episode_0079

“…My answer is-”

Lucy and Aria stared intently at Cyan’s lips.

The moment of selection.

Perhaps due to their nerves, they both swallowed hard.

One might think, ‘What’s there to be so nervous about?’

But the current situation was undeniably a competition for them.

It was a contest to see who was the more charming girl… a crucial moment that could determine their allure.

…Lucy was the first to smile slyly as she thought,

‘I’m confident. I’ve known Cyan before, and besides…!’

Before Jian possessed her.

Back then, the reckless Cyan had blindly fallen for Lucy’s innocent lamb-like appearance.

Of course, she pursued Aria, Elise, and Rosaria as well.

But Lucy was the first she pursued.

‘First impressions matter in everything…!’

In that sense, Lucy could pride herself on being the first woman to catch his eye.

Meanwhile, at that moment, Aria.

She too, with considerable self-assurance, stood relaxed, arms folded, smiling.

‘…Among the women Cyan knows, I’m probably the strongest.’

Her values were based on strength.

Seemingly simple but with valid reasoning.

Aria, a 3-star rank swordsman at fifteen. In this world, preferences vary by rank, determining the path to promotion.

Getting close to her would have significant advantages.

‘That’s not all.’

She had one more thing she was confident about.

…Aria glanced at Lucy.

‘Ha, sorry Lucy, but…’

She believed her own body was far more attractive than one that seemed delicate and fragile like Lucy’s.

Indeed, Aria’s body lacked excess fat due to consistent training.

Firm thighs.

Secondary sexual characteristics still developing, but showing promise.

Not overly muscular or flabby, just subtly defined muscles… a significant charm point.

‘Anyone can see my advantage.’

Aria, unable to contain a smirk, closed her eyes and nodded.

Then Cyan, after finishing his thoughts, slowly opened his mouth again.

Seeing this, Lucy and Aria swallowed nervously.

Though they tried not to show it, both were on edge.

Their hearts were in sync.

‘Speak up, Cyan!’

‘Just say it’s me, Cyan!’

…Soon, Cyan’s voice was heard.

“My answer is.”

He continued.

“…for the ball.”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

“You choose for the ball.”

““…….””

“It’s no fun if we talk about it now.”

At his words, Lucy and Aria simultaneously relaxed, shoulders slumping.

Cyan chuckled at their reactions as if he found it amusing.

“Why are you both so disappointed? It’s not like we’re getting married.”

“I-I’m not disappointed!”

“You’re exaggerating too much! Who’d be disappointed over something so trivial!”

Lucy and Aria blushed, looking defiant.

“Fine! The mood’s gone. I need to go pick out a dress.”

“Hmph, cowardly Cyan! I should go train too.”

“Sorry, guys. Aria, I’ll spar with you to let off steam.”

“Really?”

“Don’t let it slide, Aria!”

***

“The ball… only two days left, huh?”

“Charlotte, have you chosen a partner?”

“Of course, I have! Haha, don’t be surprised when you hear who it is. From the renowned swordsmanship club…”

“……”

Listening to passing students’ conversations, Heidi sat alone on a bench, head bowed.

The ball, and partners.

Naturally, Heidi hadn’t found a partner. Nor did she have anyone in mind.

Well, maybe she did.

‘…I wonder what Cyan is doing right now.’

Her heart felt conflicted.

Last time with Sian… During the time she spent avoiding Sian, she had many thoughts to herself.

“I don’t care what you hide or don’t hide in the future.”

“……”

At that time, she was very angry.

In fact, upon reflection, it wasn’t something she should have been angry about.

She couldn’t understand why she acted that way back then. Her emotions didn’t feel like her own.

“…Sigh.”

Hedy sighed and looked at the ground.

…She was regretting it.

Regretting getting angry, deliberately avoiding Sian in the classroom.

Recently, Hedy knew that Sian wanted to say something to her in the classroom.

It was an opportunity.

Even if he said something, she had thought she would accept it, even if pretending not to be as angry.

However.

Aria, highly praised throughout the classrooms as the gem of the fencing club, suddenly barged into the classroom and engaged in a friendly conversation with Sian, which caused Hedy to feel a strange pain of emotions.

Were those two always that close? When did that happen?

Did she feel so insecure that she quickly created a different woman?

And so, unintentionally, she responded aggressively to him again.

Despite thinking she should accept it and let it go, Hedy turned away from what might have been her last chance.

Since then, Sian hadn’t given her any attention, nor did he try to talk to her. She regretted it.

“I shouldn’t have acted like that back then….”

A tumult of emotions she had never felt before.

Hedy turned her head to look at the empty bench beside her.

Being alone felt so lonely.

She had always been fine on her own….

The everyday life with Sian that seemed natural, the sparring with Sian before dinner, the feeling of her heart racing uncontrollably when she saw him sometimes—all of that no longer existed.

“…Yes, this can’t continue.”

Hedy made up her mind as she turned her head.

Waiting like this wouldn’t lead to Sian approaching her again.

“The upcoming martial arts ball, that will be the opportunity.”

The martial arts ball was a traditional event held regularly at the Ariel Academy.

Inside the ballroom, men and women approached each other through dance, forming partnerships with those they liked.

That’s how they competed.

“I’m confident in my dancing skills more than anyone else. After a sincere approach, I’ll confess after it ends.”

Hedy was raised as the daughter of Marigold Viscount for marriage business.

To attract men, she read over hundreds of books on being a lady and received dance lessons for hours every evening.

She hated learning those things just to attract men, but at this moment, she was grateful for having learned them.

“I learned that traditionally men make the approach, but… there’s no rule saying only men can do it, so it should be fine.”

Hedy brushed off her knees, stood up from the bench, and headed towards the women’s dormitory.

For the martial arts ball in two days.

She needed to prepare her makeup and dress in advance.

***

On the day of the ball. The grand ballroom of the Ariel Academy.

Spacious enough to accommodate thousands of students, the ceiling was adorned with elegant chandeliers, illuminating the inside with beautiful light.

Tables covered with tablecloths were filled with various foods and wine glasses brimming with juice.

♪♪♪~

Following that, soft classical music played by the musicians flowed.

Although Ariel Academy was a training institution, it was predominantly occupied by nobles, who made up 98% of the student body.

Social facilities were provided to network with each other.

Some looked desolate, leaning against the wall and eating alone with a disappointed expression for not having a partner.

Others conversed with their partners, enjoying the music and slowly dancing along.

“What are you talking about, women! Loyalty between men is the best! Among the friends with the same expression, there were also those who were occasionally seen together.

Among the vast crowd, Hedy, who was in the middle of it all, thought to herself.

‘Where is Cyan?’

A luxurious purple dress embroidered with dozens of layers of purple and white frills alternately.

The makeup, stronger than usual, made her cat-like round and sharp eyes even more captivating.

Her amethyst eyes, harmonizing with the dress, shone beautifully.

She hurriedly looked around to find Cyan.

And then, it happened.

“Excuse me, miss? Nice to meet you.”

“….”

A man approached and politely greeted Hedy.

But Hedy ignored him completely and continued to look around.

‘What…! Did she find a partner and disappear into the garden in the meantime?’

Anxious, Hedy bit her nails.

“Haha, miss, what are you looking for so diligently? If you frown like that, your beautiful appearance will be hidden, and no one will be able to see it, right?”

“….”

“Let me introduce myself first. I am Johann, the illegitimate son of the Dressmaker. Beautiful lady whose name I do not know, if you don’t have a partner, would you dance with me…”

“…Get lost.”

“What? Haha, could you please repeat that?”

“Leave me alone.”

“….”

Hedy, who had been ignoring the approaching man and fidgeting around, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

‘I found him…!’

Cyan appeared.

He was wearing a neatly tailored suit with a shirt decorated with frills only at the button part, holding a wine glass.

‘…! Them?!’

And at that moment, two familiar women who were approaching him were revealed.

One was Aria from the swordsmanship club she had seen in the classroom back then.

The other was the blonde girl she had encountered in the infirmary when Cyan fainted before.

‘Applying for a partner?! That won’t do! Not this time…!’

Leaving the bewildered man behind, Hedy ran straight towards Cyan.

The hem of her dress reaching her shoes fluttered uncomfortably, indicating how urgent she was.”