Chapter 67
“That’s how it happened.”
“…”
After listening to my concise explanation, which only covered the core details, Cynthia was left speechless.
Her reaction, now that her curiosity had been satisfied, was a complete 180 from when she first approached me.
“So… You’re working together with the Prisis family, with Lady Yuria Prisis?”
“…That’s right.”
Cynthia awkwardly repeated my words, confirming them. It made sense.
The scale of it was much larger than she had anticipated.
It wasn’t just that the Six Great Houses were involved—there was also the Vice Principal of Crescent Academy.
For a first-year student, this wasn’t something they could nod along to without a second thought.
“Um… wow.”
“What?”
“I just… didn’t realize it was this big.”
Cynthia struggled to complete her thoughts, her hesitation apparent. This was why I didn’t want to be found out by the other students. It was obvious their attitude toward me would change.
“Nothing changes, you know. Just… keep treating me the same.”
“I see…”
“Seriously, just act as you always have.”
“Um, okay.”
“But don’t let anyone else find out.”
Of course, many people had already found out. At least Elaine and Emily shouldn’t find out.
“So, no one else among the students knows…?”
“No. Among the students, it’s just you.”
“I see.”
Cynthia nodded cautiously at my words.
“No wonder… you’re so strong for a student.”
I pretended not to hear Cynthia muttering to herself.
“Anyway, just keep acting like you don’t know. Let’s keep this between the two of us.”
“…Okay.”
I couldn’t help but worry about Cynthia’s reaction, but what else could I do?
“Wow… this is amazing.”
Cynthia continued to mutter to herself. It was concerning, considering we’d have to face the other students together tomorrow.
***
“This year, our class has decided not to participate in anything for the festival.”
Professor Amilion spoke in a rather serious tone. It was oddly amusing how strict she sounded about doing absolutely nothing, but her voice was filled with genuine resolve.
“Normally, the S-Classes in each grade participate in the Festival through the Academic Tournament, but since this year’s tournament ended early…”
So that’s how it is.
The festival was just around the corner. There hadn’t been much progress so far. The hostage still hadn’t confessed, and the Vice Principal remained inactive. The only progress we made was sharing our plans with Professor Amilion.
“So, this year, the S-Class will simply enjoy the festival. Though, with everything that’s been happening, it might not be as relaxing as usual.”
Professor Amilion said this while glancing at the empty seat in the back of the classroom. Kane Hover, still unconscious, had ultimately left the Academy—not permanently, but for treatment.
It was unlikely he’d return, even if he recovered. His body was too damaged to handle mana again.
Knowing what had happened to Kane, it would be hard for the students to fully enjoy the festival, just as the professor had said.
Glancing to my side, I noticed Cynthia staring at me. The moment our eyes met, she flinched and quickly looked away.
Sigh. She keeps doing that.
Ever since Cynthia accidentally discovered my identity, she had been overly conscious of me. Strangely enough, she was fine the day after finding out, but her behavior grew odder with each passing day.
“The other classes will be hosting unique booths, so make sure to visit them.”
“Yes.”
“And as for the party on the second day…”
Professor Amilion’s gaze landed on me as she mentioned the party. First Cynthia, and now Professor Amilion—why are they so obvious?
“The S-Class is required to attend unless there are exceptional circumstances. Some graduates may also join the party. Oh, and this is just for your information…”
Professor Amilion paused briefly, scanning the room.
“Lady Yuria Prisis from the Six Great Houses will be attending the graduate lecture and the party.”
“What…?”
The person most visibly shocked by this announcement was an unexpected one. Emily, who was usually quiet, gasped in surprise, prompting the entire classroom to turn their attention to her. Normally, Emily would shrink back under the weight of their stares, but today was different.
“Lady Yuria Prisis?”
“…Yes. Lady Yuria Prisis has agreed to attend.”
“Gasp…”
Emily’s eyes widened in disbelief at Professor Amilion’s confirmation.
“What’s the matter, Emily?”
“N-Nothing!”
“…Hmm.”
It was only then that Emily seemed to realize all eyes were on her, and she bowed her head, ceasing her questions.
“Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the festival.”
With those final words, Professor Amilion checked the time and left the classroom.
“L-Lady Yuria Prisis…!”
As soon as Professor Amilion exited, Cynthia awkwardly spoke to me, her tone unmistakably strained.
Sigh.
I told her not to make it obvious, but she’s making it so obvious.
“I’ve heard of Lady Yuria Prisis as well. They say she’s never missed being top in both entrance and graduation.”
“Really? She must be amazing.”
That sounded like something Yuria might have mentioned herself at some point. Meanwhile, Emily, who was visibly shocked when Yuria’s attendance was announced, was still sitting there in a daze.
“Emily, do you know Yuria Prisis?”
“Uh, what?”
“You seemed so surprised—do you know her?”
“…”
Emily hesitated to answer my question. Well, it didn’t matter. If she didn’t tell me, I could always ask Yuria later. Now that I think about it, Yuria did mention once that she knew a student at the Academy. Could it be Emily?
“Anyway, looks like attendance at the party is mandatory for the S-Class. Sigh.”
It was Elaine who broke the awkward silence. She didn’t seem particularly thrilled about Professor Amilion’s announcement that the party was a required event.
“A party, huh.”
“You don’t seem like someone accustomed to social gatherings like this, Mr. Ryu.”
Cough.
Elaine sounded genuinely concerned, and Cynthia suddenly coughed from the side. I felt an odd pang of guilt.
“Well, I don’t know much about those kinds of parties.”
“I don’t particularly enjoy parties like this either, but it looks like we’ll have to go this time—”
“They said you could skip if you have a special reason!”
Cynthia abruptly cut in between me and Elaine. She was staring at me with an intense, strange expression.
“Right?”
“Ryu, couldn’t you just talk to Professor Amilion and get excused?”
“…”
I explicitly told her not to make it obvious, but everything she does is the opposite of subtle. Then again, I hadn’t told Cynthia about the potential incident during the festival.
She probably thought she was doing me a favor—something like, ‘Don’t waste time at the party, focus on your secret mission.’
“No, I don’t have any ‘special’ reason. I’m going too.”
“I see!”
“But does the party gather the entire student body in one place?”
“… It varies each year, but usually it’s held in a single building. That way, it’s easier for graduates and students from other years to interact.”
“Hmm. So, if all the students are in one place, the security personnel will be concentrated there as well.”
“Probably… yes?”
Elaine tilted her head, seemingly unsure of the intent behind my question. I shared the same uncertainty.
The second day of the festival, when the student party was scheduled.
It was an obvious setup for security forces to be heavily concentrated in one place, yet the enemy had chosen that day for their plan. Why?
“I need to figure out what they’re planning. This is frustrating.”
If the plan really involved casualties like during the undead incident, it was likely to result in significant harm.
“Anyway, let’s all go together. Emily, you’re coming too, right?”
“Me? Me?”
“Yeah. Let’s go together.”
Emily, still dazed, nodded after I asked her again.
“Alright. It’s safer if we stick together.”
While I could probably convince Professor Amilion to excuse me, I had a specific reason for wanting to attend the party.
I needed to stay in the same space as the other students so that, if anything happened, I could protect them. Hopefully, nothing would happen, but it’s always better to be prepared.
“Alright then, we’re all going together—”
“Um, excuse me!”
“Hmm?”
Just as I was wrapping up plans for the four of us, I heard a nervous voice from behind. It was Agnes and Marie.
“Do you think… we could join you too?”
“Uh…”
Their eyes were filled with desperation. Ever since Kane’s hospitalization, their positions in the class had become a bit ambiguous.
They had always been with Kane, and his absence left them feeling adrift. Instead of answering immediately, I glanced at Elaine, Cynthia, and Emily in turn, silently asking for their opinions.
“Hmm.”
Elaine nodded without hesitation, signaling that it was fine. Cynthia seemed to approve as long as I was okay with it. Emily didn’t seem to have any particular opinion.
“Alright. Sure, let’s go together.”
“Ah…! Thank you!”
Agnes gave me a bright smile of relief and gratitude. I returned an awkward smile.
With only about a week left until the festival—when the incident was supposed to happen—everything seemed to be going smoothly.
“Let’s handle this cleanly.”
Though the ease of progress made me uneasy, for now, everything was falling into place.
—
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