I took Ciel’s hand and made a troubled face.“A dance, huh.”Like most people, I had never properly danced in my life.Especially not one of those social dances you do at a ball.Accepting Ciel’s invitation wasn’t hard, but I wasn’t sure I could pull it off.As if answering that thought, Ciel added:“You won’t know how to dance anyway, so I’ll lead. Just don’t step on my feet or dress hem. Here.”“……”Ciel extended her hand to me again, urging me.I thought for a moment, then nodded.'If not on a day like this, when else would I do it?'I didn’t know what Ciel was thinking when she asked me to dance, but I decided to go along with it.Someday I might have to dance properly in high society, so I could treat this as practice.I did at least know the theory from what I learned in the etiquette lectures.If I just stepped through it like a battle, I could follow along.Having finished my thoughts, I accepted Ciel’s proposal.“Fine, that much isn’t hard.”“Then let’s go to the floor.”Ciel nodded and took my hand, trying to lead me toward the center of the floor, packed with dancing students.But there was one problem.It was good that I’d accepted Ciel’s offer, but because of that, Freya—who had escaped to me to get away from onlookers—ended up left hanging in the middle.“Uh… hm.”Freya didn’t know what to do now that I’d been snatched away midway.Ciel belatedly noticed Freya, stepped back, and offered a polite bow.“Oh, I see you two were in the middle of a conversation. My apologies.”Freya gave an awkward smile and waved her hands.“No, I finished talking with Loen, so please go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”“Thank you. Then I’ll be off.”Ciel didn’t insist any further.I expressed my gratitude for Freya’s consideration and waved my hand.“I’ll be back.”And so I headed with Ciel to the center of the floor, where the dancing was in full swing.In the middle of the floor, several pairs of men and women were showing off their skills to the orchestra’s melody.Just from a glance, you could tell their bodies had been trained from childhood.They were all children of wealthy families, and their lines were graceful and their movements incredibly smooth.Watching their dancing, I carefully asked Ciel—who was wearing a dress:“So what’s gotten into you all of a sudden? A dance, out of nowhere.”“Because I wanted to.”Ciel shrugged, answering as if I were asking something obvious. I could only nod.“……”If she said she did it because she wanted to, well, that was that.If your super-strong maid wants to do something, her master should go along with it.Just as I was roughly accepting that, Ciel continued.“And I know you’ve been having a hard time because of that article that came out before.”“Ah.”Because of the article about me turning Ciel into a bloody mess during the Competition Battle, probably.Her asking me to dance was likely meant to dispel any misunderstandings or weird rumors caused by that article.I gave Ciel a faint smile.“You used your head a bit.”“Being praised by you doesn’t make me particularly happy. Now, listen to the music and count the beats in your head.”Ciel lightly tapped her foot in time with the beat.I slowly moved my body left and right, matching her rhythm.“You’re stiff as a log. Relax more.”“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”“You’d be better off closing your eyes. Ignore other people’s gazes and just focus on the melody and rhythm.”“It’d be a waste to close my eyes.”“……”It wasn’t often I got to see Ciel in a dress at such a splendid ball.When I just stared down at Ciel without saying anything, she sighed and activated the mana inside her.“Can’t be helped. Then just completely relax and stay still. I’ll control you like a puppet.”Swaaah—.Strength and mana flowed into me through Ciel’s hand.Ciel’s mana literally controlled my muscles and movements, making my body move on its own like a puppet.My body took dance steps naturally, regardless of my will.'Oh, so that’s one way.'As I was marveling, Ciel spoke.“This is one of the basic teaching methods used by dance instructors. Rather than explaining with words for a hundred days, it’s better to let the body feel the movement once. They say once your body learns it, the rest of the lessons progress quickly.”“When did you learn something like this?”“It’s part of a maid’s basic skill set.”Ciel lumped everything into the category of a maid’s basic skill set.“...Isn’t that ‘maid’s basic skill set’ a bit too broad and deep?”At my question, Ciel lightly tossed her hair and said with full confidence:“I’m exceptionally talented, that’s all. Please don’t ask beyond that.”“……”I didn’t know whether I should say she lacked modesty or praise her for being highly capable.Well, either way, having a highly competent maid under my command was nothing but a good thing for me.Thus, following Ciel’s lead, my dance continued in time with the waltz.My body moved on its own to the pleasant melody and rhythm, swaying here and there in sync with Ciel.“How is it?”While controlling my body with mana, Ciel carefully asked for my thoughts.“How is it, huh.”I fell into thought and silently looked around.Under a night sky that looked like it might spill over, the floating ship cleaved its way through the ocean.And there I was, mixing into the crowd of handsome men and beautiful women at the shipboard ball and enjoying a dance.It didn’t feel real at all.A very mystical and romantic scene.It was hard to believe I was personally experiencing something I’d only ever seen in movies.And I still didn’t really understand this thing called “dance.”From my petty-commoner perspective, I couldn’t understand what noble and refined value this body movement held.But one thing was certain.“It’s fun.”It was more fun than I’d expected.Not so much the act of dancing °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° itself, but the fact that I was sharing this good atmosphere with someone else.When I smiled faintly, Ciel turned her head slightly and said:“In that case… I’m glad.”***After finishing my dance with Ciel, I returned to the table and began my dinner.Meanwhile, the mood of the shipboard ball reached its peak.It especially hit its highest point when Elena boldly stepped onto the floor with Adler, who was dressed as a man, and the two of them performed a beautiful dance.Adler, with a disciplined and confident air, and Elena, who looked like she was reenacting the descent of a goddess, were a truly perfect combination.Clap clap clap—.Fweeeeet—.The students erupted into a standing ovation and whistles at Elena and Adler’s perfect dance.After showing off her wonderful dance, Elena next invited Freya to come up to the floor.But—“I don’t have anyone to dance with.”Freya declined Elena’s invitation, saying she had no partner to dance with.At her reply, dozens of male students shot their hands into the air, volunteering to lead her, but none of them were chosen.“You’re not going, Loen?”In this situation, Gaurel tossed out a casual line while chewing on meat.The muscles under the tailcoat bulged as if about to burst, which was rather unsettling.I shrugged and cut a piece of steak, bringing it to my mouth.“I already danced with Ciel. And with my dancing skills, I’d only be a burden to Freya.”Earlier, I’d managed to get by without doing too badly because there weren’t that many eyes on us, but with that many stares gathered, I had no confidence.If I didn’t end up nervously stepping on Freya’s feet, that would already be a success.I couldn’t blemish her name.At that, Gaurel clicked the tongue and muttered just loud enough to hear.“Tsk, the important thing isn’t doing it well, but being there at her side.”“……?”“Forget it.”Gaurel waved it off, as if deciding not to say more.I tilted my head, took a drink to wet my throat, and then looked around for Garfield.“But where’s Garfield?”At a party like this with tons of delicious food prepared, it was strange not to see Garfield.Gaurel gave a small chuckle and answered.“There’s no tailcoat that fits. They said you can’t go out onto the deck if you don’t follow the dress code.”“Ah.”No clothes that fit, huh.For Garfield—who’d probably been looking forward to the shipboard buffet—that must’ve been a bolt from the blue.Still, there was an opera performance inside the floating ship and food courts in each shopping area, so Garfield was surely enjoying things just fine.As the night deepened, the shipboard party was also heading toward its end.***A few days later.The Sky Whale that had crossed the ocean finally arrived at the Full Moon Archipelago.Four islands gathered around Full Moon Island.This was the stage for this summer’s training camp.Before the floating ship docked at Full Moon Island’s pier—The Director’s voice came through the speakers installed in each cabin.Tap tap—.[Ah, ah. This is the Director speaking. Is everyone enjoying life on the floating ship?]“Yes!”[Hoho, I’m glad to hear you’re all happy. Our floating ship will soon be docking at Full Moon Island. Full Moon Island is famous as one of the representative vacation spots of the Mirellin Continent. Beautiful natural scenery, wonderful beaches, and high-class resort facilities are all waiting for you.]At the Director’s explanation, the students each drew a rosy future in their minds with excited faces.Relaxing at the resort, enjoying a swim at the beach, having pillow fights with friends in their rooms, and so on—they were full of pleasant dreams.But what awaited them was not such a rosy future.The Director continued.[Of course, not all of you will be able to enjoy them.]“……”[From here on, I’ll explain the outline of this summer’s training camp. First, let me explain the ‘Cube’ that was distributed yesterday. Everyone, please insert your student ID into your Cube.]I followed the Director’s instructions and slotted my student ID into the Cube.Click—.The ID card clicked into place in the Cube’s slot.The Cube read the ID, then glowed blue.At the same time, various text appeared above the Cube.[Loen Dvralis]Survival Status : OAvailable Cost : 10Base Level : Level 1Number of Subordinates : 0▼ For more detailed information, please press the downward arrow below.“……”Reading those familiar yet heart-stirring lines, I smiled.The Director continued.[The main event of this summer training camp, the ‘Faction War,’ will proceed centered around this Cube. By subduing opponents and taking their student IDs, you can turn them into your allies or make them your subordinates. The number of subordinates is unlimited, but the number of allies is limited by your available Cost. You can gain more Cost by raising your Base Level. In the end, the final goal is to reign as the ruler of each island.]Clap—.The sound of applause rang out through the speakers.[The results of this summer training camp will all be reflected in your grades. Also, after the exam ends, the top-ranking students will be allowed to enter the suites of the Full Moon Island resort, so please keep that in mind as well. Now, if you insert the student ID of one partner into your Cube, the test will begin. The basic unit is a team of two, and once you’ve formed a team, you’ll be transported from the floating ship to the island immediately. For detailed rules, please refer to the Cube’s description afterward. Well then, I wish you all the best of luck. Kuk-kuk.]The moment the Director’s broadcast ended, the inside of the floating ship filled with the sound of commotion.“W-what is this all of a sudden!”“An exam?!”“Weren’t we coming to a resort?”The students each voiced their gripes and complaints, denying reality, but that didn’t change anything.The quicker and smarter ones chose not to waste time complaining and instead quickly formed teams to secure good locations and get transported to the islands first.Knock knock—.Before the broadcast had even fully died away, there was a knock at the door.“Lord Loen, will you form a team with me?”Ciel had come to ask that we make a team together.I gladly opened the door and greeted her.“Of course.”For me, there was absolutely no reason to refuse.

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