Although the entrance banquet at the Magic Academy had a unique atmosphere, the overall proceedings were still orderly and standardized.
It began with an address from the principal, followed by the vice principal explaining the enrollment guidelines in detail — for instance, formal classes would start the day after tomorrow.
Tomorrow, students needed to go to their respective classrooms to meet their teachers and classmates, receive free instructional materials, and be guided by instructors through a full day of campus orientation to better understand school life.
Starting from the third day, their true magical studies would begin.
After the principal and sponsors finished their speeches, the heads of several key departments and the teaching faculty took the stage one by one to introduce themselves.
The three most central departments were the Magic Department, the Alchemy Department, and the Magitech Department, each responsible for teaching and resource allocation in their respective fields.
In addition, the Student Affairs Department held considerable importance.
This department managed faculty and students while overseeing all campus matters.
As a neutral force with autonomous authority, they handled judgments and resolutions for any issues arising within the academy or even the entire magical city.
There were also a few particularly interesting departments.
For example, the Quest Department and the Club Department.
The former provided students with various task opportunities, allowing them to earn pocket money while accumulating credits.
The latter managed all sorts of clubs founded by faculty and students.
Irina’s Hangar 3 counted as one such club, though it had been established by a teacher and was student-run, granting it significantly higher privileges than ordinary clubs.
Once the first two segments concluded, the banquet finally moved into the dining phase, where students could freely enjoy the food.
In the grand hall, students ate, entertained themselves, and chatted. The noble offspring, in particular, treated the venue as a networking gathering.
It was common to see young nobles from different regions — even different kingdoms — conversing merrily, appearing exceptionally familiar with one another.
An hour and a half into the banquet, at exactly seven thirty in the evening, the most important segment arrived.
—”The dance.”
Ordinary banquets would have essentially ended by this point.
This portion could be said to cater specifically to the nobility, indirectly confirming that magic in this world was almost monopolized by nobles and elites — a tool for maintaining their privileged status.
Many commoner students chose to leave during this segment to avoid awkwardness or even harassment.
Although Ye Xu had little interest in it, considering his current position as a member of House Nal, departing outright would be inappropriate. He could only endure and remain at the venue.
However, his striking appearance inevitably drew considerable attention. From time to time, noble young ladies approached with various intentions to invite him to dance — some polite and considerate, others blushing shyly.
To each, Ye Xu could only politely decline, standing alone with his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall in a corner.
Of course, in the vast auditorium, he was far from the only one keeping to himself.
For instance, right ahead of him, in the very center of the hall, was Isxila, who navigated the crowd with the ease of a social butterfly.
She carried herself with grace and spoke eloquently, engaging countless nobles in conversation while steadfastly refusing every invitation to dance.
Lol, meanwhile, followed quietly behind her like an attendant.
After observing her throughout the evening, even Ye Xu had to admit that the “little golden retriever” who used to huff and puff at the slightest provocation had undergone a complete transformation.
From her tone of voice to every subtle expression.
From her every gesture to the faint smile that graced her lips as she lightly covered them during conversations.
If he hadn’t sheltered her for a full month in the past, Ye Xu could never have imagined that this elegant young lady before him was the same willful girl from before.
“Hm?”
“Hehe~”
Noticing Ye Xu’s gaze, the girl surrounded by the crowd turned to look his way as well. As their eyes met, faint ripples finally appeared in those calm, waveless blue eyes, carrying an indescribable emotion.
Even Lol, trailing behind Isxila, set down the wine glass he had held all evening without taking a sip upon noticing Ye Xu’s attention. He nodded toward Ye Xu with a smile.
Ye Xu hurriedly averted his face, hoping to avoid further notice, only to hear the sound of approaching footsteps.
(She wouldn’t really try to embarrass me in public, would she?)
Ye Xu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as he wondered this to himself.
Still, even if Isxila truly did so, he wouldn’t complain.
After all, back then, he hadn’t truly put himself in her shoes and had treated her coldly for over a month.
And now, she had indeed done him a great favor — something Simar had clearly mentioned in his recent message.
With that thought, Ye Xu let out a soft sigh and turned toward Isxila’s direction.
Just as he pondered how she might make things difficult for him and how he should respond…
“Good evening. You must be Ye Laixi · Nal, correct?”
“I’ve long heard of the renowned names of your elder brother, Count Simar · Nal, and yourself~”
A gentle, refined voice rang out, followed by the sight of a slender, fair hand as smooth as fine jade.
“I am Isxila · Selan.”
“Princess of the Elze Kingdom.”
“Would you mind…”
“Getting to know each other anew?”
It was nothing more than ordinary noble pleasantries, carrying no trace of hostility or prejudice — merely a simple greeting.
Only in the final words did her tone take on a hint of sentiment and relief.
But considering their history and Ye Xu’s understanding of the former Isxila…
This unexpected approach left Ye Xu, who had prepared for all sorts of scenarios, momentarily stunned.
After a brief hesitation, under Lol’s gaze that flickered with unclear meaning, he thought for a moment and finally extended his hand for a light clasp with Isxila.
“Ye Laixi · Nal.”
“Thank you for your kind regard, Your Highness.”
“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Naturally, Ye Xu did not dance in the end.
When the clock struck nine that evening, even the final dance gradually drew to a close.
Ye Xu adjusted his collar, preparing to leave.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
“Junior!!!”
She had sworn to show Ye Xu the greatness and beauty of the Night Princess, only to glance over midway through her speech and find her junior already gone. Unable to locate him in the crowded hall, she had waited by the entrance door he had used all this time.
“Uh…”
Ye Xu knew full well it was impolite to slip away while someone was speaking, but Irina’s words had been nothing short of physical and spiritual torment for him.
He awkwardly turned his face away, avoiding her eyes.
“Ah~~~”
Seeing Ye Xu pretend to be dead like this, Irina puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and stepped forward to hook her arm through his.
Feeling genuinely guilty this time, Ye Xu did not pull away.
Irina let out a triumphant little hum.
“Now you can’t escape~”
“On the way back to the dorm, I absolutely must…”
She was just about to seize the chance to proselytize while escorting her junior back, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly felt a gaze brimming with hostility lock onto her back.
“Huh?!!!”
Irina hurriedly let go in fright, looking around in panic before finally noticing the two figures slowly emerging from the now-empty auditorium.
“Eh? Princess Isxila!
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