The Entrance Ball (1)
The original story begins as the protagonist heads to the academy.
The heroine, Maria Frendis. The youngest daughter of the Frendis baronet family, depicted as a kind-hearted soul.
Beautiful and pure of spirit, spirits flocked to her, allowing her to awaken as a spirit mage.
Her goal is to find true love. Of course, being a web novel, there's a reason she must find true love.
She was cursed.
Jealous of her beauty and the spirits' attention, a dark spirit cursed her. Without true love, she'd die young.
As time passed, she'd grow frail, and that frailty would charm the male leads.
A truly shitty, extreme setup straight out of a women's romance.
The author's style—mashing up that signature angst with fairy-tale vibes.
Die without love. But honestly? If the heroine just croaked without finding love, everyone else gets a happy ending.
Sounds harsh, but I'm a utilitarian. For the greater good, I'd sacrifice one useless girl named Maria.
Of course, that's probably impossible. Those lovesick male leads obsessed with her looks will cling like glue.
"Young master. The pre-entrance ball is soon. Are your preparations complete?"
"Almost done. Tell them I'll head out shortly."
"Understood, young master."
Per the original, the second scene is the ball.
Typical scam-tag bullshit. They hold a social before the entrance ceremony to "get to know each other." Like they can't wait.
Cinderella-style ball, Cinderella vibes—skipping it would be practically illegal these days.
With Prince Charming on a white horse showing up, I shouldn't complain about this much.
I sighed deeply and finished getting ready.
Kael Lotus was one of the male leads, after all. Dressed up properly, he looked damn good.
But what was the point of all this effort?
"Prepare my invitation. Time to go."
Here we go.
Time for the original's second scene—the early episode where the protagonist, the villainess, and all the major characters swarm in.
"Invitation check."
"Be honest. You know me, right?"
"Kael... Lotus, young master?"
"Whatever. Here."
I considered picking a fight with the guard who checked everyone else but me, but held back.
Didn't want to stand out this time.
Already rumored as a thug in high society. No need to stir trouble and aggro the main characters.
Today's vibe? Like...
A skirmish.
A chance to reassess the characters' vibes and plan ahead.
Once the invitation cleared, the guard opened the door. I stepped into the ballroom.
"Entering: Kael Lotus, young master of Border Count Lotus."
A booming announcement drew all eyes to me.
Ladies fanned their faces, hiding smirks.
Young lords glared.
Some blushed at my face; others muttered "thug."
Whatever. I strode to a dim corner and sat.
Soon, people trickled in.
"Entering: First Imperial Prince Lucas Deverlu and fiancée Lady Alley Justinia."
Lucas Deverlu. Key reverse-harem member for heroine Maria Frendis, empire's crown prince.
And the idiot who neglected state affairs for lovers' quarrels when the nation was in crisis.
Overly romantic, blinded-by-love moron.
Beside him: Alley Justinia. Mid-story main villainess, trash just like him.
Other majors followed.
"Entering: Hydele Grace of Marquis Grace."
"Look, it's Hydele Grace. How's he so handsome?"
"So manly. I'd love to fall into his arms once."
"No fiancée yet, right? Maybe I'll flirt a bit?"
Ladies whispered. No fiancée, great house, killer looks—super popular.
But Hydele Grace? A righteous pushover, basically.
Eldest son of the Grace family that founded the Grace Knights. Straightforward, upright, hearty vibe.
Another key reverse-harem guy for the heroine.
"Entering: Lady Elia Adventus of Duke Adventus."
My fake fiancée, mid-story sub-villainess Elia Adventus entered.
Every move dripped elegance. Quintessential noble lady.
Whispers stopped; everyone stared blankly.
She glided in gracefully, our eyes met.
She gave a faint smile.
"Waiter. Water."
"Yes, young master."
I gulped water and looked away.
Finally, the star arrived.
"Entering: Lady Maria Frendis of Baronet Frendis."
Original protagonist, Maria Frendis.
Plainest, cheapest dress, but her looks dominated.
The root of all drama. Maria Frendis entered the ball.
Reaction? Icy.
"Who's she?"
"Pretty face, but plain dress."
"Clueless lady. Baronet family—probably not used to noble culture."
They sugarcoated it, but openly wary of Maria Frendis.
Makes sense. Baronet lady outshining top beauties.
Object of jealousy from women, lust from men. Up till now, anyway.
From my view? That's it?
Reason...
She looks too much like a women's romance heroine.
Male-oriented heroines differ from female-oriented ones. Art styles vary, and to me, Maria didn't scream beauty.
That sleek, huge-eyed women's style. Reality tweaks the illustration a bit, but the vibe lingers.
Yeah—beauty women vibe with, not men. No thrill for me. Eyes average-sized, body hidden in plain dress. Where's the appeal?
I looked away from Maria and focused on food.
"Mm... sweet."
Sweet.
Women's romance fantasy staple: sweets everywhere. Macarons, cake slices, chocolate biscuits, tortes, cookies...
Unheard-of sugary treats galore.
How do they stay slim eating this carb overload?
Popped a macaron, sighed.
"Kael."
As I poked desserts, someone called.
Elia Adventus. Sat beside me.
"Honestly disappointed. Shouldn't a fiancée come right over?"
"You think of me as your fiancé?"
"Well, for now. Fake, but still."
She said, snagging a macaron from my table.
Her vibe felt off—less stoic than I remembered.
More cheeky?
"Don't forget. Public events require fiancée acting."
"You're eager."
"See? Crown Prince and Lady Alley Justinia are always together."
Crown Prince Lucas Deverlu. Alley Justinia.
Their dynamic mirrored ours, sort of. Difference: ours was mutual fake; theirs, Alley's desperate one-sided chase.
Alley? Total male-chauvinist nightmare. Traits women-hating societies despise. No fan of lovesick fools, so not my type.
Yet she chases the prince for his heart.
Looks coupled-up, but she's the pursuer.
Any moment now.
Time for Alley Justinia vs. Maria Frendis's first clash.
"Kael. Thoughts on Maria Frendis?"
"What about her?"
"Baronet lady, but unmatched beauty, they say. Like before? Planning to hit on her?"
Didn't get the angle.
But original me aside—in my book, clean death for Maria? She was...
"Nah. Why bother?"
"Wh-what?"
"Her a beauty? Everyone blind? Clearly below you."
"..."
I judged, eyes back to food.
Sweets growing on me. Thought I'd tire, but chefs are pros. Glanced over—Elia looked away, ears oddly red. Macaron sugar rush?