“What? Zero Order? Are you joking with me right now?”

Gregoryum frowned.

He had only just been expelled from the Mage Tower.

Although he claimed he had left of his own accord, everyone knew it hadn’t been his choice.

Already in a foul mood, now this young man was introducing himself not by name but by an alias—it felt almost as ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) if he were deliberately trying to provoke him.

Gregoryum was about to raise his voice in anger.

Even if he had fallen from the Mage Tower, his magical rank was not something to be taken lightly.

“...”

But no sound came out.

It was because of the sight of the young man, holding his index finger to his lips.

“Shhh. Even if this carriage is moving, if you’re too loud, people will hear.”

“...You, what are you?”

Gregoryum managed to stammer the words out.

His voice was cracked beyond recognition.

He hadn’t been physically attacked, yet his voice had suddenly caught in his throat.

He looked down at his own hand.

It was trembling violently, like a gout attack.

He couldn’t understand why—it was something his mind couldn’t process.

His body was being consumed by pure instinctive fear.

The moment he realized the fear, the man before him seemed to change.

From a rare, handsome youth into something like a demon lurking in the world’s deepest darkness.

“Why... why did you approach me?”

“Well, because I’m the one who got you expelled from the Mage Tower.”

“What...?”

Gregoryum wanted to ask what that meant.

But before he could, his eyelids grew unbearably heavy.

Like a storm crashing in, drowsiness overwhelmed him, and he collapsed helplessly.

His eyes closed and his body slid sideways.

His breathing remained steady—it was only sleep.

But his sleeping form looked little different from that of a corpse, making it all the more unsettling.

The running carriage stopped in a deserted area.

The coachman slightly turned his head.

Up close, his skin was smooth and youthful.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“Gregoryum has fallen into the surface world of the Dreamland.”

“Yeah? Then everything’s going according to plan.”

The coachman hesitated for a moment.

Zero Order permitted him to speak his mind if he had something to say.

“Do you intend to accept Gregoryum as a new executive?”

“From the sound of it, you’re not too keen. Ludger Cherish wasn’t like that, was he?”

“That man is stronger than the previous John Doe. He even fought Velkat. He may be the strongest among all existing First Orders.”

“I would think so.”

“At the same time, he’s also someone we cannot trust. Still, because his strength is genuine, I believe this uncomfortable alliance is acceptable for now. But Gregoryum is different.”

Zero Order smiled as if amused.

He waited with a relaxed air, as if inviting his subordinate to continue.

“Though he was part of the old Mage Tower and knows its inner workings, he engaged more in political scheming than in magical achievement. His skill has faded, and age has only left him with ambition.”

“You can tell that?”

“When his consciousness enters the surface world, it’s transmitted to me. A person’s mind, when entering Dreamland, always reveals its deepest self.”

“That makes sense. Since you’re the one who built our meeting room in the surface world, you’d know well enough.”

“From that standpoint, Gregoryum is unfit to be a First Order. His imbalance between desire and ability is far too great.”

Zero Order chuckled.

It was advice, and at the same time, a rebuke—but he didn’t mind.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t have him expelled for that purpose.”

“Then was there a reason to interfere with the old Mage Tower and bring him down?”

“I thought we might need to offer up a sacrifice.”

At the word ‘sacrifice,’ the coachman’s body stiffened momentarily.

In a tone of disbelief, he asked,

“Has he begun to awaken again?”

“Yes.”

Zero Order knew exactly who “he” referred to.

At those words, the coachman let out a small exclamation.

For someone who usually expressed emotions as cold as ice, it was a remarkably strong reaction.

“The time... is drawing near.”

“Indeed. Even Basara, sealed in the imperial capital, has awakened. Helia and I will be moving. It’s time for the other Apostles to act as well.”

“So you were confirming it. To check that place, you’d need a skilled mage. That’s why you cut the string of that old man who was already in a precarious position.”

“Gregoryum will be our canary. That’s a fortunate thing.”

Zero Order said this while glancing outside.

Through the carriage curtains, suspicious figures could be seen searching diligently for someone.

“He’s the sort of man who would have vanished without a trace to keep the organization’s secrets after leaving. Better to put him to some use than let him die with his mouth shut.”

Squeezing out efficiency.

It was hardly something one should say about a person.

But neither Zero Order nor the coachman felt any pang of conscience.

“Let’s be on our way. The old Mage Tower’s eyes might reach here.”

“Right.”

At the coachman’s gesture, the horses began to move again.

Over the sound of hoofbeats, the coachman quietly asked,

“Do you think Gregoryum will wake up?”

“We’d better hope he does. For now.”

“Three days. That’s the average time it takes for a consciousness sunk to the depths of Dreamland to float back up again. If he still hasn’t woken after that...”

Zero Order finished the thought with a nod.

“It means the most troublesome Apostle has been released—from deep, deep within the abyss of the unconscious.”

* * *

Aside from the news of Gregoryum’s expulsion from the old Mage Tower, there wasn’t much worth paying attention to.

Most of the chatter was about the incidents at Mystic Night—especially the sudden appearance of the Earth Elemental Lord.

Sedina, however, had no interest in that part.

She only gathered information because Ludger and Hans required it, not out of personal curiosity.

Just as she was about to wrap up her report, the sound of students laughing came from outside the window.

Ludger glanced toward the source.

The strangely excited tone in their voices caught his attention.

“They seem to be enjoying themselves quite a bit. What happened? It’s not break yet, as far as I know.”

“Oh, you haven’t heard? Before break, Seorn holds its final festival—a ball.”

“A ball?”

“Yes. It’s an internally hosted party that’s been a long-standing tradition here.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

Ludger faintly remembered hearing about such an event.

He hadn’t paid it any mind before.

Now that summer was fully setting in, the ball served as one last memorable event for the students before vacation.

“That explains their mood.”

“Well, they’re students. They love the chance to dress up, laugh, and dance together.”

Sedina spoke as if it were someone else’s business.

Though she was of the same age group, she had lived a life far removed from such events, so she saw little significance in it.

But lack of interest didn’t mean lack of information gathering.

“As expected of a ball, there are various events planned, along with gift giveaways.”

“Exactly the sort of thing students would enjoy.”

“Yes. And there’s even an award ceremony for the most beautiful person, so the enthusiasm among the girls is high.”

A hall filled with finely dressed young men and women—it was natural that some would find themselves smitten in such an atmosphere.

The Seorn ball was known as the annual event that produced the most new couples.

“Not that it has anything to do with me.”

With so many other matters demanding his attention, a ball was hardly worth caring about.

Ludger rose from his seat.

It was almost time for class.

As he walked down the corridor after leaving the faculty office, he passed students who looked more animated than usual.

They were so swept up in anticipation that even some who normally avoided him smiled and greeted him.

‘Good grief.’

Just like during the Magic Festival, the enchantment of such events was undeniable.

The mood remained the same even after he entered the lecture hall and stood at the podium.

Normally, the students would be quiet as mice, but now they chattered endlessly.

The room was practically buzzing.

“Did you come here to play?”

Ludger’s voice, laced with mana, filled the space.

It wasn’t loud, but it vibrated through their skin into their very bones.

Only then did the students fall silent.

Still, the excitement in their eyes was not so easily quelled—but that was enough for now.

“I understand your excitement, but at least know the time and place for it.”

The students quickly became subdued.

Of course, not everyone did. Julia, for instance, had never cared for such balls to begin with.

At that moment, someone shot their hand into the air.

Ludger’s gaze fixed on the raised hand.

“What is it, Aidan?”

Aidan, eyes sparkling, had raised his hand.

The expressions of the other students instantly shifted to unease.

No... surely not? But it’s Aidan.

Some gave him warning looks, others looked resigned, and a few seemed eager to see what would happen.

Ludger could only wonder what sort of behavior from Aidan had earned such a reaction.

Even more absurd was the question that came out of his mouth.

“Teacher, aren’t you going to the ball?”

Several students’ eyes went wide with shock.

Taishy was the same, and Leo, seated beside her, let out a weary sigh and lowered his head.

He seemed to have given up entirely.

“Aidan. What exactly do you mean?”

“Well, the ball is coming up soon, right? I was wondering if you’d be attending too, Teacher Ludger.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I heard it’s not just students—others attend as well.”

His voice was pure curiosity, without a hint of calculation.

It made Ludger’s head ache all the more, especially when looking into those clear eyes.

The students, despite shaking their heads at Aidan’s boldness, were now watching Ludger with a mix of curiosity and expectation.

“What everyone’s really wondering is—who your partner will be.”

“Partner?”

Ludger frowned.

But he understood what Aidan meant. In this context, a partner was someone to dance with at the ball.

At Aidan’s question, other students began speaking up.

“That’s right. We’re curious too.”

“Who will you be dancing with, Teacher?”

Once the dam was broken, the chatter swelled again.

It was an interest natural for students their age, and once it began, it was hard to stop.

For Ludger, however, it was another matter.

“Enough.”

His voice, once again infused with mana, swept the chatter away like a receding wave.

The students stared, wide-eyed.

To control a room’s mood with nothing but the resonance of a single word—it was masterful mana control.

“Focus on the lesson.”

Paying no mind to their reactions, Ludger began the lecture.

* * *

“Teacher Ludger, do you have a partner?”

It was during lunch with fellow instructors, something that hadn’t happened in a while, when Merilda suddenly asked the question.

“You mean for the ball?”

“Yes. The whole place is abuzz about it.”

“There’s always the option of not attending.”

“We’re newly appointed here. Even if we’ve settled in, this is the sort of event you really should attend. The Headmaster will say the same.”

Ludger had been about to say he was too busy as Planning Director, but stopped.

If anything, it was exactly such occasions where showing his face might be more important.

“I haven’t thought about it yet,” he said, giving a noncommittal answer rather than an outright refusal.

“There’s always Teacher Selina. She happens to need a partner too.”

“W-wait, Merilda!”

Selina shot Merilda a glare, cheeks slightly flushed, while sneaking a sidelong glance at Ludger.

“Are you attending, Teacher Selina?”

Merilda answered for her.

“Of course. She’s even considering getting a new dress for it.”

“Why would you say that?!”

“Dress?”

Surprisingly, Ludger reacted to that instead.

“Everyone’s scrambling to get custom dresses for the contest. They want to look their absolute best.”

A custom dress...

Ludger suddenly felt a spark of interest.

To be precise, he had caught the scent of a business opportunity.