Chapter 255 — One Year Later

Chapter 255: Chapter 255 — One Year Later

Chapter 255 — One Year Later

One year later.

Victor stood in front of his wardrobe, trying to decide which suit to wear.

After considering his options for a moment, he settled on black.

Can’t really go wrong with black.

It had always been his preferred color. Besides, a black suit with a white shirt suited his appearance, especially with his jet-black hair.

He slipped into the suit, adjusted his jacket, and straightened his collar before turning toward the mirror.

A small smile appeared on his face.

A year had passed.

Victor was now fifteen, approaching sixteen, and his appearance had changed considerably during that time.

His features had grown sharper and more mature, something he suspected was partly due to his cultivation and the influence of his bloodline. Although he was still fifteen, he could easily pass for eighteen.

There was even a faint trace of stubble along his chin, though nowhere near enough to call a beard.

Victor turned slightly, examining his reflection from both sides.

Not bad.

Satisfied, he walked over to put on his shoes.

He had barely started when his bedroom door suddenly flew open.

"Victor! We’re going to be late!"

Lyra hurried inside.

"Come on! What’s taking you so long? You take longer to get ready than we girls do!"

Victor looked up, prepared to defend himself.

The words caught in his throat.

Lyra wore a beautiful purple dress that matched her eyes. The fabric fell to the middle of her knees, while her black hair, threaded with its faint purple streaks, had been gathered into an elegant bun.

For a moment, Victor simply stared.

Then Grace walked into the room behind her.

She wore a white dress reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, its hem also reaching her knees. Her light-blue hair complemented the dress perfectly.

Standing beside each other, the two girls almost looked like sisters despite their different coloring and Lyra’s unmistakable fox features.

Victor blinked.

Then remembered he was supposed to say something.

"I’ve never worn a suit before. Give me a break, will you?"

Lyra laughed and approached him.

"Here."

She reached up and straightened his tie before adjusting his collar.

Grace stepped beside her.

"You look very handsome, Young Master."

Lyra glanced briefly toward Grace before looking back at Victor.

"You really do. You’re going to be fine."

Victor sighed.

"You two don’t understand."

He paused.

"Well, you do."

Grace smiled faintly.

"We’re about to be introduced to the royal society of the Third Floor. This isn’t just some ordinary ball."

Victor looked between them.

"Do you have any idea how much Valseer has drilled into my head how important tonight is going to be?"

Lyra’s smile widened.

"Of course we do."

"He’s had me taking classes on etiquette, politics, and even dancing."

The last word came out with considerably more irritation than the others.

Lyra laughed.

She knew exactly how much Victor disliked dancing. Throughout the past year, either she or Grace had served as his partner during his lessons.

The strange thing was that Victor wasn’t bad at it.

If anything, he was quite good.

Lyra had never understood why he disliked it so much.

Victor finished adjusting his jacket.

"There’s a lot riding on tonight, and even more happening behind the scenes."

His attention returned to the mirror.

"We’re going to meet the eight royal families, not to mention the three prominent families. We already know Valseer, who’s the patriarch of the Draven family, and dealing with the Graveborns should be fairly straightforward."

He paused.

"But outside of Zack, we’ve never really met the Brightshield family. And we haven’t met any of the eight royal families either."

Then he noticed Grace had briefly lowered her gaze toward the floor.

Victor gave her a curious look, but the movement was so slight that he let it pass.

He turned back toward the girls.

"I have to make sure I do my best. I can’t make Master Valseer look bad."

His expression grew more serious.

"I’m his personal disciple and a the heir to the position of Tower Master. There are also going to be members of the Secret Order attending tonight who want to meet me."

Victor exhaled.

"People are going to be trying to make connections with me left and right. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready for it."

Lyra and Grace moved closer.

"Don’t worry," Lyra said. "You have both of us."

She smiled.

"If anyone tries anything funny, I’ll make sure you know about it."

Then she gestured toward Grace.

"Besides, Grace is practically an expert when it comes to dealing with people. Have you forgotten that she taught you half of what you know about etiquette, politics, and how to speak to important people?"

Victor nodded.

"That’s true."

Grace smiled.

"You don’t have to worry, Young Master."

She looked at him.

"My most important role isn’t simply to act as your guard. It’s to support you and help you adjust to this new life."

Her expression remained gentle.

"Until you can manage everything on your own, I’ll be there to help you."

She paused.

"And even after that, I’ll still be there."

Victor looked at her for a moment.

Then smiled.

"I’m really glad I have both of you."

Before either girl could respond, Baker stuck his head through the doorway.

"Can you three hurry it up? We’re going to be late."

Victor turned toward him.

"The carriage has been waiting for about five minutes now," Baker continued. "At this rate, the driver looks ready to leave without us."

Victor immediately stood.

"Then why didn’t you say something sooner?"

Baker gave him his usual sleepy look.

Apparently, five minutes ago hadn’t qualified as urgent.

Victor didn’t wait for an answer.

"Come on!"

He hurried out of the room, with Lyra and Grace following close behind.

Baker fell into step after them as they rushed through the mansion.

As they passed the sitting room, Valkor and Sierra looked up.

"You kids have fun!" Sierra called.

"Don’t stay out too late!" Valkor added.

Victor waved without slowing down.

Nala, who had been resting comfortably on Sierra’s lap, suddenly lifted her head.

"Chirp!"

The little Firebird shot forward like a streak of light and landed on Victor’s shoulder.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Victor glanced at her.

"Don’t worry, Nala. I wasn’t going to leave you behind."

"Chirp!"

"I would’ve come back for you if we’d reached the carriage without you."

"Chirp! Chirp!"

"Yes, I mean it."

Nala gave one final, satisfied chirp.

Victor shook his head with a smile.

Some things, at least, hadn’t changed in a year.

The four of them hurried through the front doors and toward the waiting carriage.

Victor climbed inside first, followed by Lyra and Grace. Baker entered last, settling into his seat once everyone was aboard.

Only then did Victor notice Valseer was already waiting for them.

The Tower Master looked at his three disciples.

"Good. I’m glad you finally made it."

Victor, Lyra, and Grace immediately bowed their heads.

"Master," they greeted in unison.

Valseer nodded.

"Victor, you remember what we discussed?"

Victor straightened.

"Yes, Master."

"You’re going to be introduced to many important people tonight. You’ve studied the portraits of the royal families and the other prominent figures, correct?"

"Yes, Master."

"Good."

Valseer leaned back in his seat.

"Then remember something. Your image is incredibly important, especially in a society like this."

His expression grew serious.

"It takes years to build a reputation, but you can ruin it in a single evening. You need to be on your best behavior tonight."

Victor nodded.

"I understand, Master."

Valseer studied him for a moment.

A year ago, Victor would have looked completely out of place in that suit.

Not because of his appearance.

Because of everything else.

The way he sat. The way he spoke. The way his eyes moved through a room.

Those things had changed.

Victor probably hadn’t noticed half of them.

Valseer had.

Finally, he gave a satisfied nod.

"Good."

He signaled to the driver.

A moment later, the carriage began to move, carrying them toward the ball.

Victor settled into his seat as the mansion slowly disappeared behind them.

There was a great deal he needed to accomplish tonight.

Important people to meet.

Connections to establish.

Expectations he could no longer afford to ignore.

For the past year, his world had been remarkably small.

Tonight, that world was about to become much larger.

Victor still wasn’t entirely comfortable with the thought.

But as he glanced toward Lyra and Grace sitting beside him, a faint smile crossed his face.

At least he wouldn’t have to face it alone.