Chapter 630: Day before the tournament 3

“The academy really is quite lively today!”

“It is a rare day off for everyone to enjoy,” Vanessa answered with a bright smile. “So I guess everyone is making sure to get the most out of it~”

“Hehe, I get them though. Even I wouldn’t want to miss out on this. Sure, watching the tournament tomorrow will be fun, but nothing beats a relaxing day of wandering around and playing somewhere.”

Vanessa smiled softly as she listened to Emilia’s warm, energetic voice.

As always, Emilia moved with a light skip in her steps, practically glowing as they walked deeper into the commercial district.

For Vanessa, being surrounded by so many people still wasn’t something she was fully used to—even after almost a year at the academy.

Elves rarely lived in such crowded and chaotic places.

But… she also couldn’t deny the strange comfort she felt seeing humans laugh, chat, and pretend everything was peaceful.

Harmony built from pretense was still harmony.At least to her.

“Do humans enjoy festivities like this, princess…?”A young man’s voice came from behind her.

“They’re even playing around and eating as much as they like,” added another voice—this one belonging to a girl.

Melan and Fay, the two elven youths walking just behind Vanessa, were looking around with wide, curious eyes.

Their expressions practically screamed we’ve never seen anything like this before.

Food stalls, street games, noisy crowds—none of these were familiar to elves raised deep in secluded forests.

“Fufu~ It would be best if you two stop staring too much,” Emilia said with a giggle. “You might end up causing some trouble if you keep it up.”

“I see. We will do so, your highness…”Both elves immediately bowed stiffly.

Vanessa let out a small sigh as she watched them.

They were so tense—clearly unsure of how to behave among humans.It reminded her of how she first arrived.

The two elves had only just been discharged from the academy ward after being bedridden for almost two days thanks to that incident during the competition.

Now that they were finally back to full health, Vanessa wanted nothing more than to let the two of them relax at this event.

But seeing them now… yeah, maybe her choice wasn’t the best.

They weren’t just her future guardians—they were her childhood friends. She wanted them to see the beauty of humanity at least a little.

To realize people weren’t all that bad.

But judging by their stiff expressions, maybe it would take some time.

Well… unless she used her perfect little weapon that could probably harmonize all races.

“Hey~ hey~ you guys, let’s try this out!”

It was Emilia calling from a distance. Before any of them realized it, she had already wandered off toward a booth—a small archery stall, of all things.

Vanessa smiled softly. Emilia’s bright grin was contagious, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before Melan and Fay gave in to it as well.

The three elves approached the booth and started playing the game… and, well, let’s just say the staff banned them in record time.

Winning prize after prize with their absurdly accurate shots wasn’t exactly fair to the other customers.

Naturally, as the only man in the group, Melan ended up carrying the ridiculous pile of huge stuffed toys they won.

“Ah, this is fun! I wonder when the others will catch up with us!”Emilia said excitedly, bouncing on her feet. Vanessa nodded.

“I’m sure they’ll be here soon. But before that… shouldn’t we talk about your progress, Emilia?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“With Senior Riley, of course~”

Emilia immediately choked on the orange juice she had just bought.

….

Somewhere else in the festival, Flamme wandered around at her own slow pace.

“Boring~”

She mumbled to herself, barely loud enough for anyone to hear.

The academy did its best to turn this whole event into a proper festival, and she wanted to try new things… but compared to the grand festivals back in the imperial capital, this one felt painfully lackluster.

Sure, she found a few stalls that seemed interesting at first glance, but nothing really sparked that excitement she was hoping for.

No thrill, no challenge, just… average.

Right now she was heading toward the meeting spot she and her friends had agreed on.

It was still a bit early, though, and she had been hoping to try out a few things just so she could brag about it later.

But honestly?

Everything looked so easy it wasn’t even worth the effort. She sighed and shook her head.

“Well, I’ll have my fill with bullying Reina, so it’s fine~”

She muttered with a sly smirk, already imagining new annoying ways to get under the girl’s skin.

It wasn’t that she hated Reina—not at all.

In fact, there was something fun about teasing her.

The way Reina always snapped back, always rose to the bait… it turned into a kind of hobby for Flamme.

A dangerous one for Reina, maybe.

But for Flamme? It made her playful side flare up every single time.

Emilia mentioned yesterday that two more people would be joining them for the festival, so Flamme had been wondering all morning who those mysterious additions were supposed to be.

Emilia even guaranteed they weren’t people they had met before, which only made Flamme more curious.

Probably some foreign students… or classmates Emilia somehow befriended out of nowhere, she guessed.

And of course, with that thought came another one:

I wonder if they’re people I can bully too…

She grinned to herself at the idea, though she knew she’d have to tone down her usual antics—if only a little—since Stacia would also be joining them.

Stacia had that quiet, gentle authority that made Flamme behave like a normal person… well, sometimes.

After wandering around for a few more minutes, Flamme finally reached the meeting area they had agreed on.

She looked around, scanning the open plaza with mild interest.

No sight of her friends yet.

“Tch…” She clicked her tongue, annoyed, and was about to go sit under the shade on one of the benches—

—but then she froze.

Her eyes widened.

In the distance… she saw Reina slowly approaching.

But that wasn’t the part that shocked her.

Walking beside Reina was a young man.

Senior Lucas… and Reina…

Side by side, talking casually like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The two of them even laughed at something, exchanging smiles like they were… close.

Flamme’s brain simply refused to process the scene.

She stared, mouth slightly open, feeling something between disbelief and outrage bubbling up.

Reina? With Senior Lucas? Smiling?? And he’s smiling back?? What’s going on?

For a moment, she wondered if she was hallucinating from boredom.

But no—this was real, painfully real.

And Flamme had absolutely no idea how to react.

….

At the same time…

“Haha, thank you for guiding me to this place, Senior…”

Reina bowed her head lightly as she walked beside Lucas.

“Haha, it’s fine,” Lucas replied with an easy smile. “I was actually intending to come somewhere around this area anyway. And when I saw you looking completely lost, I couldn’t just turn a blind eye, you know?”

“Fufu, you really are kind, Senior.”

“It’s nothing. I think anyone would’ve done the same in that situation.”

“Haha… I don’t think that’s the case at all…”

Reina whispered under her breath.Her thoughts drifted to a certain grey-haired, grey-eyed young girl who definitely would have ignored her getting lost—and might even laugh while walking away.

Honestly, she was grateful she ran into Lucas when she did.

She had been truly lost, wandering in circles for almost ten minutes.

Meeting him felt like a blessing from the goddess herself.

“You mentioned you were meeting your friends here, right?” Lucas asked.

“Uhm, yes. Though… it seems I arrived first.”

“I see…”He paused for a moment, then rubbed the back of his neck a little awkwardly.”Uhm, if you don’t mind… can I stay here with you for a bit? My appointment is still a while from now.”

“I don’t mind but… are you sure you’re okay with that, Senior?”

“Yes.”

“But you really don’t have to. I can’t bother you so much already—”

“Haha, it’s fine,” he interrupted softly. “Your time and presence isn’t a bother to me at all, Junior Reina. If anything… it actually makes me happy.”

Reina’s steps faltered.

Her cheeks turned a noticeable shade of pink.

She knew Lucas was probably just being considerate.

He was like that with everyone.

But even so—coming from Lucas of all people… those gentle words hit her harder than they should.

She couldn’t help feeling… strangely appreciated.

And for a brief moment, she felt a flutter in her chest she wasn’t prepared to deal with.

“And also… I think my presence will actually put me more at ease here,” Lucas added.

“Why?” Reina blinked.

“There are a lot of stares directed at your beauty right now, Junior.”

“Hn?”

Reina’s mind froze for a full second.

Did he just… call her beautiful?

She replayed his words in her head, wondering if she had misheard or if Lucas meant something else entirely.

Reina wasn’t delusional—she knew she was on the prettier side compared to most people.

But she never once imagined people would pay that much attention to her, especially in an academy filled with women who looked like they stepped straight out of legendary paintings—almost divine in their charm.

But when she looked around…

Her eyes widened.

There really were a bunch of guys staring.

Not a subtle glance—actual, focused staring.Some whispered. Some nudged their friends.

A few even looked like they were building up the courage to walk over.

And even if she could take care of herself… being hit on that publicly, in the middle of a festival?

That was definitely not her taste.

“I… I see. Thanks then, Senior,” Reina mumbled softly.

Lucas nodded with a gentle smile.

Meeting Reina like this wasn’t something he expected today.

After all, he had just met Riley a short while ago too.

It made him wonder if fate was playing around with him—bringing the two siblings he respected so much right into his path.

And because Reina was Riley’s little sister, he naturally wanted to take care of her as well.

Protecting her from unnecessary trouble felt right—especially for an aspiring knight like him.

…Although.

He suddenly remembered.

Janica. Their date.

He winced inwardly.

She was probably waiting already… and she absolutely could get scary when irritated.

But—Lucas exhaled with a small nod—he was sure she’d understand once he explained the situation.

He was only trying to protect Reina for a short while.

Just making sure she didn’t get dragged into pointless trouble.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Nodding to himself, satisfied with his own reasoning, Lucas turned his gaze back to Reina—gentle, almost thoughtful.

They really did look alike…

Riley had colder eyes, sharper features, and a more intimidating aura.

Reina, meanwhile, had a softer expression, a cuter charm.

But no one could deny it—they looked like gender-bent versions of each other.

“Beautiful…”

The thought slipped out before he could stop it.

“E-Eh?”

Reina’s eyes widened, her steps halting for a moment.

And only then did Lucas realize—he had actually spoken that out loud.

“Ah—no, what I meant was…” He froze for half a second, then decided to just be honest. “Uhm… you just look so dazzlingly beautiful right now.”

He figured denying it or awkwardly covering it up would only make it worse.

Reina wasn’t someone he wanted to lie to either.

“I-I see… is that so?” she murmured, cheeks warming.

“Yes,” he answered simply.

Seeing Reina’s flustered expression only made Lucas feel more uneasy himself.

She was Riley’s sister.

He shouldn’t be thinking of her as anything other than that.

Even if he found her pretty… no, beautiful… his feelings needed to stay controlled.

At least until he could prove his sword, his pride, to Riley.

That was the one line he set for himself—he wouldn’t cross it easily.

Shaking his head lightly, trying to dispel unnecessary thoughts, Lucas opened his mouth to apologize—for troubling her, for saying too much, for anything that might’ve made things awkward.

But—

“Hallooo~!”

A playful voice cut in from the side.

Wearing her usual oversized jacket-like robe, grey eyes glinting mischievously, her short grey hair swaying in the wind and that familiar smug little smirk on her lips—

Flamme stood there, staring at the two of them with way too much curiosity.

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