19
Chapter 19
The Academic Festival had come to an end.
The exits were crowded as students poured out of the stands all at once. Assistants were busy directing the crowd.
Enoch leaned against a wall, turning his back to the commotion.
Benny came running toward him. The stage floor was still damp and slippery.
"Careful. You're going to trip."
As if reacting to Enoch's concern, Benny shortened his stride and skidded to a halt in front of him.
"Teacher, what do we do now?"
Edelyn followed close behind. Her pace was slower than usual.
'She must be exhausted from mana depletion.'
Enoch looked back and forth between Benny and Edelyn, then shifted his gaze toward Morse and Sancta.
'They've all worked so hard; maybe I should take them out for something delicious.'
After a moment of consideration, Enoch spoke.
"Everyone, gather around."
They all obeyed. Enoch stood before the four of them in silence for a moment.
'I wonder where would be a good place to eat...'
While he was lost in thought, Edelyn asked quietly.
"Why did you call us over?"
"Let's go grab some food."
A brief silence followed.
Edelyn blinked.
Benny was quick to break the silence.
"Why?"
"Because you all did so well today. I want to treat you."
Enoch continued calmly.
"So, let's all go eating out."
"I'm in!"
His voice echoed across the hall. A few students from other classes glanced back as they passed by.
Benny didn't care. His teacher said he did a good job; that was all that mattered.
Morse raised her hand.
"Actually, the other assistants recommended a restaurant."
'Since when did she get so close with the other assistants...?'
Enoch looked at Morse and asked.
"How did you get a recommendation like that?"
"It's the basics."
Morse replied, naturally leaning her chest toward Enoch. He quickly looked away into the void.
Edelyn was watching the scene.
Her eyes lingered on Morse for a moment. Something felt off, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She didn't have a specific reason.
She just didn't like it.
"Student Edelyn?"
A voice called out from behind. Edelyn turned around.
It was Nadia. Though she had called Edelyn, her gaze was fixed on Enoch.
"You're Teacher Enoch, the person in charge of F Class, right?"
Nadia said as she walked toward Enoch.
"That is correct."
Enoch looked at Nadia. Despite facing a VIP, his expression remained completely neutral.
"I am Nadia al-Harim from the Sharan Republic."
Nadia said with a wide smile.
"I've arranged a dinner party and would like to invite you and your students. The others are also eager to speak with you."
Hearing this, Enoch looked back at his group and asked.
"What do you think? Do you want to go?"
Edelyn asked.
"Are we all going?"
"They probably only invited the students and the teacher, right?"
As Enoch spoke calmly, Benny asked.
"Excluding Assistant Morse and Sancta?"
"I suppose so."
"Then I'm not going."
Benny said firmly, crossing his arms.
"If we're not all going together, I'm not going."
Morse spoke to Benny.
"We're fine, so don't worry about us and go. It's a great opportunity to talk with the VIPs."
Sancta nodded quietly. Benny looked at Sancta and said.
"Still, I don't like it."
Edelyn whispered beside Benny.
"I... don't like it either."
Their tones were different. Benny was whining, while Edelyn was sincere. But their hearts were in the same place.
Enoch looked at the two of them, perplexed.
"Why are you just hesitating?"
Benny tilted his head.
"What?"
Without a word, Enoch walked toward Nadia. Everyone watched him from behind. He stopped in front of her and spoke quietly.
"Can I bring two more people?"
Nadia's gaze shifted to Enoch.
"For the record, if you say no, we aren't going."
He added the remark nonchalantly. It didn't sound like a threat.
He simply looked as if he were stating a fact. From Enoch's perspective, it actually was.
Nadia looked over Enoch's group.
Then she smiled.
"Of course. The more the merrier!"
Enoch nodded and turned around. Benny and Edelyn were staring at him intently.
Enoch stood before the two of them and said.
"They said yes."
That was the end of it.
Benny said with a beaming smile.
"Let's go, Assistant! Sancta!"
Morse let out a chuckle and said.
"Alright."
Sancta quietly approached Benny's side. She didn't say a word, but her expression showed that was enough.
Edelyn watched them before quietly walking up to Enoch's side.
"Teacher."
"What is it?"
"Earlier, the Archmage said something to you after the sparring session."
Enoch looked down at Edelyn.
"You heard that?"
"I did."
Enoch remained silent for a moment.
"It's just that something came up for us to discuss later."
Edelyn didn't ask any more questions. She felt it was better not to.
Benny was asking Morse something.
"What's for dinner?"
"I guess we'll have to go there to find out?"
"Will there be meat?!"
"I wonder...?"
"I hope there is~"
Sancta walked beside Benny, listening to the conversation. She leaned slightly toward him as she walked.
Enoch watched them from behind. A faint smile played on his lips.
#
The VIP Lodgings area of the Academy.
A few staff members were still moving about since the Academic Festival had just ended, but this floor was quiet.
The thick carpet swallowed the sound of footsteps. Lights were placed at regular intervals along the walls.
The silence was so profound it made the chaos of the auditorium feel like a dream.
Lionel stopped in front of a room at the end of the hallway.
A maid stood by the door. Recognizing Lionel, she bowed deeply.
"Your Excellency, Lionel."
"Don't worry about it."
Lionel waved his hand dismissively.
"Is our treasure inside?"
"The Princess is inside, sir."
"May I go in?"
"Please wait a moment."
The maid stepped inside. Brief murmurs leaked through the door.
After a moment, the maid returned, nodded once, and opened the door.
Lionel stepped inside.
Vivianne was sitting on a sofa by the window. Her half-undone hair was a work of art. A book lay open on her lap, as if she had been reading. The scent of lavender filled the room.
Her purple eyes turned toward Lionel.
"Uncle. What brings you here?"
"Did you see the Academic Festival today?"
Lionel said as he walked into the room. Without asking for permission, he pulled out the opposite chair and sat down.
Vivianne set her book down and replied, as if used to this.
"I had meetings at the Royal palace. I couldn't see it because I had to make an appearance."
"You missed it!"
Lionel leaned back, placing a hand on his forehead. It was a highly exaggerated gesture.
Vivianne knew the difference between when Lionel was genuinely distressed and when he was acting. Right now, it was clearly the latter.
"Hehe."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because you're being funny, Uncle."
"I am always sincere."
Lionel said, straightening his posture.
"It was truly worth seeing today. Especially F Class—"
"F Class?"
Vivianne looked puzzled. Lionel understood why she reacted that way; he had felt the same at first.
"Anyway. There's a banquet tonight with the other VIPs."
Lionel made a suggestion to Vivianne.
"Would you like to come with me?"
Vivianne didn't answer for a moment.
'Three meetings today alone.'
One in the morning, two in the afternoon. She had spent over five hours just sitting there, forced to maintain a smile.
The gaze of others had been constantly fixed on her. Today, that weight felt especially heavy.
She wanted to eat dinner comfortably in her room.
'Should I refuse...?'
Just as the thought reached her lips.
"I've invited a special guest today as well."
Vivianne looked at Lionel with curiosity.
"Who is it?"
Lionel wore a mischievous expression.
"That's part of the surprise."
"Uncle."
"Yes?"
"I'm asking who it is."
"I told you, you'll find out if you come along."
Vivianne gazed at Lionel for a moment.
There was only one reason he ever acted like this: when something truly exciting was happening.
Furthermore, since her uncle had come to see her personally, she felt it would be rude to refuse.
Vivianne slowly stood up, leaving her book on the sofa.
"...Alright."
Lionel's face brightened.
Vivianne turned and gave an order to the maid.
"Please prepare a dress. Something simple."
"Yes, Princess."
The maid bowed and moved toward the wardrobe.
Lionel leaned back against the sofa and spoke.
"You can look forward to it."
Vivianne shot him a sidelong glance.
"You know it's more exciting when you tell me not to expect anything, right, Uncle?"
Lionel laughed.
"Is that so?"
Outside the window, the sun was beginning to set.
While Vivianne stood before the mirror, Lionel sat in the chair, lost in thought.
'F Class...'
The scenes from the auditorium flashed through his mind.
The eleventh Water Ball. The moment the Archmage had raised his staff.
In that instant, Lionel had caught sight of the F Class teacher standing calmly to one side of the stage.
'A teacher named Enoch.'
Lionel prided himself on his ability to read people, yet this teacher was completely unreadable.
He was the type of person whose thoughts couldn't be grasped at all.
On top of that, the Archmage had personally suggested speaking with him.
As far as Lionel knew, the Archmage had never made such a proposal, even to other VIPs.
'Tonight should be interesting.'
Lionel continued to smile, clearly amused.
#
The Main Building of the Academy.
The door to the VIP waiting room swung open.
Vice-Principal Vincent rushed in, breathless. He had come to inform the VIPs of tomorrow's schedule.
He held documents in his hand, the order of the explanation already organized in his head.
But the room was empty.
Vincent looked around the room.
A chair had been pulled out, and a single teacup sat on the table. It was evidence that someone had been there.
All six of them.
None were there.
"...Where did everyone go!!!!!"
His voice echoed all the way down the hallway.
The papers in his hand scattered across the floor.