Evelyn was overwhelmed. She had thought she had grown accustomed to the chaos of Noble parties. She had certainly attended enough of them. But the preparations for this latest party put all the rest to shame. The preparations had already been going on for an entire week. It was only made worse that it was all for her.

Evelyn was turning fifteen tonight.

While the actual birthday celebration would only be held with her closest friends, the party was open to a much larger audience. From what she could see, at least two hundred people were invited. Even more would likely show up.

She loved the attention. She didn’t need any of it, she would be just as happy without the big party, but she did enjoy it. But regardless of how happy she was, there was an undercut of hurt and pain.

Her family weren’t going to be there. Evelyn had finally taken Luke’s advice and sent a letter to her family. Then another. And another. Until she was sending one every week. But she never received a reply. One month prior, she had personally invited her family, but she had not heard anything back.

The young girl wore a bright smile at all the servants and well-wishers, but Luke knew her too well. He could see how hurt she was. She had practically been abandoned by her family. He knew that. But now, on the eve of her most important night, she realized it as well.

Luke tried doing everything he could to cheer her up, which while all his antics and gestures were sweet and made her happy, didn’t dull the pain. Just made it easier to mask.

She just couldn’t understand how the family from her memories could ignore her in such a way. Especially her brother. He had always been there for her. He didn’t like noise, but he always listened to her talk about her day, even if it was the same as the day before.

In the blink of an eye, the sun had begun to set, dying the sky beautiful colors of red and purple. Bathing the world in shadow. The guests would begin arriving any moment now.

Evelyn sat at her desk, looking at the mirror in front of her as her maid combed her hair.

“What Class are you hoping for?” The maid asked, she knew of the pain, though not what caused it, and was hoping to distract her.

“I don’t know. Preferably a healer.”

“Really? Why a healer?”

“Because while everyone is fighting, I can help them, protect them, save them.”

“Healer Classes are rare, even more so at the Novice Level.”

“I know, but one can hope, right?”

“Hope is a wonderful thing, just be prepared for something else. You might not get a Healer Class, but maybe you will have the option to become one for your Adept Class?”

Evelyn smiled. She knew all of this already, numerous people telling her the same thing.

The rest of the time getting ready was spent with the two girls talking about the party. Everything from their favorite desserts to gossip about those invited.

Evelyn walked through the halls, her heels clacking against the polished stone. The halls were filled with servants rushing about. The celebration had already begun. All of the food and drink was prepared in the kitchens near the ballroom, but there was still plenty for the other servants to do. Yet despite how rushed they were, they all made sure to stop and bow or curtsy to her before resuming.

The guests all came through the entrance hall, being announced as they entered. But Evelyn was led to the rear doors. There she would be announced, and the party would officially begin.

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The guest announcer regally shouted out the names, but Evelyn’s announcer pounded a staff down twice, the deep thumps resounding through the ballroom and drawing everyone’s attention. Even the servants carrying refreshments stopped and looked.

“Announcing the Lady Evelyn!”

The large doors opened, and Evelyn walked through before descending the stairs. The guests politely clapped, though Evelyn couldn’t spot anyone she knew. Most of those attending were simply there to play their political game. Evelyn knew this and expected it. She also knew how to play them in her favor.

From the top of the stairs, the decorated ballroom was truly beautiful. Everything had been freshly polished, reflecting the ample light from the countless Mage Lights. Every Lady was dressed in beautiful gowns, while the Lords wore handsome suits. Guards in gleaming polished armor stood at each column, armed and ready to keep the peace should anything happen.

Even Luke was present, wearing a white suit accented with regal red. He met her halfway down the stairs, offering his arm. She had been tutored in Noble Etiquette. She gracefully took his arm and together they walked down to the ballroom floor. He looked over at her with a bright smile.

They had practiced for this night and were ready. The lessons had been awkward. And had left both of them with bruises and limps.

Musicians began playing, filling the room with music that caused Evelyn to imagine a fairy dancing through the warm forest. Together, the two young people danced in the center of the room. So together and graceful that it appeared as if they were hovering, merely brushing across the ground.

Evelyn loved dancing. The graceful dancing of the Nobility as well as the emotional dancing of the commoners. She let her mind wonder, yet never looked away from Luke.

All too soon, the music ended, and the spectators clapped once more. This time with more enthusiasm.

‘Perhaps they were impressed?’

The two youngsters were immediately swarmed by their peers and friends while the adults continued to talk amongst themselves.

Evelyn found herself dragged away by the girls while Luke talked with the boys.

“Oh, my gods, you are so beautiful! And you danced so well.” Holly squealed, bouncing on her feet.

Evelyn smiled. Even with her pain still present, it was hard to not be infected by her friend’s pure joy. Joy for her.

“Are you and Lord Redmond engaged yet?” One of the other girls asked. Evelyn recognized her as Lady Alice, the daughter of a weak Noble Family, but stout allies of Duke Redmond.

Evelyn’s face turned red, “No. Besides, I am of commoner blood.”

Another young lady scoffed, “Perhaps before, but I promise you, after that dance, not one of the adults think of you as such.”

A smaller girl spoke up, “She will still have to be careful when she gets engaged to Lord Redmond. Some will attempt to use her commoner blood to attack both her and Luke.”

Evelyn opened her mouth to object but realized it wouldn’t help. To the girls, She and Luke might as well have already been officially engaged.

She was not against the idea, but it was too soon. Even if such an idea was accepted, it would not be proposed until both of them were for at least sixteen, not announced until they were seventeen, nor would they actually be married until they were twenty.

The party continued until the clock struck eleven. During which, Evelyn was escorted from Noble group to Noble group. She was introduced to dozens of people, she only remembered a few of their names, but with each group, she did her best to impress, both for herself and for the Redmonds.

Only a few people stuck out among the others. A few others were fellow students of the Academy, though Evelyn hadn’t met them. They were all older, so that wasn’t very surprising. However, as she had expected, many of the Nobles attempted to poach her from the Redmond family.

These poachers had at least wizened up. They had stopped trying to offer riches or titles and were instead offering special tutors, trainers, and even party members that would help her level up. Though a few had still offered riches, enchanted items, even land.

When the bells struck eleven, the large front doors were opened, and servants politely ushered the few remaining guests out. As the last one left, Evelyn, Luke, Holly, Adam, and the Redmonds were escorted into the Estate’s Dining Room.

There, they were offered light refreshments while they talked amongst themselves. The Duke’s wife, Sofia, rebuked the children a few times for crude jokes, or acting unladylike. Duke Redmond watched silently as the children excitedly made jokes with a light smile on his face.

Times like this, made all the horrible things he had done seem worth it.

The clock hand hit twelve, causing the bell to ring, interrupting the conversation. Everyone turned to Evelyn, but there was only confusion.

“I guess that clock is a little fast.” Duke Redmond chuckled, causing everyone to laugh as well.

Only moments later, Evelyn looked up sharply.

“Its happening!” She exclaimed.

[Receiving your Class in ten seconds. Be prepared.]

[Congratulations. You have received the Class: Sin Binder]