Selena looked at Ezra with her usual elegant smile.

The gentle curve of her lips carried the same noble grace she had displayed throughout the evening. Beneath the warm ballroom lights, the emerald gems woven into her gown reflected soft rays of light, making her look almost ethereal among the sea of beautifully dressed students.

"We meet again, Ezra Ashenlocke."

Her voice was soft and refined.

Then, with the slightest hint of amusement hidden in her eyes, she added,

"Or... perhaps you don’t remember me?"

Ezra met her gaze calmly.

"I remember you, Lady Selena Galehart."

He bowed slightly in greeting before raising his head again.

"Your performance during the auction event was beautiful."

The compliment came naturally.

There wasn’t the slightest attempt to flatter her.

It was simply an honest observation.

Selena let out a light chuckle.

"Thank you."

She gracefully lifted one hand to cover part of her smile, her elegant manners remaining flawless even during such a casual exchange.

Since Selena was no longer seated before the grand piano...

The academy orchestra took over the final performance of the evening.

One after another...

Violins began to sing.

Cellos followed with deep, steady notes.

The sound of the piano gently blended into the melody before the remaining instruments joined together, creating the graceful music prepared for the Third Core.

Around the ballroom...

Every gentleman stepped forward toward his chosen partner.

Each bowed with proper etiquette.

Across from them, the ladies answered with equally graceful curtsies, their elegant gowns spreading slightly across the polished marble floor before settling once again.

The final dance had officially begun.

Selena slowly extended her hand.

This really feels like a dream...

Although her thoughts had already become a complete mess...

Her face betrayed none of it.

Years of noble education had taught her how to keep every emotion hidden beneath a calm smile.

When Ezra gently took her hand...

She could feel the warmth of his palm.

Her heart skipped another beat.

Calm down...

Stay calm...

She silently reminded herself.

Around them...

The entire Grand Ballroom had almost forgotten its own conversations.

Students who were already dancing occasionally turned their heads to steal another glance.

Those standing along the sides openly watched without any intention of hiding their curiosity.

Every eye held anticipation.

Standing near the stage...

Professor Liliana Galehart had already pulled out her Zphone 14.

She held it with both hands, adjusting the angle several times before nodding in satisfaction.

The excitement shining in her eyes was impossible to hide.

It almost looked as though she had been waiting for this moment more eagerly than Selena herself.

"Come on, boys and girls!"

She cheerfully spoke into the microphone.

"Let’s begin our final dance!"

Her energetic voice echoed throughout the Grand Ballroom.

Almost immediately...

The orchestra raised the melody.

The Third Core officially began.

Selena looked into Ezra’s quiet black eyes.

"Please take care of me."

Her voice remained gentle.

"I’ll do my best."

Ezra answered in the same calm tone.

Without wasting another moment...

He stepped forward.

His hand naturally settled upon Selena’s slender waist.

Through the thin layers of her gown...

He felt the same delicate softness he had noticed earlier while dancing with Vera.

The thought crossed his mind only briefly before disappearing.

His attention immediately returned to the music.

Following the rhythm...

Ezra gently guided Selena forward.

She responded without hesitation.

Her movements were graceful and elegant.

Years of practice allowed her to understand his lead almost instantly.

The two slowly merged with the melody.

Their feet glided across the polished marble floor with remarkable harmony.

Watching them...

Many students couldn’t help comparing the dance to Ezra and Vera’s performance.

The movements were just as refined.

Just as smooth.

However...

There was one noticeable difference.

During the Second Core...

The music itself had become part of the performance.

Selena’s piano had perfectly matched every movement Ezra and Vera made, making the entire dance feel almost alive.

This time...

Although the academy orchestra performed beautifully...

Their music couldn’t fully recreate that same feeling.

Still...

The difference wasn’t enough to diminish the beauty unfolding before everyone’s eyes.

Selena adapted to Ezra’s lead with astonishing precision.

Every turn.

Every step.

Every movement flowed together naturally.

Rather than two dancers...

They looked like partners who had rehearsed together countless times.

The spectators gradually became absorbed.

Even conversations around the ballroom slowly faded away.

Only the music remained.

Selena’s beautiful emerald eyes sparkled.

Not because of the lights.

But because of the amazement filling her heart.

She had imagined this moment many times.

Ever since she thought about her first public dance...

She had secretly wondered what it would be like to dance with her ideal man.

Countless versions had played through her imagination.

None of them came close.

Reality far surpassed every fantasy she had ever created.

Right now...

She was dancing hand in hand with the person who had quietly occupied a place inside her heart.

Each graceful step made that realization feel more real.

Ezra gently guided her into another turn.

Her gown blossomed outward as she spun.

The countless emerald gems decorating the dress caught the ballroom lights, scattering tiny flashes across the polished floor.

For a brief moment...

She looked like a flower blooming beneath a field of stars.

"So beautiful..."

One young noble girl unconsciously whispered.

She wasn’t the only one.

Several others covered their mouths in admiration.

Many had always admired Selena.

Tonight...

Their admiration only deepened.

Nearby...

A few boys quietly exchanged smiles.

"This Welcome Party has really been unforgettable."

One of them sighed.

His friend nodded while keeping his eyes fixed on the dance floor.

"Being able to watch performances like this... it almost doesn’t feel real."

Another student quietly raised his Starlix.

He carefully waited.

Then...

The perfect moment arrived.

Ezra drew Selena back toward him with one smooth motion.

She spun gracefully before stopping within his embrace.

Click.

The photograph captured the exact instant.

"It’s a masterpiece."

The boy muttered while admiring the picture on his screen.

Time quietly slipped away.

Neither Ezra nor Selena paid attention to it.

The music changed.

One song became another.

Partners occasionally switched positions around the ballroom.

Yet...

Selena hardly noticed any of it.

Her attention remained completely occupied by the dance.

Before she realized it...

Everything around her gradually faded.

The applause.

The conversations.

Even the orchestra itself.

Only Ezra’s steady guidance remained.

To her...

It felt as though only a few minutes had passed.

Then...

A familiar voice reached her ears.

"Lady Selena."

No response came.

The voice spoke again.

"Lady Selena?"

Still...

She remained absent-minded.

Finally...

A calm voice reached her from directly in front of her.

"The dance has ended."

Selena blinked.

"Huh?"

Her thoughts instantly returned.

She looked up.

Ezra was already standing before her.

His calm black eyes quietly met hers.

Only then did Selena notice the loud applause echoing throughout the Grand Ballroom.

Cheers rose from every direction.

"What an incredible performance!"

"Sir Ezra!"

"Lady Selena!"

"Thank you for such a wonderful dance!"

The sound filled the entire hall.

Ezra gently helped Selena straighten herself completely before releasing her hand.

She looked around in surprise.

The dance has already ended?

She couldn’t even remember the final song.

"I became so immersed in your lead... that I completely forgot myself."

A look of genuine amazement crossed her face.

Even she found it difficult to believe.

Her breathing had become uneven from the long dance.

Ezra’s breathing was only slightly heavier than usual.

"I’m sorry for my lack of courtesy."

Selena softly placed one hand over her chest as she apologized.

"It’s fine."

Ezra simply replied.

"There is no need to apologize."

After offering a polite nod...

He turned, preparing to leave the dance floor.

Selena instinctively reached out.

Her fingers lifted slightly, wanting to stop him.

The movement lasted less than a second.

Before anyone could notice...

She quietly withdrew her hand again.

However...

Someone else noticed the opportunity.

"Wait!"

A cheerful voice suddenly rang out.

Professor Liliana disappeared from the stage.

In the blink of an eye...

She flashed across the ballroom with astonishing speed.

Even Ezra’s senses failed to catch her movement.

One moment...

She had been near the stage.

The next...

She was already standing directly in front of him with an excited smile.

"I haven’t taken any close pictures of you two together yet!"

She proudly raised her Zphone.

Its camera was already pointed toward them.

"Come on."

She waved energetically.

"Stand closer to my niece."

"Aunt..."

Selena hurriedly spoke, her cheeks growing slightly warm.

"It’s Professor, Young Miss."

Liliana corrected her immediately.

"Professor..."

Selena corrected herself with a helpless sigh.

"...please act like one."

"No."

Liliana answered without the slightest hesitation.

She looked directly at Selena with an expression that clearly said...

I’m going to do exactly what I want.

Selena could only sigh inwardly.

Ezra quietly watched the amusing exchange without interrupting.

Then...

Liliana suddenly turned toward him.

She lowered her Zphone slightly.

"Or...You don’t want me to have a picture of you and my lovely niece?"

She puffed her cheeks and gave him exaggerated puppy eyes.

Ezra narrowed his eyes slightly.

Just before answering...

He noticed something.

Liliana’s free hand remained hidden behind the Zphone.

Where Selena couldn’t see it...

She quietly pressed the tips of her thumb and index finger together.

A universal gesture.

Payment.

Help me...

And I’ll pay you a handsome amount.

A faint smile almost appeared on Ezra’s face.

"I don’t mind, Professor."

He answered calmly.

Liliana’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Wonderful choice, young man."

She gave him a broad, satisfied smile.

Seeing Ezra agree...

Selena knew there was no point arguing anymore.

I know exactly where these pictures are going...

She sighed inwardly.

Aunt is definitely adding them to that strange collection of hers.

After a brief pause...

A tiny smile quietly appeared inside her thoughts.

I guess I will collect all the pictures of me and Ezra.

Another faint, satisfied smile quietly appeared on Selena’s face.

It lasted only for a brief moment before she gracefully composed herself once again, returning to the elegant image expected of the Galehart family’s young lady.

Around the Grand Ballroom...

The lively atmosphere gradually began to settle.

The final dance had ended.

Students slowly returned to their circles of friends, exchanging excited conversations about everything that had happened throughout the evening.

Some discussed their dance experience.

Others couldn’t stop talking about the breathtaking dances.

Many were already comparing tonight’s performances with previous Welcome Parties, convinced they had witnessed something unforgettable.

Servants quietly moved between the gathering students, collecting empty glasses and dessert plates while musicians carefully placed their instruments back into their cases.

The celebration was slowly drawing to a close.

Not far away...

Ravenor calmly unfolded a neatly pressed handkerchief.

He lightly wiped the remaining sweat from his forehead before lowering the cloth.

His eyes naturally drifted toward the opposite side of the ballroom.

There...

Selena was still standing beside Ezra while Professor Liliana enthusiastically took picture after picture.

"...Hmm... hmm..."

A playful voice suddenly drifted from behind him.

"What do I see here?"

Sasha stepped beside her stepbrother with both hands clasped behind her back.

A mischievous smile spread across her face as she slightly covered part of her mouth with one hand, clearly enjoying herself before she had even spoken another word.

Ravenor slowly turned his head.

His calm eyes rested on her without saying anything.

Sasha leaned forward slightly.

"Are you jealous?"

She asked the question so casually that it sounded as though she were asking about the weather.

There wasn’t the slightest attempt to soften her words.

Ravenor calmly folded his arms.

"Why would I be?"

His answer came without hesitation.

"Their dance was impressive. That’s all I was thinking about."

His voice remained steady and composed.

Nothing about his expression suggested otherwise.

Sasha stared at him for a second before nodding dramatically.

"Yes. Yes. Whatever my cool step-brother says."

Her tone dripped with obvious sarcasm.

She slowly walked around him before stopping on his other side, swinging lightly on her heels with both hands still resting behind her back.

"Besides..."

She lazily counted with her fingers.

"You danced with Princess Stella. Willow. And Gin Drakes."

She raised another finger.

"That’s already more girls than most people here, and I didn’t even mention the ten girls you danced with."

She looked back at him with an innocent smile.

"So... You don’t need to be jealous."

Ravenor’s eyelids lowered slightly.

"I said...I’m not jealous."

He looked directly at her, his expression remaining calm.

However...

Sasha had known him long enough to notice the tiny change in his eyes.

"Oh..."

She immediately raised both hands in surrender.

"My mistake."

She smiled innocently.

Then...

She failed to hold it in.

A small laugh escaped her lips.

"Hehe..."

Ravenor simply sighed inwardly.

Arguing with Sasha was usually pointless, since she would continue teasing him whether he answered or remained silent.

After laughing for a moment...

Sasha suddenly looked around the ballroom.

"Hmm...Where’s Cyrus?"

She stretched her neck from side to side, searching through the crowd.

"He’s always hiding in plain sight."

Without saying much...

Ravenor quietly pointed toward one corner of the Grand Ballroom.

"Over there."

Sasha followed the direction of his finger.

A short distance away...

Cyrus sat on the low stone ledge built into one side of the ballroom wall.

His shoulders slumped.

Both arms dangled lifelessly beside him.

A faint, defeated smile rested on his exhausted face.

Even the small communication earpiece attached near his right ear had shifted out of place.

His usually tidy appearance had completely fallen apart.

He looked as though every ounce of energy had been drained from his body.

"Ara..."

Sasha blinked in surprise.

She tilted her head.

Her innocent expression almost made it seem as though she had absolutely nothing to do with his current condition.

Just then...

Squeeeak.

The sharp sound of microphone feedback echoed across the Grand Ballroom.

Conversations gradually quieted.

Students instinctively turned toward the stage.

The two familiar hosts had returned.

"My dear Royal Academy First Years!"

The male host raised his microphone high with his usual energetic smile.

"Woooo!"

"Yeahhhhhh!"

Excited cheers immediately answered him from every corner of the ballroom.

The female host laughed brightly before waiting for the excitement to settle.

The male host nodded with satisfaction.

"We’ve finally reached the end of our Welcome Party... and the end of Orientation Week."

His cheerful voice echoed throughout the hall.

The female host smoothly continued.

"I have to admit... I’m a little sad it’s already over."

She gently clasped both hands together.

"I could happily spend another few hours watching Ezra Ashenlocke dance with two of the Flowers of Britannia."

Her expression became dramatically longing.

Several students laughed.

Others nodded in complete agreement.

"I wanted another dance too!"

Someone shouted from the crowd.

The male host immediately picked up where she left off.

"But... If you’d like to relive every moment from today’s Welcome Party..."

He pointed toward the air beside him.

A holographic screen instantly appeared.

Soft blue light spread through the stage as the projection displayed a familiar social media page.

"Our official Linsta account...Royal_News."

The account logo slowly rotated above the stage.

"Follow us...And you can watch every memorable moment from today’s ballroom dances again and again."

The moment the account appeared...

Many students immediately pulled out their Zphones, Paras and Starlixs.

Search bars quickly filled with the words Royal_News.

Friend groups even began following the page together.

Seeing the overwhelming response...

The hosts exchanged pleased smiles.

"Oh...And don’t forget."

The female host pointed toward the audience.

"The voting for today’s King and Queen of the Floor has officially begun."

The holographic display smoothly changed.

The academy’s voting page appeared before everyone.

Bright portraits of today’s dance participants filled the screen.

"The winners will be announced tomorrow morning."

She smiled.

"And... The winners will each receive a small amount of Academy Points."

The announcement instantly caused another wave of whispers.

"Academy Points?"

"They were giving rewards?"

"I didn’t know that!"

Several students looked genuinely surprised.

Apparently...

That detail hadn’t been announced beforehand.

The male host scratched his cheek before letting out a helpless smile.

"Well...I think we’ve all already figured out who’s winning King of the Floor."

His slightly disappointed tone immediately earned laughter from the audience.

After Ezra’s performances tonight...

The result almost felt predetermined.

The two hosts stepped closer together.

"That’s all from us!"

They spoke in perfect unison.

"Now...Let’s all stand together... recite the Royal Academy Anthem...followed by Britannia’s National Anthem...and bring this wonderful day to a proper close!"

Applause immediately filled the Grand Ballroom.

Students clapped enthusiastically for several moments before gradually settling down.

One after another...

Conversations stopped.

The lively atmosphere slowly transformed into one of solemn respect.

Just as the anthem was about to begin...

"Wait. Wait."

Professor Liliana casually walked back onto the stage.

Without asking...

She gently took the microphone straight from the female host’s hands.

The female host blinked twice.

"..."

She simply let it happen.

Professor Liliana looked toward the audience.

"This is important."

Her cheerful expression disappeared, replaced by a surprisingly serious one.

Immediately...

Every student’s attention focused on her.

She gave a small nod.

"Starting tomorrow... your academy studies will begin immediately."

No one spoke.

Liliana continued in her usual calm voice.

"So... Get a good night’s rest, because your real life at the Royal Academy begins tomorrow."

The moment she finished speaking...

She calmly handed the microphone back.

Then...

She simply walked off the stage.

Just like that.

Silence filled the Grand Ballroom.

Every first-year student stood frozen.

Some blinked.

Others stared blankly toward the stage.

Even the smiles that had filled the hall moments ago gradually disappeared.

Then...

Almost everyone shared exactly the same thought.

Aren’t we supposed to get one day to rest?!