After the male servant bowed and left, Florent was left alone in front of the ornately decorated door.
He wasn't in a hurry to push it open. Instead, he took his time examining the door.
The lavish decorations were imbued with a mystical aura, and Florent felt that the seemingly chaotic arrangement of gemstones might follow some hidden pattern.
However, upon closer inspection, he found nothing particularly extraordinary about the door.
Once the sound of footsteps faded away, he glanced around and, with a solemn gesture, pushed open the magnificent door.
Despite its grand appearance and size which seemed fit for giants, the door opened without a sound.
As the door gradually swung open and his eyes adjusted to the light inside, he saw a man in his fifties or sixties, slightly portly, sitting across the room.
The man was engaged in conversation with others, but paused when he noticed the door opening. After excusing himself, he stood up to greet Florent.
Though the man's figure was somewhat bulky, he rose with the vigor of a younger person.
His face bore few wrinkles, and though his hair was nearly white, he exuded an air of authority mixed with kindness, a presence that commanded respect...
Yes, Florent could clearly see the villa owner's appearance because the man wasn't wearing a mask. Instead, he was dressed in casual attire, his expression calm, which made Florent wonder if he had misunderstood the purpose of this gathering called by the head of the Abraham family in Trier.
As Levi stood up, his voice, neither overbearing nor lacking in authority, rang out: "Ah, it's the 'Travelerʼ. Welcome. Your presence here means you've finally overcome your difficulties. I'm pleased to see your growth..."
Though Florent didn't hold Levi Crow in particularly high regard, he was struck by the man's commanding presence.
After all, in a century or two, those who would be called elders and tasked with guiding the family would hardly stand out.
"Thank you for your concern. I've moved past my inner struggles. So, is the gathering starting now?" Florent replied after a brief pause.
"No need to rush. Those who are impatient cannot appreciate the finest fragrances. Although it's almost time, you're not the last to arrive, and the family gathering isn't something to be hurried. Let's settle down first. My dear 'Traveler', please take a seat. When the time comes, I will officially begin the gathering."
As he spoke, Levi gestured gracefully, his movements almost rhythmic, guiding Florent to where he should sit.
Florent obediently followed the directions of this man who seemed like the conductor of the evening, and took a seat at a table where a few others were already seated.
The room appeared to be a combination of a grand hall and a dance floor. Dozens of tables, intricately carved from the finest Fellenwood, were arranged throughout the space.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that the patterns on each table were unique. The center of the room was left open, though not as large as a typical dance floor, with tables placed around the edges.
The Abraham family members present weren't numerous enough to fill the room. Instead, the scattered tables were occupied by about twenty or so individuals.
The door faced one end of the dance floor, and Florent, not wanting to draw attention, walked along the edge of the floor to his seat.
The Abraham family members were scattered around the front of the dance floor. Some were engaged in hushed conversations, others sat with their eyes closed in meditation, and a few seemed lost in thought.
The Fellenwood tables were devoid of the usual food and drinks found at gatherings. Instead, their surfaces were polished to a mirror-like sheen. Florent ran his hand over the smooth surface of the table before sitting down.
Leaning back in the sturdy chair, he let his shoulders slump against the wide backrest. He tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.
As time passed, Levi didn't start the gathering immediately at the appointed hour. Instead, he waited a few more minutes, ensuring no one else would arrive...
Then, he stood up and positioned himself in front of the gathered Abraham family members. Under the glow of the candles above the dance floor, he cleared his throat three times, each cough growing louder.
Once he had the attention of those who were meditating or conversing, the host of the gathering began to speak: "Fellow members of the Abraham family, I am delighted to see you here. Some of you, after reading my previous letter, felt fear, worried that the exposure of one member would lead to the downfall of us all."
He paused for a moment before continuing: "Yes, their fears were justified. When I wrote that letter, I deliberately made it sound more panicked. At the time, I was genuinely anxious, and half-intentionally, half-naturally, I let all the recipients see my true thoughts."
After a sigh, he added, "I didn't expect some to be so sensitive that they wouldn't even attend this gathering. However, I bring not only misfortune, but also good news for those who aspire to advance in their sequences or admire extraordinary abilities..."
"...That's right. I intend to provide some resources free of charge. For those who haven't reached Sequence 8, I will offer all the materials needed for advancement. And for those seeking Sequence 7 materials, I will share some of the extraordinary items I've collected over the years."
At this announcement, the previously quiet room erupted into murmurs. Some Abraham family members who were close began whispering among themselves, while others fell into deep thought.
Then, a youthful voice tinged with curiosity and indignation spoke up, "Mr. Levi, what happened to the person who put us in such a precarious position?"
Levi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes in apparent pain...
The room fell silent for two or three seconds, as if someone had hit the pause button. The heavy atmosphere instantly subdued the young questioner.
Breaking the awkward silence, Levi opened his eyes...
His voice, no longer calm and detached, now carried a hint of pain and regret:
"The Abraham family member I mentioned in my letter didn't escape successfully... The latest news is that it wasn't actually the orthodox churches, but the Theosophy Order... A member of the Tamara Family within the Order discovered our traces, killed our kin, and performed a spiritual interrogation..."
"...That family member was my son, Vasik Abraham..."