“…”
Elaine stood in front of the full-length mirror, forcing an awkward smile as she looked at her reflection.
Was it the new outfit that made everything feel so strange? Even her smile felt off somehow.
SWISH—
As Elaine turned quickly, the swishing sound of her swirling skirt made her instinctively grab the hem.
She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d worn this dress—if ever. It felt like wearing something from someone else’s life.
The white-and-yellow gown flowing around her was unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but she had to admit—the colors were quite lovely.
“Goodness! Miss Elaine, it suits you perfectly!”
“Huh…?”
Just as Elaine was about to unbutton the dress, her maid Maria entered with a dramatic clap.
“Miss Elaine, you’re absolutely stunning! I knew your figure would look fabulous in a dress, but this is beyond my expectations…”
“That… can’t be true.”
Elaine stopped fiddling with the buttons and glanced down, noticing how the poofy skirt had replaced her usual knight’s uniform.
The dress may have been awkward and cumbersome, but the colors were undeniably beautiful.
“Oh no, it’s absolutely true! How often do we get to see our Miss Elaine in a dress? Aah…”
Maria couldn’t take her eyes off Elaine, exclaiming in genuine admiration.
Under Maria’s gaze, Elaine stole another glance at herself in the mirror.
“Is… is it really okay?”
To Elaine, it still felt like wearing something that didn’t belong to her.
“Of course! Today’s the day of the party, right? With this, any noble lady who attends won’t be able to outshine our Elaine!”
“No, that’s not…”
Despite waving off the compliment with mild embarrassment, Elaine couldn’t suppress a smile spreading across her face.
Normally, she wouldn’t even consider attending a party in a dress. In fact, she’d likely skip the event altogether.
“Certainly feels different from usual, huh?”
Elaine stared at herself in the mirror, realizing she looked almost like a stranger.
But the longer she looked, the more she began seeing the beauty Maria had remarked upon.
“Maybe I’ll… go like this?”
With Maria’s continuous praise boosting her confidence, Elaine started to think this could work.
She wasn’t wearing the dress for any particular reason—just because it was the proper attire.
That was all.
There was absolutely no other meaning behind it.
“Hey, try this on. I’ve been saving it for you—it suits you perfectly…”
“…Alright.”
As Elaine thought this, she watched as Maria brought over a necklace.
The gemstone, neither too large nor too small, sparkled attractively.
“Here, like this…”
“Right, might as well go all out if I’m doing this.”
As she rationalized her decision, Elaine gazed at her reflection.
The necklace Maria placed around her neck shimmered brilliantly.
Certainly beautiful—anyone would look good wearing it.
“Wow! Simply stunning! You must go like this today. Phew, you’re in for quite an experience.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ll have a swarm of male students around you, of course!”
“Wh-wha—”
Elaine’s face heated up instantly, turning bright red.
“Today, you must leave your sword behind! Wearing a dress and carrying a sword just doesn’t make sense.”
“Erm…”
As Maria spoke, Elaine’s eyes wandered to her reflection in the mirror—her sword prominently displayed.
While it may not match her outfit, the thought of leaving it behind made her hesitate.
“Leaving a sword behind…?”
Seeing her hesitation, Maria continued firmly.
“For heaven’s sake, Miss Elaine! What will you need a sword for today at a party? There are no classes, right?”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“Absolutely not. It’s confiscated! Go like this.”
Though agreeing with Maria’s determined tone, Elaine couldn’t tear her eyes away from her sword in the mirror.
“Right, just for today.”
Finally decisively nodding, Elaine made up her mind.
Today would be fine.
“Is this really me?”
Looking at her reflection again, Elaine saw a genuine noble young lady standing there.
Who would’ve thought?
Her heart fluttered as if she were going to a completely new world.
*
A social gathering for nobles.
I’d been to a few before.
Every time, I realized the same thing: this wasn’t really my style.
I generally disliked crowded places, and being forced to make small talk with strangers only made it worse.
“Ugh.”
Still, there was no choice.
I had to attend today’s party.
I grabbed any suit set Eddi had prepared, and quickly slipped it on.
After dressing, I tested my movements.
Today might require some active movement, so it was important to ensure the suit wouldn’t restrict my mobility.
“Feels comfortable.”
Even though I was wearing a shirt, movement wasn’t hindered.
Eddi must’ve prepared this knowing I’d need flexibility.
Always dependable, my secretary.
After straightening my outfit in the mirror one last time, I took a look at my all-black suit.
It matched my hair color perfectly.
“Okay.”
WUM!
I teleported immediately.
Upon arriving at the dormitory, I found Erica had already left.
I’d thought she might get stuck leaving without my help, but of course, Erica proved me wrong.
“Hmph.”
Letting out a determined sigh, I exited the dormitory.
The party was starting soon.
While students from other classes had booths to prepare, our class didn’t, so we agreed to meet up shortly before the start.
Indeed, there were very few people left in the male dorms.
As I exited, I finally began seeing other students.
Everyone—men and women alike—was dressed in their finest.
Female students were all in long flowy dresses, while the males were in crisp suits.
“Ah, so that’s why today was chosen.”
Seeing the students’ outfits, an idea struck me.
With the ladies in dresses, quick movements would be difficult.
<We're inside the party venue.>
<Got it. I'll come in soon.>
<Yeah. If the leader enters, I'll keep watch outside.>
<Okay.>
As I made my way to our meeting point amid the excited academy atmosphere, Erica’s voice reached me.
Erica and Yuria must’ve already entered the party.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly according to plan so far.
“Ryu!”
As I waited at our designated meeting spot, a familiar voice called out.
Cynthia.
“Definitely different.”
True to my instructions, Cynthia wore a dress.
She was walking slightly awkwardly in a blue gown.
The change of outfit made her seem worlds apart from her usual self.
“Did you dress for easy movement?”
“Heh, of course! I have pants underneath.”
“Good thinking.”
I had warned Cynthia that anything could happen today, so while wearing a dress, she needed to ensure ease of movement.
With a mischievous grin, Cynthia lifted one leg to show her practical choice.
The group was completed by Anes and Marie, who had arrived next.
Both were excitedly dressed in elegant dresses.
And finally, Elaine arrived.
“Sorry for being late. The dress is so inconvenient…”
“Ah.”
“Wow, Elaine, you look amazing.”
“I… wasn’t expecting this.”
Unlike her usual self, Elaine was in a beautiful yellow-and-white dress with her hair tied back elegantly. She even wore a tasteful necklace to finish the look.
“You look beautiful.”
“Wha, what? What do you mean by—!”
“Ah, sorry.”
Without thinking, I had spoken my mind. Elaine, usually composed, now looked startled—likely embarrassed by my thoughtless comment.
Before Elaine could process everyone’s compliments, Emily finally arrived.
“Alright, we’re all here.”
“…”
Emily was clearly different from Elaine and the other ladies.
She wore her usual outfit, her hair tied back carelessly, with her oversized glasses adjusted on her face.
Anyone could see that she was still struggling to recover from yesterday’s incident.
I wanted to ask what was wrong, but decided to give her one more day.
“Shall we go in?”
“Ryu, Mr. Ryu!”
“Hmm?”
“Could you please… help me since my heels are uncomfortable?”
“Ah, of course. Here.”
And so, with Elaine’s hand in mine, we entered the grand party hall.
The tension was starting to build.
