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chapter 74
Anima Kurin.
The head of the Anima Count family and simultaneously the mistress of the Magic Tower.
Fitting her immense position, Kurin’s party hall was nearly as massive as that of the royal palace.
“What a splendid party!”
“Ahahaha, thank you.”
“It’s been a while, Mistress of the Tower!”
“Please, enjoy yourselves, Count.”
Guests greeted Kurin, the party host, exchanged brief pleasantries, and then began to scatter across the enormous hall, engaging in conversation.
“I never imagined the Mistress of the Tower would win the Lux Support Appreciation event.”
Today’s party was the Lux Summer Season Fashion Preview, hosted by Kurin.
“Ahahaha. Actually, I expected that the Mistress of the Tower would be chosen.”
“Was there some kind of under-the-table deal?”
“No, rather, it was an over-the-table arrangement.”
Lux had decided to preview their summer season fashion at the home or party hall of a randomly selected loyal customer as a way to show gratitude.
For every Lux outfit purchased, a ticket was issued. All tickets were collected, and a draw determined the winner.
“I heard that the Mistress of the Tower bought over 200 Lux outfits.”
“Eh…? 200 outfits?”
The surrounding nobles’ eyes widened at this revelation.
Lux outfits were far from cheap; a single outfit could cost as much as a carriage.
“Her love for Lux is astonishing…”
“I didn’t realize she was so interested in fashion.”
After a while, the conversation among the nobles gradually shifted from Lux and the Mistress of the Tower to other matters.
“It seems the Mistress of the Tower is truly detached from worldly affairs.”
“Indeed. Among the guests, there’s no trace of political affiliation or factionalism.”
Even the wealthiest nobles in Granium, who spent freely, held clear intentions when hosting a party. For a marriage-matching event, young men and women would be invited. For political discussions, nobles of specific factions would be called.
Even if it was a gratitude party, since it was hosted under another’s name, Lux effectively allowed the host to use the party privately.
However, Kurin seemed intent on keeping this party free of any purpose or political coloring.
“Looks like a fight might break out over there.”
“They clashed directly at the recent nobles’ assembly, didn’t they?”
“It’s customary not to invite such people to the same party, but I wonder if she doesn’t care or simply isn’t concerned…”
The nobles glanced at Kurin seated at the main table.
Kurin, in her Lux-made suit, looked down on the hall with a content expression.
What criteria had she used to invite people?
“…Suits.”
Come to think of it, there was one common factor at this party.
“All the attendees are wearing Lux suits.”
“That makes sense. It’s a Lux appreciation party, after all.”
“I mean, there are still many nobles who haven’t acquired Lux suits yet, right?”
The Lux craze was ongoing. Those without suits wanted them desperately; those who already had them wanted even more.
Add to that the cunning of Count Mausoleum, and those waiting in line patiently would still fail to acquire one even after three months.
Some tycoon even monopolized 200 outfits.
“Indeed…”
“Could this be a party exclusively for Lux suit owners?”
“Surely the Mistress of the Tower isn’t hosting a themed party like that. What advantage would she gain?”
A young noble chuckled and moved on to another topic.
There is a tale.
Elves are said to be arrogant and aloof, incapable of mingling with humans.
They often scowl or look away as if humans were insects, leading to such misunderstandings.
In reality, elves are neither arrogant nor aloof—they simply find humans unattractive by their standards.
“Poor things, they’re truly ugly today too.”
Kurin, a human-elf hybrid, had inherited their beauty and aesthetic sense.
Seated at the main table, she surveyed the nobles in the hall and thought:
“What must it feel like to live with such an ugly face?”
Her dedication to magic, and spending all day cloistered in the Tower under her robe, stemmed from that reason.
No need to be disgusted by ugly faces.
“Still, at least they’re well-dressed, so that’s better.”
Kurin smiled contentedly, watching the elegantly dressed nobles in black suits enjoying the party. Unlike previous chaotic, flamboyant fashion parties, this one had a refined simplicity.
“Simple is best…!”
Good magic is simple magic.
For Kurin, whose magic was always concise, a suit with no adornment yet radiating elegance was the perfect outfit.
Like viewing a perfectly drawn circle by hand.
“And this suit even carries the Dragon’s breath!”
Her breath flared as she spoke.
For a mage, the word “dragon” was one of love and hate.
Anything labeled “dragon” would solve countless magical challenges effortlessly.
“Like a deus ex machina in a play.”
Hence, human magical rituals always include the clause: “Except dragons.”
Why struggle with spells that dragons could perform with a snap of their fingers? Mages often felt inferior and frustrated.
An entity both angel and demon.
To be revered and denied at once.
The ultimate weapon and shield for mages.
“A living philosopher’s stone, literally!”
The dragon symbolized all that to a mage.
But one fact was certain: no mage would miss an opportunity to work with a dragon.
They would cling to it tenaciously.
“If I could marry Count Seymour, Lucis would become my daughter.”
Imagining Lucis calling her “mother,” Kurin nearly had a nosebleed.
Furthermore, with Seymour, a “normal” married life would be possible—no morning or evening disgust from seeing one’s spouse.
Seymour was remarkably handsome, even by Kurin’s standards as a half-elf.
“If I must marry, I’d like someone whose face I can tolerate.”
And Seymour was capable.
Just look at the magnificent suits he produced.
Truly, human culture was unmatched; the elegance of this suit was extraordinary.
“We’d be a perfect match.”
Who else could stand beside her?
Appearance. Skill. Lineage.
Kurin lacked for nothing.
“And with proper support…!”
This was why she invited only those wearing Lux suits to the party: a gathering of Lux’s most devoted customers.
“Count Seymour will surely like it too!”
Kurin had realized her previous approach to Seymour was too sudden.
Now, she would proceed carefully, starting with small supportive actions.
“Mistress of the Tower, this is Sir Irina Ishtar. Sir Ishtar, this is the Mistress of the Tower.”
Until Seymour introduced Irina as if they were familiar, Kurin had been confident.
“Hello, Mistress of the Tower. I’m Irina Ishtar.”
“……”
Kurin stared at Irina.
Appearance—dragon blood, approved.
Skill—listed among the Round Table knights, approved.
Lineage—Ishtar marquisate, approved.
Support…
“Tutoring Lucis…?”
Approved.
The sudden appearance of such a formidable rival narrowed Kurin’s eyes.
I arrived at the Anima Count family’s party hall with Hella.
The hall was already bustling with nobles.
“Count Mausoleum! You’ve arrived!”
“We’ve been waiting for you!”
Receiving greetings from nobles, I moved toward Anima Kurin.
As someone of the same rank, it was customary to greet the host first.
I dodged the crowd’s pleasantries and thought:
“The rumors about the incident with Lester haven’t spread.”
The careful handling by servants and knights had paid off.
I intended to keep my fight with Lester secret, at least until my heart was filled with dragon energy.
“The church’s scrutiny will escalate, but there’s no need to broadcast it yet.”
If word spread that I defeated the divine avatar, even donating wouldn’t smooth relations with the church.
Better to delay that rumor, at least until I gained enough power.
“Count Mausoleum. You’ve arrived.”
Among the nobles, a familiar face appeared: Lucis’s tutor, Irina Ishtar.
I glanced at her outfit in surprise.
She wore the black-and-white Lux suit Lucis had showcased.
The white tie over the black shirt, along with the jacket, perfectly matched her hair color.
“I didn’t expect anyone else could pull off that fashion.”
Irina added with a teasing smile:
“Except for Lucis, of course.”
“Yes, except Lucis.”
Ahaha. A brief laugh passed, and Irina asked:
“Did you enjoy your vacation?”
“Of course. It was full of delightful events.”
“What happened?”
“Lucis has chosen her dream.”
“Her dream?”
“You can look forward to the next lesson.”
Irina’s eyes widened, a bright smile on her face.
“I can’t wait. Can you give me a hint?”
“No. Lucis would sulk.”
“Ugh… How can I wait until the next lesson?”
As Irina muttered, someone approached us.
It was the party host herself, Count Anima Kurin.
“Ah, Mistress of the Tower. We meet again.”
I treated her with courtesy and respect.
Though she often appeared absent-minded, she wielded immense power and influence.
“And she’s a VVIP who bought over 200 Lux suits.”
Such outfits aren’t just bought with money.
Instead of paying for hundreds of suits, Kurin had promised various agreements regarding the Mausoleum’s magical circuit workshops.
This also covered the repercussions of poaching magic students from my household staff.
I turned to introduce Irina.
“This is Sir Irina Ishtar. Sir Ishtar, this is Mistress of the Tower, Anima Kurin, head of the Anima Count family.”
“Hello, Mistress of the Tower. I’m Irina Ishtar.”
Irina maintained a formal, knightly demeanor, unlike how she addressed me—part of her charm.
“……”
Yet, Kurin’s gaze toward Irina was unusual.
Slowly, her mouth opened.
“…Oh?”
At that moment, several kilometers away in the palace, Lucis lifted her head.
“Why, Lucis?”
A prince held a beetle, questioning her.
Lucis ignored the prince’s call, gazed at the sky, and tilted her head.
She felt like she was missing an interesting event.
