Founding Festival (2)
“Ugh, so full…”
Rana propped her chin on her hand, her face drained of color. Her stomach was clearly bloated, and her complexion was worsening by the second. Of course, I wasn’t much better off.
“You gotta know when to stop…”
I’d sweated buckets from stuffing myself so much—my gut felt like it was about to burst. Even with my increased muscle mass and stamina boosting my appetite, this was overkill.
Knock knock.
A voice came from outside as someone rapped on the door. It was the manager, speaking up for the first time in two hours since he’d shown us in.
—May I come in?
“…Yeah, come on in.”
With that, William cautiously opened the door and stepped inside.
“I hope the food was to your liking?”
“Yeeeah… aside from being stuffed to the gills.”
“……”
I shot him a wordless glare.
“Haha, my apologies. I got a bit carried away wanting you to try all our dishes.”
“No, it’s fine. It was delicious.”
Yeah, like Rana said—it was damn good. Normally, the satisfaction from a meal fades as fullness sets in. But at the Undersea Table, that thrill never let up. Plus, the courses came in small portions that just teased you into more. Even as my belly filled, my mouth kept watering for the next bite. It was addictive, like a drug.
“Glad you enjoyed it. Then I’ll prepare the final dish.”
We both jolted at that. Rana’s face went completely pale.
“Um, Mr. William? We’re so full we might actually skip it. R-right, Kyle?”
“We’ll pass.”
We’d already downed thirty plates, desserts included, with no breaks. There was zero room left.
“It’s not what you think. So no need to worry.”
With that, he slipped out. We didn’t even have time to protest.
“K-Kyle, what do we do? Should we bolt now…?”
Rana’s voice was frantic. Honestly, I was stressing too. One more bite and my stomach might physically explode.
“Ditching without a word would be rude, though. We’ll tell him when it comes and head out.”
Rana nodded, then flopped face-first onto the table.
“Too full to move…”
“You gonna make it to the amusement park today?”
“Dunno. Might be okay after it digests?”
Looks like we’d need a rest before heading to the park. Or maybe just crash here. I joined Rana in chilling out, trying to soothe my overheating gut.
That’s when I caught her giggling softly at me.
“What’s so funny?”
“You copying me?”
“I’m not.”
This position just looked comfy, that’s all.
“Hehe~ I see.”
“……”
I turned away from her playful grin and gazed outside. That’s when a sound pierced through the window.
Piiiing—!!
A streak of light shot up, illuminating the sky. The firework climbed endlessly above the capital, drawing every eye.
Booom—!!
It burst in a massive blaze, outshining the sun and announcing its presence. Lingering in the air, it gradually took shape—an imperial crest.
And that meant one thing.
“Amusement park’s open. Running late this year.”
“Late? When’d it open last year?”
“Right at six.”
“Early bird, huh.”
“Yeah. Grandpa said the opening time varies every year. Probably ’cause they build it in a day.”
Come to think of it, the setup was that they construct the park overnight to build mystery and hype. Must be why.
We watched the fireworks painting the sky. The opening display lasted a solid thirty minutes.
“These are prettier than last year… Maybe ’cause we’re closer?”
“That’s gotta be part of it.”
The Undersea Table was billed as six stories, but it towered over ten. Proximity made all the difference.
“Still beautiful, though.”
Yeah, even up close, it was a spectacle. Magic fused with gunpowder created something beyond imagination. The founding emperor wasn’t hyped for nothing.
As we silently admired the show, Rana murmured my name.
“Kyle.”
“Yeah?”
“Hope we can do this again next year.”
“No reason we can’t. Just us?”
“Doesn’t have to be. Like I said, I don’t get jealous. But Elraim sis would be nice.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Of course, next year’s events would make it tricky.
“Anyway, shouldn’t we hustle to the park? Lines’ll be brutal if we’re late.”
“We’re good. Got the medal.”
“Oh yeah, forgot.”
The medal from the ceremony came with perks like amusement park priority passes. No waiting—just straight in.
—Your dish is ready.
Perfect timing. The manager entered, plate in hand. William set it carefully before us.
On the plate sat a droplet perched on a flat spoon, holding its shape. Not clear like water, but a deep sea-blue.
“Jelly?”
“Not jelly. Nor water.”
“Ugh…”
“Hm…”
We both groaned. If not jelly, then what?
No answers came, and our hands stayed put.
“I know your situation well. But trust me and try it. You won’t be disappointed.”
He flashed a confident smile. Maybe it was that certainty in his voice—Rana picked up the spoon.
“Rana?”
“It’ll be fine, Kyle. Mr. William’s a good guy.”
“You look half-dead…”
But before I could finish, she popped the droplet in her mouth and swallowed.
She winced mid-swallow, then beamed. No—her face lit up serene, eyes sparkling.
“Whoaaa… Kyle, try it quick! You’ll be shocked!”
Her urging got me. I took the last dish.
The reaction hit instantly. The droplet touched my stomach, mana surged. The food inside dissolved, nutrients flooding my body. Strength overflowed.
“What the…”
“Cool, right!”
“Yeah…”
It felt like downing an elixir. That level of effect. Maybe the thirty plates were prep for this.
“A recipe passed down through our restaurant for generations. Effects vary by person, but it always sparks meaningful growth.”
“Impressive. To achieve this with food…”
“Haha, thank you.”
After some chit-chat, the meal wrapped. Bellies full, energy surging—no reason to linger.
We left the restaurant, manager seeing us off to the end. As we departed, he handed us something.
“This is…”
“A ticket. But it’s set for use starting five years from now.”
“Why give it to me?”
He leaned in close, whispering just for me.
“With this, I might serve the fourth generation of Heytald and Arden heirs. Then I’d surpass my ancestor’s record.”
“……”
He chuckled happily.
“Please, take it without burden.”
I pocketed the ticket wordlessly, tucking it deep inside.
“Let’s go, Rana.”
“Got it! We’ll come back sometime, Mr. William!”
“Haha, enjoy the festival.”
He waved us off. I hurried Rana out.
“Kyle, what’d he say?”
“Didn’t hear?”
“Nope. He blocked it with mana.”
“Then forget it.”
Luckily, she dropped it.
“Why’s your face red, though?”
“Dunno.”
Sometimes I wish she’d just shut up.
The amusement park sat at the end of Entertainment Street—opposite the food district with the restaurant, so quite a hike.
Rana and I walked about an hour before arriving.
“Knew it’d be packed, but wow. Everyone’s hyped.”
“Yeah. Hope no stampedes.”
“It’s fine, Kyle. Guards got it covered.”
“Good.”
People everywhere—no end in sight. At least a hundred times the crowd at the fountain we’d passed.
“Let’s head in.”
“Yeah! Dying to see this year’s theme.”
A refractive magic barrier hid the theme. Rana grabbed my hand excitedly, dragging me along.
Entry was a breeze—flash the medal, straight through. Ties to the imperial family helped; all staff were connected.
We passed the mana barrier. A brief pulling sensation, like being sucked in.
Normal parks took half the academy’s land—impractical in the capital. So they wove in spatial magic for transport.
Once through, a wall blocked us: weathered red brick.
“Huh? What’s this?”
“Wrong warp?”
I pondered briefly, then sensed the magic pulsing from it and paused.
Text appeared atop the wall.
Enter the correct pattern.
“Says enter the right pattern?”
That sparked a memory. Old wall, pattern—only one thing fit.
“Hold on.”
I got to work. Might not match exactly, so I felt along the wall, channeling mana.
Some bricks mana-empty, one full. Pressed the full one first, then the empties in order.
Bricks shifted—left side sliding left, right sliding right, centered on us.
Soon, an entry for two appeared. A sign and alley beyond.
Welcome to Wizard's Street!
“Wizard’s Street? Magic theme this year?”
“Looks like.”
“Hehe, can’t wait. Hope it’s like the Magic Kingdom.”
“Doubt it…”
The vibe screamed something else. 100% what I knew.
“C’mon!”
“Easy does it.”
I chased after her eager sprint. Short alley, single turn—street in view.
“Whoaaa…”
Rana gawked at the familiar-yet-alien cityscape.
Is this okay…?
I worried at the street straight out of a movie.
Nah. Different world—ignore it.
No one here to sue for IP. It wasn’t a perfect copy anyway—vibe borrowed, details tweaked. And magic existed here. Imaginary worlds couldn’t compare.
“Kyle, you zoning out? Oh, you’re shocked too!”
Rana waved a hand in my face.
“Kinda. Not what I expected.”
“Me too! Explains the late open.”
She grinned at the novel atmosphere.
“Where first? Merlin’s Magic Shop? Toy store? Didn’t expect those here. Oh, costume rental too.”
She scanned the shops—all famous from outside.
I suggested to the indecisive Rana.
“Costumes first? These clothes’ll cramp our style.”
Most guests wore wizardly garb—not just cosplay, practical for movement.
“Hmm… Good idea!”
To the rental shop. Magic swap—wizard outfits in seconds.
As we emerged, a familiar voice hit our ears.
“Whoa, hyungnim! Found you here!”
The Akacheonma protagonist. Evan.