Chapter 428

Words : 2356 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

[Finally, Theon’s ball begins. What new faces will appear today?] This was written in a column of a popular magazine in Leathervelk. People who regularly read the magazine heard about the ball and simultaneously held some expectations. For commoners, social club balls were stories from another world. This is because most social clubs are attended by wealthy merchant families, doctors, legal professionals, and noble families. However, Theon’s ball was a bit different. Since both nobles and commoners participated together, unlike other balls, there wasn’t much resistance from ordinary citizens. Rather, the news that even commoners could receive the spotlight in such a place brought a kind of vicarious satisfaction and anticipation to people. Perhaps because of this, some commoner students felt both emboldened and conversely, were receiving excessive expectations. Of course, this wasn’t really relevant to Rene. ‘Still, I’m a bit nervous.’ Alone in her dormitory room, Rene gazed at the dress before her and let out an admiring sigh. Violetta was truly an excellent designer. The dress was completed in a form far more beautiful and sophisticated than the draft she had seen that day. To be honest, it felt almost too precious to wear. ‘She even sent accessories with it.’ Shoes, necklace, and even a bracelet. Violetta had said she would make her the protagonist of this occasion. Rene didn’t believe those words. She thought it was just casual lip service but seeing such an outstanding dress, she had to realize that Violetta’s words weren’t empty promises. ‘Is it really okay to give me such a nice dress?’ At this point, she became frightened. Wouldn’t it be better to give it to someone more suitable? Like Erendir, or Senior Flora, or Julia. If not them, even the teachers would be fine. Since Ms. Selina and Ms. Merilda were also beautiful teachers popular among students. But as for herself... “Somehow, I’m feeling unwell.” The moment she questioned whether she should wear this, her stomach felt sour from the pressure. Without realizing it, Rene picked up the board and connected to the Akashic Record chat room. -Are you busy right now? After sending the message, she quickly received a reply from the other party. From John Smith. [Why?] -The ball is soon, right? So I was wondering if you were already at the ballroom. [Looks like you’re not at the ballroom yet either.] -Yes. I have something to think about for a moment. Rene hesitated for a moment. Whether she should ask this to the other person or not. It was someone whose face and name she didn’t know but because this was someone she could lean on and honestly share her inner thoughts with, Rene lightly broached the subject. -You know. When you receive a gift that’s too good for you, what should you do? [A gift that’s too good?] -Yes. Somehow it feels burdensome. At those words, the other party was silent for a while. Perhaps they were deeply considering something. John Smith was a good person who always seriously thought about things together, even when it wasn’t his business. Rene sometimes thought that the slight gaps felt in these text conversations gave a strange sense of calmness. It felt like the other person was carrying the burden in her heart on her behalf. [How did the person who gave you the gift seem to you? Were they vain? Or full of desires? Did they have any purpose?] -It wasn’t like that. Even thinking about it again, Rene couldn’t feel anything like that from Violetta. As someone who instinctively could discern people’s good and evil, whether they were friendly or hostile to her, she could tell. [Then it would be fine to accept that gift as is.] -Why? [Because they probably gave you that gift thinking it truly suits you.] Rene asked why he thought that way and the reply came right away. [You are humble. But sometimes excessive humility can act as a poison that kills oneself. Your current worry is similar to that context. So it’s better to happily accept the goodwill. That’s also courtesy toward the person who gave the gift. After all, they probably didn’t give it hoping you’d be uncomfortable.] “Ah.” At that moment, Rene had a great realization. -Thank you for listening to my worries and giving advice. [I thought it was unnecessary meddling, but I’m glad you took it well.] -By the way, are you participating in the ball too, Mr. Smith? [Well. I probably will.] -What do you mean probably? Then what are you doing right now? [Seriously listening to someone’s worries.] Rene burst out laughing. -Okay. I should go now since the ball is starting soon. [Alright.] -Maybe we might meet at the ballroom? [We might meet but not know each other.] -That would be funny. After sharing her worries, her heart felt much lighter. Rene nodded once and picked up the dress. * * * The ballroom was noisy with bustling people. If there was any consolation, it was that the people participating in the ball were limited to Theon’s students and teachers. If not, it would have been chaotic with all sorts of crowds rushing in from outside. The entrance to the ballroom was wide and large, like looking at an arch-shaped castle gate. A red carpet was laid on the path leading to the entrance, and just walking on it made students feel like they were the protagonists of this occasion. ‘Hmm. The atmosphere is no joke.’ Erendir, who had taken a position at one side of the ballroom, covered her mouth with a feather fan as she watched people starting to gather in groups. The dress she wore was a splendid golden dress matching her hair color. Perhaps because it sparkled and shone even when she was just standing still, it naturally drew people’s attention. There was somewhat of an excessive feeling in dressing up so much because she wanted to attract attention. ‘But why isn’t anyone approaching?’ Usually at occasions like this, wouldn’t men gather their courage and approach to ask for a dance? In fact, couples who had already paired up were already dancing waltz in the center of the ballroom where classical music was quietly flowing. Erendir stole glances at such students with envious eyes. Right. They must be too shy. Erendir decided to wait a bit more patiently. That’s when someone approached where Erendir was. Erendir, who had been on high alert, felt that presence and turned around. The joy that finally someone had come and the desperate mindset that she shouldn’t show it outwardly crumbled like a sandcastle hit by waves the moment she saw the other person’s face. “Eck. What is it?” “What kind of reaction is that?” Freuden Ulburg was dressed nicely in a suit with his hair neatly arranged, and looked at Erendir with his usual cold gaze. “Ahem ahem. It’s nothing.” “It’s obvious without looking. You were clearly waiting for someone to ask you to dance and you were disappointed to see it was me.” “N-No I wasn’t?” Freuden spoke with a look of disdain. “Don’t you think it was a mistake to wear such a flashy dress while expecting others to approach in the first place?” “W-What’s wrong with this?” “It’s excessive. To the point where it hurts my eyes just looking at it. Everything should be in moderation, but who would approach when someone who’s already hard to approach is wearing such an iron-clad dress?” Freuden’s words were scathing. Erendir’s face turned red with anger at those words, but she couldn’t refute them. Thinking about it, Freuden’s point was correct in every aspect. “T-Then why are you here? Did you not receive any dance requests from women?” “It’s the opposite. The problem is I received too many.” Freuden said while glancing to one side. When Erendir followed his gaze, she saw a group of women there. They were all students who wanted to dance with Freuden. “...How annoying.” “It’s all because I’m so great.” “Why did such a great person come to me? Don’t tell me...” Freuden visibly frowned at Erendir’s dramatic reaction. “Do you think I’d be crazy enough to ask the princess for a dance? Don’t misunderstand. I came here because this is the safest place.” “Safe?” Erendir thought deeply about why he would say such a thing and soon realized the reason. “...!” Freuden was using the fact that no one approached where Erendir was to use her as a shield. “You’re not completely tactless, I see.” “Are you saying you’re going to use me?” “What are you saying? If no one is approaching anyway, might as well get some help out of it.” “This isn’t why I dressed up like this!” “The sun is dazzling, but no one tries to approach it because it’s so hot it would burn their skin. I hope you learn this law of nature through this opportunity.” Erendir and Freuden glared strongly at each other but since it would just be a meaningless battle of nerves, they both turned their heads away at the same time. “Hmph. Besides, I can tell exactly why you’re here waiting for someone.” “...I don’t know what you mean.” Freuden rarely hesitated to answer. “What do you mean you don’t know? You’re waiting for Rene, aren’t you?” “...” “Did you think I wouldn’t know? From the start, you who isn’t kind to anyone acts like such a gentleman only to Rene, wouldn’t it be strange not to notice?” ‘Honestly, I thought the princess wouldn’t notice.’ Freuden desperately held back from saying these words. Since he was the one whose weakness was caught now, it was better not to upset her mood. “...You. You seem serious.” “What do you mean?” “Looking at how you treat Rene, did you two meet in the past or something?” “...It’s a personal matter.” “That’s strange. Rene doesn’t remember anything from the past at all. But you act like you know something. Perhaps, is it related to Rene’s mother?” Freuden’s gaze turned to Erendir. At his look that seemed to ask how she knew that, Erendir let out a small sigh. “I saw it during class. Memory Storming, it’s a phenomenon where you see parts of someone’s memories embedded in their magic.” “...What did you see?” “Nothing much. Just that Rene had a mother. But it’s quite strange, isn’t it? The magic was clearly Rene’s, but those memories belonged to her mother.” To Erendir, Rene was quite a mysterious girl. Her memories were erased, and even the subject of the magic and memories weren’t the same. Moreover, judging by Freuden’s attitude, there was clearly something more. “Still, since she’s a good child, I’m trying not to pry too much.” “...There’s nothing good about knowing.” Freuden quietly muttered while staring straight ahead. “It would only be bad.” “You...” Erendir, who was about to demand what exactly he knew, unconsciously swallowed her words because Freuden’s hostile gaze was directed at one part of the ballroom. ‘Who could it be?’ Who could it be that Freuden would glare at so murderously? Following that gaze, she saw an unexpected person. ‘Teacher Rudger Chelici?’ The ballroom was largely composed of two floors. The second floor balcony could be seen from the open central hall, and Rudger was standing at one side of that second floor balcony. ‘So the teacher came to the ball too.’ Instead of his usual frock coat, Rudger was wearing a party suit. The black formal attire suited Rudger so well it seemed like it was custom-made for him. It enhanced Rudger’s classical atmosphere even more strongly, to the point where Erendir found herself wondering who made that outfit. But that wasn’t what was important right now. The point was that Freuden was showing hostility toward Rudger. ‘Did something happen between them in the past?’ Since it didn’t seem like Freuden would answer even if she asked, she could only quietly speculate. Some students’ gazes moved toward that direction at Rudger’s appearance. Most were female students, and their eyes held clear admiration. ‘Well, just looking at the surface, he is an incredibly attractive person.’ Erendir understood that reaction but once they actually get to know Rudger, they’ll quickly realize he’s someone hard to approach. After all, Rudger Chelici was an even more noble and cruel being than the Ulburg’s wolf beside her. He was like a crow sitting alone quietly at the peak of a high white mountain. ‘Since they know that, no one’s going to approach and talk to him.’ Indeed, while there were many people looking at Rudger, no one approached to speak with him because of Rudger’s unique atmosphere. That’s when Erendir noticed a small commotion at the ballroom entrance. Did someone come? Just as she had that thought, one person slowly revealed themselves at the entrance. “Rene?” Erendir opened her eyes wide. * * * Rene walked slowly. From the shoes she was wearing to the dress she had on, everything felt uncomfortable. This wasn’t to say the fit was bad. Rather, the dress Violetta made fit her body surprisingly well. Even though she had taken measurements meticulously, it felt almost too comfortable to be true. The discomfort was a matter of mindset. ‘I’ve never worn anything like this in the first place.’ She had never been to a place like this, never dressed up like this. Is this right? Did I do it properly? What if I look strange? Should I not have come? Although she had gained courage, by the time she actually arrived at the ballroom, that courage had long since disappeared. ‘Right. I’ll just observe the atmosphere a bit and then leave.’ Rene made such a resolution as she entered the ballroom. But ‘Why, why is everyone looking at me?’ Everyone around seemed to be staring at her.

Chapter 428

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