My Magic Has No Upper Limit

Chapter 296: Chapter 286: What Should We Do Now? (Part 2)

Tables and chairs were tastefully arranged on the lawn, topped with velvet cushions. Beside them stood Magic Furnaces, radiating warmth.

Even if guests grew weary and wished to rest their feet, they didn’t have to worry about the winter night’s chill.

Upon entering the main castle’s ballroom, the scene within was even more spectacular.

It was a gigantic banquet hall, large enough to accommodate a thousand people.

Dozens of enormous, multi-tiered crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their countless crystal prisms refracting the warm light.

The entire hall was illuminated in brilliant splendor, exuding an air of extreme luxury.

The interior layout was also very refined.

The host had cleverly used ornate velvet curtains and stone pillars to divide the space into a central dance floor, buffet areas on the flanks, and private conversation nooks in the corners.

There was also a semi-open viewing gallery on the second floor.

Countless guests in lavish attire moved through the space.

Some laughed softly behind small fans, while others whispered over glasses of red wine. Amidst the fragrant scents and shimmering silhouettes, it felt like an enchanting labyrinth.

Zelir had no doubt that if he had come here alone, he would have gotten lost.

Even Gray let out a quiet sigh of admiration.

"This is actually a bit beyond my expectations."

"So... what should we do now?"

Zelir was a little lost for a moment. "Should we go find Bev directly?"

"No rush. This is still the warm-up phase. Bev probably won’t be out so soon."

Gray said, "The young lady of the Alberti Family has quite a few people to deal with..."

"Normally, this is when you find people you know to exchange pleasantries and make small talk."

"Or you go and build connections with some high-status people you don’t usually get to see."

Gray glanced at Zelir.

"For example, that old man over there surrounded by a crowd is probably the president of some chamber of commerce. Want to go meet him?"

"I’m not interested in that." Zelir shook his head.

’I’ve never been a fan of this kind of pretentious atmosphere anyway.’

"Then let’s just get something to eat and wait for the ball to start."

Gray reached out and took a glass of wine from a passing waiter’s tray, grabbing one for Zelir as well.

The long tables in the buffet area were covered with snow-white tablecloths, laden with a dazzling array of food.

However, there were no large, greasy foods, as eating them could stain one’s formal wear and would be unsightly.

Even the roasted meat was already cut into small, bite-sized portions that could be eaten easily in one bite.

Zelir wasn’t very hungry, so he just picked up a few small pastries and popped them into his mouth.

Gray, on the other hand, sipped his wine while his gaze swept across the hall.

Although the orchestra was playing a soothing and melodious minuet, the hall still buzzed with conversation like a beehive.

The older nobles, with their portly bellies, loudly discussed horse racing and the recent price of iron ore.

Their wives, meanwhile, fanned themselves with folding fans and gathered together to gossip or share strange anecdotes they had heard.

From time to time, Zelir could also hear the distinct laughter of old money.

Suddenly, a hesitant-sounding voice came from behind him.

"Zelir...?"

Zelir paused, finding the voice somewhat familiar.

He turned around to look.

His eyes fell upon a young woman standing by a pillar.

Oh...

’It’s Yanni.’

’Bev’s good friend, the Magic Apprentice who had joined them for the Monster Hunting.’

Yanni was also dressed beautifully tonight.

She wore a wine-red evening gown, with sparkling pendants that dangled and swayed from her earlobes.

"It really is you, Zelir."

Yanni said with pleasant surprise after getting a clear look at Zelir’s face.

"When I saw you from behind just now, I wasn’t quite sure."

"What a coincidence, meeting you here." Zelir smiled and nodded at Yanni.

"You’ve really..."

Yanni looked Zelir up and down, lightly covering her red lips, unable to hide her admiration.

"...changed so much."

"Have I? I just changed my clothes." Zelir looked down at himself.

"Really, I almost didn’t recognize you," Yanni said with a charming smile.

’The Yanni of today no longer held the same hostility she had when she first met Zelir.’

’Though the reason back then was a bit absurd...’

’...but thinking about it now, it’s actually kind of amusing.’

"Good evening, Yanni. I didn’t expect to see you here either."

Gray also greeted her warmly.

Yanni looked at Gray, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Um... excuse me."

After a moment, Yanni spoke, her tone uncertain.

"You are?"

"We went on the Monster Hunt together."

Gray introduced himself, "I’m Gray, a Swordsman from the Escort Team."

"Oh..."

It was only then that Yanni seemed to remember him. "You’re that Junior Swordsman, right?"

Zelir shot Gray a pitying look.

However, the man was thick-skinned enough that the two consecutive blows didn’t seem to faze him.

"I’m Middle Level now," Gray said, patting his chest.

"Mm, congratulations."

Yanni nodded dismissively and turned her gaze back to Zelir.

"Zelir, Bev must have invited you personally this time."

"Yeah," Zelir replied.

"She really cares about you..."

Yanni remarked. "Come on, I’ll take you to her. I know where Bev is."

As she spoke, Yanni very naturally took half a step closer to Zelir.

She turned slightly to the side and extended her left hand to Zelir.

In a social setting, this was a clear signal.

When a lady escorted a gentleman, she was expected to take his arm as a sign of both intimacy and etiquette.

Zelir, remembering the etiquette Gray had taught him, bent his right arm at his waist, his hand held loosely in a fist in front of him.

"You really do look like a young noble master," Yanni said with a light laugh as her hand smoothly took Zelir’s right arm.

"Gray..."

Zelir looked back at Gray, feeling it wasn’t quite right to just leave.

"It’s fine. You go on ahead."

Gray waved his hand, his gaze already fixed on the other side of the hall.

Zelir followed his gaze and saw a young noble lady on the other side of the hall without a male companion.

She was also looking in Gray’s direction.

Gray’s eyes met the young lady’s. Though nothing was said, it seemed everything was understood.

Then, Gray turned his head, gave Zelir a smile, and walked toward the noble lady.

’He really moves fast...’

Zelir mused to himself.

Following Yanni’s lead, she led Zelir through one curtained-off alcove after another.

"Good evening, Miss Yanni."

"Oh, darling, your earrings are so beautiful tonight."

Along the way, other young women would occasionally greet Yanni, and Yanni would gracefully return the courtesy.

But the gazes of those young women would always linger on Zelir for quite a while.

"You seem to know a lot of people," Zelir said.

"This is nothing, really. I’m the type who doesn’t go out much."

Yanni tilted her head to look at Zelir. "But probably more than you."

"That’s true..."

Throughout their walk, Zelir hadn’t recognized a single person.

Finally, after parting another set of golden gauze curtains, they entered a small, semi-open hall.

In the center, surrounded by a group of noble ladies, stood a figure who was even more dazzling.

Bev.

Tonight, she was so beautiful it was almost impossible to look away.

Her golden hair was swept up into an elegant and noble courtly updo. She wore a moon-white, backless evening gown, studded with fine blue diamonds.

The gown had a strapless design, exposing her fair, delicate shoulders and collarbones, perfectly showcasing the beautiful curves of a young woman.

Bold, and alluring.

It was the first time Zelir had ever seen Bev dressed so magnificently; she seemed to shine several times brighter than usual.

Without Yanni even needing to call out, Bev happened to turn her head, and her gaze fell right on Zelir.

They both paused, their movements nearly synchronized.

"Zelir...!"

Bev’s eyes lit up, her voice filled with undisguised delight.

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