Elira simply picked it up and held it to her frame,it was light.almost cool to the touch,she said nothing changed silently and stepped out ten minutes later.
The dress fits perfectly. The fabric cling just enough to flatter her slender frame,the color deepening around her waist and catching the dim dorm light ,her hair was still simply tied,but a few strands framed her face softening her sharp cheekbones.
Her eyes, already a striking pale gray blue looked almost crystalline now under the faint mana glow.
Kaelen jaws dropped " you... You look like you stepped out of a book "
Elira looked at her sleeves "it's warm,that good "
Lyselle turned away quickly her voice clipped"Don't trip on the hem replacement "
Elira didn't respond. Her shoe clicked lightly as she left the room, already imagining the spread waiting in the grand hall perhaps honey roasted meat or something with lotus glaze
She had no idea how much attention she drew
The gala hall shimmered with mana forged chandelier each glowing like captured starlight,sliver and crystal reflected off the polished floor and the air was thick with refined magic, perfume and status
Elira stepped in
Silence didn't fall ,but conversations hesitated Heads turned,eyes scanned, narrowed,widened,she wasn't surrounded by an entourage,she didn't even seem to notice the stir , but the midnight gown shimmered like moonlight rippling across still water,and the crystal clasp at her throat pulsed in time with the hall
Kaelen trailed behind her ,wide eyed "people are.. definitely starring"
Elira finally spotted the food when she heard her name
"Elira " Lord jovian approached,regal in layered gray robe edged in silver thread.his presence was subtle but commanding,that kind that made spaces around him shift.
"You look stunning" he said smiling
Lady Evelyn stepped forward, lightly adjusting the crystal on elira's collar "He's right,you wear it beautifully ,darling .Do you like it"
Elira paused then gabed a small nod " it's extremely beautiful,thank you mother "
Lady Evelyn laughed softly "you are welcome darling"
Lord jovian looks at Elira and held out the small storage ring " keep it on you. You'll find rations inside,robes,and a token from Evelyn" "A suitable start for someone of your affinity.
Elira took the ring carefully,her voice was quiet"Thank you "
Lady Evelyn touched elira's hand pointing upward "we'll be watching from the upper gallery."
Elira nodded while moving forward
The hall was like something out of a Nobel fairytale, suspended crystal lit the ceiling in sliver and blue ,casting pools of light onto long banquet tables decked in gold laced cloth ,rows and rows of food shimmered under mild stasis spells fresh hot and still steaming
Elira didn't hesitate,she order with focus of someone on a mission,she selected her dishes with surgical precision, quietly sampling everything she read about for years
"I would have the roast bird glazed with citrus frost,the spiced moonroot with firepetal seasonings,the dusted rokk cakes withe some berry dumplings and sweet potatoes sky read ,thank you"
A boy across the table pointed said "isn't this the new jovian? The adopted one one"
"She replaced trash with trash " he laughed
A hush spread as the headmistress appeared,she didn't need a stage to be commanding,her silver rone alone pushed with grandure ,when she raised a hand the room became silent
"First years " she said voice ringing with cold truth"you were chosen not for kindness or connection but potential,this school will test you break you,and forge what remains into something worthy
She let the silence linger ,like frost creeping over glass
" Eat well tomorrow,the beginning of the rest of your lives begins"
Elira reached for her second tart
She was ready