Chapter 31: Spring Ball Preparations
Translated by XianPiete
Alicia frowned and asked, "Guy, Lord Montfort, said that you would have me try a spell for my examination. Why do I need to wear this..." She picked up the flimsy negligee looking more than a little troubled.
First Mage Diggory frowned, he waved his hand and said, "It helps with the flow of mana. A beginner couldn't possibly have enough mana to cast a spell without it!"
Alicia frowned, she went behind the screen to put it on, "I hope Lord Rouvroy isn't jealous enough to come after you with his sword like the boy who asked me to the Ball."
First Mage Diggory suddenly called out, "Wait, just now I felt the pull of mana coming from behind the screen, perhaps we should try once without the outfit."
Alicia sounded shocked, "Oh, of course, First Mage, that would be a good way to test if I am capable of being taught magic!"
First Mage Diggory wiped his forehead and said, "Yes, yes, it's exactly like that. Here, this is the spell called Light." He looked it over for a few minutes and then said, "I will demonstrate it once, then you try it." He looked it over once again and then called out, "Light!" His voice had a strange echo and then a ball of light above his head appeared. It lasted until he cancelled it by saying, "Lights out!"
Alicia looked at the spell and frowned, "Do I just memorize it and then say the words?"
First Mage Diggory said nothing and instead motioned for her to try. Alicia took a deep breath, she looked it over and thought of the spell in her mind and then said, "Light!" Once again a bright light appeared. She waited as long as the First Mage and then said, "Lights out!" causing it to extinguish.
First Mage Diggory blinked, "Well, it seems you have more than enough talent with magic. Congratulations, Fifth Mage Foix."
*****
Olivier delivered the new uniforms to the Council of Magic. He explained to each of them, "From now on, we are to wear the normal uniform to the Academy. The formal uniform for royal events such as the upcoming Spring Ball. When we need to take action, I think the robe idea..."
Guy said, "No."
Madeline followed, "Absolutely not."
Alicia smiled and said, "The robes are too baggy Olivier."
First Mage Diggory looked at Alicia and then said, "I agree, baggy is no good."
Olivier sighed and then said, "Fine, then we will use the work uniform I included."
*****
Sir évreux flopped down at the table at lunch time and said, "I think I may be in trouble. Every lady in my class is already being taken to the Ball."
Alicia thought for a moment and then asked, "Have you asked any of the girls here in the Order of the Rose?"
Sir évreux frowned and then bashfully lowered his head, "I am only a baron, how can I compete with all the lords who are the sons of Counts?"
Madeline didn't look up from her book and said in her normal emotionless tone, "Barons are higher ranked nobility than Lords. You can go to the second floor to dance. Even the son of a Duke can only dance on the first floor."
Guy smiled and then leaned close to Sir évreux and whispered, "Doreen hasn't been invited to the Ball."
Sir évreux sat up tall, he slowly turned to Doreen who was looking at him. He swallowed hard and then stood up, he walked over to Doreen and did a gentlemanly bow, he asked, "Lady Leon, may I ask you to the Spring Ball as my date?"
Doreen giggled and then responded, "Yes, you may ask me."
Sir évreux suddenly looked panicked as he rethought his words, he stammered out, "No, wait, I mean, will you attend the Ball as my date?"
Doreen offered her hand to him and said, "I would be honored, Sir évreux."
Sir évreux seemed unsure of what to do with her offered hand. Claude mimed kissing it behind Doreen until Sir évreux got the hint and gave it a light kiss. Doreen chuckled and said, "I was planning to wear a white dress, which will match nicely with the knight's formal uniform."
Alicia then said, "Oh, Claude, the Mage uniform is black, so that's what I will be wearing."
Claude looked surprised, "You are on the council of mages now? Incredible!"
Before Claude could even ask about it, Guy said, "You aren't smart enough for it Claude. Don't even ask." Sir évreux started to open his mouth and then Guy said, "If he isn't, you know you aren't, Sir évreux."
Doreen chuckled and then said softly, "These three are abnormal people. Did you know that their examination scores are always only different by one point? The fourth ranked person's score was fifty points behind them. So don't feel you are slighted."
Claude said, "But what about Olivier? He's not smart."
"My father is the King." Olivier said without even looking up as he ate his food. freewe(b)novel.c(o)m
Claude was going to retort but then thought for a while and said, "Well, I guess that makes sense."
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