The Reunion That's Soon to Come
Myriad crowds filled the square in front of the Partita Guild in the capital. Petals scattered in the air, and cheers and roars poured down like a waterfall. Amid the festival's fervor, Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara stood side by side on the guild headquarters' tall, grand balcony.
"No way... so many people gathered just for us!"
A mix of bewilderment and joy spread across the three girls' faces. It was a massive cheer they'd never experienced before. A bit unfamiliar, but a profound emotion welled up from deep within their hearts. Looking down, thousands in the crowd rippled like waves. They competed to chant the three girls' names.
"Lilfrea! Lilfrea!"
"Maribel! Maribel!"
"Clara! Clara!"
The cheers enveloped their bodies—this dreamed-of moment, this attention pouring just for them. Maribel took a deep breath.
"A cheer like this is a first... it feels like I've become one of Edelan's Ten Stars!"
Clara placed a slightly trembling hand over her chest.
"I never imagined a day in my life when so many people would shout my name..."
Lilfrea proudly lifted her head and gazed down again. A sea of people sparkling in the sunlight.
"Coming to Partita was the right choice, after all. It really feels like a dream..."
Under the dazzling sun, the three smiled radiantly, as if they owned the world. This was the moment they'd so desperately wanted. The life they'd envied and admired.
Then, Guild Master Maltio de Creven approached them with leisurely steps from behind, followed by several guild executives.
"How do you like the welcome ceremony? This place is your home now."
His deep, resonant voice reached their ears softly. The three bowed politely with bright expressions, slightly lifting their skirts.
"Thank you so much, Guild Master."
"I'll never forget this for the rest of my life."
"How can we ever repay this..."
Maltio and the executives smiled warmly at the girls' touched expressions. Then Maltio asked playfully,
"Different from your time with Han Seru, isn't it?"
The three immediately replied with spirited vigor.
"Yes! Of course! It's not even comparable!"
"Can you tell us what it was like back then?"
The three exchanged glances, then spoke in unison with suppressed laughter.
"It was so awful we never want to go back!"
Everyone burst into laughter together. A new beginning. A dazzling stage. And the world calling their names in this moment. The three girls truly believed they'd made the right choice coming to Partita.
After the lavish welcome ceremony ended, Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara sat in the guild headquarters' reception room. Serving maids brought tea and pastries.
Maribel spoke in an excited voice.
"Did you see? The people chanting my name! My heart's still pounding!"
Clara sipped her black tea from a cup, then smiled faintly.
"Me too... that thrill when all eyes were on us. I don't think I'll ever forget it."
Lilfrea followed with a beaming smile.
"At first, I thought it was a dream. The Guild Master is so cool, too—we really did the right thing coming here, didn't we?"
It was rare to see the ice princess so thrilled.
"Yeah!"
"Totally!"
The three chattered energetically like children, buzzing with joy. Then, moments later, the reception room door opened, and Lukan, their assigned manager, entered. Smiling, dressed neatly with a stack of documents in hand.
"Did everyone enjoy the welcome ceremony?"
Lukan sat across from them on the sofa and continued leisurely.
"Now it's time to share the really important news."
Lilfrea tilted her head curiously.
"Important news?"
Lukan smiled meaningfully as he placed the documents on the table.
"In six months, you'll be participating in the Akwi Festival, hosted by the Resonance Guardian Society."
"Resonance Guardian Society... isn't that the promotion exam association?"
Maribel asked in surprise. Lukan nodded.
"Correct. The Resonance Guardian Society—an organization all bards around the world belong to. Achieving results at their Akwi Festival means you can aim for Pure String, and even Golden String."
He spread four fingers wide.
"A-rank, Golden String. B-rank, Pure String. C-rank, Harmonious String. D-rank, Singing Novice."
He continued explaining.
"As you know, excluding Singing Novice, all other titles are officially issued by the Resonance Guardian Society. Place in their promotion tournaments to receive certification, and your skills are formally recognized."
He looked around at them.
"You earned Harmonious String titles working with Han Seru, but a Harmonious String's booking fees aren't substantial yet. You must place at the Akwi Festival to promote to Pure String and enjoy true treatment and honor. Standing on that stage in six months means a bigger world opening up to your songs."
"Pure String..."
Clara murmured softly. Pure String—city representative level. The local star. Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara already had the skill for it. They just lacked the Resonance Guardian Society's certification.
Lilfrea clenched her fist, speaking with conviction.
"Don't worry. We'll definitely place and become Pure Strings."
Clara and Maribel exchanged determined glances and nodded vigorously.
"We'll make it happen!"
Lukan smiled in satisfaction.
"Good. I'll prepare just as diligently until then. The future is your era."
The Akwi Festival is held in the specially selected provincial city of Herumont.
"Akwi Festival... is that something you eat?"
In the provincial city's square, bustling with people, Estel blinked at the bulletin board. Standing beside her with arms crossed, I stared intently at the posted announcement.
"It's not food. It's a singing contest."
"I know. Why are you staring at it so closely?"
"For you to enter."
"Cough! R-really? I get too nervous for contests like that—I can't!"
"How long do you plan to stay a nameless Singing Novice?"
"I can't!"
"You have to. At least enter and snag a Harmonious String certification, even if Pure String is out of reach."
"Six months is too short!"
"That's why I'm here."
"Can't I just skip it, get treated like a Harmonious String anyway, and live quietly?"
"People cut fees without certification?"
"If you're on good terms, they let it slide! They treat you right anyway!"
"That's why you're stuck with beginner adventurer parties?"
Estel puffed out her cheeks.
"Connections make it fine. Hmph."
"When? In what lifetime?"
"Someday!"
"When you're old and dying?"
"Real places with proper setups say nerves are fine~!"
"Only endless practice with me will save you."
"No! No! No!"
Estel threw a tantrum right in the middle of the square, embarrassingly over-the-top, but I clapped and urged her on. In the end, I won. She promised to enter the contest. Done.
Estel quickly deflated, mumbling with a sullen face.
"But... how do you know all this stuff so well, Seru? You teach singing great, bring tons of sheet music, know bard contests... were you traveling with a bard before? Before me?"
Her casual question made me flinch for a moment.
"You don't need to know."
If I told her my story, she might sense something and end up like those three girls someday. Trust between us wasn't fully formed yet—better she didn't know.
"I'll tell you later. When the time comes."
"Tell me now, no skipping!"
"Don't be impatient."
I lightly tapped her arm.
"Come on."
"Where to? Home?"
"Since you're entering the contest..."
I grinned exaggeratedly.
"Next up: fabulous dresses."
"Six months left and already?"
"On credit, so we gotta push early. Popular shops have long lines."
"Huh? On credit...?"
I led Estel out of the bustling square. Our destination: the old brick building, Rackrowa Clothing Workshop. Belldia Rackrowa. Skilled hands, definite tastes, trendy eye, and delicate sensibility—no one could match her.
I first crossed paths with her two years ago. Back when I traveled with those three girls—no, those backstabbers. Just like now, I was racking my brain over stage outfits.
Struggling to find a decent seamstress without money, someone recommended, "Rackrowa's daughter—she's got big ambitions."
Skeptical, I visited that small workshop. There I first met Belldia, red ponytail tied tight, chalk tucked behind her ear, busily marking fabric.
"Sit if you're ordering. Out if you're peddling junk."
Her blunt voice cut straight. I knew little about fashion and spoke vaguely, but without asking more, she nailed eye-catching colors for the stage, comfortable fabrics for movement, cuts that shone under lights—perfecting what was beyond even my imagination.
After that, every commission, Belldia pulled all-nighters till dawn to finish. When handing over the clothes, she'd always say:
"If someone compliments the outfit, close your eyes, picture my face, and say some crazy woman made it."
Her weary smirk as she turned away was still vivid. Honestly... from then, I thought she was unique, and deeply grateful.
She'd toss barbs at me or pat my back passing in the market, but no seamstress matched Belldia for stage wear. This time too, I trusted she wouldn't disappoint. Among seamstresses I knew, Belldia Rackrowa was undoubtedly the best.