The first day of the festival, thank heavens, went by without much incident.
None of the graduation speeches by Yuria and the other academy alumni caused any major events.
Of course, I only attended Yuria’s speech—but Professor Amillion filled me in later.
It seems the troublemakers are really saving their antics for tomorrow.
“Guess I’ll head out first.”
“Ah, uh, see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
Of course, just because nothing major happened doesn’t mean nothing happened.
Emily left the event with a voice so somber it was practically weighed down by bricks, nodding her head without looking back once.
The bloodbath I was worried about didn’t unfold, but there was definitely something going on.
After Yuria’s speech ended, Emily had randomly popped off with a very random question.
It was no secret that Yuria had left the Prisis family to go solo—and of course, that made Emily’s question about why she left completely understandable.
Surely others in the crowd were curious too—but Emily’s demeanor during the question felt… off.
She sounded and looked like she was about to burst into tears at any moment, which was quite dramatic.
“Emily was kinda weird back there, huh?”
Apparently, Emily’s odd behavior wasn’t something I alone noticed.
As soon as Emily left, Cynthia chimed in like she’d read my thoughts.
Elaine nodded in agreement beside her.
“You mean…”
“Ms. Yuria’s response was also different from her usual tone. She typically deflects such questions with jokes.”
“Really?”
Elaine nodded confidently.
When Emily had asked her question, Yuria froze for a second, looking like she didn’t know how to respond—and then muttered something about how she “had no choice.”
The thing was, I didn’t even know why Yuria had left the Prisis family in the first place. When I’d met her, she was already striking out on her own. I’d never thought much about it, figuring she had her reasons.
But today… Yuria looked more emotional than I’d ever seen her during her time in the academy.
“Hmm, maybe I should ask her.”
“Ask who what?”
“If Emily can’t answer, I’ll ask Yuria why she left the family, or something like that.”
“…Ask who, exactly?”
“Uh… oh!”
Just then, I realized I wasn’t talking to Eddi but Elaine. Lost in thought, I’d let my guard down for a moment.
Plus, Elaine and Eddi’s tone of voice is so similar it’s scary.
“Uh, if the occasion arises, I mean, why wouldn’t Ryu ask Yuria? Ha ha ha.”
“…Right, um.”
Fortunately, Cynthia stepped in and bailed me out before Elaine could think too much into it. Elaine, being way less perceptive than Cynthia, didn’t seem to catch on.
She frowned a little but didn’t press further, thankfully.
“Emily sure didn’t answer.”
“True, she didn’t.”
After the lecture, Cynthia tried to ask Emily why she’d asked Yuria that question. But Emily clammed up, simply saying, “I was just curious,” before shutting herself off completely.
After that, getting anything more out of her was impossible. That left me with a nagging sense of curiosity and unease as the day came to a close.
“Phew. I’m out. Nothing else big happening today, right?”
Before I could even talk to Yuria, I first had to separate from the girls.
Cynthia and Elaine looked a bit reluctant to leave as they said goodbye, but they nodded and headed out through the academy gates.
“Alright. Tomorrow’s what really matters.”
“By the way, Master Ryu. Do you have proper attire for the party?”
“Party attire?”
“Yes. It’s an academy party, so there’s no strict dress code, but basic etiquette is expected…”
“Ah, I get it. Probably got something like that. Thanks, Eddi.”
Not that I know much, but if I ask Eddi, she’ll probably dig something out for me. A suit should do the trick, right?
“…That’s a relief.”
With Elaine’s final comment, we exchanged brief farewells and parted ways.
Once I confirmed Cynthia and Elaine had left through the academy gates, I turned back.
Given the lateness of the hour and the dimly lit surroundings, I decided to take a shortcut. Instead of walking to the dormitory, I teleported straight to my room.
“I’ve gotta meet Yuria soon.”
Tonight, Yuria, Erica, and I planned to scout out the building where tomorrow’s party would be held.
“While I’m at it, I should probably ask her why she left the family, too.”
And while I’m at it, I’ll check if she knows Emily.
—
Later that Night
“Hmph…”
Yuria let out a deep sigh, taking another sip of her tea.
The warm scent of rosemary filled her mouth and seemed to calm her nerves slightly.
“…She’s grown so bold.”
From the moment she’d entered the academy, Yuria had suspected she’d meet that student again.
What she hadn’t expected was a public confrontation—or for Emily to look at her so accusingly while asking why she left the family.
“Been sighing a lot lately?”
“…Hehe, you noticed?”
“…”
Lying sprawled across the couch with her legs crossed, Erica chimed in.
Yuria tried to shake off the lingering emotions, reminding herself that while she was here at the academy, she was on a mission.
And it was an important one. This could be the best chance to capture a key figure in the organization she’d been chasing for years.
She’d only been able to nab low-level henchmen before, but this time felt different. She wasn’t working alone—she had the trusty Black Shadow Guild Leader and her buddy Erica.
“Something bothering you about the job?”
“Hehe, yeah. It’s important, after all.”
“…You’re not being honest.”
“Hmm?”
“Ever since that student questioned you, you’ve been off.”
“…”
Caught completely off-guard, Yuria found herself unable to respond. She’d tried to keep her emotions in check, but apparently, not so well.
“…Surprising. I thought you didn’t care about my affairs.”
“How can I not care when you’re practically broadcasting your feelings?”
Yuria smirked and sipped her tea again.
“…Why? What’s up?”
“Hehe, nothing. Just some old memories.”
“My, didn’t know you leaving the family intrigued you that much. Though, I admit, I was curious too. But the Guild Leader never said anything, so I didn’t press.”
“…”
Yuria glanced at Erica, surprised. She’d always assumed Erica didn’t care for her—and apparently, she’d been wrong.
“Still, we’re teammates now. If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to…”
Whoosh.
Yuria paused mid-sentence, sensing a shift in the air. Erica also tensed, her eyes fixed on the middle of the room.
The same signature presence always heralded the same arrival.
“Alright, we’re good.”
“You’re here.”
“Took you long enough.”
The Black Shadow Guild Leader, Ryu Young, had appeared. After surveying the room, he relaxed.
“Good job, everyone today.”
“Well, meeting students was inspiring, if anything.”
“Ha. Inspiring, you say? You looked pretty bummed out after that tough question earlier.”
“Eh? Was she?”
At this, Erica perked up, pulling herself up from the couch.
Yuria smiled faintly but didn’t indulge in further excuses.
“Hehe. Shall we get moving?”
“By the way, I was curious about something.”
“About what?”
“That question Emily asked earlier. Thinking about it, I’ve never asked… why did you leave your family?”
“…”
“Seems you know Emily well?”
“Yeah, kind of. Same class. Smart kid. Just a little introverted.”
Yuria cleverly shifted the focus to Emily, a tactic so smooth even Ryu and Erica didn’t notice.
The conversation naturally pivoted to Emily.
“She aced the written exams in the tournament. If it weren’t for her, we’d never have taken first place.”
“Hehe, sounds like a promising student. Close with the Guild Leader too?”
“Yeah… Anyway, let’s go. Finish up before it gets too late and get some rest.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
With that, Erica sprang up from the couch and prepared to leave. She’d already changed into her black uniform, her now jet-black hair making her look unusually dark.
“Guess I’ll catch up. Haven’t worn this outfit in ages.”
By the time Ryu arrived, he was already in uniform, leaving Yuria as the last one to prepare.
“Catch up soon?”
“Sure thing. We’ll wait outside.”
Whoosh.
Ryu extended his hand, and Erica took it without hesitation. In the blink of an eye, they vanished from the room.
“…Hehe.”
Left alone, Yuria allowed herself a fleeting, bittersweet smile.
But only for a moment. She quickly recollected her thoughts and steeled her expression.
This wasn’t the time for sentimentality—not tonight, not tomorrow.
Swish.
Taking deliberate, measured breaths, she slipped into her own black uniform. She couldn’t let personal feelings interfere with tonight’s important mission.
“For her sake… if nothing else.”
Yuria’s eyes gleamed with newfound resolve.
