My Magic Has No Upper Limit

Chapter 294: Chapter 285: The Opening, Part 2

Countless Magic Wind Lamps, hung specially for tonight’s celebration, lined the main road of the town center.

Their warm, orange halos blended into a flowing river of stars.

The light not only dispelled the biting cold but also made the dreary, rut-filled street gleam brilliantly.

The main road was experiencing a rare traffic jam.

Dozens of expensive, lavishly decorated four-wheeled carriages were lined up bumper-to-bumper.

They formed a bloated dragon, inching slowly toward Alberti Manor.

Their wheels crunched over the thin ice on the ground, making a cracking sound.

The draft horses snorted impatient clouds of white breath, their hooves pawing restlessly at the ground.

"What are they doing up there?! Can’t they hurry it up?"

"Hey! Are you blind? If you scratch my paint, selling you wouldn’t even cover the cost!"

The coachmen abandoned their usual reserve.

Dressed in their respective family uniforms, they sat high on their benches, waving their whips and shouting curses at one another from a distance.

The clamor was loud enough to drown out the sound of the wind.

Many impatient young masters and ladies of the Nobility couldn’t resist pulling back their velvet curtains.

The source of the traffic jam was at a street corner.

A luxurious, dark-red carriage, trying to cut ahead, had veered slightly off course.

Losing control, it had crashed right into a street vendor’s cart.

CRASH...

It was a small stall selling hot roasted nuts.

The shabby wooden cart instantly tipped over. Charcoal embers scattered, and the carefully roasted nuts spilled all over the ground.

"Are you blind? A good dog knows not to block the road!"

Instead of apologizing, the coachman yanked hard on the reins.

He brandished his whip, roaring down from his high seat.

"Who told you to set up this piece-of-junk stall on the main road? Do you have any idea who’s in this carriage?!"

"Sir... but you’re the one who hit me!"

The vendor’s face was etched with misery. Seeing the mess on the ground, he was so heartbroken that tears threatened to fall.

’This was supposed to get my whole family through the winter!’

Ignoring the dirty snow on the ground, he knelt and tried to pick up the nuts that were still edible, his voice cracking as he cried out.

"This whole cart is ruined... You have to compensate me! I need to make a living!"

"Compensate you? You should be glad I’m not making you pay for the scratches on the carriage! Get lost! Or this whip will find your face!"

The coachman’s face was savage as he raised his whip, threatening to strike.

Though many passersby had gathered to watch, they all fell silent and backed away a few steps when they saw the Griffin crest on the carriage door. They dared to be angry but not to speak.

The vendor trembled in fear at the vicious whistle of the whip cutting through the air.

Left with no choice, he choked back tears and dragged his not-completely-broken cart to the side of the road.

He simply had no means to stand up to these nobles.

Soon, the obstruction was cleared, and with a flick of his whip, the coachman haughtily continued on his way.

Inside the carriage.

A young man dressed in a dark gray, high-collared velvet formal suit snorted with utter disdain.

’These lowlifes... daring to block my path.’

He was Luke Russell, the eldest son of the Russell Clan.

Luke was not thin and frail like most pampered young noblemen.

On the contrary, he was burly and powerfully built, and the expensive suit was stretched taut across his frame, looking a bit too tight.

The Russell Clan and the Alberti Clan were business partners.

However, they were located quite far from each other, only attending each other’s most important events.

This invitation had been sent purely out of courtesy.

But when Luke Russell received it, he decided to attend the Alberti Family’s winter ball without a moment’s hesitation.

For no other reason than to once again catch a glimpse of the figure who haunted his dreams.

Bev.

At Bev’s coming-of-age ceremony, Luke had been captivated by a single glance.

He had once asked Bev to dance, only to be rejected in front of everyone.

The reason Bev had given at the time was that she didn’t know how to dance.

’Doesn’t know how to dance, heh...’

But this time, the Alberti Family was hosting a ball.

’Miss Bev... she must have learned the steps by now, right?’

Russell’s eyes narrowed, a wistful smile spreading across his face.

’Does she have any reason to refuse me now?’

As the Russell Clan’s carriage drove off, the vendor stood by the roadside, his face a mask of misery.

Suddenly,

CLINK.

A Gold Coin was tossed from another passing carriage, landing in front of the vendor.

The vendor froze, seemingly unable to believe this act of kindness.

This single Gold Coin was worth far more than the nuts he had lost.

"Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!"

As if waking from a dream, the vendor dropped to his knees with a THUD and shouted his thanks repeatedly at the departing white carriage.

Inside the carriage, Yanni sighed.

She couldn’t bear to see such scenes.

"That was just outrageous..."

Yanni withdrew her gaze and sighed, displeased.

"The people of the Russell Clan are as ill-mannered as ever... They hit someone without so much as an apology, just plowing through everything like wild boars."

Yanni had already formed a very poor impression of the Russell Clan back at Bev’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Especially that one... what was his name, Luke?

’I hope that rude fellow doesn’t bother Bev tonight.’

...

「Night Flower Inn.」

「In a room.」

Zelir emerged from his bath, wreathed in swirling white steam.

His skin was slightly flushed from the hot water, and crystal-clear droplets clung to the tips of his hair.

He let out a long breath.

Zelir’s gaze fell upon a complete set of fine formalwear hanging on the wall.

Luo Wei, the shop owner, had sent someone to deliver it in a rush that afternoon. It had arrived just in time.

Tonight was the Alberti Clan’s winter ball.

Zelir felt an inexplicable nervousness, one even more intense than what he felt before heading out on a mission.

He took a deep breath, calming his mind.

First, the white shirt, then the double-breasted vest and trousers. He put them all on.

Next, he slipped on the long tailcoat.

It was sharply tailored, the tails hanging perfectly to the backs of his knees.

Everything fit like a glove, hugging his form.

And finally...

Zelir tied his black bow tie, adjusting it in front of the mirror.

Perfect. The look was complete.

Looking at his reflection, the corners of Zelir’s mouth curved up slightly.

’I really do look the part...’

...

「The first-floor hall.」

"Alright now, Aurora, we really don’t need your help here."

Madam Dejian looked quizzically at Aurora, who was busying herself behind the counter. "Your shift is already over."

"It’s alright, Madam Dejian."

Aurora smiled at Madam Dejian. "I don’t have anything better to do at home anyway."

Aurora worked the day shift, which had ended long ago.

But she hadn’t left, instead lingering to help out at the counter and front desk.

The thing was, the inn wasn’t even busy today. There was no need for extra help at all.

Aurora was just wiping glasses or adjusting the positions of tables and chairs that didn’t need adjusting.

’What’s gotten into this girl?’ Madam Dejian couldn’t help but wonder.

THUMP... THUMP...

The sound of boot heels on the wooden stairs echoed through the hall.

’He’s here!’

Aurora immediately looked toward the sound.

After getting a clear view of him, her movements, wiping down a table with a cloth, slowed and then stopped completely.

Her heart seemed to skip a beat.

Zelir came into view.

He was no longer dressed as a travel-worn Adventurer or in the cool, aloof attire of a Mage.

The well-tailored tailcoat accentuated his superb figure. The crisp, snow-white collar framed his already handsome face, making his features appear even more refined and profound under the light.

Ordinarily, a young nobleman dressed this way would carry an air of unapproachable arrogance and disdain.

But Zelir was different.

He was descending the stairs, casually carrying a pair of white gloves in his hand.

When his eyes met Aurora’s, who was standing frozen behind the counter, they held none of that high-and-mighty indifference.

Instead, they held the same warm, familiar smile she knew so well.

Aurora had seen the formal suit when Luo Wei delivered it that afternoon.

The reason she had been lingering, refusing to leave, was because she wanted to see with her own eyes what Zelir looked like in it.

"Ah..."

A blush crept uncontrollably up Aurora’s cheeks. She felt as if her heart were about to melt.

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