Subaru's brain barely had time to process what he was seeing.
Standing there in the dimly lit hallway, Farfin stood proudly—too proudly—in a frilly maid uniform, a pristine white apron tied neatly over a black dress, complete with lace trim and a little headband to match. His green hair was as slicked back as ever, but somehow, the ridiculousness of his expression made it even worse.
"Good morning, Master!" Farfin greeted cheerfully, hands clasped together as he gave a perfectly executed bow.
Subaru just stared. "What."
Tekka groaned from the bed, still half-asleep. "Ugh, who the hell is screaming this early—" He turned his head, caught sight of Farfin, and immediately shot upright. "What the hell is that?!"
Meanwhile, Renwald, the ever-serene, simply grabbed his blanket and threw it back over his head. "I refuse to acknowledge this reality."
Subaru rubbed his temples. "Farfin. You wanna explain why you're standing outside my dorm dressed like a maid at the crack of dawn?"
Farfin beamed, hands on his hips. "I knew you'd be thrilled, Master! You see, I overheard that you and your friends—troubled second-years—were assigned disciplinary duties. And as a faithful and devoted servant, how could I not lend my assistance?"
Subaru's face twitched. "Lend assistance—how?"
Tekka pointed accusingly. "And why are you in a maid's uniform!?"
Farfin dramatically pressed a hand to his chest. "Ah, but what is a humble servant without the proper attire? This uniform is a symbol of my devotion to our cause!" He twirled once for dramatic effect. "Besides, the academy did have spare uniforms. I merely insisted that I take one to properly fulfill my duty."
Subaru groaned, dragging his hands down his face. "I can't believe this is my life."
Tekka threw up his hands. "Subaru! How do you even know this guy?!"
Subaru sighed, turning toward his friend with a look of pure exhaustion. "Tekka, I regret to inform you that this is my self-proclaimed servant, Farfin. And apparently, I've made some very poor life choices to end up here."
Farfin saluted. "I shall proudly take responsibility for half of those!"
Renwald's muffled voice came from under his blanket. "I hate this school."
Subaru just sighed. The day was already off to a disastrous start.
The worst part about cleaning duty wasn't the cleaning itself. It wasn't even the fact that they had to wake up at an ungodly hour to do it.
No. The worst part? Farfin.
Renwald wiped down the long dining tables with mechanical precision, making sure every surface gleamed. Subaru half-heartedly followed, using his cloth to lazily smear around whatever crumbs remained. Meanwhile, Tekka stood at the far end of the hall, arms crossed as he watched Farfin.
"Oi, what's he doin?" Tekka asked, frowning.
Subaru turned and spotted Farfin standing perfectly still, his gaze locked onto a distant corner.
Subaru sighed. "Let me guess. Eiris?"
Farfin exhaled dramatically, his hands clasped in front of his chest. "Even at this hour, her radiance is blinding."
Renwald didn't even look up from his work. "You're going to get arrested."
Subaru gagged. Tekka gagged. Even Farfin—who had insisted that he was prepared for anything—was looking pale.
The academy's oldest bathroom, located in the eastern wing, was rumored to have housed some dark, unspeakable horrors.
And now, thanks to their punishment, they were cleaning it.
Tekka held up a bucket, peering inside. "...Subaru, is this what the faculty considers cleaning supplies?"
Subaru took a look. The liquid inside bubbled ominously.
"I think we just discovered an alchemical experiment gone wrong."
Farfin, ever the noble idiot, grabbed a mop and twirled it. "Fear not, my comrades! We shall conquer this darkness together!"
The mop touched the floor. The floor hissed.
All three boys took a step back.
"…I think we need more than a mop," Renwald muttered, pinching his nose shut.
Subaru sighed. "I miss my spirits."
"I have to do this," Tekka whispered.
"No, you really don't," Renwald said, not even trying to stop him.
Subaru leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "This is a horrible idea."
Tekka grinned as he delicately placed a thumbtack on Professor Erlon's chair.
Farfin gave a slow clap. "Truly a work of art."
By the time the bell rang for class, the boys were slumped over their desks, completely dead.
Tekka groaned. "That was worse than exams."
Renwald adjusted his uniform with a sigh. "I told you we should've just followed orders in the first place."
Subaru barely lifted his head. "We did. That's the problem."
Just as they started to recover, the door swung open.
Farfin stood in the doorway, still in his maid uniform, striking a glorious pose.
"Farewell, my comrades!" he declared dramatically.
The boys groaned in unison.
"Please never come back," Tekka muttered.
And with that, their long, exhausting morning came to an end.
The nasty eyed boy leaned back in his chair and scanned the room, arms crossed, eyes flickering in an instant toward Algol.
She sat in her usual place, quiet as ever, her hands resting lightly on the desk. She hadn't even acknowledged him yet—until, almost absentmindedly, she turned toward him and gave a soft, fleeting smile.
That small gesture was enough to unsettle him.
She was just an ordinary girl, right? That's what he had convinced himself. But something gnawed at the back of his mind, some unresolved thread he couldn't quite pull on.
Before he could linger on it too much, another set of eyes caught his attention.
Jonah.
The arrogant noble had been watching the exchange, his sharp gaze flicking between Subaru and Algol with barely concealed interest. His expression twisted slightly, a smirk forming as he turned his head toward Subaru, clearly expecting something.
Subaru rolled his eyes. He wasn't about to entertain Jonah's nonsense first thing in the morn-
YOUCH!
Professor Erlon sprung up from his chair like he had just been electrocuted.
The entire class froze.
For a moment, there was dead silence. Then—
Tekka burst out laughing. He had clamped both hands over his mouth, but his entire body shook with the effort of trying to keep it in.
Subaru, pressing his fist to his lips, barely managed to contain his own laughter as he realized what had happened.
The thumbtack.
Renwald closed his eyes, already mentally distancing himself from whatever punishment was about to follow.
Erlon, now standing ramrod straight with his hands clenched into fists, whipped around, his gaze landing directly on Tekka.
"TEKKA ICHIKAWA!"
The room vibrated with the sheer force of his voice.
Tekka went stiff. His laughter immediately died.
"You think you're funny, boy?!" Erlon bellowed.
Subaru could see Tekka's soul trying to escape his body.
"I—uh—" Tekka's voice cracked. "Maybe?"
Erlon stabbed a finger toward the door.
"Principal's office. NOW."
Tekka groaned but stood up, dragging his feet like a man being led to the gallows. As he passed Subaru, he muttered under his breath, "Worth it."
With that, the door shut behind him, and class resumed.
Subaru exhaled through his nose, shaking his head.
At least something interesting had happened today.
Fob, Renwald, and Subaru stood outside the classroom, idly chatting as the other students dispersed.
"So," Fob said, stretching his arms behind his head, "What do you think happened to Tekka?"
Subaru hummed. "Well, he was already in trouble, and now he's got two offenses stacked up. Could go either way."
Renwald scoffed, adjusting the sleeves of his uniform. "Let's be honest, he brought it on himself. Though, I have to admit—pulling a prank on Erlon was either the bravest or dumbest thing he's done yet."
Fob scratched his chin. "Think they locked him up?"
"Pfft," Subaru snorted. "Nah, worst case, they send him back to Kagragi with a 'we regret to inform you that your son is an absolute menace' letter."
Fob nodded solemnly. "A fate worse than death."
The boys shared a laugh before Subaru felt a slight tug at his sleeve.
He turned, blinking as he saw Algol standing beside him, her red eyes calm yet curious.
"Subaru," she said with a small smile, "what happened to your friend?"
Subaru scratched his head, pretending to think deeply. "Ah… He's either dead or deported. No in-between."
Algol's lips quirked upward, and she let out a faint chuckle. "I see."
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you're laughing?"
"Mm. It was amusing."
"Huh."
She then tilted her head slightly. "What are you doing later?"
That caught Subaru off guard.
Fob and Renwald immediately exchanged glances, sensing something interesting brewing.
Subaru hesitated for a second before shrugging. "Dunno. Why?"
Algol clasped her hands behind her back, her expression unreadable.
"No reason."
The mention of a festival caught Renwald's attention immediately. His eyes lit up, and he straightened his posture as if recalling something important.
"Oh, right. That's the Mana Dispersion Festival—a celebration for Odglass's third mana dispersion trimester." He adjusted his cuffs, slipping into a scholarly tone. "It's an annual event where the great spirit disperses mana across the country, fertilizing the icy fields and ensuring prosperity for Gusteko's future harvests."
Subaru blinked. "Huh. So it's basically a spirit-powered farmer's market?"
Renwald shot him a disapproving look. "No, it's a sacred tradition with deep historical significance."
"Uh-huh. And do they sell food there?"
Renwald exhaled sharply. "Yes, they sell food."
"See? Farmer's market."
Algol cleared her throat, bringing the conversation back on track. "I was planning on going," she said, keeping her tone casual. "It'd be good to go in a pair, for safety reasons."
Subaru tilted his head slightly. "Wait. Are you asking me to go with you?"
A faint blush dusted Algol's pale cheeks, but she remained composed. "I'm just saying it would be practical."
Subaru considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "Eh, sure. I don't see why not."
Before anything else could be said, Fob spoke up, stuffing a piece of bread into his mouth mid-sentence. "Mmh—ey— Can I come?"
Subaru turned to him. "Huh? Oh yeah, sure."
At that, Algol subtly lowered her gaze, her previous enthusiasm dimming just a bit.
Subaru didn't notice.
Renwald, however, definitely noticed.
"So," Subaru continued, "we meet up after school?"
"The city entrance," Algol confirmed.
With the plan set, the group dispersed, but as Subaru walked off, Renwald nudged Fob with his elbow.
"Congratulations," Renwald muttered. "You just crashed a date."
Fob blinked, completely unaware. "Wait, what?"
When Subaru and Renwald arrived back at their dorm, the air was thick with the weight of the earlier conversation. Renwald leaned against his bunk, arms crossed, and gave Subaru a pointed look.
"So?" he said, arching an eyebrow. "What was that all about?"
Subaru plopped down onto his bed with an exaggerated sigh, tossing his arms behind his head. "No clue," he admitted. "She just asked me, and I figured, why not?"
Renwald studied him for a moment, clearly not convinced. "Uh-huh. And you really don't think she meant anything more by it?"
Subaru scoffed. "Please. I'm me. Who'd want to ask me out?"
Before Renwald could push further, a sharp knock rattled the door.
Subaru groaned. "Not now, Farfin," he muttered, rolling onto his side.
The knock came again, more insistent this time.
With a huff, Subaru got up, pulled the door open, and—
Jonah walked right in without so much as a hello.
He took one glance around the dorm, his expression contorting into a mixture of disgust and pity. "Od, this is depressing," he remarked, nudging a pile of Tekka's discarded socks with the toe of his shoe. "Is this really how commoners live?"
Renwald pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jonah, why are you here?"
Jonah smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, just a little confirmation. Word has it that our dear Subaru Natsuki is attending the festival with Algol tonight." His smirk widened as he clasped his hands behind his back. "Out of the goodness of my heart, I've decided to accompany your little entourage. Or at the very least, stay close."
Subaru stared blankly. "...You want to crash my not-a-date?"
Jonah shrugged. "'Crash' is such a tasteless word. I prefer 'observe.'"
Renwald narrowed his eyes. "And exactly who gave you this information?"
Jonah hesitated for a moment, then waved a hand dismissively. "I may have traded my lunch to the pig."
Subaru blinked. "...You bribed Fob?"
Jonah shrugged.
Renwald sighed. "Why do you even care?"
Jonah smirked. "Because I know you're all being idiots." He turned to Subaru. "And because you're the worst at reading people. So yes, I'll be tagging along. You should be thanking me."
Subaru rubbed his temples. "Great. Just what I needed."
Jonah clapped his hands together. "Perfect. See you both tonight." And with that, he sauntered out, leaving Subaru and Renwald in irritated silence.
Renwald exhaled slowly. "You could just ditch him, you know."
Subaru groaned, flopping back onto his bed. "Yeah, but at this point? I'm too tired to care."
Either way, the boys grabbed their things, brushed off the lingering annoyance from Jonah's intrusion, and made their way to the city gate as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The evening was crisp, with a faint chill riding the breeze—typical for Gusteko, even during summer. Subaru adjusted his scarf and walked beside Renwald, who had an exasperated look on his face.
When they arrived at the gate, they saw Algol standing there, waiting quietly. She was dressed simply but neatly, her white hair glinting faintly under the lantern light. Her red eyes scanned the growing crowd, pausing when they landed on Subaru. She gave him a faint smile, though it disappeared just as quickly.
Subaru waved casually as they approached. "Yo, Algol. We're here."
Algol nodded, her gaze briefly flickering to Renwald. "Good to see you both." She glanced around, her posture stiffening slightly. "Where's... Tekka?"
"Probably lurking," Renwald muttered, glancing over his shoulder. Sure enough, a familiar figure loomed a few paces behind them, trying—and failing—to blend in with the crowd It wasn't Tekka. Jonah wore his usual condescending smirk, clearly unbothered by his obvious lack of stealth.
Subaru sighed. "Yeah, he's here."
Jonah sauntered up to the group, hands tucked behind his back. "Well, well. What a charming little gathering. Shall we?" He gestured grandly toward the city streets.
Subaru rolled his eyes. "Nobody invited you."
"Yet here I am," Jonah replied smoothly, brushing past him to take the lead. "Let's get moving before the festivities lose their luster."
Algol tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion crossing her face as she turned back to Subaru. "Is he always like this?"
"Worse," Subaru muttered under his breath, earning a small, fleeting laugh from her.
The group started walking toward the heart of the city, where the festival was already in full swing. The streets were lively, lined with stalls lit by glowing crystals and colorful lanterns. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and the faint hum of magical devices used to keep the food and drinks warm.
Renwald took a step closer to Subaru and nudged him lightly. "So, what's the plan?"
"Plan?" Subaru echoed. "I thought we were just here to enjoy the festival."
Jonah, who had somehow overheard despite walking ahead, scoffed. "No plan? Typical." He turned back to glance at Subaru. "At least try not to embarrass yourself in front of Algol. Or me."
Subaru ignored him, focusing instead on Algol, who was staring at a nearby stall selling small spirit trinkets. Her gaze lingered on a tiny crystal orb, faintly glowing with a pale green light. Subaru stepped closer and followed her gaze.
"Interested in that?" he asked.
Algol blinked, startled, before shaking her head. "Not really. Just looking."
Subaru raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he gestured toward the stall. "Well, let's take a look anyway. No harm in browsing."
Renwald sighed but followed along, and even Jonah begrudgingly trailed behind. The group gathered around the stall, each person drawn to different trinkets. Subaru picked up a small charm shaped like a flame, the faint heat it radiated reminding him of the fire spirits he often summoned. Algol, meanwhile, ran her fingers lightly over the glowing orb she had been eyeing earlier.
"You should get it," Subaru said casually, noticing her hesitation.
Algol shook her head again. "It's not necessary."
Subaru shrugged. "Doesn't mean you can't have it."
Before Algol could respond, Jonah interrupted with an exaggerated sigh. "Are we going to waste the entire evening here, or are we actually going to enjoy the festival?"
Subaru shot him a glare. "Fine. Lead the way, Mr. Tour Guide."
Jonah smirked. "Gladly."
As they walked deeper into the bustling streets, Subaru found himself glancing at Algol every now and then, her quiet demeanor contrasting sharply with the vibrant energy around them. He couldn't help but wonder—was she really just an ordinary girl?
Or was there something more to her, hidden behind that calm exterior? Either way, he figured, tonight wasn't the night to find out. For now, he'd just try to enjoy the festival.
As they walked through the crowded streets, Subaru was too busy glancing at Algol out of the corner of his eye to notice the tall figure approaching from the opposite direction. Before he could react, he bumped straight into the man's solid frame, nearly knocking himself off balance.
"Oi—" Subaru started, but before he could fully register who he had walked into, the cloaked figure casually steadied him with a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Didn't see you there, little dude," the man said with an easygoing chuckle, his voice deep but relaxed.
Subaru blinked up at him, taking in the man's broad build and the hood that obscured most of his face. The guy gave off an aura of effortless confidence, standing tall amidst the festival-goers.
"No harm done," Subaru muttered, brushing off his shoulder as he took a step back.
The cloaked man gave him a lazy wave before continuing on his way, blending seamlessly back into the crowd.
Subaru watched him disappear for a moment before shaking his head. "Weird guy."
"Everything's weird to you," Jonah commented from behind. "Let's keep moving."
"Yeah, yeah." Subaru turned back to the group and kept walking, pushing the brief encounter to the back of his mind. He had more important things to focus on—like figuring out how to not make this festival outing awkward as hell.
The festival was alive with energy, a shimmering display of Glacia's cold brilliance. The streets were lined with vibrant lanterns that pulsed softly with embedded spirit energy, illuminating the icy pathways with a dreamy glow. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling meats and sweetened snow treats, a bizarre combination that somehow worked. Vendors lined the streets, selling everything from enchanted trinkets to frozen delicacies that burned hot when bitten into—an oddity that fascinated Subaru but left him suspicious of its taste.
Subaru found himself getting swept up in the night, initially distracted by the sheer variety of festival games. Algol had hesitated at first, but after some prodding, she agreed to try her hand at a few. Their first attempt was at a simple ring toss game, where Subaru overestimated his abilities and failed spectacularly. Algol, on the other hand, made a single, precise throw, winning a small spirit-shaped charm. When she shyly handed it to Subaru, saying it "didn't suit her," he accepted it with an exaggerated, dramatic bow, making her chuckle under her breath.
Elsewhere, Fob found himself in his usual predicament—an absolute disaster. The boy had gotten his tongue stuck to a frozen metal pole, and Renwald, who had been sighing all night at Fob's antics, reluctantly summoned a lesser fire spirit to help. As the tiny wisp of warmth hovered around Fob's mouth, the boy whined dramatically about how he was "too young to lose his tongue."
Meanwhile, Jonah—who had spent most of the evening standing at a distance, scrutinizing Algol's every move—had unconsciously begun to ease up. Seeing her genuinely interact with Subaru, laughing softly and engaging in casual banter, made him question if his suspicions were misplaced. For the first time in what felt like forever, he let himself relax. He even exchanged the occasional quip with Renwald and Fob, the group forming an unexpectedly cohesive dynamic by the time the night dragged on.
Eventually, Subaru and Algol found themselves separated from the others. The lively noise of the festival dimmed as they wandered into a quieter part of the city, an open terrace that overlooked the vast sprawl of Glacia below. The stars twinkled against the inky sky, their light reflecting off the ice-covered rooftops, making the entire city shimmer.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The cold breeze brushed against them, but neither made an effort to move.
Subaru stole a glance at Algol. The soft festival light cast an ethereal glow on her pale skin, and her red eyes, which had always seemed a little distant, were now filled with something warmer, something softer. He had to admit—she was beautiful.
"Do you like it here?" he found himself asking, breaking the silence.
Algol turned to him, her gaze thoughtful. "It's… peaceful," she admitted. "And a little overwhelming."
Subaru smirked. "Yeah, it has its moments."
They stood there for a while, just the two of them, the festival a distant hum behind them. It was a rare kind of quiet, one that neither of them felt the need to break.
The moment hung in the air, frozen in time. Algol stepped forward, her crimson eyes shimmering in the dim festival light. Subaru barely had a second to react before she was right in front of him. She was gorgeous, and he could feel the heat rising to his face, his heart pounding against his ribs. This was—unexpected. Weird. His mind scrambled for something to say, but before he could even open his mouth, Algol pressed her hands together and leaned in.
Then, she kissed him.
Subaru's mind went blank. It was his first kiss—his first real, sudden, and utterly unprepared-for kiss. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but instinctively, he responded, albeit awkwardly. His lips moved against hers hesitantly, his body stiff at first before melting into the moment. It was clumsy, strange, and yet… oddly nice. But it didn't last long.
Algol pulled back, her face flushed, and she exhaled softly. She looked at Subaru with an expression he couldn't quite place—something between admiration and excitement. Then she spoke.
"I knew it," she whispered, almost in awe. "You make me feel alive. Every moment I've spent with you, I was certain. And now, I know for sure—you're the perfect candidate."
Subaru blinked. A drop in the air. A shift in the mood.
"Candidate?" he repeated, his voice laced with confusion. "What do you mean?"
Algol's lips curled into a smile—one that sent a cold shiver down Subaru's spine. There was something off about it. Something… wrong.
"Mother is going to be so happy with me," she continued, as if he hadn't spoken. Her voice was calm, cryptic, too measured. "My intuition was right all along. You'll fit right in, Subaru."
Subaru felt his stomach twist. What the hell was she talking about?
"Wait up, Algol, what are you—"
That's when he felt it. A dizzy spell. His vision blurred, his limbs turned heavy, and his breath hitched. His body swayed as a deep fog clouded his mind. Something was wrong.
His thoughts fragmented, breaking apart like shattered glass. His legs buckled. He barely caught the last thing Algol said as his consciousness slipped away.
"Don't worry," she murmured, her voice laced with eerie reassurance.
Then everything went black.