CHAPTER 59: THE FIRST BANQUET-1.

The grand doors of the banquet hall swung open with a deep, resonating thud.

The room quieted, all heads turning toward the entrance. Two figures stepped through, and at once the murmurs began—soft, hushed voices threading through the air like wind through leaves.

"Is that...?"

"It’s them—"

"Lady Nyverra... and Caelyn."

They walked side by side, their steps measured, calm, regal. The chandeliers above flickered, light catching the silver threads embroidered into their gowns, making them shimmer like woven starlight.

Nyverra, one of the most renowned figures within the current noble heir ranks, carried herself with the cold grace of a queen untouched by time.

Her dress was a deep violet shade bordering on black, flowing like shadows in motion. A veil of silver mist-like silk trailed behind her, enchanted perhaps, never quite touching the floor.

Her hair, black as midnight were bound with amethyst pins, framed her pale face like frost-dusted feathers.

And beside her—Caelyn.

Caelyn was different, softer somehow, yet no less magnetic. Her dress was a pale rose-pink, subtle and dreamlike, as if spun from dawn light.

The fabric fluttered gently with each step, woven with runes so fine and faint they could only be seen when the light struck at just the right angle.

Her hair, a gentle cascade of pink waves, framed her face like a painter’s careful brushstrokes—untamed, yet perfect.

Her expression was languid as always, eyes half-lidded with that dreamy calm she carried even in the most formal of settings.

But those who had seen her fight, or felt her mana even once, knew better.

Together, the two women walked with quiet command, a presence that didn’t shout—but silenced the room nonetheless.

Even Alicia and the others turned, their gazes sharpening, curious. Not with rivalry—but recognition.

Kevin blinked. "...Okay, now they’ve stolen the spotlight."

"No kidding," Raymond muttered.

"Nyverra."

The voice came gently but clearly from across the hall. It was Chloe who spoke, her eyes bright with surprise and familiarity.

Nyverra paused mid-step, her gaze drifting to the side where Chloe and the others stood.

Alicia, Elizabeth, Sydelle, Arianne—each in their formal attire, their presence already commanding a significant portion of the room’s attention.

Nyverra’s expression softened as her violet eyes met Chloe’s. A faint smile tugged at her lips, and recognition flickered behind her composed gaze.

"Let’s go there, Caelyn," she said quietly, her voice smooth like moonlight over still water.

Caelyn, who had been gazing idly at a floating chandelier, blinked once. She glanced toward the group and gave a small, wordless nod.

"Okay."

Without further words, the two moved—unhurried, poised—across the banquet floor.

Their steps were graceful yet not exaggerated, drawing attention without meaning to. Like two stars shifting their orbit to join a constellation.

"How are you?" Chloe asked, offering a polite smile as Nyverra and Caelyn approached.

Nyverra returned the smile, hers more subtle, her posture relaxed.

"Just as always," she said simply. Her tone was calm, but there was a glimmer of mischief behind her eyes—like she knew more than she let on.

Caelyn blinked slowly beside her, then glanced around the group. She gave a tiny nod in greeting, her expression unreadable, eyes half-lidded like she might drift off at any moment.

"I’m fine too," she added, almost as an afterthought.

The group exchanged quiet smiles.

Chloe chuckled softly. "Still the same, both of you."

"Mm," Nyverra hummed, folding her arms. "And you’re still the first to speak."

"Someone has to," Chloe replied with a grin.

And with that, the atmosphere lightened. The slight tension melted, replaced by something easier, like the start of a long-awaited reunion.

The music within the grand banquet hall slowed, as if the very rhythm of the night sensed a shift. Conversations faded. The doors creaked open once more.

And then he entered.

Azhriel.

Dressed in a custom-fitted white suit lined with silver and soft azure streaks, he looked like he stepped out of a celestial painting.

His silver-white hair was tied in a loose, elegant man bun, exposing sharp features that almost glowed beneath the golden chandelier lights.

He didn’t try to stand out.

He just did it.

Effortlessly.

He walked with composed confidence, not a single movement wasted. There was no arrogance, only precision—each step echoing softly through the quieted hall.

"Well, someone looks good." The words slipped out of Sydelle’s mouth in a quiet whisper, her eyes trailing Azhriel’s poised figure as he walked into the hall like he owned it.

"Right." Alicia nodded, her expression uncharacteristically awed.

Chloe simply crossed her arms with a small grin. "He cleans up better than I expected." She remembered how he looked at the exam.

Elizabeth, for her part, didn’t speak. She simply smiled, a soft, genuine curve on her lips.

’He really did change a lot... A good change.’ The thought lingered in her mind as her gaze followed him.

Even Caelyn—calm, unreadable Caelyn—let her eyes linger on Azhriel a few seconds longer than necessary. There was no smile, no raised brow. Just a subtle nod to herself.

An approval in silence.

That was when Kevin leaned in toward Raymond, nudging his elbow with a wide grin.

"Well well, my dear homie, you just got a hell of a competitor in the face department right there."

"Yup, see that loud and clear." Raymond said.

*****

Azhriel walked into the banquet hall with calm, steady steps. His eyes swept across the room once before settling on the group standing near one corner, their presence almost glowing under the soft lights.

Elizabeth waved slightly when their eyes met.

He made his way toward her, stopping only to pick up two glasses of soft drinks from a passing waiter. When he reached her, he handed her one.

"Am I late, perhaps?" he asked, glancing at the others already gathered.

"No, you’re not," Elizabeth replied as she took the glass and took a sip.

"That’s good." His eyes moved to the rest of the group behind her. "Are they your friends?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "Kind of? I don’t know. Grandpa told me to babysit them till the entrance exam."

"Well, that hurts," Kevin said, making a face as if someone had just broken his heart. He even wiped away an imaginary tear.

"Haa, you really need to fix that habit of yours," Azhriel said with a sigh, looking at her with a helpless smile.

"We’ve met before, right? I’m Kevin. Nice to meet you again." Kevin held out his hand.

’Ah, look at this guy acting all formal.’ Azhriel wondered.

Azhriel looked at it for a moment and then shook it with a polite smile. "Azhriel. Nice to meet you too."

Kevin grinned. "And now, let me introduce you to the rest of them. You might’ve heard something about them, but it’s better to meet face to face."

He went through the group one by one. Some greeted Azhriel with a polite nod. Others gave short greetings. Azhriel replied to each one with the same calm, respectful air, his gaze steady but not cold.

It was simple, quiet, and natural.

And just like that, he kinda became a part of the group.

However as if a switch had been turned on Kevin’s whole vibe changed.

Kevin’s arm hung over Azhriel’s shoulders like they were best friends from childhood, and with a quick spin he turned their backs to the group. His voice dropped to an eager whisper.

"Okay, dude, now that the greetings are out of the way," Kevin said, eyes gleaming with curiosity, "tell me, just how the heck did you manage to bag that baddie?"

Azhriel, in the middle of taking a sip from his glass, almost spat it out.

Cough! Cough!

"W-what?" Azhriel nearly coughed his drink back into the glass, staring at Kevin as if the guy had lost his mind.

Kevin, completely ignoring the look of disbelief on Azhriel’s face, leaned in closer, voice dropping to an excited whisper.

"Don’t ’what’ me! Elizabeth—yes, that Elizabeth—hugged you. In front of everyone! It was like one of those cheesy long lost friends meeting. And she smiles around you. Smiles! Do you have any idea how terrifying she usually looks?!"

"I think you’re misunderstanding something—" Azhriel began, trying to keep his tone even.

Kevin cut him off, shaking his head so dramatically his blond hair swayed.

"No, no, no. Don’t you dare play innocent with me. I’ve got eyes, man. These eyes are legendary. Tell me the secret. Childhood friends? Secret lovers? Star-crossed destiny? What is it?"

Azhriel blinked at him, speechless, wondering just how Kevin had managed to come up with that in less than a minute.

Then Azhriel just sighed and rubing the bridge of his nose.

"...You’re imagining things," he muttered.

"Am I?" Kevin’s grin widened like a fox. "Then why are you avoiding my eyes, huh?"

"It’s b’cuz—" Azhriel began, but his words cut off mid-sentence. His gaze had shifted past Kevin, locking on a figure at the far end of the hall.

In an instant, the playful light in his eyes was gone, replaced by something sharp and cold. Kevin didn’t notice; he was too busy smirking.

Without another word, Azhriel gently slid out of Kevin’s hold and straightened up.

"Sorry, something came up. Gotta go," he said, already turning toward the crowd.

Elizabeth, who had been watching from behind, opened her mouth to ask—but then froze. She saw his eyes, their warmth gone, and for some reason, the words died in her throat.

"Oh, running away, are you?" Kevin called out after him, but Azhriel was already weaving through the sea of people, his tall figure blending into the crowd.

Raymond, arms crossed, glanced at Kevin. "What did you say to him to make him leave like that?"

Kevin held up his hands. "Nothing! This wasn’t me. He saw something—or someone—that set him off."