Summer in Baden was not much different from spring, only slightly warmer and a bit hotter.
For the students of the swordsmanship department, who were used to sweating profusely during their intense training sessions, the weather was noticeably different.
During the festival, all departments conducted abbreviated classes. Even though they were called abbreviated, the practical sessions for the swordsmanship department still took place in the morning. The only difference was the absence of theoretical lessons; training went on as usual.
A week before the summer festival, the second-year students of the swordsmanship department began preparing for it. Even if they didn't have specific tasks, they were mentally preparing.
Typically, during festivals, some participate while others merely watch.
Participation was not mandatory, but those who did participate were entitled to certain benefits.
Before classes started, there was chatter among the second-year students of the swordsmanship department about the festival.
"During the festival, a temporary market will be set up within the school grounds. Anyone interested in participating can form a team, prepare a proposal, and apply. If the team has more than seven members, they will receive funding. Half of the profits must be donated, and the other half can be kept by the team."
"Rich students will definitely splurge during this time."
"The prices at the festival market can compete with those in Baden's commercial districts."
A few students from the swordsmanship department showed enthusiasm. The financial disparity among students, even those from noble families, was significant.
Tuition aside, living in expensive Baden was not easy. Some students were eager to earn a significant amount during the festival.
Others simply enjoyed such activities. Wesley, who often flaunted his noble status, belonged to the latter group. He said smugly,
"I enjoy this kind of thing. When else would we get to experience something like this if not at the academy?"
He had always been known to flaunt his wealth and status, and everyone was used to it.
"Didn't you make some money last year running a skewer shop?"
"Skewers are easy to make and sell well. You can get a good deal on sauce if you buy in bulk from the taverns in Baden. Skewering them isn't hard either."
He seemed to have a knack for this kind of thing.
"Are you planning to run a shop this time too? Selling skewers again?"
"No, standing by the grill gets quite hot… I was thinking of doing something more suited to summer."
"Shaved ice?"
"Yes, I've already found a supplier for the ingredients and recruited a few students from the magic department. They'll handle freezing the ice, and we'll do the rest."
"Count me in. I want to earn some money too."
"The team's already full!"
"Is the market space first-come, first-served?"
"If you apply five days in advance, you get priority. The rest is by lottery."
"We need to form a team quickly then."
At that moment, Wesley's friend Mitchel approached Helmut, lowering his voice.
"We're opening a shop. Do you want in? You could make a tidy sum. Academy students will buy anything during the festival. They're easy marks."
The prospect of making a good amount of money was somewhat enticing.
However, Helmut was already wealthy. He was more interested in enjoying the festival than running a shop.
"If the team's already full…"
"We're not looking for just anyone. Wesley's shop is so popular there are loads of students who want in. He specifically asked me to invite you."
Mitchel whispered conspiratorially.
Looking around, Wesley was being bombarded with inquiries from other students. Many seemed eager to participate.
"Wesley's shop is popular because he offers equal profit sharing and it's easy work if you do as he says. That's why everyone's so keen."
"But why me?"
Helmut and Mitchel hadn't had much interaction besides being in the same group during a previous hunting picnic. They hadn't talked much since.
"Because you're handsome and somewhat of a celebrity. You're a transfer student who became the top of the second-year students in the swordsmanship department. You'd attract customers."
'It doesn't matter that I'm a commoner?'
As if answering his unspoken question, Mitchel said,
"With your skills, you could easily earn a title after graduating from the academy. Talented swordsmen have a bright future."
The students in the swordsmanship department seemed to have become less concerned about social status over the semester. Perhaps Asuka's influence made them more aware of the commoner issue.
At the academy, it hardly mattered whether someone was a commoner or not.
Associating with someone for a short time was no issue. And a commoner with outstanding grades at Greta Academy could easily climb the social ladder.
"Wesley's girlfriend's friend wanted me to introduce you, but honestly, she's not great, so I didn't. Good thing too. After all, you even rejected Teresa from the magic department, who's known for her beauty."
"…"
Somehow, the Teresa incident seemed to be deterring others on its own. Not that it was Alea's intention.
"You come off as a bit... intimidating, normally. Running a shop might draw in some customers. This could be a chance to get yourself a girlfriend..."
"You should worry about your grades before thinking about girlfriends, kid."
Asuka, popping his head in, unnecessarily chided Mitchel, who made a wronged face.
"I don't have a girlfriend! Wesley does."
"Why don't you have one then? You're friends."
"You don't either. And my grades are fine. I'm in the top 30."
"More competent than you look."
Asuka seemed genuinely surprised, causing Mitchel to scowl.
"Stop picking on me. So, what do you think, Helmut? Won't you join?"
It felt like a limited-time offer. Now or never, he seemed to say.
But before Helmut could even contemplate, Asuka pushed Mitchel away.
"Go on, Helmut's not doing it."
"But Helmut didn't say..."
"I heard him. With my heart."
"What nonsense. Hey, Asuka, don't push. Helmut, think about it!"
"Think my foot. Are you going or not?"
Eventually, pushed by Asuka, Mitchel had no choice but to grumble away. Helmut raised an eyebrow at the returning Asuka.
"When did I say I wasn't going to do it?"
"You were going to?"
He was considering it. He wasn't in need of money, and he didn't want to be tied down to a shop during the festival anyway.
Asuka looked disgruntled at the lack of response.
"Were you planning to do it alone without any loyalty?"
Of course, Asuka wouldn't have been invited even if Helmut had decided to participate. If they wanted the shop to succeed, that is. Asuka wouldn't behave if he went.
Blocking was not just Alea's specialty; Asuka was equally adept. His presence alone deterred people from approaching Helmut.
"It's just a hassle. Festivals and all that."
Uncharacteristically, Asuka was complaining, even though he had been excitedly planning something with Sian just the day before. It seemed Helmut had been included in those plans.
Helmut let Asuka's grumbling slide off him.
"Hey, Wesley. Let me join your team. I know you haven't filled the spots yet."
"How do you know?"
"I asked around. I didn't bother with Helmut and Asuka since they wouldn't be interested. You don't have anyone else from the swordsmanship department, right? You can't fill it with just magic department students."
"…Persistent kid."
Wesley rolled his eyes. He was still being hassled by other students. Despite their private complaints about Wesley, he was incredibly popular during the festival.
Someone, hoping to ingratiate themselves with Wesley, tentatively started a conversation.
"Hey, Wesley, I heard a fascinating rumor recently."
"If I find it interesting, you're in."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Wesley sighed, exhausted by the effort. The swordsmanship department students sure knew how to wear someone down. There was still some time before class started.
"About the swordsmanship tournament. Baden's academies are now allowed to participate, right? I heard the temple approved it."
A student scoffed.
"The temple? What right do they have to approve or disapprove? They've been so arrogant until now."
"Hey, keep it down. There are devotees of Lumen here. You'll get marked."
"Go on with the story."
"Recently, there was a big conflict between the temple and Basor, which has made them lay low. Basor's a powerful country, right?"
"Yeah, the Palma Knight Order is famous."
"So, the temple has softened its stance due to the rapidly worsening relations with Basor. They've eased restrictions on Baden."
"Basor? What conflict do they have? Is it about establishing a temple?"
"I don't know the details. Something about colluding with Basor's first prince. But I didn't get the full story."
Helmut inadvertently paid attention to their conversation. It was audible enough.
Students at Greta Academy, especially those from noble families, had good access to information. The speaker was likely from a high-ranking noble family.
"Is that all?"
"Not exactly. They've allowed the tournament to include Baden's academies, but the temple knows nothing about Baden other than it's teeming with mages. So, a high priest is coming to Baden with knights and priests to supervise."
"Did Baden agree to this?"
"They had to. There's no winning against the temple. If they come with a pretext, what can you do?"
"Ah, so that's why there was a full faculty meeting yesterday. They all came out of the building. They're visiting Greta Academy too, huh?"
"The pretext is to check for the use of black magic or forbidden powers. The temple views Baden as a city always on the brink of delving into the prohibited."
"Regardless, what does it have to do with the swordsmanship department? It's the magic department students who'll be peeved."
"They might come to observe classes. They might even recruit knights. We have a few devout folks here."
"The upperclassmen, maybe. They wouldn't come to see second-years."
"True that."
"So, Wesley, is my info good enough? Am I in?"
"Fine, you're in! Welcome to the team."
"Yay!"
Wesley's side became momentarily noisy.
"Interesting conversation there. A high priest visiting. High and mighty as they are, it's hard even for kings to see their faces."
Asuka, who had keen ears too, seemed intrigued. He looked at Helmut and suddenly seemed surprised.
"Why do you look so cold? Got a grudge against the high priest?"
"No. It's nothing."
'Could it be a coincidence, or...'
Time would tell, but perhaps they were searching for him. If the high priest knew of his presence at the scene of a high priest's death.
In Basor, Helmut had disguised himself as a 16-year-old named Hydra. His appearance had changed, so finding him wouldn't be easy.
But his skills were exceptional. At such a young age, he had won the Basor martial tournament.
Such talent didn't fall from the sky. Either he had a great master, came from a renowned swordsmanship family, or was educated at a prestigious academy. There weren't many possibilities.
If the temple had guessed he was an academy student, they might suspect he was in Baden.
The high priest coming to Baden might be looking for him. If the temple was seeking Hydra in connection with the death of a high priest, their intentions couldn't be good.