The gates of Siria Magic Academy buzzed with activity. Every competing team, save for St. Teno Divine College, had gathered here today. Noble youths dressed to the nines, each more extravagant than the last, turned the scene into a dazzling spectacle that rivaled the celebrity red carpet events Luo Wei remembered from her previous life.
Academy Street was a chaotic sea of carriages and pedestrians. Luo Wei's own carriage barely made it halfway before the congestion forced it to stop. With a resigned sigh, she gathered her skirts and stepped down.
Tonight, she wore a gown that could only be described as a masterpiece.
The bottom layer of the skirt was crafted from soft Cloud Wool, its surface smooth and luxurious to the touch. Over this lay layer upon layer of pale, sheer fabric, each one delicately pleated to create a voluminous silhouette. The hem was adorned with intricate lace and satin ribbon bows, adding a touch of playful elegance.
Among the pleats, the tailor had used heat-embossing techniques to sew three-dimensional rose blossoms that seemed to bloom across the gown. Between the flowers draped pearl and silver chains, their natural curves catching the light with every step. The edge of the skirt sparkled with tiny crystals, creating the illusion of a fading starry sky.
The gown’s fitted, high-waisted design emphasized Luo Wei’s slender figure, with delicate embroidery and elaborate pleating extending seamlessly up to the bust line. Above this, the wide, off-shoulder neckline framed her collarbones, while the purple long sleeves flared into graceful ruffles at the forearms.
On her head rested an exquisitely decorated hat, its brim adorned with lifelike gauze butterflies, as if they had just alighted there.
Around her neck hung the pink pearl necklace Princess Lilith had gifted her, while matching pearls dangled from her ears, adding a touch of sweetness to her otherwise regal appearance.
As Luo Wei stepped onto the bustling street, the world seemed to pause.
"Hssss—"
The sound of someone gasping broke the silence, followed by a chorus of sharp intakes of breath.
When the young woman in the pale purple ball gown came into view, even the brilliant hues of the setting sun seemed dull in comparison. The dirty, crowded Academy Street was transformed, its chaos illuminated by her radiance.
Step by step, Luo Wei walked toward the Academy gates, and the crowd parted instinctively before her.
She seemed to tread upon a river of stars, each step more dazzling than the last. Her wavy black hair rippled like satin behind her, catching the golden light of dusk. She was beauty incarnate, an elf descended from the heavens, so breathtaking that one glance felt like witnessing all the wonders of the world at once.
Behind her, the murmurs began.
"My God, her beauty is beyond my senses—I can’t find the words!"
"Whose daughter is that? I must court her!"
"Shut up! Do you know who that is? That’s the she-devil from Siria Magic Academy’s junior division. She blasted you with a fireball during the tournament, remember?"
"Oh no! It’s her?!"
"A woman that fierce? There’s no way I’d dare pursue her. She’s not ladylike at all—she’d never make a good wife."
"Give me a break. She’s a princess from the Misty Plains and descended from the gods. Even Prince Alfried wanted to make her his goddaughter, and she refused him! You think you stand a chance?"
"That’s harsh. My father’s a count—I’m not that bad..."
"You all want to court her, but I just want to know—which tailor made that dress? I’ve never seen anything like it!"
"Right? If my fiancée, Miss Quincy, wore a dress like that, she’d be stunning!"
"If I gave a dress like that to Lady Guinness, would she let me kiss her?"
"If I brought one home for my sister, she’d be over the moon!"
The gown that had sparked such fervent discussion was the latest creation from Hawkins Trading, delivered to Luo Wei just this month.
Last year, Luo Wei had provided Hawkins Trading with designs for a spinning machine and a jacquard loom. Alongside these, she had hand-drawn several styles of coats and gowns she wanted to wear, entrusting them to Barton Hawkins.
Recently, as the weather grew warmer, wool garments had fallen out of favor. Barton, desperate to revive his sales, stumbled upon Luo Wei’s custom ball gown sketches while flipping through his documents. His eyes lit up with inspiration.
The design Luo Wei had provided was for a short ball gown that reached only to the calf, with a hint of Rococo influence. But Barton, with his keen intuition and years of experience in the fashion industry, saw the true potential hidden within the sketch.
He lengthened and widened the skirt, transforming it into a vision of luxury and romance. He spared no effort in embellishing the bodice, creating a gown so intricate and opulent it could only be described as an art piece.
Rococo-style court gowns, in theory, should have only appeared in the eighteenth century, after industrial advancements had made their production feasible. But thanks to the innovative textile technology and design concepts Luo Wei had introduced, Hawkins Trading had brought this style into existence centuries ahead of schedule.
Barton was a shrewd businessman. He knew that every year, Siria Magic Academy hosted a grand ball following the Magic Tournament. He deliberately rushed to complete the gown in time for this year’s event, presenting it to Luo Wei as her evening attire.
And now, as Luo Wei walked toward the Academy gates, the gown had achieved exactly what Barton had envisioned—it had captivated an entire crowd, leaving them in awe of its beauty.
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