Interlude: Victory Banquet
"Congratulations on passing, Estel!"
"Cheers!"
A small tavern near the inn. Seven glasses clinked joyfully, bursting into bright laughter.
Me, Estel, Belldia, and the rookie adventurer party members—Bolcas, Pardel, Lijel, and Minerri—were all gathered around the table, celebrating her advancement to the main tournament.
When I announced I was treating everyone for the first time, even the rookie adventurers who had been out hunting and skipped the preliminaries showed up without fail.
Lately, the rookie adventurer party had been hunting daily around the city outskirts. Having come all this way, they couldn't just idle around. Food and lodging cost money, so they had to earn a living day by day. That's why they were hunting nearby to scrape together guard fees in their spare time.
"Grrraah! This place brews damn good beer!"
Bolcas slammed down his massive mug and tore into a chicken leg with gusto, while Minerri took a delicate sip of her beer and gazed at Estel with shining eyes.
"You worked so hard, Estel. We all knew you'd pass with flying colors."
Even the usually aloof mage Lijel, indifferent to those around her, spoke up quietly today.
"The results came out fast. Congrats."
The laconic, stoic Pardel muttered briefly.
"…Good job."
Minerri continued.
"We'll be there for the main round too. Don't feel pressured—just keep doing what you're doing. The stage is yours."
I transferred a perfectly grilled chicken breast to my plate and said,
"Seats might be tight, so grab your tickets quick."
"Hehe, already got 'em."
"Oh, really? Good thinking. It was packed."
"Right? We were sweating bullets thinking we might not get any."
As lively chatter bounced around, Estel stuffed her cheeks full of snacks without a word, munching away relentlessly. I'd been strict about her diet and vocal care, but tonight I gave her free rein to eat her fill.
The first round of the main tournament was a week away. Feast today, brutal training starts tomorrow.
"Heard the judges were all raving about you?"
"They said I did great. Made me so happy."
Estel gave vague replies to the praise, too busy devouring like a woman possessed.
"Mmm, nom nom… This is delicious. Perfect seasoning. Slurp."
The girl who had shone so beautifully on stage earlier was gone, replaced by an adorable little piglet. Well, even as a piglet, her face was still slim and pretty.
She liked the makeup Belldia had so carefully applied during the day so much that she hadn't washed it off yet, drawing constant glances from other tables. Estel's looks captivated men and women alike. And since this tavern was cheaper and quieter than most, pretty and striking people like her stood out even more.
One guy, emboldened by booze, sidled up only to spot Bolcas's massive forearm and scamper away in fright.
"Here."
Suddenly, a golden-brown chicken leg appeared on my plate. It was Belldia.
"You worked hard too, so eat up."
"You did the hard part. What'd I even do?"
"Shush, no need to be modest."
Belldia grinned playfully and raised her glass. Estel watched the exchange, then abruptly stopped chewing. She narrowed her eyes, pondering something with a serious expression.
"Hmm… Hmm…!"
Then she slyly placed one of her precious chicken legs on my plate.
"Eat this."
She beamed innocently.
"Nah, I'm good. Belldia gave me one."
"Eat it."
Estel shoved Belldia's chicken leg to the edge and centered hers with a smug smile.
"Eat. My. Chicken. Leg."
Emphasized again. Belldia, sparked by rivalry, smirked and forked Estel's leg aside, repositioning her own in the middle.
"Come on, you'll eat mine first, right?"
Belldia fixed me with a fierce, almost menacing smile. Tension spiked suddenly. I blinked.
"I'll just eat both."
"No, mine first."
"No, eat mine first."
They spoke in unison. I hesitated in panic. Then Bolcas boomed in.
"If you don't want 'em, give 'em to me! They'll digest fair and square in my mouth!"
"Mister, eat your own chicken leg!"
"Bolcas, your mouth isn't fair—it's an invasion!"
The table erupted in laughter at the women's retorts. Estel covered her mouth with both hands, stifling giggles until her shoulders shook and she dropped her fork. Belldia crossed her arms, snorted, then threw her head back in hearty guffaws. Pardel and Lijel cracked faint smiles, and Minerri clapped delightedly.
We laughed and drank amid the uproar until night deepened unnoticed.
Reality hit, and wallet worries crept in.
"Gonna hit the bathroom quick."
I stood casually and slipped outside. The night air cleared my head as it brushed my face. I pulled out my wallet and muttered,
"Let's see… Money's… Skip extra snacks, just order the cheapest booze."
Factoring in the finals, we'd be stuck in this city another month. Had to pinch pennies. This party was meant to be low-key, but it snowballed with more people and rowdier vibes. Felt like internal tears welling up. Still, if Estel succeeds, no more fretting over cash like this. I clenched my fist.
"We got this."
The door creaked behind me. Estel.
I shoved the wallet in my pocket fast.
"What're you doing out?"
"Worried you'd doze off mid-pee, Master. Not peeing? What then?"
Estel grinned brightly and stood beside me. Under the alley lamp, her face glowed radiantly. Her gentle smile… was sculpture-perfect. For a booze-fueled moment, my heart swayed, drawn in deep… I shook my head.
"How's it feel to pass prelims? Think you can sleep tonight?"
"No way. Heart's still pounding. From excitement."
"You'll crush the main round too. You were awesome today."
"I will. I'll… definitely become a Pure String."
Her voice brimmed with fierce determination. Impressive. I nodded with a smile.
"Keep it up."
"Yeah!"
We shared a giggling gaze. Stars twinkled overhead.
"Master, but…"
She asked softly.
"If I become a Pure String… you won't tell me to leave, right?"
"What? No way."
Estel mimicked my voice gruffly.
"'You're all grown now, nothing left to teach. Time to go your own way.' Something like that?"
"Haha."
I ruffled her hair lightly.
"Don't worry. Not sending you anywhere. I'll stick by you."
"Really?"
"Yeah. We're partners. Can't split up."
Estel beamed happily.
"…Okay then. I'll train hard without worries."
Her smile made my heart skip again. Inside, our group's laughter and clinking glasses continued. Tonight… even an empty wallet felt fine.
The days flew by in a blur.
One week to the first main round. Estel, Belldia, and I poured everything we had into it. Song and lute practice was baseline; we drilled stage paths, gestures, expressions endlessly.
I guided while tending to Estel, monitoring her condition meticulously. Belldia turned our inn room into a fabric chaos, tweaking outfits daily and brainstorming new designs.
I worried at first. Would we burn out? Would stage pressure crush her? But it was unfounded.
Estel wasn't tiring—she was diving deeper, savoring the wait for the main stage. Like a sprout soaking up water, she bloomed brighter by the day. Voice, expressions, posture… transforming nightly.
"Am I… doing good…?"
She'd ask timidly at practice end. But next day, she'd tell herself,
"No, I can do better."
Watching her, pride swelled with an odd thrill. She was growing at a scary pace right now. Main stage? Not anxious at all.
Main tournament day. The venue square teemed with far more people than prelims—unimaginable crowds before it even started.
Entrance lines snaked with excited spectators; vendors hawked wares with fervent cries.
"Miss this Akwi Festival and regret it forever!"
"Raena de Bert of the Edelan Ten Stars hosting herself!"
"Hey! Move it, let's go!"
In the mounting hype, Estel, Belldia, and I headed to the outdoor contestant waiting area stage-right.
Only 50 advanced from 700 prelims. Each exuded unique auras as they settled in—some warming up throats, others gripping hands in nerves.
Estel sat beside me, eyes wide with thrill, scanning around.
"Whoa… so many people."
"That's the main round weight. Overcome it."
"Yeah! I will!"
As we waited, my ear itched annoyingly. Bugs? I scratched and glanced back. Damn.
Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara sat nearby, staring daggers without averting eyes. Their glares competed—who could ice me out coldest?
'Didn't our ties end?'
Yet their eyes boiled with unresolved emotions. I brushed off the stares, turning back to the stage.
Adorned with vibrant flowers and decorations, it gleamed. The real show was about to begin—the city's breathless anticipation over days now cresting.
Moments later, spotlights blazed center stage. The hushed venue stirred.
Click-clack.
A graceful woman ascended amid roaring cheers.
Raena de Bert. Edelan Ten Stars member, Blue Dawn Raena. Festival host.
Raena raised a hand, smiling radiantly. Thunderous ovation. One elegant gesture silenced the crowd; all eyes locked on her lips.
"Esteemed audience."
Her calm voice flowed softly through the quiet.
"Winds always pass, but only those that stir our hearts linger. Song is such a wind."
Soft yet powerful, it captivated everyone. I drew a deep breath.
"Here, fifty bards await their moment with you."
The main curtain rose.
Finally.
"Bet you're thrilled to see her again?"
Estel whipped around, squinting suspiciously. I flicked her hand dismissively.
"Never."
"You went quiet all sudden?"
"Thinking about your stage."
…But Raena was Raena. Unlike the bakery glimpse, dolled up, she was divinely stunning. Whoa… goddess… ahh…
"Mouth's open, Master."
I snapped it shut.
"…Could happen. Ahem!"