"I don't like this script," I scoffed.
"Neither do I," Ragni frowned dissatisfied.
"Well, I find it rather lovely," only Katrina found satisfaction in the storyline.
"But nobody asked you to play the role of the 'Brave Princess who bravely rushes to protect peaceful villagers from the terrible monster'," I emphasized the last line.
An awkward silence fell upon us. Popularity is undoubtedly good, but there were just too many inaccuracies.
"Let's not introduce ourselves to anyone, and we won't mention the name of the guild either. We'll just remain simple students from the Academy," Katrina declared her command.
"But I did tell them that everything wasn't quite like that, but they said it wouldn't be as interesting otherwise. And they probably won't have time to prepare another production," Ragni explained.
"Hmm, then maybe we can help them?" I suggested.
"Hmm, in our class, there would be enough people to talk about our adventures in Renerime, but all the children are from less affluent families, so they won't have enough money for costumes and decorations for a large-scale performance," Katrina stated.
"Hahaha, well, in that case, I'll help you," the beautiful trader and advertising expert, Vina, unexpectedly made a generous offer. "And why are you all looking at me like that? Consider it a sponsor's investment in small business development. This performance will also serve as part of my advertisement."
"Thank you, Vina. From your appearance, one would never guess you have such a kind heart," Rizel joyfully shook the girl's hand.
"Well, I could be offended. Alright, what do you need?"
"Well, I think they'll need clothes resembling the Academy uniform," I said.
"No problem, I'll contact the rector and ask for custom-made smaller-sized uniforms. It might cost us a bit, but I don't think it'll be too expensive if they don't overly enchant them," Vina assured.
"Great, and I'll be able to adjust them to fit perfectly," Kurone perked up noticeably.
"Mmm, I'll do something too. I'll sew the decorations!" Katrina also joined the conversation.
"But you've only just started working with the machine," I said.
"Hehe, you haven't seen how quickly I learned to handle it. I even practice lightning magic with it," she said.
"That scares me."
"Alright, Katrina, I'll leave the decorations to you. Algo, Krito, you'll have to show the boys a couple of moves so they can act like you."
"Hmm, we'll also need to make weapons similar to ours, but much lighter, or they won't be able to handle them properly. Leira, can we order the lightest mithril from your father?"
"Hmm, I think so. And if they need costumes like the ones we wore at our... um, weddings, I think we can make similar ones."
"That'll be great, thanks. But we'll still need to figure out how to make the monsters, and we'll have to change the decorations quickly."
"Well, let's say I can build a rotating stage that your earth mage can easily move, so we can change the decorations that way. I can also create the structure for the monsters, but I won't be able to move them," Aileen unexpectedly joined the discussion.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd help us with this," I said.
"These children have so few joys in life; why shouldn't I help them?" the guardswoman shyly turned away.
"I think I can make the frames move with magic," Rizel nodded. "If anything, I hope Kurone can help me with that."
"But haven't you forgotten something?" I asked. This question had been bothering me from the very beginning.
"What?"
I took a deep breath and raised my hand towards my chin, near the hood.
"We fought against underground monsters using magic. How do you plan to recreate that?"
"Hmm," the necromancer deep in thought brought her hand to her chin, and after a moment, she replied, "I've been thinking about that too. Grain might be able to use his magic from a distance, so it wouldn't be noticeable, but copying fire and lightning magic won't be so simple."
"And even though we didn't see it, you fought too, and I believe that part should remain in the play."
"Hmm, I've thought about it. Watch what I can do now," Rizel stepped into the center of the room, held her staff for a moment, and then thrust it into the floor. Stepping back a few paces, the necromancer focused on the staff. After half a minute, the staff began to vibrate, and soon its top was engulfed in green flames. "Phew, it's more challenging than it seems. I was thinking that if I could use telekinesis – I mean, move objects at a distance – maybe I could use magic the same way. And there you have it. If I charge a powerful magical item with my mana, I can activate it from a distance. Of course, it requires great concentration and mana expenditure."
With a heavy sigh, Rizel flopped onto a chair.
"I think if I practice, I'll be able to do this with greater speed and precision..." The girl timidly tightened her grip on her staff. "But then I'll have to lend my staff during the performance."
Her voice trembled as if someone were taking away her beloved kitten.
"Hmm, if you can do it, perhaps others can too. Katrina, why don't you give it a try?"
"Mmm, alright, I hope it works with my gloves," the sorceress removed her gloves and placed them on a chair against the wall. After ten minutes of futile attempts, the gloves finally sparked a little, but it was the best the princess could achieve. "It's no use. I don't know how to visualize it properly. In magic, it's crucial to see the form of your spell clearly, but I don't know how to do something like this!"
Katrina did the same as Rizel, but the effect was clearly insufficient. Perhaps it had to do with the unique power of the necromancer. However, before giving up, I decided to try something else. Taking one of the gloves from the chair, I handed it back to Katrina and suggested she try again.
"Well, if you insist," Katrina directed her magic through the glove on her hand, and the other glove began to respond. After a couple of attempts, the princess managed to produce a medium-sized lightning bolt from a significant distance. "Krito, you're right. I can use magic, but don't you think we're missing something crucial for fire magic?"
"Well, don't worry about that. I think I can make something for Seleria at the forge. If only I could finish what our master assigned us and also make copies of my blades," I replied.
"Hmm, I can make them if you want," Aileen joined the conversation again. "I can quickly and easily create a copy of your swords. It may be a bit rough, though."
"No problem. They won't actually be using them to fight. Rizel, then you'll have to come up with a script that the children can perform on stage."
"Hmm, I think I can handle that. I'll count on your help," Rizel replied.
Thus, an unplanned task emerged.
As midnight approached, everyone dispersed to their rooms, and it turned out that there was only one shared room with a double bed available for the newlyweds.
"Hehe, good luck to you both," I patted Algo on the back and hurried away.
"Hehe, Leira, maybe I'll lie on the floor, and you can take the bed," Algo attempted to proceed, but Leira, blushing, stopped him by grabbing the edge of his jacket.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable. After all, we're, uh, married now, and we can sleep together," the noblewoman didn't raise her gaze, but it seemed like she was about to blush even more.
"Huh?!" Algo blushed as well but didn't rush to refuse. "Well, if you're okay with it. I promise not to do anything unless you're comfortable."
Algo scratched his head, trying to turn the situation into a joke, but Leira hugged him tightly from behind.
"You silly fool, you're always like this. What's stopping you? We've been husband and wife for a while now."
"But still, Krito arranged everything. And I think we're just too different."
"Because I'm a noblewoman, and you're not?" Leira clung to Algo tighter. "What's stopping you? When you heard about the mayor earlier today, it seemed like you felt awkward being around me?"
"No, I... I just..." Algo lowered his gaze. "I think you're a wonderful girl—smart, beautiful, a powerful sorceress, and a noblewoman from a very ancient lineage. If it weren't for me, you could have found a more suitable match, I'm sorry."
Leira released the boy and stepped back a little.
"You... IDIOT!" The girl stomped her foot, and a shower of lightning bolts rained down on the armorer. "IDIOT!!! I HATE THIS!! I don't need anyone but you!!"
Leira rushed to Algo, and their lips met in a kiss. Finally, the girl's feelings reached her foolish servant.
"I'm sorry for acting like an idiot," Algo said.
"I forgive you, if you promise to take back your words," Leira replied.
"What words?" Algo expressed genuine bewilderment.
"Well..." Leira cutely brought her index fingers together. "That you won't touch me in bed."
Now it was Algo's turn to blush.
"Al-Alright," the newlyweds hesitantly proceeded to the bed and turned off the lights. Only the rustling of leaves outside the window accompanied their long-delayed first night together.
But beneath the window, four pairs of eyes were still watching the loving couple. Despite the room being on the second floor, four girls had perched themselves on a thick tree branch to spy on them.
"Hmm-hmm, so these are human wedding rituals, quite interesting," a pair of yellow eyes with narrow pupils nodded, scrutinizing the window with curiosity.
"It seems that working with the kids made them consider the continuation of their lineage," a green eye squinted with a smirk, drawing conclusions.
"Well, they finally made a move, and I thought they'd timidly hold hands until the end of the Academy," a pair of red eyes smirked with satisfaction.
"What about you in Verania, do you have any problems like this?" the pair of brown eyes seemed out of place in the group. "I don't understand what the problem is if they love each other."
"Huh?!" The red eyes blazed with righteous anger. "You know, we have to consider proper decorum."
"But they're already married, aren't they?" the brown-eyed girl insisted. "They love each other, have known each other for a long time, and have been husband and wife for quite a while. Why should they be embarrassed? If I were in Leira's place, I would've made a move a long time ago."
"Well, it seems like you in the Empire have no concept of propriety!" The red eyes retorted.
"What's so wrong with it?! We live in a troubled world and can die at any moment. So why should we restrain ourselves if we have the opportunity to be with our loved ones?" the brown-eyed girl argued.
"Mmm..." Seleria fell silent, finding meaning in Aileen's words. If she knew she'd die tomorrow, she'd surely want to spend time with her beloved.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the edge of the branch, and two shadows disappeared into the nearby bushes.
"Huh? Where did they go?" the guardswoman asked as the sound of creaking window frames and electric discharges came from the window.
"WHAT! ARE! YOU! DOING! HERE!!!?!?!??!" Leira stood in the window, a little annoyed, with her hair standing on end from a powerful static discharge.
"Umm, we just came to observe," the voice of the red princess trembled slightly.
"And to offer our advice if needed!" the imperial girl convincingly added, but it only further annoyed the girl in the window.
"GET OUT OF HERE!!!" Leira unleashed a couple of lightning bolts to drive the girls away.
"Damn, you could use a bit more tact," the red princess reprimanded the guardswoman as they ran out of the line of fire.
"Well, maybe she needs help," Aileen didn't want to experience the wrath of the sorceress either.
"Sometimes you're even worse than Ragni."