Time flew by, and it was already the third day of the school festival.
"Sorry, did you wait long?"
At the entrance of Queenvail Girls' Academy, Sylvia hurried over.
"No, I just got here myself."
Roy shook his head.
"That's good."
Sylvia let out a sigh of relief, checked her disguise to make sure it was intact, and then flashed a cheerful smile at Roy.
"Let's finish touring the remaining two schools today. We still have Seidoukan and Queenvail left. Since we're already here, why not visit Queenvail this morning? I bet you're curious about what an all-girls' paradise looks like, right?"
Sylvia gave him a look that said, "I know exactly what you boys are thinking."
"No, I'm not particularly interested in that."
Roy immediately denied it.
He had already seen enough of that in his daily life.
"Is that so?"
Sylvia blinked, giving him a strange look.
A boy who wasn't interested in Queenvail? That was practically unheard of in Asterisk... Could it be that his preferences were... different?
"Besides, I have an event to attend in the afternoon."
Roy had no idea Sylvia was entertaining such rude thoughts.
"That event is being held at Sirius Dome, so I'll need to head over right after lunch. We only have the morning free today, so let's just go to Seidoukan."
"Well, if that's the case..."
Sylvia nodded in understanding.
"Then let's get going. Seidoukan is the only school among the six that prides itself on being elite. I'm sure it won't disappoint you."
Sylvia stepped forward with a bright smile and suddenly looped her arm through his.
"Sylvia?"
Roy looked at her in surprise.
After two days of touring the festival together, their relationship had grown closer, but he thought they had only progressed from strangers to friends. This sudden intimacy caught him completely off guard.
"Someone's following me. Don't say anything—let's just get away from the school first."
Sylvia lowered her voice, as if she didn't want the person behind them to notice.
Roy's mind raced. He instinctively wanted to glance back but stopped himself—that would only make them more suspicious. Instead, he played along with Sylvia's act, pretending to be an affectionate couple while using his body to shield her petite frame as they slowly moved away from the school entrance.
"Seems like we lost them?"
Roy had been maintaining his Perception the whole time and sensed no one following them.
"Yeah, we shook them off right after leaving the school!"
Sylvia also looked relieved.
"Do you know who was following you?"
"Mm, I do. They're my adorable juniors—a few very lively girls. Though sometimes, they're not the brightest."
Sylvia gave a sympathetic look, as if pitying those poor, misguided juniors of hers.
Roy didn't quite understand, but since it wasn't his business, he didn't press further.
"Hehe, just to be safe, let's stay like this for now!"
Sylvia glanced at their linked arms and let out a mischievous chuckle, like a cat that had gotten the cream. Then, with a serious expression, she unilaterally made the decision and pulled Roy forward.
Roy gave her an unexpected glance, surprised by her boldness.
If the disguise earring were to fall off now, there would be no way to explain it away.
Moreover.
'This scene absolutely cannot be seen by Claudia.'
Roy silently raised his internal alarm, expanding the limits of his perception.
Saint Galahadworth was the only elite academy among the six major institutions, primarily because its students hailed from noble families—many of them heirs destined to inherit their family's legacy.
As a result, the academy's aesthetic was the most refined. Its pristine buildings resembled a clear blue sky, immaculate and filled with soothing whites. Every structure exuded classical European charm, with castle-like towers a common sight. The crisp chime of bells transported one to medieval Europe.
"Even the cafeteria is arranged like a five-star hotel."
Around noon, the two of them, having explored enough, arrived at the academy's cafeteria for lunch. To their surprise, even the dining hall was serene and elegant, with waiters in tailcoats serving meals—luxury taken to the extreme.
"Not even Queenvail is this extravagant!"
Sylvia scanned the hall, voicing her astonishment.
"Who can get full on this little meat?"
Roy, meanwhile, eyed the spread of dishes covering the entire table. Lunch was Sylvia's treat—as a world-renowned songstress, money was merely a number to her. Yet despite the dishes' exquisite presentation, each plate held barely two bites.
"I still prefer Jie Long's cafeteria yesterday."
Jie Long's servings were not only generous but also packed with meat.
Martial artists need plenty of meat to replenish their energy.
"Are the two of you dissatisfied with our Saint Galahadworth's dining hall?"
At that moment, a blond young man entered the restaurant.
After surveying the hall, he strode purposefully to their table. Hearing Roy's complaint, he showed no irritation but instead politely inquired, "In that case, shall I have the kitchen prepare dishes more suited to your tastes?"
"No need to go to such trouble."
Roy's expression stiffened slightly at the young man's arrival.
"We're just here for the experience. Making a fuss would be unnecessary."
They were in disguise, after all. Drawing attention would only complicate things.
Sylvia looked at the young man, surprise flickering across her face.
"Isn't this President Ernest? What brings you to attend to mere visitors like us?"
"Heh, aren't you also a student council president, Miss Songstress? I hadn't expected you to have time to tour our academy. Hosting such an esteemed guest truly honors us."
The blond youth, Ernest, gave Sylvia a slight bow, his flawless smile exuding courtesy and refinement. His demeanor was so gracefully amiable that it put others at ease without any overbearing presence—genuinely like a breath of fresh air.
"And this must be last year's Festa champion, Sir Roy. This is our first proper meeting. I am Ernest Fairclough, currently the student council president of Saint Galahadworth—and the wielder of this Coloured Magic Sword."
Ernest placed his hand on the scabbard at his waist, which contained his personal weapon—the Orga Lux known as the purest among Orga Luxes, one of the Four Colored Magic Swords, Lei-Glems.
He looked at Roy, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
***
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