Chapter 20

To make up for the cancellation of the Spirit Festival at the end of the year, the academy announced last month that we, the students, would hold a school festival. The event is fast approaching, scheduled for mid-month. Although the academy is still somewhat shaken by the deaths of two students, repressing the freedom that Roy and others dramatically won would provoke strong resistance from the students. Now, the "Boundary Theater Troupe" has gained influence outside the academy as a student club opposing the anti-magic movement, making it inevitable for the academy to hold the festival.

The "Boundary Theater Troupe" plans to perform a play at the school festival, as its name suggests. Since Ruby had already written a script for the Spirit Festival, they decided to use it. I was originally scheduled to play a villain, but Persia suggested that I shouldn't ruin the image I've built up, so I decided to work behind the scenes. When I told my costume-designing colleague, Elly, that I would be working behind the scenes, she replied, "But there's not much for you to do, Aviram." Mash is in charge of music, and Van, Persia, and Everest are performing, so I felt it was unfair for me to do nothing.

So, I decided to introduce magic communication devices into the play. The auditorium where the performance will take place is quite large, and the actors have to shout to be heard by the audience at the back. By setting up several magic communication devices and receivers, this problem could be solved. Persia knew that my father had warned me not to use magic communication devices and strongly opposed the idea. However, after I explained the legal loophole I learned from Lily and Ruby, he sighed and reluctantly agreed.

Thanks to the school festival, the students were able to divert their attention from the tragic Gazebos incident and gradually regained their energy. They worked hard on the preparations for the festival after classes and on weekends, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. Before long, the day of the school festival arrived.

In the morning, I arrived at school by carriage and stopped by the Shaare dormitory. On my way to the common room, I met Mash.

"Lord Roy! Good morning!"

"Good morning, Mash. Are you heading out already?"

"Yeah. I've been asked to play the piano by various clubs."

"I see. Then we can't go around together."

"That's right. What about you, Lord Roy? What are you going to do today?"

"Alone?"

"Huh? Well, Persia is participating in a debate, and Everest and Elly said they would be doing a fashion show all day."

"Right... Van is... I think he's participating in a tournament. That combat enthusiast."

"---Oh, I have to go. See you at the play!"

"Sure, see you."

Mash ran off. I sighed and headed to the common room with even heavier steps.

In the common room, Ruby was there, and no other students were around. It seems everyone was busy. However, it was unusual. Ruby rarely interacts with others, and this was the first time I had seen him in the common room. He was, as usual, writing with his pen. I sat down on the sofa in front of him.

Ruby looked up.

"Roy-kun"

"Ruby-Livi"

I called him back because he called me.

"Are you going around with someone?"

"No, I think I'll skip it."

"Okay."

With that, Ruby resumed writing. It seems he also intended to skip the festival. It's reassuring to have a companion. Since Gerald, who often accompanied Ruby, is still on probation after causing trouble with Liam, Ruby has no one to go around with. But that's not so bad. Being alone and hiding in a corner can also be a way to enjoy the school festival.

As I practiced my magic sword or daydreamed, the courtyard became lively. The families of the students must have started to arrive. The school festival is open to families. My family... probably won't come. What about Ruby? Lily seems to dote on Ruby, so it wouldn't be surprising if she came.

I was thinking about whether to ask or not when someone entered the common room.

"What are you doing here? And..."

It was Wendy. She looked at me rudely and then immediately looked serious when she saw Ruby. Wendy is Liam's sister and probably has some thoughts about her brother's cruel treatment of Ruby.

Wendy sat next to me and faced Ruby.

"Um, Ruby-kun... san"

Wendy called out to Ruby, who continued writing. She seemed unsure of how to address him, making it sound odd. Ruby didn't seem to notice her.

"You should wait until he's at a good stopping point."

I gave Wendy, who looked troubled, some advice.

"Right... okay."

Wendy seemed to agree.

It was an unusual combination. But thinking about it, Wendy might also be alone. With her brother Liam suspected of murder, her reputation must have suffered. Even if Wendy did nothing, people would want to distance themselves from the family of the perpetrator.

Looking at Wendy's profile, I could see dark circles under her eyes.

I decided to read the paper I was in the middle of. Wendy also took a book from her small bag and started reading. The three of us spent the time in silence, and the room was so quiet that I could feel a small tension when we turned the pages. Occasionally, the cheerful voices from outside made us feel like we were in a different world.

The sound of a pen being placed on the table made me look up. Ruby was staring at Wendy.

"Um, hello."

Wendy greeted him awkwardly.

"Hello."

Ruby returned the greeting.

"I'm Wendy Dalton. That is, Liam's sister—"

"I know."

"Oh, right. Well, I'm really sorry for what Liam did to you. I know it doesn't help much for me to apologize, but—"

"I want to go around the festival. The three of us."

"Eh? Eh? The three of us?"

Wendy's eyes widened. I was also surprised and looked at her.

"I think it's better if the three of us go around together."

Ruby emphasized this, and his tone suggested he was certain about it.

"I don't mind. I have nothing to do until the play."

I replied to Ruby and nodded at Wendy.

"Well, I'm free too, but—"

And so, the three of us, who didn't quite understand each other, decided to go around the school festival together.