"Audrey, I heard your father was keeping a very close eye on you lately. Is it really alright for you to participate in a ball so soon after he relaxed the rules? I remember you don't even like balls."
Viscount Glaint performed a perfect etiquette kiss on the back of Audrey Hall's hand and whispered his inquiry.
"Don't worry. My father has no intention of interfering with my social life. I only stayed home before because I was frightened by Qilangos's assassination attempt and didn't dare to go out."
Audrey shook her head gently. Having advanced to a [Psychologist], she easily saw that Viscount Glaint was worried about her father's disapproval.
Even though he was an independent noble with healthy finances, he couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated by the great banker, Earl Hall.
"That's good. By the way, is there a reason for your visit this time?" Seeing Audrey's calm tone, Viscount Glaint relaxed considerably and guessed she had a request.
To save the lady from the potential embarrassment of having to ask directly, Glaint,well-versed in social techniques,immediately provided an opening.
"I'd like to borrow your music room. A friend of mine wants to learn the piano." Audrey blinked cutely, an apologetic look in her eyes. glaint had known Audrey for years; seeing that look, a bad premonition struck his heart. He asked nervously, "Can you tell me who this friend is?"
"Snow. Snow von Panreadax." Audrey whispered Devil's name, then added obediently, "Glaint, you've talked to me for too long. You should go attend to your other guests."
With that, Audrey pivoted gracefully, taking experienced social steps as she began to greet other familiar nobles. She left the stiffly smiling Viscount Glaint standing in place as if he had been struck by lightning.
...
'I should be the latest arrival. Why haven't I seen Mr. Devil? Did he not get an invitation?' Audrey moved through the dance floor. After an opening dance with the host, Glaint, she began to scan the hall. But she found no sign of Mr. Devil.
Although she had never seen his face, Audrey believed that with her [Spectator] abilities, she should be able to spot the legendary "Prince of Veterinarians" who was said to be inhumanly handsome.
But just as Audrey began to suspect he had lacked the time to secure an invitation, she noticed someone approaching. Before she could recall who he was, she saw him suddenly... gain color. Like a sketch suddenly becoming a three-dimensional masterpiece.
An unremarkable passerby had suddenly become a focal point capable of drawing everyone's gaze. The sharp contrast nearly broke Audrey's "Spectator" state.
"Good afternoon, Miss Hall."
"Mr. De,Panreadax?" Audrey's fine noble upbringing allowed her to recover quickly. She didn't blurt out the slightly rude "Devil," but used his surname instead.
"It is I, Backlund's Hardest Diamond," Snow said in a teasing tone. At those words, Audrey wanted to puff out her cheeks in annoyance, but considering the social setting, she maintained a noble smile and said softly, "Mr. Panreadax, if you wish to use a title, please use the publicly recognized 'Glittering Gem,' not 'Hardest Diamond.'"
"You can call me Snow. Also, Miss Justice, you can speak freely. No one in the hall will notice us right now. To them, we are merely passers-by."
Snow gave a smile that could charm any living soul. Audrey looked around suspiciously and found that the gazes previously focused on her really had vanished. Even when occasional looks swept their way, they didn't linger. In the past, this was simply unimaginable.
"What pathway's Beyonder ability is this?" Audrey was envious of this power and couldn't help but ask.
"The Spectator pathway. You'll be able to use it once you become a Sequence 6 [Hypnotist]." Snow's smile was brilliant, showing exactly eight teeth.
Hearing it was her own pathway, Audrey grew excited. But then she remembered she had only just advanced to Sequence 8 and calmed herself. While wondering if Mr. Devil was also from the Spectator pathway, she whispered, "Can we leave now without anyone noticing? Hmm, including my maids?"
"Yes. Until I release the ability, everyone in the hall will temporarily forget your existence. As for your maid, she will instinctively feel that you have always been here. It's similar to the ability I gave you before,but where that one made anyone trying to read you see an 'innocent little girl,' this one makes everyone who remembers you see an 'unimportant passerby.' Of course, since this covers the entire ball, it won't last long,two hours is the limit, provided you don't pray to an Orthodox God during that time..." Snow explained his ability briefly, not forgetting to tease the reckless Miss Justice.
"I've already apologized!" Audrey grumbled to herself, her cheeks puffing slightly. Although she was displaying annoyance at Mr. Devil's petty memory, her eyes were shining.
Although she had become a Beyonder, the abilities of the Spectator pathway were limited to observation. Using Beyonder powers to make her life easier was exactly what her dream version of a Beyonder should do.
"Then what are we waiting for... I mean, I've borrowed Viscount Glaint's music room. Let's go." Audrey, nearly exposing her true self, forcefully maintained her noble lady's poise. Snow laughed softly, "You can relax a bit. There's an important rule for the Spectator pathway: remember the true you. If you wear a mask for too long, you might find you can't take it off. If you always remain in the 'Spectator' position, you will gradually become indifferent. Occasionally revealing your true nature helps you maintain your sense of self."
"Thank you for the reminder." Audrey knew this was an invaluable Acting rule and thanked him sincerely.
Snow shook his head and gave a charming smile. "Consider this a return gift for your sweet smile."
'Ah, Mr. Devil is so smooth. No wonder he's known as Backlund's famous social butterfly...' Audrey had a rude thought but quickly checked herself, remembering he might be a Spectator too. She led him toward Viscount Glaint's music room...
...
'Eh? It feels like I forgot something. What was I worrying about just now?' Viscount Glaint, who had been watching Audrey closely for fear of her being lured away by a bad man, scratched his head, suddenly lost...
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]
T/N: "Prince of Veterinarians" (兽医贵公子) - A popular nickname for Snow in high-society rumors.
T/N: "Psychological Invisibility" (心理学隐身) - A classic high-level Spectator technique.