Chapter 75: Adrian Lucius Draconis

Elysia sat at the corner of the ballroom, away from the clusters of students and staff scattered throughout the room. She rested one elbow on the table and leaned her cheek against her hand, watching the gathering with an expression of practiced boredom.

The ballroom was every bit as lavish as she had expected from an event held by the Academy.

Polished stone stretched beneath rows of chandeliers, their light catching on gold-trimmed pillars, embroidered banners, and the fine fabrics of noble clothing. The room had been decorated with enough luxury to make even nobles question whether they had any business standing inside it.

They certainly acted like they belonged.

Every guest maintained a straight posture and a confident demeanor, yet the effort beneath it was obvious. Students adjusted their cuffs whenever someone important walked past. Nobles measured one another with brief glances before correcting their expressions, and conversations carried the careful rhythm of people trying to impress each other without appearing to try.

Elysia didn’t need an ability to read their intentions.

It was all written plainly across their faces.

The whole thing sickened her.

Several students had looked toward her more than once. She could tell from the way their gazes lingered that some wanted to approach, yet none of them seemed willing to take the risk.

The gates opened again.

"His Lordship, Young Count Luceran Vael, has arrived."

A young count entered, drawing another wave of greetings from the room before the gates closed once more.

A few minutes later, they opened again.

"His Lordship, Young Viscount Roderic Valen, and his family have arrived."

Another noble entered.

Elysia’s boredom deepened.

Then she heard footsteps approaching her.

For a moment, she thought one of the nobles who had been watching her had finally found enough courage to cross the room.

It was worse.

She lifted her head.

The First Prince, Adrian Draconis, approached with Cale beside him. Adrian was a third-year and ranked second, with only Aldric Vespera above him in the rankings.

He carried himself with a composure that made the space around him feel strangely restrained. His presence reminded Elysia of fire trapped behind glass, contained so tightly that the pressure of it became more noticeable than the flame itself. Heat seemed to press through the room with every step he took, burning against the skin and making the air feel heavier.

Several nearby students straightened unconsciously.

Elysia barely reacted.

Adrian’s dark-red hair was neatly arranged, framing a face marked by orange eyes with narrow golden slit pupils. His gaze was calm, almost pleasant, despite the oppressive pressure surrounding him.

Cale, the eldest son of the Duke of Zypher, walked at his side with a faint smile.

Adrian stopped before her and inclined his head. He extended his hand toward her, expecting her hand on his.

Elysia looked at it for a moment before smiling politely.

"I greet His Highness, the First Prince."

Adrian studied her for a moment before withdrawing his hand, his expression never wavering.

"Lady Elysia, it’s nice to see you again. Please, we’re acquaintances here. You can call me Adrian."

His smile remained pleasant.

Elysia’s expression did not change.

She was already tired of the performance. Adrian liked presenting himself as mysterious, but there was little mystery in his intentions.

Cale simply inclined his head toward her.

Adrian’s attention returned to Elysia.

"I’m really sorry about your recent loss, Lady Elysia. Your grandmother was one of the most prominent figures in the Empire. It saddens me that we lost such a reliable part of it."

Elysia looked at him, then smiled.

"You don’t have to worry, Your Highness."

She gave the title a little more weight than necessary.

"You’ve already told me that many times. I understand you’re upset, but I’m doing fine, and you’re ruining that by repeatedly bringing it up."

Cale’s brows twitched.

Adrian’s smile remained in place.

"My condolences. I’m just worried about you, my lady."

"That’s why," he said, prompted Cale.

Cale reached into his coat and produced a small, luxurious box, its workmanship detailed enough to resemble a treasure container more than an ordinary gift case.

"I wanted to give you—"

"The Apex and the third young master of the Vespera Dukedom, Caelus Vespera, has arrived."

The announcer’s voice echoed through the ballroom.

Elysia’s smile immediately brightened. She turned toward Adrian.

"My fiancé came, so if you’ll excuse me."

She walked away before Adrian could respond.

For several seconds, Adrian and Cale remained where they were, completely dumbfounded.

Around them, several students struggled to contain themselves. One covered her mouth and another turned away entirely. Someone nearby nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Adrian’s jaw tightened as he watched Elysia’s retreating back.

---

Caelus entered the ballroom as his name was announced, and attention turned toward him almost immediately.

Whispers moved through the room as students and nobles looked in his direction. The upper years watched with open interest.

A Vespera taking first place was not unheard of. It was becoming almost a law after his siblings took the last two years’ Apex title.

But the fact that the person who was now the Apex had once been regarded as a D-rank potential cripple made it strange.

Caelus ignored the looks and continued down the center of the room with Leon following him. Nobles bowed or inclined their heads as he passed.

Leon returned those gestures with bows of his own, though the stiffness in his posture made his nerves obvious. He kept his spine straight and followed Caelus without looking around too much, but his height drew attention of its own. He towered over most of the room, making him difficult to overlook.

Caelus acknowledged the greetings from those worth acknowledging.

For most nobles, his new rank changed little.

A Vespera was still a Vespera.

They could whisper behind his back, question how he had reached the top, and dismiss him as an anomaly when he wasn’t around. The moment he stood before them, however, their tongues behaved with considerably more discipline. They became nothing but stiff backs and lowered heads.

Caelus was about to make his way toward a quieter corner when he heard footsteps approaching.

He turned, and his expression crumbled immediately.

It was Elysia.

She smiled as their eyes met, already standing in front of him with her hands raised slightly.

Caelus stepped slightly forward, bowed, and brushed his lips against her knuckles before straightening again.

Leon bowed behind him.

Elysia ignored him, her eyes fixed on Caelus.

"I’m really proud. My Cael managed to become the Apex."

Caelus maintained his expression.

"Thank you, Lady Elysia."

She pouted.

"Call me Elysia only. I’m your wife, you know."

"Fiancée."

Elysia chuckled behind her hand.

For anyone else, it would have been nothing more than a small laugh. Coming from Elysia, it was practically a full-blown display of amusement.

"I love how shy you’re about this."

Caelus looked at her suspiciously.

Does she have an agenda or something?

He was already regretting coming here.

His eyes moved past her and settled on the two figures still standing farther across the ballroom.

Adrian’s eyes were practically glued to them. He looked calm, but the slight tension in his jaw gave him away.

Cale was watching beside him. He looked at Caelus once and whispered to the Prince.

Caelus turned back to Elysia with a faint smile.

"We should sit, shouldn’t we? The ball is far from over."

He walked toward an empty table where several untouched glasses of wine had been arranged for guests.

Elysia followed, and the students ahead of them quietly parted to make way.

Leon, being a gentleman, pulled out chairs for both of them before taking a step back.

Only then did Elysia give him her attention.

"Is he a new lackey you threatened, Cael?"

Leon immediately shook his head.

"I just owe Young Master Caelus my life. He didn’t threaten me or anything, my lady."

Caelus glanced at Leon.

"Leon, bring a seat for yourself and sit."

Leon looked toward Elysia, waiting for her reaction.

She gave none.

He pulled a chair over and sat awkwardly.

Elysia turned back toward Caelus.

"You really did well in your exams. I didn’t even think you’d get Rank One, let alone survive. You improved a lot since we last fought."

Caelus picked up one of the wine glasses and swirled the red liquid inside before taking a sip.

His expression tightened for the briefest moment.

He had once assumed wine tasted good because people drank it so confidently.

He had been very wrong.

"Well, it’s not like I can stay mediocre."

He set the glass down.

"Where did you learn those spells?"

Elysia studied him.

"As far as I remember, the Caelus I know was a ’Knight’ glued to his sword wherever he went, not a mage."

Caelus looked at her and tilted his head slightly.

"People change."

His gaze remained on hers.

"Are you asking because you’re suspicious, or are you just interested in the spells?"

"The spells are quite fascinating," Elysia said. "But I liked your tracking bullet more than the others. It seems to work by detecting moisture, does it not?"

Caelus paused.

"You’re right about that."

"I’d be delighted if you showed me what the magic circle looks like and how it works. I can’t help being invested."

Caelus considered her for a moment.

The more help he could get for the spells, the better.

"I’ll show you sometime."

Elysia was about to continue, but a voice she didn’t want to hear interrupted her.

"Interesting conversation you’ve got here. Can I join?"

Elysia immediately rolled her eyes.

Caelus turned and saw Adrian approaching with Cale beside him.

The First Prince stopped beside Leon’s seat and looked directly at him, meeting his eyes even though Leon remained seated.

When Adrian spoke, the warmth had disappeared from his voice.

"Scram, commoner."