“Ryan, have you been waiting long?”

Rachel asked as she entered the reception room.

Ryan, who had been sitting on the sofa, stood up. Then he froze at the sight of Rachel before him. She wore a black dress that matched her dark hair. The off-shoulder dress was overlaid with sheer lace that gave off a subtle sheen. The bell-shaped skirt swayed gently with her every movement.

Her hair was elegantly pinned up, revealing her neckline and shoulders completely. Ryan’s heart suddenly pounded at the sight. Worried she might notice his reaction, he turned his head away, covering his flushed face with his hand. The heat wouldn’t subside, and Ryan ran his hand over his face in embarrassment.

“Ryan?”

When he didn’t answer her question, Rachel called his name. Ryan lowered the hand covering his face and looked at her.

“Rachel, you’re always beautiful, but today you’re especially stunning.”

As Ryan expressed his honest admiration, Rachel smiled casually and approached him.

“Let’s go now.”

“Yes, let’s. Well then, beautiful lady, would you accompany me?”

Ryan stepped back, bowed formally, and extended his hand.

“Yes, gladly.”

Ryan gently took Rachel’s hand, stood up, and escorted her.

Today was the day of the imperial banquet for mages. Ryan had arrived at Count Pluret’s residence early to escort Rachel and had been waiting for her. The wait hadn’t been disappointing at all—he’d had the honor of being the first to see Rachel’s beautiful appearance.

“Could I see the list once more?”

Rachel asked during their carriage ride.

Ryan, coming to his senses, handed her the prepared list. Rachel took it and carefully reviewed the contents. There was no new information added, but she was checking again to make sure she wouldn’t forget anyone listed.

Ryan waited patiently while Rachel concentrated. She continued studying the list intently until the carriage entered the imperial palace, only setting it aside when they stopped at the Great Hall.

“Have you checked everything?” Ryan asked in a low voice.

Rachel nodded in affirmation. “I’ve memorized it all.”

“All of it?”

“Yes.”

Ryan’s eyes widened at her words. Even though Rachel had curated the list herself, the number of mages wasn’t small. Ryan had also memorized the list in advance to be helpful, but it had taken him considerable time to remember the names, appearances, and characteristics.

Yet she had memorized it all during that short carriage ride. Ryan was greatly impressed by Rachel’s memory.

Rachel, however, found his reaction puzzling. “I already knew these people, so it didn’t take long. They’ve all had contact with me at some point, haven’t they?”

“Well, yes… that’s true.”

Ryan belatedly realized and nodded.

“Still, it’s impressive. Even if they’re people you know, there are quite a few on the list.”

Rachel simply shrugged in response. Soon the carriage came to a stop.

“May I open the door?”

After a light knock, an attendant asked Ryan and Rachel.

“Go ahead.”

With his permission, the door opened carefully. Ryan stepped out of the carriage first, then extended his hand to Rachel. She took his hand and descended from the carriage.

“Now, shall we go in?”

Ryan began to guide her to the Great Hall with practiced ease.

“His Highness Crown Prince Ryan and Lady Rachel Pluret, daughter of Count Pluret!”

The attendant announced loudly after identifying Ryan and Rachel. Soon the doors opened, and the two began to make their way into the banquet hall.

As they entered, all eyes turned to them. Crown Prince Ryan, the young master of the empire, and Rachel Pluret, the exceptional mage who had recently proven her abilities—the pair naturally drew attention. Their attractive appearances played a part, but it was also because their partnership represented a path quite different from what the Magic Tower pursued.

Finally, they reached the center of the hall.

“Ho ho, seeing His Highness the Crown Prince here again gives me a peculiar feeling.”

The first to approach them was Magic Tower Master Randolph. Ryan turned to him with a smile, careful not to show his wariness.

“The honor is mine, Randolph.”

When Ryan responded warmly, Randolph let out a low laugh.

“To hold such a banquet for mages—as a representative of all mages, I’m deeply moved by this unprecedented consideration.”

“Not at all. If everyone can enjoy themselves comfortably, that’s enough. This is merely a token of appreciation for all your efforts on behalf of Carwen, so please enjoy yourselves.”

Randolph bowed respectfully to Ryan, appearing touched by his words. Then he turned to look at Rachel.

“I heard you’ve become an imperial mage, and now I see you here again.”

Randolph gazed at Rachel with apparent regret. A mage with her rapid growth could certainly have surpassed Edward to become a Magic Tower Master candidate. And then she would have become an excellent successor to him.

Randolph had hoped Rachel would succeed him. However, contrary to his wishes, Rachel had chosen to become an imperial mage.

“If Miss Pluret had become a Magic Tower Master candidate, she surely could have become the next Tower Master. What a pity.”

“No. You keep praising me, but everyone, including myself, knows that Edward is a more skilled mage than I am. Even if I had become a candidate, Edward would have been the next Tower Master.”

Rachel spoke firmly.

Randolph nodded regretfully. “Of course, as you say, Edward will also make an excellent Tower Master. Still, I can’t help coveting talent when I see it.”

Randolph finished speaking and let out his characteristic low laugh. Rachel responded with an appropriate smile.

“Ah, I wonder if this old man has been keeping two young people to himself.”

Before Ryan could object, Randolph shook his head and stepped back.

“Then this old man will take his leave.”

With that, Randolph bowed to Ryan and moved away. Both of them watched as he retreated.

Ryan briefly turned to look at Rachel.

“Well… how about a dance to match the atmosphere?”

Ryan suggested carefully to Rachel, clearing his throat. Rachel finally raised her eyes to look at him. “Yes, sure.”

Ryan smiled brightly and took her hand. When they reached the center of the dance floor, they released hands and stood facing each other, exchanging light formal bows.

Then they moved close together. With hands clasped and bodies close, they began to dance to the orchestra’s melody.

“How was it?” Ryan suddenly asked Rachel.

Though the question lacked a subject and object, Rachel immediately understood what he was asking.

“At first I thought he was the most likely suspect, but standing before the Magic Tower Master candidate, I realized it. The Tower Master isn’t the culprit.”

Rachel answered his question in a small voice.

“He’s not?”

Ryan looked down at her with wide eyes. His image was clearly reflected in her green eyes. Rachel shook her head once, and clarified her statement.

“The cold, chilling feeling is similar, but not a perfect match. The Tower Master has nothing to do with this attack.”

Rachel stated firmly. Ryan let out a small sigh of relief, then gave a bitter smile.

“That’s a relief. If Randolph had been the perpetrator, I would have been greatly disappointed.”

“But it’s no reason to relax. It means there’s a skilled person somewhere here who can erase others’ memories without anyone noticing and make them disappear quickly.”