Masquerade (2)

"I will prepare the dress and shoes for you."

Upon hearing the butler's words directed at her, Hong Bi-Yeon narrowed her eyes.

"What's this?"

The unfolding situation was completely unexpected.

After entering through the Persona Gate, she never expected the Grand Masquerade to appear.

Although each world within the Persona Gate had its own unique characteristics, it was rare to encounter the Masquerade within the gate.

Frankly, it was a bit surprising and confusing.

However, it was only for a moment.

Hong Bi-Yeon skillfully arranged the runic language in the air to analyze this world.

The Persona Gate itself was a massive "enigma." It was as if it was inviting the mages to unravel the mysteries of this world.

So, when the mages fully analyzed the phenomena of this world, they were recognized as qualified to solve the enigma, and the "guide-line message" would be displayed to show them the way.

'Do this and challenge that. Then you will be able to clear this world.'

Boom...!

Magic formations visible only to her distorted in the air, and keywords appeared.

'Aeron Duchess... Protagonist of the Masquerade, the Dance of Temptation…'

It was natural for a Level 3 Persona Gate to be difficult for ordinary first-year students to interpret. However, as Hong Bi-Yeon had already mastered Level 3 classes for a long time, it wasn't too difficult for her.

… Or so it should have been.

'What's this? Something feels off.'

This place was clearly a virtual creation, the Persona Gate. Then why was the mana so dense and heavy here?

Moreover, even though it was a training session, it was reasonable for them to set up a Persona Gate that was easy for first-year students to interpret and overcome.

For some reason, this place was far too complex and perplexing even for Hong Bi-Yeon's level.

Her mind froze as if something had tightly blocked it.

Hong Bi-Yeon's runic language shattered into pieces in the air and scattered, and the guideline message never appeared.

With a bewildered expression, Hong Bi-Yeon trembled.

'This... It's an unknown formula.'

An unknown formula?

Just that fact alone was enough to shatter Hong Bi-Yeon's confidence. She still lacked the ability to cope with something she hadn't learned.

That was why it was even more strange.

Only in a first-year training, an unlearned part emerged?

Even she, who had completed the preparation for the advanced curriculum, was struggling, so what about the other students?

'This is like…'

She quietly pondered.

"Miss, it's almost time for the evening Masquerade. How would you like to dress for dinner?"

"... What?"

"What seems to be the problem?"

"How can you say that? Is that a designated phrase?"

"Hehe. It seems I meddled too much. I apologize. Please wait until your thoughts are organized."

"No, it's not that..."

Hong Bi-Yeon opened her mouth slightly and made a quiet sound.

This place was a 'fake,' created by mages to resemble the Persona Gate.

While the NPCs in the real Persona Gate thought and acted like real people, the existence created by the mages in the fake Persona Gate was only made to resemble humans.

Such actions were impossible.

However, the servant in front of her made expressions, smiled, and spoke various lines as if he were a real person.

Could it be...?

An unbelievable possibility came to mind.

The possibility that this place was real.

'No, it can't be.'

This was Stella Academy. It was impossible for the real Persona Gate to appear here.

It was just that Stella's technology had advanced a bit.

"Why do you say that?"

"No, don't worry. I would like a silk dress. I don't really like sleeves. Make the hem above the knees, with a wave pattern, and attach an amethyst brooch on the chest. The shoes should be red. And of course, there should be accessories, right?"

"Of course."

"Prepare a silver bracelet without a pattern and a ruby gothic chain."

Assisted by four maids in the dressing room, Hong Bi-Yeon quickly changed into the dress. She didn't neglect analyzing the situation here either.

Of course, she also commented on the dress.

Snap!

Hong Bi-Yeon slapped the maid's cheek with her palm and spoke in a cold tone.

"You picked up trash to bring me. Did you bring this crap for me to wear? Bring me something else."

"I-I'm sorry!"

"This is too short. Did you properly prepare the size?"

"I-I thought this size would be... I apologize!"

After being rejected a staggering twelve times, they finally managed to find a dress that suited her eccentric taste. Even then, she barely accepted it because there was little time left until the evening Masquerade.

"This will do, more or less."

The multi-colored dress, starting with a pure milky white and gradually turning redder as it descended to the waist, truly suited Hong Bi-Yeon, who had silver hair and red eyes.

"This dress is undoubtedly made for you, Miss..."

The beauty made the maids, who had been slapped by Hong Bi-Yeon several times, open their eyes wide.

"Bring me the shoes."

Red shoes and a ruby necklace adorned Hong Bi-Yeon as she gracefully walked into the Masquerade hall like a princess.

The room buzzed with chatter.

Long, straight tables were set up, and Stella's students, adorned in dresses and suits, awkwardly glanced at each other with hesitant eyes.

She instinctively searched for Baek Yu-Seol. He was wearing a plain black tuxedo, and despite his youthful appearance and relatively short stature, his proportions suited him quite well.

"... He seems to receive quite a bit of attention for his looks."

As she looked at him, memories of his past story she had read the previous night came to mind. His personal story that began with the words, "I miss my mother."

Although she felt guilty for sneaking a peek at it without his knowledge, once she had seen it, she couldn't help but be curious and concerned.

He somehow seemed different. Rising above his past and walking the path of a knight in Stella Academy.

"Nii..."

Squeak~!

As the sixteen students gathered, the front door opened, and a woman walked in. However, she was wearing a mask and not dressed in a gown.

"So, everyone is here. Are you ready to infiltrate the Aeron Mansion?"