After dropping off the carriage at the front, we were led by several Royal Knights and butlers through several halls and stairs. Eventually, we reached a lobby with grand doors looming before us. The butlers stepped forward and opened it for us.

We stepped through the grand doors, and as light poured into my eyes, I gradually got to see the true scale of this New Year’s celebration.

Bright yellow chandeliers glittered above. A crimson carpet, threaded with intricate patterns, stretched across the floor. Tables draped in white cloth filled the hall, each crowned with silverware that gleamed like stars.

The luxury and scale weren’t the only things that caught my eye, however… it was the fact that the room was nearly packed full… Not to the point we were huddling each other like sardines in a can, but enough to really emphasize that this party was really open to most houses in the kingdom.

Among the aristocrats mingled knights in full gear, both Royal and otherwise. Some attendants carried discreet medical kits, while several mages stationed themselves along the castle walls, no doubt prepared to counter any magical threats like the one from last time.

With so many esteemed guests gathered under one roof, security was bound to be top-notch. Weirdly enough, they weren’t making a spectacle about it.

Back to the guests, there were men in suits, women in gowns, with ages ranging from elderly to babies cradled by their mothers or maids. Some were patiently sitting, probably waiting for the event to truly start, but most were standing, chatting with others with wine glasses in hand.

Many houses that had come were most likely from all over the kingdom, not just those who stayed at the capital or those affected by the incident, and seeing this sight really enforced just how big Setus really was as a kingdom.

Seeing it all, a door opened in my mind.

This may be my chance to network.

I had no doubts that most, if not all, of the teens here attending with their families will attend the academy. Some might go to the Royal Governance, Royal Merchants, maybe even Royal Medical, but I knew that many would be attending the Royal Knights.

They were soon to be my peers, classmates, and I sure as heck didn’t want to attend the academy all by myselves.

The butler stepped forward. “Please follow me to your tables.”

Mother nodded, and we followed him, walking through the red carpet, passing by the near countless other guests, their chatter not dying down.

The walk through the carpet almost lasted as long as the walk through our house’s garden, which was frickin’ impressive if you really consider it. Just how big was this venue, anyway?

Eventually, we reached our seats, which were near the front of the entire arrangement. The table and seating itself were similar to the others, with plates, silverware, and an expensive-looking wine bottle surrounded by glasses. But the position of it really hammered that we were “specially invited”.

“If you wish to lounge and talk with the others, you are free to do so before the feast,” the butler said. “The Royal Family wishes this could be a time to unwind.”

“Thank you, we shall,” Father responded.

The butler gave a deep bow before heading back, probably off to help with the other guests. The four of us now stood before our table. Mother and Father took their seat, and Leila didn’t waste any time in pouring them some wine.

I want a drink too…

“Carine?” Mother asked. “Are you not sitting?”

I reluctantly shook my head. “I would like to… look around the venue. May I?”

Mother's lips quirked in a knowing smirk. "Thinking of scouting the competition already?”

She sniffed me out that fast?!

“Very well. But don't go too far." She glanced over to Leila. "Leila, please accompany her."

Leila placed down the wine bottle gently before giving a deep bow. “It would be my pleasure.”

I didn’t know if I should be impressed or afraid by the fact that Mother read my mind like that. But either way, I had another thing to focus on, or maybe that’s just an excuse to move on.

Leila and I began our walk through a sea of perfumes, accessories, and makeup. I kept my sleepy eyes peeled for anyone who could be of my age and was probably heading to the Royal Knights Academy. Someone I could call a friend for the upcoming years.

Any well-built teenagers or those coming from lower nobility households were my criteria. But I soon realized that, though the former was easy to spot even through heavy clothing, the latter wasn’t something I could judge by eye alone.

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Although most of the guests here wore their family insignias on their clothes, that didn’t matter because I hadn’t actually studied which insignia belonged to which family. There weren’t any books for it, okay? Or any that I had read up until that point, anyway.

So what now? Was I stuck in the middle of the party with no idea who to talk to?

I feel like I’m a lost child…

Just then, a sudden voice called out to me.

“Lady Carine?!”

I shot my head up and looked back. A young woman was approaching. In an instant, my eyes recognized her. That blinding red-orange hair tied into twin ringlets, and that same loud vibrant dress… it was all the same. She even carried herself with that haughty little tilt of the chin, though she was slightly taller now, but still shorter than I.

She was none other than that young woman who attended my birthday!

…What’s her name again?

She stopped before me, placing a hand on her hip and flashing a confident smile.

“Lady Carine! It has been ages, hasn’t it? I’m surprised to see you here!”

I blinked, struggling for an answer. “Likewise…”

Her grin widened at my response, as though she had won something merely by being remembered… In reality, I barely remembered her appearance.

She gave a small curtsy that was both flamboyant and respectful. “Ah, you look as radiant as ever, Lady Carine. I believe you have grown taller as well, yes?”

Oh, she noticed that?

That just made me feel bad that I forgot her name.

“Indeed, I have,” I said, crossing my arms. “And it would seem you’ve grown as well. Though aside from that… you look precisely the same as when we last met.”

In fact, I think that’s the exact same red dress she wore last time.

Her eyes sparkled, and she practically beamed at my words. “Why, Lady Carine, to be remembered in such detail is the greatest praise you could give!”

I don’t remember your name, though.

“I did not expect to see my best friend here. Had I known, I would’ve brought you my drawings as a gift!”

Since when were we best friends?

She then leaned in eagerly. “But do tell me, what have you been doing all this time? Surely you must have been occupied?”

“Why yes…I have been training for the Royal Knights Academy entrance exams.”

Her reaction was instant and loud. “What—?!” She nearly jumped back, hand flying to her mouth in shock. “The Royal Knights Academy?! Truly?!”

The surrounding guests quieted for a moment as curious eyes glanced our way, but she was far too excited to notice.

“Y-Yes?” I answered, shocked at the sudden outburst.

I figured her outburst must come from my standing. I was the heir of a duchy, so common sense dictates that I must attend the Royal Governance Academy. I just hoped that she wouldn’t make a big deal out of this, but that seemed too late now.

Then, as if struck by lightning, she clapped her hands together and leaned forward with an almost childlike grin. “Oh, how wonderful! We shall be classmates, Lady Carine!”

“Classmates?”

Don’t tell me… She’s attending the academy too?!

I took a quick look at her overall dainty frame. Her uncalloused hands, the utter lack of muscle tone or discipline in her bearing… There wasn’t any trace of training I could see.

“You’ll be attending the Royal Knights as well?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Mmhmm~!” She nodded vigorously, her curls bouncing along.

I blinked again, confused. “F-Forgive me for asking, but I’m curious. Why do you choose to attend the Royal Knights?”

“Choose?” She tilted her head, as if I had just asked the most obvious of questions. “Oh, right! I must’ve forgotten to mention!”

She took a firm step and placed a hand on her hips as she tilted her chin up with a smug grin. “I, Mirabelle Vareid—”

—Oh, so that’s her name.

“—have the Talent of [Affinity for Fire]! And as such, I shall enter the Royal Knights Academy through Special Admission!”

Mirabelle… Mirabelle... Tricky name. I should probably note that down in case she pops up again.

...Wait, what?

It took me a second to realize what she just said. And when I did, I froze like I had never frozen before.

Humans can’t use magic, and those who could could do so thanks to Magical Talents.

It was a rare type of Talent, however, and not many had it.

And here this bratty noble was, announcing it all of a sudden.

The nearby guests began to whisper, but Mirabelle only lifted her chin higher, one hand raised near her lips as though she were on stage.

“Ohohohohoho~! Impressed by my Talent, are you?”

image [https://i.imgur.com/7Z7e5OH.png]

I exhaled slowly, still unsure what to make of her. She was loud, arrogant, and more than a little… random.

But at the very least…

I finally have a connection in the academy… Yay?

Around us, the guests were starting to stare. Mirabelle’s loud laugh and demeanor certainly weren’t helping.

“Lady Mirabelle?” I called out to her mid-laugh.

“Hmm?” She stopped, but her smug grin was still there. “What is it, Lady Carine? Are you perhaps curious about my Talent?”

“Well, truthfully, yes… However, I am happy to hear you have such a wonderful Talent. I wish I could see your magic in action.”

Her eyes lit up. “Then let’s demonstrate it now!”

What do you mean now?! You’re gonna shoot a fireball here?!

“L-Let’s not rush ourselves,” I said, a single sweat drop slid down the side of my cheek. “I’m sure the Royal Family won’t be happy with us shooting fire in the venue…”

“Oh, true.”

She said it like it didn’t cross her mind at all!

I feel like I just prevented another terrorist attack…

A sudden, reverberating ring echoed through the venue.

“Esteemed guests,” a voice echoed from further down in the venue. Most likely a butler. “Our host shall be arriving shortly. We ask that you kindly return to your seats as preparations for the feast are completed.”

Mirabelle let out an exaggerated sigh, almost pouting. “Ah, how unfortunate. I still had so much to share with you, Lady Carine.”

“Do not worry.” I extended a hand towards her. “I believe we’ll see each other soon. ”

Her eyes lit up brightly at the gesture, then she clasped my hand in both of hers with a firm yet soft grip. “Of course, Lady Carine! I do wish you the best with the exam! Though I believe it is a given that you shall pass!”

I gave a nod. Mirabelle released me and gave me a vigorous waving of her hands as she glided off toward her seat.

I returned her gesture with a more subtle wave.

As I returned to my family… My other family and I finally reached the pub.

image [https://i.imgur.com/ftefrrv.png]