Chapter 67: Ch67 – The Festival

Ryan and Eleanor stepped out of the classroom, the door clicked shut behind them. The corridor was quieter now, most students already heading to their next classes or dispersing across the academy grounds.

Ryan glanced at the clock mounted on the wall near the staircase.

12:32 PM.

He pulled out his schedule, scanning it quickly. “Next class is Mana Control and Meditation at one o’clock. Main Building, Floor 5, Room 8.”

Eleanor nodded. “We’ve got some time then.”

Before they could move, footsteps approached them from behind, accompanied by a voice.

“Hey! Wait up!”

Ryan turned.

Two students from Malick’s class were hurrying towards them. Both wore dark brown robes. A telltale sign of Earth Mages.

The first was a girl, short with shoulder-length yellow hair that bounced as she walked. Her expression was bright, energetic and glowing with enthusiasm.

The second was a boy, stocky with short brown hair and a more relaxed demeanour. He walked with his hands in his pockets and an easy smile on his face.

The girl stopped in front of them, slightly out of breath. “You’re the new students, right? Ryan and Eleanor?”

Ryan nodded. “Yeah.”

“I’m Alice!” the girl said, grinning. “And this is Rillen.”

Rillen gave a casual wave. “Hey.”

“Nice to meet you,” Eleanor said politely.

Alice clasped her hands together. “So, I think I just heard you mention your next class? Mana Control and Meditation? I wouldn’t go to it, It’s cancelled today.”

Ryan blinked. “Cancelled?”

“Yep!” Alice said cheerfully. “Teacher Leon does that sometimes. Just doesn’t show up, especially on days like this. You’ll get used to it.”

Rillen shrugged. “That’s just what he’s like, lazy fart.”

Ryan frowned. “So… what are we supposed to do now?”

Alice faked a contemplative expression. “What are you supposed to do now? …Well I guess you could~ meditate. But there’s no way that me and Rillen are doing that, definitely not! Especially because the Festival begins today!”

Ryan exchanged a glance with Eleanor. “What festival?”

Alice stared at him like he’d just said the sky was green. “What festival? The Festival of Ceres, of course! What other festival would it be?”

“The Festival of Ceres?” Ryan shrugged.

Rillen smirked. “Have you ever even lived in the Rupes Kingdom?”

Ryan scratched the back of his head. “Uh… No. We’re both new to this Kingdom.”

“Clearly,” Rillen said, though his tone was more amused than mocking.

Alice grabbed Ryan’s arm excitedly. “The Festival of Ceres! It starts today, It happens every year, we celebrate the Godess of Earth, Ceres all around the Kingdom. There’s food, music, markets, games, everything! The whole city turns into one massive party!”

“It’s pretty great,” Rillen added. “And the food is unmatched.”

Ryan’s stomach growled faintly at the mention of food.

Alice grinned. “See? Your body agrees! You have to come!”

Eleanor tilted her head. “How long does the festival last?”

“Eight days,” Rillen said. “Starts in like…” Rillen looked at the clock on the wall, “Twenty minutes, ends on the Eighth evening. Today’s the opening day, so it’s the most crowded, and also the most exciting.”

Alice bounced on her heels. “We’re heading there now. You two should come with us!”

Ryan hesitated, glancing at Eleanor.

Eleanor shrugged. “We have free time now. Might as well.”

“Exactly!” Alice said. “Come on, it’ll be fun! Plus, you need to see the city properly. Can’t just stay cooped up in the academy all the time.”

Rillen pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against. “We’re leaving now if you want to join. If not, no worries. But seriously, don’t miss the festival. It’s the highlight of every year.”

Alice nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely! Anyway, we’ll see you there, hopefully!”

She grabbed Rillen’s arm and started pulling him towards the staircase.

“Good luck at the academy, newbies!” Alice called over her shoulder.

Ryan and Eleanor stood there for a moment, watching Alice and Rillen disappear down the corridor.

Eleanor looked at him. “Should we get James and Jared?”

Ryan nodded. “Definitely. They’ll want to come.”

They headed back towards the dormitories, retracing their steps through the main building and out onto the academy grounds.

As they walked, Ryan noticed something different.

Many students were streaming towards the main gates in groups. Some were already in casual clothing rather than academy uniforms. A few instructors, Malick included, passed by as well, walking briskly, talking amongst themselves with animated expressions.

Everyone seemed to be heading in the same direction.

“It seems like half of the academy’s going,” Eleanor observed.

“Makes sense,” Ryan said. “It’s a festival for the Goddess of Earth, and… well this is the Kingdom of dirt, sorry, Earth. So it’s probably a big deal here.”

They continued along the pathway leading to the dormitories.

Then Ryan spotted two familiar figures walking down a pathway.

James and Jared, moving at a leisurely pace, hands in their pockets and seemingly confused as to why every student was heading out of the Academy.

“James! Jared!” Ryan called out.

The brothers looked up and changed direction, meeting them halfway.

“Back already?” James asked. “How was the lesson?”

“Chaotic,” Ryan said. “But seriously good. Listen, there’s a festival starting today. The Festival of Ceres. It’s in the city and we’re going, are you coming with us?”

James stopped mid-step.

Then he slapped his forehead. “How could I forget! The Festival of Ceres! It starts today!”

Jared smirked. “You always would forget… every year.”

“You forgot this time as well!” James protested.

“So I’m guessing you both are coming with us.” Ryan said.

James grinned. “Obviously. Let me just grab—”

“Money,” Ryan interrupted. “We need to grab our pouches. They’re still in the dorm.”

Eleanor was already turning back towards dormitory six. “Come on. Quickly.”

The four of them hurried over to the building, weaving between other students heading in the opposite direction.

They reached room twenty seven, and Ryan shoved his key into the lock.

Eleanor went straight to her bed, grabbing the leather pouch from beneath her pillow. Ryan did the same, checking quickly to make sure all nine gold crowns and nine silver hills were still inside.

They were.

James and Jared waited outside in the corridor, leaning against the wall.

“Hurry up!” James called. “The best food stalls always sell out fast!”

Ryan tucked the pouch into his belt and stepped back out. Eleanor followed, securing her own pouch.

“Ready,” Ryan said.

“Finally,” Jared muttered, pushing off the wall.

They descended the stairs quickly, footsteps echoing, and stepped back out onto the academy grounds.

The flow of students towards the main gates had shrunk now as most students had already left.

James moved ahead, leading the way with confidence.

They passed through the main gates, the guards barely glancing at them as they headed into the city.

The streets beyond were overflowing with people, mostly humans, but there were a select few elves and even dwarves.

Stalls lined the roads, colourful banners hanging overhead. The smell of roasted meat, fresh bread, and something sweet drifted through the air. Music played somewhere in the distance, drums and strings blending together.

The city had transformed.

“Welcome to the Festival of Ceres,” said James, with his arms outspread, as if welcoming Ryan and Eleanor in.

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