Half an hour later.
Ei and Gawain walked out of the police station gate, looking exhausted.
"After a lot of pleading, the officer finally let us off with a warning. The full situation will have to wait until Teacher Babbage is released from the repair bay..."
"But Sir Tristan wasn't so lucky. He'll probably spend the night in the detention center," Gawain said with some concern.
"Tristan has managed to survive this long for a reason. Don't worry about him."
Ei patted his shoulder.
"Sir Ei, we caused you so much trouble today, making you lose your job and be questioned by the police. I hope you don't mind," Gawain said, somewhat ashamed.
"It's fine. It was actually quite stimulating."
Ei didn't feel much regret.
Although today seemed like a wasted effort, it actually yielded valuable results.
[Today, you shared hardship with the two Knights of the Round Table. This crisis has made you more cohesive. Tristan and Gawain's affection levels toward you have noticeably increased.]
[By spending time with Gawain and them, you learned some of their unique characteristics.]
[You learned Gawain's "Charisma E"]
["Charisma E": You possess a leader's command and unity skills, allowing your Heroic Spirit teammates to better utilize their abilities.]
[You learned Tristan's "Magic Resistance B"]
["Magic Resistance B": You have strong resistance to status effects related to debilitation.]
Sure enough, his previous guess was correct.
As long as he actively socialized with Heroic Spirits, he could learn their skills.
So, whether through working or studying, there were many ways to improve himself.
"If there are so many ways to get stronger, do I really need to pursue a relationship with Baobhan Sith? Why should I commit myself to her? If I just focus on improving myself, I should still be able to handle the end-of-year Class Holy Grail War, right?"
"And ultimately, why do I have to improve myself just to participate in a Holy Grail War? Wouldn't it be better to just drift through life?"
Ei couldn't think of any reason why he absolutely had to win.
This kind of peaceful school life was much more suitable for him.
He just wanted to relax.
"Sir Ei, do you still plan to go to the mixer?" Gawain asked.
"That's probably impossible now... With my current finances, I really can't afford it." He gave a wry smile and looked at the dimming twilight. "Instead of that, how about we go grab some dinner?"
"I'm actually going to eat with my family soon, but if you don't mind, you can join us!"
The Sun Knight invited him openly.
"Family? You mean Gareth and Mordred?"
Before Gawain could answer, a black luxury sedan suddenly sped up the street from the other side.
The setting sun, the timing right after leaving the gate, and the impressive black luxury sedan—this familiar scene triggered something in Ei's memory, reminding him of the assassinated leader of the Tekkadan. He couldn't help but inwardly cry out:
"Commander! What are you doing, Commander!"
It was just a meme, but he didn't expect the black luxury sedan to suddenly stop right in front of him.
Taking a closer look, hadn't he seen this car somewhere before?
The window slowly rolled down, revealing a familiar, cold, noble face in the driver's seat.
It was the Queen of the Fairy Kingdom, Morgan, who sent him selfies every night.
"I didn't expect to run into you here, Classmate Ei."
She spoke to him in her majestic yet gentle voice.
"..."
Ei was stunned, thinking, Why are you here?
Crap, it really is an assassin, but perhaps the target is my chastity.
Gawain politely bowed to her and said, "Good evening, Mother."
Mother?!
Ei was shocked, thinking, Isn't this the Queen of the Lostbelt? How did she become your mother?
"Are you... are you two mother and son?" he quickly asked.
"I'm adopted," Gawain replied. "Gareth, Mordred, Baobhan Sith, and I were all adopted and raised by her."
"..."
"And I have always been single and unmarried. You can rest assured on that point," Morgan added.
Why would you suddenly say that? Rest assured about what? I'm more scared now!
Ei couldn't help but complain internally.
Baobhan Sith was one thing, but why would a Lostbelt Queen adopt so many children from Pan-Human History? Your maternal love is a bit too great.
So the person sending me messages is actually my classmate's parent...
This relationship sounds complicated, but it can probably be summarized in one phrase:
"Friend's Mother.mp4"
"Gawain, I heard you got into trouble while working, so I came over specifically."
Morgan swept her deep blue eyes over him.
"But since you're out, I assume the problem has been properly resolved."
"Reporting, Mother, it's hard to say right now."
"I see."
Morgan nodded.
"If there's trouble, I'll figure out a way to resolve it for you. Both of you, get in the car. Don't just stand here talking."
"Am I supposed to get in too?" Ei asked.
"Of course. You can have dinner with us."
Morgan said to him nonchalantly.
"Sir Ei, you haven't eaten dinner yet, right? Then why not join us?" Gawain invited him enthusiastically.
"Uh, well..."
"Are you worried about Mother? Don't be. Even though she looks intimidating, she's actually a very kind person."
"..."
He certainly was worried, and she certainly was intimidating, but not in the way Gawain thought.
Since things had come to this, he couldn't very well refuse the invitation, so he obediently got into the car.
"By the way, Gawain, can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?"
"Since your adoptive mother is the CEO of the Orkney Group, you're a rich young master. Why did you have to work a part-time job just to go to a mixer?"
"Haha, our family uses a policy of raising sons frugally and daughters richly," Gawain said. "So my wallet isn't exactly overflowing."
"I see..."
That point felt surprisingly realistic.
[You arrive at a high-end restaurant with Morgan.]
[Morgan hears the full story from you both and, as an adult, immediately grasps the key issue. If Edison's factory had significant safety loopholes, then you should be the victims and have grounds to seek compensation from the factory.]
[You now have hope of attending the mixer.]
[But Morgan is curious: Why were you two so desperate for money?]