The calendar pages flipped rapidly, schedules flying by.
[As the days passed, you gradually found the rhythm of campus life.]
[During the day, you studied diligently in class. After school, you went to work at Enma-tei, massaging all sorts of guests to earn the necessary funds for the mixer.]
[Gawain often joined you for part-time work at Enma-tei. He initially applied to be a chef, but the specialized mashed potatoes he made were rated by Beni-Enma as, "The person is interesting, very suitable for customer reception at the front desk." He subsequently switched roles and was a great success, drawing in a large number of patrons with his refreshing and sunny knight persona.]
[Every night before sleeping, you worried about the female ghost's cries in the dorm building. However, your daily schedule was so packed that you fell asleep the moment your head hit the pillow, and you wouldn't have known if there was any commotion late at night.]
[Half a month passed like this.]
[As the mixer day drew near, the teacher held a mock exam. You felt you performed quite well.]
[April 14th: Exam results were released. The class average was not ideal; high scores were few and far between. Although the Round Table Knights were in the class, there were also Heroic Spirits completely uninterested in studying, and several even skipped the exam entirely.]
[Because you studied seriously, your grades were excellent, significantly above the average.]
[Your parents learned of your exam results and rewarded you with pocket money: +100 QP.]
[Morgan also learned of your exam results and rewarded you with a selfie of her in her pajamas, encouraging you to keep up the good work. Morgan's Pajama Selfie +1.]
"???"
WHOOSH!
The calendar pages flipped rapidly to April 15th.
This was the day of the mixer.
[You and Gawain nervously checked your bank balances. Your savings total around 3900 QP. Even after deducting the mixer fee, the remaining deposit is enough for you to live comfortably until next month. Gawain's situation is similar. It seems the busy and tense daily grind of part-time work can temporarily come to an end.]
[Looking at your savings, do you decide to attend the mixer?]
[I. Attend the mixer] [II. Don't go; women only impede my path to power]
Decisive choice: I!
Ei thought, What do you think I've been working so hard for all this time? Isn't it to attend this mixer?
I've been working diligently for half a month; can't I enjoy myself? Bring on the music and dancing!
[You agreed to the invitation to the mixer.] [You lost 3000 QP.] [Time flies quickly. The male group greeted the night with anticipation and nervousness...]
[Before the mixer, you took a shower. Although you felt it was unlikely anything would happen, you gave special attention to cleaning your...]
"STOP TALKING!!!!"
Ei's face flushed with anger.
Why are you including such boring details, you low-brow simulation? Do you really think this kind of cheap joke is funny?
But the scene instantly shifted. He was now wearing a formal suit, standing in the mixer location, a high-end hotel near Chaldea Academy.
Beside him stood Sir Gawain, also in a suit, with his golden hair and bright smile. His every movement was confident and steady, truly the leading figure of the Round Table Knights.
Gawain clearly looked like an experienced socialite; this level of mixer was no challenge for him.
"Ei, you should know the unwritten rule of mixers: point your chopsticks at the girl you like, and that prevents competition over them.
"If there's no girl who catches your eye, point the chopsticks at yourself."
Ei shook his head.
"No, no, Sir Gawain, I don't need to play such games," he stated. "I'm not here to look for a target. My goal is very clear: Baobhan Sith!
"I won't point my chopsticks at any other woman besides her!"
"What?"
Gawain looked surprised.
"Sir Ei, your taste is certainly unique. Baobhan Sith is not an easy Lady to pursue. If you don't want to suffer too much hardship because of her, you should probably choose a different target."
"No need. It's not about whether I can win; it's something I must do."
Ei spoke with a serious expression.
"Is that so..."
Gawain nodded meaningfully, seemingly moved by his resolve. "I understand. It seems you are determined to pursue Baobhan Sith. In that case, I will wholeheartedly support your romance and be the wingman for your love!"
What a kind, gentle Sun Knight! He volunteered to be my wingman and protect my love!
"Words cannot express my gratitude!"
"Haha, it's nothing. Helping a friend is one of the tenets of the Round Table Knights," Gawain smiled handsomely. "Just out of curiosity, what do you like about Baobhan Sith?"
Mainly her inherent skills and Noble Phantasm.
Since he couldn't tell Gawain that, he changed his answer: "Her body."
"Very honest,"
Gawain laughed admiringly, then let out a gentle sigh.
Ei seemed to sense something and sighed along.
"It's just a shame Sir Tristan couldn't join us..."
"We agreed that the three of us would attend the mixer, and now only two of us remain."
Ding-dong!
Just then, a melodious sound of a harp suddenly echoed down the hotel corridor.
The harp melody sounded familiar, yet much livelier than before. Both men looked over and saw a handsome red-haired man in a formal suit at the end of the hallway. He was plucking his harp, looking elegant and self-assured.
"You... Is that you...?!"
It was none other than Sir Tristan!
"You two are being too distant! To not invite me to such an important occasion truly grieves me~"
Although his catchphrase was the same, his tone was now very excited.
"Old Tris," Ei said happily, "You finally got released!"
"Gawain's mother had the case reviewed and overturned. The incident was mainly caused by inadequate protective measures at the Edison factory, so I was acquitted."
Tristan explained.
"Although I was detained for half a month, being able to make it to the mixer is a blessing in disguise."
"But Sir Tristan, attending the mixer and buying a suit costs at least 3000 QP. Where did you get the money?" Gawain asked.
"I played my harp for tips while I was detained. I managed to make a small fortune."
Ei thought, The Shawshank Redemption is true. A bird with a dream truly cannot be caged.
"The mixer is about to begin..."
"And all of us are here..."
"Sir Tristan, music! Play Mass Destruction to boost our morale!"
"Baby~ Baby~ Baby~ Dada~ Dada~ Dada~ Dada~"
[You received Tristan's support: "Harp of Healing," which can ward off a single negative status effect.]
The three men clapped hands firmly, their eyes resolute and their expressions solemn, like warriors about to enter a battlefield. They pushed open the door to the mixer.
"Tonight, let us all step onto the ladder of adulthood! Let's become true adults!"
[This night, you will probably not ascend the ladder of adulthood.]
[Because the adults have truly arrived.]
[Due to various accidents, the Heroic Spirits originally scheduled to attend the mixer had all backed out for different reasons. The mixer organizer, Baobhan Sith, wanting to avoid an embarrassing turnout, brought along some acquaintances, including...]
[The Queen of the Fairy Nation, Gawain's mother, Morgan.]