The elite trio stroll around the city 'till they head to the upscale mall. The mall was built for all but it seems a division of social standing and pocket capability. Zed Ashgrey, Khalil Lobachesky, and Lotus La Rue stroll with their shopping bags as if it's just a typical day of money spent. They walked with confidence like some kind of authority or more of a Spriggan[1] from the Alvarez Empire. People respect their status, their clean, expensive appearance, good scent, and money. They don't look like ordinary teens, they look regal, ethereal; beautiful.
While walking, the elite trio noticed something… a group of kids wearing old clothes and worn out shoes staring behind the window glass, they are from a public school based on their uniforms. Zed smirked, showing his flawless teeth, as he shook his head. Lotus stayed nonchalant. Khalil smiled widely as he looked at the poor kids up and down.
"Look at 'em?" Khalil said, confused.
Zed sighed. "Let's not mind them. We need to get that luxury watch and then we're out here."
"But can we try that new food court?" Lotus insisted. "That's the reason why I agreed to be here." He rolled his ocean eyeballs and muttered. "Instead of writing poems or playing violin."
Khalil was mortified. "Seriously, Lotus? That place is too cheap! If you're thirsty or hungry let's head to the 4th floor. I know a fine dining there."
Lotus gritted his teeth and stubbornly shook his head. "I want to finish my WIP but you two dragged me out therefore I won't be going home if I can't have that coffee."
Zed and Khalil looked at each other, it's true, they had a hard time pursuing Lotus to come.
Zed tapped his brows when he heard the gossip behind them.
"Whoa! Look at them? Brats thinks this mall is their playground."
"Do you know that blue eyed one? That's the adopted son of Azrael La Rue! Azrael the known tycoon!"
"Instant upgrade?"
Khalil notices the whisper, he raises a brow. "Mind your business, ladies and gentlemen. Gossip doesn't fly food to your table. Thank me very much for my sparkling advice." He said with a smile and quickly dragged his friends inside the food court before the gossiper could even talk back.
Zed and Lotus sent Khalil a questioning look but they secretly smiled anyway.
"Yeah, yeah, you really love that new native coffee?" Zed glanced at his friend and found a timid smile on Lotus' lips which made Zed smile a bit.
Khalil nodded with eyes closed, Lotus glanced at him and gently guided his footsteps. "Just make sure Zed won't freak out if he sees a cockroach and accidentally unleashes a whirlwind again." Khalil teased and laughed remembering the last mayhem—that cost them 1 billion spri[2].
Zed only rolled his green eyeballs and slapped Khalil's head earning a pout from the latter. They went around checking what more they could have until they decided to hit the seat and eat something. They went to the counter to order and found the poor kids. Zed and Khalil quickly looked at each other. One of the poor kids steps forward and checks the menu, she's fidgeting the hem of her school uniform.
"Uh, how much is this one?" She pointed and gulped. Behind her are her friends, fidgeting with their nails too.
The counter didn't even glance at them. "998 spri."
"998 spri—WHAT?!" The poor girl exclaimed while the counter only nodded. The girl sighed, she smiled a little and dragged her friends to the next spot. "Let's just check over there if… it's cheaper."
Zed and Khalil irked a brow. They're not totally disgusted, they're more confused. Lotus, on the other hand, closed his eyes. He's not annoyed but he didn't like the lack of self-confidence. The poor kids shouldn't act small, they should be looking up straight, not looking at dirt because it only shows they're dirt.
The elite trio bought expensive foods without even looking at the price tag. Price didn't matter to them, they could buy anything they wanted so Lotus bought the simple native coffee with just a little of sugar. Then the elite trio went to their table to enjoy their food and drinks. Moments later they smelled something new, it's extraordinary smell, it forced its way into their nostrils, it's coming from the location of... when they glance...
"What the heck is that?" One student from the nearest table asked as he pointed his index finger to the poor kid's home-made lunch. "The smell? Yuck!"
The poor kid's eyes widened, they paused. They didn't know what to do, they just opened their lunch boxes. Just home-made food but some people react as if it's so disgusting and a life threatening bomb.
One sassy girl exclaimed dramatically. "Is that a decaying fish?"
The elite trio seriously observe the people's reaction. They smelled it too but they didn't voice it out. The scent is not typical and it's coming from the poor kid's boxes. However, Zed and his friend refrain themselves, it's more unpleasant to be disgusted openly, it's still food.
One of the complainants, a student from a private school, who seemed to be trying to act rich but not enough, stood and walked to the poor kid's table.
"Is that edible?" He laughed. His friends did too. "Look at that fish. Seems like a hundred or thousand years old."
The poor boys frowned but the poor girl stood up. Her heart drums, her ears ring, her leg seems like a rubber but she will speak. "Leave us alone."
"Oh? A brave one?" He eyed her up and down. "Too skinny and ugly. You shouldn't be here."
The other people only mind their business, they don't want to be involved with the Mayor's Secretary's son. But, Zed moved, he walked calmly and grabbed the weird food from the poor kid's lunch boxes and shoved it into the annoying boy's mouth. Everyone's mouth dropped.
"H-Hey! Stop! Don't you know who I am?" The boy said after he miraculously managed to get away from Zed.
Zed clicked his tongue, a bit disappointed. Lotus and Khalil went to his side. Lotus handed him a tissue and Zed slowly cleaned his hands nonchalantly yet elegantly.
"That… that uniform!" One of the boy's pals exclaimed. "They're students from the La Rue Academy! And... that's Zed! The Zed who's also studying exskill[3] control at ALVAACAD[4]!"
The poor kids only watched, they didn't know what to do or how to respond. As far as possible, they don't want this to escalate.
"Leave them alone. You heard the lady, right?" Khalil said smiling, but his eyes glistened with intent.
"And..." Lotus smirked, eyeing the bullies one by one. "Stop pretending to be superior 'cause you look like donkeys." Lotus' remark causes the other group to gape and be furious.
"You better listen to my friends," Zed suggested, his tone so deep it causes the bullies to rethink their life decisions.
The bully students stared at the elite trio, taking in their elegant appearance before their eyes widened when they realized their predicament.
"These three… they're not baby sharks! They're Zed Ashgrey, Lotus La Rue, and Khalil Lobachevsky! The nepo babies!" They exclaimed, mortified and shivered.
The bullies stepped back, their knees trembling in front of these tall young men; it's like staring at a high tower, a cloud above them, mighty as ever and unreachable.
"Leave or…" A small yet calm, for now, whirlwind appeared on Zed's index finger.
The bullies hurriedly get their stuff and comically leave the mall screaming apologies and crying, someone even pee on their pants.
"Zed? Uh… what about that?" Khalil gulped, staring at the unstable whirlwind.
Zed glanced at his friend, unsure how to cancel it but he didn't show any panic, he wanted to keep appearance. Before Khalil screams like a mad goat, one of the poor kids touches Zed's wrist and the whirlwind fades.
The gesture raised brows. "Oh?" The elite trio was surprised—and interested for the first time. After all, exskill are not really common in Ayam.
"I… I use my exskill, I can nullify exskill if I touch the caster." The poor girl said. "The name's Laynna, by the way."
"And I am Bob!" The chubby poor boy said, smiling widely. "You guys are so cool! Just like the rumors! Whirlwind summoner!" He pointed at Zed. "And… The shield!" He pointed at Lotus, then turned to Khalil. "The glow!" Khalil smiled as if there were sparkles over Khalil's face. Bob's full of sugar meeting the trio. "I... I am a huge fan! I followed you guys on social media! Liked every post and commented on every reel of Khalil!"
The elite trio was taken aback a bit. "Oh? Really? Cool?" Khalil smiled, hesitant, but his ego blossomed more.
"I-I'm J-Jay!" The petite poor boy introduces himself, shy and glancing somewhere. Jay believes his friends are nowhere rightful to breathe the same air as the elite trio for the elite trio's presence are superb.
Lotus' eyes soften a bit. "Thank you for telling us your names. I'm Lotus and these are my friends, Khalil and Zed."
"We already know your names, but it's so nice meeting you three this super close! Lotus, Zed, and Khalil. Thanks earlier too!" Laynna smiled timidly, heat rose to her cheeks.
Khalil smirked, combing his golden hair. "Don't worry about that. It's the least we can do. We don't like those kinds of people anyways."
"Ya, right, so…" Zed stared at Laynna then at Bob and Jay, he re-think for a second then made up his mind. He raised his hand, calling the attention of the crews.
Immediately one crew arrived. "Sir?"
"Bring food here. It's on me." Zed commanded nonchalantly. The crew nodded and immediately did the job.
Laynna and her friends got confused but they remained silent 'til the food arrived. The foods look delicious, lots are placed on the poor kid's table. Before Laynna could ask, Zed raised his hands to stop her.
"Don't worry about the payment, it's on me. Call this a treat so eat everything."
"I-" Laynna opened her mouth but Lotus stopped her.
Lotus stared at the three little poor kids. "Please, don't dilly-dally, just eat your food."
The poor kids glanced at each other but later on slowly nodded and dug in. Bob, inhaled deeply, asked the elite trio. "Uh, we have a simple party next week, I wonder if you guys are interested? It's just a simple party in our neighborhood. The food is simple, home-made."
The elite trio looked at each other before they nodded. "Alright. Where exactly?" Zed asked, he wants to make sure it's not one of those shady parties some people lurk around.
Bob's face lightened up. "I really want you guys to be there." He abruptly got a pen and wrote the address and handed it to Zed, with a shivering hand.
"We'll think about it." Zed clicked his tongue and gestures to his friend to exit.
As they were leaving, Zed even heard the girl say, "I'll leave some for my siblings too."
Zed halted, made a quick glance and saw Laynna putting the food into her lunch box.
"Zed! Hurry up!"
Zed heard the calling of his friend, he quickly shook his head and ran towards Lotus and Khalil, who stopped at the exit.
While walking to the parking lot, the elite trio wonders... what kind of party? They have never been to a simple party before, not even Lotus. But they're looking forward to it.
To be continued…
[1] royal blood of Alvarez Empire
[2] currency of Ayam and Alvarez Empire
[3] special abilities
[4] academy in Alvarez Empire