The magic-light chandelier hung high from the ceiling, casting a gentle white glow over the brilliantly lit banquet hall.
The noblewomen hunted for young nobles, while the old nobles chatted about useless trivia and petty comparisons, each boasting about himself.
For example, who was the Empire's most handsome man.
Or they praised some lady who had dazzled everyone and drawn all eyes.
They gave each other nicknames.
"Oh, isn't that the Howling Wolf?"
"My goodness, do you know what we call you? Lion of the Jedi!"
"Esteemed madam, you are the beautiful Wind Fox."
"Beautiful young lady, you're the Thousand Flower Knight."
And so on—names that rang out like rallying cries.
Naturally, Leticia had been given nicknames too.
Names like Silver-White Witch and Sword Saint.
But the only titles she truly held were Saint Knight and honorary teacher at Holy Tower Academy.
The rest were just people talking her up. For instance, there were plenty of people all over the world called Sword Saint.
Leticia had never been one to enjoy wearing dresses.
She didn't have a valiant look; she was more the delicate sort. In men's clothes, she had not a trace of masculinity—in fact, anyone with eyes could tell she was a girl.
On top of that, she had none of the manners of a lady and a foul temper that showed just how much she disliked men.
Even with looks that rated T0.5, she could drag herself down to T2.
Still, she had been getting better and better at dressing lately.
Now she wore a simple gown, her hair styled in soft waves. Standing beside Yuffie, she left people unsure which of them to look at first.
Yuffie, meanwhile, wore a regular gown and had her hair tied in a neat princess braid.
With such a simple