Chapter 179: Preparations for the Grand Festival (3)

Chapter 179: Preparations for the Grand Festival (3)

༺ Preparation for the Grand Festival (3) ༻

“Presideent~!”

“Senior Dorothy...? Oh.”

After purchasing magic tools from the store, I was leisurely working alone on a bench near Orphin Hall. I made a thick table using [Rock Generation] and it made working more convenient.

Suddenly, Dorothy came down from above and approached me. She must have spotted me while flying around with her starlight mana.

As the face of the third year, she was dressed in a beautifully designed witch outfit. It must have been made by skilled designers of her grade. For a moment, I was so mesmerized by her that I lost my train of thought.

“Do you have any of these left?”

Dorothy showed me an identical magic tool that I was working on.

“Yes, I bought extra, so I have some spare. How many do you need?”

“About 20!”

“...That much?”

“I broke about 20 of them when I was helping the students by infusing them all at once. I promised to take responsibility and find replacements!”

Dorothy responded with pride, like breaking it was something to brag about.

She overestimated this small magic tool. How could they withstand her mana?

“Did you buy these? Looks like you guys were also short.”

“Yes, we were.”

“Nihihi. I have extra gel, so I’ll buy it from you at double the price!”

Dorothy extended her index and middle fingers.

“I won’t refuse that.”

I accepted in a heartbeat.

She was already a sight to see, and I also got financial benefits. Dorothy was a godsend.

“Heave-ho~.”

“Senior?”

Without warning, Dorothy approached the bench and sat down next to me. No, she laid down, using my thigh as a pillow.

Huh?

I felt my face heat up a bit.

Her pretty face was positioned so that I could see it if I tilted my head slightly. Her eyes, looking up at me with a smile, seemed to hold the vastness of the universe within them, thanks to her starlight mana.

“Can I borrow your leg for a bit, President?”

“Oh, yes... of course, Senior. But is it okay to do this?”

“I’m tired. I want to slack off.”

It was a mind truly deserving of a perfect score.

The corners of my mouth threatened to dance on their own and I struggled to keep my composure.

Perhaps sensing my emotions, Dorothy sheepishly opened her eyes and smirked.

“President, can you not get excited when I’m like this?”

“I can try.”

Startled by her soft voice, I continued working on the table and responded calmly. As expected, it was impossible to hide my feelings for Dorothy at my level.

Having Dorothy’s head on my thigh gave me a subtle sexual stimulation. Especially since she was dressed in an unusual and sensual outfit, intensifying the feeling.

I figured it would get better if I just focused on my work.

“I’ll get up if you’re uncomfortable~. I need to leave soon anywa-”

“No.”

I looked down at Dorothy and smiled. Her smile was pretty.

“It’s okay, stay a bit longer.”

“...Oh?”

Dorothy seemed surprised by my reaction, her mouth dropped open.

Then, as if satisfied with my answer, she nodded her head.

“I can’t help it then~. I’m the not type to refuse kindness.”

She smiled broadly and closed her eyes.

A feeling of happiness washed over me as I gently stroked Dorothy’s hair. At that moment, Dorothy smiled contentedly and quietly enjoyed my touch.

A refreshing breeze blew in.

* * *

“Sir Isaac...?”

The female knight with green hair in a ponytail, Merlin Astrea, was hiding in a nearby tree because she could not enter Orphin Hall. She was currently surveying the inside along with her familiar.

“Ha! Are your eyes just for decoration? How pathetic! It’s utterly beautiful!”

“Tristan, how about this? Isn’t it perfect?”

“Don’t talk about ‘perfection’ rashly! The angle isn’t perfect!”

The sun was slowly setting.

After I finished working on the magic tools, I helped move heavy items and decorations. Unexpectedly, I found it beneficial for muscle training and stamina, I sprinted as I carried the items, and the students watched me in amazement.

I looked around Orphin Hall as I ran.

The vain blond nobleman, Tristan Humphrey, had completely become the manager of the second-year’s festival preparations for the Magic Department. His tone seemed like he was pouring out criticisms, but if you listened closely, it was mostly compliments.

Looking around, the scene was quite different from the familiar scene of Märchen Academy.

The colorful banners flying overhead glowed with magical light, and ornate decorations surrounded the buildings for aesthetic appeal. Colorful strings connected between buildings. Various lights and uniquely designed lamps beautifully illuminated the structures.

Although I had seen this countless times in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, I still couldn’t help but be impressed.

I wondered how beautiful it would be on the day of the Grand Festival. It looked like it would be much more impressive than I imagined.

Now, I would be decorating the academy in my spare time.

Next would be practicing for each event, like cheering, etc. I should also start practicing for the arc ball race.

I had three main goals during the Grand Festival.

First, protect White.

Second, defeat the Clover Paladin.

And third...

‘Clear Chapter 8 safely.’

In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, I gained EXP no matter which event I participated in, but I wasn’t sure if that would be the case here.

Based on my past experiences, it seemed likely that I would gain EXP.

‘Besides, I’ll be clashing with that Clover bastard in the arc ball race.’

It would be a shame if I didn’t get any EXP.

Moreover, Märchen Academy offered many gifts at the Grand Festival. Significant achievements could lead to quite substantial rewards.

‘I’ll have to give it my all.’

It was like any other day.

I faced obstacles and overcame them.

* * *

On the rooftop of Orphin Hall, Priestess Miya was quietly gazing at the sky dyed with the evening sunset.

She had helped with the preparations for the first year Grand Festival, aware of her status as a student.

“...”

A week ago, around this time.

Sitting in an empty classroom, she heard the whisper of the Student Council President, Alice Carroll.

Every time her enchanting lips moved, Miya felt her mind drift away.

—’You hate your senior, Isaac, do you not?’

—’You hate people, do you not?’

Miya felt herself falling into a hypnotic trance as she listened to Alice’s voice.

—’It’s okay, you don’t have to hide your feelings.’

From within the choker. A thin stream of dark mana emanating from Alice’s neck quietly flowed into Miya.

And, Alice’s voice gnawed at Miya’s mind like a mouse.

—’I only stopped you back then because we couldn’t have innocent victims.’

–’So, my dear, how about you express your feelings to the person you hate, at just the right moment?’

─‘Why not pour out all your emotions right now, without restraint?’

─‘Surely, you’ll feel better.’

Malice grew within Miya’s mind. As she felt her heart slowly being overtaken, she felt alarmed but couldn’t break free from Alice.

It was as if her entire body was tightly chained. She couldn’t move an inch.

With a trembling voice, Miya asked why she was saying those things to her.

And with a comforting smile and tender voice, Alice whispered.

─‘Because I know you are a superior being’

─‘Someone too special to be ignored.’

─‘That’s who you are.’

Miya’s eyes lost their light, and they scanned the academy grounds.

The silver-blue-haired second year, Isaac, caught her eye as he mingled among the students.

For a while, Miya watched him with a cold gaze, then turned her back and walked away.