Chapter 182: The Grand Festival (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 182: The Grand Festival (3)
Thirty minutes remained before the start of the Arc Ball race.
I changed into my athletic gear in the waiting room. The outfits were custom-made by a group of second-year Class B students from the Magic Department. Since the Arc Ball race was a team event, a coordinated uniform was mandatory.
I looked around. The others had already changed into matching gear.
‘Ohh.’
Perhaps it was because we were all wearing the same festival uniforms, but I felt a stronger sense of belonging than usual. It reminded me of high school festivals back home, and I felt a secret spark of excitement.
Once I finished strapping on my safety gear—pads for my knees, elbows, and a helmet—I was ready to go. I sat down for a moment, resting my helmet on the table beside me.
My teammates were already fully geared up. I was the last one ready because I’d arrived at the waiting room late. I had been busy using [Clairvoyance] to watch the Clover Paladin enter the Magic Department’s first-year waiting room. I couldn’t help but feel anxious, knowing he was likely plotting something against White.
“Tristan already headed out.”
“Tristan was so hyped up. Ugh, I’m shaking like crazy…”
“I’m heading out first, Isaac. Come out when you’re ready.”
I gave a detached nod and a short “Okay” to the protagonist, Ian Fairytale.
The team was about to leave when the door on the far side suddenly swung open, stopping them in their tracks.
“Huh…?”
Everyone froze, looks of pure shock on their faces.
What’s with them?
I turned toward the door, and the reaction immediately made sense.
“The President?”
“What is the Student Council President doing here…?”
Wait, what?
As the surprise visitor stepped inside, the team parted like the Red Sea. A beautiful woman with a gentle smile came into view. For a split second, time seemed to slow to a crawl. She was impeccably dressed in her uniform, her light gold hair shimmering.
What are you doing here…?
The Student Council President, Alice Carroll, walked straight toward me. She leaned down, resting her hands on her knees until we were eye-to-eye. My teammates stood there like statues, their eyes wide with disbelief.
“Hi, Baby.”
“Senior Alice? Why are you here…?”
“No reason. I just missed you.”
My teammates’ jaws dropped, and a flurry of frantic whispering broke out.
Alice really had no sense of boundaries. Was that really something you said in front of a crowd? She was making things difficult for me. It was the same way she’d acted when she visited White; she was clearly trying to provoke a reaction.
She was the type to easily brush off the gossip of others, so she didn't seem to mind the stares. I, however, very much did.
I gave her a flat, unimpressed look, and Alice shifted her attention to the safety gear on the table.
“Are you putting on your gear?”
“Yeah…”
“Hmm.”
Alice looked back at me, her cherry blossom-colored eyes twinkling.
“Could you hold still for a second?”
“What?”
Alice picked up the guards from the table and began sliding them onto my arms.
What the hell is she doing?
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking care of you, Baby.”
“No, I can do it myself…”
“Lucky for you, then.”
Alice offered a warm, radiant smile.
‘…Hilde, do you think she’s planting some kind of device on me?’
[I do not believe that to be the case.]
Hilde communicated telepathically, her presence a faint glimmer around my collar. For some reason, it seemed Alice was genuinely just helping me with my gear.
My teammates remained rooted to the spot, gaping as I received the undivided attention of the esteemed Student Council President.
When are they going to leave?
“Is it really okay for the Student Council President to be doing this?”
“It seems you’ve forgotten that I’m just a spectator today. I’m on your side. As a spectator, it’s perfectly fine for me to be biased, isn’t it?”
She used the word "biased" so casually. She had her own reputation to consider, but that was her problem, not mine.
“So, you came here to cheer me on?”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
“Because I like Baby.”
Alice knelt, pressing her knees together, and began fastening the guards onto my legs. With a series of clicks, the gear was safely secured. Finally, Alice picked up the helmet with both hands and carefully placed it on my head, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.
“All set~. Hehe, so cute.”
Alice patted the top of my helmet. If we weren’t enemies, I would have found the gesture incredibly endearing.
“Well then, Baby, don’t get hurt and do your best. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Ah, okay… Thanks.”
With a polite but guarded smile, I stood up. I walked past Alice and headed for the exit. My teammates were still staring at me in sheer disbelief.
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah…”
I led my dazed teammates out of the room. They kept glancing back and forth between Alice and me, clearly spinning wild theories about our relationship.
As I glanced back one last time, I saw Alice waving at me, that warm smile still fixed on her face.
It was suspicious. Perhaps she planned to install some strange device in the waiting room once we were gone? As long as the Phantom Cat Cheshire was around, I couldn't monitor Alice with [Clairvoyance]. I’d have to scan the room thoroughly before we stepped back inside after the race.
‘I definitely need to do that.’
Then again, I doubted Alice would be so reckless as to cause trouble in the waiting room. She wouldn't want to be the prime suspect if something dangerous happened.
I gave Alice a curt nod and followed my teammates down the hallway. Along the way, I was bombarded with questions—were we dating? What about Luce?—but I brushed them all off.
*
Under the bright afternoon sun, the outdoor stadium was packed.
Students from various departments stood at the starting line, looking like they were about to begin a marathon. Square bleachers encircled the stadium, designed so that spectators could view the entire Arc Ball race route from any angle.
The participants were dressed in gym clothes that reflected their class’s theme, making it easy to identify teams. As I’d noticed earlier, the fabric was stretchy and built for movement.
Oddly enough, the participants from the Magic Department’s first-year Class D had those sharp, stiletto-like hairstyles I’d seen during the festival preparations. I ignored them, not wanting to deal with the headache.
‘Okay.’
I warmed up briefly. I was in top condition.
The first day of the Grand Festival, and the first Arc Ball race. Fortunately, there had been no incidents involving White yet. But now, the real game began.
The Clover Paladin glanced at me briefly before clicking his tongue and frowning. However, he quickly masked it, flashing a charming, "alpha-male" smile at the group of female students screaming for him in the stands. Each time he smiled, the volume of the girls' cheers spiked.
What an uproar…
Then, the Clover Paladin’s face stiffened with annoyance. He’d been like that ever since he saw my name on the participant list. He realized his plan to make me watch helplessly while White suffered had been thwarted.
However, he hadn't given up. He still intended to target White just to provoke me.
The real battle was starting.
On another team, I spotted Dorothy. When our eyes met, she flashed a bright smile and waved, as if she’d been waiting for me to look.
‘So pretty.’
I felt a sudden urge to hug her. Seeing her warm smile made my heart skip a beat.
On the other side, White was shivering, a mix of excitement and nerves.
Good luck, White.
I recognized other familiar faces as well. Among my peers from Class A, Lisetta Lionheart was participating. She looked thrilled at the prospect of a physical clash. But when our eyes met, she quickly jerked her head away in terror.
Is she still scared of me…?
It was a bit disheartening. I wanted us to get along, but she reacted like that every time she saw me.
“Ha!”
Among my teammates, the vain blond nobleman, Tristan Humphrey, let out a theatrical chuckle.
“This heat! These cheers! Truly the perfect stage for a man of my caliber! Kaha…!”
Bam bam bam!
The band began to play. Tristan gasped, his laughter turning into a surprised coughing fit.
“And now!! The moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived!!”
The lively voice of the announcer echoed across the academy. It was Amy Holloway—the girl with short white hair and black ribbons tied like rabbit ears. She was Ian’s girlfriend and, as the announcer, was dressed up beautifully for the occasion.
Standing in the announcer’s booth high above the stadium, she shouted energetically into her megaphone as the band played on.
“All participants have assembled! The preparations for the Arc Ball race are now complete!”
The students in the stands let out a thunderous, unified cheer. The band’s music shifted to an upbeat, driving tune.
‘Amy looks excited…’
This is nice.
My teammate, Ian Fairytale, also smiled fondly at the sight of his enthusiastic girlfriend.
“Before we kick off the Arc Ball race, let’s go over the rules! The competition will take place over three days, held every other day during the five days of Jeblem! Teams will advance to the next round based on their performance!”
“Now, everyone, please look up at the sky!”
Amy raised her right arm, pointing upward. Both the participants and the audience followed her gaze.
High above the stadium, countless mana particles swirled in the air. They clinked and shifted through telekinesis, orchestrated by the delicate magic of the Hegel Tower Master, Aria Lilias. It was the same level of immense mana mastery I’d seen during the first-year end-of-semester evaluation—impressive as always.
The mana particles formed a glowing map of the surrounding area. The route and destination of the Arc Ball race shone in vivid, brilliant colors.
“The race track extends to the outskirts of Märentz Academy, and today’s destination is Bartos Hall! The first six teams to reach the goal with their Arc Ball will advance! The rest, unfortunately, will be eliminated! On the final day, the top three teams will receive the very, very special prizes announced during the opening ceremony, so give it your all!”
“Woah!” the participants roared, raising their arms. I joined in.
“Lastly, let’s hear a few words from the idol of our female students, the cool and handsome Professor Fernando Frost!!”
As Amy pointed to the silver-haired professor, the female students screamed so loudly it sounded like a roar. Fernando cleared his throat with an “Ahem.” He took the megaphone and spoke with a firm, expressionless voice.
“First-year Class D of the Magic Department, be prepared if you are eliminated. I will double your homework.”
“Impossible!! A terrifying threat I hoped I’d never hear!! But it looks like my juniors are properly motivated now! Excellent!!”
While the Class D students looked horrified, the rest of the academy erupted in laughter.
“Now, then~!”
With a beaming smile, Amy stretched her arm forward.
“We now commence the crowning event of Jeblem! Let the Arc Ball race begin!!”
Boom!
A firework of fire magic burst in the sky, painting colorful patterns across the blue expanse. The band struck up a grand, lively melody. Students cheered for their respective teams, creating an electric atmosphere.
And then.
“All participants, get ready!!”
As Amy raised her right arm, students at either end of the starting line leveled their flags. The cheers of the academy died down instantly.
A heavy tension filled the air. I leaned forward, bracing my knees, ready to sprint.
I had several goals for this race: protect White, land a blow on the Clover Paladin, win a prize, and—if possible—grind some EXP.
I glanced at the Clover Paladin, Pierre Flanche. He was eyeing his target, Snow White, like a predator. He looked like a total creep.
I was going to take this opportunity to show him exactly how foolish his plans were.
Finally, Amy threw her arms up and shouted, her voice full of joy.
“Race start!!”
The flags dropped.
Amidst the roar of the crowd, I crossed the starting line and dashed forward.