Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 8 Capítulo 3

Capítulo 3 – Começa o Festival do Campus

Parte 1

“Pessoal da Academia, terminaram sua preparação? Vocês devem estar cansadas do treinamento rigoroso diário. Mas— esta é a nossa primavera que só vem uma vez em nossas vidas. Até os cadetes militares precisam de relaxamento, não é? Então, vamos nos divertir muito e nos animar com o povo de Cross Field hoje!”

‘WAAAAAAH!’ Altos gritos vieram das alunas ao mesmo tempo que a saudação de Relie terminou.

Inúmeros estandes e inúmeros eventos eram realizados em palcos montados.

Horários e mapas foram postados em grande estilo em todos os lugares.

—

“Os ingredientes acabaram mais rápido que o esperado! Não se preocupe se tem permissão não, basta trazê-los do armazém do refeitório!”

“É proibido revender ingresso! ......Espere, já tem falsificações em circulação, você disse!?”

“Este ano, há um invasor ilegal saindo do subterrâneo, sabe!? Entre em contato com o comitê de vigilância e a Tríade agora mesmo!”

—

Assim, as nobres jovens estavam correndo para lá e para cá apressadas e vozes estridentes trovejavam de todos os lugares.

Embora faltasse mais uma hora para a entrada do público, uma situação caótica já tinha entrado em cena.

“Como devo dizer, ouvi o boato, mas... isso é incrível.”

“Eu também sou uma estudante do primeiro ano, então esta é a primeira vez que vejo isso, mas— como eu pensei, a diretora é estranha não é...”

Lux estava sorrindo ironicamente, enquanto sua irmã mais nova, Airi, também murmurava de espanto.

Os dois ficaram maravilhados com o entusiasmo do primeiro Festival do Campus que participavam.

Airi estava escalada para trabalhar como bibliotecária na biblioteca, mas parecia que sua preparação havia terminado.

E então, pelo menos por enquanto, antes do evento começar... dessa forma, ela estava junto com Lux, mas—

“A propósito, que tipo de jogo de punição Nii-san está recebendo?”

Airi disse uma coisa cruel depois de ver a figura de seu irmão ao lado dela.

Um pano branco estava pendurado no ombro de Lux, e lá estavam as palavras ‘Especialista em Trabalhos Estranhos – fará qualquer coisa. ☆ 1 bilhete, 1 vez ☆’ escrito nele.

“Não, eu também não entendo...”

No momento em que ele respondeu assim com uma expressão complexa, suas costas foram atingidas. *pofuh*

“Boom diia! Lukkuchi, você está bem!? Você está satisfeito com meu plano?”

Aquela que veio mostrando um sorriso inocente era um membro da Tríade que era sua colega de classe, Tillfur.

“Espere, o que é isso!? Mesmo você dizendo que vai escolher o evento do qual participarei para mim!?”

Certamente ele ouviu isso ontem, e mesmo assim, por alguma razão, esta manhã, ele foi repentinamente encarregado desse plano bizarro.

“Você não gostou? Maaas, Lukkuchi na verdade deveria me agradecer chorando por isso, sabe?”

Quando Lux a questionou sobre o assunto, Tillfur deu-lhe um sorriso travesso.

“Eh......?”

“Como Lukkuchi não escolheu qual evento você participaria no início, a confusão nos bastidores foi absurdamente feroz, só para você saber. Afinal, todo mundo estava dizendo ‘Ele virá para nosso estande’ e não havia controle de forma alguma. Também não havia problema em decidir por sorteio, mas todas as outras ficariam insatisfeitas com isso.”

“Yes. A situação também era semelhante entre nós do primeiro ano.”

Despercebida, Noct também havia chegado.

Os dois membros da Tríade usavam uma faixa de braço bordada escrita ‘Comitê de Vigilância do Festival do Campus’.

Parece que era um título especial para este dia.

“Graças a isso, todas na classe mais tarde não paravam de exigir que Airi influenciasse seu Onii-san a participar de seu projeto.”

“......Isso mesmo. Graças a isso, cansei de rejeitar todas elas. Depois disso, não fiquei ressentida por minhas colegas de classe, certamente por causa da minha boa conduta no dia a dia.”

Airi também acrescentou com sarcasmo por algum motivo.

Nesse momento, até Shalice chegou e *pon* bateu no ombro de Lux.

“Além disso, Lux-kun esteve ocupado recentemente, tendo que adiar o pedido individual das alunas. Se você não dispersar a frustração delas em um momento como este, a insatisfação delas explodirá e você será atacado, sabe?”

“A-Atacado...?”

“Fufufu. Oho, você não percebeu? —Algo assim.”

Quando Lux parecia perplexo, Shalice puxou a cabeça de Lux e a colocou debaixo do braço.

A elasticidade do seio moderadamente grande atingiu o rosto de Lux. O rosto de Lux ficou vermelho espontaneamente.

“O qu-!? O que você está fazendo Shalice-san!?”

“O que, isso é apenas um pequeno aviso de mim como membro do comitê de vigilância. Por favor, tome cuidado durante o Festival do Campus.”

Parecia que a própria Shalice também estava envergonhada, ela riu para esconder seu constrangimento.

As outras que estavam assistindo estavam enviando a ela um olhar exasperado.

“No entanto, é Shalice-san quem está atacando Nii-san.”

“Yes. Ela é uma capitã do comitê de vigilância não confiável.”

Sendo retrucada por duas alunas do primeiro ano, Shalice pigarreou *tossiu* uma vez.

“Espe-, por quanto tempo você vai segurar Lukkuchi assim!?”

Tillfur arrancou Lux dela naquela abertura e eles voltaram ao assunto.

“Bem, então, por causa disso, Lukkuchi, você vai a todos os lugares do festival, ok? Se uma garota solicitar você trazendo um ingresso, ajude-a em sua barraca ou evento. Ah, mas, não vai adiantar se você ficar muito tempo em um lugar, sabe?”

Assim, elas ensinaram a Lux o conteúdo do trabalho que ele deveria fazer.

No final eram os trabalhos estranhos habituais, mas era mais para uso exclusivo das alunas no Festival do Campus.

“Até~! Venha aqui um pouco! Há um incidente aliiii!”

Enquanto Lux pensava nisso, a voz de uma aluna veio da direção do pátio.

“Ok, eu vou lá agora. Então, Lukkuchi, divirta-se no festival, ok.”

Tillfur, que foi chamada, concluiu a conversa assim com Lux.

“Entendi. Não estou muito confiante, mas... vou tentar fazer o meu melhor.”

“Sim. Se você estiver com problemas, chame a gente. Ou melhor, iremos verificar como você está indo ocasionalmente.”

“Yes. Os convidados de fora também entrarão em breve, então nós também temos que ir logo.”

“Certo. A propósito, a lesão de Shalice-san—”

A curta disputa com Rosa Granhide sobre a qual ouviu o boato.

Lux murmurou ao ver o braço que estava envolto com uma bandagem, mas Shalice sorriu de maneira refrescante.

“Isso não é nada para mim. Mais importante, cuide de Celis naquela batalha de demonstração de habilidade.”

“—Sim. Shalice-san também, tenha cuidado.”

Lux também respondeu com um sorriso e no final ficou sozinho com Airi.

“Então, eu também irei. Não está relacionado com Nii-san, mas meu intervalo será à tarde.”

“Ah, certo, entendi, não se preocupe.”

Seu tom foi seco, mas para ela dizer isso expressamente a ele deve significar “eu quero que você venha” sem dúvida.

Lux interpretou a mensagem de sua irmã mais nova que era assim enquanto decidia que por enquanto ele iria dar uma olhada no Festival do Campus depois disso.

“......Além disso, quer dizer, eu acho que Nii-san estará ocupado, mas, por favor, pelo menos divirta-se, mesmo que seja apenas por hoje.”

Airi desviou o rosto e disse isso em voz baixa. Lux abriu abruptamente um sorriso por sua consideração.

“Obrigado. Airi também, dê o seu melhor.”

Airi saiu depois de dizer isso a ele. Lux então olhou para um mapa e começou a andar.

Havia muitos eventos, desde o prédio da escola até instalações como o campo de treino e coisas do gênero, mas ele se perguntou por onde deveria começar.

“Como eu pensei, será que talvez eu devesse começar pelo estande da Lisha-sama? Também estou preocupado com os Drag-Rides—”

“Lux-senpai! Posso fazer um pedido!? Por favor, ajude em nossa barraca!”

Enquanto ele resmungava para si mesmo, cinco garotas do primeiro ano imediatamente o chamaram do pátio.

Parecia que o que a Tríade disse a ele também não era realmente uma história exagerada.

Parece que isso se tornaria um cronograma inesperadamente difícil.

“......Err, eu não vou conseguir ficar por muito tempo, mas, se vocês estão bem com isso, então......?”

“Certamente, por favor!”

As meninas acenaram com a cabeça para a resposta de Lux e levemente tocaram as mãos entre si.

Lux sorriu ironicamente para o alto-astral delas, que eram realmente diferentes das jovens de família nobre e ele pensou.

(—Mas, tudo bem se eu puder fazer todas felizes, eu acho.)

Recentemente, ele foi com frequência a países estrangeiros, então Lux ficou feliz por ele ter sido requisitado na Academia.

(Certo. Já se passou muito tempo, farei o meu melhor exibindo minhas habilidades de trabalhos estranhos que foram treinadas nesses cinco anos.)

Lux colocou seu espírito nisso e seguiu a orientação de suas calouras.

—

Parte 2

Não era como se não houvesse nenhuma barraca no terreno aberto da Academia, mas havia muito mais dentro do prédio do campus.

Do primeiro ao terceiro andar, várias decorações foram aplicadas em cada sala. O lugar estava lotado como uma pequena cidade.

Havia uma sala que era extravagantemente decorada, mesmo dentre todas elas.

Naquela sala que tinha tapetes vermelhos espalhados e móveis e implementos lisos e reluzentes colocados dentro, Lux estava imediatamente ajudando com a barraca.

“Err— muito obrigado, Ojou-sama. Qual seria o seu pedido?”

“Direito. Cookie e chá-preto, vou deixar a escolha para você. Afinal, tenho um paladar que pode comer qualquer coisa.”

Quem estava olhando para Lux com um olhar cheio de sugestão era Magialca dos Sete Paladinos Dragão.

A dona da empresa, que usava uma vistosa capa vermelha, estava relaxando em um sofá de forma agradável.

Além disso, ao lado dela estava a irmã mais velha de sua amiga de infância, Relie, sentada lá.

“Essa aparência fica muito boa em você Lux-kun. O que você acha? Quando você se formar na Academia, por que não trabalha formalmente no meu escritório como secretário?”

“Não, isso é um pouco...”

“Isso mesmo, Lux-kun vai morar com Phi, então não tem jeito.”

“Não é isso, o que diabos é essa barraca de refrescos!?”

Lux gritou para as duas convidadas em espanto.

Lux atualmente não usava um traje de garçom, mas sim um traje de mordomo com a cor preta como base por algum motivo.

Depois de receber um pedido, ele foi levado pelas meninas a um café que se chamava ‘Mansão do Mordomo’.

Lux ouviu que era ‘trabalho para homem’ e chegou a uma conclusão precipitada de que certamente seria um trabalho físico, mas nunca imaginou que ele próprio trabalharia como empregado de um café.

Magialca e Relie vieram como suas primeiras clientes.

“Ou melhor, vestir-se como mordomo em uma academia para meninas é—”

Mesmo que fosse uma exceção para Lux, que era um homem, estar matriculado, pensar que elas tentariam este tipo de barraca de refrescos.

Mas, Relie brincou como se ela não estivesse preocupada com isso.

“Nossa. Talvez seja difícil para um garoto como Lux-kun entender, mas é exatamente porque esta é uma academia feminina que esse tipo de coisa é inesperadamente exigido, sabe? Além disso, desta vez também participam convidados especiais.”

No espaço ao lado, havia dois jovens de pé vestidos em trajes semelhantes ao de mordomo.

O representante dos Sete Paladinos Dragão do Principado de Vanheim, Greifer, e seu ajudante Coral, que estavam hospedados aqui durante o Festival do Campus.

Foi chocante que eles estivessem ajudando nesta barraca de refrescos, mas inesperadamente o traje combinava muito bem com os dois.

Greifer dava uma impressão ruim e rude, mas isso se tornou uma incompatibilidade interessante, enquanto Coral era a própria definição de jovem bonito, então também parecia que ele seria popular.

“Que legal, os três são realmente legaiis... se Lux-kun ficar aqui até o fim, poderemos fazer uma aposta de quem será o mais popular, mas—”

“No ano passado, tivemos Shalice-senpai usando roupa masculina, mas, um garoto de verdade também não é ruim, não é... Ou melhor, agora está esquentando mais! Dentro de mim, quero dizer!”

No fundo da barraca de refrescos, as meninas organizadoras gritavam sem esconder a exaltação.

“Ei Coral. Por que eu, que vim para a cúpula, tenho que me vestir desse jeito, yeah?”

Quem estava mostrando uma expressão de desgosto era Greifer, como esperado.

Ele, cuja personalidade era originalmente rabugenta, parecia ser conduzido pouco a pouco por seu ajudante Coral de alguma forma e foi amarrado nisso.

“Você está livre de qualquer maneira, certo? Além disso, Milmiette-sama também falou pra você cooperar com o festival, né?”

“Guh, eu não vou esquecer isso...”

Greifer, que foi repreendido por Coral, estava atendendo os clientes com uma expressão extremamente relutante.

“Ei, bando de Ojou-sama, peçam rápido! Vão para casa imediatamente depois de terminar de comer.”

Ele estava agindo de forma inadequada como mordomo, mas inesperadamente foi aceito como interessante.

Lux tinha notado isso quando foi para o Principado de Vanheim, mas Greifer era realmente muito bom em cuidar de outras pessoas, apesar de sua aparência, então talvez ele fosse inesperadamente adequado para o papel de mordomo. Ele não poderia dizer isso para a própria pessoa, no entanto.

“Em vez disso, obrigado pelo seu trabalho árduo, Lux-kun. Lamento não ter podido ajudá-lo na conferência por causa da minha posição naquela hora.”

Enquanto Lux pensava nessas coisas, Coral, que usava trajes semelhantes de mordomo enquanto trabalhava como garçom, chamou-o com um olhar de desculpas.

O que Coral quis dizer com ajuda na conferência deve estar se referindo ao anúncio da batalha de demonstração de habilidade onde o prêmio seria o direito de investigar a Ruína – Babel no Novo Reino.

Mas, os outros países também tiveram suas próprias circunstâncias. Eles estavam vigilantes contra o objetivo dos Lords e não queriam expor sua mão.

Como esperado, seria muito duro esperar que Coral, que era apenas um ajudante afinal, falasse naquele momento.

“Não, não se preocupe com isso. Mas, vocês dois podem trabalhar aqui? Coral e Greifer originalmente deveriam ser convidados de honra—”

“Não. Não há festival acadêmico como este no Principado de Vanheim, então fico feliz em ser convidado a me misturar... Eu também pude ver Greifer vestido assim.”

Coral riu maliciosamente e olhou para seu companheiro de trabalho.

Em contraste, Greifer ouviu isso enquanto olhava para cá com uma expressão descontente.

“Ei! Parem de conversa fiada vocês aí! Há uma longa fila esperando lá fora!”

Era uma barraca de refrescos onde rapazes bonitos vestidos de mordomo serviriam as moças.

Parecia que o boato se espalhou e, antes que percebessem, muitos convidados vieram correndo.

(Parece que as pessoas na fila são todas as alunas desta academia—)

Mesmo que todo mundo fosse basicamente garotas de boas famílias, do ponto de vista de Lux, esta era uma visão que ele realmente não conseguia entender.

Mas, parecia que era uma prática estabelecida que esse tipo de estande fosse popular.

“Ahaha, fomos repreendidos. Então Lux-kun. Vamos fazer nosso melhor.”

Coral murmurou isso com um sorriso gentil e voltou ao trabalho com pressa.

Havia três assentos dentro da sala— Lux voltou para a mesa que ele estava encarregado.

Parecia que havia também um menu oculto do mordomo prestando serviço de alimentação do biscoito do cliente pelo que lhe foi dito.

(Sério, o que há com esta loja...)

Enquanto Lux estava servindo Magialca com perplexidade, seus olhos de repente brilharam de forma encantadora. De repente, ela se apoiou no peito de Lux que estava sentado no sofá ao lado dela.

“Hmm. É álcool usado neste cookie? Estou um pouco bêbada. Você pode cuidar de mim um pouco?”

“Espe-, por favor, não abrace assim de repente!? Além disso, por favor, não acaricie minha coxa!”

Por fora, ela era uma menina pequena que era quase igual a Lisha, mas a maneira de suas mãos e gestos maduros davam-lhe a impressão de uma mulher mais velha da mesma idade de Relie.

Seu corpo ágil treinado grudou nele. Ela o estava abraçando enquanto seu dedo deslizava em seu peito.

As organizadoras do estande que viram aquilo se aproximaram em pânico.

‘Graças a Deus. Estou salvo’ Lux pensou, mas—

“Querida convidada. Haverá um custo adicional pelo colo almofada do menu secreto, sabe?”

“Por que o menu oculto que eu conhecia está aumentando rapidamente–!?”

E então por que todas estavam competindo para ganhar dinheiro apesar de serem ricas, ele se se perguntava.

No momento em que Lux gritou por reflexo, a diretora Relie interrompeu inesperadamente.

“Desculpe Magialca. Fui repreendida pelo membro do comitê moral pública que acabou de passar. —Preciso pará-la aqui na minha posição.”

“Membro... do comitê de moral pública?”

Quando Lux inclinou a cabeça, Relie sorriu ironicamente enquanto olhava para o corredor.

“Que pena, mas não tenho permissão para falar devido ao desejo da pessoa. Aquela garota— ela é realmente estranha.”

“......?”

Lux ficou pensando por um tempo “Quem poderia ser...” ouvindo as palavras de Relie cheias de significado.

Mas, ele trabalhou até a morte com o trabalho de garçom e não foi possível encontrar a resposta naquele lugar.

—

Parte 3

Os trinta minutos de trabalho terminaram em um piscar de olhos e Lux saiu da barraca de refrescos.

Mas logo depois ele foi pego por outras garotas que esperavam, e ele foi levado a um palco que foi construído no pátio.

Ele foi convidado para fazer o papel de príncipe em uma das peças lá.

“Espere um segundo!? Esse papel parece muito importante, como você pode confiar isso a mim, que acabei de chegar!?”

Embora Lux se opusesse – “Então, quer tentar o papel de princesa?” – Ele cedeu contra a barganha diabólica e desempenhou seu papel de forma muito rígida.

“Ei Lux! Quando você vai para o meu estande!? Assim, não posso fazer a performance usando o Drag-Ride que criei!”

Depois disso, ele foi chamado por Lisha que veio depois de ficar sem paciência, e ele se dirigiu ao ateliê de Drag-Ride.

Inesperadamente, a sala de exibição era popular entre os homens, talvez porque fosse uma chance rara para as pessoas em Cross Field olharem para um Drag-Ride de perto.

Além disso, depois disso, eles se dirigiram a um espaço aberto no pátio e fizeram uma apresentação.

Quando o Drag-Ride que Lisha criou no passado, <Armed Wyvern>, um Drag-Ride que era movido sem ninguém usando a armadura foi mostrado, o ambiente foi muito agitado, mas—

“Espere um segundo, eu só preciso ver isso? Mesmo sem esperar especialmente por mim para isso...”

“O-O que você está dizendo!? Ou seja, se você, que sabe da minha realização, não me acompanhar, não poderei operá-lo com tranquilidade......”

No momento em que desceram do palco, Lisha enredou os dedos timidamente ao dizer isso. Esse gesto dela deixou uma impressão.

“Então, posso pedir a Lux-kun para participar aqui também?”

Em seguida, Krulcifer que estava assistindo o convidou, e ele foi levado para o campo de treino que foi modificado para um salão de dança.

O entorno foi coberto com cortina preta, e o local foi iluminado por lustre. Garotas com vestidos deslumbrantes dançavam lá.

Claro que os convidados que não prepararam nada também podem entrar sem trocar de roupa, mas parece que Krulcifer recusou o convite dos homens que vieram como convidados e esperava por Lux.

“Err Krulcifer-san. Na verdade, não é melhor dançar com um convidado de Cross Field?”

“Isso pode ser verdade. Mas, parece que também há muitas pessoas que querem dançar com Lux-kun, então eu acho que é melhor se você praticar um pouco primeiro.”

Lux sorriu ironicamente com o argumento forçado de Krulcifer enquanto dançava com ela.

Era uma dança comum no Novo Reino com coreografia simples, mas Krulcifer o conduzia habilmente, então Lux também poderia fazer isso facilmente.

E então, a garota que estava usando um vestido branco puro como flor da neve estava incrivelmente linda como sempre.

“Eu irei acompanhá-lo em seguida, então assuma a liderança corretamente ok, Onii-chan.”

A representante dos Sete Paladinos Dragão da Teocracia Ymir, Mel Gizalut, também estava lá. A menina também estava participando da dança.

Foi divertido dançar com duas lindas garotas alternadamente, mas o olhar de ciúme dos convidados machucou. Ele se sentiu um pouco estranho.

“Tch! Aquele maldito garoto, mesmo que ele seja o único homem matriculado nessa academia, se exibindo assim...... Fui rejeitado por ambas. Mesmo que eu também queira dançar com as belezas de Ymir aquiiii!”

“Garoto com rosto bonito consegue fácil hein. Aquele maldito Lux—”

“Você está certo, vamos deixá-lo um pouco estragado, certo? Não se preocupe, não vai chegar a causar ferimentos.”

A maioria dos convidados de fora não ligou para isso, mas entre eles três homens com personalidade ruim estavam tendo essa discussão na sombra.

Talvez por causa de seus trabalhos estranhos habituais, a avaliação de Lux em Cross Field era boa, mas o ciúme e a inveja de um homem eram uma história diferente.

“Certo, então vamos fazer isso no palco. Vamos pedir a outras alunas adequadas para dançar... e então—”

“Então, por favor, deixe-me agir como seu parceiro.”

Lá— uma garota alta com cabelos loiros usando um lindo vestido apareceu na frente deles.

Seu rosto não podia ser visto por causa de uma máscara branca cobrindo a área ao redor dos olhos, talvez porque fosse parte da roupa. Mas vendo seus seios voluptuosos e cintura apertada, os homens engoliram em seco de forma audível.

“S-Sim...... c-cuide de nós, senhorita.”

(O que é isso— se eu posso dançar com uma mulher tão bonita, então isso não é tão ruim.)

Pensando nisso, o rancor do homem em relação a Lux diminuiu ligeiramente, mas seus dois camaradas olharam para ele, então, como esperado, ele ainda continuaria com o plano.

A estratégia era subir no mesmo palco, então quando Lux estivesse dançando ao lado dele, ele pisaria em seu pé e o fazia tropeçar um pouco—

No momento em que ele iria executá-lo com um passo não natural, a mão com luva branca que ele segurava se moveu de repente.

“Obstruir não é permitido.”

“......O qu–!? Ai, ai, ai–!”

Naquele momento, quando seu pé se moveu para alcançar Lux, sua mão foi torcida.

O homem saltou de dor e desmaiou de agonia.

Os arredores viram como o homem errou em sua dança e teve o braço torcido.

“Fuu...... isso foi perigoso.”

A menina mascarada que terminou a dança suspirou aliviada e desceu do palco.

Lux, com muita segurança terminou sua dança com Mel, mesmo ficando incomodado com o que aconteceu ao lado.

“Onii-chan é mais habilidoso do que eu pensava agora. Da próxima vez que você vier para a Teocracia Ymir, não me importarei em ser sua parceira de novo, sabe?”

Como sempre, ela parecia madura para sua idade, embora essa garota fosse quatro anos mais nova que ele, mas estranhamente ela parecia bonita mesmo com isso. Esse deve ser o seu charme.

“Ahaha, cuida de mim nessa hora. Mas, a voz agora—?”

“Sim, também ouvi algo familiar.”

Krulcifer também concordou com o murmúrio de Lux e ela virou o rosto.

A garota mascarada que estava dançando perto agora saltou de surpresa quando a conversa foi repentinamente dirigida a ela.

“......N-Não–!? E-Eu não sou ninguém desconfiado nem nada!”

“Mas ninguém está dizendo nada parecido...”

A resposta que Mel deu com uma cara séria deixou a garota mascarada ainda mais em pânico.

“E-Eu tenho um negócio urgente, desculpe-me!”

Ela de alguma forma disse apenas isso e saiu rapidamente.

“O que... foi isso......?”

A expressão de Mel estava um pouco perplexa. Lux também concordou com uma expressão estranha.

“Poderia ser? Krulcifer-san.”

“......Acho que sim. Eu não sei o que ela está pensando, mas— ela é formidável.”

“Eh......?”

Lux inclinou a cabeça perplexo ao ouvir o murmúrio de Krulcifer cheio de significado.

“Está tudo bem se você não pensar muito profundamente Lux-kun. Então, que tal agora olharmos para o próximo evento apenas nós dois?”

Krulcifer docemente sussurrou no ouvido de Lux. Seu coração palpitou espontâneamente.

No momento em que ele estava perdido se aceitava seu convite ou não, uma voz alta veio de trás.

“Krulcifer-san! É a sua vez de ser recepcionista do salão de dança!”

Quem gritou com raiva foi uma menina do terceiro ano que também era membro do Syvalles.

Se Krulcifer monopolizasse Lux, as outras garotas também ficariam com ciúmes, algo assim.

“Haa... é lamentável. Então, vamos nos encontrar novamente mais tarde.”

“Ah, c-certo. Krulcifer-san e Mel também, deem o seu melhor.”

Lux ficou aliviado em seu coração enquanto acenava com a mão e se separava das meninas.

Depois disso, ele deu uma volta pelo terreno da Academia por um tempo sozinho.

Ele ajudou na execução de truque de mágica, depois cuidou e guiou um convidado que teve anemia e assim por diante. Ele realizou vários pedidos vindos de estudantes e cidadãos.

A princípio, ele ficou preocupado com o que iria acontecer, mas talvez graças a ele ter o conhecimento da geografia e do ambiente do amplo terreno da Academia por seus trabalhos estranhos, ele foi inesperadamente capaz de desempenhar seu papel de ‘especialista de trabalhos estranhos’ muito bem.

—E então, uma hora depois.

“Fuu, isso demorou muito...”

Depois de receber sanduíche e carne no espeto de alunas que estavam fazendo uma barraca de comida e almoçar, Lux foi até a biblioteca para checar Airi.

Ele encontrou a figura de sua irmã mais nova trabalhando como bibliotecária na biblioteca – o programa da Exposição de História.

“Sim. O material aqui é algo da era do Antigo Império. O Drag-Ride foi escavado pela primeira vez na Ruína...”

E assim por diante, ela estava respondendo à pergunta do visitante sem problemas.

A própria Airi era uma Princesa do Antigo Império e ainda tinha o colarinho de criminosa no pescoço, mas seu comportamento digno era exatamente o que se esperava dela.

“Airi-chan. Onde está o material para a escrita antiga novamente? Um convidado que também deseja olhar para eles é—”

“Sim. Entre direto e olhe para a estante no final à direita. Por favor, tome cuidado onde você pisa. Ah, por favor, não traga essa vela para dentro. Afinal, não é permitido fogo aqui.”

Ela estava no primeiro ano e este era seu primeiro Festival do Campus e sua primeira vez cuidando de um visitante. Apesar disso, parecia que as outras alunas também contavam com ela.

Sua disposição social e sua habilidade de navegar na sociedade eram habilidosas, somada a sua habilidade de decifrar documentos antigos também, ela possuía habilidades extremamente excelentes como oficial civil.

(Airi também se tornou esplêndida hein...)

Quando Lux estava assistindo de longe, Airi de repente olhou em sua direção e ela imediatamente se aproximou dele.

“Nii-san, por que você está olhando para mim com esse sorriso estúpido há um tempo? Falando claramente, você é nojento.”

“Isso é cruel– ......!?”

Mesmo que ele estivesse vindo aqui para verificar a situação dela, se perguntando se ela estava preocupada com alguma coisa.

Além disso, embora ele estivesse apenas feliz com o crescimento de sua irmã mais nova.

“Nii-san está se destacando, não importa onde você esteja, então, se você tem negócios, fale comigo. Eu serei provocada por todas mais tarde, se você for assim.”

Enquanto ele pensava assim, as bochechas de Airi incharam um pouco e ela murmurou com um olhar de reprovação.

Parecia que ela estava envergonhada que as outras alunas notaram que Lux estava cuidando dela como um pai.

“N-Não é como se eu estivesse agindo sorrateiramente, eu não queria ser um incômodo para Airi.”

“Mesmo que você seja apenas Nii-san, por favor, não mexa comigo estranhamente assim. Afinal, eu absolutamente não vou pensar em Nii-san como incômodo......”

Airi murmurou a última metade da frase com uma voz baixa que Lux não conseguiu entender.

Naquele momento, quando Lux estava preocupado com o estado de Airi, uma presença mudou do corredor para dentro.

“Waah!?”

Uma criança pequena estava correndo e caiu antes de trombar nas estantes.

“......Cuidado–!?”

Quando as estantes quase caíram com a reação, Lux afastou o garoto com uma diferença finíssima.

Lá, no instante em que as estantes de livros iam cair— o corpo de Lux flutuou suavemente nos braços de alguém.

“Eh......?”

Logo depois que ele piscou surpreso, as velhas estantes caíram ruidosamente atrás dele.

“É bom ser enérgico, mas não adianta se você não tomar cuidado, sabe?”

“S-Sinto muito. Onee-chan.”

Essa voz podia ser ouvida de repente, e logo depois disso—

“—Então, parece que Lux também está salvo, vou me despedir.”

A voz da garota só deixou essas palavras antes que a voz ficasse distante.

“Agora mesmo, poderia ser—?”

“Estava escuro, então não pude ver bem, mas, provavelmente...”

A força instantânea e a força da perna que instantaneamente fechou a distância de longe.

Além disso, a força do braço que poderia facilmente levantar o corpo de Lux era algo característico daquela garota.

E então, aquela voz que ele ouviu por um momento quando ela saiu, ele pensou que era a voz de Celis, mas—

“Mas se for esse o caso, por que ela foi embora imediatamente?”

Lux inclinou a cabeça perplexo, mas não sabia a resposta.

“Você fez alguma coisa, Nii-san?”

“Não, eu não tenho nenhuma lembrança de ter feito coisas estranhas com ela...”

Claro, a possibilidade de que ele a deixasse com raiva sem perceber não era zero.

Mas, não seria natural se fosse esse o caso, porque ela o salvou agora mesmo.

“Vamos perguntar a ela sobre isso mais tarde. Mais importante, agora eu tenho um pedido para fazer ao Nii-san.”

Airi suspirou levemente e sorriu para Lux.

“Err, não me diga...”

“Sim. Por favor, arrume isso.”

“Eu sei disso......”

A criança foi salva das estantes que caíam, mas os livros derramados amontoavam-se como uma montanha.

Mas, Airi e as outras garotas tinham trabalho para guiar os visitantes, então no final Lux foi adequado para fazê-lo.

“Agora então— ......Eh?”

Naquela hora ele ia começar a tarefa, quando repentinamente olhou em volta, um cabelo loiro estava aparecendo por trás de uma estante.

O corpo que estava envolto em uniforme estava inquieto, e algo foi sussurrado em voz baixa.

“Devo ajudar Lux...? Mas, se eu o encarar, eu vou ficar estranha novamente. Como esperado, nesta situação será difícil ajudar Lux, mesmo quando houver oportunidade—”

“............”

Como ele pensava, sem dúvidas era Celis.

(Ou melhor, ela deve estar querendo se esconder, mas a estante é pequena então ela está exposta!)

A própria Celis era magra, embora sua figura corporal fosse boa mesmo entre as alunas.

Por causa de seus lindos cabelos longos cor de mel e seus seios grandes que proclamavam sua feminilidade, Lux podia ter um vislumbre de sua figura.

(...o que devo fazer com isso?)

Era uma situação em que também era difícil para Lux gritar por ela propositalmente.

Mas, falando honestamente, ele estava incomodado.

Por que Celis o estava evitando?

E então— por que ela o estava ajudando apesar de evitá-lo?

(Nessa conferência, falei para ajudar, talvez não devesse fazer isso...?)

Lux estava pensando nisso enquanto suas mãos que estavam arrumando os livros pararam. Ele então olhou ligeiramente para o lado.

Como se ele fosse se afastar das estantes em que estava trabalhando.

“Fuu, vamos descansar um pouco.”

Depois de fazer resmungos falsos daquele jeito, o ar atrás dele tremeu de repente.

Lux usou um espelho de mão e, secretamente, espiou suas costas. Lá, ele viu Celis prestando atenção no estado de Lux ao devolver o livro diligentemente para as estantes.

“Err...... o que você está fazendo, Celis-senpai?”

“—Hah!?”

No momento em que Lux murmurou secretamente, Celis saltou para trás.

Suas costas bateram nas estantes com muita força e vários livros caíram.

“N-Não é nada! Estou de passagem! Espiar não é permitido!”

“Espe– por favor, espere um segundo !? Celis-senpa—”

Como esperado, sua velocidade de fuga foi rápida com o quão treinada ela era.

A voz de Lux acabou em vão, sua figura desapareceu da biblioteca em um piscar de olhos.

“Estou sendo evitado assim como pensei? Mas—”

Ele também não sabia se não era odiado ou não.

Mas também havia a questão da batalha de demonstração de habilidade amanhã, ele pensou que não poderia ficar assim.

A forma de, de algum jeito, falar com Celis uma vez—

“Ah, já é essa hora. Se eu não for para próximo lugar......”

Quando abriu a tampa do relógio de bolso e confirmou a hora, Lux acelerou o passo e terminou de arrumar as estantes.

Ele acenou com a mão para Airi e disse-lhe para fazer o seu melhor antes de ir para o próximo lugar.

—

Part 4

「Fuu……」

After finishing several more requests like helping with cooking, sorting the queue of refreshment booth, and so on, Lux sat down on a curb at the courtyard.

It was finally three o’clock in the afternoon, the first day of the campus festival too was approaching its climax at last.

After that he was able to pass the time without any trouble although it was busy, but in the end he was unable to meet Celis.

But, in exchange he felt a gaze on him.

It was also a cause that heightened Lux’s uneasiness.

「Lux-kun, please come to our place next!」

He sat down to rest for a bit, a few girls who happened to catch sight of Lux by chance felt that they were lucky and called out to him.

「Ah, then」

He was a bit tired, but surely it wouldn’t be a problem to work a bit more.

The moment Lux was going to accept their request, a girl calmly cut between them smoothly.

「Ah, you are──」

「Phi……, chan?」

The serious faced girl unhesitatingly wedged herself between Lux and the female students.

She was the childhood friend of Lux with trait of light cherry blossom colored hair that looked soft, and expressionless face that looked absentminded──Philuffy Aingram.

She was wearing chic uniform with black as the base from working at a booth selling high class confections, but her cuteness wasn’t affected even in that slightly plain outfit.

Rather the largeness of her breast was conspicuously standing out just as much as how few the exposure rate of her attire was.

「Next, is certainly my turn, you know?」

「Eh……?」

Lux was puzzled hearing Philuffy suddenly saying that.

If he remember correctly, there shouldn’t be any promise like that though.

「Isn’t that right, Lu-chan?」

「Eh, tha, that’s right, I think……?」

「There is, isn’t it?」

「E, exactly!」

Lux spontaneously nodded when he was stared by her fixed gaze *jii-*.

「The, then it can’t be helped. Help us out next time okay, Lux-kun.」

The other girls seemed to give up after he yielded against Philuffy who was acting forceful in contrast to her absentminded appearance.

「Then, I’ve made it. So Lu-chan, come over here.」

「……Eh, wah!?」

Philuffy’s hand gently pulled Lux and he got on his feet.

Then they headed toward one of the stall inside the school building and entered a separate room that was empty.

「──Eh? This place」

「Storeroom……doubled as, break room. For use of the booths at second floor.」

Philuffy pulled a chair as soon as she said that, then she lightly tapped her hand *pon pon* on it.

「Wait, a bit.」

After Lux sat there, Philuffy slowly exited the room.

Perhaps the timing was just right at the busy period for any of the stores, because there was almost no other student inside the room.

It seemed the remaining girls inside were also tired, they didn’t try to approach him.

「Everyone is full of vigor huh.」

When Lux smiled wryly, Philuffy returned.

A mountain of confection was placed on the tray both her hands were carrying.

It wasn’t metaphor or anything, it was really a mountain.

「Wait, didn’t you have work for me!?」

Even though he completely thought that it was a request for him as 『odd job specialist』.

「Because, I couldn’t go together with Lu-chan, to the crepe store.」

「A, is, is that so.」

He was busy and had no time for outing, so Philuffy must meant this to be the compensation for that.

「This is, the best selling here.」

Philuffy said that and put various confections on the cloth that was spread on a few tables joined into one.

Freshly baked apple pie, cherry pie, pancake, and donuts. They were also garnished with a ton of whip cream and fruit jam.

Even though sweet confections was a high class item even in new kingdom, but for this kind of booth to be able to offer them like this was just as expected from an Academy of noble daughters.

「Lu-chan. Open your mouth, aaan」

While he was being overwhelmed by that amazing line up of sweets, Philuffy who was sitting beside him leaned forward a lot and held out a sweet that was stabbed by fork toward him.

「Wai-, Phi-chan!? That……, I can eat it by myself!」

Being fed itself was embarrassing, but there was a bigger problem.

Surely Philuffy herself didn’t realize it, but when she leaned forward from the side toward him, that──springy voluptuous chest of hers touched him.

But, it seemed Philuffy had no awareness of it, she was sticking even closer to him with her usual serious face.

「It’s fine, just do it.」

「No but, everyone resting here is also looking at us!」

There were few students who were currently resting inside the break room, but that didn’t mean there was none at all.

As expected doing this while attention was focused on them was……thinking that, Lux attempted his last resistance.

「……The crepe store. I wanted to go.」

But, Lux was beaten by Philuffy’s dispassionate muttering and he opened his mouth with resolve.

「Nn……」

「Lu-chan. Is it delicious?」

The soft body’s sensation, the scent of her hair, and then her voice that came from very near.

Somehow he felt sweetness not just from his tongue, but even from his five senses and the air.

• Chew chew* The pie’s texture was brittle and crumbled inside his mouth, the taste of baked apple and cinnamon’s aroma gently slipped out from his nose.

Furthermore the faint mild taste of the velvety cream smoothly wrapped Lux’s tongue.

「Delicious……it’s really sweet, but that’s not all there is to it.」

It wasn’t merely sweet, the tastes were mysteriously possessing sense of unity with each other, causing tension to leave Lux’s body.

Lux himself didn’t hate sweet thing, but to think that he would feel it to be this delicious──.

「I’m glad.」

Philuffy gave a faint smile that looked happy and next she also held out a crepe.

It was wrapped in cream and pear syrup. That too was delicious as expected, but its sweetness wasn’t that strong.

The cream must be a plain one.

Because of that there was balance with the sweet dough and ingredients.

「Because Mr. crepe seller taught me. Now, I can it together with Lu-chan anytime.」

「…………」

Lux spontaneously turned speechless hearing what Philuffy said.

She expressly went to the store and asked how to make the flavor, then she even created it while thinking of the preference of the grown up Lux.

His heart was fiercely touched from her straightforward consideration to him.

Somehow, it felt nostalgic.

He could remember Philuffy baking an extraordinarily sweet and large pancake for his sake in the past like it was only yesterday.

Though at that time more than half of the pancake was eaten by Philuffy.

「Thank you, Phi-chan. Here, ……for you.」

Lux too also cut a nearby pancake with a knife, poured a lot of maple syrup on it, and held it out to Philuffy.

「…………」

It seemed she didn’t expect Lux to respond back without any shyness, she was slightly losing her bearing.

But, before long she opened her small mouth and accepted it.

「Nn, delicious.」

At first it was embarrassing to be seen by the students around, but he was touched by her pure feeling and it felt stupid to be concerned by people’s gaze.

Lux and Philuffy immersed themselves in the deliciousness of the sweets for a while taking rest.

「Even so, that was a good timing for you to come while I was free. Even though Phi-chan should be really busy too──」

Lux drank a second helping of tea while saying that, then,

「I also didn’t know. I was thinking to meet Lu-chan later, but then a masked person told me, that it seemed Lu-chan’s work would be finished after a bit longer.」

「Eh……?」

Lux didn’t notice because he was focused, but he didn’t take rest at all except at lunch.

From what Philuffy said, there was someone somewhere who was paying attention to such Lux.

There was one person who he thought would do such thing.

「That person──could she be」

「She had big breast, tall, and blonde hair. Though she forbid me to speak, telling me 『It’s not permitted to tell this to Lux okay』.」

「You are exposing everything you know, Phi-chan!? You aren’t hiding even a single thing you know!?」

Even though they were inside a break room, Lux instinctively raised his voice and retorted.

In a sense it was just as expected, but the one who was worrying about Lux’s body seemed to be Celis.

(As I thought, she is helping me? But──)

When he faced her, she would suddenly cower back and went away somewhere, so he didn’t understand.

Though it would be fine if he could go somewhere where he would be able to meet Celis directly.

While he was thinking such thing, the door behind them was suddenly opened loudly.

When he looked back in panic, there the friends of his childhood friend, all three of the Triad were standing.

「Yahoo. Lux-chi, you’re well? Aa, you are playing hooky with Philuffy! This must not do!」

First Tillfur spoke teasingly and approached Lux.

Then, the leader Sharis immediately smiled wryly and watched that with folded arms.

「Good grief, it’s Tillfur who said that you want to rest because you’re tired patrolling right?」

「Yes. Acting like that because you want to play with Lux-san, you aren’t honest.」

Noct also agreed with what Sharis pointed out. Her eyes were staring reproachfully.

Tillfur who got stabbed in the back by her comrades immediately blushed and got flustered.

「Wai-!? You don’t need to say that in front of the person himself do you!? Even though you two agreed with my suggestion, that’s cowardly you know!?」

As always the three got along really well. Thinking that, Lux smiled while watching them. There Tllfur cleared her throat *cough* and looked at Lux.

「……Err, it will be time for the events to reach stopping point soon you see. Won’t you participate in an event together with us after this? Lux-chi is this Academy’s student too after all. I think playing around sometimes is also good instead of working all the time.」

Tillfur’s pace was thrown out of order by the retorts from Sharis and Noct. She was whispering with her gaze away from him while sending short glances.

Normally she was someone who get carried easily and acted as mood maker, but surprisingly she was fundamentally serious.

She was properly being considerate to Lux as one of his friends.

「Right. Then, if you are okay with me please let me participate. Ah, but──」

Lux thought that he would consent readily to her invitation while thinking such thing, but suddenly he became concerned of one thing and hesitated to continue.

The matter of Celis weighed his mind, he wondered whether he could meet her somehow.

「Fuh, you don’t need to worry Lux-kun. Your wish should be fulfilled.」

Sharis suddenly tapped Lux’s shoulder and smiled proudly.

When Lux tilted his head and looked up at the girl, Noct approached him quietly and whispered.

「Yes. Because Celis-senpai is also arranged to participate in this event. At that time if things goes well you should be able to talk with her.」

「Ah……」

It seemed the three got an inkling of Celis’s behavior.

「Really, my best friend is also a troubling person. Well, it’s really like Celis to be like that though.」

「Do you, know something about that?」

When Lux asked like that, Sharis only casted her eyes down suggestively.

「Ascertain that with your own eyes Lux-kun. I get the gist of it but, this kind of thing should be heard from the mouth of the person themselves.」

「……?」

「Now, let’s go Lux-chi. This event this year will surely get heated up!」

Tillfur took Lux’s hand to avoid the topic and pulled him.

Lux left the school building together with Philuffy while still not understanding anything.

–

「Everyone from Cross Field! And then everyone of our Academy, are you having fuuuun!? From here our Academy’s special event, the costume competition will begiiinn!」

A special stage made from wood was set up at the center of the courtyard.

That place was used for things like drama or concert at noon. There, Lux and others, the well-known members were gathered.

When the female student who acted as the host raised her voice, cheers rose up and enthusiasm enveloped the place.

Not just students and Academy personnel, there were also citizens of Cross Field and also guest from other city coming in drove here.

「This time, our Academy’s Drag-Knights, the strong and noble beauties of Syvalles will be clad in captivating clothes unlike usual! If your heart is stolen by their figure, please send them a grand applause. Then first──I’ll introduce the participants!」

「──Wait, girls……wait, it’s only me who is male here though-!?」

On the stage Lux spontaneously retorted, but everyone casually ignored him.

「Fur-ther-more. The participant who obtains everyone’s vote and won will be given a special present. Everyone, please give them your support without fail!」

「WAAAAH」

Loud acclamation enveloped the place once more.

Lux didn’t really get it but, it seemed the host was skilled in enlivening the event.

Next the members of Syvalles who were gathered on the stage started introducing themselves in turn.

「……Eerr, I’m first I guess. I’m, the new kingdom’s princess, Lizsharte Atismata. It’s my first time wearing costume like this but……, I’ll do my best.」

First Lisha greeted shyly. Cheering voice welled up from the audiences.

After Lisha was Krulcifer, then Philuffy.

And then──the last one finally appeared on the stage.

「That, I am, the captain of Syvalles, Celistia Ralgris. Pe, personally I think that I cannot fool around like this but……」

She was bewildered while sending a glance at Lux.

It seemed that she was splendidly caught in the 『pretend』 that Sharis devised.

『When I met Celis just now, I whispered a bit of information to her──I heard that the champion of the next event will be given the right to forcefully give order to Lux-kun. In order to protect him, how about Celis also participate in it? I said.』

As the result of telling her in roundabout way like that, Celis who was watching Lux from the shadow until now came out to the open like this.

(Celis-senpai……, is she all right?)

Although, when he tried to meet her gaze, she would immediately avert her gaze.

The event started while he was fretting about that matter.

「Then, we have finished with the self-introduction, now it’s time for changing into the costume. We will distribute the voting paper during this time! One person will only get one paper okaaay! Multiple vote is invalid!」

When Lux and others went behind the stage, various costumes that appeared to be used in the play at the noon were placed there.

While the eyes of Lux and others were wandering around at the large amount of costume, Tillfur came to the front.

「And soo, we will help out with wearing the costume, so tell us what everyone want. By the way, it will be first come first served for the costume.」

The Triad and Airi took the role as support for them.

Naturally, even though Lux was called as chore prince, but as expected he didn’t have experience in wearing costume.

While he was perplexed of what to do, Airi and Noct came to him together.

For some reason the two of them were holding a black curtain that was attached on circle frame.

「Wait, what’s that!? Why is it only me who──」

「Haa, this is why Nii-san who recently is only going to foreign country is troubling. Have you forgotten that this is an academy of noble girls?」

「Aa……」

Lux suddenly noticed the girls holding costume in their hands were staring fixedly at his way from afar.

It was obvious but, they were bothered by the gaze of Lux who was the only man here.

「Yes. ──And so, Lux-san, please change inside this blackout curtain. I will help you with it.」

While Airi was holding up the the curtain with both her hands, Noct who was from the family background of maid told Lux that.

That offer itself was really helpful, but.

「Say, Noct. Because of this curtain, even I don’t know what I am wearing but, this costume, could it be──」

After taking off his uniform, Lux felt somewhat uneasy by the shape of the costume that was handed to him.

How should he say it, if Lux wasn’t misunderstanding, there was a skirt mixed among the costume.

「Yes. The hook over here is fixed like this so──it’s finished.」

Airi lowered the curtain along with Noct’s level and calm voice.

At that moment, the other girls who had finished changing simultaneously opened their eyes wide in astonishment.

–

「Well then, everyone who has costumed up will enter the stage. First is the princess of our kingdom, her highness Lizsharte Atismata!」

「OOOOooOH!」

When Lisha appeared first on the stage, a loud cheer welled up.

「Wai-, what the hell with this erotic appearance!? I am the princess of the new kingdom you know!?」

What Lisha was wearing was the a dancer costume with high exposure rate.

It was an outfit that only covered her breast, stomach, and a part of her legs. A translucent cloth completed the costume.

The brightly colored costume that was in the style of southern countries was splendidly drawing out her loveliness that was sensual even with the vague innocence in it.

「Ee, but Lisha-sama. It’s not that much different from the pilot suit that you are usually wearing. Besides, it suits her isn’t that right? Everyooone!」

The host grinned broadly and stirred up the audiences.

「Bu, but still. As expected this appearance is a bit……」

It was hidden thanks to the waistcloth that was tightly wrapped around her stomach, but she was worrying whether the mark on her abdomen was visible or not.

She wasn’t simply embarrassed from the exposure, Lisha was also flustered from worrying about that, it was then,

「What a troubling person. But, surely Lux-kun will also think that Lisha-sama looks cute you knoow」

「Re, really!?」

On the stage Lisha asked the girl host.

Lux who heard that nodded shortly even while looking troubled. Tillfur who came out from behind the stage secretly told Lisha.

「Yo, yosh, got it. That──I’m not good with dancing so I cannot do it. But I’ll fight in the contest with this! Everyone, give me your vote!」

Lisha resolved herself and folded her arms. The audiences got even more excited in respond.

At the same time, the second entry Krulcifer got up from her chair behind the stage.

「She is doing better than I expected. ──Then, next will be my turn.」

Saying that, Krulcifer who was wearing a black dress suit came up on the stage.

The girl who was clad in tailcoat suit transformed into a beauty in male clothing.

「Ooh, this too is cool.」

Her hair was her usual long straight hair, but coupled with her cool smile, it wasn’t something distracting at all.

This time it was mainly the female student audiences who were holding their breath with rapt attention.

Lisha who saw that leaked out ‘kuh……’ with a bitter face.

「Well then, next person. The daughter of that famous Aingram conglomerate, Philuffy Aingram-saaann」

Next the third person, Philuffy’s turn arrived.

Both Lisha and Krulcifer possessed quite the confidence of their appearance, but──.

「……Oo」

「…………」

When the expressionless Philuffy came up to the stage, the audiences leaked out a carnal sigh.

It was a risqué costume that was composed of thin cloth and string.

It was complemented with a hair band that imitated animal ears, tights that covered her white thigh, black shoes, and ribbon.

It was somewhat unfamiliar──something with high exposure rate, but coupled with her unique absentminded atmosphere, the appearance looked terribly charming.

In Lux’s opinion, it might be a style that took after the Automata they happened to see inside the Ruins.

「Eerr──, this is the outfit of angel that was drawn in a picture which was excavated from the Ruins and other place. Everyone, please enjoy!」

After the host explained, the audiences continued to stare while forgetting to even breath.

It was a low-key reaction compared to the previous two, but surely it was because the audiences forgot themselves due to the lovely atmosphere of the costumed Philuffy.

「Muu……. This is bad, Krulcifer!」

「Seems like it. To think that she will come out attacking with a costume this bold……」

At the side, Lisha and Krulcifer consulted each other in a common front.

At this rate, Philuffy’s victory would be set in stone.

While they were thinking of such thing, the host introduced the fourth contestant.

「──Next, the former prince of the old empire, and the only boy of our Academy, Lux Arcadia-kun. Please……wait, eh?」

When the fourth girl──or rather, boy came up to the stage, the venue stirred slightly.

A boy in maid appearance was standing on the stage with extremely awkward and flustered expression.

He was wearing a dress with black as its basic color, a clean apron, and white maid headdress.

The skirt’s length was short because it was the customized version of the uniform that Tillfur was wearing previously.

And then, what was eye catching above all else was the non-existent wig to hide Lux’s feature.

「You all are terrible!? Why is it only me whose costume is half-baked like this……」

The wearer of the costume, Lux was the very picture of a child-faced boy with well-ordered face, so everyone noticed instantly that it was a cross dressing boy.

But, seeing the girl-faced young boy wearing maid uniform, the audiences were staring at that in a daze.

At first their reaction was simply of bewilderment, but gradually their reaction was changing.

「O, oi Krulcifer. Don’t tell me this is」

「Yes……, most likely the Triad estimated that Lux-kun would easily win if he is perfectly dressed with female clothing, so they didn’t give him the wig, but looking carefully──」

At that moment, the hearts of Lisha and Krulcifer, and then the assembled audiences were one in thought.

‘Isn’t this alright in its own way’, they thought.

It was an imperfect cross-dressing, but in exchange the aspect of the child-faced young boy was highlighted, and there was even the sense of immorality from how the boy was clearly forced to wear the costume.

Lux who was unaware of such thought in the heart of the masses was suffering heartache. Seeing that, Philuffy took Lux’s hand with slightly blushing cheeks.

「……Lu-chan. You are cute.」

「Phi-chan!?」

A lovely girl in the figure of animal spirit, and a young boy who was dressed as maid faced each other.

It was magical──or perhaps perverse, as though the two had slipped out from a fairytale somewhere. The audiences were deeply moved by such scene, the students and citizens gave them applauses.

「Both of you matched each other!」

「That’s great, missy and lad!」

「So, somehow it feels like I’ve seen something forbidden……. But for some reason──, I cannot take my eyes off them.」

The students and visitors raised their cheers and gave them praising voice.

The mood was as though the contender for the overall victory was suddenly reduced to just Philuffy and Lux, but right after that, the sound of footsteps of the last contestant coming up to the stage could be heard.

「Well then while everyone is roused up, it’s the last contestant. The big shot of our new kingdom, the strongest Drag-Knight in the Academy, it’s captain Celistia Ralgris!」

The girl who acted as the host raised her voice and loudly introduced.

At the same time a girl was slowly climbing up the stair. Everyone spontaneously held their breath.

After all it was the figure of Celis whose body was only wrapped with water dressswimsuit for summer and a jacket.

Furthermore, the exposure rate was even more intense than the one Lux saw previously in the training camp. When looked from behind, the surface of her butt could be seen much.

Furthermore the swimsuit was opened gapingly until her back. Lux’s gaze was strongly pulled into her even though they were standing on the same stage.

「Wai-!? Wha, what is the meaning of this──!? This is different from what I heard-!? I, I was told that everyone will be wearing water dress so……! Even so, that can’t be helped in order to protect Lux isn’t it!?」

Celis who always possessed a dignified grace was exposing the line of her voluptuous body with bright red face.

She was a graceful young daughter of a duke, but she was also a straight-laced person who hated man.

The general public that held such impression toward Celis got excited by the gap and they raised joyful yells.

「……In the end, men are all just a perverted beast.」

「It seems so. The atmosphere before this was instantly blown away without a trace.」

With a really conflicted face, Krulcifer agreed with the dumbfounded Lisha.

Lux’s ears hurt hearing what the two said frankly, but even so, Celis was emitting charm that he couldn’t resist from looking even now.

「I, it’s no good as expected! E, excuse me!」

Celis who was flustered from the unexpected response from the audiences turned around and got down from the stage.

After a while, Celis returned on the stage wearing a pilot suit with exposure rate that was somewhat lowered.

「The, there is no time to prepare substitute costume so, with this……. If it’s this I’ve been wearing it habitually so──」

Celis pulled herself back together while standing with a serious expression.

This time she was in her usual appearance. It caused the female students who idolized her to watch enraptured.

The male visitors looked somewhat disappointed, but the pilot suit also had quite a lot of exposure rate, and was alluring how it was clinging tightly on the body.

Furthermore there was also a gap with the adorableness that she showed just now, so it displayed Celis even more charmingly.

「Well then, it’s time for the voting with all the contestants lined up here! Now, all of you, give your vote to the student who you thought as the best among these five!」

The host raised her voice and the audiences put their vote into the box.

When Lux came down from the stage in order to change clothes, his gaze accidentally met the gaze of Celis who was wearing pilot suit.

「……-!?」

He thought to ask Celis about the matter of her avoiding him since some time ago, but Lux too was embarrassed that he was still in maid costume, so both of them averted their gaze reflexively.

「Good grief, even though I set it up for him to meet Celis after much trouble, these two are really hopeless.」

The Triads were staring at the two from afar while sighing.

If Lux lost in this costume tournament, it was unknown what kind of unseemly order he would receive──it seemed that they brought Celis here with such threat.

「But to think that she would even wear that water dress. Celis-senpai is a bit different as expected when it comes to Lux-chi.」

「Yes. Honestly speaking, the first water dress was a joke with the assumption that she would refuse, but now I felt greatly apologetic.」

Tillfur and Noct muttered with slight reservation. Airi were staring reproachfully at them from the side.

「If Celis-senpai heard it just now, she will scold you all harshly you know……?」

「…………」

Lux was faintly listening to such conversation behind him while he finished changing clothes.

(Celis-senpai went that far so that I won’t receive any strange order……)

If that was the case, then that meant Celis didn’t hate him or anything.

However, then he became even more puzzled.

If that was the case all this time, he wondered why she wouldn’t talk directly with him.

「The voting result has come! All the participants, please come up to the stage once more!」

With the host urging, Lux and others, the five contestants returned on the stage.

Right after that, the bell tower within the Academy ground rang loudly and small confetti fluttered in the air.

「Congratulations! The one who obtained the most vote, is Celistia-san of the four great nobles!」

「Eh……?」

The moment Celis’s eyes turned round in astonishment, loud cheers roared in front of the stage.

Perhaps it should be said as expected, the risqué water dress figure at the beginning, and then the dignified pilot suit figure after that.

The two appearances gathered vote from both male and female.

Furthermore Lux and Philuffy tied for the second place. He expressed the feeling inside his heart that he didn’t know whether it was alright to honestly be happy about it.

A trophy and two envelopes were presented to Celis as the prize.

「Fufufu, please open one of the envelope. One is the true reward──the certificate of the right to give any order you like to anyone in this campus festival. The other one is a punishment game where you will need to approach the opposite sex. You still cannot let your guard down here~」

「I don’t really get it but, this one──」

Celis was shaken while opening one of the envelopes.

There, she saw the content that was written on it and she spontaneously blinked.

「Whoops, it’s the enveloped of punishment game. The content is──kissing someone of the opposite sex! It’s alright to do it anywhere!」

After the host read up the content loudly, a great commotion spread through the venue.

The male visitors were cheering, while the female students were making somewhat envious expression while staring at Celis and Lux.

「Eerr……. By opposite sex, you mean──」

「Yes. In Celis-senpai’s case it will be toward man──that’s what it means. If you like, you can even do it with a boy close to you, right here, right now……」

「Wha, wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-!? Tha, that’s not permitted!? Doing such thing in front of people──」

「Eee? But, this is the Academy’s main attraction. Please go along with it properly~」

The host urged like that with a mischievous tone.

‘The Academy’s’──, hearing those words, Celis slowly gazed at Lux’s face even while her cheeks were turning red.

「Celis, senpai……」

Stared by Celis’s vaguely seductive expression, the beating of Lux’s heart was throbbing intensely.

Celis was walking toward him and brought her lips closer with a troubled face.

(Wha, what to do!? No matter what, doing something like this in front of people──)

Even while feeling flustered like that, he thought that it might make do somehow if it was only a little peck on the cheek.

Lux resolved himself like that and took a deep breath, then he closed his eyes──but,

「I, it’s no good as I thought!? I’m──」

Celis whose face was bright red got down from the stage and ran away.

「Oh dear, so Lux-kun got dumped. Then, let’s have the punishment game done later! Well then everyone. Thank you very much for comiiing!」

The host dealt even with the sudden happening flexibly and concluded the event nicely.

「Ahaha……」

Even while smiling wryly from being made as joke material, Lux was feeling strangely complicated, but behind him and behind the stage, the girls were patting down their chest in relieve.

「Fuu……, it’s lucky that Celis is so straight-laced. Honestly I was feeling chilly there. E, even I haven’t kissed him──」

「You’re right. But we still cannot let our guard down. After all that person is also unexpectedly powerful.」

「Yeah……. Wait, you did it as you pleased right!? Even though I didn’t even permit it, but several times──!」

At the side of Lisha and Krulcifer who was talking of such things, Lux who got down from the stage was in a daze.

In the end, he was unable to talk to Celis about why she was avoiding him until now.

「I understand that Nii-san is disappointed that you were unable to receive the kiss, so can I ask you to act a bit more firmly?」

Perhaps unable to bear to look of her big brother who was like that, the little sister Airi retorted like that.

「Yo, you misunderstand!? That’s, I’m, concerned with Celis-senpai’s state──. I don’t understand, if she is actually avoiding me or not……」

After Lux said that without confidence, Sharis of the Triad smiled wryly.

「……Well, it can’t be helped. There is also no way we can meddle for more than this.

「It feels like you had interfered all out with Celis-senpai to make her participate in this event though……」

Sharis ignored Lux’s retort and smiled.

And then Lux left the courtyard stage and returned once more to his odd jobs specialist work. It was at that time──,

「Excuseee me! Please wait!」

Coral was running in front of Lux’s eyes. Perhaps he was in the middle of a break, because he wasn’t wearing butler uniform, but the uniform of Vanheim Principality. (TN: I used Wanheim before this, after discussing with Omega I decided to change it into Vanheim)

「Coral, what’s the matter?」

「Ah, Lux-kun?」

Lux immediately followed behind the running Coral while calling out to him.

The young boy with androgynous face smiled awkwardly then.

「No, it looks like a customer forgot his thing just now. There was a wallet in it, but it looks like the customer has gone until the academy gate──」

「Then, I’ll also help. I know well about the surrounding area.」

Lux immediately responded like that and ran side by side with Coral.

After talking to the gatekeeper and got the permission to get out, they found out the back of the man wearing gray coat, which was the feature of the person Coral told Lux.

「It looks like we made it in time. Thank you, from here I’ll be fine by myself.」

Coral suddenly showed a bright smile before he dashed toward the alley the man turned into.

But, right after Lux nodded and waved his hand, a sense of discomfort ran through his body.

(Wait? If I remember right, the other side of the alley over there is──)

Coral who wasn’t a resident of Cross Field wasn’t familiar with the area, but the end of that alley should be a dead end right now because the street was under construction.

The moment Lux thought that, without delay he pulled out the Sword Device on his waist.

And then, he thought strongly and summoned Wyvern, equipped it quickly, and flew.

「Lux-kun!?」

When Lux crossed the wall and flew to the other side of the alley, he discovered the figure of Coral’s body being restrained by a dark grey Drag-Ride.

His bad premonition was right in the mark.

Coral was lured by the man who seemed to be a bandit using the wallet as the bait, and he was caught.

「──You!?」

Conversely the rough man with black mustache wearing EX Drake was surprised by Lux’s appearance. His eyes snapped wide open and he trembled.

「Let him go-!」

Not letting go of that opening, Lux quickly launched an attack using his Blade.

The enemy’s armored arm was slightly scraped and the restriction on Coral loosened.

Using that chance, Lux drove his Wyvern and took Coral back, he then flew to the sky and took distance from the enemy.

If he could be greedy, he wanted to defeat the Drag-Knight right here, but he also couldn’t do that.

His movement would be restricted if he had to keep protecting Coral who wasn’t wearing his Drag-Ride, and the skill of the enemy who was wearing the strengthened general-purpose Drag-Ride and the possibility of other ambusher were unknown.

Carelessly pursuing the enemy might expose Lux and Coral to danger instead.

Thus Lux was watching the situation. There the enemy recovered his calm and showed a mocking grin.

「……Disappointing. To think that you can take him back. Even though a peace loving idiot drank in benevolence finally got lured out just to give back something like forgotten wallet. ──See ya!」

The man yelled, at the same time, a strange round blade flew out from the shoulder of the EX Drake.

「──!?」

When Lux quickly swung his Blade and deflected it, the figure of the enemy vanished.

「…………」

After looking around for a few seconds in alert, Lux landed down for the moment and picked an armor fragment.

The two returned to the Academy and talked to the guards about the circumstance, and then he confirmed that Coral wasn’t injured.

「Thank you Lux-kun. Sorry……, I troubled you like that.」

「No. It’s me who should apologize. If only I noticed the enemy’s intention faster──」

When Lux told that to Coral who was hanging his head down apologetically, the androgynous faced young boy stared fixedly at Lux’s face.

And then, he showed a smile that looked relieved.

「As I thought, Lux-kun really is a good person. There is also a person like the one just now but, not everyone is like that isn’t it……. As I thought, that’s right. Next time when you are in trouble, I too will come to help you for sure──」

「Right. Take care of me then, Coral.」

Lux responded with a smile at Coral’s murmur that had left behind his bewilderment.

The shadow of unrest of the enemy who slipped into the hustle and bustle of the campus festival and took them by surprise.

While feeling a tinge of anxiety due to that, they returned inside the Academy.

–

Part 5

After finishing several requests after that, the sun had set in the blink of eye.

The first half of the campus festival──, the festival’s first day came to a close.

There was also the opening of the summit and the stay of the Seven Dragon Paladins here. Lux even felt a vague premonition of trouble, but today was so peaceful that he could even forget such nervousness while the time was passing.

In the middle, it seemed there were also five or six cases of the kind of peeping or thieving toward the female students by outsiders who traveled here expressly for that, but it seemed that they were safely prevented before any harm was done.

This event that also doubled as interaction with the citizens of Cross Field seemed to receive superb popularity but──.

「Haa……」

Late at night when Lux finished helping out with all the work and tidying up, he was wiping his body alone in his own room inside the girl dormitory.

Normally if his luck was good, he would be able to use the large public bath after the female students of the Academy finished bathing, but only for today everyone was entering the bath late, so he wasn’t blessed by such chance.

He felt just a bit disappointed that he couldn’t enter the large bath.

「I got a bit too used with the luxury here huh.」

Lux wiped his half-naked body while smiling wryly.

Through his livelihood of doing chores for five years, it was natural to not be able to enter bath, and yet in his current academy livelihood, he had adapted really well with the life here.

However, Lux’s worries were the same with that time.

The atonement of being unable to accomplish the revolution just as he saw fit.

And then, his other worry.

About his doubt, that perhaps he actually didn’t understand anything about other people’s feeling.

At that time, he was unable to detect the sign of Fugil’s betrayal.

And then even now, it was as though he couldn’t even imagine what was the reason of that betrayal.

Lux wondered that perhaps it was a defect he had as an imperial family member──no, as a human.

「As I thought, I……」

「It seems Aruji-sama is really tired from today. The muscles of your body are stiff.」

「……Ah, yeah. I was having fun in the Academy after so long, that today I got too enthusiastic.」

The sensation of towel that was just soaked into hot water wiping his back caused Lux to reflexively reply like that.

「That’s great. But, having fatigue remaining will be a hindrance for the skill demonstration battle tomorrow. Allow me to unravel Aruji-sama’s stiffness.」

「Thank you, Yoruka. ──Wait, what are you doing in my room!?」

Lux who noticed an instant later turned around and yelled.

Strange.

He certainly didn’t hear any knocking sound, and not to mention any footsteps or even breathing sound, and yet she was suddenly here.

Kirihime Yoruka was standing there, as though she crawled out from the shadow.

「My, I shouldn’t do that, Aruji-sama?」

But, the girl herself didn’t show any sign of guilty feeling. She was smiling calmly.

「N, no, it’s fine for you to come meet me but, right now is no good you know!? If other people saw this scene inside the girl dormitory, as expected they will completely misunderstand──」

When Lux spoke in bewilderment, the girl clad in black clothes in the style of foreign country tilted her head in puzzlement, then right after that she smiled apologetically.

「That’s also true. Then allow me to take off my clothes too. Like this no matter how anyone looked at it, there is no way other people would mistake me as anything other than a loyal servant serving Aruji-sama.」

「That’s not it!? I’m not worrying about us getting misunderstood in that kind of meaning you know!?」

Lux reflexively tried to look back, but he noticed that Yoruka was already stark naked and he faced forward in panic.

Right after that, Yoruka pushed her body to stick close on Lux’s back.

「-……!?」

The smooth sensation of velvety skin.

Furthermore the sweet sensation of breasts being pressed on his back caused Lux’s skin to get goosebumps.

When his head spontaneously about to get boiled up, Yoruka’s whispering voice entered his ear.

「I beg you to be quiet, Aruji-sama. Or else the 『report』 I had been painstakingly gathered would be eavesdropped.」

「────」

Lux quickly returned to his senses from Yoruka’s words.

And then, Yoruka wiped Lux’s body while slowly talking to him.

「The Blue Tyrant, Lord Singlen. The Steel Witch, Rosa Granhide. And then, the three Lords including Fugil Arcadia. They were observing the festival docilely without leaving the eyes of their guards from new kingdom──the people tasked to observe them.」

Yoruka wasn’t showing her figure at most of the whole first day of the campus festival was because she was fulfilling a request from Lux.

The performance of The Knight of Foreign Country that was entrusted to her wasn’t restricted by anything except that 『she had to patrol the venue in that appearance』. Because of that Lux could ask her to do this task.

The three factions Lux was on guard against that were in this Academy right now.

Singlen Shelbrit who was envisioning a new order by the Drag-Knights.

Rosa Granhide, the Seven Dragon Paladin from Heiburg who showed warlike attitude toward the new kingdom.

The three Lords who came to negotiate.

Lux was cautious to the possibility that they might be scheming some kind of disturbance in this campus festival, but it seemed nothing had happened.

「Am I……, worrying too much?」

Lux directed calm gaze to the floor and murmured.

In this situation where the VIP from many countries were gathered and the surveillance was also strengthened, as expected even they didn’t show any disturbing movement.

But, even among the three factions, he felt bad premonition only from Rosa.

The instinct that Lux cultivated at his time in the old empire more than five years ago felt it.

Rosa was emitting a severe malice toward other people.

She wasn’t merely bold and arrogant, it would be dangerous if he didn’t take countermeasure against her, his instinct told him.

「Aruji-sama’s decision isn’t mistaken. I too feel from that woman──a definite hostility. After I finish this report, I will return to observe that woman.」

「No, it’s fine.」

Lux refused Yoruka’s suggestion.

And then, while keeping his back turned on Yoruka who was soaking the towel with hot water again behind him, he suddenly smiled.

「Thank you for today, Yoruka. And then, I’m sorry to ask unreasonable thing like this from you. Tomorrow you can freely enjoy the campus festival until the time for the skill demonstration battle of me and Celis-senpai.」

「…………」

There was no response which was unusual for Yoruka, so Lux looked back slightly. There Yoruka was staring at Lux with an expression that looked unusually puzzled.

「Eh? What’s the matter, Yoruka?」

「No, Aruji-sama was saying something strange aren’t you? Such thing is unnecessary for me.」

Yoruka showed her usual bewitching smile while muttering that.

「I am Aruji-sama’s tool. It will be my satisfaction if I can be useful for the sake of accomplishing Aruji-sama’s aspiration. Besides, I’m a little troubled. Festival was also held in my nation of Koto, but in the first place I possess no emotion to enjoy it.」

In the past Yoruka was a member of the royal family of an island nation at the east, and yet she was feared by her father because of her lack of humanity and she was abandoned. She had such experience.

「Besides, thinking of the safety of this academy where Aruji-sama is staying, it will be more efficient to make use of me.」

「……Perhaps, that’s so.」

Lux nodded to Yoruka’s suggestion.

If thinking about the advantage and disadvantage, certainly that would be the best decision to make.

But,

「But──even so I want Yoruka to try to normally spend your time in the campus festival. Perhaps this is just my own willful imposition to you but, if it’s just for a bit, I will be able to look around together with you.」

「……Aruji-sama is saying the same thing like Lizsharte-san.」

「Lisha-sama was?」

Lux tilted his head hearing that unexpected comparison.

When he asked, during their travel to Ymir Theocracy to chase after Lux, Lisha spoke to Yoruka about various things, and even after that it seemed she kept speaking to Yoruka frequently.

For a moment Lux thought of it as odd, but after thinking for a bit, he somehow could imagine the reason.

「That is surely, because Lisha-sama is also similar like you I think?」

Lux abruptly smiled and spoke of his own conjecture.

In the past, Lisha was captured as hostage of the old empire and she was about to be reduced into an assassin.

She had to act the role where her own feeling was irrelevant, first as the tool of negotiation with her father who intended to perform coup d’etat, then as the symbol of the new kingdom after that.

Lux didn’t mention about the fine detail, but he told Yoruka that Lisha was once in a similar environment with her.

Lux indirectly conveyed to her that surely there was a part her that Lisha could sympathize with.

「That’s why, knowing that Yoruka is treating yourself as 『tool』 all this time, perhaps Lisha-sama is unable to just tolerate it.」

「Is, that so? ──But, unfortunately I cannot understand it.」

「I see.[

Lux smiled wryly seeing Yoruka’s unchanging smile.

「But, I will follow what Aruji-sama told me to do. I believe I wish to look around the festival tomorrow. I will also go to Lizsharte-san’s place too for a bit.」

「I think that Lisha-sama will also surely be happy if you come. If Yoruka’s place in this Academy can increase more like that──that will be great.」

「Then, Aruji-sama. I sincerely asked you to be careful tomorrow.」

Right after his confidential talk with Yoruka was finished, *knock knock* the sound of the door getting knocked resounded.

The voice of Lisha who they just had talked about came from the other side of the door.

「Oi Lux. About the skill demonstration battle tomorrow, see, I tuned up your Drag-Ride slightly using the information that your little sister gathered too──」

「Wai-, right now it’s no good……-!?」

Lux yelled, but he was an instant late. The door opened.

Seeing the half-naked Lux and the fully naked Yoruka inside the room, Lisha instantly turned totally unmoving like statue.

「Wha, what are you doing to Lux-!? This ero woman──!」

Lisha who became teary eyed yelled. Hearing that, female students from other room also gathered there.

After that, it took a lot of time until Lisha calmed down and talked to him.

–

Part 6

Outside the Academy.

A single man was standing nearby the government office building where the leaders’ representatives were staying at.

Fugil who came as the guard of Listelka, the imperial family who represented the Lords, he was silently feeling the wind blowing in the garden within the ground.

At that place where the bustle of the academy from afar could be heard, he was sitting on a small rock while staring up to the sky.

It was a time of vacuum where the observers and guards from the new kingdom were taking their eyes off him slightly.

Within that time that was flowing slowly, a single outsider element lost its way to there.

A silver haired young man with empty smile affixed on his face.

A few ml ahead of him, a humanoid shape that didn’t exist there a few seconds ago appeared.

「Hey, Fugil. Why did you save those dogs and cats? Doing that for the sake of unfamiliar animals, that you would even go as far as catching them yourselves.」

「…………」

It was a strange thing with humanoid shape.

──No, it was a silver haired girl with blue eyes, clad in pure white dress. She was asking that question while tilting her head.

She was a petite girl that gave off impression of purity and charm, with an appearance that no one in this world knew.

It was only one person who knew this girl’s name, only Fugil.

「Arcadia family. The blood descendant of greedy traitors. You who are called like that with despise, why were you trying to save existences that are completely unrelated to you behind everyone’s back?」

「…………」

Fugil didn’t respond to the question.

He was merely sending a sober gaze toward the girl, as though he was staring at a play that had been repeated hundreds of times.

「You fought against your own desire without care of any loss and gain for yourself, you even abandoned yourself to save the weak. You are actually, not a horrible human like everyone is saying. The truth is, you are a kind person who cannot overlook a troubled person. You are a person with the courage who can fight for the sake of someone else. That’s what I believe.」

「…………」

The pretty expression of the girl before his eyes was frequently changing.

Fugil didn’t show any respond toward that inexplicable existence.

「I didn’t want to do it. To arbitrarily decide that all of you are bad people and massacre you all. As a princess I didn’t want to give such order, but on the other hand as a person in the position of responsibility, I was hesitating all this time. Thanks to you, I could overcome it without making a mistake. You gave salvation to my heart that feared to sin. You are──my hero.」

「…………」

Right after that smile, the girl’s figure instantly transformed.

It was as though the speed of time was fast-forwarded, the girl’s height grew slightly, and she changed into a grown up.

「Fugil. I want to use the power of this Avalon to accomplish a certain thing. I want to create a mechanism called Sacred Eclipse, in order to give salvation to the people. Those without power, those who is suffering from unfair discrimination, those who doesn’t have anyone extending a helping hand to them, I want to save them, even if just by one more person. I want to bring peace. I will be waiting for you to wake up, no matter how long, so──」

The face of the woman who had matured more than before smiled.

But right after that, a repulsive transformation occurred on that strange shaped body that imitated the girl.

「Gobah……!」

The girl’s head split open and fresh blood dyed her face and hair.

Her pure white dress crumbled into tatters and countless whip marks emerged on her skin.

Her whole body was hideously burned along with an offensive smell, her nails were torn off, countless holes opened on her soft skin.

The fingers of her hands and feet fell in pieces on the ground.

Her eyeballs fell out as though they were gouged out, her teeth were also falling.

Her tongue vanished as though thye were extracted out, her skin was carbonized.

Both her arms were decapitated, her shape was changing.

From human to thing.

The girl was changing shape into a wreckage of thing that was once a human.

「──Hey, Fugil. It’s thanks to you.」

That existence that lost its original shape let out a voice that was unchanged in gentleness and elegance.

「Thanks to you saving everyone without abandoning them, I am──so」

「…………」

The mouth of the thing that was a girl before warped into the shape of crescent moon.

And then, from the gouged out eye sockets, liquid that was like tear, like blood was flowing out.

『Elixir』──it was the secret medicine of Ruins that guided human to evolution. It was shining sparklingly with seven colors.

–

「──Have you forgotten everything again? But unfortunately, Sacred Eclipse, I don’t need that anymore.」

Fugil who saw that finally showed a slight reaction.

「Your salvation is unnecessary for me. You can go, for the sake of the promise you are looking for. For the sake of the future that you yourself are wishing for. I won’t do anything to hinder you.」

「…………」

The thing that was called Sacred Eclipse stood still on the spot for a few seconds, then its figure suddenly vanished like smoke.

That contact with inexplicable phenomenon met its end without anyone else witnessing it.

A silence descended.

Within the time that was engraved with only gently blowing wind, Fugil gazed at the empty air and whispered.

「……No matter how many times I start over, no matter how much I go around at any kind of country──」

The man let out a long sigh with an expression that resembled resignation.

「Something like 『hero』 that you longed for cannot be found anywhere, Asalia……」

An empty and warped voice.

That man continued to murmur with a dry voice filled with mere hopelessness.

「A hero……. Something like hero──cannot be found anywhere in this world.」

A hatred that was like curse.

An emotion that vaguely resembled resentment leaked out from between the gritted teeth.

–

Part 7

The second day of campus festival.

The latter half of the festival that was blessed with consecutive clear weather was also passing by exceedingly peacefully.

Lux’s odd jobs specialist work was a success as usual, but he received work conservatively in preparation for the skill exhibition battle that would be held in the end of today, furthermore he would only work throughout the morning.

Today he was mainly enlivening events on stage, and he also performed interesting endeavors like giving coaching to the students in the practice ground and so on.

Lisha was called on stage as one of the few specialists to explain about Drag-Ride. She showcased her terribly maniac knowledge. Krulcifer was also made to talk about anything as the representative of the new kingdom’s allied country, Ymir Theocracy.

In the event of martial art coaching, Philuffy and Yoruka took the role as coaching instructor, and a long line of queue was formed in front of the tent.

「……Heh, that kind of absent minded and big breasted spoiled lady with, how can she win against a man bare-handed. I’ll grope her all over under all the turmoil!」

「Ku-ku-ku, I’ll absolutely go with that black hair over there. Even though she is just wearing a uniform, she looks strangely lewd and stimulating. Something like sword skill ain’t matter, I’ll push her down and sniff the noble lady smell till I’m satisfied.」

Two men who had large build with rough atmosphere laughed to each other while baring out their vulgar character.

The event was already packed out to the degree that numbered tickets were distributed, but seeing how all the lining up customers were male, the character of human could be felt clearly here.

「Haha, this year too it’s a big hit. It must be that. Everyone will forget when a year passed. Even though they got severely beaten up every year.」

Lux smiled wryly seeing Tillfur’s innocent smile.

Before long, the screams of men getting their joint lightly twisted by the girls could be heard.

「But this, isn’t it a bit cruel……?」

After all, the instructors were Philuffy and Yoruka.

Philuffy who possessed physical ability that was strengthened by Abyss and the knowledge of martial art coached in unarmed fighting, while Yoruka coached in sword art using practice sword.

The men estimated they could win just from looking at the girls’ outward appearance and held strange expectation. Now they became pitiful.

「Don’t mind them. After all only men with obscene thought are lining up there. Besides, if they aren’t threatened periodically like this, the peeping and sexual harassment will only go up.」

Sharis concluded with such an opinion that was becoming for the captain of the Academy’s vigilance committee.

「Yes. Lux-san too if you still have interest, then how about trying a rematch with us three? We are training recently, so this time we won’t lose.」

Lux smiled awkwardly at the invitation Noct was saying with a bland tone.

After all when he first came to this Academy, he was also chased around by these three due to being suspected as a peeping tom.

No, it was a fact that at that time he saw the naked body of the girls though.

「Even so, it really helps that Yoruka missy helps out. Originally it should be Celis who take charge of being the sword art instructor, but she suddenly said that she want to sit this out.」

Sharis suddenly changed the topic and explained the circumstance this time.

「Celis-senpai was? Why──」

Was it as expected, that the matter of the costume tournament yesterday affected her strongly?

「Who knows. Though perhaps it’s disappointing for Lux-chi because you are unable to get a kiss from Celis-senpai.」

「Yes. Everyone remember about the punishment game properly, so rest assured.」

「Yo, you are wrong!? It’s not like I’m worrying about that though, I am just──worried about Celis-senpai……」

Because at the evening today, the skill exhibition battle would be held with Heiburg Republic as the opponent.

No──that wasn’t all.

Celis’s condition had been strange since some time ago and she avoided him.

Why was she taking such attitude? Lux who was unable to realize the answer also felt frustrated himself.

(In the end I──, cannot even understand other people’s feeling.)

When he was thinking of such thing, a hand was suddenly plopped on Lux’s head.

Sharis who was showing the composure of the older one watched over Lux kindly.

「Yosh, come with me prince. I know about the right booth for a worrying young boy.」

「Eh……?」

Sharis pulled the hand of Lux whose mouth was gaping open in puzzlement and she started walking away.

Like that Lux entered into the crowd along with the Triads.

–

Part 8

「This is sudden but please give us a fortune telling. This boy is today’s customer.」

After joining a queue for a bit, they stepped inside a classroom booth that had the plank with 『Fortune-Telling Mansion』 written on it.

Lux had recollection of the girl who was sitting in front of the table with a spherical crystal put on it.

It was a girl whose mouth was hidden by a fabric, wearing strange outfit of foreign country with high degree of exposure.

As expected he wouldn’t fail to recognize that figure who had particular trait of dark brown skin and tattoo.

「Oh, I feel like I have seen your from somewhere desu. Heh? Who could you be──ouch-!?」

When the hat wearing girl standing beside that girl muttered so, a fist dug onto her back.

The hat girl straightened her back in panic and began her 『interpreter』 work.

「I, it’s a joke desu!? I don’t forget desu! Hello Lux Arcadia-sama. This is Turkimes Confederation’s representative for Seven Dragon Paladins──the shy and reticent Soffice, and her aide Uruk desu.」

Lux also returned an awkward greeting to the girl who was talking with a peculiar tone.

「…………」

The style of the two was basically the same like at the summit before, where the big sister Soffice didn’t talk at all, while her little sister Uruk aided her by speaking in her place.

「But, why are you two here? To suddenly participate in the booth of the Academy──」

Soffice and Uruk originally should be visitors, but for some reason they were participating in a booth at this campus festival.

When Lux tilted his head in puzzlement, Sharis taught him the answer.

「Originally this should be a place for a certain student to do fortune telling, but the other place is a bit lacking in helper you see. It seemed that student then entrusted this booth to these two who were coincidently there as customers.」

「No matter what, that’s just too irresponsible isn’t it……?」

Lux whispered half dumbfounded, but in front of him Soffice shook her head left and right.

「You’re wrong desu, Lux-sama. From the beginning Soffice is good with fortune telling, so she was entrusted with this booth by her own will──that’s what she said desu.」

The little sister Uruk explained proudly. Soffice also nodded up and down in respond.

「That’s right desu. Then in this rare chance, as commemoration Soffice will exhibit one of the fortune-telling methods that is her forte, the secret technique 『Nude Fortune-Telling』 desu──gehaah!?」

Soffice who was angry with red cheeks hit Uruk’s head hard.

With the large spherical crystal that seemed to be the fortune-telling tool.

「M, my apologize, don’t fool around too much……that’s what Soffice said desu.」

「Ah, I somehow understand that even without getting told……」

After Lux retorted like that to Uruk who carry out the role of speaking as proxy, Soffice pulled herself together and started the fortune-telling.

After Lux sat down in front of her, Soffice prepared unfamiliar card set and then asked several questions.

Of course, Soffice wasn’t making any voice, so it was her little sister Uruk who was asking.

Soffice took Lux’s hand, touched it all over, then she stared straight a Lux.

「What is you worry desu? Whether it’s battle or romance, asking anything is fine desu.」

Lux took a deep breath, then after thinking slightly, he spoke.

About his feeling to a certain girl that he couldn’t notice by himself.

「That, I might be hated by a certain senpai who is someone important to me, if possible I want to reconcile with her──」

Immediately after that, right behind──a faint presence was moving outside the classroom.

But, Lux who was concentrating on the fortune-teller in front of him didn’t notice that.

「I see, then let’s tell your fortune in regard to that. Whether your wish will come true or not──」

After shuffling the card set, Soffice made Lux to choose several of the cards along with an incantation gesture, then she turned the cards over.

When those cards were lined up, the result immediately came out.

–

Part 9

「Just what in the world I am doing……?」

When Lux was receiving fortune-telling, Celis heard his question from outside the classroom.

It wasn’t a coincidence, even after the second day of the campus festival started, Celis had been watching over Lux all this time from hiding in order to help him out.

When she met Lux face to face, she would avert her gaze from him completely due to a reason that even she herself didn’t understand.

Furthermore because of the arrangement where she had to kiss Lux, her inexplicable condition that even resembled a sickness was worsening.

The beating of her heart was throbbing very violently. She couldn’t come down and strength left her.

She became unable to regulate herself like before.

But even after her condition was turning like that, she didn’t want to run away.

She didn’t want to throw away the mission of supporting and protecting him.

Thus, she didn’t show herself in front of Lux and intended to act so at least she could become his strength from the shadow, and yet──.

「……Something like this is the first time.」

Until just slightly a while ago, there would be no problem if she didn’t face Lux from nearby.

But, today, even when she was observing Lux from hiding, she couldn’t calm down when seeing other girls acting playful with him cheerfully.

「Wade-sensei. Just what is happening to me……?」

Her private tutor who gave the young her guidance and built a firm foundation within her.

Celis muttered the name of the man who was also Lux’s grandfather.

His instruction manual wasn’t only filled with the writing of the way to train the body, but also the heart, but even after following that, the throbbing of her heart couldn’t be suppressed.

「I am here in order to become a reliable strength for him as a senpai. And yet, at this rate──……-!?」

Celis’s expression that looked somewhat like she was having nightmare from a fever instantly switched into a serious look.

She felt something like a gaze from the forest near the back of the Academy, the outer wall with no sign of human presence.

「…………」

Her hand touched the handle of her Sword Device, then she put her breathing in order and peeked at the situation.

A thin man with high stature who seemed to be past middle-aged was observing the students from afar.

She didn’t have any recollection of such a man from recently, but that back figure felt nostalgic somehow to her.

But, that man’s conduct was obviously different from normal visitor.

(……I have no time to call others.)

Celis was staring still at the man to not miss even a moment of his movement.

But, she wondered why.

The more she looked, the more she felt caught by a strange sensation that felt nostalgic.

Suddenly that man turned toward her. At that moment, Celis’s time stopped.

「……It has been a long time, Celis. You aren’t listening to what I say again……no, you are listening too much that you act rashly perhaps.」

The refined voice that possessed depth, and the hair color that was tinged with grey.

「You, how could this……」

Celis went speechless after muttering that. Her eyes were wide open.

Her former teacher who once gave her guidance, and who died in prison due to his admonition to the old empire that he said because of the words she told him, the grandfather of Lux, Wade Roadvelt was standing there.

–

Part 10

「I will look for Celis-senpai.」

Until now he was waiting for Celis to come, but after hearing from Sharis that she was protecting Lux while hiding herself, he couldn’t just sit still.

「I’ll root for you Lux-kun. Take care of Celis.」

「──Yes.」

After replying like that to Sharis of Triad, Lux hurriedly exited the Fortune-Telling Mansion.

And then, he heard from Tillfur and Noct about the direction that seemed to be where Celis had ran away to and he started running.

「Cheeh……it feels like a wasted effort. It must be that, right? In the end Celis-senpai is unable to look at Lux’s face because of that kinda reason anyway, right?」

「Yes. Most likely, but──」

Tillfur grumbled after Lux left, with Noct giving her a vague respond.

「That way of talking is no good you two. Even though it’s completely obvious for us who are watching from the side, but for the people involved themselves, it’s a really serious problem for them.」

Sharis concluded like that, but Tillfur only puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

「Yes. Tillfur also not in the position to speak about other.」

「Haaah!? What are you saying, so suddenly!? It’s not like I’m thinking about Lux-chi that──」

「No one is mentioning Lux-kun though.」

Sharis retorted like that to the flustered Tillfur while looking at the table.

The hint from the fortune-telling according to Uruk was a combination of sun and moon.

It hinted to a close relationship that wouldn’t intersect just by staying as they were.

–

On the other hand, Lux who was searching around inside the Academy’s ground finally found Celis’s figure.

But, her condition seemed strange.

She was only standing still without any movement while facing the tall man in front of her.

「So you were, alive……Wade-sensei!? Bu, but, why are you here──」

「What’s the matter? Didn’t you have something that you want to ask me? If it’s the hardworking and studious you, then you will surely be able to learn it right away.」

The two were making such conversation.

(Wade……? The name of my dead grandfather, why──)

An uncomfortable feeling rose inside Lux hearing that name. It took away his awareness for a few moment.

But right after that, he noticed the true identity of the killing intent that was aiming at Celis and he reacted.

「──Watch out-!」

Lux kicked the ground sharply while calling out at the same time.

「Lux!? Why are you here──!?」

On the other hand, Celis who was called out also held her breath in realization.

There was an EX Drake that was hiding its figure using the camouflage function.

The aim of that cannon muzzle that was filled with attack readiness already locked on Celis who was standing still in surprise.

Without even any time to think about the true identity of the Drag-Knight that he had slight recognition of, Lux ran in order to cover for Celis.

Right after that, the torrent of shockwave that was fired from the Cannon blew away a part of the ground.

「──!?」

Their body floated with a sensation of their body weight vanishing.

‘Damn it!’ His consciousness was getting farther without even any time to regret.

The last thing he saw was a man other than Wade.

It was a short statured assassin. His whole face was filled with an ugly smile.

The low scale destruction that ocured at the outskirt of the Academy.

Lux and Celis were taken away from that place without anyone noticing.