The Pursuit of Beauty

Previous Event (Tricks and Temptation) | Next Event (Love's Magical Allure)

**The Pursuit of Beauty** was the 16th story event in Court of Darkness. It started around October 26, 2021. Lynt, Roy, and Fenn were available at the start of the event. Guy, Rio, and Toa were added around October 31, 2021. This was the sixth event to feature two endings. The normal ending could be unlocked with crowns; upon completion, players received the event path prize for that consort. Players could alternatively unlock the the premium ending with gems. The premium ending would grant players a CG and the event path prize for that consort upon completion.

## Routes

### Roy Invidia

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Roy's in the rooftop garden with MC and he's helping her practice her magic. Once she successfully levitates a feather, Roy offers to make some tea for them. MC accepts and tells him how much she likes the garden. Roy says he likes it too.

Later, MC is in a lecture hall with Rio after class. There are locked boxes in front of them, and they are trying to open them with magic. MC opens hers shortly after Rio and they two are very excited for each other. Rio congratulates her with a hug and a hair ruffle.

After that, MC is in the kitchen making a snack for herself. Knight walks in and they start talking about the cookies she's making. Knight thinks Toa might like them, so she offers to teach him how to make them. MC also offers to let him try some when they come out of the oven. They clean up the kitchen while they wait for the cookies to be done. As they do the dishes, their hands touch.

Some time later, MC is at the training ground with Roy. He's testing to see if she can flip a coin in the air with magic. He asks her to try the same thing with a second coin. When she goes to take it from him, she kinda holds his hand. She lets go when Rio and Knight show up asking if they can use some of the arena to practice their fencing. MC and Roy say yes, but MC is secretly disappointed to not be alone with Roy anymore. Grayson comes by needing Roy for something. While MC waits for Roy to return, she referees Rio and Knight's sparing. As Roy returns, MC loses her balance and is caught by Rio. He pulls her forward harder than he needed to by accident and they two accidently kiss. MC looks over to Roy, but he smiles at her as if he isn't bothered. MC tells Rio and Knight that she wouldn't minding timing their sparing matches other times, and they worry this would be an inconvenience for her. Rio suggests they also practice magic together. MC and Knight think it's a good idea and Roy offers to teach them. When they ask if he's sure, Roy says it'll help me him a better professor. Roy then whispers to MC that they should continue their private lesson later.

That night, MC meets Roy on the rooftop garden. She's glad to see Grayson there since accidentally kissing Rio made her feel awkward around Roy. However, Grayson leaves after pouring the tea. Roy asks if she had business with Grayson. She says no and they start with the lesson. Roy uses magic to tie a ribbon around a flower and instructs her to untie the knot with magic. After she manages the task, Roy lightly touches her lips and lets his hand slide down her face and neck. He says if she's going to give herself to someone, he wishes it would be him. MC is surprised and welcoming of his behavior, but Roy pulls away saying he was joking. He suggests ending the lesson there.

The next day, Roy is teaching MC, Rio, and Knight magic at the arena. They work for a while, but after their hands brush a few time, Rio confesses his love for MC. This prompts Knight to also tell MC that he's in love with her. MC asks Rio if he might be mistaken, but he doubles down. Not to be outdone, Knight also clarifies that his feelings are genuine. MC looks over to Roy, who is smiling at them.

MC's lectures end early, which gives her time to mope in bed. She thinks of how kind Rio and Knight have been. When the refactor was crowded, Rio let MC take the only available seat and gave her a doughnut. Knight saw her struggling to carry a bunch of books for a professor and helped her carry them. MC likes them both, just not romantically. Then there's a knock at the door. Roy's wearing some casual clothes and asks MC to go somewhere with him.

She agrees and Roy takes her to the docks to look at the stars. They're especially pretty from there because there's some magic happening. Roy notes that he doesn't want to lose her to Rio or Knight. When MC asks Roy to clarify, he drops the subject and takes her back to the academy.

He gets her as far as the dorm's foyer before asking if she'd be okay the rest of the way. Roy tells her there's something he has to do. MC says yes and they part ways. MC thinks to herself that if she want to know how Roy feels, she should probably tell him that she loves him. So, she goes in the direction she saw Roy go. MC sees Roy, but ducks into a bush when she sees he's talking to Guy. From their conversation, it sounds like Roy only got close to her so he could gauge her magic progress and monitor her power for Guy, who wants to know if she'd be useful to him. MC's hurt thinking everything Roy did was due to an ulterior motive rather than a genuine desire to help her or affection. As she leaves, she steps on a tree causing her to be noticed by Guy and Roy. MC asks if Roy meant what he said. He fails to answer, so MC storms off.

She returns to her room and cries. Her cat comforts her.

The next day at lunch, MC sits with Rio, Thoma, Sherry, and Knight. They're concerned she hasn't eaten much. When Roy shows up and asks if he can join then, MC makes up an excuse to leave. She goes to the rooftop garden and wonders if everything was a lie. However, she can't stop feeling the way she does about Roy and leaves. Roy shows up sometime after thinking about her.

MC passes by the A, B, and C rank lounge and Rio calls out to her. He asks about what happened earlier. Knight also notes that she was acting weirdly. They accurately guess the reason is she loves Roy. MC says she loves them as friends, but doesn't have romantic feelings toward them. Rio and Knight are fine with that; they just want her to be happy. To that end, they come up with an idea to help MC win Roy.

While Roy is out on an errand, a Hawke delivers a message for him saying Rio and Knight are fighting to win MC.

Roy rushes back to the academy to see Rio and Knight staging a fight. MC is watching from the stands. When trying to break up the fight doesn't work, Roy asks to be part of the brawl. He has feelings for her as well. Rio and Knight put down their swords and congratulate MC, leaving Roy confused.

MC and Roy go to his room. Roy flops on the bed feeling a little embarrassed they staged the whole thing to trick him into confessing how he feels about MC, but notes it's his own fault. He repeats that he loves her. He adds that initially he was just monitoring her for Guy, but that eventually became an excuse he used to justify spending so much time with her. MC is so happy she tackle-hugs Roy and ends up half straddling him. She gets a bit embarrassed, but Roy doesn't mind. He tells her he'll never let her go and asks that she never let go of him.

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### Guy Avari

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As Guy uses magic to sign documents, MC sorts them into several piles. She signed a contract with him. In exchanging for assisting him he would teach her magic. However, he hasn't taught her anything. He doesn't think there's a point. MC's given a pile of paperwork to deliver to the other princes. When she notes how heavy it is, Guy uses magic to levitate them. He asks if she's capable of something like that. She tells him she isn't and he cancels out the spell. MC grumbles a bit as she leaves and Jasper teases Guy over helping her.

As MC heads to Lynt's room, Grayson takes the documents from her saying it's too much for her to carry. MC insists that it's fine. Grayson asks where she's going. When she answer, Grayson says he's going the same way and carries the documents for her. They successfully deliver the paperwork to Tino. Grayson tells MC if she ever needs help to let him know. MC thinks to herself that she's glad to have gotten to know Grayson. When they part ways, MC bumps into Fenn. He asks her to go on a date with him, but she declines. He then reminds her if she's ready for the upcoming practical exam. MC internally panics a bit; everyone's under the impression that Guy's been helping her with her magic, but he hasn't.

She goes back to Guy's room and asks again for him to teach her magic. She specifically wants to learn how to levitate a piece of paper. Guy tells her he'll give her an hour. He puts a book on the table and tells her to open it. MC wants to try her hardest because she knows the lesson will end after an hour whether she's completed the task or not.

The next day, MC's in Guy's room. He's about to go to Avari for important business. Jasper laments that he'll be unable to pick up some Luxurean fruit he ordered and fears it'll spoil if he doesn't retrieve it soon. MC offers to pick it up, but Guy says no. He tells her she should use the time to study her magic instead. When she says she has time for both, Guy tells her to clean his room rather than go to town. He pauses for a while halfway though his sentence causing MC and Jasper to look at him strangely. MC decides to pick up the fruit after he leaves.

While walking out of the shop, fruit in hand, Grayson spots MC and calls out to her. He tells her he was running errands for Roy. Since they're both done, they decide to walk back to the academy together. MC notices a commotion and Grayon explains there's a festival happening. He asks if she would like to take a look around. MC asks if she'll still make it back in time for her evening lectures. She says yes, so Grayson takes her hand and leads her through the crowd. He helps her avoid getting run into by some big dude. The closeness flusters both of them, and Grayson lets go of her hand. She soon loses him in the crowd, but spots Fenn.

As Guy and Jasper are traveling via a flying carriage, Guy wonders if he should've used a tracking spell on MC. He's 100% sure she went to go pick up the fruit. Jasper's glad Guy cares about someone enough to think about putting a tracking spell on them, and expresses this by teasing his master. He also notes that Guy signed the contract with MC to keep other countries from trying to influence her. Guy ignores him and looks out the window.

Fenn suggests they go on their date, and MC's a little surprised; she didn't think Fenn was being serious the other day. He's very close to her and she feels flustered. Fenn suggests they walk back to the academy together. MC tells him she's there with Grayson; she's worried if she goes far from where they were separated, he wouldn't be able to find her. Fenn's surprised Grayson didn't keep a closer eye on her; if there was ever a time to hold her hand, this was it. He notices how red her face is and says there's more he could do, and she doesn't doubt it. He also tells her if there's anything she wants to try, she can practice on him. MC is suddenly pulled away by Grayson. He angrily tells Fenn that he's jokes go too far. Grayson then walks MC back to the academy, not letting go of her hand this time.

Fenn intercepts Guy on his way to his room. Guy doesn't seem to want to deal with Fenn and isn't surprised when Fenn says he ran into MC in town. Fenn doesn't get the reaction he wants until he mentioned it seemed she was on a date with Grayson. Guy says he hasn't restricted her movements and goes inside his room. Alone in the hallway, Fenn muses that "if that's the case..."

MC's waiting for Guy in his room when he returns with Jasper. He asks what she did while he was gone. She says she cleaned the room and after some prodding from Guy admits she picked up the fruit. Guy says he knows she was with Grayson, and she shouldn't be causing trouble for other countries. He brings up the contract. MC gets mad since he hasn't been keeping his end of bargain. She tells him he only wants her for power; she'll uphold her end of the contract, but that doesn't give him the right to tell her who she can and can't have relationships with. She storms out of his room before he can respond.

MC heads to her room. Despite how angry she is at feeling that her feelings for Guy are one-sided, she can't hate him. Grayson walks out of Sherry's room and notices MC crying. She tries to deny it as they hear students approaching, so Grayson ushers her into her room. Once inside, Grayson asks her what's wrong. When she explains, he summarizes that she was upset because she had spoken to Guy with her heart and he hadn't done the same. Realizing she's in love with Guy, Grayson excuses himself and leaves.

Later, MC passes her test. Fenn notes that it must've been her effort from the extra lessons from Guy. MC says he didn't actually teach her anything. Fenn points out that being able to see him do magic helped her visualize; she wouldn't have been able to complete the task had it not been for that.

Outside, Grayson takes a break from his sword training to approach Guy, who's passing though. As MC and Fenn arrive, Grayson asks Guy to have a proper talk with MC about the feelings she conveyed to him. Things are tense between the two of them, so Fenn gets in the middle to play peacemaker. He asks Grayson if he's sure he wants to give up so easily. He is, and Fenn's impressed. Fenn offers to spend the rest of the day with him as Fenn leads him away.

Some time later, MC is in Guy's room. Jasper tells her that Guy's sleeping. Jasper asks that she wake Guy up while he makes coffee. MC isn't sure, but Jasper insists that Guy would be mad if he slept any later and she could wake him up with a kiss. MC goes to where Guy's bed is and tries to call out to him. At doesn't seem to work at first. While MC's wondering what to do next, Guy mumbles something, clearly awake and wanting that wake-up kiss Jasper was teasing her about. He sits up and pulls her in his lap. Guy tells her he wouldn't have kept her by his side just for her power, and now feels weird when she isn't around. He kisses her. Noticing how shy that made her, he notes that teaching her would be fun after all.

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### Toa Qelsum

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MC is taking a lecture in one room while Toa teaches a more advanced topic in another. The two bump into each other when their lectures end. MC's feeling a little dejected because she wasn't able to complete the assignment in her class (freezing water). When Toa asks how well she understands the material, she tells him she thinks she gets it well enough. Toa offers to give her a remedial lesson if she has time. Since MC is done with her lectures for the day, she accepts.

After watching her for a while, Toa tells her she needs to not only visualize the water forming ice crystals, but also the drop in temperature and it's texture. They take a break and Toa gives her a piece of candy. He tells her he won't be able teach or spend time with her after class for a while because the S Rank exams are coming up. When he asks for a favor, she asks if he wants her to be his assistant. Toa's surprised she knew, but she explained that she had already agreed to be Roy's assistant. MC's a bit disappointed now; Toa's done so much to help her, she wants to return the favor. However, he's emotionless as he tells her it's a good opportunity to see high level magic first hand and she should pay close attention. The break ends and he offers her another piece of candy if she wants to continue practicing, which she does.

Later, Roy's telling MC about the exam. The purpose of the exam is to have the S ranks create an object using potions and thaumaturgic contrivance, and they need an assistant because they need to demonstrate that they can mobilize others from a Kingcrafting perspective. He tells her he can make whatever he wants and has an idea. However, they'll need something from the greenhouse.

Another day, while Roy's on his way to the green house with MC, they come across Lynt sleeping on a settee in the hallway. Lynt asks MC to be his partner for the exam too. She doesn't think she'll be able to help two people at the same time, but is unable to tell Lynt "no." Lynt's persistent until Toa arrives. Toa asks why MC's just hanging around in the hallway and Roy explains things. Lynt goes with MC and Roy. Roy shows MC the plant. It's normally hard to find and mostly transparent. He and Lynt start discussing how Roy could process it. MC's confused by what they're talking about, but tries to follow along anyway.

While at the library the next day, MC's looking for a book on the plant. She wants to learn as much as she can about it. Toa arrives and passes her a piece of candy. Lynt, who's also there asks why she's trying so hard (since it's not her exam) and if she's in love with Toa. She doesn't know how to respond since Toa is standing right there. Lynt tells MC he's in love with her and then asks Toa if he feels the same way. Toa says this is a bother and leaves. MC then feels sad because she thinks her feelings are one-sided.

Right before the exam, Roy goes to get MC. However, they take a detour. He asks her if there's something bothering her. She hesitates and Roy insists that he wants to help. He tells her he's in love with her and asks if she's in love with Toa. MC's a little embarrassed and doesn't know how to respond. Roy admits he thought she might start to like him instead if he was proactive before she realized how she felt about Toa.

Meanwhile, the other princes have gathered for their exam. Lou asks Toa to find Roy and MC. Toa asks he must be the one, and Lou says he doesn't want to leave the task to someone else. Fenn teases Toa saying he should hurry or he'll have regrets.

Toa finds Roy and MC as Roy's lamenting how much he loves her. Misunderstanding what's happening, Toa asks MC if her affection is reserved for Roy. MC doesn't know how to respond, but Toa figures things out for himself. Toa asks Roy to tell Lou he'll be taking the exam another day before asking MC to go somewhere with him.

Toa takes MC back to his room. He asks if MC will listen to what he has to say and she agrees. Toa explains that he's been learning about and witnessing negotiations his whole life. His interactions with her were following the formula he learned. Offering to help her was a way to get her to like him. When Lynt asked if he loved her, he thought answering was a waste of time because he thought the answer (yes) was clearly obvious to everyone. Toa tells her his calculations were off because he didn't account for the heart/emotions. He moves next to her, pulls her in a hug, and tells her he loves her. He also vows to protect her. MC asks him to pinky promise. After she explains how it works, he agrees. MC's flustered and so happy she thinks she might cry. Not thinking she can say anything serious in the moment, she says if he breaks his promise, he has to eat 1,000 needles. Toa says if he breaks his vow, he'll eat 1,000 blades. He kisses the tip of her pinky and she squeezes his pinky while they're still linked.

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