"Elijah, what were you talking about with the academy head?"
As soon as Elijah walked out of the academy head's room, Damian, who should have left, was still waiting for him near the exit. The elf immediately approached Elijah as soon as he came out and followed Elijah when the teenager had no intention of stopping even for a moment after seeing Damian.
"It's nothing important."
Elijah replied, and Damian also decided not to ask the teenager any more questions. The two walked hand in hand in the spacious hallway of the academy. But at one point, Damian's gaze shifted to look at Arlo City from the academy's high window.
"Ah, now that I think about it, it is around the time for it."
Elijah stopped walking, then joined in gazing at Arlo City, which seemed to be more festive than usual.
"Time for what?" asked Elijah curiously. Damian gave Elijah a surprised look after that. Through his expression alone, Damian seemed to want to convey that he couldn't believe there was still someone who didn't know about the unique traditions in Arlo City.
"You really don't know?"
"That's why I asked."
Annoyed that Damian did not answer him immediately, Elijah intended to leave the matter at that. However, Damian hurriedly blocked his way. Although Damian found it strange that humans did not know the time of their own festivals, Damian simply assumed that Elijah was the kind of human who did not care about anything other than power.
"Festival, Elijah. It is summer, the season that is considered the most sacred time by the human race. You, humans, worship the sun goddess, right? Humans held summer festivals to celebrate the blessings of the sun goddess in Arlo City."
Elijah subconsciously raised his eyebrows in surprise. Since the system had never given a detailed explanation of the world he was now living in, Elijah never knew that there was such a commemoration in Arlo City.
"Spring festival to worship the Holy Tree, summer festival to worship the sun goddess, fall festival to worship the moon god, and winter festival to worship the fire god. Arlo City is home to the four races living on the Rhodes Continent. Because of this, the city always celebrates festivals in each season for each deity worshiped by each race."
Damian realized that Elijah didn't seem to know much, so he gave an explanation to help Elijah understand more about the traditions in Arlo City. Damian could hardly believe that there were still humans who didn't know about the biggest festival on the Rhodes Continent. Even Damian had always looked forward to the festivals held in the city since childhood.
"Normally, I only come to Arlo City in spring, where people celebrate the birth of the Holy Tree by holding festivals. However, I heard that the sun goddess festival is equally amazing. The humans will have a parade. And, of course, there will be many attractions and delicious food during the festival."
Damian suddenly clapped his hand, then looked at Elijah with sparkling eyes.
"Elijah, at least you know that the academy will be closed on the day of the festival, right? After a grueling mission, how about we-"
"I refuse."
Damian had not finished speaking, but Elijah had already cut him off cruelly. Elijah only wanted to know what kind of festival was being held, not to participate directly in the event.
When Elijah saw Damian's expression brighten suddenly, he could already tell what the elf wanted to say after getting to know his nature. But unfortunately, Elijah didn't want to get involved with festivals or have any fun in this strange world.
Every day, Elijah woke up and reminded himself that he had come to this strange world to fight and not to enjoy it while he had the time. Elijah didn't want to get carried away with any of the pleasures of this world. To him, all pleasures were fake. Even Damian, who was talking to him, was not someone who really lived like him.
"Oh, come on, Elijah! Don't tell me you're going to miss the fun to practice again."
Elijah was silent, and Damian took that gesture as a yes. Damian let out a long breath in frustration. For as long as Damian had been alive, Elijah was the first person who seemed to live in such a miserable, colorless world.
Damian wanted to bring some color to his friend's gloomy world. Unfortunately, Elijah didn't seem to like anything he did about it.
"Ah... I can't take it anymore! This time, even if I have to drag you, I will force you to enjoy the festival like the others! Training is indeed good, Elijah. However, it's only good if you don't overdo it."
Elijah ignored his words and walked first to leave Damian, who was still talking to him. Fortunately, Damian was not offended by Elijah's attitude. The elf was even more convinced that he had to bring Elijah out during the festival, or Elijah might be alone in the black-and-white world forever.
"You'll see, Elijah! I'm sure you'll love the festival when you see it in person!"
In the corridors of the academy, Damian shouted without caring that some students could hear his shout for Elijah.
***
"Ugh!"
Damian said that he would drag Elijah on the day of the festival. But when he returned to his dorm room, there was a letter that Damian never wanted to receive at times like this. The elf opened and read the letter once more. Damian groaned in annoyance, then looked at Elijah, who was calmly cleaning his sword in front of him.
"Elijah...."
"You should go, you know. I told you, didn't I? Even if you plan to drag me, I won't stand by and let you do whatever you want."
Damian was a little upset because he realized that what Elijah said was true. But at the same time, Damian focused on something else Elijah said.
"How did you know my family called me back?" he asked in confusion. Damian found the letter sent by his family sealed on top of his drawer. Not to mention, there was no possibility that Elijah saw the letter first since they returned almost at the same time.
"The paper used for the letter is not something I'm used to seeing in this place. And the plant seal used makes it clear that the letter was sent from the elven kingdom. Then, I heard that even Gazel and Sofia were also asked to return to their kingdoms at this festival time. And finally, from your expression, I can guess that your family did the same to you."
Elijah explained what he knew and heard earlier to Damian out of boredom. But unexpectedly, the backlash Elijah got from Damian was far greater than he had expected.
When Damian didn't say anything after his explanation, Elijah thought that his guess was wrong and turned to stare at the elf sitting on the bed in front of him. However, he saw Damian looking at him with an admiring gaze. The elf's eyes lit up as if what Elijah had said earlier was something extraordinary.
"Wow. You can even know to that extent. How did you know that human and the princess were summoned to return to their kingdom?" Damian asked curiously.
"I heard it on the way back to the dormitory. Being members of the royal family like you guys makes people in the academy gossip a lot."
Damian smiled with satisfaction after hearing Elijah's answer. Damian was behind Elijah and saw how the teenager walked as if he didn't care about anything. But it seemed that, behind his unconcerned demeanor, Elijah was actually still paying good attention to the surrounding area.
Damian didn't even notice that the people around him were talking about the return of the human royal family to their kingdom. Damian's plus point for Elijah had increased again. Elijah was strong and stood out with his own style. Even so, Elijah never forgot to pay attention to his surroundings.
Damian silently resolved to emulate Elijah's behavior and be more sensitive to his surroundings.
"Stop smiling like that. You look strange."
Damian's stopped daydreaming when Elijah spoke again while sheathing his sword that had been cleaned. Damian ignored Elijah's words about his smile and smiled wider. Even if Elijah seemed bothered by his smile, Damian wanted to show that he was proud to be friends with someone like Elijah.
"Elijah, I might not be able to go with you to the festival. But, I hope you still go to enjoy something out there."
"Not gonna happen," Elijah retorted cruelly. This time, Damian was no longer pushy as he realized that words alone would not move Elijah. He had to return to the elves' territory when the festival was being held. So, no matter what, Damian had lost the chance to drag Elijah out and enjoy the fresh air.
"Well, I still hope you go at that time. There's no telling what you'll find at the festival. Trust me, Elijah. You'll find something fun when you're willing to participate in the festival."
This time, Elijah did not reject Damian's persuasion outright. Elijah was probably just tired of responding to Damian's stubbornness and decided that silence was better than a reply. But his attitude was misinterpreted by Damian. The elf thought that Elijah was finally willing to take him at his word and began to feel satisfied deep in his heart.
"Elijah, if you want, I can-"
"No."
Damian was again flatly rejected as he intended to take more than he could accept. The elf smiled with a sense of helplessness. It did not matter, even if Elijah refused Damian to ignore his parents' call for Elijah. At least Damian now knew that Elijah was willing to consider going to enjoy the festival instead of constantly practicing alone in the lonely park as usual.