It had officially been over a month since Rio awakened.
Surprisingly—
he had remained unconscious for nearly two entire weeks after the battle at Solmere.
And during the month that followed—
Rio spent nearly every single day rebuilding himself from the ground up.
Training.
Meditating.
Enduring.
Slowly, his body adapted once more to the overwhelming power sleeping within him.
The news surrounding Reina Emberheart had shaken not only the academy—
but the entire Virelian Empire.
Officially, House Emberheart declared her dead.
The once-proud noble house now stood draped in mourning and silence.
Yet Rio knew the truth.
Reina Emberheart was still alive.
When he first awakened, Astravax had spoken lazily from atop the infirmary window.
[Just before my beam erased everything… I felt divinity interfere.]
The black dragon's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
[That so-called Lady of Velvet Sin most likely saved the girl.]
Rio had quietly exhaled afterward.
"...I see."
Among everyone affected by the tragedy—
perhaps none suffered more silently than Yelena Zephyr.
To most nobles, Reina had merely been another talented heir.
But to Yelena—
she had been a rival.
Someone she chased endlessly.
Someone she desperately wanted to surpass.
And now—
that rival had vanished from the world entirely.
CLANG!
Steel collided violently against steel.
Rio stepped backward smoothly before wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Phew…"
Across from him stood Silver Ryker, gripping his silver blade tightly.
Beside him—
Tristan Vaelthorn calmly adjusted the mana circles floating around his fingers.
The blue-haired mage no longer carried the same arrogance he once possessed.
Solmere had changed him.
No—
Fiora's death had broken something inside him.
His eyes now carried a cold resolve that hadn't existed before.
Silver lowered his stance slightly.
During the battle against the demon—
he had felt utterly powerless.
Too weak to protect anyone.
And that frustration drove him into relentless training throughout the past month.
Rio smiled faintly before raising Nocturne Veil once more.
"Come at me."
The instant those words fell—
both Silver and Tristan vanished simultaneously.
BOOOOOOM!
Silver appeared first.
Fast.
Monstrously fast.
His blade tore through the air in a silver arc while dozens of compressed mana circles formed behind Rio simultaneously.
Rio sidestepped smoothly.
CLANG!
Their swords collided.
Then—
space beside Rio distorted suddenly.
Several blades of compressed wind shot toward his neck at terrifying speed.
Rio leaned backward just enough to avoid them.
A few strands of white hair drifted downward.
"Oh?"
He glanced toward Tristan with slight surprise.
"Nice improvement."
Tristan remained expressionless.
"Don't praise me yet."
Another barrage erupted instantly.
The training grounds trembled beneath the pressure of mana explosions.
Several minutes later—
the battle finally ended.
Rio exhaled lightly while wiping sweat from his neck.
"You two really improved this month."
And he genuinely meant it.
Especially Tristan.
Silver collapsed onto the ground while breathing heavily.
"…You're a monster."
He stared upward tiredly.
"We still couldn't land a proper hit on you."
Rio laughed softly.
Then Tristan suddenly spoke.
"…You're attending the Imperial Ball tomorrow, right?"
Rio blinked once.
"…The ball, huh."
After Solmere—
news of his battle against the S-Rank Demon had spread across the Empire at terrifying speed.
A first-year cadet defeating an S-Rank existence.
Even the Emperor himself had taken interest.
And now—
Rio had officially received an invitation to the Imperial Ball.
A gathering where nobles, generals, rulers, heirs, and powerful figures from across the Empire would assemble.
Officially—
to reward him personally.
The academy had also announced a temporary break after the missions.
For the first time in months—
students were finally free to leave the academy grounds.
Unfortunately for Rio—
that freedom quickly became a disaster.
Inside his dorm room—
pure chaos unfolded.
"RIO YOU DAMN BRAT!"
Ogram's booming voice practically shook the walls.
The massive warrior currently wore an absurdly flashy white suit covered in golden patterns bright enough to blind someone.
Beside him stood Leon.
Who somehow looked even worse.
The blindfolded swordsman held several ties dramatically while wearing a shining golden suit that looked painfully expensive.
"We need something flashy!"
Leon pointed confidently.
"You think some boring black suit is enough for the Imperial Ball?!"
Rio smiled weakly.
"…I think black is perfectly fin—"
"No."
Leon interrupted immediately before pulling out another horrifying outfit.
"Oh! What about this one?"
Rio stared at the mirror.
Then stared harder.
A golden suit.
A golden hat.
A golden bow tie.
He looked less like a noble—
and more like a wealthy scam artist.
Rio's face stiffened.
"…What the hell am I even wearing?"
Ogram burst into roaring laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Then suddenly—
his eyes shifted toward the black cat sleeping peacefully on the sofa.
A dangerous grin spread across his face.
"…WAIT."
"We should dress up your spirit beast too."
Astravax's golden eyes snapped open instantly.
The black cat immediately screeched furiously.
[KEEP THAT BALDY AWAY FROM ME.]
[OR I'LL ERASE THIS ENTIRE BUILDING.]
"HAHAHAHA COME HERE YOU LITTLE SHIT!"
Ogram lunged forward immediately.
Astravax shrieked and sprinted across the walls while screaming murderous threats in ancient draconic language.
Rio sighed deeply while holding his forehead.
Somehow—
this room felt more dangerous than Solmere.
Then—
BANG.
A knock echoed from the door.
Rio walked over before opening it.
And froze.
Not from fear.
But disbelief.
Three women stood outside.
Clare.
Elena.
Aurelia.
The moment they stepped into the room—
their gazes slowly landed on Rio's horrifying golden outfit.
Silence fell.
Then all three women looked toward Leon and Ogram simultaneously.
Leon smiled awkwardly.
"…W-We'll leave."
"Get out."
All three women spoke at the exact same time.
Ogram scratched his head nervously.
"Hah… Guild Master what do you think o—"
Before he could finish—
Aurelia casually opened a spatial vortex beneath both him and Leon.
WHOOSH!
The two vanished instantly.
A distant scream echoed from somewhere outside the academy.
Rio blinked silently.
Clare sighed deeply before pointing at him.
"First things first."
"Get out of that awful suit, brat."
Soon after—
Rio's room was completely overtaken.
Different suits covered the bed while Clare continuously criticized his nonexistent fashion sense.
"No."
"This one makes you look like a criminal."
"And this one is somehow worse."
Rio sighed helplessly while Elena adjusted another collar around his neck.
After nearly an hour—
they finally chose one.
Silver.
An elegant silver suit that perfectly complemented Rio's long white hair.
Subtle black patterns flowed across the sleeves like shadows dancing in moonlight.
A crimson bow tie rested neatly beneath his collar.
The moment Rio looked into the mirror—
even he paused slightly.
Beautiful.
That was the only word fitting enough.
Not handsome.
Not sharp.
Beautiful.
His pale skin and crimson eyes created an almost unreal appearance while the silver suit enhanced his unnatural elegance even further.
His long white hair flowed softly past his shoulders, making him resemble a prince from ancient myths rather than a swordsman who slaughtered demons.
Even Clare blinked twice.
"…Damn."
Elena smiled faintly.
"I told you silver would suit him."
The women themselves looked equally stunning.
Elena's long silver-blue hair flowed neatly behind her shoulders while several loose strands framed her calm face beautifully.
Her silver dress carried intricate blue patterns resembling lotus petals flowing across water.
Over it rested a dark coat bearing the symbol of the Saviant Guild.
Combined with her mature beauty and composed crimson eyes—
she radiated elegant authority.
Meanwhile—
Aurelia wore black.
Simple.
Refined.
Overwhelmingly untouchable.
Her black hair had been tied neatly into a bun while elegant black gloves covered her pale hands.
The contrast between her void-like eyes and dark dress made her appear less like a woman—
and more like a queen standing above the world itself.
Elena stepped behind Rio before gently tying his long white hair neatly.
Her fingers moved carefully through the strands.
"There."
"Much better."
Rio stared silently at his own reflection.
For a brief moment—
he barely recognized himself.
Then Elena spoke softly.
"Remember to stay calm during the ball."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You defeated an S-Rank Demon."
"People won't ignore that anymore."
Rio nodded slowly.
"…I know."
Then Aurelia suddenly spoke.
"There's another reason tonight's ball is being held."
Rio glanced toward her curiously.
Aurelia crossed her arms calmly.
"We reclaimed Ashgrave from the Astryx Empire."
Rio's eyes widened slightly.
"Ashgrave…?"
She nodded.
"For the first time in years…"
"The people there can finally live in peace."
Rio slowly looked away afterward.
"…I see."
Yet strangely—
the moment he heard the name Ashgrave—
something inside him felt uneasy.
As though that city carried memories he couldn't reach.
...
Soon after finishing preparations, the group split apart.
Naturally—
Aurelia would attend as the Headmistress of Nexus Academy.
Her presence alone represented the academy itself.
Meanwhile Rio accompanied Elena alongside the higher-ranking members of the Saviant Guild.
And honestly—
the lineup itself already made a statement.
Leon - The Golden Blade
Ogram- The Black Lion
Emma. - The Calamity Mage
Several elite guild members from Solmere.
The Rank Two Guild of the Empire had arrived personally.
Not merely to attend the ball—
but to remind the nobles exactly where true power stood.
Soon—
the carriage finally came to a stop.
Rio stepped outside slowly.
Then paused.
The Royal Palace stood before him.
Magnificent.
No—
beyond magnificent.
Towering white spires pierced the night sky while countless golden lights illuminated the palace like a dream.
Massive crystal chandeliers glowed behind enormous glass windows.
Silver fountains flowed across the gardens while marble statues of ancient heroes lined the pathways proudly.
Even the palace walls shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight, engraved with glowing runic formations.
Above everything—
the banner of the Virelian Empire fluttered proudly atop the highest tower.
Nobles stepped out of luxurious carriages one after another while servants hurried throughout the entrance halls.
The atmosphere radiated wealth.
Authority.
Power.
Rio quietly stared upward.
"…Damn."
Even Astravax poked his head out from beneath Rio's coat before snorting.
[Tch. Human greed truly knows no limits.]
Leon grinned while adjusting his golden suit dramatically.
"It's showtime, boys."
Ogram cracked his neck loudly beside him.
"HAHAHA! Let's scare some nobles."
Elena sighed tiredly while holding her forehead.
"Please try not to cause a scene."
"No promises," Leon answered instantly.
Rio smiled faintly before walking forward alongside them.
The massive palace doors slowly opened.
And the moment they stepped inside—
countless eyes turned toward them immediately.