Chapter 17: The Social Party Begins!
The calendar pages kept flipping, and time flew by.
[As days passed, you gradually settled into the rhythm of student life at this school.]
[During the day, you studied hard in class. After school, you worked part-time at Enma-tei, massaging all sorts of customers to earn money for the upcoming social party.]
[Gawain also frequently joined you for part-time work at Enma-tei. At first, he applied to be a chef, but the special mashed potatoes he made were criticized by Beni-Yanma as "Interesting person, much more suited to being a receptionist." So he switched to the reception desk and was a massive success, attracting a flood of customers to the shop thanks to his radiant, sunny knightly image.]
[Every night before going to bed, you always paid attention to the voice of the ghost woman that once appeared in the dormitory area. However, due to your packed daily schedule, you're usually so exhausted that you fall asleep the moment your head hits the pillow, so even if there's any movement in the middle of the night, you're completely unaware.]
[Just like that, half a month passed.]
[As the social party drew near, the teacher held a mock test. You felt that you did quite well on it.]
[On April 14th, the test results were announced. The class average was not very ideal, and very few people achieved high scores. Although the class includes members of the Knights of the Round Table, there are also Servants who have no interest in studying, and a few even skipped the test entirely.]
[Because you paid attention during lectures, your performance was very good, far exceeding the average.]
[Your parents found out about your grades and rewarded you with extra pocket money +100QP.]
[Morgan also found out about your performance and gave you a selfie of herself in sleepwear to encourage you to try even harder. Sleepwear selfie of Morgan +1]
"??"
...
Rustle rustle rustle!
The calendar pages flipped swiftly like the wind, arriving at April 15th.
It was also the day of the social party.
[You and Gawain nervously checked your account balances. Your savings amounted to about 3900QP. Even after deducting the cost of attending the social party, the remaining amount would still be enough for you to live comfortably until next month. Gawain's situation was similar. It seemed like the hectic and stressful part-time job life of the past few weeks could finally come to a temporary close.]
[Looking at your account balance, do you decide to attend the social party?]
[1. Attend]
[2. Don't go, women only hinder my path to becoming stronger]
No need to think—choose 1 immediately!
Eikou thought to himself: Wasn't all my hard work these past two weeks just for this moment? I've put in the effort for half a month—don't I deserve to enjoy myself a little?
Continue the music! Continue the dance!
[You accepted the invitation to attend the social party.]
[You lost 3000QP]
[Time flew by, and your group of male students, both excited and nervous, entered the fateful evening...]
[Before attending the party, you took a thorough shower. Even though you didn't expect anything to happen, you still made sure to clean... especially well down there.]
"STOP TALKING!!!!!!"
Eikou blushed in anger.
This kind of cheap simulation—what's the point of mentioning such pointless details? Do they think these low-level pervy jokes are actually funny?
However, just as the screen transitioned to the next scene, he saw himself dressed in a formal suit, standing at the party venue—a luxury hotel near Chaldea Academy.
Beside him was Gawain, also in formal attire, golden hair gleaming, a radiant smile on his face, every gesture exuding confidence and maturity. As expected of the leader of the Knights of the Round Table.
Clearly, Gawain was someone experienced in socializing—this level of party was nothing challenging to him.
"Sir Eikou, I'm sure you know the unspoken rule at these kinds of social parties, right?—Point your chopsticks at the girl you like, that way we can avoid any conflict."
"And if there's no one you're interested in, just point at yourself."
Eikou shook his head again.
"No, no, no need for that, Gawain," he replied, "I didn't come here to find a new target. My goal is already very clear, and that is… Baobhan Sith!"
"Other than her, I won't point my chopsticks at any other girl!"
"…What?"
Gawain was momentarily stunned.
"Sir Eikou, your taste is… quite unique. Baobhan Sith isn't the type of woman that's easy to pursue. If you don't want to suffer too much pain, I suggest you choose someone else."
"No need. This isn't about winning or losing—it's something I must do."
Eikou responded with an extremely serious expression.
"…I see…"
Gawain nodded slightly, his eyes seemingly moved by that determination: "So that's how it is. I understand now. Looks like you've made up your mind to pursue Baobhan Sith. If that's the case, then when the time comes, I'll fully support your romance, and serve as the wingman for your love!"
Such a gentle Knight of the Sun—when it comes to his brother's love life, he volunteers to be the "support pilot"!
"A debt of gratitude beyond words!"
"Haha, it's only natural. Helping friends is one of the commandments of the Knights of the Round Table." Gawain smiled with elegance. "By the way—what do you like about Baobhan Sith?"
Mainly her personal skills and Noble Phantasm…
But that wasn't something convenient to say out loud, so Eikou changed his answer: "Her body."
"…You're honest, I'll give you that."
Gawain laughed in admiration, then sighed softly.
Eikou also sympathized, letting out a sigh as well.
"It's just a pity that Tristan couldn't come along…"
"We clearly promised the three of us would attend the party together, and now it's just the two of us."
Ding—dong~!
Just then, the sound of a harp echoed melodiously down the hotel hallway.
The melody sounded both familiar and slightly more cheerful than usual, prompting the two to turn their heads—at the end of the hallway, a red-haired handsome man in formal wear was elegantly plucking the harp, full of confidence.
"You are…?!"
None other than—Tristan!
"You guys are so heartless, not inviting me to something this important, really breaks my heart~"
Although it was his usual catchphrase, the tone now was excited and full of life.
"Tristan!" Eikou called out joyfully, "You're finally released!"
"Gawain, your mother overturned the case. It was mainly due to insufficient safety measures at Edison's factory, so I was declared innocent."
Tristan explained.
"Although I was imprisoned for half a month, being able to make it to this social party is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."
"But Sir Tristan, attending the party and formalwear alone costs at least 3000QP. Where did you get the money?" Gawain asked.
"I played the harp in prison to earn money, managed to get a bit of income."
Eikou thought to himself—impressive indeed. "Shawshank Redemption" wasn't lying— a bird with a dream can't be caged forever.
"The party's about to begin…"
"Everyone's here now…"
"Sir Tristan, start playing, give us Mass Destruction to boost our spirits!"
"Baby~ Baby~ Baby~ Dada~ Dada~ Dada~ Dada~"
[You received support from Tristan: "Harp of Healing" – Allows you to resist one negative status effect.]
The three of them high-fived, eyes resolute, expressions solemn—like three warriors about to step onto the battlefield—and together, they pushed the doors open.
"Tonight—let us climb the stairs to the adult world together! Let's become real men!"
[But that night, it seems you won't be stepping onto that stairway.]
[Because… the real adults have arrived.]
[Due to many unexpected circumstances, the Servants who were originally going to attend the social party one by one canceled with various excuses. To avoid the scene becoming too awkward, the organizer—Baobhan Sith—invited a few acquaintances. Among them was…]
[The Queen of the Fairy Kingdom—Gawain's mother—Morgan.]