Chapter 63: The Brightsail Ball

The Brightsail Ballroom was a magnificent place. Hundreds of dim, circular mana-lights moved along the walls and ceiling of the room. It gave the atmosphere a magical feel. The air was thick with mana from the magic suits, dresses, and accessories most of the students wore. Several others performed simple spells in groups, showing off or cracking jokes. A group of ghostly musicians played instruments and sang. Illusionary butlers and maids with no faces traversed the room, offering refreshments and snacks. And that was in addition to the grand table of food that was on one end of the room. It seemed like the attendants brought more food out at regular intervals, even if nothing had been eaten. Though things were definitely being eaten. Tonka and Girch were already filling their plates. 

Ano shook his head. “All these beautiful ladies and Tonka is eating with a man. I’ll be back. He needs a lecture. Come on—” Ano spun around. “Hey, where’d it go?” Ano sighed as he caught sight of his pillow. It was slow dancing with some random girl. The corners of the pillow were wrapped around her back. 

Mori stared with squinted eyes and a fallen jaw. “I have…so many questions.” 

Ano shook his head. “Some wingman he proved to be. Oh well. See ya in a bit,” he said.

Susanna went on her own shortly after as well. A group of fourth-year girls waved her over excitedly, and she smiled at Sen and the others before hurrying over. 

Samara yawned. “I don’t know about y’all, but I’m starving. Anyone want anything?” she asked. 

“I’ll come!” Ilm said.

Milim shook her head. “No, thanks,” she said. 

“Well, then you two enjoy yourselves,” Mori said. “I’ll be keeping an eye out for any problems. But let me know if you need anything.”

Sen nodded. He didn’t need to tell Mori to keep him updated. If he caught wind of something, Sen would be the first person he told. That allowed him to relax a bit. He really just wanted tonight to go well. 

The flowers on Milim’s dress reflected the blue light of the room well. When Milim tilted her head at him, he realized he’d been staring. “Sorry, I uh—”

[This is the part where you compliment her. I know, I know, I’ll shut up from now on. But seriously, say something.]

For once, Tutor was right. “You look amazing tonight, Milim.”

Her eyes widened, and she looked away. “Thank you, Sen. You look really nice too.” 

He scratched the back of his head. He’d never been in a situation like this before. If he were being honest, he was a little out of his element. 

[Ask her too—]

“Would you like to dance?” he asked. 

Milim looked up at him and smiled. “Of course.”

They walked out onto the dance floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he realized her dress smelled sweet, like the flowers affixed to it. It was a nice detail. He placed his hands just above her waist. 

“Enhance—”

Milim shook her head. “No magic,” she said, cutting him off. “Just...dance badly with me.” 

“Oh,” Sen managed to get out. He hadn’t expected that. After a moment, he took it in stride and chuckled. “Imagine the rumors if people learn the God of Magic can’t dance.”

Milim smiled. “I’m not dancing with the God of Magic. I’m dancing with Sen.” 

He stared at her in surprise. How had she known the perfect thing to say?

He focused on the music, felt out the rhythm, and then the two of them swayed from side to side as ghosts serenaded the room with beautiful songs. It felt natural to hold her, as if his hands were meant to, and her touch was comforting. Like a calming spell, or the sound of running water. 

“What are you thinking about?” she inquired, staring at him with pink eyes that reminded him of a precious gemstone. 

His lip twisted to the side. “That I almost missed out on this, on spending time with you, here. I’m glad we came, Milim.”

She leaned her head on his chest, slipping her arms further around him and under his hair. “Me too,” she said into his chest. 

He had no idea what he was doing, and at the same time, it all felt so right. 

They danced like that for a while. Eventually, the music sped up, and they decided to get something to drink. Sen looked for a server with a tray, but Ano’s pillow appeared out of nowhere with two drinks wrapped in its corners. Sen looked around and saw Ano giving him a thumbs-up. He laughed and led Milim off the dance floor with their drinks. They found a wall to lean on and looked around for their friends. Ilm and Samara were having fun dancing together to the upbeat music. To Sen’s surprise, Ilm was a much better dancer than he had expected. Mori had confiscated Samara’s sword before letting her into the ball, so she wasn’t carrying it anymore. Oliver moved around, fixing decorations that had fallen out of place and double-checking on refreshments. He was here in his capacity as a student representative, and anxious as ever as he wafted around the room. Joseia danced all on his own, but he’d gained an audience. A small circle formed around him as he danced surprisingly well. The circle chanted his name.

“Joseia!”

“Joseia!”

“Joseia!”

Sen chuckled. 

Susanna was with her fourth-year friends, talking and dancing. Girch sat nearby at a table. Anytime a boy would walk up to ask Susanna to dance, Girch would grumble and scare him off. Susanna turned to the large man and mouthed a ‘thank you’. 

Girch nodded and went back to enjoying his fourth plate of refreshments.

“Look!” Milim pointed to the far side of the room, and he saw something he hadn’t expected. Alari was there. Her black dress had a magma-like pattern on it. The lower you looked on the dress, the more molten cracks formed until eventually it appeared as if the lower half was made from lava itself. He was surprised she came, and more surprised to see her in a dress. But what was even more surprising was the fact that Ano was talking to her. 

She stared at him from behind her drink. In Sen’s opinion, she couldn’t look less interested in whatever it was Ano had to say. But a moment later she set her drink down and followed him to the dance floor. Each of them placed a hand on the others back and clasped their other hands together. It was especially formal, and they kept plenty of room between themselves. But after a moment of quiet discussion, they started dancing. It was almost like an agreement between two parties rather than anything romantic. They spoke in hushed tones like they were negotiating a treaty between two nations or a business contract. Sen found it very weird and made a note to ask Ano about it later. Still, he was impressed. The two of them could dance. Had he known that he might’ve asked Ano for some pointers. Alari’s molten dress contrasted the blue trim of Ano’s, and they looked like a volcano and the ocean dancing amidst a sea of colors. 

Milim tilted her head. “I don’t know. I think they could be cute together.”

Sen nearly choked on his drink. 

The two of them laughed. For a moment, he realized he didn’t want the night to ever end. If he had a spell like time crawl, but for everyone in the area, he might just cast it right now. Of course, that would violate Milim’s no-magic rule, but he thought she might make an exception for it. 

He felt someone near his shoulder and turned to see Mori.

“Someone’s here,” Mori whispered in his ear. 

Sen straightened up. “Who?”

“They’re in the foyer. They’ve asked to speak with you.”

Milim noticed the change in Sen’s posture. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

Sen turned to look at her. “Yes. I need to help Mori with something, wait for me with Ilm and Samara?” he asked her.

Milim nodded. “Okay,” she said, sipping her drink. “Don’t be gone too long, though.” She placed a familiar hand on his shoulder, and he nodded. 

As he followed Mori, he overheard someone in conversation. “I can’t wait for the updated rankings. I’m excited!”

“I know! Who do you think has the top spot now?”

Mori led him through the door to the foyer, and Sen froze. A woman wore a sleek black dress that clung to her body. It had red trim, which matched the ends of her hair as well as her skin. 

[Well, she’s dressed to kill. Literally, do you see that sword? And those knives poking out from under her dress? Sheesh.] 

The woman was familiar to him. Of course she was. He’d killed her brother during the invasion of Brightsail Academy. 

The daughter of the God of Demons, Rella. 

She stared past him through the still-closing doors. He turned to look backward and saw Milim standing with Samara and Ilm. He took a step to the left to cut off Rella’s view.

Her red eyes adjusted to pierce him. 

“What are you doing here?” he demanded. 

Mori stood beside him with crossed arms. “I allowed her to bypass the defenses because I was curious what she’d do. I didn’t expect her to ask to talk to you when I caught her, though.”

Rella bowed her head slightly. “I have a message from my father.”

Sen turned to exchange a look with Mori. Now, that was unexpected. “What is it?” he asked, curiosity got the better of him in a single moment. That was too interesting not to bite on.

“My father is the only living god that interacted with you during your reign. The others have sensed your presence in the world, and they requested his audience. He wants to know how you wish to proceed?” 

Sen took his time to respond. There could easily be a trap in this, but on the other hand, he admitted he saw the logic of it. King Varraskan, the God of Demons, would have sensed Harpis’ return just like all the other gods. Then, he would have sensed Sen unveiling himself and erasing Harpis from this world. The God of Demons had more reason to fear him than most. He was trying to stay on Sen’s good side. 

“I see. Are their demands so urgent you needed to come tonight of all nights?” Sen asked. He was mildly irked at her timing. Tonight was about spending time with his friends. Spending time with Milim. Now he was out here interrogating a demon. 

“My father advised against it, for fear of antagonizing you, but…I’d never been to a ball before. I wanted to see one,” she said. She seemed embarrassed enough that he believed her. It made sense now why she’d been trying to get a look inside the door. Simple curiosity. It was a trait that most races and species shared. Curiosity was what drove him to travel a thousand years into the future. If anything, he understood that feeling more than most. 

“I see. Tell your father he is to reveal nothing about me, nor my current affiliations. I will reveal myself to the others when I am ready. Failure to protect my identity will be the equivalent of forfeiting his life.” That wasn’t a threat he was a hundred percent sure he could keep. At least, not yet. He still needed to catch up to the levels of modern gods. But none of them knew that. 

[Fake it till you make it.] 

Sen resisted the urge to roll his eyes. But Tutor was right. 

“That being said, if your father wanted to avoid crossing me, why were so many demons at Harpis castle?” he demanded. 

Rella fell to her knees and lowered her head at his tone. “Our apologies. The Shadowhell continent is not as united as it once was. Many have forgotten the…teachings you once bestowed upon us.”

The two years of annihilation before the God of Demons surrendered and accepted every single demand Sen gave him. Teachings worked too, though. 

“In truth, you did us a favor by annihilating them. My father has made great strides since the opposing factions were weakened. Those who supported the cult of Harpis,” she said.

“I left your father alive because I thought he was capable of controlling the demons. If he is no longer able to do so, perhaps I should replace him,” Sen said. 

Rella lifted her head to look at him. “On my life, we are capable.”

Sen frowned at that. “As things stand, if your father fails, only he needs to die. If you swear this on your own life, you risk yourself. Why do that? Why put yourself in danger?” he asked her.

Rella stood and placed a hand on the hilt of her blade. It wasn’t a threatening gesture; it was more…determination. “Because, unlike my peers, I believe the teachings were valuable. We’ve built a nation in place of a simple assortment of tribes. It took us many years to rebuild, but now we have something we lacked before. Civilization. Progress. In the Shadowhell, things must burn before they grow. I believe your actions were a burning, and since then we have grown. I am willing to die to protect that.” 

This one impressed him. Perhaps King Varraskan had sent her because she was a skilled liar, but honestly, Sen thought she sounded truthful. “I see. Then see it done, or you will suffer the same fate as your father.”

Rella bowed once more. She turned away from him, undoubtedly waiting for her father to open a portal back home. 

As it started to open, Sen spoke with mana in his voice. “No.” 

The portal disappeared in an instant. When Rella turned this time, he detected a hint of fear. Her brother had died the last time they crossed paths. Perhaps she thought Sen would kill her as well. And she knew her father wouldn’t do anything about it. The fear Sen had put in the God of Demons transcended time and space. He’d watch both of his children die to the God of Magic rather than try to resist. 

“Relax. You’re not in danger. I may have questions for you. Or I may decide to expand on my message to your father. So, for the time being, I need you to stick around,” Sen said. “At least until the end of the night.”

A look of confusion spread across her face. “Of course…if that is what is required.”

“You’ll also need to come inside. I can’t leave you out here unsupervised. Not after last time,” Sen added. 

Mori turned to look at him, an amused look on his face.

Rella shook her head. “But I…” She held a hand up as if to demonstrate, but her skin was no longer red. It was white. She looked down at herself. Her hair was long and blonde. Though he’d left her eyes red. 

“Mori,” Sen said, turning to him. “Show her around in the meantime. Ensure she eats her fill. If she’s low on energy, she won’t be able to answer my questions. She should dance as well. It’s not a ball without dancing, and that would be…well, against human customs. You should respect our customs while among us, you agree, yes?” Sen said.

Rella nodded fervently. “Of course!” Her shoulders shrank in embarrassment at how excited she’d say it. 

“Good, then let’s get go,” Sen said, pushing the door open. His eyes locked onto Milim. “I have someone to get back to.” 

As they entered the ball one more time, a guy’s excited cry rang out. “Hey, I think they’re revealing the rankings soon!”