian didn’t say anything more. After all, from her perspective, she herself didn’t really want Janna to withdraw from the opera business.
Aside from Janna’s outstanding talent in opera performance, the steadily rising income she had gained over the past year was also one of the reasons Vivian preferred Janna to continue staying in the opera industry.
A fixed monthly salary of two thousand Gold Surrel, plus a seven percent profit share at year’s end, and adding on the endorsement income from GG—putting all of that together, Janna had earned nearly one hundred and ten thousand Gold Surrel this year!
One hundred and ten thousand Gold Surrel—this figure was nothing short of a fantasy tale for an ordinary commoner apprentice.
Even someone like Vivian, who came from a wizard family with a well-run business, only had an annual allowance of about thirty thousand Gold Surrel at her disposal.
And this was still considered Janna’s “low income,” given that she was situated in Turin City, a so-called “tiny corner” where wizards gathered.
Once Janna stepped onto a bigger stage, her income would certainly go far beyond this.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the private room gradually loosened under the influence of alcohol.
Especially Hugh-Stone, who, after downing a few glasses of wine, started teasing Maro-Heigel about the “panda eyes” bruises on his face.
“This happened when I went out today and accidentally bumped into something.”
“Really? Then why don’t you show everyone again—how exactly did you manage to bump one eye with a doorknob into such a perfectly round and plump shape, hahahaha—”
Hearing everyone burst into laughter, Maro-Heigel only shrugged with a smile. He then lifted his glass full of Green Plum Wine and said toward Hugh-Stone:
“Hugh-senior, if you really want to know, then down this glass of wine!”
“Cheers!”
With a crisp clink of glasses, Hugh-Stone downed the entire large glass of Green Plum Wine in one go, nearly dropping his cup.
“Janna, this wine you brought is way too strong. I’ve only had half a bottle, and I’m already dizzy.”
Looking at Hugh-Stone’s flushed face, Janna—who was also entering a slightly tipsy state—only laughed and shook her head. Then she raised her own cup and drained the remaining half glass of Green Plum Wine in one gulp.
“I’ll drink with you—”
“Then I’ll lead everyone with a toast as well.”
Seeing Janna finish her drink, Soro-Flare, as the organizer of this banquet, also raised his glass high.
“In this past year, I’ve been truly happy to continue gathering with everyone. I also hope that in the year to come, each of you can achieve your heart’s desire! At the same time, let’s keep helping and supporting each other. Don’t forget the original purpose of establishing the White Ballet Shoes Club. Lastly, Happy New Year to all!”
“Happy New Year!”
Hearing Soro-Flare’s heartfelt words, the others—already a bit drunk—lifted their glasses in unison.
“Happy New Year, Janna.”
“Happy New Year, Vivian.”
With a clear chorus of clinking glasses, Janna and Vivian exchanged smiles. Following the last sip of Green Plum Wine, the White Ballet Shoes Club’s small “year-end gathering” on the final day of the year came to a peaceful close, as the New Year’s bell quietly rang. Amid the whistle of the Steam Train, many of the out-of-towners in Turin City’s wizard district began their journey home.
Janna, also an “outsider,” gazed at the increasingly deserted White Coral Academy. Beyond a tinge of loneliness, what filled her heart more was the nervousness toward the upcoming 【White Tower Trial】.
According to insider news from Lilith-Mage, this year’s White Tower Trial would undergo huge changes in its rules.
Especially for apprentices like Janna, who had long since mastered a 【Law Fragment】. Aside from the unspoken “exemption privilege” that wasn’t formally placed on the table, even the traditional “resource battle” of the White Tower apparently would not require her participation.
In previous years, in order to compete for greater resource allocations from Dordogne–White Tower, even wizard apprentices who had already mastered a 【Law Fragment】 still had to join the White Tower Trial alongside those who hadn’t.
Unsurprisingly, apprentices with a 【Law Fragment】 had an overwhelming advantage over those without—it was absolutely crushing, leaving no trace of “equality.”
And that had sparked protests from many apprentices who hadn’t obtained a 【Law Fragment】.
To address the issue, the White Tower would adjust its rules this year. But what the new rules were exactly, Janna would only find out after arriving at Dordogne–White Tower.
“Janna, I knew I’d find you here.”
Just as Janna was gazing at the book in her hand, a little absent-minded, Vivian’s voice sounded behind her.
“Spending New Year’s Day holed up in the library reading? You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
Looking at the brick-thick tome in front of Janna, Vivian shook her head in mild exasperation.
“Haha, I’m used to it. Didn’t you say you had something to do this afternoon? Why are you back so soon?”
Seeing the snowflakes still on Vivian’s shoulders, Janna instinctively reached out to brush them off.
“Of course, I didn’t want you to feel lonely. As soon as I finished up, I came to find you.”
Hearing Vivian’s words, Janna’s heart warmed.
“Then shall we head out now?”
“Let’s go!”
With that, Janna used 【Wizard’s Hand】 to place the book back onto the shelf. Then, together with Vivian, she left the library and walked toward Rose Castle.
The Rose Family’s New Year banquet was bustling. Aside from Vivian’s father, Hellman-Rose, Janna also saw a familiar face from the Nightingale Opera Troupe—Leon-Flare, who had once partnered with her to perform in Bloodshadow Rose as Charlotte. He attended as a friend of the Rose Family.
Of course, there were also cousins and many other relatives of the Rose Family whom Vivian had never mentioned before.
Though it felt unfamiliar for Janna to celebrate the New Year at someone else’s home, the warmth and friendliness of the Rose Family left her with a deeply memorable holiday.
“Janna, try these dumplings I made this time—how do they taste?”
Near ten o’clock at night, Janna followed Vivian into a side kitchen away from the main hall, and the first thing she saw on the dining table—
—was a plate of dumplings.