The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter

I got the skill so I was ready to dance. Thought it seemed my turn won’t come any time soon. There were generally two kinds of dances at noble parties. First, was where anyone could dance regardless of class. The second was where people took turns on the dance floor with the ones belonging to the highest class of nobles going first then gradually going down the ranks. Right now, it was the latter.

Musicians played music then a couple moved to the center of the room and started dancing. The man was of the highest class of nobles: the marquis. Though in his fifties, the man danced the waltz with his beautiful wife skillfully.

Proper etiquette dictated that when someone of higher class than you danced, you were supposed to watch them and not touch your food. However, talking quietly with someone beside you was allowed. In fact, a man about twenty years old was talking to Emma.

「It’s me, Mike, second son of the Kentoll family. You’ve gotten more beautiful, Emma Brightness-san.」

「It has been a while. You’re still a smooth-talker, Mike-sama.」

Emma has been in these formal occasions since she was young and it showed. She was used to interacting with nobles and was a lot better at it than me. Usually she was blunt, but times like this, her manner of speaking and her gestures were refined.

I felt just a bit jealous because it was a side that she didn’t show much to me. But this was not the real Emma… I think. I really don’t know.

「Emma-san, can you reconsider my courtship with you? I’ve grown a lot in different ways since then. I’m confident I won’t lose to other nobles who court you.」

Now this I’ve witnessed a lot. Boys would always ask her out in Hero School.

「Well, uhm, like I told you before…」

「Do you already have someone you like?」

「Yes, something like that. Ohohoho~」

She tried to dodge the question with a laugh she clearly wasn’t accustomed to. The man sighed and finally noticed me. Well, that took long enough! If I were a monster, I would’ve devoured you already.

「Is he your brother?」

「No, he’s my childhood friend. He’s the third son of the famous Stalgia family.」

Sorry, Emma. I know you’re just trying to make me look good, but the Stalgia family isn’t exactly famous. Infamous would be a bit more appropriate, honestly.

「I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Mike Kentoll from a viscount family. I just turned nineteen.」

「I’m Noir Stalgia, from a quasi-baron family. Sixteen years old.」

「A quasi-baron. No wonder I never heard of the Stalgia family.」

I shot him a cursory glance and I could see the triumphant look on his face. Not that it was anything new. After knowing of my lower rank, he changed his tone to a more coercive one.

「What’s your relationship with Emma-san?」

「Like she said, I’m her childhood friend.」

「So you’re not lovers. Then can I ask her to be my dance partner?」

「Yes, you can ask her, technically. You’re free to do so.」 I said with a hint of sarcasm.

He immediately asked Emma but got kindly rejected. I was to be her dance partner after all. But the man was persistent and wouldn’t back down.

「How about this, Emma-san? When it’s the viscounts’ turn, you dance with me. Then you dance with Nora-san when it’s the quasi-baron’s turn.」

「It’s Noir, Mige-san.」

「Ah, I apologize. Also, my name is Mike. I hope we get more acquainted. You won’t run away from a challenge, would you, Noir-san?」

Even though I tended to avoid pointless disputes, I couldn’t back down this time. Not when he was asking for it.

「I don’t mind. Since this a contest, there will be a loser and winner, correct?」

「That’s right. It’s a contest to see which one of us can better lead Emma-san in a dance. We decide the winner by the applause and the reaction of the crowd after the music is over.」

「Very well. I accept.」

「A-Are you sure about this, Noir? You’re not good at dancing.」

Mike-san wore a smug expression while glancing at Emma who couldn’t hide her worry.

「Oh, dear. That’s information I shouldn’t be privy about.」

「It’s quite okay. There’s no problem at all.」

「Noir…」

It’s okay, Emma. Sure, skill wasn’t everything. Even with the【Dancing】skill I just learned, I might not please everybody. But I’m not losing to this Mike guy.

After the marquis finished dancing, a roar of applause rang through the entire hall for a moment. Next was the host, the Counts’ turn to dance and the place erupted in cheers. It was finally the viscounts’ turn and a number of couples moved to the dance floor. Among them were Emma and Mike.

The music played and everyone started dancing. It was waltz. There were a lot of them but I could follow the two of them with my eyes. While she wore a not-so-revealing dress, Emma still looked sexy and most of all, she was beautiful than the rest.

Mike was a really good dancer. I wouldn’t have had a chance had I not learned the skill I needed. He looked like he had ample experience as he managed to lead her almost perfectly. There was a round of applause as soon as the music was over, mainly for the two of them. Emma came back to her seat, a little bit short of breath, sweat on her forehead.

「Let’s do our best next.」

「Yeah. I’ll make sure I win.」

「I hope you do well, Noir-san of the Stalgia family.」

I didn’t respond to my competition. Emma and I moved near the center of the hall to prepare ourselves.

「I’m all warmed up so I can go all out now.」

「I’m gonna win for sure.」

I was getting fired up, but Emma tapped my shoulders to calm me down.

「You’re too tense, Noir. The contest is important of course, but we should also enjoy ourselves. This is our chance to dance together.」

「I know, but…」

「I came to this party so I could dance with you. Stop looking at Mike-san. You have Emma in front of you, Noir-dono.」

Upon seeing Emma’s lovely smile up close, I could feel the vigor leaving my body in a good way. I was finally calm and relaxed. I realized that the most important thing was to enjoy the moment.

「It’s okay if you’re not good. It’s okay if you fall over. Let’s just dance together!」

「You’re right. Thanks. It’s time to get down.」

And then the music played, as if the musicians read our minds. I straightened myself, took Emma’s hand, and began dancing the waltz. I knew how to do the waltz, albeit poorly, but with my recently-acquired skill, my steps tonight were light. Emma was surprised as she watched me moved.

「Y-You’re good. Even better than me. How?」

「I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but I actually acquired a dancing skill. You don’t have to worry about me holding you back, so dance to your heart’s content.」

「Okay! Let’s have some fun! 」

They say that the flow of time is constant, but that is not how the body perceives it. During rough times, it feels like every minute, every second is longer than usual. Inversely, when you’re having fun, you could easily forget the time. We spun, our backs arched, and our arms extended. With perfectly matched steps, we danced and shared the same moment. The entire hall turned into our very own world.

We finished at the exact same moment the music stopped. Then a roar of applause and cheers echoed throughout the hall, the loudest so far this evening. Even the people on the dance floor applauded. Her hands still on mine, we raised them both, and bowed deeply.

「It was really fun dancing with you.」

「Same here. I hated dancing before, but I’m starting to like it now.」

「Let’s do it again some other time.」

I’ve completely forgotten about the contest. I only remembered after seeing Mike-san near our table, disappointed.

「I lose. I don’t think I can win against you. I wish you both happiness.」

He quickly gave up. Or maybe he didn’t want to be persistent and be seen as a sore loser. Well, it was better for me this way anyway.

「That was amazing! When did you get so good at dancing, Noir-kun?」

「Yes, it was fantastic. You used to fall over a lot before.」

Ladan-san and Romy-san recalled the past me and was surprised at how I changed.

「I’d like to be cool and say “People grow and improve.”」

「I like that, Noir-kun. That kind of mindset is important in life.」

Ladan-san wanted to dance with me next, but I was silent. The thought of dancing with a guy, an old— no, a senior at that, bodies close and holding hands, didn’t sit well with me. I tried to change the subject.

「By the way, Ladan-san. Please tell me about the Phantom.」

「Ah, right. That.」

His cheerful expression quickly changed to that of gloom. His next words would shock me.

「The Phantom is not only after the Mermaid’s Tear tonight. A few days ago, we received a notice from him saying he will… steal Emma.」

「Steal Emma? That’s ridiculous.」

I inadvertently took a step back from astonishment, and then it happened.

「Kyaa! What’s going on?!」

A lady was flustered. Completely understandable. After all, the lights suddenly went out. Anyone would panic if they were cast from a bright and colourful place to one of complete darkness. Amidst the heightening confusion, a young man’s voice rang from the ceiling and echoed through the entire hall.

「Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for waiting. It’s me, Phantom the thief. As per my notice, tonight, I’ve come to steal.」