Last Gun Alchemist

"Ah..."

A long, quiet sigh escaped Selena’s lips.

It wasn’t loud.

Nor was it dramatic.

It was the kind of sigh that came from someone who had been holding her feelings in for far too long.

"Becky."

She gently reached out and held her maid’s hand.

At that moment, Becky had just finished spreading the final layer of facial cream across Selena’s smooth cheeks. The cool cream gave her fair skin a soft shine beneath the warm light filling the room.

"My Lady?"

Becky stopped what she was doing and looked at Selena.

Her Lady’s beautiful face was now completely covered with the facial cream, making her look strangely adorable despite the elegant atmosphere she usually carried.

Selena continued staring at herself through the dressing mirror.

The room remained quiet for a while.

The soft breeze from the alchemy-powered Fan lightly swayed the curtains beside the window, while the floral scent lingering from the recently removed Infinity Hair Scent petals still drifted gently through the air.

"Do you know how difficult it has been for me..."

Her voice remained soft, but there was obvious frustration hiding beneath it.

"...to not even be able to speak with my ideal man..."

She slowly lowered her eyes.

"...when he’s right within my reach?"

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around Becky’s hand.

Becky quietly listened without interrupting.

She had served Selena for years.

So, she knew her Lady rarely complained.

Even when something truly troubled her, Selena would usually keep those emotions buried beneath her elegant smile.

Seeing her openly voice her frustrations like this...

Was surprisingly rare.

Selena let out another small sigh.

"Why..."

She frowned slightly.

"Why does my least favorite person have to be the one standing between me and my now favorite person?"

For the first time that evening...

A trace of annoyance appeared on her normally graceful face.

"How can a bit..."

The words reached the tip of her tongue before she immediately stopped herself.

Her expression stiffened.

Realizing what she had almost said...

Selena quietly took a slow breath.

Her mother had repeatedly taught her that elegant ladies never allowed emotions to control their speech.

She quickly corrected herself.

"I mean... how can such an inelegant Lady like Vera be this close to him?"

She looked back at her own reflection.

"I truly don’t understand it at all."

The frustration on her face became impossible to hide.

Her lips formed a slight pout.

Her brows lowered ever so slightly.

Although she still maintained proper posture...

The disappointment in her emerald eyes revealed everything she was trying so hard to conceal.

Becky could clearly see it.

As already said...

After spending so many years serving Selena...

She had witnessed her Lady’s happiest moments, and she had also stood beside her during the difficult ones.

No one understood Selena’s heart better than Becky.

Whenever something genuinely caught Selena’s interest...

She invested herself completely.

"And I’m certain..."

Selena continued, unable to stop herself from speaking.

"...that Vera Ashenlocke only did all of this to force his hand."

Her voice carried quiet certainty.

"She cornered him. Otherwise...I refuse to believe someone like Ezra Ashenlocke would suddenly agree to become anyone’s dance partner."

The thought only made her feel more conflicted.

She gently puffed out her cheeks before letting out another defeated sigh.

The elegant Lady of House Galehart...

Now looked exactly like a young maiden troubled by her first love.

Watching her...

Becky couldn’t help smiling.

A warm, affectionate smile slowly spread across her face.

My Lady...

She’s making the face of a girl who’s completely fallen in love.

The thought made Becky strangely happy.

She had watched Selena grow from childhood into the refined young noblewoman she was today.

Seeing her finally become interested in someone...

Somehow, felt comforting.

"My Lady..."

Becky gently loosened Selena’s grip before carefully reaching for another crystal container resting on the dressing table.

"You shouldn’t let this trouble you so much."

She slowly opened the elegant crystal casing.

Inside rested a smooth skin cream prepared specifically for Selena’s nightly skincare routine.

"After all..."

Becky smiled confidently while scooping a small amount onto her fingertips.

"My Lady is beautiful."

She turned sharply toward Selena with a bright smile, raising one hand into a small fist as though trying to encourage her.

"You’re confident. Elegant. And everyone knows you’re one of Britannia’s Flowers."

She nodded proudly.

"I honestly don’t believe there’s a young noble who would reject you."

She paused.

"...So, let’s just forget about the Lady of Ashenlocke and..."

The words suddenly stopped.

Becky’s cheerful expression froze.

A small shiver ran down her spine.

"..."

She slowly lowered her raised fist and her voice became noticeably quieter.

"...how scary she is."

She cautiously glanced around the room as though Vera might somehow hear her from another residence.

"No..."

She quickly shook her head.

"It’s better not to think about her."

Then she looked back at Selena with another encouraging smile.

"Just go and speak with him."

Selena calmly shook her head.

"That would appear desperate, Becky."

Her answer came without hesitation.

As she gently flipped a section of her emerald hair behind her shoulder...

The graceful movement instantly restored much of the elegant image she had momentarily lost during her little outburst.

Becky narrowed her eyes.

"Oh?"

She looked at Selena with an amused expression.

"Weren’t you just the one worrying about him a moment ago?"

There was obvious sarcasm in her voice.

She walked back toward Selena while scooping another small portion of skin cream from the crystal container.

Rubbing it gently between both palms...

She began applying it carefully along Selena’s left arm.

Selena slowly stretched her arm forward without resistance.

The oversized sleeve of her nightdress naturally slid down toward her elbow, exposing her smooth skin.

Becky’s hands moved gently and professionally, spreading the cream evenly.

"Remember this, Becky..."

Selena spoke calmly.

The frustration from moments ago had already disappeared.

Once again...

The elegant confidence expected of the finest daughter of House Galehart quietly returned.

"As an aspiring noble lady of Britannia..."

She watched herself through the mirror.

"I must always remain elegant."

No matter the situation.

No matter the person standing before her.

No matter what emotions filled her heart.

She could never abandon the dignity she had spent her entire life cultivating.

That...

Was the pride of Selena Galehart.

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

It was graceful and natural.

As though the emotional young maiden from only moments earlier had never existed.

Becky looked at her Lady for a few seconds before letting out a helpless smile.

"As expected..."

She quietly murmured to herself while moving to Selena’s other arm.

"...you’re still Lady Selena."

***

Back in the East Wing...

Inside Ezra’s residence...

The spacious living room had been completely cleared.

The furniture that normally occupied the center of the room had been moved neatly toward the walls, leaving behind an open area large enough for someone to practice moving freely.

Ezra sat in the middle of the room with his legs crossed.

One hand rested beneath his chin.

His expression remained calm as he quietly thought about tomorrow night’s Welcome Party.

Across the room...

Lucy busied herself organizing both Ezra’s formal attire and her own uniform.

As an attendant assigned to a noble student...

The Royal Academy had issued special clothing for servants working during the Welcome Party.

She carefully inspected every fold before neatly placing everything back into its garment bag.

After checking it one final time...

She turned toward Ezra.

"So..."

A hint of amazement appeared in her eyes.

"You really agreed to dance with Lady Vera."

Ezra didn’t immediately answer.

His gaze remained fixed ahead as though sorting through countless thoughts inside his mind.

Yet despite appearing distracted...

He still heard every word Lucy spoke.

"I should have accepted it earlier."

Ezra spoke plainly.

There wasn’t even the slightest trace of regret in his voice.

Instead...

It sounded more like someone who had calmly reached a conclusion after carefully reviewing every possibility.

Lucy smiled helplessly.

She wanted him to deny it or perhaps complain about being forced into the situation.

Since he was visibly annoyed by what Vera did.

Instead...

He simply admitted it.

"But..."

She carried the bags to a nearby chair before placing it down gently.

"How are you going to learn ballroom dancing now?"

She looked at him with genuine concern.

"The Welcome Party is tomorrow."

Her eyes wandered toward the open space in the middle of the living room.

The furniture they had moved away after dinner still remained neatly arranged along the walls, leaving plenty of room for practice.

Since finishing their meal and cleaning the room together...

Ezra had remained seated in exactly the same spot.

One hand supported his chin.

His gaze stayed fixed ahead.

Anyone looking at him would think he was simply daydreaming.

But Lucy knew better.

Master has been sitting there thinking ever since we finished dinner and cleared the living room.

He hasn’t moved at all.

She quietly observed him.

Although Ezra rarely appeared flustered...

She knew there had to be a reason he had remained silent for so long.

An idea suddenly crossed her mind.

"Oh!"

Her eyes brightened.

"You remember I told you about the time I learned ballroom dancing while working at the House of Melody?"

She took several small steps toward him, stopping just a short distance away.

A confident smile slowly spread across her face.

"I can teach you."

She lightly placed a hand against her chest.

"I may not be an expert on how Noble Ballroom dances... But I know the basics. There should still be enough time if we start practicing tonight."

Lucy straightened her posture.

The proud look on her face almost seemed to say she had finally found something she could help her master with.

For once...

She felt genuinely useful.

Ezra slowly lifted his eyes toward her.

His expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever.

He simply stared at Lucy for a few quiet seconds.

"..."

Lucy blinked.

"...Master?"

Ezra didn’t answer immediately.

Not because he had ignored her.

Quite the opposite.

He had heard every single word she said, like before.

However...

At that very moment, only a small portion of his attention remained in the living room.

Most of his consciousness had already sunk deep into the Book of Memories.

Page after page...

Information regarding ballroom dancing unfolded before his eyes.

His gaze remained fixed ahead.

Yet he wasn’t looking at the room anymore.

He was quietly reading the countless pieces of knowledge stored within the book, carefully reviewing each detail one after another as though he had returned to a classroom from another lifetime.

***

╔════════════════════════════════════╗

[Ballroom Dancing — Gentleman’s Foundation]

╚════════════════════════════════════╝

Classification: Social Etiquette & Coordinated Movement

Primary Purpose: Graceful movement, partner leadership, posture development, and formal social interaction.

Fundamental Principle

Ballroom dancing is not merely the act of moving to music. It is the discipline of leading another person through coordinated movement while maintaining balance, rhythm, and elegance. A gentleman serves as the guide, establishing the direction, timing, and confidence of every step through posture and subtle body movement rather than physical force.

Learning Process

First Step — Master the Posture

Every movement begins with proper posture. Stand upright with the back straight, shoulders relaxed, and chest naturally lifted. Keep the chin level, the eyes forward, and the weight evenly distributed between both feet. A stable posture forms the foundation of every dance.

Second Step — Learn the Frame

A gentleman’s frame determines the connection between partners. The left hand supports the partner’s right hand, while the right-hand rests gently upon the partner’s shoulder blade. The arms should remain firm enough to communicate movement, yet relaxed enough to avoid stiffness.

The frame should guide, never restrain.

Third Step — Understand Rhythm

Movement follows the rhythm of the music rather than personal preference. Before learning complicated figures, one must first recognize the beat and move in harmony with it.

Every step begins with listening.

Fourth Step — Practice the Basic Steps

Complex routines are built upon simple patterns repeated until they become instinctive. Forward steps, backward steps, side movements, and controlled turns must be practiced until the body remembers them without conscious thought.

Precision always precedes speed.

Fifth Step — Learn to Lead

A gentleman leads through intention, not strength. Small shifts in weight, direction, and posture communicate each movement before it happens, allowing the partner to respond naturally.

The finest leaders appear effortless, as though both dancers had shared the same thought.

Sixth Step — Maintain Balance

Every step should end with complete control before the next begins. Rushing disrupts rhythm, while hesitation weakens confidence. Proper balance allows movement to remain smooth regardless of speed.

Seventh Step — Refine Expression

Technique alone does not complete the dance. Calm confidence, composed facial expressions, courteous manners, and respectful eye contact transform practiced movements into elegance.

A refined gentleman dances not to display skill, but to ensure his partner feels comfortable and secure.

Core Principles

A proper ballroom dancer values posture before speed, rhythm before complexity, guidance before force, confidence before extravagance, and courtesy above all else.

Practical Benefits

Consistent practice improves posture, balance, coordination, spatial awareness, confidence, discipline, and social etiquette. It also strengthens the ability to remain composed while performing precise movements under observation.

✦ Book of Memories Summary ✦

Ballroom dancing is the art of silent conversation. Every step, every turn, and every subtle shift of the body conveys intention without words. A true gentleman does not force the dance forward; he leads with confidence, allowing elegance, rhythm, and mutual trust to become one continuous movement.

***

Ezra slowly raised his index finger toward Lucy.

The simple gesture was enough.

Lucy immediately understood what he meant and quietly stopped speaking.

She stood patiently beside him without making another sound.

Meanwhile, Ezra’s attention had already sunk completely into the Book of Memories.

Page after page...

The information before him continued unfolding.

His eyes moved steadily across each line as he carefully read every detail.

Then...

He read them again.

Although the knowledge stored within the Book of Memories already belonged to him...

Ezra still preferred reviewing important information before putting it into practice.

That habit had never changed.

Especially when it involved something he hadn’t used in many years or done before.

The reason ballroom dancing existed within the Book of Memories...

Was because of someone from his previous life’s world.

Claudia.

A faint memory quietly surfaced in his mind.

It happened on an ordinary day.

Claudia had received permission to return home for several days to attend a formal gathering hosted by her family.

It wasn’t an ordinary banquet.

It was an elite ballroom gathering attended by influential people from her social circle.

Before leaving...

She suddenly invited Ezra to accompany her.

Or rather...

She never gave him the opportunity to refuse.

The moment he hesitated...

She had already decided for him.

Afterward...

She immediately began teaching him ballroom dancing.

The memory caused the corners of Ezra’s lips to twitch almost imperceptibly.

Back then...

He had been unbelievably terrible.

His movements were stiff.

His posture constantly collapsed.

He stepped on Claudia’s feet more times than he could remember.

Every practice session ended with him receiving another helpless sigh from her.

In the end...

Claudia finally gave up trying to teach him through demonstration alone.

She personally wrote an entire guide explaining every fundamental movement in detail.

Not only that...

She also made him watch countless ballroom dance videos until he could distinguish proper posture from improper posture at a single glance.

Whenever he made another mistake...

She patiently corrected him.

Again.

And again.

Until his body gradually began remembering every movement.

Those days...

Were among the memories Ezra past-self treasured the most.

Because of that...

He deliberately kept everything related to ballroom dancing.

He even continued refining his understanding whenever he had spare time, making sure he completely mastered every lesson Claudia had taught him.

Even now...

Ezra could feel how precious those memories were treasured deeply by his past-self.

He could almost picture himself standing across from her once more.

The elegant ballroom.

The gentle melody drifted through the hall.

The polished floor reflecting the lights above.

Her hand rested lightly in his.

The image felt so real...

That for a brief moment, it almost seemed as though he could reach out and touch it.

His past-self had wanted that moment more than anything.

To stand beside Claudia.

To take her hand.

To dance with her while the music carried both of them across the ballroom floor.

Yet...

He never found the courage.

Deep inside...

Ezra never believed he deserved to stand beside someone like Claudia.

At that time...

He was drowning in the fact he joined the army because of a ugly and selfish reason, while the others around him had different worthy reasons for risking their lives serving the country.

He also had no status.

No future worth speaking of.

Nothing that could match the world she belonged to.

In his eyes...

Walking into that gathering beside her would only invite unnecessary attention.

The people around Claudia would judge her for bringing someone like him.

Even if she didn’t care...

He cared.

His Past-self couldn’t bear the thought of becoming the reason her reputation suffered.

So...

In the end...

Ezra’s past-self chose not to go.

He broke the promise he had made to her.

Claudia became furious.

The argument that followed remained one of the few times she had truly lost her temper with him.

Even then...

Ezra never explained what he had been thinking.

Instead...

He quietly made a promise to himself.

One day...

After he finally escaped the crushing weight of his regrets...

After he retired from the army...

After he built a life he could be proud of...

He would stand before Claudia once again.

Not as someone who needed saving.

But as a man worthy of standing beside her.

Then...

He would tell her everything he had never found the courage to say.

Unfortunately...

Life never gave him that chance.

The battlefield arrived before the future he had dreamed of.

The promise remained unfulfilled.

The words stayed buried in his heart.

In the end...

Everything had been nothing more than wishful thinking.

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