The Extra's Rise-Chapter 751: Avalon’s Grand Ball (1)

The invitation arrived on cream-colored parchment bearing the imperial seal, its weight somehow conveying the magnitude of what it represented. I examined the elegant script announcing the Slatemark Empire’s New Year Grand Ball, knowing this event would mark the beginning of everything I had been preparing for.

Social events in this world followed peculiar traditions that had always struck me as unnecessarily complicated. Despite the age of majority being eighteen, young nobles rarely participated in the social season until twenty or twenty-one, when they finally graduated from their respective academies. The reasoning was practical enough—most attended academy for six years, making regular social obligations impractical during their studies.

The only exceptions were truly significant celebrations, like major birthday balls. I remembered Cecilia’s sweet sixteen from years ago, one of the few grand events where younger nobles made appearances. But those occasions were rare, reserved for milestone birthdays of particularly important figures.

This year was different. Cecilia was in her sixth and final year at Mythos Academy, as were the other princes and princesses from the world’s superpowers. Rachel from the Northern continent, Seraphina from the Eastern continent, and other heirs to thrones would all be attending their first true social season.

The Slatemark Empire had decided to commemorate this convergence with something unprecedented: a Grand Ball inviting major nobles and powers from all five continents. The scale was staggering—representatives from the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern Continents would all gather in Avalon City for a celebration that would dwarf any previous social event.

To accommodate this international guest list, the Empire had made the event even more exclusive than usual. Fewer local nobles received invitations, with preference given to higher nobles. The result was a guest list that read like a directory of the world’s most influential people.

My invitation was inevitable, though the reasoning behind it carried weight that still sometimes surprised me. My family held no noble title. But I was the Guild Grandmaster of the Empire, romantically involved with three princesses, a marquis’s daughter, and Reika, whose own influence extended far beyond her modest background.

In terms of actual political sway, I could claim to match almost anyone in the Empire. Guild resources, international connections through my relationships, and the unique magical research that had made my reputation meant I was genuinely one of the most powerful individuals in the world, regardless of noble bloodlines.

The invitation extended to my immediate family as a courtesy, though the strict age restrictions meant not everyone could attend. Aria had her own New Year’s plans with friends from her academy, and at nine years old, Stella was far too young for such a formal event.

"Elias," I said, stepping into his office at the Ouroboros headquarters. My secretary looked up from the stack of documents he was reviewing, his efficient demeanor immediately shifting to attentive focus.

"I need a personal favor," I continued, noting how his expression didn’t change despite the unusual nature of the request. "The Grand Ball is a three-day event, and I’ll need someone to watch Stella. Would you be willing to stay at the penthouse with her?"

Elias set down his pen without hesitation. "Of course, sir. I’d be honored to look after Miss Stella." A small smile crossed his usually professional features. "She mentioned wanting to show me some new strategy games she’s learned from her tutors. I believe she’s quite proud of her mathematical progress."

The fact that Elias knew about Stella’s recent interests spoke to how much I trusted him with my personal life. As my secretary at the guild, he handled everything from classified magical research documentation to scheduling meetings with foreign dignitaries. But asking him to babysit my daughter represented a completely different level of trust—one that he’d earned through years of absolute reliability and genuine care for my family’s wellbeing.

"She’s excited about having you there," I admitted. "Apparently it’s going to be a ’sleepover adventure’ in her words. Fair warning—she’s gotten very good at those card games, so don’t let her convince you to play for anything valuable."

"Noted," Elias replied with obvious amusement. "Will you need any special arrangements for the guild while you’re attending the ball?"

"Standard protocols. Carrie will handle any urgent business decisions, and the department heads know to contact me only for genuine emergencies." I paused, considering the deeper implications of the upcoming event. "This isn’t just a social gathering, Elias. Keep the guild’s security protocols active while I’m gone."

He nodded, understanding immediately that political events of this magnitude often had consequences that extended far beyond the ballroom. "Understood, sir. I’ll maintain full readiness."

Looking back at the invitation, I felt the familiar weight of anticipation that came with approaching a major event. This wouldn’t be simply a social gathering—it would be the opening moves in a game that would determine the fate of empires. Prince Valerian would announce his engagement to Elara Astoria, beginning the tragic sequence I was determined to prevent.

Jack Blazespout would also be there, no doubt already planning his own approach to the situation. He probably assumed I would ignore the political implications entirely, focusing on my research or guild responsibilities while he positioned himself strategically.

He had no idea I understood exactly what was at stake.

The knowledge from my previous life weighed heavily on my mind as I made my way back to the penthouse. In the original novel, this Grand Ball had been described as a magnificent celebration that quickly turned into the catalyst for tragedy. Prince Valerian’s engagement to Elara would be announced with great fanfare, the crowds would cheer, and everyone would congratulate the supposed fairy-tale romance.

Behind closed doors, however, the prince’s true nature would begin to emerge. Elara’s pure heart and gentle spirit would be systematically crushed by a man who saw her as nothing more than a political prize to be possessed and controlled. The novel had been disturbingly detailed about the psychological and physical abuse that would follow, each Chapter showing Elara’s gradual descent into despair.

Her eventual suicide would come after months of suffering, triggering her father’s rage and the civil war that would tear the empire apart. Thousands would die in the conflict that followed, all because one evil prince couldn’t be satisfied with a political marriage and had to destroy the woman he claimed to love.

I had read those Chapters with growing horror, never imagining I would one day find myself in a position to change that outcome. Now, with the power to intervene, I refused to let that tragedy unfold. Elara Astoria deserved better than to become a casualty of political machination and royal sadism.

The challenge would be approaching her without arousing suspicion. I couldn’t simply warn her directly about the prince’s nature—she would have no reason to believe me, and such accusations against royalty could be considered treason. Instead, I would need to win her trust gradually, offering her an alternative that seemed natural and appealing.

The fact that Jack would also be pursuing her complicated matters significantly. In the original story, he had been a minor antagonist who eventually joined the Order of Fallen Flame and caused various problems for the protagonist. His interest in Elara hadn’t been mentioned at all, which suggested either the novel had glossed over his motivations or something about my presence had changed the timeline.

Either way, I couldn’t afford to underestimate him. Jack’s magical abilities were formidable, his political connections extensive, and his ruthlessness legendary. If he was planning to interfere with my efforts to save Elara, I would need to be prepared for anything.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rapid footsteps echoing through the penthouse hallway, followed by urgent voices that made my blood run cold. I recognized those voices immediately—Cecilia and Rose, both speaking in the clipped, professional tones they used only during genuine emergencies.

The Grand Ball would bring together everyone who mattered on the world stage, creating opportunities and dangers that would shape the next several months. For most attendees, it would be a celebration marking the end of one year and the beginning of another.

For me, it would be the opening gambit in preventing a war that could destroy everything I cared about.

Three days until the ball. Three days to finalize my own preparations and ensure I was ready for whatever Jack might attempt. The game was about to begin, and this time, I intended to win.

But first, I needed to find out why two of my most capable girlfriends were rushing through my home like the fate of the world depended on it.

The bedroom door burst open without ceremony, and both Cecilia and Rose appeared in the doorway, their faces grave with concern that made my stomach clench with immediate alarm.

"Arthur," Cecilia said, her usual playful demeanor completely absent, "we need to talk. Now."

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