The grand hall of Zenith Academy was alive with excitement as students, staff, and even some famous locals of floating islands gathered for the annual Freshers' Party and Beauty Pageant.

The beauty pageant wasn't anything rewarding, but just a fun game where anyone can vote to choose the most perfect boy and girl from the new joinees. Over time it had become a tradition of sorts at Zenith.

The castle-like building was adorned with shimmering lights, and the stage at the center of the room awaited the arrival of more contestants.

Around the central stage was a lot of open space for everyone to enjoy other activities like slow dancing, drinking, eating or just interacting with the crowd and enjoying the rich atmosphere and heritage style.

The whole castle was filled with students, and people were watching from stairs and balconies and everywhere, staring at the entrance gate and at the stage.

Not all first years needed to perform or show off on stage, as some people just didn't even need anything, they were already widely known. But few choose to perform. Like dancing, singing, showing a little trick of magic or talent at poetry or something, all just to increase their votes and chances to win.

Few girls even turned the stage into a ramp and did a catwalk on it. (And with the number of claps they received, it was clear, the audience sure as hell loved that.)

After coming to the party the group broke up, Amelia as usual directly went to where the dinner was. Instantly forgetting her purpose of competition after smelling the sweet smell of sweets.

Amaya and Valtor were just roaming around, chatting with people they recognized among the crowd. (The crowd of girlies and nerds sure lit up in different emotions when they saw the pair. All wishing to switch places and match their crush. The heroine and hero's rival sure were a heartthrob.)

Rebecca on the other hand was still eyeing the stage with shining eyes. Eliminating rows of girls one by one as they were no match for her.

Ignoring the hushed whispers and hundreds of eyes staring at him, Rio just held her hand and pulled her on the stage.

"Let's get you a victory." He said and placed her hand on his shoulders and his on her waist.

"You're gonna make me lose by making all those girls jealous." She said and smiled as she felt her 'classmates' glaring daggers at her back.

After all, the popularity of a handsome genius and immortal angel were in high demand amongst everyone.

"Same is true for me too, you know. I can count a hundred boys who forgot to blink after seeing you."

"Is that so? You weren't much better if I recall correctly?" Becca said teasingly.

"Well, you did outdid yourself." Rio replied making Becca proud, before adding "with makeup, if only you were this pretty without them."

Rebecca, who heard his final words, pinched his shoulders. "It's natural beauty, I'll let you know."

"Yeah, yeah, as you say." Rio said in an exasperated expression, totally non-beliving her.

Rebecca looked at him and slapped his neck with her hand. "Stop messing with me." She said in a serious tone, making Rio smile again.

"I'm serious, if I miss a step and make a fool of myself, I'll kill you."

"Then when won't you be a widow?"

"We're not married yet."

"Your mother's rushing it though. I think she might just capture me and tie our knots next time she sees me."

"Hahaa, very funny." Becca sneered and ignored his words, and changed the topic (She was really embarrassed to talk about it so openly.)

"You won the last title 2 years ago right?" She asked.

"Yupp, along with the council president." Rio said, a little reminiscing about the past.Becca saw his lost expression and shot her next question in her sour tone. "Is she prettier than me?"

Her words making Rio smile as he looked at her and laughed, "Why, jealous?"

"Jealous my ass. I just asked to see what are the standard for winning?"

Rio had a hard time controlling his laughter, as he almost stumbled when he heard her cursing, but seeing her glaring eyes, he gave up.

"Nah, she's much worse than you." He said, pulling her close after a swift roll on the heels.

Becca looked at his face up close and his serious eyes as he praised her sincerely, and for a moment the thought 'Should I just kiss him?' came to her mind again.

Obviously until the moment this idiot of a guy ruined her mood and romantic thoughts all over again.

"At dancing, dressing up and makeup too."

lightsΝοvεl ƈοm The teasing words instantly put out the fire in her heart, as she just glared at him in anger and pinched his neck with her fingers, until her nails dug deep in his skin.

"I told you stop messing with me." She said again, as she let go.

The duo kept slow dancing on the melodic music tone in the background, arms on each other, teasing and making jokes about random things, ignoring everyone and everything, as the performances from others kept happening around them.

Few blind and courageous ones did come forward to interrupt them a few times, but the duo ignored their existence, treating them like air, so slurping the embarrassment they just stayed away now.lightsnovel

Below the stage, at one side, a couple was sitting together in silence, Levi and Kevin.

Levi still had a little lost look and barely noticeable dark circles around her eyes as she still couldn't wrap her brain around all that had happened to her. Every now and then, she kept staring at Leon on the side with a complicated expression on her face, not aware of her own thoughts.

While Kevin on the other hand just kept thinking about their future together. He was happy inside as Levi did forget what he did to her. The masked man kept his promise and now Levi looked at Leon, like looking at her 'rapist'. Everything was back to normal, and he just had to wait for her to get over this trauma to win her heart slowly.

As for Leon, well the guy made an enemy out of third years, Kevin was sure they won't let him go that easily. At that time maybe he'll soon get a chance to kill him from the back, and then he can finally put all this dirty matter behind him.

Leon, who had won the match against third years, was enjoying his few hours of fame, as many first year students surrounded him, asking him about the game Or praising him for the way they heard he defeated the seniors.

(After all, barely a few had watched his game, as everyone was more curious about the bloody game happening with Rio.)

But despite all this praise, Leon's face didn't have that bright smile of the past today. He did look handsome in his white suit, but the welcoming gentle appearance of his was replaced by a distant silent sun.

He looked in a corner where Vanessa was chatting with her entourage and then at the other where Sunaina was standing silently behind her big brother, Nexus.

Looking at her fearful appearance or how she followed her brother, he was doubtful if she'd ever even talk to him again.

He challenged the third years and defeated them to gain the recognition that he wasn't a cheater or a cripple anymore, but it seems it only made Nexus dislike him more, and pushed Sunaina away.He had only made a few friends at the academy till now, and somehow most of them are distant to him now.

"What're you looking at?" Seraphina, the cute little medic, spoke up cherrily as she noticed Leon lost in thoughts.

"No, nothing," Leon replied and smiled, 'At least I still have her.' He thought and raised his hand to pat her head.

He couldn't help it, as it became a habit and doing this somehow made him happy.

(It's a protagonist kink.)

If someone else dared to touch her head like this, her lofty pride would surely flare up, but since it was Leon, she just gave a charming smile and a shy blush, before shaking her head, holding his hand.

"Let's go for a dance too." She said and pulled him on the stage too.

(The beauty and her smile sure did wash away all the troubles of our hero, as he forgot everything and enjoyed his time.)

Watching them, a few couples and students formed pairs and joined the stage.

After a little more time, Alfred came forward to announce the start of voting for the game.

His appearance causing squeals of excitement in the new first year girls, who nearly shouted their dream prince and drooled from their mouths seeing his smile.

(The handsome prince, simply the dream fucking role for any teen girl.)

His voice and laughter stabbed Rio's ears like a needle, causing his attention to break for the first time this evening, but noticing his change, Becca just laughed and covered his ears with her hands.

"There, you can't hear anyone but me now." she teasingly said in her telepathic message, causing him to smile at her.

"Sing a song." Rio said jokingly.

"What?"

"You can pick a simple one, doesn't matter?"

"Don't overdo it."

"Come on."

"Nope."

"Just one. I'll sing one later too."

"...write me an original, and I will."

".... Fine."

"🎶🎶"

After a couple of minutes of their jokes, the annoying voice came to Rio's ears again, ruining the atmosphere Becca's sweet melody had built up.

"It is time to announce the winner of this year's beauty pageant. To announce the perfect pair from our newly joined first years." Alfred stopped in the middle of the stairs and started his announcement.

"The perfect girl, who's the prettiest, most talented, and most famous amongst you all according to the votes, is… …"

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