The Masquerade Feast, modeled after the masquerade ball, a social event still popular in the Republic of Intis, naturally requires guests to wear masks to enter.
Realizing this, Klein looked at his somewhat unfamiliar reflection in the mirror and suddenly felt a pang of inexplicable frustration.
He realized for the first time that he actually had the potential to be quite handsome with a little makeup, but it was a pity that such a rare good-looking face would have to be hidden behind a mask at the banquet…
what a waste!
"Hmm, to differentiate you from your original appearance, I've slightly modified your face shape, mainly using more shading on your chin and nose, and around your eyes…"
Klein listened to Alice's reinterpretation of the phrase "slightly modified" as he casually took what looked like a business card from her.
Looking down, he saw a name printed in large font, along with a line of smaller print: "Edward Barton, Department Manager, Cage Barton Trading Company, Disi County."
Recalling his wheat-colored skin, he looked at the girl with a sudden realization: "Is this my fake identity this time?"
Alice nodded, then showed him a card with another name on it, but didn't hand it over.
Klein saw a female name written on it, "Claire Sibley," but no corresponding introduction.
He was puzzled at first, then realized: Alice was going to disguise herself as a witch to infiltrate, so concealing her identity and relationships in ordinary society was perfectly normal.
However, as his mind raced, Klein quickly considered another problem.
"The people from Dishi's side speak Rune with an accent... I'm afraid I won't imitate it well and people will suspect me."
Alice just shook her head:
"You don't need to imitate a regional accent. If you encounter a situation where you have to socialize, you can explain that you finished your university studies in Ahova County and haven't been home for many years, so your speaking habits have changed a bit... Of course, I'm just giving an example; you can also find other excuses."
It seemed reasonable... but there were still some hidden dangers.
Klein thought for a few seconds, then pointed out another point:
"The position of department manager is a bit awkward... What if someone who does business with this company comes to chat with me? I can't just pretend I don't know anything, can I?... No, if there's a connection between Edward Barton and Cage Barton Company, like my dad being the boss, wouldn't that make things even more complicated?"
Alice held up the business card in her hand, covering her mouth with a light laugh:
"Putting aside the fact that all the guests in the venue are wearing masks... do you think anyone would discuss serious matters during a banquet hosted by a witch? Even if there are such people, you can easily send them away in your mask before revealing their true identity. But, Klein, you have to be careful. If you meet a man who seems interested in you at the banquet, don't drink the wine he offers... um, the same goes for women."
Boys need to protect themselves when they're out and about... I know that! Klein silently complained in his mind, nodding blankly with an expressionless face.
"Also, because I'm still unsure about certain issues during the banquet, Edward and Claire's relationship will be temporarily defined as that of a couple who haven't yet held an engagement party. As for whether they should act affectionately or just pretend to be, that depends on the situation… What do you think, Klein?"
…Playing the role of a couple with her?
Klein thought to himself, in Benson and Melissa's eyes, he and Alice wouldn't need to put in much effort to be seen as a couple, how difficult could it be…
However, despite his thoughts, hearing her request still made Klein's heart skip a beat, as if an itch had been scratched.
"Depends on the situation, what kind of situation?" He finally managed to ask the question.
"Well, you'll understand when the banquet starts… If there are no other questions, I'll start explaining the next part."
Seeing that Klein didn't object, Alice turned around and walked to the trolley, took out a square box, placed it on the desk, and then gestured for Klein to open it.
He opened the box as instructed and, unsurprisingly, found a black, half-covering mask and a small, delicate, silver-white leaf-shaped ornament, its purpose unknown.
"These two are magical items from 'that world,' or, in your understanding, magical items with supernatural powers..."
Like sealing artifacts?
"Are there any side effects?" Klein instinctively interrupted her.
Alice didn't seem to quite understand, but still replied,
"From my own experience, no."
According to Alice, the black mask's effect was to blur the user's facial features to a certain extent, diminishing their presence. The overall effect was similar to the spells she usually maintained, but significantly weaker, only blurring the impression of others within a five-meter radius.
Furthermore, the mask's user could control the enhancement of this effect with "parantta" and the reduction with "tymine" using two simple spell syllables.
The second item, which Klein mistook for a hair ornament, was actually an earring.
As for its function—
"It can keep the wearer clear-headed and calm, resist external mental interference, and exempt them from most negative mental states, including but not limited to effects such as charm, fear, madness, intimidation, and mind control?"
Klein stared blankly, turning to Alice and repeating what she had just said.
She nodded matter-of-factly.
"Can it calm a state of madness?" he asked again.
Seemingly finally understanding his meaning, Alice first nodded, then slowly shook her head:
"If this madness originates from the wearer's own heart, then as long as this earring is removed, he still cannot escape the fate of losing control... Furthermore, most magical items have a lifespan; if the madness continues unabated, this earring can only support him for five or six more days at most."
So that's why it emphasizes resisting external mental interference... Klein nodded silently, indicating that he understood.
"Besides, this is just a side effect of the earring. Its main function is to communicate telepathically…"
Alice explained to him the spell syllables for starting and stopping telepathy, then turned her long hair aside, gesturing for him to look at her right ear—where she wore a similar earring.
The clock's hands were nearing six o'clock, and Alice indicated she needed to change her dress, leaving Klein alone to study how to use the two magical items before turning and going to another room.
Women always seem to take a long time to get ready; I hope I won't be late for the banquet later…
Klein thought to himself, putting aside the other effects, just looking at the earring's communication function, it was quite similar to the walkie-talkies from before his transmigration—press a button to start a call, release the button to end it… except now the button was replaced by spell syllables, requiring no other action, just speaking.
Come to think of it, Alice seemed to have no doubt that he could activate these items. Why was that? Because she knew he was an extraordinary being, capable of drawing upon spiritual power?
To think even more boldly, if spiritual power is roughly equivalent to magic or mental power in her world… In short, regardless of the terminology, even if the forms of power aren't exactly the same, there are similarities. Does that mean he has a chance to learn magic from another world?
His mind raced with all sorts of wild imaginings. Klein, returning to reality, first used the coin divination method to confirm that the two items posed no safety risks, then prepared to test the earring's telepathic communication function.
Whether it was some kind of otherworldly black technology or not, the silver-white leaf-shaped earring didn't require piercings and adhered firmly to his earlobe.
Klein put it on, briefly assessing his condition, and indeed felt his mind was clearer, and his thoughts seemed more focused.
After adjusting his state, he recalled the activation syllable Alice had told him several times, then whispered it:
"Avoin."
Wait, the tone was different from when she recited it…
He frowned slightly, trying to recall Alice's speed and tone, and tried several more times.
"Avoin."
After the fifth recitation, Klein clearly felt a mysterious, clearing power emanating from the area where he wore the ornament.
Accompanied by a refreshing coolness that cleansed his soul, his mind became incredibly calm, seemingly unmoved by anything outside of reason. His entire being felt lighter, as if freed from the constraints of his mortal body.
What a magical feeling! This is the "activated" state Alice mentioned, which exponentially activates existing mental defenses and simultaneously opens telepathic communication with others… Hmm, I wonder if multiple people wearing these earrings at the same time will cause different conversations to get mixed up…
Wait, am I already in the activated state? Does that mean Alice heard everything I was just thinking?
"Yes, I heard it. Klein, I've noticed your inner thoughts seem quite...lively, something I don't usually see."
A calm, ethereal female voice, seemingly more otherworldly than the real world, resonated directly from the depths of his soul, causing him to instinctively open his mouth, unsure what to say.
"Hmm, you're too honest, so bluntly saying in your mind that my voice is ethereal and pleasant... Because it's the truth, I have to admit it—you can praise me a few more times, I won't mind."
...
Could this witch be any more shameless?
...Uh, she heard that too... Oh no, my thoughts are running wild!
Whew, calm down, keep calm... Wait, is the mind protection function on the earrings really meant to ensure call quality and allow one to express their thoughts calmly?
Alice's voice, penetrating the depths of his soul, carried a hint of cheerful, amused laughter.
"So, in your heart, I don't even need to pretend; I'm already a witch... As for being shameless, I must deny it, because this is the corridor for telepathic communication. All lies and pretenses are useless; after all, thoughts cannot be faked... Of course, there is also mind magic that can create false personalities, but that's a special case, not to be discussed now. Besides, I just like hearing compliments, what's wrong with that?
Finally, regarding this earring, it has a name: 'Glopertel's Breath'... Hmm, it's a mouthful, not easy to remember. You can give it any simpler name you like... I digress. As you guessed, mind protection is just a side effect; its most useful function is covert communication regardless of distance. After all, if you really need mind protection, you can choose other more professional products... Hmm, such items aren't cheap."
...Indeed, this kind of cheat-level item is really useful for transmitting messages.
Alice rarely explains in such detail; is it because they're in the mind world, so considerate that she's a bit nagging...
Stop! I can't think about this anymore!
He should still remind her to watch the time; it was almost six o'clock, and she'd be late if she didn't get dressed and leave soon!
"I'll be done soon... five minutes at most!"
Alice's voice sounded completely unhurried.
Who knew how many five-minute intervals a woman was referring to?
Ah, thoughts always come so quickly, leaving reason no time to catch up... If he were the kind of person who said whatever came to mind in real life, he'd probably be dead by now...
Stop, stop, he can't think about it anymore! What was the syllable to close this telepathic communication again... su...
sule? Sule?
"It's sulje," Alice reminded him with a smile, then added, "It's normal to feel a little uncomfortable the first time you use it. Once you're familiar with it, you won't transmit unnecessary thoughts to me."
Suppressing his embarrassment, Klein tried reciting the closing syllable three times and successfully ended the telepathic communication. Most of the strange energy that kept his mind clear and calm dissipated, and the cleansing sensation almost completely disappeared.
Thankfully, he hadn't thought of anything strange... otherwise, he'd be doomed, and if his transmigrator identity and that mysterious fortune-changing ritual were exposed, who knows what serious consequences would follow.
Hmm, but with this earring, it seemed to indeed resist Alice's alluring power. At least after the earring's full function was activated by the spell, he could feel his mind was almost like it had been "disinfected" in the gray mist—very clear and rational.
This thing was pretty good; if Alice were willing to give him one, he wouldn't need to make those anti-allergy amulets anymore.
No, forget it. She would definitely demand an equal exchange, and he obviously couldn't afford her price... He couldn't possibly pay off her debt with his body, could he? He had to save face.
In the following time, Klein picked up the black mask again and studied it, but due to a lack of test subjects, he only mastered controlling the intonation and pronunciation of the syllables before stopping.
Later, the familiar-looking male servant came to inform him to come downstairs and board the carriage.
Klein paused slightly, subconsciously taking out his pocket watch to check the time.
"It really is five minutes..."
...
On the way to the suburban manor, Alice briefly brought up some issues she hadn't had time to discuss in detail before, such as the potion she had promised, and the activities Klein could freely choose as the banquet progressed:
when they were together, since Klein's tuxedo couldn't conceal anything too obvious, Alice would be responsible for carrying the small bottles containing the potions—as she said this, Alice glanced at his pocket without saying anything, but Klein knew she was looking at the energy potion he hadn't dared to drink.
When they went their separate ways, Alice would go to investigate the witch, while Klein could stroll around the banquet, sample international cuisine and wines, and if he felt like it, he could even go dancing, though it was best to politely decline any more suggestive invitations...
In short...
Klein's task during the banquet was simply to accompany Alice in her pretense during the opening, keeping a low profile, and then he was free to do as he pleased, eating, drinking, and having fun, as long as he didn't attract the attention of the real witch.
Is this what it feels like to be a human accessory...? Pretty good, no challenge at all. Unfortunately, I can't ballroom dance at all, so dancing is out of the question.
After thinking for a moment, Klein raised another question:
"But, you said the banquet was hosted by witches, is the food there... safe to eat
and drink normally?" Although his understanding of witches and the witch cults behind them was limited, judging from the Night Watchers' data and Captain Dunn's brief description, basically every witch had gone through the stages of being an "assassin" and "instigator," was a member of an extremist organization, and often plotted tragedies; Sequence 6 witches were even involved in "pleasure"...
The nature of this banquet couldn't possibly be just simple eating, drinking, and having fun.
"To be on the safe side, it's definitely best not to touch the food inside, but if you want to try it, that's fine. I have an antidote and a purification potion ready, so you won't die suddenly,"
Alice stated bluntly.
Hmm, that makes sense. Alice must have a backup plan, but he couldn't rely on her completely… Right, he could use divination to confirm if the food was safe and edible!
Klein thought to himself, gradually relaxing. He no longer felt nervous facing the elegantly dressed Alice, and his heart rate slowly returned to normal.
—Provided that he didn't look at the large expanse of snow-white skin exposed on her shoulders and chest, but only stared at the lace and ribbon decorations of her light navy high-waisted dress, completely emptying his mind.
He couldn't help it; the pressure… was too much… he couldn't bear it.
Perhaps because he hadn't slept well the night before, the swaying of the carriage made him even more drowsy, and Klein unknowingly took a nap. He only woke up when the vibrations from the seat beneath him gradually subsided.
He quickly checked his appearance, confirming there was nothing impolite about it, and his overall demeanor was respectable.
Meanwhile, the coachman had handed their invitations to the servants at the manor entrance, and one of the two servants serving the manor owner peered into the carriage.
This was to confirm whether the guests inside were dressed appropriately for the banquet, and whether there were any suspicious individuals inside.
Seeing this, Klein quickly reached for the black mask beside his seat, fastened it over his eyes, and then looked up, meeting the gaze of the beautiful "witch" who held a folding fan to cover the lower half of her face and wore a silver-white mask.
Only her azure eyes were visible; a few strands of her elegantly braided, light golden hair fell beside her ears, and a delicate necklace of deep amber cat's-eye gemstones adorned her slender, snow-white neck, exuding a noble and graceful gentleness.
But those dazzling eyes seemed to speak volumes. Even though she merely gazed at him without uttering a word, he could almost see the smile in her eyes, the curve of her lipstick-covered lips through the folding fan, and discern the changing shapes of her mouth, as if she were saying…
"Honorable lady and gentleman, please come in."
The servants at the manor entrance chanted the polite greetings, interrupting his further reverie.
The carriage moved forward a short distance, reaching its final destination.
Klein alighted first, then turned to help the young woman in her elaborate gown, letting her hold his hand as she slowly descended from the carriage.
After she adjusted her light blue cocktail cap, matching her gown, Klein accompanied her to the entrance of the banquet hall, maintaining impeccable manners throughout, behaving like a true gentleman of high society.
"Edward." Alice put away the folding fan she had used to cover her face and softly called out the pseudonym he was using tonight. "After the banquet officially begins, let's have dinner first, and then we can make plans, like taking a stroll. What do you think?"
What, have dinner first? Did she even need to ask?
Klein readily agreed, nodding reservedly, and led the elegantly dressed girl beside him into the magnificent hall:
"I have no objections, whatever you say, Claire."
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