"Hey! Cass!"
Chris saw him and strode over, clapping a heavy hand on Cassius's shoulder, a sincere grin on his face.
"Buddy! Beautifully done! Seriously, reacting that fast against armed thugs..."
"That was manly as hell! I salute you!"
He gave a thumbs up.
[Chris Hemsworth Current Favorability: 68]
"Just luck!"
Cassius clinked glasses with him.
He could feel attribute orbs constantly dropping from Chris—both blue and green ones!
[Physical Attribute — Sense of Power +3]
[Emotional Attribute — Cheerfulness +2]
This guy was unconsciously radiating charm anytime, anywhere!
Absorb! Absorb!
"That wasn't luck!"
Chris said seriously.
"I heard you know some Kung Fu. Let's hit the gym together sometime?"
Cassius paused. He thought Chris wanted to spar!
Hearing it was just hitting the gym, he quickly smiled and agreed.
"I'd love to!"
Next, Cassius's gaze was drawn to Charlize Theron, who was sipping wine alone not far away.
Just standing there, she looked like a queen surveying her domain.
Her aura was powerful!
When she turned her head slightly and swept the room with that profound gaze, a golden orb quietly dropped.
[Gaze Attribute — Control +10]!
Gold!
Legendary level!
Cassius almost held his breath as he immediately absorbed it.
Top-tier techniques on how to convey silent authority and complex emotions through one's eyes flooded into his perception.
It was more exquisite than all the gaze attributes he had absorbed before combined!
Theron seemed to sense his stare and glanced over indifferently.
Cassius didn't dodge her gaze but raised his glass in a slight toast.
Theron gave an almost imperceptible nod in response.
Another blue attribute orb dropped at her feet.
[Aura Attribute — Detachment +3]
Absorb!
As expected of the Queen, even the dropped attributes were this aloof.
Cassius smiled and raised his glass, dealing with people coming over to greet him while frantically absorbing the attribute orbs floating around the venue.
A famous comedy director holding court dropped a green orb: [Rhythm Attribute — Comedic Timing +2].
A fashion editor dressed in exaggerated, performance-art-like attire dropped a gray orb: [Aura Attribute — Eccentricity +1].
Absorb them all!
Cassius even picked up a blue [Emotional Attribute — Melancholic Temperament +3] from the feet of an indie actor who looked depressed just standing there.
People in show business really are acting every moment of the day!
Cassius roasted them in his mind, but his hands showed no mercy, absorbing orbs at high speed!
"Quite a harvest?"
Kristen had returned to his side at some point. Seeing the unconcealable smile on his face, she asked in a low voice.
"Eye-opening!"
Cassius took a sip of champagne.
Kristen rolled her eyes at him, clearly misunderstanding his meaning, thinking he was checking out the beautiful women in the room.
She pinched his arm. "Watch your image, boyfriend."
Cassius winced in pain, smiling helplessly without explaining.
Could he tell her he was picking up attribute balls dropping off other people?
A middle-aged British man with meticulously combed hair walked over.
"Kenneth, this is Cassius, whom I mentioned to you."
Kristen introduced them. "Cass, this is Director Kenneth Branagh."
Cassius's heart skipped a beat.
Kenneth Branagh!
The Shakespearean master!
And the director of the upcoming Marvel blockbuster Thor!
"Director Branagh, it's an honor."
Cassius extended his hand proactively, his attitude humble yet confident.
Director Branagh shook his hand.
"Mr. Cass, Kristen has spoken to me about you. I've also seen some clips of your performances. Not bad at all."
[Kenneth Branagh Current Favorability: 35]
"You're too kind, Director. I still have a lot to learn!"
Cassius remained modest.
"No need to be overly humble!"
Director Branagh smiled, his tone relaxing a bit.
"I came here partly to congratulate the wrap of Snow White, but also because I wanted to chat with you in person."
"Our Thor production is looking for an actor to play Fandral, one of the Warriors Three of Asgard."
Cassius's heart missed a beat.
The Warriors Three!
The Marvel Cinematic Universe!
This was leagues apart from the indie films and low-budget productions he had dealt with before!
Director Branagh continued, his gaze never leaving Cassius's face.
"This role requires a certain aristocratic air, agility, and of course, solid line delivery!"
"After all, my set might have a touch of Shakespearean style."
He cracked a small joke.
"I've seen some clips of your action training. Your moves are very clean. More importantly, you possess a steadiness and restraint unique to the East, which coincides with some new qualities we want to inject into Fandral."
He paused, then extended the invitation directly.
"I'd like to invite you to audition for this role. Of course, the final decision still has to go through Marvel's standard process, but personally, I think very highly of you!"
[Kenneth Branagh Favorability +10, Current Favorability: 45]
The air around them seemed to go quiet for a second.
Kristen smiled beside them; clearly, she knew about this beforehand and had helped facilitate the meeting.
Chris also clapped Cassius hard on the back, whispering:
"Hey! Welcome to Asgard! Brother!"
Cassius suppressed the excitement in his heart. He knew this was just an audition opportunity and there was still a long way to go before landing the role.
But he knew even better that receiving a personal invitation from Director Branagh was itself a huge affirmation and opportunity.
"Thank you very much for your appreciation, Director Branagh."
Cassius's tone remained steady, but his eyes revealed his determination.
"I will prepare for the audition seriously. I look forward to the opportunity to participate in the creation of Thor."
"Very good!"
Director Branagh nodded with satisfaction.
"I'll have the casting department contact your agent for the details. Looking forward to your performance, Mr. Cass."
After the director left, Kristen looked at Cassius, her eyes smiling with a hint of smugness.
"Well? Not a bad wrap gift, right?"
Cassius looked at the favorability score of [94] above her head, knowing she must have put in a lot of effort.
He reached out and put his arm around her waist, whispering, "Thank you. This gift means a lot!"
Kristen leaned against him and huffed softly. "As long as you know."
The lights in the banquet hall dimmed slightly, and a spotlight hit the small stage at the front.
Rupert Sanders, the director of Snow White and the Huntsman, walked up with a microphone, signaling the start of the wrap speeches.
The noisy venue gradually quieted down.
Director Rupert's face wore the exhaustion and satisfaction of completing a monumental task. He first thanked the investors and the production company as per custom, then affectionately praised each lead actor.
"Kristen!"
He looked at Kristen offstage.
"You endowed this Snow White with unprecedented resilience and strength. She is no longer a symbol waiting to be saved. Thank you for the breakthrough you brought."
"Chris!"
He turned to Hemsworth.
"Your Huntsman was so rugged and soulful, holding up the backbone of the entire film."
He thanked Charlize Theron and other key actors in turn, his words sincere.