Chapter 430

Words : 2153 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

[Ladies and gentlemen! Hello. I am Jesse Luna, serving as both the host and judge of the Miss Theon Contest!] The woman shouting loudly while holding an artifact that amplifies her voice was Jesse Luna. With her energetic personality and excellent speaking skills, she was a regular host at such events. [I’m excited to see what beautiful ladies will showcase their charms today! Judge Carter Roer, what are your thoughts?] [...I find it hard to understand why I’m a judge and why I’m here.] The one who responded weakly was a man with pale skin and sunken eyes, Carter Roer. This gloomy-looking man was a teacher in charge of 4th-year combat practice. In a way, he was completely opposite to Jesse Luna, who was radiating positive energy beside him. [Come on! What are you saying! We did well that time, didn’t we?] The “that time” Jesse Luna mentioned referred to the commentary they did during the Magic Festival duels. The two had been commentators at that time. Carter Roer slumped his shoulders at those words. [I understand being a commentator for magical duels since I’m in charge of combat practice, but this is completely different.] [Nonsense! This event, more than any other, will have fierce battles taking place!] Jesse Luna launched into a lengthy explanation about the value this Miss Theon Contest held for women. In the end, Carter Roer had no choice but to surrender. Although Carter Roer was a teacher, he couldn’t withstand Jesse Luna’s pressure. Their personalities were so extremely compatible that it transcended the teacher-student relationship. Yet somehow, they also strangely matched well together. [Ah! Here comes our contestant! Fourth-year Dorthea Leven! She’s actually the winner from three years ago!] The woman stepping onto the stage under the spotlight was a prim-looking woman wearing a crimson dress. [A powerhouse who claimed victory as a first-year! But since then, she’s been helplessly pushed back by competitors! With graduation preparations approaching, she couldn’t let go of her lingering attachment and joined for one last time! But is this okay! Her grades might be in danger!] “Hey!” Dorthea shot Jesse a fierce glare but Jesse responded with a playful wink. Being in the same fourth year and close friends, they were comfortable with each other. Laughter rippled through the audience, thanks to this, the tense, formal atmosphere softened considerably. Dorthea came on stage, gave a brief self-introduction, and sang a song. Her soft high notes blended pleasantly with the ballroom music. After light applause, Dorthea bowed and left the stage. Then the judges discussed and scored her performance. Rudger watched this scene with interest. Though he had heard about such events, actually watching it in person had its own unique entertainment value. ‘If you win, there’s a prize, right?’ The winner would get a chance to showcase a solo dance time with someone of their choice. Besides that, there was prize money, a couple’s ticket to Leathervelk’s most famous restaurant, and various other benefits. Beyond just seeking an honorable position, these were rewards sufficient to spark enthusiasm. While thinking about this, someone hesitantly approached Rudger. Sensing their presence, Rudger slowly turned around. Rudger deliberately leaked subtle magical power to unconsciously keep people from approaching. For someone to approach despite this meant they were either skilled enough to not be affected by the magic, or too insensitive to notice such things. Surprisingly, the person who approached now belonged to both categories. “H-Hello, Teacher Rudger.” “Hello, Teacher Selina.” Wearing a pink dress like flowers blooming in spring, Selina smiled brightly at Rudger. Still seemingly shy about such occasions and attire, her fingertips fidgeted where they met, but even that had a charm like sprouting buds. “What are you doing here?” “I was just watching for a moment.” When Rudger gestured down with his chin, Selina let out an “Ah” in understanding. Naturally, Selina stood beside Rudger as a subtle floral scent brushed past Rudger’s nose. It was a perfume that was neither too strong nor too weak. Rudger glanced slightly at Selina. Selina, who had been checking Rudger’s reaction, flinched when their eyes met. “W-What is it?” “Nothing. The dress suits you well.” “He-hehe. Really?” As if this was the answer she had wanted to hear from the start, Selina grinned broadly. Soon after, as if remembering something she had forgotten, she hastily replied. “You look good too, Teacher Rudger! Ah, I-I mean the clothes look good...N-Not that you don’t look good otherwise...” Towards Selina who was flustering over her verbal slip-up, Rudger stoically nodded. “I understand what you mean. Thank you for the compliment.” “Yes...” Selina inwardly sighed, thinking ‘this isn’t what I meant.’ But when it came to continuing the conversation, she couldn’t think of what topic to bring up. Just standing next to Rudger made her mind go blank white, unable to think of anything. She even started thinking that maybe just staying quietly like this wouldn’t be so bad. ‘No. I can’t do that. This is a rare opportunity. Pull yourself together, Selina!’ Selina shook her head side to side and tried to pump herself up but even that deflated quickly like a punctured balloon. “Where did you get your dress fitted?” At that moment, Rudger’s question was so welcome. Seeing this as her chance, Selina answered. “I got it fitted with Teacher Merilda. Since I don’t know much about dresses, Teacher Merilda helped me.” “She certainly has an eye for it. But I don’t see Teacher Merilda around, did you two come separately?” “Ah. We came together, but...” Selina recalled Merilda with an awkward smile. Seeing this, Rudger wondered if something had happened. Just then, Selina’s gaze turned toward the contest stage. Naturally, Rudger’s gaze followed, and he witnessed an unexpected sight. [Ah! Our next contestant on stage is none other than a teacher! The newly appointed first-year curse and dispelling instructor, Teacher Merilda! She’s quite popular for her mysterious aura and mature beauty!] It was Merilda on stage. “...” “...She said she had to participate.” “...Wasn’t this stage for students?” “Ah. Actually, teachers can participate too. There’s no specific rule against it. But I heard nobody usually does...” Though she trailed off, the complex emotions behind those unspoken words were easy to understand. “...I see.” Rudger looked at Merilda with sympathetic eyes. Of course, since the contest atmosphere welcomed anyone to participate, Merilda achieved quite a high score. After that, several people took the stage to show their talents. As the atmosphere was reaching its peak, Rudger’s eyes widened slightly at the new person ascending the stage. [Ah! My goodness! A formidable competitor has appeared! A genius among countless geniuses! The second-year known for possessing the greatest talent, Flora Lumos! She has appeared!] When Flora Lumos took the stage, other second-year students who knew her began murmuring. This was because Flora was famous for showing absolutely no interest in such stages. She was known for never appearing at such events no matter how much her best friend Sheryl tried to persuade her, yet here she was not only at the ballroom but stepping onto the contest stage. However, seeing Flora standing there made such thoughts disappear completely. Her calm and serene atmosphere was enough to quell any minor disturbances. Flora’s atmosphere was distinctly different from all the previous contestants. Especially after the incident in the capital, when her hair turned black, this became even more apparent. If before she had been cold with sharp thorns pointing in all directions, now she had become somewhat softer. Because of this, her peculiar atmosphere that was difficult to put into words felt even deeper. [Oho. What an impressive presence.] Even Carter Roer, who had been watching with half-opened eyes looking bored every moment, expressed admiration at Flora’s presence. [S-So then, contestant Flora Lumos! What kind of special talent are you planning to show us?] “Nothing special to show. I’ll just demonstrate some magic.” Flora said this while closing her eyes and raising her magical power. -Chang! At that moment, a clear bell sound rang throughout the ballroom. “What was that just now?” “A bell sound?” “No, something clearer and more pure...” Everyone’s attention turned to Flora, the source of the sound. Rudger also watched Flora’s appearance with interest. Everyone held their breath as they watched her. Finally, Flora opened her eyes. Around her, magical power began creating beautiful patterns while emanating dazzling light. “Ha.” Rudger couldn’t help but let out a laugh seeing that sight. What rose behind Flora’s back with golden radiance was the upper body of a woman as beautiful as an angel descending from heaven. The giant woman was embracing Flora from behind, eyes closed with a smile. It looked like an intricate sculpture, but this was magic. ‘I showed it, but to think she could recreate it.’ It’s different from Rudger’s Destruction Magic Thousand Hands. However, the fundamental core was the same as Rudger’s magic. Flora had reinterpreted the magic she had seen from Rudger previously and presented it in her own way. The woman shining in brilliant gold raised her upper body and spread both arms wide. With a flash of light, her form changed into countless light particles that scattered throughout the ballroom. The audience let out gasps of admiration like children touching soap bubbles, people unconsciously reached out their hands. The light felt soft and warm when it touched their fingertips. The light mixed with the sunlight flowing through the windows and disappeared beautifully. Along with the light, the ballroom became quiet once again. After a moment, the soft sound of clapping echoed and everyone’s gaze turned to the source of the applause. On the second-floor terrace railing overlooking the central hall of the ballroom, Rudger was clapping. “That was excellent magic.” With those words, the atmosphere that had felt suffocating was magically lifted. “It was nothing special.” Flora responded lightly as she stepped down from the stage but the corners of her mouth kept twitching uncontrollably. Jesse Luna, finally coming to her senses, summarized the situation. [Oh, ohhh! Amazing magic! As expected of the genius among geniuses! Flora Lumos has shown us her greatest strength!] [Remarkable magical power control. Moreover, it was magic I’d never seen before. Probably magic she pioneered herself. To display it so freely in this venue.] Carter Roer also picked up Jesse’s words with a voice clearly showing excitement. Needless to say, the judges’ evaluations were unanimously positive. With Flora’s victory essentially confirmed, no one else was stepping onto the stage. Flora’s performance had been so overwhelming that everyone had lost their motivation. This was a situation even the judges hadn’t predicted, and their expressions showed their bewilderment. The contest seemed likely to end earlier than expected. [Are there no more applicants! We’ll even accept recommendations!] Jesse Luna, having received some message from the organizers, shouted loudly but even after saying that, no one stepped forward. Flora inwardly clenched her fist. This was it. Her victory was now confirmed. ‘Then I can request a dance, right?’ With whom would she do it? Obviously, the answer was already decided. ‘But what if they refuse?’ Thinking about it now, maybe the dance was too forward? It didn’t really match her image either. Wasn’t it enough just to receive praise from Rudger about her magic? While she was pondering, the sun gradually set. Crimson sunset light seeped into the ballroom through the large glass windows and an inexplicable stillness hung in the air. It felt like something was about to happen. Though no one knew why, everyone in attendance instinctively felt this way. And soon, the harbinger appeared. “Eh, ehhh?!” A startled scream burst out from one side, it was a sound that came from Erendir’s mouth. Freuden, who was with her, was equally surprised. Though he didn’t vocalize it, his wide-open eyes contained shocked emotions. The reason was, needless to say, because of Rene. -Hwuruck. The sound of flames burning could be heard. Belatedly, people realized they hadn’t just heard an auditory hallucination. That’s how surprising and alien the scene unfolding before their eyes was. The pure white dress Rene had worn to the ballroom was burning. Beyond just being tinged with the sunset’s color, the dress was scattering crimson sparks in all directions. “Eh, huh?” The confusion was shared by Rene, who was wearing the dress. Meanwhile, the flames enveloping the dress grew stronger, and eventually its form changed. The dress that had been like white clouds floating in the sky eventually transformed into a passionate dress like burning flames. People’s gazes were captivated by this intense sight. Only Rudger watched the scene with an expression that suggested he had been expecting this. The time of magic had begun.

Chapter 430

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