CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 100 : EVELYN WILLIAMS (2)

A Few Minutes Earlier...

Evelyn Williams sat behind the massive table, fingers gliding across the holographic interface as she reviewed her mission report.

Lines of encrypted data scrolled up the display—a covert task involving mana residue tracing in the northern ruins. Tedious but necessary.

She was immersed in thought, her golden eyes calmly scanning the patterns, when the door hissed open with a soft chime. Someone stepped in.

She didn’t look up immediately—most people knocked or requested entry. This one didn’t.

Then she felt it. A shift in the air. Someone was staring.

She finally looked.

A boy stood there. He was slightly younger than her, framed by the doorway’s light, his blue eyes fixed directly on her with such intensity that it made her brows twitch slightly. He wasn’t speaking. Just... staring.

’Why the hell is he staring at me like that?’

For a moment, she considered if something was on her face—or perhaps her uniform was undone?

Then—ding—a golden translucent message window appeared at the corner of her vision:

[Maybe he just got mesmerized by your beauty.]

Evelyn narrowed her eyes and promptly dismissed it with a blink. She looked back at Alex, who seemed to snap out of his daze the moment their eyes met.

She raised a brow, calm and cool. "What are you doing here?"

Alex stammered, mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath, then straightened up like a startled cadet. "My name is Alex Dragonheart," he declared.

Evelyn blinked once, unimpressed. ’Does he think I don’t know that?’

She’d seen his orientation speech earlier—impossible to forget it, honestly. Arrogant, dramatic, with enough self-praise to make even a royal flinch. The whole auditorium had either raged or laughed under their breath.

"I know who you are," she said flatly. "I asked—what are you doing here?"

Alex flashed a smirk. "Guess I’m famous already, huh?"

Her golden eyes narrowed. The room dropped a few degrees.

He immediately backpedaled. "I, uh, I was just... running from some cadets who’re chasing me."

Evelyn folded her arms. "Did you do something wrong?"

"No, Miss Evelyn," he said smoothly. "I did something with too much perfection."

Her lips parted slightly in disbelief. ’This guy... is he serious?’

But then her attention sharpened. He knew her name.

Not "you," not "ma’am," but Evelyn.

Not many used her name directly. And those who did—usually paid for it.

Still, there was something different about his tone. Not mocking. Confident, but respectful. It intrigued her more than she’d admit.

She began to ask more questions—small tests, probing for inconsistencies.

But he kept answering with frightening precision. He knew about the Seven Shades.

That made her pause.

’How? That’s not publicly documented. Not even most nobles know the full extent...’

The Seven Shades weren’t just elite cadets. Each one was the personal disciple of one of the Seven—the most powerful figures in Zenith Academy. And their role wasn’t symbolic.

The Seven Shades acted with their masters’ full authority.

Her eyes subtly scanned him again, expression unreadable.

Then, as if reading her thoughts, Alex said with a grin, "Don’t look at me like that. Your brother told me everything. So blame him."

Ethan... She sighed internally. Of course. Her brother had always been too trusting, especially when he liked someone. And from the way he raved about Alex in his calls, she should’ve known he’d spill state secrets if prompted with a sandwich and a compliment.

Then—ding.

Another golden message window appeared.

[Well, when you look closely, he is good-looking and handsome.]

Evelyn’s gaze flicked back to Alex.

She took a proper look this time.

His silver hair was tied into a loose ponytail, catching the light in soft waves. His blue eyes had a strange intensity to them—not like someone trying to impress, but someone quietly watching everything.

His pale skin was flawless. Not pampered like a noble’s, but naturally smooth. And the way his uniform suited him—tailored perfectly to his lean but athletic build, with the silver trim subtly matching his hair.

’Weirdly handsome... for a commoner.’

She blinked.

Then muttered under her breath, "Well... you’re right about that."

Another window popped up immediately, almost smug:

[It’s the first time you complimented the looks of someone of the opposite gender—except for your brother Ethan, of course.]

Evelyn twitched. Her lips parted slightly in irritation.

"Shut up, Aurora. Keep your thoughts to yourself," she muttered internally. "And my brother is more good-looking than him."

But as her eyes unconsciously drifted back to Alex... she mumbled under her breath.

"Probably."

Inside her mind, Aurora broke into loud laughter.

[Pfft—’Probably’?! Oh wow, that’s rich.]

Evelyn froze, cheeks twitching in embarrassment.

Alex, sitting just a few feet away, tilted his head, looking at her like she was a lunatic talking to herself.

’Crap.’ Evelyn quickly averted her eyes.

’Looks like he saw me talking to Aurora again. Great. He must think I’m insane,’ she thought with a sigh.

Still, she continued her questioning like nothing had happened. Alex, to his credit, answered everything smoothly—and praised himself at every available opportunity.

Watching him shamelessly flex at every turn, Evelyn couldn’t help it—one word echoed in her mind.

’Shameless.’

A system notification appeared in sync:

[Shameless]

Then suddenly, a new message came through—this one from Aurora. And it chilled her more than anything Alex had just said.

[Evelyn, I’ve checked with the Akashic Records. According to them, he should already be dead—erased from this world.

But just like you... this guy is also an anomaly.

And I already told you when he became the apex of the first years—he’s not normal.

You’ve sensed it at that time too, haven’t you?]

Evelyn’s pupils shrank, but she kept her expression composed.

’So what do we do about him?’ she asked in her mind.

Aurora replied,

[We do nothing. He’s close to your brother and could become a valuable ally for him in the future.]

A pause.

[But... if he ever strays to the wrong path—we must keep a close eye on him and eliminate him the moment he becomes a threat.

Also, according to what he just told us... if it’s all true, he’s a monstrous genius. Potentially... comparable to you and Ethan.]

Evelyn nodded slightly, replying internally,

’You’re right. And... Ethan would be sad if something happened to his friend. That kid’s too soft-hearted.’

Then Aurora added cheerfully:

[I have a brilliant idea! There’s that ball in three days, right?]

Evelyn raised a mental eyebrow.

’So what?’

[You should go with him.

It’s the perfect chance to befriend him and keep him close. Also, a way to see if his nature is truly good or rotten.]

Evelyn nearly choked and blurted out loud, mumbling,

"No! I would never go with this lunatic!"

[We can also gather some information from him.]

"We can get information some other way."

Aurora’s voice returned, calm and coaxing.

[You should think about it carefully. It’s all for the sake of your brother. The decision is up to you.]

Evelyn groaned in her thoughts.

’Come on, Aurora... Do I really have to do this? You know I hate balls.

Too much attention.

And I especially hate overconfident idiots who keep praising themselves like they’re the sun incarnate.

Aside from his looks, I don’t see a single good thing in this guy.’

Aurora replied dryly:

[You should at least try. Maybe you’ll find something praiseworthy.]

’I doubt that,’ Evelyn muttered in her mind while staring at Alex.

There was a pause.

[...Yeah okay, I can’t argue with you on that one.]

Evelyn, now firm in her decision, noticed Alex inching toward the exit—quietly tiptoeing away like a man trying to escape a crime scene.

With a casual flick of her finger, time in the room halted. Everything froze—except her.

[Are you seriously using one of your most overpowered abilities just to scare the poor guy?] Aurora asked in disbelief.

Evelyn answered calmly,

"He needs to be scared of me. That way, I can order him around without any resistance."

Approaching the frozen Alex, she leaned down and whispered with authority, "Listen to what I’m saying. Don’t try to run away. Do you understand? Or you will regret it."

Then she flicked her finger again. Time resumed.

Alex blinked. One second he was near the door—and the next, she was right in front of him. But he heard her loud and clear.

He looked her in the eyes. But instead of fear, Evelyn saw something else entirely. Coldness. Calm. Almost like...

Like he’d seen worse.

Then he spoke. "Okay, listen, gorgeous. I know you’re powerful. I just saw it. But let me tell you something—whether you like it or not, I don’t enjoy being ordered around."

A message popped up in Evelyn’s head.

[Okay, this guy has guts, I’ll give him that. And that was kind of cool, don’t you agree?]

She hesitated.

’...Maybe.’

[And it looks like trying to show off just pissed him off instead of scaring him.]

’Don’t worry. If my brother was right, I know exactly how to deal with him.’

She turned to Alex and said expressionlessly:

"I’ll pay you 1 million credits for every minute you spend cooperating here."

Alex’s eyes widened. His entire demeanor did a complete 180.

"I... I love being ordered around. Especially by someone as gorgeous and intelligent as you!"

He sat down immediately and gave a charming grin.

"So, Miss Evelyn—how can I be of service to you?"

Evelyn, eyes twitching, muttered, "Looks like my brother was spot on about your money-loving nature."

Alex perked up. "Did you say something, senior?"

"Nothing," she said, clearing her throat.

They both took their seats again.

Evelyn sighed. "I really don’t want to do this..."

[No one’s forcing you~] Aurora replied, laughter in her voice.

’Shut up. You have no right to say that now.’

She stared at Alex and finally said aloud, "You’re going to the ball with me."

Alex, busy imagining a yacht made of credits, nodded without thinking.

"Of course, I would—"

Then froze.

"...Wait. What did you just say, senior?!"

---

A/N:

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