CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 93 : PAIRING UP FOR THE BALL (1)

The next day, after a comprehensive full-body scan and a few hours of poking and prodding by overzealous medics—who seemed way too excited about his healing rate—Alex was finally discharged from the medical center.

Freedom never felt so good.

He took the lift to the 10th floor, where his penthouse suite awaited—his personal haven away from chaos. The moment the sleek metal walk-like doors slid open with a soft chime, a warm, mechanical voice greeted him.

{ Welcome back home, Alex. Have you fully recovered? }

A smile tugged at Alex’s lips as the familiar synthetic tone echoed through the room. He dropped onto the couch and stretched his arms with a sigh of relief.

"Nice to meet you again, Zara," he replied with genuine warmth. "I’m really glad to be back. You have no idea how much I missed you—and this house."

{ I’m flattered. Shall I prepare a bath? Or would you like something to eat first? }

Alex blinked and chuckled. "Thanks, Zara. I’ll take both. A nice, hot bath and a good meal. I just want to rest a little... I’ve got classes starting tomorrow, and a mountain of studying waiting to crush my soul."

{ Understood. I will prepare them right away. Please inform me if you need anything else. And... }

There was a subtle pause, almost like she was trying to sound motherly.

{ ...be more careful from now on, so you don’t hurt yourself again. }

Alex was touched and amused at her concern. "Thanks, Zara. You’re really helpful—unlike a certain useless system."

System [....]

Alex could swear the pause from the system carried the emotional weight of a sulking toddler.

---

After a relaxing soak in his high-tech bath, where steam gently cleaned his pores and nanobubbles massaged away lingering fatigue, Alex emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair dripping.

Dinner—or more like an upgraded feast—was waiting on the glass dining table. Seared twilight-beast steak, buttered synth-veg, and warm honey-glazed bread that melted in the mouth. All cooked and plated by Zara’s sleek AI-assistant drone, which hovered nearby and beeped with pride.

Alex devoured the meal with barely restrained enthusiasm. "Damn, I missed real food," he mumbled, mouth full.

He barely made it to his bed before collapsing in a heap, belly full and body warm, drifting off to sleep like a log tossed into a lazy river.

---

Morning.

A sharp chime and the gentle tug of morning light through glass windows stirred Alex awake. He sat up slowly, yawning and rubbing his eyes. Despite the long nap, he felt well-rested. Fully recharged.

His eyes drifted to the mirror on the wall—and his reflection made him pause.

His hair had grown long—thick, wild, and a little rebellious. It fell across his shoulders like a cascade of black silk, slightly messy but oddly... striking.

’...Not bad,’ he muttered, tilting his head.

Instead of cutting it, he decided to keep it. Grabbing a tieband, he expertly bound his hair into a loose high warrior’s tail—slicked back at the sides, with just a few strands rebelliously framing his face. It gave him a roguish but refined look. A battle-ready warrior look.

He grinned. ’Ladies, please. Try to control yourselves.’

---

As he walked through the academy corridors toward Class 1-A, he noticed a flurry of activity. Second-year students lined the halls, decorating with floating holo-banners, shimmering streamers, and illusionary sparkles that danced in mid-air.

’Is there some kind of event coming up?’ Alex wondered, sidestepping a student trying to tape a holographic poster to the ceiling while floating on a hoverchair.

He almost stopped to ask but thought better of it.

’Can’t be late. I’m not ready to face Ms. Vega’s death glare before 8 A.M.,’ he muttered, picking up his pace.

---

Alex reached Class 1-A just in time. The sliding door hissed open smoothly, and the moment he stepped in, every bit of chatter in the classroom came to a screeching halt.

He froze.

Dozens of eyes turned toward him, the room falling into dead silence. Students stared wide-eyed, as if they’d just seen a celebrity walk in.

And strangely enough... the girls were practically drooling.

No exaggeration—one even dropped her stylus.

’...Did I forget to zip my pants or something? Well, can’t blame them for getting mesmerized by my godly beauty,’ Alex muttered under his breath, resisting the urge to look down.

The silence was cut short as a blur suddenly shot toward him.

"YOU—!"

A hand grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward. Alex stumbled, eyes wide.

"What the—!?"

Alex didn’t even need to turn his head. The grip on his collar and the sheer fury radiating off the person behind him gave it away instantly.

"Alden..." he muttered, already sighing internally.

The next second, Alden’s voice boomed across the classroom, loud enough to silence any leftover whispers.

"You bastard! What the hell was that pic you sent me yesterday?! Tell me it’s not real—or I swear, we’re going at it right now!"

He nearly lifted Alex off the ground, shaking him like a ragdoll. The other students watched in stunned fascination.

Alex, despite his windpipe being halfway to crushed, smirked. His voice came out ragged, but his words were crystal clear.

"I’ll tell you the truth... if you just call me brother-in-law."

The class went deathly quiet. Alden’s body froze for a split second. Then a vein bulged visibly on his forehead, and he clenched his fist.

"You’re dead."

"Okay okay—wait! Let me go first—I was joking!" Alex yelped, throwing up his hands as Alden cocked his fist back.

But just as Alden’s punch came dangerously close to Alex’s face, an icy voice sliced through the tension in the room like a blade through silk.

"Mr.Crestvale... if you would be so kind as to go back to your seat and kill your friend in your free time."

The air temperature dropped several degrees. Alden froze, his fist inches from Alex’s cheek. A collective round of laughter broke out among the students.

Alex turned his head to the side and felt cold sweat form on the back of his neck. Ms. Vega was standing there by the door, arms folded, expression unreadable.

Neither he nor Alden had even realized when she entered.

"Thank you, divine timing," Alex muttered under his breath as Alden released him and slumped back to his seat like a scolded puppy.

Alex adjusted his collar, cleared his throat dramatically, and made his way to his usual seat: the window seat at the back. He flopped down, glanced at Ms. Vega, and saw her tapping her EtherPad.

Ms. Vega stood on the podium, her gaze sweeping over the class.

"I assume all of you are prepared for the ball being held three days from now?" she asked coolly.

Alex blinked. ’Ball? What ball?’ A slight frown creased his face. None of his so-called friends had mentioned anything about it during their visit.

Ms. Vega caught his reaction and gave a mildly amused smile. "It’s an annual tradition. This ball is held before you go on your first field assignments. Think of it as a moment to relax and enjoy... before reality sets in."

That did the trick. The air of tension melted away. The boys in class looked relieved. The girls? Downright giddy.

Alex turned toward Alden, who was already looking at him with a smug grin that screamed,’ You didn’t know, did you?’

Alex’s mouth twitched. ’So it was him. He told everyone not to tell me.’

Then it hit Alex—this was that flashy event from the game where Ethan, being the golden boy as always, showed up to the ball with not just one, but multiple girls on his arm.

An hour passed in a blink.

Soon after, the lesson wrapped up after an hour. Ms. Vega made her usual no-nonsense exit, and the classroom erupted into lively chatter before their next class.

Alex stood and made his way toward the cluster of seats where his usual group had formed. Alden, Ethan, Ava, Seraphina, Charlotte, and Draven were all there, chatting comfortably. But there was a new face among them.

Rein Graystone.

Alex immediately recognized him from the game. Future Mercenary King. A walking powerhouse and someone worth befriending. His villainous instincts lit up like a neon sign. ’Opportunity detected.’

As he reached the group, Alden once again reached for his collar—but this time Seraphina intercepted him with a sharp look.

"Would you stop with your childish antics? He just got discharged. And that picture? Clearly edited. Your sister doesn’t even tolerate someone breathing too close to her at noble banquets—let alone kissing her hand."

"Right, Alex?" she added, her grey eyes hopeful.

Alex awkwardly looked away, refusing to meet her gaze. His voice came out soft and stuttered. "Y-Yeah. She’s absolutely right."

Alden squinted at him suspiciously. "Then why are you stuttering and avoiding her eyes?"

Alex kept a straight face. Alden exhaled in defeat. "Fine. I believe you... for now."

Alex turned toward Rein, who had been observing the interaction with a wide grin.

Before Alex could speak, Ethan jumped in. "This is Rein Graystone. I met him during the entrance exam—this guy’s strong, and we became sparring partners recently."

Alden nodded. "I tested him myself. This guy’s got some solid skills."

Rein stepped forward confidently. "Nice to meet you. Name’s Rein Graystone."

Alex’s lips curled into a villainous smirk. Ava, watching him closely, leaned toward Seraphina and whispered, "He’s definitely scheming something."

Seraphina didn’t even hesitate. "Obviously."

Alex stepped up to Rein. "No need to introduce myself, right?"

Rein chuckled. "Of course not. Who in the first year doesn’t know the guy who held his own against a mid-Master rank?"

Alex smiled smugly, turning to the group. "I really don’t like flattery... but everything this man just said was absolute truth. As amazing as I am, he clearly recognizes greatness. I officially approve of him as a side character."

Everyone stared at him like he’d grown a second head.

Rein burst into laughter. "I’m flattered. I’ve always lived by the mercenary way. We respect strength. And I approve of you, too."

Seraphina clapped her hands once. "Alright, enough chest-pounding. So, who are you all going to the ball with?"

Alex raised a hand dramatically. "As amazing as I am, I require a partner who matches my beauty. Unfortunately... no such person exists in this academy."

Seraphina’s mouth twitched. "Suit yourself. Almost everyone’s already found partners," she said, gesturing subtly toward the rest of the group.

Alex’s smug aura deflated instantly. His gaze darted between his friends.

"What?!"

He pointed at Alden and Draven. "I get Ethan, sure—but these two?! Where did they even find girls?!"

He turned to Alden for an explanation—but then Alden’s eyes slid to Ava... who was now quietly blushing and looking away, trying to hide her face.

Alex’s jaw dropped.

No words came.

He was officially speechless.

---------

A/N:-

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