Only after all the attendants had taken their positions did Karl finally conclude his recitation of the philosophical passages, each word carrying an unusual aesthetic weight...
Moved by the reading, the participants instinctively broke into applause... not thunderous, but sustained, a genuine tribute born of admiration.
With impeccable grace, Karl bowed to each section of the room in turn before declaring, "Now, I leave the rest of this splendid gathering to all of you."
Florent was taken aback, 'Does this mean all my preparations were for nothing? Is this 'philosophy salon' just a name?ʼ But he quickly dismissed the thought.
A man dressed in a red garment (neither a robe nor a suit, but something resembling a fusion of the two) stood and walked to a prominent spot where most attendees could see him.
In a clear voice, he announced, "Thank you, Viscount Karl, for your opening remarks. Today, I wish to share with everyone Mr. Gekai's discourse on the dialectics established by Roselle..."
Once the speaker finished presenting his views, Quevedo eagerly launched into a discussion with Florent and Erich.
Florent couldn't help but feel relieved that his preparations hadn't been in vain after all. Drawing on his recent studies, he joined the debate.
As he spoke, a bitter thought crossed his mind: 'Tch. You don't actually need to understand philosophy to attend these salons, you just need a thick enough skin to avoid social suicide. And worse, it's social suicide in front of friends. Ugh, brutal...'
At a philosophy salon, people tolerated less insightful remarks, but they had no patience for those who knew nothing at all.
Debates could rage or agreements could be reached harmoniously, but if someone lacked even basic understanding, not only would their friendships suffer, but they'd also catch the attention of gossipmongers.
In those circles, entire social networks could crumble without warning...
After all, no one liked an unambitious person, even if they were a friend. Unless the bond was exceptionally close, relationships built on mutual interests lasted longer.
That said, the salons also had their merits...
Florent watched as Karl approached their table, greeted Erich, and then sat beside him, seamlessly joining their discussion.
It was a universal truth: shared discussions, collaborative work, or even casual activities accelerated the growth of relationships.
On Earth, it had been mobile games, online games, and private gatherings. Here in Trier, the most popular social activities were salons; literary, philosophical, political, and economic.
As the conversation flowed, Florent discreetly gleaned the addresses and basic details of the others at his table. Though they weren't lifelong friends yet, they'd moved beyond mere acquaintances to something closer... people who understood each other's ideas.
After a while, Karl remembered his role as host and reluctantly excused himself to attend other tables. Once he left, other philosophy enthusiasts (though not the organizers) drifted over to join Florent's group.
As the salon progressed, attendees periodically stepped into visible spots to introduce new topics.
Social butterflies flitted between tables, striking up fresh discussions. Even Quevedo couldn't resist and left to mingle elsewhere.
Though he tried to drag Florent along, Florent politely declined...
'I've only studied philosophy for a week. I can hold my own in a casual chat, but if I have to debate or pose insightful questions, I'd just embarrass myself...'
It reminded him of his exam-cramming days back on Earth. He could scrape by on tests, but teaching others? A joke. Designing an exam himself? Impossible.
'Learning isn't the same as understanding, and understanding isn't mastery. Knowledge is easy to pick up but hard to refine...'
As an 'Apprentice', Florent knew he had to advance step by step, without arrogance.
The moment this realization truly sank in, his eyes snapped shut...
Even as others continued debating around him, he couldn't help it... he felt the potion inside him loosening on a massive scale.
A smile flickered across his face before he caught himself and apologized, "Forgive me, I felt unwell for a moment. But I'm fine now."
The philosopher who'd been speaking to them shifted awkwardly, "Ah, no worries. If you're feeling ill, the café's washroom isn't far."
Erich, however, narrowed his eyes like a surgeon's scalpel, "Then why were you smiling just now?"
Florent choked back a groan and forced a grin, "I was thinking of something happy."
The absurdity of the excuse made his strained smile turn genuine.
He quickly stood, "Ah, actually, I'm feeling a bit off again. I'll visit the washroom. My apologies."
A nearby attendant smoothly stepped forward to guide him. By the time Florent returned, the guest had left, and Erich offered a rare apology:
"Sorry. I was curious."
Florent waved it off, and the two resumed their philosophical exchanges with other attendees.
After multiple rounds of coffee and desserts, exhaustion began to set in. Quevedo returned to the table, and the atmosphere grew unmistakably closer to dispersal.
Karl rose once more, "Time flies in the company of wise minds. Though reluctant to part, all good things must end. Let us meet again to discuss philosophy. Until then, farewell. As always, invitations for future salons will be delivered to your residences."
With a few more bows, Karl watched the guests depart, nodding courteously to each...