Chapter 111: Dark Demon Becomes the Crimson Star
After listening to Dark’s account, both the professors and the principal quickly realized that someone was missing from the narrative.
The Moon Goddess couldn’t have vanished on her own, so there must be a third party involved.
The little elf with a lion’s body and a human face circled around the temple and swiftly said, “First, take the students to the infirmary. I will notify Sister Carrian as soon as possible. Also, Dark, you did well, but the next steps can be left to the professors.
Furthermore, if you don’t need much rest, don’t miss your first dance at the masquerade. I’ll be waiting for you in the ballroom on the first floor.”
“Understood, Principal.”
Dark bowed slightly and greeted the other two professors before quickly leaving.
Once Dark had gone, Professor Shylph retracted her gaze and pondered, “Pawa, what do you think about what Dark said?”
Professor Jones chuckled, “There’s a secret, but we magi all have secrets. Let’s go; at least, he seems to be on the right side of this matter.”
Professor Shylph: “What do you think about the third party involved?”
Professor Jones shrugged indifferently, “Didi or Kazel? Someone has to take responsibility for this.”
…
By the time Dark arrived at the ballroom on the first floor, it was already past twelve-thirty.
Principal Altair was waving her magic pen on stage, demonstrating various techniques of mana manipulation in front of the young magi.
Ordinarily, she should have announced the champion of the masquerade and awarded the prize, officially declaring the final revelry of the masquerade.
But tonight, she clearly made an effort to delay the proceedings.
It wasn’t until Dark stepped into the ballroom that she stopped her demonstration and smiled, saying, “Now, let’s move on to the award ceremony. Please welcome the First-Year Crimson Star—Dark Demon!”
“Clap!”
Suddenly, a massive egg appeared above their heads.
As Dark looked up, the egg cracked open, releasing a shower of streamers and paper.
Then, his gaze shifted, and he suddenly found himself standing on the stage, positioned to the left of Principal Altair.
Principal Altair, as always, stood out with her silver hair, her beautiful face adorned with a diamond mask the size of a palm. She wore a silver crown atop her head and a long black dress trailing behind her.
She looked more like an evil queen from a fairy tale than a princess.
“Dark, extend your hand.”
“Sure, Principal.”
Dark extended his hands, only to feel a sudden weight as a colossal trophy appeared in them!
Principal Altair’s voice echoed through the hall, “Let’s congratulate this year’s Crimson Star together!”
Thunderous applause erupted in the hall.
Principal Altair: “Dark, anything you’d like to say?”
Dark: “It’s too big.”
Principal Altair: “…”
Dark stumbled off the stage, dazed. He never imagined that the championship trophy would be such a large golden cup!
If he were to sell this in Traveler’s Street, how many credits could he get?
But just as he stepped down, the trophy began to shrink in his hands.
(?? ??)
A nearly life-size trophy shrank into a palm-sized medal!
“Not fair! This is too much!”
“Is this how you treat people’s enthusiasm?”
Dark wanted to protest, but the trophy turning into a medal seemed to be a traditional part of the Halloween dance. The first-year students gasped in shock.
He flipped over the medal and saw that it was engraved with:
[Spell: Deserved Victory.]
So, he infused it with mana and whispered, “Deserved Victory.”
Instantly, the medal turned back into a nearly life-size trophy!
…
After transforming the trophy back into a medal and pinning it to his chest, Dark casually found a seat.
He didn’t pay much attention to the rankings, and his becoming the First-Year champion was just a regular joy.
Next, Principal Altair continued to distribute the awards.
From the First Year to the Sixth Year, six trophies were given out.
Finally, the overall first place, the Grand Champion—the Platinum Star recipient!
Six contestants went up one by one.
Dark saw that Senior Pandora successfully won the Fourth Year championship but unfortunately missed out on the Platinum Star.
“It seems there are hidden talents among the seniors.”
“Dark!”
“Hmm?”
Diana, who had finally squeezed through, plopped down beside him, her scent filling the air.
She complained, “Where were you? We’ve been looking for you for a while.”
Dark took a sip of a fresh glass of orange juice from the table and sighed, “I was delayed. I just got here.”
“Oh oh oh.” Diana immediately brightened up, reaching unhesitantly towards Dark’s chest to grab the Crimson Star medal and examine it closely.
Rose walked over, “Congratulations on winning, Dark. You truly are the champion.”
Dark: “Thank you.”
Diana snapped back to reality and hurriedly said, “Congratulations.”
Then, she started looking forward to the start of the dance.
The couple dressed in matching outfits stood out like a pair of golden boys and jade maidens, even at the formal evening dance.
On stage, Principal Altair began the next segment: “Princesses’ Meeting!”
This was due to the arrival of the three princesses, making this masquerade particularly special.
Everyone had been eagerly anticipating this moment for a long time.
Principal Altair drew several glowing circles with her magic pen, waving them upwards as if casting a spell. Suddenly, the mana exploded, resembling fireworks.
“Please welcome the princesses!”
Following this, the three princesses sitting at the professor’s seats rose and walked towards the stage.
Princess Elisa wore standard royal attire, her beauty partially concealed by a delicate mask, yet her demeanor remained graceful and elegant, her aura noble yet gentle.
The numerous supporters of the Big Princess cheered loudly.
The small, unassuming creatures—a little fox and a bear—also trudged onto the stage, obediently positioning themselves on either side of the Big Princess.
As the frenzied atmosphere calmed down, the students finally noticed the two little princesses on stage.
Some people’s expressions changed instantly.
Because the two little princesses had been running around the castle, most people had seen them, and some had even been bothered by them—truly mischievous!
And naturally, they didn’t show any good faces to the little princesses.
With the three princesses introducing themselves, the highly anticipated “partner selection” segment finally began.
The Big Princess took a step forward, her gaze soft as she looked at the students below.
The atmosphere among the students grew tense.
