Chapter 180 - Welcome Party

Faustina and Michelle walked alongside each other towards the east wing. Along the way the two have talked about the exam and how they encountered the monsters.

"To be honest, I thought I would ace the exam... well, the unmodified one, to be exact." Said Michelle. "I studied for two years and prepared myself to improve specific areas so I could get into Ianua I."

"That's pretty impressive," Faustina remarked.

It was indeed impressive. There were a lot of students that came to Magierstadt prepared to take its supposed exam (unlike her who had preparation for a month) for at least a year or so. The exam should have been comprised of a written part and a test of mana. That was all there is to it. And there are some spells that showcase and emphasizes one's mana. Those spells were the ones Orwell had taught Faustina.

But in the end, the exam changed and they were all left with only their judgment and magical potential to make them pass. 

"By the way, Michelle... the paintings earlier, you said it was a Heilen?"

Before, Faustina didn't really have any interest regarding her origins—or her race. She was just content that she had survived and was living peacefully with Eula. She thought those days could last forever; Eula also promised her that at her eighteenth, they would go into the capital together...

But Faustina already went. 

Now that she remembers it... just a few days now and she should be seventeen. She had forgotten her birthday. 

Her first birthday without Eula.

"Yes. Heilens. Don't you know the meaning behind that painting?"

Faustina shook her head.

"Well, I doubt that you would know. It's only popular among people of Magierstadt, you see." Michelle exclaimed. "My mom is from Magierstadt. She often told the story about the Last Magi Prince and the Heilen Warlocks."

"Heilen Warlocks...?" Faustina blinked.

"Yes. She told me that a long time ago, there are Heilens who intermixed with Warlocks of Zweite and fought alongside them. Those Heilens were said to be the last of their kinds and they fought the Last Magi Prince for reasons no one was entirely sure of."

"Many claimed that Heilens were trying to claim Magierstadt. Others also said that they were simply evil. Versions also vary from time to time so my mom said that maybe it held no truth." Michelle said. "So it's widely believed that the paintings were only for visual appeals and they weren't real... sorry. Was that confusing?"

"No," Faustina answered. "You said that there are Heilen Warlocks. Is that true?"

"Well, they have black hair and black staves for dark magic. So they're referred to as Warlocks." Michelle articulated "The artist is believed to be a believer of Goldenfag, so it's likely it's a work of fiction."

Faustina didn't respond as they reached the third floor of the dormitory.

"Now then. I'm on the fourth floor. Let's meet later in the lobby, Faustina!" Michelle then waved her hand as she continued to go upstairs. Faustina waved her hand as well as she watched Michelle leave.

"Warlocks, huh..."

**

Room 359.

That was what Faustina's room is. The lock clicked as Faustina inserted the key to its apertured and turned it sideways. 

She was welcomed with a spectacular room with a canopy bed. The arched windows were also opened and the curtains were being swayed by the wind. Faustina then saw a purple fire by the desk that was facing the windows which had a magic lamp unlit on top.

She ambled her way towards the desk and then reached towards the purple fire. As her fingertips touched the flames, a voice began to be unleashed as the fire began to imitate the appearance of a man.

"Hello, Faustina? If you've received this and you're in the dormitory, that must mean you passed the exams." Said Orwell's hologram made by the purple fire message. 

"Well, if you didn't pass, the fire message wouldn't be able to reach Magierstadt, anyway... so I've assumed you passed since this was able to pass through the barrier into your dorm room. Also, we sent your luggage to your dorm room when it was asked by the reception. Truly a wonderful thing teleportation is." Orwell faked a cough. "So anyway... congratulations!"

Faustina stared at the fire as she sat into the chair in front of the desk.

"First I just want to say congratulations. I've heard about the exam being modified into the dark castle setting." Orwell said. "I also had sources tell me it was completely safe given the undead royals were attenuated."

"Your first day will begin in a few days so take plenty of rest. The school will be both fun and stressful. Also, prepare yourself for the Grand Magic Games. They always hold that for the first-year students."

"Your professors will fill in the details..." Orwell smiled. "I've nothing more to say but congratulations, Faustina. You have reached this far. You deserve it."

Faustina found herself smiling even after the fire message had faded.

She made it this far.

Faustina clenched her fist. 

But this was just the beginning.

**

Magierstadt's party begun exactly at midnight. Students wearing simple dresses, shirts, and trousers, and others wearing extravagant ones, flooded the entirety of the Main Hall of the Ianua VI dorm.

Faustina wore a simple light pink dress that fell to her knee and she had also let her hair loose. She also wore sandals as footwear. Her dress didn't exactly look like a nightgown, although it had a resemblance to it. The entire hall was filled with students although it wasn't as crowded as before like in the lobby.

The students are dispersed across the Main Hall which was large enough to accommodate all of them. There was also food on long tables, so anyone was free to feast their fare.

It was midnight and many should be asleep by this point in time. Faustina felt a bit tired, but she was feeling giddy inside. 

Her first welcome party.

It was hard to tell who was their seniors and who aren't. They weren't wearing their uniforms, after all.

"Faustina!" Faustina blinked as she sees Michelle and Leviticus together. They were wearing outfits that were clearly traditional clothes coming from their countries. Michelle had worn a simple dress with many patterns whilst Leviticus had worn a sirwal.

"Leviticus. Michelle." Faustina smiled at the two of them who had walked towards her.

"You look beautiful, Faustina," Michelle praised.

"Yes. I agree." Leviticus smiled. "You're beautiful."

Faustina couldn't help but blush. She still wasn't accustomed to compliments, after all.

"Hey."

Faustina turned to the one who spoke.

"L-lord Anakin?"

"Anakin Disfiegro? You're here?" Michelle blinked.

"Of course I'm here." Anakin sighed. "For that... the thing I pulled off. I receive minus points."

Leviticus snorted.

"Yeah. Your failed scheme."

"Shut up," Anakin remarked. He then turned towards Faustina. She noticed his eyes were different now—like they have become clearer and he also had a lighter air around him.

"May I have the honor to dance with you later, Lady Faustina? I have something to tell you." Anakin exclaimed.

"Dance?" Faustina tilted her head. Is there a dance at the welcome party?

"Oh... right. The dance." Michelle exclaimed. "I almost forgot about that. Though it isn't very required."

Leviticus remained silent as he stared at Anakin and Faustina.

"Um... sure," Faustina answered.

Anakin, who was a bit tensed, smiled from her answer.

"Thank you."

**

The night progressed with their seniors giving inspirational speeches, pieces of advice, and whatnots. Faustina felt her heart filled with these giddy feelings as she forgets all her worries as she listened to the speech and enjoyed the moment while it lasted.

"On behalf of the Dormitory Dean who is attending important matters now, I congratulate all of you on passing. Even if we're the last of the Ianua, we're still aspiring mages. We will be able to climb to the top and if we won't be able to, Ianua VI will be here to accept all of you with open arms." Said the representative of the seniors. "Now then, everyone. Eat and dance to your heart's content. The night is yours to celebrate!"

The entire hall began to dim as the fireflies and the dim lamps became to be the only light source. The chandelier twinkled like stars against the night. Michelle and Levi then stepped towards the middle of the dance floor among many other students as mellow music began to play. Someone was playing the pianoforte.

Anakin Disfiegro walked towards Faustina.

"May I?" Asked Anakin, the common courtesy for noble etiquette.

"You may," Faustina answered.

Together they went to the dance floor as Anakin held Faustina by her hand and h.i.p.s. He delicately held her as both of them danced.

"Lady Feuerlon." Anakin started.

"Please forgive me for everything."

Faustina only listened as Anakin leaned his head to her ears.

"I have wronged you." He said. "Please tell me how to make up for it."

Faustina only chuckled.

"Be my friend,"

Anakin blinked.

"That way, we can be both good to each other," Faustina said. "Don't you think?"

Anakin's surprised expression eventually softened as the song finished. He had let her go now. He watched her walk towards Leviticus who had asked for her second dance.

Anakin stared at Faustina as he dr.a.p.ed his hand around his erratically beating chest.

"Friends... huh?"