The Runic Alchemist

His memory was both a gift and a curse. He rarely forgets things nowadays. And could even access specific memories of the past that he was sure he had never remembered before.

After two minutes of quiet, slow dance, the melody shifted. Damian slowed and stepped back, offering her a polite smile. She seemed to understand and thanked him before walking away, her face flushed. Damian wasn't surprised to see her slip onto the balcony for air. He had seen her flushed face and felt her increasing heartbeat. He would follow if he was interested, but it was clearly just a crush for her and he was not interested in teenagers.

He returned to Reize, who still held his drink, grinning mischievously as he approached. Damian felt embarrassed slightly but calmed himself with a sip of his drink, Toph back in his arms.

They talked about their big project for a while while having drinks, exchanging ideas. Once the greetings and formalities were over with, Grace and Evrin with Einar joined them at one of the tables. They were being asked to dance again and again - Evrin and Grace refused most, but went along with some important heirs. Einar, of course, refused them all with a straight face but stood near Evrin when she went. Sam was at some distance chatting with some of his dueling community friends. It was good to see him making friends his own age.

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent as everyone's heads turned toward the entrance. Damian didn't need to look to know who it was. Lucian entered, accompanied by her two friends, draped in a dark blue silk dress—she certainly seemed to be fond of that color. For a brief moment, their eyes met: Damian, seated with a drink in hand and Toph on his head, and Lucian, standing in the doorway as people swarmed around her to offer greetings.

Then she got busy with her own affairs and Damian with their discussion. Once she had finished, however, Damian noticed her heading toward one of the empty tables near Prince Maelor. The prince promptly excused himself and asked for her hand in a dance. The crowd watched as they moved gracefully to a song Damian didn't recognize.

Distracted by the sight, Damian turned his attention back only when Reize mentioned one of the promising ideas for their project. They dived into discussing its details—how it could work and whether it was feasible. She had found an enchantment that somewhat reflected mana aimed at it, but before reflecting it took a few seconds - suggesting maybe it stored it somehow for a while in the object. Though she would have to spend months to learn it properly.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Before long, Sam approached their table, but not to join them. Instead, he knelt in front of Grace and asked her to dance in the same manner the prince had done. Damian couldn't tell how Grace felt about it; she simply smiled politely and agreed to go with him.

Damian stared at the hypocrite, his eyes filled with disbelief. Which the guy promptly ignored.

'Was he not the one complaining about dancing all day yesterday? Liar.'

As if inspired, Reize suddenly knelt before Damian. The crowd started murmuring but she didn't care as she smiled brightly at him, asking for a dance.

Damian just smiled and accepted.

"Do you even know how to?" he asked as they walked toward the center where others were already dancing. And putting Toph back on his head - he wanted to hand him over to Einar but the guy was strangely even more excited to dance than both of them.

"Of course not," she replied, her smile widening.

"Then why did you ask?"

"Oh, come on. How hard can it be?"

Damian placed one hand in hers and the other on her slim back, guiding her hand to rest gently on his shoulder as they began to move. Slowly, he demonstrated the steps, moving with practiced ease. Reize giggled often as they danced, drawing curious glances from those around them. Amidst the crowd, Damian spotted Lucian and the prince. Lucian seemed... uncomfortable. Well, it made sense—like Damian, she had never been fond of dancing lessons.

In fact, they had often been partnered during their lessons, forced to practice together countless times. It had been a traumatic experience for both of them—clumsy movements, stiff posture, and no enthusiasm. With years gone by, it seemed not much had changed for Lucian.

His gaze shifted to Grace and Sam, dancing with an intensity that spoke louder than words. Their eyes were locked on each other.

After three or four minutes, Reize had noticeably improved, though she still giggled when Damian's hand moved along her back for a turn. It was more amusing than romantic for them, which Damian found strangely comforting. Reize was undeniably beautiful, but he wasn't interested in pursuing anything serious. At just thirteen, he felt too young for relationships. He wouldn't get physical with anyone at this age anyway, so what was the point even if they started a relationship..? Besides, he didn't want to give Reize false hope that their connection would last beyond their time at the academy.

Maybe a simple relationship with no adult stuff might be cute to have, but that was too much work.. He wasn't completely against it though, he will have to see where it goes from here..

As the song ended, the crowd erupted into applause for the performers. Damian clapped along but soon noticed a serious discussion happening nearby. Sam and Grace were speaking in hushed, intense tones. Were they arguing? Whatever it was, Damian decided not to meddle.

To give the performers a break, a boy stepped into the center of the room. The students who recognized him formed a circle around him. Damian recognized him immediately—a fourth-year student named Evante. Known for his peculiar habit of playing the lute in hallways and fields, often surrounded by admirers, Guy was actually pretty good-He and Toph often listened to him. Evante now began strumming softly, gradually building the rhythm.

For the first time, however, he sang along: