The academy town has regained its former vitality.
Despite the fact that this land had just encountered a crisis that could be described as extremely serious, it was rarely reflected on the faces of these children.
Many students, dressed casually, strolled through the streets and alleys, chatting and laughing or engaging in heated debates. A few of them had faint traces of bandages visible through their clothes, but they were oblivious to the gloom that surrounded them. Instead, they proudly displayed the bandages as badges of honor.
Wandering aimlessly down the street, I wasn't in a hurry to do the tasks my mentor and dean had given me.
One reason is that I didn't have much interaction with Professor Adrian to begin with. His astrology and illusion courses were both electives, and although I had studied illusion-related subjects, I hadn't chosen the one he taught. Furthermore, I started skipping classes frequently after my first year, making even chance encounters extremely rare.
If the dean hadn't included his photo in the materials he provided, I wouldn't have been able to accurately recognize his face, even if we were face to face.
Of course, the second reason is more important: I don't have a reasonable reason to easily approach him, and acting rashly would be a big no-no that could alert him.
Even if I have the possibility of joining the autumn expedition that he is in charge of as a reasonable excuse to get close, the fact that he is allowed to lead the expedition has not yet been conveyed to him. As a student, how did I learn about this information? Is there any hidden meaning behind it? This will also be one of the things that makes the other party wary.
This is not me boasting. I am well aware of just how high my visibility is among all the teachers, being the only disciple accepted by my mentor and an exception within the Academy City.
If I were to put myself in the shoes of a teacher who might have something to hide, I would also find it difficult not to have other thoughts at such a sensitive time.
In conclusion, I should rest quietly for a while and make further plans based on the current situation when the time is right.
As I was making plans for the future, I paused, turned around, and headed towards a restaurant I frequented.
It was almost noon, and although there weren't many students going to lunch yet, it would be difficult to find a good seat in a little while.
However, before I even reached the restaurant entrance, I was recognized by a group of five people walking towards me, and they all went over to me.
"What a coincidence, Yumi. Would you like to come have dinner together?"
It is Arie, and the trio centered around the research department's little princess.
I was somewhat surprised by this group, but then I realized it wasn't entirely unexpected. Not long ago, I saw them fiddling with those strange, large iron lumps at the testing ground.
After a brief greeting, I glanced at the little princess who was whispering to her two followers, then turned to Arie: "I didn't expect to see you outside the academy. Has the experiment come to an end?"
No, obviously not yet.
Taking a step forward, Arie shrugged helplessly, glancing subtly at the direction of the little princess behind him: "Today is just because the little princess has finally been released from her family, so I thought I'd treat everyone to a meal as a celebration of the experimental group's reunion and resumption of work."
"Perfect timing, Yumi, you're coming for lunch too, right? Come on over, we're only one person short to fill the table, so there won't be an empty seat."
It feels a bit strange to expect someone like me, who is completely unrelated to this group, to just randomly join someone else's group. Besides, I prefer to be alone in a quiet corner rather than eating with people I don't know very well.
Thinking of this, I was about to refuse when I said, "No, I think I'll pass. It wouldn't be right to interrupt your rare group gathering..."
But even faster than my rejection came the fiery little princess.
But then I saw a young girl, barely reaching my shoulder height, with fiery red hair tied up like leaping flames, quickly take two steps forward, grab my right hand that was in my pocket, and pull me into the store. She cheerfully greeted me in an energetic tone, "Oh, don't be so hesitant. Since we're already here, and it's a rare coincidence that we've met, why don't you come along, senior? Everyone's curious about you anyway!"
"No, I..."
All I can say is that the little princess's enthusiastic, unrestrained, and overly reckless behavior is exactly the same as what I've seen her do before. What's even more dangerous is that, although the little princess herself seems completely unconcerned, if I were to casually pull my hand out of her embrace, even with the slightest bit of movement, I might very well brush against some unspeakable places!
If they hold me accountable, I won't be able to clear my name even if I jump into the Mirror Moon Lake next door!
I glanced at Arie with pleading eyes, then looked at the two followers who had always been close behind the little princess in my memory. But Arie just helplessly spread his hands in response to my plea, while the other three merely exchanged glances and then gave me their own look and gestures of "good luck."
So, is it because you guys often come up with strange things and become a well-known celebrity group in the research department and even the entire college in less than two years since you enrolled that you don't stop the little princess's strange behavior and whimsical ideas at all, and even cooperate in helping her to realize them?
"Don't say that."
After making sure I sat down properly in the private room and repeatedly confirming that I wouldn't sneak away while I went to order, the little princess, accompanied by one of her followers, walked out of the room in a good mood.
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