Chapter 415: Strata Magic School (3-26)
The moment I stepped into the banquet hall, I couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Whoa... it's like walking into an exotic zoo.
People wandering around inside the hall with faces shaped like animals...
It was a sight I'd never seen before in my life, impossible not to be stunned by.
But strangely, there was no disgust or revulsion.
Looking closer, it's not quite like real animals.
The faces on these people were animal-like, but incredibly natural.
They'd cleverly blended human and animal features to minimize any uncanny valley effect.
The animal faces were natural enough to avoid that creepy dip.
Depending on the mask, faces and body shapes changed completely—no way to recognize anyone.
The only thing identifiable was gender.
But right now, the nobles milling about weren't what mattered.
I scanned the room, searching for one particular woman.
Alright... time to find Luna first.
I didn't want to end this game prematurely after it had just begun, but victory demanded ruthlessness.
And sure enough, I spotted her in under five seconds.
A parrot? Doesn't suit her at all...
Luna's face was that of a colorful parrot, feathers and all.
Even her dress had been swapped out entirely for something new.
[Without the Disposition window, there's no way you'd guess this is Luna Staatfeld.]
Yeah, true.
The parrot was pretty, but it clashed with Luna's image entirely.
Parrots had that elegant poise, sure, but their noisy reputation kept them from true nobility...
[Probably chose it with your bet in mind, Su-ho.]
Clever girl.
But that just made her cuter.
Of course, I had no intention of rushing over and embarrassing her right away.
The hall gradually filled with people, but everyone stayed quiet, observing others.
Most Levin nobles were used to masked balls, but with the host yet to appear, they just milled about silently.
Before long, the hall buzzed with activity, and a familiar face ascended the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we sincerely welcome you to the dean's reception."
It was Sonya.
Sonya stood on stage without a mask, her real face on full display.
"The dean is currently among you, also wearing a mask and enjoying the festivities."
The hall stirred at her words.
"The dean wished not to disrupt your evening, so please adhere to masked ball etiquette and enjoy yourselves."
Her message was simple: Don't badmouth Strata or the dean, or else.
But it also handed attendees a golden opportunity.
The thrill of a potential dean nearby had everyone excitedly scanning the room.
"With that, please have a wonderful evening."
Sonya concluded and exited.
Classic music swelled softly, filling the hall and whispering into ears.
People began chatting animatedly, wondering if the dean was next to them.
First, let's check the people I know.
I had zero interest in the dean—we talked plenty anyway.
What mattered was connecting with key figures.
Luna later... there... got her...
The people I'd kept Dispositions open on stood out clearly now.
Jeff was in a tiger mask, dumbly looking around.
Karin, in a canary mask, stood pale and elegantly posed.
Duke Brandtrup, wolf-masked, started mingling.
I closely examined the duke's Disposition window I'd missed yesterday.
[Magic], [Composure], [Stubbornness], [Skepticism], [Worry]...
[Magic Power LV 12]...
His outward demeanor hid a slightly unstable mind.
People really aren't what they seem.
And above all, he had magic talent, but...
Capable, but not exceptional. Probably graduated mid-to-lower at Strata?
The last one was...
[Composure], [Sociable], [Stubbornness], [Decisiveness], [Leadership]...
The duchess, in a fox mask, strolled slowly around.
Her orange dress, matched to the fox, drew eyes.
The downside? No sign of Louis.
So how do I find Louis...?
Dispositions were equal opportunity—for everyone but protagonists...
[Around 300 people here... Opening all Dispositions isn't a bad idea.]
They cost negligible Enel, and I could close irrelevant ones.
Good. Open 'em up!
Hundreds of Disposition windows popped up and folded away instantly.
And soon...
[Found him. But spotted a likely dean too, so not certain. Start with the black eagle face.]
Black eagle? They're all black eagles...
No joke—about thirty percent wore eagle masks, half black.
[Center of the hall, black eagle with a white neck ribbon and blue brooch.]
...Ah! There.
Outfits were similar, but accessories gave Louis away.
Has to be Louis, right?
[His behavior doesn't scream dean.]
Louis scanned around frantically, searching for someone.
No way he's looking for Luna? Idiot...
His actions mirrored Jeff's.
Except Louis searched with refined poise.
Good luck finding her in a lifetime... So where's the dean?
[Right next to you.]
...
Armonia?
[Right next to you.]
...
I turned my head slowly, like in a horror flick.
Thankfully, no killer—just...
...Suits him well.
A white eagle mask stared steadily at me.
The eagle's expression was serene, almost smiling. But it faded upon seeing my face.
"Oh dear... caught already?"
"Haha... who might you be?"
"Not only spotted, but mocked too."
"Haha..."
"I thought this level of magic would hide me perfectly. Disappointing."
Without knowing he was the dean, I wouldn't have pegged him as such.
Face, build, even voice altered.
"How's Levin treating you?"
"Stuck alone, it got boring."
"Haha..."
He was ribbing me for ditching him to visit the Brandtrups.
I hadn't spilled the full truth, but the invitation excuse got me out of the palace.
The real goal was shacking up with Luna in the annex...
I whispered quietly, inaudible to others.
"Enjoying the ball?"
"Better than expected. No one recognizes me—relieving."
"Glad to hear it."
"You seem... busy with other matters."
The dean turned his smiling face toward me.
"I disrupted last time; can't do it again. Enjoy the evening."
He melted into the crowd, listening in.
Good thing he was perceptive.
Even a nice guy clinging all night would've been trouble.
This uniquely themed ball had me excited too.
The fun part? No one recognized me, but I knew everyone's intel.
Luna later... Targets: Karin and the duchess...
Truth be told, targeting the duchess was mostly a joke.
The issue: Approaching Karin, the real prize, was tough.
Too isolated. Forcing it would just creep her out.
Karin stood alone on the periphery, pensive, cautiously scanning.
Deep thinker—probably overanalyzing here.
Pragmatic type; she'd want talks with VIPs.
I averted my gaze from Karin, whispering at my final target.
Armonia... this is for the mission. The duchess is Louis's family too.
[No need for excuses. If you want to talk to her, go ahead.]
Heh heh...
[One thing to report, though.]
...What?
Expecting a scolding setup, Armonia's unexpected line pierced my ear.
[Louis Brandt Rup has approached Luna Staatfeld.]