Chapter 269: The Ball

“I think you look better in this one.”

Reese adjusted Helag’s collar, then stepped back to take a good look, nodding in satisfaction.

Helag smiled. “Alright, I’ll wear this one then.”

He was going to attend a ball at Israel’s house tonight, so Reese had prepared several outfits for him to try on. After going through them all, they settled on a black-themed suit.

Helag didn’t care much about what he wore. To him, it didn’t really matter.

But Reese insisted that since this was his first formal gathering with the wizard array masters of Silvermoon City, he needed to look the part. It was important to show that he took the event seriously.

Over the past few days, Israel had sent several advanced books on wizard arrays to Helag, which he had already recorded and was diligently studying.

Given how much Israel valued him and treated him well, Helag naturally wouldn’t refuse the invitation to the ball.

As night fell, Helag arrived at Israel’s house by carriage.

Many carriages were already parked outside, all of them lavishly decorated, clearly owned by the guests themselves rather than hired from the city.

People were stepping out of their carriages, greeting each other warmly, clearly familiar with one another.

Their attire was just as extravagant, the quality of the fabrics speaking of their wealth.

At that moment, Helag realized Reese’s advice had been spot on. At least now he blended in with the crowd and didn’t stand out awkwardly.

Israel stood at the entrance, welcoming his guests.

When he saw Helag, he waved from a distance. “Helag, over here!”

Israel’s gesture drew some attention, and several people turned to look at Helag.

The circle of wizard array masters in Silvermoon City wasn’t large, and everyone knew each other.

Helag was a new face, and the others took a few extra glances at him.

“Come on in, most of the guests are here, and the ball is about to start. Oh, and there are quite a few beautiful ladies here tonight. If you fancy any of them, I can introduce you,” Israel said with a cheeky grin.

Helag chuckled and shook his head. “No need, I’ve already got someone at home.”

The ball wasn’t just for wizard array masters; there were also socialites and elites from various circles in Silvermoon City.

Helag wasn’t interested in meeting any new women. He knew that with these beauties came complications and trouble.

All he wanted was to quietly cultivate and grow stronger in Silvermoon City.

The ball began shortly after, held in a large hall inside Israel’s house.

The space was vast, with tables laden with food and drinks available for the guests to help themselves.

In one corner, a live band played soft, soothing music.

Balls like this were common in Silvermoon City, often serving as opportunities for people to expand their social circles or make connections to get things done.

Israel was busy, constantly greeting and chatting with various guests.

Helag, on the other hand, grabbed some food and a drink and retreated to a corner.

A voluptuous woman noticed Helag and approached him with a drink in hand, smiling. “Are you here alone? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

Reese had originally planned to come with Helag, but he decided to attend alone.

It would be easier for him to handle things on his own if any trouble arose.

Helag smiled. “Yes, it’s my first time here.”

“Oh, hello, I’m Amisha Mori,” she said, extending her hand.

Helag politely shook her hand and quickly let go. “I’m Helag. Are you from the famous Mori family, by any chance?”

Over the past few days, Helag had learned a bit about the various factions in Silvermoon City and knew that there were many powerful families.

These families had significant influence, with members spread across various industries and organizations.

The Mori family was one of the most well-known wizard families in Silvermoon City.

Their most notable trait? Wealth.

How wealthy, you ask?

They were major shareholders in Seranthiel’s bank, and not just in Silvermoon City or Seranthiel’s territories, but across the entire Land of Dawn.

The Mori family had connections in nearly every major wizard organization, their network vast and complex.

If they were just an ordinary wizard family, they wouldn’t have shares in Seranthiel’s bank.

Amisha smiled. “That’s right. I heard Mr. Israel was hosting a ball, and I was bored, so I decided to come check it out. What about you, Mr. Helag? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“I’m from the Barren Lands, so it’s no surprise you haven’t seen me,” Helag replied with a smile.

“The Barren Lands?” Amisha looked surprised, her body shifting slightly, causing a noticeable ripple.

Helag briefly explained his background.

Amisha sighed. “I can’t believe you participated in the frontier wars. That must have been tough. Thank you for your contribution to the Land of Dawn. I’ll drink to that.”

She clinked her glass against Helag’s and downed her wine.

Participating in the frontier wars was grueling and dangerous, fought for the resources and development of the Land of Dawn.

Amisha understood this well, and her respect for Helag was genuine.

“Can you tell me more about the Barren Lands? I’m really curious about it,” Amisha said, licking a drop of wine from her lips.

People in the Barren Lands knew little about the Land of Dawn, and the same was true in reverse.

Aside from the higher-ups in various factions, most people only knew that the Barren Lands existed and that it was a backward place.

But few knew what the Barren Lands were really like.

Having grown up in Silvermoon City, Amisha had heard of the Barren Lands and was quite curious.

Meeting a man from the Barren Lands, especially one as young and handsome as Helag, with a certain mysterious aura, intrigued her.

She was very interested in Helag.

Helag nodded and began telling her about life in the Barren Lands.

Amisha, being the daughter of a powerful family, wasn’t someone Helag could afford to offend, so he humored her with some conversation. After all, he didn’t have much else to do.

“Do you really have vast forests and mountain ranges? And you can sail on the ocean? Wow, I’ve never seen the sea before. I’d love to visit if I ever get the chance.”

Amisha listened intently as Helag described the culture and landscapes of the Barren Lands, her eyes filled with wonder.

The Land of Dawn had no coastline, and most people had never seen the ocean, only reading about it in books.