CHAPTER 450: CHEERS AND CONGRATULATIONS

Evaline:

The white fabric of my dress caught the late morning light streaming in from the dorm window, glowing faintly against my skin. I turned in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing my palms over the fitted waistline one last time.

The dress was elegant - simple but graceful - with its soft flow that brushed against my legs when I moved.

Behind me, Mallory was fussing with the last curl of my hair. "There," she said finally, stepping back and tilting her head. "Perfect. You look like a snow goddess."

I smiled faintly. "You have been saying that since you started curling my hair."

"Because it’s true," she insisted, folding her arms and eyeing me with an exaggeratedly approving look. "Honestly, Eva, if you don’t end up stealing the whole ceremony, I’ll be shocked."

I turned back toward the mirror. The reflection that looked back at me made even me pause. The white of my dress complemented the silver of my hair so seamlessly that I almost looked ethereal... like I didn’t quite belong to this world. The simplicity of the look made it even more striking.

My makeup was light, just enough to accentuate my features. A little gloss, a faint shimmer on my eyelids, and a dusting of blush that Mallory insisted on because, in her words, "You need to look alive, not like some divine ghost."

My jewelry was minimal too - just a pair of small pearl earrings and the charm bracelet I always wore.

I wasn’t one to preen in front of mirrors for long, but I couldn’t deny it. I did look nice. And, perhaps, a small part of me was happy knowing that Draven had helped pick this dress out.

He had been oddly quiet that day while I’d tried on different outfits, but his gaze had lingered the longest when I stepped out wearing this one. He had only said one thing - That’s the one.

Now, as I stood here an hour before the ceremony, I could understand what he meant.

"Ready?" Mallory asked, grinning at my reflection.

"As I’ll ever be."

She clasped her hands together. "Good, because if I have to sit through another hour of speeches on an empty stomach, I’m dragging you out halfway through."

I laughed. "You can’t do that. The whole Academy will be there."

"Doesn’t mean they can stop me," she said under her breath, earning a snort from me.

When we stepped out of the dorm, the corridors were already buzzing with students dressed in their finest. Some were nervously adjusting ties, others were huddled in small groups, whispering predictions about who would win which awards. The anticipation was infectious.

The auditorium had been transformed for the day - soft golden lights lined the walls, the Academy’s crest shimmered on the massive banner behind the stage, and a low hum of chatter filled the air. Long rows of chairs had been arranged neatly, and the scent of polished wood and freshly cut flowers hung faintly.

The ceremony began promptly at ten. The moment Kieran walked in with the rest of the professors, the entire hall quieted, the sound of applause echoing like thunder.

He looked effortlessly composed in his dark formal attire, his posture straight and commanding. But when his eyes briefly met mine from across the crowd, I caught the faintest flicker of warmth there.

The ceremony began with the older years first.

For each year, the top three students were called to the stage. As they went up, speeches were made about their dedication, growth, and achievements. Proud cheers erupted from their friends, teachers smiled from the front rows, and camera flashes went off in intervals.

The fourth-year toppers were introduced first - students who had spent their years preparing for leadership, for the packs they would soon return to or the institutions they would join. Applause followed each name, a blend of pride and bittersweet farewell.

And I wasn’t the slightest bit surprised to hear Celeste’s name among them.

Then came the third years, then the second. I clapped with a big smile when Draven got up on the stage to accept his award for coming at top in his year.

And finally, the Head of the Student Council took the stage to announce the first-year top scorers.

"The following students have not only demonstrated exceptional academic performance," he began, his voice carrying over the hall, "but have also shown remarkable perseverance, discipline, and adaptability through their first year here at Silver Moon Academy."

I took a slow breath. I wasn’t nervous... exactly. But my hands still fidgeted slightly in my lap.

"In first place," he continued, "Miss Evaline."

The applause that followed was loud... louder than I expected. My friends were on their feet instantly, cheering and whistling as I rose. My heart pounded with a strange mix of pride and disbelief.

As I walked toward the stage, the crowd blurred a little. I caught sight of Oscar in the front row with the other faculty and guests, his expression unreadable but his gaze fixed solely on me.

The two visiting Alphas - Alpha Raine and Alpha Morgan - stood on the stage, both offering me warm smiles. I had met them before during my internship at the Council headquarters.

"Well done, Miss Evaline," Alpha Raine said as he handed me the certificate and a small crystal plaque engraved with my name.

"Thank you," I managed, smiling.

"Balancing the Council work and your studies couldn’t have been easy," Alpha Morgan added. "You have done exceptionally well, young lady."

"Thank you, Alpha," I said again, bowing my head slightly.

When I turned to face the audience for the photograph, I could feel the warmth of their pride... and something heavier, too. A weight of expectations.

But for the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel suffocating.

Kyros and Nadine joined me on stage soon after. Kyros looked confident as ever, flashing me a grin, while Nadine’s smile was smaller, more subdued.

The applause echoed once more as Kieran took the podium, and then the hall fell into silence again.

"Every year," he began, his deep voice carrying across the space, "Silver Moon Academy takes pride in nurturing the brightest minds and the strongest hearts of our kind. But brilliance and strength mean little without discipline, humility, and compassion."

His gaze swept across the crowd, sharp yet calm. "This year has tested us more than any before. We have faced a lot. Yet here we stand - resilient, united, and stronger."

There was a brief pause. His eyes found me again. "To our students, especially those who have overcome challenges beyond measure... you have my respect."

Something in my chest tightened.

Applause followed again, louder than before.

He concluded the speech by thanking the faculty, congratulating the students, and inviting everyone to the dining hall for the luncheon. The rest of the noon passed in a pleasant blur of laughter, chatter, and congratulations.

Everywhere I turned, people were smiling, teachers stopping me to say kind words.

It was all... surreal.

And now, it was time for the Year End Ball.

* * *

Author’s Note:

I hope you all don’t find these Chapters dragging. Though I do want to speed up the plot, I just can’t erase these important moments of Eva’s life as a student at Silver Moon. But worry not, I have something really crazy prepared for you all :)