Chapter 529: Grand Ball 2

On a certain weekend eve…

The academy, usually wrapped in stillness beneath the silver glow of moonlight, buzzed with life.

A quiet night transformed into a spectacle of shimmering lights and soft music as students slowly began to gather.

The occasion?

A celebration.

A night of reprieve.

Freshmen and second-year students alike made their way toward the grand structure known as Evergreen Hall—an architectural marvel even among the academy’s most esteemed buildings.

Modeled after the majestic castles of a bygone era, the hall towered with grace and power, its silhouette etched against the deep indigo sky like something out of a fairytale.

The venue was both vast and intimate.

High-arched doorways opened into a magnificent ballroom whose interior glistened with magic-infused chandeliers.

Soft golden lights flickered from crystal-like orbs hovering above, dimming and brightening to match the rhythm of the music.

The walls were lined with polished marble, so smooth and reflective that they mirrored the movement of guests like flowing water.

Balconies wrapped along the upper levels, offering breathtaking views of the academy’s nightscape: softly glowing pathways, trees alight with bioluminescent moss, and the distant flicker of starlight gently mirrored in the water gardens far below.

Down in the main space, the floor gleamed under protective enchantments—each step triggering subtle sparkles as if the very ground welcomed the students’ presence.

A sense of calm celebration filled the air, one unburdened by exams, lectures, or the usual pressure of day-to-day academy life.

But this wasn’t just a party thrown on a whim.

No, it was an Academy-Sanctioned Event, planned months in advance by the Student Council, officially funded by the school, and quietly overseen by members of the academic staff.

Professors and high-ranking administrative officials lingered at the edges of the venue, dressed in formal robes, some offering silent assistance from behind the scenes.

They weren’t here to party—but to ensure the students could.

Though informal in spirit, the gathering was of utmost importance to both faculty and student body alike.

A symbol of unity and trust, a celebration of youth, and an opportunity to breathe in peace—even if only for a night.

At the very center of the open venue stood a massive mana tree, its presence both sacred and enchanting.

Glowing leaves shimmered in hues of silver and aquamarine, gently pulsing like stars embedded in a living canopy.

Tendrils of soft magic floated from the tree’s core, drifting upward like wisps of light, mingling with the stars in the open sky above.

It stood as a reminder—of beauty, of magic, of the academy’s promise to nurture both strength and serenity.

Though many students had already gathered—first years mingling with second years, laughter spilling in soft waves across the crowd—the hall remained spacious.

Large enough to fit the entire student body, given the right spacing.

Designed that way on purpose.

From one corner, a string quartet enchanted their instruments without touching them, weaving calming melodies through the air.

In another, an enchanted buffet table displayed dishes that refilled themselves as soon as a plate emptied.

Some students danced.

Others talked in small circles, their eyes flicking with curiosity and nerves—especially those from different year levels mingling for the first time.

The night was young.

The lights dimmed slightly.

And the real magic was only just beginning.

“Tsk~ This is supposed to be a night of new beginnings, relaxation, and connection…”

Kagami clicked his tongue in irritation, his deep voice cutting through the soft music playing below.

“But these damn couples keep sticking to the same faces. Can’t they take all that flirting somewhere else?”

He leaned against the marble railing of the second-floor balcony, arms crossed tightly over his broad chest.

With his buzz-cut hair, squared jaw, and boulder-like muscles sculpted by relentless training, Kagami cut an intimidating figure—something between a gym rat and a battle-hardened knight.

His narrowed eyes scanned the ballroom floor below, watching students from all walks of the academy as they danced, laughed, and mingled.

The hall was packed—a mingling pot of departments:

Mages dressed in elegant robes casting harmless light spells for fun, Knights in sharp uniforms trying not to step on their dance partners, different races from the specialized branches engaging in small talk, and even a few from the general department who had made the cut.

It was a mix Kagami had hoped would lead to new interactions, new connections.

Instead, all he saw were clingy couples acting as if they were on honeymoon leave.

For reference the guy was purposely looking at them.

“Spoken like a true jealous, maidenless virgin~”

The unexpected voice slithered up beside him like silk laced with thorns.

“W-What?!”

Kagami stiffened and turned his head, already recognizing the teasing tone.

Sure enough, there she stood.

“Clara?”

Draped in an elegant off-shoulder black gown that sparkled subtly under the ambient lights, Clara looked every bit the refined noblewoman she was known to be—graceful, calculating, and slightly terrifying.

Her long, asymmetrically-cut hair framed her face perfectly, and her eyes gleamed with a predatory sharpness, like a lioness watching a lion fumble.

“Hello, Kagami. Long time no see~” she chimed, resting her elbow on the railing beside him.

The scent of jasmine clung faintly to her perfume.

Though they were both members of the Student Council, their interactions were rare.

Their schedules couldn’t have been more different—Kagami spent most of his time on physical drills and disciplinary patrols, while Clara was deeply involved in financial planning, event sponsorships, and networking.

“Why are you up here?” Kagami asked, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Clara replied, flashing a coy smile.

He grunted. “I’m part of the Disciplinary Committee, remember? For tonight, my role’s been shifted to security oversight. Watching for troublemakers.”

“Fufu~ Somehow, that role suits you a little too well.” She giggled.

Kagami wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult. His brows twitched, but he let it go, muttering, “Hmph.”

He turned back toward the dance floor, observing as a group of students started casting illusory butterflies for aesthetic effect.

“So, what about you?” he asked, side-eyeing her. “Shouldn’t a business tycoon like you be schmoozing around the lower floor? Looking for your next victim to drain dry with a contract?”

Clara gave a light, musical laugh. “You speak as if I’m some kind of vain predator who feeds on the weak.”

“Are you telling me you’re not?” Kagami retorted bluntly.

She leaned closer with a devilish smile. “I only prey on the ones who deserve it, Kagami. You’d be surprised how many of them smile while stabbing others behind their backs. I just make them pay in coin instead of blood.”

Kagami shuddered slightly.

He took a subtle half-step away from her.

“You really are terrifying,”

“Why thank you. I do try.” Clara bowed her head mockingly.

Despite himself, Kagami chuckled under his breath.

“Oh my… is that—?”

“So pretty…”

“The goddess can take me now.”

“Isn’t she a 4th year?”

“Why is my heart beating so fast?”

“What did you say?”

“B-Babe it’s not what it sounds like—baby, please wait!”

A sudden wave of murmurs surged across Evergreen Hall like a ripple disturbing the calm surface of water.

The clinking of glasses, the soft laughter, even the music—all came to a slow, almost reverent halt as heads turned in unison toward the grand entrance.

The musicians, caught mid-song, froze with their fingers hovering over keys and strings.

Even they weren’t immune.

A few seconds passed in stunned admiration before the melody resumed—softer, dreamier—like even the music itself was enchanted by the presence now gracing the ballroom.

Clad in an immaculate white evening gown with golden-pink accents delicately sewn across the hems, she looked less like a student and more like a vision pulled from the pages of a forgotten fairytale.

Garnet-like gems glinted on her bodice, catching and reflecting the mana-fused chandelier lights above, each step down the marble stairs echoing lightly like the entrance of a royal figure.

Fine white lace gloves hugged her arms, and her signature pink hair—normally cascading freely—was neatly braided into a graceful bun, secured with a single ornamental pin shaped like a blooming rose.

Her golden eyes scanned the crowd below with poise, yet also with quiet urgency.

Some couldn’t help but gasp softly as they caught sight of the bare skin of her nape, the way the gown subtly framed her shoulders and collarbone.

It was elegance, refinement, and allure incarnate—yet there was no vanity in the way she carried herself. Just composed grace and silent confidence.

It was no exaggeration to say that all eyes were on her.

Conversations abruptly ended.

Couples paused mid-dance.

Some boyfriends immediately got smacked by jealous girlfriends after letting out unintentional sighs.

Even a few second years, proud and puffed with confidence moments ago, now shrank slightly, unsure of their own charm.

“That’s Alice Holloway, right?”

“I thought this was for first and second years only…”

“Who cares? She’s like a walking dream.”

Rumors began to stir, questions blooming from curiosity and envy.

Why was a fourth-year like her allowed into this special night?

Who invited her? Who was she here with?

Usually she would greet those who interacted with her.

But Alice paid none of it any mind.

Unbothered by the barrage of stares—adoring, jealous, and awestruck alike—she calmly descended the stairs, the soft rustle of her gown harmonizing with the resumed music.

Her eyes continued scanning the room, unwavering in their focus.

She wasn’t here for attention.

She was here for someone.

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

From another grand entrance at the far side of Evergreen Hall’s enclosed venue, another sudden hush spread through the crowd.

Like a chain reaction of awe and reverence, whispers echoed in waves, students turning their heads instinctively as if they could sense the incoming presence before they even laid eyes upon her.

Another beauty had arrived—one so perfect, so pristine, she seemed sculpted by divine hands.

If Alice Holloway was the flame that stirred hearts with elegance and charm, then Snow Luvenitia White Germonia Leven was the moonlight itself—untouchable, distant, and utterly divine.

She entered the hall in silence, yet her presence roared louder than any applause could.

There was no need for fanfare.

The mere sight of her was enough to paralyze the air.

Her long, snow-white hair shimmered with iridescent hues under the glowing chandeliers, cascading in gentle waves down her back.

Crystal-blue eyes—calm, precise, yet filled with depth—surveyed the ballroom with a grace that rivaled queens.

Her skin, flawless and fair, gave her the look of porcelain perfection.

Adorned in an equally pristine white gown with delicate icy-blue embroidery resembling frozen snowflakes along the edges, she moved like a spirit of winter wrapped in human form.

Like Alice, Snow wore the colors of purity and divinity—but while Alice’s presence sparked warmth and light, Snow’s invoked silence, reverence, and distance.

She was the kind of beauty one admired from afar, not daring to approach.

Even the music seemed to quiet itself around her.

No one spoke carelessly.

No foolish comments.

No suggestive whistles.

Only pure appreciation.

She was, after all, not just a second-year prodigy but the current Student Council President—and one of the most powerful and politically influential figures in the academy.

It was no surprise many had assumed she would remain behind the scenes, operating from the shadows to ensure the ball’s success.

No one expected her to appear in the crowd—especially not looking like this.

And yet… here she was.

’Now, where are you, my dear~?’

Snow’s thoughts whispered quietly as her eyes scanned the ballroom, intent and searching.

She wasn’t here to socialize.

Like Alice, she was here for someone.

Across the room, the two girls finally locked eyes.

Just for a brief moment.

The shimmering goddess of warmth.

The icy sovereign of elegance.

Their gazes met across the golden-lit ballroom floor, and both immediately understood the situation.

They smiled—just faintly—and with a soft nod, acknowledged one another not as rivals but as women on the same journey.

A quiet truce between queens.

They would not fight tonight.

There was no need for it.

Up on the second floor, by the railing, Kagami gave a long, slow whistle.

“Never thought I’d see the day… Two goddesses descend in front of me.” His deep voice carried more awe than sarcasm, his eyes wide as he watched the ballroom from above.

“Fufu~ They really are dazzling, aren’t they?”

Clara leaned her arms casually on the railing next to him, her eyes glowing with amusement as she followed his line of sight.

“But now that these two are here…” she continued, “I wonder where our other stars are. Your department’s representative isn’t here either, is she? It’s odd. With someone like Seo, her presence would’ve made just as big an impact. And what about Rose? The magic department’s shining gem hasn’t shown up either. What a shame~”

Kagami frowned slightly and looked around the ballroom again, scanning faces.

“…You’re right. Rose and Seo are missing,” he muttered. “But maybe the bigger mystery is who those two girls are looking for.”

Clara raised a brow, lips curling mischievously. “Oho~ Are we perhaps sensing a bit of jealousy?”

Kagami scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Not even. I’m just being realistic. Even I don’t have the balls to handle girls like them.”

’…Seriously, though. As his best friend, I have no idea how Riley manages to keep up with all of this.’

“If you’re not confident about handling girls at their level how about a little practice?”

“Huh?”

“Would you care for a dance Kagami?”

As Clara offered her hand, Kagami stared at it in shock.

The grand ball had officially begun.

Laughter, music, magic, and elegance filled the night with brilliance.

But amidst all the lights and movement, the academy’s twin goddesses, Alice Holloway and Snow Luvenitia, moved with one shared purpose in mind.

They were looking for only one thing.

Or rather—one person.

And when they found him, the true story of the night would finally begin.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep