Chapter 207: Witch Yvette

Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Witch Yvette

The prosperity of White River City far surpassed that of Gray Rock Town.

On a white stone arch bridge near Violet Academy.

Lance casually leaned against the stone railing, looking down at the dense crowd walking along the riverbank below.

It was a world away from the rough linen clothing and Metal Plate Armor seen all over Gray Rock Town. The streets here practically pulsed with a vibrant sense of fashion.

As far as the eye could see, the streets were filled with young girls in Off-shoulder Chiffon Dresses. Outfits pairing a Short Bodice with a Pleated Skirt also seemed to be quite popular.

Just a moment ago, he had even seen a Cat Girl in a tight tank top and hot pants walk by.

’So feline Sub-human Species really do tie little bells to their tails as decorations, huh,’ Lance marveled to himself.

In the distance, a few girls of the Feathered People passed by, laughing and chatting. They wore daring Backless Dresses, the front held together by nothing more than a complex web of crisscrossing straps, creating an elegant and beautiful silhouette as they walked.

If not for the occasional sight of Beast Ears on a passerby’s head or Wings unfurling from someone’s back, Lance would have wondered if he’d returned to his previous life.

By comparison, his outfit seemed completely out of place in the city.

He wore a Linen Shirt with a dark Leather Vest over it.

His sturdy pants were wrapped with Tactical Bandages, and he wore a pair of thick-soled Land Boots with dark metal buckles.

It was the standard attire of a boy from a country town.

However, his outstanding looks were simply too striking. Combined with the charismatic boost from his [Dragon Phase], he still drew frequent glances from passersby despite his simple clothes.

Just ten minutes ago, a luxurious horse-drawn carriage had even stopped by the bridge.

A few wealthy madams, their voices laced with suggestion, had tried to recruit him to be their family’s private butler or personal attendant.

Lance had, of course, met these blatant overtures—clearly after his body—with a polite smile and a firm refusal.

"Lance!"

A crisp voice suddenly called out from the end of the bridge.

Lance turned to look and saw Yuna standing in the crowd, happily waving at him.

Finally.

But seeing this familiar face, a flicker of confusion arose in Lance’s mind.

Yuna quickly walked up, and before Lance could ask, she dropped a surprising piece of news.

"You’re here looking for Cecilia, aren’t you? Unfortunately, you’re too late. Her family has already taken her back to the Royal Capital."

The news left Lance stunned for a moment.

’Just my rotten luck.’

He sighed inwardly.

He’d gone to the Star Dust Cross outpost earlier today, but he hadn’t found Amber there either.

With the Summer Crown event starting early, the main Star Dust Cross team had already broken camp and departed.

All he could do was ask the personnel remaining at the outpost to pass a letter he’d written on to Amber.

He had thought he could meet Cecilia at Violet Academy, but he had come up empty there as well.

Just as Lance collected himself, preparing to chat briefly with Yuna before heading to the Veterans’ Hospital to handle his paperwork...

A figure silently approached them.

The newcomer wore a custom Violet Academy school uniform, but it was clear she had personally modified it.

The originally knee-length hem had been intentionally raised.

The girl had two neat braids in her hair and a pair of delicate rimless glasses perched on her nose.

She cradled several heavy Magic Books in her arms and exuded the quiet aura of a Literary Girl.

However, Lance’s keen Perception Power picked up on something else.

In her seemingly demure eyes, he caught a fleeting glint of cunning.

But what surprised Lance the most wasn’t the look in her eyes.

’Has this world’s textile technology really advanced enough to produce something like stockings?’

Lance was astounded.

His gaze couldn’t help but linger for an extra second or two on the thin, form-fitting fabric covering her legs.

Although this was just out of curiosity about the Otherworld’s skewed tech tree, it was enough to prove how eye-catching this type of clothing was.

The girl’s features were exquisite. Standing there, she looked like a beautiful painting.

Yuna obviously knew her and immediately called out a cheerful greeting.

"Senior Yvette!"

The senior, Yvette, gave a slight nod before her inquisitive gaze landed on Lance.

"And this is?"

"This is a senior we met during our internship in Copper Creek Forest. He’s amazing!"

Yuna was generous with her praise.

Upon hearing this, Yvette discreetly gave Lance a quick once-over, from head to toe.

Then, she offered a gentle, polite smile.

"My name is Yvette. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

She freed one hand and offered it to Lance.

As a matter of basic social etiquette, Lance reached out and gave her hand a brief shake.

Their hands touched for barely half a second before pulling apart.

"I actually have some urgent business to attend to, so if you’ll excuse me."

Now that he knew Cecilia was gone, Lance had no intention of lingering.

After a brief farewell to Yuna, he turned and descended the stone bridge, melting into the crowd.

Yvette stood quietly, her eyes tracking his tall, straight figure.

The bright sunlight glinted off her lenses, creating a glare that hid her expression.

At this moment, this Literary Girl was lost in thought.

’A unique Soul Mark left by Senior Elisya?’

She had approached him specifically because she’d seen that Soul Mark.

Faced with this discovery, Yvette’s first reaction was not surprise at all.

It was to immediately use a soul spell during the brief opportunity of their handshake to completely conceal the mark.

She’d even left behind a mark of her own.

For a Witch, the first rule upon finding something valuable was to get a firm grip on it.

You could never let anyone else follow the trail.

But after the initial excitement, reason quickly took over.

Yvette recalled the prophecy her sister had divined at great cost.

She had carefully scanned him just now. His soul had an aura similar to a Red Dragon, with absolutely no trait associated with a White Dragon.

’If he isn’t the White Dragon, then he isn’t my destined partner.’

Originally, her fate had been tied to the Red Dragon, just like the Legendary Witch Elisya before her.

But for some reason, a while back, her sister, the Fate Witch, had suddenly contacted her to say that fate had changed. It wasn’t a Red Dragon, but a White Dragon.

The prophecy had become vague because this time it also mentioned "Star Ash Lake" in the northern lands.

But one thing was certain: a Dragon Descendant plus Star Ash Lake had to be pointing to the White Dragon.

However...

Yvette snorted inwardly.

’So what if he can’t be my partner?’

A treasure of a man, so highly recommended by a Legendary Witch... even if he wasn’t hers, keeping him firmly under her control would be a huge asset.

She could introduce him to one of her close sisters as a favor in the future, which would surely earn her a hefty reward.

There was nothing wrong with staking a claim on something good first.

"Senior Yvette?"

Seeing Yvette staring blankly into space, a confused Yuna called out to her softly.

Yvette instantly snapped out of it.

She put her harmless, literary-girl smile back on and adjusted her glasses.

"It’s nothing. I just find that senior of yours very interesting. Let’s go."

She smiled at Yuna, and the two of them walked side-by-side towards the academy gate.

Suddenly, she remembered something. Her sister had seemingly tried to contact her again last night, but when she tried to call back, there was no response.

But her vacation was starting soon anyway. She’d find out what was going on when she went home.

...

White River City’s Veterans’ Hospital was situated in a quiet plaza in the city’s East District.

It was a series of magnificent, imposing granite buildings.

Soaring spires pierced the clouds, and the exterior walls were carved with rows of bas-reliefs depicting nameless Knights holding Longswords and greatshields.

Lance walked through the main gate and asked a passing Guard on duty about the registration location for the Heroic Spirit Baptism.

After receiving clear directions, he followed a spiral staircase to the preliminary review office on the second floor.

Since there were others in line ahead of him, Lance had no choice but to lean against the hallway wall in boredom and wait.

It seemed plenty of people vied for the Heroic Spirit Baptism slots each year. He suddenly recalled what Uncle Rein had said—if these slots could be sold on the Black Market, did that mean there was corruption within the Veterans’ Hospital?

Just then, a loud argument shattered the quiet of the hallway.

Lance looked down through the window.

He saw an old, gray-haired veteran who walked with a limp being forcibly dragged out by two tall, strong Guards, each holding one of his arms.

"You bloodsucking maggots!"

The old veteran’s face was beet red as he struggled violently, hurling curses back toward the office.

"When I was chopping off Demon heads on the East Coast, you little bastards were still suckling at your mothers’ teats!"

"My nephew has already crossed the threshold to become a Professional! How can you say my paperwork isn’t complete? Why are you canceling my slot?!"

The Guards paid no mind to the veteran’s accusations, roughly shoving him out the hallway door without a shred of mercy.

Hearing the veteran’s stream of curses, Lance frowned slightly.

’From the sound of it...’

It seemed the Heroic Spirit Baptism slot the old veteran intended to give his nephew had been snatched away by someone on the inside using a flimsy excuse.

This gave him a bad feeling.