Chapter 193: Duskdiemon’s Fortuitous Enlightenment (4k)
With the experience of Halloween, Dusk was well-versed in responding to such letters.
He took out a spare letter and gave a formal response, telling her that he was honored to receive her invitation but regretfully had to decline due to prior commitments.
Then came the third, fourth, and so on…
A few of these were confession letters from girls, but they were quite ordinary. Dusk told them to focus on their studies…
Misunderstandings about feelings one hasn’t experienced can happen during youth.
That might not be true love.
True love should be precious, rare, and enduring.
It shouldn’t be easily given away just for romantic notions.
Otherwise, when looking back later in life, heartbreak isn’t uncommon.
Loving someone isn’t just about surface-level attraction.
…
By around ten o’clock, Dusk had written fifteen replies.
He beckoned the Imp Beast, asking it to deliver the letters to his classmates according to the names on the envelopes.
The Imp Beast grumbled as it flew off, bringing in a cold breeze when it left.
Dusk picked up Eudora’s confession letter again, pondering how to guide this child back on track.
Regardless of gender, youthful minds are often naive and susceptible to external charm.
But with age comes clarity—distinguishing whether you like someone for who they are or just their appearance.
Like Dusk before his deep interactions with Senior Pandora, he only liked her appearance, not her as a person.
He wasn’t the type to casually talk about love.
So he didn’t quite understand why Eudora could express such intense emotions in her words.
“Could it be she read too much of those sappy, unrealistic romance novels?”
Dusk tapped his cheek with his pen.
He should have been seriously studying the issues left by the “fusion” spell.
“Maybe I shouldn’t reply.”
“Cold treatment isn’t sophisticated, but it’s better than making things worse.”
“Perhaps she’ll think it through once she calms down.”
…
Knock knock knock.
Was it the Imp Beast returning?
Dusk turned towards the door and got up to open it.
Sure enough, it was the Imp Beast.
Alongside it were Diana and Rose.
Both wore fluffy pajamas—one a little bear, the other a little rabbit—both emitting the scent of bath products.
“Can we come in?”
Diana said, but her small head already poked under Dusk’s arm to peek inside.
“Good evening,” Rose shyly waved.
Dusk let Diana in, saying, “Come in.”
Once the bear, rabbit, and Imp Beast were all inside, he closed the door.
“Hehe.”
Since their first visit, Diana and Rose had become more frequent visitors to Dusk’s room, losing their initial shyness.
Upon entering, Diana noticed the pile of Christmas gifts in the corner and couldn’t help feeling excited.
But her attention quickly shifted to the letters on the table.
Dusk pulled out two chairs for them and poured two glasses of juice, asking, “Why are you here so late?”
Rose held the silver cup filled with pear juice as if it were a treasure, smiling, “If we don’t come, someone won’t be able to sleep.”
Diana blushed, her eyes darting around.
Dusk nodded slightly, understanding: “Speak your mind.”
Diana mumbled, “I just wanted to know if there are any plans for the Christmas dance!”
Dusk replied, “There are.”
Diana exclaimed, “Really?!”
Dusk sighed, “I already have a dance partner, Senior Pandora from the library.”
Diana was stunned, instinctively asking, “Dusk, do you like older women?”
Dusk couldn’t help but smile, “She has given me a lot of guidance in my studies. Besides, it’s just a dance.”
“What?!” Diana was displeased, “Why is it always like this?”
Rose was equally surprised.
She thought Diana had it in the bag, given Dusk hadn’t shown particular closeness to any girl.
And these two were clearly the closest to him.
If Dusk needed a dance partner, he’d likely choose between them.
But unexpectedly, a senior had appeared out of nowhere.
But thinking carefully, Senior Pandora was indeed very attractive, probably with many admirers in the academy.
For Dusk to make such an agreement with her without any hint was truly unexpected!
This made Rose recall a line from a book: “Great people tend to attract each other.”
Diana, still not quite great.
She sighed lightly.
She wondered how to comfort the childish Diana.
…
But Dusk only shook his head slightly before addressing Diana, “This Christmas dance is split into an upper half from nine to ten, and a lower half from eleven to twelve. If you’re willing, can you be my partner for the second half?”
“Eh?!”
Diana instantly came alive.
Her eyes widened as she looked at Dusk, lifting her head, “Really?”
Dusk couldn’t help but pinch her nose, “Of course.”
Diana almost cheered but quickly covered her mouth, laughing softly, “Gentlemanly behavior!”
…
After leaving Dusk’s dorm, Diana floated as she walked.
She whispered to Rose, “Which part do you prefer, the first half or the second half?”
Rose considered, “The first half is nice, but the second half means you can spend New Year’s Eve’s last moment with your partner at midnight.”
Diana, “Then let’s go with the second half! Hehe!”
Rose, “Alright, get some rest early to look good.”
Diana, “Mm!”
…
After sending the two off, Dusk breathed a sigh of relief.
The first half of the dance was the main event, though the second half had more significance. But human energy is limited; enthusiasm wanes over time, and no one can dance continuously.
Accepting others’ invitations mid-event was normal.
By the second half, most people might have already left the banquet hall.
Only around midnight would they return to dance together.
It was lucky that Diana was so easy to please.
But he still needed to inform the senior.
“Hmm, it should be fine, right?”
Just dancing.
Dusk didn’t take the dance too seriously.
…
On the other side, in the classroom.
As the clock struck ten, Wit and Robert’s detention finally ended!
After wishing the instructor a Merry Christmas, they hurried back to the tower of the Knight Academy.
“It’s finally over, Robert!”
“Yes, we have nine days off! We’re finally free!”
Under the moonlight, Wit and Robert shed tears of joy.
But upon pushing open the tower door, the sudden Christmas atmosphere made them pause.
The public room in the Knight Academy, aside from some style differences, was similar to the Noble Academy.
On the first night of the holiday, the Knight Academy held a small celebration starting after ten.
Many even declared they’d stay up all night!
The atmosphere in the Knight Academy was more carefree than in the Noble Academy.
Couples could be seen everywhere in the corners of the public room;
The crowd in the center was engaged in a Mana Chess battle.
Wit and Robert were both interested in Mana Chess.
But they suddenly realized Christmas was really approaching!
“Hey, Robert, what gift do you want?” Wit asked.
Robert shrugged, “How about a turkey leg? Then I’ll give you a turkey wing.”
Wit, “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
They closed the door, preventing the wind from entering.
Neither mentioned the Christmas dance on New Year’s Eve.
Robert, “The Christmas dance feels different from the Halloween dance. Lower-grade students seem to have trouble finding partners.”
Hey, weren’t we supposed to avoid talking about that?
Wit quickly changed the subject, “Robert, how about a game? It’s been ages since we played Mana Chess!”
Robert also grew excited, “One game isn’t enough! Let’s play until dawn!”
…
No matter what happens, everyone has their own way of living.
Wit actually cared more about the Christmas dance than Robert did, but he was stuck in a strange state of inferiority and couldn’t bring himself to mention it.
Thinking about the dance, he could only console himself that there would be more opportunities next year.
But the Christmas gift still needed to be given.
If it could leave a good impression on Senior Pandora, that would be a win.
But how should he choose the gift?
“Forget it, let’s play a game of Mana Chess first!”
…
The next morning.
Perhaps due to the holiday effect, Dusk slept in a bit later than usual.
He picked up the cat grass that was licking his face and placed it back in the bed basket, yawning slightly as he got out of bed.
Winter sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a dappled shadow on the floor.
Dusk opened the curtains and looked outside for a while, not sure what he was looking at, then seemed to wake up and turned toward the bathroom.
He washed up, applied a facial mask, and styled his hair.
Holidays should be spent like holidays.
Dusk didn’t plan to solve all the problems left over from the previous semester during the break. He casually picked up “Claire’s Travels” and sat on the balcony reading.
By the time the Imp Beast placed bread, bacon, sausages, eggs, and milk on the stool beside him, he had started eating while reading.
“This kind of life suits me.”
Only after finishing breakfast did Dusk put down the book he had finished reading and picked up today’s “The Wise One Daily.”
Christmas was only two days away.
Following the announcement by the Church of the Saints to collaborate with the Secret Rite Academy of the Saints for a large-scale mass, the Big Princess also announced she would personally pray for the citizens in the capital’s Hero Square on Christmas Eve.
At that time, there would be plenty of small gifts distributed for free…
“Is faith or free gifts more attractive?”
Dusk couldn’t help but laugh when he saw this.
Although the conflict between the hawkish and dovish factions was gradually surfacing, both sides were cautious, and their current disputes were limited to minor squabbles.
Sometimes, watching from an outsider’s perspective, it could be quite amusing.
…
In the afternoon.
Dusk went to Traveler’s Street again.
From this day on, the streets suddenly became filled with couples, and Christmas decorations were fully set up, with Christmas trees adorned with lights everywhere.
Magical golems flew in the air, holding signs to attract customers.
Dusk occasionally spotted Wit and Robert rushing past the crowd, feeling glad that they had finally escaped the “hell” of detention.
Unlike masquerade balls, formal attire is essential for attending a ball.
Thus, the clothing stores were bustling with people.
Students might not find fixed partners before the dance, but they still had chances once it began.
Many couples had successfully formed during the festive atmosphere of the dance.
The prerequisite was having formal wear!
Dusk glanced at the crowded crowd, unable to find even a sliver of space, feeling relieved he had bought the Night Prince outfit before Halloween.
Diana scored another point.
He then went to the small garden in the center of the street, where he watched some magical circus performances.
The clowns in the circus manipulated various golems with exquisite skill, making their movements fluid and lifelike, as if they were real beings.
Dusk watched, his hands instinctively intertwining.
He finally had inspiration!
“I’ll give her that!”
…
After deciding on the Christmas gift for Pandora, Dusk didn’t linger in Traveler’s Street.
He began to purchase items necessary for his upcoming adventure according to his plan.
These nine days weren’t entirely unplanned.
Christmas was secondary.
During this rare holiday, he wanted to use this opportunity to explore the secret path for a longer period!
The treasure left by the Valkyrie in the secret path should be found!
Though his desire for treasure wasn’t strong, he was quite curious about what it actually was.
He had asked Claire about it, but Claire only smiled mysteriously, saying the treasure was exciting because its contents were unknown, and knowing beforehand would reduce the fun.
Dusk said he didn’t mind.
Claire didn’t respond further.
…
Returning to his dorm, Dusk completely settled down.
He spent about three hours tackling the issues left by the “fusion” spell, then relaxed and read a leisurely book.
As the moon set behind the willow, Saint Maryan welcomed the final night before the Christmas dance.
Some were looking forward to it.
Others couldn’t sleep.
Some secretly made up their minds.
Bats that had been active throughout the castle seemed to receive some sort of call, flying silently into the upper levels and disappearing into the entrance of the secret path.
Everything was brewing.
