The Royal Magic Academy's Autumn Festival was a tradition meant to foster unity
and relieve the stress of the academic year. The massive courtyard had been
transformed. Strings of glowing mana-lanterns crisscrossed the sky, illuminating
dozens of food stalls, carnival games, and merchant tents. Music drifted through
the cool evening air, blending with the laughter of hundreds of off-duty
students.
It was a place of joy, relaxation, and celebration.
Naturally, Cain hated it.
"The perimeter is completely compromised," Cain stated, his dark eyes scanning
the dense, shifting crowds. "There are no established checkpoints. The noise
level makes auditory detection impossible. If an ambush occurs here, the
casualty rate will be catastrophic."
Rei, standing beside him in a casual, dark green jacket, let out a long,
suffering sigh.
"Cain, for the love of the gods, turn the soldier switch off," Rei groaned.
"Nobody is ambushing us. The Executors are dead. The dungeon is closed. We are
here to eat overpriced meat skewers and relax."
"You told me this was a situational awareness drill," Cain replied, his
expression flat. "You said we needed to practice navigating unpredictable
civilian crowds."
Rei rubbed the back of his neck, looking away. "Yeah, well. I lied. I needed a
wingman, and if I told you we were coming to a festival to hang out with girls,
you would have locked yourself in the training hall."
Cain processed the admission.
Before he could respond, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[ Notice: The Vanguard (Rei) is attempting a coordinated romantic maneuver. ] [
Suggestion: Do not ruin this for him. He is desperate. ]
Cain ignored the blue window hovering in his peripheral vision. He looked past
Rei, his eyes catching movement near the entrance of the festival grounds.
Alice was walking toward them.
She had traded her Academy uniform for a sleek, dark-blue evening dress that
fell just past her knees, paired with comfortable leather boots. It was
practical, yet undeniably elegant. When Rei saw her, his posture instantly
stiffened, and his hands shoved awkwardly into his pockets.
"Hey," Alice said, stopping in front of them. She offered Rei a warm, slightly
teasing smile. "You actually got him to leave the training grounds. I'm
impressed."
"I had to lie to him," Rei admitted, rubbing the back of his neck again. "But
we're here."
"Good," a new voice chimed in.
Cain turned.
Aera and Liora were walking up the illuminated pathway together.
Cain's analytical mind immediately assessed them.
Liora wore a stunning, high-collared crimson dress with gold accents. It was a
masterpiece of noble tailoring, highlighting her sharp, aristocratic beauty.
Aera walked beside her, wearing a soft, flowing white dress with pale blue
ribbons that matched her water affinity. Her dark hair was pinned up delicately,
framing her gentle features.
They both looked radiant.
Cain's eyes narrowed slightly.
The fabric is too thin, Cain noted internally. Zero mana resistance. No kinetic
padding. Their mobility is severely restricted by the cut of those skirts. If we
have to engage in combat, they are completely exposed.
The blue window violently popped up directly in front of his face.
[ CRITICAL WARNING: DO NOT SAY THAT OUT LOUD. ] [ Diagnosis: If you critique
their armor rating right now, I will personally initiate a self-destruct
sequence. ] [ Command: Tell them they look nice. Three words. You can do this. ]
Cain closed the window. He looked at Liora and Aera as they stopped in front of
him. Both girls were looking at him expectantly, a faint, hopeful blush dusting
Aera's cheeks, while Liora maintained a confident, waiting smirk.
"You are both out of uniform," Cain said.
Rei physically face-palmed, groaning into his hands.
Alice bit her lip, trying desperately to hold back a laugh.
Liora's smirk twitched, her noble composure cracking for just a second before
she let out a deeply exasperated sigh. "Yes, Cain. It is a festival. Uniforms
are not required."
"It's nice to see you too, Cain," Aera smiled softly, entirely used to his
absolute lack of social grace. She stepped closer, her shoulder brushing lightly
against his arm. "Are you going to walk with us, or are you going to stand here
guarding the entrance all night?"
Cain looked at the dense, chaotic crowd. He looked at Rei, who was currently
giving him a desperate, pleading look that clearly communicated: Please just be
normal for two hours.
Cain let out a quiet breath.
"I will take the vanguard position," Cain said, stepping forward into the crowd
to clear a path for them. "Stay close. Do not break formation."
Behind him, Liora and Aera exchanged a look. Liora shook her head with a fond,
defeated smile, while Aera giggled softly.
[ Notice: Task failed successfully. ] [ Status: Proceeding with Operation:
Double Date. ]