While Shin tested her ability to survive in the shadows, Yuri honed her ability to thrive in the light. This week, the lessons were no longer just about posture and conversation. Now, Laverna had to embody nobility completely.
"Tomorrow night, you will attend a formal gathering at the guild hall," Yuri announced. "The Guild Hall is located near the town square, where everyone will be present, including noblemen and women hiring Hunters. You will mingle, converse, and leave an impression. Fail, and you will be remembered as a nobody. Succeed, and you will be someone worth noticing."
Laverna groaned. "So what you're saying is, this is just as bad as Shin's test."
Yuri smiled slyly. "Worse. You can't punch your way out of this one."
For four weeks, Yuri drilled her. Every meal was a high-stakes lesson in refinement. Every conversation was a battlefield of hidden meanings and unspoken challenges. Laverna had to dance with words, charm with restraint, and wield influence as deftly as a blade.
The day of the gathering arrived. The Lucky Sturgeon closed early in preparation for the Guild's Gathering, held before the Harvest Festival.
"Confidence is everything," Yuri reminded her as she adjusted the elegant gown Laverna would wear for the event. The dress was a masterpiece, deep sapphire blue that shimmered under the light, accentuating the fiery hues of her curly orange hair.
The fabric hugged her figure, intricate embroidery tracing delicate patterns along the bodice and cascading down the flowing skirt. A slit along the side allowed for ease of movement, blending elegance with practicality, while the off-shoulder design framed her collarbone with regal grace. "Hesitation is weakness. Nobles can smell it like blood in the water."
Laverna sighed. "So just like combat."
"Exactly," Yuri smirked. "Now, let's see how well you perform."
That night, Laverna entered the hall with a grace she never thought she could muster, escorted by Shin, who was clad in a matching elegant gentleman's tuxedo. The tailored suit fit him perfectly, exuding quiet sophistication and a commanding presence.
The weight of eyes upon them was suffocating, but she didn't falter. She lifted her chin, her steps measured, her expression unreadable.
Shin watched her carefully, noticing something he hadn't before. Her once-rough exterior had transformed.
The mana-infused foods she had consumed over the past month had not altered her body but restored it to what it should have been, what she would have looked like if properly nourished. Her skin was smooth, milky, and radiant, a striking contrast against the scars that remained, adding a fierce beauty.
Her curves had filled out, her once-lean frame now boasting the strong, thick thighs of a warrior, a taut waist, and a more prominent bust. She was stunning in a way that demanded attention, and whether she realized it or not, she was drawing the gazes of men who saw more than just her skills.
Shin clenched his jaw slightly as he noticed a few noblemen eyeing her, their interest far from innocent. They see her as prey.
He leaned toward Laverna, his voice low but firm. "Good luck," he said, offering her a rare, knowing glance before stepping back. "I'll rendezvous with Yuri. She's working the event as staff tonight." With that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving her to navigate the sea of people alone.
As Laverna moved through the ballroom, men began approaching her, eager to dance. She declined the first few with polite smiles, but that only made them more persistent. The more she refused, the more they wanted her, like wolves circling a rare prize.
"Surely, one dance would not be too much to ask?" a nobleman pressed, smirking.
Laverna tilted her head, feigning consideration. "Oh, I suppose... but only if you can keep up."
The man's face brightened, but before he could take her hand, she smoothly turned away, leaving him blinking in stunned silence. Another suitor stepped forward, but she merely gave him a polite curtsy before excusing herself. Their frustration grew, their eyes filled with a hunger she recognized all too well.
Meanwhile, noblewomen watched with sharp, viper-like gazes, jealousy thinly veiled behind artificial smiles.
"How charming," one drawled. "It must be frustrating, knowing that even with those scars, she still outshines some of us."
Laverna sipped her wine, her expression unreadable. "Oh, you flatter me. I must say, it's refreshing to see such kindness among noble ladies. I was warned the higher circles could be rather... unwelcoming. But I see now that was an exaggeration."
The woman's smile twitched, her barb effortlessly turned back on her. Another noblewoman stepped in, voice laced with false sweetness. "You carry yourself well for someone whose only finery used to be the dirt beneath her nails. But tell me, does it not feel strange, pretending to belong?"
Laverna's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Not at all. In fact, it reminds me of a lesson I once learned. The finest blades are forged in the hottest fires. Though I suppose you wouldn't know much about those delicate things that tend to crack under heat."
A few noblemen chuckled at her wit, and the noblewomen's expressions soured. Laverna had bested them at their own game.
Shin, watching from a distance, smirked. She really is learning. Beside him, Yuri stood with her arms crossed, her expression soft with pride. "She's come so far in such a short time," she murmured. Shin nodded slightly. "She has. And she's only going to get better."
At the end of the evening, she returned to Yuri and Shin, seeing the approval in their gazes.
"You did well," Shin murmured.
Laverna felt a quiet thrill settle in her chest, warmth curling in her stomach. She hesitated before meeting Shin's gaze. "I believe I deserve a reward."
Shin raised a brow. "Oh? And what would you ask for?"
A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes as she extended her hand. "A dance. With you."
Yuri's smile widened. "Well, Shin? It would be rude to deny such a request."
Shin exhaled but stepped forward, taking Laverna's hand. "You've put me in a difficult position, madam."
Laverna smirked. "Good. Now shut up and lead."
They moved onto the dance floor as the music swelled, a slow, elegant melody. Shin's grip was firm, guiding her effortlessly. Laverna followed naturally, surprising even herself.
"I suppose you're not the worst partner I've had," Laverna teased, her voice low enough for only him to hear.
Shin chuckled, his smirk growing. "And here I thought you would be tripping over your own feet."
She huffed, deliberately stepping a little too close, just to test him. "You wound me."
"Only when necessary," he countered smoothly, spinning her effortlessly as the crowd watched in awe.
Their movements were seamless, a perfect harmony of grace and precision. The nobles around them murmured, mesmerized by the sight before them. It was as if two royals in the making had graced the Guild Hall, their chemistry undeniable, their presence commanding.
Yuri, watching from the sidelines, smiled knowingly, her arms crossed as she observed them. "They really do make quite the pair," she mused to herself, the warmth of a proud older sister evident in her gaze.
She met his eyes, and for a fleeting moment, she saw something unspoken in them, something intense, unreadable. Her heart skipped, and she hated how much she liked it.
"You've improved," Shin murmured, his breath warm against her ear as they moved in perfect sync.
"You sound surprised," she whispered back, tilting her head slightly. "I do learn fast, you know."
"That you do." His lips quirked, but his eyes lingered on her just a moment longer than necessary.
Yuri watched them, sipping her wine, her expression knowing. Like a proud older sister witnessing a bond, she had seen forming long before they had. They don't realize it yet, but they are already falling into each other's orbit.
As the final week of training ended, Laverna stood before Shin and Yuri, the weight of the last month settling over her. She was no longer the girl stumbling through noble halls. She was something else now, something more.
"What happens next?" she asked.
Shin smirked. "Now we see if you're truly ready."
A quiet shiver ran down her spine. The real test had yet to begin.