The Anomaly's Path

I guided Malva toward the dance floor. My hand rested lightly at her waist. I held her left hand in mine. Soft music filled the hall.

Malva was stiff at first. Her fingers held mine tight and formal. She didn’t look at the other couples. She didn’t look at the lanterns above. Her dark eyes stayed fixed on the center of my chest. She watched every small move I made.

"Stop thinking so hard about the steps," I said quietly. I guided her through a simple turn as the music picked up. "You’re treating a dance like a fight."

"Because it requires good awareness to not crash into other people," Malva said, her voice flat. I pulled her into a graceful spin. "And these shoes Lyra picked have no grip."

"They’re dress shoes, Malva. They’re not made for running on walls." I shifted my weight and led her into a wider spin. We moved toward the outer edge of the floor. "Just follow my shoulder. If you mess up, I’ll catch you. You don’t have to think about every step."

She stayed quiet for a moment. Her breathing was steady as she let me guide her through a smooth turn.

Slowly, her shoulders relaxed. She didn’t suddenly become a great dancer, she was still that stiff Malva, but her natural instinct took over. Her steps became clean and smooth. She matched my pace easily, like we were doing training drills instead of dancing.

"You’re not terrible at this," she noted softly, her eyes flicking up to mine for a brief second before returning to my collar.

"My mother hired three different etiquette tutors before I was ten," I said with a small, wry smile. "If I messed up a step, I had to balance heavy books on my head while practicing. But you’re also good. You’re actually following the beat."

"Lyra made me practice the steps until my feet hurt," Malva murmured. "She said if I stepped on your boots in front of the nobles, she would make me run extra laps."

"Sounds like something she’d do," I chuckled, bringing her into a final, smooth turn as the song began to slow. "See? You survived."

"Only because you didn’t let go," she said flatly.

Around us, the dance floor was a mix of complete chaos and elegant grace.

A few yards away, Arthur was stuck in a pure display of survival skills. He was trying to dance with both Amelia and Nyra at the same time, a strange, awkward shuffle where he kept Amelia from spinning into nearby nobles while also guiding Nyra, who looked terrified that her heels would break.

Nyra’s wolf ears were flat against her head. Her amber eyes were wide as she focused on not ripping Arthur’s jacket. Amelia gave her quiet, encouraging nods. Arthur looked exhausted. His frozen smile was wearing thin as he managed both girls.

Further toward the center, Roan was spinning Lyssaria with dramatic flair. He turned a simple dance into a show that drew amused looks from the upperclassmen. Nearby, Caster moved in tiny, careful circles with Julia near the edge of the floor. He kept her away from the crowd.

As the last note of the song echoed through the hall, I brought Malva to a smooth stop with a clean, low bow. She gave a formal curtsey in return. Her face was completely blank, but the small breath she let out showed she was glad it was over.

The hall filled with polite applause as couples began leaving the main floor.

I led Malva back toward our large table. As we sat down, Caster and Julia were already coming back from the edge of the floor. Julia’s face was bright red. She quickly hid behind Caster. He sighed in relief.

"You did great out there, Julia," I said, leaning back in my chair.

"...Thanks," Julia mumbled, shrinking slightly into her seat next to Cordelia. "Caster held my hand the whole time..."

"You moved fine," Cordelia said smoothly. She placed a gentle hand on Julia’s shoulder, then turned her sharp green eyes toward me. "And you, Leo. I didn’t expect you to take the floor so early. I figured you’d be hiding somewhere with all that grumpy look."

"Tsk, tsk, Princess. Who do you think I am? I have to keep up appearances," I replied with a faint smirk. I leaned my arm on the table. "What about you, Princess? No nobles coming over to beg for a dance?"

Cordelia scoffed lightly. She rested her chin on her hand and glanced out over the crowd. "Two second-years tried. I stared at them until they remembered they had somewhere else to be. I’m not here to play politics on a dance floor tonight."

"Fair enough," I said.

Beside us, Riven sat stiffly in his chair. He watched Alice as she stabbed a piece of meat on her plate with a tiny fork. She was practically shoving food into her mouth, ignoring all table manners. Her crimson hair swung messily over her dark gothic dress.

Riven adjusted his collar, his red eyes narrowing at her with pure aristocratic disgust. "How many times are you going to refill that plate? You’ve been eating continuously since we sat down."

Alice swallowed hard, glaring daggers at him while picking up another pastry. "What’s it to you, ash-head? Is your father paying for the food? No? Then shut your mouth."

"It’s called basic manners," Riven said coldly, turning his head away. "You eat like you haven’t seen food in three weeks."

"Tch, bastard. I burn calories faster than you, okay?!" Alice barked. She chewed furiously and pointed her fork at his face. "Keep talking and I’ll eat off your plate next."

"Quiet, both of you," Lyssaria sighed softly. She shook her head as she sat down. Roan casually dropped into the seat beside her with a smug, satisfied grin.

Before they could keep arguing, the overhead lights dimmed slightly. Cynthia’s loud, energetic voice boomed across the hall from the front podium.

"Alright, everyone! Settle down!" Cynthia called out. She stepped up with her hands on her hips. Her long purple ponytail swayed as she smiled at the crowd. "That was a good warm-up! But watching people dance with the same partners is boring!"

A few groans and curious murmurs rippled through the hundreds of students.

"Fufufu, I can see you’re all enjoying yourselves, but it’s a long night! And every single year, it’s the exact same thing," Cynthia continued, a playful, sly smile spreading across her face.

"A few formal steps, polite applause, and then everyone stands around talking politics. Boring! That’s why I brought a new idea tonight, something to make this long evening a lot more enjoyable!"

Two academy staff members carried a heavy, velvet-lined silver box to the front stage.

"Here’s how it works!" Cynthia declared, clapping her hands. "Everyone who put their name token into the urns when they entered is in the pool. I will draw random pairs from the Box of Fate! And according to traditional Aegis banquet rules..."

She winked playfully toward the upper balcony where Elian and Sylvia stood. "...you can’t refuse! So don’t be cowards!"

"She’s having way too much fun with this," Caster muttered, shaking his head.

She snapped her fingers. The chandeliers above dimmed completely. Only the central dance floor stayed bright with focused magical lights.

"Now then!" Cynthia announced. She reached into the silver box and pulled out two shiny parchment cards. "Let’s draw our first special pair for the round!"

She called out a few names first to build up the crowd’s energy. "Marius Valmont from Class Fortis... and Dame Flint from Class Veritas!"

Marius, sitting near the lower dorm tables, looked surprised but stood up awkwardly, heading to the floor with a quiet, polite bow.

"Thomas Ward from Class Audax... and Sera Vex from Class Ascendant!"

Sera Vex, the half-elf archer, calmly set down her glass and walked to the center with her usual quiet focus, while Thomas hurried to meet her under the light.

Cynthia kept drawing names, keeping the pace fast and the crowd laughing as different students were forced out onto the floor under the bright spotlight. Then, her grin widened as she reached deep into the velvet box, pulling out the next card with dramatic flair.

"And for our next special pair..." Cynthia paused, her eyes sparkling. "...from Class Fortis, Riven Ashford! And from Class Ascendant... Alice Scarlet!"

The bright spotlight instantly swung across the hall, landing directly on our table and illuminating Riven and Alice in a sharp beam of light. Alice choked on her drink, her amber eyes widening in complete shock. Riven’s face went pale, his hand freezing mid-air as he reached for his glass.

"What?!" Alice barked, wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve and staring at the stage in disbelief.

"This is ridiculous," Riven muttered, his jaw clenching as every eye in the hall turned toward them. "I am not participating in this madness."

Up on the stage, Cynthia leaned into the enchanted microphone. Her playful voice boomed over the speakers. "Look at Class Fortis and Ascendant! Don’t look so scared, you two! It’s just a dance! Or are the top first-years too afraid of a little dance? Refusing in front of the whole academy isn’t a good look for future leaders!"

The crowd chuckled, turning their attention entirely to our table. Across the table, Roan was leaning back in his chair, practically shaking with suppressed laughter. He gave Riven a silent double thumbs-up, a wicked smirk plastered across his face.

"Go on, Riven," Roan taunted softly, his voice full of amusement. "Don’t keep the lady waiting. Everyone is watching, remember? You wouldn’t want to look like a coward in front of everyone."

Riven shot Roan a look that could cut through steel. "Shut your mouth, elf. I am not a playboy like you who jumps at every chance to show off."

"Hey, I’m just making sure you don’t ruin the mood," Roan grinned, resting his chin on his hands. "Besides, you two look great under the light."

"I will kill you after this," Alice growled under her breath, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles turned white. "I’m not doing it. I’m not going out there to parade around like a circus animal."

"If we refuse, we make fools of ourselves in front of the whole academy," Riven said through gritted teeth. He stared blankly at the floor for a long second. His head tilted back as he let out a low, irritated sigh. "...Fuck. I hate this."

He snapped his collar into place. He looked away from Alice to avoid her glare. Slowly, with stiff, forced control, Riven stood up from his chair. He adjusted his coat. He stepped out from the table and reluctantly offered his hand toward her.

"...Let’s just get this over with," Riven said coldly. "I don’t want to be out there any longer than necessary."

"I don’t want to be out there at all," Alice snapped back, staring at his extended hand like it was covered in poison. Her jaw worked in tight circles as she hesitated, her chest rising and falling with sharp breaths.

"Then move," Riven said, his tone biting. "Everyone is watching."

Alice let out a long breath.

Slowly, reluctantly, she opened her fists. Hesitantly, almost painfully, she placed her hand into his. Her fingers were stiff. They rested lightly on his palm with no warmth at all. But Riven closed his grip around hers with firm, steady pressure before she could pull back.

"Don’t touch me more than you have to," she muttered under her breath.

"Believe me, the feeling is entirely mutual," Riven replied, turning on his heel and leading her out from the table under the glare of the main spotlight.

When they reached the center of the dance floor, the music swelled into a fast, rhythmic tempo. It was a complete mess at first. Alice had never danced like this before. Her skirt kept getting caught on her boots.

On the very first step, her foot hit Riven’s heel. She started to fall sideways.

"Whoa—!" Alice gasped, her arms flaring out as she lost her balance completely.

Riven reacted on instinct.

He didn’t let her fall, his arm shot out, catching her sharply around the waist and pulling her back up before she hit the floor. For a fraction of a second, they were locked close together, Alice’s amber eyes staring right into his steel-red ones, her breath catching in her throat.

Riven immediately pushed her back to a standing position, his face flushing slightly as he straightened his vest. "....Watch your footing, savage."

"You tripped me, ash-head!" Alice hissed, though her face was noticeably red as she adjusted her sleeve.

"I saved you from embarrassing yourself," Riven replied coldly, extending his hand again. "Now follow my lead, or I will drag you through the steps myself..."

Alice glared at him, but she slammed her hand back into his. This time, Riven took full control. He adjusted his steps to handle her heavy dress. He guided her through the turns with firm, steady pressure.

Every time Alice stumbled or messed up, Riven caught her weight smoothly. He kept her upright without breaking the flow.

Even with Alice stomping on his shoes, making Riven’s jaw twitch in silent pain, their speed and quick reactions made the performance look intense. The sharp contrast between Riven’s clean suit and Alice’s dark red dress drew loud cheers and applause from the students around them.

By the time the song ended, both of them were breathing hard.

Riven gave a stiff bow. Alice crossed her arms and looked away. Her face was bright red as they walked off the floor.

As they made their way back, I leaned over toward Roan.

"It was you, wasn’t it?" I said quietly, leaning my arm on the table and staring at him.

Roan put a hand over his chest, putting on a look of pure innocence. "I have no idea what you’re talking about, bro. Fate works in mysterious ways."

"Don’t give me that bullshit," I said, my voice dropping. "You were talking to Cynthia right before she brought out the box. If you don’t tell me the truth right now, I’m going to tell Alice that you rigged her name. Even if she isn’t sure, she’ll beat your ass just to be safe."

Roan’s smirk faltered for a second, his widening slightly. "Alright, alright! Relax! You don’t have to be so ruthless."

He leaned in, lowering his voice with a sly chuckle. "Cynthia and I came up with it. I told her the party was too dry, so we added a little extra flavor to the draws."

"Wait," I said, eyeing him narrowly. "How did you even get her to agree to do this with you?"

Roan put a hand over his chest, feigning hurt feelings. "What do you mean ’how’? We know each other. And didn’t I tell you before, Leo? I’m handsome, capable, strong, and women naturally love my charm. Unlike a certain dense block head sitting right across from me."

I clicked my tongue, shaking my head at his sheer arrogance. Before Roan could open his mouth to boast further, Cynthia’s voice rang out again, clapping her hands together as the applause settled down.

"That was fantastic!" Cynthia cheered from the podium. "Now, let’s keep this momentum going for our next draw of this set!"

She reached her hand deep into the box. She swirled the cards around before pulling one out. She opened it. A wide, playful smile spread across her face as she read the words.

"Oh, this one is special!" Cynthia announced, her voice echoing through the speakers. "Our next pair... from First-Year Class Ascendant, Primus Leo von Celestial!"

The spotlight shifted instantly, locking right onto me. I froze, my body going still as the bright light hit my face. Cynthia unfolded the matching card, her smile turning into a grin as she called out the final name.

"...and our Second-Year, Primus... Seris Lunaria!"

The entire hall went dead silent for a brief second. Across the room, near the upper stairs, Seris was standing quietly in her sleek dark red dress, her deep crimson eyes looking directly through the bright light toward me.

I slowly turned my head back toward Roan. He gave me a bright, cheerful smile, giving me a huge thumbs-up as he leaned back in his chair.