Chapter 17: Freshmen Ball I
The Freshman Ball at Mythos Academy was a charming event, a reflection of the nobility present in the world of <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>>. The governments in this realm blended elements of nobility and meritocracy, where magical talent bestowed power upon the noble class, yet commoners with exceptional abilities could ascend to prominence.
In my room, I stood before the mirror, experimenting with the augmented reality feature to preview different outfits. The futuristic technology spared me the hassle of changing multiple times, displaying how each ensemble would look.
After sifting through various options, I settled on a simple yet sleek outfit: a black shirt paired with a black tuxedo and matching pants. With a quick swipe of my hand, I styled my hair back, satisfied with the overall look.
"This beats my last life by a mile," I mused, admiring my reflection. The tailored suit accentuated my sculpted physique, adding a touch of elegance to my appearance.
Exiting the bathroom, I sighed. My sword lay outside the spatial ring, resting on the table.
"I wish I didn't have to bring this," I muttered as I picked up the sword.
While the Freshman Ball promised a delightful experience, caution lingered for the after-party. The Shadow Seekers, alongside agents of the enigmatic cult "Umbravale Covenant," infiltrated the event, exploiting gaps in Mythos Academy's defenses during the absence of its <Radiant>-rank headmaster.
Fortunately, this incident proved less dire. No lives were lost, and the intruders were swiftly defeated. It served as a mere foreshadowing of the challenges readers could anticipate in the future of <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>>.
I left my room, heading for Seraphina's room. As I did, I couldn't help but remember what transpired before.
She extended an invitation for me to accompany her to the Freshman Ball as her date, and considering Seraphina Zenith's status as a genius and the princess of Mount Hua—one of the greatest powers in the world—it was no small proposition.
The weight of this proposal pressed upon me, realizing that accepting it might intensify Sun's focus on me, potentially leading to a confrontation with him in the future.
But in the grand scheme of things, did it truly matter?
As an ardent reader immersed in the captivating world of <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>>, my love for its characters and storytelling compelled me to navigate this delicate situation. My interventions had already disrupted the established order, redirecting Seraphina's reliance from Lucifer to me.
Understanding the potential consequences, I made the decision to accept her proposal. It was a strategic move driven by rational thinking rather than purely emotional considerations—an acknowledgment of her potential as a valuable ally destined for future strength.
Standing in front of her room, I muttered assurances to myself before mustering the courage to knock on the door.
Knock, knock!
Soft, hurried footsteps approached from within, creating a hushed symphony that reached my ears. The subtle click of the door unlocking followed, revealing Seraphina on the other side.
The door glided open almost soundlessly, unveiling a vision of elegance. Her silver hair cascaded gracefully below her hips, adorned with regal jewelry that befitted her status as a princess. A silver dress, tailored to perfection, accentuated every curve, and her crystalline blue eyes harmonized seamlessly with the ensemble.
She was truly breathtaking.
"Arthur, you've finally arrived," she greeted, a subtle crack in her normally composed voice betraying a hint of emotion.
I shook off my momentary daze, extending my hand while offering a respectful bow. "Allow me to escort you, Princess."
Hesitation lingered in her eyes as she tentatively placed her hand in mine, ultimately linking her arm through mine and securing her grasp on my upper arm.
Class A opted for the opulent choice of two limousines instead of the mundane hyperloop, a decision easily influenced by the heirs' collective sway.
Seraphina and I strolled, our steps synchronized, approaching the designated limousine area. It appeared that one had already departed, leaving only one behind.
As we neared, Lucifer and Rachel greeted us with welcoming smiles. Rachel wore a mesmerizing golden dress that complemented her blonde locks and exuded a warm aura. Waves of silver ran through her gown, adding an enchanting touch.
Lucifer, on the other hand, donned a flashy silver-gold tuxedo paired with a crisp white shirt, a perfect match for Rachel's attire.
Naturally, the two of them attended as each other's dates. Their close friendship, stemming from their families' proximity and political ties, meant that Rachel, aside from me, was privy to Lucifer's true abilities even before the mock war revelations.
"You both look incredible!" Rachel exclaimed with a gasp.
"Quite the matching pair you two are," Lucifer added, his emerald gaze meeting mine as he nodded.
"Thank you," I replied before playfully teasing, "You both look amazing as well—aiming for the best couple award?"
Seraphina offered a graceful bow, Rachel blushed faintly, and Lucifer chuckled at the banter.
"Shall we?" Lucifer gestured, and the limousine's door smoothly opened, a testament to the wonders of a futuristic world equipped with autopilot technology.
The influence of mana had elevated human capabilities to such heights that even a <Yellow>-rank individual could outshine an AI in terms of raw reaction time. However, the practicality and cost-effectiveness of AI made it the preferred choice for transportation.
The absence of a mana transfer conduit posed no threat to AI domination. No matter how advanced the artificial intelligence became, it couldn't match the sheer power output of living beings. Even the most potent weapon conceived by AI would fall short against an <Ascendent>-rank due to the limitations of energy output.
An impending AI revolution in this world was not a concern. In this idealistic development of AI, superintelligence was deemed impossible, rendering AI a tool designed to enhance human lives rather than surpass them.
True to limousine standards, the interior boasted spacious accommodations, providing ample room for the four of us. A mini-fridge nestled in the corner held a selection of non-alcoholic beverages.
The legal age for drinking, set at 18 to signify the transition to adulthood, played a role in delineating the distinction between lower and upper years at Mythos Academy. Given our age of 15, partaking in alcoholic beverages was still a distant prospect.
I entertained the notion of sampling the local alcohol, confident that the more advanced processing methods in this world had likely elevated its quality from my previous experiences.
Seated next to Rachel opposite Seraphina and me, Lucifer initiated casual conversation. We had grown close over the past few months, fostering a camaraderie that made our interactions easy and enjoyable.
While Seraphina tended to be reserved, she was proficient in socializing when needed, a trait she exercised sparingly due to lingering past traumas. Like many of our Class-A peers, she bore the weight of emotional scars, exacerbated by the hostility exhibited by her older brother.
Lost in thought, I recalled Rachel's circumstances, realizing that the Creighton family also harbored significant issues, mirroring the complexities portrayed in the novel.
Lucifer's voice broke through my reflections. "Is this your first ball, Arthur?"
As heirs to the world's most influential families, the trio around me had attended numerous events since childhood, although true recognition of their attendance at formal balls had only recently been granted.
Shaking my head, I replied, "Yes, my father is just a knight captain, so I never had the opportunity. But I might attend from this year onward."
Typically, children needed to be at least 5 years old to be brought to a ball. However, for children of knights, who lacked the status of full-fledged nobles, the age of eligibility was set at 15.
"You must be excited then," Rachel chimed in, her eyes sparkling with innocent curiosity. "Your first ball, and you're going with a princess."
If it were Cecilia making such a comment, I might have bristled, knowing her penchant for teasing. However, I sensed Rachel's words were delivered with genuine innocence, devoid of any ulterior motives.
"Of course," I grinned, turning to Seraphina. "Going to my first ball without a date would have been a bit challenging."
Seraphina's expression remained stoic as she turned her gaze to Lucifer. "You and Rachel are quite close."
Lucifer and Rachel exchanged glances before nodding. The proximity of their powerful families, both tasked with defending the north against the Shadow Seekers, naturally drew them together. For Rachel, Lucifer served as an escape from the expectations imposed by her mother as a light mage.
'This novel is seriously a tragedy, huh,' I pondered, observing the complexities within each influential family. The Kagu and Viserion families grappled with internal power struggles, the Creighton family faced challenges from an unstable matriarch, the Ashbluff family dealt with Rin's presence, Mount Hua contended with Sun's attempts to suppress Seraphina, and the Slatemark family was rife with sociopathic tendencies.
'Now that I think about it,' I mused, 'only the Windward family seems to have no issues. The author is too biased towards Lucifer.'
The limousine skidded to a stop, marking our arrival at the venue. Stepping out first, I extended my hand to escort Seraphina. Her small hand grasped mine as she accepted my support to exit the vehicle.
"...Thank you," she said with a hint of hesitation. I smiled in response before turning my attention to the grand hall ahead.
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