CHAPTER 112: PRE-GAME

The suit looked expensive.

That was Aegis’s first thought as Scarlett stepped out of the changing room, adjusting the collar with fingers that seemed unsure whether they belonged on her body. The fabric was deep charcoal with subtle silver threading. Someone had actually convinced her to slick her red hair back, though a few rebellious strands had already escaped to frame her face.

"Well?" Scarlett spread her arms. "Do I look like an idiot?"

"You look hot," Aegis said.

Lune, perched on the edge of Aegis’s bed with her sketchbook, brought her hands together in three slow, precise claps. Her face remained perfectly neutral.

"That was sarcasm, wasn’t it?" Scarlett asked.

"No. I genuinely think you look nice." Lune tilted her head. "The suit complements your build. You should wear formal attire more often."

"See? Hot." Aegis grinned. "Korvo has good taste."

Yes, seeing that she hadn’t rented any suits, Scarlett got the idea of asking Korvo of all people for something to borrow. And, to everyone’s surprise, he delivered.

"He said it was his ’courting suit’ from back in the day." Scarlett tugged at the sleeves. "Which is weird because I can’t imagine that scarred bastard courting anyone."

"Everyone was young once."

"Not Korvo. I swear, that man was born fully grown and covered in scars, screaming at people about their footwork."

Aegis laughed. Scarlett did a little spin, the jacket flaring slightly. She looked a little uncomfortable, like she was cosplaying as herself instead of being herself, but it still looked good. Besides, those pants left very little to the imagination, what with her cock bulging and all.

[That’s a delicious sight.]

"So." Aegis leaned back against her desk, letting her gaze drag on its way up. "You planning to share some alone time with anyone at the Masquerade?"

She wiggled her eyebrows.

Scarlett’s face went red.

"I don’t—that’s not—why would you even—"

"It’s literally part of the event. Designated fraternization alcoves, private rooms, and everything."

"I’m aware of the alcoves!"

"So you’ve thought about it."

"I think about lots of things!" Scarlett was practically steaming. "Doesn’t mean I’m gonna—I mean, it’s not like there’s anyone I’d—shut up!"

Lune’s pencil scratched across paper. She was definitely drawing this.

"Come on." Aegis pushed off the desk. "Let’s head to the dining hall. Show off your fancy suit to the masses."

They left the dorm together, Aegis in her academy uniform since she’d already checked her own outfit out before, Scarlett still fidgeting with her collar, and Lune trailing behind with her sketchbook tucked under one arm.

The hallway was surprisingly empty for late afternoon. Most students were probably already getting ready or camped out at the dining hall gossiping about who would hook up with whom tonight.

They turned a corner.

Kanna Greaves walked in the opposite direction.

She wore her usual training clothes—practical pants, a sleeveless shirt that showed off arms that could probably bench press a horse. Her short grey hair was still damp from what must have been a recent workout. She didn’t look like someone preparing for a fancy ball.

She looked like someone who could snap you in half and not break a sweat doing it.

Scarlett looked away.

They passed each other in the hallway. Kanna’s yellow eyes flicked to Scarlett for half a second, then away. No smile. No acknowledgment. Just that brief, burning moment of eye contact.

Scarlett looked back at her, eyes following behind Kanna, no doubt checking out her ass... Until she walked directly into a pillar.

"Ow! Fuck!"

"Are you okay?" Aegis tried very hard not to laugh.

"I’m fine! The pillar came out of nowhere!" Scarlett rubbed her forehead, glaring at the offending architecture. "Stupid pillar."

Lune had stopped walking to sketch something. Aegis glanced over her shoulder and saw a rough drawing of Scarlett’s collision, complete with little stars circling her head.

"I hate both of you," Scarlett muttered.

"We didn’t even say anything!" Aegis chuckled.

"You didn’t have to!"

---

The dining hall was buzzing with pre-Masquerade energy. Students compared masks, discussed outfit choices, and speculated about who would hook up with whom. The betting pool was already substantial.

Aegis grabbed her usual spot, watching Talia and Liora sit at separate tables but somehow manage to have an entire conversation through glances alone.

Talia would look up from her book. Liora would tuck her hair behind her ear. Talia would tap her fingers. Liora would bite her lip.

It was exhausting to watch.

Serilla dropped into the seat next to her without invitation.

"Those two are being nauseating."

"They’re sitting twenty feet apart."

"And yet somehow still eye-fucking." She stole a piece of bread from Aegis’s plate. "It’s embarrassing. If you want someone, just take them."

"Not everyone cares for your philosophy."

"Not everyone is a winner." She took another bite of bread. "This waiting and pining and meaningful glances nonsense is for people who enjoy suffering."

[And yet, you’re sitting here, with me, instead of sitting with Liora.]

"Some people like the anticipation."

"Some people are masochists."

"Same difference."

Serilla laughed, bright and genuine.

"See? You get it. That’s why I like you."

As quickly as she’d sat down, she stood, snagging one more piece of bread.

"See you tonight. Try not to let Talia drain you completely before the dancing starts."

"Try not to get slapped by Liora."

"Where’s the fun in that?"

---

Night fell like a theater curtain, dramatic and all at once.

Aegis stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the dress Lady Roseheart had commissioned. Deep purple silk that hugged everything perfectly, with strategic cutouts that showed just enough skin to be scandalous but not enough to be expelled. The mask was silver filigree with sapphire accents that brought out her eyes.

[I look like a protagonist.]

"Big sis, you look hot as fuck!"

Sophie burst in without knocking, already in her own dress—mint green with enough ruffles to stock a craft store.

"Thanks?"

"I’m gonna dance with so many people! And then make out with them! And then—"

"Or," Vera said from the doorway, looking deeply unenthusiastic about her formal wear, "we could just fuck all night instead."

Sophie froze mid-spin.

"But... the Masquerade..."

"Boring noble party." Vera adjusted her collar with visible disgust. "Or, hear me out, I’ve got that good honeyweed and nowhere to be tomorrow."

Sophie blinked. Then looked at her dress. Then at Vera. Then threw the dress straight up in the air.

"SOLD!"

She tackled Vera with enough force to send them both into the hallway wall.

"Get a room!" Aegis called after them.

"We’re going to! Several! Maybe the astronomy tower!"

"That’s where I—never mind, have fun!"

The sounds of aggressive making out faded down the hall.

Lune emerged from behind her changing screen, and Aegis had to do a double-take. The usual paint-stained uniform was gone, replaced by a black dress with constellation patterns. Her mask was minimal, just enough to technically count, decorated with tiny stars.

"You clean up nice."

"Thank you."

They walked to the ballroom together, the sounds of music and laughter growing louder with each step. Other students passed them in various states of formal wear, from elaborate gowns to suits that cost more than most people’s houses.

"I’ve been thinking," Aegis said as they reached the entrance. "Why does Serilla like me more when I’m mean to her?"

Lune tilted her head slightly.

"Didn’t I already tell you? You’re similar."

"We’re nothing alike. She’s trying to steal Liora, I’m trying to keep my relationships intact."

"You both do whatever you want without apology."

"That’s not—"

"You fucked a professor for magical training. You seduced a princess who hates commoners. You turned the academy’s social hierarchy into your personal playground."

"When you put it like that..."

"I think Serilla sees a kindred spirit in you. Genuinely, someone else who takes what they want and doesn’t apologize for it."

"But I do apologize. Sometimes. When necessary."

"When strategically advantageous."

"That’s... okay, fair point."

"You’re both forces of chaos who don’t really care to pretend to be normal people."

"That’s insulting."

"It’s accurate."

Aegis wanted to argue, but the ballroom doors were opening, and the sight beyond stole any response she might have had.

The decorating committee had outdone themselves. The entire ceiling had been transformed into a night sky, complete with slowly falling stars that dissolved into sparkles just above the dancers’ heads. Ice sculptures of constellations lined the walls, glowing with soft inner light. The floor itself seemed to be made of polished starlight.

[Holy shit. They actually made it look like the game’s cutscene.]

"Ready?" Lune asked.

"For what?"

"Whatever you’re planning. You have that look."

"What look?"

"The one that means someone’s life is about to get complicated."

Aegis grinned behind her mask.

"Several someones, actually."

She pushed open the door properly, letting the music wash over them. The orchestra was playing something slow and romantic, the kind of song that made people make bad decisions.

[Whatever happens tonight, it’s going to be memorable.]

The Masquerade had begun and it was time to ruin some lives... in a fun way.