Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Festival Preparations
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With the seasonal festival now two weeks away, the atmosphere in each class at <Delaiten> began to heat up, much like the rising temperatures.
The [Clear River] Class was no exception. The moment Rain arrived at school in the morning, the class president and vice president rushed over with sparkling eyes and explained the situation.
"So, our class theme has been decided as 'Haunted House'... We need your help, Young Master!"
"A haunted house?"
"We dress up as ghosts or monsters and scare people! But no matter how hard we try, we can't make the background scary enough..."
Ah, so that's why both the boys and girls were making those weird costumes... The pitch-black curtains made sense now.
"Could you lend us that magic you used in the top seat decisive battle?!"
The magic from the top seat decisive battle?
The one using the runes of the World?
"Hmm, you want to use that for this?"
"It won't work after all, will it?"
The class president and vice president glanced at Rain nervously, swallowing dryly. They worried it was an unreasonable request.
In this era, the methods for such special magics were considered personal assets. Expecting to share them casually was irresponsible.
But Rain's response blew away their worries with refreshing decisiveness.
"What's yes or no about it?"
"......!"
"But there's a problem. The mana cost is no joke—can you handle it? I won't be able to help much during the festival because of student council duties."
The magic had activated smoothly during finals because the caster was the top professor, Marhena.
He honestly wasn't sure if first-year fledglings could pull it off.
As if telling him not to worry, the class president waved his hands wildly with a beaming smile.
"If the whole class pitches in, nothing's impossible! And we have Weiber on our side!"
Weiber, huh. Come to think of it, with him around, it should be fine.
Rain began lecturing on the formula for using the runes of the World, drawing a massive magic circle on the blackboard. The class president and vice president eagerly copied the formulas into their notebooks.
By the time his lengthy explanation wrapped up, it was time for the executive committee meeting. Christa, Gertrude, and Kasena had already left for it.
"I've got to go now, so ask questions later if anything's unclear."
Honestly, there was no way they'd fully grasp it after one listen, so on festival day, he'd probably have to draw it out like a scroll.
"Yes! Thank you, Young Master!"
As he walked down the hallway, every classroom he passed buzzed with laughter.
Normally, the teaching assistants would have cracked down, but apparently everything went during festival eve.
In the center of the [Blue Wave] Class, Logan and Nora were gathering ideas, while in the [Small Fragrance] Class, Lilian—awkward in every gesture—was trying her best to blend in with her classmates.
"......"
Was this the look on the faces of people preparing for a festival? Lin had never seen such a sight.
Every city and village he'd visited had been consumed by despair on the brink of destruction, so there were no real festivals—just prayer rituals begging the gods for salvation.
Rista, who had taken up the sword to create a world where everyone could smile, would have been deeply pleased by this scene.
"The guardian of the seasonal festival has arrived. Let's welcome the guardian with enthusiastic applause."
Lost in such thoughts, he arrived at the student council room, only for Valensidis to pick a fight out of nowhere.
But since the other executive committee members like Kasena—oblivious to his dark intentions—clapped innocently, Rain couldn't counterattack.
All he could do was awkwardly scratch his cheek and slink to his seat.
The executive committee meeting after 11 days had astonishingly cleared a mountain of tasks.
The three new third-year executives replacing Maya, Rowinbelt, and Yors had worked diligently for the past ten days, while Sandra Kepel dozed off, soothing her weary body and mind from magic volleyball.
Yeah, the moment that woman becomes student council president next year, <Delaiten> is doomed.
"Have all the clubs' rehearsals been confirmed?"
"Yes, President. That document lists only the clubs fully prepared."
"What about the academic affairs budget review?"
"They said it'd be done by today."
Rain glared at Valensidis's astonishingly adept meeting conduction, then checked the minutes summarizing recent events.
[Lovely, Cutely, Bravely! The Empire's Strongest Magic to Your Heart BAMM!]
Staring blankly at the festival slogan on the first page of the minutes for over three seconds, Rain's head tilted nearly 90 degrees.
This... was the festival slogan?
Who the hell came up with this crap?
Mistaking his glare for one of emotion, Christa cleared her throat dramatically, puffing out her chest and shoulders to boast of her achievement.
'What the hell are you so proud of...?'
As if competing, the minutes suddenly flipped via telekinesis, one line bulging emphatically.
['Lovely, Cutely, Bravely! The Empire's Strongest Magic to Your Heart!' Kasena Page's suggestion added 'BAMM!'.]
Looking up in disbelief, he saw Kasena way over there shrugging smugly and giving a thumbs-up.
No, you crazy bastards...
A dry laugh escaped him involuntarily, solidifying one conviction: If this festival flops, these two are to blame.
"Memories of youth are flooding back so vividly. The passion of young blood burning hot—is that the feeling?"
Then a leisurely voice came from above his head.
An utterly ordinary, everyday voice... one laced with exceptional magic that made listeners perceive it as such.
Startled, he turned to see Doran Slade smirking with his usual affable smile.
"When President Kevn and Vice President Brim prepared festivals together, it was just as lively. Valensidis is doing a fine job as president."
As the Special Division chief, his skill at slipping unnoticed into crowds was indeed top-notch.
No one—not even Christa Warden right beside him—had noticed Doran's arrival amid their work.
Doran casually perched on Rain's desk, resting his chin on interlaced hands, and skimmed the minutes with interest.
"Fun slogan. Personally, I like ones overflowing with spirit like this. Rain Vice Chairman's efforts in safeguarding the festival will pay off."
"What brings you here this time?"
Rain replied with a sigh, and Doran chuckled, broaching a serious topic in this utterly unserious situation.
"Came to thank you, Vice Chairman. You cooperated with my subordinates to take down a powerful black mage."
Doran watched Rain flinch, his pupils contracting, eyes narrowing slightly.
This was Doran's specialty: drawing new clues from reactions.
Thieves get nervous at their own footsteps. Instead of overt interrogation, casually dropping sensitive topics as if he knew everything elicited honest responses from culprits.
'Pupil contraction, instinctively pulling back to create distance...'
Was this the reaction of someone unaware of the Special Division deaths, or suspicion about how he knew?
Rain wasn't the black mage—that much Doran knew. But if his guess was right and Rain had truly joined that fight, he needed to dig out the reason.
Why hide the battle? Why not tell Doran... until his subordinates' corpses rotted, torn by wild beasts and crawling with maggots?
"It's tragic my men died, but seeing you alive, Vice Chairman, offers small comfort."
"......?"
"No face to show the seniors if something happened to you."
As Doran intended, Rain's mind churned with tangled thoughts in a split second, his back slick with cold sweat.
'What? How does he know? Did I underestimate this slippery bastard's investigative skills?'
Come to think of it, he'd been too distracted by Valensidis back then to consider... that those Special Division mages were Doran's cherished subordinates.
Should he apologize?
Of course, someday. But if this was just a probe and not full knowledge...
Doran, scrutinizing the reaction, furrowed his lips slightly.
'Take it slow. Carefully draw out the next response.'
As he prepared a decisive question against Rain's stiff, frozen face, a massive stack of documents thudded onto the desk, shattering the tension.
"Sorry, but executive committee meetings are closed to non-members."
Turning, Rain saw Valensidis looming over Doran with his signature sneer.
Doran, who had been staring at Rain with half-lidded eyes, inwardly clicked his tongue but outwardly sighed an 'Ah' as if clueless.
His serpentine, chilling gaze had already softened back to a smile.
"Oh, is that so? It's been so long since I visited school, I got carried away. And two familiar faces, too."
"I'm just as glad to see you, but we're busy with committee work now—myself, this slimy guy here—so let's talk later."
"You're awfully curt for old acquaintances. By the way, Valensidis—your Special Division enlistment is approved. Just graduate."
Valensidis joining Special Division...?
Even Doran hadn't sniffed out his true nature? If unaware, it was natural to covet such talent.
"I don't recall saying I'd join."
"We can't let talent like you slip away. Special Division always needs good people."
Doran’s smile remained, but the temperature in his voice dropped overtly. Hardly friendly.
It was to be expected.
Doran had eyed Valensidis suspiciously since his first year. Clearly someone to lock up, just lacking hard evidence.
Forcing him into Special Division was for close surveillance, not admiration of skill.
"And we lost two capable men this time."
Valensidis silenced the exchange's flow momentarily. Then, feigning a bow, he expressed condolences.
"That's truly regrettable."
Doran’s face briefly lost its smile, probing for true intent.
'His emotions are unreadable—chillingly so. Who trained this kid? At such a young age.'
Amid their fierce psychological battle, Rain shuddered and edged back slightly.
Listening to these inscrutable men felt like two snakes coiling around his ankle—a chilling sensation.
Doran ended the silent standoff. Smiling as if nothing happened, he pointed at Rain.
"Regrettable, indeed. As if Valensidis did anything wrong... Anyway, you won't be lonely in Special Division. In two years, Rain Vice Chairman will join you."
"I don't recall saying that either."
Brushing off the brazen demand, Doran chuckled, donned his worn fedora, and stood.
"I have high expectations for you both. Looking forward to this festival."
Only after waving goodbye did the lump in Rain's throat burst free. Felt like minutes without breath.
Was I too shortsighted...?
Too wrapped up in my own thoughts. Never considered that man's feelings. But did he really know the truth about that incident?
"No need to thank me. Gotta help a junior who admires me this much."
Valensidis's teasing quip snapped Rain's train of thought.
"This won't do. Come see me about your issue."
But the coward bolted straight back to the president's seat.
Flanked by student council officers like bodyguards, under everyone's gaze...
And that provocative victory smirk made Rain want to slam five fireballs into his face to feel satisfied.
"Why've you been spacing out?! Aren't you approving this?!"
Kasena had sneaked up, yapping in his ear.
No one else knew Doran had come but us... Rubbing the goosebumps on his arms, Rain grabbed the student council seal. Truly terrifying people.
In this tumultuous daily routine, <Delaiten>'s seasonal festival finally began.