The ballroom was alive with movement.
Soft orchestral music flowed from a group of musicians at one end, violins and piano blending into a steady rhythm.
It had been over an hour since Jace started working, picking up trays, offering drinks, taking orders, and occasionally cleaning up after guests. It wasn't exactly pleasant work, but it was still work—and it paid well at that.
Though working here wasn't exactly fruitless either. Jace had already spotted multiple Beyonders among the guests. Most of them were well-dressed gentlemen, dressed to the nines in formal suits and uniforms. From what he could tell, they were low-sequence—likely Sequence 9 or 8—and many seemed to belong to the Arbiter pathway, which made sense considering the number of government officials present.
There might have been one or two from different pathways, but nothing too obvious.
As for how he recognized them, that was thanks to his intuition as a Seer. Whenever it stirred, he would casually tap his temple and activate his Spirit Vision, confirming his suspicion without drawing attention. For now, he was simply recording them in his mind. Later, he could perform dream divinations and gather more information.
He didn't have any plans involving them. This was purely for digesting his Seer potion and understanding the Beyonder circles of Cherrywood. And he could feel it—the act of discovering and observing Beyonders was clearly helping with his digestion.
Couples moved gracefully across the polished floor, their steps measured and elegant. Crystal chandeliers hung high above, casting warm golden light that reflected off glasses, jewelry, and silk dresses.
Servants weaved through the crowd in practiced patterns, trays balanced steadily as they avoided collisions without even looking. The scent of wine, perfume, and freshly prepared food lingered in the air, mixing into something distinctly luxurious.
Jace moved through it all quietly, blending into the background.
Observing and recording
As Jace continued handing out drinks, he approached a table occupied by several ladies. He bowed slightly and offered the tray without speaking.
It was then he noticed that one particular lady was staring at him.
Even as she picked up a drink, her gaze remained fixed on him.
When Jace looked at her properly, he realized she was a mature and beautiful woman, with light blue eyes and sharp features, her lips slightly plump and tinted red.
Dressed in a dark gown, she carried herself with a composed elegance that naturally drew attention.
For a brief moment, Jace found himself staring back.
Her eyes held a faint glint—something like recognition…? and amusement.
She raised an eyebrow slightly, as if asking, "What?"
"Ah—"
Jace snapped out of it, realizing he had been staring too long. He quickly regained his composure.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, bowing before turning to leave.
Behind him, the ladies at the table chuckled quietly, clearly amused by his reaction. One of them muttered just loud enough—
"He seemed quite taken, Madam Webbers."
"Webbers…" Jace repeated under his breath as he continued working.
A few moments later, while carrying another tray, Jace subtly glanced in Catherine's direction again and tapped his temple, activating his Spirit Vision.
Her emotions carried the color of deep thought. Her body, however, was what caught his attention—it was in excellent condition, far stronger than what should be normal for someone her age.
Jace didn't show it on his face, but he was surprised.
She was a Beyonder.
His intuition told him she was at least Sequence 7, if not higher. He decided he would perform a proper divination later to confirm.
---
Catherine sat among the group of women, a glass of wine resting in her hand as they spoke about trivial matters. She listened half-heartedly, her attention drifting across the hall.
She had come here for a reason, yet now that she was here, she found herself questioning it.
What exactly am I doing…
She rarely attended such gatherings anymore. Most of the people here bored her, and their conversations even more so. Yet today, she waited—for someone she had never seen.
Jace Liebert.
Natalie's description surfaced in her mind—young, innocent, and a Beyonder. More importantly, someone who knew about the Acting Method.
That alone made him worth meeting.
When he approached the table earlier, she had recognized him instantly—not by face, but by her own spiritual intuition.
There was something about him that didn't align with ordinary people.
And when he looked at her, that brief pause… that moment of losing composure— She noticed.
He was attracted to her. Catherine was flattered, she took find his looks quite agreeable
Later, when he passed by again, her attention sharpened.
To others, it was just a glance.
But Catherine saw it clearly—he had activated his Spirit Vision.
Seer pathway
A faint smile formed on her lips.
Perhaps coming here wasn't such a bad decision after all.
---
Nathan stood near the service table, handing out trays of freshly poured drinks to the waiters moving in and out of the hall. The pace had picked up as more guests arrived, and the kitchen staff were rushing to keep up.
He had just handed a tray to Jace.
Nathan had known Jace for years now.
And lately… something had changed.
Jace wasn't the same quiet, reserved guy anymore. Even now, as he moved through the crowd, observing people, pausing just a fraction longer than necessary, as if he was trying to figure something out.
Like he was looking for something no one else could see.
Nathan leaned slightly against the table, watching him for a moment.
Before, Jace barely spoke unless spoken to. He kept to himself, did his work, and left. But now, there was a certain intent behind his actions—something subtle, but noticeable if you paid attention.
Nathan let out a quiet breath and shook his head with a faint smile.
"Looks like he finally got curious about the world…"
Then, grabbing another tray, he pushed himself off the table and got back to work.