August 22nd, Wednesday, 15:00 PM. Weather: Hazy.
Snow took out the invitation Madam Norma had sent to his house yesterday and arrived at this luxurious villa located in the Empress District.
As a landed noble who had inherited his title at a young age due to his father's early death, Viscount Glaint could almost be called the social core of the younger generation of nobles.
It wasn't that everyone liked him, but rather because only he had the qualification to host various salons and balls at his whim.
Balls held by ordinary noble scions were either out of their elders' political considerations or were formal venues based on social needs. As for the wine parties of middle-aged nobles, they were full of various constraints.
Thus, Viscount Glaint's mansion almost became a gathering holy land for Backlund's "second-generation scions." This led many talented but inexperienced young practitioners in professions that relied on high society--such as writers, painters, and designers--to treat Viscount Glaint's salon as a ladder to success. As long as they were slightly favored by a noble, they would immediately rise to prominence.
And these talented and handsome young people, in turn, attracted many nobles interested in those industries, even leading to many investments and business cooperations. This caused Viscount Glaint's seemingly spendthrift salons to actually become profitable projects.
It felt a bit like a virtuous cycle where high-end clubs attract high-end consumers, thereby attracting high-quality "tea masters" who want to climb high and have enough capital, thereby attracting more wealthy "tea drinkers."
And today, there were particularly many guests here.
Relying on a face that was incomparably handsome, the greeting personnel at the door didn't even check his invitation before letting him pass. This gave Snow a sense of visual déjà vu, like "pretty girls can enter high-end bars for free."
Of course, he didn't care about such convenience. Although it seemed on the surface that he was receiving a favor for nothing, sometimes owing a favor was more conducive to socializing.
"Little Snow, you're here?" Due to well-known reasons, Madam Norma, who hadn't come with Snow, had arrived a step ahead. Seeing Snow, she immediately walked over with small steps and smilingly introduced him to the noble ladies she knew.
Snow's predecessor had considerable experience with such social occasions and soon shook off the awkwardness of being an "outsider"--
Of course, this was also related to the fact that there were many acquaintances present.
Wandering through the spacious banquet hall, occasionally picking up a low-alcohol drink and chatting with the ladies and young misses who approached him... although JoJo had just begun serialization and his reputation as a "writer" was far from reaching an eye-catching level, who could help that he was handsome?
Walking to a long table, he took a delicate-looking pastry. Snow looked around the banquet hall while eating. It had to be said that his predecessor's network was truly terrifying. Among the women in the banquet hall, even including those fashion designers, jewelry designers, painters, and novelists, Snow actually had a face-recognition rate as high as thirty percent.
And this recognition rate was basically equivalent to Snow's customer list.
Secretly overdrawing the Beyonder ability of Sequence 7, he placed himself in a "no one can see through" state. On one hand, this avoided drawing the attention of any [Spectators] or other Beyonders that might exist in the banquet hall, and on the other hand, it allowed him to better disguise the fluctuations caused by releasing Beyonder abilities.
After doing all this, Snow took a step toward a lady who looked familiar but whom he didn't know.
This lady was currently leaning in a corner, lazily sipping a cocktail. Her fingertips carried a hint of smoke stains, her hair was fluffy and slightly curly, and her pale blue eyes lacked focus, giving a feeling of being detached from the world yet also like she was waiting for someone.
'Uh, does the "Psyduck that no one can see through" come with a "Swampert that can see through everyone"?' Snow complained inwardly about the ability he had overdrawn. Was it worthy of being a profession that could advance through the Psychology Alchemist potion? Even if what he borrowed was only a bit of passive skill, it still came with outstanding observation abilities.
Handing the plate in his hand to a passing waiter, Snow walked toward this lady with unhurried steps, revealing an approachable smile, "Beautiful lady, my name is Snow. Snow von Pandrax. May I have the pleasure of meeting you?"
Regarding this man who suddenly appeared before her eyes, Fors frowned slightly. Although the other party was indeed eye-catching and acted politely, for some reason, one look gave a feeling of "lacking actual impression." Simply put, it was the feeling that if she turned her head away, she would forget what he looked like before long.
Though she didn't particularly want to speak, Fors also understood that one shouldn't act too coldly in such a literary salon, especially when she couldn't name every guest off the top of her head.
Viscount Glaint could help her fish Xio out; the person before her might not be unable to set her up as well.
'Seriously, why does Miss Audrey insist on communicating on such an occasion! Can't she just let that dog... well, that Beyonder creature that looks like a dog, deliver the message?'
Fors complained silently in her heart, yet still squeezed out a smile, "Hello, Mr. Snow. I am Fors. Fors Wall."
"So it's Senior Fors. Your Storm Wind Manor has left a deep impression on me to this day. I happen to have a novel currently being serialized in the Tussock Times. I wonder if we could exchange some ideas?"
Actually, Snow had a bit of social anxiety in his past life, but his predecessor had a severe case of "Social Butterfly-itis."
'Tussock Times? I remember there was a novelist whose name was Snow. Xio seems to like it quite a bit... was it called Phantom Blood?'
Fors thought with some headache. Although she had confirmed that the other party wasn't a noble, it wasn't appropriate to put on a cold face at this time. She could only barely lift her spirits, put on a social expression, and began to chat awkwardly with Snow based on the fragments she had heard from Xio.
However, Snow also understood the principle of "too much of a good thing." Leaving a slight impression, he smilingly bid his farewell and left. Watching this handsome guy turn and walk away, Fors breathed a sigh of relief. But before she could return to her lazy and leisurely state, a figure stepped into the banquet hall.
At this instant, the sounds within the banquet hall paused briefly. As the most dazzling jewel of Backlund, this young lady was undoubtedly the most noble guest at today's salon.
However, Miss Audrey, who had been in and out of various social occasions since childhood, clearly knew how to integrate herself into the social environment. Before long, the "commotion" caused by her arrival had been quelled. Only, no one seemed to notice that after passing a certain handsome guy, her expression seemed to become a bit more "sincere."
From this moment on, any [Spectator] could only read the information they wished to see from Miss Justice.
From this moment on, any [Spectator] could only read the information they wished to see from Miss Justice.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika Kagura]
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A/N: [Snorlax that everyone thinks they can see through] reference.
A/N: Guess what the Sequence 7 is called?
A/N: Regarding the loss of control for [Faceless]: The key is not to forget who you are, not that you can't change your appearance at will. Do you forget you're cosplaying when you do so? In a sense, "cosplaying" in bed is less likely to cause a loss of control than disguising as others in daily life because no matter how many settings you add or how large a background story you build, at least you won't forget that you are yourself...
T/N: Phantom Blood (幻影之血).
The title of Snow's novel, and a reference to the first part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
T/N: Snorlax/Psyduck/Swampert references.
Snow is using Pokémon as metaphors for his used powers and Audrey's acting.
- Psyduck: Looks confused but hides power.
- Swampert: Has Keen Eye/Damp/etc. (observation).
- Snorlax: Hard to move/read.
In the CN community, these are common memes for certain "acting" types.