Standing on the platform looking down, the ballroom was sowhat exquisite.
But when Zheng Qing truly stepped into the dance floor of this venue, standing at the center like a small square, he was stunned by its ’vastness’—perhaps because he and Su Shijun were the opening dancers, at this mont besides them, there were no other guests in the dance floor.
Beneath his feet lay empty and clean Han Baiyu stone slabs, overhead a giant silver-white moon, with a night sky fringed with the heavy curtain of black, adorned with bright sparkling stars, and in the distant forest, tree crowns swayed as if they were sleeping Fire Dragons laying tail-to-tail.
A bit closer, each archway of Baroque architecture glowed with orange-yellow lights like the eyes of awakened pumpkin lanterns; even closer, atop the stone pillars at the edge of the dance floor, stone-carved Magical Creatures clung at the top, gazed curiously and attentively at the two small figures on the dance floor.
The tall silhouette of the Upper House mber from the Moon Council completely overshadowed the boy, enhancing his sense of insignificance.
Bang!
Bang Bang!
Another series of golden fireworks rose in the distance and blood like burning dandelions. The young wizards attending the ball clustered on the grass beyond the stone pillars, craning their necks to look at the two figures in the center of the dance floor. So of the less reserved even raised monocles with brass chains.
The night breeze wavered, bringing a faint rustling sound, resembling the noise silkworms make when munching mulberry leaves during ’mountain climbing’ season, but Zheng Qing knew it was just the guests whispering among themselves.
"Look into my eyes."
Su Shijun’s beautiful eyes caught the warlock’s evasive sight, her face maintaining a refined and elegant expression, but her slightly stern voice rang directly in the boy’s mind: "Just as n trust each other’s vision, witches trust my judgnt... If you wish to stay comfortably at the First University in the future, you must exhibit a deanor that convinces everyone."
Zheng Qing finally mustered the courage to bravely et his dance partner’s gaze.
Tonight, she was more enchanting than ever, her jet-black hair silky and glossy, tied into an elegant chignon at her nape, yet two strands of hair fell by her ears, tinted blue and white, highlighting her slender and fair neck, surprisingly giving a touch of playfulness.
The boy’s gaze followed those strands to the necklace on the witch’s chest, inlaid with a green gemstone, only seeing a vast whiteness that made his eyes blur with tears.
"The wind blew into my eyes."
The boy murmured, desperately suppressing the urge to blink — knowing that as the opening dance hadn’t comnced, he had no chance to raise his hand to wipe the corners of his eyes.
"Then tilt your head back a bit more."
Su Shijun offered her suggestion, with music and drumbeats gradually changing, lifted her skirt, bowed her head, and bent her knees to the warlock opposite.
Zheng Qing returned the gesture, clumsily took her hand with one hand, while the other, with her assistance, rested on her lower back. Whether it was an illusion or not, at that mont, he felt that the golden runes on his ceremonial robe had worn substantially.
A light chuckle from Su Shijun reached his ears.
"Co closer," her voice seed both next to his ear and from a great distance: "The powers of abomination and jealousy can penetrate the Shepherdess’ traditional Protective Talisman but find it hard to pass through a Big Wizard’s protection. The best way to resist insanity is unparalleled passion."
A faint fragrance spread around with the witch’s spins, seemingly infused with magic power, Zheng Qing could clearly feel the gazes surrounding them beco blurred and weakened, he seized the chance to tilt his head higher, letting the tears roll back to the bottom of his eyes.
His vision finally cleared again.
The opening dance comnced, one by one young male and female wizards stread into the dance floor, encircling Zheng Qing and Su Shijun, performing similar social dances, spinning, eting eyes, leaning back, with dancing gowns like various blooming flowers, bursting into dizzying colors on the white floor.
More and more figures, steadily chipped away at Zheng Qing’s initial unease.
His movents finally loosened up.
He even had the spirit to make a few jokes.
"I’ve realized many of your preparations were entirely unnecessary."
After another spin, the young cost student suddenly spoke, expressing a small complaint: "For example, in the pitch-black, no one could see whether there was a rice-grain-sized orchid on my robe; also, no wizard approached to discuss art appraisal... or chat about which estate’s late harvested Amber Light is tastier this year. You know, before this, the ones who spoke to most were Su Ya and the others..."
The witch let out a string of bell-like laughter, drawing curious side glances from others, their gaze fixated on Zheng Qing, unsure of what he’d said to please the Upper House mber so much.
This was not Zheng Qing’s intention.
Regret welled up inside him.
"Such is the life of nobles."
Su Shijun finally ceased her laughter, but her tone still carried a hint of amusent: "Many spend a lifeti learning skills they may never use... If you get the chance to use them, it is your good luck. Most people’s ’skills’ end up buried together with dust-covered Bamboo slips in the graveyard of ti."
"Is this funny?" Zheng Qing finally couldn’t hold back, softly protesting.
"Just interesting, far from amusing." The witch’s response thoroughly surprised the boy.
"Then why..."
"I need to ensure others know you are a competent dance partner."
"I don’t understand," after saying these words, Zheng Qing suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of dejection, desperate to convey: "Is any of this worth it? Your honor, your reputation... wasted on an insignificant person like ..."
"Wasted?"
The witch seed rather surprised, glanced at the boy seriously, and shook her head slightly: "No, it’s not a waste. I chose you imdiately because I didn’t want to waste too much ti on such trivial matters. You’re nice, your personality is alright, your capabilities are strong, your background isn’t weak, and the divination results were quite positive, eting the ’elders’ minimum requirents in every aspect... Having you by my side, whether it’s the family’s elders, council’s elders, or school’s elders, they would believe I have finally found my husband, not just fooling around... and of course, most importantly, you do indeed count as Poseidon’s father."
It was an explanation that brought Zheng Qing so asure of assurance.
Then the next sentence, once again, drifted beyond his comprehension.
"So... do you want to graduate early?"
Su Shijun held the warlock’s hand, perford a beautiful spin, tilting her head slightly with a perfectly charming expression on her face.
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