The ball continued late into the night, the air thick with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. But beneath the surface of merriment, tensions simmered. Seraphine and Lord Lucien Blackthorn remained at the center of attention, their dance a mesmerizing display of elegance and intrigue.
I kept my distance, observing their interactions with a growing sense of unease. Lucien's charm was undeniable, but there was something about him—something dangerous.
Game Knowledge:
Lord Lucien Blackthorn: A minor character in the original game, mentioned only in passing as a distant relative of House Valois. His sudden appearance and connection to Seraphine were… unexpected.
As the clock struck midnight, Seraphine excused herself from Lucien's company, her smile enigmatic. She approached me, her crimson gown trailing behind her like a river of blood.
"Lockhart," she said, her voice low. "Follow me."
I obeyed without question, trailing her as she led me to a secluded balcony overlooking the academy gardens. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the ballroom.
"What do you think of Lord Blackthorn?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the moonlit horizon.
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "He's… intriguing, my lady. But I sense there's more to him than meets the eye."
She chuckled, a sound both melodic and chilling. "Perceptive as always. Lucien is a man of many secrets. And secrets, Lockhart, are the currency of power."
I frowned, my instincts screaming. "If I may ask, my lady, what is your interest in him?"
She turned to me, her violet eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and calculation. "Let's just say he has something I want. And I intend to get it."
Before I could press further, a commotion erupted inside the ballroom. Shouts and screams echoed through the halls, followed by the unmistakable sound of shattering glass.
Seraphine's smile vanished, replaced by a look of cold determination. "Stay close."
We rushed back inside, the scene before us chaotic. Nobles scrambled for the exits, their faces pale with fear. At the center of the room stood Liana, her hands glowing with an otherworldly light.
Liana's Hidden Power:
Arcane Resonance: A rare ability that allows the user to amplify and manipulate the magic of others.
Duke Roland Vayne stood protectively in front of her, his sword drawn. "Stay back!" he shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and resolve.
But it wasn't the nobles he was warning—it was the shadowy figure looming over them. A creature of darkness, its form shifting and writhing like smoke, advanced with predatory grace.
New Threat Unlocked:
Shadow Wraith: A malevolent entity born of dark magic. Weakness: Light-based spells.
Seraphine's eyes narrowed, her hands glowing with violet energy. "Lockhart, with me."
I drew my sword, the faint blue light of my mimicry magic flickering along the blade. Together, we moved to intercept the creature.
The wraith lunged, its claws slashing through the air. Seraphine countered with a blast of dark magic, the force of her spell sending the creature reeling. I followed up with a strike, my blade cutting through its smoky form.
But the wraith was relentless, its body reforming almost instantly.
"We need to disrupt its core!" Seraphine snapped, her voice sharp with urgency.
I nodded, focusing on the memory of her magic. My sword flared with violet light, and I drove it into the creature's chest. The wraith let out a piercing shriek, its form dissolving into nothingness.
The room fell silent, the nobles staring at us in stunned disbelief. Liana collapsed to her knees, her glow fading as exhaustion overtook her.
Cedric stepped forward, his expression a mixture of awe and suspicion. "What… what was that?"
Seraphine straightened, her composure unshaken. "A minor disturbance, Your Highness. Nothing to concern yourself with."
But Cedric wasn't convinced. His gaze shifted to Liana, his eyes narrowing. "And her?"
"A commoner with a latent magical ability," Seraphine said dismissively. "Nothing more."
Cedric's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned to his guards. "Escort everyone to their quarters. I want this incident investigated immediately."
As the nobles were herded away, I knelt beside Liana, checking her pulse. She was unconscious but breathing steadily.
"Lockhart," Seraphine said, her tone sharp. "We're leaving."
I hesitated, glancing at Liana. "But—"
"Now," she snapped, her eyes flashing with warning.
I obeyed, following her as she swept out of the ballroom. But as we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
End of Chapter 5