The next day passed by without much happening, which surprised . I expected to get into so sort of trouble for attacking a student of the Solarian Imperial Academy. Granted, I did so in self defense, but still. There should've been so kind of reaction from the academy's faculty. However, nothing happened. Or perhaps sothing had happened, but my parents took care of it for .
Regardless, I suffered no official consequences for my altercation with Lady Daisy. As for any unofficial consequences, that remained to be seen.
With nothing on my agenda until the ball, which would take place in the evening, I focused on my cultivation and training. Aurora cultivated with . Well, sort of. She just spent the entire ti eating Ice elental crystals, the little glutton. However, since I benefited from it as well, I made no comnt.
Aurora did help with mastering my affinity for Ice. As the spirit of a frost drake, Ice was a fundantal part of her being. Plus, the only reason why I had an affinity for Ice in the first place was because of my contract with her. This made her the perfect teacher for . However, she didn't lecture or explain anything.
Instead, she used our bond to help experience what it ant to use Ice. This was a strange but effective way to learn. As Aurora used Ice, it felt like I was the one doing it. It accelerated my proficiency, to the point where I could begin using Ice in my techniques. However, I still had a ways to go before achieving mastery.
At so point, Leroy, Lorelei, and Corrie joined as well. They focused on their own training, though I offered them so insights and pointers from ti to ti. Already used to this, Leroy accepted my advice without question. Lorelei and Corrie on the other hand were more skeptical.
After all, I was about the sa age as them. I couldn't be that much ahead. However, they looked shocked when they put my advice into practice and realized just how effective it was. From that point on, they beca far more anable.
In fact, Lorelei even offered so of her own insights into Ice. While her knowledge wasn't as deep as Aurora's, they ca from a human perspective, which proved more beneficial than I expected.
Kaylee ca by at so point. She didn't join us in training, or interacted with us at all really. Instead, she just watched us with an inscrutable expression on her face. While she kept an eye on everyone, she focused her attention on . Perhaps she still found it difficult to believe that her older brother, the failed wizard, turned out to be a talented martial artist.
After watching us a while, Kaylee left.
Training ended when afternoon rolled around. My family and I prepared for the upcoming ball, while the others visited Sanctuary. Lorelei and Corrie weren't students, nor were they related to Kaylee, so they had no reason to attend the ball. However, they didn't want to stay in the manor doing nothing, so they decided to head into town.
I didn't need Leroy with for the ball, so I told him to join Lorelei and Corrie. He didn't even pretend to hesitate. This deepened my suspicions about his feelings for Corrie.
And so ti passed in the blink of an eye. When evening arrived, my family and I headed to the ball.
The Solarian Imperial Academy had a dedicated ballroom, located within one of the academy's central buildings. It was a circular room, two-stories high, with a glass skylight as the ceiling. This allowed the guests to gaze upon the evening sky unimpeded. A balcony wrapped around the second floor, held up by pillars. Dozens of floating lights illuminated the room, like stars that had co down to the mortal world.
The dancing area took up most of the first floor. Tables laden with drinks and light refreshnts took up the rest. anwhile, the second floor was reserved for guests who wanted to take a break from dancing in order to rest their feet. This also made it the perfect place to chat and mingle.
Beautiful music ca from an unseen source. It seed to echo throughout the entire ballroom. Was this a result of good acoustics, or so kind of spell?
Hundreds of people filled the ballroom. About half danced, while the rest either lingered at the refreshnt tables or socialized on the second floor. The sll of cologne, perfu, scented oils filled the air, mingling together into a dizzying fu.
My family and I arrived late, about half an hour after the ball started. Part of it was to establish our status, and part of it was because we walked here. We could've taken a carriage, but the ballroom was close enough to the manor that we decided not to bother. It was sumr, so it was still light out by the ti we left.
Father and I wore matching outfits, black and blue with silver accents, with our hair styled in a similar manner. Mother and Kaylee wore dresses that matched the color of their eyes: brilliant green for the forr, and silvery-blue for the latter. Like Father and I, they also had their hair styled in a similar manner, to show off that they were mother and daughter.
Despite this, they exuded different airs. Mother appeared elegant and graceful, with a hint of fire beneath the surface. anwhile, Kaylee appeared cold and foreboding, but oddly compelling. They made for an interesting contrast.
The mont my family arrived, we attracted a lot of attention. Unsurprising, given House Sturm's status. Everyone wanted to forge a connection with us for their own benefit.
A crowd surrounded us. The students, both male and female, sward Kaylee. anwhile, their parents focused on Father and Mother. I was the odd one out. While I attracted so attention, most just gave polite greetings before focusing on the other mbers of my family.
This didn't surprise . I was sowhat famous, or infamous rather, in high society for my lack of talent with magic. Most thought that I was out of favor within House Sturm because of this, so they saw no reason to curry favor with . However, I was still a Sturm, so they didn't dare outright snub .
Rather than feel upset about being ignored by high society, I felt relieved. It wasn't until we arrived at the ball that I realized just how much I disliked these events. They made feel suffocated and constrained. The only reason why I was participating in this ball was out of obligation.
After a while, my family and I broke free from the crowd and made it to the dance floor. Father and Mother partnered with each other, while I partnered with Kaylee.
"Are you alright?" My sister asked as soon as we started dancing, speaking in a low voice.
I gave her a questioning look.
"Yes." I said. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Kaylee studied for a mont, before she let out a light laugh.
"Nevermind." She said. "It appeared that I was worried for nothing."
The answer ca to a mont later.
"Are you referring to earlier, when everyone ignored ?" I asked.
Kaylee nodded. I chuckled. So that's what she ant. In my first life, during the few tis I attended high society events with my family, I always turned sullen whenever people ignored in favor of the rest of my family.
"I'm not the sa person I used to be." I said.
Kaylee and I separated for the next part of the dance, so she didn't respond right away.
"So I've noticed." My sister said when we ca together again. "I like the new you." She grimaced. "In the past, you were… Unpleasant to be around."
"I know." I said. "However, I had good reason to be."
Kaylee's lips beca flat.
"I suppose so," she said, "given the way everyone treated you, myself included." She shook her head. "I wasn't the best person back then either, now that I think about it. To be honest, I looked down on you. How arrogant and conceited of . It wasn't until after the Incident that I realized how much I loved you, and how much I regretted my actions."
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"Why don't we agree that we weren't the best siblings to each other and leave it at that?" I asked. "We have the opportunity to start over and try again. Let's do a better job this ti around. What do you say?"
Kaylee gave a smile.
"Sounds like a plan." She said.
My sister and I spent the rest of the dance in silence. After it ended, the two of us left the dance floor. When the other young n in attendance realized that Kaylee was available, they sward her, hoping for a chance to dance with her.
I gave my sister a questioning look, asking her what she wanted to do. With my strength and status, I was more than capable of fending off this crowd. To be honest, I was tempted. Who did these assholes think they were? Did they think they were worthy of my sister? However, Kaylee was more than capable of handling herself, so I left the decision up to her.
Kaylee shook her head at .
"I'll be fine." She mouthed.
I shrugged, and took a step back. Soon, the young n ford an impenetrable wall around my sister. I resisted the urge to start kicking between legs and grabbed a glass of wine from the refreshnt table. Afterwards, I went upstairs to the balcony and claid a quiet corner all to myself.
I wasn't interested in dancing with anyone but my family mbers, so I saw no reason to remain on the first floor. If Anna or Cally were here, I'd dance with them. However, the young ladies attending this ball held no appeal for . Besides, the only young ladies who wanted to dance with were the ones who wanted to use as a stepping stone to the rest of my family.
So, for the sake of my sanity, I decided to beco an antisocial wallflower. At least, that was the plan. However, a few minutes after I settled down in my corner, a young man and a young woman ca up to . A couple, I assud. I wasn't familiar with the young man, but I knew the young woman.
"Lady Daisy," I said, giving her an annoyed look, "what an unexpected and unwelco surprise. I expected to never see you again."
Lady Daisy glared at , but didn't say a word. She wore a yellow dress which looked good on her, I had to admit. I disliked Lady Daisy, but I wasn't blind. Still, she had nothing on Annabelle. This led to wonder what Annabelle looked like wearing a dress. Now that was sothing I looked forward to seeing.
"So, you're the one who assaulted my fiancée." The man said, pulling out of my thoughts.
I took a closer look at him. The man had a slight tan, short dark hair, and brown eyes. I guessed he was the sa age as , a little older at most. He wore a black and green outfit, which looked decent on him. As for his features, they were passable. However, he would look much better without that sneer on his face.
"And you are?" I asked him.
"I am Lord Ashton Simms of House Simms." The young man said, drawing himself up to his full height. However, since he was shorter than , it failed to have the intended effect. "And I know exactly who you are, Lord Gabriel Sturm." His sneer deepened. "A pathetic weakling lacking in magic, an embarrassnt to House Sturm."
I raised an eyebrow at him. His insults confused rather than offended . If he was Lady Daisy's fiancé, then he was likely also from a lesser House. Despite my (in)famy in high society, there was no way soone like him would dare insult to my face like this. So, what gave him his courage?
I looked around. Almost right away, a young woman sitting a short distance away caught my eye. She was fair-skinned, with wavy brown hair and gorgeous amber eyes. Her purple dress shimred due to the diamonds sewn into it. She looked a few years older than . I sensed that she just recently reached Third Circle. An impressive feat for soone her age.
The young woman sat alone, lounging in her seat, watching the three of us with an amused smirk on her face. That was what drew my attention in the first place. My intuition told that she was the reason behind Lord Ashton's bravery.
The young woman seed familiar, though it took a mont to rember her. What was her na again? Oh, right. It all ca back to in an instant.
Lady Emmaline Montgory of House Montgory. She ca from another great House, one on bad terms with House Sturm. Not quite enemies, but definitely not friends either.
I encountered Lady Emmaline once before, during my first life, before the Incident. She was one of the reasons why I disliked attending high society events. It happened at a garden party held in Sunheart. I don't rember what exactly happened, but Lady Emmaline humiliated in front of a large crowd. What did she do again? Oh, right. She used magic to douse with wine.
Afterwards, her House paid House Sturm compensation for the insult. However, by that point, the damage had already been done. I holed up in my room for weeks after that incident. It spurred towards becoming a better wizard, no matter the cost.
Now here she was, stirring up trouble for again. Well, I wasn't the sa Gabriel Sturm as before. Things wouldn't go her way this ti.
"Oh, Ashton," Lady Daisy said in a sickeningly sweet tone, "be nice. No need to mock the less capable."
Lord Ashton barked out a laugh.
"You're right, My Dear." He said. "As long as Lord Gabriel apologizes for harming you, I'm more than willing to let bygones be bygones."
The two of them gave expectant looks. Instead of answering them, I yawned.
"Are you two done?" I asked in a faux tired voice. "I was rather enjoying my glass of wine, and I'd rather get back to it. You bore ."
Lord Ashton's face twisted with anger. He opened his mouth. However, before he could say anything, I spoke up first.
"Take care, Lord Ashton." I said. "You might think you have Lady Emmaline's backing, but if things beco too troubleso, she'll dispose of you like the pawn you are."
Lord Ashton and Lady Daisy both gave surprised looks.
"How did-?" Lord Ashton started to say, but then shut his mouth.
I smirked at him. While I suspected that Lady Emmaline was using these two to ss with , I hadn't known for sure. Lord Ashton's words confird my suspicions.
"Do you think I'm afraid of you?" Lord Ashton said, trying to recover his earlier bravado. "You're nothing more than dead weight to your House. As soon as Lady Kaylee becos the heir, House Sturm will cut you loose. Let's see if you can still act brave then."
Right. That was enough of that.
I placed my wine glass on a nearby table, before kicking Lord Ashton in the chest.
Caught off guard, he wasn't able to muster any kind of defense. He stumbled backwards, almost taking Lady Daisy with him. However, she managed to free herself in ti.
"What are you doing?" She cried out.
I ignored her and marched over to Lord Ashton. He hunched over, trying to recover his breath. However, I didn't give him the chance. I grabbed the front of his outfit with one hand and dragged him to the balcony's railing, before pushing him halfway over it.
By that point, the only thing that kept him from falling to the first floor was my grip on his outfit. Lord Ashton flailed, trying and failing to find purchase. His fate was in my hands.
"Stop!" Lady Daisy said. "Let go of him!"
I grinned at her.
"Okay."
I let go of Lord Ashton for a brief mont, let him fall for a bit, before grabbing him again.
"Don't let go!" Lord Ashton yelled. "Please, don't let go!"
By this point, we had attracted a lot of attention. The other guests stared at us with wide eyes, and regarded as so sort of mad man. I an, attacking another guest at a high society event just wasn't done. Despite that, no one moved to intervene.
"Now then," I said, looking at Lord Ashton, "what were you saying about ?"
"I'm sorry!" He cried out. "Forgive ! Please, just pull up!"
I leaned in closer and cupped my ear with my free hand.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" I asked. "I didn't catch that. What are you apologizing for?" I loosened my grip on his outfit. "You'd better hurry. I'm starting to get tired."
"I'm sorry for insulting you, Lord Gabriel!"
I nodded.
"And? What else did you do?"
Lord Ashton gave a panicked look. Clearly, he didn't understand the depths of his sins.
"You dared to make careless comnts about House Sturm's succession." I said, giving him a hard look. "My House's internal workings have nothing to do with the likes of you."
Lord Ashton gave a frantic nod.
"I apologize for that as well!" He said. "I won't do it again!"
"For your sake, I hope so." I said, before pulling Lord Ashton back from the railing and throwing him to the ground.
I considered dragging this out for longer, but decided against it. I didn't know when a mber of the faculty would co and interfere. It was best to end things now, while I still held the upper hand.
"This is the second ti you've annoyed ." I said to Lady Daisy. "Don't let there be a third."
Lady Daisy looked like she wanted to say sothing, but kept her mouth shut in the end. Instead, she nodded before rushing over to tend to her fiancé. I ignored them both, before walking back over to my glass of wine and picking it up. Afterwards, I settled in my corner again and acted as if nothing had happened.
The other guests stared at for several monts, before they turned away and went back to their own business. However, people kept glancing at from ti to ti. They regarded the sa way they would a wild animal. However, since I hadn't targeted any of them, they couldn't contain their curiosity.
A mber of the faculty ca by to investigate the commotion. However, no one said anything. Even Lord Ashton and Lady Daisy kept their mouths shut. After a while, the faculty mber left, frustrated and annoyed.
As for Lady Emmaline, I didn't look at her at all. While I could deal with her right now, she wasn't worth the effort or attention. The only ti we would interact with each other was during high society events, and I didn't plan on attending many of those. However, if she continued ssing with , I would have to change my mind.
The rest of the ball passed by without incident. I danced once more, this ti with Mother, but otherwise kept to myself. Everyone else was content to leave alone, including Lady Emmaline.
It was well after midnight by the ti my family and I left the ball. When we t up again, Kaylee frowned at . I suspected she knew about the incident involving Lord Ashton and Lady Daisy. However, she didn't say anything about it, so neither did I.
A few days later, my brief stay at the Solarian Imperial Academy ended.
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