Ch.119Chapter 119 – The First Day of the Autumn Festival

Today, Glesius Academy was bustling from the morning, unlike usual.

“Is the booth setup going well?”

“We finished setting up yesterday! Come quickly and do the final inspection!”

I could see students running around and shouting everywhere.

Normally at this hour, most students would be walking around like zombies going “urrrgh,” but why was everyone running around so enthusiastically?

“The autumn festival starts today! We’ll be responsible for the academy’s security for the next five days. Since the regular security staff will be supporting Archenium’s security, remember that we are Glesius Academy’s security for these five days, and act accordingly!”

“Yes, sir!”

In the distance, the head of the Martial Arts Department, which handles various weapons like swordsmanship, spearmanship, and archery, was encouraging the students assigned to security duty.

“Don’t get too excited just because it’s a festival! Accidents happen the moment you let your guard down!”

The reason for all this activity was that the Glesius Academy Autumn Festival was starting today and would last for five days.

While Glesius Academy normally prohibited entry to the general public, during these five days, certain areas would be open to visitors.

Of course, not all areas would be accessible—there were designated places prepared in advance for the festival.

The large plaza just past the main gate was one such place, and my booth was also set up there.

By the way, all the items I had prepared previously were lost in the recent explosion incident.

So I prepared new items with the academy’s help.

I had transported the festival items ahead of time using a cart.

The items currently in the booth were for the demonstration I would give to people two days from now.

While I was checking the equipment for that day, the head of the Martial Arts Department came to see me.

“Count Severio. I have something to tell you about the security patrol routes.”

“Oh? What specifically has changed?”

“The academy has arranged five patrol routes near your booth instead of the usual two.”

“Because of the explosion incident?”

“Yes. As a precaution, two student security officers will also be stationed near your booth in shifts.”

The academy seemed more vigilant than usual, likely due to the recent explosion incident.

“That’s a lot of work.”

“Not at all. Since we’re responsible for the academy’s security, we plan to use everything we’ve learned to ensure everyone’s safety.”

“That’s an admirable attitude. If any equipment gets damaged, come see me. I’ll repair it for free during the festival period.”

There’s not much else I can do for them, but I can at least offer free equipment maintenance if anything gets damaged.

“You don’t have to go that far…”

“Just consider it a courtesy I’m extending.”

“Then I gratefully accept. I’ll inform the student security team members as well.”

The Martial Arts Department head bowed to me and returned to his position.

“What time is it now…”

I operated my terminal to open the student management window.

This terminal was personally made by the Chancellor to replace the one damaged in the explosion incident.

She didn’t have to go that far, but she insisted I accept it since the academy bore responsibility for the issue.

Indeed, she’s a generous and broad-minded person, perhaps because of her large… heart.

Instead of placing the blame on me, she said it was the academy’s responsibility.

Anyway, when I checked the student management window on my terminal, the numbers “09:30” appeared.

9:30 AM. The festival starts at 10:30 AM, so there’s about an hour left.

‘Maybe I’ll look around and see what the others are doing.’

Everyone must be busy preparing their booths for the festival, but I don’t have much to prepare.

The first place I visited was where the Magic Department students were setting up their booths.

Since magic is something ordinary people both encounter in daily life yet can’t easily access, I figured their booths would attract many visitors.

I heard that Mina and Elena were also preparing a booth this time, and I wondered what they had planned.

‘I’m sorry! What kind of booth it is remains a secret!’

‘Um, even if you ask me, I don’t really know. I’m just participating, not organizing it.’

When I asked them before, neither would tell me what they were doing.

So I decided to visit on the day of the festival to find out.

“Excuse me, I have a question.”

“Ah, Count Severio. What can I do for you?”

I stopped a passing student to ask where Mina and Elena might be.

“Do you know where Mina Endras and Elena Sandrios’ booth is located?”

“It’s at the blue tent over there.”

“Thank you for answering.”

I walked toward the blue tent in the distance as the student had directed.

On my way to the blue tent, I exchanged greetings with many students.

Most were people I knew because I had repaired their equipment before.

“I heard there was an explosion incident. Are you feeling better now?”

“Thanks for your concern. I’m fine now.”

Some even expressed concern about my involvement in the explosion incident.

After exchanging greetings with people and moving slowly, I finally arrived at the booth where Mina and Elena were participating.

“I wonder what they’re doing here.”

They hadn’t even put up a sign yet, so I had no idea what they were planning.

“Hmm?”

But there was a sweet smell coming from somewhere.

It was the kind of sweet aroma you’d expect from a dessert shop.

“Are they making desserts?”

Since the tent flap was closed, barging in would be inconsiderate, so I was about to turn back.

As I was about to return to my booth, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Oh? Count! What brings you here?”

When I turned around toward the familiar voice, Mina was standing there.

Her brown hair, which used to reach her shoulders, now extended to her shoulder blades.

“You mentioned you’d have a booth, so I was curious about what you were doing…”

I trailed off as my gaze kept being drawn to what Mina was wearing.

Instead of the standard academy uniform, she was wearing a robe with slightly puffy sleeves that accentuated her figure.

But… ugh… I should look away, but my eyes kept being drawn to Mina’s body.

“Is… something wrong?”

“Ahem, ahem. No, not at all…”

As I showed slight discomfort, Mina moved closer.

Wait, don’t suddenly come closer—you’re making me flustered!

“We’re opening a booth with the theme of ‘Snacks Made by Magicians.’ Please come visit when you have time!”

“I’ll make sure to visit when I can. My booth doesn’t start until two days from now, so I have plenty of time.”

“Ah! Our booth opens at 3 PM, so you can come then!”

“Alright. See you later then. Give my regards to Elena as well.”

“I will!”

I left the Magic Department booth area with Mina’s cheerful farewell behind me.

It seemed the Martial Arts Department wouldn’t be preparing a booth this time since they were assigned to academy security duties.

So naturally, the remaining booths to check were those being prepared by the Alchemy Department.

‘Personally, I found the Alchemy Department booths more interesting than the Magic Department ones.’

I’d heard that while the Alchemy Department was similar to the Magic Department, they had many interesting things due to their focus on alchemy.

Ah, of course, that’s what the Chancellor told me.

Perhaps since she herself is proficient in magic, she wasn’t impressed by what the Magic Department students prepared?

Well, since the Chancellor said the Alchemy Department booths were interesting, it wouldn’t hurt to go see what they were preparing.

Leaving the Magic Department area, I walked toward where the Alchemy Department students were busily preparing something. There was a mascot, apparently from the Alchemy Department, holding a sign.

‘Please observe safety precautions within the Alchemy Department area.’

The person holding the sign asking visitors to follow safety rules in the Alchemy Department area was someone I’d seen before.

Her name was… Jesse Elister?

Anyway, it was quite a sight—a somewhat gloomy-looking female student wearing a rabbit costume and holding a sign.

I heard she tried to smuggle something out and was sentenced to eternal graduate student status… This must be part of her punishment.

After touring the Alchemy Department area, I returned to the dormitory and lay down for a nap.

—Knock, knock.

Of course, my pleasant nap time was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.