"Grandpa!" Eve’s voice was filled with joy.
But since she was in the critical stage of cooking, she did not leave her post.
Dale curiously poked her head out: "This old grandpa looks like he’s made of starlight..."
Uther was not annoyed by this and let out a hearty laugh:
"Starlight? That’s the most beautiful metaphor I’ve ever heard, little Sea Siren."
His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Ron:
"Hmph, Ron Ralph, we finally get to officially meet." The old man’s tone had a hint of teasing.
"Yes, Professor Yutel, thank you for remembering me." Ron gave a standard wizard’s salute.
Uther waved his hand, indicating that Ron needn’t be so formal:
"Let’s skip the pleasantries, I find all these formalities tiresome. By the way, I heard your paper review received quite a promising preliminary assessment?"
Ron nodded slightly, not surprised by the old man’s well-connected information:
"The review committee gave positive feedback, and the paper has entered the second phase of review."
Uther praised with admiration:
"Getting recognition so quickly is no easy feat. The Crystal Tower’s review committee is notoriously rigorous, especially with newcomers."
"Please, everyone, have a seat." Eve invited, her amethyst eyes shimmering with anticipation:
"Miss Ailan and Miss Dale, please join us. Tonight, there is no distinction between master and servant, only friends sharing the joy of the festival."
As her words fell, exquisite dishes began to float towards the dining table, moving elegantly and effortlessly.
Ron carefully observed the process, silently assessing Eve’s level of spiritual power control.
Such precision of control is rare even among official wizards, let alone someone not yet officially advanced.
If she could break through and advance, her future achievements might be unpredictable.
He nodded to his two attendants and then took his seat.
This dinner was exquisitely perfect.
From the Starfall Soup, a clear broth made with deep-sea fish and special herbs, with shimmering energy crystals floating on the surface like stars;
to the Trio Meat Roll, with three different types of meat wrapped together in a complex way, offering a different texture with every bite;
and finally to the Airy Dessert, a floating icy treat that melts in the mouth but leaves a lingering aftertaste.
Dale tasted the Starfall Soup, her golden eyes widening immediately:
"Delicious! You can taste the distinct flavor of each spice, yet they blend perfectly together!"
Eve, feeling a bit embarrassed from the praise:
"This soup needs to be simmered at a precise temperature for seven hours and forty-three minutes, with different spices added at specific times, each with its own way of addition."
"Indeed it’s delicious."
Ailan elegantly commented: "The handling of the ingredients reminds me of the ritual cooking of ancient tree spirits in the Green Forest."
Ron maintained an appropriate level of praise: "Such control over details, understanding of balance, is indeed impressive."
Eve, overwhelmed by the compliments, lowered her head, seemingly a bit shy:
"Thank you, this is the first time I’ve prepared a formal dinner for guests. Usually, only Grandpa and Franka get to taste my cooking."
"I must admit," Uther chuckled softly, warmth in his eyes:
"Scenes like a few people gathering to share dinner remind me of times many years ago."
His gaze became distant, as if traversing the river of time, seeing sights only he could see:
"Back then, Allen, Valen, Cassandra, and Hayek, Ankadi, Simon... those close students, we often gathered on such festivals."
Uther’s voice became unusually gentle, almost a murmur:
"I still remember how young Allen was then, her pink-purple long hair always tied in a ponytail.
At that time, she loved researching Magic Potion Making and mutagens, always saying she wanted to find a cure for distortions.
Now, she too is an old lady..."
The old man gently shook his head, a nostalgic smile on his face:
"Valen was always the most steady one, seemingly born with the demeanor of an old-school scholar.
But at those gatherings, after a few glasses of magic wine, he’d become humorous, telling old stories.
Now look at him, a centuries-old guy standing at the pinnacle of power at the Crystal Tower, busy every day with various political and school negotiations, where’s the carefree spirit of that time?"
Uther’s gaze softened even further:
"And little Cassandra... she was just a twelve-year-old girl back then, even younger than Eve now.
Brilliantly smart to the point of being alarming, but also stubborn to the point of being headache-inducing.
She could grasp the most complex magic in the shortest time, then impatiently show it off to everyone, like a child eager for recognition.
Who would have thought she’d become one of the most powerful beings in the Central Lands now?"
Uther’s voice carried a barely detectable trace of sorrow:
"And then Ankadi... Simon... those lovely students who once laughed with me, now all rest under the earth.
Fate was not kind to them, perhaps it’s also a form of release."
The room fell silent for a moment. The young Dale and Eve weren’t too affected, but Ailan and Franka both furrowed their brows simultaneously.
Ron’s heart was inevitably touched as well.
He thought of his family, classmates, friends from his previous life, their faces and voices now mere dust in another world.
And after coming to this world, the Ralph Clan and Andre, those friends and relatives, it seems they are also difficult to meet again.
"But that’s the beauty of life, isn’t it?"
Uther suddenly lifted his head, his eyes shifting from sadness to a serene joy:
"It’s this flow and inheritance that gives meaning to my existence.
Seeing the younger generation pick up the torch, continue forward, and explore the untouched fields...
It’s an incomparable satisfaction."
His gaze swept over everyone present, finally resting on Eve:
"Just like today, seeing you young people gather together, communicate, learn, and grow, is the greatest comfort to an old guy like me."