blogombal Chapter 74: The White Slipper Club
Chapter 74: The White Slipper Club
Aiwas wasn’t surprised that Isabel came looking for him.Isabel longed for a true friend, but her unpredictable curse, high status, and personal insecurities made it tough.
Others either feared approaching her or didn’t know how.
The few bold enough to brave her curse usually had ulterior motives.
Those with Beauty path aptitude had sharp intuition and perception, sensing others’ intentions and subtle details even before stepping onto a path.
It wasn’t knowledge or skill—just pure, inexplicable “instinct.”
Anyone trying to exploit Isabel’s loneliness was easily spotted by her.
Even if their acting fooled her intuition, she had Teacher Yannis as an advisor.
Aiwas, vetted by Yannis, had passed the character test.
Their shared dreamworld experience and enjoyable dinner made her comfortable around him.
In short, Aiwas was her only friend she could interact with normally.
Whether to show off a friend, prove she had one, or just hang out, Isabel was bound to seek him out.
She was the real “transfer student,” with Aiwas as her only familiar face in the unfamiliar school.
What surprised Aiwas was how fast she showed up—and how she knew he was here.
An hour ago, even he didn’t know he’d be in this classroom!
It wasn’t Edward’s arrangement.
Haina, tasked by Edward but unable to stay by Aiwas’s side, decided on a whim to use her clout to make him known.
It was her way of saying, “This kid’s under my wing.”
Royal Law University was vast.
Walking from the sixth department’s Art Institute to the fourth’s Theology School took over an hour.
Without a clear purpose, Isabel wouldn’t have wandered here.
When Aiwas asked, Isabel stiffened, hesitating.
After stumbling, she answered honestly, “I knew you were coming to school today, so I asked my teacher… She said you were here.”
“She also said you were lecturing. I got curious… and came to see.”
She added regretfully, “But I was late. You’d already finished class.”
Aiwas understood.
Yannis must’ve seen it through the paintings.
The university’s corridors and classrooms were lined with portraits—her eyes.
No wonder Isabel hesitated.
It was practically spying—she worried he’d be upset or distant.
But Aiwas wasn’t fazed.
She was overly sensitive.
He didn’t say, “I don’t mind,” knowing she might not believe it, assuming it was polite deflection, which could deepen her guilt.
Instead, he breezed past it to show he didn’t care.
“No classes this morning, Your Highness?”
“I took leave,” Isabel replied instantly.
“It’s vocal class… I’m doing well, so skipping once is fine.”
Aiwas sighed helplessly.
“No need to go that far…”
Hearing this, Bard, behind Aiwas, paused.
Wasn’t Princess Isabel passionate about singing?
His gaze on his new student grew complex.
“Oh!”
Isabel’s eyes lit up, remembering something.
She smiled at Aiwas and Lily.
“That house I gave you… is it alright?”
“I haven’t moved in yet, Your Highness,” Aiwas said gently.
“Just got to school, haven’t checked it out. My luggage is there, though.”
“After lunch, I’ll take you to see it?”
She added quickly, “If you’ve got lunch plans, maybe afternoon… or evening works too.”
She was terrified of rejection or being a burden.
Aiwas saw it clearly.
He glanced at his old classmate, John Aiden.
Isabel followed his gaze.
Instantly, the onlookers turned to Little John.
Bombarded by stares, Aiden froze.
His back chilled, pressure mounting, body rigid, unable to speak.
[Now I get why Her Highness is so cautious,] he thought.
Being silently watched with knowing looks was paralyzing.
“So, Aiden…”
In the dead quiet, Aiwas asked, “What did you need me for earlier?”
“I…”
Aiden hesitated, feeling the gazes intensify.
[Do I have something… or not?]
He scratched his head, glancing at Isabel’s expression, mumbling, “Maybe nothing…”
“So, something then.”
“No, no, not really… just a small thing about something in a novel! Not urgent…”
Aiden was sweating buckets.
The princess clearly wanted to hang out with Aiwas.
If he said he had business, wouldn’t he seem clueless?
[Fine, I’ll just use Aiwas’s lecture material tonight…]
[Wait—why not bring Aiwas to talk for me?]
His words smoothed out.
“I know a fun place. When you’re free, I’d love to invite you!”
Aiwas raised an eyebrow, staying silent.
The word “novel” tipped him off—this was the plot.
Aiden’s first quest.
John Aiden received a copy of , sparking interest in “vampires.”
He’d ask the player, after getting a professor’s pass, to investigate if vampires exist.
He bet on their existence at the White Slipper Club but lacked library access.
Completing this quest chain unlocked the White Slipper Club map and faction favor.
Yes, faction.
The “White Slipper Club” sounded like a dance club but wasn’t quite that.
It was a student society with some barriers to entry.
Started by ballet-loving students who pooled money to hire Iris Kingdom ballet troupes to perform at the university, it aimed to share their passion.
As membership grew, it outgrew pure ballet fandom—people got bored.
Now it was a hub for lovers of theater, opera, and stage plays.
Daily performances by singers, bands, dance troupes, or theater groups were free, with free food and drinks.
You could watch, treat performances as background music, or chat in a corner.
If a band played, students could hit the dance floor.
Though on campus, graduates could return by paying dues.
It doubled as a semi-permanent alumni network.
Its private nature required a member’s invitation, with the inviter vouching for the newcomer’s character.
Misbehaving members risked expulsion, and their guarantors faced penalties.
Isabel was intrigued by the club but lacked an inviter and feared entering such a closed social space.
She knew she’d be the center of attention, potentially making others tense and resentful.
Aiwas didn’t need a “trust task” to join—several classmates had already invited him.
In his memory, a minister’s secret was tied to the club, where judges, inspectors, overseers, and civil servants—not military—frequented.
So…
Aiwas narrowed his eyes.
He’d accept Aiden’s invite and bring Isabel along.
He hadn’t forgotten his goal: to build Isabel’s confidence and help her make friends.
This was a perfect chance.
“I’m guessing that fun place is the White Slipper Club, right?” Aiwas said softly.
“Several classmates invited me already—it must be interesting…”
Isabel’s eyes sparkled, looking at him hopefully.
If Aiwas joined, he could invite her too!
But she didn’t realize Aiwas’s style was more direct.
“I’m free this afternoon. After class, I’ll go with you.”
He glanced at Isabel, then back.
“But… mind if I bring two more people?”
(Chapter End)