Chapter 40 Choosing a Formal Dress

Chapter 40 Choosing a Formal Dress

Although Darius was confused, he still nodded. "Ms. Moore has pretty much recovered. She should be in the office now."

"Let's go to the office right now."

I grabbed Darius and used wind magic to rush to the office as fast as possible.

When Elowen saw me arrive, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. "Looks like you've recovered pretty well. Very energetic."

"Ms. Moore, how is Elara doing now?" I asked with concern.

Elowen looked very surprised when she heard my question. "She almost got you all killed, and you're still worried about her? The Bloodthorn Grass in Elara's bag was originally meant for Darius. They wanted him to lose control and kill all of you. If you hadn't controlled Elara in time, you'd probably all be dead."

I shook my head repeatedly. "It wasn't like that. I was completely exhausted at the time. My spiritual form could barely get close to her, and I couldn't control her. I don't think I have the ability to control someone else's consciousness yet. I just used Soul Reading to send some emotions to Elara. Eating the Bloodthorn Grass, attacking the man in black—those were all things Elara did herself."

Elowen's fingers slowly tapped on the desk, as if she were thinking about something.

I continued. "Elara is indeed a bit selfish, but from what I know of her, she's not completely evil. What she did before was because Kael threatened her."

Seeing that Elowen was listening, I told her in detail about catching Elara secretly contacting Kael, and later how Elara voluntarily swallowed the Bloodthorn Grass and went berserk to save everyone. When it came to the Bloodthorn Grass matter, the Thorne family was dependent on the Sullivan family. So it wasn't surprising that Elara was threatened by Kael. My feelings about Elara were complicated. Our beliefs were different, so we could never become allies. But at first, she really was my friend.

Elowen looked at me deeply and nodded with appreciation. "Vanessa, if you didn't say anything about this, everyone would think you saved everyone at the last moment. But you chose to tell me the truth. I appreciate your honesty." She paused, then changed her tone. "However, to become a qualified leader, being too kind can actually be a bad thing."

My eyes flickered thoughtfully. Before I could ask more, Elowen changed the subject. "You completed this mission beautifully. The Sullivan family's people have been sent to the tribunal. The Bloodthorn Grass incident ends here." Her voice lowered a bit. "You're all smart and talented students. Focus on learning magic, understand?"

She was reminding us not to meddle in other people's business anymore. And I knew very well that there was probably more to the Bloodthorn Grass incident than met the eye. I looked up at Darius, exchanged a glance with him, and we both nodded at the same time.

"Ms. Moore, don't worry. We understand."

"Good. Go back and rest well. The academy will hold a celebration for this, and recognize students who performed well. Get ready."

Coming out of the office, we ran into Chloe and the other two.

When Chloe saw me, her eyes lit up. She quickly ran over and grabbed my hand. "Vanessa, you're finally awake. You were unconscious for several days—we were so worried. How do you feel now? Is there anywhere that still hurts?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I'm basically fine. Sorry for worrying you all."

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief, then said excitedly, "Tomorrow the school is holding a celebration banquet. You're the hero of this mission. You have to shine when you appear tomorrow."

I felt a bit helpless. "That's not really necessary." I didn't like being in the spotlight like that. At the foster home I was always on the sidelines. I was used to that kind of atmosphere.

But Chloe clearly didn't think so. She linked arms with me affectionately. "Yes it is. Oh come on, don't be so nervous. Come on, let's go to the clothing store right now."

Rena chimed in too. "That's right, Vanessa. The clothing store is owned by Luke's family. He said the dresses for us are all free this time."

Luke smiled shyly. "We're all friends. No need to worry about money."

Chloe and Rena stood on either side of me. I couldn't resist their coaxing, so I had to nod helplessly.

Luke walked over to Darius. "Let's go. I specially had the staff save matching outfits for you two."

A flash of surprise crossed Darius's eyes. "I have one too?"

"Of course." Chloe nodded without hesitation, looking at Darius strangely. "We're all good friends. For such an important day as the celebration banquet, of course we all need to look great together."

"Okay okay, let's go." I nodded at Darius. Only then did Darius agree, and we went to the clothing store together.

The clothing store Luke's family owned was huge, with all three floors belonging to them. As soon as we entered, Darius and I were pulled away separately to get measured.

A little owl flew around me with a soft measuring tape. A stuffed rabbit seriously called out the measurements. The staff nearby carefully recorded everything.

I found it interesting. "Are all the employees here magic users?"

The staff member explained with a smile, "Yes. Because many customers are uncomfortable with physical contact from strangers. But formal wear needs precise measurements. Using small animals and dolls is much more convenient."

I nodded in understanding. "That's very thoughtful."

After my measurements were taken, the staff asked me to wait in the lounge for a moment.

When I came out of the room, Darius's side had just finished too. The lounge already had tea and snacks prepared.

Luke poured tea for me and Darius. "Just wait a bit. The store's stylists will pick suitable formal wear for you based on your measurements."

I nodded lightly, and thinking of Luke's identity as a rich young master, I couldn't help teasing, "Luke, you're personally pouring tea for us—we really feel honored."

Luke's face turned red, and he shook his head. "Vanessa, don't say that. We're all just students at Aethergate College of Magic, and more importantly, friends. Friends don't need to worry about such things."

Chloe sat to the side, swinging her legs, saying with a grin, "That's right. We're all good friends who've been through life and death together."

Rena was busy eating and didn't speak, but she nodded vigorously.

Chloe handed her a cup of tea. "Rena, drink some water. Don't choke."

Rena took the cup, tilted her head back and gulped down a big mouthful, then let out a long breath. "Refreshing."

Chloe shook her head. "Why do you act like you've been starving every time you come here?"

Rena glared at her. "I don't. It's just because the desserts here are so delicious."

Watching them laugh and joke around, a warm feeling surged through my heart. Coming to Aethergate College of Magic was absolutely the right decision. Not just to find my birth mother, but it also let me make friends, and even... a boyfriend. I was no longer that invisible, overlooked nobody at the foster home.

My hand was suddenly wrapped in a pair of cool, large hands. Darius looked at me with gentle eyes. I gave him a sweet smile.

There was a knock on the lounge door. Two staff members pushed it open, wheeling in a rack of clothes.

Chloe immediately jumped down from the sofa and pulled out a black and white one-shoulder short dress. "Vanessa, try this one. My intuition tells me this dress is perfect for you."

I looked at the huge bow on the back of the dress and my mouth twitched. "This... isn't it too much?"

"Not at all. It's obviously very cute." Chloe grinned and linked arms with me. "Vanessa, you're so pretty—you should wear such a cute dress."

Rena also came over. "I think Chloe's right. Vanessa, you'll definitely suit this dress."

Luke walked to the clothing rack and took out a matching black and white suit. The shoulders of the suit were embroidered with intricate silver-gray patterns that matched Darius's silver-white long hair very well.

My eyes lit up, and I urged him eagerly, "Darius, try it on quickly. This outfit suits you so well."

Darius nodded lightly and took the clothes to the changing room.

Chloe stuffed the dress into my arms and pushed me toward another changing room. "Vanessa, you go try it on too." She winked mischievously. "This matches Darius's outfit."

When she stared at me so directly, my cheeks flushed slightly, but I still took the clothes into the changing room.

The formal wear fit perfectly and was easy to put on. But I was stumped by that big bow. I could put the dress on myself, but what about this bow that needed to be tied at the back? I'd never worn formal wear in my life, and was completely clueless about accessories.

Chloe asked from outside the door, "Vanessa, are you dressed? Do you need help?"

I hesitated for a moment, but still walked out with the bow. "I don't really know how to do this."

"Let me."

Before Chloe could speak, Darius's voice suddenly cut in. He naturally took the bow from my hand.

I stood still, looking at Darius with bright eyes. The suit made him look tall and upright. His silver-white long hair fell smoothly behind him. Very handsome. The black and white suit matched his melancholy temperament perfectly. The silver-gray pattern on the shoulders added a touch of eye-catching nobility.

My gaze was too intense. Darius's ears turned red, and he urged me softly, "Turn around first. I'll help you tie the bow."

I blinked slowly, came back to my senses, and nodded.

Through the full-length mirror, I could clearly see Darius's completely red ears. Those hands that never trembled when casting magic actually showed a bit of uncontrollable trembling when they touched my lower back. My face grew warm too.

Chloe and Rena huddled together, watching us with gossipy faces, and even the most reserved Luke couldn't help but be curious. The air between us grew warmer, more intimate.

"Should be fine now," Darius broke the awkwardness.

I turned in a circle in front of the mirror. The skirt spread out like flower petals, and the bow fluttered in the wind. This outfit was surprisingly perfect. My eyes widened slightly, unable to believe that one day I could wear such an exquisite dress.

"How is it? Does it look good?" I leaned toward Darius with my hands behind my back, looking at him with bright eyes.

Darius's silver-gray eyes were full of my reflection. He nodded solemnly. "Beautiful. Like an elf."

My face heated up, but I still couldn't help praising him. "You look very handsome today too."

Our gazes met in mid-air. The air around us seemed to turn sweet. I felt like I was under some kind of powerful love spell—my senses were going haywire.

"Tsk tsk tsk—you two lovebirds, tone it down a bit." Chloe joked. "We're all stuffed from watching your public displays of affection."

Darius quickly looked away, his face turning crimson, but he didn't let go of my hand. I was also a bit embarrassed and blinked. "You'll understand when you fall in love."

"I don't have that idea yet. Watching you two is good enough. See? I told you this dress would suit you." Chloe gave me a thumbs up. "Darius's is great too. You two are a perfect match."

Her words made the flush spread all the way up Darius's neck.

"Okay okay, stop teasing him. He's about to catch fire," I quickly spoke up.

Chloe grinned and flicked her wand. "Don't worry, my water magic will cool him down."

Rena said, "Don't make things worse."

"Hey. What do you mean?"

Watching them make a scene, I laughed too. Then I went to the changing room to change back into my school uniform, and came out of the clothing store carrying the formal wear.

As we walked back toward Aethergate College of Magic, we chatted about the aftermath of the Bloodthorn Grass incident on the academy.

Luke's tone was emotional. "You know what? Gareth was suspended for investigation."

I wasn't surprised at all. "That's probably just going through the motions, right? Once things are cleared up, Gareth naturally won't have any problems." Thinking of Gareth's serious, upright face, I shook my head. "And at this critical moment, it's good for Gareth to avoid suspicion."

But Luke looked around, then suddenly lowered his voice. "It's not that simple. Gareth wasn't supposed to be suspended. This result was pushed by someone else."