The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　Anqi secretly competed with him, gradually increasing her strength, but in a moment of distraction, the song ended.

　She suddenly felt a pang of regret for not fully immersing herself in the dance. But after the song ended, Dak led her off the stage, and Anna took her place.

　Anna gave Angie a defiant look, then took Dark's hand and walked to the center of the stage.

　Having observed from below for so long, she naturally couldn't possibly make the same mistake as Anqi.

　It's a rare opportunity to dance with Dak, so I had to make the most of it.

　She completely let go of her scheming and danced with great enthusiasm, perfectly showcasing the temperament and refinement of a princess.

　It was a treat for both the dancers and the spectators.

　Anna bowed slightly to the applauding audience, then walked off the stage with a big smile on her face along with Dark.

　She finally won! That's the advantage of being a latecomer!

Chapter 1402 The Sea King's Ball, the Midnight Bell (6k)

　"Crack! Click!"

　As photos were taken, intimate images of the Valkyrie's son and the twin princesses at the ball quickly spread beyond St. Marian's Academy. It's expected that major newspapers will be giving this a massive media frenzy by tomorrow morning.

　Of course, news of the clergy performing "The Song of God" at the St. Mary's College gala will also be included.

　These reassuring messages will accompany people through a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

　perhaps.

　After completing his task of dancing with the princess, Dak returned to his seat for a short rest.

　Deep down, he was still quite worried.

　The Christmas festivities begin tonight, and I wonder what the city of freedom looks like right now.

　However, it is unrealistic to expect that information from the Freedom City can be transmitted to the Academy in a synchronized manner.

　He could only go and check it out in person after Christmas.

　As he pondered, he suddenly noticed that Diana had stopped eating meat and was sitting in her seat with a dignified expression, like a proper lady, which made him smile inwardly.

　Two minutes later, he stood up and, in a very gentlemanly manner, extended an invitation to Diana: "My lovely lady, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"

　Diana turned around, trying hard to keep a smile from spreading across her face: "Is there only one song?"

　Dark couldn't help but laugh and said, "Then keep jumping until you can't jump anymore."

　Diana said happily, "I'm not such an unreasonable girl, let's just dance to two songs."

　As she spoke, she placed one hand on Dak's palm and used the other to hold down her skirt as she gracefully rose to her feet.

　"It's a great honor," Dark said.

　The two walked arm in arm toward the stage.

　Rose watched with a hint of envy in her eyes.

　At the same time, she was genuinely happy for Diana, feeling as if she were slowly watching her child grow up and then get married.

　Just as Dark and Diana arrived on stage, one song ended. The two stepped onto the stage, waiting for the next dance to begin, and began to dance to the music.

　After all, this is their third Christmas together, and both of them have improved their dancing skills, so their chemistry is off the charts when they dance together.

　Diana was immersed in the waves of music and dance, her girlish heart pounding.

　Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were filled with excitement and joy. The Christmas Eve ball had a unique ambiguity and romance.

　Most of the students dancing on the stage were couples, and the atmosphere of romance naturally emanated from them.

　Humans are emotional beings, easily swayed by their surroundings. Therefore, dancing together at a Christmas ball naturally brings hearts closer. Confessing one's feelings there is also more likely to succeed than usual. Diana danced intently, her long, naturally flowing silver hair swaying gently with her movements, reflecting a silvery moonlight under the lights. She wore a white gown today, which, combined with her silver hair and fair skin, made her appear exceptionally pure.

　This is an outfit completely opposite to her usual style. But that's precisely why it leaves such a deep impression.

　She wanted him to remember her, and she wanted him to at least slightly change his opinion of her at this Christmas ball.

　She won't remain naive forever; she will mature.

　Dancing together is a wonderful time.

　But wonderful times never last.

　Diana had thought the two dance pieces would be longer, but to her surprise, they were no different from the first one; both ended in the blink of an eye.

　She didn't even realize it when the second dance song ended. "Wait, it's over already?"

　She stared into Dark's eyes, a slight pang of regret rising in her heart. If she'd known it would end so quickly, she should have said she'd dance three songs!

　It's not really polite to invite another girl to dance with you immediately after you've finished one dance with one girl.

　Therefore, Dark first returned to his seat and sat for a while before extending an invitation to Rose.

　Although Rose had anticipated this, she still couldn't hide her surprise and delight.

　When it came to her own turn, she suddenly realized that she was not as patient as Diana.

　But when Dakla took her hand and walked towards the stage, she felt that nothing mattered anymore.

　……

　Rose wore a black evening gown, which made her already slightly thin figure appear even more slender, and her pale golden hair always gave off a sense of ethereal beauty.

　Her presence was actually somewhat weak, which is why she chose a black dress to emphasize her presence.

　Intertwined with this is the desire to become more assertive in one's personality.

　Humans are like that.

　The more you lack something, the more you want it.

　But it is precisely because of "greed" that there is motivation, development and progress.

　Rose's steps may not have been fast, but her will to move forward was unwavering.

　She is constantly changing in the direction we aspire to.

　She stepped onto the stage and stood under the spotlight. Her beautiful face appeared even whiter under the bright lights, and the dark lipstick she had chosen made her look even more radiant against her black dress.

　Weiwei has developed a bit of a bad woman vibe.

　She couldn't help but tighten her grip on Dak's hand, drawing herself close to him.

　Closer

　Although it was only a little close, it brought a sense of small satisfaction.

　Her dance steps became lighter, and the expression on her face became even more lovely and bright.

　……

　After a song.

　The two walked off the stage hand in hand. Dak finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

　Although he also enjoyed the atmosphere on stage and the feeling of dancing with the girls, he wasn't actually relaxed and wasn't as fully engaged as the girls.

　That is to say, he now has a very deep grasp on "great sins", especially "bliss", which is why he is a little more at ease.

　In the past, he would never have dared to kiss someone so deeply.

　As one gains greater control over "major sins," perhaps even more techniques will be unlocked in the future.

　After returning to his seat, Dak relaxed a bit more.

　He chatted and laughed with the girl beside him, gradually blending into the atmosphere. He quietly left when the ball was halfway over.

　Pandora was already waiting outside.

　The two left the auditorium, walked out of the castle, and mingled with the many students strolling in the snow at night.

　Pandora had changed out of her theatrical costume and into a ball gown. There was an hour's interval between the first and second halves of the ball. The two went to the lakeside and slowly walked around its surface, which reflected the silvery moonlight.

　Lights and music emanated simultaneously from both the castle and the spiral clock tower, adding a touch of liveliness to the tranquil night.

　Dak and his senior talked as they walked.

　The two have moved past the stage where they need to deliberately find topics to please each other. Beyond that, neither of them is particularly focused on elaborate rituals or gestures.

　In the midst of an overly busy academic life, being able to take a leisurely stroll along the lake like this is a precious moment.

　The atmosphere between the two was quite tranquil, but the topic they were discussing was far from insignificant.

　After this Christmas, Pandora will only have six months left.

　As a sixth-grade graduate, she also had to leave the school to complete her own graduation project.

　Her graduation project was "The Legendary Dragon"! She planned to find the "Legendary Dragon" and write a series of reports related to it. Of course, it would be even better if she could publish a book about the "Legendary Dragon" and add it to a library's collection.

　This is clearly a graduation project that meets the requirements of the Magic Academy.

　Dark had also planned to search for the "Legendary Dragon." However, he clearly didn't have the time to carry it out and could only watch as Senior Pandora embarked on her journey ahead of him.

　However, she wouldn't mind spending a day or two more. So, she would spend Christmas at the academy with Hephaestus, Lady Bella, and Dark before setting off the following day.

　Dark will also depart on the same day. His destination, however, is the City of Freedom.

　Pandora's destination is Sky City.

　She planned to use this vacation time to travel with Hephaestus to the dragon-people settlement in Sky City. After a brief investigation, they would then head to "Dragon Island".

　"Dragon Island" is one of the territories of pure-blooded dragons and also the hometown of Hephaestus.

　Of course, they wouldn't welcome a half-dragon, which is why they needed Hephaestus, a pure-blooded dragon, to lead the way.

　"Dragon Island", "Dragon Canyon", "Dragon Village"... By visiting the territories of these pure-blooded dragons, investigate information about the "legendary dragons".

　This marked the beginning of Pandora's planned journey. Dark was quite eager to see it.

　Pureblood dragons are now extremely rare, and even those that emerge from their territories often disguise themselves as humans to conceal their identities. However, this doesn't change the fact that dragons are a long-lived race with a very ancient history, and their territories may hold very ancient texts.

　He also wanted to thoroughly read through the literature related to dragons.

　It's a pity we can't travel together.

　While Dark felt regret over this, Pandora was also worried about his trip to the Free City.

　She said she wanted to go to the Free City with him first, but Dak laughed and said not to worry.

　Pandora's own schedule was also very tight, and Hephaestus, who was traveling with her, only had one vacation.

　Then Dak worried that she might encounter difficulties on "Dragon Island".

　She replied confidently, "Absolutely not."

　Dak smiled and agreed.

　The moon seems especially round tonight.

　Reflected on the ice, it looks like a giant disc.

　Students, both male and female, walked hand in hand, carefully across the ice. Occasionally, some would boldly tiptoe and spin around in place. Joyful laughter filled the air, both inside and outside the castle.

　……

　The second half of the ball.

　Dark and Pandora returned to the banquet hall, where they drank fruit wine together before going on stage and dancing.

　Then, the two went to their seats in the third year of the Noble Academy and sat down with Diana and Rose. The four of them chatted.

　Midway through their conversation, Dark noticed Eudora secretly watching them. He informed Pandora, then got up and went to Eudora, very gentlemanly extending an invitation to her.

　Eudora was overjoyed, and the whole process was accompanied by the sound of her rapidly beating heart.

　She seemed somewhat dazed, and even after stepping off the stage, she was still immersed in happiness.

　Dak also led her to his seat, and they spent this warm Christmas night together.

　But this time, he hadn't been sitting for long when Victoria, who had just returned from playing in the snow, pulled Phoenix over and jogged over.

　Dark was then pulled back onto the stage and danced with the two of them. As soon as he had a moment to himself, another girl invited him to dance.

　That's Elurly Clarissa, a senior from the Academy of Noble Families.

　He naturally had no reason to refuse, so he had no choice but to go back on stage and begin his busy up-and-down movements.

　Following Eluri Clarissa, he received another invitation from Gina Grant.