Case 85: New Year Festival – Beauty contest.

Case 85: New Year Festival – Beauty contest.

January 1st, 1835.

''...''

Somehow, I have gotten myself into participating in the academy's biggest, no, the empire's biggest beauty contest. Miss Astra. That is what its name is.

In this competition, beautiful women from all over the country or the world, if their claims are accurate, will come over to the academy to compete for the prestigious first spot and the title of 'Miss Astra.'

Apparently, this title is quite useful if one is trying to find a position in the high society, and the money is no joke either. Now, I frankly don't care about both of them. I don't want to join the high society, and I am not short on money.

Still, according to Chloe, this is not a stitch to try and prank me or anything. In the game, if the player invests in cosmetic stuff, they can participate in this, win it, and then receive a unique artifact.

[Charming Lipstick: Temporarily distracts other entities when exposed to its substance] [Rare]

At first, it might seem like a little gimmicky item and not particularly useful, yet when one really thinks about it, this artifact is quite overpowered. As long as the opponent does not have certain types of mental resistance, this will provide the user with a valuable opportunity to do whatever they want.

Moreover, it doesn't specify the application amount, so I don't need to go all red when I decide to use it. I am not a fan of anything more than natural makeup, after all.

''Hm... As expected, natural makeup fits you the best!''

See?

In any case, it is now slightly past noon on the first day of the year, and I'm already being treated like a doll—if this body is not a doll in the first place.

After going out to register me as a participant, Nydia comes back and applies her professional cosmetic skills to me, which leads to this moment.

Slightly pinkier and fuller lips, faint orange eyeliners, slightly pinkish cheeks, and something something else I'm not too sure about. It looks alright, I suppose.

As for why I am the one joining instead of them... Well, Nydia is too embarrassed, and Luxia is not really in the mood, either. Claire is not interested in it, and Chloe just wants me to join—they all want me to join, yes.... Don't you think it's too similar to her original appearance?''

Right then, Chloe speaks up, rubbing her chin with a serious face.

''But Lady Luminous, Aurora is already too pretty. I'm afraid more will ruin it.'' Nydia replies.

''...I agree, but don't you think there needs to be a drastic change for a fresh look?''

I see Chloe is trying to score surprise points. It's not a bad tactic, really. But if that's the case...

''Lady Amelia.'' I gently call, inviting Chloe over.

Scarlett apparently lost a bet with her little brother, so now she has to do this. Poor girl didn't even have the time to hang out with us yesterday... I hope the time she had to spend grooming herself is worth it.

Now, there are about forty candidates in total, hand-picked, by the way, and their outfits are quite impressive.

Some are uniquely designed, some are a bit skimpy, some are traditional, etc.

They complement the wearers well; that is the point. And clearly, I am an outlier here. For once, my outfit is still the maid dress. They decided that this fit me the most.

Also, apparently, I am the only new participant this year. The screening for the competition is strict—extremely strict, so as the years go by, generations of the same qualified candidates begin to form, and newcomers become rarer. I have a chance to get in this late because of Chloe's power and, I guess, my influence, yet that does not mean that I'm not qualified.

In any case, it's not strange that they're doubting me.

Do I care, though? Absolutely not.

Realizing that there are several empty seats beside Scarlett, I walk over and sit down casually.

"Hi, Lady Heisenberg."

"You..."

Perhaps too stunned at either my appearance or my participation, Scarlett is speechless for a while.

This is awkward. Well...

"You look amazing, Lady Heisenberg."

"Amazingly cringe, yes."

Although she grumbles like that, Scarlett is actually quite attractive. She has a wolf-like aesthetic to herself—a wild beauty and her maids clearly know that well.

No unnecessary cosmetics, no overpowering makeup; just pure stylish clothes, and light adjustments to enhance her figure.

It is clear that Scarlett will be loved by many girls.

In any case, it seems that the staff who assigns the number has come. This is sort of a preround between the candidates. Everybody knows for a fact that the later they go out, the higher the judges evaluate them.

If this goes according to the story, Sierra will be the last one—

''Ah, you with the white wings. A candidate, right? Can you go last for us?''

Immediately, the whole room falls into silence as I am being stared down from left and right.

...Well, this is not the game, after all.