As I escorted Seraphina into the hall, the unexpected sight of a red carpet and cameras caught my attention.
'How extra,' I thought dryly, glancing at Seraphina to gauge her reaction. The Freshman Ball, being a public event for Mythos Academy, would likely garner attention outside the campus, especially with someone of Seraphina's stature as the princess of the Mount Hua sect.
She simply nodded, acknowledging the situation before turning her gaze forward. Her head barely reached the bottom of my neck, and in that moment, I couldn't help but notice her innocence and apparent fragility.
'Weak, huh,' I mused. While I may now possess greater strength, at the beginning, Seraphina was undeniably superior due to the difference in mana rank. Moreover, to the world, she was anything but weak.
No one would perceive Seraphina as weak.
Except for me—the reader who knew her past.
Together, we proceeded to walk the red carpet, striking poses for the cameras that balanced between portraying us as a couple and maintaining a degree of formality. It made sense; after all, we had only known each other for a few months.
The AI-controlled cameras clicked away at the perfect instances, capturing moments as we traversed the red carpet and ascended the stairs. Climbing the opulent crystalline staircase, which boasted methods far more advanced than Earth's for ensuring tensile strength, we finally arrived at the entrance of the ballroom.
A professor greeted us with a smile and opened the door, allowing us entry. As we stepped into the ballroom, I was immediately captivated by the grandeur before me.
Ophelia Hall.
The novel's description still fell short of capturing the true wonder that lay before us.
The hall was a masterpiece of architectural elegance, adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering chandeliers that bathed the space in a warm, golden glow. A sweeping staircase led to a balcony that overlooked the expansive dance floor.
'The hell, how much do those chandeliers cost?' I wondered, eyeing the ornaments made of real diamonds.
Even though Seraphina hailed from the East, a region that didn't prioritize material wealth as much as the rest of the world, she was accustomed to such opulent sights from attending major events with her parents. Hence, a lack of surprise was evident on her face.
"Quite a sight, huh?" Lucifer exclaimed, playfully grabbing my shoulder. "Let's see if the early birds are here as well."
The hall was only populated by about half of the first-year students—roughly fifty individuals—making it easy to spot the other four members of Class 1-A.
Jin Ashbluff, adorned in a black tuxedo and shirt that harmonized with his dark hair and eyes, exuded an air of disinterest as he idly played with the liquid in his glass, his gaze fixed on it with apparent apathy.
Ian Viserion, in stark contrast, opted for a flamboyant style reminiscent of Lucifer. He sported a velvet red tuxedo that complemented his fiery red hair, paired with an off-white shirt and a matching bowtie.
Ren Kagu, on the other hand, donned a pristine white suit with a matching shirt and tie, presenting a stark and clean appearance. I couldn't help but hope he wouldn't accidentally spill anything on that immaculate ensemble.
And then there was Cecilia Slatemark—breathtaking in every sense. Her frilly blonde hair framed her face elegantly, and her golden dress, adorned with splashes of crimson, harmonized with her striking eyes. The ensemble was completed with a ruby necklace and a pair of stylish heels.
As we approached the group, Rachel's eyes lit up with genuine excitement. "You all look amazing! It's like a fashion show within Class 1-A!"
Jin merely grunted in acknowledgment, Ian flashed a charismatic grin, Ren offered a polite nod, and Cecilia, always one for theatrics, curtsied with a flourish.
"You guys got dates?" Ren sighed, pushing his hair back, a look of annoyance on his face. "It's so annoying with these girls asking me out."
Reflecting on it, Ren wasn't one to indulge in much romance. Some readers even speculated about his orientation, but the author quickly clarified that Ren's intense focus on becoming as strong as his ancestor left little room for distractions like love.
Jin shared a somewhat similar sentiment, although his emotions were tightly suppressed and directed only towards a select few due to his family circumstances.
Ian, on the other hand, was the most conventional among the trio, a bit of a playboy in his own right.
Honestly, while I needed these guys to become much stronger, a part of me also wanted them to simply live.
But convincing Ren and Jin about the importance of living, especially in their current circumstances, would be a challenging task.
"Why aren't you like Ian?" Lucifer asked, subtly gesturing towards him. "Look at him having all the fun."
We turned our attention toward Ian, and I struggled to suppress a laugh as I observed him effortlessly charming a group of girls. Even among Mythos Academy students, Ian, Rank 5 and the heir to the family ruling the South, was simply irresistible, especially with his great charm to boot.
"That's why he's a weakling," Ren remarked in a low voice, not quite low enough to escape the ears of the nearby young girls who couldn't help but giggle. After all, these girls were from the first year, well aware that Ren had demonstrated his superior strength over Ian during the VR mock war.
Jin simply nodded in agreement with Ren, opting not to add more fuel to the brewing fire. However, the fire was already ablaze and needed no further kindling.
Ian soon returned, his face flushed with anger as he closed the distance between him and Ren. "Oy! Just 'cause you wanna stay a virgin doesn't mean I want to, understood?"
"Classic weakling," Ren sighed, unfazed. "Talking about sexual prowess as if that matters. If you were going to face someone's fist and possibly die, would you boast about having slept with a hundred women to get out of harm's way?"
Ren's perspective wasn't entirely wrong, but it wasn't entirely right either. Boasting about numerous conquests might be drowning in pleasure, but it still hinted at a certain level of charm possessed by the man, depending on the type of women involved.
"Shut up, you two," Jin interjected, his disinterested tone cutting through the banter. It was surprising that Jin bothered to intercede between these two, but it wasn't as if his words were going to have any significant impact. I turned to Rachel.
"Please, get your kids under control, Rachel," I said, adding a playful wink. She smirked and went over to pacify the bickering duo.
Meanwhile, Cecilia and Lucifer were struggling to suppress their laughter.
Pfft!
At the sound of the giggle, I turned to find Seraphina holding her hand over her lips. However, I caught a glimpse of the edges of her lips curled into a smile.
"You laughed, Sera?" I exclaimed in surprise. She looked back at me, her lips returning to a neutral expression as she tilted her head, causing me to be confused.
Soon, the resonant sound of a spoon tapping against the side of a glass filled the air, expertly amplified by the subtle use of wind magic to capture everyone's attention.
All chatter ceased as every gaze turned toward the source, revealing Instructor Nero dressed in a sleek navy blue suit, holding the glass. He acknowledged the assembled crowd with a warm smile before commencing, "Welcome, everyone, to the Freshmen Ball at Mythos Academy! You are all freshmen at the world's finest institution, destined for greatness and success in your lives post-graduation."
He continued after taking a deep breath, "However, life is not just filled with hard work and the pursuit of strength. To truly live, it is important to find pleasure in making connections and spending time with those you consider precious. This event is designed to foster such connections with like-minded and similarly skilled individuals outside the confines of the classrooms—an occasion for pure leisure. We will now proceed with the first dance, and I hope you all thoroughly enjoy the evening!"
The moment had arrived for the first dance.
Lucifer gracefully knelt before Rachel, his emerald gaze locking onto her sapphire eyes. "Would you honor me with this dance, my Lady?" he asked, his tone both charming and sincere.
Following suit, I mirrored the gesture, lowering myself in front of Seraphina. Our eyes met, her crystalline blue orbs connecting with mine as I spoke, "Would you honor me with this dance, my Lady?"
With a subtle nod and a delicate smile, Seraphina placed her hand in mine. Rising from the kneeling position, we joined the other couples on the dance floor.
As the gentle notes of the music enveloped the grand hall, Seraphina and I embarked on the first dance of the evening. The atmosphere was filled with an air of sophistication and grace, enhanced by the ambient glow of the chandeliers overhead.
Our movements were synchronized, starting with a classic waltz step. I led Seraphina with a hand securely placed at the small of her back, our bodies poised in a perfect frame. Her hand rested gracefully on my shoulder, the delicate touch conveying both trust and elegance.
With each measured step, we traversed the dance floor, creating a visual poetry in motion. Seraphina's flowing silver dress swirled with each turn, catching the light and casting a shimmering reflection as if she were a living embodiment of the night sky.
The dance embraced a series of intricate turns and spins, executed with precision and fluidity. Seraphina moved with a natural grace, her every motion conveying a sense of regality that echoed her noble lineage. Our gazes remained locked, exchanging unspoken sentiments amidst the swirl of the dance.
As the music swelled and dipped, we seamlessly transitioned into a more lively segment of the dance. The tempo increased, and we engaged in a playful interplay of steps, twirls, and dips.
The final notes of the music faded away, and we came to a graceful halt.