An Unordinary Extra

I felt a deep sense of relief at how quickly things had been resolved with Alastor. Four mentors I had encountered on my journey stood out as pivotal figures in shaping my growth: Alastor Creighton, Li Zenith, Valerie von Lampez, and Magnus Draykar.

Li Zenith had been instrumental in elevating my swordsmanship, helping me refine Illusion Sword to a near-flawless level. Through his guidance, I built a stronger foundation, one that could withstand the pressures of greater challenges. Valerie von Lampez pushed me even further, transforming God Flash from a spell into a martial movement and helping me conceptualize and realize my Grade 6 art. Magnus Draykar had been no less influential, driving me to push my limits and inspiring the second movement of my Grade 6 art, Hollow Eclipse.

But Alastor Creighton held a special place as my first mentor. He revolutionized my spellcasting, teaching me five-circle spells and honing my mana management skills to levels I hadn't thought possible. His lessons included the Laplace method—a technique I still used when casting six-circle spells. His influence had been fundamental to my early growth.

Yet, as time passed, my progress in spellcasting had slowed. My swordsmanship, bolstered by the mentors who followed, had far outpaced it. As a result, I found myself relying on spells less often than before. This imbalance was something I intended to address, and the Tower of Magic seemed the perfect place to do so.

The Tower of Magic, a legendary institution, stood as a peer to the Creighton family in the realm of spellcasting. I'd planned to use its unparalleled resources to rekindle my momentum in magic.

Alastor's offer, however, had changed everything. Not only did it present an opportunity to mend and strengthen my bond with a man I deeply admired, but it also offered a path to elevate my spellcasting beyond its current limits. With the Astraeus Method in hand, I could address my stagnation and bring my magic closer to the level of my swordsmanship.

It felt as though a long-closed door had opened, and I was eager to step through.

"We can discuss this in greater detail after the celebration," Alastor promised, his voice warm yet composed. With those words, we finally arrived at the grand hall, its towering doors framed in ornate carvings of frost and starlight—a nod to the Creighton family's legacy.

The hall itself was nothing short of breathtaking. Chandeliers of enchanted crystal hung above, casting a soft, ethereal glow that danced across the polished marble floors. Streams of silver and gold fabric adorned the walls, their shimmering folds resembling cascading light. Guests dressed in their finest attire milled about, laughter and conversation weaving a vibrant tapestry of sound.

Rachel, ever the radiant host, took a moment to adjust her golden gown before stepping through the threshold, her confidence like a beacon drawing every eye. I followed close behind, feeling the weight of countless gazes as they shifted to me. It was impossible to ignore the subtle murmurs—some curious, some skeptical. After all, I wasn't just her escort; I was Arthur Nightingale, a name that now carried its own weight.

"Look at them," Rachel whispered with a mischievous grin, her voice low enough for only me to hear. "All these nobles, pretending they don't care, but they're dying to know what makes you so special."

"Maybe I'll let them figure it out themselves," I replied, matching her tone, earning a soft laugh that only made her shine brighter.

We made our way further into the hall, Rachel nodding gracefully to the many well-wishers who approached. Some offered polite greetings, others more effusive praise, but Rachel navigated it all with a practiced ease that spoke volumes about her upbringing. As for me, I stayed quiet, content to observe. This was her night, after all.

Soon, we were greeted by Seraphina and Cecilia, who stood near the grand staircase. Seraphina was wearing a flowing, pale-blue dress mirrored the serene composure in her crystalline gaze. She looked every bit the picture of calm, though I noticed the faintest glint of amusement as her eyes flicked between Rachel and me.

Cecilia was wearing a similar dress to what she wore for her birthday banquet, but it was a different design as it wasn't backless.

"I see you've brought him intact," Seraphina said lightly, her voice carrying just enough humor to draw a smile from Rachel.

"Of course," Rachel replied, taking Seraphina's hand briefly in greeting. "Arthur's surprisingly resilient, though he could do with a little more charm."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I said dryly, earning a quiet chuckle from Seraphina.

The four of us stood together for a moment, the weight of the celebration briefly lifting in the shared camaraderie. But the evening was just beginning, and soon enough, the first strains of music filled the air.

"It's time for the first dance," Rachel said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she turned to me. "Shall we?"

I offered my hand, and she took it without hesitation. As we moved to the center of the hall, the crowd parted to make way, their attention fully fixed on us. The orchestra swelled, and with the first note, we began to dance.

Rachel moved with the grace of someone who had spent years mastering the art, her every step light and precise. For my part, I focused on matching her rhythm, though it was hard not to notice the way her golden hair shimmered under the lights, or the way her smile softened as she looked up at me.

"You're not so bad at this," she said teasingly, her voice low enough to keep our exchange private.

"High praise," I replied with a grin. "Though I think you're carrying the team here."

"Someone has to," she shot back, though there was no real bite to her words.

The dance continued, the two of us gliding effortlessly across the floor. Around us, the world seemed to blur, the music and the crowd fading into the background. For that moment, it felt as though it was just the two of us, moving in perfect harmony.

As the final notes of the orchestra's melody faded, the applause of the gathered nobles filled the hall. Rachel and I parted with a graceful bow to each other, and she whispered, "Don't keep Cecilia waiting too long."

I glanced toward the far end of the hall, where Cecilia stood, her crimson eyes gleaming with playful intensity. She had been watching the entire dance, a subtle smirk tugging at her lips. Clad in a sleek, deep-red gown that seemed to capture the flickering light of the chandeliers, Cecilia looked every inch the fiery princess she was. Her golden hair flowed like molten gold down her back, her entire presence commanding attention.

As I made my way toward her, Rachel stepped aside, exchanging a knowing look with Cecilia as I approached. The two of them had grown closer over the past months, their rivalry softened into a mutual respect—even if there were still moments of subtle competition.

"You're late," Cecilia teased, extending her hand toward me. "But I suppose I can forgive you, considering how well you've done so far."

"Your magnanimity knows no bounds," I said with a wry smile, taking her hand in mine.

Her smirk widened as she leaned in slightly. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Arthur. But keep trying."

The orchestra struck up a new melody, this one livelier and more vibrant. Cecilia didn't wait for me to lead; instead, she took a step forward, pulling me into the rhythm of the music with effortless confidence.

Dancing with Cecilia was a completely different experience from dancing with Rachel. Where Rachel's movements were refined and precise, Cecilia's were bold and fluid, each step carrying a spark of her fiery personality. She led as much as she followed, her movements daring and unpredictable.

"You're enjoying this too much," I said as she spun gracefully, the hem of her gown sweeping across the floor.

"Of course I am," she replied, her voice a playful challenge. "It's not every day I get to remind everyone that you're mine."

"And Rachel and Seraphina would argue otherwise," I quipped, earning a genuine laugh from her.

"Well, they're not wrong," she admitted, leaning in closer. "But tonight, it's my turn."

Her gaze softened for a moment, the playful edge in her voice giving way to something warmer. "You look good tonight, Arthur," she said quietly. "Really good."

"Thank you, Ceci," I replied sincerely, tightening my hold on her as the dance carried us in a sweeping arc across the floor.

She smiled, a rare, genuine smile that was free of her usual teasing. "You always know how to make me feel special."

The music swelled to a crescendo, and we twirled one final time before coming to a graceful stop. Applause erupted once more, and Cecilia took a dramatic bow, dragging me into it with her usual flair.

As the next dance began, Seraphina stepped forward from the edge of the room, her calm, steady presence a stark contrast to Cecilia's fiery energy. She inclined her head slightly, her crystalline blue eyes meeting mine.

"May I have this dance?" she asked, her voice serene.

"Of course," I said, offering her my hand.

Cecilia stepped back with a satisfied smirk, watching as Seraphina and I moved to the center of the floor. "Don't let her fool you," Cecilia called after us. "She's just as possessive as I am."

Seraphina's cheeks flushed faintly, but she didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she simply smiled—a quiet, knowing smile that spoke volumes.

The night was far from over, but at that moment, as I danced with Seraphina under the watchful eyes of Rachel and Cecilia, I felt a rare sense of peace amidst the chaos of our lives.