A new week, a new day.
Even though the same things repeat in a tiresome routine, today is a day that can truly be considered an escape from that routine.
“Head Priest. The courtyard looks splendid today…”
“Isn’t it the start of the Fall Festival today? While outsiders will begin coming in tomorrow, it would be wise to prepare in advance.”
“Well… that’s true!”
As Sub-priest Sofia mentioned, the courtyard, which I passed on my way from the dormitory to the Main Building, was lavishly decorated.
Maple trees were richly colored along the street, and the courtyard, where the brick floor matched the vibrant leaves scattered everywhere, already had festival booths and activity areas set up.
Today, which marks the beginning of a new week on Monday, also signifies the start of the Caldera Imperial Academy’s Fall Festival lasting through Friday—a full five days ahead.
“This banner should go over there… Oh, Professor?”
“Hello! Professor!”
“Good morning.”
Students, whom I presumed to be in the second or third year, busily moved around in various directions, catching my eye as I saw them for the first time.
As they recognized me and greeted me, I responded with a wave, as usual. The second and third-year students nodded in acknowledgment and then returned to their tasks.
“Student Council President. Should I place the food supplies over here?”
“Um… not there, put them next to that bench. The Food Department will take care of it.”
As I observed, many familiar faces were hidden among the majority of unfamiliar students. For example, Raymond, the student council president who secured the top position in the last Grade-by-Grade Duel and whose term was nearing its end.
“Joey! The Natural Ecology Club is right next to our booth!”
“What, what do you mean?!”
“It works out perfectly! Let’s show those arrogant kids what our Gourmet Exploration Club is capable of!”
Similarly, there was Joey, a second-year student who had a fierce competition with Daniel during the Grade-by-Grade Duel.
“Everyone seems to be working hard. It’s a nice sight.”
“Indeed.”
As Sub-priest Sofia said, everyone was sweating as they worked hard to prepare for the festival. Most Mondays would be spent like this.
Utilizing the plans and various things prepared in advance, students were decorating the festival booth organized by the academy or already setting up merchandise.
Even though the academy would provide the festival booths, I momentarily wondered if one day would be enough, but seeing the busy students, it appeared to be a needless worry.
I accepted greetings from the second and third-year students, most of whom I didn’t even know the names of, as I slowly strolled through the festival site.
Naturally, due to the frequent exchanges of greetings in the hallways, I recognized most of the first-year students, who were also bustling about decorating the festival booths among their seniors.
Leaving behind the festival booths that were quickly taking shape, we began walking toward the Main Building.
Typically, there wouldn’t be a Theology class on Mondays, but today, other classes would also be temporarily suspended.
That didn’t mean that the academy professors had nothing to do.
“There was a lot of talk last year when counterfeit invitations were brought in. This time, we’ve magically treated the invitations, and I’ve explained the verification method for counterfeit prevention to the club leaders we’ve gathered. So, I don’t believe there will be such issues this year.”
“Wouldn’t it be wise to reiterate that? Students might forget important things while focusing on building the festival booths.”
“In that case, I should gather the leaders from each club tomorrow before the outsiders arrive and remind them to thoroughly check that the invitations aren’t counterfeit.”
Professors walked hurriedly down the corridor, each with an overwhelming amount of work to do, either heading to their respective Professor’s Offices or to the Academic Affairs Office.
They need to coordinate the overall financial process of the festival, ensure the competitive atmosphere among students doesn’t become too heated, and if they are an advisor for a specific club, they must manage that club’s festival booth.
“By the way, external guests will indeed be coming starting tomorrow…”
“It seems so.”
Sofia Sub-priest scratched her cheek and let out an awkward smile as she walked beside me. It was a smile clearly designed to conceal her tension.
“Hehe… I suppose I might be a little nervous. It’s the first time outsiders will be entering the academy…”
“I hope nothing untoward happens.”
“True, but I also hope the festival booth for the Occult Research Club turns out well. If it’s a haunted house, it has a certain appeal, so hopefully, it won’t be completely deserted…”
“Daniel and Vivian have probably prepared well.”
Since I would need to finish my tasks in the Professor’s Office anyway, I would have to help Daniel and Vivian set up the festival booth for the Occult Research Club.
Those two are the most sincere about the occult, so I have high expectations for them. However, I also hope their enthusiasm doesn’t lead to anyone fainting while visiting the festival booth.
Just then, while heading toward the Professor’s Office with Sub-priest Sofia…
“…Ah.”
As I turned the corner, a figure abruptly stopped right in front of me, taking a breath. Fortunately, due to the height difference, we didn’t collide, but we could have easily fallen over if things had gone awry. I quickly lowered my gaze to apologize.
“…Professor Esther?”
“Ah, hello. Haha…”
The person I nearly bumped into was none other than Professor Esther. She started to awkwardly smile, avoiding my gaze.
It felt strange that she wasn’t meeting my eyes and was instead glancing around, casting fleeting looks in my direction. It was clearly different from her usual demeanor.
I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for this sudden behavior. Perhaps there was a particular reason for her attitude…
‘…Is it because of the outing?’
The only reason I could think of was that we had gone out together just two days ago, but even from that viewpoint, I couldn’t understand why she would act so awkwardly…
‘Maybe she didn’t enjoy it.’
If I had to point out a reason, it might be that the outing with me didn’t satisfy her. Reflecting on our conversation, I remember her looking lost in thought at times during our chat.
In that case, I had a strong desire to repay her properly. After all, I had received a lot from Professor Esther, and so I wanted to treat her to an outing as a way to reciprocate.
“Professor Esther. About the last outing…”
“Ah, yes! It was really great!”
“…Really?”
What completely crushed my expectations was Professor Esther’s follow-up remark.
“So, um… that outing the other day, I thought it was absolutely wonderful… Hehe…”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. So, let’s discuss the outing separately later! Okay?”
– Crack.
I felt a strong grip from Sub-priest Sofia standing next to me. When I glanced over, she had an expression that seemed to ask, ‘Did you go out with Professor Esther?’ so I unconsciously felt pressure and diverted my gaze.
Once the topic of the outing passed, Professor Esther, now able to meet my eyes as usual, asked.
“Anyway, were you busy?”
“I wouldn’t say I had nothing to do… but I wasn’t particularly busy. Where are you headed, Professor Esther?”
In response to my question, Professor Esther revealed something she was holding in her arms. It was an antique-looking measuring device with a cylinder and gauge that I had no idea what it was for.
The magic measuring device we bought together during our weekend outing.
“I’m going to give this to our club members. I was on my way to the festival booth.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“No, the students are preparing earnestly, so how could I just stand by?”
Professor Esther offered a warm smile. Indeed, she gave off the impression of a true educator who cares for her students. It was a smile with plenty of qualities to emulate.
“Anyway, I’ll be heading off! See you at lunchtime, Professor Lucio!”
“Yes. Please watch where you’re going so you don’t trip.”
Nodding energetically to reassure her and quickly moving away with quick steps, I watched Professor Esther’s back. The lavender scent from the perfume we bought during our outing gently tickled my nose.
Since I seemed to like the perfume we bought then, it seems the outing didn’t leave her completely unsatisfied after all.
“Head Priest. Head Priest.”
“Yes, Sub-priest Sofia.”
“You went out with Professor Esther, didn’t you?”
“That’s correct.”
“Hmm…”
With Sub-priest Sofia narrowing her eyes, we began walking back towards the Professor’s Office.
“…Sub-priest Sofia.”
“Yes? Did you call for me?”
“I can’t walk.”
If it weren’t for Sub-priest Sofia’s tight grip, we might have arrived earlier.
*
After finishing the lunch filled with a strange atmosphere between Professor Esther and Sub-priest Sofia, I could finally wrap up the tasks I needed to complete.
Professor Esther had gone to inspect the festival booth from the Magic Theory Research Club, leaving us in a separate state.
In the end, Sub-priest Sofia and I headed to the Annex Building courtyard alone. We intended to check out the club booths that would be lined up there.
Although I had briefly caught a glimpse while leaving the dormitory, now that it was past noon, I expected they would be somewhat completed.
Among them, I was certainly looking forward to the festival booth for the Occult Research Club, of which I am the advisor.
The Occult Research Club. I truly liked the selection of a haunted house theme, fitting its name.
I was just floored by Daniel and Vivian’s extreme enthusiasm for the occult, but I thought the haunted house itself was a great idea, aligning well with the club’s purpose of exploring mysterious and esoteric phenomena.
According to Daniel, the Occult Research Club had been running booths where various mysteries and occult experiences, including haunted houses, were offered for quite some time.
Given their extensive experience, it made sense that Daniel and Vivian confidently insisted on a haunted house. It’s only natural for me to be looking forward to it.
“It won’t be too scary, right, Head Priest…?”
“I doubt it will be…. Yes.”
I knew very well that Sofia Sub-priest’s anxious expression wasn’t unfounded.
Based on the plans, it was a normal haunted house without any major issues, but Daniel and Vivian had claimed that they wouldn’t reveal anything until the festival day, leading to the anticipation.
‘What was it they said? They found the perfect person to take on an important role?’
I had no idea who that “perfect person” would be, but I sincerely hoped they wouldn’t do anything strange.
As I walked toward the Annex Building courtyard, I wondered how much time had passed.
Gradually, stalls and tents started coming into view. While the courtyard of the Main Building was expansive enough to rival a soccer field, the courtyard of the Annex, though not as grand, was still significantly large. This large area was why all the club booths could fit in.
“Head Priest, look over there.”
When I looked in the direction Sub-priest Sofia pointed, I saw a familiar woman in a black coat walking through the booths with her sharp eyes.
“It seems they’re from the Imperial Knight Order.”
“Uh… Isn’t festival participation by outsiders starting tomorrow? What’s the point of patrolling today…”
“It seems they’re trying to familiarize themselves with the terrain in advance. During emergencies, it’s best to maneuver based on the pre-familiarized terrain.”
“…I see.”
It appeared my assumption was correct, as the occasional Imperial Knights did not seem to radiate an intimidating atmosphere that would scare students. They probably understood that nothing unusual would occur today.
‘But why the Imperial Knight Order, of all people?’
When considering the frequency of their work, the Security Bureau would certainly be much busier, but still, every department has its duties. Did they really need to step in for just the academy’s festival?
Of course, such questions would ultimately be resolved with the straightforward answer: “Because it’s the Caldera Imperial Academy.” The very name indicates it’s an academy run by the royal family, and since it attracts numerous talented individuals, it is strategically important as an institution, so it wouldn’t be problematic for the Imperial Knights to show up.
Sub-priest Sofia and I carefully admired the booths, which had vastly improved since the morning, as we searched for the haunted house where Daniel and Vivian were presumably working. Those two, with their easily recognizable combination, should be easy to find with just a little looking around.
After wandering for a while, I finally caught sight of them.
“…Huh?”
“What’s wrong, Head Priest…? Oh?”
Daniel was smiling brightly, and Vivian was breaking her usual stoic expression with a subtle smile.
And there, standing before those two with proud smiles, was a tall man in a black coat, adorned with pale makeup that resembled ash on his skin, and a woman with a ponytail laughing beside him.
“No way…”
The man, whose makeup made him appear pale but whose face was flushed red to the point of rendering the makeup moot, was…
“…Sir Jericho?”
He was the man from whom I had received confession, a member of the Imperial Knight Order and the high-ranking official of the District—Lord Jericho Warren.
