The airship flowed along the traffic stream. During this time, Kailen’s gaze traced outside their airship. Several transcendents were either floating across skyscrapers or walking towards different locations. Individuals of different races could be seen everywhere. Holographic billboards revealed ads. Several ads highlighted the upcoming Venzula Guild Union Intercontinental competitions.

The airship finally had a chance to move with swift speed. Eventually, they arrived at the southern part of the city.

"Hop off," one of the NGU higher-ups said.

Everyone left the airship. The airship disappeared into the artificial secret realm of the person. Everyone headed towards the ground.

Currently, they stood before a very large estate. Several magnificent castles lined the place. The place was also perfectly blended with vegetation that made the sight more otherworldly. A large holographic text shimmered above the gates:

Welcome to Austere Hotel

The NGU higher-ups led Kailen, Julian, Dawnseer, and Lotus, alongside the other Dawnseer Guild higher-ups, through the large gates, revealing the magnificent hotel lined with gardens and opulent castles.

"We need to find accommodation for everyone before we head towards the NGU general HQ tomorrow. This hotel is one of the safest hotels in the capital. The chances of suffering an assassination are next to nil," an NGU higher-up explained.

The group nodded, following his lead. Eventually, they arrived in one of the establishments, booked rooms, and retired to their chambers.

The NGU higher-ups from the Southern Continent left them at this moment to go meet some old acquaintances from the other continents. To be fair, their work of bringing Kailen and Julian here safely was done. Apart from leading them to the stadium at the NGU HQ tomorrow where the competition would be happening, there was no need for them to be around them anymore. After all, this hotel had a very strict security system. No one would dare try to assassinate them here.

****

Venzula Empire.

15th Continent.

Chrysanthemum City.

Southern region of the city.

Austere Hotel.

Restaurant and lounge.

The place was very lively at this moment. The sound of jazz music resounded in the background. The scent of alcohol, chatter, and the aromatic smell of food pervaded the place. Some representatives of various guilds in the upcoming competition from several continents were gathered here.

There was no special reason for this occurrence. Several of them were residing in this hotel at the moment, before the intercontinental competitions commence tomorrow. Some decided to interact with others for whatever reasons they had in mind. Others decided to be quiet, mind their own business, and enjoy their meal.

Kailen Darkhaven and Julian Seir naturally belonged to the latter category. Kailen and Julian were currently enjoying their meal. However, that was not the only reason why they were here. They came here to gauge their opponents. It was better to know who they would be up against before tomorrow.

Anytime someone entered the restaurant, whispers about them and their feats would start to spread. Through this, Kailen and Julian were able to gauge some of the people they would be dealing with tomorrow.

At this moment, three people entered the restaurant.

"Is that her?" someone whispered.

"Yeah, that’s her, Ezerisia. She’s the lead representative from the 15th Continent. She’s from the Austere Guild, one of the very powerful guilds in this city."

"Austere Guild? Why does the name sound familiar?"

"Wait... the person who owns this hotel also owns a guild in the capital? This place? How powerful must they be?"

"Apparently, the owner of the Austere Guild and Hotel is a very powerful Rank 6 novice-stage transcendent powerhouse. She’s very powerful. She rose to her current level in the capital with her own accomplishments. She even graduated from the Venzula Empire Academy, and she is currently an instructor in the Venzula Empire Academy!"

"Seriously? Damn, this reputation is terrifying!"

"Yeah. As for Ezerisia, who just walked in, she’s the disciple of the Austere Guild head, Austere Caramanova."

"I see."

"Yeah. She could not get into the Venzula Empire Academy during their entrance exams because she was in the 29th Continent for a guild mission."

"Mmm. It’s public news that if the entrance exams period passes, the only way to get into the academy is to get a recommendation slot from either the royal family, the national bank general HQ, the guild union general HQ, the law enforcement agency general HQ, or the Venzula Empire Academy itself. Apparently, someone already claimed the Venzula Empire Academy slot. The other slots from the other powers have been given to other geniuses of their factions. Only the National Guild Union has not given their slot to anyone. They are reserving their slot to the one who gets first place in the national competition. It’s obvious that she’s participating in the competition to get the slot."

Several nodded with understanding as they followed the discussions surrounding Ezeresia—the red-haired, fair-skinned, pretty lady in a red crop top and jeans—who had just entered the restaurant with two other people. Many murmured with optimism that she could even win the NGU competition this time. It was not based on assumption. She was a very powerful Rank 3 novice-stage transcendent, able to defeat hundreds at her level with ease.

Rumors of her feats during her guild missions had spread throughout the city. She was very terrifying. Also, during the 15th Continent NGU competition, she slaughtered 200 opponents at Rank 3 novice-stage transcendent level without batting an eye. She was terrifying.

Ezerisia herself was not bothered by the reactions around her. She was used to them. She just returned from a guild mission and needed to unwind. A meal and some drinks would not be bad. As the disciple of the owner of the hotel, she had a certain level of advantages here.

First, she had to find a seat. Her eyes traced towards a particular direction where two individuals—a white-haired fellow and a pale-skinned fellow with void-like eyes and hair—were seated by the window, eating their meal. The place faced the forest region of the hotel and offered a picturesque view.

"Perfect for me," she decided.

She moved towards the seat with the two individuals with her, one an elf and the other a treant. When she arrived at Kailen’s seat, Kailen did not even lift up his head to look at her. Julian merely glanced at her and returned to his meal too.

The duo had heard of the whispers about her. Her background, feats, and ruthlessness. They had heard it all. But so what? They were just minding their business. She approached their table. If she did not have anything to say, she could just leave. Were they supposed to simp to her?

Ezerisia did not expect this reaction. Usually, in situations like this, she won’t even speak and people would respectfully vacate their seats for her or take the initiative to greet her. Did these two not know who she was?

She sighed and spoke, "I need this seat."

Kailen looked at her with a casual, indifferent glance.

"It’s taken."