The night of the festival would keep the streets crowded until morning, but that didn't prevent Elijah and Heidi from going to the Arlo City Guard Office. Their appearance immediately caught the attention of the place. Heidi dropped the criminal she had brought in earlier, then quickly explained everything to the town guard before they thought anything weird of them.
"I brought the criminal who has been kidnapping dance competition winners for years, as well as evidence of his crimes. You can summon a mage to find out what kind of magic he has been casting on the victims."
"Alright. We will summon her immediately, Miss Heidi."
Apparently, Heidi was quite famous in Arlo City, so the Arlo City guards immediately carried out the orders Heidi gave obediently. A mage and the head guard arrived not long after. The mage immediately examined Elizabeth, who was brought by Elijah. Meanwhile, Heidi immediately spoke to the person in charge to explain their situation.
"Sir, this girl is really under illusion magic."
The mages' words corroborated Heidi's statement, so no one was suspicious of them anymore. The criminal was immediately taken to another place while someone came to secure Elizabeth, who would soon be freed from the illusionary magic. The atmosphere was back under control, and someone who was supposed to be the Chief Guard of Arlo City came to approach Elijah, who had not said anything since earlier.
"You're the one called Elijah, aren't you? Heidi has explained the situation to us. As Arlo City Guard, we are truly ashamed to have to make you fight this hard for the safety of our citizens."
Hearing the city guard's words made Elijah finally realize that he was still wearing women's clothes, and his face immediately turned red. Elijah gave a small nod in reply to the man's words. Right now, all Elijah wanted to do was change his clothes as soon as possible.
"Elijah, Miss Charlotte, our client will come this time to see the criminal one last time. While waiting for him to come, you can change your clothes in another room."
Heidi came and saved Elijah at the right time. Elijah nodded and received his clothes back from Heidi. After that, the other city guards escorted Elijah to go to another room so that he could change his clothes.
After wearing his old clothes, Elijah went back to meet Heidi and the others. This time, someone had joined the group. Judging from her age and appearance, she was Miss Charlotte, who had hired Heidi and Elijah to catch the previous criminal.
"This is the first time we've met, isn't it? My name is Charlotte. Mr. Elijah, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you for capturing that criminal for me."
Charlotte was a beautiful woman with a great attitude. Elijah nodded in reply to her words. For Elijah, the most important thing was the completion of the mission given by the system.
"With this, I hope there will be no more casualties in the festival dancing competition. Mr. Desmond, you will make sure the criminal is punished according to the level of his crime, right?"
The Mr. Desmond Charlotte was referring to was the Chief Guard of Arlo City, who had previously thanked Elijah. The man nodded. After the city guard had insisted on not believing Charlotte before, conducting a thorough investigation to expose the criminal's crimes was the only way for the city guard to make amends.
"Of course, Miss Charlotte. We also hope that this incident will not happen again in the future," he replied seriously. Charlotte nodded with satisfaction. The woman smiled as she looked at Elijah, apparently happy that his nightmare was over on this day.
"Elijah, considering the crimes that the villain has committed so far, the city guards have agreed to pay 1000 gold coins from their pocket. However, Miss Charlotte still seems to want to pay her share for you separately."
Heidi informed Elijah, looking very happy at getting paid double the agreed amount. The city guards wanted to maintain their dignity by paying the bounty amount offered by Charlotte. However, Charlotte seemed to want to pay Elijah regardless of the decision made by the Arlo City Guard.
"I have prepared the money for today. So, regardless of the city guard's desire to pay you, I still want to thank you by giving you the money. Believe me, I feel that you deserve it."
Elijah and Heidi would get 1000 gold coins from the town guard and another 1000 from Charlotte. After receiving such a large sum of money, Elijah finally no longer felt that dressing as a woman and dancing in public was a bad thing. Elijah accepted the money happily. In his heart, Elijah couldn't wait to use the money to look for other magic books that he could buy.
"Thank you."
Elijah probably didn't realize. But when Elijah thanked her, his face seemed to be a little brighter than usual. Heidi smiled even wider when she saw the expression Elijah showed. In fact, all this time, Heidi thought that Elijah could not show any expression other than his bored and cold expression.
"Then, we will return first, Miss Charlotte, Mr. Desmond. Academy students like us are only allowed to enjoy the festival until midnight."
"Of course. Once again, thank you for your help today."
Heidi stood up, and the others released them easily. The matter of the criminal that disrupted the dance competition was finally over. The two walked back to the academy after that. Of course, with a good mood because they earned a lot of money just by catching one criminal in one day.
"Elijah, please come with me to another place before returning to the academy."
The money given by the city guard and Charlotte was still with Heidi, so Elijah could only obediently follow Heidi's wishes. The cat girl took Elijah to climb the highest tower in Arlo City. Elijah didn't understand why Heidi had to take him there of all places. However, rather than ask the girl directly, Elijah decided to remain silent and wait for Heidi to say her intentions with her mouth.
"Hey, we came at the right time!"
BOOM!
The sound of an explosion was heard and was followed by the sound of explosions coming in rapid succession. The originally dark sky of Arlo City was now filled with beautiful lights in various forms. Elijah was only silent. However, there was an expression of surprise and awe as the teenager watched the fireworks display that looked so beautiful.
"Here, your part for this mission. I'm sorry I delayed your return by withholding your share. But the fireworks are really beautiful, aren't they?"
For once, Elijah nodded honestly. The fireworks display he saw was indeed the most beautiful display Elijah had ever seen in his entire life. Elijah was in a good mood at the moment. Elijah received his share from Heidi, then took almost half of his share to return to a confused-looking Heidi.
"For you," Elijah informed her. Heidi shook her head quickly. She took out another bag of money, then pointed out that she had gotten her share of the mission this time.
"That's your share. I have earned my share of this mission."
"But you only got thirty percent of the reward amount, right? This mission was originally your mission. Even without the help of your wind magic, I would never have been able to catch that criminal."
Elijah was in a good mood. So, he didn't mind talking more than usual. Heidi stared at the collection of gold coins Elijah had given her. The cat girl couldn't help but smile after that. The smile Heidi showed was genuine and contained a warmth that Elijah had never seen from the girl.
"You're weird, Elijah," Heidi told him. She didn't refuse the money Elijah gave her. Heidi took it honestly and went back to watching the unfinished fireworks display after their talk.
"I wish all humans were as good as you. I really do. The world would definitely be a better place if there were more honest people like you."
Elijah looked at Heidi for suddenly saying that then felt complicated in his heart.
"I'm not a good person," Elijah said seriously. Heidi chuckled in reply to Elijah's words. "All good people say the same thing as you, Elijah," she retorted, not to be outdone.
Silence enveloped them as Elijah no longer replied, while Heidi no longer said anything as Elijah continued to remain silent. The two silently watched the fireworks display in earnest. Until the explosions could no longer be heard, and the sky returned to the pitch-blackness as before.
"Alright. Shall we go back? Tomorrow the academy is studying as usual, right?"
"You're right."
Elijah stood up too, and then they returned to the academy after that. At the academy gate, Heidi, who was walking beside Elijah, stopped. She was making Elijah also automatically stop his steps and turn to Heidi.
"Elijah, thank you so much for today. Thanks to this mission, I can get to know you better than ever."
Elijah didn't know the significance of getting to know people like him. Yet, he still nodded in the end. Elijah was just about to take a step to leave Heidi when the girl suddenly called his name again.
"Elijah!"
Elijah turned around once more and saw how Heidi returned her cheerful smile.
"About what happened today, I promise not to tell anyone."
Elijah uncharacteristically smiled, leaving Heidi stunned for a few moments. Elijah did not know why he was so happy today. However, after earning so much money and seeing such beautiful fireworks, Elijah felt that occasionally responding to Heidi's remarks wasn't so annoying anymore.
"I hope you keep that promise, Heidi."
After saying that, Elijah actually continued on his way without turning back. Elijah did not see how Heidi's face reddened slightly, while her expression was still too surprised after seeing that Elijah could still smile like any other teenager.