The Food Alley Already Bustling with Students
The food alley was already swarming with students. It seemed they planned to fill their bellies first before wandering around, darting from stall to stall like possessed souls to stuff themselves with street food.
Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute couldn't escape the flow either. They were at that prime age for eating heaps, and as Knight Faculty students accustomed to intense physical training, both had hearty appetites.
Since Adem Festa was a three-day festival spanning the entire school, there was plenty to see. Even three straight days of sightseeing wouldn't be enough, so instead of a refined sit-down meal, the two grabbed tasty-looking street foods and munched while strolling the streets.
Fortunately, the vendor foods used top-grade ingredients, so nothing failed to suit their tastes.
Each holding a snack in hand, they began exploring around the food alley. It wasn't just food stalls, after all.
From the usual festival parades to priests—some of dubious origins—showcasing saint laws they'd developed to the crowds.
Lanur priests were especially numerous among them. True to their curiosity about all things, they dazzled onlookers with outlandish saint law orbs or ones so awe-inspiring they drew gasps just from sight.
The Mysterious House they'd just visited was one such creation by Lanur priestess Daphnen.
After circling the entire food alley, the two had finished even the snacks in their hands.
"Hah, I'm stuffed."
"Where to next? Feels like we've covered the food alley."
Ashytara wore a satisfied smile from the fullness, and Ludenberg, watching her, asked.
"Hmm... Oh, right, Dalia sunbae mentioned it. There's a saint law contest this time."
"Saint law contest... Ah, found it."
Ludenberg flipped open the guidebook and searched for the saint law contest. He found it easily enough and handed it to Ashytara.
"Here."
"Thanks. Hmm... I thought it'd be some casual student thing, but it's bigger than I expected. And the judges... Wait, why is my sister on here?"
"Sione noona?"
"Yeah. And it's not just her. Rohan professor and all the theology professors are judging?"
"...Guess the professors were pretty bored."
"Maybe after reining in students so strictly, they want to join the fun this time."
"Could be. Oh, any participants listed?"
"Yeah, there are."
"Anyone we know among them?"
"Dunno... Doesn't look like anyone I know. I wasn't exactly the social type anyway. I poured all my attention into one person and blew any chance at making friends. Plus, the list is mostly upperclassmen—barely any first-years."
That "one person" was obviously Ludenberg, who looked a bit guilty and sheepish.
"Sorry..."
"Just don't do it again. Anyway, no familiar faces even among the upperclassmen. We hardly interact with second- or third-years, right? If we weren't on the student council, we'd have zero contact."
"True. Come to think of it, it's weird how little overlap we have with upperclassmen."
"I wondered about that too, so I asked my sister once... She said they block seniors from oppressing or imposing their weird traditions on freshmen early on. They wait until first-years settle into academy life before letting them mix."
"Ah... Makes sense. Even family knight orders haze newbies during initiations, so yeah, preventing that."
"Pretty much."
"Anyway, Tara, you thinking of entering?"
"Me? Nah. I haven't learned anything flashy enough for that. The saint laws I know are pretty standard."
"Then just spectating it is?"
"Yeah. Honestly, I'm looking forward to it. Bet we'll see some high-level stuff. Maybe even artistic ones."
"What if someone screws up and causes a mess? Upperclassmen prepping experimental saint laws and all."
"Pfft, no way. With that many professors watching."
"...Yeah, probably."
With that, the two headed to the contest venue.
This was the grand auditorium, venue for the saint law contest.
As the only contest on the first day of Adem Festa, it drew massive student interest, with crowds already pouring in.
Upperclassmen saint laws were bound to spark curiosity.
Saint laws evolved uniquely to each person as divine power techniques, branching from basics into variants.
Even artistic ones weren't inferior; they offered students real insights—like special applications in the evolution process, explained by professors for fresh enlightenment.
The format was simple: Student ascends stage, demonstrates saint law, explains purpose. Judges score it.
Scores were subjective—one professor's dud could be another's gem.
No fixed criteria, but students trusted the faculty verdicts. It wasn't for prizes anyway—just festival fun.
Win or lose, no big deal. The goal was entertaining others.
The judge professors stood, waving to students who applauded enthusiastically.
Beside the stage sat the MC: someone Ludenberg and Ashytara knew well.
Dalia Retiu. Her neatly swept-back red hair and eyes brimmed with a vitality absent before, her outfit impeccably tidy.
"Dalia sunbae's MCing."
"Ah... Tough gig. Couldn't find anyone else, huh."
For reference, Dalia had sought an MC right up to the eve of Adem Festa... but with no takers, she'd stepped up herself.
Seeing her still hustling, the two sent sympathetic glances. They knew that spark in her eyes was squeezed from superhuman endurance.
"Greetings. I'm Dalia Retiu, your MC for the saint law contest."
Dalia's clear voice rang out to the students.
"I had a bunch of prepared remarks, but seeing all your eager eyes on the stage... maybe I can skip 'em. Professors, all set?"
"Indeed."
Rohan Heywards, center judge, nodded with a playful smile at her teasing expression.
"Great. No dragging—let's kick off the saint law contest!"
As her words ended, a green-haired girl—likely a waiting participant—ascended the stage.
A face Ludenberg knew well.
"Isn't that Evelyn?"
Ashytara whispered, and Ludenberg nodded.
"Yeah. Thought it'd start with upperclassmen, but nope."
"Her expression looks kinda dark, though?"
As Ashytara noted, Evelyn's face was stiff—not mere nerves, but like something had happened.
"First participant, please introduce yourself."
"Uh... Hello. I'm Evelyn Ansis, first-year Knight Faculty."
"Nice to meet you, Evelyn. What brought you to the contest?"
"Haa."
Her sudden sigh left people puzzled... then Ludenberg caught a stifled laugh near his ear.
"My friends signed me up without asking... so here I am."
"Wow, some friends!"
Laughter swept the auditorium. Second- and third-years especially loved it—seemed similar pranks happened yearly.
"Puhaha!"
Someone burst out, and Ludenberg pinpointed the source: fellow Innocence rankers Brian, Jerome, and Granias.
Friends pranking friends, apparently.
"Well, familiar territory, right? Happens every contest. Second- and third-years know—last year too."
Dalia grinned, catching on.
"Yes!"
"Nothing unusual, so let's proceed. No prep needed—just toss out a saint law. Funnier the better."
"...Okay."
Evelyn replied deadpan and activated her saint law.
Wind swirled, forming a bird shape identical to reality.
"Ooh..."
Far more refined than mere speed boosts or back-wings, the wind bird fully materialized—showcasing her precise divine power control.
Impressive for a first-year; even upperclassmen looked impressed.
It didn't end there. The wind bird flitted around the hall before landing before Evelyn.
"Asked for silly, got stunning. Still, good show. Judges, your scores please."