episode_0240

Our Violet decided to learn more about the fair.

Upon finding related materials, the Rustrum Academy Integrated Fair was indeed a large-scale event with various attractions, living up to its name.

“It says here that various academies from Academy City are participating, each operating booths to promote their unique characteristics. Corporations are also coming to showcase their latest technologies.”

The photos were overflowing with countless weapons.

Even at a glance, expensive equipment abounded.

“Just looking at the atmosphere, it feels like a defense expo.”

Since the Restraids are also coming, it feels like they’re hosting something big.

“Oh, there’s also a Dimensional Artifact Exhibition. It says you can even encounter unknown artifacts still under research.”

As I read through the materials, I jotted down my curiosities one by one. The Violets in my head also began to add their opinions.

“Clans are also opening promotional halls. You’ll be able to see the latest equipment that’s usually hard to find.”

“Experts from various fields are also gathering.”

“I’m also looking forward to the artifact exhibition. You never know, right?”

One of the definite highlights of this fair was the Dimensional Artifact Exhibition.

It was said that rare artifacts discovered to date would be on display.

“Wow! Is it okay to just exhibit things like this?”

The first thing that caught my eye was the Echo Crystal. It was an item said to absorb surrounding sounds and then reproduce them perfectly when thrown.

It reportedly had no practical use but was extremely rare.

“Wow. It’s a bit fascinating.”

There were many other artifacts, but they were generally ordinary.

For example, there was an Everlasting Quill that could write without ink, or an Infinite Notebook whose pages regenerated endlessly.

“Ugh, what is this? It’s literally just an artifact.”

I was a bit disappointed. These are just toys that defy the laws of physics.

“Are there no weapons?”

Of course, if I rummaged through the catalog, there were many things that seemed plausible at first glance.

“Mist Cloak! It says you become invisible when you wear it.”

“Anti-gravity Boots? These are a bit fascinating. It says you can levitate?”

Of course, contrary to the flashy introductions, the reality was dismal.

“That, it’s said to be detectable by thermal imaging and multi-spectral vision. It’s worse than invisibility magic.”

“Anti-gravity Boots… let’s see. Rises a maximum of 50cm from the ground? Ugh!”

Somehow, the introductions of the artifacts were grand, but in reality, they were terrible.

If I were to examine them with the help of my status window, they would probably only show up as 2-star or 3-star items.

“Bleeding Ring? This one looks somewhat decent.”

“-It amplifies physical enhancement abilities and magic output, but in return, it increases mana consumption and causes random bleeding on the body.”

“Can’t use that.”

“A hundred of those are far worse than just one Hand of Destiny or Blade of Blazing Flame that we possess.”

The Violets in the network also scoffed at their quality while looking at the exhibition list.

“A single battalion flag or a chain would crush everything on that list.”

The level of the artifacts was lower than expected. Of course, there were some decent ones, but they couldn’t compare to those of our Violets.

I thought. Truly precious artifact equipment was probably either being used in the field or carefully stored in clan vaults.

“Wow, it says there’s an artifact that grants wishes?”

“Really?”

The most interesting artifact that managed to capture our attention was this one.

“Small Miracle Box?”

In the photo, a small metal cube was displayed.

According to the description, it bestowed the power to grant one small wish per day to anyone who directly touched it.

“Does it give money?”

“No, it’s incredibly humble!”

Examples included making only a bottle of juice, a box of cupcakes, or a plate of cookies.

The wish-granting ability only operated within trivial and everyday limits.

It was said that it wouldn’t grant grand or unrealistic wishes.

“Wait, it says it’s delicious?”

The food the box created was said to be very delicious.

“Wow!”

“What should we eat there?”

At Violet’s words, the other Violets also got excited.

An item that made delicious food—a new curiosity was born.

“It said it grants one wish per person per day, right?”

“There are many of us! Won’t it grant one wish per Violet? Then we can eat a variety of things!”

Our Violets’ anticipation for the fair grew steadily.

“It’s a free buffet!”

“Exactly! We can just half-ass the report later. Let’s take this chance to see lots of interesting things.”

Anticipation swelled within the Violet network. The report assignment was bothersome, but there seemed to be more interesting things than expected.

A week after the professor’s announcement, we prepared to depart for the fairgrounds.

“What about the others?”

“They all said they were busy.”

Unfortunately, it was difficult to attend with friends this time.

Irene had flown off to the central region, saying she had some clan-related matters to handle, and Daphne and Kalia seemed to have personal affairs at the academy.

“Then should we just go by ourselves?”

“It’s not fun if I go alone.”

After much deliberation, a new friend suddenly came to mind. I immediately knocked on the girls’ dormitory door.

“Hi, Levi!”

“V-v-v-Violet? W-w-w-why are you here?”

Perhaps she had been sleeping, as Levi walked out, rubbing her eyes with messy hair.

“Let’s go to the fair!”

“Huh? Oh, aaah!”

“Let’s go!”

Just as we were about to depart, a new person greeted us.

“Violet, can I come with you?”

“Yes!”

Together with Sophieel Unnie, we headed to the fair.

**

On a bright spring day, the convention center where the Rustrum Academy Integrated Fair was held was bustling with activity.

Violet and Levi’s eyes widened at the sight of booths filled with vibrant colors.

“Wow! It’s huge!”

“Th-that’s true… they said it was the biggest event, and it really was…”

Flags bearing the marks of each academy fluttered in the wind, and an event stage was set up in the crowded thoroughfare, giving off a strong festive atmosphere.

“Halt!”

Upon reaching the entrance, security guards stopped the two girls. The inspection was thorough.

Unusually, the guards aimed camera-like devices at each attendee, scanning them one by one.

The moment Violet was scanned, she felt a strange sensation, as if a cool current was flowing beneath her skin.

“That, isn’t that what we saw at the Sacred Heart Monastery back then?”

Large equipment she had seen at the monastery she visited to eat bread came to Violet’s mind.

As she was being inspected, Violet finally sensed a strange atmosphere.

Around them, local police, Internal Affairs Department agents, Restraid armored knights, and even Federal Military Police were patrolling with grim expressions.

“What, why is it so strict?”

“No matter how important the event is…”

Violet asked the Internal Affairs Department agent right next to her.

“Unnie, why is the security so tight here? Is it always like this?”

“Fairs are usually important events, so security is strict. But it wasn’t this strict last year… I wonder if the Restraids took some measures?”

Sophieel also seemed clueless, and Violet shrugged her shoulders.

Inside, various academy booths, corporations, and workshops were bustling, showcasing their latest equipment and weapons.

Internship promotion centers for various security firms and exploration-excavation specialized clans were working hard to attract students.

Diverse companies had set up flashy promotional booths, as if to flaunt their presence.

“Wow, look over there. So many weapons and equipment!”

“W-w-we too, someday…”

Violet’s gaze, marveling at the displayed weapons and equipment, shifted to one side.

Belying the name ‘Academy Fair’, military heavy equipment lined the area.

Massive armored vehicles, colossal bipedal weapons, magic-enhanced powered armor suits.

And even gigantic steel giants taller than utility poles. It was a sight reminiscent of war.

“Is this really an academy fairground? I’d think it was a weapon exhibition.”

For a peaceful academy event, there was an odd sense of incongruity.

People around seemed a bit uncomfortable, murmuring.

“It’s full of Restraid weapons!”

“Because they’re the biggest patrons in this area.”

Of course, it didn’t matter to Violet.

“They’re annoying guys, but they make good weapons!”

“I want one too!”

The Violets, who had been briefly examining the armored suits, immediately turned their heads.

The artifact exhibition hall located to one side caught their eye.

“Levi, let’s go see the artifacts now!”

“Huh? Oh? Ah, okay!”

Violet took her friend’s and her close Unnie’s hands and walked with excited steps towards the artifact exhibition hall.

And then, she encountered an unexpected person.

“Oh? Hi!”

The blue-haired male student, Lucian, caught Violet’s eye. Violet approached the boy with mischievous eyes.

“Y-you. Why are you here…!”

Lucian was startled and stumbled backward, falling over.

Violet saw his reaction and thought.

“Why is he acting like that?”

“Is he scared of us?”

**

While Violet was enjoying her time at the artifact exhibition, a group of men entered the convention center.

The man in the suit leading the group presented his ID and passed through the checkpoint with ease.

Following him, similar-looking people appeared one by one. They all went through the security procedures with calm expressions.

Throughout the scan, they maintained rigid postures, as if to avoid suspicion.

-Phase 1, passed.

Aspen, having completed the inspection, nodded, and his subordinates quickly dispersed into the fairgrounds.

To reach their target, they had to push through the crowds.

However, this was not difficult for Aspen.

-Indeed, the inspection has been strengthened as per intelligence. Are they aware of us?

Aspen quietly answered his subordinate’s question.

-Not at all. Until recently, we’ve only operated within the jurisdictions of the Federation, Luminexa, and Arcit.

As the operations team leader of the Obsidian Legion, he hesitated for a moment. He had been given maximum authority, and the operation could be canceled or postponed at any time.

-The operation will proceed.

-Confirmed.

With emotionless eyes, Aspen slowly moved forward.

As he pushed through the crowd, no color or scent emanated from his presence.

His presence was unremarkable, and no aura could be felt from him.

Just then, a strange sight caught Aspen’s eye.

Aspen, who had been walking for a while, suddenly stopped. He had almost collided with someone.

He looked up and saw a man kissing an ornament with three overlapping triangles, offering a prayer.

“O Goddess… our guide, the three mercies, love, and generosity…”

His demeanor was quiet, yet he seemed consumed by madness, completely detached from the surrounding commotion.

‘Tsk, is he crazy?’

Aspen clicked his tongue and walked past him. However, he also felt relieved that he hadn’t been interfered with.

It meant he had successfully infiltrated without being noticed. He quickened his pace without regret.

Only the target was visible before his eyes.

-All units, stand by. Do not move until orders are given.

Aspen exchanged glances with his subordinates and nodded. There were no elements to disrupt the operation, and all preparations were complete.

-Don’t forget, from now on, we are the Ariel Group. Understand?

-Yes, sir.

At the commander’s order, the Legionnaires self-hypnotized and moved forward.

Their forms disappeared into the crowd.