CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 109 : START OF THE FRESHMAN BALL

As the tension in Alex’s luxurious apartment thickened like a soup of chaos and ego, his brain scrambled to process Alicia’s last words.

"You’re going to the ball with not just one—but two godly beauties," she had said, voice like silk and smugness.

He blinked.

"What."

He folded his arms, unimpressed. "I don’t care about either of your measly beauties. Just tell me—what about the money I was promised?"

Alicia’s mouth twitched. Others would kill for the chance to attend the Freshmen Ball with her, and this bastard only cared about credits. Strangely... she admired that. It meant no one could steal him from her—not even Evelyn. Not easily, anyway.

Without saying another word, she tapped on her EtherPad.

A soft beep echoed—and suddenly, a glowing blue hologram materialized in front of Alex.

It was Evelyn Williams.

Smirking like she was holding all the cards in the world, she said, "Mr. Alex, we’ve decided to revise the deal. The money I originally promised you—well, the conditions have changed. Instead of 35 million, you were going to be receiving 20 million."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean were?"

Evelyn’s smirk sharpened. "Now we’ve decided to give you only 10."

His jaw dropped. "Ten?!"

He nearly screamed, but clenched his fists and took a deep breath. Then, with a crooked smile, he asked, "Could you kindly explain, Miss Evelyn... why 10, after dropping from 35 to 20, and now this?"

Evelyn leaned back in her seat with the elegance of someone enjoying a full-course scam. "Because you called our beauty measly."

At that, Alicia burst into laughter. "That was a good one, Evelyn. Looks like this scammer finally got scammed."

Alex’s eye twitched. His mind started racing, grasping for a comeback, a loophole, a clever retort—anything.

Nothing came.

He let out a long sigh.

’Looks like there’s no escape... nothing’s coming to mind. Even 10 million isn’t a bad deal. At least I’m getting something.’

Seeing his defeated expression, both Alicia and Evelyn broke into laughter again, this time completely unrestrained—like schoolgirls watching someone trip in the hallway.

"Looks like it’s settled then," Alicia said, brushing her hair back. "Be ready. You’re picking us up at 7. And don’t be late."

Just like that, the door hissed open—and Alicia vanished like a fashionable storm, heels clicking with triumph.

Alone in his apartment, Alex stood like a statue—one that had just been publicly outplayed and emotionally robbed.

Only one thought echoed in his mind:

’Did I just get scammed? Me, of all people?’

He burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

A calm voice echoed in his mind:

[Host, are you mentally stable? Should I conduct a scan?]

Still chuckling, he waved a hand. "Useless. Did you not see what happened? Those two actually scammed me. Me! This is the first time since coming to this world."

He collapsed onto the couch and sighed. "Well... the deal’s not that bad. So I guess it doesn’t matter much."

After a pause, he looked up at the ceiling. "My dear Zara, do you have anything to add? You saw everything that just happened."

Zara, his AI assistant, answered with calm precision:

{Should I really share my thoughts, Alex?}

"Of course, Zara. You’re the only one I trust the most in this entire world."

A short silence.

{Scumbag.}

Alex groaned. "Oh, come on! They were the ones who decided everything. I didn’t even get a choice!"

{True.}

His smirk returned, this time with a touch of mischief. "If I had to choose someone to take to the ball... I’d have chosen you in a heartbeat."

{Really?}

"Really. But of course," he added with a teasing grin, "I’d have to charge you too—but I would have given you a 95% discount."

This time, Zara paused.

Then:

{Gigolo.}

Alex froze.

’Where the hell did she even learn that word?!’

"Hey!" he shouted, scandalized. "That was inappropriate!"

Zara’s only reply was a soft beep.

Alex slumped deeper into the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling.

’...I got scammed.’

And for some reason, that made him smile wider than ever.

---

The day of the Freshman Ball finally arrived.

Zenith Academy was buzzing with excitement. The campus shimmered under the soft glow of magical orbs that floated mid-air, casting colorful lights across the walkways.

The auditorium had been completely transformed. Elegant crystal chandeliers hovered from the ceiling, refracting light like glittering stars.

Velvet drapes in deep navy and gold framed the walls, while the central stage had a sleek, modern design, blending technology with old-world elegance. Soft music played from enchanted speakers, setting a classy and relaxing atmosphere.

Students strolled across the grounds hand-in-hand, dressed in stylish formalwear. The air was filled with chatter, laughter, and the occasional camera flash as students posed for photos in front of holographic displays showing the Zenith Academy crest surrounded by swirling constellations.

Meanwhile—

Outside the female dormitories, Alden von Crestvale stood stiffly, nervously adjusting his tie for the third time. He glanced at his reflection in the glass window beside the door, combing his fingers through his brown hair.

His outfit was perfectly tailored—a dark royal-blue suit with silver embroidery running along the cuffs and lapels, paired with a high-collared white shirt and a slim silver tie. He looked sharp, composed... and absolutely on edge.

"You know," a voice suddenly came in his ear like a whisper, "you’re not going to war."

Alden jumped slightly, turning around to see Ethan Williams standing there with a smirk. Ethan’s appearance was effortlessly charming.

He wore a black suit with gold accents, his crimson-red shirt adding a bold contrast. His jacket was open at the front, showing off a lightly glowing crest pinned near his heart.

His hair was neatly styled, and he looked like he had just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine.

"You good-looking bastard," Alden muttered, "don’t sneak up on me whispering like that."

Ethan laughed. "Sorry, couldn’t resist."

Alden groaned. "It’s weird. I’ve been to plenty of these formal events, but for some reason, I’m nervous tonight."

Ethan tilted his head. "Maybe it’s because this time, it’s not just another noble’s daughter you’re walking in with."

"Don’t start," Alden said quickly, adjusting his cufflinks. "What about you? Where are your partners? Or should I say, your harem, you scumbag?"

"Hey!" Ethan protested. "Don’t call it that! And besides, you know how girls are. They’ve been ’almost ready’ for an hour now. I called them like ten times. All I got back was ’we’re almost ready.’"

Alden snorted. "Classic."

Ethan looked around. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Waiting for the pipsqueak."

Ethan sighed. "Did you not check your messages? Sera just texted in the group chat. She, Ava, and Charlotte are getting ready at her place."

Alden’s eyes widened. "Wait—what?"

He immediately pulled out his EtherPad and checked the chat. Sure enough, the message was there, sent half an hour ago. He facepalmed.

"Come on," Ethan said, grinning. "Let’s head back to Phoenix Spire and wait for them there."

Alden nodded and started walking beside him. "Where’s Alex, anyway?"

Ethan shrugged. "We tried calling him. You know what he said to all of us?"

"What?"

"’I’ve got a bigger fish to fry.’ Then he hung up."

Alden burst out laughing. "Looks like big sis scared him so badly, he doesn’t even want to show his face."

Ethan gave him a side-eye. "Why are you laughing like a villain?"

"It’s nothing," Alden said, still chuckling. "Let’s go. I’m not missing tonight, even if that scammer hides all night."

They walked off under the dimly lit sky, leaving behind the dorms and heading toward a night that promised drama, laughter, trouble, and a whole lot of surprises.

-------

A/N:

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