As soon as Theo left, the prodigies who had entered left the ballroom disappointed, without indulging in any pleasantries. As if there was nothing here that could interest them in staying anymore.
Theo's wet body had left trails of cold water in his wake, and there were no cleaners to respond quickly, as this summit is solely for the youth, and only the youth are here responsible for everything that happens.
Many present inside the ballroom frowned seeing the prodigies leave, thinking that the mess Theo had left was the reason behind, a few bossy exceptionals ordered regulars to clean it up.
"Tsk..., they must have left because it is messy here." Few disappointments were echoed throughout the ballroom.
"You fucking bastards, clean it up," some shouted at the regulars, glaring with anger; they radiated a typical bully energy.
"I wanted to join their factions." Someone even dreamt of the impossible
Even though the regulars are resentful of the order that was thrown at them, and even the fact that they are being ordered, veins bulge with anger in many regulars, but they still had to comply.
Most of the regulars shot glares at 'John Boyce' and 'Finn Culdros,' who were directly involved in the incident. As if telling them to drag their asses and clean the mess they had created.
John, feeling their glares turned around spectacle, but understanding their glare, he couldn't help but curse at Finn internally.
Glaring at Finn, who was groaning in pain, even after taking a healing potion that had pain-relieving properties, John couldn't help but think of cutting his ties with Finn for good, as he was always dragging him into foolish troubles, and he didn't want to be in them.
John, without thinking much, went ahead and cleaned up the mess and helped Finn sit on a chair.
"I don't know anymore why I am even still helping this bastard," John muttered lowly,
John couldn't help but think of the man who almost made him shit his pants without even Theo doing anything to him. He was baffled by how a non-awakener is stronger than him.
"Theodore Varkheil," Just as John mutters Theo's name, Finn's whole body trembles, remembering the cold dark eyes. John wasn't any different; his body trembled, and he couldn't help but wish the gods he would never want to meet Theo again.
But alas, luck had always been John's greatest enemy, and he could never have foreseen that his desperate wish would soon twist into a curse. In truth, John is kind, but his existence is nothing more than pitiful.
***
Four figures walked calmly in a corridor that shone in golden warmth and cool breeze brushing past them as they ignored the hums coming from the ballroom they had just come out of.
Nedrick Hammet has warm skin and stands tall at 5'11, his grey hair gleaming beneath the golden chandeliers, while his dark brown eyes radiate calm authority. His tailored dark-blue tuxedo emphasized the sharpness of his posture, refinement tempered into quiet strength.
Beside him walked Raven Gilford. Tall at six feet, his frame was lean and casual but unwavering. Even though he is carefree in nature, his presence is steady as a blade driven into stone. He wore plain black trousers and a simple blue shirt, a startling contrast to the extravagance of tonight's event.
To his right, William Ardent walked steadily. His crimson suit blazed beneath the chandeliers, the color both regal and dangerous. Standing an even six feet, he was elegance honed into weaponry, every detail of his being demanding reverence. His pale skin spotless and his dark hair streaked with crimson shades, his eyes that burned with the same hue, crimson and alive, fierce. His beauty was devastating, enough to make everyone feel awe and envy.
Lastly, Jane Gilford walked beside him. She is 5.8, and moved as though the polished floor bent willingly beneath her feet. Her blonde hair spilled down her back like sunlit silk, and her light blue eyes caught and reflected the stars engraved into the chandeliers above. She wore a gown the color of midnight skies, its silver star etchings shimmering with each step.
They opened the door of a ballroom, which was just 200 meters away from the ballroom where they had come out.
This ballroom that they had entered was solely designated for the prodigies.
The ballroom was modest in size, yet its splendor dwarfed halls twice its size. The marble floor gleamed like polished ice beneath the light of jeweled chandeliers, and silken draperies shimmered with threads of brilliance. Riches spilled into every corner, treasures so lavish that the ballroom beside this, which belonged to the Regulars and the expectionals, couldn't even be able to compare to the grandness this ballroom contained.
Nearly two hundred guests filled the round tables that dotted the room, laughter and the clinking of crystal weaving into a low, constant hum.
As soon as they entered, stares followed them. Even among the prodigies, the group was cut above the rest.
Ignoring the stares of fellow prodigies, the group moved towards a certain table where two young ladies sat.
One wore a gown of jet-black layered tulle veiled with silver and golden-beaded lace appliqué. Her silky silver hair was styled in soft waves that framed her face in radiance, and her red eyes radiated calmness. Anayah Valantine did not need to move, or even to speak, to captivate.
Beside her sat Jasmine Morgrin. She wore a deep-purple gown with tiered trumpet sleeves and a pearled high collar, a garment that spoke of dignity yet carried a bold edge. Her black, wavy hair cascaded freely, brushing against her shoulder blades in restless motion.
The contrast between them only made their beauty more striking.
Anayah sipped idly at a drink of watermelon, lemon, and mint, lips curving faintly with satisfaction.
The other toyed with a fork, tapping it against her plate with restless energy.
"Ana, let's—" Jasmine began, only to falter. Her words caught in her throat as she turned left, her blue eyes struck by the serene, ethereal sight of the silver-haired girl beside her. For a moment, her heart skipped a beat.
Hearing her name, Anayah turned, her pale eyes glimmering as she caught Jasmine staring. A faint smile tugged at her lips, amused at Jasmine's star-struck expression.
"Jasmine," she spoke, her voice like velvet. The single word pulled Jasmine back from her daze, and she blinked rapidly.
"Ah— yes… let's go out and do something fun," Jasmine muttered, remembering her earlier boredom.
Anayah didn't answer right away. She lifted her glass, took a slow sip, and only after savoring it did she nod in quiet approval.
"Wait until they return. We can all go together." She gestured toward the four empty chairs opposite them.
Jasmine clicked her tongue, remembering what transpired a few moments earlier. The others had wanted to go watch the fight between Theo and Marcus that was taking place in the adjoining ballroom. Jasmine wanted to join them as well; however, she had been in the middle of eating her favorite dark strawberry cake, something she usually savored slowly, bite by bite.
The thought of leaving it unfinished gnawed at her, yet the idea of missing a fight frustrated her just as much.
In the end, she told them to wait, but they left without a second thought. By the time she finally finished her huge cake, a message buzzed on her smart band: the fight was already over.
That memory was written plain in her narrowed eyes now, irritation simmering just beneath the surface.
She was just glad Anayah had stayed by her side.
And then sensing the group approaching, Jasmine's blue eyes narrowed towards them.
"See? Jasmine's already glaring. She has no patience at all," Nedrick muttered, his words deliberately angled away from Jasmine's icy blue eyes.
"Heh, not us, she is only glaring at you, my friend," Raven replied, amused.
"Hahaha… Don't worry, she won't eat you, Nedrick," William chuckled, crimson gaze glinting.
"Fuck off, Will, don't even think about joking this in front of her, she might actually do it." Nedrick shuddered at the thought of the event actually happening, and her ice-blue eyes on him didn't help him feel safe anymore. Thinking about how to appease Jasmine, Nedrick felt terrorized.
As they reached for the chairs, frost suddenly crept across one particular chair that Nedrick had touched, ice blooming outward in jagged veins. The moment it tried to latch onto his hand, he jerked back.
"Fuck" Nedrick cursed out.
"This Bi-"