Elly gazed at the elegant invitation papers, their surfaces adorned with intricate designs that seemed to shimmer in the soft candlelight of her Grandfather’s study. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the ostentatious display of wealth and power. The need for such elaborate decorations on a simple piece of parchment puzzled her. Nevertheless, she understood the significance of the event to her sect.

As she held the invitation in one hand, her fingers on the other brushed against the smooth surface of her staff, a powerful conduit of magic passed down through generations of mages. The staff hummed with latent energy, its presence a comforting reassurance amidst the uncertainty of the upcoming gala.

Elly knew that tonight's gathering would not be like any other. The air was thick with anticipation and whispered secrets, and the weight of responsibility hung heavy upon her shoulders. But she was determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead, armed with the knowledge of her ancestors and the strength of her own convictions.

However, her worries would soon dissipate as a familiar figure entered the room. "Ah, there's my little sorceress, hiding away in my study," he remarked with a gentle laugh, his smile warm and reassuring. "Your mother would be worried if I couldn't find you, but I know you. You always retreat here when something troubles your mind."

Elly turned around and greeted him with a smile. "Grandpa, I thought you were working with the other Oracles today? Shouldn’t you be tutoring the junior members of the sect?" she inquired as she hurried over to hold his hands.

Chuckling softly, he replied, "Shouldn’t you be accompanying your mother in your preparation for the upcoming Gala? You know how she is, I would know." He held her hands up to his chest. "What seems to be troubling you this time? Is it the warriors? Perhaps the suitors? Or even the Gala?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Elly sighs, “Hardly the suitors, but it is about the Gala. I’m not too keen on meeting the Knights of the Iron-Shield. From the records and books I’ve been reading as of late, I’m worried that they might try something that isn’t good. They might be still after the relics after all these years.” she explained, a worried expression appeared on her face.

Her grandfather nods as he listens, “Hm, but they have not been on the hunt for a few decades now, perhaps they have finally given up this childish dream of their to harness the relics. The Oracles of Firmament were made to prevent anyone from using them for evil. You should know this story, I’ve told you a hundred times before,”he said.

"I know, grandpa, but the warriors are a fearsome bunch, so much so that not even the other mages are fond of speaking about them," Elly said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

As her grandfather walked over to his desk, "I have met and fought many warriors in my youth, all of them were honorable, and fair. Sadly, I couldn’t say the same about our fighters in the Oracles. The Gala events we hold were always catered to us and us alone. But once in thousands of years, tonight will be the one that will not only have mages but warriors together, with no conflict, no battles, and no bloodshed. The Order of Harmonium have made every precaution needed to ensure a safe night for the event," he explained, his tone filled with assurance.

"I understand, Grandpa," Elly said softly.

"I am old, my dear. I'm afraid my time is almost at its end. But before I depart from this world, I wish to see peace between the warriors and the mages. In my youth, I was brash and impulsive, but with age and family, my priorities have shifted. Despite the dissent among some, I am genuinely pleased about the prospect of a peace treaty," he confessed, his voice tinged with nostalgia and hope.

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"Would you be in a separate carriage with the other Oracles this year? I was hoping that maybe you would share one with us if that’s alright," Elly asked, rubbing her hands anxiously.

Her grandfather placed a hand upon the side of her cheek, his touch gentle and reassuring. "My dear, I wish I could, but as one of the leading members of the Oracles of Firmament, I am needed elsewhere. The Oracle herself would know where I am needed. But fret not, I will come find you and the rest of our family once I have made my acquaintance with our esteemed hosts. I'm sure your younger siblings are quite excited to be of age to attend their first Gala. They have been talking about it non-stop since the morning they woke up."

Elly rolled her eyes at the mention of her siblings. "Which is why I'm also up here. They're too naive to understand the sanctity of this place," she remarked, her tone tinged with exasperation, prompting a chuckle from her grandfather.

"Now, now, my dear. You weren't that mature when you were their age," her grandfather teased, raising his brows in amusement.

"Eleanor Montgomery, are you up there? Come down now. We need you to get dressed. We'll be leaving soon, and I want you to be ready by the time the carriages arrive," her mother's voice echoed from downstairs.

"I guess that's your cue to move. Run along now. I too must dress appropriately for tonight. I'll leave a special gift for you once we meet again at the Gala," he said, ushering her out of his study room.

As Elly descended the staircase from her grandfather's study, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her, causing her to clutch the railing for support. A sharp pain throbbed behind her temples, intensifying with each step she took. She blinked rapidly, trying to dispel the discomfort, but it persisted, clouding her thoughts.

"Are you alright, dear?" her mother's concerned voice called out from below, but it sounded distant, as if echoing from the depths of a tunnel.

Elly forced a smile, nodding weakly in response. "Yes, just a headache. I'll be down in a moment," she managed to murmur, her voice wavering slightly.

As she reached the bottom of the staircase, the sensation of someone whispering her name lingered at the edge of her consciousness. It was faint, barely audible, yet unmistakably there. Elly glanced around, searching for the source of the voice, but found nothing out of the ordinary.

Brushing off the strange occurrence as a symptom of her headache, Elly joined her family in the foyer, pushing aside the lingering unease that lingered in the back of her mind. Little did she know, it was only the beginning of a series of unsettling events that would unfold at the Gala.

As Elly navigated through the corridors of her family’s sanctuary, she couldn't escape the murmurs and debates echoing inside her mind. A hundred invitations given by the Order, a hundred mages allowed entry to the special event tonight. The air crackled with anticipation and tension as mages debated fiercely over who was more worthy of receiving such a coveted invitation.

While the tradition of issuing a limited number of invitations wasn't new, the prospect of fewer than a hundred attendees at the Gala was uncommon. Typically, the Galas were grand gatherings hosted by the mages, where all were welcome to attend. However, this year's event was different. With the strict rules set forth by the Order, the mages had no choice but to abide by the limitations imposed upon them.

Elly couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The implications of such restrictions weighed heavily on her mind, hinting at deeper undercurrents of power dynamics and intrigue within the mage society. She could be just overthinking on such trifling matters.

Her family held esteemed positions within the mage society, their influence and status granting them the coveted privilege of Gala invitations. While Elly herself lacked any formal titles or accolades, her familial connections secured her a spot among the attendees.

Yet, despite her rightful place at the Gala, not everyone within the mage community welcomed her presence. Some viewed her inclusion as redundant, a waste of an invitation that could have been extended to a more deserving mage. Harsh whispers followed her footsteps, labeling her as “redundant, a waste, and stupid” for daring to attend.

Though Elly harbored no particular desire to partake in the event, her familial obligations compelled her to join her kin at the Gala. After all, where her family went, she followed. Despite the disdain directed her way, she remained resolute in her decision to stand by her loved ones, regardless of the opinions of others.